have spoken I will stand to it I will maintaine it Defi. We must beare with you 't is your nature to bee crossing us perpetually Divis. Then Proposition it is you must end this controversie Pray speake quickly 't is your voice must doe it Prop. If that three Dukedomes all of equall worth To these three all thrice-worthy noble Lords Should by our sentence be distributed I quickly would decide all doubt but now All having equall interest in my love All equally deserving in mine eies I sweare I know not whom I should preferre Before the rest lest I should doe the rest More injury than right to him therefore Let me intreate you take some other course For the determining of this weighty strife Defi. Wel then yong Lords you must needs rest a while contented till we can find some other meanes to compose these differences wherein we will use the speediest meanes we can invent Fallacy takes Opposition aside and whispers him in the eare to send Contradiction Exeunt Fall You see deare Brothers how this subtile States Deferre this controversie to decide That keeping us from dignities they may Themselves be this Realmes onely Governours I therefore loving you and this our State Hating such Machivillian Policy Sit downe unto you as you can agree Let either of you rule the State for me Exit Demon. And 't would no lesse befit you Topicus To know your selfe and learne of Fallacy To yeeld unto your betters Topi. You say true To know my selfe I well may learne of him For you are ignorant and know me not Else I perswade my selfe as he to both You would give place to me Demo. I doe confesse I know thee not for Demonstration Lookes not so low with his inquiring eye In greater matters onely busied Topi. Oh somewhat 't was you ne're could know your selfe Your higher gazing thoughts could ne're descend To so vild abject a basenesse Enter Contradiction Contra. Now brave spirits Why suffer you our State unmanaged Your selves dishonoured You are slouthfull Lords Demon. Brave spirit and can I endure To be cald base and abject Topicus Thou mistak'st Those words were onely spoken unto me And Contradiction calls thee sloathfull Lord Contra. Now let your noble courage shew it selfe If you neglect this so faire-offerd place You worthy are to live in dishonour Demon. Rather as the Lightning shall my courage pierce Through any Clouds that likely are to obscure My brighter glory Topic. May the foulest mouthes Of the base vulgar spit upon the face Of my unspotted credit if for want Of courage I abandon these my hopes Contra. Should I through mine owne fault be hindered In such attempts oh I should kill my selfe And on my selfe I would take just revenge Demon. And shall my brother seeke to thrust me downe And I endure it Oh the name of a King Is better than the common vulgar name Of Brother Topicus looke to thy selfe He that my right and honour shall deny If I doe live and breath shall surely dye Topic. Fond Demonstration rather than I 'le yeeld Appoint the place I 'le meete thee in the field Cont. What fitter place than this where be the weapons Fie fie how dare you goe soe unprovided Dem. Goe fetch thy weapons I will not be long Top. But I shall thinke so till I meete with thee Exeunt SCENA QVINTA Enter Distinction in Ambiguities cloake Dist. I Thinke that Villaine Ambiguity was borne to doe me harme I never was so overtaken by any as by him No sooner had I put the Cup to my lips but my witts shooke hands with my head and left me to be arrested by dull Sergeant Sleepe so like a bankrupt Merchant I was faine to lot downe my Shop-windows and I thinke yet had not opend them but that which plagued me worse up comes a Drawer and delivering me from that prison was like to have me waking to another unlesse I would pay for the Wine which that Rascall had promised to bestow upon me which I had scarce done when looking about me I found the Villaine which had left me witlesse and money lesse lest me also cloakelesse till I saw where the forke-tongued Snake had cast this his party-coloured skinne Now I could be angry with my selfe for my simplicity but see the villaine Enter Ignoratio Elener hath sent Ignoratio Elener the foole his fellow to laugh at me this would make Demotritus melancholy He pulls downe his Hat and walkes aside Ignor. What Ambiguity are you studying My Master Fallacy bad me deliver you these Keyes and would you should locke up this Violl where you found it He gives them to Distinction who goes away with them Remember now you had them forsooth I may not be admitted to his Closet I am too honest but if I be not deceiv'd this fellow is not so worthy to be trusted Now be shrew his heart he is gone without part of my message I should have told hem hee was to contrive some accusations against the Ladies of Verona this wits I know would be working that way and I must follow Exit Enter Opposition Contradiction and Fallacy Fall But say where are our Brothers oh I long To understand how well your love succeeds Cont. Breathlesse and wounded both of them I left And ere my comming from them they began To faint with bleeding Fall Bled they very much Cont. Exceedingly Well so their streaming veines Shall serve as Conduits dropping Clarret wine To sollemnize my Coronation And now I cannot but applaud my wits And hugg my happy Genius that hath thus Inspight of selfe-conceited honesty Found forth this passage to my sweet desires Opp. But shall your old friends escape so will you not requite their kindnesse Fall Let Definition and Division both Be banished the Court for Proposition He ne're oppos'd himselfe against me much We may procure his love and use his helpe And therefore let him stay But you Lord Opposition willingly I make My sole or chiefest Counsellor of State By whom in all affaires I will be rul'd You Contradiction whereso e're I goe I chuse to beare my sword to your faire trust Committing both my fortunes and my selfe Opp. Ne're may we thrive in this new policy If we maintaine not what we have begun Fall I doe beleeve you and relye on you And therefore know that not an houre since I by a sly devised subtlety Have luckily surpriz'd the Lady Truth With her two famous Daughters now in doubt How I might best captive their constant thoughts I faine would heare your resolutions Opp. Were it my care I would enforce them straight Con. They should not eate nor drinke nor rest on minute Nay I would torture and torment them all Till they did yeeld submissely to my pleasure Fall I thinke such meanes at first too violent I 'le try how glozing words and kind intreaties Can worke upon them You know not the force Of well convey'd dissimulation Therefore goe you and through Parrhesia Proclaime my lawfull
the worlds most beauteous face Is blest with sight and knowledge of his workes Well hath he all things done for how alas Could any strength or wit of feeble man Sustained have that greater Vniverse Too weake an Atlas for one Common-wealth How could he make the Earth the Water Aire And Fire in peace their duties to observe Or bridle up the head-strong Ocean That cannot rule the wits and tongues of Man And keepe them in it were impossible To give light to the world with all his Art And skill that cannot well illuminate One darkened understanding Oh my sonnes Never admire the Seate of government Nor let the haughty and ambitious thoughts Of an aspiring minde inflame your hearts To climbe up to the false-supposed Heaven Of high-authority Fal. Now I thinke I am prevented is he not starke mad already He talkes idely Disc. The Chaire of State Though glorious seeming oft proves dangerous Is alwayes troublesome alwayes envied J heare the Regent of this onely Land Not altogether unexperienced Having the assistance of grave Counsellers Ready to faint with burthen of my cares Thinke happy great Tiphoeus who they say Lies pressed downe under large Sicily Amb. Your loving Sonne if his purpose hold will ease you you shall not thinke Aetna upon your shoulders he wil make your head light enough Disc. Let then your true affection so well plac't On well deserving well requiting loves Doubly reflecting on your nearer selves Grow strong in fast united amity That what no single strength or wit can doe Vertue conjoyned may attaine unto But Demonstration call young Intellect To be instructed he was hither sent By that great Empresse of the Isle of Man Renowned Anima his carefull Mother And as his youth this child-hood of the day Will best admit the best impressions But who 's that Fallacy and whence come you Exit Demonstration Fal. My gracious Father carried on the wings Of my ne're sleeping Piety I came From my owne house to doe my humble duty Vnto your Majesty you Disc. Your earlinesse hath made some hast but a report of From farre before you late hath beene with me How commeth it to passe thus ô my sonne Vnhappy sonne borne to thy fathers shame Living unto his griefe thou causest me In all the world to be ill spoken of Through thy most lewd behaviour I heare say With Juglers Cony-catchers Gypsies Rogues Base gamesters lying Mountebanks vild bawds And most damn'd couzners you keepe company At blind Ale-houses Innes and Ordinaries Whore-houses and Apothecary-shops With such like places you doe still frequent Where you abuse the plaine simplicity Of honest men that I may justly spend That breath where-with I would have blessed thee Into deserved cursings and I ought Profusely powre it forth in chiding thee But oh though wicked yet I thinke my sonne I doe intreate thee I will sue to thee To leave these courses and at length begin Better to governe thy misguided selfe Looke to thy brothers and not scorne to learne To me they duely doe performe their dutie To men they doe approve their honesty He coughs Top. Sir will it please you to drinke this morning Disc. Yes I am dry with talking Exit Topicus Fal. Then may it please your grace to give me leave To speake in poore defence of my just cause Disc. Say what thou canst and oh I would thou couldst Cleare thee of these foule accusations Fal. First may I Sir full worthily except Against the oft-false-proved messenger Ever to be suspected lying fame Then I appeale unto the Testimony Of all the world whether I have not Alwayes my selfe associated with The best reputed sort great Princes have Accepted of my wisht for company With most chiefe Statesmen I have beene familiar Vpon the Exchange not look't for I have beene By many wealthy Merchants oft saluted The fairest streets of the most famous Cities Are almost worne out with my often steps Nay what place is there of more speciall note Where I though not apparent seene of all I know you hate that foolish vanity Have not beene for the most part resident But I hereafter that your faithfull eye May give true witnesse to my carriage Nearer at home here in your sight intend To shew my selfe and my deserts approve To your sure comfort and my friends sound love Enter Topicus with a Cup in his hand Fal. Where 's your Napkin Topicus Top. I have forgot it Fal. Fie had you no odde place to put you in minde Goe quickly and fetch one Exit Topicus Fal. receiveth the Cup puts in poyson Discour drinkes Topicus returnes Disc. Let me embrace thee Fallacy let me kisse thee my dearest sonne the prop of my age the sole heire of my love My eares shall bee shut up hereafter to any complaints brought against thee I will take it as against my selfe if any henceforth accuse thee I wil fight with him I will beate and baffle him I will runne upon him spit upon him Fal. How lik'st thou this Ambiguity is not his Style chang'd since Amb. Yes me thinks before he spake in Verse now hee scannes not his words Fal. Oh thou shalt heare him talke out of all measure Disc. I will now goe walke into the Garden of the Muses and gather the choisest flowers that grow about Helicon to make a Garland for thy temples I 'le make the skilfull Rhetoricians to empty all their shops of the freshest colours to paint thy cheeks withall Then the Grammarians I 'le cause to shape fit and well-fashioned garments for thee of the purest Silke that ever was fram'd of true-woven words Come go with me come goe with me Exeunt Disc. Fal. Manent Top. Amb. SCENA TERTIA Top. NOw what strange passion hath befalne my father I I wonder that he did so fawne upon Vnworthy Fallacy yet that may be Proceeded from a Fathers tender love But he look't gastly and his colour chang'd And seem'd to grow forgetfull what he did I pray this humour hold not Enter Demonstrat and Intellect Top. How now Brother Met you your Father Demon. Not I is he gone He bid me call up young Lord Intellect Intel. Marry beshrew you I could wish you had let me alone you awak't me out of a most sweet sleepe Demon. What is the matter Top. Nay I sweare I know not But I doe feare all is not well with him Demon. Not well and stand we talking Top. I protest I am amaz'd Demon. Come let us seeke him out Exeunt Demonst. and Topic Amb. Young Lord you were best to stay they goe to seeke one whom they know not where to finde Now I hope to make my Master doate as much on me as his mad father doth on him if I can convey away this purchase Int. But when will Lord Discourse come I desire to learne somewhat this morning Amb. My yong Lord if you will goe with me I will lead you to such a Library as all Hermenia yeelds not the like againe Intel. But are there
these troublesome contentions but if that may not be this is a fitter place than your sicke and distemper'd Fathers house let us heare what you would have what you can plead for your selves Demon. Then why doe not some dimme purblind Stars Corrivals with the thrice most glorious Sunne Sue at the Throne of Heavens Majesty To rule the Day 't were lesse presumption Than this of these competitors of mine For were not I by my Nobility And most apparant births prerogative In all mens sight to be preferr'd before This Topicus and bastard Fallacy Yet were my worth great worth beyond compare To prove my claime just all-sufficient I from the State long since have banished Grosse ignorance and that her cursed spawne Vild superstitious Admiration The Tyrant of the vulgar simple minds I the chiefe Shewer to my Lord Discourse All the most strange and wonderfull effects Of closer working Nature have set forth The hidden cause lockt from common eyes In deepe scarce-searchable Obscurity I opened wide to his illustrious view I the renowned Champion of Truth Have her defended 'gainst her proudest foes And many combats for her honour fought Never returning conquerd from the field And therefore now to any scorne to yeeld Defi. You may speake Topicus Top. If any words of mine may find attention In your not yet fully possessed eares Nor shall it seeme presumption to you Iudicious Lords which seemes so palpable To prejudicious Demonstration That I my title dare maintaine with him Your reverent wisdomes are not ignorant That though he hath beene honour'd more of late Yet was I borne before him then if he For birth-right claimeth ought 't is due to me Nor to his high priz'd worth inferiour Are my deserts not undervalued If he his foe in close and narrow lists Have as he bravely vaunts encountered And that not often for none-profiting Onely selfe-pleasing Contemplation The single combats oftner fought by me In just defence of your empaired rights Are no lesse famous no lesse knowne to you Besides I alwaies in the Champion field Of Rhetoricke well leavied forces led Chiefe Muster-master to the Soveraigne Leige Our high Commander and chiefe Generall Under Truths colours many skirmishes I have endur'd won many Victories Then let me for the King for truth for you In all your causes never wont to faile For mine owne selfe in this mine owne prevaile Opp. If you have done let 's heare yong Lord Fallacy Fall If that my vowes or teares my gracious Lords Conjoin'd with yours could move the angry Heavens This doubtfull question should not trouble you Thou should'st great King enjoy thy right and we Opp. Oh admirable piety Fall Would rest as happy still enjoying thee But since that fate O hard and cruell fate Denies him his right mind denies us him Envies us all this great felicity Who may more hope his regency t' attaine Than he in whom his vertues most remaine Nor let it any thing impeach my right That unadvised Demonstration Objects to me base birth who doth not see His Father he disgraceth and not me If ought he from his Mothers right doth claime Let him enjoy it I 'le him not deceive But if he at his Fathers rule doth aime He was my Father too and by his leave Although I chanc't not to have with him one mother On the best side I am his elder brother Nor are my vertues meaner than my birth Witnesse those many difficult attempts Which quite impossible for any else To hope t' achieve with expedition And not without successe I have perform'd Witnesse that most rare service to this Realme Which I with diligence have executed Discourse his chiefe controwler in the state Truths sole soliciter common Atturney In all the causes which concerne the Land And all this though by farre exceeding all Which my Competitors can promise you If to my first deserts you give due meed With future industry I vow to exceed If they which most they can and who can lesse Shall scarce defend scarce defence asking right I will your weakest causes fortefie And make appeare most strong in most mens sight Who hates us shall not thinke us overthrowne Who favours us shall sweare the right our owne Now all this that I might effect for you Let me receive at your hands what 's my due Divi. My Lord speake what you thinke Defin. Did you as true Piety which is a reverent and gratefull respect of your Parents commands you strive who should have the greatest part in lamenting this his Extasie which is a Distraction of his braines or a privation of those gifts of understanding which of late hee happily enjoy'd I should give you equall praise which is the deserved testimony of a vertuous action but seeing you carried by Ambition that violent passion which desireth nothing but honour into these Civill Divisions which are Dissentions disquieting your friends and delightfull to your enemies To say no more I can commend none of you But because Iustice which is a perpetuall and constant will to give to every man his due doth warrant me to define this present controversie if you will stand to my Judgement which is the censure I shall give Demonstration the noblest sonne of Discourse by the Lady Necessity who concludes all things which he undertakes so truely so immediatly so surely shall succeede in his fathers dignity which is his kingdome and place in this realme what thinkes Division Divis. These three that sue for Discourse his dignity are either true borne sonnes or base borne the true borne plead either in right of birth or of desert their birth they either commend from Priority or Nobility their deserts either they set out from their greatnesse or from their goodnesse Now because base borne sonnes never inherit I think Fallacy hath no right at all Againe because Primo-geniture hath beene alwaies preferred before great birth and often good workes serving for use and action are better than seldome great effects which tend to nothing but to Admiration and Contemplation I Judge Topicus Discourse his eldest sonne by meaner Parentaged Probability in that in all matters at all times wee shall have use of him to bee chosen before Demonstration second sonne though begotten on nobler descended Necessity of whose vertue we have so seldome experience Oppo. If you have spoken you may give me leave I therefore thinke neither Demonstration fit nor Topicus worthy and therefore chuse Fallacy Defin. Why so Opp. Aske not my reason I stand for him or none Fall He is base borne and base birth is a vile condition which to them that are unlawfully begotten doth purchase infamy and bereaves them of all hope of succession Opp. Now I thinke him as true borne as the best for Demonstration I alwaies suspected him to be thy sonne because he was so like thee but now I am perswaded so seeing thee to stand so mainely for him Divis. Nay good Opposition either speake more advisedly or hold your peace Opp. What I
my leasure I le see first whether it be the same with the Elementall fire then I 'le come Red. I came not sir from Charon neither am I going to him Disc. Who Reduction I would thou wert what wouldst thou with me Red. Fie my Lord you will be alwaies in these mad moods pray will you goe with me Disc. O Heraclytus well didst thou say the dry Ayre was the best soule for had we not need to melt away into teares to see the misery of wretched men will Red. Nay weepe not good my Lord you shal have what you Disc. Shall I so then I will pull out both mine eyes like Democritus that I may looke thoroughly upon the follies of these times and laugh my full at them Red. So you were best Sir but now pray come with me Disc. I come I come I come sir Exit singing Enter Fallacy holding a letter with Ignoratio Elener Fall I know not how my presence may disgrace me That Lady hath a quicke and peircing eye Able to search beyond the countenance The most reserved and conceal'd intents I 'le keepe my selfe aloose and stand farre off Till she hath swallowed downe this guilded bait Then can I draw her wheresoe're I list And if the common and devided humour Of some selfe pleasing Poet be not in me I cannot chuse but move affection This straine will win her he reads to himself Enough I must be bold and confident Sirrha goe you commend my dearest love With these my letters to Scientia Tell her I plead not my nobility Great births or hopefull fortunes powerfull friends Downe at her honours thrice most sacred feet I humbly lay these poore and meane respects But me in nought else knowne ambitious Though now high soaring purest thoughts of love Like Venus silver feathered Dove have drawne Up towards this high Heaven Ignor Elen. Sir I feare Like some imperfect temper'd Meteor Neare approaching that high region You soone will vanish and your blazing love Be quite burnt out Fall Say first the glorious light That with kind heate doth cherish all the world Shall suffer in perpetuall Eclipse Ign. Sir feare not if farre protestations May doe you favour I 'le turne prodigall Fall Well take the chiefest opportunity If I doe in joy her thou know'st not what 's thy share Ing. I goe my Lord Exit Fall Mistake you not your errand This is a stupid and forgetfull knave But yet my letters may direct 'em I have taught others many times to woe And composse easily their dearest loves Some with new fashioned and fantastick suites I taught to cloake their foule deformities The stale and stiffe leg'd Courtier I have fram'd To make yong congees and unthaw'd his joynts An old worme-eaten wainscot countenance With a fresh varnish I have made to smile To win the favour of some yonger wench Poore sirs with broakers suites and borrowed Liveries I have commended to their dimme-ey'd Dames The greatest hate and inequality To love and reconcilement I have wrought And should my selfe dispaire dispaire dull fooles Fallacy cannot be but fortunate Enter Opposition But here comes One of my sworne supporters 't were full time I were deliver'd of their tedious service I thinke I am able now to stand alone Opp. All happinesse befall my mighty Soveraigne Fall Thankes trusty faithfull Opposition Opp. We have proclaim'd your Royall Majesty Rightfull successor to the empty Crowne Of great Hermenia Fall But with what successe How stands the Commons to our Reigne affected Opp. As if their fortunes were advanc't with yours In vollyes of faire acclamations Through the spacious regions of the ayre They send that joy which in their narrow breasts Seem'd but imprison'd Fall And it shall be my care To recompence their loves with our deceite For I doe hate ingratitude as death I doe Lord Opposition I well weigh How much I am oblieg'd to any and for you Deare Lord I would I were the Monarch of the world Oppos. Would that procure thy noble hearts content No force should barre thee but we long to heare How stand your hopes for faire Verona Fall Why my hopes are cleare But yet my thoughts are somewhat over-cast To thinke that I should hazard with my selfe The yet unthanked loves of all my friends Wer 't to be tride out by our wit or words I could be confident but boisterous force is Yet though I doubt I feare not and my friends With patience will attend the maine event Hee speakes this aside to himselfe Oppos. What 's this my Soveraigne speaketh to himselfe My Lord I understand not what you would But gathering from your unaccustom'd phrase That somewhat much concernes you I request Better to be acquainted with your meaning Fall Lord Opposition there 's not any man Hath greater interest in me than you And therefore looke into my deepest thoughts Scientia but even now hath sent me word That notwithstanding all her promises To Demonstration she could be content To place her best affections upon me But first entreats me to remove one let Oppos. One let now were there twenty thousand lets We would remove them She writes Fall None but Iudicium's witnesse to her vowes Were he dispatch'd she were resolv'd for me Oppo. Iudicium now I le send him downe to hell He may prove witnesse before Rhadamant But never shall disturbe our peace on earth Fal. Nay but the matter must be well conceiv'd He hath procur'd him for his noble friend To bid me combate which I have accepted And though I cannot well fore-see the event I rest in this my friends will rest content Oppo. Now I have cause enough of discontent Was not I worthy to have kild the slave Sir you shall never undergoe this action Or if you needes will fight then fight with mee For I doe vow unlesse you yeeld in this You kindle that proud heate which cannot dye But wrapt up in your ashes or mine owne Fall Why good my Lord what would you have me doe I prize your friendship at my kingdome rate Yet somewhat must esteeme my reputation At least be pleas'd to meete in some disguise 'T was was his request to escape from conscious eyes If he surviv'd me conquer'd he might take Some maske upon him which small liberty Presuming if I pleas'd on the like I granted him Oppo. This 't is when men of judgement Doe venture on such weighty actions They make all sure they will prevent the Fates I care not how I kill the villaine Or who have credit for it but I le kill him Fall Then be perswaded to annoint thy blade With this enchanted oyle 't is strong in vertue Opp. When is the time where is the place Fal. 'T is here Within this houre Oppos. I will but try my sword And surely meete him Fall Nay but heare a word Let me entreat your faithfull secresie And above all things see you keepe it close From Contradiction lest he second you Opp. I eare not we men of action use
few words Exit Fall Well I perceive that you have vow'd to make Hermenia's Lord your vassall Is he gone Now I could breake with laughter What his hare-brain'd sonne I le send to meet him oh t will doe me good To see the villains tap each others bloud Exit ACT 3. SCAE 3. Enter Ambiguity and Ignoratio Elenchi Amb. Now will I blow up this fellow like a soap bubble It is necessary for great men to keep some fools as well as many knavs They will never dispute their businesse And must I frame inditements Ign. Yes t is that I should have told thee sooner Amb. T is well I must play the Scrich-owle and proclaime misfortunes whilst you become the Mercury of more pleasing messages imploy'd in tuning the strings of love Ign. Sir you must doe it like it as you thinke fit Amb. I le thinke upon it if it be but to sharpen my wits And prethee noble Ignoratio Sirnam'd Elenchi wilt thou prove Pander and procurer to any man thy person promiseth more grace stayne not thy worthinesse with so base imployments Ign. I never meant it Amb. So I thinke verily and therefore thou didst undertake it Thy brave spirits scorne such service Ign. Yes I doe scorne it Amb. Thou dost know thy selfe Ign. I thinke I doe and admire my selfe as much as another Amb. Methinks thine owne Idaea should be thy only Mistris Ign. I must confesse I know not that shape that I could ever affect so well Amb. Why then should not these parts raise thee Nature and Fortune have conspir'd about thee Take but this opportunity and triumph over the world Ign. I doubt not that but I have a farther reach t is heere t is heere will doe it Amb. I warrant t is some admirable plot Ign. I le to the cunning man for some inchantments Amb. Out upon it worke by witchcraft 't will never prosper Ign. Then I will use some other meanes Amb. What 's that Ign. Why any thou wilt councell me Amb. Then be ruled by me Thou know'st our master now is call'd the great Sophisme Ign. Yes Amb. And thou art Ignoratio Elenchi Ign. I am so Amb. Now thou art employd upon an honourable message Ign. Well Amb. Proclaim thy self Ambassadour Ign. You say true turne Ambassadour but I am no good speaker Amb. We will help that too Thou hast his letters open them learn to pronounce them take his person frame his posture speak as if thou wert the man thou seemest she will not chuse but answere expectation Be sure thou act this before good company a contract is nothing worth without witnesse Ign. Wouldst thou be there I should speed much the better Amb. I will not faile thee goe and make thy selfe most richly fine Ign. I warrant you you seldome see a man of my wits want good cloaths I le about it straight Exit Amb. I care not if I crosse my master in this project we Creatures of the lower region never doe worse then when the higher bodies grow in conjunction If the master once fry in a husbandish affection the man may freeze and starve in expectation Exeunt ACT 3. SCAE 3. Enter Fallacy and Contradiction Fall Deare Contradiction use all secrecy And for my credit get thee some disguise Nor speake to him by any meanes thy voyce May shame us Cont. If he understand my blows so t is He gets no word of me Fal. Here take with thee this powder rub therewith The instruments of thy revengefull wrath And as most vertuous be victorious Exeunt Act. 4. Scae. Prim. Enter Conversion Aequipollency Conv. Can Aequipolency endure all this Can all this be endured by Aequipolency Aequip. Who I Conversion I can suffer any thing 'faith ther 's nothing that I cannot suffer Prethee be rul'd by me stand to the present Conv. I am no Stoick Aequip. So it seems thou art rather a Pythagorian Peripatetick thy very essence is mutability Thy soul could walk through more Sects then some honest bodies have chang'd suits methinks thou mightst do well at home by temporizing Conv. Oh these Climats are too cunning I must seeke further Aequip. Read Lipsius Constancy let that confirme thee Conv. Faith he will lead the next way from Leyden to Doway That it may be I may make use of him Did not these troubles banish me I would go voluntary Your finest wits are thought insipu'd till They have past the salt water Our home-spun learning 's of a courser threed It 's staind and smoakt in dressing The Germans vates drencht in a deeper grain Venice and Padua will returne them richer And I begin to pity thy wilfulnesse What course intendest thou 'T were thy best being skill'd in tempering Confections to proclaim some Paracelsian Oyl or Angelicall pills Aequi. Nay I 'le rather professe the making of Aurum potabile and credit it with some two leavs of reasons and ten of authority for all diseases griefs and maladies But which way art thou bent Conv. I will to Flushing Midleborough Amsterdam peradventure thence to Antwerp and so to see Rheams and Roome Aequip. Take heed you come not back by Quinborow there is a groome with a curry-comb will rub your sides But if you may be perswaded it is as easie to lay downe your stomacke at home as feed your selfe abroad by making buttons you may sooner be prefer'd to the Inquisition then to the Conclave Conv. Well except the morrow Sunne display more comfort I am gone beleeve it Equip. You hope at your returne to get a Doctership the cheaper or a benefice with lesse adoe but you may be deceived I will expect your reconversion adiew Exit Conv. This fellow thinkes himselfe as cunning as a tumbler that walks upon ropes and with his levell keeps himselfe upright but his steps are dangerous I had rather walk on the Alps though sleeper where I may have sure footing Exit ACT 4. SCAE 2. Enter Invention I who my restles wits have dayly tied In searching choicest objects of delight Though none more gratefull none more tedious Then that most blest content which they enjoy Who underneath the courteous Lawrell shade In muses laps doe rest their weary heads But now alas what proud ambition What jealous envy greedy avarice Hath cast infection on those purer springs They whose kind steele was sometimes only proud In giving waxen tablets some cur'd wounds In their owne irefull and all hardned brests Imprint the tragicke characters of death Hot in pursuite of lost lord Intellect I am inform'd by Definition My best esteemed loving Topicus Lies desperate hurt by Demonstration So twixt my deare affection to him And bounden duty to my absent Lord My hearts divided with convulsions But pardon me great Amina thy sonne Commands my service this one duty done Enter Description Desc. Well met Invention what have you found young Lord Intellect Inv. No and which adds to my misery I heare I am like to loose my selfe my deare friend Topicus Desc. Indeed
he is hurt but our feare was greater then their danger and it is happened better then they deserv'd There is good hope of recovery Inven. Thanks good Discription for this happy news but are you certaine that the danger 's past Disc. It is most certaine and I would wish the other miseries which have so unexpected befallen us were likely to have so hopefull an issue Inven. Theare by Lady Methode and the banisht lords How miserable you are all become By great Discourses strange Distraction Met you with Method Oh she was too impatient and unkinde to forsake our Soveraigne in his extremity her presence might have yeelded him especiall assistance Inven. Pardon and pitty that distressed Queene Whose tender heart oppressed with her griefe Would breake with any rough or unkinde touch As towards Rhems I did direct my pace I overtooke a weary fainting voyce Which I approaching neerer found was hers Alas quoth she I long since banished From the disordred Regions of the world Have beene contented in this only place With old Discourse my till now loving lord Till now to live under his lovely roofe I alwayes lay twixt his well folded Sheets I ever have enclapst him in mine armes Lest he should want delighting ornaments Or for his plainnesse passe with lesse regard I all the day have woed the Sciences To make him rob the longest coldest nights I have sate reaving up the finest arts And put into his hand a curious threed Wherewith he guided hath his certaine steps Through many crooked winding Labyrinths And now my Theseus ah my kinder Theseus Vnwillingly was forst to leave his love Cruell discourse doth rudely cast me off And threatens me if I come neer to him Here I stept in and with the fairest means My troubled thoughts could finde perswaded her To change her resolution and return Which having half effected there came on Old Definition with Division Who caring lesse their own then her estate Are minded closely to return with her My Love to Topicus hath caused me To use more hast although assur'd by you Of his recovery I have been content To favour thus my self and let you know Of Prethods kind intention to return Descrip. I thanke you Sir and will accompany you ACT. 4. SCAE. 3. Enter Ambiguity and Ignoratio Amb. Thou shouldest have starcht thy beard or got some Beare-skin on thy head at least have powdred thy haire like an Ashwednesday penitent one devise now would doe most admirable Ign. Impart it dear genius if my wit can reach or wealth compasse it I will have it immediately Amb. Nay t is soon done t is not so much as a Majors feast or Citizens christning Thou hast heard how Simon circumvented the Trojans Ign. Yes with a great woodden-horse Must I get such an one Amb. Yes a great leaden-Asse No but you must counterfeit your self a captive stand with your hands fast bound and leggs intangled That will signifie your inthraldome The Lady pitying your restraint will untie your hands and wrap you in her armes then may you enclaspe her girdle and untie the true-love-knot of her virginity Ign. That will be most significant But what do you think if because Love is blind I went on blindfold sure I should speak the bolder Amb. It would do excellent Nox Amor Darknesse and Drunknesse Blindnesse and Love are ever well macht Ign. So then I 'le weare this Scarfe Amb. I 'le help thee Now how canst thou speak He pronounces some of Falacies Letters It must be lowder she will not indure a chamber voyce thou must yawne Like one that gapes for a Benefice open like an Oyster that she may gather the pearles of thy speech He goes on pronouncing Oh that we had some Peble-stones such as Demosthones used but hold it may be this will serve Spare my fingers he gags him but while I tell a hundred I warrant thee this will make thee like a chirping Sparrow Now will I leave the Coxcombe to adventure and t is full time What black Herald comes here Exit Enter Contradiction disguised Cont. What this is not the place where base Iudicium and I should meet thinks he to prevent me I will requite his diligence but stay he hath no weapons now the Coward Rogue would yeeld my prisoner but he shall not scape me so I 'le Bastinado him at least Contradiction pulls off his Scarfe Is this Sientia's Chaplain he 's very still now what ails him I 'le see for the blow I gave him He pulls out the gag Ign. Now Sir with all my heart if you will have my purse Contradiction strikes him and departs Exit Ig. Is this to be an Ambassadour to have no law of Armes nor liberty of legs to protect me now my onely revenge is to hold my peace and be silent which if I can do I may prove counsell to the veriest Wittoll I am at a stand whether I shall go on in sure or give it over I must be better counsell'd Exit Enter Proposition and Iudicium Iud. And can he no where here about be found Pro. No not by any inquisition Iud. And I by Fallacies advise him sought Towards Verona but alas in vaine The troubles of that City as I was Vpon the way by faithfull griefe inform'd Equall the stirrs here in Parthesia Truth and her daughters being thence expelled And all the rule usurp't by Fallacy Those blessed civill lawes are disanul'd Which to so many glorious Emperours So many ages in so many lands Have ever beene so justly well approv'd There hath he planted rude and practique friends Which grate the Commons spoile Nobility Betwixt deare brothers and the nearest friends Endeavoured to sow vile dissentions There the most sacred ordinance of Heaven The divine Oracles they falsify And force upon the plaine simplicity Of easily deceived honest men Fraile humane breath and bold traditions With singular fantastique vaine conceits As brainsicke Dreams forg'd revelations That I rest well assur'd he is not there Although to seek him else I know not where Pro. Now we may pity our confederats But cannot as we ought bewaile their state Our neerer griefs do hugely overflow The just proportion of all humane woe Iud. What else is befallen you since Discourse Became distract Pro. Opposition and Contradiction contending for the rule Have wounded each the other wilfully Iud. Is Contradiction hurt fond vanity Vnder these ever suddaine moving Sphears To looke for rest or seeke felicitie In earth the well head of salt teares We thinke him mad that thinketh in the aire To erect a castle or faire monument And through the Seas as passengers we fare Yet dare not dwell upon that element But on th' uncertaine and short prosperous windes of favour blooming Fortune we oft raise High and huge hopes to our now calme minds Promise eternall Halcyonian dayes But the just heavens all well guiding care Least we forget them in our jollity When we in greatest pompe triumphing are Humble our mindes with some
just succession Opp. I will my noble Lord Fall And doe you heare To make my name more gracious more belov'd I will no longer be call'd Fallacy Exit Oppo. Stile me great Sophime You Contradiction Let Definition and Division know What is our pleasure to be done with them Cont. I ne're did any thing more willingly Exit Fall I my selfe My project will pursue immediately Mee thinkes my hopes assure me Now damn'd slaves Disloyall and unfaithfull miscreants Thinke yee that I will trust your villanies No these distemper'd quarrelling fighting fellows Most not be conscious to our Policies They will rip open one anothers breast And prostitute their hearts to vulgar view Therefore the next thing that I wil contrive Shall be their ruine Dead dogges cannot bite That done I feare not Fortunes envious spight Exit Actus tertius Scena prima Enter Description IF I goe any farther let me be frozen to death like Sir Hugh Willowby or be made Cuckold with the tedious Traveller Ulysses It were impossible to see all yet I should see more than I should be able to relate and like Munsier or Sir Iohn Mandovill relate more than any would beleeve I care not how these women take it The Tailor in Plutarch would as soone make a habit for the Moone as any man a Description of them and so long would it fit them I thinke they consist of Materia prima they are capable of all formes and impressions but constant to none And it is no great matter to describe them you see them curiously painted every where And who would e're thought these Schollers should have so much troubled me I supposing they had beene so like in their humours as they are agreeable in their formalities thought first to have drawne the Characters of some of them but by what time I had observed some Captitious Criticks Phantasticke Humorists and malicious Satyrists I found it no lesse impossible than perilons to deale with that kinde and indeed am quite dismaid from going any farther in this enterprize Well I will deliver backe to the Lords their Commission and rather sue for a Protection But who comes here Distinction Enter Ambiguity in Distinctions Cloake Amb. How now Description didst thou see our Soveraigne Sophime Desc. Hath Distinction gotten Ambiguities Linsie woolsie Coate or Ambiguity Distinctions party-colour'd Cloak My cunning is quite stagger'd I know not whether I should beleeve mine eyes or mine eares Ambig. Doth your feeling serve you any better He strikes him Desc. Oh is it you No wonder I mistooke Ambiguity They say a man may know the Divell by his cloven Foote I am sure one may know thee by thy double hand Ambigu. Why double hand I hope I have not foure hands Desc. Nay thou hast but one hand rather thou art Ambo-dexter Ambig. Is not that best So Plato would have his Citizens Desc. But he would not have them double tongu'd as you are Ambig. Then bee like Scaliger and Mithridates who had foure and twenty tongues should have had no place in his Common-wealth Desc. There is great difference They many waies could speake one thing thou one way speak'st many things Amb. That 's a signe my words are most significant which is no small commendation Des. Right if the signification be single and true Amb. Why not double and true Des. That 's impossible Amb O grosse what truer than the Oracles which deliver'd their mindes even with my voice and who more trusted whose words cost more than our common Lawyers who for their facility in double dealing and speaking on both sides are called the Oracles of the City But tell me sawest thou my new disguised Master Sophime Des. I prethee how cam'st thou by this Cloake Amb. Thou answer'st not what I aske thee Des. Nor doest thou aske what I intend to answer thee Amb. But see here comes mad Discourse he will make us admirable sport Des. Well I will not come neare him if he be mad Amb. Nor I if he were in his wits SCENA SECVNDA Enter Discourse Disc. CErtaine 't is so nay I will maintaine it as long as I have any breath for I am neither in Delos nor in the floating Islands of Scotland Amb. 'T were sitter you were in the Island of Anticyra Disc. Nor am I in a ship that I should thinke the Earth moves Amb. If you be not you deserve to be in the ship of fooles Disc. No no 't is even so the Earth is turn'd about his sphaericall forme is apt for such a motion Amb. You are monstrously deceiv'd 't is nothing but the house goes round with you Disc. Againe the Heavens are of a duller mettall nothing but blew Marble Amb. I 'le goe talke with him My Lord Discourse what Paradox is this are the Heavens made of Marble Disc. Doest thou doubt of that why in a cleare day thou may'st see it plaine and when it raines those drops are nothing else but such as fall from the sweating stone Amb. Somewhat it was that in the time of Anaxagoras and as Livy reports in the 200. yeare of Rome it rained Disc. Thou say'st true very true stones Amb. But what thinke you of the Sunne Dis. Indeede hee is beholding to Nature for a better matter he is made of bright burnish'd gold Amb. If the Sunne be gold I will the sooner beleeve Sehnus that there are a people which see him not in halfe an yeare I know some who see not Gold once in twelve Moneths But what is the Moone Sir Dis. Why shee is but silver Amb. I thinke scarce that Sir Sure that mettall is not of her Nature it is often at the waine but never at the full in my purse Dis. The Starres begotten betwixt these two are some bright Angels others Soveraignes some round shillings some but silver groats Amb. They are happy whose Nativity these stars favour Dis. Iupiter when he came to Danae descended in a Cloak bespangled with these falling Starres Amb. But how came you to learne all this Dis. Who I I have often walked through all the Regions of Heaven Amb. I beleeve you have beene with Menippus as farre as the Moone your talke favours of Lunacy Disc. I tell thee I have beene farther then ever the wit of man could reach I have pac'd the uttermost extreame outside of the Primum mobile from whence many thousand miles below me I beheld great Iupiter and all the minor gods Amb. A most strange Traveller I feare you will come anon to the greatest depth in Hell 't is time for me to leave you Exeunt Dis. I have beene there already many a time Where never Hercules nor Theseus durst approach Over Avernus that most loathsome Lake Which never Bird as yet presum'd to passe I with my Goose-quill wings have made a slight The darke light burning black fiery flames of cold Phlegeton With undazel'd eyes I have oft gaz'd upon Enter Reduction Reduc. Come good my Lord you must needs returne with me Disc. Bid Charon stay