Part 19

_Sel._ Me? I cannot dance, and frisk with due activity, My body is lead, I have too much phlegme, what should I do with a Kingdome? no, _Arcadius_ Becomes the cushion, and can please, yet setting Aside the trick that Ladies of Blood look at, Another Man might make a shift to weare Rich Clothes, sit in the chair of state, and nod, Dare venture on discourse, that does not trench On compliment, and think the study of Armes And Arts, more commendable in a Gentleman, Than any Galliard.

_Cas._ _Arcadius_, And you, were reconcil'd.

_Sel._ We? yes, oh yes, But 'tis not manners now to say we are friends, At our equality there had been reason, But now subjection is the word.

_Cas._ They are not Yet married.

_Sel._ I'll make no Oath upon't, My Lord _Lisimachus_, A word, you'll not be angry if I love you, May not a Batchellor be made a Cuckold?

_Lisi._ How, Sir?

_Cas._ _Lisimachus_, this Gentleman Is worth our embrace, hee's spirited, And may be useful.

_Sel._ Hark you, can you tell Where's the best Dancing-master? and you mean To rise at Court, practise to caper, farewel The noble science, that makes work for cutlers, It will be out of fashion to weare swords, Masques, and devices welcome, I salute you, Is it not pitty any division Should be heard out of Musick? Oh 'twill be An excellent age of crotchets; and of Canters. Buy Captains, that like fools will spend your blood Out of your Country, you will be of less Use than your feathers, if you return unman'd You shall be beaten soon to a new march, When you shall think it a discretion To sell your glorious buffes to buy fine pumps, And pantables, this is I hope no treason.

_Enter_ Arcadius _leading the_ Queen, Charia, Eubulus, Lisander, Philocles, Polidora, _servant_.

_Cas._ Wot stay _Lisimachus_?

_Lisi._ Yes, Sir, And shew a patience above her injury.

_Arc._ This honor is too much, Madam, assume Your place, and let _Arcadius_ waite still: 'Tis happiness enough to be your servant.

_Cas._ Now he dissembles.

_Que._ Sir, you must sit.

_Arc._ I am obedient.

_Que._ This is not Musick Sprightly enough, it feeds the soul with melancholy. How sayes _Arcadius_?

_Arc._ Give me leave to think There is no harmony but in your voice, And not an accent of your heavenly tongue, But strikes me into rapture, I incline To think, the tale of _Orpheus_ no fable, 'Tis possible he might inchant the Rocks, And charme the Forrest, soften hell, hell it self, With his commanding Lute, it is no miracle To what you work, whose very breath conveyes The hearer into Heaven, how at your lips, Day-winds gather Perfumes, proudly glide away, To disperse sweetness round about the world.

_Sel._ Fine stuff.

_Que._ You cannot flatter.

_Arc._ Not, if I should say, Nature had plac'd you here the creatures wonder, And her own spring, from which all excellence On Earth's deriv'd, and copyed forth, and when The character of fair, and good in others Is quite worne out, and lost, looking on you It is supply'd, and you alone made mortal To feed, and keep alive all beauty.

_Sel._ Ha, ha, Can you indure it Gentlemen?

_Lisa._ What do you meane?

_Sel._ Nay, ask him what he meanes, mine is a down Right laugh.

_Que._ Well, Sir, proceed.

_Arc._ At such bright eyes the stars do light themselves, At such a forehead Swans renew their white, From such a lip the morning gathers blushes.

_Sel._ The morning is more modest than thy praises, What a thing does he make her?

_Arc._ And when you flie to Heaven and leave this world No longer maintenance of goodness from you: Then Poetry shall lose all use with us, And be no more, since nothing in your absence Is left, that can be worthy of a Verse.

_Sel._ Ha, ha.

_Que._ Whose that?

_Sel._ 'Twas I, Madam.

_Arc._ _Seleucus?_

_Cas._ Ha?

_Sel._ Yes, Sir, 'twas I that laugh'd.

_Arc._ At what?

_Sel._ At nothing.

_Lisa._ Contain your self, _Seleucus_.

_Eub._ Are you mad?

_Que._ Have you ambition to be punish'd, Sir?

_Sel._ I need not, 'twas punishment Enough to hear him make an Idol of you, he left Out the commendation of your patience, I was a little Mov'd in my nature, to hear his Rodomontados, and Make a monster of his Mistress, which I pitty'd first, But seeing him proceed, I guest he brought you Mirth with his inventions, and so made bold to laugh at it.

_Que._ You are sawcy, We'll place you where you sha'not be so merry, Take him away.

_Lisa._ Submit your self.

_Arc._ Let me plead for his pardon.

_Sel._ I wo'd not owe my life so poorly, beg thy own, When you are King you cannot bribe your destiny.

_Eub._ Good Madam hear me, I fear he is distracted, Brave boy, thou should'st be Master of a soul Like his: thy honors more concern'd.

_Sel._ 'Tis charity, A way wo' mee, 'boy Madam?

_Cas._ He has a daring spirit. [_Ex._ Sel. Eub. Cas.

_Arc._ These, and a thousand more affronts I must Expect: your favors draw them all upon me; In my first state I had no enemies, I was secure, while I did grow beneath This expectation, humble valleys thrive with Their bosomes full of flowers, when the Hills melt With lightning, and rough anger of the clouds, Let me retire.

_Que._ And can _Arcadius_ At such a breath be mov'd, I had opinion Your courage durst have stood a tempest for Our love, can you for this incline to leave What other Princes should in vain have sued for? How many Lovers are in _Epire_ now Would throw themselves on danger, not expect One enemy, but empty their own veins, And think the loss of all their blood rewarded, To have one smile of us when they are dying? And shall this murmur shake you?

_Arc._ Not dear Madam, My life is such a poor despised thing, In value your least graces, that To lose it were to make my self a victory, It is not for my self, I fear: the envy Of others cannot fasten wound in me Greater, than that your goodness should be check'd So daringly.

_Que._ Let not those thoughts afflict thee, While we have power to correct the offences, _Arcadius_ be mine, this shall confirm it.

_Arc._ I shall forget, And lose my way to heaven, that touch had been Enough to have restor'd me, and infus'd A spirit of a more celestial nature, After the tedious absence of my soul, Oh bless me not too much, one smile a day Would stretch my life to mortality; Poets that wrap divinity in tales, Look here, and give your coppies forth of angels, What blessing can remain?

_Que._ Our Marriage.

_Arc._ Place then some horrors in the way For me, not you, to pass, the journeys end Holds out such glories to me, I should think Hell but a poor degree of suffering for it, What's that, some petition? a Letter to me. _You had a Polidora, ha, that's all._ Ith' minu[t]e when my vessels new lanch'd forth, With all my pride, and silken wings about me I strike upon a Rock: What power can save me? You had a _Polidora_; there's a name Kill'd with grief, I can so soon forget her.

_Ser._ She did impose on me this service, Sir, And while she lives she sayes, shee'll pray for you.

_Arc._ She lives, That's well, and yet 'twere better, for my fame, And honor, she were dead; What fate hath plac'd me Upon this fearful precipice?

_Ser._ He's troubled.

_Arc._ I must resolve, my faith is violated Already, yet poor loving _Polidora_ Will pray for me, she sayes, to think she can Render me hated to my self, and every Thought's a tormentor, let me then be just.

_Que._ _Arcadius._

_Arc._ That voice prevailes agen, oh _Polidora_, Thou must forgive _Arcadius_, I dare not Turn rebel to a Princess, I shall love Thy vertue, but a Kingdom has a charme To excuse our f[r]ailty, dearest Madam.

_Que._ Now set forward.

_Arc._ To perfect all our joyes.

_Enter_ Macarius, _and a_ Bishop, Casander.

_Mac._ I'll fright their glories.

_Cas._ By what means?

_Mac._ Observe.

_Arc._ Our good Unckle, welcome.

_Que._ My Lord _Macarius_, we did want your person, There's something in our joyes wherein you share.

_Mac._ This you intend your highness wedding day.

_Que._ We are going.

_Mac._ Save you labor I have brought a Priest to meet you.

_Arc._ Reverend Father.

_Que._ Meet us, Why?

_Mac._ To tell you, that you must not Marry.

_Cas._ Didst thou hear that, _Lisimachus_?

_Lisi._ And wonder what will follow.

_Que._ We must not marry.

_Bish._ Madam, 'tis a rule First made in heaven, and I must needs declare You and _Arcadius_ must tie no knot Of Man and Wife.

_Arc._ Is my Unckle mad?

_Que._ Joy has transported him, Or age has made him dote, _Macarius_ Provoke us not too much, you will presume Above our mercy.

_Mac._ I'll discharge my duty, Could your frown strike me dead, my Lord, you know Whose character this is.

_Cas._ It is _Theodosius_, Your graces Father.

_Bis._ I am subscribed a witness.

_Phi._ Upon my life 'tis his.

_Mac._ Fear not, I'll cross this Match.

_Cas._ I'll bless thee for't.

_Arc._ Unckle, d'ee know what you do, or what we are Going to finish? you will not break the neck of my glorious Fortune, now my foots ith' stirrup, and mounting, Throw me over the saddle? I hope you'll let one Be a King, Madam, 'tis as you say, My Unckle is something craz'd, there's a worm In's brain, but I beseech you pardon him, he is Not the first of your counsel, that has talk'd Idly, d'ee hear my Lord Bishop, I hope You have more Religion than to joyn with him To undoe me.

_Bis._ Not I Sir, but I am commanded by oath, And conscience to speak truth.

_Arc._ If your truth should do me any harm, I shall never Be in charity with a Croziers staffe, look too't.

_Que._ My youngest Brother.

_Cas._ Worse and worse, my brains. [_Exit._

_Mac._ Deliver['d] to me an Infant with this writing, To which this reverend Father is a witness.

_Lisa._ This he whom we so long thought dead, a childe?

_Que._ But what should make my Father to trust him To your concealment? give abroad his death, and bury An empty coffin?

_Mac._ A jealousie he had Upon _Cassander_, whose ambitious brain He fear'd would make no conscience to depose His son, to make _Lisimachus_ King of _Epire_.

_Que._ He made no scruple to expose me then To any danger?

_Mac._ He secur'd you, Madam, By an early Engagement of your affection To _Lisimachus_, exempt this testimony, Had he been _Arcadius_, and my Nephew, I needed not obtrude him on the state, Your love and marriage had made him King Without my trouble, and sav'd that ambition, There was necessity to open now His birth, and title.

_Phi._ _Demetrius_ alive.

_Arc._ What riddles are these, Whom do they talk of?

_Omn._ Congratulate your return to life, and honor, And as becomes us, with one voice salute you, _Demetrius_ King of _Epire_.

_Mac._ I am no Uncle, Sir, this is your Sister, I should have suffer'd incest to have kept you Longer ith' dark: love, and be happy both, My trust is now discharg'd.

_Lisa._ And we rejoyce.

_Arc._ But do not mock me, Gentlemen, May I be bold upon your words to say I am Prince _Theodosius_ Son?

_Mac._ The King.

_Arc._ You'll justifie it? Sister, I am very glad to see you.

_Sop._ I am to find a brother, and resign my glory, My triumph is my shame. [_Exit._

_Enter_ Cassander.

_Cas._ Thine ear _Lisimachus_.

_Arc._ Gentlemen I owe Unto your loves, as large acknowledgment As to my birth, for this great honor, and My study shall be equal to be thought Worthy of both.

_Cas._ Thou art turn'd Marble.

_Lisi._ There will be the less charge for my Monument.

_Cas._ This must not be, sit fast young King. [_Exit._

_Lisi._ Your sister, Sir, is gone.

_Arc._ My sister should have been my Bride, that name Puts me in mind of _Polidora_, ha? _Lisander, Philocles_, Gentlemen, If you will have me think your hearts allow me _Theodosius_ son, oh quickly snatch some wings, Express it in your haste to _Polidora_, Tell her what title is new dropt from heaven To make her rich; onely created for me: Give her the ceremony of my Queen, With all the state that may become our Bride, Attend her to this throne; Are you not there? Yet stay, 'tis too much pride to send for her, Wee'll go our self, no honor is enough For _Polidora_, to redeem our fault, Salute her gently from me, and, upon Your knee, present her with this Diadem, 'Tis our first gift, tell her _Demetrius_ follows To be her guest, and give himself a servant To her chast bosome, bid her stretch her heart To meet me, I am lost in joy and wonder. [_Exeunt Omnes._

_Actus Quartus. Scaena Prima._

_Enter_ Cassander, Eubulus, Soldier.

_Cas._ Where's the Captain of the Castle?

_Sol._ Hee'll attend your honors presently.

_Cas._ Give him knowledge we expect him.

_Sol._ I shall, my Lord. [_Exit._

_Cas._ He is my creature, fear not, And shall run any course that we propound.

_Eub._ My Lord, I like the substance of your plot, 'Tis promising, but matters of this consequence Are not so easily perfect, and it does Concern our heads to build upon secure Principles, though _Seleucus_, I confess, Carry a high, and daring spirit in him, 'Tis hard to thrust upon the state new setled Any impostor, and we know not yet Whether hee'll undertake to play the Prince; Or if he should accept it, with what cunning He can behave himself.

_Cas._ My Lord, affairs Of such a glorious nature, are half finish'd, When they begin with confidence.

_Eub._ Admit He want no art, [n]or courage, it must rest Upon the people to receive his title, And with what danger their uncertain breath May flatter ours, _Demetrius_ scarcely warm In the Kings seat, I may suspect.

_Cas._ That reason Makes for our part, for if it be so probable, That young _Demetrius_ should be living, Why May not we work them to believe, _Leonatus_, The eldest son was, by some trick, preserv'd, And now would claim his own: there were two sons, Who in their Fathers life we supposed dead, May not we find a circumstance to make This seem as clear as t'other, let the vulgar Be once possest, wee'll carry _Epire_ from _Demetrius_, and the World.

_Eub._ I could be pleas'd To see my Son a King.

_Enter_ Poleanus.

The Captain's here.

_Pol._ I waite your Lordships pleasure.

_Cas._ We come to visit your late prisoner: I will not doubt, but you intreat him fairly, He will deserve it for himself, and you Be fortunate in any occasion, To have exprest your service.

_Pol._ Sir, the knowledge Of my honorable Lord his Father, will Instruct me to behave my self with all Respects becoming me, to such a son.

_Cas._ These things will least Oblige you, but how bears he his restraint?

_Pol._ As one whose soul's above it.

_Eub._ Patiently?

_Pol._ With contempt rather of the great command Which made him prisoner, he will talke sometimes So strangely to himself.

_Eub._ Hee's here.

_Enter_ Seleucus.

_Sel._ Why was I born to be a subject? 'tis Soon answer'd, sure my Father was no Prince, That's all: the same ingredients use to make A Man, as active, though not royal blood Went to my composition, and I Was gotten with as good a will perhaps, And my birth cost my Mother as much sorrow, As I had been born an Emperor.

_Cas._ While I look Upon him, something in his face presents A King indeed.

_Eub._ He does resemble much _Theodosius_ too.

_Cas._ Whose son we would pretend him, This will advance our plot.

_Sel._ 'Tis but a name, And mere opinion, that prefers one man Above another, I'll imagine then I am a Prince, or some brave thing on Earth, And see what follows: but it must not be, My single voice will carry it, the name Of King must be attended with a troop Of acclamations, on whose ayrie wings He mounts, and once exalted, threatens Heaven, And all the stars: how to acquire this noise, And be the thing I talke of, men have rise[n] From a more cheap nobility to Empires, From dark originals, and sordid blood, Nay some that had no fathers, sons of the earth, And flying people, have aspir'd to Kingdoms, Made nations tremble, and have practis'd frowns To awe the world, their memory is glorious, And I would hug them in their shades, but what's All this to me, that am I know not what, And less in expectation?

_Pol._ Are you serious?

_Cas._ Will you assist, and run a fate with us.

_Pol._ Command my life, I owe it to your favor.

_Sel._ _Arcadius_ was once as far from being As I, and had we not so cunningly Been reconcil'd, or one, or both had gone To seek our fortunes in another world; What's the device now? If my death be next, The summons shall not make me once look pale.

_Cas._ Chide your too vain suspitions, we bring A life, and liberty, with what else can make Thy ambition happy, th'ast a glorious flame, We come to advance it.

_Sel._ How?

_Cas._ Have but a will, And be what thy own thoughts dare prompt thee to, A King.

_Sel._ You do not mock me Gentlemen? You are my Father, Sir.

_Eub._ This minute shall Declare it, my _Seleucus_, our hearts swell'd With joy, with duty rather, oh my boy!

_Sel._ What's the mistery?

_Pol._ You must be a King.

_Cas._ _Seleucus_, stay, thou art too incredulous, Let not our faith, and study to exalt thee, Be so rewarded.

_Eub._ I pronounce thee King, Unless thy spirit be turn'd coward, and Thou faint to accept it.

_Sel._ King of what?

_Cas._ Of _Epire_.

_Sel._ Although the Queen, since she sent me hither, Were gone to Heaven I know not how, That title could devolve to me.

_Cas._ We have No Queen, since he that should have married her, Is prov'd her youngest brother, and now King In his own title.

_Sel._ Thank you Gentlemen, There's hope for me.

_Cas._ Why, you dare fight with him And need be, for the Kingdom.

_Sel._ With _Arcadius_? If you'll make stakes, my life against his crown, I'll fight with him, and you, and your fine Son, And all the Courtiers one after another.

_Cas._ 'Two'not come to that.

_Sel._ I am of your Lordships mind, so fare you well.

_Cas._ Yet stay and hear--

_Sel._ What? that you have betray'd me: Do, tell your King, my life is grown a burden, And I'll confess, and make your souls look pale, To see how nimble mine shall leap this battlement Of flesh, and dying, laugh at your poor malice.

_Omnes._ No more, long live _Leonatus_ King of _Epire_.

_Sel._ _Leonatus_, Who's that?

_Cas._ Be bold, and be a King, our brains have been Working to raise you to this height, here are None but friends, dare you but call your self _Leonatus_, and but justifie with confidence What we'll proclaime you, if we do not bring The Crown to your head, we [w]ill forfeit ours.

_Eub._ The state is in distraction, _Arcadius_ Is prov'd a King, there was an elder brother, If you dare but pronounce, you are the same, Forget you are my son.

_Pol._ These are no trifles, Sir, all is plotted, To assure your greatness; if you will be wise, And take the faire occasion that's presented.

_Sel._ _Arcadius_, you say, is lawful King, And now to depose him, you would make me An elder brother, is't not so?

_Cas._ Most right.

_Sel._ Nay, right or wrong, if this be your true meaning.

_Omnes._ Upon our lives.

_Sel._ I'll venture mine, but with your pardon, Whose brain was this? from whom took this plot life?

_Eub._ My Lord _Cassander_.

_Sel._ And you are of his mind? and you? and think This may be done?

_Eub._ The destinies shall not cross us, if you have Spirit to undertake it.

_Sel._ Undertake it? I am not us'd to compliment, I'll owe My life to you, my fortunes to your Lordship, Compose me as you please, and when y'ave made Me what you promise, you shall both divide Me equally: one word, my Lord, I had rather Live in the prison still, than be a propency To advance his politick ends.

_Eub._ Have no suspition.

_Cas._ So, so, I see _Demetrius_ heels already Trip'd up, and I'll dispatch him out oth' way, Which gone, I can depose this at my leasure, Being an Impostor, then my Son stands fair, And may piece with the Princess, we lose time, What think you, if we first surprize the Court? While you command the Castle, we shall curbe All opposition.

_Eub._ Let's proclaim him first, I have some faction, the people love me, They gain'd to us, wee'll fall upon the Court.

_Cas._ Unless _Demetrius_ yield himself, he bleeds.

_Sel._ Who dares call treason sin, when it succeeds? [_Exeunt Omnes._

_Enter_ Sophia, _and_ Charilla.

_Cha._ Madam, you are too passionate, and lose The greatness of your soul, with the expence Of too much grief, for that which providence Hath eas'd you of, the burden of a state Above your tender bearing.

_Sop._ Thour't a fool, And canst not reach the spirit of a Lady, Born great as I was, and made onely less By a too cruel destiny, above Our tender bearing: What goes richer to The composition of Man, than ours? Our soul as free, and spatious; our heart's As great, our will as large, each thought as active, And in this onely Man more proud than we, That would have us less capable of Empire, But search the stories, and the name of Queen Shines bright with glory, and some precedents Above Mans imitation.

_Cha._ I grant it For the honor of our sex, nor have you, Madam, By any weakness, forfeited command, He that succeeds, in justice, was before you, And you have gain'd more, in a royal brother, Than you could lose by your resign of _Epire_.

_Sop._ This I allow _Charilla,_ I ha done; 'Tis not the thought I am depos'd afflicts me, At the same time I feel a joy to know My Brother living: no, there is another Wound in me above cure.

_Cha_. Virtue forbid.

_Sop_. Canst find me out a Surgeon for that?

_Cha_. For what?

_Sop_. My bleeding fame.

_Cha_. Oh do not injure Your own clear innocence.

_Sop_. Do not flatter me, I have been guilty of an act, will make All love in women question'd, is not that A blot upon a Virgins name? my birth Cannot extenuate my shame, I am Become the stain of _Epire_.

_Cha._ 'Tis but Your own opinion, Madam, which presents Something to fright your self, which cannot Be in the same shape so horrid to our sense.

_Sop_. Thou wod'st, but canst not appear ignorant: Did not the Court, nay, the whole Kingdom, take Notice, I lov'd _Lisimachus?_

_Cha._ True, Madam.

_Sop._ No, I was false, Though counsel'd by my Father to affect him, I had my politick ends upon _Cassander_, To be absolute Queen, flattering his son with hopes Of love and marriage, when that very day I blush to think I wrong'd _Lisimachus_, That noble Gentleman, but heaven punish'd me; For though to know _Demetrius_ was a blessing, Yet who will not impute it my dishonor.

_Cha._ Madam, you yet may recompence _Lisimachus_, If you affect him now, you were not false To him, whom then you lov'd not, if you can Find any gentle passion in your soul To entertain his thought, no doubt his heart, Though sad retains a noble will to meet it, His love was firm to you, and cannot be Unrooted with one storme.

_Sop._ He will not sure Trust any language from her tongue that mock'd him, Although my soul doth weep for't, and is punish'd To love him above the world.

_Enter_ Lisimachus.

_Cha._ Hee's here As fate would have him reconcil'd, be free, And speak your thoughts.

_Lisi._ If, Madam, I appear Too bold, your charity will sign my pardon: I heard you were not well, which made me haste To pay the duty of an humble visit.