SCENE I.

_Courtyard of the Palace._

_Whilst the Act is a-playing_, HERCULES _and_ TIBERIO _enters_; TIBERIO _climbs the tree, and is received above by_ DULCIMEL, PHILOCALIA, _and a Priest_: HERCULES _stays beneath_.

_Herc._ Thou mother of chaste dew, night's modest lamp, Thou by whose faint shine the blushing lovers Join glowing cheeks, and mix their trembling lips In vows well kiss'd, rise all as full of splendour As my breast is of joy! You genital, You fruitful well-mix'd heats, O, bless the sheets Of yonder chamber, that Ferrara's dukedom, The race of princely issue, be not curs'd, And ended in abhorrèd barrenness! At length kill all my fears, nor let it rest 10 Once more my tremblings that my too cold son (That ever-scorner of humaner loves) Will still contemn the sweets of marriage, Still kill[274] our hope of name in his dull coldness. Let it be lawful to make use, ye powers,[275] Of human weakness, that pursueth still What is inhibited, and most affects What is most difficult to be obtain'd: So we may learn, that nicer love's a shade-- It follows fled, pursued flies as afraid: 20 And in the end close all the various errors Of passages most truly comical In moral learning with like confidence Of him that vow'd good fortune of the scene Shall neither make him fat, or bad make lean.

_Enter_ DONDOLO _laughing_.

_Don._ Ha, ha, ha!

_Herc._ Why dost laugh, fool, here's nobody with thee?

_Don._ Why, therefore do I laugh, because there's nobody with me. Would I were a fool alone! I'faith, I am come to attend--let me go,--I am sent to the princess, to come and attend her father to the end of Cupid's Parliament. 32

_Herc._ Why, ha' they sat already upon any statutes?

_Don._ Sat? ay, all's agreed in the nether house!

_Herc._ Why, are they divided?

_Don._ O ay, in Cupid's Parliament all the young gallants are o' the nether house, and all the old signiors that can but only kiss are of the upper house. Is the princess above?

_Herc._ No, sure; I think the princess is beneath, man. Ha' they supp'd, fool? 41

_Don._ O yes, the confusion of tongues at the large table is broke up, for see the presence fills. A fool, a fool, a fool, my coxcomb for a fool!

_Enter_ SIR AMOROUS, HEROD, NYMPHADORO, GARBETZA, DONNETTA, _and_ POVEIA.

_Herod._ Stop, ass; what's matter, idiot?

_Don._ O gallants, my fools that were appointed to wait on Don Cupid have launch'd out their ship to purge their stomachs on the water, and before Jupiter, I fear they will prove defective in their attendance. 49

_Herod._ Pish, fool, they'll float in with the next tide.

_Don._ Ay, but when's that? Let's see mine almanack or prognostication.

_Sir Amor._ What, is this for this year?

_Don._ In true wisdom, sir, it is. Let me see the moon, 'fore pity 'tis in the wayne. What grief is this, that so great a planet should ever decline or lose splendour! Full sea at----

_Sir Amor._ Where's the sign now, fool?

_Don._ In Capricorn, Sir Amoroso.

_Gar._ What strange thing does this almanack speak of, fool? 61

_Don._ Is this your lady, Sir Amorous?

_Sir Amor._ It is; kiss her, fool.

_Herod._ You may kiss her now, she is married.

_Sir Amor._ So he might ha' done before.

_Don._ In sober modesty, sir, I do not use to do it behind.

_Herod._ Good fool, be acquainted with this lady too; she's of a very honest nature, I assure thee.

_Don._ I easily believe you, sir, for she hath a very vile[276] face, I assure you. 70

_Gar._ But what strange things does thy almanack speak of, good fool?

_Don._ That this year no child shall be begotten but shall have a true father.

_Sir Amor._ That's good news, i'faith. I am glad I got my wife with child this year.

_Herc._ Why, Sir Amorous, this may be, and yet you not the true father--may it not, Herod?

_Gar._ But what more says it, good Fawn? 79

_Herod._ Faith, lady, very strange things! It says that some ladies of your hair shall have feeble hams, short memories, and very weak eyesight, so that they shall mistake their own page, or even brother-in-law, sometimes for their husbands.

_Sir Amor._ Is that all, Fawn?

_Herc._ No, Sir Amorous; here's likewise prophesied a great scarcity of gentry to ensue, so that some bores shall be dubbed Sir Amoroso. A great scarcity of lawyers is likewise this year to ensue, so that some one of them shall be entreated to take fees o' both sides. 90

_Enter_ DON ZUCCONE, _following_ DONNA ZOYA _on his knees_.

_Zuc._ Most dear, dear lady! Wife, lady, wife! O do not but look on me, and ha' some mercy!

_Zoy._ I will ha' no mercy!--I will not relent!

_Zuc._ Sweet lady!

_Zoy._ The order shall stand; I am separated, and I will be separated!

_Zuc._ Dear! my love! wife!

_Zoy._ Hence, fellow! I am none of thy wife! No, I will be tyrannous and a most deep revenger. The order shall stand! I will marry a fellow that keeps a fox in his bosom, a goat under his armholes, and a polecat in his mouth, rather than reaccept thee. 102

_Zuc._ Alas! by the Lord, lady, what should I say? As Heaven shall bless me--what should I say?

_Herod._ Kneel and cry, man!

_Zoy._ Was I not handsome, generous, honest enough from my foot to my feather, for such a fellow as thou art?

_Zuc._ Alas! I confess--I confess!

_Zoy._ But go thy ways, and wive with whom thou wilt, for my part. Thou hast spun a fair thread. Who'll kiss thee now? who'll court thee now? who'll ha' thee now? 113

_Zuc._ Yet be a woman; and, for God's sake, help me!

_Herod._ And do not stand too stiffly.

_Zuc._ And do not stand too stiffly! Do you make an ass of me? But let these rascals laugh at me. Alas! what[277] could I do withal? 'twas my destiny that I should abuse you! 120

_Zoy._ So it is your destiny that I should thus revenge your abuse. No, the Irishman shall hate _aqua vitæ_, the Welshman cheese, and the Dutchman salt butter, before I'll love or receive thee. Does he cry? does the babe pule? 'Tis too late now--thou shouldst ha' cried before--'tis too late now. Go, bury thy head in silence; and let oblivion be thy utmost hope.

[_The Courtiers address themselves to dancing, whilst the Duke enters with_ GRANUFFO, _and takes his state_.[278]

_Herc._ Gallants, to dancing. Loud music, the duke's upon entrance!

_Gon._ Are the sports ready? 130

_Herc._ Ready.

_Gon._ 'Tis enough. Of whose invention is this parliament?

_Herc._ Ours.

_Gon._ 'Tis enough. This night we will exult! O let this night Be ever memorised with prouder triumphs-- Let it be writ in lasting character That this night our great wisdom did discover So close a practice--that this night, I say, 140 Our policy found out, nay, dash'd the drifts Of the young prince, and put him to his shifts, Nay, past his shifts ('fore Jove! we could make a good poet).-- Delight us. On! we deign our princely ear-- We are well pleased to grace you;[279] then scorn fear.

[_Cornets playing._ DRUNKENNESS, SLOTH, PRIDE, _and_ PLENTY _lead_ CUPID _to his state, who is followed by_ FOLLY, WAR, BEGGARY, _and_ SLAUGHTER.[280]

Stand, 'tis wisdom to acknowledge ignorance Of what we know not; we would not now prove foolish. Expound the meaning of your show.

_Herc._ Triumphant Cupid, that sleeps on the soft cheek Of rarest beauty, whose throne's in ladies' eyes;-- 150 Who[281] forced writhed lightning from Jove's shaking hand, Forced strong Alcides to resign his club, Pluck'd Neptune's trident from his mighty arm, Unhelmèd Mars;--he (with those trophies borne, Led in by Sloth, Pride, Plenty, Drunkenness, Follow'd by Folly, War, Slaughter,[282] Beggary) Takes his fair throne. Sit pleased; for now we move, And speak not for our glory but for love.

[HERCULES _takes a bowl of wine_.

_Gon._ A pretty figure. What, begins this session with ceremony? 160

_Herc._ With a full health to our great mistress, Venus, Let every state of Cupid's parliament Begin the session, _et quod bonum faustumque sit precor_.

[HERCULES _drinks a health_.

_Gon._ Give't us; we'll pledge: nor shall a man that lives, In charity refuse it. I will not be so old As not be graced to honour Cupid. Give't us full. When we were young we could ha' troll'd it off, Drunk down a Dutchman.

_Herc._ 'Tis lamentable; pity your grace has forgot it. Drunkenness! O 'tis a most fluent and swelling virtue; sure the most just of all virtues: 'tis justice itself; for, if it chance to oppress and take too much, it presently restores it again. It makes the king and the peasant equal; for, if they are both drunk alike, they are both beasts alike. As for that most precious light of heaven--Truth--if Time be the father of her, I am sure Drunkenness is oftentimes the mother of her, and brings her forth. Drunkenness brings all out, for it brings all the drink out of the pot, all the wit out of the pate, and all the money out of the purse. 180

_Gon._ My Lord Granuffo, this Fawn is an excellent fellow.

_Don._ Silence.

_Gon._ I warrant you for my lord here.

_Cup._ Since multitude of laws are signs either of much tyranny in the prince or much rebellious disobedience in the subject, we rather think it fit to study how to have our old laws thoroughly executed, than to have new statutes cumbrously invented.

_Gon._ Afore Jove, he speaks very well. 190

_Herc._ O, sir, Love is very eloquent, makes all men good orators: himself then must needs be eloquent.

_Cup._ Let it therefore be the main of our assembly to survey our old laws, and punish their transgressions; for that continually the complaints of lovers ascend up to our deity, that love is abused, and basely bought and sold, beauty['s] corrupted, affection feign'd, and pleasure herself sophisticated; that young gallants are proud in appetite and weak in performance; that young ladies are phantastically inconstant,--old ladies impudently unsatiate,--wives complain of unmarried women, that they steal the dues belonging to their sheets,--and maids exclaim upon wives, that they unjustly engross all into their own hands, as not content with their own husbands, but also purloining that which should be their comfort. Let us therefore be severe in our justice; and if any, of what degree soever, have approvedly offended, let him be instantly unpartially arrested and punished. Read our statutes. 209

_Herc._ _A statute made in the five thousand four hundred threescore and three year of the easeful reign of the mighty potent Don Cupid, emperor[283] of sighs and protestations, great king of kisses, archduke of dalliance, and sole loved of her,[284] for the maintaining and relieving of his old soldiers, maim'd or dismember'd in love._

_Don._ Those that are lightly hurt, shame to complain; those that are deeply struck are past recovery.

_Cup._ On to the next.

_Herc._ _An act against the plurality of mistresses._

_Cup._ Read. 220

_Herc._ _Whereas some over amorous and unconscionable covetous young gallants, without all grace of Venus, or the fear of Cupid in their minds, have at one time engrossed the care or cures of divers mistresses, with the charge of ladies, into their own tenure or occupation,[285] whereby their mistresses must of necessity be very ill and insufficiently served, and likewise many able portly gallants live unfurnished of competent entertainment, to the merit of their bodies; and whereas likewise some other greedy strangers have taken in the purlieus, outset land, and the ancient commons of our sovereign liege Don Cupid, taking in his very highways, and enclosing them, and annexing them to their own lordships, to the much impoverishing and putting of divers of Cupid's true hearts and loyal subjects to base and abhominable[286] shifts: Be it therefore enacted, by the sovereign authority and erected ensign of Don Cupid, with the assent of some of the lords, most of the ladies, and all the commons, that what person or persons soever shall, in the trade of honour, presume to wear at one time two ladies' favours, or at one time shall earnestly court two women in the way of marriage, or if any under the degree of a duke shall keep above twenty women of pleasure, a duke's brother fifteen, a lord ten, a knight or a pensioner or both four, a gentleman two, shall_ ipso facto _be arrested by folly's mace, and instantly committed to the ship of fools, without either bail or main prize_, Millesimo centesimo quingentesimo quadragesimo nono Cupidinis semper unius.--Nymphadoro, to the bar! 248

_Nym._ Shame o' folly, will Fawn now turn an informer? Does he laugh at me?

_Herc._ Domina Garbetza, did he not ever protest you were his most only elected mistress?

_Gar._ He did.

_Herc._ Domina Donella, did he not ever protest, you were his most only elected mistress?

_Don._ He did.

_Herc._ Domina Poveia, did he not ever protest, that you were his most only elected mistress?

_Pov._ He did.

_Nym._ Mercy! 260

_Cup._ Our mercy is nothing, unless some lady will beg thee.

_Ladies._ Out upon him, dissembling, perfidious liar!

_Herc._ Indeed 'tis no reason ladies should beg liars.

_Nym._ Thus he that loveth many, if once known, Is justly plagued to be belov'd of none.

[_Exit._

_Herc._ _An act against counterfeiting of Cupid's royal coin, and abusing his subjects with false money._--To the bar, Sir Amorous!--_In most lamentable form complaineth to your blind celsitude your distressed orators, the women of the world, that in respect that many spendthrifts, who having exhausted and wasted their substance, and in stranger parts have with empty shows, treasonably purchased ladies' affections, without being of ability to pay them for it with current money, and therefore have deceitfully sought to satisfy them with counterfeit metal, to the great displeasure and no small loss of your humblest subjects: may it therefore with your pitiful assent be enacted, that what lord, knight, or gentleman soever, knowing himself insufficient, bankrout, exhausted, and wasted, shall traitorously dare to entertain any lady, as wife or mistress_, ipso facto _to be severed from all commercement with women, his wife or mistress in that state offending to be forgiven with a pardon of course, and himself instantly to be pressed to sail in the ship of fools, without either bail or main-prize_.--Sir Amorous is arrested. 286

_Sir Amor._[287] Judgment of the court.

_Herc._ I take my oath upon thy brother's body, 'tis none of thine.

_Sir Amor._ By the heart of dissemblance, this Fawn has wrought with us as strange tailors work in corporate cities, where they are not free; all inward, inward he lurk'd in the bosom of us, and yet we know not his profession. Sir, let me have counsel?

_Herc._ 'Tis[288] in great Cupid's case; you may have no counsel. 296

_Sir Amor._ Death[289] o' justice! are we in Normandy? What is my lady's doom then?

_Cup._ Acquitted by the express parole of the statute. Hence, and in thy ignorance be quietly happy. Away with him--on!

_Herc._ _An act against forgers of love-letters, false braggarts of ladies' favours, and vain boasters of counterfeit tokens._

_Herod._ 'Tis I, 'tis I! I confess guilty, guilty! 305

_Herc._ I will be most humane and right courteously languaged in thy correction, and only say, thy vice, from apparent here, has made thee an apparent beggar, and now of a false knave hath made thee a true fool. Folly to the ship with him, and twice a day let him be duck'd at the main-yard.

_Cup._ Proceed! 312

_Herc._ _An act against slanderers of Cupid's liege ladies' names, and lewd defamers of their honours._

_Zuc._ 'Tis I, 'tis I! I weep and cry out, I have been a most contumelious offender. My only cry is _Miserere!_

_Cup._ If your relenting lady will have pity on you, The fault against our deity be pardoned.

_Zuc._ Madam, if ever I have found favour in your eyes, if ever you have thought me a reasonable handsome fellow, as I am sure before I had a beard you might, O be merciful! 322

_Zoy._ Well, upon your apparent repentance, that all modest spectators may witness I have for a short time only thus feignedly hated you that you might ever after truly love me, upon these cautions I reaccept you; first you shall vow----

_Zuc._ I do vow, as Heaven bless me, I will do!

_Zoy._ What?

_Zuc._ Whate'er it be; say on, I beseech you. 330

_Zoy._ You shall vow----

_Zuc._ Yes.

_Zoy._ That you shall never----

_Zuc._ Never----

_Zoy._ Feign love to my waiting-woman or chamber-maid.

_Zuc._ No.

_Zoy._ Never promise them such a farm to their marriage----

_Zuc._ No.

_Zoy._ If she'll discover but whom I affect. 340

_Zuc._ Never.

_Zoy._ Or if they know none, that they'll but take a false oath I do, only to be rid of me.

_Zuc._ I swear I will not; I will not only not counterfeitly love your women, but I will truly hate them; an't be possible, so far from maintaining them, that I will beggar them. I will never pick their trunks for letters, search their pockets, ruffle their bosoms, or tear their foul smocks;--never! never!

_Zoy._ That if I chance to have a humour to be in a masque, you shall not grow jealous. 351

_Zuc._ Never.

_Zoy._ Or grudge at the expense.

_Zuc._ Never! I will eat mine own arms first.

_Zoy._ That you shall not search, if my chamber-door hinges be oil'd to avoid creaking.

_Zuc._ As I am a sensible creature.

_Zoy._ Nor ever suspect the reason why my bedchamber floor is double-matted.

_Zuc._ Not, as I have blood in me. 360

_Zoy._ You shall vow to wear clean linen, and feed wholesomely.

_Zuc._ Ay, and highly. I will take no more tobacco, or come to your sheets drunk, or get wenches. I will ever feed on fried frogs, broil'd[290] snails, and boil'd lamb-stones;--I will adore thee more than a mortal,--observe and serve you as more than a mistress,--do all duties of a husband,--all offices of a man,--all services of thy creature,--and ever live in thy pleasure, or die in thy service. 370

_Zoy._ Then here my quarrel ends; thus cease all strife.

_Zuc._ Until they lose, men know not what's a wife. We slight and dully view the lamp of heaven, Because we daily see't, which but bereaved, And held one little week from darken'd eyes, With greedy wonder we should all admire; Opinion[291] of command puts out love's fire.

_Herc._ _An act against mummers, false seemers, that abuse ladies with counterfeit faces, courting only by signs, and seeming wise only by silence._ 380

_Cup._ The penalty?

_Herc._ To be urged to speak, and then, if inward ability answer not outward seeming, to be committed instantly to the ship of fools during great Cupid's pleasure.--My Lord Granuffo, to the bar! Speak, speak; is not this law just?

_Gra._ Just, sure; for in good truth or in good sooth, When wise men speak, they still must open their mouth.

_Herc._ The brazen head has spoken.

_Don._ Thou art arrested.

_Gra._ Me?

_Herc._ And judg'd: away!

[_Exit_ GRANUFFO.

_Gon._ Thus silence, with grave looks, with hums and haws, 391 Makes many worshipp'd, when if tried they're daws; That's the morality or _l'envoy_ of it-- _L'envoy_ of it. On.

_Herc._ _An act against privy conspiracies, by which, if any with ambitions wisdom shall hope and strive to outstrip Love, to cross his words, and make frustrate his sweet pleasure,--if such a presumptuous wisdom fall to nothing, and die in laughter, the wizard so transgressing is_ ipso facto _adjudged to offend in most deep treason, to forfeit all his wit at the will of the lord, and be instantly committed to the ship of fools for ever_. 401

_Gon._ Ay, marry, sir! O might OEdipus riddle me out such a fellow! Of all creatures breathing, I do hate those things that struggle to seem wise, and yet are indeed very fools. I remember, when I was a young man, in my father's days, there were four gallant spirits, for resolution, as proper for body, as witty in discourse, as any were in Europe, nay, Europe had not such; I was one of them. We four did all love one lady,--a modest, chaste virgin she was; we all enjoy'd her, I well remember, and so enjoy'd her that, despite the strictest guard was set upon her, we had her at our pleasure: I speak it for her honour and my credit. Where shall you find such witty fellows nowadays? Alas! how easy it is, in these weaker times, to cross love-tricks. Ha! ha! ha! Alas! I smile to think I must confess, with some glory[292] to mine own wisdom, to think how I found out, and crossed, and curb'd, and jerk'd, and firk'd, and in the end made desperate Tiberio's hope. Alas! good silly youth, that dares to cope with age and such a beard. I speak it without glory. 421

_Herc._ But what yet might your well-known wisdom think, If such a one, as being most severe, A most protested opposite to the match Of two young lovers,--who having barr'd them speech, All interviews, all messages, all means, To plot their wishèd ends,--even he himself Was, by their cunning, made the go-between, The only messenger, the token-carrier, Told them the times when they might fitly meet, 430 Nay, show'd the way to one another's bed?

_Gon._ May one have the sight of such a fellow for nothing? Doth there breathe such an egregious ass? Is there such a foolish animal in _rerum natura_? How is it possible such simplicity can exist? Let us not lose our laughing at him, for God's sake! Let Folly's sceptre light upon him, and to the ship of fools with him instantly!

_Don._ Of all these follies I arrest your grace.

_Gon._ Me? ha! me? me, varlet? me, fool? Ha! to th' jail with him! What, varlet? call me ass?--me?

_Herc._ What! grave Urbin's duke? 441 Dares Folly's sceptre touch his prudent shoulders? Is he a coxcomb? No, my lord is wise; For we all know that Urbin's duke has eyes.

_Gon._ God ha' mercy, Fawn! Hold fast, varlet! Hold thee, good Fawn!--railing reprobate!

_Herc._ Indeed, I must confess your grace did tell And first did intimate your daughter's love To otherwise most cold Tiberio; After convey'd her private favour to him, 450 A curious scarf, wherein her needle wrought Her private love to him.

_Gon._ What! I do this? Ha!

_Herc._ And last, by her persuasion, show'd the youth The very way and best-elected time To come unto her chamber.

_Gon._ Thus did I, sir?

_Herc._ Thus did you, sir; but I must confess You meant not to do this, but were rankly gull'd-- Made a plain natural. This sure, sir, you did. And in assurance, Prince Tiberio, Renowned, witted Dulcimel, appear! 460 The acts of constant honour cannot fear.

[_Exit_ HERCULES.

TIBERIO _and_ DULCIMEL _above, are discovered hand in hand_.

_Dul._ Royally wise and wisely royal father----

_Don._ That's sententious now--a figure call'd in art Ironia.

_Dul._ I humbly thank your worthy piety That through your only means I have obtained So fit, [so] loving, and desired a husband.

_Gon._ Death o' discretion! if I should prove a fool now. Am not I an ass, think you, ha? I will have them both bound together, and sent to the Duke of Ferrara presently. 471

_Tib._ I am sure, good father, we are both bound together as fast as the priest can make us already. I thank you for it, kind father; I thank you only for't.

HERCULES _enters in his own shape_.

_Herc._ And as for sending them to the Duke of Ferrara, see, my good lord, Ferrara's o'erjoy'd prince meets thee in fullest wish.

_Gon._ By the Lord! I am ashamed of myself, that's the plain troth; but I know now wherefore this parliament[293] was. What a slumber have I been in! 480

_Herc._ Never grieve nor wonder--all things sweetly fit.

_Gon._ There is no folly to protested wit.

_Herc._ What still in wond'ring ignorance doth rest, In private conference your dear-lov'd breast Shall fully take.--But now we change our face.

EPILOGUS.

And thus, in bold yet modest phrase we end. He whose Thalia with swiftest hand hath penn'd This lighter subject, and hath boldly torn Fresh bays from Daphne's arm, doth only scorn Malicious censures of some envious few, 490 Who think they lose if others have their due: But let such adders hiss; know, all the sting, All the vain foam of all those snakes that ring Minerva's glassful shield, can never taint, Poison, or pierce; firm art disdains to faint:-- But yet of you that with impartial faces, With no preparèd malice, but with graces Of sober knowledge, have survey'd the frame Of his slight scene, if you shall judge his flame Distemperately weak, as faulty much 500 In style, in plot, in spirit; lo! if such, He deigns, in self-accusing phrase, to crave Not[294] praise, but pardon, which he hopes to have; Since he protests he ever hath aspired To be belovèd rather than admired.

[_Exeunt omnes._

[274] Ed. 1. "till."

[275] Ed. 1. "sowers."

[276] Eds. 1. and 3. "good."

[277] "What could I do withal?" = how could I help it?

[278] Throne, chair of state.

[279] Eds. 1. and 3. "him."

[280] Ed. 2. "Laughter."

[281] Old eds. "Whose force writh'd."

[282] Old eds. "Laughter."

[283] Compare Biron's famous soliloquy in _Love's Labour Lost_, iii. 1.

[284] Ed. 2. "him."--Neither reading is intelligible.

[285] See Dyce's _Shakesp. Gloss._, s. OCCUPY.

[286] The old form of spelling (ridiculed in _Love's Labour Lost_) from the erroneous derivation _ab homine_.

[287] Eds. 1. and 3. "_Don. Amor._ Sir Judgement of the countrie."

[288] Ed. 1. "'Tis in great case."--Ed. 3. "'Tis in a great case."

[289] Eds. 1. and 3. "_Sir_ death," &c.

[290] Eds. 1. and 3. "wild."

[291] Ed. 1. "And prowde hayht."--Ed. 3. "And proud height."

[292] Boasting.

[293] Omitted in eds. 1. and 3.

[294] Old eds. "For praise."

THE WONDER OF WOMEN;

OR,

THE TRAGEDY OF

SOPHONISBA.

_The Wonder of Women Or The Tragedie of Sophonisba, as it hath beene sundry times Acted at the Blacke Friers. Written by Iohn Marston. London. Printed by Iohn Windet and are to be sold neere Ludgate._ 1606. 4to.

STORY OF THE PLAY.

Syphax and Massinissa, princes of Libya, are rivals for the hand of Sophonisba, daughter of Asdrubal, a powerful Carthaginian nobleman. Massinissa's suit is accepted; whereupon Syphax enters into a league with Scipio, who is advancing against Carthage. On Sophonisba's marriage-night news is brought that the Carthaginian forces stationed at Utica have been defeated by the united armies of Scipio and Syphax. Massinissa is ordered by the senate to march without delay against the enemy; he loyally obeys the command, and takes leave of his virgin-wife. While he is serving Carthage in the field, the Carthaginian senators at home proceed to plot against his life. They determine to gain Syphax to their side by giving him Sophonisba to wife; and Gisco, a physician and skilful empoisoner, is sent to the Carthaginian camp to despatch Massinissa. Among the senators there is an honest old man, Gelosso, who disguises himself, follows Gisco to the camp, and hands Massinissa a letter containing a disclosure of the plot. Massinissa has no sooner dismissed the empoisoner (whom he scorns to punish) than Jugurth, Massinissa's nephew, enters, to announce that Syphax has been seen riding in the direction of Cirta, and that his horsemen are coming at a leisurely pace towards the camp as if to fraternise with Massinissa's forces. By advice of Gelosso, who lays aside his disguise, Massinissa scatters the horsemen by a sudden onslaught, and hastens to make a league with Scipio. Meanwhile Sophonisba has been sent by the Carthaginian senators to the palace of Syphax at Cirta. She escapes by a subterranean passage that led from the palace to a forest, but through the treachery of her attendant, Zanthia, falls again into the hands of Syphax. In despair of effecting his purpose by persuasion, Syphax applies for help to a powerful enchantress, Erictho, who engages to force Sophonisba by magic to his arms, on condition that he shall speak no word, and have no lights burning, while he embraces her. On the appointed night Syphax discovers to his horror that his embraces have been given to Erictho. While he is cursing his fortunes, a messenger arrives to announce that Scipio and Massinissa are advancing against Cirta. He marches out to meet them; the troops on either side withdraw, while Syphax and Massinissa engage in single combat; Massinissa vanquishes his opponent, but spares his life on receiving assurance that Sophonisba has not suffered outrage. Leaving his prisoner in Scipio's hands, Massinissa hastens to Cirta. He enters the palace with his beaver down, unrecognised by Sophonisba, who throws herself at his feet, and implores him to save her from falling into the hands of the Romans, or grant her instant death. Pledging his oath that he will protect her, he doffs his helmet. The joyful reunion is presently interrupted by the entrance of the Roman general, Lælius, who orders Massinissa to deliver Sophonisba into Scipio's custody (Syphax having represented to Scipio that Sophonisba would quickly induce Massinissa to revolt from Rome). Lælius departs with Massinissa's assurance that the command shall be obeyed. Massinissa is distracted; he must either break the oath that he had pledged to Sophonisba, or he must be faithless in the allegiance that he had sworn to Rome. Sophonisba's heroism rescues him from his dilemma. She declares her willingness to die; he infuses poison in a bowl of wine, and the dauntless woman drinks, speaking words of comfort to her husband as the poison courses through her veins. The lifeless body, laid on a bier, is presented to Scipio by Massinissa.

_TO THE GENERAL READER._

Know that I have not laboured in this poem to tie myself to relate anything as an historian, but to enlarge everything as a poet. To transcribe authors, quote authorities, and translate Latin prose orations into English blank verse, hath, in this subject, been the least aim of my studies.[295] Then (equal reader) peruse me with no prepared dislike; and, if ought shall displease thee, thank thyself; if ought shall please thee, thank not me: for I confess in this it was not my only end.

_ARGUMENTUM._

A grateful heart's just height; ingratitude, And vow's base breach with worthy shame pursued; A woman's constant love, as firm as fate; A blameless counsellor well born for state; The folly to enforce free love: these, know, This subject with full light doth amply show.

[295] Marston is evidently glancing at Ben Jonson's _Sejanus_, which had been published in the previous year (1605).]

_DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._

MASSINISSA, } SYPHAX, } _Kings of Libya, rivals for_ SOPHONISBA. ASDRUBAL, _father to_ SOPHONISBA. GELOSSO, _a senator of Carthage_. BYTHEAS, _a senator of Carthage_. HANNO MAGNUS, _Captain of Carthage_. JUGURTH, MASSINISSA'S _nephew_. SCIPIO, } LÆLIUS, } _Generals of Rome_. VANGUE, _an Æthiopian slave_. CARTHALON, _a senator of Carthage_. GISCO, _a surgeon of Carthage_. NUNTIUS.

SOPHONISBA, _daughter to_ ASDRUBAL _of Carthage_. ZANTHIA, _her maid_. ERICTHO, _an enchantress_. ARCATHIA, } NYCEA, } _waiting-women to_ SOPHONISBA.

SCENE--CIRTA, CARTHAGE, &c.

PROLOGUS.

_Cornets sounding a march._

_Enter at one door the_ PROLOGUE, _two Pages with torches_, ASDRUBAL _and_ JUGURTH, _two Pages with lights_, MASSINISSA _leading_ SOPHONISBA, ZANTHIA _bearing_ SOPHONISBA'S _train_, ARCATHIA _and_ NYCEA, HANNO _and_ BYTHEAS: _at the other door two Pages with targets and javelins, two Pages with lights_, SYPHAX _arm'd from top to toe, followed by_ VANGUE.

_These, thus enter'd, stand still, whilst the_ PROLOGUE, _resting between both troops, speaks_.

The scene is Libya, and the subject thus: Whilst Carthage stood the only awe of Rome, As most imperial seat of Libya, Govern'd by statesmen, each as great as kings (For seventeen kings were Carthage feodars); Whilst thus she flourish'd, whilst her Hannibal Made Rome to tremble, and the walls yet pale: Then in this Carthage Sophonisba lived, The far-famed daughter of great Asdrubal: For whom ('mongst others) potent Syphax sues, 10 And well-graced Massinissa rivals him, Both princes of proud sceptres: but the lot Of doubtful favour Massinissa graced, At which Syphax grows black: for now the night Yields loud resoundings of the nuptial pomp: Apollo strikes his harp, Hymen his torch; Whilst louring Juno, with ill-boding eye, Sits envious at too forward Venus. Lo, The instant night: and now ye worthier minds, To whom we shall present a female glory 20 (The wonder of a constancy so fix'd, That fate itself might well grow envious): Be pleased to sit,[296] such as may merit oil, And holy dew, still'd from diviner heat. For rest thus knowing: what of this you hear, The author lowly hopes, but must not fear: For just worth never rests on popular frown, To have done well is fair deeds' only crown.

_Nec se quæsiverit extra._

_Cornets sound a march._

_The_ PROLOGUE _leads_ MASSINISSA'S _troops over the stage, and departs_: SYPHAX' _troops only stay_.

[296] Quy. "see't."

THE TRAGEDY OF SOPHONISBA.