Chapter 4

There is indeed; I prithee _Decius_ speak it.

Decius:

How! prithee _Decius_! this Woman's strangely alter'd. 278]

Antinous:

Why dost not speak (good friend) and tell me how The reverend Blessing of my life receiv'd My humble lines; wept he for joy?

Decius:

No, there's a Letter will inform you more; Yet I can tell you what I think will grieve you, The Old Man is in want and angry still, And poverty is the Bellows to the Coal More than distaste from you as I imagine.

Antinous:

What's here? how's this? It cannot be! now sure My griefs delude my senses.

Erota:

In his looks I read a world of Changes; _Decius_, mark With what a sad amazement he surveys The News; canst thou guess what 'tis?

Decius:

None good, I fear.

Erota:

I fear so too; and then--

Antinous:

It is her hand.

Erota:

Are you not well?

Antinous:

Too well: if I were ought But Rock, this Letter would conclude my miseries, Peruse it (Lady) and resolve me then, In what a case I stand.

Decius:

Sir, the worst is, Your Fathers lowness and distaste.

Antinous:

No, _Decius_, My Sister writes _Fernando_ has made suit For love to her; and to express sincerely His constant truth, hath like a noble Gentleman, Discovered plots of treachery; contriv'd By false _Gonzalo_, not intending more The utter ruine of our house, than generally _Candies_ Confusion.

Decius:

'Tis a generous part Of young _Fernando_.

Antinous:

'Tis, and I could wish All thrift to his affections, _Decius_. You find the sum on't, Madam.

Erota:

Yes, I do.

Antinous:

And can you now yet think a heart opprest With such a throng of cares, can entertain 279] An amorous thought? Love frees all toils but one, Calamity and it can ill agree.

Erota:

Wil't please you speak my doom?

Antinous:

Alas, great Lady, Why will you flatter thus a desperate Man That is quite cast away? O had you not Procur'd the Senates Warrant to enforce My stay, I had not heard of these sad News. What would ye have me do?

Erota:

Love me, or kill me, One word shall sentence either; for as Truth Is just, if you refuse me, I am resolute Not to out-live my thraldome.

Antinous:

Gentle Lady.

Erota:

Say, must I live, or dye?

Decius:

My Lord, how can you Be so inexorable? here's Occasion Of succouring your Father in his wants Securely profer'd, pray Sir, entertain it.

Erota:

What is my sentence?

Antinous:

What you please to have it.

Erota:

As thou art gentle speak those words again.

Antinous:

Madam, you have prevail'd; yet give me leave Without offence, ere I resign the interest Your heart hath in my heart, to prove your secresie.

Erota:

_Antinous_, 'tis the greatest argument Of thy affections to me.

Antinous:

Madam, thus then, My Father stands for certain sums engag'd To treacherous _Gonzalo_; and has morgag'd The greatest part of his estate to him; If you receive this Morgage, and procure Acquittance from _Gonzalo_ to my Father, I am what you would have me be.

Erota:

You'll love me then?

Antinous:

Provided (Madam) that my Father know not I am an Agent for him.

Erota:

If I fail In this, I am unworthy to be lov'd.

Antinous:

Then (with your favour) thus I seal my truth, 280] To day, and _Decius_ witness how unchangingly I shall still love _Erota_.

Erota:

Thou hast quickned A dying heart, _Antinous_.

Decius:

This is well; Much happiness to both.

[Enter _Hyparcha_]

Hyparcha:

The Lord _Gonzalo_ Attends you, Madam.

Erota:

Comes as we could wish, Withdraw _Antinous_, here's a Closet, where You may partake his errand; let him enter.

[_Enter_ Gonzalo]

Antinous:

Madam you must be wary.

[Exit

Erota:

Fear it not, I will be ready for him; to entertain him With smiling Welcome. Noble Sir, you take Advantage of the time; it had been fit Some notice of your presence might have fashion'd A more prepared state.

Gonzalo:

Do you mock me, Madam?

Erota:

Trust me, you wrong your judgment, to repute My Gratitude a fault; I have examin'd Your portly carriage, and will now confess It hath not slightly won me.

Gonzalo:

The Wind's turn'd; I thought 'twould come to this; it pleas'd us, Madam, At our last interview, to mention Love; Have you consider'd on't?

Erota:

With more than common Content: but Sir, if what you spoke you meant, (As I have cause to doubt) then--

Gonzalo:

What, (sweet Lady?)

Erota:

Methinks we should lay by this form of stateliness; Loves Courtship is familiar, and for instance, See what a change it hath begot in me, I could talk humbly now, as Lovers use.

Gonzalo:

And I, and I, we meet in one self-centre 281] Of blest Consent.

Erota:

I hope my weakness, Sir, Shall not deserve neglect; but if it prove so I am not the first Lady has been ruin'd By being too credulous; you will smart for't one day.

Gonzalo:

Angel-like Lady, let me be held a Villain, If I love not sincerely.

Erota:

Would I knew it.

Gonzalo:

Make proof by any fit Command.

Erota:

What, do you mean to marry me?

Gonzalo:

How! mean? nay more, I mean To make you Empress of my Earthly Fortunes, Regent of my desires, for did you covet To be a real Queen, I could advance you.

Erota:

Now I perceive you slight me, and would make me More simple than my Sexes frailty warrants.

Gonzalo:

But say your mind, and you shall be a Queen.

Erota:

On those Conditions, call me yours.

Gonzalo:

Enough. But are we safe?

Erota:

Assuredly.

Gonzalo:

In short, Yet, Lady, first be plain; would you not chuse Much rather to prefer your own Sun-rising, Than any's else though ne'r so near entituled By Blood, or right of Birth?

Erota:

'Tis a question Needs not a resolution.

Gonzalo:

Good; what if I set the Crown of _Candy_ on your head?

Erota:

I were a Queen indeed then.

Gonzalo:

Madam, know There's but a Boy 'twixt you and it; suppose him Transhap'd into an Angel.

Erota:

Wise _Gonzalo_, I cannot but admire thee.

Gonzalo:

'Tis worth thinking on; Besides, your Husband shall be Duke of _Venice_.

Erota:

_Gonzalo_, Duke of _Venice_?

Gonzalo:

You are mine you say? 282]

Erota:

Pish: you but dally with me; and would lull me In a rich golden dream.

Gonzalo:

You are too much distrustfull of my truth.

Erota:

Then you must give me leave to apprehend The means, and manner how.

Gonzalo:

Why thus--

Erota:

You shall not, We may be over-heard; Affairs and counsels Of such high nature, are not to be trusted Not to the Air it self, you shall in writing, Draw out the full design; which if effected, I am as I profess.

Gonzalo:

O I applaud Your ready care, and secresie.

Erota:

_Gonzalo_, There is a bar yet, 'twixt our hopes and us, And that must be remov'd.

Gonzalo:

What is't?

Erota:

Old _Cassilane_.

Gonzalo:

Ha? fear not him: I build upon his ruines Already.

Erota:

I would find a smoother course To shift him off.

Gonzalo:

As how?

Erota:

We'l talk in private, I have a ready plot.

Gonzalo:

I shall adore you.

[Exeunt.

[Enter _Fernando_, a[n]d _Annophel_]

Fernando:

Madam, although I hate unnoble practices, And therefore have perform'd no more than what I ought, for honours safety: yet _Annophel_, Thy love hath been the spur, to urge me forward For speedier diligence.

Annophel:

Sir your own fame And memory will best reward themselves.

Fernando:

All gain is loss (sweet beauty) if I miss My comforts here: The Brother and the Sister Have double conquer'd me, but thou maist triumph.

Annophel:

Good Sir, I have a Father. 283]

Fernando:

Yes, a brave one; Could'st thou obscure thy beauty, yet the happiness Of being but his Daughter, were a dower Fit for a Prince: what say ye?

Annophel:

You have deserv'd As much as I should grant.

Fernando:

By this fair hand I take possession.

Annophel:

What in words I dare not, Imagine in my silence.

Fernando:

Thou art all vertue.

[Enter _Cassilanes_, and _Arcanes_]

Cassilanes:

I'le tell thee how: _Baldwin_ the Emperour, Pretending title, more through tyranny, Than right of conquest, or descent, usurp'd The stile of Lord o're all the _Grecian_ Islands, And under colour of an amity With _Creet_, prefer'd the Marquess _Mountferato_ To be our Governor; the _Cretians_ vex'd By the ambitious _Turks_, in hope of aid From the Emperour, receiv'd for General, This _Mountferato_; he (the wars appeased) Plots with the state of _Venice_ and takes money Of them for _Candy_: they paid well, he steals Away in secret; since which time, that right The state of _Venice_ claims o're _Candy_, is By purchase, not inheritance or Conquest: And hence grows all our quarrel.

Arcanes:

So an Usurer Or Lumbard-Jew, might with some bags of trash, Buy half the Western world.

Cassilanes:

Mony, _Arcanes_, Is now a God on Earth: it cracks virginities, And turns a Christian, Turk; Bribes justice, cut-throats honour, does what not?

Arcanes:

Not captives _Candy_.

Cassilanes:

Nor makes thee dishonest, Nor me a Coward---Now Sir, here is homely, But friendly entertainment. 284]

Fernando:

Sir, I find it.

Arcanes:

And like it, do ye not?

Fernando:

My repair speaks for me.

Cassilanes:

_Fernando_ we are speaking off--how this?

[Enter _Gonzalo_, and _Gaspero_, with a Casket]

Gonzalo:

Your friend, and servant.

Cassilanes:

Creditors, my Lord, Are Masters and no Servants: as the world goes, Debters are very slaves to those to whom They have been beholding to; in which respect, I should fear you _Gonzalo_.

Gonzalo:

Me, my Lord? You owe me nothing.

Cassilanes:

What, nor love, nor mony?

Gonzalo:

Yes, love, I hope, not mony.

Cassilanes:

All this braverie Will scarcely make that good.

Gonzalo:

'Tis done already: See Sir, your Mortgage which I only took, In case you and your son had in the wars Miscarried: I yield it up again: 'tis yours.

Cassilanes:

Are ye so conscionable?

Gonzalo:

'Tis your own.

Cassilanes:

Pish, pish, I'le not receive what is not mine, That were a dangerous business.

Gonzalo:

Sir, I am paid for't, The summes you borrowed, are return'd; The bonds Cancel'd, and your acquittance formerly seal'd: Look here Sir, _Gaspero_ is witness to it.

Gaspero:

My honoured Lord, I am.

Gonzalo:

My Lord _Fernando_, _Arcanes_ and the rest, you all shall testifie, That I acquit Lord _Cassilane_ for ever, Of any debts to me.

Gaspero:

'Tis plain and ample: Fortune will once again smile on us fairly.

Cassilanes:

But hark ye, hark ye, if you be in earnest, Whence comes this bounty? or whose is't?

Gonzalo:

In short, 285] The great _Erota_ by this Secretary, Return'd me my full due.

Cassilanes:

_Erota_? why Should she do this?

Gonzalo:

You must ask her the cause, She knows it best.

Cassilanes:

So ho, _Arcanes_, none But women pity us? soft-hearted women? I am become a brave fellow now, _Arcanes_, Am I not?

Arcanes:

Why Sir, if the gracious Princess Have took more special notice of your services, And means to be more thankfull than some others, It were an injury to gratitude, To disesteem her favours.

Annophel:

Sir she ever For your sake most respectively lov'd me.

Cassilanes:

The Senate, and the body of this Kingdom Are herein (let me speak it without arrogance) Beholding to her: I will thank her for it; And if she have reserv'd a means whereby I may repay this bounty with some service, She shall be then my Patroness: come Sirs, We'I taste a cup of wine together now.

Gonzalo:

_Fernando_, I must speak with you in secret.

Fernando:

You shall--Now _Gaspero_, all's well.

Gaspero:

There's news You must be acquainted with. Come, there is no master-piece in Art, like Policie.

[Exeunt.

Actus Quintus

Scena Prima.

[Enter _Fernando_, and _Michael_]

Fernando:

The Senate is inform'd at full.

Michael:

_Gonzalo_ Dreams not of my arrival yet.

Fernando:

Nor thinks 'Tis possible his plots can be discover'd: He fats himself with hopes of Crowns, and Kingdoms, 286] And laughs securely, to imagine how He means to gull all but himself: when truly, None is so grosly gull'd as he.

Michael:

There was never A more arch villain.

Fernando:

Peace, the Senate comes.

[Enter _Porphicio_, _Pos._ Senators, and _Gaspero_, Attend]

Porphycio:

How closely Treason cloaks it self in forms Of Civil honesty!

Possenne:

And yet how palpably Does heaven reveal it!

Fernando:

Gracious Lords.

Gaspero:

The Embassadour, Lord _Paulo Michael_, Advocate To the great Duke of _Venice_.

Porphycio:

You are most welcome, Your Master is a just and noble Prince.

Michael:

My Lords, he bad me say, that you may know How much he scorns, and (as good Princes ought) Defies base indirect, and godless treacheries; To your more Sacred wisdomes he refers The punishment due to the false _Gonzalo_, Or else to send him home to _Venice_.

Possenne:

Herein The Duke is royal: _Gaspero_, the Prince Of _Cyprus_ answer'd he would come.

Gaspero:

My Lords, He will not long be absent.

[Enter _Philander_, and _Melitus_]

Porphycio:

You _Fernando_, Have made the State your debter: worthy Prince, We shall be sutors to you for your presence, In hearing, and determining of matters Greatly concerning _Candy_.

Philander:

Fathers, I am A stranger.

Possenne:

Why, the cause, my Lord, concerns A stranger: please you seat your self. 287]

Philander:

How e're Unfit, since you will have it so, my Lords, You shall command me.

Porphycio:

You my Lord _Fernando_, With the Ambassador, withdraw a while.

Fernando:

My Lords, we shall.

[Ex.

Possenne:

Melitus, and the Secretary, Give notice to _Gonzalo_, that the Senate Requires his presence.

[Ex. _Gas._ and _Mel._

[Enter _Cassilane_, and _Arca_]

Philander:

What concerns the business?

Porphycio:

Thus noble Prince--

Cassilanes:

Let me alone, thou troublest me, I will be heard.

Arcanes:

You know not what you do.

Possenne:

Forbear: who's he that is so rude? what's he that dares To interrupt our counsels?

Cassilanes:

One that has guarded, Those Purple robes from Cankers worse than Moths, One that hath kept your fleeces on your backs, That would have been snatch'd from you: but I see 'Tis better now to be a Dog, a Spaniel In times of Peace, then boast the bruised scars, Purchas'd with loss of bloud in noble wars, My Lords, I speak to you.

Porphycio:

Lord _Cassilane_, We know not what you mean.

Cassilanes:

Yes, you are set Upon a bench of justice; and a day Will come (hear this, and quake ye potent great ones) When you your selves shall stand before a judge, Who in a pair of scales will weigh your actions, Without abatement of one grain: as then You would be found full weight, I charge ye fathers Let me have justice now.

Possenne:

Lord _Cassilane_, What strange distemperature provokes distrust Of our impartiality? be sure We'l flatter no mans injuries. 288]

Cassilanes:

'Tis well; You have a Law, Lords, that without remorse Dooms such as are belepred with the curse Of foul ingratitude unto death.

Porphycio:

We have.

Cassilanes:

Then do me justice.

[Enter _Antinous_, _Decius_, _Erota_, _Hyparcha_.]

Decius:

Mad-man, whither run'st thou?

Antinous:

Peace _Decius_, I am deaf.

Hyparcha:

Will you forget Your greatness, and your modesty?

Erota Hyparcha:

leave, I will not hear.

Antinous:

Lady; great, gentle, Lady.

Erota:

Prethee young man forbear to interrupt me, Triumph not in thy fortunes; I will speak.

Possenne:

More uproars yet! who are they that disturb us?

Cassilanes:

The viper's come; his fears have drawn him hither, And now, my Lords, be Ch[ro]nicled for ever, And give me justice against this vile Monster, This bastard of my bloud.

Erota:

'Tis justice, Fathers, I sue for too: and though I might command it, (If you remember Lords, whose child I was) Yet I will humbly beg it; this old wretch Has forfeited his life to me.

Cassilanes:

Tricks, tricks; Complots, devices, 'twixt these pair of young-ones, To blunt the edge of your well temper'd Swords, Wherewith you strike offenders, Lords, but I Am not a baby to be fear'd with bug-bears, 'Tis justice I require.

Erota:

And I.

Antinous:

You speak too tenderly; and too much like yourself To mean a cruelty; which would make monstrous Your Sex: yet for the loves sake, which you once Pleas'd to pretend, give my griev'd Father leave To urge his own revenge; you have no cause For yours: keep peace about ye.

Cassilanes:

Will you hear me? 289]

Philander:

Here's some strange novelty.

Possenne:

Sure we are mock'd, Speak one at once: say wherein hath your Son Transgress'd the Law?

Cassilanes:

O the gross mists of dulness! Are you this Kingdomes Oracles, yet can be So ignorant? first hear, and then consider. That I begot him, gave him birth and life, And education, were, I must confess, But duties of a Father: I did more; I taught him how to manage Arms, to dare An Enemy; to court both death and dangers; Yet these were but additions to compleat A well accomplish'd Souldier: I did more yet. I made him chief Commander in the field Next to my self, and gave him the full prospeft Of honour, and preferment; train'd him up In all perfections of a Martiallist: But he unmindful of his gratitude, You know with what contempt of my deserts, First kick'd against mine honour, scorned all My services; then got the palm of glory Unto himself: yet not content with this, He (lastly) hath conspir'd my death, and sought Means to engage me to this Lady's debt, Whose bounty all my whole estate could never Give satisfaction to: now honoured Fathers, For this cause only, if your Law be law, And you the Ministers of justice; then Think of this strange ingratitude in him.

Philander:

Can this be so _Antinous_?

Antinous:

'Tis all true, Nor hath my much wrong'd father limn'd my faults In colours half so black, as in themselves, My guilt hath dy'd them: were there mercy left, Yet mine own shame would be my Executioner: Lords, I am guilty.

Erota:

Thou beliest, _Antinous_, Thine innocence: alas, my Lords, he's desperate, And talks he knows not what: you must not credit 290] His lunacy; I can my self disprove This accusation: _Cassilane_, be yet More mercifull; I beg it.

Cassilanes:

Time, not fate, The world, or what is in it, shall not alter My resolution: he shall dye.

Erota:

The Senats Prayers, or weeping Lovers, shall not alter My resolution: thou shalt dye.

Antinous:

Why Madam, Are ye all Marble?

Possenne:

Leave your shifts _Antinous_, What plead you to your Fathers accusation?

Antinous:

Most fully guilty.

Possenne:

You have doom'd your self, We cannot quit you now.

Cassilanes:

A burthen'd conscience Will never need a hang-man: hadst thou dar'd To have deni'd it, then this Sword of mine Should on thy head have prov'd thy tongue a lyar.

Erota:

Thy sword? wretched old man, thou hast liv'd too long To carry peace or comfort to thy grave; Thou art a man condemn'd: my Lords, this tyrant Had perish'd but for me, I still suppli'd His miserable wants; I sent his Daughter Mony to buy him food; the bread he eat, Was from my purse: when he (vain-gloriously) To dive into the peoples hearts, had pawn'd His birth-right, I redeem'd it, sent it to him, And for requitall, only made my suite, That he would please to new receive his son Into his favour, for whose love I told him I had been still so friendly: but then he As void of gratitude, as all good nature, Distrafted like a mad man, poasted hither To pull this vengeance on himself, and us; For why, my Lords, since by the Law, all means Is blotted out of your commission, As this hard hearted Father hath accus'd Noble _Antinous_, his unblemished Son, 291] So I accuse this Father, and crave judgement.

Cassilanes:

All this is but deceit, meer trifles forg'd By combination to defeat the process Of Justice, I will have _Antinous_ life.

Arcanes:

Sir, what do ye mean?

Erota:

I will have _Cassilane's_.

Antinous:

Cunning and cruel Lady, runs the stream Of your affections this way? have you not Conquest enough by treading on my grave? Unless you send me thither in a shrowd Steept in my fathers bloud? as you are woman, As the protests of love you vow'd were honest; Be gentler to my Father.

Erota:

Cassilane, Thou hast a heart of flint: let my intreaties, My tears, the Sacrifice of griefs unfeigned, Melt it: yet be a Father to thy son, Unmask thy long besotted judgement, see A low obedience kneeling at the feet Of nature, I beseech you.

Cassilanes:

Pish, you cozen Your hopes: your plots are idle: I am resolute.

Erota:

_Antinous_, urge no further.

Antinous:

Hence thou Sorcery Of a beguiling softness, I will stand, Like the earths center, unmov'd; Lords your breath Must finish these divisions: I confess Civility doth teach I should not speak Against a Lady of her birth, so high As great _Erota_, but her injuries And thankless wrongs to me, urge me to cry Aloud for justice, Fathers.

Decius:

Whither run you?

Antinous:

For (honoured fathers) that you all may know That I alone am not unmatchable In crimes of this condition, lest perhaps You might conceive, as yet the case appears, That this foul stain, and guilt runs in a bloud; Before this presence, I accuse this Lady Of as much vile ingratitude to me. 292]

Cassilanes:

Impudent Traitor!

Philander:

Her? O spare _Antinous_; The world reputes thee valiant, do not soyle All thy past nobleness with such a cowardize. As murthering innocent Ladies will stamp on thee.

Antinous:

Brave Prince, with what unwillingness I force Her follies, and in those her sin, be witness, All these about me: she is bloudy minded, And turns the justice of the Law to rigor: It is her cruelites, not I accuse her: Shall I have Audience?

Erota:

Let him speak my Lords.

Decius:

Your memory will rot.

Antinous: