 | The Tragedie of Hero and Leander |  |
The Fourth Act.
Enter Castor and Stredon.Stre.
The cowrdize of our Men, preserv'd the Town.
Cast.
Nay, if the Souldiers had stood to their Arms,
VVithout all peradventure, Mentor's Men
Had fir'd Abydos; thou and I shall now
Live to burn Sestos.
Stre.
VVhat begets this Hope.
Cast.
Now that Leander's come, and this night past,
VVhich prov'd so dismal to his Family:
He and the Sun, who rise from Sea together,
Promise as well faire Fortune, as fair VVeather.
Stre.
I fear; the Fate, upon his House, will break
Leander's Heart, mine bleeds for brave Orosis.
Cast.
For fair Celena I have wept so much,
Leander might have swum in my Salt-water.
Enter Leander.
Stre.
'Twas well, the Greek Fleet miss'd him: Some Design
He hammers, by the sparkling of his Eyes.
Cast.
VVhat a strange active Spirit has our Prince,
He swims the Sea; Yet, landing takes no rest.
Lean.
I see, to Fury Honour is no Bar:
From Mentor I expected a fair VVar,
VVhich unconcern'd Spectatours might applaud:
In his own Coin I'l pay him, Fraud for Fraud,
That th'Enemy may think our Courage fails,
Take down your Shrouds and put-up Mourning Sailes,
Then will the Greeks proud of their Conquest, boast,
VVe fly to people some unplanted Coast.
At our sad Emblems of Despair they'l laugh,
And all this Day, like true Greeks, dance and quaffe:
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That some lye drown'd in VVine, and some in sleep:
The Sestian Garrison wee'l over-power,
And with our Sea-men take the Town and Tower:
For to my VVife, at Night I'l swim the Sea,
And open Europe's Portall, will her Key.
VVhat cheere, my Hearts after this fatal Night?
Stre.
Sir I hope for a Day of Victory,
Cast.
For my part, to the Grecians I would loose
One Eye; so with the other I might see
The Conqurours Captive, and the Captives Free.
Lean.
I ask not questions, as unsatisfy'd
VVith either's Courage; I know you can fight,
Like Valiant Men: But tell me which of you
VVill be a VVoman, to advantage me?
Cast.
I look too grim.
Lean.
For Men there's no access
To Hero's Tow'r; I'l send my VVife a Letter,
Stredon, Thou'lt carry't?
Stre.
Sow'd up in my Apron:
And if my Project please you, I'l paint Black;
My nimblest ship-boyes shall be Negroes too,
At Sestos they'l be very serviceable.
Lean.
VVill the Guards pass you?
Stre.
Into their dull Souls,
I'l strike a pious reverence: telling them
I'm th'Æthiopian Sibyl, come to visit,
Sibyl of Europe, who now Prophesyes
In Hero's Temple.
Lean.
Very good; from Hero
Receive the Postern-Key, and wait you there,
Till your Boys bring you word, my Fleet's arriv'd:
Then let-in Castor and the Mariners.
Get me a Pen; and look your Swords be good;
Love shall be writ in Ink: Revenge, in blood.
[Exeunt.
Enter Tiresias, Aphila, Theamne, Samertes, Arcas, and Waiters.
Aphi.
Thy Freedom, dear Theamne, did not more
Joy me, when I brought thee into the VVorld.
Tire.
Sons, Daughter, VVelcom home, from base Abydos.
Same.
I confess 'twas no honorable place
For any of us three; Arcas and I
VVere Pris'ners there, disarm'd by your great Friend.
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We heard it.
Thea.
How my Brother frowns? I see,
He means not to sit down with his Affront.
Tire.
How long were you two under a restraint?
Arcas.
We were just brought aboard the Admiral.
When Orders came, for our Transportance hither.
Tire.
In your Discharge Mentor express'd himself
Your Father's Friend; Some; that Command in chief,
Have punish'd such an Insolence with Death.
Same.
Some will not see a fault, in their young Friends,
That serve as Voluntiers, and take no Pay.
Tire.
No more reflexions, he's severe, but Prudent.
Same.
And just, I wish he were; but he detains
Orosis and Celena, though he gave
Them (as a Bride-groom's Present) to Theamne:
Then, Mentor has a Feavour, and who knows,
When 'twill please his sick Greatness to be well?
Must our Revenge wait his Recovery?
Thea.
to Vindicate our Honour, I will write
A Letter for my Slaves.
Aphi.
They shall be drown'd,
Thea.
The Gift's condition'd; I must be their Judge:
What think you, If we had them flead alive?
Tire.
No death can be more proper for a Pirate;
When Merchants (burn'd, and frozen, by both Zones)
Bring, for their Country, Purple, Gold, and Jewells,
'Tis fit; That he who strips them of that Wealth,
Should have his Skin stript off.
Aphi.
And She, that shar'd
The Prizes, let her share the Punishment:
To th'Execution I'l Invite our Kindred:
Daughter, come-in, let's see, how well you write.
[Exeunt
Samertes puls back Theamne.
Same.
One word; Do'st mean the Pris'ners shall be flead?
Thea.
Would not you, for Celena, intercede?
Same.
I Love her.
Thea.
More (it seems) then you love me:
VVas I imprison'd, and shall I not be
Reveng'd, for an Indignity so base,
Both of Orosis, and of his whole Race?
Same.
VVhat Fury has possest thee? VVho am I?
Hast thou forgot Samertes? Shall He dye
Because thou wert imprison'd by another?
VVhere's thy old Love, thy Kindness, for thy Brother?
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Brother, for You how great a Tenderness
My Heart has, let my melting Eyes express?
[She seems to weep.
Same.
Express it, to Celena.
Thea.
She shall live.
Same.
Now but a Pardon to Orosis give;
I'l say, thou art of all thy Sex the best.
Thea.
A tender Nature should not be thus prest,
To prejudice it Self; besides, I know
Your temper such; as he, that's once your Foe,
Can never be your Friend; Why then should I
Pardon a Man, You hate?
Same.
If he should dye.
Celena would hate me.
Thea.
Consider, pray;
His Pardon sign'd, What will the People say?
Theamne by Orosis was enjoy'd;
So, to preserve his Life, my Fame's destroy'd
Same.
I'l stop the People's Mouth.
Thea.
But I shall sink,
Under great Censure, VVhat will Mentor think?
Him I shall loose.
Same.
Undoubtedly; and then,
The best of Maids, will loose the worst of Men.
Thea.
To him my Father promis'd me,
Same.
He did:
But let thy Brother the curs'd Banes forbid:
Thou should'st not call my Enemy thy Friend,
Much less thy Husband.
Thea.
But I shall offend,
Our Parents, if I break.
Same.
Do but acquit
Orosis; Mentor will not have the VVit,
To think thee Honest; and then He'l break first.
Thea.
If I would do it, Do you think I durst?
Same.
Dar'st thou not, for thy Brother?
Thea.
You'l ingage,
To stand between me and my Father's rage?
Same.
And Mentor's Fury too; though he command
At Sea, I'l make him know, I rule at Land,
And that my Sister shall be free to chuse.
Thea.
For my self, Brother, I should not refuse;
For You I will—advantage my own ends:
[Aside.
So flatt'ring Politicians use their Friends.
[Exeunt.
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Cele.
His Pray'rs move me, no more then do his Threats;
I will not go.
Musæ.
The Admiral intreats.
Cele.
VVhy to his Cabbin, Am I not safe here?
Musæ.
You are, but He'l be safer, when y'are there:
For, you may bring him Health, I know, you will;
Then make hast, Mentor's dangerously ill.
Cele.
If any danger of his life you see,
Pray, send for his Physician, and spare me.
Musæ.
My Friend's not sick in Body, but in Mind;
And yet that's curable, if you'l be kind.
Cele.
Kind, to my Enemy?
Musæ.
Your kindness may
Make him your Friend.
Cele.
VVho has made me his Prey:
No, when the cruel Vulture gripes the Dove,
She cannot hate, but sure she will not love.
Musæ.
But when the Hart the flying Hind pursues,
By yielding, she the Conquerour subdues.
Cele.
Musæus, my Ambition is not high:
Let Mentor be Victorious; let me fly.
Musæ.
To him?
Cele.
To Heav'n; if you will but afford,
My hand the timely favour of your Sword.
Musæ.
My Sword for noble uses was ordain'd.
Cele.
VVhat's nobler, then to keep a Maid unstain'd?
Musæ.
If that be all the danger you suspect:
I will ingage, your Honour He'l protect.
Cele.
But yet his Passion may deceive your trust.
Musæ.
To Honour Mentor never was unjust,
If he be now, upon my Sword depend;
I am your Guard, and Mentor's not my Friend.
Cele.
Let's go; but still remember, You are He
I trust, as Guide both to your Friend, and Me.
[Exeunt.
Enter Mentor, Reading a Letter.
Ment.
Theamne is deriv'd from Delphick Prophets,
And like a Prophetess she ends her Letter:
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For, you'l not loose your Feavour, till They bleed.
VVhat Answer to this Letter can I make,
But that her just Commands must be obey'd?
The Pris'ners to Theamne were my Gift,
VVhich 'tis not in my Pow'r now to revoke.
Heaven! Must I send Celena, to be Slaughter'd?
Yes, Honour sayes: Diviner Love sayes, No:
And should not I offend the Deityes,
To worship Honour by profaning Love?
VVhat shall I do? if I consent they dye;
And my Ingagement's broke, if I refuse.
Enter Musæus and Celena.
Musæ.
Celena's come
Ment.
The fairest of her Sex
Comes to be sacrific'd.
Cele.
I am betray'd,
Musæ.
Suspend your Fear, till I awake his Virtue:
From great to Base, VVill Mentor change his Style?
Ment.
Against my VVill; what I do, I abhor,
And what she'l suffer, is, the fact of Heaven.
Musæ.
Horrid! Upon the Gods You charge your Crime.
Ment.
VVhich is so great, no God will pardon it.
Musæ.
And can a Man so wicked, hope to live?
Draw your Sword.
[Musæus draws.
Ment.
No; the Guilty, if he fight,
May be misfortune kill the Innocent.
Musæ.
VVhy then would you be guilty of a Rape,
And make me accessary to your Lust?
Ment.
That slanderous Lye will justify thy death:
[Mentor draws.
VVho poys'ned thy foul tongue? VVhat Villain?
Musæ.
Thou:
Didst thou not say, the fairest of her Sex,
Comes to be sacrific'd?
Ment.
I own the words;
But thy Mistake shall not ingage our Lives:
Peruse Theamne's Letter, and then bid
Farewell, to fair unfortunate Celena.
Musæ.
Release her, and She'l then be Fortunate.
Ment.
I have resign'd my right, she's not my Pris'ner.
Musæ.
Make her your VVife; None upon earth but You,
Can claim an Intrest in your VVife.
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His Wife?
Had I a thousand Lives, He should not be
My Husband, if he could preserve 'em all:
Render Celena to her Enemies;
Better at once dye, then to be dying ever.
Ment.
Since to your Bed I must not be admitted;
In one cold Urn, our Ashes shall embrace:
Sail-off my Ship, for Sestos.
Musæ.
Then I see,
The Persian War did but adjourn our Fate;
To both our Lives Her Death will put an end:
You'l not out-live Your Love; nor I, my Friend.
[Exeunt.
Enter Hero, and Nurse, In the Tower-Garden by a Fountain.
Hero.
Nurse, I could Vye Tears with that weeping Fountaine;
Leander has forgot me.
Nurse.
Do You think,
He can forget his Wife, and such a Beauty?
Hero.
Ah; Where's the Beauty of a Wife? What Flower
Looks lovely, when 'tis gather'd, but one Day?
No since I lost the happy name of Virgin,
Hero is alter'd, so's Leander too,
The Sea has taught the Swimmer how to change:
His Mistress lives in Asia, he shuns Europe,
And can dispense with his rash Vow to me:
Leander's false.
Nurse.
I'l answer for his Truth.
Hero.
If he be true, VVhy does he not come hither?
VVhat answer can you make for his Delay?
Nurse.
Good lack: You long? Can you not stay till Night?
By day he may not Swim.
Hero.
But he may send,
And so may I; Good sweet Nurse (whilst I write)
Go to the Port and get a Messenger.
Nurse.
My old eyes hardly can find out the way,
[Hero sits, draws out a Tablet and writes.
Such dark Clouds fly, before the setting Sun:
But, to serve you I'l do my weak endeavour.
[Nurse goes out and presently comes back.
Hero.
Nurse, VVhat's the business?
Nurse.
Child it poses me;
I'th'Air this Ev'ning, we have flying Clouds
And walking Clouds below: there is without,
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She sayes, that she's Leander's Messenger.
Hero.
She's a black Angel, if she came from him,
Call her in.
Nurse.
Mistress, Madam-Devil, Enter.
Musique,
Stredon and his Ship-Boyes like Blacks enter, and dance; first one, then another washing at the Fountain, at last all appear White.
Nurse.
As I'm alive, 'tis Stredon and his Ship-boyes,
VVas't not well?
Hero.
Very well; but is this all
Leander Sends?
Stre.
No, Madam, here's a Letter.
Hero.
VVelcome Sweet Image of Leander's thoughts.
She reads.
My Hero,
Before I could swim back to Abydos; my Brother and Sister were surpriz'd
by Mentor, who pretends to Theamne, and means to Sacrifice them to
the Revenge of her Relations. But Fortune, like the Helespont, has
Storms and Calmes, bad Hours and good: Hope the best. I'l swim
to you at midnight; give Stredon the Postern Key, he has orders to
wait there, till the arrival of my Fleet at three: then in the head of my
Sea-men I'l rout your Souldiers, release the Prisoners, and Sail-off with
Hero and Theamne: This I may safe promise to those Spirits, which you
will infuse into,
Your Leander.
Twas sadly fortun'd, but 'tis well design'd;And yet I fear Leander's want of fear,
Why will he swim now, when the North-East Wind
Blows-up the watry Glasses with one Gust,
And with another breaks them? Tell me Nurse,
(But tell me true) Dost thou believe, that I
Shal ever see my Lord?
Nurse.
Yes, in your arms;
Stre.
And Sestian Souldiers kneeling at his feet.
Hero.
You flater like Physicians, when they tell
A dying Patient, that there's hope of Life.
But for Leander's coming, let's prepare:
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This Mantle (held before it, with these hands)
From all the Winds shall Screen that flaming Guide,
Which lights the Swimmer to his clouded Bride.
[Exeunt.
| The Tragedie of Hero and Leander | |