Part 4

I can subdue my self: but she that can Enjoy thee, doth enjoy more than a man. Nay rise without a blessing, or kneel still: What's Sir the reason you oppose me thus, And seek to darken what I would have shine? Eclipse a fire much brighter than thy self, Making your Mother not a competent Judge Of her own actions?

_The._ Gracious Madam, I I have done no more than what in royalty (And to preserve your fame) was fit to do: Heard you the peoples talk of you, and him You favor so, his greatness, and your love, The pitty given to me, you would excuse me, They prate as if he did dishonor you: And what know I, but his own lavish tongue Has uttered some such speeches; he is call'd The King of _Corinth_.

_Quee._ They are traitors all: I wear a Christal casement 'fore my heart, Through which each honest eye may look in to't: Let it be prospect unto all the world, I care not this.

_The._ This must not be my way; Your pardon gracious Madam: these incitements Made me not shew so clear a countenance Upon the Lord _Euphanes_ as I would: Which since your Majesty affects so grievously I'll clear the black cloud of it, and henceforth Vow on this knee all love and grace to him.

_Quee._ Rise with my blessing, and to prove this true, Bear him from me this Cabinet of Jewels In your own person, tell him, for his marrying He may dispose him how, and when he please. [_Exit Quee._

_The._ I shall discharge my duty and your will. _Crates?_

_Enter Crates._

_Cra._ I have heard all my Lord, how luckely Fate pops her very spindle in our hands: This Marriage with _Beliza_ you shall cross, Then have I one attempt for _Lamprias_ more Upon this _Phaeton_: where's _Merione's_ Ring, That in the Rape you took from her?

_The._ 'Tis here.

_Cra._ In and affect our purpose; you my Lord Shall disobey your Mothers charge, and send This Cabinet by some servant of her own, That what succeeds may have no reference Unto your Highness.

_The._ On, my engine on.

_Cra._ Now, if we be not struck by Heavens own hand, We'l ruine him, and on his ruines stand. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione, Beliza._ _A sad Song._

_Weep no more, nor sigh nor groan_ _Sorrow calls no time that's gone_ _Violets pluck'd, the sweetest raine_ _Makes not fresh nor grow again;_ _Trim thy locks, look cheerefully_ _Fates hidd' ends, eyes cannot see._ _Joyes as winged dreams fly fast_ _Why should sadness longer last._ _Grief is but a wound to woe_ _Gent'lest fair, mourne, mourne no moe._

_Ag._ These heavy Ayres feed sorrow in her Lady, And nourish it too strongly; like a Mother That spoiles her Child with giving on't the will.

_A lighter Song._

_Court Ladies laugh, and wonder. Here is one_ _That weeps because her Maiden head is gone_ _Whilst you do never frett, nor chafe, nor cry_ _But when too long it keeps you company,_ _Too well you know, Maids are like Towns on fire_ _Wasting themselves, if no man quench desire._ _Weep then no more fool: a new Maidenhead_ _Thou suffer'st loss of, in each chast tear shed._

_Bel._ Some lighter note.

_Leo._ How like a hill of Snow she sits, and melts Before the unchast fire of others lust! What heart can see her passion and not break?

_Ag._ Take comfort gentle Madam; you know well Even actual sins committed without will, Are neither sins nor shame, much more compell'd; Your honor's no whit less, your Chastity No whit impair'd, for fair _Merione_ Is more a Virgin yet then all her Sex: Alass, 'tis done; why burne these Tapers now? Wicked and frantick Creatures joy in night.

_Leo._ Imagine faire _Merione_ had dream'd She had been ravish'd, would she sit thus then Excruciate?

_Mer._ Oh.

_Bel._ Fye, fye, how fond is this! What reason for this surfeit of remorse? How many that have done ill and proceed, Women that take degrees in wantonness, Commence, and rise in rudiments of Lust, That feel no scruple of this tenderness?

_Mer._ Pish.

_Bel._ Nor are you matchless in mishap, even I Do bear an equal part of misery; That love, belov'd, a man the Crown of men, Whom I have friended, and how raised 'tis better That all do know and speak it than my self: When he sail'd low I might have made him mine, Now at his full gale, it is questionable If ever I o're-take him.

_Ag._ Wherefore sits My _Phebe_ shawdowed in a sable cloud? Those pearly drops which thou let's fall like beades, Numbring on them thy vestal Orisons Alas are spent in vain: I love thee still, In mids't of all these showres thou sweetlier sent'st, Like a green Meadow on an _April_ day, In which the Sun and west-wind play together, Striving to catch and drink the balmy drops.

_Enter Euphanes and Servant._

_Ser._ The Lord _E[u]phanes_ Madam. [_Exit Mer._

_Ag._ Poor _Merione_, She loathes the light, and men. [_Exit._

_Euph._ The virtuous gods preserve my Mistriss.

_Bel._ O my most honor'd Lord, those times are chang'd.

_Euph._ Let times and men change, could Heaven change, _Euphanes_ Should never change, to be devoted ever To fair _Beliza_, should my load of honors, Or any Grace which you were Author of Detract mine honor, and diminish Grace? The gods forbid: you here behold your servant, Your Creature, gentle Lady, whose sound sleeps You purchas'd for him: whose food you paid for, Whose garments were your charge, whose first preferment You founded: then, what since the gracious Queen Hath, or can rear, is upon your free Land, And you are Mistris of.

_Bel._ Mock me not gentle Lord, You shine now in too high a sphear for me, We are Plannets now disjoyn'd for ever: yet Poor superstitious innocent that I am, Give leave that I may lift my hands, and love Not in Idolatry, but perfect zeal: For credit me, I repent nothing I have done, But were it to begin would do the same.

_Euph._ There are two Seas in _Corinth_, and two Queens, And but there, not two such in the spacious Universe; I came to tender you the man you have made, And like a thankful stream to retribute All you my Ocean have enrich'd me with. You told [me] once you'ld marry me.

_Bel._ Another mock? you were wont to play fair play, You scorn poor helps; he that is sure to win, May slight mean hearts, whose hand commands the Queen.

_Euph._ Let me be held the Knave through all the Stock When I do slight my Mistris; you know well The gracious inclination of the Queen, Who sent me leave this morning to proceed To marry as I saw convenience, And a great gift of Jewels: Three days hence The general sacrifice is done to _Vesta_, And can you by then be accommodated Your servant shall wait on you to the Temple.

_Bel._ Till now I never felt a real joy indeed.

_Euph._ Here then I seal my duty, here my love, Till which vouchsafe to wear this Ring, dear Mistris; 'Twas the Queens Token, and shall celebrate Our Nuptialls.

_Bel._ Honour still raise, and preserve My honor'd Lord, as he preserves all honor. [_Exit Euph._

_Enter Agenor, Leonidas, Merione._

_Ag._ Why shift you places thus _Merione_, And will not lend a word? Could'st thou so soon Leave sorrow as the place, how blest were I, But 'twill not be; grief is an impudent guest, A follower every where, a hanger on, That words nor blows can drive away.

_Leo._ Dear Sister.

_Bel._ Who can be sad? out with these Tragick Lights, And let day repossess her natural howres: Tear down these blacks, cast ope' the Casements wide, That we may jocondly behold the Sun. I did partake with sad _Merione_ In all her mourning: let her now rejoyce With glad _Beliza_, for _Euphanes_ is As full of love, full of humility As when he wanted.

_Mer._ Oh--that.

_Leo._ Help, she faints: Her grief has broke her heart.

_Mer._ No--that--that.

_Ag._ Mistris, what point you at? Her lamps are out, yet still she extends her hand As if she saw something antipathous Unto her virtuous life.

_Leo._ Still, still she points, And her lips move, but no articulate sound Breathes from 'em: Sister, speak, what moves you thus?

_Bel._ Her spirits return.

_Mer._ Oh, hide that fatal Ring, Where had it you _Beliza_?

_Bel._ What hid fate Depends on it? _Euphanes_ gave it me As holy pledge of future Mariage.

_Mer._ Then is _Euphanes_ the foul Ravisher? Let me speak this and dye. That dismal night Which seal'd my shame upon me, was that Ring, The partner of my rob'd virginity.

_Leo. Euphanes?_

_Ag._ Strange.

_Bel._ Impossible.

_Mer._ Impossible to have redress on him, Chief servant to the Queen--ha! I have read Somewhere I am sure, of such an injury Done to a Lady: and how she durst dye. [_Exit._

_Ag._ Oh follow her _Beliza_.

_Bel._ To assure her, The unlikelihood of this. [_Exit._

_Ag._ Love hides all sins. What's to be done _Leonidas_?

_Leo._ Why this: Amazement takes up all my faculties; The plagues of gods and men will muster all To avenge this tyranny. Oh frontless man, To dare do ill, and hope to bear it thus: First let's implore, then cure.

_Ag._ Who, who can trust The gentle looks and words of two-fac'd man? Like _Corinths_ double torrent, you and I Will rush upon the Land; nor shall the Queen Defend this Villain in his villany: Lusts violent flames can never be withstood Nor quench'd, but with as violent streams of blood. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Quartus. Scæna Prima._

_Enter Crates, Uncle, Tutor, and Onos._

_Ono._ Thinks he to carry her and live.

_Cra._ It seems so, And she will carry him the story says.

_On._ Well, hum-- Have I for this thou fair but falsest fair Stretch'd this same simple leg over the Sea? What though my bashfulness, and tender years, Durst ne're reveal my affection to thy teeth? Deep love ne're tatles, and (say they) loves bit The deeper dip'd, the sweeter still is it.

_Tut._ Oh, see the power of Love: he speaks in ryme.

_Cra._ Oh, love would make a dog howle in ryme: Of all the Lovers yet I have heard or read This is the strangest: but his Guardian, And you his Tutor should inform him better, Thinks he, that love is answer'd by instinct?

_Tut._ He should make means, For certain Sir, his bashfulness undo's him, For from his Cradle h'had a shameful face. Thus walks he night and day, eats not a bit, Nor sleeps one jot, but's grown so humerous; Drinks Ale, and takes Tobacco as you see; Wear's a Steeletto at his Codpeece close, Stabs on the least occasion: stroaks his beard, Which now he puts i'th posture of a _T._ The _Roman T._ your _T._ beard is the fashion, And twifold doth express the enamour'd Courtier, As full as your fork-carving Travellor.

_On._ Oh, black clouds of discontent invellop me, Garters fly off: go Hatband, bind the browes Of some dull Citizen that fears to ake: And Leg appear now in simplicity Without the tra[pp]ings of a Courtier: Burst B[u]ttons, burst, your Bachelor is worm'd.

_Cra._ A worm-eaten Batchelor th'rt indeed.

_On._ And Devil melancholly possesses me now.

_Unc._ Cross him not in this fit I advise you Sir.

_On._ Dye crimson Rose, that didst adorn these cheeks, For ytch of love is now broke forth on me.

_Unc._ Poor Boy, 'tis true: his wrists and hands are scabby.

_On._ Burn eyes out in your sockets, sink and stink: Teeth I will pick ye to the very bones, Hang hair like Hemp, or like the _Isling_ Curs, For never Powder, nor the Crisping-iron Shall touch these dangling locks--oh--Ruby lips, Love hath to you been like Wine-vinegar, Now you look wan and pale, lips, ghosts ye are, And my disgrace sharper than Mustard-seed.

_Cra._ How like a Chaundler he do's vent his passions, _Risum teneatis_?

_On._ Well sung the Poet, Love is a golden _[b]ubo_, full of Dreams: That ripen'd breaks, and fills us with extreams.

_Tut._ A gold buble, pupill, Oh gross _solæcisme_ To chaster eares that understand the _Latine_.

_On._ I will not be corrected now: I am in love, revenge is now the Cud That I do chaw: I'll challenge him.

_Cra._ I marry Sir.

_Unc._ Your honor bids you Nephew, on, and prosper.

_On._ But none will bear it from me, times are dangerous.

_Cra._ Carry it your self man.

_On._ Tutor, your counsel: [I'll] do nothing Sir Without him.

_Unc._ This may rid thee, (valiant Cuz.) Whom I have kept this forty year my Ward: Fain would I have his state, and now of late He did inquire at _Ephesus_ for his age, But the Church Book being burnt with _Dian's_ Temple He lost his ayme: I have try'd to famish him, Marry he'll live o'th stones: and then for Poysons, He is an Antidote 'gainst all of 'em; He sprung from _Mithridates_; he is so dry and hot, He will eat Spiders faster than a Monkey: His Maw (unhurt) keeps Quicksilver like a bladder, The largest dose of _Camphire_, _Opium_, Harmes not his Brain; I think his Skul's as empty As a suckt Egg; _Vitriol_ and Oyle of _Tartar_ He will eat tosts of: _Henbane_ I am sure And _Hemlock_ I have made his Pot-herbs often.

_Cra._ If he refuse you, yours is then the honor: If he accept, he being so great, you may Crave both to choose the Weapon, time, and place, Which may be ten years hence, and _Calicut_, Or underneath the line to avoid advantage.

_On._ I am resolved.

_Tut._ By your favor Pupill, Whence shall this challenge rise? for you must ground it On some such fundamental base, or matter As now the Gentry set their lives upon. Did you ere cheat him at some Ordinary, And durst he say so, and be angry? if thus, Then you must challenge him: hath he call'd your whore, Whore; though she be (beside yours) twenty mens? Your honor, reputation is touched then, And you must challenge him: Has he deny'd On thirty damme's to accommodate money, Though he have broke threescore before to you? Here you must challenge him: Durst he ever shun To drink two pots of Ale wi'ye? or to wench Though weighty business otherwise importun'd? He is a proud Lord, And you may challenge him: Has he familiarly Dislik'd your yellow Starch, or said your Dublet Was not exactly frenchifi'd? or that, that report In fair terms was untrue? or drawn your Sword, Cry'd 'twas ill mounted? Has he given the lye In circle, or oblique, or semi-circle, Or direct parrallel? you must challenge him.

_On._ He never gave my direct apparrel the lye in's life.

_Tut._ But for the crown of all, Has he refus'd To pledge your Mistris health though he were sick?

_Enter_ Neanthes _and_ Page.

And crav'd your pardon? you must challenge him, There's no avoiding: one or both must drop.

_On._ Exquisite Tutor.

_Nean. Crates_, I have sought you long, what make you here Fooling with these three farthings, while the Town Is all in uproar, and the Prince our Master (Seis'd by _Leonidas_, and _Agenor_) carried And Prisoner kept i'the Castle, flanckes The west part of the City, where they vow To hold him, till your Brother, Lord _Euphanes_ Be rendr'd to 'em, with his life to satisfie The Rape, by him suspected to _Merione_? The Queen refuses to deliver him, Pawning her knowledge for his innocency, And dares 'em do their worst on Prince _Theanor_, The whole State's in combustion.

_Cra._ Fatall Ring.

_Unc._ What will become of us?

_Nea._ And she hath given Commission to _Euphanes_ And _Conon_ (who have leavied men already) With violence to surprize the Towre, and take 'em. What will you do?

_Cra._ Along wi'ye, and prevent A farther mischief: Gentlemen, our intents We must defer: you are the Princes followers.

_Nea._ Will ye walk with us?

_Unc._ You shall pardon us.

_Tut._ We are his followers afar off you know. And are contented to continue so.

[_Exit_ Crates _and_ Neant.

_Onos._ Sir Boy.

_Page._ Sir Fool? a Challenge to my Lord? How dar'st thou, or thy ambs-ace here think of him, Ye Crow-pick'd heads, which your thin shoulders bear As does the Poles on _Corinth_ Bridge the Traitors: Why you three Nine-pins you talk of my Lord, And challenges? you shall not need: come draw, His Page is able to swindge three such whelpes: Uncle, why stand ye off: long-man advance.

_Onos._ S'light, what have we done Tutor?

_Tut._ He is a Boy, And we may run away with honour.

_Page._ That ye shall not, And being a Boy I am fitter to encounter A Child in Law as you are, under twenty: Thou sot, thou three-score Sot, and that's a Child Again I grant you.

_Unc._ Nephew, here's an age: Boyes are turn'd men, and men are Children.

_Page._ Away you Pezants with your bought Gentry; Are not you he, when your fellow Passengers, Your last transportment being assayl'd by a Galley Hid your self i'the Cabbin: and the Fight done Peep'd above Hatches, and cry'd, Have we taken, Or are we tane? Come, I do want a slipper, But this shall serve: Swear all as I would have you, Or I will call some dozen brother Pages, (They are not far off I am sure) and we will blancket You untill you piss again.

_All._ Nay, we will swear Sir.

_Page._ ['Tis] your best course: First, you shall swear never to name my Lord, Or hear him nam'd hereafter, but bare-headed. Next, to begin his health in every place, And never to refuse to pledge it, though You surfeit to the death. Lastly, to hold The poorest, litlest Page in reverence; To think him valianter, and a better Gentleman Than you three stamp'd together: and to give him Wine and Tobacco wheresoe're you meet, And the best meat if he can stay.

_All._ We swear it loyally.

_Page._ Then I dismiss you True Leigemen to the Pantoffle: I had more Articles, but I have business And cannot stay now: so adieu dear Monsieur, _Tres noble & tres puissant_.

_Unc._ Adieu Monsieur.

_On. A vostre service & commandement._

_Tut._ I told you Pupill, you'ld repent this foolery.

_On._ Who, I repent? you are mistaken Tutor, I ne're repented any thing yet in my life, And scorne to begin now: Come, let's be melancholly. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter Queen, Euphanes, Conon, Lords._

_Lord._ 'Twere better treat with 'em.

_Quee._ I will no Treaties With a League-breaker and a Rebell; shall I Article with a Traitor? be compell'd To yield an innocent unto their fury Whom I have prov'd so to you?

_Euph._ Gracious Queen, Though your own god-like disposition Would succor Virtue, and protect the right, Yet for the publick good, for the dear safety Of your most Royal only Son, consent To give me up the sacrifice to their malice, My life is aym'd at, and 'twere better far The blood of twenty thousand such as I Purpled our Seas, [than] that your Princely Son Should be endanger'd.

_Quee._ Still well said honest Fool, Were their demand but one hair from thy head, By all the gods [I'ld] scorn 'em: were they here, The Majesty that dwels upon this brow Should strike 'em on their knees: As for my Son, Let 'em no more dare than they'l answer, I An equal Mother to my Countrey, am, And every virtuous Son of it is Son Unto my bosome, tender as mine own.

_Con._ Oh, you are heavenly Madam, and the gods Can suffer nothing pass to injure you: The life that _Conon_ promis'd, he stands now Ready to pay with joy.

_Quee._ Farewell both, Success attend you: you have Souldiers been, _Tam Marti quam Mercurio_: if you bring not peace Bring me their heads.

_Con._ I will put fair for one. [_Exeunt Quee. Lords._

_Euph._ Double the Guard upon her Highness Person, _Conon_. You must perform a friendly part, Which I shall counsel you.

_Con._ I am your servant. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Tertia._

_Enter Theanor, Agenor, Leonidas above._

_Leo._ Make good that Fortification, and the Watch Keep still upon the Battlements; Royall Sir, Weigh but our injuries, we have told you fully The manner and the matter hales us thus; Nor shall this upstart _Mushrum_ bred i'th night, Sit brooding underneath your Mothers wings His damn'd impieties.

_Ag._ For your self brave Prince, Fear nothing that this face of arms presents: We ask the Ravisher, and have no means To win him from your most indulgent Mother But by this practice.

_The._ Stout _Leonidas_, Princely _Agenor_, your wrongs cry so loud, That who so would condemn you is not heard: I blame you not, who but _Euphanes_ durst Make Stories like to this? My wrong's as strong Aske my revengeful arm to strengthen yours: As for my fear, know you, and _Greece_ throughout.

_Enter_ Euphanes _and_ Conon.

Our Mother was a _Spartan_ Princess born, That never taught me to spell such a word.

_Con._ Sir, you do tempt your life.

_Euph. Conon_, no more. Do thus as thou wouldst save it. [_Sound Trumpet within._

_Ag._ What Trumpet's this?

_Leo._ Beneath I do perceive Two armed men, single, that [give] us summons As they would treat.

_Ag._ Let us descend.

_Con._ My Lord, I would you would excuse me, and proceed According to the Queens directions.

_Euph._ Friend, As thou wouldst wear that title after death.

_Enter below_ Theanor, Agenor, Leonidas, _and_ Soldiers.

Perform my charge: no Soldier on his life Approach us nearer.

_Con._ Safety to both the Princes, Loyalty To you Lord General, the Queen, your Mistriss As well as ours, though not to fear, to cut Civil dissention from her Land, and save Much guiltless blood, that uprore ever thirsts, And for the safeguard of her Son, by me (As you demand) hath sent the Lord _Euphanes_ To plead his own cause, or to suffer death As you shall find him worthy; so delivering The Prince back, I shall leave him to your Guard.

_Leo._ The Queen is good and gracious: kiss her hand.

_Ag._ And seal our duties: Sir, depart in peace.

_The._ Oh Sir, you now perceive, when in the scales Nature, and fond affection weigh together, One poizes like a feather, and you know my Lords What's to be done.

_Euph._ Your Highness is unarm'd, Please you to use mine, and to lead the Army Back to your Mother: _Conon_, march you with 'em.

_Con._ I will my Lord: But not so far as not To bring you help if danger look upon you. [_Exit._

_Euph._ Why do you look so strangely, fearfully, Or stay your deathful hand, be not so wise To stop your rage: look how unmov'dly, here I give my self my Countreys sacrifice, An innocent sacrifice: Truth laughs at death, And terrifies the killer more than kill'd; Integrity thus armless seeks her foes, And never needs the Target nor the Sword, Bow, nor invenom'd shafts.

_Leo._ We are amaz'd, Not at your eloquence, but impudence, That dare thus front us.

_Ag._ Kill him, who knows not The iron forehead that bold mischief wears.

_Leo._ Forbear a while _Agenor_, I do tremble, And something sits like virtue in his face, Which the gods keep.