forty years help help murder murder Runs up and down the Stage crying murder at length falls down and Jasper in running after falls too the old Woman gets up and runs away crying murder Jas Pox of her old bones could she not stand to be kil'd decently Sly She thought 't was better living Sir but le ts begon her mumbling chaps will raise the streets upon us Jas Withal my heart Since want of Huff and Dinging makes a Cully I 'le Rant Rore Swear and Curse to be a Bully Exeunt ACT II. SCENE the City Enter Jasper Sympleton Slywit Musitioners and Dancers Jas FOllow your Leader Rascals this is the House undermine it first with a noise of vocal Musick and then blow it up with a whirlwind of Fidling SONG THus like a Spark and a Bully o' th' Town I Ramble i' th' Streets and Roam up and down No Lover so decently ere made approach But first he debauch'd his dear self in a Coach The act being done to his Miss with a noise Of scraping dull Rascals and rabble of boyes In Nonsence he chatters the height of his joys 2. But your Knight Alamode your man of pretence Who comes arm'd all over wtth nothing but sence With Gawdy rich Cloths Perfume Patch and Paint Can't such a Lover be less then a Saint For they drest all Airie and Puritie prove No blessing so great so great as your Love 3. Your Love that chief bliss of our Mortal Estate Though oftentimes Clouded with envie and hate We Slaves must admire and gladly pursue Yhough we lose both our senses our pleasures and you What man that 's a Lover and boldly dare move But durst for enjoyment forsake all above Though that minute he 's dam'd and dam'd for his Love A Serenade and then a Dance all the while they Sing and Dance Theocrine and Julia are seen in the Balconee Enter Sir Symon Credulous and Drayner Theocrine and Julia Exit above Sly Sir there 's your Rival Jas Dam me Sir you are an Insipid Excommunicated Rascallian Son of a Whore and my Rival Strikes Sir Symon runs back and draws his Sword Sir Symon doth the same and coming towards one another they know each other Sym. What my Quondam friend and noble acquaintance Sir Jasper Sympleton Jas My Right Worshipful and Pomathematical Bully Sir Symon Credulous They Embrace Sly Cully Drayner Dra. Bully Slywit They Embrace Sym. And how and how is 't I Gad who thought to have seen you here the last time we saw each other I pawn'd you at the Rose for a Guinny that little Debauch made a Divorce betwixt us and have I met thee here Embrace again but a Pox of your Ceremonious way of Greeting Bully that slap was very severe to a friend Jas A slight way of Complement to a Rival but dear Rogue let me kiss thee I Gad I joy to see you Embrace again Sym. This is a Rival by his fawning for I believe a Sicilian Rival and an English Cuckold are much of a Nature both loving the man that most injures them aside But Bully Sympleton what made you here so early bin upon the Ramble I 'le warrant you and so came and paid your devoires to the Lady of your best affections Jas Rot me if I 'm in love with any body but my Landress these are only some of my flashes of Gallantry to let the City know my merits but what made you here Bully Credulous To Court a Lady I dare swear Sym. By my honour no an unlucky Horse of mine as I was riding to view the Country stood still with me seven miles together which forc't me to be beholding to the Gentleman of this House for a nights Lodging This will do or nothing aside But if ever I ride a tir'd Horse again post me for a Cully Jas This may be but I Gad 't is very impossible Enter Theocrine and Julia. Sym. Zounds here comes my Lady now dare I as well be hang'd as speak to her for fear of having my threat cut aside Jas What a pox shall I do now if I speak I discover my affections and create a Rival and if I say nothing I lose my Mistress Oh valour oh valour what 's become of you aside Sly Sir why do you not speak to the Lady she expects you aside to Jasper Jas She may expect me if she pleases but I think I shan't speak to her to Slywit Dra. Sir are you not asham'd to stand gaping as if you had lost your speech to Symon Sym. I Gad I had better lose my speech then lose my life for if I speak to her he 'l speak to me and above all things I hate an angry Rival to Drayner Sly Good Sir recollect your self your Rival is an arrand Coward and dares not own before your face his love to Theocrine and should you refuse to Court her now she 's lost for ever aside to Jasper forward Sir forward for shame Pushes Jasper forward Sym. I Gad I 'le venture too Drayner get your Sword ready and if my Rival offers to draw dispatch him decently Speaks this aside to Drayner and then goes towards Theocrine Jasper doth the same Jas Honourable Madam Sym. Lovely Lady Get your Sword ready Drayner Jas Most Aromatick Beauty Sym. Divine Celestial and Odoriferous Venus Jas The glory of your presence makes me stoop thus low to kiss your hand Kisses her hand Sym. The glory of your presence makes me bold to kiss your L and so forth Offers to kiss her Theo. What mean you Sir Jas Ay what mean you Sir Sym. Nay nay no huffing Bully no harm upon my honour Madam Theo. You 'r bold Sir and intrude too far upon the priviledg my Father gave you but that you are a stranger and a Gentleman I should chastise the Insolence Jas I would not lose the honour for a Kingdom he 's my Rival and that 's sufficient hum hum After a Huffing Proud manner Bully Credulous you are my friend aside to him Give me your hand meet me within this minute Aloud after the foregoing manner at the Tavern aside as before Sym. Agreed aloud as before Jas Madam your Servant such sawcy actions must and shall be punished farewell aloud as before Exit Sir Jasper and Slywit Sym. Your Servant Madam if I fall say you lost one who lov'd After the same manner to Theocrine Exit Sir Symon with Drayner Theo. The Coxcombs will not fight sure Jul. You need not fear it Madam their Spirits are too dull for such brave Actions Theo. I do not much yet something troubles me and what it is I know not Jul. Love for Vanlore Madam 't is true his vertues merit all your noble thoughts but his mean fortunes so inrage your Father I fear you 'l ne're enjoy him Theo. Fathers are Cruel when they think they 'r Kind and more disturb our rest by forcing Love then when they rob us of the Author of it Enter a Servant Serv. Madam a Messenger from Ardenna
WITS Led by the Nose OR A POET'S REVENGE A Tragi-Comedy As it is Acted at the Theatre Royal. LONDON Printed for William Crook at the Green Dragon without Temple Barr 1678. Licensed August 16. 1677. ROGER L'ESTRANGE PROLOGUE Intended to be spoke by Sir Symon Credulous Written by F. W. Gent. A Play Bill discover'd upon the Door Enter like a Country Gentleman WHat 's here never Acted before Hey-day This certainly is some insipid Play Wits lead by the Nose I Gad I 'de best retire They 'le find me out to be some Country Squire And then for certain though I 'm not a Wit They 'le thrust me ' mongst my Brethren in the Pit Where with Debauches Noise and little Miss I shall be Martyr'd worse then Poet is And be oblig'd for Company to hiss To shun the Danger of th' admiring Crew B'w'y Miss Boy House and Brethren all Adew Offers to go but returns Gad should I stay they 'd cheat me with pretence Of a new Play call'd Country Innocence Or what was worst of all the Devil take her A Debauch'd Chambermaid forsooth turn'd Quaker These little Tricks so often put on Wits Made me forswear to come in either Pits Midnights Intreagues and Conjerer de France Insipid fribling and unruly dance So turnd my stomach I talk as if concern'd at what they doe I Gad Dear Brethren 't is for none but you It grieves my heart to see you yawn i' th' Pit As if you came for sleep and not for Wit Another Crew with good diverting Play Passes the tedious hours of Show away Pumping for wit to manage him next day Gad what with that ill nature and worse W The Actors are quite Acted out of Doors Disease Impotence and endless Rage Have been the ruin of this noble Stage I shun'd the danger Gad with much adoe To be a Country Wit like some of you The Civil Wars betwixt the Blew and Red Was but a spice of Pride stoln from the head In Imitation of such growing men They 've got the Knack to be undone again Ruin's Triumphant and in Masquerade Appears in ev'ry Corner to invade The easie natur'd fools and spoile the trade And will you hear how ' t is The house is grown So out of date to th' ruling Fops o' th' Town That in a Month I Gad you scarcely come T' applaud but to debauch i' th' tyring Room Where having whisper'd your Harmonious Miss You creep into the Pit and frame a Hiss You think new Plays such as can please the Age Are not the work of this but t'other Stage Let us provide even the best we can Here they 'le scarce please a Country Gentleman Much less those Huffing Wits who sans remorse Make down right rayling here their common course And Jockie-like damm the best running Horse In former Ages you came here for Wit Glean'd what best pleas'd and then forsook the Pit You think us Barren and to others steare And gape for Wit but find no more then here S'death not to Plays but Puppet shows you run Sure you 're in Love with dear Mrs. such a one And court her shadow ere the Play 's begun When you 're come here as Gad 't is very rare You serve us like the Monsters of the Faire Hiss without reason damm without controule As if you meant to Sacrifice the Soul This strange unkindness has our Stage undone And all that you thought Actors faith are gone The men to Misses Places or Estates The Women to their kind and welcome Fates Thus both at once retiring from the Stage Have left us here the Objects of your Rage To court your kindness were alass but vain You must be Damming though you Damm in pain ' Mongst the hard hearted I good natures spy And kindness dancing in each Ladies eye They to commiserate not hate were born I know you are too kind and fair to scorn Your blushing Cheeks good Nature doth betray It lies on you to save or Damm the Play Our unlearn'd Author to your doom submits Desirous to be try'd by Female Wits If you applaud him all his pains are crown'd And he 'l defie the huffing Criticks round Actors Names ANtellus King of Sicilia Oroandes General of his Army Zannazarro a young Lord in Rebellion Arratus an old Courtier Vanlore a Gentleman fall'n to decay Sir Symon Credulous Sir Jasper Sympleton Jack Drayner Servant to Credulous Dick Slywit Servant to Sympleton A Shepherd A Servant and a Messenger Mr. Goodman Mr. Lydell Mr. Perrin Mr. Watson Mr. Powre Mr. Haynes Mr. Stiles Mr. Nathaniel Q. Mr. Coysh Women HEroina Princses of Regium Glorianda Princess of Cyprus Amasia Sister to Zannazarro Theocrine Daughter to Arratus Julia Theocrines Maid Mrs. Baker Jun. Mrs. Bowtell Mrs. Baker Mrs. F. Attendants Priests Guards Spirits B. n letties Shepherds and Shepherdesses Scene SICILIA WITS Led by the Nose ACT I. SCENE Arratus Lodgings Enter Arratus with a Letter in his hand Sir Symon and Sly-wit as from Travelling Arr. SIR Symon without this Letter your self had been most welcome and I am bound in honour to your Father besides the great Engagement of your presence to do whatever he commands me Sym. Sir I cannot but thank you our English way admits of but few Complements and those are grown so tedious to me since I left the Clime I purpose to forget ' em Arr. Plain down right dealing 's the Sicilian fashion and that I count the best too But dear Sir Symon make me happy in the knowledg why you left your Nation Sym. A toy a frollick a meere trick I Gad a vain desire to see this other World and know what difference is between the Natures of such different Kingdoms Arr. Your Curiosity ought Sir to be commended and encourag'd but sure some other Reason urg'd you to Travel Love Love I 'le warrant you Sym. I Gad Love is the only thing I hate 't is more offensive to my Constitution then Arsnick to an Ague I Gad we are cloy'd with it in England and that which makes me hate it more is my last Amoret in the very height of her Embraces not only piâ—ke my Pocket but dealt unkindly by me and all that Love oh out upon 't 't is the greatest Monster Sir in Nature Arr. I 'm sorry you are so averse to what we count a pleasure and more since the great hopes I had in such a noble Son are blasted in their early spring Sym. I find by my hand and all that this old man intends to push a fortune on me aside It is my fate Sir at first I lov'd like Plato then like all the World that is every pretty yielding Beauty at last by too many enjoyments Pox on 'em I may say aside I grew so dull so wearied and so senceless I Gad I resolv'd never to love again Arr. 'T is very strange Sym. Nor never will unless Sir to oblige my best of friends your noble self Arr. I rest engag'd to you I must confess Sir I
a Religious reverence aw'd Oroa. Do not dear Soul too much afflict your self my Power secures you from all future violence each tear you shed drops from my heart in blood I 'm conquer'd in this victory and become a Captive to my prisoner fear nothing Madam for your Guardian Angel roab'd in virginity is not whiter then those thoughts which cloath my Soul when they reflect on so much suff'ring vertue Oh give my passions leave to move within the Orb of your Celestial Beauty while no line tends to the Center of a thought unchast Ama. Alas my Lord this is no time to play with Love when War and Death sit by and hold the stakes Oroa. If all my service to my Prince hath merited ought worth requital he must show it in mercy to you or by a blacker doom shake my obedience off but only grant me thus much satisfaction that when time redeems you from these cruel frowns of fate you would with pity then on my afflictions look Ama. I were ungrateful else noble Sir I so much prize your vertues that if ere my frowning stars smile on my fate again their powerful influence shall reflect on you in so much thankful gratitude you shall acknowledg it the eldest Child of Love Oroa. My joyes grow equal with my wishes Banish all fear since fate so kind doth prove Thus to reward Wars mightie toyls with Love Exeunt SCENE Arratus Lodgings Enter at one door Arratus and Theocrine at the other Sir Symon and Drayner Sir Symon drest Gallantly Arr. Son you 'r most nobly welcome my Daughter I thank my Stars accepts the proffer and no doubt but both parties will be agreed Sym. I hope so too Sir for as I said before I hate a tedious Courtship Arr. Daughter this is the Gentleman I spoke of is he not in ev'ry thing compleat to my description Theo. Yes Sir If gawdy Cloaths Powder and Paint can make a Lover this Monster wants no Graces aside Sym. Madam having the honour to be introduc'd into your noble company I hope I shall not appear rude in thus presuming to kiss your hand and all that I Gad she is very handsome and hath conquer'd my heart at this first entervieu aside Lady I hope your Father hath made you sensible of my Amours and withal the way and manner of my Courtship for I Gad and all that I love damnably and hate monstrously Theo. 'T is strange Sir you can admit at once of love and hate Sym. In their degrees Lady but sometimes they are inseparable for I can at once hate and love love and hate and all that but the present cause which may be easily avoided is a tedious Courtship Theo. I 'm glad I know your mind Sir and shall strive to please in expedition Sym. I vow to Gad and all that you are the sweetest lovingest Lady and so forth in all Europe Arr. I told you Son she would be all obedience and to preserve your Loves entire for ever prepare against to morrow for the Wedding Theo. To morrow Sir Arr. Yes Daughter so I 've said a days loss begets an age of sorrow to morrow is the ultimate Theo. The warning Sir's too short I cannot in one night consent to the great loss that fatal day will bring defer it Sir a week Sym. By Heav'n I shall forget to love by that time alas Madam my love comes on by fits and if you refuse me while it reigns upon me I Gad and all that you may go seek your Husband Arr. Dispute no more to morrow is the day till then I give you leave to think upon 't He must be taken in the height of love Or else th' effects in pallid fear will move Delay'd affection many ills produce And love may lose its pow'r for want of use Exeunt As they are going off Enter Sir Jasper and Slywit Sir Jasper seeing them stands still Jas Ha! that 's more then I expected this is sure a Rival and one of the newest stamp pox on this love I say a man is never free from one danger or other now am I in a great Quandary whether I had best go forward or backward if I go forward there 's a Rival if backward there goes a Coward and to stand still is worst of all Sly Sir what do you mean Did you come out with an intent to see your Mistress and stand disputing what you 'd best to do Jas Do why what you would have me do Did you not see a Rival with my Lady and let me tell you there 's danger in those Creatures pox on 'em they are as common as Cuccolds but not half so loving Sly That 's as they 'r us'd if they discover the least spark of fear they 'r valliant then as Lyons but if you bear up Briskly swear Neatly and huff Compleatly they sneak away just like insipid Asses Jas Nay if swearing and huffing would overcome I think none dare pretend to have any courage but my self Sly As for example suppose you were my Rival thus I come to you Umh Umh Umh Dam me Sir you are an Insipid Excommunicated Rascullian Son of a Whore and my Rival Gives Sir Jasper a slap on the face retreats and draws his Sword Jas Pox on your Rival ship if this be the fruits on 't you may keep your Lady and be damn'd was that Alamode to make fire fly out of both the eyes of a Gentleman Sly I us'd you kindly in 't you should in answer to the affront have drawn your Sword and Jas Run away I 'le warrant you Sly No Sir fought him Gentilely and with a decent thrust push'd his Soul into another World Jas I marry Sir that 's a good way to be hang'd and all that Sly Phu I am asham'd of you and your conversation a Gentleman and be hang'd 't was never heard of I knew a Squire after he Cowardly had kill'd a Score had leave to mak 't up Forty and you being a Knight I hope you may have more power Jas Say you so nay if I may kill Cum privilegio woe be to the next I meet my anger 's up and murder will ensue but to our business suppose you were my Rival thus I come up to you Umh Umh Umh Dam me Sir you are an Insipid Excommunicated Rascallian Son of a Whore and my Rival Strikes Sly Runs back to draw his Sword and then returns Sly So this was well done and like a lover Jas Nay let me alone for huffing Enter an old Woman here comes something now courage for me Sly What mean you Sir Jas Nothing but to kill that Monster I have sworn and a Gentleman should not break his word Sly But that 's a woman Sir a very old woman Jas If she were a very old Devil I would kill her my angers up and murder will ensue Goes to kill the old Woman Old W. Oh Lord Sir hold put up your Sword Sir I have not seen a naked thing of that length this
desires to speak with you Theo. Some news from Vanlore now Heav'n I hope is kind Exeunt SCENE Chamber Royal. Enter Antellus Glorianda Guards two Sea Captains and Attendants Antellus Reading a Letter King The Letter WHen first our full spread sayles were Pregnant grown and all our hopes grew equal to our wishes a spightful Storm stretch'd on the wings of all the Clamorous Winds scatter'd our Fleet whose Ruind sayles hang on the top of Rocks the darkned Sky proclaims a dissolution and the angry Waves assault our sinking Ships Some hours this Tempest held and on a suddain the face of the Heav'n was clear the Seas grew Calm and light appear'd just like a new born day that we might see the dreadful Ruin's of our scatter'd Fleet and what bred most distraction the Prince's Ship was lost King How full of fatal changes are our Lives what is 't to be a Monarch and yet live to be a trembling at ev'ry breath of passion thus when all my thoughts in the fair hopes were calm'd of Heroina's safe Arrival then even then to have 'em smother'd in this Cloud of curst Intelligence Glo. Your grief is yet but weak suspitions birth and happily may prove abortive Sir King Oh Glorianda thou fain wouldst flatter me to comfort but the malignity of sorrow can admit no Cordials there there Gives Glorianda the Letter she peruses it unravel the black clew that led me into this dark Labyrinth of grief and tell me then if I have ever left hopes to escape this growing storm of Passion Glorianda having perus'd the Letter returns it Glo. Sir th'information is most sad if true King Oh 't is too true too true my Glorianda devouring Seas have cous'ned our Embraces but shall I lose her thus Go gather all those Ships that owe obedience to this life and let their Squadrons scour the Seas untill you find her out or else by all that 's good your lives though an unworthy Sacrifice shall fall an offering to her Fathers loss Exit the Sea Captains Shouts within Enter Oroandes Zannazarro and Amasia Guarded Oroandes kneels and presents the Prisoners Oro. Thus only may your Enemies Encounter those Beames of sacred Majesty that shine through you from the Sicilian Diadem King Rise Oroandes high in our love as wonder thus joy encounters grief but is too weak for such a foe Glo. I more then doubt poor Zannarro's safety Loves secret flames teach me the way to fear And when he moves from life my death draws near Weeps King Why so much woman Glorianda Thou but mispendest thy pity on an object which if not remov'd will soon Eclipse the brightness of our Stars Go call the Priests of Mars and Pallas hither Exit a Guard Oro. What might this Rage Portend Enter the Guards and two Priests King Here take the Prisoners to your charge and let those Ceremonies be perform'd by which the tainted blood of Sacrifices are made Incense for the Gods see 'em prepar'd ere the next Morning guilds the Earth Delay Shall pluck no feathers from the wings of Day Ere vengeance meet the Rebels Exeunt Priests and Prisoners Glo. Oh they are lost for ever lost Oro. Is 't Grief or Reverence that unnerves me thus Oh my Soul thou art too weak too faintly weak to move beneath the Chaos of these woes King Now Oroandes I have time left to Embrace thee and hug this Cabinet of vertues yet I have not in all thy absence let thy goodness slide out of my thoughts witness this Lady in whose virgin breast I 've strove to plant thy worth Fight like a noble Souldier and so move Till noble vertue Conquer Glorious Love Exit King and Attendants Glo. Whither starts my degenerate Spirits I was born free as Sicily's King and though he is my Brother sure I may be allow'd the freedom of my Choice Weeps Oro. She weeps There 's more in this then yet my thoughts can fathom pardon Lady my unbecoming rudeness I have sorrows which like an evil Genius on my Soul sit cloth'd in sables and obscure the light of your bright Glories Glo. This is no time to flatter Sir or move In these disorders tow'rds the Throne of Love A gen'ral sweetness should about us wait And not the surly frowns of angry fate To quench those flames so newly are begun I 'le weep down floods and drown the rising Sun Oro. To Court your tears argues a fatal end And love thus planted never can extend In Glorious paths of mutual happiness We treat the fancy and expect success But when before the heart is gone astray Our Monarchs gifts doth but our lives betray And to refuse what he so kindly gave Were but to Ruin what we hop'd to save Glo. Though our affections variously do move In diff'rent forms of Gratitude and Love Yet they 'r perhaps of kin did you but know From whence th' Original of Grief doth grow My Lord I blush not to relate these eyes Drop tears to mollifie the Deities Those stubborn Gods which sway the reeling State Of Zannazarro and Amasia's Fate For him my cares for her your fears are strong Yet they must suffer for their Fathers wrong Oro. Oraculously spoken her great Charms Have bound me in the Circle of her Arms In height of Conquest they surpris'd my Soul Her Glories all my Lawrels did controul My growing fortune stop'd at her bright eyes And she commanded all my victories To her great Charms my Conquest soon did bow And Lillies sat tryumphant on her brow The Warlike Eagle and the Phaenix may Fly to a Wilderness and shun the day While she invested in the Roabes of Love Darts fiercer Beams as she to th' East doth move Glo. And can you then see so much goodness fall Rather turn Rebel to save them lose all Oro. I have an Army yet 't is true but when I think on Treason they will shun me then My blood shrinks to its Center at a Rebels name Scattering a death-like Ague through each vein My Nerves shrink back at any thing that 's ill We dam our selves when we a Monarch kill If all our prayers cannot satisfie An angry King we 'l both Loves Martyrs die Glo. I will do something too something that may Preserve my fame as glorious as the day Perhaps Sir our united prayers may move Heav'n to Compassion and the King to Love Oro. My prayers shall wait on yours and if deni'd Dying for love with them shall be my pride Exeunt SCENE a Tavern Sir Jasper Sympleton Sir Symon Credulous Drayner and Sly wit are discovered Drinking Jas Pox this is better then fighting What should a man of honour that hath an Estate and so forth venture his life for 't is enough for poor pittiful little inconsiderate Rascals that have no other dependency but Murder and Hanging Sym. True Bully Pox of fighting I say there 's no sport in it whoring and drinking I am for but I hate fighting Jas Come le ts sit down then Sirrah
and a Priests Roabes in his hand Oro. This fair Amasia was a happy hour To Rescue thee from such a Villains pow'r Lust in these Roabs so dreadful did appear Beyond an Armies strength it made me fear Ama. The Impious Villain in such Crimes did move Striving to force what he at first cal'd Love That I almost mistrusted Heav'n who gave Such sawcy Boldness to th' injurious Slave Till you my chief Protector came with aid And th' injurious Mass of sin display'd Oro. Under this Masque of Heav'n and Silver age The impious Rebel ' mongst his sins did rage The blooming beauty of a fragrant flower To crop and kill while it was in his pow'r The Slaves confession may perhaps ingage Our King in Clemency to cease his rage Those Counterplots laid to prevent your fall Though seeming Ominous may save us all These Roabs which he has so abus'd shall prove The Guardian Angel to preserve my love Ama. Run not such dangerous hazards for her sake Who knows no way to pay your favours back By the King Vow and Laws I 'm doom'd to die A minute cuts off my Mortality And then my Gratitude and Debts remain Too Great and Vast ere to pay back again Oro. All the return I ask for or desire Is but your equal love and equal fire Grant I in death may so much comfort meet To fall a Lover at Amasia's feet Ama. You had my word before and if ere Fate Changes my doom for a serener fate Before the Gods and you I vow that hour Amasia shall submit to your great pow'r Your Chains I 'le wear and give up Victory The toyles of War for brave Captivity To be o'recome by one so truly brave Makes a most Glorious Captive of your Slave Oro. Those noble Chains I 'le wear and tryumph more Then ere I did in Conquering before To be your Slave is such a pleasing fate The mighty blessing doth my fears rebate In Life or Death or smooth fac'd Victory No pleasures like this sweet Captivity Ama. We soon must part with all those joys and breath How e're I shall be happy in my death If Life with you be bliss Death must be more Since real happiness is there in store For all who do a true Loves fate deplore Oro. Think not of death first see Oroandes fall And let a sigh attend his Funeral For whilst I live no force shall reach thy heart When I am wounded in each mortal part And bleeding death about my Soul doth wait Prepare Amasia to receive thy fate Till then my pow'r and this disguise believe Either of these may bring a safe repreive Ama. Thus to prophane the holy Roabs will be A greater trouble then the loss of me Heaven will be angry at your strange pretence Oro. Heav'n cannot frown to save such innocence They what we Sacrifice injustice call Else vertue would be banish'd from us all Vertue expatiates to blot out Vice Reaching her Glorious Arms to Paradise And if we root that Angel from the Earth Our weak humanity is out of breath For that conducted by the Powers above Teaches the way to Duty and to Love Come my fair Sacrifice these Roabs can be Never prophan'd worn to deliver thee Exeunt ACT III. SCENE the Court Enter Antellus Glorianda and Guards King URge me no more the Gods have so decreed Amasia and her Brother both must bleed Glo. Consider Sir the Nature of the Crime And for my sake withdraw your Rage this time Look on Amasia's Charms and then declare If Zeal and Beauty are not both at War The Cruel Tyrant to secure his own Usurps this beauty to enrich his Throne King You sue in vain for what must be deni'd The Gods prescrib'd this way to scourge their pride Glo. Call not that Pride which was Revenge alone Nor is it Justice Sir to Kill the Son Your veng'ance scourg'd the Rebels as they flew And ev'ry factious man your Valour slew You strong Rebellion hunted out of breath Which Sir expir'd in brave Zoranzo's death King The fathers fall did but foment him more Proving a greater Rebel then before Still he grew on and in Rebellion mov'd Glo. Your self Sir by a Son would be belov'd His Fathers Death new veng'ance did implore Could he do less for one had sought before Rebellious Nature did the faction head And he fought only to revenge the Dead His Army weak wounded on ev'ry part Fought not to Conquer but Revenge their smart King Why for the bold Usurper do you move I shall grow angry and believe you love Glo. You gave me leave and made a worthy choice Brave Oroandes had my Brothers voice But he as well as I preserves a flame For dead Zoranzo's Issue King Dare you name An Act so base to love your Countries foe He dies and never shall your pashions know The Gods expect their Sacrifice with care And ' cause you shall not languish in dispair Against to morrow for their Deaths prepare Glo. What have I said that should your anger move If you will save his Life I will not love Let him but live and I 'le forget the wrong Though love is grown too pow'rful and too strong With ease to be remov'd in youth when first Kind conversation in each eye had nurst A gentle Cupid and our hearts though poor Wanting th' effects of love could love no more Down with content we by each other sate Weeping to think upon our Childish fate Till he forc'd by a Fathers pride did flie From me and honour to your Enemy Though then he lost obedience to the Crown A mutual love did our Souls Current drown Within one Silver stream and shall I now Cause his dejected state to fate doth bow Kill him with pride whose noble growth would be A joyful Harvest of felicity No let his Titles Sacrifices fall To his first Guilt his Vertue merits all King Call Treason Vertue and the Traytor just Rebellion's a desire to Rule and Lust Of Empire makes 'em break their trust ill Acts committed by success made good And Nations staggering for want of blood Drawn out by Civil strifes and unjust fears Are only debts to Nature in Arrears You know my Vow which I will ne're evade Glo. Heav'n blushes when that bloody Vow is paid If he must fall the worthiest of men Heav'n will be pleas'd with Sacrifices then My blood and his shall mount up to the Skys And feed the Nostrils of our Deities Till they in Rage to see such goodness fall Rain down our blood on veng'ance on ye all Amasia's Charms shall with such swiftness move The Gods out of meer pity from above Shall plague you all when 't is too late with Love Exit Glorianda King Amasia 's Charms shall with such swiftness move The Gods out of meer pity from above Shall plague you all when 't is too late with Love What can she mean 'T was spoke as she did spy The little Tyrant dancing in my eye Something unruly
doth about me wait Like hidden Charms my anger to rebate The surly motion tells me I do ill Can I pretend to be a King and kill Amasia was no Rebel to the State Why therefore should she share a Brothers Fate 'T is true her life did from that spring take head And she may own those factions which they bred How ere If she can love she lives if not she dies Bring then a Rebel fit for Sacrifice Call in Amasia though her Charms appear Exit some Guards So uncontroul'd they must submit to fear Fearful to try what joy or bliss would be Found while they 'r strangers in Eternity Enter Amasia Having consider'd Madam your Estate And how each Title now submits to Fate I could not chuse but rob the Gods of one One only fit for Siracusia's Throne Ama. To say I 've no desire to live would prove A Barren Gratitude for Royal Love Death though a debt which is to Nature due We all would fain prolong and so would you But how I am thus blest being so nigh The welcome brink of Immortality Staggers my Faith and strikes my Reason blind King You 'l make all perfect by your being kind Ama. I know so well you love that Conquerour Who made us Captive to your mighty Pow'r You 'd not deny might it with safety be My Brothers Life my Love and Liberty King Your Liberty without dispute I grant Yet all those Graces must your Brother want His Life must be to Heav'n a Sacrifice Your own is Ransom'd by your Charming eyes Ama. What have I heard shall Zannazarro find His Sister prov'd so weak to stay behind Must he alone stoop to the Cruelty I was a Rebel Sir as well as he King In acts of Love you but a Rebel prove Conqu'ring the Conquerour yet scorn to Love He Wading through blood to Massacre did run Outdid the Father to undo the Son Ama. My Fathers Crimes he never did partake Kill me and spare him then for Honours sake Nature can never consent to stay behind He is my Brother and in that I find Some secret motion though my love be strong Which tells me that I needs must go along Thus Love and Nature struggle in desires King Consider Madam who it is admires And the vast gift I give to quench my fires Ama. You give me life which I would gladly take Might he live too for brave Or'andes sake Affections 'twixt the Victor and the Slave So strong are knit they both will share one Grave Then if he die Or'andes too must fall And Heav'n will blush to see the Funeral The Gods made drunk with such a vast expence Of Royal blood will pardon us from thence King You love Or'andes then and for his sake This tedious Pilgrimage of Death will take Charm'd by your Charms I gave Reprieve for life In hopes you would consent to be my Wife But since to him your faith 's already giv'n This day you keep your Nuptial feast in Heav'n You by the Law must fall a Sacrifice He only out of duty to your eyes May if he please translate himself from hence Death will confirm what now is but pretence Guards bring this Prisoner to the Temple streight My Love shall end when she receives her Fate Exit King and attendants Enter Glorianda Glo. Go Cruel Brother who at once withstood His Friend his Sister and his Countries good And all to satisfie the Gods with blood You weep Amasia and those pearly tears Confirm my Brothers rage and my own fears His Cruel heart will no impression take From bended Knees kind Words or Natures sake Ama. Yes he is kind too kind alas for me He gen'rously gave me Liberty Urging my Crime so little did appear Heav'n could not see 't and he 'd forget it here But then the recompence I was to give Prov'd so severe my Justice could not live Brave Oroandes I must dispossess And make him rich in my unhappiness Which once deny'd he then my Death decreed Glo. The Chast Amasia not alone shall bleed For Zannazarro I Oroandes You Dying together will proclaim us true He in our fall shall so much vertue see When we 'r extracted from humanity As Heav'n shall turn to smooth felicity Ama. My Cares are many for your noble life Since you ought not to suffer in the strife Earth will be Rob'd when so much goodness dies And Heav'n be too much stor'd with Sacrifice Live and be happy in a second choice Or'andes once has had your Brothers voice Let him possess in Zannazarro's stead All the enjoyments of a Nuptial Bed I can resign that blessing up to you And I am sure you 'r satisfi'd he 's true Glo. In Life and Death so generous you prove In Heav'n you 'l be rewarded for your Love Know fair Amasia though you did resign Your int'rest I can never remove mine Death's but a toy a moments fear and then We Launch into a World of Bliss again Ama. I for that World must instantly prepare And how to know you there shall be my care Shrouded in Clouds of glorious innocence And Angels waiting on each petty sence Shall draw our Souls through Clouds of bliss from hence SCENE a Wood. Enter Sir Symon Credulous Arm'd Cap a Pe with him Slywit Sly Believe me Sir 't is true Sym. I fear him not I am intollerable this case of Steel makes me as free from wound as if enchanted Sly Yet Sir there is a greater danger near the Wood is lin'd with men in Arms whom he hath hir'd if you should be the Victor to cut your throat if he survive to drag your Body to the Sea and there intomb it that your name and actions may be lost to future ages Sym. How is he so great a Villain Sly He Kil'd his Father Ravish'd his Sister Poys'ned the Great Turk and has committed outrages innumerable Sym. Then I think it fit to forbear the honourable employment of fighting for this time and go home rather then stay to meet with these unavoidable dangers Sly Sir I love you and I cannot see so much vertue perish fight him in spight of all and at convenient time fall down Sir Jasper imagining you are dead will fly behind the Castle waits your Father with Officers to seize him and hurry him to Prison to give you the more priviledg and uncontroul'd freeness to Marry his Daughter Sym. Can this be true Sly Upon my honour Sir my love to you forc'd me to be a Traytor to my Master and relate this secret Sym. It shan't go unrewarded Sly You won't walk long before my Mistress meet you farewell Exeunt severally Enter Sir Jasper Arm'd Cap a pe with him Drayner Dra. Nay he has vow'd to kill you your Armour were it more impregnable the Mambrosia's Helmet his Sword will find a passage through Jas Tell Sir Symon I am Arm'd all over if Wine Steel and Impudence are not enough t' oppose one single Hector Rot me for a Wigeon I am come