 | The Prophetess : or, the History of Dioclesian |  |
1
ACT I.
SCENE I.
Scene A Pallace.Enter Delphia and Drusilla.
Drus.
'Tis true, that Diocles is courteous,
And of a pleasant nature, sweet, and temperate;
His Cousin Maximinian, proud, and bloody.
Delp.
Yes, and mistrustful too, my Girl, take heed:
Although he seem to love thee, and affect
Like the more Courtier, curious complement;
Yet have a care.
Drus.
You know all my Affections,
And all my Heart desires, are set on Diocles.
But Aunt, how coldly he requites this courtesie!
How dull, and heavily he looks upon me!
Although I wooe him sometimes beyond modesty,
Beyond a Virgins care; how still he slights me,
And puts me still off with your Prophesie,
And the performance of your late Prediction,
That when he's Emperour, then he'll Marry me;
Alas, what hope of that?
Delp.
Peace, and be patient;
For tho' he has now no Badge of Honour on him,
No Eye of Favour shining:
And tho' my sure Prediction of his rising
(Which can no more fail, than the Day, or Night does;
Nay, let him be asleep, will overtake him,)
Has found some rubs, and stops; yet hear me Neece,
And hear me with a faith, it shall come to him.
2
Drus.
Do good Aunt,
For yet I am ignorant.
Delp.
Chiding him one Day,
For being too near, and sparing for a Soldier,
Too griping, and too greedy: he made answer,
When I am Cæsar, then I will be liberal.
I, presently inspir'd with holy Fire,
And my Prophetick Spirit burning in me.
Gave answer from the Gods; and this it was:
Imperator eris Romæ, cum Aprum grandem interfeceris.
Thou shalt be Emperor, O Diocles,
When thou hast kill'd a mighty Boar. From that time
(As giving credit to my words) he has employ'd
Much of his life in Hunting: many Boars,
Hideous, and fierce, with his own Hands he has kill'd;
But yet not lighted on the fatal one,
Should raise him to the Empire. Be not sad Neece,
'Ere long he shall. Come, let us entertain him;
For by this time, I guess, he comes from Hunting:
And by my Art I find this very instant,
Some great Design's on foot.
Drus.
Heaven prosper it. But see
The Emperor, and his Sister coming hither.
Delp.
And Niger busie in discourse with 'em.
Now Fate is working for us. Let's away.
[Exeunt.
Enter Charinus, Aurelia, Niger.
Cha.
You buz into my Head strange Likelihoods,
And fill me full of doubts; but what proofs Niger,
What certainties, that my most Noble Brother
Came to his end by murther? tell me that;
Assure me by some Circumstance.
Nig.
I will, Sir.
And as I tell you truth, so the Gods prosper me:
I have often nam'd this Aper.
Char.
True, you have;
And in mysterious Sences I have heard you
Often break out abruptly.
3
Most true, Sir.
Fear of your unbelief, and the Times giddiness,
Made me I durst not then go farther. If now you please,
Out of your wonted Goodness, to give credit,
I shall unfold the Wonder.
Aur.
Do it boldly:
You shall have both our hearty Loves, and Hearings.
Nig.
This Aper then, this too much honour'd Villain,
(For he deserves no mention of a good man)
Great Sir, give Ear; this most ungrateful, spiteful,
Above the memory of Mankind, mischievous;
With his own bloody Hands.
Char.
Take heed.
Nig.
I am in, Sir;
And if I make not good my Story.
Aur.
Forward;
I see a Truth would break out, be not fearful.
Nig.
I say. this Aper, and his damn'd Ambition,
Cut off your Brother's Hopes, his Life, and Fortunes:
The honour'd Numerianus fell by him;
Fell basely, most untimely, and most treacherously:
For in his Litter, as he bore him company,
Most privately and cunningly he kill'd him.
Yet still he fills the faithful Soldiers Ears
With Stories of his Weakness, and loose Life;
That he dare not venture in the open Air,
And shew his Warlike Face among the Soldiers;
The tenderness and weakness of his Eyes,
Being not able to endure the Sun yet.
Slave that he is, he gives out his Infirmity
(Because he would dispatch his Honour too)
To arise from Wantonness, and Love of Women.
And thus he juggles still.
Aur.
Oh most pernicious,
Most bloody, and most base! Alas, dear Brother,
Art thou accus'd, and after Death, thy Memory
Loaden with Shames and Lies? Those pious Tears
Thou daily showerd'st upon my Father's Monument,
(When in the Persian Expedition
He fell, most strangely, by a stroke of Thunder)
4
The fair Examples of a Noble Nature,
Those Holy Drops of Love, turn'd by Depravers
(Malicious poison'd Tongues) to thy Abuses?
We must not suffer this.
Char.
Now I see the Cause
Why this inhuman, bloody Villain Aper
Will not come near me.
Nig.
No, he dare not, Sir;
He has an Inmate here, that's call'd a Conscience,
Bids him keep off.
Char.
My Brother honour'd him;
First, made him Captain of his Guard, next, his Friend;
Then to my Mother (to assure him nearer)
He made him Husband.
Nig.
And withal, Ambitious;
For then he trod so high, his false Feet itch'd, Sir,
To step into the Throne.
Aur.
If you believe, Brother,
Aper a bloody Monster (as 'tis plain)
Let's leave disputing, and do something Noble.
Char.
Be rul'd, good Sister; I am as yet too weak
To meet him in the Field; he has under him
The Flow'r of all the Empire, and the Strength,
The Britain and the German Cohorts, pray be patient.
Niger, how stands the Soldier to him?
Nig.
In Fear (Sir) more
Than Love or Honour; he has lost their Affections,
By his most covetous and greedy Griping.
Are you desirous to do something on him,
That all the World may know you lov'd your Brother?
And do it safely too, without an Army?
Char.
Most willingly.
Nig.
Then send out a Proscription,
Send suddenly; and to that man that executes it,
(I mean, that brings his Head) a large Reward,
No common Sum: then doubt not, you shall see,
Even from his own Camp, from those men who follow him,
Follow, and flatter him, we shall find one;
Or, if he miss, a hundred who will venture it.
5
For his Reward, it shall be so, dear Brother;
So far I'll honour him, who kills the Villain;
For so far runs my Love to my dear Brother,
Let him be what he will, Mean, Old, or Crooked,
He shall have Me; nay, which is more, I'll love him:
I will not be deny'd.
Cha.
You shall not, Sister:
But you shall find my Love shall go along with it.
See a Proscription drawn, and for his Recompence
My Sister, and Half-Partner in the Empire:
And I will keep my Word.
Aur.
Now you do bravely.
Nig.
And tho' it cost my Life, I'll see it publish'd.
Cha.
Away, and do it instantly.
Nig.
I am gone, Sir.
It shall be soon dispatch'd.
Cha.
Be prosperous.
Aur.
And let the Villain fall.
Nig.
Fear nothing, Madam.
[Exeunt.
Scene a Country-house at the Side of a Wood, with the Prospect of a pleasant Country at a distance.
Enter Diocles, Maximinian, and Geta with a Boar on his Back.
Dio.
Lay down the Boar.
Get.
Withal my heart, I am weary on't;
I shall turn Jew, if I carry more such Burthens.
Do you think, Master, to be Emperor,
With killing Swine? You may be a good Butcher,
Or allied to an honourable Family of Tripe-wives:
Can you be such an Ass, my Reverend Master,
To think these Springs of Pork will shoot up Cæsars?
Max.
The Fool says true.
Dio.
Come, leave your fooling, Sirrah,
And think of what thou shalt be when I am Emperor.
Get.
Would it would come with thinking, then, o' my conscience,
I should be at the least a Senator.
Max.
A Sowter,
For that's a Place more fitted to thy Nature.
6
Or say the Devil could perform this Wonder,
Can such a Rascal as thou art hope for Honor?
Such a Log-carrying Clown?
Get.
Yes, and bear it too,
And bear it swimmingly. I'm not the first Ass, Sir,
Has born Office, and perform'd it reverently.
Dio.
Thou being the Son of a Tyler,
Canst thou hope to be a Senator?
Get.
Thou being the Son of a Tanner,
Canst thou hope to be an Emperor?
Dio.
Thou saist true, Geta, there's a Stop indeed:
But yet the Bold and Vertuous—
Get.
You say right, Master,
Right as my Leg; for we, the Vertuous,
Tho' we be Kennel-rakers, Filth, and Scoundrels,
We, the Discreet, and Bold—Yet, now I remember it,
Tylers have better Title to be Senators,
And ought to step before you thick-skinn'd Tanners;
For we are higher born than you, no base ones,
None of your Groundlings, Master.
Dio.
I like thee well;
Thou hast as good a mind as I have, to this Honor.
Get.
As good a mind (Sir) for a simple Plaisterer;
And when I come to execute my Office,
Then you shall see.
Max.
What?
Get.
An Officer in Fury;
An Officer as he ought to be. Do you laugh at it?
Is a Senator in hope worth no more Reverence?
By these Hands, I'll clap you by the Heels
The first Hour I come into my Office.
Max.
O, my Conscience, the Fellow believes it.
Dio.
I, do, do, Geta:
For if I once be Emperor—
Get.
Then will I
(For Wise men must be had to prop the State)
Not bate a single Ace of a sound Senator.
Dio.
But what shall we do the whil'st?
Get.
Kill Swine, and sowse 'em,
7
Max.
Why didst thou run away
When the Boar made toward thee? Art thou not Valiant?
Get.
No indeed am I not,
And think it no Dishonour to confess it.
I took a Tree, 'tis true, gave way to the Monster:
Heark what Discretion says, Let Fury pass;
From the Tooth of a mad Beast, and the Tongue of a Slanderer,
Preserve thine Honour.
Dio.
He talks already like a Senator.
Go, take it up, and carry it in; 'tis a huge one;
We never kill'd a larger Swine; so fierce too,
I never met with yet.
Max.
Take heed, it stirs again.
[Geta runs up a Tree.
How nimbly the Rogue runs up? He climbs like a Squirrel.
Dio.
Come down, ye Dunce? is it not dead?
Get.
I know not.
Dio.
His Throat's cut, and his Bowels out.
Get.
That's all one,
I am sure his Teeth are in.
Dio.
Come, take him up, I say, and see him drest;
He's fat, and will be lusty Meat; away with him,
And get some of him ready for our Dinner.
Get.
Shall he be roasted whole?
I'll run in the Wheel my self.
Max.
Sirrah, leave prating,
And get some Piece of him ready presently;
We are weary both, and hungry.
Get.
Well, I'll about it.
What an Inundation of Brewis shall I swim in?
[Exit. Geta.
Dio.
Thou art still dull and melancholy, Cousin,
Distrustful of my Hopes.
Max.
Why, can you blame me?
I can't believe a Jugler.
Dio.
Thou know'st she is a Prophetess.
Max.
A small one,
And as small Profit to be hop'd for by her.
Dio.
Thou art the strangest man! How does thy Hurt?
The Boar came very near you.
Max.
A Scratch, a Scratch.
8
It akes, and troubles thee; that makes thee angry.
Max.
Not at the Pain, but at the Practice, Uncle;
The butcherly, base Custom of our Lives now.
Had a brave Enemies Sword drawn so much from me,
Or Danger met me in the Head of the Army,
To have blusht thus i' my Blood, had been my Honour:
But to live base, like Swine-herds, and believe too;
To be fool'd out with Tales, and Old Wives Dreams,
Dreams when they're drunk, or splenatick.
Dio.
Certain, you much mistake her.
Max.
Mistake her? Hang her. To be made her Purvey'rs,
To feed her old Chaps, to provide her daily,
To bring her Feasts, while she sits grunting at us,
And blowing out her Prophecies at both Ends.
Dio.
She's a holy Druid.
Max.
Heaven knows, I don't believe it.
Dio.
Thou hast a perfect Malice.
Max.
So I would have,
Against these purblind Prophets; for, look you, Sir,
Old Women will lie monstrously, so will the Devil;
They would at least seem Holy, so would he.
He gives 'em leave now and then to use their Cunnings,
Which is, to kill a Cow, or blast a Harvest,
Make young Pigs pipe themselves to Death, choak Poultry,
And chafe a Dairy-maid into a Fever,
With pumping for her Butter.
But when he makes these Agents to raise Emperors,
When he disposes Fortune as his Servant,
And ties her to Old Wives Tails—
Dio.
You argue learnedly:
Did you not hear the Prophecy?
Max.
Yes, and laugh at it;
And so will any man can tell but Twenty,
That is not blind, as you are, blind and ignorant.
Do you think she knows your Fortune?
Dio.
I do think it.
Max.
Very well, Sir:
You then believe (for methinks 'tis most necessary)
She knows her own Fate.
Dio.
I believe it certain.
9
Dare you but be so wise to let me try it?
For I am doubtful.
Dio.
How?
Max.
Come nearer to me.
Because her cunning Devil shan't prevent me:
Close, close, and hear. If she can turn this Destiny,
I'll be of your Faith too.
Dio.
Do it; I fear not:
For if she knows not this, sure she knows nothing;
I am so confident.
Max.
Faith, so am I,
That I shall make her old Sides hum.
Enter Delphia.
Dio.
She comes: Go take your Stand.
Max.
Now shew your Holiness, or you howl for't, Beldame.
Del.
Now my Son Diocles,
Are you not weary of your Game to day?
And are you well?
Dio.
Yes, Mother, well and lusty:
Only you make me hunt for empty Shadows.
Del.
You must have patience; Rome was not built in one day.
And he that hopes, must give his Hopes their Currents.
You have kill'd a mighty Boar.
Dio.
But I am no Emperor.
Why do you fool me thus, and make me follow
Your flattering Expectation Hour by Hour?
Rise early, and sleep late, to feed your Appetites?
Forget my Trade, my Arms? forsake my Honour?
Oppose my self to Hazards of all sorts,
Only to win the barbarous Name of Butcher.
Del.
Son, you are wise.
Dio.
But you are cunning, Mother;
And with that Cunning, and the Faith I give you,
You lead me blindly, to no End, no Honour.
Del.
Be provident,
And tempt not the Gods Dooms, stop not the Glory
They are ready to fix on ye: you are a Fool then.
Chearful and grateful Takers, the Gods love,
10
The Doubtful and Distrustful, Heaven frowns at.
What I have told by Inspiration,
I tell you once again, must and shall find you.
Dio.
But when? or how?
Del.
Cum Aprum interfecer is.
Dio.
I have kill'd many.
Del.
Not the Boar they point at:
Nor must I reveal further, till you clear it.
The Lots of Glorious men are wrapt in Mysteries,
And so deliver'd: Common and slight Creatures,
That have their Ends as open as their Actions,
Easie and open Fortunes follow.
Max.
I shall try
How deep your Inspiration lies hid in you,
And whether your brave Spirit have a Buckler
To keep this Boar-spear off; I'll make ye smoke else.
Dio.
Knowing my Fortune so precisely, Mother,
Methinks you should be studied in your own,
In your own Destiny, methinks, most perfect.
Can the Stars now,
Or secret Inspirations you boast of,
If a hard Fortune hung, and were now ready
To pour it self upon your Life, deliver ye?
Can they now say, Take heed?
Del.
Ha! Pray come hither.
Max.
I would know that; I fear your Devil will cozen you,
And stand as close as you can, I shall be with ye.
Del.
I find a present Ill.
Dio.
How?
Del.
But I scorn it.
Max.
Do you so? Do you so?
Del.
Yes, and laugh at it, Diocles.
Is it not strange, these wild and foolish men
Should dare t'oppose the Pow'r of Destiny?
That Power the Gods shake at? Look yonder, Son.
Max.
Have you spied me? Then have at ye.
Del.
Do, fling boldly;
Spare not, and hit me if thou canst.
Dio.
Fling, Cousin.
11
I cannot: my Arm's dead, I have no feeling.
Or if I could fling, so strong is her arm'd Virtue,
She'd catch the flying Dart.
Del.
Poor, doubtful People,
I pitty your weak Faiths.
Dio.
Oh mercy, Mother!
And from this Hour I'll serve you as a Deitie.
Del.
No more of that.
Max.
Oh let my Prayers prevail too!
Here, like a Tree I dwell else; free me Mother,
And greater than great Fortune I'll Adore ye.
Del.
Be free again, and have more pure Thoughts in ye.
Dio.
Now I believe your words most constantly;
And when I have that Power you promis'd me—
Del.
Remember then your Vow; my Neece, Drusilla.
I mean to Marry her, and then you prosper.
Dio.
I shall forget my Life else.
Enter Niger, Geta, and Soldiers.
Get.
And shall he have, as you say, that kills Aper?
Del.
Now mark, and understand.
Nig.
The Proscription's up, i'th'Market-place, 'tis up,
There you may read it. He shall have half the Empire.
Get.
A pretty Farm i'faith.
Nig.
And th'Emperor's Sister, the fair Aurelia for his Wife.
Get.
You say well Friend: But hark ye,
Who shall do this?
Nig.
You, if you dare?
Get.
I think so.
Yet I could poyson him in a Cup of Wine,
He loves that mightily. But when I have done this,
May I lie with the Gentlewoman?
Nig.
Lie with her? I, what else man?
Get.
Yes, indeed,
I have known a married man that ne'er lay with his Wife;
Those dancing Days were done.
Nig.
These are old Soldiers,
I'll try their Appetites. Save you, brave Soldiers.
Max.
You talkt (Sir,) of Proscriptions.
12
'Tis true, there's one set up from the Emperor,
Against Volutius Aper?
Dio.
Aper?
Del.
Now; now have you found the Boar?
Dio.
I have the meaning now, most blessed Mother—
Nig.
He has scorn'd his Master;
And bloodily cut off by Treachery,
His Noble Brother.
Dio.
He is living,
But weak, and sickly, Sir.
Nig.
Did you see him?
Max.
No.
Nig.
He is murther'd;
So you shall find it mention'd from the Emperor.
And honest faithful Soldiers, pray believe it,
For by the Gods you'll find it so; he's murther'd,
The manner how, read in the large Proscription.
Del.
It is most true Son. Aper's a Villain, and a Murderer.
Dio.
I thank you Mother,
And dare believe. Hark you Sir, is the recompence
As you related?
Nig.
As firm as Faith, Sir.
Bring him alive, or dead.
Max.
You have taken a fit time.
The General being out of Town: for tho' we love him not,
Yet had he known this first, you had paid for't dearly.
Dio.
'Tis Niger; honest Niger: now I know him.
A true sound man, the business may be done.
Make no great stay, for your own safety, here.
Nig.
I am gone; I thank you.
[Exit Nig.
Dio.
Pray, Maximinian, pray.
Max.
I'll Pray, and Work too.
Dio.
I'll to the Market-place, and read the offer,
Now I have found the Boar.
Del.
Find your own Faith: remember what you Vow'd.
Dio.
Oh, Mother.
Del.
Prosper.
Get.
If my Master, and I do this, there must be two Emperors.
What Honour to this Empire will it be,
To have two such Emperors, as I, and He?
[Exeunt.
End of the First Act.
| The Prophetess : or, the History of Dioclesian | |