Part 6

_Mar._ I pressed to him, And notwithstanding the Queens strict command, (Having your Lordships promise to secure me) Offer'd to free him from his bonds, which he Refus'd, with such a sorrow, mixt with scorn That it amaz'd me; yet I urg'd his Highness To give one Reason for't: he briefly answer'd, That he had sate in judgement on himself, And found that he deserv'd them: that he was A Ravisher, and so to suffer like one, Which is the reason of my tears: he addeth, For wer't not I again should break the Laws, By scorning all their rigor can inflict, I should dye smiling.

_Euph._ I forbear to wonder That you were mov'd that saw this: I am struck With the relation so. 'Tis very well; See all things ready. I do wish I could Send comfort to the Prince; be ready with him; 'Tis in the Queens breast only which for us [_Bar brought in._ To search into were sauciness, to determine What she thinks fit.

_Enter_ Leonidas _with_ Merione (_in white_) Euphanes _with_ Beliza (_in black_) Queen, Agenor, Conon, Marshal, _with_ Thea[n]or, Crates, Sosicles, Eraton, Lords, Ladies, _Guard_.

_Lord._ Make way there for the Queen.

_Quee._ Read first the Law, and what our Ancestors Have in this case provided to deter Such like offenders: To you gentle Ladies This only, Would I could as well give comfort, As bid [you] be secure from fear or doubt Of our displeasure: be as confident As if your plea were 'gainst a common man, To have all right from us; I will not grieve For what's not worth my pitty: Read the Law.

Clerk reads.

Lycurgus _the nineteenth against Rapes: It is provided: and_ _pu[b]lickly enacted and confirmed, That any man of what degree soever, offering violence to the chastity of a Virgin, shall_ (Ipso facto) _be lyable to her accusation, and according to the said Law be censured; Ever provided, that it shall [b]e in the choice of the said Virgin so abused, either to compell the Offender to marry her without a Dowry, if so she will be satisfied, or demanding his head for the offence, to have that accordingly performed._

_Qu._ You hear this: what do you demand?

_Mer._ The benefit The Law allows me.

_Bel._ For the injury Done to mine Honor, I require his head.

_Mer._ I likewise have an eye upon mine Honor, But knowing that his death cannot restore it I ask him for my Husband.

_Bel._ I was ravish'd, And will have justice.

_Mer._ I was ravish'd too, I kneel for mercy.

_Bel._ I demand but what The Law allows me.

_Mer._ That which I desire Is by the same Law warranted.

_Bel._ The Rape On me hath made a forfeit of his life, Which in revenge of my disgrace I plead for.

_Mer._ The Rape on me gives me the priviledge To be his Wife, and that is all I sue for.

_Age._ A doubtful case.

_Leo._ Such pretty Lawyers, yet I never saw nor read of.

_Euph._ May the Queen Favour your sweet plea, Madam.

_Bel._ Is that justice? Shall one that is to suffer for a Rape Be by a Rape defended? Look upon The publick enemy of chastity, This lustful Satyr, whose enrag'd desires The ruine of one wretched Virgins honor Would not suffice; and shall the wrack of two Be his protection? May be I was ravish'd For his lust only, thou for his defence; O fine evasion! shall with such a slight Your Justice be deluded? your Laws cheated? And he that for one fact deserv'd to die, For sinning often, find impunity? But that I know thee I would swear thou wert A false Impostor, and suborn'd to this; And it may be thou art _Merione_: For hadst thou suffer'd truly what I have done, Thou wouldst like me complain, and call for vengeance, And our wrongs being equal, I alone Should not desire revenge: But be it so, If thou prevail, even he will punish it, And foolish mercy shew'd to him undo thee, Consider, fool, before it be too late, What joys thou canst expect from such a Husband, To whom thy first, and what's more, forc'd embraces, Which men say heighten pleasure, were distastful.

_Mer._ 'Twas in respect, that then they were unlawful, Unbless'd by _Hymen_, and left stings behind them, Which from the marriage-bed are ever banish'd. Let this Court be then the image of _Joves_ throne, Upon which grace and mercy still attend, To intercede between him and his Justice; And since the Law allows as much to me As she can challenge, let the milder sentence, Which best becomes a Mother, and a Queen Now overcome; nor let your wisdom suffer In doing right to her, I in my wrong Indure a second Ravishment.

_Bel._ You can free him Only from that which does concern your self, Not from the punishment that's due to me: Your injuries you may forgive, not mine; I plead mine own just wreak, which will right both, Where that which you desire robs me of justice; 'Tis that which I appeal to.

_Mer._ Bloody Woman, Dost thou desire his punishment? Let him live then; For any man to marry where he likes not Is still a lingring torment.

_Bel._ For one Rape One death's sufficient, that way cannot catch me.

_Mer._ To you I fly then, to your mercy Madam, Exempting not your Justice, be but equal; And since in no regard I come behind her, Let me not so be undervalu'd in Your Highness favor, that the world take notice You so preferr'd her, that in her behalf You kill'd that Son, you would not save for me; Mercy, O mercy Madam.

_Bel._ Great Queen, justice.

_Age._ With what a Masculine constancy the grave Lady hath heard them both!

_Leo._ Yet how unmov'd she sits In that which most concerns her!

_Con._ Now she rises; And having well weigh'd both their arguments, Resolves to speak.

_Euph._ And yet again she pauses; O _Conon_, such a resolution once A _Roman_ told me he had seen in _Cato_ Before he kill'd himself.

_Qu._ 'Tis now determin'd. _Merione_, I could wish I were no Queen, To give you satisfaction; no Mother _Beliza_, to content you; and would part, Even with my being, both might have their wishes; But since that is impossible, in few words I will deliver what I am resolved on: The end for which all profitable Laws Were made, looks two ways only, the reward Of innocent good men, and the punishment Of bad Delinquents: Ours, concerning Rapes, Provided that same latter [clause] of Marriage For him that had fall'n once, not then foreseeing Mankind could prove so monstrous, to tread twice A path so horrid. The great Law-giver _Draco_, That for his strange severity Was said to write his stern Decrees in blood, Made none for Parricides, presuming that No man could be so wicked; Such might be _Lycurgus_ answer (did he live) for this. But since I find that in my [Sonne], which was not Doubted in any else, I will add to it; He cannot marry both, but for both dying, Both have their full revenge: You see _Beliza_ You have your wish; with you _Merione_ I'll spend a tear or two, so Heaven forgive thee.

_The._ Upon my knees I do approve your judgement, And beg that you would put it into act With all speed possible; only that I may, Having already made peace with my self, Part so with all the world: Princely _Agenor_ I ask your pardon; yours my Lord _Euphanes_; And _Crates_ with the rest too, I forgive you; Do you the like for me: Yours, gracio[u]s Mother, I dare not ask, and yet if that my death Be like a Son of yours, though my life was not, Perhaps you may vouchsafe it: Lastly, that Both these whom I have wrong'd, may wish my ashes No heavy burden, e'r I suffer death, For the restoring of _Meriones_ honor, Let me be married to her, and then dye For you _Beliza_.

_Qu._ Thou hast made in this Part of amends to me, and to the world, Thy suit is granted, call a _Flamyn_ forth To do this holy work; with him a Headsman.

_Enter_ Flamyn _and Executioner_.

Raise up thy weeping eyes _Merione_, With this hand I confirm thy Marriage, Wishing that now the gods would shew some miracle, That this might not divorce it.

_Cra._ To that purpose I am their Minister, stand not amaz'd, To all your comforts I will do this wonder, Your Majesty (with your pardon I must speak it) Allow'd once heretofore of such a Contract, Which you repenting afterwards, revok'd it, Being fully bent to match her with _Agenor_, The griev'd Prince knowing this, and yet not daring To cross what you determin'd, by an oath Bound me and these his followers to do something That he might once enjoy her, we swore to it, And easily perswaded, being assur'd She was his Wife before the face of Heaven, Although some ceremonious forms were wanting, Committed the first Rape, and brought her to him, Which broke the Marriage; but when we perceiv'd He purpos'd to abuse our ready service In the same kind: upon the chaste _Beliza_, Holding our selves less ty'd to him than goodness; I made discovery of it to my Brother, Who can relate the rest.

_Euph._ It is most true.

_Qu._ I would it were:

_Euph._ In every circumstance It is upon my soul: For this known to me, I wan _Merione_ in my Ladies habit, To be again (but willingly) surpriz'd, But with _Agenor_, and her noble Brother, With my approv'd friend _Conon_, with such speed She was pursu'd, that the lewd act scarce ended, The Prince (assur'd he had enjoy'd _Beliza_, For all the time _Meriones_ face was cover'd) Was apprehended and brought to your presence, But not till now discover'd, in respect I hop'd the imminent danger of the Prince, To which his loose unquenched heats had brought him, Being pursu'd unto the latest tryal Would work in him compunction, which it has done; And these two Ladies in their feign'd contentions, To your delight I hope have serv'd as Maskers To their own Nuptials.

_Qu._ My choice was worthy When first I look'd on thee, as thou hast order'd All shall be done, and not the meanest that Plaid in this unexpected Comedy, But shall pertake our bounty: And my Lord, That with the rest you may seem satisfi'd, If you dare venture on a Queen, not yet So far in debt to years, but that she may Bring you a lusty Boy, I offer up My self and Kingdom, during my life to you.

_Ag._ It is a blessing which I durst not hope for, But with all joy receive.

_All._ We all applaud it.

_Qu._ Then on unto the Temple, where the rights Of Marriage ended, we'll find new delights. [_Exeunt._

_Here endeth the Queen of_ Corinth.

BONDUCA, A TRAGEDY.

The Persons Represented in the Play.

Caratach, _General of the_ Britains, _Cosin to_ Bonduca. Nenius, _A great Soldier, a_ Britain _Commander_. Hengo, _A brave boy, Nephew to_ Caratach. Suetonius, _General to the_ Roman _Army in_ Britain. Penius, _A brave_ Roman _Commander, but stubborn to the General_. Junius, _A_ Roman _Captain, in love with_ Bonduca's _Daughter_. Petilus, _A merry Captain, but somewhat wanton._ Demetrius, Decius, _Two_ Roman _Commanders_. Regulus, Drusus, Macer, Curius, _Four_ Roman _Officers_. Judas, _A Corporal, a merry hungry knave_. Herald. Druides. Soldiers.

_WOMEN._

Bonduca, _Queen of the_ Iceni, _a brave_ Virago, _by_ Prosutagus. _Her two Daughters._

* * * * *

_The Scene_ Britain.

* * * * *

The Principal Actors were

_Richard Burbadge_, _Henry Condel_, _William Eglestone_, _Nich. Toolie_, _William Ostler_, _John Lowin_, _John Underwood_, _Richard Robinson_.

_Actus Primus. Scæna Prima._

_Enter_ Bonduca, Daughters, Hengo, Nennius, Soldiers.

_Bon._ The hardy _Romans_? O ye gods of _Britain_, The rust of Arms, the blushing shame of soldiers; Are these the men that conquer by inheritance! The Fortune-makers? these the _Julians_.

_Enter_ Caratach.

That with the Sun measure the end of Nature, Making the World but one _Rome_ and one _Cæsar_? Shame, how they flee! _Cæsars_ soft soul dwells in 'em; Their Mothers got 'em sleeping, Pleasure nurst 'em, Their Bodies sweat with sweet Oils, Loves allurements, Not lustie Arms. Dare they send these to seek us, These _Roman_ Girls? Is _Britain_ grown so wanton? Twice we have beat 'em, _Nennius_ scatter'd 'em, And through their big-bon'd _Germans_, on whose Pikes The honour of their actions sit in triumph, Made Themes for Songs to shame 'em, and a Woman, A Woman beat 'em, _Nennius_; a weak Woman, A Woman beat these _Romans_.

_Car._ So it seems. A man would shame to talk so.

_Bon._ Who's that?

_Car._ I.

_Bon._ Cosin, do you grieve at my fortunes?

_Car._ No, _Bonduca_, If I grieve, 'tis at the bearing of your fortunes; You put too much wind to your sail: Discretion And hardy valour are the twins of honour, And nurs'd together, make a Conqueror: Divided, but a talker. 'Tis a truth. That _Rome_ has fled before us twice, and routed; A truth we ought to crown the gods for, Lady, And not our tongues. A truth is none of ours, Nor in our ends, more than the noble bearing: For then it leaves to be a virtue, Lady; And we that have been Victors, beat our selves, When we insult upon our honors subject.

_Bon._ My valiant Cosin, is it foul to say What liberty and honor bid us do, And what the gods allow us?

_Car._ No, _Bonduca_, So what we say exceed not what we do. Ye call the _Romans_ fearful, fleeing _Romans_, And _Roman_ Girls, the lees of tainted pleasures: Does this become a doer? are they such?

_Bon._ They are no more.

_Car._ Where is your Conquest then? Why are your Altars crown'd with wreaths of flowers, The beasts with gilt horns waiting for the fire? The holy _Druides_ composing Songs Of everlasting life to Victory? Why are these triumphs, Lady? for a _May_-game? For hunting a poor herd of wretched _Romans_? Is it no more? shut up your Temples, _Britains_, And let the Husbandman redeem his heifers; Put out our holy fires; no Timbrel ring; Let's home, and sleep; for such great overthrows; A Candle burns too bright a sacrifice, A Glow-worms tail too full of flame. O _Nennius_, Thou hadst a noble Uncle knew a _Roman_, And how to speak him, how to give him weight In both his fortunes.

_Bon._ By ---- I think Ye doat upon these _Romans_, _Caratach_.

_Car._ Witness these wounds, I do; they were fairly given, I love an enemy, I was born a Soldier; And he that in the head on's Troop defies me, Bending my manly Body with his sword, I make a Mistriss. Yellow-tressed _Hymen_ Ne'r ty'd a longing Virgin with more joy, Than I am married to that man that wounds me: And are not all these _Romans_? Ten struck Battels I suck'd these honour'd scars from, and all _Roman_: Ten years of bitter nights and heavy marches, When many a frozen storm sung thorow my Curasse, And made it doubtful whether that or I Were the more stubborn metall, have I wrought thorow, And all to try these _Romans_. Ten times a night I have swom the Rivers, when the Stars of _Rome_ Shot at me as I floated, and the billows Tumbled their watry ruines on my shoulders, Charging my batter'd sides with troops of Agues; And still to try these _Romans_, whom I found (And if I lye, my wounds be henceforth backward, And be you witness, gods, and all my dangers) As ready, and as full of that I brought (Which was not fear nor flight) as valiant, As vigilant, as wise, to do and suffer, Ever advanced as forward as the _Britains_, Their sleeps as short, their hopes as high as ours. I, and as subtil, Lady. 'Tis dishonour, And follow'd, will be impudence, _Bonduca_, And grow to no belief, to taint these _Romans_. Have not I seen the _Britains_--

_Bond._ What?

_Car._ Disheartned, Run, run, _Bonduca_, not the quick rack swifter; The Virgin from the hated Ravisher Not half so fearful; not a flight drawn home. A round stone from a sling, a Lovers wish E'r made that haste that they have. By ---- I have seen these _Britains_, that you magnifie, Run as they would have out-run time and roaring Basely for mercy, roaring: the light shadows, That in a thought scur o'r the fields of Corn, Halted on crutches to 'em.

_Bon._ O ye Powers, What scandals do I suffer!

_Car._ Yes, _Bonduca_, I have seen thee run too, and thee, _Nennius_; Yea, run apace, both; then when _Penyus_ The _Roman_ Girl, cut thorow your armed Carts, And drive 'em headlong on ye down the hill: Then when he hunted ye like _Britain_-Foxes, More by the scent than sight: then did I see These valiant and approved men of _Britain_, Like boading Owls, creep into tods of Ivie, And hoot their fears to one another nightly.

_Nen._ And what did you then, _Caratach_?

_Car._ I fled too, But not [so] fast; your Jewel had been lost then, Young _Hengo_ there; he trasht me, _Nennius_: For when your fears out-run him, then stept I, And in the head of all the _Romans_ fury Took him, and, with my tough Belt, to my back I buckled him: behind him, my sure Shield; And then I follow'd. If I say I fought Five times in bringing off this bud of _Britain_, I lye not, _Nennius_. Neither had ye heard Me speak this, or ever seen the child more, But that the Son of Virtue, _Penyus_ Seeing me steer thorow all these storms of danger, My Helm still in my hand, my Sword my prow, Turn'd to my foe my face, he cry'd out nobly, Go _Britain_, bear thy Lions whelp off safely; Thy manly sword has ransom'd thee: grow strong, And let me meet thee once again in Arms; Then if thou stand'st, thou art mine. I took his offer, And here I am to honour him.

_Bon._ O Cousin, From what a flight of honour hast thou checkt me! What wouldst thou make me, _Caratach_?

_Car._ See, Lady, The noble use of others in our losses: Does this afflict ye? Had the _Romans_ cry'd this, And as we have done theirs, sung out these fortunes, Rail'd on our base condition, hooted at us, Made marks as far as the earth was ours, to shew us Nothing but sea could stop our flights; despis'd us, And held it equal, whether banqueting Or beating of the _Britains_ were more business, It would have gall'd ye.

_Bon._ Let me think we conquer'd.

_Car._ Do; but so think, as we may be conquer'd: And where we have found virtue, though in those That came to make us slaves, let's cherish it. There's not a blow we gave since _Julius_ landed, That was of strength and worth, but like records, They file to after-ages. Our Registers, The _Romans_, are for noble deeds of honour; And shall we burn their mentions with upbraidings?

_Bon._ No more, I see my self: thou hast made me, Cousin, More than my fortunes durst, for they abus'd me, And wound me up so high, I swell'd with glory: Thy temperance has cur'd that Tympany, And given me health again, nay, more discretion. Shall we have peace? for now I love these _Romans_.

_Car._ Thy love and hate are both unwise ones, Lady.

_Bon._ Your reason?

_Nen._ Is not peace the end of Arms?

_Car._ Not where the cause implies a general conquest: Had we a difference with some petty Isle, Or with our neighbors (Lady) for our Land-marks, The taking in of some rebellious Lord, Or making a head against Commotions, After a day of Blood, Peace might be argued: But where we grapple for the ground we live on, The Liberty we hold as dear as life, The gods we worship, and next those, our Honors, And with those swords that know no end of Battel: Those men beside themselves allow no neighbor; Those minds that where the day is, claim inheritance, And where the Sun makes ripe the fruits, their harvest, And where they march, but measure out more ground To add to _Rome_, and here i'th' bowels on us; It must not be; no, as they are our foes, And those that must be so until we tire 'em, Let's use the peace of Honor, that's fair dealing, But in our ends, our swords. That hardy _Romane_ That hopes to graft himself into my stock, Must first begin his kindred under-ground, And be alli'd in ashes.

_Bon. Caratach_, As thou hast nobly spoken, shall be done; And _Hengo_ to thy charge I here deliver: The _Romans_ shall have worthy Wars.

_Car._ They shall. And, little Sir, when your young bones grow stiffer, And when I see ye able in a morning To beat a dozen boys, and then to breakfast, I'll tye ye to a sword.

_Heng._ And what then Uncle?

_Car._ Then ye must kill, Sir, the next valiant _Romane_ that calls ye knave.

_Hen._ And must I kill but one?

_Car._ An hundred, boy, I hope.

_Hen._ I hope five hundred.

_Car._ That's a noble boy. Come, worthy Lady, Let's to our several charges, and henceforth Allow an enemy both weight and worth. [_Exeunt._

_Scæna Secunda._

_Enter_ Junius _and_ Petillius, _two_ Roman _Captains_.

_Pet._ What ail'st thou, man? dost thou want meat?

_Jun._ No.

_Pet._ Clothes?

_Jun._ Neither. For heavens love, leave me.

_Pet._ Drink?

_Jun._ Ye tire me.

_Pet._ Come, 'tis drink; I know 'tis drink.

_Jun._ Tis no drink.

_Pet._ I say 'tis drink: for what affliction Can light so heavy on a Soldier, To dry him up as thou art, but no drink? Thou shalt have drink.

_Jun._ Prethee _Petillius_--

_Pet._ And by mine honor, much drink, valiant drink: Never tell me, thou shalt have drink. I see, Like a true friend, into thy wants: 'tis drink; And when I leave thee to a desolation, Especially of that dry nature, hang me.

_Jun._ Why do you [do] this to me?

_Pet._ For I see, Although your modesty would fain conceal it, Which sits as sweetly on a Soldier, As an old side-saddle.

_Jun._ What do you see?

_Pet._ I see as far as day, that thou want'st drink. Did I not find thee gaping like an Oyster For a new tide? thy very thoughts lie bare Like a low ebb? thy Soul that rid in Sack, Lies moor'd for want of liquor? Do but see Into thy self; for by ---- I do: For all thy body's chapt and crackt like timber For want of moisture, what is't thou wantst there, _Junius_, And if it be not drink?

_Jun._ You have too much on't.

_Pet._ It may be a whore too; say it be; come, meecher, Thou shalt have both, a pretty valiant fellow, Die for a little lap and lechery? No, it shall ne'r be said in our Countrey, Thou dy'dst o'th' Chin-cough. Hear, thou noble _Roman_, The Son of her that loves a Soldier, Hear what I promised for thee; thus I said, Lady, I take thy Son to my companion, Lady, I love thy son, thy Son loves War, The war loves danger, danger drink, drink discipline, Which is society and lechery; These two beget Commanders: fear not, Lady, Thy Son shall lead.

_Jun._ 'Tis a strange thing, _Petillius_, That so ridiculous and loose a mirth Can master your affections.