take it at my hands Bestow a richer gift to which compar'd These are but drosse and rubbish Caric. Ha ha ha Sysim. Why laugh you Sir Caric. Is 't not a matter which Deserveth laughter when you promise things Of such a prise and yet assure me more You cannot meane uprightly Sysim. Trust me but sweare That you will use this gift as I shall teach you And I 'll performe my promise of the other Nebul. Accept it Sir if you be wise 't is not good nor religious to refuse any mans courtesie Caric. You tempt me shrewdly Sir Sysim. Let me prevaile And bind me still your servant Caric. You have won me To what you would Sysim. Then take an oath and sweare To follow my directions so confirme it Caric. By great Apollo then whose Minister I was at Delphos I shall not digresse From what you shall instruct me touching this Sysim. It is sufficient and I build upon Your faith your trust and your religion Here fellow take this bag and keepe it for Your honoured Master Nebul. But more honoured bag Would I might keepe thee for my selfe I then Should make an Idoll of thee aside Caric. What 's your pleasure That I should doe in lieu of this reward Sysim. I cannot now acquaint you for some reasons Best knowne unto my selfe give me your hand To meet me without faile tomorow morning At Isis Temple thence I shall conduct you Unto my lodging and in secret tell The summe of my request Carie. I shall not faile you Sysim. Adieu untill we meet Exit Sysimethres Caric. Apollo keepe thee In his safe custodie I marvell much Whence this unlook'd for kindnesse should proceed I 'll see the issue on 't what e'r betide me It may be that the gods have pre-ordain'd I shall once more be happy and in lieu Of all my passed sorrowes reape the fruit Of long expected comfort sure my mind Is much illuminated with the thought Of some good fortune and refresh'd as if The spirit of Pitho were infus'd into me By heavenly inspiration I 'll obey My Genius for oftentimes the gods by signes Will have that mortalls understand their mindes Exit Actus primi Scena secunda Enter Demeneta and young Cnemon her sonne in Law Demen. MY pretty boy how dost thou where hast thou beene so long absent from my imbraces come hither let mee solace my selfe a little with thee let mee kisse thee my sweet heart my heire my owne life Cnem: Had ever any one a kinder stepmother aside Mother you make too much of mee I am not able to deserve your love in so high a straine my duty cannot countervaile it Demen. How prettily hee speakes I cannot chuse but kisse thee for it Cnem. What a close and hot kisse was that I like not this behaviour would I were delivered hence please you give mee leave to goe about my exercises Dem. What exercises Cnem. My bookes and studies at the Schoole I shall be shent else by my Tutor Dem. Come thou shalt not leave me Cnem. Will you have me prove a truant then Dem. No but a student in a better art hast thou ever read Ovid de arte amandi or Ovids amorous Epistles Cnem. Never Dem. O I would have thee study that booke above all other there are very good rules and worth the observation truly if thou errest in any thing therein written I will be thy Mistresse to instruct thee follow my rudiments good sonne Cnem. But I have heard 't is a ribaldrous booke and corrupteth youth to all wantonnesse Dem. That is but a fantasie a mere untruth it was made by the Poet for youthfull recreation and pastime none but Stoicall old men will invey against them who envie that in others which they cannot enjoy in themselves Cnem. I understand not your Philosophie Dem. Would thou didst and wert well entred in my booke and science but where is thy father and my husband Aristippus Enter Aristippus O my deare husband where have you lingred so long you are too blame indeed to leave me so solitary I must chide you for it truly had you tarried never so little longer I should have died for sorrow Arist. My sweet wife Demeneta I have a jewell of thee thy extreme love to me is confirmed in thy affection to my sonne Cnemon vertuous woman Demen. I love him I must confesse as well as if he were mine owne sonne or better Arist. I know thou dost my love never was a man happier in his choice I thinke Demen. Cnemon sit on my lap pretty boy Cnem. No I know my duty better Demen. I will have it so the very picture of his father Cnem. Pray mother excuse me this is no fit place for me Demen. There is not a prettier or wittier boy in Athens but 't is no wonder that old men beget alwaies the finest children 't is most commonly seene Arist. I know your vertue and therefore will dispute with you a little upon this subject and aske you this question how could you a young woman affect me an old man Demen. How could I not Sir your wisdome stayednesse and understanding were such motives to my affection as I would not change my old man for the youthfull'st cavalere of all Greece I hope for all your age to have a hopefull off-spring from you such another as Cnemon you can doe it i'faith old Aristippus Arist. My girle how thou dost revive my decayed spirits to heare thee talke thus I will straine hard for this but I will answer thy expectation Demen. Thankes sweet husband let me hang upon your necke pretty gravity how well it becomes him who could chuse but love such a man intirely pox upon smooth faces and young lusty gallants there 's more trouble with them a bed when a gentlewoman would sleep and take her rest they are alwaies disturbing of her when by a man of some yeeres and experience we may lie as quiet as we will would all women were of my opinion we should cut the combes then of these lustie gamesters Arist. Indeed young men are very inconstant in their love and changing from one unto another whereas an old man perseveres to the end in his devotions Dem. True true my love your words are oracles Were I now as I seeme how should I wrong Youth beautie nature and rebell against them aside Arist. My dearest love though loth I am inforc'd To leave you for some houres the state of Athens Sent for me to repaire unto the Senate At ten a clocke about affaires of weight 'T is now about the time farewell my sweetest Dem. You shall not goe come come you doe not love me Else could you not be so unkind my deare To kill your loving wife with your departure I doubt I shall not live till your returne Arist. Come prethee leave this off and be assur'd I will not stay two houres Dem. On that assurance I doe dismisse you but if you exceed The time you 're like to find me turn'd a
beautifull that pleaseth not Cariclea Calasir. No more you make me angrie thus to doubt My skill by which she is entrap'd in love And longs to see you Theag. What is that you say Doth faire Cariclea wish to see me father Why doe you then detaine me here and not Conduct me to her Theagines offers to run forth Calasiris catcheth him by the cloake and holds him fast Calas. Nay sir stay a while Though you are very nimble of your feet You must not thinke this matter must be handled As if it were a prize for every man That list to get it take my counsell first Know you not that her father Caricles Is the chiefe man in Delphos that the lawes Give present death to such as steale a maid Without their friends consent be wise my sonne Theag. The matter were not great although I dy'd After I had enjoyed Cariclea Death for her sake is life but Calasiris If you thinke good let us demand her of Old Caricles her father for my wife I doe suppose my blood is high ynough To be commixt with his Calas. We shall not speed Not that he thinkes you any way unworthy But 'cause she 's promis'd to his sisters sonne By him in marriage Theag. O ye gods above It cannot be nor shall it by your leaves Theagenes and none but he shall wed Cariclea who ere presumes to touch My goddesse but my selfe shall sure repent it This hand is not benum'd nor this sword blunt But it can take revenge Calas. It shall not need Theagines be patient be but rul'd By me and we will bring all things to passe According to your wish now leave me here Alone to project on your good be carefull You be not seene oft-times to talke with me But when you come come private and alone To shun suspition Theag. Farewell reverend Father Exit Theagenes Enter Caricles So efficacious is your wisdome sir So forceable our friendship as it hath wrought That effect I wish'd upon my daughter Cariclea is in love and quite subdu'd By strong affection who before was stubborne Unto so sweet a yoake Calas. I knew my charmes Were of sufficient force to doe the feate But can you tell aswell what man she loves As that she is in love Caric. No by Apollo Would Alcamenes were the man she lov'd My sisters sonne I have indeavour'd it All that I can to make her fancy him Calas. T is best you bring him to her and so try The aime of her affection mutuall sight Of lovers kindleth sparkes which else would die Rak'd up in ashes of forgetfulnesse Caric. I le take your counsell Calas. And returne with newes How you have sped Caric. I le give you a relation Exit Caricles Calas. I must convey them hence this taske is laid Upon me by the gods but where I know not The Oracle is mysticall and darke I cannot well interpret what it meanes We must begin our voyage by sea it seemes As may be gathered by the Oracle Where it is said and sayling surging streames Shall come at length to countries scorch'd with Phoebus burning beames If I could by any meanes get the Fascia now which was laid out with Cariclea wherein Caricles said he heard all the maide estate was notified I should be instructed more particularly what I ought to doe and whether the Ladies of destiny would send us Enter Caricles Now brother what successe Caric. Oh wofull newes My daughter seemes distracted such a strange Infirmity doth seise her when I brought My nephew Alcamenes to her fight Freshly apparel'd as if Gorgons head Appear'd or some more fearefull thing she cri'd With a loud voice and turn'd her countenance From him and me withall she put her hand Unto her throat threatning to kill her selfe And bound it with an oth if we departed Not suddenlie the chamber which we did In Lesse time then she spake it least she should Put that in execution which she said Now Calasiris once againe I come Most humbly to beseech you that you will not Suffer the maid to perish nor her father Be frustrate of his purpose Calasiris Caricles T is true your daughter is distract in mind For she is moved wich the multitude Which I have burthen'd her of purpose with They are not of the least but such as should Force her to doe what she abhorred most Aswell by nature as decree of minde But I suppose some god doth take in hand To hinder this designe and strive to crosse My ministers therefore t is requisite And time you shew me that same Fascia You said was found with faire Cariclea Amongst her costlie iewells for I feare Least that it be enchaunted stuffe and wrought With such things as doe now exasperate Her minde by reason that some enemie Assoone as she was borne had this ordain'd To keepe her from all love and thought of marriage That she might die and leaue behind noe issue Caric. T is probable it may be so indeed Come goe with me and I will shew you all What in the Fascia is contain'd and written I understand it not character Is Aethiopian and the letters are Not common but such as the princes use Of Aegypt in their holie businesses Calas. I understand the Aethiopian tongue Which unto thee I must interpret wrong Exeunt Finis Actus tertii Actus quarti Scena prima Enter Calasiris Theagines and Cariclea Calas. Come let 's away my children let 's away Why do we linger here the gods commands Must be obeyd all things are ready for Our secret flight a ship for Memphis bound Waites us without the wind comes gently from Th' adjoyning shore and stayes to swell the sailes With pride till you imbarke see here the Fascia Which by a slie devise from Caricles I have obtain'd nothing doth hinder us To meet this long wish'd opportunity If you have got your jewels deerest jewell From your supposed father Caric. Calasiris I have them all but how gat you I pray The Fascia from old Caricles for when He had receiv'd me from Sysimethres Who brought me up he brought me here to Greece I know not how and tooke the Fascia from me Which in a chest he did preserve and keepe Calas. How I came by it you shall know hereafter But can you tell me what it doth containe Caric. How should I as being never told by any Besides although I oftentimes had seene it I could not understand the character Pray sir interpret what it doth containe Cala. It doth declare your parents and your Countrey And all your fortunes thus I read it to you Verbatim as it stands give your attentions The Fascia Persina Queene of the Aethiopians to her daughter onely in sorrow by what name soever she shall be called doth write in haste this lamentation contayned herein as her last gift My daughter the sunne being authour of our stocke is witnesse that for no mis-deed I have cast thee forth and concealed thee from thy father Hydaspes sight
redeem'd her thence For proofe let that same picture be presented And then compare them you shall finde the substance And shadow nothing different but in life Enter a Gentleman attendant Gent. Sir there 's a strange priest newlie come from Greece Desires he may be heard touching this matter Who can informe you of the truth of thinges Hydasp. admit him streight Enter Caricles with the gentleman Grave Sir can you declare Ought of this matter doe you know this mayd And that young man Caric. I know them both great King That maid which shall be found to be your daughter I nourish'd from a child one of this countrey Gave her to me in Aegypt and with her Rich costlie jewells and a Fascia Wherein was written her high pedegree With her I went to Greece my native countrey And being priest unto Apollo there When I was busie in the rites and customes Belonging to my office This Thessalian Who vaunts himselfe borne of Achilles line Stole her from Delphos and I understand Pass'd many daungers with her I forgive him And crave you would be pleas'd to doe so too For since the gods by diverse signes and tokens Have unto us reveild their sacred willes And made it plaine by strange discoveries Strive not to crosse their workings Cariclea fals at Caricles feete Caric. O my Father As deare unto me as those that begat me Take what revenge you please lo here I stand T' abide your sentence Caric. O how largely am I Embraceth her and weepes for joy Rewarded for my travell t is ynough I have beheld thy face yet once againe Sysim. What Caricles doe you not know your friend Have you forgot the Aethiopian Legat salutes him Caric. No no I have not good Sysimethres But doe congratulate our happy meeting Hydasp. We have heard and seene ynough I 'm yet unmov'd Bring in the picture of Andromeda Enter the picture of Andromeda the King for joy and admiration could not speake the people give a great shout Sysim. One point is wanting yet strip up your sleeve Faire maid there was a blacke spot 'boue your elbow It is no shame to shew a naked arme Before your parents for to prove your birth She showes there a mole the Queene runs and embraceth her Hydasp. You strive to wash me white an Aethiopian In hindering this sacrifice you shall Doe one aswell as tother for although I now believe she is my naturall daughter Sprung from my loynes as I have seene it prov'd By many arguments yet I so much Feare justice and the gods and owe such love Unto my country as I 'le lay aside All naturall respects and all regard To the succession of my blood and offer My daughter to the gods for your behoofe As Agamemnon did his Iphigene Regarding more the publique benefit Then my owne private profit and respect All the people Save the blood-royall save her whom the gods Will have preserv'd appease the Sunne and Moone With a more lawfull sacrifice Hydasp. Well since You 'l have it so though loath I am content And now I turne to thee my daughter deere With armefuls of my love but what is he That was tane with thee whom you cal'd your brother I trow he shall not too be prov'd my sonne Caric. In that sir pardon me I did abuse you He 's not my brother but necessity Compell'd me to dissemble what he is Himselfe can boldly tell you Hydasp. Whatsoe're He be he 's destin'd to be sacrificed Some women too must beare him company This mayd that waites on you shall serve the turn Caric. If he be sacrific'd I le be that woman Death must not part us two Hydasp. The gods forbid Why say you so Caric. Because t is fore-decreed I must both live and die with that yong man Hydas. I praise your courtesie and gentle nature Unto this Grecian stranger who hath beene Companion of your journey but we cannot Breake so the custome of our Country as To save his life Caric. Then I must perish with him For know O king perchance I may not dare To call you father it is cruelty To spare my body and destroy my heart He is my heart my love my life and all My husband by the destinies appointed And it is sinne t' oppose the gods decrees Hydas. What will you counsell me to doe herein Sysimethres and thou most reverend Priest I will be guided by your wisdomes wholly In this affaire Sysim. Through the exercise of joy The wisest men oft-times we see are blinded For at the first great King you might perceive The gods lik'd not this sacrifice which was Ordained who have every way declar'd Cariclea your daughter and brought hither Out of the midst of Greece this reverend man Who brought her up to fortifie your faith Moreover it is plaine by many signes And secret revelations that the gods Have fore-decreed this couple man and wife And to that end have freed them from so many And imminent dangers therefore let us suffer These divine miracles to sinke into Our understandings and from this time forward Doe sacrifices more acceptable Unto the gods who are not pleased with Humane oblations but the blood of beasts Hydas. Since things are thus appointed by the will And pleasure of the gods since this faire couple Have beene preserv'd by fate from many dangers By Land and Sea and as should seeme reserv'd For Hymens instigation I le no longer Resist the will of heaven heavens send you joy puts their hands together And a most plenteous off-spring to succeed you This is our firme decree which we 'll confirme By sacrifice and worshipping the gods O Sunne and Moone whose sacred deities We most adore since it is falne out thus By your decrees that young Theagines And faire Cariclea are made man and wife Accept their offerings and vouchsafe to take them Into the order of your holy Priesthood Theagines I doe resigne unto thee My office be thou Priest unto the Sunne Weare this white Miter Takes his Miter and puts it on Theagines his head Pers. And Cariclea thou Weare this of mine which consecrateth thee Priest of the Moone adore her Deity Caric. Now is the god Apollos Oracle Of Delphos verified which said of them That leaving Greece and sailing surging streames They should arrive at Countries scorch'd with Phoebus burning beames Where they as recompences due that vertues rare doe gaine In time to come ere it be long white Miters should obtaine Exeunt omnes FINIS America * * * Thetis