 | The Bond-Man : or, Love and Liberty |  |
1
Act I.
Scene I.
Enter Timagoras and Leosthenes.Timag.
Why should you droop, Leosthenes, or despair
My Sister's Favour? What before you purchas'd
By Courtship, and fair Language, in these Wars
(For from her Soul you know she loves a Soldier)
You may deserve by Action.
Leost.
If fair Cleora were confirm'd his Prize
That has the strongest Arm, and sharpest Sword,
I would court Bellona in her horrid Trim,
As if she were a Mistress, and bless Fortune
That offers my young Valour to the Proof,
How much I dare do for your Sister's Love.
But when I consider how much averse
Your noble Father, Great Archidamus
Is, and hath ever been to my Desires,
2
What Seeds soever I sow in these Wars
Of noble Courage his determinate Will
May blast, and give my Harvest to another,
That never toil'd for it.
Timag.
Prithee do not nourish
These jealous Thoughts; I am thine (and pardon me
Though I repeat it)
When the bold Theban su'd
Far-fam'd Pisander, for my Sister's Love,
Sent him disgrac'd and discontented Home.
I wrote my Father then, and I that stopt not
In the Career of my Affection to thee,
When that renown'd Worthy, that brought with him
High Birth, Wealth, Courage, as fee'd Advocates
To mediate for him, never will consent
A Fool, that only has the Shape of Man,
Asotus, tho' he be rich Cleon's Heir,
Shall bear her from thee.
Leost.
In that Trust I live.
Timag.
Which never shall deceive you.
Enter Pisander.
Pisan.
Sir, the General
Timoleon, by his Trumpets hath giv'n Warning
For a Remove.
Timag.
'Tis well: Provide my Horse.
Pisan.
I shall, Sir.
[Exit Pisander.
Leost.
This Slave has a strange Aspect.
Tim.
Fit for his Fortune; 'tis a strong-limb'd Knave;
My Father bought him for my Sister's Litter.
O Pride of Women!
Ladies think they keep not State enough,
If for their Pomp and Ease, they are not borne
In Triumph on Men's Shoulders.
Leost.
Who commands
The Carthaginian Fleet?
3
Gisco's their Admiral,
And 'tis our Happiness, a raw young Fellow;
One never train'd up in Arms, but rather fashion'd
To tilt with Lady's Lips, than break a Lance:
A Steel Helmet
Made horrid with a glorious Plume, will crack
His Woman's Neck.
Leost.
No more of him.—The Motive's
That Corinth gives us Aid?
Timag.
The common Danger,
For Sicily being on Fire, she is not safe;
It being apparent that ambitious Carthage,
That to enlarge her Empire strives to fasten
An unjust Gripe on us, (that live free Lords
Of Syracusa) will not end, 'till Greece
Acknowledge her their Sovereign.
Leost.
I am satisfy'd.
What think you of our General?
Timag.
He is a Man
Of strange and reserv'd Parts, but a great Soldier:
[Trumpets flourish within.
His Trumpets call us; I'll forbear his Character.
To Morrow in the Senate House at large
He will express himself.
Leost.
I'll follow you.
Enter Cleon, Corisca, and Gracculo.
Coris.
Nay, good Chuck.
Cleon.
I have said it; stay at Home,
I cannot brook your gadding; you're a fair one,
Beauty invites Temptation, and short Heels
Are soon tripp'd up.
Coris.
Deny me! By my Honour
You take no Pity on me: I shall swoon
As soon as you are absent; ask my Man else,
You know he dares not tell a Lye.
4
O! you flatter me, I am old,
And Wisdom cries beware.
Coris.
Old! Duck, to me
You are young, Adonis.
Grac.
Well said, Venus,
I am sure she Vulcans him.
[Aside.
Coris.
I will not change thee
For twenty boistrous young Things without Beards.
Here's a round Belly,
'Tis a Down Pillow to my Back, I sleep
So quietly by it.
Grac.
This is gross,
Not find she flouts him?
[Aside.
Coris.
As I live I am jealous.
Cleon.
Jealous! of me Wife?
Coris.
Yes, and I have a Reason,
Knowing how lusty and active a Man you are.
Cleon.
Hum! hum!
[Struts.
Grac.
This is no cunning Quean! 'slight, she will make him
[Aside.
To think, that like the Stag he has cast his Horns,
And is grown young again.
Coris.
You have forgot what you did in your Sleep,
And when you wak'd call'd for a Cawdle.
Grac.
'Twas in his Sleep,
For waking I durst trust my Mother with him.
[Aside.
Coris.
I long to see this Man of War, Timoleon;
Cleora, Archidamus's Daughter goes,
And rich Olimpia; I will not miss the Show.
Cleon.
There's no contenting;
For this Time I am pleas'd, but I'll no more on't.
[Exeunt.
Enter Archidamus, Cleon, Diphilus, Olympia, Corisca, Cleora, and Zanthia.
Archid.
So careless we have been, my noble Lords,
In the disposing of our own Affairs,
5
That now we need a Stranger to instruct us:
Yet we are happy, that our Neighbour Corinth
(Pitying the unjust Gripe Carthage would lay
On Syracusa) hath vouchsaf'd to lend us
Her Man of Men, Timoleon, to defend
Our Country and our Liberties.
Diph.
'Tis a Favour
We are unworthy of, and we may blush,
Necessity compels us to receive it.
Arch.
O Shame! that we that are a populous Nation,
Engag'd to liberal Nature for all Blessings
An Island can bring forth; we that have Limbs,
And able Bodies, Shipping, Arms, and Treasure,
The Sinews of the War; now we are call'd
To stand upon our Guard, cannot produce
One fit to be our General.
Cleon.
I am old and fat,
I could say something else.
Archid.
We must obey
The Time, and our Occasions; ruinous Buildings,
Whose Bases and Foundations are infirm,
Must use Supporters: We are circl'd round
With Danger, o're our Heads with Sail-stretch'd Wings
Destruction hovers, and a cloud of Mischief
Ready to break upon us; no Hope left us
That may divert it, but our sleeping Vertue
Rous'd up by brave Timoleon.
Cleon.
When arrives he?
Diph.
He is expected every Hour.
Archid.
The bravest Youth
Of Syracusa, among whom my Son
Timagoras, Leosthenes, and Asotas,
(Your hopeful Heir, Lord Cleon) two Days since
Rode forth to meet him, and attend him to
The City; every Minute we expect
To be bless'd with his Presence.
[Shout at a Distance.
Cleon.
What Shout's this?
[Trumpets flourish within.
6
'Tis seconded with loud Musick.
Archid.
Which confirms
His wish'd-for Entrance. Let us entertain him
With all Respect, Solemnity, and Pomp
A Man may merit that comes to redeem us
From Slavery and Oppression.
Cleon.
I'll lock up
My Doors, and guard my Gold; these Lads of Corinth
Have nimble Fingers, and I fear them more,
Being within our Walls, than those of Carthage;
They are far off.
Archid.
And, Ladies, be it your Care
To welcome him and his Followers with all Duty:
For rest resolv'd, their Hands and Swords must keep you
In that full Height of Happiness you live;
A dreadful Change else follows.
[Ex. Arch. Cleo. Diph.
Olimp.
We are instructed.
Coris.
I'll kiss him, for the Honour of my Country,
With any She in Corinth.
Olimp.
Were he a Courtier,
I have Sweetmeat in my Closet should content him,
Be his Pallat ne'er so curious.
Coris.
And if Need be,
I have a Couch, and a Banquetting-house in my Garden,
Where many a Man of Honour has not scorn'd
To while away an Afternoon.
Olimp.
These Men of War,
As I have heard, know not to court a Lady;
They cannot praise our Dressings, kiss our Hands,
Usher us to our Litters, tell Love Stories,
Commend our Shape and Airs;
They are rough,
Boisterous and saucy, and at the first Sight
Ruffle and towse us, and as they find their Stomachs
Fall roundly to it.
Coris.
Troth, I like 'em the better;
I cannot endure to have a perfum'd Sir
Stand cringing in the Hams, licking his Lips
7
Has not the Boldness to come on, or offer
What they know we expect.
Olimp.
We may commend
A Gentleman's Modesty, Manners, and fine Language,
His Singing, Dancing, riding of great Horses,
The wearing of his Cloaths, his fair Complection,
Take Presents from him, and extol his Bounty;
Yet, tho' he observe, and waste his State upon us,
If he be stanch, and bid not for the Stock
That we were born to traffick with; the Truth is,
We care not for his Company.
Coris.
Musing, Cleora?
Ol.
She's studying how to entertain these Strangers,
And to engross them to herself.
Cleora.
No, surely,
I will not cheapen any of their Wares,
'Till you have made your Market; you will buy
I know at any Rate.
Coris.
She has given it you.
[Flourish of Trumpets
Olimp.
No more, they come:
The first Kiss for this Jewel.
Enter Timagoras, Leosthenes, Asotus, Archidamus, Diphilus, and Cleon, Two by Two; then Timoleon with his General's Staff, follow'd by Pisander, Gracculo, Cimbrio, with other Slaves.
Archid.
This Seat is yours.
Diph.
Which with a general Suffrage
As to the supreme Magistrates surely tenders,
And prays Timoleon to accept.
Timol.
Such Honours
To one ambitious of Rule or Titles,
Whose Heaven on Earth is plac'd in his Command,
And absolute Power on others, would with Joy,
And Veins swoln high with Pride, be entertain'd.
They take not me; for I have ever lov'd
8
As would usurp anothers Liberties,
Rebels to Nature, to whose bounteous Blessings
All Men lay Claim as true legitimate Sons.
But such as have made Forfeit of themselves
By vicious Courses, and their Birth right lost,
'Tis not Injustice they are mark'd for Slaves
To serve the Vertuous: For my self, I know
Honours and great Employments are great Burdens,
And must require an Atlas to support them.
He that would govern others, first should be
The Master of himself, richly endu'd
With Depth of Understanding, Height of Courage,
And those remarkable Graces which I dare not
Ascribe unto my self.
Archid.
Sir, empty Men
Are Trumpets of their own Deserts; but you
That are not in Opinion, but in Proof
Really good, and full of glorious Parts,
Leave the Report of what you are to Fame;
Which, from the ready Tongues of all good Men,
Aloud proclaims you.
Diph.
Besides, you stand bound,
Having so large a Field to exercise
Your active Vertues offer'd you, to impart
Your Strength to such as need it.
Timol.
'Tis confess'd.
And since you'll have it so, such as I am,
For you and for the Liberty of Greece
I am most ready to lay down my Life:
But yet consider, Men of Syracusa,
E're that you deliver up the Power,
Which yet is yours, to me, to whom 'tis given
To an impartial Man, with whom nor Threats,
Nor Prayers shall e're prevail; for I must steer
An even Course.
Archid.
Which is desir'd of all.
Ascend, Great Timoleon.
9
Stay yet; and ere I take
This Seat of Justice, or engage my self
To fight for you Abroad, or to reform
Your State at Home, swear all upon my Sword,
And call the Gods of Sicily to witness
The Oath you take; that whatsoe'er I shall
Propound for Safety of your Commonwealth,
Not circumscrib'd, or bound in, shall by you
Be willingly obey'd.
Archid. Diph. Cleon.
So may we prosper,
As we obey in all Things.
Timag. Leost. Asot.
And observe
All your Commands as Oracles.
Timol.
Do not repent it.
[Ascends the Throne.
Olimp.
He ask'd not our Consent.
Coris.
He's a Clown I warrant him.
Olimp.
I offer'd my self twice, and yet the Churl
Would not salute me.
Coris.
Let him kiss his Drum;
I'll save my Lips, I rest on it.
Olimp.
He thinks Women
No Part of the Republick.
Coris.
He shall find
We are a Commonwealth.
Cleora.
The less your Honour.
Timol.
First then a Word or two, but without Bitness,
(And yet mistake me not, I am no Flatterer)
Concerning your ill Government of the State:
In which the greatest, noblest, and most rich
Stand, in the first File, guilty.
Cleon.
Ha! how's this?
Timol.
You have not studied, as good Patriots should,
The publick Good, but your particular Ends:
Factious among your selves, preferring such
To Offices and Honours, as ne'er read
The Elements of saving Policy;
10
That usher to Destruction.
Leost.
Sharp.
Timag.
The better.
Timol.
Your Senate House, which used not to admit
A Man (however popular) to stand
At the Helm of Government; whose Youth was not
Made glorious by Action; whose Experience,
Crown'd with grey Hairs, gave Warrant to her Counsel's
Hand, and receiv'd with Rev'rence, is not fill'd
With green Heads, that determine of the State
Over their Cups, or when their sated Lusts
Afford them Leisure; or supply'd by those
Who rising from base Arts and sordid Thrift,
Are eminent for their Wealth, and not for Wisdom;
Which is the Reason, that to hold a Place
In Council, which was once esteem'd an Honour,
And a Reward for Vertue, hath quite lost
Lustre and Reputation, and is made
A mercenary Purchase.
Timag.
He speaks Home.
Leost.
And to the Purpose.
Timol.
From whence it follows,
That the Treasure of the City is engross'd
By a few private Men; the publick Coffers
Hollow with Want; and they that will not spare
One Talent for the common Good, to feed
The Pride and Bravery of their Wives, consume
In Plate, in Jewels, and superfluous Slaves,
What would maintain an Army.
Coris.
Have at us.
Olimp.
We thought we were forgot.
Cleora.
But it appears
You will be treated of.
Timol.
Yet in this Plenty,
And fat of Peace, your young Men ne'er were train'd
In martial Discipline, and your Ships, unrigg'd,
11
But thought unuseful; as if the Gods,
Indulgent to your Sloth, had granted you
A Perpetuity of Pride and Pleasure;
No Change fear'd or expected. Now you find
That Carthage, looking on your stupid Sleeps
And dull Security, was invited to
Invade your Territories.
Archid.
You have made us see, Sir,
To our Shame, the Country's Sickness: Now from you,
As from a careful and a wise Physician,
We do expect the Cure.
Timol.
Old fester'd Sores
Must be lanc'd to the quick and cauteriz'd;
Which born with Patience, after I'll apply
Soft Unguents. For the Maintenance of the War
It is decreed, all Monies in the Hand
Of private Men shall instantly be brought
To the publick Treasury.
Timag.
This bites sore.
Cleon.
The Cure
Is worse than the Disease; I'll never yield to it.
What could the Enemy, tho' Victorious,
Inflict more on us? All that my Youth hath toil'd for,
Purchas'd with Industry, and preserv'd with Care,
Forc'd from me in a Moment.
Diph.
This rough Course
Will never be allow'd of.
Timol.
Oh! blind Men!
If you refuse the first Means that is offer'd
To give your Wealth, no Hopes left to recover
Your desp'rate Sickness Do you prize your Dirt
Above your Liberties? And rather choose
To be made Bond-men, than to part with that
To which already you are Slaves.
But take your own Ways; hoard up your Gold,
Sacrifice to your Idol, and preserve
The Prey entire, and merit the Report
12
To your proud Masters, who with Whips of Iron
Will force you to give up what you conceal,
Or tear it from your Throats: Adorn your Walls
With Persian Hangings wrought of Gold and Pearl;
Cover the Floors on which they are to tread
With costly Median Silks; perfume the Rooms
With Cassia and Amber, where they are
To feast and revel; while, like servile Grooms,
You wait upon their Trenchers.
Set forth your Wives
And Daughters in as many vary'd Shapes
As there are Nations, to provoke their Lusts,
And let them be embrac'd before your Eyes:
The Object may content you; and to perfect
The Entertainment, offer up your Sons
And able Men for Slaves; while you, that are
Unfit for Labour, are spurn'd out to starve,
Unpity'd, in some Desart; no Friend by,
Whose Sorrow may spare one compassionate Tear
In the Remembrance of what once you were.
Leost.
The Blood turns.
Timag.
Observe how old Cleon shakes,
As if in Picture he had shewn him what
He was to suffer.
Coris.
I am sick; the Man
Speaks Ponyards and Diseases.
Olimp.
Oh! my Doctor,
I never shall recover.
Cleora.
If a Virgin,
Whose Speech was ever yet usher'd with Fear;
One knowing Modesty and humble Silence
To be the choicest Ornaments of our Sex;
In the Presence of so many Rev'rend Men,
Struck dumb with Terror and Astonishment,
Presume to cloath her Thought in vocal Sounds,
Let her find Pardon: First, to you, Great Sir,
A bathful Maid's Thanks, and her zealous Prayers,
13
For all Prosperity that the Gods can give
To one whose Piety must exact their Care;
Thus low I offer.
Timol.
'Tis a happen Omen;
Rise, fair One, and speak boldly: On my Vertue
I am thy Warrant; from so clear a Spring
Sweet Rivers ever flow.
Cleora.
Then thus to you,
My noble Father, and these Lords, to whom
I next owe Duty; no Respect forgotten
To you my Brother, and these bold young Men,
(Such I would have them) that are, or should be
The City's Sword and Target of Defence.
To all of you I speak; and if a Blush
Steal on my Cheeks, it is shown to reprove
Your Paleness, willingly I would not say
Your Cowardice, or Fear: Think you all Treasure
Hid in the Bowels of the Earth, or Shipwreck'd
In Neptune's watry Kingdom, can hold Weight,
When Liberty and Honour fill one Scale,
Triumphant Justice sitting on the Beam?
Or dare you but imagine that your Gold is
Too dear a Salary for such as hazard
Their Blood and Lives in your Defence? For me,
An ignorant Wretch, bear Witness, Heav'n, so far
I prize a Soldier, that to give him Pay,
With such Devotion as our Flamens offer
Their Sacrifices at the holy Altar,
I do lay down these Jewels; will make Sale
Of my superfluous Wardrobe to supply
The meanest of their Wants.
Timol.
Brave, masculine Spirit!
Diph.
We are shewn to our Shame what we in Honour
Should have taught others.
Archid.
Such a fair Example
Must needs be followed.
14
Ever, my dear Sister,
But now our House's Glory.
Leost.
Were she deform'd,
The Vertue of her Mind would force a Stoick
To sue to be her Servant.
Cleon.
I must yield,
And tho' my Heart Blood part with it, I will
Deliver in my Wealth.
Asot.
I would say something;
But the Truth is, I know not what.
Timol.
We have Money,
And Men must now be thought on.
Archid.
We can press
Of Labourers in the Country (Men inur'd
To Cold and Heat) ten Thousand.
Diph.
Or, if Need be,
Inrol of Slaves, lusty and able Varlets,
And fit for Service.
Cleon.
They shall go for me,
I will not pay and fight too.
Cleora.
How! your Slaves?
O Stain of Honour! once more, Sir, your Pardon;
And to their Shames let me deliver what
I know in Justice you may speak.
Timol.
Most gladly:
I could not wish my Thoughts a better Organ
Than your Tongue to express them.
Cleora.
Are you Men?
(For Age may qualify, tho' not excuse
The Backwardness of these) able young Men?
Yet now your Country's Liberty's at Stake;
Honour, and glorious Triumph made the Garland
For such as dare deserve them: A rich Feast,
Prepar'd by Victory of immortal Viands;
Not for base Men, but such as with their Swords
Dare force Admittance, and will be her Guests:
And can you coldly suffer such Rewards
To be propos'd to Labourers and Slaves?
15
Like idle Lookers on, 'till their proud Worth
Make them become your Masters?
Timol.
By my Hopes,
There's Fire enough in this to make
Thersites Valiant.
Cleora.
No! far, far be it from you;
Let those of meaner Quality contend
Who can indure most Labour; plow the Earth,
And think they are rewarded, when their Sweat
Brings Home a fruitful Harvest to their Lords:
Let them prove good Artificers, and serve you
For Use and Ornament; but not presume
To touch at what is Noble, if you think them
Unworthy to taste of those Cates you feed on,
Or wear such costly Garments. Will you grant them
The Priviledge and Prerogative of great Minds,
Which you were born to? Honour won in War,
And to be styl'd Preservers of their Country,
Are Titles fit for free and gen'rous Spirits,
And not for Bond-men. Had I been born a Man,
And such ne'er dying Glories made the Prize
To bold heroick Courage, by Diana
I would not to my Brother, nay, my Father,
Be brib'd to part with the least Spark of Honour
I should purchase in this Action.
Timol.
She's inspir'd,
Or in her speaks the Genius of your Country,
To fire your Blood in her Defence: I am wrapp'd
With the Imagination. Noble Maid,
Timoleon is your Soldier, and will sweat
Drops of his best Blood, but he will bring Home
Triumphant Conquest to you;
And though youthful Heats,
That look no farther than your outward Form,
Are long since buried in me, while I live
I am a constant Lover of your Mind,
That does transcend all Precedents.
16
'Tis an Honour,
And so I do receive it.
Coris.
Pox upon it:
She has got the Start of us: I cou'd ev'n burst
With Envy at her Fortune.
Olimp.
A raw young Thing:
We have too much Tongue sometimes our Husbands say,
And she out-strips us.
Leost.
I am for the Journey.
Timag.
May all Diseases Sloth and Lewdness bring,
Fall upon him that stays at Home.
Archid.
Though old,
I will be there in Person.
Diph.
So will I.
Methinks I am not what I was; her Words
Have made me younger by a Score of Years,
Than I was when I came hither.
Cleon.
I am still
Old Cleon, fat and unweildy; I shall never
Make a good Soldier, and therefore desire
To be excus'd at Home.
Asot.
'Tis my Suit too:
I am but a Gristle, and these Spider Fingers
Will never hold a Sword.—Let us alone
To rule the Slaves at Home; I can so yerk 'em:
But in my Conscience I shall never frighten
Any Body in the War.
Timol.
Have your Desires—
You would be Burdens to us, no Way Aids.
Lead, Fairest, to the Temple; first we'll pay
A Sacrifice to the Gods, to implore Success:
For all great Actions the wish'd Course do run,
That are, with their Allowance, well begun.
Exeunt all but the Slaves.
Pisan.
Stay, Cimbrio and Gracculo.
Cimb.
The Business?
Pisan.
Meet me to Morrow Night near to the Grove,
Neighbouring the East Part of the City.
17
Well.
Pisan.
And bring the rest of our Condition with you,
I've something to impart may break our Fetters,
If you dare second me.
Cimb.
We'll not fail.
Grac.
A Cart-rope
Shall not bind me at Home.
Pisand.
Think on't, and prosper.
[Exeunt.
| The Bond-Man : or, Love and Liberty | |