TO THE ILLVSTRIOVS PRINCESS MARY Dutchess of RICHMOND and LENOX Madam I Humbly offer Your Grace the last sacrifice of this nature that is in my power having only a hope that it may be receiv'd by You with that favour as when it was formerly presented And so Madam I only dare to appear in an address to You as others to their Altars who by sacrifices get pardon for their defects if not advance their devotions This was to your Sex indeed a peculiar offering whilst all either gave as much Passion to their Adorers or wisht their Beauties great enough to do it your Graces excellencies alone have been by all admirers esteem'd at so great and just a value as to create and not reward mens passions This with as just a reverence I present to you hoping for this Romantique passion such an entertainment as none durst expect for real ones your severity would deny a reception to those which your charity may grant to this And believe he that attempts all ways to express his respects and duty has more then Fortune will give him leave to shew The unhappy condition at this time of MADAM The most humble of all your Graces most obliged Servants ALEX. GOUGHE THE Names and Characters of the Persons KIng of Burgony Agenor Clarimant His sons Cleon Senor Stremon Three Lords disaffected to thâ— Prince Agenor Lucidor a Lord Clindor a Captain Friends to Agenor Merchant Captain Souldiers Clorinda the Kings Niece Selina her Woman King of Neustrea Prince of Aquiain Two other Princes Suitors to Austellâ— Lords A Druid Sailors Austella the Kings daughter Olinda her Sister The Scenes BURGONY NEUSTREA THE Passionate Lover FIRST PART Act. 1. Scaen. 1. Enter Lucidor and Clindor and a Captain severally Lucid. WEll met Clindor Clind. I would it were so Lucid. Why what misfortune is happened man Clind. A pox on Fortune she ne'r was friend of mine And now the wars are at end there 's no way left For men of merit to supply themselves But cou'd I Catch that Beldam by the foretop I would so Lug her Ladiship Lu. Thou mistakest And threatnest Opportunity 't is she that hath A lock before and bald behind but Fortune is aâ— Mighty Goddess and must be reverenc'd Cl. A Quean a Strumpet by this hand and shâ— you talk of Is her Bawd they pickt my pockets with a pair oâ— Dice giving the mony to a Sot that scarce knew How to tell it when he had won it Lu. That was ill luck Cl. To lose a months pay in a night now when I'â— Never like to see another muster nor hope of booty â—losâ— O I could eat these fingers Lu. Lose not thy patience and then thy monieâ— Will not afflict thee Cl. Pray will ye lend me 20 Crowns and keep iâ— for me Lu. Keep what Cl. My patience Lu. Thou hast none Cl. To what end then was your grave advice My great Foolosopher stand by Enter Senor and Stremon Sen. Believe me if the insolencie of these Commanders That are come back with the Prince be not restrain'd This Court best ordered in the world Will grow to Barbarism and shame our Nation Chiefly us that should keep all in form Str. My Lord take heed whilst you too much study A regularity you not forget the proper time The Court is yet a kind of Camp a place of free access In which the Prince is as the Sun Whose cheerful rays give life to all Clind. Wil 't please your Lordship to buy a Virtue of me Sen. Sure I believe 't is a very beggerly one Cl. Your Lordship 's a witch 't is Patience indeed The beggers virtue you shall have it for 20 crowns Sen. Sirra this sawciness may in time Procure you the beggers punishment To exercise your virtue A whip Clind. Hum a whip Lu. Your Lordships reply was by much too harsh For harmless merriment and argues you Of a proud dogged nature Sen. Pray teach not me to speak my Lord Until I go about to teach you how to fight Lu. I would your formal Lordship wore a sword I should most gladly learn Sen I do not want when I intend to wear one Lu. Certain you do pray put it on against I see you next let this remember you Puls him by the nose Sen. What insolence is this Clind. My Lord fight with him or by this hand Ye have got my patience and you shall pay me for 't Sen. How now you base Rascal Enter Agenor Cleon and Attendants Age. Who 's that he calls so Lu. One sir that I have seen do bravely in the wars Age. The attribute was very course Sir you must know those whom I call fellows â—n arms and who for you and me and all Have spent their bloods must meet with better Recompence then contumelious words 'T is such as you that buz into my Fathers ears A thousands tales contract his bounties into nothingsâ— Or little to any soldier and this not as good husbands For your master but your selves that your shares May be greater Sen. I hope your Highness will on better knowledgâ— Change this hard opinion Cle. I dare engage my self your Highness May absolutely dispose my Lord. Age. Since you esteem him as a friend I should not Be displeased to have cause to believe it Cle. The occasion is only wanting Sir Age. Well my Lord if it prove so I know how To reward those that serve me Go Lucidor And enquire if my Father be ready yet Sen. If it please your Majesty I shall Age. You forget my Lord That title is only due to my Father Clind. To whom he had so great a mind to make complaint That he forgot himself Age. Let him complain Those that are mine I will secure Clind. Who are not such deserve not your protection Age. There share that purse betwixt you I 'l go Be to night at my chamber at 9 a clock now leave us Clind. The Gods bless your Highness Lucid. What say you now to the old Beldam is she not kind manent Age. Cleon. Clind. She durst do no other Exeunt Cleon. Sir as I told you upon my knowledge Your Father is possest with a belief That your late victories and custom of commanding In the Army hath made you quite forget How to obey and Sir to humble you your greatest Captains Do receive daily affronts Age. My Captains even my self do feel their injuries My needful bounty 's censured prodigality My courtesie insinuations and all What I have ever learnt for good or commendable Turn to my prejudice Nothing I see Can please my Father or free me from suspition Unless I prove my self or base or foolish Cleon. The present affairs sir of this Kingdom Call for a man both wise and valiant Such I must say you are nor is this needful truth Thus timely urged to be esteemed a flattery Though spoken to your self Your father sir was what you are But now time and infirmities have brought him Near to what we truly might
Of my person and dispraise my mind That too for what we almost hold a vertue pride Grant us but fair whate're we seem it is Impossible we should be angry Clind. No more of these ingenious confessions Lady Leâ—t I become Apostate from my old religion And believe there may be other beauties in your sex Then what the eye surveys Sel. I am wondrous sorry if I have said any thing To gain your good opinion Enter Clarimant and Clorinda Cli. O fear not Lady I am not so much taken yet To trouble you with lamentable verses Or blow the candle out with sighs breaking my buttons After a full meal â—s the highest I can reach to I assure you Methinks that Princely pattern is scarce worth The following The King Enter Old King Cleon Senor Stremon O. K. I see you lose no opportunity to become Gracious with the Ladies I like it well Your brother 's more unnatural and courts the men Cle. The men of action sir he does indeed O. K The men of turbulencie and ambition But I shall check his and their haughty spirits Cle Let what you do sir be with moderation He 's of a fierce nature and can ill endure Reproof however just O. K. Fierce nature shall I observe a boy I am his father and his King and what he fails In duty to the one the other shall inforce him To confess and satisfie Cle. 'T is just indeed O. K. And being so I mst not fear to let him know His faults Enter Agenor and Lucidor Now sir what would you with us Age. I must not hope sir you will grant the suit I come to move until I see your brow more calm O. K. If you mislike these looks remove the cause Age. Perhaps it is not sir in me but in your self There are some waters where the billows rise Though no cross winds do blow Earthquakes are in Another kind the same the causes dark And yet not more then are your groundless distastes From whence this tempest grows O. K. Your words explain your actions and your actions them From both you do conclude my weakness And your innocence from fault Age. The latter is and still hath been my study Shew me wherein sir I have err'd In what I have deserved your hard opinion Till when I would not sir by asking pardon Create a guilt O. K. I know you rather do expect that I should sue to you And I will do it Pray give me leave to be A King some few years more you know I shall not trouble you when your turn comes Clorind Dear servant I find my self not well Clari. Heaven forbid Exeunt Clor. Clari. Age. Sir I do find your age is wrought upon By some unworthy men who for their own ends Keep me from that interest nature and reason Ought to yield me in your love which since I cannot hope from you by my true service Still misinterpreted I scorn to seek To gain it by a flattery of them O. K. I know those whom I favour Are for that cause the objects of your hate And 't is not strange that having forfeited Much of your own obedience you should mislike Their faithfulness Age. I see sir 't is in vain to plead a cause Already judg'd against me Cunning Weighs down my interest in your blood I came sir with a hope to obtain some suits For others which now reason commands me to let fall And rather beg what I am only likely to obtain O. K. What 's that I pray Age. Your leave sir to retire My self to free your Majesty And me both from disturbance O. K. You ask and grant your self 't is well Exeunt Agen. Lucid. Clind. Cle. Sir that retirement he intends Grows not from duty but ambition Out of that cloud ere long he means to break Forth gloriously the world sir cannot admit More then one Sun and he 's resolved to shine Though nature suffer in it O. K. It was still my fear you have no other proofs But your conjecture Cleon. I would I had not sir but such my love is to your Majesty That to preserve the Royal stem I must not fear To hazard breaking a corrupted branch At more convenience I shall inform you Exeunt King Cleon Attendants Sen. The King is old and sickly inconstant by nature And we must whilst this heat of passion lasts Work for our safety by the Princes ruine If he should come to reign our power if not our lives Is at end but both are likely to be safe And prosperous under his brother Clarimant Who is of a soft and gentle nature Apt to be governed Stre. Especially when it shall appear We have both will and power to serve him In attaining to the Crown Senor Perhaps Lord Cleon does resolve the same And he 's man of power and blood we being join'd How can we miss our end Since the whole Court does on us three depend Exeunt Enter Clarimant and Clorinda Clar. Dear Lady do not welcom sadness thus Trust me it is an ill mannered guest And seldom leaves us though we grow weary Of its company and wish it gone Clor. Not be sensible when there is cause Would shew stupidity Clar. Wife men affirm there is no cause of sorrow But for offending heaven Clor. These strengths of mind you Men enjoy Are certain to our weaker sex denied Clar. Alas but I am none of those For if you grieve I cannot be exempted Clor. Would I had kept my troubles to my self then I would not have them grow by being guilty Of infecting you Clar. A sympathie with you for what concerns my self Though it be grief to me is pleasing Clor. I must not say so much for you And yet this is the only time I ever wisht Your absence pray sir be pleased to leave me To my self Cla. And 't is the only time I ever durst seem Disobedient be but your self and I will leave you But whilst you are in bondage A prisoner to your grief I must not Clo. Ye are cruel in you kindness sir And tie me faster A ransom of my tears Being plentifully paid perhaps may free me And whilst you stay shame bars me from the trial Cla. I would not see you weep for if your tears Were shed in vain it would call in question My religion as having paid my vows To powers insensible Clo. Take heed sweet Prince you do not jest your self Into idolatry and over-act that part you personate To please a brother that were a guilt Neither your tears not mine can expiate Cla. I fear your warning comes too late for me Clo. I hope I understand you not Cla. You do not Lady nor I my self For I have spoke I know not what shame forces An obedience which your commands could not All peace of mind wait on you Enter Agenor Stay brother whither so fast I came to seek you Stay Cla. Not for the world and pray henceforth Let us not injure truth Exit Age. What means
esteem and trust Cle. I here do call the Gods to witness That all my study all my friendship tends to youâ— advantage Nor is the Prince at all considerable to me But as he is your servant but for your sake I wish he were the the Monarch of the world For how so much perfection can be ordain'd To bless a Subjects bed comes not within The compass of my faith and Prince Clarimant Is never like to be a King Clo. To what tends this Cle. But had your love been plac'd upon his brother As his is upon you ere long your beauties Might have found their proper foil a Crown To set â—hem off as a bright constellation there All eyes might look on you with wonder And delight but in a Subjects name your glorie Are obscured Clo. Either the Prince as being his friend Hath made discovery to him of our loves Or he hath found cause to suspect Cle. Madam I see what I have spoke begets youâ— trouble Clo. I must confess it sir can it do less When I shall hear a person of your merit A friend as you profess perswading me To quit my faith for the vain expectation Of a Crown Cle. Madam the Crown will soon be his as certaiâ— As he loves you and both as certain as I live Clo. It is impossible that Prince Agenor he should love And never speak his passion Cle. No more then it was in me Clo. How sir in you Cle. Madam I will confess a secret to you â— burn with a more zealous consuming fire Then ever yet was kindled in a mortals breast Have often seen my Mistress spoke to her Had opportunities alone as now with you Yet such was my respect to her I never durst Express my passion Then Madam from the purity Of my affection judge of the Prince And reward his sufferings Clo. I must try him Can this be possible Cle. Iove strike me with his thunder If what I now have said be not a truth Clo. My Lord if it be thus I shall at least find pitty For his sufferings my best of wishes too For your success in love Cle. Would you be pleas'd when I shall let you know Her name to be my advocate I cannot doubt My happiness Clo. Sure he means me Alas my Lord what you desire I should perform for any worthy person Much more for you since what I shall perswade Must tend for certain to her happiness Cle. Can I ask more she courts me to discover Enter Selina Divinest Lady The Prince your servant desires admittance Cle. Hell take him Madam be pleas'd to grant me The honor of your hand as an assurance Of your promis'd favor Clo. If you believe I have the power to serve you In your love name but the time and person I am ready to assist you were it this minute Cle. I should too much presume upon your favoâ— The Prince your servant being so near attending Clo. Do not mistake sir he may stay Cle. Why am I fearful dare I believe my self 〈◊〉 happy That you would miss the Prince's company a minuteâ— To pleasure me Clo. Yes by my life two minutes nor is' t in 〈◊〉 Meer curiosity to know the loves of others But that I hold my self obliged no longer To be ignorant of one whose worth and beauty Hath the force to ad your conquest to Lov 's triumph Yours who have been still observed victorious In the subduing every other passion To force an inclination is an act of power Where every common beauty can subdue the amorous Cle. Not to have yielded homage here had been a flat Rebellion since all hearts are a tribute due To her perfections which justice will inforce you To confess when you know how much she doth Resemble you Clo. 'T is plain he loves rather would have me think so My Lord your last words give me cause to doubt Not so much your attaining as the over-value Of the purchase and that I may not have a less esteem Of you I must confess I do not wish to know her now Enter Selina and Clarimant Sel. Madam the Prince Cle. How shall I understand this dark Enigma Hope or despair 't is time must cleer it Sir I presume to have that interest in you You will not be offended at your stay For the injury name your own satisfaction Clar. So kind Madam to me who have no other merit But obedience how can there be an injury Clo. In this unjust acknowledgment much modesty appears How winning must your words and actions be When they are accompanied with truth Clar. That only must be truth with me Which you are pleas'd to have so I will not own A faculty that prompts me to a contradiction Yet never could I yield to my own praise But as I am dignified in being your creature Clo. In being so absolutely mine you make me richer In my own esteem then all additions which the world Can yield besides Cle. This Lady can dissemble but with whom she does so I am yet to learn It is not fit I should disturb This harmony the God of love is hovering Not far off delighted with the musick Of these melting accents For I a profest opposite To all his sweetness have forfeited my manners by my stay Clor. Not so my Lord the excess of kindness I have shewed Prince Clarimant Must clear all suspition in this Lord If he had any that I love Agenor Cle. Sir be happy in this Princess to my wish Which hath a latitude as great as you can Think Your Father by my means if I may boast A service to my Princely friend highly approves The match All happiness attend you both Exit Clar. How fortune mocks me Clo. Struck with a sudden sadness sir Selina Ex. Sel. Call for my servants I 'll go to Court Have you any service to command me sir Clar Madam I see you fain would change the Scene How soon are you weary of his company To whom just now you did profess so much Clo. Not weary sir but yet I hope That you have not forgot to whom All those professions were intended Clar. Yet they were spoke to me the words accompanied With proper accents your eyes to speak Loves language And here before Lord Cleon with more perswasive Eloquence then ever Clo 'T is true it makes me almost blush to think How much I courted you Heaven knows I could not for the world have spoke Or lookt so on your brother the reason was I feared that Cleon did suspect whom I did Love indeed Clar. And you to cozen him used me so over-kindly At first I doubt not but you laid the plot Of thus disguising your affection Clo. You speak as if you did repent the obligation You have laid upon your brother and my self Clar. Do you esteem it one Clo. A great one sir believe Clar. Heaven knows I not repent it then But can you think that when you look and speak With passion whoever hears must not be moved
this time they are at the gates Lucid. O heavens my fears are faln upon us Age. What 's to be done Clind. Let us make good the gates against them Age. There 's none dares touch my person Lucid. Believe it not sir there is no fafety Your Fathers jealousies are wrought to a strange Height and those whom you least suspect I fear conspire your ruine to advance Your brother to the Crown Age. Who do you mean Lucid. Lord Cleon. Age. It is impossible Clind. I saw Prince Clarimant and him together And Cleon's words were to the Captain of the guarâ— Bring him alive or dead Lucid. Sir be advised there is no safety In the Kingdom for you until this storm blow oveâ— Age. What shall I flie Lucid. Rather then fall I know there 's thousanâ— Will live and dye with with you but here they aâ— not Enter Lord. The Guard Sir do approach the house on every sidâ— Clind. Make sure the gates Lucid. That will not do 't fire soon will opeâ— therâ— Down with them Fire the gates Within a crying Lucid. Hark! Age. Let 's force our passage through them They clash their swords within Exeunt Enter Clindor and four Guard Clind. My friends this care is needless why do you hold me I am not mad I. Mad sir we do not think it Clind. Nor can I swim I do assure you I. What then Clind. Then you are sure I cannot scape your hands as the Prince did I. No sir we 'll look to you for that Bring him away before the King Clind. Before the King of what will you accuse me I. For being accessary of the Princes flight Cl. O 't is well then we 'll ev'n hang for company I. For company Cl. Even so if I be accessary you let him scape I. Why could we help it when he leapt into the river Cl. Had your Zeal been so hot to serve the King as you do now make shew of You would have dows'd in over head and ears 2. What drown our selves Cl. Yes any thing in zeal My zeal to justice shall hang all you and my self Too for in my conscience we deserve it what shrinâ— for a little water I. He tels us true our fault will be esteem'd as great as his Cl. Come come along my friends we must before the King I. Very pretty Clind. You will not find so when my most nobâ— Lord Cleon shall with the King Judge of your actions I. Well Captain we acquit you I find indeed We should be fools to accuse each other Clind. Speak for your selves c. Enter Old King Clarimant Cleon. O. K. Urge nought in his excuse he 's a boâ— Traitor And he shall know his birth is no excuse For disobedience Clar. Sir I dare pawn my life my brother neveâ— diâ— Nor does intend ill to your Royal person O. K. If it were so am not I wounded in mâ— Ministers Enter Capt. This natural tenderness of thine a Brothers Condemns him most unnatural to me a Father Now speak is the Traitor coming to assault us Capt. No sir but he is scap'd our hands Cle. How scap'd Capt. He resolutely made his passage through uâ— And we pursuing to take him he with Lucidor Leapt into the river and swam to a small piâ—ace Of his own that always lay there for his Pleasure in which they are put to sea Cle. With all speed make to the shore and seâ— what course They hold if he sir in despair should go into Newâ—streâ— With whose King you now have difference About the staying of your ships of treasure And the Isle of Cires no doubt much danger Threatens your self and State to prevent which Straight raise an Army and make Prince Clarimant Your General that being in readiness You may prevent any attempt Agenor Or the enemy can make against you O. K. Be all things ordered by thy faith and judgment Thy care must be my preservation I do commit all power into thy hands Hearken to him my dearest Clarimant In what he shall advise thee my age And griefs I find will quickly wear me out â—'ll to my chamber Give order careful Faithful Cleon. Exeunt King Clar and others Cle. Yes I shall be careful to take order An order with you all Father and sons Now my designs work prosperously Only the late discovery that Selina made Does trouble me Agenor not Clarimant My Rival is by her beloved but all Do love Clorinda yet now Agenor's gone She happily may change her love to Clarimant Who is opinion now stands fairest for the Crown Rather I hope by this she hates him As the cause of all Agenor's misery So far Selina is by me instructed â—o insinuate whom I of late have wrought To a belief that I do love her person But Clorinda's quality and title As being those steps by which I hope of ascend The throne See where she comes speak my sweet Agent how moves our plot Enter Selina with a Letter seal'd and writ out Sel. Not well too fast I fear Cle. As how Sel. Obeying your directions my Lady hath contracted â—o much hatred against Prince Clarimant â—he scarcely can endure to hear him named Resolves never to see him more Cle. Is not this well 't is all as I could wish Sel. Thus far 't is true but now Agenor's gonâ— She so much apprehends the importunity Of Prince Clarimants affection that she 's resolvâ— Past all perswasion in a disguise To seek for the Agenor which if she find She satisfies her love however cures her fears Cle. My cunning hath undone me Thus chance oft triumphs over wisdom But what there is some remedy in every ill Let me think it what disguise soft may she not With you dissemble as you with her And she does yet love Clarimant and not Agenoâ— Sel No I have that here does assure me She hates Prince Clarimant Cle. What is' t a Letter O let me see it Sel. By no means sir you cannot close it But the Prince will find it hath been broken Cle. You do not know my skill Sel. I need not trust it upon my life I 'll tell yoâ— Every word that it contains she read it to me Cle. Nay then I fear she did abuse you All Lovers are dissemblers and she I fear Is a cunning one Sel. What she hath done I know not But now her sorrows and her passions Are so rais'd the heart 's transparent Cle. There may be greatest art Sel. Such broken sighs and floods of tears Agenor's name still call'd upon Gives me assurance of her love to him Cle. Change but the name the griefs may still 〈◊〉 Counterfeit I sigh and vow Clorinda Instructed by ambition but yet my heart Is more Selina's Kisses her Sel. Well my Lord you may abuse me Cle. Prethee let me see the Letter Sel. The words are few and I can write them down Pray sir do not desire what may undo My credit with my Lady which truth is I do only value as it may advance
your ends Enter Clarimant Cle. The Prince Make shew as if you only Did of me enquire for him Sel. My Lord Cle. There Lady is Prince Clarimant whom you Enquire for If he do read it here I shall Observe his action Sel. From Clorinda this accompanied with all misfortunes Clar. How Sel. Pardon the duty of a servant Clar. Stay Lady Sel. I must receive no answer Exit Clar. Since from her hand however I receive it Thus Kisses it Cle. Certain she hath abused Selina He kift the paper as knowing the inside Differs from the superscription Clar. reads Of Lovers most injurious of Brothers falsest Of all Mankind the worst Yet know I wish now What before I only griev'd for that Clarimant Should love Clorinda may it be to madness If less only because the sense of torment May be more in which alone I can expect A diminution of that grief which by thy means I suffer Thine everlasting enemy Clorinda Clar. So long my Saint O you Gods do I deserve this Yes I do for she like you is just And we blaspheme when we in thought repine As not conceiving how though certainly We have offended my guilt is clear 'T is crime enough to be the accidental cause Of misery to her Cle. This sure is real sadness Selina I believe thee now Exit Cleon. Clar. Let me examine have I not through ambition Or hope to gain Clorinda for my self Been aiding to my Brothers wrongs Sure I am guilty I but think I did My best to appease my Father yes the Gods know And she as being divine may see my real Love to him not only as my brother But my friend did either want and could be So supplied how gladly would I pour this Blood into their empty veins and yet she Hates me thus perhaps my brother does so too What 's that nothing 'T is true if I durst Wholly yield my heart He meanly does deserve a Lovers name That can know mixture in his grief or flame Exit Enter Agenor and Lucidor disguis'd Lucid. Though you have lost your Country for the present All your hopes dasht in the minute of your greatest Expectation yet sir consider the hand of fortune That presses you thus low may as she turns The wheel raise you agen Age. Never oh never 't is not the hand of fortune But my guilt that bears me down Justice The justice of the Gods lies heavy on me Treason and disobedience till now I never Found their weight Lucid. I know not sir what you call Treason Though what you did intend succeeded not â— hold your fortune to be better now Then in in your Fathers Court you are safe in this Country and your own disposer neither of which â— take it was allowed you there Age. Why do you injure truth and seek to lessen My foul faults Think not to make my grief Diminish so rather express your friendship In yielding as I do so shall you quickly Be inform'd that our crimes are so great No punishment can be too much and I have now No joy but in this burden of my sorrows Lucid. Nor I in my particular no grief so great As in the lightness of my purse Age. We have enough these Jewels will From want secure us for I am resolv'd Never to quit this habit and condition Since justice hath impos'd it as a punishment For my ambition Enter Two I. Make haste make haste sure we shall come Too late Age. Let 's leave the street Exeunt Enter Two 1. Do you think we shall get neer to see Sure she 'll chuse one of the strange Princes 2. Troth who can tell Newstrea affords Handsomer men then they 1. Indeed she 's past fifteen I 'll warrant she has A Sweetheart some at her age have two Or three 2. Trust me she 's the wiser to have plenty When age comes they 'll drop like leaves In Autumn Exeunt Enter with all the glory can be King Austella three Princes Lords Ladies Sister and People King Daughter this is the day Wherein you have full power To dispose my Kingdom nay more Your self Austel This freedom sir of choice which customâ— And your Majesty allows is that wherein My bondage will consist nay all this Glorious troop appear to me no other Then if they came with joy to see me Put into the grave alive K. How daughter Aust Many Virgins sir that have been forc'd to Marry those they did not love have rather Chosen death as the less evil K. I understand you not call you this force Where the election's absolutely free Aust I grant sir I am free to choose But if I would not chuse at all does not The same constraint still rest upon me Pardon great Princes whose expectation To enjoy me and a Crown have drawn you From your Countries you are all indifferent In my eye nor does my knowledg of your merits Which I confess is great perswade that in The choice of any one I shall be happy And where the wife is discontented the husband sure If he have real worth cannot be pleas'd K. From the knowledg of the liberal power The law allows and the necessity of a successor You cannot but have often thought on this dayes Ceremony Let not a fained modesty Or be it real prevail above your duty and your reason The ripeness of your years may justly challenge All delight and here a Husband and the assurance Of a Crown attend you She weeps If these do make you weep What can cause joy in woman Since you are My daughter I dare not think that you have plac'd Your love on any man you are ashamed to name Aust The Gods are witness sir I never saw that person Yet whom I thought worthy to exchange My heart with but custom sir and you impose On me the prostitution of my love perhaps to one Who wer 't not for the Crown I bring Nay even with that addition will happily refuse me 1 Pr. Refuse you Madam 2 Pr. He must not sure be mortal That dare aspire a greater happiness 3 Pr. The Gods have left heaven for mortals Then here there never was a greater cause Aust Princes these words do fitly wait upon The action you are now engag'd in I do not doubt you should refuse me But I perhaps may choose one whose affection Is already given how miserable am I then Since there to be refused were the less mischief For his acceptance only grants a perjur'd And ambitious husband K. How vain are these excuses since the custom And my age inforce a choice Aust Like one condemned I beg for mercy Cross not the course of nature even beasts sir Do not couple till they wooe K. Plead not the rights of nature since those you wrong By thus refusing marriage On your posterity Depends the safety of my State and I nor can Nor will dispence with what custom and law Appoint Aust The law doubtless was made in favor of The daughter to make her happy in
and Attendants K. Most noble Prince though you may well believe The forces you have brought unto my aid I shall not use yet I must ever be ambitious To requite that love which caus'd your diligence Nay I shall think my happiness defective Although great till fortune point some way Wherein I may express my gratitude to you Pr. Most royal Sir fortune hath been to me Auspicious more then had I proved Austela's Choice and this expression you have made Imboldens me to let you know wherein K. Sir I beseech you name it Pr. Know sir not my ambition to enjoy your Kingdom Could so far blind my judgment but that I ever Found your younger daughter Olinda in herself The more deserving love especially from me I would not sir say more lest I should seem To boast a happiness which merit never can attain But by infinity of service and much suffering K. Indeed I did observe whilst you were in my Court You much more did converse with her then with Austela Who ever was reserved If Olinda's affability Have gain'd your good opinion your courtship hers It is a happiness beyond which I dare not expect If it be less then this and that by the freedom Of her humor you believe your interest greater Then indeed it is yet there will only be Better occasion for my love to shew it self Pr. My actions shall ever witness for me How I prize your royal favour Exeunt Enter Clindor and 1. 1. Did you not lately murmure against peace Cryed up war as the only blessing Clind. Yes I did so 1. I scarce remember your sword did ever purchase Such gay Caparisons Clind. I see thou art a very simple Fellow This is the harvest of the war the King Whom we did terrifie made Presents unto us Commanders If thou canst shew me where Soldiers Are made much of in cold blood then I will Magnifie thy mouldy mistress Peace Till then Bellona thou art my Patroness 1. Thou talkest as if thou hadst done some mighty Matters and yet I fear thou art a Coward Clind. I love you sir too well to let you suffer Such a grief as fear for me Draw 1. Draw are you mad or is your wit so great To spoil Your memory were not two shot to death that were Seen fighting Clind. Very pretty you grow valiant to abuse me Because their valor found a punishment The Prince Justice sir I beseech you Enter Clarimant and Attendants Clar. For what or against whom Cli. He told me sir he thought I was a Coward Clar. Perhaps you have given him cause to think so Clind. Better and better But sir may men speak all they think Clar. Why not I do so and never will again Dissemble Clind. But may I sir Clar. Yes so it be not blasphemy or treason Clind. How sir do you distinguish treason Clar. Look what the Law says Clind. Pox on the Law Clar. How Clind. I cry your Highness mercy I had forgot the Law was so Near kin to you This scurvy fellow has made me mad Clar. You would not live without law Clind. No I beseech your Highness grant me the Law Clar. Most willingly Clind. The law of Arms sir and let him prove me a Coward He draws Before your Highness and see how I will defend my self Clar. I know not how in justice I can pardon this Unless I do pronounce you mad Clind. I do beseech your Highness do so Clar. Sure you are mad Clind. Then I may kill this Rascal and your law cannot â—ang me Offers to strike Clar. Bind him to prevent mischief Clind. Any thing to save my honor let me not have my hands â—ose wear a sword and be call'd Coward Clar. He did but think so Cli. Let him not think aloud then in my hearing Clar. Come I will end the difference I do pronounce â—ou are no Coward and him a fool for thinking so â—e friends Clind. Not with a fool you shall excuse me sir Ex. Cli. c. Clar. Be gone and leave me Why do I give this intermission to my sorrows â—lorinda's Pleas'd I should be miserable â—â—nce in no other way in that I will content her â—ut this obedience yields a satisfaction â—nd satisfaction fits not perfect sufferings Which she the perfectest of creatures feels â— can no more admit to be less miserable â—hen my Mistress then I could be content to be More happy is there no way to change my fate With hers O no her torment rises from the â—alshood of her Lover where she had plac'd her joys Mine in the not attaining of a Love Where I dare not pretend to merit â— am a happy man if by comparison I judge Enter Agenor Austella Age. Still alone dear brother Au. Most noble sir why do you thus retire your self From those who know no satisfaction Greater then your company I must pretend The interest of a sister now you shall not Hide your passion nor the cause from me I know 't is Love Clar. Madam it is confest But since despair Is and must ever be the only issue of my love I would not have those I esteem Engaged with me in misery Au. Can you be so unjust to your own merits To despair Clar. So just to her perfections Au. If not a Judge of this at least make me Your Advocate yet all my eloquence Will rest in shewing her the happiness That she refuses Clar. Madam she is not capable of any increase She 's dead to me and all mankind Au. How mean you by a figure or dead indeed Age. I 'll take her off from this discourse Lest she discover Clorinda in disguise Dear Austella in vain you strive to comfort him That can know none his Mistress dead Au. Rather in vain I strive to know what both Resolve to hide from me It was not curiosity sir But a desire to serve you That belief Will speak my pardon Exit Age. I fear she is displeas'd Clar. Reason hath too much power over her fouâ— To be displeas'd without a cause I hold her Every way so perfect that I durst make A full discovery crave her assistance But then Clorinda would more justly hate Age. O brother speak no more of hate it is impossible If ever she did love me You have my Intrust But much more prevailing must your unequal'd merit Prove Clar. Merit dear brother it is impossible Since what I have done or shall ever do Grows from her influence upon me Age. I see that I am yet to learn what it is To be a perfect Lover Clar. Rather you have not practis'd what you know Age. Brother I must confess it is my shame Though not my grief since my inconstancie Hath made me but more happy Clar. How Age. Frown not I mean more happy As my inconstancie leaves you Clorinda free And if she prove averse to your desires Her constancie to me admits of a just censure Not applause Clar. If you believe you have a power in her After your