wear one Cloud upon your Face When you remember who I am my fears Are thick upon my Heart how to secure This shadow any longer Ferd. That afflicts Me most Rosania for it pleases me To hear she can affect thee but what way To keep her expectation high and thee My dearest safe her passions may be violent Rosa. They are already Sir if I mistake not I wish to Heaven that you were reconcil'd To do the office of a Husband to her That peace would keep her Bosom clear and I Should live to all the World except your self A stranger still Ferd. What language speaks Rosania Ther 's death in every syllable should I Obey what thou desir'st and do the office Of a Husband ha Rosa. I 'l wait upon you still And hope you will vouchsafe me now and then A harmless smile her beauty will deserve Your whole heart and ther 's something in the memory Of what she has advanc'd you to will help To make you kind Ferd. Should I injoy the Queen Because the misery of my fate compeld A ceremonious sin shall I betray The essence of my faith and leave a curse When thou art known upon my name for ever If thou hast taken new resolves against me Punish my heart some other way had she More ornament than ever met in woman Mistress of more perfection than Poets Invented for the Queen of love to this Were the proud Empire of the World her own And she would make me Lord of her and these It would not buy me to the pleasure of One Nights embrace my body shall not carry My soul so far astray the Man condemnd To live in a perpetuall Snow hath not A purer Frost within his blood Rosa. This but Ingenders a new grief although it bind Rosanias Heart there is yet one way left And that ere I pronounce you must forgive There is a trembling in my tongue and I Already feel such Winter in my breath My timorous Lips do wither Ferd. Do not fright My Soul too much ther 's something threatens me So like a loss of these that I am left A peece of shaking Earth death cannot look To make me tremble so canst thou forsake me Ros. Not in my Heart but give my body leave To seek some other place my Lord to dwell in When I am gone into some wilderness You will find ease at Heart and love the Queen And perfect all I 'l pray you may live happy And hold Intelligence with some gentle Winds That shall convey my wishes and return What joys do follow you the purling Rivers I 'l teach your name and they which guide this way Shall bring thee something Ferdinand of mine My tears I know will not be lost which I Will send thee daily by the courteous stream Clear pledges of my faith consent my Lord I may depart and you shall choose your way To every blessing here Ferd. Not till we meet With one embrace and take our flight together And I have thought a way to perfect it Observe my sweet Rosania the Queen Thou sayst affects thee cherish it with all The softness of her creature if she allow Kiss her and promise what young lovers doe Examine not but by thy love to me Be free in amorous language if she have Heat to a private meeting in her Chamber Obey this shall secure our loves ambition Enquire not but resolve and let me know The time Ros. You will attempt no violence Upon the Queen Ferd. By this Kisses her Ros. What if she have commanded me This Night Ferd. To meet Ros. In her Bed-Chamber Ferd. Ha! obey it Ros. At a late hour Ferd. It shall beget our comfort If thou consent Rosa. But shall I not expose My self to danger if her love persue Immodest ends since you advise I should Apply my self to her desires Ferd. If she Take too much flame by some soft art delay her Till I come to close all keep still thy person Secret the least discovery will destroy Us both the Evening with much hast prepares Thy visit and our happiness Rosa. I 'l obey But be you sure to come Ferd. Lose thou no time Now to indear thee to her let us part Love will find balm to cure the wounded Heart Exeunt severally A Table and Lights set out then Enter Queen and Violinda Que. Was he not cheerfull when he promis'd thee Viol. He was and he was not Que. I have a strange apprehension and this doth feed it Viol. I told him 't was an honour worth his joyfull entertainment Que. If it should prove succesfull my revenge Were perfect I 'm resolute to persue Viol. It makes well For your contrivement that the King and you do Lodge at distance stay I hear a tread Que. I hope 't is he Enter Leonario Viol. Prince Leonario Madam Que. What comes he for Leon. Although I have small expectation For my own sake that you can pardon Madam This bold access and at so dark an hour Yet when you have heard my business You will know Your self so much concern'd I 'l not despair To find your mercy Que. You prepare me for Something of consequence Leon. Please you to dismiss Your Ladie I have something to deliver Wo'not become her knowledge Que. Leave us now Ex. Violinda Our conference is free your Graces pleasure It must be matter of much essence that Could not expect till morning but y' ar welcome Leon. This time and darkness Madam best becomes him Who for your sake blushes to see the Day But I came not to chide my wrongs have learn'd A modest silence my approach is not To name a suffering of mine but to Discover what already is prepar'd Against your peace and honour Que. Is it treason Leon. It is but threatens not your life you may Live many years upon the wound Que. You fright me Leon. Lose not the beauty of your cheek so soon Hide not beneath that cold and killing Snow One Rosie blush and yet that pale would shew Like Innocence which you have lost oh Madam Had you not made a forfet of your truth To me no storm could shake you but your soul That made no change could know no fear I come To tell you what just providence hath done In my revenge your breach of vow is punish'd With loss of faith in him to whom you gave The Heart you promis'd me the King whose pride You built on my dishonour is as false As you were Que. This is passion but be Not yet too rash in censuring him Whom I Have plac'd so neer I must defend nor will He need my strength to make their blood account That dare traduce his honour he has a Heart Leon. A false one I was born without a fear And dare upon his bosom wear he worth The manly contestation write him perjur'd Que. I would this were not envy but admit He be thus guiltie 't is a fault in him Leon. No Madam it is yours that sin that poysond The
Queen if it be treason to Have been a stranger thus long from my Country Bred up with silence of my name and birth And not till now mature to own my self Before a Sun-beam if it be treason After so long a banishment to weep A tear of joy upon my Countries bosom And call her mine my just inheritance Unless you stain my blood with bastardy If it be treason still to love this Earth That knew so many of my race her Kings Though late unkindly arm'd to kill her Sovereign As if the effusion of my blood were left To make her fertile if to love Olivia My nearest pledge of blood although her power Hath chain'd her Prince and made her Lord her prisoner Who sits with expectation to hear That sentence that must make the golden Wreath Secure upon her Brow by blasting mine If this be treason I am guilty Ferdinand Your King 's become a traitor and must die A black and most inglorious death Ernest. You offer At some defence but come not home by what Engine were you translated hence or whether Convei'd There was some trust deceiv'd when you Were carried forth to be preserv'd and much Care taken since in bringing of you up And giving secret Fire to this Ambition Ferd. There wants no testimony here of what Concerns the story of my Birth and Infancy If one dare speak and be an honest Lord Leand. How 's that Ferd. Whose love and art secur'd me from all tyranny Though here my funeral was believ'd while I Sent to an honorable Friend his Kinsman Grew safely to the knowledge of my self At last till fortune of the War betray'd me To this captivity Leand. I blush at thee Yong-man whose fate hath made thee desperate And car'st not what mans blood thou draw'st along In thy black stream or what mans faith thou mak'st As hateful as thy crimes Ernest. That confederate Sure has some name declare him that he may Thank you for his reward and lose his head for 't Quee. We always see that men in such high nature Deform'd and guilty want not specious shapes To gain their practice friendship and compassion But he shall feel the punishment d' you smile Ferd. A womans anger is but worth it Madam And if I may have freedom I must say Not in contempt of what you seem nor help'd By overcharge of passion which but makes A fruitless noise I have a sense of what I am to lose a life but I am so fortified With valiant thoughts and innocence I shall When my last breath is giving up to lose Its self i' th' air be so remote from fear That I will cast my face into one smile Which shall when I am dead acquit all trembling And be a story to the world how free From paleness Ferdinand took leave of earth Rosa. Alas my Lord you forget me that can Part with such courage Ferd. I forget indeed I thought of death with honor but my love Hath found a way to chide me O my Boy I can weep now Leon. A sudden change he weeps Quee. What Boy is that Ferd. I prethee take thy self away Quee. Your Spirit Does melt it seems and you begin to think A life is worth preserving though with Infamy Ferd. Goodness thy aid again and tell this great Proud woman I have a Spirit scorns her pity Come hither Boy and let me kiss thee thus At parting with a good and pretty servant I can without my honor stain'd shed tears I took thee from thy Friends to make thee mine Is it not truth Boy Rosa. Yes my Lord Ferd. And mean't when I was King to make thee great And shall I not when I can live no longer To cherish thee at farewel drop a tear That I could weep my soul upon thee But You are to slow me thinks I am so far From dread I think your forms too tedious I expect my sentence Quee. Let it stay a while What secret flame is this Honor protect me Your Graces fair excuse for you I shall Return again Exit Ferd. And I with better guard After my silence in the Grave to meet And plead this cause Ernest. He is distracted sure His person I could pity but his insolence Wants an example what if we proceed To sentence Leon. I suppose the Queen will clear Your duties in 't Leand. But I 'l acquaint her Exit Rod. My Lord Leandro 's gone Ernest. His censure will Be one with ours Ferd. Yet shall I publish who Thou art I shall not die with a calm soul And leave thee in this cloud Enter the Queen and Leandro Rosa. By no means Sir The Queen Quee. Whose service is so forward to our State That when Our pleasure 's known not to proceed They dare be officious in his Sentence Are We Queen or do we move by your Protection Ernest. Madam the Prince Quee. My Lord you have a Queen I not suspect his wisdom Sir but he Hath no Commission here to be a Judge You were best circumscribe our Regal power And by your selves condemn or pardon all And we sign to your will The offence which you Call treason strikes at us and we release it Let me but see one curl in any Brow Attend the prisoner hither Kiss our hand Are you so merciless to think this man Fit for a Scaffold You shall Sir be near us And if in this confusion of your Fortunes You can finde gratitude and love despair not These men that now oppose may finde your title Clear to the Kingdom too Be Sir collected And let us use your arm Exit Supported by Ferdinand Rosa. What change is here Leand. What think you of this Lords Rodri. I dare not think Leon. Affronted thus O my vext heart Exit Rosa. I le follow still and if this be no dream We have scap'd a Brook to meet a greater stream Exeunt ACT. III Enter Rodriguez Ernesto Ernest. THough I believ'd her passionate and like A Sea tempestuous in her anger I Never thought she would marry him Rodri. She 's the Queen But with what honor she could quit the Prince Who without treason did deserve her too Comes not within my reach Ernest. If you consider He has been valiant for her to great purpose And brought a prisoner home to mount his Gennet It was a pretty service Rod. How does he bear it Ernest. He 's here you may enquire it Enter Leonario with Letters and a Servant Leon. Be swift and faithful Arragon bleeds here Nothing but War can right my cause and honor Serv. Expect an army great as your own thoughts To cut the way to your revenge Exit Leon. My Lords Rodriguez and Ernesto Ambo Your Graces servants Leon. A man may take the benefit of this Garden Without a Court offence you have had the day Of triumph and the Queen already teeming To bless the Kingdom with an Heir and yet You see I walk like a poor Neighbor Prince And have my heart still Rod. I am glad you bear
THE DOUBTFUL HEIR A Tragi-comedie AS It was Acted at the private House IN BLACK-FRIERS WRITTEN By JAMES SHIRLEY Never Printed before LONDON Printed for Humphrey Robinson at the three Pigeons and Humphrey Moseley at the Prince's Arms in St. Paul's Church-yard 1652 To the most worthily honored Sir Edmund Bowier SIR MAny years are vanished and a period not onely of the Scene but more considerable revolutions have pass'd since I had the happiness to be first known to you I read excellent Characters of you when you writ but a small Letter and though my observations like seeds were not cherished by the fault of time to a maturity yet they begat in me such great respect to your person then budding with honour and expectation that now after so long absence I find them not extinguished and howsoever at the first complexion I may appear bold in this hasty interruption yet your candour will be so far in my defence that I have presumed thus rather to let you know I can still honour you than unsatisfie my self by neglecting the first opportunity of presenting my service Sir it is a piece which perhaps you have seen in the active representment the estimation it gained from thence will be short of that grace it shall derive from your acceptance by which you will shew how still you dare retain your nobleness and by renewing your smile upon me encourage me to write my self Your humble Servant JA. SHIRLEY Prologue ALl that the Prologue comes for is to say Our Author did not calculate this Play For this Meridian the Banckside he knows Are far more skilfull at the Ebbes and flows Of water than of wit he did not mean For the elevation of your poles this scene No shews no dance and what you most delight in Grave understanders here 's no target fighting Upon the Stage all work for Cutler 's barr'd No bawdery nor no Ballets this goes hard But language clean and what affects you not Without impossibilities the Plot No clown no squibs no Devill in 't oh now You Squirrels that want Nuts what will you do Pray do not crack the benches and we may Hereafter fit your Palats with a Play But you that can contract your selves and sit As you were now in the Black-Fryers pit And will not deaf us with leud noise and tongues Because we have no Heart to break our Lungs Will pardon our vast Stage and not disgrace This Play meant for your persons not the place The Persons of the Play Leonario Prince of Arragon Ferdinand King of Murcia Rodriguez Noblemen Ernesto Noblemen Leandro Noblemen Alfonso Father to Rosania Olivia supposed Queen of Murcia Rosania Alfonso's Daughter Violinda Captain Citizens Courtier Officers Souldiers Scene Murcia THE DOVBTFVLL HEIR ACT. I. Enter Rodriguez and Ernesto Rod. THis turn was not expected Prince Leonario Is much perplext Ern. I cannot blame his Highness So neer an expectation of a blessing To be thus crost Rod. The Day of Marriage set With the applausive Vote of both the Kingdoms By an unlookt for War to be put of Would vex a royall spleen Er. 'T is but deferr'd Rod. I doe not like the hope on 't Er. I pittie The Princely lover worthy without blemish To the excelling virtues of the Queen Of as much goodness as her sex contains So Noble in his Nature Active bountifull Discreet and valiant if we may believe What his young fame profers to every knowledge Rod. This character is not flattery and yet The Queen our Mistriss is not lost in this Just praise of him Er. I have no thought so Impious My dutie never taught me to commend But to obey her Virgin sweetness makes me Her just admirer but when I observe Her prudent manage of the State a strength Would become many years her pious Laws But that without example made to advance Her sexes Chastitie I forget all Beside worth praise though every least of her Desert would ask a volume 'T is his Excellence Enter Leonario Captain Rod. Ther 's one not sorry for these Wars Er. 'T is his Profession Souldiers batten in a Tempest Rod. And he deserves employment yet I think Hee 'l never purchase with his pay Leo. Be confident Your worth will plead alone the Queen expects me Ex. Leon Capt. Your Highness humble creature so ther 's hope yet After a time of ease and surfet we May cure our selves by letting others Bloud My Noble Lords Ernest. Morrow Captain you look blith and bright Capt. I 'l put my Sword to scowring that shall shine I thank Heaven my prayers are heard Rod. What prayers Cap. That honest men may cut knaves throats and bid Defiance to the Hangman Musk and Civet Have too long stifled us ther 's no recovery Without the smell of Gunpowder Enter two Citizens Er. But Captain 1 C. 'T is he we must not lose him 2 C. He has credit with the Lords it seems 1 C. He has spied us Capt. My honest friends welcome to Court My Lords Pray grace these honest Gentlemen they will Deserve to kiss your Hands 1 C. Our business Is to you Captain Capt. Doe you think what these brace of Baboons come for Rod. Not I Capt. By this day for mony moneys that I owe 'em Er. Is 't possible Capt. I ha' mov'd your sute Gentlemen 1 C. What sute Capt. Touching the Masque Which you two in the name Of the whole City offer'd to present At the Town charges to congratulate The Queens intended Marriage I know This Egge was long a hatching and expected But that your Heads could not agree they being Of severall sizes some upon the shoulders Of your long-winded Officers whose purse Was made of the Leather with their conscience 1 Ci. Does he talk to us of a Masque 2 Ci. Good Captain put your Masque off and give us The money that you owe us Capt. Was 't not meant nobly But you my good Lords know how much The Queen and Prince are sorry that so rare A President of their duty should not be Upon record this villanous War distracts All civill mirth but you will be remembred 1 Ci. We know not what you mean we have no anticks In agitation if your Captain-ship Will pay your debts so there is Law and courses To be taken and you will find that Justice Can deal Sir with the Sword as well as Ballance Capt. The Puppys talk Philosophy nay then I must be plain would I could tice 'em to A little treason they l ne'r hang for felony Why whither doe you think I am going now 1 Cit. We care not whither so you pay us first Capt. Let their own Fathers swing so they have mony 2 Cit. May be you are going to the Wars Capt. Yes Mongrels To fight for your chamlet Faces while you stay at home And catch the cramp with telling mony Putting your Guts to Pension every Day And roots untill the wind cry out agen you And with your belching backwards stifle Men That walk the Street
untill the Air be purg'd Must we Eat Bullets without Butter Whelps Have our Throats cut or drop like Sheep by 'th' hundred O' the rot to buy your Peace you boding Screechowls And ha' your consciences so course a Nap To aske money of us 1 Cit. You had the conscience To take up our commodities Capt. Reason good Should I goe naked leeches 2 Cit. No but there is reason That you should pay good Captain for your warmth Capt. Pay you for what for Cloaths such things as these Your tribe is bound to keep us 1 Cit. How Capt. Yes and desire us to accept your wares To recompence our sufferings 't is we 'T is we that keep your Worships warm and living By Marching Fasting Fighting and a thousand Dangers you o'r grown moths you that love gold And wo'not take an Angell sent from Heaven Unless you weigh him you that spend the Day In looking o'r your debt Book and at Night Can lap and lecher in your Feather Beds Then snort and dream of fourscore in the hundred Afraid of nothing but the Gout or what Is a more just reward for your hard hearts The stone which puts you to the charge of Physick To make you piss out your last Usurers Gallon Or of a Surgeon to cut you for The Pibles which if you survive Incission You keep in penny Boxes like deer reliques And shew your friends when you intend to visit 'em And beg a Dinner Er. Let not passion Make you too much abuse their qulaity The City does contain brave fellows Captain As generous as bountifull discreet And valiant too as any boast themselves In Court or Camp Cap. I grant you my good Lord And honour all the Noble souls within it But these are walking sicknesses not Citizens Two such prodigious things with crooked consciences Though Young yet Old in Usury 2 Cit. All this Captain Wo'not pay us our money which we must Have or Petition for to your disgrace Cap. Well since there is no remedy will you take These two Noblemens words for what I owe you 1 Cit. With all our Hearts Rod. That bargain is to make Er. Good Captain at this time you may excuse us Capt. Why doe your Lordships think I 'd let you surfer Come y' ar my honourable friends pass pass Your word I le pay the mony hang 'em dottrels I le not be beholding to 'em Rod. We had rather you should good Captain Capt. No come hither Capons Will money content you shall I walk the Street Without a Head ake with your bawling for The debt when I ha' paid you 2 Cit. 'T is but reason Capt. I 'l fetch you money presently you may follow If you please but these Noblemen shall see And witness what I pay you I 'l not trust Your Memorandums 1 Cit. With all our Hearts Sir 2 Cit. We desire no more Capt. I 'l wait on you again Ex. Manent Enter Leandro reading a Paper Rod Ernesto Rod. Fortune de la guerre My Lord Leandro what papers that He so intentively peruses Lean. I like it and could willingly allow The change the Queen grows mighty in her spirit And this match with the Prince would swell her State Too much my Lords Rod. We are yours Leand. See what dangerous Papers have been scatter'd To wound the Title of our Royall Mistriss My servant brought me this our Enemie Who calls himself Prince Ferdinand would fain Have us believe him Cosen to the Queen She an usurper of his Crown Er. We all know him dead Rod. I 'm sure I did attend his Funerall Lean. I think I waited too Er. This paper sayes he was conveyd away And so escap'd his Uncles cruelty To whose protection he was left an Infant He dying we translated our obedience To his Daughter now our Queen Rod. Here 's an Impostor Leand. Heaven aid the Innocent say I he has Valentias aid and comes not to Invite But force a resignation I wish things Were calm agen Er. Prince Leonario if she prosper not Is like to be a loser too Leand. For him It matters not we have more to think on now Than love and complement Rod. I thought he would be Generall 'Gainst this pretended Ferdinand Leand. What else Her sweet Heart that gives Cupid in his crest Alas there needs no art nor strength of War To advance her cause Justice will fight for her I' th' Clouds and victory sent from Heaven without Her souldiers sweat will gloriously descend To Crown his Head with Laurell Er. May it prove so Leand. I could say things would stagger your belief But I forgot the Queen sent for me to You both a servant Exit Er. I do not like my Lord Leandros winding He has been faithfull Rod. Alwaies honourable The Queen Enter Queen Leonario Captain Leandro Violinda Attendants Ladies Gentlemen Leon. I take this as the greatest honour Madam You could confer my name is young in War But my affection to your rovall person Arm'd with the virtue of your cause shall make me Doe something worth your name Que. 'T was your request Nor could we place our chief command but where 'T is equald with your Interest in us And your own merit Leon. Sure my Stars did mean This way to make you know how much my heart Dares in your service and if Ferdinand For so he calls himself possess a soul Above the vulgar making we shall spare The Blood of many and conclude the War In single opposition Leand. With your Highness pardon It not becomes you should Engage your Person And so great a cause so dangerously It will be too much honor to th' Impostor And in the supposition of the World A strength to his pretence to bring your Birth So low to humble both your self and fortunes To his unworthy Levell a thing grown Up in the Night a Meteor hanging in The Air prodigiously fed with vapor and Black Influence ambitious to deceive The World and challenge kindred with the Stars It is too great a venture Sir Er. Since there must be a War Let the armies meet in Battail there 's more hope After the worst to reinforce and prosper Than when the kingdoms put upon one stake And one Mans chance to assure it Que. I allow Your Counsell Lords but have more argument Convincing me not to run such a hazard Of what must make Olivia rich hereafter A kingdoms loss may be repair'd but your Life made a Sacrifice to tyrant War May find a welcome to the other shades But no tears can Invite you back to share Or grief or Joy with me I le have no Duell Leon. 'T is a command and my obedience Shall meet it though I fear 't will be a sin To be too carefull of my self but I Shall still remember I am your Souldier And this consider'd shall not make me rash But wisely teach me to deserve this title Which lives but in your honour Que. I 'l pray for you And not so much for what concerns the State As
what your merit hath already gain'd Upon my Heart Rod. Blessings upon 'em both A curse upon these Wars that spoil their mirth Que. My Lord Leandro Leon. Ther 's your Commission Captain I suppose You have found wayes to empty your Exchequer Capt. My Baggs are not brimfull my Lord I have Defalk'd and made an ebbe for Wine and Women And other things that keep poor men alive To doe their country service Leon. Please you walk With this Gentleman Captain he shall pay you Five hundred pieces that I owe you Capt. Me your Grace owes me nothing Leon. I could not pay the debt in better time Sir Capt. Umh I will take the mony and allow the miracle Ex. Capt. Gent. Er. Did you observe the Princes nobleness Although the act become him Yet the manner Takes me especially Heaven preserve the Captain From being Mad Leon. I prosper in your Vote But shall I Madam if that power which Crowns With victory guides me with fair success In this your War and triumph smile upon us Shall I at my return have that reward My soul next Heaven affects shall no delay Colder than Frost to lovers blood afflict My expectation of our Marriage Although to doubt this be a sin yet where The ambition is so Just I shall but right My Heart to have it oft assur'd nor can It make your eye less rich in smiles when 't is Only my love Encourages me to make The busie harmless question Que. It does please me Nor can you ask so often as I have A cheerfulness to answer that I love you And have propounded nothing dearer to me Than that which perfects chast affection And chains two Hearts the Priest with sadness will Expect you safe agen but from this War When you return he shall not in his Register Of Lovers find one with more wing hath met The bosom of her friend than glad Olivia To make one soul with you Leon. I have enough And thirst for action in the Field from whence I will bring Harvest home or leave my self Happy in life or death to doe you service Ex. Queen Leon Lean. Ladies attendants Rod. Well I 'm afraid if Hymen should set up His Tapers now they would not last to light His Priest at their return to say his Office Er. Hope fairly Rod. I allow his spirit but The Prince hath not been practis'd in The School of War where stratagems prevail Above all personall resolution Er. He cannot want fit counsell to direct His early valour besides Ferdinand by computation as young as he Enter Captain two Citizens and a Souldier May poize the scale See the Captain 1 Cit. We alwaies thought you Noble and we hope You 'l take no offence that our occasions Prevail'd above our modestie Capt. I know You two are very modest well I 'm glad I am furnish'd for you my good Lords I must Intreat you to be witnesses of what money I pay these Gentlemen that have trusted me 2 Cit. And will agen command our Shops Capt. No sit there and starve Or if you like it better take a swing At your own sign Post Er. Good words Captain Capt. They expect good money and both good are too much 1 Cit. We alwaies lov'd you 2 Cit. And doe so still most virtuously Capt. It does appear 1 Cit. And you shall find us ready Capt. I 'l make but one fair motion it will be Sufficient tryall of your honestie I have five hundred pounds you see me tell it Faith make it up a thousand 'twixt you both Till I come back you will be Aldermen 1 Cit. Ne'r a whit the sooner 2 Cit. Alas Sir if it were at another time 1 Cit. Hereafter upon good occasion you shall find Capt. You both i' th' Pillorie for selling Copper Lace by a wrong name well ther 's no remedy I 'l keep my word the money 's ready for you 1 Cit. You are noble Captain 2 Cit. May you kill all the Queens Enemies Capt. You would not scape That Cosen her liege people every day then 2 Cit. This payment Captain will come most seasonably 1 Cit. And doe us as much good as you had given us The sum twice told another time Capt. Before These Noblemen have you such want As you profess you have no Wives nor Children 1 Cit. I protest upon my credit I am to pay This day two hundred pound or be indanger'd To an arrest 2 Cit. And I must goe to Prison If before Sun-set Capt. Then 't will doe you a pleasure Both. Cit. Above expression Capt. Here 's twelve pence a peece for you y' ar fit Men To serve the Queen Both Cit. How Captain Capt. Why in the Wars choose either Pike or Musket You shall have that favour Both Cit. We are both undone Lords Ha ha but will you use 'em so Capt. Ha' they not ready mony why d' ee stare No thanks for my protection Both Cat. Protection Capt. Did you not protest you should to prison else Why you unthankfull sons of false light Sergeant Take 'em to thei'r Rendevous 1 Cit. Captain a word we are content Capt. I 'm glad on 't Why d' ee stay then 1 Cit. To abate half our money 2 Cit. All all good Captain he shall have all rather Than be sent a souldiering d' ee know what 't is 'T is no Artillery Garden where you come off With as you were Rod. This was his Project Capt. Umh You will forgive me both your debts 2 Cit. And pray Heaven to forgive you too Capt. My Lords bear witness These two would bribe me to abuse the Queen And the present service is this less then Treason Both Cit. Oh Er. Nay nay Captain Capt. There are not two more able Men i' th' Army I mean for bulk ram me into a Cannon If you shall buy your selves with your estates From this Imployment Il not cosen you Your mony is good debt still you may live And aske me for 't agen and I may pay you Rod. But shall they serve indeed Capt. That 's at their perill When they come to 'th field but goe they shall And they were my Cosen-germans Both Cit. Good my Lord speak for us Capt. You doe not know my Lords but a little suffering May save their souls and teach 'em if they come Off with a quarter of their limbs compassion To other Men that venter their lives for 'em Their consciences are tough and must be suppled When they shall fast and march ten months in armor Sometimes through Rivers sometimes over Mountains And not have straw at Night to keep their Breech From growing to the Earth in storms in heats When they have felt the softness of a trench Thigh deep in water and their dung to fatten it When they shall see no meat within a month But chaw their Match like Liquorish and digest The Bark of trees like Sallads in the Summer When they shall live to think there 's no such thing In Nature as a thirst
long to be beaten Exeunt Enter Ferdinand in prison Rosania like a Page Rosa. Pray do not grieve for me I have a heart That can for your sake suffer more and when The tyranny of your fate calls me to die I can as willingly resign my breath As go to sleep Ferd. Can I hear this Rosania Without a fresh wound That thy love to me Should be so ill rewarded th' ast engag'd Thy self too much already 't is within Thy will yet to be safe reveal thy self Throw of the cloud that doth eclipse that brightness And they will court thy person and be proud With all becoming-honor to receive thee No fear shall rob thy cheek of her chaste blood Oh leave me to my own Stars and expect What ere become of wretched Ferdinand A happy fate Rosa. Your Councel is unkinde This language would become your charity To a stranger but my Interest is more In thee then thus with words to be sent off Our vows have made us one nor can the names Of Father Countrey or what can be dear In Nature bribe one thought to wish my self In Heaven without thy company it were poor then To leave thee here Then by thy faith I charge thee By this the first and last seal of our love Kisses him By all our promises when we did flatter Our selves and in our fancy took the world A peeces and collected what did like Us best to make us a new paradice By that the noblest ornament of thy soul Thy honor I conjure thee let me still Be undiscovered What will it avail To leave me whom thou lovest and walk alone Sad pilgrime to another world We will Converse in soul and shoot like Stars whose Beams Are twisted and make bright the sullen Groves Of Lovers as we pass Ferd. These are but dreams Of happiness be wise Rosania Thy love is not a friend to make thee miserable Society in death where we affect But multiplies our grief Live thou Oh live And if thou hast a tear when I am dead But drop it to my memory it shall More precious then embalming dwell upon me And keep my ashes pure my spirit shall At the same instant in some innocent shape Descend upon that earth thou hast bedew'd And kissing the bright tribute of thy eye Shall after wait like thy good Angel on thee There will be none to speak of Ferdinand Without disdain if thou diest too Oh live A little to defend me or at least To say I was no Traitor to thy love And lay the shame on death and my false Stars That would not let me live to be a King Rosa. Oh Ferdinand Thou dost not love me now Ferd. Not love Rosania If woing thee to live will not assure thee Command me then to die and spare the cruelty Of the fair Queen Not love Rosania If thou wilt but delight to see me bleed I will at such a narrow passage let Out life it shall be many hours in ebbing And my soul bathing in the Crimson stream Take pleasure to be drown'd I have small time To love and be alive but I will carry So true a Faith to woman hence as shall Make poor the world when I am gone to tell The story yonder We are interrupted Enter Keeper Keep You must prepare your self for present trial I have command to attend you to the Judges That Gentleman and all that did adhere To your Conspiracy are by the Queens Most gracious Mercy pardon'd Ferd. In that word Th' hast brought me more then life I shall betray And with my too much joy undo thee again Heaven does command thee live I must obey This Summons I shall see thee again Tiberio Before I die Rosa. I 'l wait upon you Sir The Queen will not deny me that poor office I know not how to leave you Ferd. Death and I Shall meet and be made friends but when we part The world shall finde thy story in my heart Exit Enter Officers with Bar Table Stools then Ernesto Rodriguez Leandro Queen supported by Leonario Ferdinand Rosania Ladies Gentlemen and Guard who set Ferdinand to the Bar. Queen Is that the prisoner at the Bar Leon. He that pretended himself Ferdinand Your Uncles son Q. Proceed to his Arraignment my Lord Leandro You know our pleasure Lean. Although the Queen in her own Royal power And without violating Sacred Justice where Treason comes to invade her and her Crown With open war need not insist upon The Forms and Circumstance of Law but use Her Sword in present execution Yet such is the sweet temper of her blood And calmness of her Nature though provok'd Ino a storm unto the great'st offender She shuts up no defence willing to give A satisfaction to the world how much She doth delight in mercy Ferdinand For so thou dost pretend thy self thou art Indicted of High Treason to Her Majestie In that thou hast usurp'd relation to Her blood and under name of being her Kinsman Not onely hast contriv'd to blast her Honor With Neighbor Princes but hast gather'd arms To wound the precious bosom of her Countrey And tear the Crown which Heaven and just Succession Hath plac'd upon her Royal Head what canst Thou answer to this Treason Ferd. Boldly thus As I was never with the height of all My expectation and the aid of Friends Transported one degree above my self So must not Ferdinand though his Stars have frown'd And the great eye of Providence seem to slumber While your force thus compel'd brought me hither With mockery of my Fate to be arraign'd For being a Prince have any thought beneath The Title I was born to yet I 'l not call This cruelty in you nor in the Queen If I may name her so without injustice To my own right a Kingdom is a Garland Worth all Contention and where right seals not The true Possession Nature is forgotten And blood thought cheap to assure it there is something Within that excellent Figure that restrains A Passion here that else would forth like lightning T is not your shape which yet hath so much sweetness Some pale religious Hermit might suspect You are the blessed Saint he pray'd too no The magick 's in our nature and our blood For both our veins full of one precious purple Strike harmony in their motion I am Ferdinand And you the fair Olivia brothers children Leon. What insolence is this Qu. Oh my Lord let him Be free to plead for if it be no dream His cause will want an Orator By my blood He does talk bravely Rodri. These are flourishes Ernest. Speak to the treason you are charged with And confess a guilt Leond. He justifies himself Ferd. If it be treason to be born a Prince To have my Fathers Royal Blood move here If it be treason in my infancy To have escap'd by Divine Providence When my poor life should have been sacrific'd To please a cruel Uncle whose Ambition Surpris'd my Crown and after made Olivia His Daughter
most ingratefull Ferd. We are both lost till now there was some hope How to repair thy sorrow Rosa. Do not mock me 'T is a worse tyranny than to kill to laugh At what you have made wretched 't is as possible To call past ages back Ferd. Take heed Rosania And be not Judge of what thou know'st not dearest Rosa. I know too much Ferd. That I am Married Rosa. Ther 's no truth in Man Ferd. You are too rash for there is truth in me In Ferdinand though in thy thoughts held black And staind prodigiously with breach of faith I have not broke my vow do not compell me By thy unbelief to do a Sin I hate As much as I love thee Rosa. Have you a Soul Ferd. Yes and thy Eye shall read it be but calm That Soul thou once didst love white with his first Simplicity and faith I wo'not urge In my excuse the beautie of the Queen Enough to melt a Scythian into love But call to mind my dear Rosania And do but put upon thee Ferdinand So late forgotten by his Stars a prisoner Slav'd like a villain at the bar expecting At every breath his sentence nay admit Rosania the best part of his Soul Stood like a weeping fountain to take leave Of what she never must salute agen In this extreme to preserve Ferdinand And save Rosania wouldst thou scorn the breath Of mercy that did Court thee from the Lips Of a great Queen couldst thou love Rosania If thou wert Ferdinand to lose thy self Whom she would follow in a stream of tears And when she had made an Iland of thy tomb Striving to swim to thee she could not choose But drown her self in her own waves I prethee Take reason to thee and when th' ast consider'd Rosa. Perswade me I am not Rosania And I will say 't is virtue and that yet Your heart may grow with mine is not the Queen Possest of that which should have been my title A Wife to Ferdinand Ferd. 'T is confest the world Doth think it so I did consent to ceremony Ros. Call you injoying of the Queen but ceremony Ferd. Pause there and if thou hast but so much charity To think I dare not blaspheme Heaven I 'l call That and the Angels boldly to my witness The Queen 's to me a stranger yet Ros. A miracle Ferd. Retain but love as thou preserv'st thy sweetness And that will teach thee to believe that Ferdinand How ere saluted King is still thy subject And though her Husband in my faith to thee The Marriage Bed hath still our Virgin sheets A Brother might embrace a Sister with The heat I brought that this is truth the power And name I have shall only serve to make Our flight secure into another Kingdom And when I part with these new shining glories Thy faith will be confirm'd and thou acknowledge I ventur'd much to keep my Heart thy servant Ros. I know not what to say is not the Queen Displeas'd Ferd. She is but cunningly disguiseth Her passion to the World but I forgot What must inlarge my fears of her revenge If thou be known Rosania Ros. Lose that fear I am still safe and now I see the cause Makes her repent her favours and thy greatness Forgive me Ferdinand and yet I know not All is not well ther 's poyson in this Balsom Prepar'd for thee Ferd. From whom Ros. Rosania Ferd. When she shall but consent to have me dye She shall not trouble poyson to send off My despis'd life my soul in just obedience To her command will take a cheerfull flight In hope to serve her in the other World Ros. You shall know more hereafter and let this Secure your thoughts she yet beleeves me what This shape presents but without wise prevention I fear I shall not live too long conceal'd I dare not say her honour is a bleeding But a Queen thus distasted may not find That Ice within her bloud we are interrupted Enter Rodriguez Rodri. Your pardon Sir 't is the Queens pleasure This Gentleman attend her in the Gallery Ferd. He shall wait her commands Ex. Rodri. I know not what to counsell 't is not safe Sweet to neglect her yet my fears of some Ill fate are round about me like a mist And dark my understanding let a kiss And silence teach our souls some new discourse Capt. Why here 's a volume of Intelligence I 'l stay no longer to expect the Prince But seek him out immediatly disguises King by your leave I shall untruss your Mistress Ex Rosa. I know not what I feel nor what to fear If love e'r meant a Tragedie 't is here Ford. If we ne'r meet agen one more salute Shall fortifie our lives by joyning breath Nor shall our last hard fate deny us this To change our faithfull Souls at our last kiss Exeunt severally ACT. IV. Enter Rodriguez Leandro Ernesto Ernest. I Know not what to think on 't but if I Have any sense there is some new state madness Crept into Court Rodri. Are we not all a sleep And these fine dreams perplex us Leand. No 't is waking Rod. Shew me the tenth part of a reason why The Queen did Marry him Lea. 'T was destinie Ernest. Why since should he be melancholy Rod. Or she so humorus Ernest. Not lie together pray Heaven the Gentleman Be found with no defective title in him Leand. Observe her favours to that Boy he was His servant now her minion I like not These violent wheels the whole frame may be soon Indanger'd if these passions be not cur'd Rod. New lodgings for him neer her own and he Given free access to the Bed-chamber Leand. 'T is naught Or will be so I pittie the good King Though she have rais'd him to the highest glorie Her power extended too yet to make this height His precipice and throw him into scorn Nay poyson the best hopes he had of honour And love from her and in his sight to Court A Boy his servant It would vex the best Of all our tempers if we felt the sting on 't Enter Rosania and Violinda passing over the Stage Er. He 's here that Lady is the Queens Cabinet Lean. They are merry about the Mouth Er. Another summons 'T is possible the Queen may Marry him too Lean. There is some mysterie we cannot reach If we doe well remember ther 's a Law Made by her self as soon as she was Queen To keep Wifes Pulses temperat and correct The insolent Bloud of Women that had Husbands Er. And Men were not exempted Leand. I say no more But Heaven maintain the Law and the Law-makers And conjure down that Devill 'T is the King and the smooth Boy le ts leave 'em Exeunt Lords Enter Ferdinand and Rosania Ferd. Was this the Ladies Message does the Queen Take thee into such favour Rosa. I tell truth And though it sound but ill on the Queens part Because she thinks me what I seem my Lord You need not to