Part 5

_Euph. Agenor_, strike _Leonidas_ You that have purchas'd Fame on certain grounds, Lose it on supposition? smear your hands In guiltless blood, laugh at my Martyrdom: But yet remember, when Posterity Shall read your Volumes fill'd with virtuous acts, And shall arrive at this black bloody leaf, Noting your foolish barbarisms, and my wrong, (As time shall make it plain) what follows this Disciphering any noble deed of yours Shall be quite lost, for men will read no more.

_Leo._ Why? dare you say you are innocent?

_Euph._ By all the gods, as they Of this foul crime, why Gent. pry clean through my life, Then weigh these circumstances: think you that he Which made day night, and men to furies turn'd, Durst not trust silence, vizors, nor her sence That suffer'd; but with Charms and Potions Cast her asleep, (for all this I have enquir'd) Acted the Fable of _Proserpines_ Rape, The place (by all description) like to Hell: And all to perpetrate unknown his Lust, Would fondly in his person bring a Ring, And give it a betrothed Wife, i'th' same house Where the poor injur'd Lady liv'd and groan'd.

_Ag._ Hell gives us Art to reach the depth of sin, But leaves us wretched fools, when we are in.

_Euph._ Had it given me that Art, and left me so, I would not thus into the Lions jaws Have thrust my self (defenceless) for your good, The Princes safety, or the Common-weals: You know the Queen deny'd me, and sent us Commanders to surprize you, and to raze This Tower down, we had power enough to do it, Or starve you, as you saw, and not to tender My Person to your wrath, which I have done, Knowing my heart as pure as infants sleep.

_Leo._ What think you, Sir?

_Ag._ No harm I am sure: I weep.

_Euph._ The gods are just, and mighty: but to give you Further assurance, and to make your selves Judges and witnesses of my innocence Let me demand this question, On what night Was this foul deed committed?

_Ag._ On the Eave before our Marriage meant.

_Euph. Leonidas_, (Your rage being off, that still drowns memory) Where was your self and I that very night, And what our conference?

_Leo._ By the gods 'tis true: Both in her Highness Chamber conferring Even of this Match until an hour of day, And then came I to call you: we are sham'd.

_Ag._ Utterly lost, and sham'd.

_Euph._ Neither be chear'd, He that could find this out, can pardon it, And know this Ring was sent me from the Queen, How she came by it, yet is not enquir'd, Deeper occurrents hang on't: and pray Heaven That my suspitions prove as false as yours, Which (for the World) till I have greater proof I dare not utter what, nor whom they touch; Only this build upon, with all my nerves I'll labour with ye, till time waken truth.

_Ag._ There are our swords Sir, turn the points on us,

_Leo._ Punish rebellion, and revenge your wrong,

_Euph._ Sir, my revenge shall be to make your peace, Neither was this rebellion, but rash love.

_Enter_ Conon.

_Co._ How's this? unarm'd left, now found doubly arm'd? A[n]d those that would have slain him at his feet? Oh Truth, thou art a mighty Conqueress: The Queen (my Lord) perplex'd in care of you, That, cross to her command, hazard your self In person, here is come into the Field, And like a Leader, marches in the head Of all her Troops, vows that she will demolish Each stone of this proud Tower be you not safe: She chafes like storms in Groves, now sighs, now weeps, And both sometimes, like Rain and Wind commixt, Abjures her Son for ever, less himself Do fetch you off in person, that did give Your self to save him of your own free will, And swears he must not, nor is [f]it to live.

_Euph._ Oh she's a Mistriss for the gods.

_Ag._ And thou a godlike servant fit for her.

_Leo._ Wide _Greece_ May boast, because she cannot boast thy like.

_Euph._ Thus _Conon_ tell her Highness.

_Co._ My joy flies.

_Eup._ Let's toward her march: stern Drum speak gentle peace.

_Leo._ We are prisoners, lead us, ne'r was known A president like this: one unarm'd man (Suspected) to captive with golden words (Truth being his shield) so many arm'd with swords. [_Ex._

_Enter (at one door)_ Queen, Theanor, Crates, Conon, Lords, Soldiers, (_at another_) Euphanes (_with two swords_) Agenor, Leonidas, Soldiers: Euphanes _presents_ Leonidas _on his knees to the_ Queen: Agenor _bare-headed, makes shew of sorrow to the_ Queen, _she stamps, and seems to be angry at the first_. Euphanes _perswades her, [layes] their swords at her feet, she [kisses him,] gives them their swords again, they kiss her hand and embrace, the_ Soldiers _lift up_ Euphanes, _and shout_: Theanor _and_ Crates _discovered_, Conon _whispers with_ Crates, Euphanes _with_ Agenor, _and_ Leonidas _observes it, who seem to promise something_, Euphanes _directs his Page somewhat_.

[_Exeunt all but_ Theanor _and_ Crates.

_The._ We are not lucky _Crates_, this great torrent Bears all before him.

_Cra._ Such an age as this Shall ne'r be seen again: virtue grows fat, And villany pines; the Furies are asleep, Mischief 'gainst goodness aim'd, is like a stone, Unnaturally forc'd up an eminent hill Whose weight falls on our heads and buries us, We springe our selves, we sink in our own bogs.

_The._ What's to be done?

_Cra._ Repent and grow good.

_The._ Pish, 'Tis not the fashion (fool) till we grow old: The peoples love to him now scares me more Than my fond Mothers: both which, like two floods Bearing _Euphanes_ up; will o'rflow me, And he is worthy, would he were in Heaven, But that hereafter: _Crates_ help me now, And henceforth be at ease.

_Cra._ Your Will my Lord?

_The. Beliza_ is to marry him forthwith, I long to have the first touch of her too, That will a little quiet me.

_Cra._ Fie Sir, You'll be the Tyrant to Virginity; To fall but once is manly, to persevere Beastly, and desperate.

_The._ Cross me not, but do't: Are not the means, the place, the instruments The very same? I must expect you suddenly. [_Exit._

_Cra._ I must obey you. Who is in evil once a companion Can hardly shake him off, but must run on. Here I appointed _Conon_ to attend Him, and his sword: he promis'd to come single.

_Enter_ Conon _and_ Page.

To avoid prevention: he is a man on's word.

_Co._ You are well met _Crates_.

_Cra._ If we part so _Conon_.

_Co._ Come, we must do these mutual offices, We must be our own Seconds, our own Surgeons, And fairly fight, like men, not on advantage.

_Cra._ You have an honest bosom.

_Co._ Yours seems so.

_Cra._ Let's pair our swords: you are a just Gentleman.

_Co._ You might be so: now shake hands if you please, Though't be the cudgel fashion, 'tis a friendly one.

_Cra._ So, stand off.

_Page._ That's my cue to beckon 'em. [_Exit._

_Co. Crates_, to expostulate your wrongs to me Were to doubt of 'em, or wish your excuse In words, and so return like maiden Knights: Yet freely thus much I profess, your spleen And rugged carriage toward your honour'd Brother Hath much more stirred me up, than min[e] own cause, For I did ne'r affect these bloody men, But hold 'em fitter be made publick Hangmen: Or Butchers call'd, than valiant Gentlemen: 'Tis true stamp'd valour does upon just grounds, Yet for whom justlier should I expose my life Than him, unto whose virtue I owe all.

_Cra. Conon_, you think by this great deed of yours To insinuate your self a lodging nearer Unto my Brothers heart: such men as you Live on their undertakings for their Lords, And more disable them by answering for 'em Than if they sate still, make 'em but their whores, For which end Gallants now adays do fight: But here we come not to upbraid; what men Seem, the rash world will judge; but what they are Heaven knows: and this--Horses, we are descry'd, One stroke for fear of laughter.

_Enter_ Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Page.

_Co._ Half a score.

_Euph._ Hold, hold: on your allegiance hold.

_Ag._ He that strikes next--

_Leo._ Falls like a Traitor on our swords.

_Euph._ Oh Heaven, my Brother bleeds: _Conon_, thou art A villain, an unthankful man, and shalt Pay me thy bloud for his, for his is mine: Thou wert my friend, but he is still my Brother; And though a friend sometimes be nearer said In some gradation it can never be Where that same Brother can be made a friend, Which dearest _Crates_ thus low I implore; What in my poverty I would not seek, Because I would not burthen you, now here In all my height of bliss I beg of you, Your friendship; my advancement, Sir, is yours; I never held it strange, pray use it so: We are but two, which Number Nature fram'd In the most useful faculties of man, To strengthen mutually and relieve each other: Two eyes, two ears, two arms, two legs and feet, That where one faild, the other might supply; And I, your other eye, ear, your arm and leg, Tender my service, help and succor to ye.

_Ag. Leo._ A most divine example.

_Euph._ For dear Brother, You have been blind, and lame, and deaf to me, Now be no more so: in humility I give ye the duty of a younger Brother, Which take you as a Brother, not a Father, And then you'll pay a duty back to me.

_Cra._ Till now I have not wept these thirty years.

_Euph._ Discording Brothers, are like mutual legs Supplanting one another: he that seeks Aid from a stranger and forsakes his Brother, Does but like him that madly lops his arm, And to his body joyns a wooden one: Cuts off his natural leg, and trusts a Crutch, Plucks out his eye to see with Spectacles.

_Cra._ Most dear _Euphanes_, in this crimson floud Wash my unkindness out: you have o'rcome me, Taught me humanity and brotherhood; Full well knew Nature thou wert fitter far To be a Ruler o'r me than a Brother, Which henceforth be: _Jove_ surely did descend When thou wert gotten in some heavenly shape And greet my Mother, as the poets tell Of other Women.

_Ag._ Be this Holy-day.

_Leo._ And noted ever with the whitest stone.

_Co._ And pardon me my Lord, look you, I bleed Faster than _Crates_; what I have done I did To reconcile your loves, to both a friend, Which my blood ciment, never to part or end.

_Ag._ Most worthy _Conon_.

_Leo._ Happy rise, this day Contracts more good than a whole age hath done.

_Euph._ Royal _Agenor_, brave _Leonidas_, You are main causes, and must share the fame.

_Cra._ Which in some part this hour shall requite For I have aim'd my black shafts at white marks, And now I'll put the clew into your hands Shall guide ye most perspicuously to the depth Of this dark Labyrinth, where so long ye were lost Touching this old Rape, and a new intent. Wherein your counsel, and your active wit My dearest Brother will be necessary.

_Euph._ My Prophesie is come, prove my hopes true _Agenor_ shall have right, and you no wrong, Time now will pluck her daughter from her Cave: Let's hence to prevent rumour; my dear Brother, Nature's divided streams the highest shelf Will over-run at last, and flow to it self. [_Exeunt._

_Actus Quintus. Scæna Prima._

_Enter_ Crates, Euphanes, Neanthes, Sosicles, _Eraton_.

_Euph._ I Have won the Lady to it, and that good Which is intended to her, your faith only And secresie must make perfect; Think not Sir, I speak as doubting it, for I dare hazard My soul upon the tryal.

_Cra._ You may safely, But are _Agenor_, and _Leonidas_ ready To rush upon him in the Act, and seize him In the height of his security?

_Euph._ At all parts as you could wish them.

_Cra._ Where's the Lady?

_Euph._ There Where you appointed her to stay.

_Cra._ 'Tis wisely order'd.

_Euph._ Last, when you have him sure, compel him this way, For as by accident here I'll bring the Queen To meet you, 'twill strike greater terror to him, To be tane unprovided of excuse, And make more for our purposes. [_Exit._

_Cra._ Come _Neanthes_, our Fames and all are at the stake.

_Nea._ 'Tis fit that since relying on your skill, we venture So much upon one game, you play with cunning.

_Enter_ Theanor.

Or we shall rise such losers as--

_Sos._ The Prince.

_Cra._ The plot is laid Sir, howsoe'r I seem'd A little scrupulous, upon better judgement I have effected it.

_The._ 'Tis the last service Of this foul kind I will employ you in.

_Cra._ We hope so Sir.

_The._ And I will so reward it--

_Nea._ You are bound to that; in every Family That does write lustful, your fine Bawd gains more (For like your Broker, he takes fees on both sides) Than all the Officers of the house.

_Sos._ For us then To be a great mans Panders, and live poor, That were a double fault.

_Cra._ Come, you lose time Sir, We will be with you instantly: the deed done, We have a Mask that you expect not.

_The._ Thou art ever careful: for _Joves Mercury_ I would not change thee. [_Exit._

_Era._ There's an honour for you.

_Nea._ To be compar'd with the celestial Pimp, _Joves_ smock-sworn Squire, Don _Hermes_.

_Cra._ I'll deserve it, And Gentlemen be assur'd, though what we do now Will to the Prince _Theanor_ look like Treason And base disloyalty, yet the end shall prove, When he's first taught to know himself, then you, In what he judg'd us false, we were most true. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter_ Euphanes, Agenor, Leonidas, Conon.

_Euph._ Only make haste (my Lords) in all things else You are instructed: you may draw your swords For shew if you think good, but on my life You will find no resistance in his servants, And he's himself unarm'd.

_Ag._ I would he were not, My just rage should not then be lost.

_Euph._ Good Sir, Have you a care no injury be done Unto the person of the Prince: but _Conon_, Have you an eye on both, it is your trust that I relye on.

_Co._ Which I will discharge, assure your self most faithfully.

_Euph._ For the Lady, I know your best respect will not be wanting: Then to avoid suspition and discovery, I hold it requisite, that as soon as ever The Queen hath seen her, she forsake the place, And fit her self for that which is projected For her good, and your honour.

_Leo._ If this prosper, Believe it you have made a purchase of My service and my life.

_Euph._ Your love I aim at.

_Leo._ Here I shall find you?

_Euph._ With the Queen.

_Co._ Enough Sir.

_Enter_ Page.

_Page._ The Queen enquires for you my Lord, I have met A dozen Messengers in search of you.

_Enter_ Queen, Ladies, Attendants.

_Euph._ I knew I should be sought for, as I wish'd She's come her self in person.

_Qu._ Are you found Sir? I wonder where you spend your hours, methinks Since I so love your company, and profess 'Tis the best comfort this life yields me; mine Should not be tedious to you.

_Euph._ Gracious Madam, To have the happiness to see and hear you, Which by your bounty is conferr'd upon me, I hold so great a blessing, that my honours And wealth compar'd to that, are but as Cyphers To make that number greater: yet your pardon For borrowing from my duty so much time As the provision for my sudden Marriage Exacted from me.

_Qu._ I perceive this Marriage Will keep you often from me: but I'll bear it. She's a good Lady, and a fair, _Euphanes_, Yet by her leave I will share with her in you: I am pleas'd that in the night she shall enjoy you And that's sufficient for a Wife: the day-time I will divorce you from her.

_Leo. within._ We will force you if you resist.

_Qu._ What noise is that?

_The. within._ Base Traytors.

_Euph._ It moves this way.

_Enter_ Agenor, Leonidas _with_ Theanor, [M]erione _like_ Beliza, Conon, Crates, Neanthes, Sosicles, Eraton, Guard.

_Qu._ What e'r it be I'll meet it, I was not born to fear: Who's that _Beliza_?

_Euph._ My worthiest, noblest Mistriss. [_Exit._

_Qu._ Stay her, ha? All of you look as you were rooted here, And wanted motion: what new _Gorgons_ head Have you beheld, that you are all turn'd Statues? This is prodigious: has none a tongue To speak the cause?

_Leo._ Could every hair, great Queen Upon my head yield an articulate sound, And altogether speak, they could not yet Express the villany we have discoverd, And yet, when with a few unwilling words I have deliver'd what must needs be known, You'll say I am too eloquent, and wish I had been born without a tongue.

_Qu._ Speak boldly, For I, unmov'd with any loss, will hear.

_Leo._ Then know, we have found out the Ravisher Of my poor Sister, and the place, and means By which th' unfortunate, though fair _Beliza_ Hath met a second violence.

_Euph._ This confirms what but before I doubted to my ruine. My Lady ravish'd.

_Qu._ Point me out the villain; That guilty wretched monster that hath done this, [T]hat I may look on him, and in mine eye He [read] his Sentence.

_Leo._ That I truly could Name any other but the Prince, that heard, You have it all.

_Qu._ Wonder not that I shake, The miracle is greater that I live, Having endur'd the thunder that thy words Have thrown upon me: dar'st thou kneel, with hope Of any favor, but a speedy death, And that too in the dreadful'st shape that can Appear to a dispair[i]ng leprous soul, If thou hast any? no, libidinous beast, Thy lust hath alter'd so thy former Being, By Heaven I know thee not.

_The._ Although unworthy Yet still I am your Son.

_Qu._ Thou lyest, lyest falsly, My whole life never knew but one chaste bed, Nor e'r desir'd warmth but from lawful fires, Can I be then the Mother to a Goat, Whose lust is more insatiate than the grave, And like infectious air ingenders plagues, To murder all that's chaste, or good in Woman? The gods I from my youth have serv'd and fear'd, Whose holy Temples thou hast made thy Brothels; Could a Religious Mother then bring forth So damn'd an Atheist? read but o'r my life, My actions, manners, and made perfect in them But look into the story of thy self As thou art now, not as thou wert _Theanor_, And reason will compel thee to confess, Thou art a stranger to me.

_Ag._ Note but how heavy The weight of guilt is: it so low hath sunk him That he wants power to rise up in defence Of [his] bad cause.

_Qu._ Perswade me not _Euphanes_, This is no Prince, nor can claim part in me: My Son was born a Free-man, this a Slave To beastly passions, a Fugitive, And run away from virtue: bring bonds for him. By all the honour that I owe to Justice He loses me for ever that seeks to save him: Bind him I say, and 'ts like a wretch that knows He stands condemn'd before he hears the Sentence, With his base Agents, from my sight remove him, And lodge them in the Dungeon: As a Queen And Patroness to Justice I command it: Thy tears are like unseasonable showrs, And in my heart now steel'd can make no entrance: Thou art cruel to thy self (Fool) 'tis not want In me of soft compassion; when thou left'st To be a Son, I ceas'd to be a Mother; Away with them: The children I will leave To keep my name, to all posterities, Shall be the great examples of my Justice, The government of my Countrey which shall witness How well I rul'd my self: bid the wrong'd Ladies Appear in Court to morrow, we will hear them; And by one Act of our severity For fear of punishment, or love to virtue, Teach others to be honest: all will shun To tempt her Laws, that would not spare her Son. [_Ex._

_Scæna Tertia._

_Enter_ Onos, Uncle, _and_ Tutor.

_Unc._ Nay Nephew.

_Tut._ Pupill, hear but reason.

_On._ No, I have none, and will hear none; oh my honor My honor blasted in the bud, my youth, My hopeful youth, and all my expectation Ever to be a man, are lost for ever.

_Unc._ Why Nephew, we as well as you are dub'd Knights of the Pantofle.

_Tut._ And are shouted at, Kick'd, scorn'd, and laugh'd at by each Page and Groom, Yet with erected heads we bear it.

_Onos._ Alas, You have years, and strength to do it; but were you (As I) a tender gristle, apt to bow, You would like me, with Cloaks envelloped, Walk thus, then stamp, then stare.

_Unc._ He will run mad I hope, and then all's mine.

_Tut._ Why look you Pupil, There are for the recovery of your honor Degrees of Medicines; for a tweak by the Nose A man's to travel but six months, then blow it And all is well again: the Bastinado Requires a longer time, a year or two, And then 'tis buried: I grant you have been baffl'd, 'Tis but a journey of some thirty years And it will be forgotten.

_Onos._ Think you so?

_Tut._ Assuredly.

_Unc._ He may make a shorter cut, But hang or drown himself, and on my life 'Twill no more trouble him.

_Onos._ I could ne'r endure Or Hemp or Water, they are dangerous tools For youth to deal with: I will rather follow My Tutors counsel.

_Tut._ Do so.

_Onos._ And put in For my security, that I'll not return In thirty years, my whole 'state to my Uncle.

_Unc._ That I like well of.

_On._ Still provided Uncle, That at my coming home you will allow me To be of age, that I may call to account This Page that hath abus'd me.

_U[n]c._ 'Tis a match.

_On._ Then _Corinth_, thus the bashful _Lamprias_ Takes leave of thee: and for this little time Of thirty years, will labour all he can, Though he goes young forth, to come home a man. [_Ex._

_Scæna Quarta._

_Enter_ Euphanes _and_ Marshal.

_Euph._ Are your Prisoners ready?

_Mar._ When it shall please the Queen To call them forth my Lord.

_Euph._ Pray you do me the favour To tell me how they have born themselves this night Of their imprisonment?

_Mar._ Gladly Sir; your Brother With the other Courtiers willingly receiv'd All courtesies I could offer; eat, and drank, And were exceeding merry, so dissembling Their guilt, or confident in their innocence, That I much wondred at it. But the Prince, That (as born highest) should have grac'd his fall With greatest courage, is so sunk with sorrow, That to a common judgement he would seem To suffer like a Woman: but to me, That from the experience I have had of many Look further in him, I do find the deep Consideration of what's past, more frights him Than any other punishment.

_Euph._ That is indeed True magnanimity: the other but A desperate bastard valour.