thou frée EXEVNT DION STEPHANO O most happie pleasant ioyfull and triumphant day Poore Stephano now shall liue in contintinuall ioy VIVE LE ROY with Damon and pithias in perfect amitie VIVE TV STEPHANO in thy pleasant liberalitie Wherein I ioy as much as he that hath a conquest wonne I am a free man none so mery as I now vnder the Sonne Farewell my Lords now the Gods graunt you al the som of perfect amitie And me longe to enioy my longe deaÌ„red libertie EXIT ¶ Heare entreth EVBVLVS beatyng CARISOPHVS Away villaine away you flatringe Parasite Away the plague of this Courte thy filed tongue that forged lies No more here shall doo hurt away false Sicophant wilt thou not CARISOPHVS I am gone sir seing it is the kinges pleasure Why whyp ye me alone a plague take Damon and Pithias since they came hither I am driueÌ„ to seke relee abrod alas I know not whither Yet Eubulus though I begone here after time shall trie There shall be found euen in this Court as great flatterers as I Well for a while I wyll forgo the Court though to my great payne I doubt not but to spie a time when I may créepe in againe EXIT EVBVLVS The Serpent that eates men aliue Flattery with all her broode Is whipte away in Princes Courtes whiche yet did neuer good What force â–ª what mighty power true Friendship may possesse To all the worlde Dionisius Courte now playnly doth expresse Wâ—o since to faithfull Friendes he gaue his willyng eare Most saâ—eâ—y sitteth in his Seate and sléepes deuoid of feare Pourged is the Court of vice since Friendship entred in Tirrannie quailes he studieth now with loue eche hart to win Uertue is had in price and hath his iust rewarde And painted speache that gloseth for gayne from gifts is quite debard One loueth another now for vertue not for gayne Where Uertue doth not knit the knot there Friendship cannot raigne Without the whiche no house no land ne kingdome can endure As necessarie for mans lyfe as Water Ayre and Fier Which frameth the minde of man all honest thinges to doo Unhonest thinges Friendshippe ne craueth ne yet consents thertoo In wealth a double ioye in woe a present stay A swéete compagnion in eche state true Friendship is alway A sure defence for Kinges a perfecte trustie bande A force to assayle a Shield to defende the enemies cruell hande A rare and yet the greatest Gifte that God can geue to man â—o rare y scarce foure couple of faithfull frends haue ben since the world began A Gift so strange of such price I wish all Kyngs to haue But chiefely yet as duetie bindeth I humbly craue True friendship and true friendes full fraught with constant faith The geuer of friends the Lord grant her most noble Quéene Elizabeth ¶ FINIS ¶ The last songe THe strongest garde that Kynges can haue Are constant friends their state to saue True friendes are constant both in word and deede True friendes are present and help at each neede True friendes talke truly they glose for no gayne When treasure consumeth true frindes wyll remayne True frindes for their tru Prince refuseth not their death The Lorde graunt her such frindes most noble Queene Elizabeth â–ª ¶ Longe may she gouerne in honour and wealth Uoyde of all sickenesse in most perfect health Which health to prolonge as true friends require God graunt she may haue her owne hartes desire Which friendes wyll defend with most stedfast faith The Lorde graunt her such friendes most noble Queene Elizabeth â–ª ¶ FINIS
I may ryse 〈◊〉 for fine Aristippus I wyll keepe in with hym 〈◊〉 is a shrewde foole to deale withall he can swym â—â—d yet by my trouth to speake my conscience playnlie â— wyll vse his friendship to myne owne commodytie â—hile Dionisius fauoureth him Aristippus shal be mine â—ut if the kynge once trowne on him then good night Tomaline 〈◊〉 shal be as straunge as thoughe I neuer sawe hym before â—ut I tarie too longe I wyll prate no more â—â—cke come awaye IACKE ¶ At hande syr CARISOPHVS ¶ At Damons lodgyng if that you sée â—y sturre to arise be styll at hand by mée â—ather then â–ª I wyll lose the spoyle I wyll blade it out * Here entreth PITHIAS and STEPHANO ¶ What straunge Newes are these ah my Stephano â— my Damon in Pryson as the vâ—yce doth go STEPHANO ¶ It is true oh cruell happe he is taken for a Spie â—nd as they say by Dionisius owne mouth condempned to die PITHIAS ¶ To die alas to what causâ— STEPHANO ¶ A Sicophant falâ—ely accused hym other cause there is none That oh Iupiter of all wronges the Reuenger â—eest thou this vniustice and wilt thou staie any longer From heauen to sende downe thy hote consumyng fire To destroy the workers of wronge whiche prouoke thy iust ire â–ª Alas maister Pithias what shall we do Being in a strange countrey voyde of friendes acquaintance too Ah poore Stephano hast thou liued to see this daye To sée thy true Mayster vniustly made away PITHIAS ¶ Stephano séeyng the matter is come to this extremytie Let vs make Uertue our frend of me are necessytie Runne thou to the Court and vnderstand secretly As muche as thou canst of Damons cause and I Will make some meanes to entreate Aristippus He can do much as I heare with kyng Dionisius STEPHANO ¶ I am gone sir ah I would to God my trauayle and payne Myght restore my Mayster to his lybertie agayne PITHIAS ¶ Ah wofull Pithias sithe now I am alone What way shall I first beginne to make my mone What wordes shall I finde apt for my complaynte Damon my friend my ioy my life is in peril of force I must now fain But oh Musicke as in ioyfull tunes thy mery notes I did borow So now lend mée thy yernfull tunes to vtter my sorow ¶ Here PITHIAS singes and the Regalles play AWake ye wofull Wightes That longe haue wept in wo Resigne to me your plaintes and teares my haplesse hap to sho My wo no tongue can tell ne Pen can well descrie O what a death is this to heare DAMON my friende must die â–ª ¶ The losse of worldly wealth mannes wisdome may restore And Phisicke hath prouided too a Salue for euerie sore But my true Frende once lost no Arte can well supplie Then what a death is this to heare DAMON my friend must die ¶ My mouth refuse the foode â–ª that should my limmes sustayne Let sorow sinke in to my brest and ransacke euery vayne You Furies all at once on me your tormentes trie Why should I liue since that I heare Damon my friend should die ¶ Gripe me you greedy greefs and present pangues of death â–ª You Systers three with cruell handes with speed now stop my breath Shrine me in clay aliue some good man stop mine eye Oh death com now seing I heare Damon my friend must die ¶ He speaketh this after the songe In daine I call for Death whiche heareth not my complaint But what wisdome is this in suche extremytie to faint Multum iuua in re mala annimas bonus I wyll to the Courte my selfe to make friendes and that presently I wyll neuer forsake my friende in time of miserie But do I see Stephano amazed hether to ronne ¶ Here entreth STEPHANO ¶ O Pithias Pithias we are all vndone Mine owne eares haue sucked in mine owne sorow I heard Dionisius sweare that Damon should die to morow PITHIAS ¶ How camest thou so neare the presence of the kynge That thou mightest heare Dionisius speake this thynge STEPHANO ¶ By friendship I gate into the Courte where in great Audience I heard Dionisius with his owne mouth geue this cruell sentence By these expresse wordes that Damon the Gréeke that craftie spie Without farther Iudgement to morow should die Beleeue mée Pithias with these eares I heard it my selfe â–ª PITHIAS ¶ Then how neare is my death also ah woe is mée Ah my Damon another my selfe shall I forgo thée STEPHANO ¶ Syr there is no tyme of lamentyng now it behoueth vs To make meanes to them which can did much with Dionisius That he be not made awaye ere his cause be fully heard for we sée By euyll reporte thynges be made to Princes far worse then they bée But lo yonder coÌ„meth Aristippus in great fauour with kyng Dionisius Entreate hym to speake a good worde to the kynge for vs And in the meane season I wyll to your lodgyng to sée all thyngs safe there EXIT PITHIAS ¶ To that I agrée but let vs slip afide his talke to heare ¶ Here entreth ARISTIPPVS ¶ Here is a sodayne chaunge in déede a strange Metamorphosis This Courte is cleane altered who would haue thought this Dionisius of late so pleasant and mery Is quite changed now into suche melancoly That nothyng can please hym he walked vp and downe Fretting and chafyng on euerie man he doth frowne In so much that when I in pleasant wordes began to play So sternly he frowned on mée and knit me vp so short I perceyue it is no safe playing with Lyons but when it please them If you claw where it itch not you shall disease them And so perhaps get a clap myne owne proofe taught mée this That it is very good to be mery and wise The onely cause of this hurly burly is Carisophus that wicked man Whiche lately tooke Damon for a Spie a poore Gentleman And hath incencest the kynge against him so despightfully That Dionisius hath iudged him to morow to die I haue talkt with Damon whom though in words I found very wittie Yet was he more curious then wise in viewyng this Citie But truely for ought I can learne there is no cause why So sodenly and cruelly he should be condempned to die How so euer it be this is the short and longe I dare not gainsay the kynge be it right or wrong I am sory and that is all I may or can doo in this case Nought auayleth perswasion where frowarde opinion taketh place PITHIAS ¶ Sir if humble sutes you would not despise Then bow on mée your pitifull eyes My name is Pithias in Gréece well knowne A perfect friend to that woâ—â—ll Damon Whiche now a poore captiue in this Courte doth lie By the kinges owne mouth as I here condemned to die For whom I craue your masterships goodnesse To stand his friend in this his great distresse Nought hath he done worthy of Death but very fondly Being a straunger he vewed this Citie â–ª
from the heauens aboue the Gods did him downe senâ— To shew true friendshipps power which forst thée now to die Wo worth the man which for thy death c. MVSES Who worth the man c. EVBVLVS What Tigars whelp was he that Damon dyd accuse What faith hast thou which for thy friend thy death doth not refuse O heauy happe hadst thou to play this Tragidie Wo worth the man which for thy death c. MVSES Wo worth the man c. EVBVLVS Thou young and worthy Gréeke that showest such perfect loue The Gods receaue thy simple ghost into the heauens aboue Thy death we shall lament with many a wéepinge eye Wo worth the man which for his death c. MVSES Wo worth the man which for thy death hath geuen vs cause to crie FINIS EVBVLVS ETernall be your fame ye Muses for that in miserie Ye did vouchsafe to strayne your notes to walke My harte is rent in two with this miserable case Yet am I charged by Dionisius mouth to se this place At all poynts ready for the execution of Pithias Néede hath no law wyl I or nil I it must be done But loe the bloody minister is euen here at hande Gronno I came hether now to vnderstand If all thinges are well appoynted for the execution of Pithias The Kinge him selfe wyll se it done here in this place GRONNO Sir all thinges are ready here is the place here is the hand here is the sword â–ª Here lacketh non but Pithias whose head at a worde If he were present â–ª I coulde finely strike of You may reporte that all thinges are ready EVBVLVS I go with an heauy harte to report it ah wofull Pithias â–ª Full neare now is thy misery GRONO I mâ—ruell very much vnder what constilation All hangmen are borne for they are hated of all beloued of none â–ª Which hatred is showed by this poynt euidently The Hangman alwayes dwelles in the vilest place of the Citie That such spight should be I know no cause why Unlesse it be for thir offices sake which is cruell and blondye â–ª Yet some men must doo it to execute lawes Me thinke they hate me without any iust cause But I must loâ—ke to my toyle Pithias must lose his head at one â—low Els the Boyes wyll stone me to death in the streat as I go But harke the prisoner cometh and the Kinge also I sée there is no help Pithias his life must forgo ¶ Here entreth Dionisius and Eubulus Bring forth Pithias that pleasant companion Which tooke me at my worde and became pleadge for Damon It pricketh fast vpon noone I doo him no iniurie If now he lose his head for so he requested me If Damon returne not which now in Gréece is full mery Therfore shall Pithias pay his death and that by and by He thought belike if Damon were out of the Citie I would not put him to death for some foolishe pitie But séeing it was his request I wyll not be mockt he shall diâ— â–ª Bring him forth ¶ Here entreth Snap. Geue place let the prisoner come by geue place DIONISIVS How say you sir wher is Damon your trustie friend You haue playd a wise part I make God a vow You know what time a day it is make you ready PITHIAS Most ready I am mightie king and most ready also For my true frinde Damon this lyfe to forgo Euen at your pleasure DIONISIVS A true frend a false Traytor that so breaketh his oâ—h Thou shalt lose thy life though thou be neuer so loth PITHIAS I am not loth to doo what so euer I sayde Ne at this present pinch of death am I dismayde The Gods now I know haue heard my feruent prayer That they haue reserued me to this passynge great honour To die for my frind whose faith euen now I doo not mistruste My frinde Damon is no false traytour he is true and iuste But fith he is no God but a man he must doo as he may The winde may be contrary sicknes may let him or som misadueÌ„ture by the way Which the eternall Gods tourne al to my glorie That Fame may resound how Pithias for Damon did die â—e breaketh no oâ—h which doth as much as he can His minde is heare he hath some let he is but a man. That he might not retourne of all the Gods I did require Which now to my ioy doth graunt my desire But why doâ— I stay any longer seing that one mans death May suffise O king to pacifie thy wrath O thou minister of iustice doo thyne office by and by Let not thy hand tremble for I remble not to die Stephano the right patrone of true fidelitie Commend me to thy master my swéet Damon of him craue libertie When I am dead in my name for thy trustie seruices Hath well deserued a gift farre betâ—er then this Oh my Damon farewell now for euer a true friend to me most deare Whyles lyfe doth laste my mouth shall styll talke of thee And when I am dead my simple ghost true witnes of amitie Shall hoouer about the place wheresoeuer thou bée DIONISIVS Eubulus This geare is straunge and yet because Damon hath falst his faith Pithias shall haue the lawe Gronnoo dispoyle hym and eke dispatch him quickly GRONNO It shal be done since you came into this place I might haue stroken of seauen heads in this space Ber lady here are good garments these are myne by the roode It is an euyll wynde that bloweth no man good Now Pithias knéele downe aske me blessyng like a pretie boy And with a trise thy head from thy shoulders I wyll conuay ¶ Here entreth Damon running stayes the sword Stay stay stay for the kinges aduantage stay O mightie kyng myne appoynted time is not yet fully past Within the compasse of myne houre loe here I come at last A life I owe a life I wyll you pay Oh my Pithias my noble pledge my constant friende Ah wâ— is me for Damons sake how neare were thou to thy ende Geue place to me this rowme is myne on this stage must I play Damon is the man none ought but he to Dionisius his blood to pay GRONNO Are you come sir you might haue taried if you had bene wyse For your hastie comming you are lyke to know the prise PITHIAS O thou cruell minnister why didst not thou thine office Did not I bidde thée make hast in any wyse Hast thou spared to kill me once that I may die twyse Not to die for my friend is present death to me and alas Shall I sée my sweet Damon slaine before my face â—hat double death is this but O mightie Dionisâ—us 〈◊〉 true iustice now way this aright thou noble Eubulus 〈◊〉 mée haue no wronge as now sâ—andes the case â—â—mon ought not to die but Pithias 〈◊〉 misaduenture not by his wyll his howre is past therfore I â—ecause he came not at his iust tyme ought iustly to die 〈◊〉 was my
toyes In Dionisius Court now he only ioyes As trim a Courtier as the best Ready to aunswer quicke in tauntes pleasaunt to ieste â— lusty companion to deuise with fine Dames Whose humour to féede his wylie witte he frames IACKE ¶ Be cocke as you say your Maister is a Minion â— foule coyle he kéepes in this Courte Aristippus alone â—ow rules the coaste with his pleasant deuises That I feare he wyll put out of conceit my Maister Carisophus VVYLL ¶ Feare not that Iacke for like brother and brother They are knit in true Friendship the one with the other They are fellowes you knowe and honest men both Therfore the one to hinder the other they wyll be lothe IACKE ¶ Yea but I haue heard say there is falshod in felowshippe â—n the Court somtimes one geues another finely the slippe Which when it is spied it is laught out with a scoffe â—nd with sporting and playing quietly shaken of â—n which kinde of toying thy master hath such a grace That he wyll neuer blush he hath a wodden face But Wyll my maister hath Béees in his head â—f he finde me heare pratinge I am but dead â—e is styll â—rotting in the Citie there is sumwhat in the winde His lookes bewrayes his inwarde troubled mynde Therfore I wyll be packing to the Courtâ— by and by If he be once angry Iacke shall cry wo the pye VVYLL ¶ Byr Lady if I tary longe here of the same sauce shall I tast For my master sent me on an errand and bad mée make haste Therfore we wyll departe together EXEVNT ¶ Here entreth STEPHANO ¶ Ofte times I haue heard before I came hether That no man can serue two maisters together A sentence so true as moste men doo take it At any time false that no man can make it And yet by their leaue that first haue it spoken How that may proue false euen here I wyll open For I Stephano loe so named by my father At this time serue two masters together And loue them a lyke the one and the other I duely obey I can doo no other A bondman I am so nature hath wrought me One Damon of Gréece a gentleman bought me To him I stand bond yet serue I another Whom Damon my Master loues as his owne brother A Gentleman too and Pithias he is named Fraught with Uertue whom vice neuer defamed These twoo since at Schoole they fell acquainted In mutuall friendship at no time haue fainted But loued so kindly and friendly eche other As thoughe they were Brothers by Father and Mother Piâ—hagoras learnynge these two haue embrased Whiche bothe are in vertue so narrowly laced That all their whole dooynges do fall to this issue To haue no respect but onely to vertue All one in effecte all one in their goynge All one in their study all one in their doyng These Gentlemen both beyng of one condicion Both alike of my seruice haue all the fruition Pithias is ioyfull if Damon be pleased Yf Pithias be serued then Damon is eased Serue one serue both so neare who would win them I thinke they haue but one hart betwene them In trauelyng Countreyes we thrée haue contriued Full many a yeare and this day arriued At SIRACVSAE in Sicillia that auncient Towne Where my Masters are lodged and I vp and downe Go séekyng to learne what Newes here are walkyng To harke of what thynges the people are talkynge I lyke not this Soyle for as I go ploddynge I marke there two there thrée their heades alwayes noddinge In close secret wise styll whisperyng together If I aske any question no man doth answer But shakyng their heads they go their wayes speakynge I marke how with teares their wet eyes are leakynge Some strangenesse there is that bréedeth this musinge Well I wyll to my Masters and tell of their vsing That they may learne and walke wisely together I feare we shall curse the time we came hether EXIT * Here entreth ARISTIPPVS and VVYLL ¶ Wyll didst thou heare the Ladies so talke of mée What ayleth them from their nippes shall I neuer be frée VVYLL ¶ Good faith sir all the Ladies in the Courte do plainlâ— report That without mencion of them you can make no sporte They are your Playne songe to singe Descant vpon If they weare not your mirth were gone Therfore master iest no more with women in any wise If you doo by cocke your are lyke to know the price ARISTIPPVS By r lady Wyll this is good counsell playnely to iest Of women proofe hath taught mée it is not best I wyll change my coppy how be it I care not a quinche I know the galde horse will soonest winche But learne thou secretly what priuely they talke Of me in the Courte amonge them slyly walke And bringe me true newes thereof VVYLL I wyll syr maister therof haue no doubt for I Wheare they talke of you wyll enforme you perfectly ARISTIPPVS Doo so my boy if thou bringe it finely to passe For thy good seruice thou shalt go in thine olde coate at Christmas ¶ Enter Damon Pithias Stephano EXEVNT ¶ Stephano is all this true that thou hast tolde me STEPHANO Sir for lies hetherto ye neuer controlde mée Oh that we had neuer set foote on this land Where Dionisius raygnes with so bloody a hande Euery day he sheweth some token of crueltie With blood he hath filled all the stréetes in the Citie I tremble to heare the peoples murmuring I lament to sée his most cruell dealyng I thinke there is no suche tyraunt vnder the Sunne O my deare masters this mornyng what hath he done DAMON What is that tell vs quickly STEPHANO As I this morning past in the stréete With a wofull man going to his death did I méete Many people foldwed and I of one secretly Asked the cause why he was condemned to die Whispered in mine eare nought hath he doone but thus In his sleape he dreamed he had killed Dionisius Which dreame tolde abrode was brought to the kinge in poste By whome condemned for suspicion his lyfe he hath lost Marcia was his name as the people sayde PITHIAS ¶ My deare friende Damon I blame not Stephano For wishyng we had not come hether séeynge it is so That for so small cause suche cruell death doth insue DAMON ¶ My Pithias where Tirantes raigne suche cases are not new Whiche fearynge their owne state for great câ—â—â—ltie To sit fast as they thinke doo execute 〈◊〉 All suche as any light suspition haue tainted STEPHANO ¶ With suche quicke Karâ—ers I lyst not be â—â—â—uainted DAMON ¶ So are they neuer in quiet but in suspicion styll When one is made away they take occasion another to kyll Euer in feare hauyng no trustie friende voyde of all peoples loue And in their owne conscience a continuall Hell they prooue PITHIAS ¶ As thynges by their contraryes are alwayes best prooued How happie are then mercifull Princes of their people beloued Hauyng sure friendes euerie wheare no feare doth
they trimly could scoffe SNAP. They were Lackeyes as neare as I can gesse them GRIMME Such Lackies make me lacke an halter beswenge them â—am vndon they haue my Benters too SNAP. Doest thou know them if thou seest them GRIMME Yea that I doo SNAP. Then come with me we wyll finde them out and that quickly GRIMME I folow mast Tipslafe they be in the Courte it is likely SNAP. Then crie no more come away EXEVNT ¶ Here entreth Carisophus and Aristippus If euer you wyll shew your friendship now is the time Seing the king is displeased with me of my parte without any crime ARISTIP It should appeare it comes of some euell behauiour That you so sodenly are cast out of fauour CARISOPH Nothing haue I done but this in talke I ouerthwarted Eubulus â–ª When he lamented Pithias case to Kinge Dionisius Which to morrow shall die but for that false knaue Damon He hath left his friend in the briers and now is gone Wée grew so hot in talke that Eubulus protested playnely Which held his care open to parasiticall flaâ—tery And now in the Kinges eare like a bell he ringes Criyng that â—latterers haue ben the destroyers of kinges Which talke in Dionisius harte hath made so déepe impression That he â—rusteâ—s me not as heretofore in no condition And some wordes brake from him as though that hee Began to suspect my trouth and honestie Which you of friendship I know wyll defend how so euer the world goeth â–ª My frind for my honestie wyll you not take an othe ARISTIP To sweare for your honestie I should lose mine owne CARISOPH Should you so in déede I would that were knowne Is your voyde friendship come thus to passe ARISTIP I folow the prouerbe Amicus Vsque ad auras CARISOPHVS Where can you say I euer lost mine honestie ARISTIPPVS You neuer lost it for you neuer had it as farre as I know CARISOPH Say you so friend Aristippus whom I trust so well ARISTIPPVS Because you trust me to you the truth I tell CARISOPH Wyll you not stretche one poynt to bringe me in fauour agayne â–ª ARISTIP I loue no stretching so may I bréede myne owne payne CARISOPH A friende ought to shonne no payne to stand his friend in stead ARISTIP Where true friendship is it is so in very déede CARISOPH Why sir hath not the chaine of true friendship linked vs two together â–ª ARISTIP The cheifest linke lacked therof it must néedes deseuer CARISOPH What linke is that faine would I know ARISTIP Honestie CARISOPH Doth honestie knit the perfect knot in true friendship ARISTIP Yea truly and that knot so knit wyll neuer slippe CARISOPH Belike then there is no frindship but betwéene honest men ARISTIP Betwéene the honest only for Amicitia inter bonus saith a learned man CARISOPH â—et euell men vse frindship in thinges vnhonest wher fancy doth serue ARISTIP That is no frindship but a lewde likeing it lastes but a while CARISOPH What is the perfectst frindship among men that euer grew ARISTIP Where men loued one another not for profit but for vertue CARISOPH Are such frindes both a like in ioy and also in smarte ARISTIP They must néedes for in two bodies they haue but one harte CARISOPH Friend Aristippus deceaue me not with Sophistrie 〈◊〉 there no perfect frindship but where is vertue and honestie ARISTIPPVS What a Deuell then ment Carisophus To ioyne in frindship with fine Aristippus In whom is asmuch vertue trueth and honestie As there are true fethers in the thrée Craines of the ventrie Yet these fethers haue the shadow of liuely feathers the truth to sâ—aâ— But Carisophus hath not the shadowe of an honest man To be playne because I know thy villany In abusinge Dionisius to many mens iniury Under the cloke of frindship I playd with his head And sought meanes how thou with thine owne fancy might be lead My frindship thou soughtest for thine owne commoditie As worldly men doo by profite measuring amitie Which I perceauing to the lyke my selfe I framed Wherein I know of the wise I shall not be blamed If you aske me Quaâ—e I answere Quia prudentis est multuâ— disâ—imulâ—â— â–ª To speake more playner as the prouerbe doth go In faith Carisophus Cum cretence cretiso Yet a perfect frinde I shew my selfe to thée in one thing I doo not dessemble now I say I wyll not speake for thée to the King Therfore sinke in thy sorrow I doo not deceaue thée A false knaue I found thée a false knaue I leaue thée EXIT CARISOPHVS He is gone is this frindship to leaue his friend in the plaine fields â–ª Well I sée now I my selfe haue beguylde In matching with that false for in amitie Which hath me vsed to his owne commoditie Which séeing me in distresse vnfainedly goes his wayes Loe this is the perfect frindship among men now a daies Which kinde of frindship toward him I vsed secretly And be with me the like hath requited me craftly It is the Gods iudgement I sée it playnely For all the world may know Incide in foâ—eam quam fed Well I must content my selfe none other helpe I knowe â–ª Untill a merier gale of winde may happe to blowe EXIT EVBVLVS Who deals with Kinges in matters of great waight When froward wyll doth beare the chefest swaâ— Must yeld of force their néede no subtle â—â—eight Ne paynted speach the matter to conuay No prayer can moue when kindled is the ire The more ye quench the more increased is the fire This thinge I proue in Pithias wofull case Whose hauuy hap with teares I doo lament The day is come when he in Damons place Must lose his life the time is fully spent Nought can my words now with the Kinge preuaile Against the wind and striuinge streame I sayle For die thou must alas thou sely Gréeke Ah Pithias now come is thy dolefull houre A perfect friend none such a world to séeke Though bitter death shall geue thée sauce full sower Yet for thy faith enrold shall be thy name Among the Gods within the booke of fame Who knoweth his case and wyll not melt in teares His giltles blood shall trickle downe anon ¶ Then the Muses singe Alas what happe hast thou poore Pithias now to die Wo worth the which man for his death hath geuen vs cause to crie EVBVLVS ME thinke I heare with yelow rented heares The Muses frame their notes my state to mone Among which sorte as one that morneth with harte In dolefull tunes my selfe wyll beare a parte MVSES Who worth the man which for his death c. EVBVLVS With yelow rented heares come on you Muses nine Fyll now my breast with heauy tunes to me your plaints resigne â–ª For Pithias I bewayle which presently must die Wo worth the man which for his death hath geuen vs cause c. MVSES Wo worth the man which for his c. EVBVLVS Was euer such a man that would die for his friend I thinke euen
promise so was thy promise O Kynge 〈◊〉 this Courte can beare witnesse of this thinge DAMON Not so O mightie Kynge to Iustice it is contrarie â—hat for an other mans faulte the Innoâ—ent should die 〈◊〉 yet is my time playnly expirde it is not fully noone â—f this my day appointed by all the Clockes in the Towne PITHIAS Beléeue no Clocke the houre is past by the Sonne DAMON Ah my Pithias shall we now breake the bondes of Amitie Till you now ouerthwart mée whiche heretofore so well did agrée PITHIAS My Damon the Goddes forbid but wée should agrée â—herfore agrée to this let mée perfourme the promise I made for thée â—et mée die for thée doo mée not that iniurie â—oth to breake my promise and to suffre mée too sée thée diâ— â—hoâ—e so dearly I loue this small request graunt mée 〈◊〉 shall neuer aske thée more my desire is but frindly â—oo me this honour that fame may reporte triumphantly â—hat Pithias for his friend Damon was contented to die DAMON That you were contented for me to die fame cannot denie â—et fame shall neuer touch me with such a villanie â—o reporte that Damon did suffer his friend Pithias for him giltles to die â—herfore content thy selfe the Gods requiâ—e thy constant faith â—one but Damons bloud can appease Dionisius wrath â—nd now O mightie Kinge to you my talke I conuay â—ecause you gaue me leaue my worldly thinges to stay â—o requite that good tourne ere I die for your behalfe this I say â—lthough your Regall state dame Fortune decketh so â—hat like a kinge in worldly wealth abâ—ndantly ye flâ—e â—â—et fickle is the ground whereon all Tirrants treade â— thousand sundrie cares and feares doo haunt their restles head â—o trustie band no faithfull fâ—iendes dâ—d garde thy hatefull state â—nd why whom men obey for deadly feare sure them they deadly hate That you may safely raigne by loue get friends whose constant faitâ— Wyll neuer fayle this counsell geues poore Tamâ—n at his death Friendes are the surest garde for Kinges golden time doo wear away And other precious thinges doo fade frindship wyll neuer decay Haue friendes in store therfore so shall you safely sleape Haue friendes at home of forraine foes so neede you take no kéepe Abandon flatring tounges whose clackes truth neuer tels Abase the yll aduance the good in whome dame vertue dwels Let them your play felowes be but O you earthly kinges Your sure defence and strongest garde sâ—andes chifely in faithfull frieÌ„d Then get you friends by liberall déedes and here I make an ende Accept this counsell mightie Kinge of Damon Pithias friende Oh my Pithias now farewel for euer let me kisse thée or I die My soule shall honour thée thy constant faith aboue the heauens shall fliâ— Come Gronno doo thine office now why is thy colour so dead My neck is so is short that thou wylt neuer haue honestie in striking oâ— this heaâ— DIONISIVS Eubulus my spirites are sodenly appauled my limes waxe weake This straunge friendship amaseth me so that I can scarse speake PITHIAS O mightie kinge let some pittie your noble harte méene You require but one mans death take Pithias let Damon liue EVBVLVS O vnspeakeable frindship DAMON Not so he hath not offended there is no cause why My constant frind my Pithias for Damons sake should die â–ª Alas he is but young he may doo good to many Thou cowardâ— minister why doest thou not let me die GRONNO My hand with soden feare quiuereth PITHIAS O noble kinge shewe mercy on Damon let pithias die DIONISIVS Stay Gronno my flesh trembleth Eubulus what shall I doo â–ª Were there euer such frindes on earth as were these two What harte is so cruell that would deuide them asunder O noble friendship I must yeld at thy force I wonder My hart this rare frindship hath pearst to the roote And quenched all my fury this sight hath brought this aboute Which thy graue counsell Eubulus and learned perswasion could neuer doo 〈◊〉 noble gentlemen the immortall Gods aboue â—ath made you play this Tragidie I thinke for my behoue â—efore this day I neuer knew what perfect friendship ment â—y cruell mind to blouddy déedes was full and wholy bente â—y fearefull life I thought with terrour to defende â—ut now I sée there is no garde vnto a faithfull â—riend Which wyll not spare his lyfe at time of present néede 〈◊〉 happie kinges within your courtes haue twoo such frinds in déed 〈◊〉 honour friendship now which that you may playnly sée â—amon haue thou thy lyfe from death I pardon thée â—or which good tourne I craue this honour doo me lend Oh frindly harte let me linke with you to you make me the third frieÌ„de â—y courte is yours dwell here with mée by my commission large â—y selfe my realme my welth my health I commit to your charge â—ake me a thirde friend more shall I ioye in that thing Then to be called as I am Dionisius the mightie kinge DAMON O mightie king first for my lyfe most humble thankes I geue â—nd neâ—t I prayse the immortall Gods that did your harte so meuâ— That you would haue respect to friendships heauenly lore â—orseing wel he néed not feare which hath true frieÌ„ds in store â—or my part most noble king as a third frind welcom to our friendly societie But you must forget you ar a king for frindship stands in tru equalitie DIONISIVS Unequall though I be in great possessions â—et full equall shall you finde me in my changed conditions â—irranie flatterie oppression loe hear I cast away â—ustiâ—e truth loue frindship shall be my ioy True friendship â–ª wyl I honour vnto my liues end My greatest glorie shal be to be counted a perfect friende PITHIAS For this your déede most noble King the Gods aduance your name â—nd â—ince to friendships lore you list your Princely harte to frame With ioyfull harte O Kinge most wellcome now to me With you wyll I knit the perfect knot of amitie Wherein I shall enstruct you so and Damon here your friend That you may know of amitie the mighty force and eke the ioyful end â—nd how that kinges doo stand vppon a fickle ground Within whose Realme at time of néed no faithfull friends are founde DIONISIVS Your instruction wyll I folow to you my selfe I doo commite Eubulus make haste to fet new apparell fitte For my new frindes EVBVLVS I go with a ioyfull hart O happie day EXIT GRONNO I am glad to heare this word though their liues they doo not léese It is no reason the Hangman should lose his fées These are mine I am gone with a trise EXIT ¶ Here entreth EVBVLVS with new garmentes DIONISIVS Put on these Garmentes now go in with mée the Iewelles of my Court. DAMON and PITHIAS We go with ioyfull harts STEPHANO Oh Damon my deare master in all this ioy remember me DIONISIVS My friend Damon he asketh reason Dam. Pithias DAMON Stephano for thy good seruice be
touch them They may safely spende the day pleasantly at night Secure dormâ—uatin vtranque aurem Oh my Damon if choyce were offred mée I would choose to be Pithias As I am Damons friende rather then to be kyng Dionisius STEPHANO ¶ And good cause why for you are entierly beloued of one And as farre as I heare Dionisius is beloued of none DAMON ¶ That state is moste miserable thrise happy are wée Whom true loue hath ioyned in perfect Amytie Which amytie first sprong without vaunting be it spoken that is true Of likelines of maners tooke roote by company now is conserued by vertue Which vertue alwaies through worldly things do not frame Yet doth she arcâ—iue to her followers immortall fame Wherof if men were carefull for Uertues sake onely They would honour friendship and not for commoditie But suche as for profite in friendship do lincke When stormes come they slide away sooner then a man wyll thinke My Pithias the somme of my talke falles to this issue To prooue no friendship is sure but that which is grounded on vertue PITHIAS ¶ My Damon of this thyng there néedes no proofe to mée The Gods forbyd but that Pithias with Damon in al things shuld agrâ—e For why it is said Amicus alteripse But that trâ—â— friendes should be two in body but one in minde As it wâ—re one transformed into another whiche against 〈◊〉 Though it séeme yet in good faith when I am alone I forget I am Pithisas me thinke I am Damon STEPâ—â—NO ¶ That could I neuer 〈◊〉 to forget my selfe full well I know Wheresoeuer I go that I am PAVPER STEPHANO But I pray you sir for all your Phylosophie See that in this Courâ—e you walke very wisely You are but newly come hether beyng straungers ye know Many eyes are bent on you in the stréetes as ye go Many spies are abroad you can not be too circumspect DAMON Stephano because thou art carefull of mée thy maister I do thée praise Yet thinke this for a suertie no state to displease By talke or otherwise my friende and I entende we wyll here As men that come to sée the soyle maners of al men of euery degrée Pithagoras said that this world was like a Stage Wheron many play their partes the lookers on the sage Phylosophers are saith he whose parte is to learne The maners of all Nations and the good from the bad to discerne STEPHANO ¶ Good faith sir concernynge the people they are not gay And as farre as I sée they be Mummers for nought they say For the moste parte what soeuer you aske them â–ª The soyle is suche that to liue heare I can not lyke DAMON Thou speakest accordynge to thy learnynge but I say Omnis solum fortis patria A wise man may lyue euery wheare Therfore my deare friende Pithias Let vs view this Towne in euerie place And then consider the Peoples maners also PITHIAS ¶ As you wyll my Damon but how say you Stephano As it not best ere we go further to take some repast STEPHANO * In faith I lyke well this question â—â—r for all your haste To eate somwhat I pray you thinke it no folly It is hie dinner time I know by my belly DAMON ¶ Then let vs to our lodging departe when dinner is done We wyll view this Citie as we haue begonne EXEANT ¶ Here entreth CARISOPHVS ¶ Once agayne in hope of good wynd I hoyse vp my sayle I goe into the citie to finde som pray for mine auayle I hunger while I may sée these straungers that lately Arriued I were safe if once I might méete them happily Let them barke that lust at this kinde of gaine He is a foole that for his profit will not take payne Though it be ioyned with other mens hurt I care not at all For profit I wyll accuse any man hap what shall But soft syrs I pray you buysh what are they that comes here By their apparell and countinaunce some strangers they appeare I wyll shrowde my selfe secretly euen here for a while To heare all their talke that I may them beguyle * Here entreth DAMON and STEPHANO ¶ A shorre horse soone curried my belly waxeth thinner I am as hungry now as when I went to dinner Your philosophicall diet is so fine and small That you may eate your dinner supper at once not surfaite at all DAMON ¶ Stephano much meat bréedes heauynes thinne diet maks thée light STEPHANO ¶ I may be lighter thereby but I shall neuer runâ— the faster DAMON ¶ I haue had sufficiently discourse of amitie Which I had at dinner with Pithias and his pleasaunt companie Hath fully satisfied me it doth me good to féede myne eyes on him STEPHANO ¶ Course or discourse your course is very course for all your talke You had but one bâ—re course and that was Pike rise and walke And surely for all your talke of Philosophie I neuer heard that a man with wordes could fill his belly Féede your eyes quod you the reason from my wisdom swarueth I stared on you both and yet my belly starueth â–ª DAMON ¶ Ah Stephano small diet maketh a fine memorie STEPHANO ¶ I care not for your craftiâ— Sophistrie You two are fine let mee be fed lyke a grose knaue styll I pray you license mee for a while to haue my will At home to tary whiles you take vew of this citie To finde some odde victualles in a corner I am very wittie DAMON ¶ At your pleasure sir I wyll wayte on my selfe this daye Yet attende vpon Pithias whiche for a purpose tarieth at home So dooyng you wayte vpon mee also STEPHANO ¶ With winges on my feete I go DAMON ¶ Not in vain the Poet saith Natura furca expeÌ„llas tamen vsque recurrit For trayne vp a bonontan neuer to so good a behauiour Yet in some poinct of seruilitie he wyll sauour As this Stephano trustie to mée his Mayster louyng and kinde Yet touchyng his belly a very bondman him finde He is to be borne withall beyng so iâ—st and true I assure you I would not chaunge him for no new But mée thinkes this is a pleasant Citie The Seate is good and yet not stronge and that is great pitie CARISOPHVS ¶ I am safe he is myne owne DAMON The Ayre subtle and fine the people should be wittie That dwell vnder this Climate in so pure a Region A trimmer Plotte I haue not séene in my peregrination Nothyng mislyketh mée in this Countrey But that I heare suche mutteryng of crueltie Fame reporteth strange thynges of Dionisius But kynges matters passyng our reache pertayne not to vs. CARISOPHVS ¶ Dionisius quoth you since the worlde began In Cicilia neuer raygned so cruell a man A despightfull Tirant to all men I maruayle I That none makes him away and that sodaynly DAMON ¶ My friende the Goddes forbyd so cruell a thynge That any man should lift vp his Sworde against the kynge Or seeke other meanes by
death him to preuent Whom to rule on earth the mightie Goddes haue sent But my friende leaue off this talke of kynge Dionisius CARISOPHVS ¶ Why sir he can not heare vs. DAMON ¶ What then An nescis longas Regibus esse manus It is no safe talkynge of them that strykes a farre off But leauyng kynges matters I pray you shew mée this curtesie To describe in few wordes the state of this Citie A trauayler I am desirous to know The state of eche Countrey wher euer I go Not to the hurt of any state but to get experience therby It is not for nought that the Poet doth crye Dic mihi Musa virum captae post tempore Troyae Multorum hominum mores qui vidit vâ—bis In whiche verses as some Writers do scan The Poet describeth a perfecâ—t wise man Euen so I beyng a stranger addicted to Phylosophie To sée the state of Countreyes my selfe I applie CARISOPHVS ¶ Sir I lyke this entent but may I aske your name without scorn DAMON ¶ My name is Damon well knowen in my Countrey a Gentlemâ—â— borne CARISOPHVS ¶ You do wisely to serche the state of eche Countrie To beare intelligence therof whether you lust He is a spie Sir I pray you haue pacience a while for I haue to do here by Uiew this weake parte of this Citie as you stande I very quickly Wyll retourne to you agayne and then wyll I show The state of all this Countrie and of the Courte also EXIT DAMON ¶ I thanke you for your courtesie this chaunceth well that I Met with this Gentleman so happely Whiche as it séemeth misliketh some thynge Els he would not talke so boldly of the kynge And that to a stranger but loe were he comes in haste ¶ Here entreth CARISOPHVS and SNAP. ¶ This is he felow Snap snap him vp away with hym SNAP. ¶ Good felow thou must go with mée to the Courte DAMON ¶ To the Courte sir and why CARISOPHVS Well we wyll dispute that before the Kyng away with hym quicklâ— DAMON ¶ Is this the curtesie you promysed mée and that very lately CARISOPHVS ¶ Away with hym I say DAMON â— Use no violence I wyll go with you quietly Exiunt omnâ—s ¶ Here entreth ARISTIPPVS â— Ah Sira â—yr lady Aristippus lykes Dionisius Court very well â—hiche in passyng ioyes and plasures doth excell â—here he hath Dapsilae caenaâ— gemalis lectes auro â—gentii turgmani zonam â—â—ue plied the Haruest and stroke when the Yron was hotte â—hen I spied my time I was not squemish to craue God wotte â—t with some pleasant tyoe I â—rept into the Kinges bosome 〈◊〉 whiche Dionisius gaue me Aure talentum magnum â—arge rewarde for so simple seruices â—hat then the Kinges prayse standeth chiefly in bountifulnesse â—hiche thynge though I tolde the kinge very pleasantly â— can I prooue it by good Writers of great Antiquitie â—t that shall not néede at this time since that I haue aboundantly â–ª â—â—en I lacke hereafter I wyll vse this poinctt of Phylosophie â—t now where as I haue felt the kynges lyberalytie 〈◊〉 princely as it came I wyll sponde it as regallie 〈◊〉 is currant men say and currant comes of currendo â—â—en wyll I make mony runne as his nature requireth I trow 〈◊〉 what becomes a Philosopher best â—t to dispise mony aboue the rest 〈◊〉 yet not so dispise it but to haue in store â—â—ough to serue his owne tourne and somwhat more â—â—th sondrie sports and tauntes yester night I delighted the kinge â—â—at with his lowde laughter the whole courte did ringe 〈◊〉 I thought he laught not merier then I when I got this money 〈◊〉 mumbouget for Carisophus I espie â–ª â—aste to come hether I must handle the knaue finely Carisophus my dearest frinde my trusty companyon â—â—at newes with you where haue you heen so longe ¶ Here entreth CARISOPHVS â— My best beloued friend Aristippus I am come at last â—iue not spent all my time in wast â—â—e got a pray and that a good one I trâ—w ARISTIPPVS â— What praye is that faine would I know CARISOPHVS 〈◊〉 a crafty spie I haue caught I dare say As neuer was in Cicilia before this day Suche a one as vewed euery weake place in the Citie Suruewed the Hauen and each bulwarke in talke very wittie And yet by some wordes â–ª him selfe he dyd bewray ARISTIPPVS ¶ I thinke so in good faith as you did handle him CARISOPHVS ¶ I handled him clarkly I ioyned in talke with him courteously But when wée were entred I let him speake his wyll and I Suckt out thus much of his words that I made him say playnely He was come hether to know the state of the Citie And not only this but that he would vnderstande The state of Dionisius Courte and of the whole land Which wordes when I heard I desired him to staye Till I had done a little businesse of the way Promising him to returne agayne quickly And so did conuaye My self to the Court for Snap the Tipstaffe which came vpsnatched 〈◊〉 Brought him to the Court and in the porters lodge dispatched him After I ran to Dionisius as fast as I could And bewrayed this matter to him which I haue you tolde Which thinge when he heard beinge very mery before He sodenly fell in a dump and fomyng lyke a Bore At last he swore in a great rage that he should die By the sworde or the whéele and that very shortly I am too shamefast for my trauell and toyle I craue nothinge of Dionisius but only his spoyle Litle hath he about him but a few motheaten crownes of golde Cha poucht them vp all ready they are sure in hold And now I goe in to the Citie to say sâ—â—th â–ª To sée what he hath at his lodginge to make vp my mouth ARISTIPPVS My Carisophus you haue don good seruiâ—e but what is the spiesnaâ— CARISOPHVS ¶ He is called Damon borne in Créece from whence latly he cam ARISTIPPVS ¶ By my trouth I wyll goe sée him â–ª and speake with him to if I may CARISOPHVS ¶ Doo so I pray you but yet by the way As occasion serueth commende my seruice to the Kinge ARIRTIPPVS Dictum sapienti satest friend Carisophus shal I forget that thinge No I warrant you though I say litie to your face â— wyll lay one month for you to Dionisius when I am in place 〈◊〉 I speake one worde for suche a knaue hange mée EXIT CARISOPHVS â—ur fine Phylosopher â–ª out timme learned elfe â— gone to see as false a Spie as himselfe â—amon smaâ—ters as well as he of craftie Phylosophie â—nd can tourne Cat in the panne very pretily â—ut Carisophus hath geuen him suche a mightie checke â—s I thinke in the ende wyll breake his necke â—hat care I for that why would he then prie â—â—d learne the secret estate of our countrey and citie 〈◊〉 is but a stranger by his fall let others be wise â—â—are not who fall so that