University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

The Wood near Blois.
Enter Gabriel, Armida.
Arm.
I now find true what I have often read,
A Crown brings trouble to the owners Head,
For Since you only were for one design'd,
Your sleeps have been as restless as your mind.

Gab.
Armida, yet thou knowst not Gabriel right,
Content I value, and a Crown can slight.
I'm only fearful least such dreams advance
Ambitious Guise to seek the Crown of France.
Fierce are the working Passions of his mind,
His Soul's, tho to Ambition most inclin'd.
Venus, without a Crown, he would disdain,
And love, or hate, or anything, to reign.

Arm.
This should not you disturb. He must succeed
In his desires, if by the Stars decreed.

Gab.
Yet if I now should to his Love incline,
His Treason and Ambition would be mine.
And if a Crown should chance to be my lot
By Love-designs it only shall be got.

Arm.
Well, Madam, we shall make a better choice
Of observations, when we come to Blois.

Gab.
Your Pericart by promise comes to day,
And from the Fry'rs will thither us convey.
Under the shady Trees let's walk a while
Both Time and expectation to beguile.

[Exeunt.
Enter Captain, Soldiers, going out.
Capt.
Into our Ambush some must fall. Ly close;
To Soldiers going.
All ways are lawful to entrap our Foes.

Enter a Soldier.
Sold.
Upon the Hill 'twixt this and Orleans,
Right-hand the Road, I 'spy some Horse advance.

Capt.
How many may they be?

Sold.
Some three, or four.

Capt.
Why did you stir, unless they had been more?

Sold.
Methought they more and more began t' appear.

Capt.
Some dreadful Troop of Thistles!

Sold.
Gad! I swear,
I saw 'em move.

Capt.
Some Troop of horn'd Beasts,
Or Trees with waving Plumes upon their Crests.
Dost think they were not Clouds.

Sold.
I know not well;
I'l try once more and then may surely tell.

[Exit.
Enter first Soldier.
Sold.
Two Ladies, Sir, are fall'n into our snare.

Capt.
Dost think I came with Women to make War.

Sold.
When seen, you'l think it much the safer choice
To charge the strongest Regiment in Blois.

Capt.
Are they so beautiful?

Sold.
Gad! Captain, more
Than you, or all the World e'r saw before.

Capt.
Go, bring 'em in. Sure they can do no harm.
[Exit. Sold.
I'm cold, and they may serve to make me warm.
Enter second Soldier with Ladies.
Gad, beautiful! Fair Lady, I'm for you;
The other you may share betwixt you two

They hand her, Arm. runs out.
Arm.
Heav'n lend me Wings!

1 Sold.
There after thee I'l flye,
Rather than miss my Quarry.

[Exit.
2 Sold.
So will I.

[Exit.
Capt.
Come, Madam, Come.

[Hands Gabriel.
Gab.
What do you mean to do?

Capt.
I am in Love.

Gab.
'Tis now no time to woo.
Bless me! Your looks are strange.

Capt.
I mean to prove
All ways, to quench my raging flames of Love.

Gab.
I'l dye first.

[Strives with her.
Capt.
How! Deny me such a bliss.
Which when I have obtaind, you cannot miss.

Gab.
Not miss mine Honour?

Capt.
No, 'tis very right,
No more then miss your shadow in the night.
I am resolv'd.

[Forces her out.
Gab.
(Cries loudly as she's dragg'd forth.)
Just Heav'n vouchsafe your aid,
Unto a Virgin treacherously betray'd.

[Exeunt.
Enter Scouting, Souldier.
Sold.
How gone! I was afraid to come again
'Till Trees, and Beasts, and Thistles turn to men.

[Flies out.
Enter Navar arm'd with Soldiers.
Nav.
This way I heard the cry.

He pursues, after clashing Swords brings in Gabriel.
Gab.
Upon my knee—
I pay my thanks, thou true Divinity!
Thou canst be nothing less; since thou hast shown
Both help and pity, when all hopes were gone.

Nav.
You Guardian-Angels! I must tax your care
For suff'ring this: to what end shine you there?
That one as fair as you, and as divine,
Should need, alass, a mortals help like mine?

Gab.
O, Sir, disparage not those heav'nly pow'rs!
Their vigilance is far more quick than ours.
By what is past we only guide our sense,
Then rule our actions by the consequence.
But they foresee what never yet was done,
And so prevent a fate that's hurrying on;
As by your blest assistance here was shown.
Those Guardian-Angels, do not then condemn;
They brought you here, or you are one of them.

Nav.
My inclinations yield unto the charms
O'th' God of War, and I was born to Arms;
But never knew before a Cause so just,
I've resku'd Chastity and routed Lust.
The Grecian Hero did the World subdue;
I've gain'd more glory in protecting you.

Gab.
I hope the action, Sir, is your reward,
At least if these my Virgins pray'rs be heard.
May all the blessings that attend the prayers
Of Virgin Saints, when they are fre'd from tears;
May all the Crowns and glorious recompence
Of Martyrs, Chastity, and Innocence
Be your reward, I cannot you require.

Nav.
Madam, you've more than done it by your sight.

Gab.
Your favour vies with Heaven's; for Heav'n but gave
My sense of Honour; My Honour you did save.

Enter a Souldier.
1 Sold.
To horse, to horse, fresh Squadrons, Sir, are nigh.

Nav.
Madam, I'le make your safety good or die.

A Second Souldier.
2 Sold.
Fresh Parties rise from all parts of the Wood,
As Cadmus it with Dragons teeth had sow'd.

Nav.
Vouchsafe your hand. By this blest touch inspir'd,
My Courage and my Resolution's fir'd.
Thus, Madam, will I charge, and all must flie.
draws his sword with her in the other hand.
By my sword conquer'd, or your brighter Eye.
Let 'em be ne'r so strong and brave, they shall,
Or by my Thunder, or your Lightning fall.

[Exeunt.
Enter Captain and Souldiers.
Cap.
Command the Ambush all to rise with haste:
Charge with such fury to redeem what's past.

[Exeunt.
Enter Gabrel.
Gab.
Whilst there's a Providence, I need not fear;
His worth and vertue have oblig'd Heaven's care.
The Guards He set o'r me are kill'd, and I
Expos'd again, and know not where to flie.

[Exit.
Enter Grillon and Souldiers.
Gril.
Death! I am come too short! 'Twas briskly fought,
But will make large amends, when I come to't.

Enter Captain and Souldiers.
Capt.
Let's beat this party out; they'l quickly run,
And then the Plunder and the Fields our own,
Yield, or you die.

[to Grillon.
Gril.
Dog! seest thou in my face—
The least point of a line that looks so base?
Were't thou now Jove himself in that disguise,
In thy Arms Thunder, Lightning in thy Eyes,
Thus would I charge, and to thy ruin prove:
Grillon would die, or trample upon Jove.

[All fight.
Cap.
How Grillon! Then we're lost.

[Offers to flie.
Gril.
Fool! Wilt thou flie?
[Stays him.
And lose the fame by Grillon's hands to die?
I'le be more kind, and here the favour's shewn,
Consulting thus thy glory and my own.

Kills him and beats his Party off.
Enter Navar and Souldiers.
Gril.
Ha! Who art thou that looks so like a Man?
A thing I met not here, since I began.
Thou art worthy of my Sword.

[Offers to fight.
Sould.
Hold, 'Tis Navar.

Gril.
Death, Sir, what made you venture out so far?
Your Valour's great, and great should be your care.

Nav.
This Party of Du Mayns, I have pursu'd,
Until I lodg'd them here within the Wood.
Being resolv'd to see the Coast was clear
Before I marcht; and I shall soon be here.
[Enter a Souldier.
What makes thy haste? The news?

Soul.
Your Scoutes, Sir, 'spy
Two Squadrons of Du Mayn's that hover nigh.

Nav.
To horse.

Soul.
To horse.

Nav.
My service to the King:
[to Grillon.
My Arms and duty to his aid I'le bring
Grillon farewell, be watchful.

[Exit Navar cum suis.
Gril.
When y're gone,
I shall too many be altho alone.
Command 'em sound to horse.

[Exeunt Milites.
Enter a Souldier.
Soul.
The King is near,
Hearing the fight.

Gril.
I shall attend him here.
Command some in to carry off the Dead.

[Exit Souldier.
Enter Souldiers with Gabriel.
Soul.
This Woman, Sir, we took; she swiftly fled.
Her fear speaks guilt.

Gril.
Ha! What art thou I see?
Sure, thou art either Fame or Victory,
I could not love thee else! What e'r thou art,
Thou art the first e'r conquer'd Grillons heart.

Gab.
Talk not of conqu'ring, Sir, I beg your aid,
Altho I see my Enemy there dead.

[Points to the Captain.
Gril.
Were all the World thy Foes, let Grillon be
Thy Champion, they should be as dead as he.

Souldiers leading in Armida.
Soul.
We found this other, in the same case.

Gab.
O my Armida let me thee imbrace:
[Imbrace.
Art thou in safety, Dear Armida tell?

Armid.
O dearest Madam, that you were as well.

Gab.
Blest be our fate.

[Imbrace again.
Gril.
Let me as happy be.
[Offers also; she puts him by.
Death, Madam! know I love you more than she.

Gab.
Let your respects then, Sir, declare that love.

Gril.
How! Daunted! I can neither speak or move.

Stands amaz'd.
Armi.
The place of our abode is very near.

Gab.
Our wishes and good Fortune wait you here.

[Exeunt Gabriel and Armida.
Grillon walking confus'd and arms cross.
Enter King, Revol, Larchant, Guessle, and Guards.
King.
What Apparition's that, that walketh there?

Revol.
'Tis Grillon or his Ghost, Sir.

King.
Let us hear.

[Listens. Grillon not seeing them.
Gril.
Who would believe, a Woman could obtain
A Conquest here, ne'r purchast yet by Man?
My Spirits flat, their former vigours cease;
Trumpets sound harsh, and now no longer please:
My humour's chang'd, I can no more delight
To whet my Sword, or keep my Armour bright.

King.
who e'r rob'd Grillon of his former mind
Discovering himself.
Was much to me, but more to France unkind
Who is the Thief?

Gril.
A Woman, Sir. I lie!
An Angel! Some Court Lady of the Skie.
O, Sir, Your Grillon's lost, your Grillon's gone;
Ne'r more expect to see his Armour on.
Perfum'd and curl'd in Silks, he'l dance all day,
All night his limbs on downy Quilts he'l lay,
And sing his threats, and smile his frowns away.

King.
Whence is this change?

Gril.
Beauty, Sir, is the cause;
Beauty! that conquers Kings, and tramples Laws.

King.
Consult thy glory.

Gril.
Farewell War and Fame.
My breast must cherish now another flame.

King.
What is this Beauty! she ev'n makes thee mad.

Gril.
O, Sir, she's something more than can be said.
Fancy a Sword drawn at a trembling Foe,
Brighter than mine, brighter than Cherubs know,
Her Beauty shines at once, and conquers so.
Her Brows are ready bent, like English Bowes,
And can as easily conquer France, as those.
Her Eyes two bullets shot with swifter flame,
Than ever yet from murd'ring engine came.

King.
How he describes her in his Martial phrase,
And acts a Souldier in a Ladies praise?
Where is she Grillon?

Gril.
Sir, I know not well.

King.
Who is she Man?

Gril.
Death, Sir, I cannot tell,

King.
Thy Juno must not be to us allow'd,
And thou art jealous, tho she's in a cloud.

Gril.
Had I the pow'r to reach the Sun (that Eye
Of Heav'n it self) I'd pluck it from the Skie,
Least it should look and love as much as I.

Revol.
There are not Arguments enough to prove
Grillon's high Soul can stoop so low as Love.
Cupid but vainly aims his slender dart
Against the breast-plate of a vig'rous heart.
To that weak Passion only they're inclin'd,
Who have the deep Consumption of the mind.

King.
You cannot blame him, if the Lady be
But half so fair, as he describ'd to me.

Gril.
Remember how I prais'd her, Sir, to you:
'Twas very much, and yet far less than true.
Gather those praises all into one Store,
Add thousands, and she merits thousands more.

King.
Well here's some comfort left, altho she's fled,
We have the Souldier, tho we've lost the Maid.

Gril.
No prize at all! you had as good have none;
For what's a Souldier when his heart is gone?

King.
To bring thee succour I did hither move;
Expecting War, but am surpriz'd with Love.

Gril.
What War! 'Sdeath, Sir, what had I more to do?
When Cowards flie, let other men pursue.
Grillon below himself can never move.
I conquer'd first, and then had time to love.
The King, Sir, of Navar was here and fought;
To Blois his Army will be quickly brought.

King.
The stubborn Leaguers then confront we shall,
And make them either yield to us, or fall.
Order our march to Blois.

Gril.
Pray leave me here.
She said the place of her abode was near.

King.
In thy attempts may'st thou successful prove;
And as in War, so triumph now in Love.

Exeunt omnes præter Grillon
Gril.
Tho from their trouble I my self have sav'd,
I'm Pris'ner still, to my own thoughts enslav'd,
There's no confinement like that of the mind;
All other Bondage may releasements find.
Those eyes that fetter'd me, must set me free;
No other help for my captivity.
With what despair my strongest hopes are crost?
Since both my Jailor and the Keyes are lost!

[Exit.
Enter Guise meeting Pericart.
Per.
Sir, she's within and did but lately 'scape
From some rude Souldiers most horrid Rape,
Which makes her far more earnest to be gone.

Guise.
Thou must away my Quality's not known?

Per.
No, Sir, for there I follow'd your advice.
Your Brother's there already in disguise.

Guise.
When at my Lodgings, as thou hast design'd,
Let her have all respects, yet be confin'd.

[Exeunt.