him Nay I hope you know it not your selfe Shall I belieue that your great heart that euer Yet contemn'd loue can on a sodaine in foure Or fiue daies knowledge be struck by my vnworthy Brothers slender merits and one that must Be periur'd too if he should loue you Cleo. Mariana take heed how you doe pursue This Subiect for if you doe I should begin To hate you are you not asham'd to contradict Your selfe How oft hath your owne tongue Giuen him the highest attributes of worth Nay you haue beene so lauish of his praises That I haue check'd you for it though I beliu'd Them to bee true because it comes Somthing too neere the praising of our selues To praise a Brother I am my selfe a witnesse Of his valour and his wit and those are sure The maine supporters to all other vertues Blush not Lysander to heare thine owne iust praises Except it be that I doe sully them in the deliuery Thou gau'st too sad a witnesse of thy valour In ouercomming him which through this Kingdome was esteemd the brauest man Lys. Madam a brauer man by farre then he Vnder whose sword he fell Fortune that did enuy His worth because his mind was fortified Aboue her reach applyed her selfe that day Vnto the ruine of his body and then though Neuer before nor since fought on my side Cle. When next I come I will intreat you tell me euery particular Accident through the whole Combate Lys. Most willingly for I by that Relation Shall make apparant the difference betwixt His worth and mine Exeunt Enter King Utrante and Attendant King So many dayes o'repast and yet no newes Of my deare Cozen whether he be aliue or dead Utran. Sir there is a Hermite Which hath brought sad newes King What of his death or that he 's deadly hurt Utran. Sir to your Maiesty he only will relate That which he hath to say and yet by the sadnesse Of his countenance know his newes is ill King Call him in Whilst with patience I fore-arme my selfe Enter Hermite Speake Father is the Duke dead what sad newes Is this you bring giue me my torment in a word Her Your feares are true indeed the Duke Is dead Kin. How doe you know Her Your Maiesty shall heare As I was gathering Rootes within the Forrest The best part of my foode casting my eye aside I saw a man lie weltring in his gore Straight I was strucken with a sodaine feare But Charitie preuailing aboue feare I stept to see if yet the soule had left That comely Mansion for so indeed it was Finding some sparks of life remaining I tooke A cordiall water which I euer carry with me And by the help of that I brought him to his senses So that he was able to deliuer these few words Death I embrace thee willingly thou being A farre lesse torment then for to liue And know Clarinda loues another better May she enioy Lysander whom now I doe Beleeue is worthy of her for I that Most vniustly went about to crosse it Must pay my life downe for my error Lysander I forgiue thee my death and so I hope the King and with that word the King He sunke betweene my armes and neuer Spoke word Kin. O what a man was this what marble heart That would not melt it selfe in teares to heare This sad relation but what became of the body Her There Sir begins occasion of new griefe Whilst I did vainly striue to call backe life Three barbarous theeues seeking some booty Came by chance that way and seeing his garments Rich they went about to strip him but hearing Of some noyse within the wood one of them Did aduise to carry him to their boat which lay Hard by within a Creeke I went about To hinder them and for my paines they did compel Me to carry the body vpon my shoulders Threatning to kill me if I did refuse But not content with this they made me row Them downe the streame three dayes together Vntill they came vnto their fellow Pirates King What did they with the body Her Threw it ouerbord when they had Rifled it first King How chance you came no sooner to tell This newes though yet too soone they are so ill Utran. I see the King did dearly loue him He weepes Her Sir the current of the water bare vs farther In three dayes then I was able to returne in ten King Giue the poore Hermite something Though his newes deserue it not Yet his sufferngs doth It is an addition to my griefe that when I parted With him last I seem'd to be offended with him For his dotage on Clarinda which he hath Dearely paid for and yet I cannot blame him For she is the fairest creature that yet I euer saw Enter Cleonarda O Sister we haue lost our dearest Kinsman And that which ads vnto my griefe is that I cannot Be reueng'd on him that kild him Cleo. Are you certaine Sir that he is dead or Who it was that kild him Ki. Too certaine of them both It was Lysander that kild him Whom If I euer get within my power The sharpest kinde of death that iustice can inflict Vpon him he shall feele Cleo. Say you so brother hee shall Not come within your power if I can helpe it then But royall brother if the Duke had kild Lysander I know you would haue pardoned him King Sister I thinke I should Cle. With what Iustice then can you pursue Lysanders life who as the Duke himselfe Informes you in his Letter sought Onely to maintaine what was his owne But on the other side the Duke like an vsurper Without any title would haue taken from him That which he valew'd farre aboue his life His Loue King It is not I That pursues Lysanders life but Iustice The Law condemnes him to dye Had it beene but a priuate man much more Being so neare a kin to me Cle. There is no Law but doth allow vs to defend Our selues Lysander did no more for who can denie He was compeld honor compeld him The Duke compeld him and loue which cannot be By noble minds resisted did aboue all compel him Then all the fault Lysander did commit in my Opinion is that hee was too slow needing Compulsion in so iust a cause and therefore Sir If you should apprehend Lysander though by The letter of the Law his life is forfeit Yet remember that mercy is the greatest atribute Belonging to those powrs whose substitute you are King Sister you often haue had occasion To shew your Charity in being a Suiter to mee For the liues of those that had offended Yet vntill now you neuer beg'd my mercy vnto any Cleo. Sir you neuer had occasion giuen you Till now to whet the sword of Iustice by your owne Particular reuenge that it might cut the deeper And being not intressed your mercy of it selfe Did blunt the edge and needed not my intercession King I do coniure you by my loue To speake no more
chances you then did not sooner Bring me this Letter Ber. I was commanded otherwayes by him King reads Royall Sir adde to the number of your many fauors the performance of this my last request What doth hee meane by this I pray you see Clarinda who is my wife possest of what was mine and withall pardon him that kils mee for I will compell him to fight How 's this Begin not after my death to deny me that which is iust since in my life time you neuer did see the will of the dead effected as you desire to haue your Testament perform'd after your death which I pray the Gods that it may be yet a long life O what a Character is here deliuer'd of a pure mind Which only seems to shew the greatnes of my losse The plainer his death is not yet certaine Let me not like a woman spend that time In fruitlesse lamentations which may perchance Afford a remedy but now it is night What shall I do call all the Court and let them all Disperse themselues each man a seuerall way He that brings word the Duke is aliue Shall haue a thousand pounds he is gone to fight A Combat with whom I know not but he that Apprehends the man that kild him shal haue his land Is there none here that knowes of any falling out Betweene him and some other Lord speake Is there none can tell me Iaco. And if it please your Maiesty I thinke I haue a guesse King Speake then Iaco. If he bee gone to fight it is with Young Lysander King Let one goe looke for Lysander presently What grudge was betwixt them or fell they lately out Iaco. I will tell your Maiesty in priuate I am a seruant to the Count Utrante and was imploy'd by that most noble Duke whom I doe feare sleepes now in death for to solicite his true loue to my young Lady which I did faithfully performe but I found all I did was vaine for shee long time hath beene in loue with young Lysander which when I knew I gaue the Duke straight notice this hath so farre incenst the Duke against Lysander that they are gone to fight King This that thou hast told is certaine true Else she would neuer haue deny'd to haue married With the Duke and for thy loue and faithfull seruice to him Which I beleeue is now no more for else by this time He would haue return'd I will requite thee Iaco. He was the noblest Gentleman That I shall euer know He weepes King Alas goodman he weepes He that can bring me word the Duke is aliue Redeemes his King from misery Exeunt manet Iaco. Iaco. I hope he neuer shall come backe aliue he knowes I am a villaine I was too forward in my offers to him til I had tried his dispositions better It is kindly done of him and of Lysander yet to spare my paines there now wants nothing of my wish but that the Duke be kild and I to find out where Lysander is then I shall be reueng'd vpon them both and be possest of that which is my due Lysanders land for so the King hath promis'd My way to find Lysander if he hath kild the Duke is for to giue Clarinda a firme beleefe that I doe dearly loue him for sure if he be liuing she shall heare of him and if I finde him I haue another villanie in my head which I will put in act besides my giuing notice of him to the King My villainy shall Vertue be in show For all shall thinke me honest Iacomo Exit Enter Clarinda with a Letter Clar. reades I feare the Duke hath notice of our loues for he hath sent to me to meete him armed I feare it is to fight if it be so and I suruiue the Combate I will send you word where I abide if I be kild I doe coniure you by your vertues not to to bee vngratefull vnto the Duke who you see doth not desire to liue without he may enioy you for his wife No my Lysander in that houre when I shall heare That thy faire soule is parted from thy body I will quickly follow thee Enter Seruant Seru. Madame the King is at the gate and in a rage Threatens your Fathers death and yours they say Lysander Hath kild the Duke Clar. I fear'd as much This comes of my dissembling Enter King Utrante and Attendants Utran. Why is your Maiestie offended with your Vassall Who as yet neuer so much as in a thought offended you King Where is that Inchantresse which you call Clarinda Clar. Here Sir is the vnhappy obiect of your anger King I am amaz'd I neuer till now saw true beauty Why kneele you Lady Clar. It is my duty Sir you are my Soueraigne King Rise faire Creature came I to chide and doe I kisse This is the force of Beauty who liues That can be offended with so sweet a Creature I cannot now blame the Duke for valuing Her so much I would she were the Daughter Of some neighbouring King that I without Disparagement might loue her but I forget My selfe these are poore humble thoughts And farre beneath the Maiestie of a King Lady I came to chide I feare you are the cause That I haue lost a Kinsman a worthy one In all the worlds opinion excepting yours Cla. Sir pardon me you were your selfe the cause By your excessiue loue to him for that made me Dissemble my affections to Lysander Fearing to daw your frownes vpon my Father Should I haue shew'd neglect vnto the Duke Kin. Who euer was the cause you shall not feele The punishment the Duke did truly loue you Lady which you shall see here in this Letter Apparantly may you see your error And grieue to death for your past folly In refusing the quintessence of Mankinde Read it not now you shall haue time to grieue in He shewes there in his Letter that you are his wife That by that meanes I might be drawne the sooner To performe his will which is that you should Be possest of that which was his and so you shall If hee be dead Cla. Sir I doe vtterly refuse it all that I desire Is that your Maiestie will giue me leaue To depart my griefes doe so oppresse me That I am sicke at heart King When you please Lady Exit Cla. My Lord how chanc'd it that you neuer told me That your Daughter lou'd Lysander Utran. Sir let me perish it I knew it I am amaz'd to heare it now Exeunt Enter Lysander and Mariana Lys. But Sister can you thinke it possible The Princesse should thus loue me Mar. Brother I know you see it your selfe Though you will not take notice of it Lys. Belieue me Mariana it doth grieue me much So great a Princesse should bee so vnhappy To loue a man whose heart is not his owne For he that had a heart at his disposing Could not denie to giue it her Ma. When she shal know you haue another Mistria She will call
by my Crowne Bring your sufficient proofe you shall haue Iustice But wel I know you hate good Iacomo because he did Discouer where your Lysander was Cla. Would I had bit my tongue out of my head When I gave it power to tell you where Lysander was Iaco. Your maiestie may marke by this how true the rest is that she hath to say Madame then you would seeme as if I had deceiu'd your trust and that you had to mee discouerd where Lysander was make me not so odious I neuer was a traitor had you to me discouer'd it wild horses should haue torne mee in a thousand pieces ere I would haue confest no this same countrey fellow one day being within the Lodge saw him and so discouerd it to me Cla. Though thou deny'st this with a brazen brow Yet thou canst not denie thou wouldst haue rauisht me When I did trust thee to goe along with me I being disguis'd then where I to thee discouer'd When Lysander was and more thou threatendst If I did not giue consent to thy base lust To murder mee when thou hadst done Because I should not tell Iaco. Madame I did not thinke that loue to any man could ere haue turnd that excellent wit of yours so ill away as thus vniustly to accuse a man that is innocent and one that honors you Enter Duke and Hermite Utran. Sir I doe grieue My Daughters loue vnto Lysander should Moue her for to seeke a most vniust reuenge Against good Iacomo whose like for honestie I know not in this Kingdome of his quality Clar. Sir here 's a witnesse that will confirme What I haue said for truth Duke What gentle Lady Cla. Sir 't was I that you rescu'd yesterday From a villaine that would haue rauisht me Duke Why Lady were you in such danger Iac. Marke you Sir she knowes of no such thing Cla. I was the Boy you found in the wood Whom this villaine would then haue rauisht Which then I told you was my master Du. I thought no boy could haue so sweet a face Indeed Sir t is most true I found this Lady bound And that same villaine as I thinke for I had but A glimpse of him in the bushes his feare making Him flie as soone as euer he saw me Clar. I beseech your Maiestie let him be hang'd For on my honor what I doe affirme is truth King Your affirmation is to me a hundred Witnesses yet it were in me iniustice to deny The combat 'gainst this gentleman that doth accuse Him on your behalfe if Iacomo desire it Duke Belieue it Sir he that will do such villanies Will neuer dare to fight Sir send him to the Galleyes If he will nor fight it shewes his guilt Iaco. Hell take you all I dare not fight might I haue all the world giuen I le rather to the Galleys I shall get out there with some tricke or other and then I le poyson twenty of you I le not discouer what I am that will but shew me more King Let him that rescu'd Clarinda haue the land That Iacomo should haue had for discouering where Lysander was call forth the prisoner and proceed to execution Enter Lysander Executioner Guard Lys. Weepe not Clarinda you may liue happily You and the Princesse may together make A kinde of Marriage each one strongly Flattering themselues the other is Lysander For each of you's Lysanders better part Pardon Clarinda that I borrow from That streame of loue a part to pay the Princesse Which euer yet ran constantly to the Ocean Of thy perfection only for now a gratefulnesse To her makes some of it run in another current For which I know thou being wise canst neuer Loue me lesse knowing that I haue loue enough For both since I can marry neither Cla. Lysander doe not thinke I grudge that part of Loue You pay the Princesse her merits faire transcending mine Besides you owe her for preseruing of your life And I haue beene the only cause that you must lose it But I le beare you company and in that pay the debt I owe you King Why stayes the Prisoner Lys. Onely to take A parting kisse then when you please I am prepar'd King What meane you Sister will yon make apparant To the world your folly Cleo. Sir doe not hinder me For if I may not here speake with him We will conuerse in death sooner then you belieue Lysander thou art going to thy lasting home And in thee all vertuous men must suffer They being but branches thou the root of all perfection Who will be Curteous Valiant since these are causes Of thy death for thou vnto the world didst manifest In thy last action with the Duke that thou wert Really possest of these but I in summing vp thy worth Doe but increase my griefe since I must part with thee The rich vnhappy owner for they haue only seru'd To reuiue thee and those that lou'd thee for them Poore Clarinda I from my owne conceptions Could weepe to thinke vpon the torment thou wilt feele When as the Axe shall seuer from thee loues Worthy person thy comely head worthy Most worthy in that it was the Cabinet appointed By the Gods to keepe their richest Iewell in His minde which is indeede an Index In which iudicious men may read as in a Booke The whole contents of all their excellence King Sister for shame doe not thus wrong Your selfe and me by throwing such high praises On a man condemn'd by Law Lysander Prepare thy selfe to die and take no notice of her Idle praises which if they could to any mortall Man be due they were to him for whom Thou now must suffer Lys. Sir I doe confesse it and am ready to receiue Your doome Cleo. I need not to a mind so fortifide as thine is Giue any Antidotes to arme thee against death Lys. All the encouragement that I will desire Shall bee a kisse of your faire hand Cleo Lysander thou knowst my soule embraceth thee These are the first teares that ere fell from mine eyes Although a woman which I am pleasd with Since it well expresses this is the greatest griefe That yet I euer felt Lys. This kisse Clarinda is thy due thou art The neerest to my heart in Iustice Clarin swoones King Looke to Clarinda carry her home Cleo. I thought she would haue out-gon me but now Mine shall be the glory who would liue in a world That 's bankrupt of all vertue Lys. kneeles Exec. I pray Sir forgiue me your death Lys. Friend doe thine office I forgiue thee Duke Hold villaine King How darest thou hinder the sword of Iustice From lighting where it is design'd Duke Sir if you execute this Lord you are a Tyrant King Why Sir will it bee tyranny in mee To execute the Law the fellow 's mad Lay hands on him Duke It is a cruell Law that doth condemne the innocent King Why is he innocent Duke Let me dye for 't if I doe not proue He did not
kill the Duke Kin. And by my Crowne since thou dost interpose thy selfe Betwixt the sword of Iustice and the Obiect It shall cut through thy life too with Lysanders If thou dost faile to proue what thou affirmest Lys. I doe beseech your Maiesty Let not this franticke man for so he seemes to be Out of his loue to me ruine himselfe I doe confesse againe it was this vnlucky hand And no other that kild the Duke Duke I call the heauens to witnesse it was I That was the cause he bled that day And well he did deserue it for thinking So vniustly to rob thee of Clarinda Who only dost deserue her King Carry the fellow hence Doe I sit here to heare a mad man talke Duke Call me not fellow I am as good A Gentleman as was the Duke your Cozen And were he now aliue hee would acknowledge it Kin. Away with him to Prison I le haue him Strangely punisht for this presumption Away with him Her Sir vpon my credit And men of my Profession should not lye he 's both In Birth and worth equall vnto the Duke Kin. Though I doe reuerence your Profession Yet I see no cause to belieue you For in this Kingdome there is none so worthy Her Sir yes euery way as worthy And one your Maiestie doth loue so well That if he aske you I know you will pardon Lord Lysander for his sake King Sure all the world 's infected One that I loued so well and equall to the Duke In Birth how canst thou proue this Her Thus I can proue it Discouer Duke To your great ioy and all the Kingdomes Kin. I am amaz'd art thou a Coniurer And from the quiet graue hath raised The beloued person of my Kinsman to delude me For thou wert he that said thou foundst his body Duke Ghosts doe not vse to pay their duty to The liuing Sir feele my hand I am your Seruant Kin. O my deare Cozen can this be true Duke Sir I will make all plaine but first I must Relieue the worthiest of men noble Lysander Send for Clarinda and tell her this glad newes Madame let me kisse your faire hands I euer honourd you but now I doe adore That high rais'd mind of yours that feares not To professe your loue to vertue though in distresse King Deare Cozen I do long to know by what meanes you were preseru'd Duke This reuerend man that did the pious act Can best resolue it you Kin. 'T was he that brought first word that he Had found your body by which we were resolued That you were dead he told his tale so punctually Duk. When I began to bee past danger of my Wounds I fram'd that tale about the thieues Intending to conceale my selfe and so to make Triall of your loue to me and of Clarinda's Loue vnto Lysander both which I finde Not to be equal'd Kin. Good Father tell vs how you found him Wounded and how you did preserue him Her Sir what I told you Concerning the finding of him wounded All that was true and how I did recouer him By a soueraigne water but that he after Dyed within my armes you see is false And yet he spoke those words that I deliuer'd As his dying speech he hauing then indeed No hope of life but heauen so order'd it That he recouer'd by my skill in Surgery In which Art I shall not boast to say That I am equall with the most skilfull of this age Which I thinke well appeares since I haue cured Him in so short a time yet I must attribute His sodaine curing to a soueraigne balme That an Egyptian gaue mee from which countrey I late came Kin. Holy man expect from me a great reward For you haue backe to me restor'd the comfort Of my life but where haue you since liued Or how came you by this disguise Enter Clarinda Duke I liu'd with him still in a little Cottage And he did fom the City fetch me disguises Diuine Clarinda pardon me I was your bedfellow And did not know my owne happinesse then If I had knowne you I would haue done Iust as I did I see you are amazd it was I That in disguise rescued you and sau'd your honor When that villaine would haue rauisht you In which I was most happy for I shall now present You so much the richer gift to your Lysander Here braue Lysander let me deliuer vp Into thine armes the Iewell of thy life And in that make some part of satisfaction For the wrong I did hee in compelling thee To fight for that which was thine owne before In iustice Lys. My Lord the seruice of my life hereafter Shall make manifest how much I honor you And with what ioy I doe receiue your guift Cle. I would haue giuen my life to haue redeem'd Lysanders where is the ioy then that I should feele For his deliuerance O I haue found the cause That doth suppresse it it 's enuy that Clarinda's Happier then my selfe why should I enuy that Which is her due both by his vowes and her Owne merit Lys. How sad the Princesse lookes I wonder Shee doth not speake to me Cle. Heart though thou burst the world shal not See I grieue or enuye Lysander and Clarinda May you be happie in your loues which I can neuer be Lys. Her noble heart will burst with griefe Would I had dyed or rather that I had two hearts By death I had beene free this way I am A debtor to the Princesse and that ingratitude Torments me worse then death King Call for the sacred Priest and let vs change That which we thought should haue been a Scoene O blood into a Scoene of ioy by ioyning Two despairing Louers hands together Du. O what a happy mans Lysander at this instant Compard with what he was halfe an houre since Imagination cannot reach it but on the other side How farre am I falne from that happinesse That I possest when faire Clarinda said That she would marry me within a month Enter Priest Kin. Come reuerent Sir performe an office Acceptable to the Gods Sister take you Lysanders Hand and Cozen you Clarinda's Cleo. O what a cruell office hath my brother put vpon me Duke I would this taske were past Vertue I see thou art a cruell Mistris Clar. I in my soule grieue for the Duke His manly eyes shed teares to performe this Office I would to heauen he were my Brother Or that Lysander were the consideration Of his worth and infinite affection Which hath appeard in all his actions Hath gaind much vpon me Priest Will you Lysander take Clarinda for Your Wife forsaking all other till the hand of death Arrest the one of you Her Say no Lysander Lys. Reuerend Sir why Her Because the Marriage is not lawfull Duke Can you proue it vnlawfull You sau'd my Life but I shall valew that no benefit Compar'd with this if you can proue Lysander and Clarinda cannot marry I le make you more then you
loue vnto your Grace made me so curious For I protest there is no man aliue That 's more ambitious to do your Lordship seruice It grieu'd my soule to see a man that so deseru'd So much neglected and abus'd Some of this is true Duke If thou wilt make thy fortune Bring me where vnseene I may ouerheare them Iaco. So your Grace will not discouer your selfe I le promise you once within three nights Duke By mine honour I will not performe Thy promise and I will make thee happie Iaco. Be sure you shew not At your returne to them the least distemper Duke Feare not that Exeunt Enter Clarinda Vtrante Lysander Bernardo Clar. Sir you haue shew'd vs many Pictures But aboue all the rest I like that of your Lords Ber. Madame I know my Lord would thinke him happie Would you accept the picture but much happier If you would take the substance Clar. It may be Sir I will Utran. Daughter I charge you on my blessing When the Duke returnes to vse him with respect Clar. Father I see you haue no skill you doe not know The craft we women vse to make men loue the more The smallest fauour I shall shew him after this harsh vsage Will make him thinke himsele in heauen Utran. Before you part when he comes backe I pray you vrge my restoration But first promise to marry him Clar. Leaue that to my Discretion Enter Duke Duke Gentle Lady I craue your pardon for my stay Which was drawne out beyond my expectation Lys. Me thinkes my Lord looks soure vpon me Clar. My Lord indeed I wondred how you stayd so long O rather how you liu'd your heart and you being parted For that you left behind you when you went Duke Madame I doe confesse it is a miracle Proceeding from your beauty that I could liue So long wanting a heart but trust me If my faithfull seruice cannot procure me yours But that you needs will send my owne againe The Miracle will then be alterd quite For now the Miracle consisteth in that I liue And yet you haue my heart and then it will Be a Miracle indeed if I doe liue after Your scorne shall giue it backe againe Clar. My Lord I see it was not bounty But hope of gaine made you giue me your heart For you expect that I should giue you mine By way of recompence which yet I cannot doe But that I may be sure they are true Miracles That you are pleas'd to say my Beauty worketh For there are many false ones here in Loues Religion I le take a Moneth for tryall of the truth All which time my charity compels me to keepe your heart For should I send it backs you say it would kill you Or worke another Miracle which I desire not In that time I shall be acquainted with your heart If then it doth appeare the same it now doth Clad in the same pure zeale that now it weares I le make a change and giue you mine for it For when a Moneth is once past come you And lead me to the Church I le not refuse to goe Du. Slaue that I was to trust that villaine Iacomo That told me she lou'd Lysander Deare Lady You haue in this comfortable answere Reuiu'd a dying man this mercy at the blocke Shewes you to be diuine and so an obiect Fit for my affection which hath beene still Aboue my reason but would you in the mean time Command me somthing where my faithfull seruice Might appeare more then in words I then should be Most happie Enter Seruants with a Banquet and stooles Clar. This offer I expected My Lord you know the iniuries my Father Hath receiu'd if you will see him righted His Lands and Honors backe to him restor'd Which is but Iustice for a bribe for euen iust causes Now haue need of bribery I le giue you thankes And trust me that is more then great men Should expect for doing iustice Duke Rather if it please you Let it be somthing wherein I shall haue no other tie Vpon me but only your command my honor Ties me to see this perform'd Clar. This once perform'd Since you so much desire it I will studie Some Command that may adde honor to you In the faire performance Utran. Come my Lord we will draw neare I see their parley 's at an end Duke Come sit faire Lady My Lord what sayes my Daughter Will shee yet yeeld to his owne happinesse Du. I hope she wil at last make me a fitter marke For Enuy in that I am belou'd of her Then for my present greatnesse Lys. My Lord there is no cause of Enuy for either The greatnesse of your honors being but the Iust Reward of your vnequal'd merit and for Clarinda Tho her worth be great as you can wish it Yet you doe well deserue her both for your worthy Loue And for the many fauors you haue done her Father Utran. My Lord belieue me he hath spoke my thoughts Duke Now when the King sent for me I had preuented Your Daughter in a command that she layd vpon me Concerning your restoring to your Landes But that the King was angry at something that I said Lys. I thought it had beene Impossible He could haue beene offended with your Grace Duke 'T is true at other times he could not But the Lords told me that his Sister Faire Cleonarda had receiud a hurt By rescuing of the hounds from the Stags fury When he stood at bay and that made him it may be So apt for to be angry Lys. Why did they suffer her so to endanger her selfe Du. My Lord she apprehends not danger Which you 'l confesse your selfe when you haue heard Me tell what I haue seene her doe Lys. This act to me my Lord is a sufficient testimony That she doth not feare for by the lawes of hunting It is not to any man thought a disparagement To giue way to a Stagge his head being hard Du. She is a Lady of that noble Spirit That she wants nothing but the person of a Man To be one her heart being equall To the most valiant with these eyes I saw her The King her brother being in the Forrest Breake from the company and pursue a wolfe Which the hounds following of a Stagge Did bring out of a thicket and being well horst She ply'd him with so many wounding shafts That he at length was forc'd to stay his course And seing there was no way to scape by flight He turnd for to reuenge the wounds he had Receiu'd in which he shew'd himselfe a beast indeed And led by bruitish fury for had he beene Indew'd with reason hee 'd haue tane the wounds She gaue for fauors and kist the instrument That honour'd him with death from her faire hand Lys. My Lord 't is strange a woman should do this Duke I was the near'st but ere I could come in She had cut off his head the seruice That I could doe her was to carry to the
King Her brother that Trophee of her Victory Whilst she followed the hownds and so fled From the hearing of her owne iust praises Which all with admiration did bestow vpon her Utran. But that your Grace doth tell it I should not thinke a woman could doe this Clar. My Lord did I loue you so well as to be iealous These praises of the Princesse were apt food For it to feed on Duke Madame I honour her as the beloued Sister Of my Soueraigne but adore you as my Goddesse At whose blest shrine I offer vp my life and fortunes Clar. My Lord I should accompt it as the most acceptable Seruice that you could doe to bring me to kisse the hands Of this much to be admir'd Lady Duke Madame once euery week She comes to see the King And the King euery time he hunts failes not To see her when next she comes to the Court I will wait vpon you to her Clar. What is the reason She liues not with her brother at the Court Since he so dearly loues her as they say Du. It 's certaine no Brother loues a Sister better For there 's no Brother hath a Sister so worthy You hauing neuer a Brother Clar. My Lord 't is late And though heretofore the company of a Father Were a sufficient buckler to beare off slanders darts Yet now world is changed growne so vicious That Fathers are become the likeliest Instruments Of sin and women are not to satisfie themselues Alone with being good but they must giue the world A firme beliefe of all their actions That they are so there may be some seing me here Thus late that will not sticke to say my honour Is the bribe paid for my Fathers restoration Du. Though there were found one enuious woman foolish And wicked to report it for both these she must be There could not sure be found another Fiend Of the same stampe that would belieue it I dare not though I wish it bid you stay longer I will wait vpon you to your Coach Clar. My Lord it shall not need Utran. My Lord I hope it will not be long Before this ceremony of parting will be quite lost And that you will not be so farre asunder Duke In hope of that blest houre I liue Clar. Doe not too strongly apprehend your happinesse A month 's a long time all things are vncertaine Especially the promises of women Exeunt Enter Iacomo Iaco. Fortune I see thou art a friend to working spirits Thou wouldst not else haue giuen me this occasion So soone to compasse my ends by I ouer-heard Clarinda When she intreated Lysander to meete her in the Accustom'd place and thither will I bring the Duke He from Clarinda's promise of Marriage Is now growne something doubtfull whether that Which I did tell him be true or no but now his owne eare Shall be his witnesse for which seruice he cannot choose But both loue an reward me But I lose precious time which wise men euer Consider of but fooles seldome or neuer Exit Enter Clarinda and Lysander as in an Arbour in the night Lys. Had you not sent me word I had not come to night It is so darke Clar. It is darke indeed the fitter for one orecharged With griefe in heart as I am Lys. Why deare Clarinda are you not resolu'd To marry with the Duke Clar. I see Lysander you doe not loue me now Nor wish my happinesse you would not else Perswade me from louing you wherein it only Can consist Lys. Will you still for the ayery name of Constant Rob your selfe of a substantiall happinesse Besides thinke what duty bids you doe it In respect of your Father if he should marry He must needs fall into the Kings displeasure He being his Kinsman so what happinesse Could you inioy Will you be rul'd by me And I le shew you a direct way to happinesse Doe you loue me as you professe Enter Duke and Iacomo Clar. You know I loue you more Then I haue words to vtter Lys. Yet you would neuer giue consent to marry me Though it were still my Suite alleadging That our fortunes were too meane and had we Without Marriage inioy'd the sweets of loue It had been dangerous vnto your honour Should you haue prou'd with child but will be now Secure in that respect if you marry with the Duke And for our difficulty in meeting 'T will adde to our delights now euery time That we shall meete in secret will farre passe A wedding-night in ioy stolne pleasures giue An appetite secure delights but cloy Duke O my vext soule Must I then heare a villaine speake thus to her I loue and not reuenge it presently Iaco. My Lord remember your Oath Clar. Lysander why d' ye stare so and look pale Your hayre stands vp an end as if your sense Began to faile you sure you are falne mad Nay I doe hope you are so for if you be not I am more miserable then if you were For can Lysander be himselfe and speake thus To his Clarinda No he cannot either Lysander Is chang'd from what he was or else he neuer Was what I esteemd him either of which Makes me most miserable Lys. You would seeme to thinke me mad when indeed Your selfe are so you would not else thus weepe When I aduise you to that which will be most to our content Clar. Pardon me Lysander that I haue seemed For to beleeue for sure I did no more That which you haue spoke proceeded from your heart Lys. Why doe you thinke that I dissembled in what I said Clar. Yes Lysander I know you did dissemble For if you did not you were a loathed villaine Lys. I doe confesse if I were that Lysander Which I haue seem'd to be it were impossible For me to thinke what I haue spoke but know Clarinda Though hitherto I haue seemed To carry in my brest a flame so pure That neuer yet a sparke of Lust appear'd It hath beene a dissembled shew of modestie Only to cozen you and if Clarinda The requitall of my affecton be that which Hinders you from these great honors be not deceiu'd For you shall haue more power then to requite it When you are greater we are now equall But when you are a Dutchesse then t' enioy you Will be a double pleasure then you shall haue Occasion to expresse your loue in my aduancement Duke I le kill him instantly Iaco. Your oath my Lord Duke The merit of the act being so iust Will expiate the sinne of periurie Iaco. My Lord Duke What shall I heare her whom I haue ador'd Almost with as much zeale as I haue offer'd vp My prayers to the Gods tempted to acts of Lust And not reuenge it Iaco. My Lord heare me but speake and then doe what you will if you should thus in the night and in the house of the Count Utrante kill Lord Lysander your honour Clarinda's and her Fathers would be tainted and so breed strange combustions but
As honest Iacomo who I know loues Lysander Come hither honest Iacomo Iaco. Madame Clar. I know thou lou'st me And wilt doe any thing that I command thee Iaco. Madame I hope you make no doubt of it Clar. No thou shalt see I doe not doubt For I will make thee priuie to a secret That torture should not draw from me Iaco. If it be that that I suspect torture shall Hardly make me to conceale it Clar. What saist thou Iacomo Iaco. Madame I say although I should be rackt Yet what you tell me shall be still conceald Clar. I know it should come trusty Iacomo I le tell thee all the Story as wee goe Exeunt Actus quartus Scoena prima Enter Clarinda in disguise Iacomo Clar. How am I bound to thee for this disguise I thinke my Father if I had met him Could not haue knowne me how farre is it Yet to the Lodge Iaco. It is not aboue a Mile but are you sure He is there Clar. I would not else haue come so far a foote Nor put on this disguise Iaco. Madame if you be weary here is a faire Coole shade where you may rest your selfe a while Clar. Though I be faint and weary Yet I will not stay the great desire I haue To see Lysander doth support my weaknesse Iaco. But Madame I am weary and I haue No such strong desire as loue to carry me Clar. For shame say not so can you being a man And vs'd to walke be weary in so short a iourney Iaco. Madame you must refresh me with a kisse I cannot walke else Clar. How Iacomo Iaco. Why doth not the paines that I haue taken Deserue a greater recompence then that Clar. I doe confesse The paines that thou hast taken and I intend thee a reward equall to it But it amazes me to heare thee aske That which would trouble me to giue And yet to thee that shoul'st receiue it Doe no good at all Iaco. If it will trouble you to giue it then let Me take a kisse Clar. How strangely art thou transported With a fond desire Iaco. You will not kisse me then Clar. I prethee be not angry Iacomo I le giue thee that which is better Here take this Iewell yet let me tell thee The Duke would not thus boldly haue demanded What thou didst aske Iaco. He was a foole then And did not know his owne aduantage Which you shall find I doe you that Denyed me now a kisse shall giue me that Which you perchance the first night Would haue denyed your husband Cla. I do not like this what 's that honest Iacomo Iaco. Your Maidenhead Clar. How I know thou dost but speake this For to excuse thy selfe from going sit still I le find the way my selfe Iaco. Are you so crafty stay and heare me Clar. What sayst thou honest Iacomo Iaco. Not too honest neither I know you are wise and therefore I le vse no perswasions else but onely letting of you see the danger Clar. O I feare this villaine Iaco. Lysander you told me was at the Lodge and there the King shall find him except you will redeeme him from that danger by the losse of your Virginity I know you would bee well content to kisse me now but now it will not serue Clar. Will honest Iacomo then proue a villaine Iaco. Who would not proue a villaine for so sweet a recompence How I doe glory in this purchase of my wit the Duke striuing to gaine the happinesse I shall haue offer'd me paid downe his life for t besides he went about the ceremoniall way of Marriage but I shall meet my happinesse a neerer way which will be an addition to the pleasure Come are you resolu'd Clar. Why villaine dost thou prize Lysanders life Aboue mine honor Iaco. If for a word for honor is no more You can indure to see Lysander suffer cruell death It seemes you loue him little doe as you will Make hast vnto the Lodge you know the way well The King may chance be there before you As I will handle the businesse Clar. Stay Iacomo canst thou be such a villaine As thou dost seeme I doe not thinke Thou art in earnest Iaco. All torments that man did euer feele Light vpon me if I doe not performe What I say Clar. Then may they all light on thee For thou deseru'st them all Iaco. Stay Lady Clar. Dost thou relent I knew thou didst it but to trye mee Iaco. It is true indeed I did so Clar. I thought thou still wert honest Iaco. Be not deceiu'd I tried indeed if you would giue consent because the pleasure would haue beene the greater so but since I haue you once agen within my power I will inioy you whether you will or no Clar. Canst thou beleeue the heauens that haue the power To strike thee dead will suffer such a wicked Act Iaco. It is in vaine to striue or crye There is none to helpe you Clar. If the feare of Heauen Cannot deterre thee from this villanie Yet tremble at the punishments my Father And Lysander will inflict vpon thee For doe not thinke there 's any place that 's so remote But they will find thee out Iaco. Tush they shall still belieue mee to be Honest Iacomo Yet I will let the King know where Lysander is Clar. Why villaine dost thou thinke I will not Discouer thee Iaco. Yes I doe know you would but I will take a course with your Ladiship for telling when I haue done with you Clar. I know thou wilt not be so mercifull to kill me Iaco. Yes feare it not rather then I will be hang'd for a short minutes pleasure Clar. Then kill me first before thou dost dishonour me Iaco. It may bee you 'l bee of another mind anon and wish to liue The trees stand here too thin I le carry you into a thicker place Clar. Helpe Murder is there no power that will transforme me to a tree and saue my honor Iaco. Yes I le transforme you you may beare fruit too if you will be willing Exeunt Enter Duke disguis'd Duke How happy are those men that lead a Country life And in the nature of each seuerall creature View the great God of Natures power who can finde Nothing in the whole frame but either for the composition Or the existence is worth our admiration Within Clarinda Murder helpe helpe Murder Duke It was a womans voyce sure Exit Enter Iacomo Iaco. Slaue that I was that did not stop her mouth as well as bind her hands it was well the bushes were so thicke for had he once got sight of me he would haue coold my heate since I haue mist this pleasure my reuenge shall be the greater I le to the King and tell him what I know concerning Lysander which will ingraft me in his fauor and for Clarinda's accusall let mee alone Exit Enter Duke and Clarinda Duke Tell me prety Boy why did the villaine bind thee I thought thou hadst beene a woman
affirme That Lysander is sonne vnto the Count Utrante Lys. It was nature in me that made me so much Loue the Count Utrante you blessing Sir Clarin. It do's not grieue mee that you are My Brother Lys. And for my part I cannot adde To my owne happinesse if I might haue my wishes Now that you are my Sister for I did euer loue you As a Sister rather then as a Mistris Duke Diuine Clarinda I cannot claime your promise till a moneth be past There is some part of it to come but I hope You will not strictly stand vpon the time Clar. My Lord I should too much wrong my selfe though I did not Loue you in deferring of so great a blessing But the large testimony that you haue giuen Both of your worth and affection to me Haue turn'd that great affection in an instant That I bare Lysander as you could wish it Vpon you nay to say truth I euer lou'd you Though not so well as hee and held your worth As great Duke Deare Clarinda giue me not a surfet Lys. I feare the King will here consent whisper Duke But good Sir What made you desire me to beg your pardon Or what made you conceale your selfe so long Her My Lord I le tell you Your Lordship may remember for it is not Fiue yeares since that this my Friend the Count Utrante and my selfe were both suspected For poysoning of your child because we were His profest Enemies especially my selfe Which made me flye though I were innocent For it was knowne to many that the villaine Kild him for 's owne particular reuenge Yet my wicked Brother there perswaded the fellow At his death to say that we had set him on And got another rascall to witnesse with him That it was true my friend not hauing so great Enemies did stay to iustifie himselfe And for his paines was laid in prison and kept there For his lands till you got him releast And yet he was neuer brought vnto his tryall I ere I left this Country did leaue this Cabinet With my sonne or rather yours and withall The charge of looking in it when he should Be married After many a weary step abroad I came home to my Countrey and in disguise Haue liu'd here in the Forrest and saw my friends Full often although they knew not mee And hauing this occasion of doing your Lordship Seruice I thought it would be a sure meanes To get my pardon especially when things Were growne vnto the extreamest poynt Of danger I knew a timely remedy would be Most welcome then of all and that made me Conceale my selfe so long Lys. Cleo. We are resolu'd King My Lord I freely pardon you for I belieue It was indeed a lye inuented by your wicked Brother whom I doe giue you power to punish As you thinke good Her My Lord I then desire He may be kept a prisoner all his life For should he haue his liberty I know He would doe mischiefe that we should all Repent of Iaco. Brother thou art wise Thou shouldst haue beene the first that should Haue felt mine anger King Away with him Duk. I dare not speake for thee thou art so great A Villaine Exe. Guard with Iacomo King Come let vs set forwards to the Temple And pray the Gods to shower a blessing Upon this Couple What meanes my Sister Lysan and Cleon set swords ta their brests Cleo. Thus Sir Lysander and my selfe haue made a solemne Contract and with our bloods wee 'l seale it Either to goe thus to the Temple to be married Or to the graue King How Sister Cleo. What is it Sir in your opinion makes Lysander vnworthy of me King His blood compard with yours is base Cleo. But Sir his mind 's heroicke And who will compare the seruant with the Master The Body is no more vnto the Minde King What would you marry with a Subiect Cleo. Who would not Marry with a Subiect that is a King of Vertues Rather then with a King that 's gouern'd By his Vices Duke Sir you know the greatnesse of her Spirit If you will haue her to liue you must Consent Cleo. Brother you stand to vs Instead of destinie for you haue in your power Our threed of Life Say will you spin vs out A happy threed that we may liue to serue you Or will you cut it short Duke O be not cruell to your only Sister What 's all the out ward glory if you rob The mind of that which it delights in I know that your intention is to make Her happy doe not mistake the way Her mind is not taken with the glorious title Of a King for if it had shee might haue made Her choyce since all the neigbouring Kings Admire her No Sir shee aymes at that Which made men Kings at first Wisdome And Valour and should she search the world Shee cannot finde a man where they Doe meete so fully as in braue Lysander O Sir then be not cruell thinking to be Carefull of your Sister King Shee 's cruell to her selfe And rather let her perish by her rash hand Then so dishonour mee by marrying with A Subiect Cleo. Farewell then Cruell Brother Lysander let us part To meete agen for euer I le goe first Because my Brother shall not thinke of sauing me When you are dead Lys. No Madame Let me shew you the way and when I feele The paine I le tell you if it be too great For you to suffer King Hold take him Sister And be happy in him I loue thee more Then euer because I see thy minde is onely Fixt on true Worth without additions I learn'd of Count Orsinio to bring things To the extreamest poynt so to encrease The ioy it had beene a sinne to part Those Bodies whose very Soules seeme to bee Ioynd together Cleo. Brother may I perish When I forget this benefit or cease to pay To you my Lord my thankes for pleading so Lysanders Cause and mine Kin. Great Loue this day hath shewne his mighty power Without the helpe of Fortune In an houre He hath relieu'd from death and from despaire Foure of his truest Subiects and made faire This day that was o're-clouded let vs praise His power that in in a minute so can raise From misery to an excesse of Ioy And in an instant that content destroy He hath to vs beene iust this day as well as kinde Rewarding vertuous Loue let none then call him blinde Exeunt omnes THE EPILOGVE OVr Author feares there are some Rebell-hearts Whose dulnesse doth oppose Loues piercing darts These will bee apt to say the Plot was dull The Language rude and that 't was onely full Of grosse Absurdities for such as these Hee cares not now nor ere will strive to please For if your selues as Masters and Loues Friends Be pleasd with this sad Play hee hath his ends FINIS