not in themselves Have taken notice of Agath But allow there were Some things might grieve the People Wise Experience Gives us to know that in th' lopping of Trees The skilfull hand prunes but the lower Branches And leaves the Top still growing to Extract Sap from the Root as meaning to Reform Not to Destroy I tell thee Epecides Th' Excesse of what was good in Prince Evander Might Stock the barren breast ' of the Usurper Epeci. Men never rate their goods so highly As when th' are rob'd of them It is some ease To our afflictions that we can thus vent Our Griefes to one another for we must Despair of other remedy Agath Very true If we continue Children and adore The Rod corrects us kisse it till we smart for 't Enthrone base Fear in Valours royal Seat Let it Lord o'r our Spirits till our blood Forsake its heat and become Ice But if We do retain the Glory of our Ancestors Whose Ashes will rise up against our dulnesse Shake off our Tamenesse and give way to Courage We need not doubt inspir'd with a just rage To break the necks of those that would yoke ours Epeci. I but Agath Those Buts destroy us are you willing To sit in th' dark and never see the Sun With a besotted Patience see your goods Rifled and your Inheritance tane from you Unlesse you to secure his quiet will Part with your own and by compliance banish The peace your Conscience yet is happy in Epeci. You know my Spirit 's not so chill But I would know a way prescribe you one That 's passable I shall not onely run My Fortunes with you but make all the friends And neerest Allies I have as ready minded To do you service Agath To a Resolved Minde Nothing seemes difficult Archias has a Noble gallant Spirit Epeci. What then Agath Hee ever was a friend to Vertue and 's of Mazares line too Epeci. Unfold the Mystery Agath What would you say if he 's wellbelov'd and active Enter a Mâ—ssenger Epeci. Doe you suspect me Agath No but hold here 's some upon us Messen Which is the Lord Philistus or Cleander either will serve Agath What is your businesse Mess I 've Letters to the King Agath Whence came you Mess From Messina Epeci. How fares the Lord Planetius Messe His Honor is in health I 'd faine be discharg'd Agath What news what news wee 'l bring you to the King Mess Extreme good Gentlemen the late Tyrant after his defeat going for Italy was surpriz'd by some of Tyche in the Province of Vallâ—s de Noto killd and cast into the River a death too good for him Agath So Sir Epeci. Oh forbear But hear me friend is this newes certain Messe My Lord Planetius the Provinciall of Mona had it so Sir and he hath sent the same unto the King I can say no more on 't Sir please you to bring me to those Gentlemen Agath Ther 's enough in Court to shew you you may walk thither Sir Messe I could have done that without all this doe Sir Exit Messe Epeci. Passion 's too much your Enemy Agath Dog a death too good for him Epec. What think you now on th'businesse you were upon Agath I am beside my selfe my Courage leaves me And Reason tels me now I must be tame The King Enter Mazares Cleander Philistus Adulanter c. Messenger Maza Were not the Villaines found Messen I do not know and 't please your Majesty The King seemes to be troubl'd at this News aside I le change my Note 't is like they were For w'heard the Provinciall of Vallis de Noto had Appointed the death of some body Maza He did but Justice then Oh Philistus And you my honoured Lords our Grieses want utterance He was our Brother though our Countries Enemy And they have tane away a part of us That sent him hence It was a Deed though Heavens Just hand was in 't we cannot but Lament Your Pardon Supreme powers Phil. Most pious Prince Maza Blame us not my Lords We say again He was our Brother and We cannot stop The Course of Nature seems to weep Agath Can this he reall Messen He was a Gracious Prince ther 's the truth on 't I could weep too for him Adula How you Villaine Messe Why the King is not offended with me I hope alas I have Nature in me too good Vertuous Prince Evandâ—r Adul Hast thou a mind to be hang'd Messe How Is the Wind at that door No Sir not for e'r a dead Prince in Christendome your Majesty may spare your teares for in truth and verity he was but so so Maza Friend didst not say That th' Actors were punish'd by Missellus Messe So I heard an 't like your Highnesse Maza T is strange Planetius writes not so but it 's very likely Missellus has in many things been seen Ready and Active for him and no doubt Would now Cleand. Come Come Missellus growes too popular Your Majesty may think on some more faithfull Maza We guesse your meaning Philistus We shall dispatch you upon some affaires As soon as we can shake this sadnes off And our Mind 's fit for businesse Phil. It becomes my Duty to wait your Highnesse pleasure Maza Fellow attend our Secretary for a Confirmation of the Provinciallship of Mona to Planetius Come my Lords Exeunt Enter Archias and Harmonia Harm Begon so soon my Lord y' are hardly entred My Father house Though th' entertainment comes Short of your Merits My Lord beleev 't y' are welcome To poor Harmonia Archi. Th' art rich in all that 's good And that 's a Dower Queens would be glad to boast of Since thy descent to love me I 'm exalted Above a Monarch's happinesse Harmo And part so soon You have some other Mistris whose heaven Depends upon your Visit Arch. Pretty Jealousie How sweetly it becomes her Beleeve me dearest By the blest hopes I have in thee Not any Beauty in Cicily if there can any be Besides thy selfe for in thee is the full Perfection of all Beauty met has part Of the least thought of mine Harm You shall not go though yet Enter Cleander Arch. Thy Father wilt thou now License me to go I 'le see thee e're the Sun be six hours older offers to go off Cleand. My Lord Archias you have honour'd me Exceedingly by this your Visit I hope my comming Does not remove you hence Arch. My good Lord Excuse me I beseech you did not Businesse Of much Concernment call me hence I should Account that time wel spent wherin I might Serve you and your fair Daughter Clean. Pleasure your self my Lord. Arch. I am your Lordships Servant adue Sweet Exit Cleand. Harmonia I guesse this Young Lord loves thee His often Visits promise some such business But I 'd not have you Countenance it Harm Why I beseech you Sir You have bin pleas'd to lavish forth his prayses Beyond the Common Character I 've heard you
say With Pardon Sir hee had much Vertue in him Clean. And has so but he cannot bring his Heart T' affect this King although he be his Kinsman Harm That is no Crime worthy my Notice Sir Much lesse my disrespect Pray give me leave To use him but with that Civility Becomes the Education of your Daughter Clean. My intents Fly higher to advance thee if I live And that the King perform his Royal word As that he dares not but doe thou shalt stand In Competition with a Queene for Greatnesse Mazares is too weak a Politician To think my vast Soul can bee hemm'd within The Circle of a Province when a Kingdome Will scarce contain it No I do but take This as a Spot of Earth to what I aim at I mean to Match thee Girle unto some Prince By whose Assistance I 'l reach the Ascendent The Royall Seat Harmonia And then Wee are thy Princely Father Dos't not Noise Rarely my Girle the very Sound inspires My Soul with flames of Majesty Go on Cleander 'Till Neighbouring Princes wondring at thy Fate With trembling Scepters dread their own Estate Exeunt ACT 2. SCE. 1. Enter Mazares Philistus Adulanter and Attendants Maz. PHilistus sir Sit Adulanter who waites there sit at Table Guard We an 't like your Grace Maza Bring us Wine Wee are dispos'd to drown our Brothers Memory And its appendent Sorrowes in a full Bowl of rich Wine Phili. Done like your Princely self Maza What should we Contract our Youth to Cares for waste the heat Beats in our agile veines and draw upon Our head a Snowy-Perrywig before Age claims it We are resolv'd to make Our blooming Yeers no Prey for Melancholy Phili. You are our Sun and we the Infant Plants That take life from you when your Brow is Clowded We droop and Pine as wanting heat your Highnesse Now shews your self in Glory and our heads That lately were prest down with discontent Look up to blesse the Change Adul Your Highnesse put Us all in fear you would Convert your Court Into a Monastery Maza Ha ha ha into a Mouse-trap rather Philistus to thee Fellow let not any drinks Enter the Presence if thou regard'st thy safety 'T is hop'd our Subjects will allow us a time Of Mirth after our toil for them Phili. Whether they will or not your Majesty has power to take it Maza How e'r we seem'd to take our Brothers death 'Thas brought on our security for such As durst before speak loud and big now dare not Be seen to Whisper ' gainst us Phili. T is a point of Policy High as your Highnes safety to keep them At such an Awfull distance ther 's Epecides Maza A Close and cunning Sophister he carries A fire within him scarce to be discern'd Phili. Agathocles comes not much short of him Maza He has a daring Soul and does attract The lewd Licentious People as the fire That draws ill Vapours to 't but w' are resolv'd He and the rest of 's Insolent Crew shall meet Our Justice if they Submit not Phili. Your Majestie 's brow Is too serene something of Wrath there seated Would seem far better Maza Wher 's our Secretary Adul Call the Kings Secretary Enter Secretary Maza Hast done the Patent we gave Order for Secret 'T is ready for your Majesties Signing Maza Give us Ink so Philistus We have Iust cause to doubt Missellus faith too And therefore will remove him and on thee Confer the honour He is seated like A Thorn in th' Heart of Cicily and must be Cut off lest he spread farther and do gore us gives him the Patent Take this as earnest of our Love to thee Whose Loyalty we are assur'd of Phil. Fame Shall spread your Royall Bounty through the World And may leave to Be when I forget To be your Highnesse Servant Maza Cleander had Our promise for 't but We do know him one Of an unconstant Spirit full of Spleen A Mind high and unbounded and to drive On his own ends will enter into League With Turke or Devill therefore t is not safe For us to lay a trust of so high consequence On such a frail foundation One whose faith Complies with every Winde and strikes his Sailes With every Tide and Change But You drink slowly Come to thy Good Journey Cleander knocks Guard The King is private Clean. I must speak with him Maza Who 's that so loud there Guard The Lord Cleander Maza Tell him 't is not our pleasure to be spoke with Guard My Lord you hear the King Cleander strives and rusheth in Clean. My Businesse is of Concernment I will enter How 's this surrounded With his Flatterers t is like to be A State well govern'd Maza Sir you are Uncivill Clean. What mean you Royall Sir Maza Y' are sawcy We say again y' are sawcy Clean. How Mazares How durst you bee so insolent Clean. I have deserv'd Sir better language from you My anger is too strong for my Obedience And will have th' upper hand I come To claim your Royall word I am Cleander Sir Whose hand did seat the Crown upon your head Sir Maza Provoke us not Phili. Good my Lord for your owne safety You see the King is mov'd Clean. Mov'd By heaven I 'l move him worse tell me I 'm Insolent Maza And we shall punish it if you go not the sooner Clean. I will not hence and you shall hear me Maza Go y' are impudent Clean. Am I so Sir You did not tell me so when I did waste Whole Nights and spent my Spirits to seduce The People tâ— your Party and lost my blood To serve you I was not then Maza Stir not in me An Anger that will shake thee Clean. Whose head whose heart whose hand appear'd till mine To make you what you are Maza If we be King Sir you shall feel there is A power belonging to 't Wher 's our Guard Take him away Phili. I beseech your Majesty Clean. Effeminate Lord I scorn to own a life At thy Petitioning Tyrant do thy worst Is this the reward for all my services Sit with your crew of Vaulters and Contrive To turn your Cittadels to dauncing schools Or Stews fit for your purpose till the Souldiery Like to a sudden Tempest scour your follies And whip you to Repentance Maza Away with him Guard Come my Lord. Clean. Yes I shall go Ungratefull Prince May all thy Brothers drag him off Maza Stop 's mouth away with him So we are rid of th' Screech Owle did you e'r hear Spleen better vented All the Physicians of Palermo could not discover his disease better than he has don 't himself Phil. And were I as your Majesty I 'd cure him By th' head for 't Maza 'T is not safe yet but if this Tame him not We shall fly higher Phili. The Serpent spet at me too Maza Wee 'l have the venom from him or his life for 't Adul Hee has a Daughter of that Beauty would thaw a Stoick's bosome She
This is the Murtherer then seek no farther I will have justice oh my cursed Fate Exit Tearing his hair Epcci How 's Griefe transports him Agath Can you blame him H' has lost a Daughter this Age cannot Parallel Epeci. The Murtherer not found yet Enter with the body of Adulanter 1. This does appear like such a Monster 2. His hire is paid his Neck is broke Agath 'T is Adulanter where found you him 1. The Trap door neer the back stairs we found open which has not bin these ten yeers before and we suspecting search'd the place and found him Archi. And is he found let him be Carbonadod To Breakfast his Confederate the Devill Or Pickle him in boyling Lead to get The Fiend a stomach Oh you Gods you Devils Heaven Hell I will call all of you to question Exit Aga. Let 's follow him with Circumspective care This is the first step to the Hill Dispair Exeunt Enter Cleander Clean. Thou shalt no longer insult o'r my faculties Unprofitable Griefe I 'm not Design'd To end my daies with thee but must unload My self of thy dull burthen were the whole Stock of Woman lost in my Harmonia 'T should not exact or draw a tear from me Shall I retreat now that have Charg'd so fairely At th'bosome of a King no on Cleander Perfect thy work dis-seat him make thy self Lord of his fortunes by thy Glorious Conquest My Resolution 's fixt as is the Center Which Fate cannot remove King thou must down Two heads cannot be impal'd within one Crown Enter Agathocles Epecides But to my former shape these are Courtspies I must not trust e'm Good health to your Lordships You now do shew the sweetness of your natures In time of heaviness ther 's vertue in A Visit Epeci. Would ours might bring you Comfort Agath The King is so infected with his sorrow Advice is lost to cure him All his Studdy Is to preserve the Memory of your Daughter Which ' cause he will not lose he makes her shadow His Idoll to the which he offers up His Morn and Night Oblations Clean. How should I Behave my selfe then my Griefe should as far Exceed his as my loss transcended his Epec. Your loss was great Clean. Great do you tell me Great Agath I cannot think the ill was meant to her Rather unto the King Epec. The Guard Upon Examination said that Adulanter Was drunk when he left them but what Clea. Pray tell me no more on 't 't is not pleasing I may be quiet In my own house I hope Epec. We came not Sir With an intent to raise your Anger but 'To allay your sorrow with our best advice Clean. You may go home and advise upon 't tell me of comfort and advice Agath Nay good my Lord you may take pet and hang your self if you please 't is all one to us Clea. Teach me to tame a Tyger when his fierceness Ranges for Prey and forbids Opposition Empty the Ocean and fill it again raves To breath life into Clay Tell me of Comfort Epec. Come let 's leave him alas 't is his Torment To hear her nam'd We take our leaves my Lord. Exeunt Clean. Why farewell you so they are gone I had no better way than to Rave them hence Enter a Scotch Apothecary Oh are you come Sir why so long first Apoth Goud faith gif I had rid the Deel and spult the weamb o the wund I cud a mead na mare heast Kym away Sir what 's your Wull an pleas your Honor Clean. They say you have great skill Apoth Very Muckle Sir I ha not ben a Poles-Screamer this twenty yeers far naught Clea. I do not love the King Apoth Reight wee l Sir nor I by my saw what wud you toll him Sir Clean. I would be rid of him Apoth Woll your Honor be a Hearse or a Meare Clean. Away I 'd be quit of him Apoth Aw Sir your honor wud be quite au him be me saw ye fall but whilke way me Loord an plase yoor honor Clea. I 'd have him poyson'd Apoth Peyson'd be me saw I kan dew that brawly I leard it fra Bough-wha-nan Sir Clea. And hee was an excellent King-killer He has a Picture of my murther'd Daughter On which he paies his early and late kisses Not for the Love hee bears her Memory But to deceive Revenge Apoth Aw Sir she fall buss him deede a me saw woll puls him by the sleeve Yee shaw me toll her Sir Clea. I 'm glad to see the spirit of a Scot So resolute it stars not at the Murthering Of the Fools Idoll King Apot. Aw King Mon dee'l aw me saw bet I au me Countramen ha peyson'd thra better Kingdoms as this au gif I sud noow for aw King the Deel au me faw lugg's Clean. Thou art a brave fellow and 't is pitty such Desert should suffer come along with me When thou hast done I 'l make an end of thee aside Exeunt Enter Agathocles and Antanter Antan I thought it then high time to overtake His Mounting-pride and Levell 't with the Earth And not to let him grow more fruitfull in His sin and overtopping Insolency Agath It was a Deed Antanter that deserves To live in th' Mouth of Fame that after Ages From thence may learn not to fear bugbear-greatness Anta Thimistius body I gave buriall and Left tothers to Miselluses disposall Agath 'T was no small sport to him but it was strange Planetius should deny Assistance to him Anta I do beleeve Missellus and he held A Correspondency but for what end I cannot reach Agath He is not to be trusted If this distemper once would leave the King Thou would'st not think 't a Miracle to see Enter Epecides Me in Planetius Seate Now Epecides How fares the King Epec. Oh Gentlemen our hopes That promised a Growing-happiness From his indulgent Beames One Minute has Destroi'd for ever Agath How do you mean my Lord Epec. The King is poyson'd Antan How Poyson'd Poyson'd Agath There is a secret Devill lurks among us Who holds Intelligence with Hell to blast Our Kingdomes Peace and Comfort see they come Enter Archias in a Bed Archbishop Cleander Phisicians and Attendants Arch. The Flames of Aetna are not fierce to mine Each facultie conspires my Torment oh I burn I burn Phisi Great Sir be not an Enemy Unto your Being take this as Arch. Away You may as well give Phisick to the dead As to his Heart whose agony exceeds The sense of Ease I am resolv'd to take No more of your vain helps leave me I pray Cleander Clean. My most Gracious Souveraign I have a heart too weak to bear the burthen Of so much Wo your sufferings bear me down Beneath the hope of Comfort Arch. Spare thy Griefe Harmonia treads the Milkie way and I Must through this fire be purifi'd to meet Her and the Joyes she brings me Agath Does none hear By whom or how these Miseries should come Archi. Trouble
not your self my Lord I freely Pardon And will reward the Doer so declare it For he has taken paines to send me to The Place I so much long'd for I do charge you If my last words may win Obedience from you Straight to Proclaim this fain I would salute Him e'r I die that was so kind unto me Archbi Unheard of Charity Arch. My Lord from ou I have conceiv'd in Specie the joyes I must receive hereafter those sweet Odours Perfume my Spirituall sense and strengththen that Although my Temporall decay and perish Enter Servant with the Scotch Apothecary Serv. Here is a Scotch Apothecary that confesses Clean. Art thou the Villain Cleander kils him Apoth Au the mickle Deul god gin the King wud gi me bet een hauf ooer toll live bet I cud speak aw Deeth thau limmer loone aw aw dies Agath My Lord 't was rashly done wee might have found Where the ill vapour rests begets these mischiefes And who set him on work Clea The Devill who els And he has paid him 's wages Arch. Cleander Archb. The King calls Sir Archi. I feel my vitals fail me Oh Cleander I shall see my Harmonie thy blest Daughter E'r fourty Minutes pass I must bequeath thee A Legacy of Care this drooping Kingdom My Lords I hope the love you ever bore me Though Heaven denies me time to Merit it Will now express it selfe in the approving Him I present to you a dying Man Who has no ends upon you nor the Kingdom Farther than your perpetuall flourishing Clea. I beseech your Grace alas Arch. You hear me Lords Archb. We do Sir and accept the choice Y 'ave made With more than willingness Agath You have not spoke for me Exit Epeci. Nor me Exit Archi. I am at rest farewell dies Archb. Hee 's dead Clean. And I His weeping Monument remains till Fate Translates my better part t' a better State Exeunt Antan These are fine turning times I wonder when 'T will come to my turn to be King I have A Heart as fit and large and dare as far Adventure for 't as any But the Fates Of Souldiers serve to Promote others ends Which done they do forget we e'r were friends Exit Enter Agathocles Epecides Hipparinus Icetis Hippa Your words sound like the Oracle's as full Of truth and plainer to the Intellect Agath How sweet and freely Rome enjoy'd her self 'Till she submitted to the Power and pride Of one mans Rule Tell me what good did ever Kings bring unto our Country that wee might not Have purchased without e'm Ills they have Almost incredible Our Coffers emptied To fill their Treasury and maintain their Riot Epe And wedded to perpetuall Slavery For when one Tyrant falls another Rises From his Corrupted Loynes that proves far worse Perhaps than did the former So that wee Must never hope for better but be Arm'd With Patience to endure the worst Agath Suppose We would allow of Kingly Power where is The Man discended from that Race Cleander He was but one of us the other day And sure we are not of so tame a brood But to think We deserv't as well as he Why should not you Icetis or Hipparinus Rule or thou Epecides or my self W' are of as good a Mould and have as much T'elate us as his Worship Epeci. Very right And have as great an Interest in the People And Common-wealth this of Necessity Must breed Conâ—usion ' mongst us this Example Kindles in every Man desire of Rule Which to Archieve how perilous so e'r Th' Attempt may prove they 'l leave no means unsought Till their irregular Sense spurning at Order Turns all into a Chaos Agath Who can tell But this Intruder was th' efficient Cause Of his own Daughters ruin and the Kings Epec. It was a notable peece of Policy To kill the Apothecary and prevent Confession Icet What 's your advice Agath To joyn with us And take th' Peoples Yoke off from the Tyranny Of Kings hereafter Epec. And to have our Countrey Govern'd by three or ten as did the Romans Agat Who shall continue but a Yeer in Power And then successive Patâ—iots be chosen Who shall have Power to punish in their time Tâ—e Crimes their Predecessors did commit During their time of Rule Epec. So shall the People Not be to seek for Justice but find ease Unto their grievances and the vile Minds Of Avaritious and Ambitious Men Be either punished or els Rebated Icet It cannot but content the People highly 'T is Coppied from so fair a President Hippa And with you and for you and them wee 'l spend Our lives and fortunes Agath We will do the like With you and for you and thus link'd together imbrace We dare Contemn Cleander's Power Epeci. And blow His Glorious hopes into the Air. Agath Be sudden And we may take the Serpent in his Cell But our delaies may give the Monster time Of comming forth and strength to overcome us Hippa We will possess the People with the Glory Of their long hidden liberties with promise Or Restauration if it lies within The power of friends Money or life to Compass Agat He that 's besotted to his fear or Ease Will make his Patience prove his worst disease Exeunt Enter Planetius and a Captain Plan. Return mâ— Obedience to the King Evander And this unto Missellus tell him I gives him a Paper With all the force that Mona can afford me Will wait upon his Hâ—ghness and himself At Erix Capt. I shall my Lord. Exit Captain Plan. How am I bound to the Gods for their superlative goodness That here an offering of Mercy meets me By their Dictation I whose Treachery Unto my King Merits severest Justice Am punished with a Revengless Pardon Which is indeed my Torment that I should Ever have bin so wicked ' gainst a Prince Deserves so much good from me but my Soul Henceforth shall cleave fast to this Principle The longer growth Diseases do indure The more the Griefe more famous is the Cure Exit Enter Hipparinus Icetis and the People casting up their Caps crying Liberty Liberty Exeunt ACT 5. SCE. 1. Enter Agathocles Epecides Hipparinus Icetis Antanter and the People hawling Cleander Clean. TRaytors hands off 't is Sacrilege to use The Person of your King with such Irreverence Omnes Our King ha ha ha People Wee 'l make you sing another Song Clea. Have I deserv'd so ill that none wil give A Death more honourable to me Agath Thou hast liv'd Base and must basely die Clean. Forgive me Heaven And you bright Stars whose Lustre I Ecclipse Here to shine brighter there Plead not against me But be as Mercifull as you are Innocent Agath Wert thou the death of Archias and thy Daughter Clea. Ambition was to which I gave consent Agath And now you see the Pinacle from which You must be tumbled down away with him Clean. Yet hear me People Confession's ti'd to Destiny you shall with us People drag