Enter Athenio Mineus Aretas and Dora Athe. Now he perceives his mischievous intention will not take makes him the more adventurous or rather desperate that no advice from his best friends can persuade him once to slake what lyes in him to execute though it sinke him deeper then the worst of evills or that he may be disapointed yet will not seeme to know it so farre a bloody passion doth transport him that he reflects on nothing but revenge whom to surprise or murder though innocent he makes no scruple on 't more then Cola did before he fell under the waight of his owne vices Mine A Tyger truly by name and nature a slave too that torments himselfe worse then he can doe us how good a face soever he puts on or that rude multitude doth follow him we are become their betters in the field heaven favouring us with good successe that now their malice shewes not halfe the violence that hitherto it did though no good will be wanting to effect it if they could wherefore 't is certaine then he that will steere blacke envies barke in a warme Sea of blood must justly perish in that fatall flood Aret. To witnes this let me present unto Your memory a few in Stelern only that like a torrent of impetuous furie went raging downe the steep descent of death and lost themselves therein Albinus Celar Daretas Philanax with their Rabi ringleader Sir Carola Cola for whose deere sake they yet lament whereby 't is palpable heaven grieves at our reproach Dora We could rehearse as many more sufficient to amaze the most obdurates Round-head of them all but to expresse that we regard Tygranes forces lesse then may be spoken of whilest we can wield these armes such cutting weapons that can soone decide the best of eithers right Enter Lentimos Mine Behold Lentimos with some sad newes it 's fear'd Athe. It shall not worke in us the worst may follow Now Cuze how goes squares abroade Lent That Lord Tigranes with his army doth commit all kinde of cruelties and march directly hither Athe. What strength can you discover him to be Lent About five thousand horse and foote Athe. Were he ten thousand strong it matters not wee 'll expect him at Lesterne passage goe take a hundred musqueteers along with you and make it good before his van arrives wee 'll follow after in all convenient Exit Lentimos speed Wee are not ignorant noble kinsmen how insolent bold and audacious these forlorne wretches doe contest with us for what 's our birth-right and inheritance that in defence of that or what is deerest to us wee are to expose our selves to death the wrong done our poore harmeles people all the most studied torments was inflicted on them for which wee chiefely move attired in armes to rouze their stupid conscience that will strictly answer for 't whil'st now each goodnes doth forsake them it cannot passe so currant but wee may give an end to their vaine hopes heaven yeelding us that priviledge though not worthy yet wee need not doubt it Then let us arme as well interiour as exteriourly to be in a fit posture 'gainst he comes let trumpets sound strike up our Martiall drums Drum and Trumpets as they depart Enter Tigranes and Tibernus Tigr. Where lyes their Campe Tib. At Lestern passage some some three miles distant hence Tigr. Are they strongly fortified Tiber. Impregnable and hardly can be forc'd without great losse of ours Tigr. Have they artillery thinke you Tib. Yes some small piece they have Tigr. Which shall be mine or mine theirs ere bright Titans rayes decline goe bid the officers be readie for intend to march against them presently Exit Tibernus a Curse on his life for me that will not breake on them or use the most extremitie he can devise a storme of tortures untill the mountaine of their vicious will are brought to nothing O that it lay within my power to cut off roote and branch together if not be sure I 'le doe my best endeavour Exit Soone after the Alarums begun hee returnes with his weapon drawne Tigr. All will not doe some horrible wicked destinie befriends them our men drop downe on every side whereat they seeme to scoffe and floute not giving ground an inch well well Tigranes shall not be affronted thus I 'le sooner die and fight it out to the last man death shall not hold me Enter Tibernus Tiber. Remove your standing Sir I doe beseech you Sir withdraw your person to some other place for hence I can descrie a piece right levell'd to give fire at you Tigr. That man is curst in his mothers wombe will shun a Canon shot ah I am wounded wounded A shot is given forth beyond recovery Now O now I feele the painefull seizures of untimely death on the remainder of my vitall breath vaine world adieu farewell brave Souldiers all be not dismaid at Lord Tigrane's fall Tibe. Heaven's blessed messenger receive thy soule Souldiers steps in Sould. But is he dead indeed Tibe. As cold as stone 1. Sould. Wee that have loved him when he lived found his open heart a Magazine of bountie must if nature be not too ungratefull shed brinish teares Tiber. That were effeminate and indiscretion too Now hee 's lost if in the view of our adversaries we seeme to grieve it may occasion greater evills having th' advantage of our generall losse then silence best becomes you for the present all that is requisite must be to beare his bodie hence unto his tent so sadly on that when true sorrow 's in the hearts of all his Corps may have a noble funerall Exeunt Beat a march Entet Abner Athenio Mineus Aretas Dora and Lentimos Athe. Thus through the helpe and furtherance of heaven our most malignant enemy's overcome glad to play least in sight went sneking home who not long since for oathes and threatnings might terrifie the gods or subdue the world that neither Heaven nor Hell was thought on once or what was spoken of them were but fictions which lead them to the gulfe of desperation Abn. We must pursue this blessed victorie making our withered hopes bud forth in blessomes of never fading honour Dora It adds unto our comfort Noble friends that Caspilona goes on bravely to Abn. Yes and God willing we intend so to untill we purge the Kingdome of these drones them viperous Locusts Come follow me Lent But stay my Lord here comes a Post with letters to your Lordship Enter a Post With letters Abn. How letters let me see had they defer'd it but one fortnight longer Athe. What newes doe them import Abn. A proclamation for one whole twelve moneth and a day's Cessation Lent This works in us a greater admiration that being in the full height of our conquest as prosperous as might be expected brave Abner's shining vertues like the Sun out of a new Horizon all the graces delighfull Mars could give or we deserve must through this needles fond cessation rest on the drowsie Couch of darke Oblivion it is a pill few Souldiers can digest Athe. Which best approves our loyaltie Abn. But you and we must yeeld obedience to it though not so well contented howsoever your forces must unto their garisons And if our wrongs be not repaired thereby we will againe renew this Tragedie Exeunt Solemne Musick 's heard whil'st an Angell appeares to perclose the Scaene with this following Song Peace to this bright resplendant spheare Blessings numberles be there Endles ioyes that doth abide In Elizeum too beside Nothing present may defile This victorious sacred Ile Come yee Gods and Goddesses That affecteth Peacefull blisse Helpe Victoria to disperse Each blessing on this Vniverse That dissentious broyles and iarres May end with these uncivill warres Haste O haste delightfull Queene VVith your Lawrells fresh and greene Grace this nation with a Crowne Of perpetuall renowne Since their warlike merits are Past the limitts of Compare Musicke as the Angell vanisheth FINIS THE EPILOGVE LEast any worthy here misliks this play Our Author for himselfe desired me say That wilfull error made him not ascend PARNASSVS or mount IDA to offend Or give the least distast his thoughts are free And void of such a grosse impuritie Desire of your contentment was the cause If he did violate the Muses Lawes But such a Noble worthy Audience In their grave judgments will I hope dispence With such if any be since true affection Submitts before it traverse a correction All wee request then as the case thus stands In token you are pleased doe but clap hands Laus Deo Virginique Mariae
Enfrranchise her and let her come th' view Of publique Censure where the best be sure VVill give her welcoms such as shall endure Els as a Miser you 'le be understood That hoords up gold and does the poore no good Feare not the Zoyly nor the Criticke faces That barke and snarle at th' Muses and the Graces Their anticque mouthes and squinted eyes shall be Stopt and obscur'd when they Lirenda see Breake through the mists of Enuy and dispence Light vigour Motion and intelligence To all that Candid art whose votes shall Crowne The Worke and Author with a smile not frowne And to augment the Trophies of thy prayse Impale thy browes with wreathes of Delplique bayes Daniell Breed• THE PROLOGVE SOme Prologues wish their Audience ioyfull mirth Some with Appelles strive to Painte the birth Of their inventions others not onely true But pleasing to the kinde spectators view Such would our Author to had not his Muse A mournfull subiect whom this age abuse Nor can his Novice genius dive unto The depth of what hee faine would tender you Lirenda's Misery who can forbeare The Scaene once past from a relenting teare VVhen blustring stormes of murder fire and sword Are the chiefe Emblems hee can best affoord Your true compassive fancie looke not then for A Poets loftie dazeling Meteor That to the vulgar eye might seeme more strange Then fertile Luna in hir often change Kinde Natives of this poore afflicted Ile To your oppressions we addresse the style Of this our tragicke pen who in effect Are the supporters of that Architect Devised by him that never writ before Yet honors you your miseries adore Your faithfull service resolution and The most accomplisht vertues of this land Sometime styl'd Insula Sanctorum Now the true touchstone or decorum Of Heroicall mindes whom envyes dire intent Endeavour'd to subvert with discontent This Noble worthy Auditors the scope Of what wee are resolv'd to shew in hope Your frequent goodnesse with attentive eare Our more imperfect lines will mildly beare For which the Muses humbly we desire Some heavenly rapture may your thoughts inspire COLA'S FVRY OR LIRENDA'S MISERY The first Act Enter a Constable and two Souldiers with halberts 1. Sold MVst not a Creature passe Const. No that 's the the scoape of our Commission Stand who comes there Enter a Citizen Cittiz. A friend Const. The Word Cittiz. Marry Sirs God blesse us all Const. well spoken yet you must not passe Citiz. Not passe then if you be good fellowes let us chat a while prethee what meanes this sudden tumult Const. The matter seemes so strange to me as yet we can reurne no other answer but the state on paine of death commands all men thus ready arm'd to stand upon their guard 1. Sould. You may be sure there 's some rancke plot in hand or would the State at these unusuall houres sit in a private Councell else Citiz. 'Twish a fable 't is but some dronken quarrell thus disturbes our rest or the field appointed by some hot furious gallant whereto the State will not give way Const. Be it the same wee 'll not remove from hence nor you in dutie ought to sleight the matter thus as if your worships wisedome were so ripe to apprehend the cause Citiz. You cannot give more likelier reasons for 't Const. Y' are mistaken friend the common report's abroad farre different from your conceit rais'd to the highest point of a distracted mutiny wee wote not what to thinke or speake such is the horrid treacherie intended Citiz. Good Lord forbid 'gainst whom Const. This City Castle and by a few of Romish Recusants thinke to subvert the true reformed Gospell Citiz. How our owne fast friends that were a jest indeed past my beliefe Const. Be not incredulous Citiz. How can I choose but frame my thoughts like a confused Chaos to thinke these men who by exteriour signes and loving conversations threw their hearts into our armes nay more I might expresse but that I see all proves a fained friendship and our joynt love 's turn'd to a mortall hate Const. 'T is much much feared wee 'll find it so e're long written in Characters of blood 1. Sold Silence the Lords themselves doe come to give their best advice Enter Pitho Berosus Mayor Recorder Pitho Wee call'd you hether to make knowne the danger that now even now is reveal'd wherefore so true we conceive you be that with all speed you goe unto each port and see them strongly guarded with strict command that none on paine of death shall issue forth untill a true perfect search be made throughout this Citie for as we credibly are inform'd Guyrva with all his rude conspirators are at this instant in a doubtfull feare to be discovered the guilt of such a heynous fact doubtlesse betrayes them Worthy friends then slake not your endeavours the hast which this great businesse now requires admitts no leisure to stirre your willingnesse with th' effectuall speech of our just cause that toucheth not your persons only but aymes at the Crowne of our dread Soveraigne and to imbase this Kingdomes glory beneath the hollow concave of their Popish faction this wee thought fit to adde unto your now intended care not doubting yours nor these your brethrens love to him this waightie matter most concernes Record Sir we really intend far from vaine glory be it spoken to uphold this Cities ancient fame that hitherto hath noblie borne the tytle of a pure unspotted towne when treason came as nie to cut you off our fidelity did then expulse your foes and with the trophies of their bloodie spoyle return'd victorious this we did and are as willing yet to manifest the same so farre as heart and life can shew the dutie of allegiance Bero. Them Noble acts renders you famous to posterity nor did th' Angolean princes prove ungratfull for that service as your faire City charter can approve Reco It is acknowledg'd their royall bounty wherefore we that doe live will strive to give as great a lustre to th' Angolean nation as our renowned ancestors have done in this we rest O Lord decree our willing powers may curb this treacherie Exeunt omnes preter Pitho Bero. Pitho Now kinde brother your grave experience must direct what is most needfull to be done Bero. The chiefest care whereto our watchfull eye should bar from future mischiefe this strong fort by heavens protection is secured therein disabling our insulting foes hence forward to proceed Pitho Then are our feares extinct Bero. Not so deere Sir the tempest threatens our ruin still for 't is a maxime warlike leaders use not to despise the weaknesse of their foes which else might give advantage to their designe as many woefull presidents there are within the limitts of my youthfull dayes too tedious now to nominate for sixtie odde yeares past since first I practis'd arms in the Hiberean warres when Tyrona ledd on by some vaine prophesie or other did strive by
dint of sword to assure himselfe the Northern Crowne with much expence of blood at length t'h Angolean forces cool'd his pride and made his haughtie courage stoope unto a base ignoble flight yet now me thinks the terrour of this sudden hell-bred newes strikes neere my heart then all the legions of his furious traine could at that instant when Black-water-Fort prov'd fatall to the most and best of ours Pitho We then like prudent Statesmen must observe some fit occasion may endeere the Palans to side with us untill our powers encrease with new supplyes from the grand Parliament Bero Your advice is good but we are the valiant stout Osirus here we then could best proceed yet fearing least the pilfring Mountaniers doe fire the suburbs 't were not amisse if we employed that warlike Leader brave Carola Cola with whom five hundred of our best and ablest men to front the foe at home Now friend from whence thy newes Enter a Post with Letters Post From Adrohna Pitho How fares the Governor Post In health an please your Lordship Bero. Is the noble Lord Tigranes in safetie They peruse the letters Post The same my Lord Bero. It must not be difer'd a minute longer goe hast thee to the governor againe and tell him six hundred men compleatly arm'd shall forthwith march to strengthen him and further bid him be of comfort he shall not want what 's needfull Post I will not faile to returne your Lordships answer Bero. Brother we must withdraw to hasten what is promist we should incurre a lasting scandall else Exeunt A march is beaten then Enter Athenio Mineus Aretas Dora Theodorike and Lentimos Athenio Now that our army is advanch'd thus farre within the confines of our trembling foes whilst yet their scattered troupes lye all dismaid wee 'l pitch a field in view of yon proud towne and stoutly summon them Within to yeeld or traine them forth moved which a bould defiance wherein wee may expresse an ardent zeale to right our natives slavery and stop the current of their puritan designe intended for our totall ruine Mineus Brave man at armes thy invincible spirit adds more furie to the justnesse of our cause then when I recollect a memory of Guyrva's sad misfortune through some prodigious starre ominus to poore Lirenda still yet if undanted resolution may advance the drooping state of this our native Clime let him not prosper will not prosecute that base perfidious Puritanicall faction enemies to God our mild and gracious Soveraigne Aretas I will not boast what my intentions are nor derive an active power from my owne selfe conceit No Noble friends and fellow peeres in armes my ambition 's fixt on them powers above from whence I have a heart both true and loyall consecrated to the service of this pious warre in proofe whereof vouchsafe me but that honour I 'le be the first shall scale those feeble walls and raze yon loftie turretts to the ground or dye in the adventure Dora Forbeare Aretas promise no more then thousands will beside we are departed from our home under the conduct of a happy leader to whom as to the publique good we owe the tender of life estate and fortune for royall Carola his just prerogatives wrested from him by an elected crew of shamelesse Round-heads wherefore lets once againe confirme our vow in his defence that is most deere unto us They draw Athe. The motions good joyne hands hearts together Now God defend this kingdome by our powers whilst we are for our gracious king and yours Omnes Crant this O Lord Amen Amen O Lord And kisse the hilts Athe. The squadrons now must quarter in due order Dora take you the charge thereof my selfe Mineus and Aretas will see if threats or promises will best prevaile th' obdurate Newters to side with us Enter a Scout Scout Arme Sirs arme arme an army of well appointed Angoleans march directly hither Athe. Never more joyfull newes come my hearts cheer up hearken this welcome March a farre off sound invites your valour be not found dismaid although your foes be arm'd the most of ours all naked men ne're train'd to any seemely posture Theod. What troopes will you appoint to give the charge Athe. Lentimos and you Theodorike must lead a partie forth wee 'l follow after with them we shall conceive expedient Theod. Shine happy starres propitious fate direct us Come le ts away heaven will I hope protect us Exeunt alarums A good while after the Alarums begun Enter Albinus and Celar severally their weapons drawne Celar Whither shall we fly Captain Albinus make hast away or we are lost for ever our ranks are broken by the bloodie foe that like so many cruell Tygers rage and slaughter all they meet with ruth full groanes of dying men the aire is fill'd and death in triumph waites upon our vanquisht forces Alb. I scorne to flinch or leave my harmelesse men a prey to them whose cruelty extends beyond the bounds of human nature of my estate they have deprived me else so most of those we have now seene lye dead then to revenge that wrong I led them forth and to that end I le stay my life 's no more but lost a•gments the summe of their large score Celar Our Serjeant Major hath forsooke the field Alb. More Coward he Celar Shall we submit or yeeld Albin Neither you may in that your pleasure doe Celar As you resolve so I will stand to it to Enter Theodericke Lentimos Theo. See where Albinus stands as if he meant to conquer all Alb. Come on Traytor Theo. Thou lyest base slave that proud word shall cost thee deerely Lent An equall match come man to man Theod. Fall backe good Sir doe you pursue the rest that flyes amaine Exit Lent have at you Sirs They fight Celar flyes and Albinus is kill'd packe hence thou wretched soule goe downe to stix there learne of Tantalus what is' t to strive against the streame for which he starves alive Exit The body is taken off then enter Pitho Berosus Osirus Cola and Tibernus Pitho When first this unexpected newes was brought us we little thought it would clime to that height or that there were such tyrannie intended against the miserable Northerne Subjects but since we doe unto our griefes behold the sad disaster of our dearest friends Cola. Expect no better measure at their hands if their emperious pride be not abated Pitho 't will come too late I feare Osir. 'twish a fable let damn'd Medaea raise her spitefull charmes from the depth of th' infernall sootie caves or from grim Pluto's court conjure a number of armed furies this horrid crew were they more strong then hell is deepe our just cause cryes at th' impartiall throane of God for aide to affront and keepe in awe these bold usurpers of our Soveraigne's power Pith. Most nobly spoken Bero. To thinke otherwise we should wrong our selves had we not lost our expectations for some private guilt
Ladie Flor. Seeing the Poets fancie hath pleas'd you thus wee crave the like respect which granted us shall not divert you long from them affaires whereto wee see you are enclin'd to most how like you of a dance my Lords Mine Fairest beautie none dares denie when you expresse the law that keepes offending lovers most in awe Flor. It merits not this complement your love in this is that which we desire to prove some musicke there Musick and the Lords and Ladyes dance Athe. believe me this was neatly done Mine And gave us much contentment Dora Ladies a banquet after this to entertaine our Noble friends Flor. If that small worth you thinke will please your friend leade on the way my Lords and wee 'l attend Exeunt omnes preter Ellenora Elle Goe goe spend the remnant of your happy dayes whil'st I with silent griefe doe vent my thoughts thoughts able to dismay a minde most resolute if what a maidens braine conceives will take effect our woefull houres are posting on we may be confident Angolias furie arm'd with a mortall hatreds ready bent to mischiefes void of pittie with pretence this cruell rage is in their owne defence least we who have been still as slaves to them should now endeavour to regaine our owne religion lawes and liberty this O this it feares me will produce more inhuman acts then ever brutish Nero did invent oh oh silly heart why doest thou figure forth so strange a forme silence no more no more let not the aire be private to thy griefe fearing some fatall starre approves thy speech propheticall and make these thoughts in fact a mournfull Chorus to the following act Exit The second Act Enter Athenio Mineus Aretas Dora Theodoricke and Lentimos Beat a march Athe. This day deere friends and kinsmen we must behave our selves like brave couragious Lirendeans not regarding the politique stratagems of Cola wherein he thinks to find us in a foule disorder his Machavillian plots ne're so privately contriv'd but heaven you see doth send us timely notice wherefore wee 'll expect him with spirits altogether void of feare what though wee are not so well arm'd as he nor furnisht with that plentie of ammunition the justnesse of our cause will shield us from the spitefull fury of his invading power be sensible of your wrongs the infamous disgrace without respect of birth or person how odious the name of Catholique hath ever been unto them a hatred there 's by inheritance the losse of your estates by a thousand damn'd inventions beside innumerable edicts against Religion These torments were not held sufficient in respect we somewhat yet possesse of this our native soile wherefore they have contriv'd the last and worst of evills to raze us from the world No nor leave so much as one alive to encrease the memory of us hereafter a grudge sutable to hells blacke purposes Reflect I pray how neere it doth concerne us then to venture our lives and fortunes in a noble vertuous way that truly tends to the safety of your wives children and friends Admit gentlemen of the worst may happen what an they breake on ours 't is no dishonor neither our reputations blemisht in 't when th' advantage of armes and numbers theirs May not fortune as well grace our desires when all her motions are uncertaine should wee defeate them now the world would speake our praise Come let 's resolve to doe them more annoy then Agamemnon in the warres of Troy Lent The grave and learned eloquence of Roman Orators noble Colonell could not more perfect a description give off those insufferable injuryes which captivated our hearts in chaines of ice that must again perforce dissolve in flames of just revenge Theod. Our enemies too neere approach else we could enlarge the subject of this conference with as many materiall circumstances which for the present we abreviate to prosecute our right leade on Sir bravely guide the way heaven will I hope grant this our happy day Exunt Alarums Soone after the Alarums begun Enter Cola his weapon drawne Cola. Was ever seene or heard such bold audacious rogues that dares upbraid my fury have not I to their confused shame and losse caused many townes and villages to be destroyed in dreadfull flames themselves like dismall fugitives compeld to flye and yet they dare affront me still O impudence that with extracted villanie deserves a totall ruin thy harme I seeke and longe to glorie in soe good an action motives sufficient doth enduce me to it to hang to racke to kill to burne to spoile untill I make this land a barren soile Exit Alarums Allarums Enter Athenio Lentimos severally their weapons drawne Lent Fly Cosen fly ther 's no hope of safety else notwithstanding a stout resistance our men affrighted with the unusuall sight of blood and slaughter are fouly broken on routed by a number crueller then famisht lions in th' Arabian desert Cola like a demi-divell or Canniball cryes out kill kill spare neither man woman child regard not age or sex downe downe with them all Athe. For Christ his passion doe you once more oppose his furie make good the trench whilst I perswade our timerous men to face about Exit Lent As Athenio would depart Enter Celar Celar Stand traitor perfidious traytor stand Athe. Thy foe a loyall subject and prove it so on your guard Sir They fight Celar is kild Athenio departs then Cola Enters with Tibernus and Souldiers Cola. Tibernus charge Crambich post unto the bridge where the most number of the villens are in strife to passe let not a mothers child escape but see due execution on them all Tiber. Your will shall be observ'd effectually Exit Tiber Hee spies Celar kil'd Cola. What stout Celar kil'd O damn'd bowitching fate Beare hence this body then after take the pillage of the towne for your good service Exeunt Enter Belfrida Belfr. Now as I live its like to prove a mad world a desperate time with our Citizens an' it continue thus where they did breake by dozens heretofore we shall have hundreds now at a light rate i'faith such pretty shifts and sleights are so cunningly contrived these dayes under pretence of safetie as shutting shops packing up goods and sent the Lord knowes whither Coine Iewels plate houshold-stuffe every thing vanisheth like superfluous clouds to the vast center of the hollow earth my countreymen are styled to discontented gentlemen well if e're I did intend to make a fortune now 's the time to stirre my selfe a fitter opportunitie will never offer my acceptance ha the mischiefes on t I shall be reputed so a prime promoter tush a blast of breath no sooner blowne then gone honesty canno• thrive at all times the proverb sayes he must needs dye a begger that is knowne too just wherefore I will scrue up my wits to the full height of knavery whereby I may demurely insinuate my selfe with the good liking of Sir Carola whom no sooner 's made acquainted