against the deity my cause of knowledge being sad and heavy for the late army we sent forth they say received a fatall overthrow Osir. Be not dismaid thinke not the dismall sight of our defeated troupes shall strike us silent or rent our fortunes with an odious tearme of Coward feare 't is a base deformed object a scandall for posteritie to blot our fame No my Lord as yet my hopes hath life by the same president in other stout commanders witnesse Bellona's darling invincible Caesar whose fame and valour did spread over the girdled orb unto the Antipodes Darius Priam the Macedonian King with infinit others impertinent to nominate these potent conquerors I say were subject to the like misfortunes yet notwithstanding afterwards have been victorious And why not wee Bero. Our case my Lord is weake and desperate Osir. For shame cast off them looks of sadd dispaire it ill beseemes your calling time or place an occasion seldome lesse needfull without a further consultation come let 's goe immediatly claspe on our coates of steell and dare the traytors to their face whil'st I doe animate and lead up the rest of our decayed forces Courage as then a little sparke may lighten all againe Pitho Since your undanted spirit must needs forward then be as prosperous as Hannibal when he conveyed his army o're the mounting Alps or like the sonne of Iove when Giants impudence did invade the heavens Exeunt omnes preter Cola. Cola. My hearts as good as theirs had I equall power I de teare the fabricke of this world asunder my fury like Ioves violent thunder should blast the earth farre worse then Phaeton in his heedles course what would I not have done what Kingdomes ransackt till I had my will of these on whom I ground my hatred still Exit Enter Athenio Mineus Aretas and Dora They take their Seates Athe. To satisfy the nice conceit of those who judge our actions as their fancies are our taking armes shall to the world appeare a just and naturall defence in us when to His Majesty ther 's not the least conceit of any harme once meant either in 's Royall person Crowne or dignitie Min. So farre we still expresse our selves my Lord for in this protection is layd forth the motives whereon wee chiefely ground this warre next with a tender care we doe reserve all that concernes our soveraignes right to the Lirendean Crowne therein excluding all forraigne power all Princes whatsoever Athe. If such a Covenant we had not made No Caesar Scipio Hanniball nor that worlds conqueror proud Macedon were their expired dates renewed againe could not nay should not subdue the gentry of Lirenda from their obedience to th' Angolean King most firme and true since mighty Cheapstow did conduct us hither Aretas Nor doe we now intend a base revolt had Rome's majestique throne command it so my humble answer saith give Caesars due to God thy heart and faith Dora That was indeed the chiefe occasion first that moved us joyne with them Athe. And will maintaine it whil'st life breathes in this corps of mine Mine And mine Aret. We are resolv'd to live and die together Enter a Messenger Messen. May it please your Lordships one Theodorike desires admittance to your Lordships presence Athe. Goe give him entrance good man his paines are great to draw the Commons forth Exit Messeng Mine Such friends as him we need Dora The more his praise Enter Theodoricke Athe. Welcome Theodoricke Theo. Then know my Lords with paines unspeakable I 've drawne together of mine my neere allyes their servants friends and tenants a thousand able men at Rufus quarters in a fit readines to doe you service when further know our scouts for certaine doe report that fifteen hundred desperate bloodie rogues under the command of Sir Daretas at Medra haven are landed beside one Collonell Crambich a branch of the cursed tribe in Pickland is trusted with the leading of a thousand chosen men all Citizens with whom by true intelligence Sir Carola intends t' expulse us from our native dwellings with such a savage spleen men women infants on their mothers pape are vowed to be kild Athe. That project crusheth all Notwithstanding cosen and Collonell a title not worth the least of thy applauded meritts returne with such small forces as you have give Cola a manfull skermish and we shall speedily unto your aide Theo. To my griefe I speake it the campe hath scarce a dozen pound of powder Aret. Heaven will strengthen thee Athe. Here take this sword and use 't against our foes Theod. Vpon their carcasses I le spare no blowes farewell my Lords Theodorike will goe expose his fate against your powerfull foe Exit Enter Florilla Dulis Pulchrina and Ellenora Ellen Yonder they are Madam Dul. My thinkes they lacke them pleasant smiles of mirth that like so many radiant beames of Sol gave comfort to the gloomy shade of our disquiet thoughts Flor. Why therefore we doe now presume this visit hoping we may at least disperse them cares that we suspect doth seize them unawares Dora Behold my Lords who comes Flor. We are discover'd health to your Lorships They rise Athe. Welcome faire Ladyes all Pulch Must we demande your licence to entrude Athe. 'T were needlesse your beauties are sufficient to claime a greater favour Dulis Sir you know 't is the desire of love fond women doe so much regard that overcome with joy you men esteemes it as a needlesse toy and may perhaps our kindnesse now expresse in the harsh language of ungratfulnesse Athe. Your will my deere Dulis Is only to be merry this new yeere for Christmas being now well neere expir'd without the comfort of your usuall mirth what joy have we what sorrowes can prevent when in your looks the mappe of discontent Mine It lyes beyond the reach of female wit to sound the cause that doth occasion it Dul. Howsoever some short time wee 'l borrow to curb the mischiefe of a sudden sorrow Florill Our musicke hath of late unto them given a song penn'd by a friend that doth protest he loves this Nation deerely in whose brest such deepe affection by their kindnesse came that he doth honour and respect the name Athe. This makes you to affect it so Dulis Love bindes us to it Flor. Will you be pleased to heare it then Athe. Yes and with thanks to THE SONG Come away O come away Couragious youths O doe not stay Now 's the time brave Mars will prove More powerfull then the god of love Cast your Venus sports away Valour brooks not long delay Gods themselves are up in armes To protect you from all harmes He that honour thinkes to gaine Feares no danger woe or paine Death's grim looke or bloodie scarre makes the minde more noble farre Then make hast O doe not stay Dallie not the time away If you meane for to persevere Now 's the time O now or never Dulis How like you this Mine A perfect good one
with my facultie but heapes of honour will fall on me straight with good Sir sweet Sir as I doe passe them by helpe me sayes one I am condemn'd to dye there 's twentie peeces another calls kinde Sir remember my petition you preferre here 's expedition for it thus 'twixt em all I 'm sure to rise whosoever chance to fall Enter Tibernus here comes the only man in credit with Sir Carola prosperitie waite on your noble selfe Tibernus Tibern Thanks honest friend Belfr. I have been since these warres desirous Sir to doe the governor some speciall service but since could not the happines to impart what I am sure will please and profit him Tiber. Relate thy minde to me and thou shalt have a fit reward Belfr. To place my low fortunes on the pyramide of his bounty were a praise befitting the worthy motions of a generous soule This did enduce my zealous love to shew the subtill prankes of some penurious Citizens that lately closed up in a wall at least a thousand pound in plate and cash Tiber. There 's some strong hopes in this Aside Belfr. I 'le bring you likewise to each papist house where privately are kept trunks wholly loaden of rich apparell coine jewells rings bracelets patents of the rebells lands Tiber. That especially Belfr. What can you thinke or name best needfull for your use but I will straight discover Tiber. Surely thou canst not misse a brave preferment Befr Vnder pretence of being bred a Papist I shall without the least thought of suspicion conduct your guard where Priests in secret are lockt up at Masse or in the night as they abroad doe creeping passe the street moreover Sir if the army be in want or that of force you aske assistance from the townsmen where some may better spare more gold then others let me alone to search the difference of those mens fidelitie how able willing really affected Papist above Protestant I am expert in all Tiber. Gracelesse villen that cares not to betray his deerest friends to them wotes not after he were hang'd Aside I must dissemble with the knave a while for my owne end Now trusty friend make good what thou hast said and blesse this houre for ever Belfr. Your constant servant I will still persevere Exeu Enter Athenio Mineus Aretas Dora and Cephalon Mine Brother Athenio Athe. What sayes our deere brother Mine Have you not hard of the late proclamation Athe. Yes Noble Brother I perused it over the treacherous modell of a rude invention Pitho would thousands give for all our heads Ceph No there 's a milder since full of Clemencie a generall pardon Athe. To whom Ceph Them will submit to the Lords Iustices Athe. On what conditions Mine Perverse crueltie Aret. Perpetuall slavery Dora And mortall hatred Athe. Very true these are the glorious titles every faint hearted native will revolt shall have which from my heart I wish it him but to explaine my owne particular intention may to the wise perhaps seeme needles yet he that loves his Country or will professe the Characters of Catholiquo in 's heart take notice oft our quarrell is religious in maintenance whereof we are already sworne without equivocation and e're I violate that sacred oath a thousand deaths shall one by one invade me if floods of misery I 'le wade them o're and from its raging streames regaine the sho•• of bless'd fidelitie Dora May all the world example take by this Lord's goodnesse Cepha Vnder favour 't were a folly a most profound madnes to seeke our certaine ruin by deniall of a benefit so conveniently proffer'd when our wants at the most extreme both night and day I posted hence the kingdome over all parts my wandring thoughts conceived might best supply our wants did I returne ought but the fruitlesse labour of a needfull journey can Stelern now your foes encrease make up two thousand compleat armes in field your Lordships knowes this is no fable Aret. Good Sir forbeate the matter 's past dispute Enter a Messenger Messeng An please your excellence severall gentlemen of the Countie are newly come in post with some strange newes it 's feared by their sad looks Exit Mess Athe. Direct 'em hither some stragling troupers that for pillage scout abroad makes false alaruins to afright the Countrey thus Enter Theodorike Theodorike Your newes What sad upon 't Theo. Osirus with a powerfull army gather'd from all parts at least consisting of eight thousand foote and horse march hitherward burning of townes distroying Castles faire all to the sword goes that his army meets and doth intend the which good God forbid to make a fatall conquest of this land Aret. What strange dishonest base device is this to publish to the world a generall pardon before which time appointed is expir'd poore harmelesse subjects kil'd the kingdome fir'd O faithlesse wicked Crueltie Enter Lentimos Lent Shift for your selves in hast for here will soone arrive more sullen spyes then Mercury did charme in Argo's eyes good my Lords dispatch one minutes stay too long may yeeld you prisoners to untimely ends Athe. Deare friends we now resemble one at point of death that must perforce forsake what he most deerely loved life wealth faire possessions pleasures content exchanged to sad expressions wife laments children their parents moane each hath occasion then to sigh and groane so we distressed we must oft among their dolefull ditties tune a mournefull song Cepha Let them whose will stand out I will submit to great Osirus cause it s held most sit Aside Exeunt A March is beaten then enter Osirus Tygranes and Tibernus Osir. Now through the power and helpe of heaven we are in safe possession of their strongest holts the foe not able to withstand our warlike troupes are fled like men full of dispaire griefe regardlesse furie that we are thus strong themselves pursued with terror of the times and fearefull shadowes of base acted crimes wherefore we must then cheerfully advance not doubting but we truly shall e're long revenge sufficiently th' Angoleans wrong Tygra You speake Sir like your selfe full of maturitie the hopefull line that guides my confidence from the most intricate labyrinth of dispaire when Adrohna was at point to perish and plast the issue of a farre event on more then mortall comfort that proposeth to the wicked vice mischiefes paines unspeakable joyn'd with the grim aspect of blood and terror more deserving plagues then wilfull Egypt felt when her miseries were at the height of all extremes Tiber. It needs must follow so for in all parts they are environ'd with severe Commanders famous for their valour your Excellence in Stelern and for the adjacent Provinces men of knowne integritie Osir. It is our chiefest comfort they goe on as prosperous as faire Bellona's darlings when the gods were threatned by a multitude of foolish mortalls Tigr. But none with that Celeritie like yours which farre transcend theirs went before as Sol doth Luna's spangled Orb or some
kill me kill me doe but grant that favour be no more crueller then death feele O feele your heart 's transform'd to stone let my heart's blood dissolve your selfe againe else you 'le become the lively portraicture of tirannie Tigr. Thus I expresse me yet Barb. And yet I live Tigr. All the torments hell can boast of shall be inflicted on thee not suddenly no but with a fretting paine vex thy desire Barb. Thy cruell thoughts to hell's darke plagues aspire Iesu Redeemer of my soule to thee I must addresse my pittifull complaint when men rakes lesse remorse on contrite teares then Tigers doe thou knowest O Lord whither my thoughts were ever guiltie of that crime deserving this unheard of crueltie but O eternall wisedome my griefe cryes at thy watchfull eare for every vouchsafe it may abate them torments that will last for aye 1. Sould. How resolute these pettish Papists are Aside she 'd sooner let her fingers burne to th' bone then once reveale a rebells base intention 2. Sould. Who was her sweet heart and loved him deerely 1. Sould. Mas lad an seemes so Tigr. Speake huswife speake Barb. What would you have me speake Tigr. What Brinforts plot was in departing hence Barb. Aske me no more I am a stranger in 't Tigr. Did ever man behold such impudence I know thou lyest Bar. O be not thus incredulous Iewes Turkes Infidells yes Heathens to all nations doe commiserate the dolefull paines of them like me nor will not urge them further once the fires exposed but your beliefes more strange then theirs Tigr. Confesse thou foolish wench confesse or I will cause new match to be applyed Bar. Doe what you please my God I trust will strengthen me against thy hellish furie Tigr. 'T is a folly to compell this slut I see goe take her off untill some evidence comes in against her Exeunt The fourth Act Enter Abner reading of a letter attended by two sons He reads Vnlesse you speedily repaire unto our aide the Kingdom 's lost beyond recovery Abner O fearfull newes newes that doth rent my heart to heare it 1. Sou. Why noble father you have received as desperate tydings oft before yet made your thoughts contemne the worst might follow and when occasion offer'd as bravely did performe it rebuke this passion then Sir 2. Sou. Good father doe our joyes in your contentment Abne Fond youthes your yet unripned yeares brookes not the lowring jesture of deserved sorrowes how neere soever it concernes you why your spring o'retops the Autumne of my yeares your griefes a weather-cocke subject to change at every blast of youthfull pleasure but when dame nature dyes your flaxen curles a reverend gray experience will confute that fond deluding follie this is no common toy like yours to grive at no no peruse them mournefull lines where if you find not cause of lamentation blame me then He gives the letter they peruse it 1. Son Ha Lirenda at point to be destroyed O brother see that countrey whence we are discended calls for some timely succour nature must worke a true compassion in us Father O Father by all that is most Deere unto you regard this sad complaint gives it bake Abn. Now be your selves the judge whether we ought not pitty them or preferre their safetie sooner then all the fortunes mightie Spaine will give us value the difference pray here we be indeed accommodated with respect and honour wealth sufficient for our betters with the grace of Spaine's Emperiall Monarch what doe we lacke nothing but yet compared to the affection of our Countrey not worth the speaking 1. Son Weed ' rather forfeit what we have then stay a minute once our friends doe crave Abn. That 's each of your firme resolution Ambo We humbly yeeld to your mature direction Abn. Goe haste to your mother and prevaile with her for I must yet a while consult alone Exeunt ambo Abner layes him on a Couch and slumbers Then enters the Queene of fates attended by three Nymphes viz. Clotho Lachysis and Attropos Queene See where a second Mars lyes Abner nam'd faire Nymphes respect him or you 'l be all blam'd of too too coy demeanour Musicke some Solemne musicke musicke or harmonious spheare descend descend whil'st we his vertues doe commend Cloth Faire Queene the gods are pleas'd you know we should appeare unto this mortall to unfold their divine pleasure and most sacred will in heaven decreed wherefore we must fulfill the promisses of their superiour powers above and as we doe esteeme him ours thus I declare his fortune in respect of warlike graces none shall more direct then his mature command his valour to shall make his adversaries blush to know that from an infant heaven did him elect to be victorious still against their Sect Lachy Opinion Mistris sayes a silent tongue consents to every thought then I should wrong his happines if I did not relate what I am sure will much augment his fate heroique valour vertue a pregnant wit are them deportments we conceive best fit to crowne his future actions this wee give for an assurance that his fame shall live Attro Grave Matron from you I must needs borrow leave to speake in 's praise before to morrow visits the world this discontented couch whereon hee 's stretch 't shall witnes and avouch these promis'd happines Queen Y' are all content wee see to raise his fame Cloth The gods themselves doth honour Abner's name Queen Let each of you in Sonnets sound his joy mixt with a dance or some conceited toy to pleasure him withall whil'st sleeping thus he may receive a happy fate from us THE SONG Morpheus wee coniure thee hence Goe to them gloomy shades from whence All sorts of lurking mischiefes flow Beneath th' infernall depths below Goe to stix Averre or whither Tell the gods exil'd thee thither Let no sad thought then mollest him VVee from sadnesse dispossest him But contrive for him fit praise VVith length of many happy dayes So loud fame his worth may sound Through the universall round Them bloodie troupes that doth destroy His native Ile like wretched Troy In sad laments shall grieve to see Henceforward them victorious bee O thy remorseles rage in vaine Lirenda florisheth againe As the song is ended Enter Mars Bellona Pallas and Mercury Bello See where the stately Queene of fortune sitts like Ci•herca daughter unto Iove to her we must addresse our best salutes all haile faire Queene Queen Welcome deere sister Mars Faire Emperesse we hard your solemne notes ascend up to the highest point of heavens great arch from whence we come to fill an emptie spheare with comfort the discontented Lirendeans Merc. The gods and goddesses are wholly bent to vanquish all their former discontent though hetherto they seem'd not to regard 'em yet notwithstanding they are now resolv'd henceforth to let their sorrowes be dissolved Queen Wee knew as much good Mercury and doe applaude that act which argues them just gods 't is