THE PRINCESSE OR Love at first Sight A TRAGI-COMEDY The Scene NAPLES and SICILY Written in Naples BY THOMAS KILLIGREW Dedicated to his dear Niece THE LADY ANNE WENTWORTH WIFE TO The LORD LOVELACE LONDON Printed by J. Macock for Henry Herringman and are to be sold at his Shop at the sign of the Blew-Anchor in the lower Walk of the New Exchange 1663 THE Scene in SICILY and NAPLES Dramatis Personae FAcertes late Prince now King of Sicily by his Fathers late death in Battel taken Prisoner by the Romans Lucius under the name of Cilius Brother to Facertes Virgilius Son to Julius Caesar Minetes his Servant Nigro Foster-father to Facertes Viceroy of Sicily for Facertes Bragadine Son to the Governour of Naples Terresius a Sicilian Commander turn'd Pirate Lieutenant his Associate Tullius an humorous Companion of theirs Crabb a Souldier of theirs Other Souldiers of their Gang Roman Souldiers Prisoners Pimp and Baud of Naples Baud's name Olympia Bravo's Servants Sophia Sister to Virgilius Cicilia Sister to Facertes and Lucius Paulina a Neapolitan Lady THE PRINCESSE OR Love at first Sight ACT. I. SCEN. I. Enter two Souldiers retiring beaten in by three others with them the Lieutenant holding Sophia in his hand Lieu. SLaves you have her you have your Throats shav'd with a short sword 1 Sould. By what title is she yours We fought for her 2 Sould. And by our Laws you ought to stand to your Lot Lieu. By what Laws By the Roman Law you Rascals broad-sword-law besides she looks as if she were sweet and sound which are things you 'l scarce bring a President to prove your interest by 1 Sould. We will not quit our shares for words We have swords Lieu. And no money Go ye Rascals do you shew your teeth Go truss be gone to the next woods side there speed with your Ploughs do you threaten me with your cold Iron 1 Sould. Your odds makes you presume but if we meet you alone o' th' Guard Lieu. Then I 'll cut thy Throat 2 Sould. No we 'll spare you that labour and have yours cut Lieu. Yes yes I know thou art good at killing by Attorney 1 Sould. S'death come away follow We shall a have time Exeunt the two Souldiers Lieut. And that 's all but a wheel and a croud that thy end can claim How now weeping come dry dry I 'll be a Father to thee Art honest Sophia Dare not you be honest too Lieut. Honest Faith pretty one he that dares fight is as honest a Souldier as needs to be Sophia O! ye Gods She lies down Lieut. They are the prettiest kind of commodities these women that a man can deal in there is nothing like 'em but ready money Sould. Pray Sir leave talking and fall to that we may have Here they put up their swords your leavings Lieu. Not a bit go home to your Doll and fall to your cold meat friends Sould. Hang her she 's old Lieut. Speak reverently of her Age the Jade brought great loads to our pleasure in her youth and must not be forgotten Sould. O but this Sir has such an excellent face Lieut. Away you Rogues old chins and naked chins Boys of the first beard and find distinction must your weak stomacks have face-sauce before you can fall to the sex you Varlets was enough when I was young and I confess they have been sad days with me since the Face and Peticoat came in esteem look where she lies what weeping pretty one now if I should dote in my latter days and draw in at my eyes a punishment they say the Gods are just and may through my doublet punish the sins of my youth Hum I 'll think no more on 't Faith I must kiss thee He lies down and she rises Sophia O Sir be not so barbarous as to bring those dangers you have beaten hence why do you lay such rude hands on me Think you the innocence of Maid and Virgin have no power to He lays hands on her guard me Lieut. A Maid by my faith it s strange I should ha' judged you at the second age when women fall have you no witness of what you say I have no faith your witness or I kiss He still puls her Sophia Away unhand me and force me not to call down a Plague to guard me scorn not my words if thou dost this wickedness thou wilt find the curse of an injur'd Maid strike as sure as lightning and as fatal nor can all thy skill and courage defend thee but despairs will find thee and inhabit in thee till thou art dissolv'd in the horrors of thy fear But if this calm which seems to allay He lets her go and looks on her thy troubled blood be real upon my knees I 'll fall and to the Gods send my Prayers for thee and they 'l prove as great a guard and thou shalt find this good act interpose between thee and thy greatest dangers Lieut. By this light she talks unhappily should I keep her company I must beg no more of this discourse pray Sophia Let me be safe in my Honour and I 'll be silent and beside the reward that heaven will pay you my Ransom shall be what you 'l name Lieu. You have prevail'd and shall be free from force but take heed of talking of Heaven before these to tempt them with such promises is bidding them to their loss for what can such fellows hope for there but to become some odd Saints without Holy-daies Sould. Lieutenant you are somewhat free in your Opinion of us Lieu. Why dost thou sweet heart hope for better look upon him has he not a promising face I le prophecy Crabb continue in thy calling and thou art safe for thou hast endeavoured long and I fear not but hast made good friends below and mayst be of a good rank in hell Sould. Faith Lieutenant me thinks you spurr'd fairly forwards and upon my Conscience will be richly damn'd Lieu. Who I Faith and troth I think I shall and yet while Shakes his purse this lasts I have good hopes for I am of Opinion no Man is damn'd that has money in his purse nor do I see how poor folks can be saved What noise is that Sould. I hear our Captains voice Lieu. Away take her to my quarter and upon your lives no Insolence pray step off with them till I see what occasions this noise Sophia I will go But if this be Treachery Know though 't is easie to abuse the Gods Yet it is heavy for to bear their rods Lieu. Away you are safe Exeunt omnes but the Lieut. ACT. I. SCEN. II. Enter Captain and Souldiers with the Romans bound that were taken with Sophia Sould. SIR these are some poor Rogues Captain Hang 'em then for being poor 1. Roman Cannot our praiers find thy Mercy Capt. A pox upon your prayers they could not protect thee hang 'em I say Lieu. Hold Sir mistake not these Men for if I guess right they are no
are upon departure This Coward will fail me and they will escape and the Rascal will scorn me to death 1. Brav. Who 's there Baud. 'T is I whos 's that the Prince 1. Brav. No Madam but one of his Creatures Baud. Who 's that Ennius why where have you been many a day 1. Brav. Faith I durst not be seen till last night Baud. You promis'd me a visit once but you broke your word 1. Brav. Le ts retire and call my Lord I 'Ie pay it now Baud. Follow me then is my Lord this way 1. Brav. Yes let me guide you Enter Bragadine Bragad. Who 's that passed by 2. Brav. It 's the old Woman that serves Paulina Enter Baud and Bravo again Baud. O are you ready Sir you have stayed the utmost time she expects him with longing thoughts they are all provided and a Gally lies ready at the Mole to convey them away but if your hearts be true we will stay their Journey Bragad. We are all ready and resolute Baud. Follow me then I 'le see you plac'd where they must pass by Bragad. Lead the way ACT. IV. SCEN. IX. Enter Cicilia and Paulina Cicilia WHat return to make you for this good Act I know not But I shall ever admire you for daring in so wicked a Place to be so singly good Paul I that durst be wicked ought not to dispute now but with shame to look upon my faults and offer this as my first sacrifice to witness I repent and may my wishes prove fortunate and make you happy in that Love that makes me miserable Cicil. You cannot be so miserable as I That must love my Aside Enemy Enter Baud. Baud. Madam are you ready they stay at the Garden gate shall I let them in Paul Yes yes and see the gates shut that lead to the street Baud. All is safe pray make haste Paul Wee 'le meet you call at my window Exeunt omnes ACT. IV. SCEN. X. Enter Virgilius and Facertes Facert. THis Moon is friendly come pray let not this cloudy sadness hang upon our Joys you see she consented to put her self into your protection her tears too are your warrant for all Womens storms are past when those showers fall Virgil. I do not now grieve for fear she should be angry but that I am so unlucky as to deserve it and my Friends can witness my heart never sinned against her yet something lies heavy upon it I cannot remove for my fears tell me shee 'l take some Revenge upon her self for you saw it was her Passion not her reason that forgave me Facert. I know her Religion will protect her against her self and she has too much honour to wish health and put poyson in the Cup and though she threatned revenge yet she scorns to take it when she is reconcil'd Virgil. Oh she is too Excellent to be false Peace Whos 's there Enter Baud. Baud. Is the Galley ready they Expect you Facert. All 's ready lead the way Baud. Follow me Exeunt omnes Bragad. within Stand close I hear 'em come Enter Virgil Facertes and Baud again Baud. Stay here while I return with the Key Facert. This is the Garden Bragadine shoots Virgil puts his hand to his eye with a bloody spunge and the blood runs down Facertes draws his sword and takes him in his Arms Virgil. Oh! This may be just but whether it be fair or no Heaven thou see'st Facert. How do you Sir Virgil. Why well Facertes The Bullet but glanced Facert. Oh my sister If thou hast a hand in this Treachery may Plagues suddain and lasting find and sink thee with despairs when mercy flies thee as thou hast done thy honour nor shall all Virgil is still in Facertes Arms the tyes of love or nature prove thy guard nor the mercies due to thy weeping penitence No thy sex shall not protect thee from the Justice of my swoln rage which with sword and words that wound more shall afflict thee Virg. Why dost thou rage and curse her still mistaking that excellent Maid Upon my Soul she has no hand in 't she is too full of Honour to take so base a way to her Revenge or seek by Treachery a life that 's onely worn to serve her and when she frownes may command me put it off Facer. Draw your sword then and take my counsel if your strength fail not and fall as if their malice had been more prosperous He speaks softly to him perchance the Villain Author of this deed lurks here about and expects such a sign ere he dare discover himself Pray Sir Aloud let me bear you home Virg. No Facertes let me die here Virgilius draws his sword and lies down Facer. Unfortunate Youth Murther Villaines where are you you accursed Actors of this black deed do you hide already Cowards dare you not look on your Act Cicilia and Paulina above Cicilia It was my Brothers voice that cry'd Murther Paul I heard a Pistoll where 's Olympia Enter Bragadine Baud and Bravoes Cicilia Heark there 's some body comes Facer. Villaines dare you not yet appear Bragad. Yes fool we dare and laugh upon your miseries Baud. Yes an old Woman will laugh fool thou had'st better have destroy'd thy Mother then with scorn have awaked my Malice now where is all your young wits am not I prov'd a Mother of your Joyes fool I am reveng'd now Cicilia What cry was that Bragad. How now what ailes you Virgilius as he lies runs his sword into the Baud and kills her she squeckes Baud. Oh me oh me I am dead Facer. Then though our miseries be great they are not so ill as I fear'd what moved thee Villain to this base Act Bragad. Revenge fool thought'st thou I could forgive a wound and such an Injury as to have her I call mine possess'd by another Facer. Villain thou shalt dearly pay for this base Act Rise Sir Virgilius rises and kills one of the Bravoes the Truth is now at large discovered Brav. Oh! Bragad. Ha alive Virg. Yes and I hope shall find so much Mercy as to punish thy Treachery They fight Virgilius and Bragadine Facertes and Ennius They are all wounded Bragad. faints and falls Kills him Facertes and Ennius struggle on the ground Facertes kills him Dies Bragad. Draw Ennius we have yet as many swords as they Ennius I warrant you Sir and as good hearts Virg. Traitor thou want'st the cause Cicilia above It is they they are set upon I hear their swords too let 's haste our presence may bring some aid for Heavens sake let us not look on and see them murthered Bragad. Hold as thou hast Mercy hold and as thou hast faults shew Mercy Virg. Yes in this Justice for Justice is ever merciful Facer. There Villain There 's thy treacheries first reward thou art going for thy last Enter Cicilia and Paulina whilst they are fighting upon the ground Cicilia runs to Facertes Cicilia Ha! upon the ground Facertes what accident is this Facer.
Where 's the Prince Virg. Here how fares Facertes Facer. Well onely a little scratch'd Paul Sir I hope you believe I had no hand in this Treachery Virg. No Madam we know the unworthy cause Cicilia What was it Facer. All our Joyes within this minute had a cloud on them and I confess I was afraid it had hid my Sisters faults whilst I fear'd a mistake of Justice had betray'd thee to a Murther yet then in his wounds the Prince was himself and collected I chid my mistrust see he bleeds still do's not that expiate This is twice he has shed it in sacrificing to thy liberty and now to be angry is wilfull and humor not honour Cicilia Do you command Cicilia shall obey for I confess the Prince is Master of that honour I but talked of will you mediate a pardon for the Injuries my Passion threw upon him and I shall joy to find I was mistaken Virg. O Madam do not speak of pardon for your Innocence knows not the way to that Injury I could not forgive But I will not talk for I should hate my self if I had words to express this Joy Paul Ha! The Prince slain and Olympia dead as you love your safety haste hence he whom your Justice has found is the Vice-Roy's Son and its present death if you be taken Facer. No distraction The Galley is ready and waits us at the Mole thither we 'll immediately Sister dare you yet put your self into the Princes Protection Cicilia Yes but not now when I am free I will and as I refus'd at first because it was early so now 'cause it is forced and looks like giving upon the Death-bed and I would be loath to become the Princes Legacy Virg. I beseech you let not a nicity interrupt my Joyes but trust me with your protection till I have made good my vowes to your Brother whose Joyes my Affairs have deferr'd But when you see him possessed of his Country then I 'll kneel for a Blessing in the fair Cicilia dare you bid me hope Cicilia I promise to do what honour shall warrant me and when these wounds are heal'd I shall not call it weakness that makes me yield to my passion Facer. This Cloud is blown over by Fate and now I 'll smile and prophecy through all our wounds and tears a joyfull issue Virg. We 'll for Sicily first the Vice-Roy being dead they dare not refuse my Authority besides if they do the Army is mine and that shall secure Facertes Madam what Commands have you to enjoyn me that I may return this favour Paul When you appear'd a private Man and compass'd with dangers you had a power here which now is turn'd to duty and I beg a protection in your company for the Prince was known to have an Interest here and to be found dead in my Garden will bring a certain ruine upon me For that I am Innocent will be no guard but I shall fall now to expiate my other faults and I confess I would fain live now for I am certain I repent and shall ever sacrifice to the Prince Virgilius as my good Genius Cicilia Sure we shall not deny you a safety to whom we owe all ours Facer. No Complement but this way through the Garden to the Galley the wind is somewhat high Virg. The Clouds are black we 'll keep under the shore that if need be we may put in upon the Coast of Calabria Facer. Not I as I live Virg. Let me beg that Olive branch sign of Peace and witness He refuses to lead his Sister all I joy more to be thus bound then to have conquer'd Sicily Exeunt omnes ACT. V. SCEN. I. Enter Cilius solus Cilius THe Captain has refused to give me the freedom of her I Love but if the Lieutenant keep his word I shall make him repent it at as sad a rate as I bear my misery 't is not Love sure that afflicts my Heart for I have heard 'em say That it is a soft and gentle Passion which strokes and courts the Mind and his Cilius lies down service perfect freedom for Love is both the Famine and the Food none of these chains afflicts them I have seen Women and Boyes play with this Power 'T is the sport of Virgins and yet their Hearts last Ages Nay they can be false too and yet not lose one Grace nor one Beauty falls Even the perjur'd Lovers weare their quiet Minds and fair Faces still whil'st I pine and wither under these two dayes misery I cannot eat nor sleep since I saw her and my frinds are irksome to me I love loanness and hunt Corners and prize a thought of being her slave more then a Conquest over the world Yet I stammer still and cannot speak sence when my griefs would tell her the story of what I ail I have lost my Courage too of late for by all our Gods I start and tremble when I see her Nay I am a Dog if I do not weep when I behold her no Boy at School has his tears readier then I I could weep like froward Children This makes me mad to find my self abandoned by all the Gods whose ends I cannot guess nor why they send me this new way to misery Enter Lieut. Lieut. How Sir upon the ground up Sir the Souldiers are prepared and expect your presence only to finish the work The slaves too are loose and privately arm'd and when he is once aboard give but the sign and be Master both of him and her Fie Sir what means this dejection up for shame Cilius See Lieutenant I am grown the obedient'st thing that He helps him up ever sigh'd himself away O Lieutenant kind old Friend if we miscarry in this design I am lost for ever for I am become the wretched'st thing thy heart can fancy Prithee pray He leans upon him Lieut. Bondue pray you have found your Man indeed Cilius The Angry Gods to send Men and bold wounds not cowardly thoughts and Women when they will call Cilius to the Earth again Lieut. Death what ayle you Sir Cilius Oh Friend this trouble of my Mind is sent like some new disease to scourge thy Friend and act what sword and sickness could not do and my despair will throw me upon some horrid Crime against which 't is in vain to oppose or Armes or Virtue The Tyrant-Boy Lords it o're my Heart and now he has wounded me will make me kiss the Dart Lieut. Oh! is this it you complain of Let me know Man or boy that dares wrong you By this hilt I will send him on a cold Errand Cilius Thy threats are vain for my griefs are a disease I never felt before The remedy too is hid from Gods and Men the Maid the lovely Maid thou gav'st me Lieut. A pox on her the Wench is she the cause was she not sound Sir Cilius Sound Lieut. I sound by this hand for all that I know she was I am a Dog if I touched
believ'st thou art safe thy dangers but begin Exit ACT. III. SCEN. IV. Enter Tullius Tull. 'T Is a brave clear night and something may be attempted Philemon asleep on the Stage He stumbles on Philemon from the Town we must keep a strong watch to night How now who have were here rouze up I say Phil. Who 's there lye down why do you kick me ye gods one would think this bed were large enough if the earth be not where shall the wretched lye that thus you kick me out as if you wanted room Tull. Up I say leave your snarling you dog sleeping in your watch Phil. If I am a dog why should I be punish'd for obeying nature the only Deity that beasts bow to if not why am I refus'd the benefit of reason Tull. Are you grumbling look to your duty you 'll find you have use of other thoughts else Exit Tullius Phil. Oh ye gods why do you thus load a youth I was not proud when I was bow'd to nor ever with repinings did I bow to you why then on my free-born soul do you lay the load of slavery and thus let your justice sleep that she does not now guide my prayers but suffers them to lose their way 'twixt heaven and my suffrings which I have been so long acquainted with that I am now grown a kin unto my woes ally'd unto my oar where I have set forc'd to unwilling haste sighing for my freedom till through a thousand eyes I have sweating wept my miseries oh look down in time upon them ere I yield to those irreligious thoughts that tempt me to question my faith for ye cannot blame me if I grow weary of praying when I find that mighty power that threw me here want mercy to break the snare Enter Manlius and Tullius bringing in a Slave that had stabb'd the Captain Man Strike an Anchor through the body of the slave he has not hurt you I hope Tull. No h 'as mist me Man What urg'd the villain to this bold undertaking Tull. Unless the opportunity that the night afforded and the neerness of the Town made him attempt it for his freedom I know not else Man Look that to morrow early as the day the dog be sacrific'd to the parting shades that their black may still be friendly to our deliverance and d' you hear let him be broke upon an Anchor that on Hopes Emblem the wretch may meet his despairing cross When dogs thus fly at their Masters 't is just we strangle them neither their kind nor use consider'd go Tullius let the watch be set and some good guard put into the wood to secure the Passage from the Town Tull. It shall Man Tullius did the Pesant say the King was crown'd again and the Usurper dead and the Princess to be married to the stranger Prince Appius that came in aid of the King and that Seleucus has been in some disgrace to day Tull. So the fellow says for certain Man To morrow then we 'll fit us with our disguise and to Court we 'll go for now virtue sits at Helm and holds the purse gratitude will find some reward for me that wish'd well to her power for this night see the Galley at road and when the watch is set to rest and to morrow call at my Cabine Tull. I shall Exit Tullius Man Lye you there and let no body without exception trouble till I call unless some dangers threaten then give me notice Speaks to Philemon Exit Manlius Phil. Methinks in that condemn'd slave I read mine own fortune whose cross fate hath forfeited him to eternal bonds for stoutly attempting his freedom which if ever it comes within my power here stands another mark'd for sacrifice if he fails in the attempt for death frights not me nor binds the innocent but comes to set them free I cannot let it sinke with patience into my thoughts I have not man enough nor Religion to continue an acquaintance with that vertue that says endure when I consider I was born a Prince by the consent of all distinguish'd from a Chaos of common people created their head and so stood the man of men till this misfortune struck me in which I am not sure I shall have a burying place for a slave can call so little in this world his own that the very earth he wears about him is not his nor can I command this handful not this not mine own clay But lost like yesterday when my Masters Fiat comes I fall and dissolve to the first Mass of things Lays his hand on his breast Exit ACT. III. SCEN. V. Enter Melintus Claricilla Olinda and Timillus Clar. SO now leave us and if any body ask for me say I am laid to rest Olinda I shall And where you rest too Exit Melin. Dear Timillus is Jacomo ready with the horses Timil. He is and waits us at the Postern Melin. Let us not lose a minute then of this precious time 't will be a reward for thy faith too when they shall say Timillus had a hand in this great work prithee let thy friendship secure the passage that leads from the Kings lodgings Timil. So now have I an honourable excuse to take cold with 't is a strange bold venture he makes and a confident vertue that of hers that dare trust themselves in the hands of my opinion when I am alone to guess how they mean to imploy this opportunity Melin. Madam 't is not the fear of my particular that makes me urge this sad parting but your interest which is joyn'd to it and when your Highness is concern'd 't is a civility to fear and an obligation to doubt my joys for Claricilla knows despair is no sin in Loves Religion Clar. Let me not understand thee nor let not reason bind up that you urge oh Melintus 't is the first time that ever I was grieved to hear thee in the right and you must pardon it for though parting be the only way to confirm my joy I cannot consent at such a rate to buy my happiness Melin. Thus you encrease the wish'd number of my bonds the Prince until my return will observe all your commands and assist us in our escape and by his favour countenance the act for Messina if my Father commanded there in chief I could not hope a greater power then I am confident Pelius will allow your worth when you arrive there and e're this Moon hath felt her change I will again attend you with the Gallies here Clar. Must you then be gone and again with absence spin our loves into a thred which is fastned to our fates I hope that no distance may find the end say must you go must it needs be so Melin. I would there were not such a strict necessity but that I might say no She turns and looks on the Tree Clar. Well since it must be resolved then but not contented I submit unto my fate and thou Lawrel-tree which so oft hast been a witness of