THE CORONATION A COMEDY As it was presented by her Majesties Servants at the private House in Drury Lane Written by John Fletcher Gent. LONDON Printed by Tho. Cotes for Andrew Crooke and William Cooke and are to be sold at the signe of the Greene Dragon in Pauls Church-yard 1640. The Actors Names PHilâ—cles Lisander Cassander Lisimachus Antigonâ—s Arcadius Macarius Seleucus Queene Charilla Polidora Nestorius Eubulus A Bishop Polianus Sophia Demetrius Gentlemen and Gentlewomen Servants and Attâ—ndants The Prologue SInce t is become the Title of our Play A woman once in a Coronation may With pardon speake the Prologue give as free A welcome to the Theater as he That with a little beard a long blacke clokâ— With a starch'd face and supple legge hath spoke Before the Playes the twelvemonth let me theâ— Present a welcome to these Gentlemen If you be kind and noble you will not Thinke the worse of â—e for my petticote But to the Play the Poet bad me tell His feares first in the title lest it swell Some thoughts with expectation of a straine That but once could be seene in a Kings raigne This Coronation â—e hopes you may See often while the 〈◊〉 of his Play Doth prophâ—sit the Conduites may runne wine When the dayes triumph's ended and divine Briske Nectar swell his temples to a rage With something of more price to invest the stage There rests but to prepare you that although It bâ— a Coronation there doth flow No undermirth such as doth lar'â— the scene For course delight the language here is cleare And confident our Poet bad me say Hee le bate you but the folly of a Play For which although dull soules his pen dispise Who thinkes it yet too earely to be wise The nobler will thanke his muse at least Excuse him cause his thought aym'd at the best But we conclude not it dost rest in you To câ—nsure Poet Play and Prologue too But what have I omitted is there not A blush upon my cheekes that I forgâ—t The Ladies and a Female Prologue too Your pardon noble Gentlewomen you Were first within my thoughts I know you sit As free and high Commissioners of wit Have cleare and active soules nay though the men Were lost in your eyes they 'l be found agen You are the bright intelligences move And make a harmony this sphere of Love Be you propitious then our Poet sayes Our wreath from you is worth their grove of Bayes THE CORONATION Actus 1. Enter Philocles and Lisander Phi. MAke way for my Lord Protector Lisa. Your graces servants Enter Cassander and Lisimachus Cas. I like your diligent waiting where 's Lisimachus Lisi. I waite upon you sir. Cas. The Queene lookes pleasant This morning does she not Lis. I ever found Her gracious smiles on me Cas. She does consult Her safety in 't for I must tell thee boy But in the assurance of her love to thee I should advance thy hopes another way And use the power I have in Epire to Settle our owne and uncontrouled greatnesse But since she carries her selfe so fairely I am content to expect and by her marriage Secure thy fortune that 's all my ambition Now be still carefull in thy applications To her I must attend other affaires Returne and use what art thou canst to lay More charmes of love upon her Lisi. I presume Shee alwayes speakes the language of her heart And I can be ambitious for no more Happinesse on earth then she encourages Me to expect Cas. It was an act becomming The wisedome of her Father to engage A tye betweene our families and she Hath playd her best discretion to allow it But we lose time in conference waite on her And be what thou wert borne for King of Epire Exit I must away Lisi. Successe ever attend you Is not the Queene yet comming forth Lisa. Your servant You may command our duties This is the Court starre Philocles Phi. The starre that we must saile by Lisa. All must borrow A light from him the young Queene directs all Her favours that way Phi. Hee s a noble Gentleman And worthy of his expectations Too good to be the son of such a Father Lisa. Peace remember he is Lord Protector Phil. We have more need of Heavens protection I' th meane time I wonder the old King Did in his life designe him for the office Lisa. He might suspect his faith I have heard when The King who was no Epirote advanc'd His claime Cassander our Protector now Young then oppos'd him toughly with his faction But forc'd to yeeld had faire conditions And was declar'd by the whole state next heire If the King wanted issue our hopes only Thriv'd in this daughter Phi. Whom but for her smiles And hope of marriage with Lasimachus His Father by some cunning had remov'd Ere this Lisa. Take heed the Arras may have eares I should not weepe much if his grace would hence Remove to Heaven Phi. I prethee what should he do there Lisa. Some Offices will fall Phi. And the sky too ere I get one staire higher While heeâ— in place Enter Antigonus Ant. Lisander Philocles How lookes the day upon us where 's the Queene Phi. In her bed-chamber Ant. Who was with her Lisa. None but the yong Lord Lisimachus Ant. T is no treason If a man wish himselfe a Courtier Of such a possibility he has The mounting fate Phi. I would his Father were Mounted toth ' gallowes Ant. He has a path faire enough If he survive by title of his Father Lisa. The Queene will hasten his ascent Phi. Would I wore Queene Ant. Thou wod'st become rarely the peticote What wod'st thou doe Phi. Why I wod marry My Gentleman usher and trust all the strength And burden of my state upon his legges Rather then be call'd wife by any sonne Of such a Father Lisa. Come le ts leave this subject We may finde more secure discourse when saw You young Arcadius Lord Macarius Nephew Ant. There 's a sparke a youth moulded for a favorite The Queene might doe him honour Phi. Favorite t is too cheape a name there were a match Now for her Virgin blood Lisa. Must every man That has a hansomâ— face or legge feed such Ambition I confesse I honour him He has a nimble soule and gives great hope To be no woman-hater dances hansomely Can court a Lady powerfully but more goes Toth ' making of a Prince hee s here An ds Vncle. Enter Arcadius Macarius Seleucus Sel. Save you Gentlemen who can direct me To finde my Lord Protector Lisa. He was here Within this halfe houre young Liâ—machus His sonne is with the Queene Sel. There let him complement I have other businesse ha Arcadius Exit Phi. Observ'd you with what eyes Arcadius And he saluted their two families Will hardly reconcile Ant. Seleucus carries Himselfe too roughly with what pride and scorne He past by em Lisa. The tother with lesse shew Of anger carries pride enough in 's soule I
wish em all at peace Macarius lookes Are without civill warre a good old man The old King lov'd him well Seleucus Father Was as deare to him and maintain'd the character Of an honest Lord through Epire that two men So lov'd of others should be so unwell-come To one another Arc. The Queene was not wont to send for me Mac. The reason 's to her selfe It will become your duty to attend her Arc. Save you Gentlemen what novelty Does the Court breath to day Lisa. None sir the newes That tooke the last impression is that you Purpose to leave the Kingdome and those men That honour you take no delight to heare it Arc. I have ambition to see the difference Of Courts and this may spare the delights At home doe surfet and the mistresse whom We all doe serve is fixt upon one object Her beames are too much pointed but no Country Shall make me lose your memories Enter Queene Lisimachus Macarius Charilla Que. Arcadius Mac. Your Lordship honord me I have no blessing in his absence Lisi. T is done like a pious Vncle. Que. We must not Give any licence Arc. If your Majesty Would please Que. We are not pleasd it had become your duty To have first acquainted us ere you declar'd Your resolution publicke is our Court Not worth your stay Arc. I humbly begge your pardon Que. Where 's Lisimachus Lisi. Your humble servant Madam Que. We shall finde Employment at home for you doe not lose us Arc. Madam I then write my selfe blest on earth When I may doe you service Que. We would be private Macarius Mac. Madam you have blest me Nothing but your command could interpose to Stay him Que. Lisimachus You must not leave us Lisa. Nothing but Lisimachus has she not Taine a philter Exit Que. Nay pray be cover'd Ceremony from you Must be excus'd Lisi. It will become my duty Que. Not your love I know you would not have me looke upon Your person as a Courtier not as favorite That title were too narrow to expresse How we esteeme you Lisi. The least of all These names from you Madam is grace eÌ„nough Que. Yet here you wod not rest Lisi. Not if you please To say there is a happinesse beyond And teach my ambition how to make it mine Although the honours you already have Let fall upon your servant exceed all My merit I have a heart is studious To reach it with desert and make if possible Your favours mine by justice with your pardon Que. We are confident this needs no pardon sir But a reward to cherish your opinion And that you may keepe warme your passion Know we resolve for marriage and if I had another gift beside my selfe Greater in that you should discerne how much My heart is fixt Lisi. Let me digest my blessing Que. But I cannot resolve when this shall be Lisi. How Madam doe not make me dreame of Heaven And wake me into misery if your purpose Be to immortalize your humble servant Your power on earth's divine Princes are here The Coppies of eternity and create When they but will our happinesse Que. I shall Beleeve you mocke me in this argument I have no power Lisi. How no power Que. Not as a Queene Lisi. I understand you not Que. I must obey your Fathers my Protector Lisi. How Que. When I am absolute Lisimachus Our power and titles meete before we are but A shadow and to give you that were nothing Lisi. Excellent Queene My love tooke no originall from state Or the desire of other greatnesse Above what my birth may challenge modestly I love your vertues mercenary soules Are taken with advancement yo 've an Empire Within you better then the worlds to that Lookes my ambition Que. Tother is not sit To be despisd Cosmography alloweâ— Epire a place i th' mappe and know till I Possesse what I was borne to and alone Doe graspe the Kingdomes Scepter I account My selfe divided he that marries me Shall take an absolute Queene to his warme bosome My temples yet are naked untill then Our loves can be but complements and wishes Yet very hearty ones Lisi. I apprehend Que. Your Father Enter Cassander Seleâ—cus Cas. Madam a Gentleman has an humble sute Que. T is in your power to grant you are Protector I am not yet a Queene Cas. How 's this Lisi I shall expound her meaning Queene Why kneele you sir Sel. Madam to reconcile two families That may unite both counsells and their blood To serve your Crowne Que. Macarius and Eubulus That by are inveterate malice to each other It grew as I have heard upon the question Which some of either family had made Which of their Fathers was the best commander If we beleeve our stories they have both Deserved well of our state and yet this quarrell Has cost too many lives a severe faction Sel. But I le propound a way to plant a quiet And peace in both our houses which are torne With their dissentions and lose thâ— glory Of their great names my blood speakes my relation To Eubulus and I wish my veines were emptyed To appease their warre Que. Thou hast a noble soule This is a charity above thy youth And it flowes bravely from thee name the way Sel. In such a desperate cause a little streame Of blood might purge the foulenesse of their hearts If you le prevent a deluge Que. Be particular Sel. Let but your Majesty consent that two May with their personall valour undertake The honour of their family and determine Their diffâ—rence Que. This rather will inlarge Their hate and be a meanes to call more blood Into the streame Sel. Not if both families Agree and sweare Que. And who shall be the Champions Sel. I beg the honour for Eubulus cause To be ingag'd if any for Macarius Worthy to wager heart with mine accept it I am confident Arcadius For honour would direct 〈◊〉 to his sword Will not deny to stake against my life His owne if you vouchsafe us priviledge Que. You are theÌ„ expectation and toppeÌ„ boughs Of both your houses it would seeme injustice To allow a civill warre to cut you off And your selves the instruments besides You appeare a souldier Arcadius Hath no acquaintance yet with rugged warre More fit to drill a Lady then expose His body to such dangers a small wound i th' head may spoyle the method of his haire Whose curiosity exacts more time Than his devotion and who knowes but he May lose his riban by it in his locke Deare as his Saint with whom he would exchange His head for her gay colours then his band May be disorderd and transform'd from Lace To Cutworke his rich cloathes be discomplexioned With blood beside the infashionable slashes And at the next festivall take physicke Or put on blaâ—ke and mourne for his slaine breeches His hands cas'd up in gloves all night and sweate Pomatum the next day may be endanger'd To blisters with a sword how can he
Will stretch so farre as death so soone as we Are Crown'd prepare your selves Selâ—ucus kisses her hand Sel. I have receiv'd another life in this high favour And may lose what nature gave me Que. Arcadius to encourage thy young vallour We give thee our Fathers sword Command it from our Armory Lisimachus To our Coronation Exeunt Sel. I le forfeit My heÌ„ad for a rebellion then suffer it Exit Arc. I am circled with confusions I le doeÌ„ somewhat My braines and friends assist me Exit Phi. But doe you thinke they le fight indeed Lisa. Perhaps Her Majesty will see about or two And yet t is wondrous strange such spectacles Are rare i th' Court and they were to skirmish naked Before her then there might be some excuse There is some gimcrackes in 't the Queene is wise Above her yeares Phi. Macarius is perplext Enter Eubulus Lisa. I cannot blame him but my Lord 〈◊〉 Returneâ— they are both troubled las good men But our duties are expected we forget Exit Phil. Lis. Eub. I must resolve and yet things are not ripe My braines upon the torture Mac. This may quit The hazard of his person whose least drop Of blood is worth more then our families My Lord Eubulus I have thought a way To stay the young mens desperate proceedings It is our cause they fight let us beseech The Queene to grant us two the priviledge Of duell rather then expose their lives To eithers fury it were pitty they Should runne upon so blacke a destiny We are both old and may be spar'd a paire Of fruitlesse trees mossie and withered trunckes That fill up too much roome Eub. Most willingly And I will praise her charity to allow it I have not yet forgot to use a sword Le ts lose no time by this act she will licence Our soules to leave our bodies but a day Perhaps an houre the sooner they may live To doe her better service and be friends When we are dead and yet I have no hope This will be granted curse upon our faction Mac. If she deny us Eub. What Mac. I wod doe somewhat Eub. There 's something o th' suddaine strucke upon My imagination that may secure us Mac. Name it if no dishonour waite upon 't To preserve them I le accept any danger Eub. There is no other way and yet my heart Would be excus d but t is to save his life Mac. Speake it Eubulus Eub. In your eare I shall It shanot make a noyse if you refuse it Mac. Hum though it stirre my blood I le meet Arcadius If this preserve thee not I must unseale Another mystery Exit Enter Queene Lisimachus Cassander Charilla Lisander Philocles Antigonus Que. We owe to all your loves and will deserve At least by our indeavours that none may This day repent their prayers my Lord Protector Cas. Madam I have no Such title now and am blest to lose That name so happily I was but trusted With a glorious burden Que. You have prov'd Your selfe our faithfull counsellor and must still Protect our growing state a Kingdomes Scepter Weighs downe a womans arme this crowne sits heavy Vpon my brow already and we know There 's something more then mettle in this wreath Of shining glory but your faith and counsell That are familiar with mysteries And depths of state have power to make us fit For such a bearing in which both you shall Doe loyall service and reward your duties Cas. Heaven preserve your Highnesse Que. But yet my Lords and Gentlemen let noneÌ„ Mistake me that because I urge your wisdomes I shall grow carelesse and impose on you The managing of this great Province no We will be active too and as we are In dignity above your persons so The greatest portion of the difficulties We call to us you in your severall places Releeving us with your experience Observing in your best directions All modesty and distance for although We are but young no action shall forfeit Our royall priviledge or encourage any Too unreverent boldnesse as it will become Our honour to consult eÌ„re we determine Of the most necessary things of state So we are sensible of a checke But in a brow that saucily controules Our action presuming on our yeares As few or frailty of our sex that head Is not secure that dares our power or justice Phi. She has a brave spirit looke how the Protector Growes pale already Que. But I speake to you Are perfect in obedience and may spareÌ„ This theame yet 't was no immateriall Part of our character since I desire All should take notice I have studied The knowledge of my selfe by which I shall Better distinguish of your worth and persons In your relations to us Lisa. This language Is but a threatning to some body Que. But we misse some that use not to absent Their duties from us where 's Macarius Cas. Retir'd to grieve your Majesty hath given Consent Arcadius should enter List To day with young Seleucus Que. We purpose Enter Gentleman They shall proceed what 's he Phil A Gentleman belonging to Seleucus that giveÌ„s notice He is prepar'd and waites your royall pleasure Que. He was composd for action give notice To Arcadius and admit the challenger Let other Princes boast their gaudy tilting And mockery of battles but our triumph Is celebrated with true noble vallour Enter Selucus Arcadius at severall doores their pages before them bearing their Targets Two young men spirited enough to have Two Kingdomes staked upon their swords Lisimachus Doe not they excellently become their armes T were pitty but they should doe something more Then wave their plumes a shout within What noyse is that Enter Macarius and Eubulus Mac. The peoples joy to know us reconcild Is added to the Iubile of the day We have no more a faction but one heart Peace flow in every bosome Eub. Throw away These instruments of death and like two friends Imbrace by our example Que. This unfain'd Mac. By our duties to your selfe deare Madam Command them not advance our houses from This minute are incorporated happy day Our eyes at which before revenge looke forth May cleare suspition oh my Arcadius Eub. We have found a neerer way to friendship Madam Then by exposing them to fight for us Que. If this be faithfull our desires are blest We had no thought to waste but reconcile Your blood this was and we did prophesie This happy chance spring into eithers bosome Arcadius and Seleucus what can now Be added to this dayes felicity Yes there is something is there not my Lord While we are Virgin Queene Ca. Ha that string Doth promise musicke Que. I am yet my Lords Your single joy and when I looke upon What I have tooke to manage the great care Of this most flowrishing Kingdome I incline To thinke I shall doe justice to my selfe If I chose one whose strength and vertue may Assist my undertaking thinke you Lords A husband would not helpe Lisa. No question