'm sure 1 Th. Lord What 's he 1 Lord Some stranger 3 Th. Lord How came he in the Guard 1 Sc. Lord They speak I le try if they can hear 1 Th. Lord Keep back who are you The cause of your approach so near the King 1 Sc. Lord Your out-sides speak you noble Know my Lords the Cause of my arrival in this Land is in the search of Princely Radagon now Son and Heir to the Scicilian King if ever you did hear of such a Prince let not fore-passed hate extinguish him but glad an aged Father with a Son who now is all the children he hath left They shake their heads and weep Good Gods I fear they have ta'ne away his life by tyranny Enter Pheander ready Phe. What stranger 's that what makes him in our Court What are you dumb Why do you not resolve us 1 Lord He is a Subject to Cicillias King and comes in search of banisht Radagon 1 Sc. Lord How banisht Phe. I sir banisht And 't was too milde a satisfaction for the base wrongs that I sustained by him in a small Boat hopeless of help or life he was put forth to sea by our Command This you may tell your King and so be gone 1 Sc. Lord You could not be so unmerciful to use a vertuous Prince so cruelly you durst not so transgress the Law of Kings to murther him although your Enemy I know no cause of his did merit it but the stern hate of ancient Enmity Phe. How dare you sir capitulate the Cause Go bid your Master come himself to know and then perchance we may resolve it him 1 Sc. Lord Be sure he will thou cruel Homicide and ask the Cause in such a thundring Language will make both thee and all that hear it tremble Exit Scil. Lord Phe. We 'l answer him as loud sir fear it not But to our first Affairs what is your Censure is Life or Death the Sentence we must give 1 Lord Mine is his Life my Liege 2 Lord And so is mine 3 Lord Mine is his life but not his liberty Phe. Why not his death as well His fact is Treason 1 Lord Suspected but not proved therefore 't is fit he should be kept close Prisoner till we hear how the rude multitude do stand affected for he was deeply seated in their hearts Phe. We are resolved let him be streight brought forth We 'l use him with what clemency we may I know the Gods whom Kings should imitate Have plac'd us here to rule not overthrow Enter Sophos Justice shall hand in hand with mercy go We speak before a King but now a brother If you will yet confess your Guilt and Cause That moved you first unto this Forgery We may perhaps forgive you otherwise There is no other favor but to die Soph. Ha ha ha to die I do not think I shall be made so happy for death 's the honest mans felicity there is no favor that I crave but death in living here I shall more torments finde but being dead there ends my misery Phe. If you will yet confess we will have mercy Soph. Mercy on whom for what You are deceiv'd It is a thing not in thy power to give Mercy 's immortal and to humane eyes Is never seen till fleshly passion dies Phe. It seems then sir you do desire to die Soph. With full consent for life 's a loathsom vale of misery Phe. In which thou still shalt live thy life we give but doom thee to perpetual banishment we limit you no time therefore dispatch See that he instantly depart the Court Soph. Dost think I le stay by all our gods thy Crown and Kingdom shal not hire me to 't Tyrant fare vel if e're I do return cities that now stand shall be heaps of stone Exit Sophos Phe. This foggy Cloud disperst I hold it fit some poste to the Delphos to the Oracle to know what shall ensue these Thunderclaps that threaten such destraction we our self will see you furnisht for the Offering Whom shall we send Cleanthes No you two prepare for your departure presently What though he was our Brother 't is not fit mistrustful men should live within our Court what is 't to be a King and stand in aw Cor. and Flor. Those that intreat and may command with fear Are fitter to climb up than tarry here Exeunt omnes Enter Titterus and Radagon severally Tit. Stirring so early Partner then I see you 'l prove a wealthy shepherd watchfulness is the chief star within our Kalendar 't were vain to ask you how you affect this life your forwardness expresses that you like it Rad. Who can dislike a peaceful happiness Methinks I never proved a sweeter happiness in every corner here Content sits smiling the Mountain tops I make my Morning-walks the evening-shades my recreation and when Nights Queen puts on her gorgeous Robe I take delight to gaze upon the stars in which methinks I read Philosophy and by the Astronomical Aspects I search out Natures secrets the chief means for the preventing my Lambs prejudice I tell-you sir I finde in being a shepherd what many Kings want in their Royalties Tit. I joy in your content yet wonder sir you do frequent such melancholly Walks I have observ'd your passions many times and seen you sit sole companied with thought as if your passions were your Comforters I fear some foolish female has entrapt you Rad. Not any sir believe it that 's a thing I thank my stars I ne're did estimate Love that imparadizeth some to me Is hell it self if hell on earth there be Tit. Blest be the hour that e're I met with thee Not love a woman have I a second self Oh happy happy man not love a woman Rad. I do not yet assure you Tit. Nor ever do if you do love your self of all things in the world take heed of 'em I have a brother mad forsooth for Love But that I had a mother I could wish that there were no such things as women are We shall have such a hoyting here anon you 'l wonder at it 'T is Pan's Holiday the chiefest Festival the shepherds keep 't is held upon this Green Rad. I thought as much belike then that 's the cause Musick This place is so bedeckt and strowed with flowers Tit. The very same they come observe the custom Enter old Antimon and another old Shepherd after them two Shepherds to dance then the Clown with Garlands upon his Hook himself drest with Ribbons and Scarfs then Ariadne the Princess like a Shepherdess with Serena and two other Shepherdesses to dance Cease Musick Ant. Titterus well met you are the welcomest man I see to day the wenches were afraid you 'd not have come and then our Roundelays had all bin spoiled Tit. Sir you may thank this man pray bid him welcome he 's a stranger here Ant. What Countrey-man Rad. Scicillia gave me life on whose fair Promontories I have lived this many yeares
shall end Deliver this unto your Thracian King Till this be full accomplisht 't is in vain Ever to hope or seek redress agen Phe. reads Content shall keep in town and field When Neptune from his waves c. Pish these moral Misteries are incredulous nor can they contradict the will of Kings Comets portend at first blaze but take effect within the bosom of the destinies so Oracles at Delphos though foretold are shap'd and finisht in your Councel-house and yet I charge you both upon your lives let not the commons understand so much lest several censures raise a Mutiny 'T is death to show a discontented brow but smooth your over-burthened grief with smiles there 's no disaster that afflicts a Clime but it contains some limitation Enter a Fisherman Le ts wait the time and with domestick care A Cry within Strive to maintain those Honors we have won Arm arm Le ts stand upon our guard I fear some Treason Speak Villains quickly what means this noise Fish My duty mighty King made me presume To press thus boldly to your Highness presence To bid you make prevention 'gainst your foes They are in number numberless to tell Tucket And as I guess are of Cicillia Phe. What Trumpet 's this is it our enemy 2 Lord One from the enemy Enter 1 Cicillian Lord Phe. Quickly the News that we may give an Answer Cic. Lord My Royal Master the Cicillian King Phe. We know your Message sir in that one word In naming him we understand the Cause 1 Cic. Lord Desires to parley with your Majesty Phe. We 'l parley in no language but in Steel This shall maintain the Justice I have done Against my Daughter and base Radagon Whose hateful name when I but think upon addes vigor to my heart to take Revenge Be gone and tell your King for his presumption we 'l lash him from our Land with iron rods and dragg him at our stirrop through the streets 1 Ci. L. Prepare for battel when this Answer 's known Exit Phe. We 'l meet him in the mid-way say we come 1 Th. Lord Your Grace were better parley with the foe and take a Truce my Liege for certain days let your pretence be search of Radagon which proposition they 'l consent unto then have we time to fortifie our Land and muster stronger powers to make resistance for as we are we are but a handful to a multitude Phe. Were they ten times as many and we fewer they should not rest one night within our Bounds till I have sated my revenge in blood Have we so many foreign Conquests won and shall we fear a Broil in our own Land our powers shall march and issue forth the Towns Armies shall grapple and the earth shall groan to bear the burthen of Wars horror Come let 's on base Fear 's the brand of slaves Trom Flor. They that die nobly shall have honor'd graves Exeunt Enter Cicillia 1 Lord 2 Lord Captains Drums and Soldiers Cicil. Did he receive our Message with such scorn 1 Cic. Lord With such a barbarous and proud disdain he scarce would suffer me to utter it but bid me back return and tell your Grace he 'd lash you from his Land with whips of Steel and when he had ta'ne you Prisoner hand to hand he 'd dragg you at his stirrops through the streets Cicil. I 'm glad they are so valiant then they come 1 Cic. Lord The voice of Arm Arm hurried through the Court as swift as Lightning and their clattering Arms put on in haste made such a horrid noise as if a voice had issued from the Clouds and all the way pursued me methinks my ears still tingle with the sound Cic. Courage Cicilians let this be your honor they are no Cowards that you fight withal for they have been approved in foreign Lands Cic. 2 Lord Let 'em be what they will we stand prepared if they be bold we are as resolute if valiant we undaunted and resolved Let it be seen which of our swords this day carves deepest wounds upon the breast of Thrace Cic. 1 Lord In equal balance since our fortunes lye Let each man strive to conquer vanquisht die Cic. I like your forward spirits and commend 'em in all our Troops I cannot spie a man whom I mislike or dread and for my part as you have seen a burning Taper fall and burn most bright when it begins to fade so shall you see me in declining Age Methinks I cannot hear their Drums to thunder nor their hoarse brazen pipes breath forth a sound to publish their defiance Cic. 1 Lord Does not that Eccho issue from the town Cic. These are no braving Tones Cic. Lord Yet neerer neerer still Cic. Beat up our Drums and drown their Hornets sound Enter the King of Thrace and Lords his Drum unbras'd Ensigns folded up himself in a Palmers Gown Hat and Staff Cic. How now what are these 1 Cic. Lord Mummers my Lord I think Set down your Drums we 'l play for all your Crowns I am sure you know me you have too much cause Phe. Behold great Sir my Ensigns folded up my Drums unbrac'd and all those instruments that should encourage War quite put to silence there 's not a hand in all our warlike Host that 's armed for opposition or defence 2 Cic. Lord Is this the man would lash us from his Land with whips of Steel Cic. Where are the horses to whose curled Tails we must be bound and dragg'd along the streets 1 Th. Lord Can you my Lord bear these injurious brands This would put life in statues carv'd with hands Much more encourage Cowards we that late Perswaded you to peace upon our knees Entreat you to command your Ensigns wave And by our ancient Honors which our foes Cannot without a blushing cheek deny We 'l make 'em know they do defie their Victors Phe. He forfeits his Allegiance that agen presumes to motion War I wish my sorrows shadows but alas they are too real too essential they dwell not in the face and outward brow but have their habitation here within where they torment me and shall ever till I behold Cicilia's Son secured and my fair Daughter fast closed in my arms those two poor innocent and spotless souls whom my remorseless rage and tyranny hath sold to all afflictions Cic. Speak Pheander are not-those passions meerly counterfeit Do they proceed from Fear and Cowardise that thus thou fold'st thy warlick Ensigns up and without stroke of battel giv'st the day Or which I rather deem from Policy and Matchevillian cunning Phe. Neither Prince but meer repentance for my late misdeed which is so hainous in the eyes of Heaven it seems beyond their pardon therefore now in expiation of that horrid act and to inflict due pennance on my self all Regal ornaments of State put off Awe and Command that wait on Majesty I henceforth vow a lasting Pilgrimage either to bring the Prince thy Son alive and tender him to safety
is yet scarce man my heart shall ripen I le stretch beyond my years and power of strength But I le assist you in this enterprize Tit. Let 's muster all the shepherds to our aid And fetch her back per force Rad. In the mean time be it your charge to cure this Wounded Swain that sought to rescue her Ser. I le use my best of skill Ant. Old as I am I le go along and let my Mistriss know The King of Thrace makes Antimon his foe Clown If I light on him handsomly I le have a bout with him at Quarter-staff Tit. One thing let me intreat to draw my frantick brother to the field inform him 't is Serena is stoln hence to prove if either terror of the Wars his Mistriss loss or sight of death and blood can win him to his wits Rad. Perswaded well Clown What 's he will take that charge Marry that will I let me alone with him I le put it in his pate I cannot say his brains Because he has none I le fetch him presently Exit Rad. Whom shall we make our General and Leader of this Rabble Tit. Who but your self shall we impose so great a Charge upon Rad. Rather bestow it on this noble youth Eus. That warlike Charge would not become my years I shall be proud to be your Soldier sir Enter Pallemon and Clown Pal. Give me my Arms I le fetch her back agen Clown Give you more Legs you 'l ne're o'retake her else Pal. I le leap into the Saddle of the Moon And tye two Stars unto my heels like Spurs I le make my warlike Lance of a Sun-beam And mounted on some strange Bucephalus Thus will I overthrow my Enemy Clown This 't is to keep mad-men company that has not the wit to know his friends from his foes but we shall have your brains beat in agen Pal. Sirrah take the Moon and place it me upon the Axletree I le mount on horse-back streight Clown The Moon 's not up yet sir some three hours hence you shall be sure to have her Pal. How know you that sir Clown Well enough sir 't is a shepherd that keeps her And he 's called The Man in the Moon Pal. I le fetch a sheep-skin then to make a Drum Ta ra ranta ra tan tara ran tan Exit Rad. He has possest him well let him go on Now courage Fellow-soldiers and let 's trye To fetch her back or in her quarrel die Exeunt Tromp Flor. Enter Pheander Lords Drums Colours and Soldiers Phe. Is 't possible the number of the Swains Should be so many 2 Lord Full five hundred strong Phe. What 's their pretence 1 Lord That 's yet unknown my Lord unless it be to have their Queen agen Phe. How should they know 't was we that stole her thence 1 Lord Belike the Swains that sought to rescue her heard some one name the King no other cause could give intelligence 't was done so private Phe. What should we fear Let 's meet 'em in the field Were their Force trebled o're when we appear They 'l flie like Hares that fear the Lions frowns How might we do for to behold the Rebels 1 Lord They lye so low intrencht beyond the hill that fronts the Castle-gate that no Prospect about the house can yield the least survey Phe. Let 's Parley with 'em then so we may hear what they pretend and view their Regiment 2 Lord Here is a Herald to the same effect arriv'd at Court Phe. Go bring him in we 'l hear what brave Defiance they have sent Enter old Antimon with a piece of painted Cloth like a Heralds Coat Clown sounding a Tucket before him Now sir the Prologue to this bloody Tragedy Ant. I am a Herald come to tell the King That he has done a most mischievous thing We had but one fair Ewe amongst our Lambs And he has stoln her with his wolvish Rams For which our Shepherds vow by force of Arms To fetch her back kill all but do no harm But if you 'l set her free they bid me say They 'l take her home and so make Holiday Omnes Lords Ha ha ha ha Ant. It seems they are not angry at my words because they laugh I fear'd they 'd draw their swords Phe. Tell 'em we render thanks for their good mirth And would entreat a Parley if they 'l come And meet us here under the Castle-wall Ant. You would intreat 'em fairly for to come Phe. I thought as much Go you along with him and tell their General what you heard us say 2 Lord I shall Come show me to your General Exeunt 1 Lord Will you in person parley with the Rout Phe. Why not 1 Lord 'T is dangerous for fear the Swains Not knowing what belongs to Law of Arms Being once cross'd should offer violence Phe. 'T is well advised Pastatio bid our Guard Be near our person bring up all our Troops Close to the Gates that if occasion serve They may at unawares make issue forth And cut off all the Reár See it performed I have a trick new crept into my brain And if my Policy deceive me not A march within Shall bring these several bodies to one head And crown all my Designs with full event They 'r coming keep your Ranks Enter all the Shepherds Radagon Eusanius Titterus Pallemon Clown Antimon Phe. Which is the General Omnes This Phe. We would exchange some private words with him Radag. You are deceiv'd I better understand The Name and Honor of a General Than to disgrace it 'gainst the Law of Arms Though we are not so expert as those men That daily practice 'em yet you shall finde We 'l make a shift to right our injuries Phe. 'S death where learnt he this Discipline Are Shepherds now become such Martialists I see I must dissemble Radag. If you have ought to say speak publickly No private Protestations Bribes nor Fears Have power to convert our Resolutions We need not to capitulate our Wrongs They are too apparent Let us see our Queen And if she have received the smallest wrong A general ruine shall o're-spread the Land We 'l fire thy Castles burn up all thy Towns And make a Desolation of thy people Phe. You cannot be so shallow as to think I took her with a lustful appetite This honored Badge proclaims that lust is past Our seizing her was motive to your good if you conceive it List and I le explain it Within our Land our foes are resident Scicilla's King under whose Government these many years you have been Servitors The reason this When he did first invade we found our self too weak to make resistance and under show of satisfaction we did resign to him our Dignity pretending search of Radagon his son which he accepted and did back return to Scicillia leaving Deputy to Govern here And though Pallatio bore the name of Rule it was by his permission Do but weigh the servile yoke of foreign Government
what danger may ensue what priviledge you loose in Thrace if we be dispossest the time of Truce expired and he 's returned to take possession For without his son our Crown and Kingdom both are forfeited into his hands which yet we may prevent if you 'l agree to joyn your Force with ours and back expulse him We 'l not onely grant your Queen her liberty but we 'l enlarge your former Priviledge give you choice of State Honor and Dignity make you Lords and Knights and in remembrance of the Shepherds Wars adde a new Festival which at your charge shall yearly be performed Consider on 't Rad. Happy Position thanks great Justicer Occasion puts revenge into my hand To think that I should be so fortunate To be Commander of a Band of men To war against my father blest Event Phe. What 's your reply Clown Good General consent I have a foolish desire to be a Lord Phe. And what shall I be Clown You shall be a Lord too and if you 'l be quiet There are a great many mad Lords Phe. What answer do you give Rad. Were it in me To give an answer you should soon prevail But 't is a General voice for my own part My service and my self I offer to you Eus. And so do I Tit. And I Omnes So do we all Phe. A King that 's thus held up can never fall Draw all your force within the Castle Walls 'T is large and spacious and will well contain 'um This night we 'l feast to morrow shall be seen Your loves to us Rad. Ours to the shepherds Queen Exeunt omnes Finis Actus quartii ACT. 5. SCENE 1. Drum and Colours Enter Scicillia Lords and Soldiers Scicil. IS all our Army in a readiness prepared for battel if occasion serve 2 Lord They are my Lord Scicil. This day our truce takes end the king returned And we expect our Sons delivery 1 Lord Pray heaven it be so happy but I fear A worse intent for all the way he comes The Commons rise shepherds and silly Swains That never were inur'd to carry swords Take Arms and follow him Scicil. What 's that to us Did he not make a vow ne're to return Until he found my Son may be he comes For to invest us King and offer sacrifice Unto the Gods and so conclude this weary Pilgrimage 1 Lord You speak my Liege as you your self would do But he that dar'd to banish 'em Think you he fears to violate an oath 'T is ill to trust a reconciled foe Be still in readiness you do not know How soon he may assault us Scicil. Thou speakest but well 't is good to doubt the worst We may in our belief be too secure As King's forbidden to condemn the just So Kings for safety must not blame mistrust Enter 2 Lord Why is this haste To bid you haste to Arms The foe comes on the Centinels fall off The Scouts are posting up and down the Plain To fetch in all the straglers Thraces King Has break his vow and seeks by force of Arms For to expulse you 1 Lord Will ye yet give credit To a Tyrants oath Scicil. By you bright Sphere I vow and if there be A greater punishment for perjury Raigning on earth then is the conscience sting I will inflict it on this perjured man You spirits resolute 'gainst fear and death You that have hither to maintained your being In equal power like Rivals to the Gods Now show your Valor let us not debate Our wrongs like women for the wrath of Kings Is like an angry Cloud swoln big with fire Soft charge that speaks revenge in thunder hark they charge Beat a defiance See the signal 's given Who dies in this just cause shall live in heaven Allarum The shepherds give the first assault and beat off some of the Scicillian Lords Enter Eusanius driving over Scicilla Enter Radagon Rad. The fury of this Boy will overthrow All my Designs twice since the Fight begun In spight of my best Art he has unhors'd My Royal Father and the last Career Drew blood from his shrunk veins yet the good old man Like to an aged Oak that long hath stood Endangers all that seeks to cut him down He does not bear that fearful Policy That many use to fight in base disguise But has a White Flag carried before him Which does signifie the justice of his Cause is innocence Or as a mark as if a man should say I am the Butt you aim at shoot at me The greatest Conquest I have won this day Hath been the preservation of his Life With hazard of mine own In my pursuit Thinking to place him in his Court of Guard I followed him so far that I was forced To make retire for to recover breath Enter Eusanius with Scicillia prisoner Eus. Why do you sound a Retreat the Day is ours See here 's their King I knew him by his Ensign Which I seized in spight of all opposed Here General to your hands I do commit him Carry Thraces King this as a ransom for the Shepherds Queen Soft Allarum Hark the fight renews one hour more makes a full Conquest and I le ne're give o're till it be finisht Exit Rad. But that no fame or credit can be got to conquer Age I 'd scorn for to present anothers prisoner Scicil. Aged as I am had I a sword I 'd scorn as much to be subdued by thee Rad. That shall be tried Here take your Arms agen Scicil. Art thou in earnest then Come on ifaith How now What means this wilt thou not fight with me Rad. Yes sir that I will with you I le fight But never fight against you See the man That thrice this day preserved you from your foe And the last time I bore you off from death I that man am now your Champion do not question why But rest assur'd for you I le live and die Exeunt Allarum and the Shepherds within crying flie flie c. Enter Eusanius and all the Shepherds Eus. What Coward 's that began this fearful cry Is not the day likely to be our own Have I not taken their King Prisoner seized his white Flag and by our Generals hand sent him unto Pheander Tit. But he 's revolted and has set him free And we have ne're a General to lead us Eus. Oh Villain Traitor Coward were he my father I should call him so flie from his Colours Courage fellow Swains let us not blot the Honor we have won Want of a General I le supply that place rather than loose so fair a Victory Pall. No I le be General Clown I I and so you shall and I le be Commander over you We should be led like Wilde-geese then ifaith Wilde-geese nay Woodcocks rather for your Wilde-geese keep their Wings their Front their Rear and have a Leader too Tit. I I you are the man Eus. Follow then come Exeunt A great Allarum Enter Radagon Rad. Sound a Retreat it is
THE THRACIAN WONDER A COMICAL HISTORY As it hath been several times Acted with great Applause Written by JOHN VVEBSTER and VVILLIAM ROWLEY Placere Cupio LONDON Printed by Tho. Johnson and are to be sold by Francis Kirkman at his Shop at the Sign of John Fletchers Head over against the Angel-Inn on the Back-side of St. Clements without Temple-Bar 1661 The Stationer to the Reader Gentlemen IT is now the second time of my appearing in Print in this nature I should not have troubled you but that I believe you will be as well pleased as my self I am sure that when I applied my self to buying and reading of Books I was very well satisfied when I could purchase a new Play I have promised you three this Tearm A Cure for a Cuckold was the first this the second and the third viz. Gamer Gurtons Needle is ready for you I have several others that I intend for you suddenly I shall not as some others of my profession have done promise more then I will perform in a year or two or it may be never but I will assure you that I shall never leave printing so long as you shall continue buying I have several Manuscripts of this nature written by worthy Authors and I account it much pity they should now lye dormant and buried in oblivion since ingenuity is so likely to be encouraged by reason of the happy Restauration of our Liberties We have had the private Stage for some years clouded and under a tyrannical command though the publick Stage of England has produc'd many monstrous villains some of which have deservedly made their exit I believe future Ages will not credit the transactions of our late Times to be other than a Play or a Romance I am sure in most Romantick Plays there hath been more probability then in our true though sad Stories Gentlemen I will not further trouble you at this time onely I shall tell you that if you please to repair to my Shop I shall furnish you with all the Plays that were ever yet printed I have 700 several Plays and most of them several times over and I intend to increase my Store as I sell And I hope you will by your frequent buying encourage Your Servant Francis Kirkman Dramatis Personae PHeander King of Thrace Father to Ariadne King of Scicillia Father to Radagon Alcade King of Affrica Father to Lillia Guida Sophos Brother to Pheander Radagon Son to the King of Scicillia and Husband to Ariadne Eusanius Son to Radagon and Ariadne Leonardo a Thracian Lord Two Thracian Lords Two Scicillian Lords Two Affrican Lords Antimon an old shepherd father to Serena the Clown Titterus a merry shepherd Pallemon a shepherd in love with Serena The Clown son to Antimon Two Shepherds Two Shepherdesses A Fisher-man A Priest Pithia a Goddess Ariadne Daughter to Pheander and Wife to Radagon Lillia Guida Daughter to Alcade Serena a Shepherdess Daughter to Antimon Chorus and Time THE THRACIAN VVONDER ACT. 1. SCENE 1. Enter Pheander King of Thrace with his Sword drawn two Noble-men holding him Ariadne flying before him with a Childe in her arms 1 Lord GOod my Liege 2 Lord Dear Soveraign Phean. Why do you keep the Sword of Justice back From cutting off so foul a blasted branch 2 Lord Oh let your milder sence censure this Fate And cast her not away in hate of spleen 1 Lord Consider Sir she is your onely Childe your Kingdoms Heir your Countries future Hope and she may live Phe. To be a Strumpet sir Do not vex my soul with extollation of a thing so vile Is 't possible a Lady of her Birth should stain her Royal Race with beastly lust and mix the blood of Kings with a base issue Was it for this you were so long mew'd up within your private Chamber Was it for this we gave so strict a charge to have your tedious Sickness lookt unto But our examples shal be such on thee as all the world shal take a warning by What man or devil in the shape of man was he that durst presume for to pollute thee Either confess him or by all our gods I le plague thy body with continual tortures that being done I will devise a death that time to come shall never pattern it Enter Radagon with his Sword drawn Rad. There 's not the smallest torture while I live That shall afflict or touch her tender body Phe. What Traitor-slave dares interrupt the passage of our will Cut him in pieces Ariad. Oh hold your hands for mercy let him live And twenty pieces within my bosom give Phe. Death Now 't is probable He lay my life this Groom is Father to the Strumpets Brat Enter a Guard A Guard there seize him make the Slave confess And if he will not kill him instantly Rad. Villains unhand me I le reveal the truth I will not die in base obscurity Pheander know I am not what I seem an abject Groom but Royal as thy self My name is Radagon son to thy Enemy Cicillia's King this thirteen moneths I have continued here in hope for to obtain what now I have my Ariadnes love 'T is I am Father to this Princely Boy and I le maintain 't even with the utmost hazard of my life Phe. Thy life base Letcher that is the smallest satisfaction that thou canst render for thy foul Transgression And wer 't not 'gainst the Law of Arms and Nature these hands should sacrifice your guilty souls and with your bloods wash the foul stain from off our Royal House As for the Brat his brains shall be dasht out no base remembrance shall be left of him I le have my will effected instantly 1 Lord Dear Soveraign let Pity plead this Case and Natural Love reclaim your high displeasure The Babe is guiltless of the Fact committed and She is all the children that you have then for your Countries cause and Kingdoms good be pleased to take her to your grace agen 2 Lord Besides my Liege 't is known that Radagon Is by his Noble Birth a worthy Lord Princely descended of a Royal Stock Although not Heir apparent to a Crown Then since their hearts have sympathiz'd in one Confirm with love this happy Union Phe This hand shall be his Priest that dares agen presume to speak for her What worse disgrace did ever King sustain than I by this luxurious couple have But you shall see our Clemency is such that we will mildlier sentence their vilde Fact than they themselves can look for or deserve Take them asunder and attend our Doom Rad. Before you speak vouchsafe to hear me Sir It is not for my self I bend my knee Nor will I crave the least forgiveness But for your Daughter Do but set her free And let me feel the worst of Tyranny Ariad. The like Submission do I make for him Phe. Stop her mouth we never more intend to hear her speak I would not have a Token of Remembrance that ever I did bear the
and Lightening Enter old Antimon bringing in Ariadne shipwrackt the Clown turning the childe up and down and wringing the Clouts They pass over the Stage Exeunt Enter Radagon all wet looking about for shelter as shipwrackt Enter to him Titterus seems to question him puts off his Hat and Coat and puts on him so guides him off Exeunt Storm cease Enter Chorus Chor. This storm is o're but now a greater storm is to be feared that is your Censures of this History From cruel shipwrack you have here beheld the preservation of these banisht Princes who being put to sea in Mastless Boats with several Windes and Tides were driven back to the same Coast that they were banisht from which understanding lest they should be known they change their Names and Habits and perswade the silly shepherds they are Foreigners in several Cottages remote from Court these Lovers live thinking each other dead The sighs the tears the passions that were spent on either side we could describe to you Enter Time with an Hour-glass sets it down and exit But time hath barr'd us This is all you see That he hath lent us for our History I doubt we hardly shall conclude so soon But if you please to like our Authors Pen We 'l beguile Time and turn his Glass agen Exit Finis Actus Primi ACT. 2. SCENE 1. Groans of dying men heard within Enter two Lords of Thrace severally 1 Lord GOod Gods be merciful Within Oh oh oh 2 Lord Some Power defend us from this noisom Sickness Stand who 's that the Winde 1 Lord Keep distance then Oh my Lord is 't you this is a fearful Visitation the people as they walk drop down in heaps Enter Lord Leonardo Retire and keep the winde here comes another Leo. Oh oh falls dead 2 Lord Mercy he 's dead 1 Lord Who is 't 2 Lord I cannot well discern him but I think it is the Lord Leonardo Yes 't is he 1 Lord A fearful rest receive him he was vertuous My Lord I would fain exchange some private words with you I think you are clear Enter Sophos the Kings brother reading a Letter 2 Lord Upon my life I am 1 Lord Let 's walk together then Soph. Alas poor Neece cruel unnatural Father a Falleris a smiling Tyrant to use his Daughter with such cruelty Bless me I fear I have taken the Infection 1 Lord 'T is Sophos the Kings Brother come to Court Soph. I heard some speak keep off what e're you be Who is 't Pallation where 's the King my Brother 1 Lord In his Bed-chamber Soph. Tell him I am here 1 Lord I shall my Lord Some there remove the body Exit Lord Soph. No it shall lye Himself shall see in what a state we live His Daughter 's murthered banisht I should say And the Cicillian Prince both innocent Cor. and Flor. A little infant perisht the Gods know As lawfully begot as he or I Nay never stare 't is true the Gods Are not displeased without cause Heyda Is this a time for Musick And so it is indeed for every one Is ready to kick up his heels Within Oh oh oh I marry sir here 's musick fits the time Enter Pheander in his Gown and Cap 1 Lord Phe. What horrid shreiks and clamors fills our ears Are groans fit Musick for a Princes Court Soph. 'T is Musick fit for Princes that delight in devilish Dances Look sir behold here 's one hath danc'd himself quite out of breath here 's good Leonardo gone your Daughter 's dead poor Neece with tears I speak it and your Land infected with a Plague incurable your Court and 't was not wont to be the Court-disease what should occasion this but would I durst speak what I suspect suspect said I nay what is truth for that 's beyond suspition Read that then guess the cause of our inflictions Phe. Ha ha ha ha This was a subtile and shrewd Device to shadow Treachery was it not my Lords Having wrapt Treason in a poisoned paper delivers it to us to take the infection Soph. By the blest Sun 't is false I am no Traitor as loyal as the truest Subject here yet there is poison in 't of power and strength to make a Fathers heart to swell and burst at the recital of such Tyranny Thy Daughter 's chaste a Royal spotless Princess she here doth vow and call the Gods to witness she ne're admitted him unto her bed until the Nuptial Rites were celebrate yet Tyrant-like thou putt'st her unto sea not suffering her to plead her innocence where she and her poor Babe did suffer death Phe. Dissembling hypocrite art not asham'd to lay such shallow baits to catch a Crown Observe what a discover'd way he treads thinking her dead which all you know she justly merited has forged this Letter to turn your hearts with seeming pity to dispossess us and be King himself But you whose hearts have ever yet bin loyal know how to censure of such Treachery with true discretion Pray ye use him kindly let him not feel too many cruel tortures he is our Brother though he have transgrest the Law of Gods and Nature we are loath to punish with too much severity Soph. Ha ha ha Now give me leave to laugh devouring Crockodile dost think I fear to die Let death fright those that fear to die for ever let me behold him in his ugliest shape he 's then most lovely if I did fear I 'd ne're have uttered this it was to clear thy Daughters innocence and blaze thy infamy unto the world for this I did it if for this I die I die for truth live with eternity Phe. Take him aside until we call for him Soph. Do not touch me slaves I scorn to run Exit Guard with Sophos Phe. Your councel Lords what we best to do You see his guilt apparently appears We dare not call a Publique Consultation For fear of the Infection unto you We will referre the manner of his death Here seat your selves and every man set down His several Censure which when we survey We 'l give our Sentence either Life or Death Exit They seat themselves at a Table severally and fall to writing Enter a Noble-man of Cicillia the 1 Lord 1 Sicil. L. I think this be the Land of Golgotha inhabited by none but by the dead except some airy shadows and they 'r silent the streets are strewed with breathless carcases as 't was in Rome when Marius Silla warred All that do see me shun me like the Plague and shut their doors sure I am not infectious Entring the Court the Guard stood gazing at me and gave me free access into the Palace without demanding whence or what I came for the strangeness of their looks and fearful action makes me imagine that I am transformed would I could meet but with a Water-spring to see if I retain my wonted shape This should be near the Presence what are these they should be Lawyers they 'r not dumb I
in thine arms withal with her fair Beauty in rich Thrace rob'd of so rare a Jewel Or if dead end the remainder of my afflicted hours in exile and forsaken solitude in desarts scare discovered Cic. A sad Vow Phe. To make which good to thee Cicillia's King in part of recompence to thy great wrongs I here resign all State and Empire up my Crown my Scepter and Majestick Orb until the Truce prefixt be quite expired And charge you all on your Allegiance Lords that you the Faith and Homage sworn to me pay to this King in all just Loyalty This Pilgrims weed be now my Robe of State no other gay Trim will Pheander wear my Sword the Sword of Justice born before now is now no better than a Palmers Staff by which I will do justice on my self in humble penance and in stead of Gold and Cups of hollowed Pearl in which I us'd to quaff deep Healths of rich Pomegranate Wine this Scallop shall be now my Drinking cup to sip cold water I am now Cicillia a man reformed for loe I die to State Live onely to Devotion Lords adieu These are my arms you Kingdom to pursue Exit Phe. I hear your Princes minde and hope his vowes are out of his meer zeal and penitence which I accept will you accord with him and promise your true Fealties to us 1 Thr. L. As we to him were we are now to you as loyal and as faithful 't was his pleasure and we submit to both acknowledging his wrongs to you and take them at the best far above all forgiveness 2. Thr. L. You cannot boast of any Conquest won To gain a kingdom and loose such a Son Scicil. This to us is a full satisfaction and my Lords we know how to require your gratitude the Regency by him assigned to us we in our bounty reassign to you be your own Lords excepting still the fealty due to your Sovereign at his back return in whose forc'd absence should you use our aid we shall be your Protector Thr. Lords Noble in all his Arts is Scicilly Scicil. Billet our Soldiers in such Neighboring-towns where Victual and best Harbor may be had withal Proclaim not the least violence be done to any Thracian they are ours now tho under your command Here was a happy War fought without blows yet no dishonor in 't he that endures such War within can be no coward sure In all designs this still must be confest He that himself subdues conquers the best Exeunt ACT. 3. SCENE 2. Enter Alcade King of Affrica Sophos Lillia Guida Tromp Flor. Eusanius and Moors and Guard Alcad. WHere 's Sophos Soph. Here my Lord Alcad. Has our command been well effected that we gave in charge Soph. Great King it has Alcad. Our purse and people are at thy dispose leave an army of the stoutest men Affrick affords we love thee thou art honest In Affrica the Moors are onely known and never yet searcht part of Christendom nor do we levy Arms against their Religion but like a Prince and Royal Justicer to patron Right and supplant Tyranny We are in this as Gods and in like care Should punish Ignomy and Vertue spare Eusan. They gave a partial measure that subscribed Affrick within so small and strict a limit making great Europe boundless Royal Sir give me but leave to go with Sophos to the Thracian Wars that I may speak your Fame unto the world and where you are but heard of make you famous If ever Fame or Valor crown my youth with the least Honors all my services I le dedicate to you and my fair Mistriss Wonder of her Sex whose beauty shines like to a Star amongst so many clouds of her own Nation Lillia Guida's name shall be as much in Christendom as Greekish Hellen's was God sir speak for me Sophos ' Thad bin my first request but that I fear'd It would offend your Mistriss she being pleas'd Upon my knee I do entreat for you Lillia. To show my willingness I le be the third my self and humbly crave it may not be deny'd I do not love to be attended on in a wrought Night-cap obeyed with quilted calves give me a man that Agues cannot quake nor fire tremble Pardon me Princely Father it is your spirit speaks I am your own and by that priviledge become your Suitor Alcad. Our Daughter has prevail'd Sophos your ear Lillia. To give encouragement unto thy hopes receive this favor may it prove a charm unto thy arm and double puissance adde unto thy strength when any danger 's extant 1 Moor This it was that I long since suspected this shall prove his tragick Fate and ruine to her love Eus. You grace me beyond merit while I live I will make known your honors rank your name amongst the bravest Dames of Christendom and when I view this Scarf it will infuse undaunted vigor make me overcome impossibilities there easie to desire Alcad. Treason didst say 1 Moor Against your Majesty dishonor of your fair and beautuous Childe their motions gestures looks and conference I have observed and watched with jealous eyes and finde 'em all corrupt Lack my Liege behold before your face their amorous fire breaks forth into bright flames is 't not apparent his suit to leave the Court her seconding his Treason with a Boon and Favor too You thought 't was his desire to go to Wars believe it not there 's no such man in him It is some secret Plot they have contrived to flie away Prevent it speedily Alcad. Thou hast infused a spirit into my brest I never yet did feel strange impudence Ambition never heard of in a Peasant A slave that neither knows his birth nor breeding should thus presume for to seduce a Princess Hence with that Traitor let him have a death as horrid as his crime Soph. How 's this Eus. A Traitor 1 Moor I Traitor Traitor sirrah Eus. Sirrah you lie this shall maintain 't 'gainst thee or any dares affirm this Title Mount us great King upon some lofty spire where is but room for two place him amidst an host in this just Cause to clear my honor and her innocence I le pierce thorough armed Guards and make my way through Halberts Pikes and deadly killing shot break through many Battels sally thorough whole Squadrons and make him like a confused lump that ne're had form Guard me you sacred Powers lest I forget time presence place and on this ugly slave commit an out-rage Alcad. Kill and stop his fury insolent boy how dares thy violence offer it self in blows and we in presence Had we no other cause this were enough to take away thy Life Away with him Soph. Stay yet dear sir as ever I deserved grace at your hand hear me first speak Behold him bow to you that in your Cause hath made great Kings to kneel and tender you submission for my sake let him not suffer death 't is undeserved I will engage all that I have on earth
never utter thy affections When I beheld her first I fancied her and more because she favored my dead wife whose memory I still mourn but since she 's gone rather then loose regeneration I could wed with her she 's fair and may be honest though the world deem 'em Contrarieties I 'm seen and must go on Ariad. Menalchus you come as wisht for here 's a stranger Sir that wants reposure will you for my sake allow him entertain the night draws on and 't were unhospitable to deny him you shall command as great a courtesie Rad. I doubt it not To me y' are welcome sir such homely Cates as a poor Cottage yields you shall be sure to taste Shepherds in this comes nearest to the Gods for they allow the smallest hospitality witness when Bawcis feasted Jupiter Ariad. For that I le interrupt you you shall both before you part from hence taste of our cheer Whence is that aged man pray question him let him not go before he have relief Rad. Come nearer father 't is a great wonder to see a Pilgrim wander in these parts What Countrey-man Phe. A Roman gentle sir one that hath vowed in weary pilgrimage to spend the poor remainder of his days to such you know all places are alike Eus. How long have you continued in this Land Phe. But a small time Eus. You have not seen the Court Phe. Not yet fair sir Rad. What should we do at Court we have a King knows no Religion heathens infidels inhabit there the poor live most secure for as they know no good they fear no ill but we must not decipher Come sit down Eus. Fair Mistriss Ariad. Good sir sit this is my place Menalchus seat you Fie fie complement Ariad. Here 's no variety but such as 't is if you can feed y' are welcome shepherds fare Eus. We thank you Rad. Sir fall to y' are sad methinks Phe. Not sad but somewhat griev'd to think report should scandalize so sweet a Continent not onely Foreigners but Thracians born hate and abhor the Clime and Government saying it is infectious and your King a mis-believing Tyrant infamous Ariad. Where heard you this Phe. All Thrace proclaims as much Rad. I cannot tell but trust me sir 't is thought it was a cruel deed not like a King much less a Father having but one childe to banish her and for so small a fault Eus. What was the offence Rad. A customary thing I cannot well appropriate a name Ariad. Is it so sleight and do you shame to utter 't Rad. Your presence must excuse me otherwise I should have found a Title Ariad. Then I le speak It was so hainous and so vilde a fact the King could not in justice pardon it 't was a disgrace to him shame to her Sex dishonor to her self and Progeny What greater infamy unto a King than for to blot his name with bastardy Rad. You speak well in the defence of Vertue Sweet but if such defaults should be so punisht we should have but few women in our kingdom Admit the Princess in her wanton blood committed such an error do but think what frailty is the baits nay more 't is thought that they were man and wife if it were so he could be little better than a Tyrant Phe. A Tyrant nay á villain murderer Pray pardon me I must and will have leave to speak my conscience should I see the King I 'd tell him to his face he were a Tyrant Say she did err he was the cause on 't not suffering her to wed where she did love What may his Subjects think he being dead for want of Issue they shall servile be to Turks and Infidels if worse than he can any where be found Ari. Dotard forbear thou hast already spoke more than thy life can ever satisfie If that the King had known they had bin married questionless he would have been more merciful but that rests in suspicion his sentence was pronounc'd as they were guilty not as man and wife and then what punishment can be too great his supposed ill was so much lenity to live had been to die a lingring death for reputation is the life of honor and that once lost the Mother hates the childe curses the man she did commix withal and like a shame-fac'd Felon seeks to shun the face of every one that knows her guilt Phe. Admiredst of all women now I see There is much Vertue lives in poverty Eusa. And yet methinks the mothers shame is not to be compared unto the injury the child sustains for she receives her sorrowes by consent but the poor infant guiltless of the fact grown to maturity shall bear the brand of Bastard by his birth be dispossest of all inheritance due to the Seed that 's sowen in holy wedlock if a curse belong unto the issue of base lusts 't is given to the childe for to bestow on those that did beget him sure I think who e're he was that wronged so fair a Dame as your Kings Daughter could be no true Prince but some base upstart that deluded her under a fained title Radag. Slave thou lyest Radagon strikes him with his hook she holds Eus. Phe. Radagon Ariad. Had you e're a Mother sir Eusa. I cannot tell Unhand me Ariad. For my sake Pheand whispers with Rodag or if there be a woman in the world whom you affect in her name I conjure ye let my tears asswage your just moved anger it will discredit me endanger you if you should strike him here I le give you reason Radag. This is some fallery it cannot be Phe. Now by my holy vow what I prescribe I will approve I know you love this woman the revelation of Celestial Orbs the Aspects and influence of heavenly planets do direct my skill by Palmestry and Phisiognomy I have declared to kings accidents past portents to come and told to what event present designs should run what should I make experiments of Art on him that not believes it Rad. Troth I do Phe. Then reconcile your self unto this man let him by no means use to visit her for in the hour of his nativity some powerful working star was in conjunction with too forward Venus take him from her and all th' Auxillary heavenly helps that may give Physick to a Love-sick heart I le invocate to be benevolent and e're too morrow sun she shall be yours Ariad. See sir he comes towards you Radag. Sir for my rash offence I 'm sorry Ariad. What would ye more good sir Radag. If you desire a further satisfaction you shall have it Eus. How Radag. Thus Eus. 'T is accepted Phe. This device took well Now to my plot Exit Phe. Ariad. I fear you are not friends yet Radag. Who not we why should you think so look you we imbrace shake hands nay more we will be bed-fellows and early in the morn revisit you Ariad. Where lies the palmer Gone and take no leave Radag. Oh fear not him he is