SCENE V.

_Enter Father_, Piso, Angelo, _and_ Lelia.

_Ang._ God give you joy, and make you live together A happy pair.

_Piso._ I do not doubt we shall. There was never poor gentleman had such a sudden fortune, I could thrust my head betwixt two pales, and strip me out of My old skin like a Snake: will the guests come thou saidst Thou sentest for to solemnize the Nuptials?

_Fath._ They will, I lookt for 'em e're this.

_Enter_ Julio, Jacomo, Fabritio, Frank, Clora.

_Jul._ By your leave all.

_Fath._ They're here Sir.

_Jul._ Especially fair Lady I ask your pardon, to whose marriage-bed I wish all good success, I have here brought you Such guests as can discern your happiness, And best do know how to rejoyce at it; For such a fortune they themselves have run, The worthy _Jacomo_, and his fair Bride, Noble _Fabritio_, whom this age of peace Has not yet taught to love ought but the warrs, And his true friends, this Lady who is but A piece of me. [_Exit Father._

_Leli._ Sir, you are welcom all, Are they not Sir?

_Piso._ Bring in some wine, some of the wine _Lodowick_ the fool Sent hither: who ever thou bid'st welcom shall find it.

_Leli._ An une[x]pected honour you have done To our too hasty wedding.

_Jac._ Faith Madam, our weddings were as hasty as yours, We are glad to run up and down any whither, to see where We can get meat to our wedding.

_Piso._ That _Lodowick_ hath provided too, good Asse.

_Ang._ I thought you _Julio_ would not thus have stollen a marriage Without acquainting your friends.

_Jul._ Why I did give thee inklings.

_Ang._ If a marriage should be thus stubber'd up in a play, e're almost Any body had taken notice you were in love, the Spectators Would take it to be but ridiculous.

_Jul._ This was the first, and I will never hide Another secret from you.

_Enter_ Father.

_Fath._ Sir, yonder's your friend _Lodowick_, hide your self And 'twill be the best sport--

_Piso._ Gentlemen, I pray you take no notice, I'm here. The coxcomb _Lodowick_ is coming in.

_Enter_ Lodowick.

_Lod._ Is that the Lady?

_Fath._ That is my Lady.

_Lod._ As I live she's a fair one; what make all these here?

_Fath._ O Lord Sir she is so pester'd--

_Fab._ Now will the sport be, it runs right as _Julio_ told us.

_Lod._ Fair Lady health to you; some words I have, that Require an utterance more private, Than this place can afford.

_Lel._ I'le call my husband, All business I hear with his ears now.

_Lod._ Good Madam no, but I perceive your jest, You have no husband, I am the very man That walk'd the streets so comely.

_Lel._ Are you so?

_Lod._ Yes faith, when _Cupid_ first did prick your heart. I am not cruel, but the love begun I'th' street I'le satisfie i'th' chamber fully.

_Lel._ To ask a Madman whether he be mad Were but an idle question, if you be, I do not speak to you, but if you be not Walk in the streets again, and there perhaps I may dote on you, here I not endure you.

_Lod._ Good Madam stay, do not you know this Ring?

_Lel._ Yes it was mine, I sent it by my Man, To change and so he did, it has a blemish, And this he brought me for it; did you change it? Are you a Goldsmith?

_Lod._ Sure the world is mad, Sirrah, did you not bring me this ring from your Lady?

_Fath._ Yes surely Sir, did I, but your worship must ev'n bear with me; For there was a mistaking in it, and so, as I was Saying to your worship, my Lady is now married.

_Lod._ Married? to whom?

_Fa._ To your worships friend _Piso_.

_Lod._ S'death to _Piso_?

_Piso within._ Ha, ha, ha.

_Ang._ Yes Sir I can assure you she's married to him, I saw't With these gray eyes.

_Lod._ Why what a Rogue art thou then! thou hast made Me send in provision too.

_Fa._ O a Gentleman should not have such foul words in's mouth. But your Worships provision could not have come in at a fitter time; Will it please you to tast any of your own wine? It may be the Vintner has cozen'd you.

_Lod._ Pox I am mad.

_Ang._ You have always plots Sir, and see how they fall out.

_Jac._ You had a plot upon me, how do you like this?

_Lod._ I do not speak to you.

_Fab._ Because you dare not.

_Lod._ But I will have one of that old Rogues teeth set in this Ring.

_Fat._ Do'st not thou know that I can beat thee? Dost thou know it now? (_discovers himself._)

_Lod._ He beat me once indeed.

_Fat._ And if you have forgot it, I can call a witness, Come forth _Piso_--remember you it?

_Piso._ Faith I do call to minde such a matter.

_Fat._ And if I cannot still do't, you are young And will assist your Father in law.

_Piso._ My Father in law?

_Ang._ Your Father in law, as sure as this is widow _Leila_.

_Piso._ How widow _Lelia_?

_Fat._ I' faith 'tis she, Son.

_Lod._ Ha, ha, ha, let my provision go, I am glad I Have mist the woman.

_Piso._ Have you put a whore upon me?

_Lel._ By heaven you do me wrong, I have a heart As pure as any womans, and I mean To keep it so for ever.

_Fa._ There is no starting now, Son, if you offer't I can compel you, her estate is great, But all made o're to me, before this match, Yet if you use her kindly, as I swear I think she will deserve, you shall enjoy it During your life, all save some slender piece I will reserve for my own maintenance, And if God bless you with a child by her, It shall have all.

_Piso._ So I may have the means, I do not much care what the woman is: Come my sweet heart, as long as I shall find Thy kisses sweet, and thy means plentifull, Let people talk their tongues out.

_Lel._ They may talk Of what is past, but all that is to come Shall be without occasions.

_Jul._ Shall we not make _Piso_, and _Lodowick_ friends?

_Jac._ Hang 'em they dare not be Enemies, or if they be, The danger is not great, welcom _Frederick_.

_Enter_ Frederick.

_Fred._ First joy unto you all; and next I think We shall have wars.

_Jac._ Give me some wine, I'le drink to that.

_Fab._ I'le pledge.

_Fran._ But I shall lose you then.

_Jac._ Not a whit wench; I'le teach thee presently to be a Souldier.

_Fred. Fabritio's_ command, and yours are both restor'd.

_Jac._ Bring me four glasses then.

_Fab._ Where are they?

_Ang._ You shall not drink 'em here, 'tis supper time, And from my house no creature here shall stir These three dayes, mirth shall flow as well as wine.

_Fa._ Content, within I'le tell you more at large How much I am bound to all, but most to you, Whose undeserved liberality Must not escape thus unrequited.

_Jac._ 'Tis happiness to me, I did so well: Of every noble action, the intent Is to give worth reward, vice, punishment. [_Exeunt Om._

Prologue.

_To please you with this Play, we fear will be_ _(So does the Author too) a mystery_ _Somewhat above our Art; For all mens eyes,_ _Ears, faiths, and judgements, are not of one size._ _For to say truth, and not to flatter ye,_ _This is nor_ Comedy, _nor_ Tragedy,__ _Nor_ History, _nor any thing that may_ _(Yet in a week) be made a perfect Play:_ _Yet those that love to laugh, and those that think_ _Twelve pence goes farther this way than in drink,_ _Or Damsels, if they mark the matter through,_ _May stumble on a foolish toy, or two_ _Will make 'em shew their teeth: pray, for my sake_ _(That likely am your first man) do not take_ _A distaste before you feel it: for ye may_ _When this is hist to ashes, have a Play._ _And here, to out-hiss this; be patient then,_ _(My honour done) y'are welcom Gentlemen._

Epilogue.

_If you mislike (as you shall ever be_ _Your own free Judges) this Play utterly,_ _For your own Nobleness yet do not hiss,_ _But as you go by, say it was amiss;_ _And we will mend: Chide us, but let it be_ _Never in cold blood: O' my honesty_ _(If I have any) this I'le say for all,_ _Our meaning was to please you still, and shall._

THE PROPHETESS. A TRAGICAL HISTORY.

* * * * *

Persons Represented in the Play.

Charinus, _Emperour of_ Rome.

Cosroe, _King of_ Persia.

Diocles, _of a private Souldier elected Co-Emperour_.

Maximinian, _Nephew to_ Diocles, _and Emperour by his donation_.

Volutius Aper, _Murtherer of_ Numerianus, _the late Emperour_.

Niger, _a noble Souldier, Servant to the Emperour_.

Camurius, _a Captain, and Creature of_ Aper'_s_.

Persian _Lords_.

_Senators._

_Souldiers._

_Guard._

_Suitors._

_Ambassadors._

_Lictors._

_Flamen._

_Attendants._

_Shepherd._

_Countrymen._

Geta, _a Jester, Servant to_ Diocles, _a merry Knave_.

_WOMEN._

Aurelia, _Sister to_ Charinus.

Cassana, _Sister to_ Cosroe, _a Captive, waiting on_ Aurelia.

Delphia, _a Prophetess_.

Drusilla, _Niece to_ Delphia, _in love with_ Diocles.

* * * * *

_The Scene_ Rome.

* * * * *

The principal Actors were,

_John Lowin._ _Robert Benfield._ _John Shanke._ _Richard Sharpe._ _Joseph Taylor._ _Nicholas Toolie._ _George Birch._ _Thomas Holcombe._

_Actus Primus. Scena Prima._

_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.

_Niger._ I will, Sir, And as I tell you truth, so the gods prosper me, I have often nam'd this _Aper_.

_Char._ True, ye have done; And in mysterious senses I have heard ye Break out o'th' sudden, and abruptly.

_Niger._ True, Sir; Fear of your unbelief, and the times giddiness Made me I durst not then go farther. So your Grace 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.

_Niger._ 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, spightful, 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 Brothers 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 Souldiers ears With stories of his weakness, of his life, That he dare not venture to appear in open, And shew his warlike face among the Souldiers; The tenderness and weakness of his eyes Being not able to endure the Sun yet. Slave that he is, he gives out this infirmity (Because he would dispatch his honour too) To arise from wantonness, and love of women, And thus he juggles still.

_Aur._ O 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 shower'st upon my Fathers monument, (When in the _Persian_ Expedition He fell unfortunately by a stroke of Thunder) Made thy defame and sins? those wept out eyes, The fair examples of a noble nature, Those holy drops of Love, turn'd by depravers (Malicious poyson'd tongues) to thy abuses? We must not suffer this.

_Char._ It shows a truth now; And sure this _Aper_ is not right nor honest, He will not [now] come near me.

_Nig._ No, he dare not; He has an inmate here, that's call'd a conscience, Bids him keep off.

_Char._ My Brother honour'd him, Made him first Captain of his Guard, his next friend; Then to my Mother (to assure him nearer) He made him Husband.

_Nig._ And withal ambitious; For when he trod so nigh, his false feet itch'd, Sir, To step into the State.

_Aur._ If ye believe, Brother, _Aper_ a bloody Knave (as 'tis apparent) Let's leave disputing, and do something noble.

_Char._ Sister, be rul'd, I am not yet so powerful To meet him in the field; he has under him The Flower of all the Empire, and the strength, The _Britain_, and the _German_ Cohorts; pray ye be patient, _Niger_, how stands the Souldier to him?

_Nig._ In fear more, Sir, Than love or honour; he has lost their fair affections, By his most covetous and greedy griping: Are ye desirous to do something on him, That all the World may know ye 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) add a fair payment, No common Summ; then ye shall see I fear not, Even from his own Camp, from those men that follow him, Follow, and flatter him, we shall find one, And if he miss, one hundred that will venture it.

_Aur._ For his reward, it shall be so, dear Brother, So far I'll honour him that kills the Villain; For so far runs my love to my dead Brother, Let him be what he will, base, old, or crooked, He shall have me; nay, which is more, I'll love him. I will not be deny'd.

_Char._ You shall not, Sister; But ye shall know, my love shall go along too; See a _Proscription_ drawn; and for his recompence, My Sister, and half Partner in the Empire; And I will keep my word.

_Aur._ Now ye do bravely.

_Nig._ And though it cost my life, I'll see it publish'd.

_Char._ Away then for the business.

_Nig._ I am gone, Sir; You shall have all dispatch'd to night.

_Char._ Be prosperous.

_Aur._ And let the Villain fall.

_Nig._ Fear nothing, Madam. [_Exeunt._