backe her iudgement and quickly Free her selfe but Brother I doe feare You loue her too you looke and speake to her With more affection then well becomes your faith Being promis'd to Clarinda Lys. What would you haue me to doe Shall I not backe returne those courteous lookes That she the sauer of my life bestowes vpon me One knocks without Mar. I le see who it is Exit Enter Cleonacda Cleo. How hath your brother slept to night Mar. Exceeding well Madame Brother here is the Princesse Cleo. Lysander how doth your wounds Is your paine lessend Lys. Madame I haue no paine But that I feare I neuer shall be able to requite This vndeserued fauor Cleo. Let not that trouble you it is to me You owe the debt and I will find some way To pay my selfe that shall not make you poorer Lys. What shall I say each vertuous deed Rewards it selfe and that 's the coyne with which You must be paid or else you will be a loser Cleo. Tell me Lysander and tell me truely Haue you a Master Lys. I dare not lye Madame I haue one that loues me equally Cle. Lysander she hath reason were I your Mistris I thinke I should loue you better then my selfe But tell me Lysander what was the quarrell Betwixt the Duke and you Lys. Madame I cannot tel you without discouering That which I would gladly keepe conceald Yet why I should deny you the knowledge of any Secret my heart holds I cannot see except I should Be most vngratefull you being the only cause That I haue now a heart to keepe a secret in Cleo. What was it speake I long yet feare to know it Lys. The Duke and I were riuals Clarinda was the marke at which both aym'd Cleo. Which of you loued she best Lys. Madame she loued me best Wee being brought vp together Which was her great misfortune For had she knowne the Duke before me Her iudgement would haue taught her To loue the worthier And one indeed that loued her better At least with greater passion Cleo. But did not halfe so wel deserue to belou'd By her as you since hee did goe about To force loue or at the least to take from her The loued that which she most delighted in her seruant Lys. Hauing once remou'd me he hoped she Would accept of him who would haue made A worthier seruant farre since he had power To raise her to that glorious height of fortune Which well would haue become her merits But on the other side he knew the meanes Of my Fortune must needs obscure and darken Her perfections so that he out of loue To her rather then to himselfe desir'd To make her his Cle. He could not chuse but know that if he kild The man belou'd by her she needs must hate him If she were worthily constant if not Then he with danger of his life had purchas'd Her too dearly for I should still belieue If once she changd she alwayes would become The victors Prize Lys. Madame there was some vnlucky mistaking Betwixt vs or else we had not fought Cl. Would it had pleas'd heauen you had not fought Or that the Duke had scaped with life but since Your quarrell was not to be reconcild though I Doe blush to say so I am glad t' was he that perisht For I haue euer wisht you well I would not haue you thinke I am now in loue With you yet by my life I cannot say but I may be Hereafter tho I know you haue a Mistris Whose perfections darken mine giue me those Things to dresse his wounds with The wounds sure were giuen to me to make me happie In being toucht by your soft hands my wounds Can neuer heale my prayers are against it Because being well I cannot haue this blessing Cleo. What a strange alteration doe I feele now When I touch you a certaine coldnesse seizeth On my heart and all my blood flies to my face Sure I do loue you I ne're yet knew what it was For to dissemble if I loue I say so And if I hate I keepe it not conceald I will not giue a thought that is base A harbor in any brest what need I then Conceale my heart the praise Lysander Which was bestow'd vpon thee had bred in me A great desire to be my owne assurance Whether thou wert the master of so many Excellencies as fame bestow'd vpon thee And now that I doe find they rather doe Come short then any whit out-goe thy merit Wonder not that I though a Princesse am in loue With thee for I haue still profest to loue the Richest minde which is in thee compleat With the addition of a comly Personage Lys. I hope your Grace doth not mocke me Cleo. No by my life I take delight In looking vpon you Lys. I cannot thinke you are in earnest yet I will Answere you as if you were should you loue me Thinke you or would you wish that I should breake My forepast vowes vnto Clarinda Cle. No it must be for your worth if I do loue you And when your proue vnconstant you are No longer worthy Lys. If I be constant What fruit can you receiue from your affection A barren Loue will ill become So great a Princesse Cle. Be you still constant loue your Clarinda stil For when you cease to be so I shall hate you Only respect me as a Sister for when my reason Shall haue leaue to combate against my passion It will conuert it to a Sisterly affection Lys. Madame I know In that you say you loue me you doe it only For to make a tryall how strongly I am arm'd By my Clarinda's merits against inconstancie And I confesse if it were possible To vndermine my faith and blow my former Promises into the ayre your pleasing speech And those yet maiesticke glances Of your eyes were the only Instruments that yet I euer saw to doe it Cleo. But speake you as you thinke Lysander Lys. Else may I perish but mistake me not For though I could belieue your beauty And merit to be aboue Clarinda's Which is vnpossible either that it should be Or that I should belieue it yet where my word Is once past though all the tortures mans wit Can inuent should at one instant inuiron me To torture the minde and body yet I would not breake my faith Cle. May I be miserable if ere I perswade you to 't Yet I could wish that you did loue me And with a little passion but doe not make shew Of more then you doe truely feele thinking To please me for if I find it I shall be angry I will not hide a thought from you Mari. But Madame is it possible that You should loue him thus Cleo. I scorne for to dissemble for who stand I in feare of were the King my Brother here Sure I should not deny that I loued Lysander Mar. Madame I rather wish My Brother neuer had beene borne Then that the King should know you loue
Clarinda and Iacomo Clar. Good morrow noble Brother for by that title I am proud to call you being deny'd a neerer Lys. It is a title that I am blest in Nor can there be a neerer betwixt vs two Our soules may embrace but not our bodies Clar. Let vs goe walke into the Garden and there Wee may freely speake and thinke vpon some remedy Against this disaster Exeunt Lys. Clar. Iaco. What a dull Slaue was I had not I last night ouer-heard their louing parley I neuer once should haue suspected that they had beene in loue shee alwaies seem'd an enemie to loue yet hath been long most desperate in loue with this young Lord which quite will spoyle my hopes at Court yet when I better thinke it will be for my aduantage as I may handle it and further my reuenge for I will insinuate my selfe into the Dukes good opinion by making a discouery of their loues and then aduise him that there is no way to gaine Clarinda's heart till first Lysander be remou'd by some employment for out of sight with women out of minde or if hee impatient of delayes I will aduise him to vse some bloudy meanes which if he want an Instrument to do I will effect it my selfe pretending that it is out of loue to him when it is indeed the satisfaction of mine owne reuenge and when the Duke is once a partner of my villany I will be richly paid for what I do or else for all his greatnesse I will affright him For though great men for bloudy deeds Giue money to a Knaue Yet if hee bee a witty one like mee Hee 'l make that Lord his Slaue Exit Enter Clarinda and Lysander Clar. Come let vs sit downe for I am tyr'd With walking and then I will tell you How I am resolu'd to free vs from this torment Lys. I feare there is no remedy but we must part Clar. Yes if you will giue consent to what I shall propound Lys. First let me heare it Clar. My Father though he haue his liberty Is not yet restor'd to his Lands when next The Duke doth visit me which I beleeue will Be to day I le seeme as if I did mistrust his loue To be but fain'd he then will striue by some strong Testimony to proue hee truly loues Then will I vrge my Fathers restoration To his Lands which he being once possest of Will not be hard for me the world knowing How well he loues me to get some coine and Iewels In my power sufficient to maintaine vs In some other Country where we like shepheards Or some Country folkes may passe our time with ioy And that we may without distrust effect this I to the Duke will promise that when a moneth Is expir'd if he will come and lead me to the Church I 'le not refuse to goe doe you approue Of this Lysander Lys. No deare Clarinda Though most men hold deceit in loue for lawfull Lysander doth not Ere you for me shall spot Your yet pure selfe with such a staine as to be A deceiuer this sword shall pierce my heart The debt I owe you is too great already And till I cleere some part I shall vnto my selfe Appeare a most vngratefull man When first I saw you The height of all my aymes was onely to haue leaue To loue you so excellent I then esteem'd you But you in time out of your bounty Not for my desert for no desert can reach Your height of merit gaue loue for loue For which I owe my life sau'd by that mercy From despaire and lent me for to serue you Clar. You are too thankfull and attribute that To my bounty which was the wages of your true And faithfull seruice Lys. Were this granted yet how euer I shall be able To free my selfe from that great burden of debt Which your intended flight for my sake Will lay vpon me as yet I cannot see For did at all value your owne happinesse You could not thus flie the meanes That can best make you so Clar. Lysander to what tends this great acknowlegement I vnderstand you not what is your meaning Lys. My meaning deare Clarinda is to make you happie And I coniure you by your affection And all that 's deare to you to lay by That little portion of wilfulnesse Which being a woman you are forc'd to haue And heare me with your best attention And with the same affection as if I were Your Brother which if the heauens had pleas'd To make me I had beene most happy With your best reason looke vpon your present fortune Looke first vpon the man from whence you had your being And see in reason what pitty it will challenge from you A noble ancient Gentleman depriu'd of Lands And honors by iniustice that as a stranger Might exact your pitty but as a Child It being within your power it forceth your consent To giue a remedy If pity of your Fathers fortune Cannot moue you pitty your owne I beseech you Consider not of me as a tormented Louer That hath lost his Mistris but as a fortunate Brother Fortunate in seeing of his Sister whom he dearly loues Married to one so worthy whose merits Compels fortune to waite vpon him for such the Duke is Whom you must not refuse for such a poore Vnworthy man as I am Clar. Lysander should I grant your want of worth I then must giue consent to the committing Of a Sacriledge against the Gods in suffering you To rob your selfe you being the purest Temple That yet they euer built for to be honour'd in And for the Duke each worth which you expresse of him to me Is but a doubling of your owne The way to speake for him were to appeare Your selfe lesse worthy in this your worths increase Lys. Would you but looke with an impartiall eye On our deseruings you soone would find me The lesse worthy for euen in that wherein You thinke me not to be equal'd he goes Farre beyond me I meane in true affection For being but a priuate man as I am Who would not thinke him blest to loue and be belou'd By you that are esteem'd the wonder of this Age But for the Duke within whose power it lies To choose the most transplendent Beauty of this Kingdome Set off with Fortunes best endowments for him I say To choose out you amongst a world of Ladies To make the sole Commandresse of him selfe Deserues if you would giue your reason leaue to rule The neerest place in your affection Clar. Doe not thus vainly striue to alter my opinion Of your worth with words which was so firmly grounded By your reall actions it is a fault but I will striue To wash it from you with my teares Lys. These teares in her stagger my resolution For sure he must be worthiest for whom she weepes Clarinda drie your eyes Enter Iasper Clar. How now Iasper where is my Father Ias. Madame he doth desire that you will make you ready To
come to Supper to the Dukes to night Clar. He was resolued to haue sup'd heere How hath he chang'd his mind Ias. Madame he desires you not to fayle But come and bring my Lord here with you Clar. Well I will obey him Exeunt Enter two Seruants 1. Come prethee be carefull we shall gaine More vpon my Lords good opinion If we please him this day then hereafter In the whole seruice of our liues 2. Why prethee 1. Here will this day be his faire Mistris Clarinda And her Father 2. I thought it was some extraordinary occasion He was himselfe so carefull will there be none else Will not the King be here the entertainment Would be worthy of him 1. It may be braue Lysander will be here none else For he is alwayes with the Count Utrante 2. When came he home from trauaile I did not see him since hee lay here in my Lords house To be cured of the wounds the bore gaue him He owes my Lord for sauing of his life then I helpt to bring him out of the field 1. My Lord was happy in sauing of so braue a Gentleman Enter Lysander Utrante and Clarinda Lys. Can I loue Clarinda yet goe about To hinder her of being Mistris of all this riches Each roome we passe through is a Paradise The Musicke like the Musicke of the Spheares Rauishing the hearers with content and admiration But that which addes vnto all the rest Is the Dukes true affection I am asham'd When I consider of my indiscretion That would haue brought her to the counterpoynt Of this great happinesse Enter Duke and Followers Duke Noble Lysander welcome Excellent Lady All the honors that my great and royall Master Hath bestow'd vpon me equals not this That you haue done in gracing at my request This now most glorious house since it containes within it The glory of the world Clar. My Lord your praises flie too hie a pitch to light on Duke They must doe so or they 'l fall short Of your great worth Clar. A reasonable pitch would sooner strike Me with beliefe Duke To giue you a firme beleefe of the respect I beare you is that I onely ayme at Clar. My Lord it lyeth in your choyce whether I shall Belieue you or no for if you will speake Only that which in reason is likely to be true I am no Infidell I shall beleeue Duke You are so farre from being an Infidel That you are a Saint at whose blest shrine I offer vp my life and Fortunes With a truer deuotion then euer Louer did Clar. I see I must allow you the Louers Phrases Which is to call their Mistris St. and their affection Deuotion but to let your Phrases passe And answere the meaning of your protestation How can I belieue that you can loue me Better then any man did euer loue his Mistris There being such an inequalitie in our present fortunes When equalitie doth giue birth to more affection And those more violent there being no respect To be a hindrance I meane both the equalities Of Birth and Fortunes in both which we farre differ You being the next a kin vnto the King And I the Daughter to a condem'd man Though now for your owne ends at liberty Duke If it be lawfull for your deuoted seruant To contradict you in any thing it is In the defence of his affection You know that Riuers being stopt by any impediment As rocks or bridges run the more fierce When they are from that which did incomber them So might I say for my affection If I should acknowledge which yet I will not That the consideration of my Greatnesse Was for a while an Impediment to the current Of my Loue but alas those considerations Could neuer finde harbor in that heart Where loue and admiration had already Taken vp their lodgng nor doe they in my opinion Deserue to be happy who mixe the consideration Of the good of fortune with their affections Clar. My Lord in this last I doe vnfainedly belieue you I meane in your opinion which is that true loue Cannot be mixt with respects and to shew now How well I belieue you I will make it my shield Both to defend me against your worthy affection I confesse if your thoughts and words agree And against my Fathers vniust commands For since you confesse that to mixe loue with respects Spoyles the puritie of it and that they Who so mixe it deserue not to be happy It must needs be great iniustice in you And my Father to desire me to loue you Vnworthily since I cannot loue you Without mixing the consideration Of the benefits my Father shall receiue By my Marriage with your Grace besides The satisfaction of me owne ambition In being a Dutchesse may make any streame Of affection which can proceed from me Vnfit to mixe with so pure a streame As you professe yours is Duke Madame I cannot denie what you affirme Since you ground your argument vpon my confest Opinion but know deare Lady that as you manifest In this your cruell answere your disdaine of me Which will incense my despaire yet on the Other side the excellence of your wit Will increase my desire for euen out of that Which I brought as an argument to moue you The more to loue you conclude that you are To neglect and with a seeming Iustice Which shews that your wit can bring ny thing To passe that your will shall employ it in Clar. I should account my selfe happie were I So furnished but my Lord I must not looke Vpon my selfe in the flattering glasse Of your praises for I hate flattery though a woman And as I am my selfe arm'd against flatterie So would I haue you be therefore I tell you That I can neuer be yours to arme you against The flatterie of hope yet I must tell you That your deserts if it were possible For me to loue might sooner doe it then any other But as I am a votresse to Diana in whose Temple I doe shortly meane to dwell I am free From any fire that can bee kindled By desert in Man Duke Tho your intention in this cruell answere May bee charitable as intending To allay my heat by manifesting your boldnesse Yet it hath wrought deadly Effects for it Forceth me tell you that I must disobey you For rather then I and the rest of the world Will lose so great a blessing there shall not Be a Temple left standing that is sacred To Diana within this Kingdome when this is done To make your crueltie admir'd I le build An Alter to selfe-loue it is that power you obey And not Diana's on which some frend shall lay My bleeding heart which now in thought And then in act shall be a reall Sacrifice Smile not nor thinke this iest For by that Dian whom you seeme to worship Being your selfe a greater Deitie When you doe cruelly performe what You haue rashly said this heart Which now seales what my tongue hath spoke Shall
him Nay I hope you know it not your selfe Shall I belieue that your great heart that euer Yet contemn'd loue can on a sodaine in foure Or fiue daies knowledge be struck by my vnworthy Brothers slender merits and one that must Be periur'd too if he should loue you Cleo. Mariana take heed how you doe pursue This Subiect for if you doe I should begin To hate you are you not asham'd to contradict Your selfe How oft hath your owne tongue Giuen him the highest attributes of worth Nay you haue beene so lauish of his praises That I haue check'd you for it though I beliu'd Them to bee true because it comes Somthing too neere the praising of our selues To praise a Brother I am my selfe a witnesse Of his valour and his wit and those are sure The maine supporters to all other vertues Blush not Lysander to heare thine owne iust praises Except it be that I doe sully them in the deliuery Thou gau'st too sad a witnesse of thy valour In ouercomming him which through this Kingdome was esteemd the brauest man Lys. Madam a brauer man by farre then he Vnder whose sword he fell Fortune that did enuy His worth because his mind was fortified Aboue her reach applyed her selfe that day Vnto the ruine of his body and then though Neuer before nor since fought on my side Cle. When next I come I will intreat you tell me euery particular Accident through the whole Combate Lys. Most willingly for I by that Relation Shall make apparant the difference betwixt His worth and mine Exeunt Enter King Utrante and Attendant King So many dayes o'repast and yet no newes Of my deare Cozen whether he be aliue or dead Utran. Sir there is a Hermite Which hath brought sad newes King What of his death or that he 's deadly hurt Utran. Sir to your Maiesty he only will relate That which he hath to say and yet by the sadnesse Of his countenance know his newes is ill King Call him in Whilst with patience I fore-arme my selfe Enter Hermite Speake Father is the Duke dead what sad newes Is this you bring giue me my torment in a word Her Your feares are true indeed the Duke Is dead Kin. How doe you know Her Your Maiesty shall heare As I was gathering Rootes within the Forrest The best part of my foode casting my eye aside I saw a man lie weltring in his gore Straight I was strucken with a sodaine feare But Charitie preuailing aboue feare I stept to see if yet the soule had left That comely Mansion for so indeed it was Finding some sparks of life remaining I tooke A cordiall water which I euer carry with me And by the help of that I brought him to his senses So that he was able to deliuer these few words Death I embrace thee willingly thou being A farre lesse torment then for to liue And know Clarinda loues another better May she enioy Lysander whom now I doe Beleeue is worthy of her for I that Most vniustly went about to crosse it Must pay my life downe for my error Lysander I forgiue thee my death and so I hope the King and with that word the King He sunke betweene my armes and neuer Spoke word Kin. O what a man was this what marble heart That would not melt it selfe in teares to heare This sad relation but what became of the body Her There Sir begins occasion of new griefe Whilst I did vainly striue to call backe life Three barbarous theeues seeking some booty Came by chance that way and seeing his garments Rich they went about to strip him but hearing Of some noyse within the wood one of them Did aduise to carry him to their boat which lay Hard by within a Creeke I went about To hinder them and for my paines they did compel Me to carry the body vpon my shoulders Threatning to kill me if I did refuse But not content with this they made me row Them downe the streame three dayes together Vntill they came vnto their fellow Pirates King What did they with the body Her Threw it ouerbord when they had Rifled it first King How chance you came no sooner to tell This newes though yet too soone they are so ill Utran. I see the King did dearly loue him He weepes Her Sir the current of the water bare vs farther In three dayes then I was able to returne in ten King Giue the poore Hermite something Though his newes deserue it not Yet his sufferngs doth It is an addition to my griefe that when I parted With him last I seem'd to be offended with him For his dotage on Clarinda which he hath Dearely paid for and yet I cannot blame him For she is the fairest creature that yet I euer saw Enter Cleonarda O Sister we haue lost our dearest Kinsman And that which ads vnto my griefe is that I cannot Be reueng'd on him that kild him Cleo. Are you certaine Sir that he is dead or Who it was that kild him Ki. Too certaine of them both It was Lysander that kild him Whom If I euer get within my power The sharpest kinde of death that iustice can inflict Vpon him he shall feele Cleo. Say you so brother hee shall Not come within your power if I can helpe it then But royall brother if the Duke had kild Lysander I know you would haue pardoned him King Sister I thinke I should Cle. With what Iustice then can you pursue Lysanders life who as the Duke himselfe Informes you in his Letter sought Onely to maintaine what was his owne But on the other side the Duke like an vsurper Without any title would haue taken from him That which he valew'd farre aboue his life His Loue King It is not I That pursues Lysanders life but Iustice The Law condemnes him to dye Had it beene but a priuate man much more Being so neare a kin to me Cle. There is no Law but doth allow vs to defend Our selues Lysander did no more for who can denie He was compeld honor compeld him The Duke compeld him and loue which cannot be By noble minds resisted did aboue all compel him Then all the fault Lysander did commit in my Opinion is that hee was too slow needing Compulsion in so iust a cause and therefore Sir If you should apprehend Lysander though by The letter of the Law his life is forfeit Yet remember that mercy is the greatest atribute Belonging to those powrs whose substitute you are King Sister you often haue had occasion To shew your Charity in being a Suiter to mee For the liues of those that had offended Yet vntill now you neuer beg'd my mercy vnto any Cleo. Sir you neuer had occasion giuen you Till now to whet the sword of Iustice by your owne Particular reuenge that it might cut the deeper And being not intressed your mercy of it selfe Did blunt the edge and needed not my intercession King I do coniure you by my loue To speake no more
her leaue to doe she curst her beauty As the cause of all this mischiefe at last Considering who it was that spoke A Father that deseru'd an answere Her iudgement shut her passions in a lesse roome For hauing calm'd the tempest of her greefes She mildly answer'd that she was happy In his liberty though now she saw It was but giuen him to procure her bondage For such she did account all ties of marriage Made by the parents without the childs consent Though nere so rich or hononrable Mari. And hauing said so did she not cast her watry eyes Vpon you and in this sad yet pleasing language Tell you that she would not forsake you for the Duke Lys. It is true shee did so there is no tongue That can expresse the hearts of those that loue Like their owne eyes but Sister it will be late Before you reach the Forrest the Princesse too May wonder at your stay Mari. Brother it 's true but I so seldome see you That I 'le not goe vnlesse you promise to come and see me Lys. You know the strict command That none but those appointed should come neere the Lodge Mari. That is but your excuse I haue told you how often the Princesse Earnestly hath desir'd to see you yet you would neuer goe Lys. Sister I feare these sad occasions will hinder me But I will write Mari. Will you not come sixe miles to see a Sister That so dearely loues you Lys. Sister I know you loue nor will I be a debter You are both my Friend and Sister Exeunt Flourish Enter King Utrante and Attendants King My Lord Vtrante can you not then Perswade your Daughter to receiue a Blessing Which euen the greatest Ladies in this Kingdome Would desire on their knees Enter Duke and Followers Is this a Man to be neglected Though he were not A Kinsman to your King besides my Lord Remember you may draw vpon your selfe Our high displeasure by her refusall Duke Great Sir let not your loue and care of me Bar faire Clarinda the freedome of her choyce By threatning punishments vnto her Father If she choose not me for should she offended Which she might iustly be if I should seeme To force Loue from her it were not within your power Though that you would giue all that you possesse To make me satisfaction for the wrong King Yes I could make you satisfaction Though shee were offended by forcing her Into your armes to whom the wrong was done Duke Her Person Sir you might but not her Minde Which is indeed the obiect of my Loue That 's free from your subiection for it 's free From Loue a greater power by farre Utran. My Lord I thinke shee 's free from reason too For did that gouerne her she could not thus neglect Her happinesse or rather she may yet suspect your Lordship Doth not meane what you professe and from that feare Seemes coy till she be more assured Duke I cannot pluck my heart out of my brest To shew her I wish I could yet liue to doe her seruice There she might see her worth truely ingrauen In lasting Characters not to be razed out By the hand of Time nor which is more her scorne King Cozen if you will be rul'd by me I 'le make her leape with ioy into your armes Duke Sir so that it be by no way of violence I will obey you King In act I 'le vse no way of violence Yet I must threaten it Duke Sir if you threaten her you ruine me Her Sun-bright Eyes by faithfull seruice May in time shine gently on me and warme My frozen hopes But on the contrary Shee knowing that I 'm the cause of these your threatnings Will from her iust vext soule throw curses on me I would not see thee heauen of her faire face Clouded with any raised by my power to be a Monarch King You know my loue and you presume vpon it Take your owne way of loue deliuer vp your selfe Vnto her mercy that I would make at yours Would you be ruled go see your Mistris Tell her you loue her more then euer man did woman To proue which true pray her that shee 'l command you Taskes more dangerous then did the enuious Iuno To great Hercules all which you will performe With much more ease since you by her command Shall vndertake 'em whose vertue hath the power To arme you 'gainst a world of dangers doe Make her proud with praises and then see How she will torture you Duke Sir she may torture me and iustly too For my presumption since I haue dared To tell so much perfections that I loue Not being first made worthy by my suffering For her Vtran. My Lord if you 'l be pleas'd to grace my house This day she either shall requite your sufferings O I will deny her for a child of mine Duke My Lord most willing I would see faire Clarinda But not vpon such conditions nothing But gentle intreaties must be vs'd for tho the King Were pleas'd to say that my humility Would make her proud I would not haue a subiect Say not you that are her Father that she can Doe an act or thinke a thought that tends not To perfection King Come my Lords we will goe hunt a Stag to day And leaue my Cozen to his amorous thoughts Exe. K. Atten Duke I thanke your Maiestie for this dayes licence My Lord Vtrante shall I then see Clarinda And will you lend your best assistance To make me Master of a happinesse the world may enuy Utran. My Lord you make an Idol of a peeuish Girle Who hath indeed no worth but what you please To giue her in your opinion Duke I must not heare you thus blaspheme You might as well say Pallas wanted wisdome Diana chastitie or Venus beautie As say she wanted worth for euery seueral excellence That shin'd in them and made them By mens admirations Goddesses Flow mixt in her indeed shee hath Too much of Dians Ice about her heart And none of Venus heate but come my Lord I lose my selfe in her vast praises and so Deferre the ioy of seeing what I so commend Exe. Enter Iacomo and Lysander at seuerall dores Lys. Good morrow honest Iacomo is my young Ladie readie Iaco. She is my Lord Lys. And where 's her Father Iaco. He was this morning early sent for by the King Lys. Tell your Ladie I would speake with her Iaco. My Lord I will Exit Lys. The Count Utrante is happie in this honest seruant Let me before I doe perswade Clarinda consider well Surely that houre in which I see her led to the Temple And there made fast with Hymeneall rights vnto another Will be my vtmost limit and death is terrible Not where there is so glorious a reward propos'd As is her happinesse shee shall be happie And in her happinesse consisteth mine Haue I not often sworne I lou'd her better Then my selfe and this is onely left to make it good Enter
make the couenant perfect Clar. I see this is no way my Lord This rash oath you haue made may cost you deare Duke In that consider the greatnesse of my loue Clar. The greatnesse of your folly rather That thinke by threatning punishments to your selfe To make me pitty you when since I doe not loue you I am not toucht with any feeling of your greefes Duke If not for mine yet for your Goddesse sake Giue ouer your ill grounded resolution Enter Bernardo Ber. My Lord the King is newly lighted at the garden gate And in all hast cals for you Duke Madame the King to whom my person is a subiect Commands my presence and I must obey him But my heart which I haue made you Soueraigne of Shall stay to wait on you my returne must needs Be speedy since I leaue my heart at the mercy Of you my cruell enemy Clar. My Lord I shall so martyr it before I come agen That you will repent you Duke You cannot giue it deeper wounds Then you haue done already and in that Confidence I le leaue you Ber. Madame will it please you walke into the gallery There are some pictures will be worth your seeing Exeunt Actus secundus Scoena prima Enter King Attendants Iacomo Duke and Followers meeting King Will none go call the Duke Welcome deare Cozen You lost a braue chase to day but you had other game A foote what sayes your cruell Mistris will she loue you Duke I hope she will Sir she doth heare me speake King How heare you speake Duke Of loue I meane Sir King Fye passionate man Duke Why Sir doe you not thinke him happie Whom she will vouchsafe to heare King You know my loue hath made you what you are Out of an opinion that you deserud it Not for that you were my Kinsman I neuer yet deny'd What you would aske relying on your iudgement And your vertue Should you haue ask'd my Sister For your Wife I sooner should haue giuen consent And taxt your iudgement lesse then I doe now For doting on this Lady Call backe for shame then That iudgement which had wont to gouerne all Your actions and make me once more proud That I haue such a Kinsman whose iudgement Can controule his strongest passions euen loue it selfe When it is preiudiciall to his honor Duke Sir You haue alwayes beene a Father to me And studyed that which hath beene for my good Better then I could thinke I know your Maiesties Intent in this is to perswade me from that Which you belieue is preiudiciall to me But since without her loue gain'd the faire way Of seruice not by threatnings I can take ioy In nothing this world can afford me Pardon me Sir if I desire you to spare Your Counsell since I am capable of none Except you perswade me to loue more King Well Sir I will leaue you to your amorous passions See me no more till I send for you Exeunt King Atten Duke The King is mou'd Should he take from me all that he hath giu'n me Yet it were a happinesse if for her sake I lost it Iaco. My noble Lord Duke Friend what is your suit to me If it be reasonable it shall not bee deny'd For your young Ladies sake Iaco. My Lord the businesse I haue to deliuer Concernes your Grace Duke How me what is it speake Iaco. My Lord it is a secret and doth concerne Clarinda And therefore send your people off That with more freedome I may speake with you Duke Waite me without now speake Exeunt Seruants Iaco. What thinks your Lordship is the cause That moues Clarinda to neglect your Loue Du. The knowledge of her own worth and my vnworthines Which defect I hope in time my faithfull seruice Shall make good and she will loue me Iaco. Neuer my Lord Duke Why is her vow of Chastity already past Iaco. Shee vow Chastitie Duke Why villaine dost thou smile at that Think'st thou Diana's selfe is Chaster Iaco. Great Sir mistake me not I smile to thinke How she deceiues your Grace telling you She neuer meanes to marrie when I dare Pawne my life she is already contracted Duke Traitor to my best hopes Thou hast kindled in my brest a iealous fire That will consume me fiends take thee for thy newes Would thou hadst beene borne dumbe betrothd it cannot be Who durst presume knowing I lou'd her once To thinke of Loue much lesse to name it to her Iacom. My Lord if you will with patience heare me I will tell you whom Duke Speake quickly giue me that case For I vow the earth shall not long beare vs both I will not tell you vnlesse you will promise To follow my aduice which if you will I will shew you a cleare way to your desires Duke What do you riddle me is she contracted And can I by your counsell attaine my wishes No the House of Fate though they should all Take Counsell cannot backe restore the happinesse Th' ast rob'd me of in saying shee 's contracted Iaco. My Lord do not thus wast your selfe In fruitlesse passion but heare the remedy That I le propound Du. First let me know which of the Gods it is That in a mortall shape hath gain'd her loue That thou suspect'st she is contracted Or else some King that in disguise hath left His Kingdome to obtaine her Loue Who is worth many Kingdomes Name not a meaner Riuall if thou dost Expect I should belieue Iaco. My Lord it is a man to whom Your valorous hand gaue life Du. Curst be my hand then for that vnkinde office Against my heart name him Iaco. It is the young Lord Lysander Du. Take that ignorant foole Lysander Strikes him Iaco. How strucke is this my hop't reward By all that 's good I le be reueng'd Duke I was too rash She is a Woman and may dissemble Lysander to Is noble courteous valiant handsome But yet compar'd with me his fortunes nothing Alas that cannot barr loue out of a noble breast Such as Clarinda's is what wayes my Birth Or greatnesse with the King in her consideration Lysanders equall fortunes and her owne In that their Fathers suffer for one cause His banisht hers a prisoner till I releast him Hath I feare begot a mutuall loue betwixt them Friend prethee pardon me I was too rash I le heale thy hurt with gold Iaco. My Lord I am a Gentleman And were you not a Kinsman to the King The blow you gaue me might haue cost you deare Duke I le heale thy reputation and thy head With store of crownes here but prethee tell me What mou'd thee to discouer this to me Or how camst thou thy selfe to know of it I thinke her Father doth not Iaco. I thinke he doth not it is long since Since I suspected it and to assure my selfe The other night I crept behind the Arbour Where they vse to meet somtimes and soon by their Discourse I found what I suspected to be most true My
if you be resolu'd that he must die which in my iudgement is most necessary if you still loue Clarinda I will vndertake for to dispatch him by some meanes or other but should you now here in Clarinda's presence kill him she loues her mind is so noble she would neuer indure you Duke This is a villaine an incarnate Diuell Yet will I follow some part of his counsell Lead me the way backe vnseene I le stay no longer For if I heare him speake againe in that base Key I shall doe that which I hereafter may repent No I le take the noblest way to my reuengement Exit Lys. Clarinda you haue long beene silent What is it you consider of if it bee my words You must needs find them full of reason Clar. I le seeme as base as he would haue me And so find out whether he speaks this from His heart or no Clar. I must confesse that this which you haue spoken Stands with good reason and reason is the rule By which we ought to square our actions Dare I belieue that you would counsell me To any thing but that which will be most For my content and for the Duke will it not be Farre lesse to his content not to enioy at all Me whom he loues then if he should possesse me And yet you haue a share with him in my embracings For what is that husband worse whose wife abuses him If she haue but the wit to keepe it from his knowledge Lys. It is true the Duke is so noble and doth withall So truely loue you that it will quite banish All base distrust so that we might with all security Inioy our loues Clar. Leaue leaue Lys. Or if he should find out our craft How soone might we dispatch him by poyson There haue beene such things done Clar. You doe ouer-act your part I see the end you ayme at your vertue shewes it selfe Quite through that maske of vice which loue to me And to my Father made you put on you thought If you could haue giuen me a beliefe Of your vnworthines that then I would haue giuen Consent to haue married with the Duke Leaue your dissembling then since y' are discouerd Lest you offend the Gods I only seem'd To giue applause to what you said to finde Your crafte Lys. I see my heart lies open to you You haue spoken my very thoughts indeed This was my end Clar. Lysander I perceiue that your affection Is altogether gouern'd by your reason For which if it be possible I loue you more Because it well becomes a man to doe so But I should hate my selfe if I should loue According to your rule which I will manifest For here I take the heauens to witnesse That if within three dayes you do not marry me I le kill my selfe speake quickly for if you do not Loue me it is a greater mercy to tell me so That I may dye then to perswade me To loue another that being impossible But death is easie Lys. Clarinda you haue ouercome by this rash oath My resolution for I perceiue the fates Had fore-ordain'd we should enioy each other After such reall testimonies to make our loue the firmer I doe with ioy embrace what you compell Me to by your rash oath and if your Father Wilfully will stay and not flye with vs Rather then I will euer draw teares From those bright eyes I so dearly loue wee 'l leaue him to the danger Exeunt Enter the Duke with two Letters Duke Shall I stil loue one that neglects my faithfull seruice Alacke I cannot helpe it now I yeelded vp My heart at the first summons her faire eyes made Me thought it was a kind of treason once To doubt that she was not the soueraigne of all hearts Thus she that came to Court to beg her Fathers liberty Had not that granted only but that I who beg'd It for her became my selfe her prisoner And neuer man was prouder of his bondage Then I was what though she loue a villaine Whose intemperate lust and base dissembling Kather deserues her hate yet shee is faire And vertuous still it is my part to let her See her error tho with the danger of my life If I suruiue the combat and that she know For what respect I fought she cannot choose But loue me and if the heauens haue so ordained That I must fall vnder Lysanders sword Yet I haue written that which shall giue a better Testimony that I did loue her more then he Who waits there Enter Francisco and Bernardo Fran. My Lord Duke I meane to ride abroad this morning And if I come not backe at night carry this letter To the King Bernardo carry this presently Vnto the young Lord Lysander Exeunt Enter Iacome Iaco. My plots are dasht the Duke doth turne his eyes vpon me as though he would looke me dead I shall gaine hate on all sides if I bee not wary and cunningly dissemble reuenge and profit are the ends I ayme at since I haue mist the one I le make the other sure Lysander I doe hate thee for comming into the world to rob me of my land yet I doe thinke thou art not onely false my Brother did tricks which when I would haue proued in open Court the Dukes power boulstred vp against me but I doe hope I shall bee now reueng'd vpon them both I le poyson the Duke my selfe and to the King accuse Lysander as if he had done it fearing that the Duke should rob him of his Mistris I haue a seruant shall sweare what I would haue him I keepe him for the purpose since the Duke would not giue me leaue to vse my drugges for him he shall himselfe taste of them lest for that kindnesse I offer'd him I should my selfe bee punish'd Hee that to honor looks is not for my blacke ends Reuenge profit I le pursue through blood of foes and friends Enter Lysander and Bernardo Lys. Where is the Duke Sir Ber. He is this morning ridden forth Whither I doe not know Lys. Your Letter Sir do's not require an answere It will not be long before I see his Grace my selfe Ber. Good morrow to your Lordship Lys. Good morrow Sir I le read them once more ouer Hee reads Though the small number of Lines seeme not to require it Lysander I wait for you at the great Elme within the Forrest make hast and to preuent danger come arm'd Few words but I belieue a Prologue to much mischiefe I feare that my affection and Clarinda's Is to the Duke discouer'd and now disdaine And anger to be out-riual'd boyle within his brest If it be so he takes the noblest way To vse no other force but his owne arme But how shall I imploy my Sword to take His life that gaue me mine my conscience tels me Though it be not apparant to the world That I am euen with him for that since I to him Would haue giuen vp my interest in Clarinda Would she
chances you then did not sooner Bring me this Letter Ber. I was commanded otherwayes by him King reads Royall Sir adde to the number of your many fauors the performance of this my last request What doth hee meane by this I pray you see Clarinda who is my wife possest of what was mine and withall pardon him that kils mee for I will compell him to fight How 's this Begin not after my death to deny me that which is iust since in my life time you neuer did see the will of the dead effected as you desire to haue your Testament perform'd after your death which I pray the Gods that it may be yet a long life O what a Character is here deliuer'd of a pure mind Which only seems to shew the greatnes of my losse The plainer his death is not yet certaine Let me not like a woman spend that time In fruitlesse lamentations which may perchance Afford a remedy but now it is night What shall I do call all the Court and let them all Disperse themselues each man a seuerall way He that brings word the Duke is aliue Shall haue a thousand pounds he is gone to fight A Combat with whom I know not but he that Apprehends the man that kild him shal haue his land Is there none here that knowes of any falling out Betweene him and some other Lord speake Is there none can tell me Iaco. And if it please your Maiesty I thinke I haue a guesse King Speake then Iaco. If he bee gone to fight it is with Young Lysander King Let one goe looke for Lysander presently What grudge was betwixt them or fell they lately out Iaco. I will tell your Maiesty in priuate I am a seruant to the Count Utrante and was imploy'd by that most noble Duke whom I doe feare sleepes now in death for to solicite his true loue to my young Lady which I did faithfully performe but I found all I did was vaine for shee long time hath beene in loue with young Lysander which when I knew I gaue the Duke straight notice this hath so farre incenst the Duke against Lysander that they are gone to fight King This that thou hast told is certaine true Else she would neuer haue deny'd to haue married With the Duke and for thy loue and faithfull seruice to him Which I beleeue is now no more for else by this time He would haue return'd I will requite thee Iaco. He was the noblest Gentleman That I shall euer know He weepes King Alas goodman he weepes He that can bring me word the Duke is aliue Redeemes his King from misery Exeunt manet Iaco. Iaco. I hope he neuer shall come backe aliue he knowes I am a villaine I was too forward in my offers to him til I had tried his dispositions better It is kindly done of him and of Lysander yet to spare my paines there now wants nothing of my wish but that the Duke be kild and I to find out where Lysander is then I shall be reueng'd vpon them both and be possest of that which is my due Lysanders land for so the King hath promis'd My way to find Lysander if he hath kild the Duke is for to giue Clarinda a firme beleefe that I doe dearly loue him for sure if he be liuing she shall heare of him and if I finde him I haue another villanie in my head which I will put in act besides my giuing notice of him to the King My villainy shall Vertue be in show For all shall thinke me honest Iacomo Exit Enter Clarinda with a Letter Clar. reades I feare the Duke hath notice of our loues for he hath sent to me to meete him armed I feare it is to fight if it be so and I suruiue the Combate I will send you word where I abide if I be kild I doe coniure you by your vertues not to to bee vngratefull vnto the Duke who you see doth not desire to liue without he may enioy you for his wife No my Lysander in that houre when I shall heare That thy faire soule is parted from thy body I will quickly follow thee Enter Seruant Seru. Madame the King is at the gate and in a rage Threatens your Fathers death and yours they say Lysander Hath kild the Duke Clar. I fear'd as much This comes of my dissembling Enter King Utrante and Attendants Utran. Why is your Maiestie offended with your Vassall Who as yet neuer so much as in a thought offended you King Where is that Inchantresse which you call Clarinda Clar. Here Sir is the vnhappy obiect of your anger King I am amaz'd I neuer till now saw true beauty Why kneele you Lady Clar. It is my duty Sir you are my Soueraigne King Rise faire Creature came I to chide and doe I kisse This is the force of Beauty who liues That can be offended with so sweet a Creature I cannot now blame the Duke for valuing Her so much I would she were the Daughter Of some neighbouring King that I without Disparagement might loue her but I forget My selfe these are poore humble thoughts And farre beneath the Maiestie of a King Lady I came to chide I feare you are the cause That I haue lost a Kinsman a worthy one In all the worlds opinion excepting yours Cla. Sir pardon me you were your selfe the cause By your excessiue loue to him for that made me Dissemble my affections to Lysander Fearing to daw your frownes vpon my Father Should I haue shew'd neglect vnto the Duke Kin. Who euer was the cause you shall not feele The punishment the Duke did truly loue you Lady which you shall see here in this Letter Apparantly may you see your error And grieue to death for your past folly In refusing the quintessence of Mankinde Read it not now you shall haue time to grieue in He shewes there in his Letter that you are his wife That by that meanes I might be drawne the sooner To performe his will which is that you should Be possest of that which was his and so you shall If hee be dead Cla. Sir I doe vtterly refuse it all that I desire Is that your Maiestie will giue me leaue To depart my griefes doe so oppresse me That I am sicke at heart King When you please Lady Exit Cla. My Lord how chanc'd it that you neuer told me That your Daughter lou'd Lysander Utran. Sir let me perish it I knew it I am amaz'd to heare it now Exeunt Enter Lysander and Mariana Lys. But Sister can you thinke it possible The Princesse should thus loue me Mar. Brother I know you see it your selfe Though you will not take notice of it Lys. Belieue me Mariana it doth grieue me much So great a Princesse should bee so vnhappy To loue a man whose heart is not his owne For he that had a heart at his disposing Could not denie to giue it her Ma. When she shal know you haue another Mistria She will call
As honest Iacomo who I know loues Lysander Come hither honest Iacomo Iaco. Madame Clar. I know thou lou'st me And wilt doe any thing that I command thee Iaco. Madame I hope you make no doubt of it Clar. No thou shalt see I doe not doubt For I will make thee priuie to a secret That torture should not draw from me Iaco. If it be that that I suspect torture shall Hardly make me to conceale it Clar. What saist thou Iacomo Iaco. Madame I say although I should be rackt Yet what you tell me shall be still conceald Clar. I know it should come trusty Iacomo I le tell thee all the Story as wee goe Exeunt Actus quartus Scoena prima Enter Clarinda in disguise Iacomo Clar. How am I bound to thee for this disguise I thinke my Father if I had met him Could not haue knowne me how farre is it Yet to the Lodge Iaco. It is not aboue a Mile but are you sure He is there Clar. I would not else haue come so far a foote Nor put on this disguise Iaco. Madame if you be weary here is a faire Coole shade where you may rest your selfe a while Clar. Though I be faint and weary Yet I will not stay the great desire I haue To see Lysander doth support my weaknesse Iaco. But Madame I am weary and I haue No such strong desire as loue to carry me Clar. For shame say not so can you being a man And vs'd to walke be weary in so short a iourney Iaco. Madame you must refresh me with a kisse I cannot walke else Clar. How Iacomo Iaco. Why doth not the paines that I haue taken Deserue a greater recompence then that Clar. I doe confesse The paines that thou hast taken and I intend thee a reward equall to it But it amazes me to heare thee aske That which would trouble me to giue And yet to thee that shoul'st receiue it Doe no good at all Iaco. If it will trouble you to giue it then let Me take a kisse Clar. How strangely art thou transported With a fond desire Iaco. You will not kisse me then Clar. I prethee be not angry Iacomo I le giue thee that which is better Here take this Iewell yet let me tell thee The Duke would not thus boldly haue demanded What thou didst aske Iaco. He was a foole then And did not know his owne aduantage Which you shall find I doe you that Denyed me now a kisse shall giue me that Which you perchance the first night Would haue denyed your husband Cla. I do not like this what 's that honest Iacomo Iaco. Your Maidenhead Clar. How I know thou dost but speake this For to excuse thy selfe from going sit still I le find the way my selfe Iaco. Are you so crafty stay and heare me Clar. What sayst thou honest Iacomo Iaco. Not too honest neither I know you are wise and therefore I le vse no perswasions else but onely letting of you see the danger Clar. O I feare this villaine Iaco. Lysander you told me was at the Lodge and there the King shall find him except you will redeeme him from that danger by the losse of your Virginity I know you would bee well content to kisse me now but now it will not serue Clar. Will honest Iacomo then proue a villaine Iaco. Who would not proue a villaine for so sweet a recompence How I doe glory in this purchase of my wit the Duke striuing to gaine the happinesse I shall haue offer'd me paid downe his life for t besides he went about the ceremoniall way of Marriage but I shall meet my happinesse a neerer way which will be an addition to the pleasure Come are you resolu'd Clar. Why villaine dost thou prize Lysanders life Aboue mine honor Iaco. If for a word for honor is no more You can indure to see Lysander suffer cruell death It seemes you loue him little doe as you will Make hast vnto the Lodge you know the way well The King may chance be there before you As I will handle the businesse Clar. Stay Iacomo canst thou be such a villaine As thou dost seeme I doe not thinke Thou art in earnest Iaco. All torments that man did euer feele Light vpon me if I doe not performe What I say Clar. Then may they all light on thee For thou deseru'st them all Iaco. Stay Lady Clar. Dost thou relent I knew thou didst it but to trye mee Iaco. It is true indeed I did so Clar. I thought thou still wert honest Iaco. Be not deceiu'd I tried indeed if you would giue consent because the pleasure would haue beene the greater so but since I haue you once agen within my power I will inioy you whether you will or no Clar. Canst thou beleeue the heauens that haue the power To strike thee dead will suffer such a wicked Act Iaco. It is in vaine to striue or crye There is none to helpe you Clar. If the feare of Heauen Cannot deterre thee from this villanie Yet tremble at the punishments my Father And Lysander will inflict vpon thee For doe not thinke there 's any place that 's so remote But they will find thee out Iaco. Tush they shall still belieue mee to be Honest Iacomo Yet I will let the King know where Lysander is Clar. Why villaine dost thou thinke I will not Discouer thee Iaco. Yes I doe know you would but I will take a course with your Ladiship for telling when I haue done with you Clar. I know thou wilt not be so mercifull to kill me Iaco. Yes feare it not rather then I will be hang'd for a short minutes pleasure Clar. Then kill me first before thou dost dishonour me Iaco. It may bee you 'l bee of another mind anon and wish to liue The trees stand here too thin I le carry you into a thicker place Clar. Helpe Murder is there no power that will transforme me to a tree and saue my honor Iaco. Yes I le transforme you you may beare fruit too if you will be willing Exeunt Enter Duke disguis'd Duke How happy are those men that lead a Country life And in the nature of each seuerall creature View the great God of Natures power who can finde Nothing in the whole frame but either for the composition Or the existence is worth our admiration Within Clarinda Murder helpe helpe Murder Duke It was a womans voyce sure Exit Enter Iacomo Iaco. Slaue that I was that did not stop her mouth as well as bind her hands it was well the bushes were so thicke for had he once got sight of me he would haue coold my heate since I haue mist this pleasure my reuenge shall be the greater I le to the King and tell him what I know concerning Lysander which will ingraft me in his fauor and for Clarinda's accusall let mee alone Exit Enter Duke and Clarinda Duke Tell me prety Boy why did the villaine bind thee I thought thou hadst beene a woman
when I heard thee cry How pale thou lookst of a sodaine be not afraid He dare not come againe to hurt thee Clar. My hard harted Master I feare will come agen Duke He had a hard heart indeed that could hurt thee It is the pretiest boy that yet I ere did see And yet me thinkes I haue seene a face like this before Where wert thou borne sweet child Clar. Sir I was borne in Naples Duk. Sure I haue seene a face like thine Why dost thou blush Clar. Where Sir doe you thinke you haue seene A face like mine Duke Not in this Countrey for I am here a stranger Clar. Then Sir you doe not know the way to Gerards Lodge Duke Wouldst thou goe thither I thinke I doe Clar. Yes Sir if I did know the way Duk. I le bring thee thither if I can Clar. Sir I doe owe you much And haue no other payment but my thankes But might I be so happie as to meet you In the City I haue some friends that would Perchance doe you some pleasure Du. If thou wilt stay with me here in the Forrest At a little house where I doe lie to morrow I will bring thee to the City Clar. You are the most Courteous man that ere I met with I am so weary that it is not possible For me to reach the City and at the Lodge Lysander must not stay nor must I flye With him I am not yet prouided of money For our flight Foole that I was to trust That villaine Iacomo alas I did not know Him then to be a villaine Sir if you 'l bring Me to the Lodge I will onely speake one word With one that is there and go along with you Duke Come then Clar. He takes me for a Boy and so long There 's no danger Exeunt Enter Cleonarda drest like a Nymph Huntsmen Cleo. Lay on the Hounds where the young Deere went in These old fat Deere make no sport at all Hunts. If it please your Grace he is not a Stag Cleo. No matter Sir I am the Mistris of the field this day My Brother not being here and I will Haue it so the sorer that the Chase is My being absent will the lesse be markt Hornes Enter Mariana and Lysander Mar. Brother me thinkes now your wounds being well It were good to quit this Countrey for a while For it is impossible but by some meanes or other If you stay heare you will be discouered Lys. Sister it is my intent but I without The Princesse leaue who hath preseru'd my life Will certainly resolue of nothing Mar. The time hath beene that you without Clarinda's leaue would haue done nothing Lys. And is so still For may I perish when I proue false To my Clarinda yet should I say I doe not Loue the Princesse and with some passion too I should but lye See where she comes Enter Cleonarda and Gerard And with the splendor of her heauenly eyes Amazeth my weake senses not Dian's selfe Lookt halfe so louely when she woo'd The pale-fac'd Boy Endymion Nor Pallas when she stood Competitor With the two Goddesses to gaine the golden apple Appear'd with halfe that Maiestie That she doth thus attir'd hold faith Thou neuer wert in such a danger Cleo. Lysander I am glad to see you thus Recouer'd I glory in my cure Lys. Madame I am so well That I desire your license to depart There 's danger surely in my being here Both to your selfe and me Cleo. Lysander I know you doe but iest For should I giue you leaue I know You would not goe Lys. Madam it 's best we part should I stay here And dayly looke vpon those Sun-bright eyes And heare your charming tongue my faith I feare Would proue like wax and melt Clarinda's picture Would be soone defac'd and I should then deserue The hate of all the world Cleo. Lysander do not feare it You shall this day See faire Clarinda whose merits will arme you Too strongly to misdoubt a change Lys. Did your Grace see her then Cleo. Yes Lysander I saw Clarinda Whose perfections haue compeld the heauens In Iustice to giue her the most deseruing man aliue To be her seruant Lys. Madame it s true She hath indeed the most deseruing man That then did liue the Duke giuen to her For a seruant but when the heauens saw That she did refuse him whom they knew Was onely worthy of her they left her then To her vnhappie choice in me in which She cannot faile to be miserable And that they might torment her with The knowledge of her error they tooke from The earth vnto themselues whom she refused Making him equall vnto one of them Cleo. Lysander I wil giue you leaue to praise the Duke Because it still tends to your greater praise Since you did ouercome him both by your valor And your other merits for faire Clarinda Whose iudgement is compleat esteeme you For the worthier Lysander neuer was there man So blest as you are in a Master for it is As impossible to equall her in loue As in perfection for though she know that her Perfections farre transcendeth mine yet her Excesse of loue did make her iealous When as I told her I had sau'd your life And how but I to shew her that I loued You only as a brother did tell her where You were and much I wonder that she Is not come Lys. It may be she doth wisely feare that there Are some that watch each step she maketh Hoping by that to find mee out for now It is no newes that she doth loue me When I am at Florence I le send her word For so I promis'd her in a Letter when I went To fight if that I escap'd with life Cleo. You shall not goe to Florence to day Yet doe so and bee not sad to goe For when my Brothers passion is once ouer And that he shall consider the iustnesse Of the Dukes request in his last Letter I meane your pardon hee cannot sure Be any longer cruell Lys. Why Madame Did he write a Letter to the King In which he beg'd my pardon Cleo. Yes Lysander he did And the last word that ere hee spake was To that purpose the letter I can shew you I neuer till this day could get it from my Brother Lysander reads to himselfe Lys. He in this Letter doth expresse himselfe To be so neere the composition of the Gods So fild with all perfections me thinkes it 's strange They shold not build him altars yet my infortunate Hand did rob the world of this precious Iewell For which offence my heart shall drop in iustice As many bloudy teares as now my womanish teares Doe drops of brinish water Cleo. Worthy Lysander Each pearle like drop fals from thy manly eyes May expiate a greater sinne then that thou didst Commit in thy intention I cannot chuse But kisse thee for this noble sorrow Say Mariana Haue I done ill to kisse your Brother Mar. Madame it were in me presumption To
by my Crowne Bring your sufficient proofe you shall haue Iustice But wel I know you hate good Iacomo because he did Discouer where your Lysander was Cla. Would I had bit my tongue out of my head When I gave it power to tell you where Lysander was Iaco. Your maiestie may marke by this how true the rest is that she hath to say Madame then you would seeme as if I had deceiu'd your trust and that you had to mee discouerd where Lysander was make me not so odious I neuer was a traitor had you to me discouer'd it wild horses should haue torne mee in a thousand pieces ere I would haue confest no this same countrey fellow one day being within the Lodge saw him and so discouerd it to me Cla. Though thou deny'st this with a brazen brow Yet thou canst not denie thou wouldst haue rauisht me When I did trust thee to goe along with me I being disguis'd then where I to thee discouer'd When Lysander was and more thou threatendst If I did not giue consent to thy base lust To murder mee when thou hadst done Because I should not tell Iaco. Madame I did not thinke that loue to any man could ere haue turnd that excellent wit of yours so ill away as thus vniustly to accuse a man that is innocent and one that honors you Enter Duke and Hermite Utran. Sir I doe grieue My Daughters loue vnto Lysander should Moue her for to seeke a most vniust reuenge Against good Iacomo whose like for honestie I know not in this Kingdome of his quality Clar. Sir here 's a witnesse that will confirme What I haue said for truth Duke What gentle Lady Cla. Sir 't was I that you rescu'd yesterday From a villaine that would haue rauisht me Duke Why Lady were you in such danger Iac. Marke you Sir she knowes of no such thing Cla. I was the Boy you found in the wood Whom this villaine would then haue rauisht Which then I told you was my master Du. I thought no boy could haue so sweet a face Indeed Sir t is most true I found this Lady bound And that same villaine as I thinke for I had but A glimpse of him in the bushes his feare making Him flie as soone as euer he saw me Clar. I beseech your Maiestie let him be hang'd For on my honor what I doe affirme is truth King Your affirmation is to me a hundred Witnesses yet it were in me iniustice to deny The combat 'gainst this gentleman that doth accuse Him on your behalfe if Iacomo desire it Duke Belieue it Sir he that will do such villanies Will neuer dare to fight Sir send him to the Galleyes If he will nor fight it shewes his guilt Iaco. Hell take you all I dare not fight might I haue all the world giuen I le rather to the Galleys I shall get out there with some tricke or other and then I le poyson twenty of you I le not discouer what I am that will but shew me more King Let him that rescu'd Clarinda haue the land That Iacomo should haue had for discouering where Lysander was call forth the prisoner and proceed to execution Enter Lysander Executioner Guard Lys. Weepe not Clarinda you may liue happily You and the Princesse may together make A kinde of Marriage each one strongly Flattering themselues the other is Lysander For each of you's Lysanders better part Pardon Clarinda that I borrow from That streame of loue a part to pay the Princesse Which euer yet ran constantly to the Ocean Of thy perfection only for now a gratefulnesse To her makes some of it run in another current For which I know thou being wise canst neuer Loue me lesse knowing that I haue loue enough For both since I can marry neither Cla. Lysander doe not thinke I grudge that part of Loue You pay the Princesse her merits faire transcending mine Besides you owe her for preseruing of your life And I haue beene the only cause that you must lose it But I le beare you company and in that pay the debt I owe you King Why stayes the Prisoner Lys. Onely to take A parting kisse then when you please I am prepar'd King What meane you Sister will yon make apparant To the world your folly Cleo. Sir doe not hinder me For if I may not here speake with him We will conuerse in death sooner then you belieue Lysander thou art going to thy lasting home And in thee all vertuous men must suffer They being but branches thou the root of all perfection Who will be Curteous Valiant since these are causes Of thy death for thou vnto the world didst manifest In thy last action with the Duke that thou wert Really possest of these but I in summing vp thy worth Doe but increase my griefe since I must part with thee The rich vnhappy owner for they haue only seru'd To reuiue thee and those that lou'd thee for them Poore Clarinda I from my owne conceptions Could weepe to thinke vpon the torment thou wilt feele When as the Axe shall seuer from thee loues Worthy person thy comely head worthy Most worthy in that it was the Cabinet appointed By the Gods to keepe their richest Iewell in His minde which is indeede an Index In which iudicious men may read as in a Booke The whole contents of all their excellence King Sister for shame doe not thus wrong Your selfe and me by throwing such high praises On a man condemn'd by Law Lysander Prepare thy selfe to die and take no notice of her Idle praises which if they could to any mortall Man be due they were to him for whom Thou now must suffer Lys. Sir I doe confesse it and am ready to receiue Your doome Cleo. I need not to a mind so fortifide as thine is Giue any Antidotes to arme thee against death Lys. All the encouragement that I will desire Shall bee a kisse of your faire hand Cleo Lysander thou knowst my soule embraceth thee These are the first teares that ere fell from mine eyes Although a woman which I am pleasd with Since it well expresses this is the greatest griefe That yet I euer felt Lys. This kisse Clarinda is thy due thou art The neerest to my heart in Iustice Clarin swoones King Looke to Clarinda carry her home Cleo. I thought she would haue out-gon me but now Mine shall be the glory who would liue in a world That 's bankrupt of all vertue Lys. kneeles Exec. I pray Sir forgiue me your death Lys. Friend doe thine office I forgiue thee Duke Hold villaine King How darest thou hinder the sword of Iustice From lighting where it is design'd Duke Sir if you execute this Lord you are a Tyrant King Why Sir will it bee tyranny in mee To execute the Law the fellow 's mad Lay hands on him Duke It is a cruell Law that doth condemne the innocent King Why is he innocent Duke Let me dye for 't if I doe not proue He did not
affirme That Lysander is sonne vnto the Count Utrante Lys. It was nature in me that made me so much Loue the Count Utrante you blessing Sir Clarin. It do's not grieue mee that you are My Brother Lys. And for my part I cannot adde To my owne happinesse if I might haue my wishes Now that you are my Sister for I did euer loue you As a Sister rather then as a Mistris Duke Diuine Clarinda I cannot claime your promise till a moneth be past There is some part of it to come but I hope You will not strictly stand vpon the time Clar. My Lord I should too much wrong my selfe though I did not Loue you in deferring of so great a blessing But the large testimony that you haue giuen Both of your worth and affection to me Haue turn'd that great affection in an instant That I bare Lysander as you could wish it Vpon you nay to say truth I euer lou'd you Though not so well as hee and held your worth As great Duke Deare Clarinda giue me not a surfet Lys. I feare the King will here consent whisper Duke But good Sir What made you desire me to beg your pardon Or what made you conceale your selfe so long Her My Lord I le tell you Your Lordship may remember for it is not Fiue yeares since that this my Friend the Count Utrante and my selfe were both suspected For poysoning of your child because we were His profest Enemies especially my selfe Which made me flye though I were innocent For it was knowne to many that the villaine Kild him for 's owne particular reuenge Yet my wicked Brother there perswaded the fellow At his death to say that we had set him on And got another rascall to witnesse with him That it was true my friend not hauing so great Enemies did stay to iustifie himselfe And for his paines was laid in prison and kept there For his lands till you got him releast And yet he was neuer brought vnto his tryall I ere I left this Country did leaue this Cabinet With my sonne or rather yours and withall The charge of looking in it when he should Be married After many a weary step abroad I came home to my Countrey and in disguise Haue liu'd here in the Forrest and saw my friends Full often although they knew not mee And hauing this occasion of doing your Lordship Seruice I thought it would be a sure meanes To get my pardon especially when things Were growne vnto the extreamest poynt Of danger I knew a timely remedy would be Most welcome then of all and that made me Conceale my selfe so long Lys. Cleo. We are resolu'd King My Lord I freely pardon you for I belieue It was indeed a lye inuented by your wicked Brother whom I doe giue you power to punish As you thinke good Her My Lord I then desire He may be kept a prisoner all his life For should he haue his liberty I know He would doe mischiefe that we should all Repent of Iaco. Brother thou art wise Thou shouldst haue beene the first that should Haue felt mine anger King Away with him Duk. I dare not speake for thee thou art so great A Villaine Exe. Guard with Iacomo King Come let vs set forwards to the Temple And pray the Gods to shower a blessing Upon this Couple What meanes my Sister Lysan and Cleon set swords ta their brests Cleo. Thus Sir Lysander and my selfe haue made a solemne Contract and with our bloods wee 'l seale it Either to goe thus to the Temple to be married Or to the graue King How Sister Cleo. What is it Sir in your opinion makes Lysander vnworthy of me King His blood compard with yours is base Cleo. But Sir his mind 's heroicke And who will compare the seruant with the Master The Body is no more vnto the Minde King What would you marry with a Subiect Cleo. Who would not Marry with a Subiect that is a King of Vertues Rather then with a King that 's gouern'd By his Vices Duke Sir you know the greatnesse of her Spirit If you will haue her to liue you must Consent Cleo. Brother you stand to vs Instead of destinie for you haue in your power Our threed of Life Say will you spin vs out A happy threed that we may liue to serue you Or will you cut it short Duke O be not cruell to your only Sister What 's all the out ward glory if you rob The mind of that which it delights in I know that your intention is to make Her happy doe not mistake the way Her mind is not taken with the glorious title Of a King for if it had shee might haue made Her choyce since all the neigbouring Kings Admire her No Sir shee aymes at that Which made men Kings at first Wisdome And Valour and should she search the world Shee cannot finde a man where they Doe meete so fully as in braue Lysander O Sir then be not cruell thinking to be Carefull of your Sister King Shee 's cruell to her selfe And rather let her perish by her rash hand Then so dishonour mee by marrying with A Subiect Cleo. Farewell then Cruell Brother Lysander let us part To meete agen for euer I le goe first Because my Brother shall not thinke of sauing me When you are dead Lys. No Madame Let me shew you the way and when I feele The paine I le tell you if it be too great For you to suffer King Hold take him Sister And be happy in him I loue thee more Then euer because I see thy minde is onely Fixt on true Worth without additions I learn'd of Count Orsinio to bring things To the extreamest poynt so to encrease The ioy it had beene a sinne to part Those Bodies whose very Soules seeme to bee Ioynd together Cleo. Brother may I perish When I forget this benefit or cease to pay To you my Lord my thankes for pleading so Lysanders Cause and mine Kin. Great Loue this day hath shewne his mighty power Without the helpe of Fortune In an houre He hath relieu'd from death and from despaire Foure of his truest Subiects and made faire This day that was o're-clouded let vs praise His power that in in a minute so can raise From misery to an excesse of Ioy And in an instant that content destroy He hath to vs beene iust this day as well as kinde Rewarding vertuous Loue let none then call him blinde Exeunt omnes THE EPILOGVE OVr Author feares there are some Rebell-hearts Whose dulnesse doth oppose Loues piercing darts These will bee apt to say the Plot was dull The Language rude and that 't was onely full Of grosse Absurdities for such as these Hee cares not now nor ere will strive to please For if your selues as Masters and Loues Friends Be pleasd with this sad Play hee hath his ends FINIS