I answer to confess it Will raise a blush upon a Virgin 's face Yet I was ever taught 't was base to lie Poly. You 've been too bold and you must love no more Palm Indeed I must I cannot help my love I was so tender when I took the bent That now I grow that way Poly. He is a Prince and you are meanly born Leon. Love either finds equality or makes it Like death he knows no difference in degrees But plains and levels all Palm Alas I had not render'd up my heart Had he not lov'd me first but he prefer'd me Above the Maidens of my age and rank Still shun'd their company and still sought mine I was not won by gifts yet still he gave And all his gifts though small yet spoke his love He pick'd the earliest Strawberries in Woods The cluster'd Filberds and the purple Grapes He taught a prating Stare to speak my name And when he found a Nest of Nightingales Or callow Linnets he would show 'em me And let me take 'em out Poly. This is a little Mistris meanly born Fit onely for a Prince his vacant hours And then to laugh at her simplicity Not fix a passion there Now hear my sentence Leon. Remember ere you give it 't is pronounc'd Against us both Poly. First in her hand There shall be plac'd a Player's painted Sceptre And on her head a gilded Pageant Crown Thus shall she go With all the Boys attending on her Triumph That done be put alone into a Boat With bread and water onely for three days So on the Sea she shall be set adrift And who relieves her dies Palm I onely beg that you would execute The last part first let me be put to Sea The bread and water for my three days life I give you back I would not live so long But let me scape the shame Leon. Look to me Piety and you O Gods look to my piety Keep me from saying that which misbecomes a son But let me die before I see this done Poly. If you for ever will abjure her sight I can be yet a father she shall live Leon. Hear O you Pow'rs is this to be a father I see 't is all my happiness and quiet You aim at Sir and take 'em I will not save ev'n my Palmyra's life At that ignoble price but I 'll die with her Palm So had I done by you Had Fate made me a Princess Death methinks Is not a terrour now He is not fierce or grim but fawns and sooths me And slides along like Cleopatra's Aspick Off'ring his service to my troubled breast Leon. Begin what you have purpos'd when you please Lead her to scorn your triumph shall be doubled As holy Priests In pity go with dying malefactours So will I share her shame Poly. You shall not have your will so much first part 'em Then execute your office Leon. No I 'll die In her defence Draws his sword Palm Ah hold and pull not on A curse to make me worthy of my death Do not by lawless force oppose your Father Whom you have too much disobey'd for me Leon. Here take it Sir and with it pierce my heart Presenting his sword to his father upon his knees You have done more in taking my Palmyra You are my Father therefore I submit Poly. Keep him from any thing he may design Against his life whil'st the first fury lasts And now perform what I commanded you Leon. In vain if sword and poison be deni'd me I 'll hold my breath and die Palm Farewell my last Leonidas yet live I charge you live till you believe me dead I cannot die in peace if you die first If life 's a blessing you shall have it last Poly. Go on with her and lead him after me Enter Argaleon hastily with Hermogenes Arga. I bring you Sir such news as must amaze you And such as will prevent you from an action Which would have rendred all your life unhappy Poly. Hermogenes you bend your knees in vain Hermogenes kneels My doom 's already past Her I kneel not for Palmyra for I know She will not need my pray'rs but for my self With a feign'd tale I have abus'd your ears And therefore merit death but since unforc'd I first accuse my self I hope your mercy Poly. Haste to explain your meaning Her Then in few words Palmyra is your daughter Poly. How can I give belief to this Impostor He who has once abus'd me often may I 'l hear no more Arga. For your own sake you must Her A parent's love for I confess my crime Mov'd me to say Leonidas was yours But when I heard Palmyra was to die The fear of guiltless bloud so stung my conscience That I resolv'd ev'n with my shame to save Your daughter's life Poly. But how can I be certain but that interest Which mov'd you first to say your son was mine Does not now move you too to save your daughter Her You had but then my word I bring you now Authentick testimonies Sir in short Delivers on his knees a Iewel and a Letter If this will not convince you let me suffer Poly. I know this Jewel well 't was once my mothers Looking first on the Iewel Which marrying I presented to my wife And this O this is my Eudocia's hand This was the pledge of love given to Eudocia Reads Who dying to her young Palmyra leaves it And this when you my dearest Lord receive Own her and think on me dying Eudocia Take it 't is well there is no more to read To Argaleon My eyes grow full and swim in their own light He embraces Palmyra Palm I fear Sir this is your intended Pageant You sport your self at poor Palmyra's cost But if you think to make me proud Indeed I cannot be so I was born With humble thoughts and lowly like my birth A real fortune could not make me haughty Much less a feign'd Poly. This was her mother's temper I have too much deserv'd thou shouldst suspect That I am not thy father but my love Shall henceforth show I am Behold my eyes And see a father there begin to flow This is not feign'd Palmyra Palm I doubt no longer Sir you are a King And cannot lie falshood's a vice too base To find a room in any Royal breast I know in spight of my unworthiness I am your child for when you would have kill'd me Methought I lov'd you then Arga. Sir we forget the Prince Leonidas His greatness should not stand neglected thus Poly. Guards you may now retire Give him his sword And leave him free Leon. Then the first use I make of liberty Shall be with your permission mighty Sir To pay that reverence to which Nature binds me kneels to Hermogenes Arga. Sure you forget your birth thus to misplace This act of your obedience you should kneel To nothing but to Heav'n and to a King Leon. I never shall forget what Nature owes Nor be asham'd to pay it
a Judge as you are a Patron and that in praising you ill I shall incurre a higher note of ingratitude then that I thought to have avoided I stand in need of all your accustom'd goodness for the Dedication of this Play which though perhaps it be the best of my Comedies is yet so faulty that I should have fear'd you for my Critick if I had not with some policy given you the trouble of being my Protector Wit seems to have lodg'd it self more Nobly in this Age than in any of the former and people of my mean condition are onely Writers because some of the Nobility and your Lordship in the first place are above the narrow praises which Poesie could give you But let those who love to see themselves exceeded encourage your Lordship in so dangerous a quality for my own part I must confess that I have so much of self-interest as to be content with reading some Papers of your Verses without desiring you should proceed to a Scene or Play with the common prudence of those who are worsted in a Duel and declare they are satisfied when they are first wounded Your Lordship has but another step to make and from the Patron of Wit you may become its Tyrant and Oppress our little Reputations with more ease then you now protect them But these my Lord are designs which I am sure you harbour not any more then the French King is contriving the Conquest of the Swissers 'T is a barren Triumph which is not worth your pains and wou'd onely rank him amongst your Slaves who is already My Lord Your Lordships Most obedient and most faithful Servant JOHN DRYDEN Prologue LOrd how reform'd and quiet we are grown Since all our Braves and all our Wits are gone Fop-corner now is free from Civil War White-Wig and Vizard make no longer jar France and the Fleet have swept the Town so clear That we can Act in peace and you can hear 'T was a sad sight before they march'd from home To see our Warriours in Red Wastecoats come With hair tuck'd up into our Tireing-room But 't was more sad to hear their last Adieu The Women sob'd and swore they would be true And so they were as long as e're they cou'd But powerful Guinnee cannot be withstood And they were made of Play house flesh and bloud Fate did their Friends for double use ordain In Wars abroad they grinning Honour gain And Mistresses for all that stay maintain Now they are gone 't is dead Vacation here For neither Friends nor Enemies appear Poor pensive Punk now peeps ere Plays begin Sees the bare Bench and dares not venture in But manages her last Half crown with care And trudges to the Mall on foot for Air. Our City Friends so far will hardly come They can take up with Pleasures nearer home And see gay Shows and gawdy Scenes elsewhere For we presume they seldom come to hear But they have now ta'n up a glorious Trade And cutting Moorcraft struts in Masquerade There 's all our hope for we shall show to day A Masquing Ball to recommend our Play Nay to endear 'em more and let 'em see We scorn to come behind in Courtesie We 'll follow the new Mode which they begin And treat 'em with a Room and Couch within For that 's one way how e're the Play fall short T' oblige the Town the City and the Court Persons Represented MEN. By Polydamas Usurper of Sicily Mr. Wintershall Leonidas the Rightful Prince unknown Mr. Kynaston Argaleon Favourite to Polydamas Mr. Lydall Hermogenes Foster-father to Leonidas Mr. Cartwright Eubulus his Friend and Companion Mr. Watson Rhodophil Captain of the Guards Mr. Mohun Palamede a Courtier Mr. Hart. WOMEN By Palmyra Daughter to the Usurper Mrs. Coxe Amalthea Sister to Argaleon Mrs. Iames. Doralice Wife to Rhodophil Mrs. Marshall Melantha an Affected Lady Mrs. Bowtell Philotis Woman to Melantha Mrs. Reeve Belisa Woman to Doralice Mrs. Slade Arlemis a Court Lady Mrs. Vphill Scene SICILIE MARRIAGE A-la-Mode ACT I. SCENE I. Walks near the Court Enter Doralice and Beliza Dor. BEliza bring the Lute into this Arbor the Walks are empty I would try the Song the Princess Amalthea bad me learn They go in and sing 1. WHy should a foolish Marriage Vow Which long ago was made Oblige us to each other now When Passion is decay'd We lov'd and we lov'd as long as we cou'd Till our love was lov'd out in us both But our Marriage is dead when the Pleasure is fled 'T was Pleasure first made it an Oath 2. If I have Pleasures for a Friend And farther love in store What wrong has he whose joys did end And who cou'd give no more 'T is a madness that he Should be jealous of me Or that I shou'd bar him of another For all we can gain Is to give our selves pain When neither can hinder the other Enter Palamede in Riding Habit and hears the Song Re-enter Doralice and Beliza Bel. Madam a Stranger Dor. I did not think to have had witnesses of my bad singing Pala. If I have err'd Madam I hope you 'l pardon the curiosity of a Stranger for I may well call my self so after five years absence from the Court But you have freed me from one error Dor. What 's that I beseech you Pala. I thought good voices and ill faces had been inseparable and that to be fair and sing well had been onely the priviledge of Angels Dor. And how many more of these fine things can you say to me Pala. Very few Madam for if I should continue to see you some hours longer You look so killingly that I should be mute with wonder Dor. This will not give you the reputation of a Wit with me you travelling Monsieurs live upon the stock you have got abroad for the first day or two to repeat with a good memory and apply with a good grace is all your wit And commonly your Gullets are sew'd up like Cormorants When you have regorg'd what you have taken in you are the leanest things in Nature Pala. Then Madam I think you had best make that use of me let me wait on you for two or three days together and you shall hear all I have learnt of extraordinary in other Countreys And one thing which I never saw till I came home that is a Lady of a better voice better face and better wit than any I have seen abroad And after this if I should not declare my self most passionately in love with you I should have less wit than yet you think I have Dor. A very plain and pithy Declaration I see Sir you have been travelling in Spain or Italy or some of the hot Countreys where men come to the point immediately But are you sure these are not words of course For I would not give my poor heart an occasion of complaint against me that I engag'd it too rashly and then could not bring it off Pala. Your heart may trust
bring back Leonidas again Be shorter now and to redeem that wrong When he and I are met be twice as long Exit ACT II. SCENE I. Melantha and Philotis Phil. COunt Rhodophil's a fine Gentleman indeed Madam and I think deserves your affection Mel. Let me die but he 's a fine man he sings and dances en Francois and writes the Billets doux to a miracle Phil. And those are no small tallents to a Lady that understands and values the French ayr as your Ladiship does Mel. How charming is the French ayr and what an etourdy bete is one of our untravel'd Islanders when he would make his Court to me let me die but he is just Aesop's Ass that would imitate the courtly French in his addresses but in stead of those comes pawing upon me and doing all things so mal a droitly Phil. 'T is great pity Rhodophil's a married man that you may not have an honourable Intrigue with him Mel. Intrigue Philotis that 's an old phrase I have laid that word by Amour sounds better But thou art heir to all my cast words as thou art to my old Wardrobe Oh Count Rhodophil Ah mon cher I could live and die with him Enter Palamede and a Servant Ser. Sir this is my Lady Pala. Then this is she that is to be Divine and Nymph and Goddess and with whom I am to be desperately in love Bows to her delivering a Letter This Letter Madam which I present you from your father has given me both the happy opportunity and the boldness to kiss the fairest hands in Sicily Mel. Came you lately from Palermo Sir Pala. But yesterday Madam Mel. Reading the Letter Daughter receive the bearer of this Letter as a Gentleman whom I have chosen to make you happy O Venus a new Servant sent me and let me die but he has the ayre of a gallant homme his father is the rich Lord Cleodemus our neighbour I suppose you 'l find nothing disagreeable in his person or his converse both which he has improv'd by travel The Treaty is already concluded and I shall be in Town within these three days so that you have nothing to do but to obey your careful Father To Pala. Sir my Father for whom I have a blind obedience has commanded me to receive your passionate addresses but you must also give me leave to avow that I cannot merit 'em from so accomplish'd a Cavalier Pala. I want many things Madam to render me accomplish'd and the first and greatest of 'em is your favour Mel. Let me die Philotis but this is extremely French but yet Count Rhodophil A Gentleman Sir that understands the Grand mond so well who has hanted the best conversations and who in short has voyag'd may pretend to the good graces of any Lady Pala. Aside Hay day Grand mond conversation voyag'd and good graces I find my Mistris is one of those that run mad in new French words Mel. I suppose Sir you have made the Tour of France and having seen all that 's fine there will make a considerable reformation in the rudeness of our Court for let me die but an unfashion'd untravel'd meer Sicilian is a Bete and has nothing in the world of an honete homme Pala. I must confess Madam that Mel. And what new Minouets have you brought over with you their Minouets are to a miracle and our Sicilian Iigs are so dull and fad to ' em Pala. For Minouets Madam Mel. And what new Plays are there in vogue and who danc'd best in the last Grand Ballet Come sweet Servant you shall tell me all Pala. Aside Tell her all why she asks all and will hear nothing To answer in order Madam to your demands Mel. I am thinking what a happy couple we shall be for you shall keep up your correspondence abroad and every thing that 's new writ in France and fine I mean all that 's delicate and bien tourné we will have first Pala. But Madam our fortune Mel. I understand you Sir you 'l leave that to me for the mennage of a family I know it better then any Lady in Sicily Pala. Alas Madam we Mel. Then we will never make visits together nor see a Play but always apart you shall be every day at the King's Levé and I at the Queen's and we will never meet but in the Drawing-room Phil. Madam the new Prince is just pass'd by the end of the Walk Mel. The new Prince say'st thou Adieu dear Servant I have not made my court to him these two long hours O 't is the sweetest Prince so obligeant charmant ravissant that Well I 'll make haste to kiss his hands and then make half a score visits more and be with you again in a twinkling Exit running with Philotis Pala. Solus Now heaven of thy mercy bless me from this tongue it may keep the field against a whole Army of Lawyers and that in their own language French Gibberish 'T is true in the day-time 't is tolerable when a man has field-room to run from it but to be shut up in a bed with her like two Cocks in a pit humanity cannot support it I must kiss all night in my own defence and hold her down like a Boy at cuffs nay and give her the rising blow every time she begins to speak Enter Rhodophil But here comes Rhodophil 'T is pretty odd that my Mistris should so much resemble his the same News-monger the same passionate lover of a Court the same But Basta since I must marry her I 'll say nothing because he shall not laugh at my misfortune Rho. Well Palamede how go the affairs of love You 've seen your Mistris Pala. I have so Rho. And how and how has the old Cupid your Father chosen well for you is he a good Woodman Pala. She 's much handsomer then I could have imagin'd In short I love her and will marry her Rho. Then you are quite off from your other Mistris Pala. You are mistaken I intend to love 'em both as a reasonable man ought to do For since all women have their faults and imperfections 't is fit that one of 'em should help out t'other Rho. This were a blessed Doctrine indeed if our Wives would hear it but they 're their own enemies if they would suffer us but now and then to make excursions the benefit of our variety would be theirs instead of one continu'd lazy tyr'd love they would in their turns have twenty vigorous fresh and active loves Pala. And I would ask any of 'em whether a poor narrow Brook half dry the best part of the year and running ever one way be to be compar'd to a lusty Stream that has Ebbs and Flows Rho. Ay or is half so profitable for Navigation Enter Doralice walking by and reading Pala. Ods my life Rhodophil will you keep my counsel Rho. Yes where 's the secret Pala. There ' t is Showing Doralice I may tell you as my friend
would be private Leon. Go your self And leave her here Arga. Alas she 's ignorant And is not fit to entertain a Prince Leon. First learn what 's fit for you that 's to obey Arga. I know my duty is to wait on you A great King's Son like you ought to forget Such mean converse Leon. What a disputing Subject Hence or my sword shall do me justice on thee Arga Yet I may find a time Going Leon. What 's that you mutter going after him To find a time Arga. To wait on you again Softly In the mean while I 'll watch you Exit and watches during the Scene Leon. How precious are the hours of Love in Courts In Cottages where Love has all the day Full and at ease he throws it half away Time gives himself and is not valu'd there But sells at mighty rates each minute here There he is lazy unemploy'd and slow Here he 's more swift and yet has more to do So many of his hours in publick move That few are left for privacy and Love Palm The Sun methinks shines faint and dimly here Light is not half so long nor half so clear But Oh! when every day was yours and mine How early up what haste he made to shine Leon. Such golden days no Prince must hope to see Whos 's ev'ry Subject is more bless'd then he Palm Do you remember when their tasks were done How all the Youth did to our Cottage run While winter-winds were whistling loud without Our chearful hearth was circled round about With strokes in ashes Maids their Lovers drew And still you fell to me and I to you Leon. When Love did of my heart possession take I was so young my soul was scarce awake I cannot tell when first I thought you fair But suck'd in Love insensibly as Ayre Palm I know too well when first my love began When at our Wake you for the Chaplet ran Then I was made the Lady of the May And with the Garland at the Goal did stay Still as you ran I kept you full in view I hop'd and wish'd and ran methought for you As you came near I hastily did rise And stretch'd my arm out-right that held the prize The custom was to kiss whom I should crown You kneelâ—d and in my lap your head laid down I blush'd and blush'd and did the kiss delay At last my Subjects forc'd me to obey But when I gave the Crown and then the kiss I scarce had breath to say Take that and this Leon. I felt the while a pleasing kind of smart The kiss went tingling to my very heart When it was gone the sense of it did stay The sweetness cling'd upon my lips all day Like drops of Honey loath to fall away Palm Life like a prodigal gave all his store To my first youth and now can give no more You are a Prince and in that high degree No longer must converse with humble me Leon. 'T was to my loss the Gods that title gave A Tyrant's Son is doubly born a Slave He gives a Crown but to prevent my life From being happy loads it with a Wife Palm Speak quickly what have you resolv'd to do Leon. To keep my faith inviolate to you He threatens me with exile and with shame To lose my birth right and a Prince his name But there 's a blessing which he did not mean To send me back to Love and You again Palm Why was not I a Princess for your sake But Heav'en no more such miracles can make And since That cannot This must never be You shall not lose a Crown for love of me Live happy and a nobler choice pursue I shall complain of Fate but not of you Leon. Can you so easily without me live Or could you take the counsel which you give Were you a Princess would you not be true Palm I would but cannot merit it from you Leon. Did you not merit as you do my heart Love gives esteem and then it gives desert But if I basely could forget my vow Poor helpless Innocence what would you do Palm In Woods and Plains where first my love began There would I live retir'd from faithless man I 'd sit all day within some lonely shade Or that close Arbour which your hands have made I 'd search the Groves and ev'ry Tree to find Where you had carv'd our names upon the rind Your Hook your Scrip all that was yours I 'd keep And lay 'em by me when I went to sleep Thus would I live and Maidens when I die Upon my Hearse white True-love-knots should tie And thus my Tomb should be inscrib'd above Here the forsaken Virgin rests from love Leon. Think not that time or fate shall e'r divide Those hearts which Love and mutual Vows have ty'd But we must part farewell my Love Palm Till when Leon. Till the next age of hours we meet agen Mean time we may When near each other we in publick stand Contrive to catch a look or steal a hand Fancy will every touch and glance improve And draw the most spirituous parts of Love Our souls sit close and silently within And their own Web from their own Intrals spin And when eyes meet far off our sense is such That Spider-like we feel the tender'st touch Exeunt ACT III. SCENE I. Enter Rhodophil meeting Doralice and Artemis Rhodophil and Doralice embrace Rho. MY own dear heart Dor. My own true love She starts back I had forgot my self to be so kind indeed I am very angry with you dear you are come home an hour after you appointed If you had staid a minute longer I was just considering whether I should stab hang or drown my self Embracing him Rho. Nothing but the King's business could have hinder'd me and I was so vext that I was just laying down my Commission rather then have fail'd my Dear Kissing her hand Arte. Why this is love as it should be betwixt Man and Wife such another Couple would bring Marriage into fashion again But is it always thus betwixt you Rho. Always thus this is nothing I tell you there is not such a pair of Turtles in all Sicily there is such an eternal Cooing and kissing betwixt us that indeed it is scandalous before civil company Dor. Well if I had imagin'd I should have been this fond fool I would never have marri'd the man I lov'd I marri'd to be happy and have made my self miserable by over-loving Nay and now my case is desperate for I have been marry'd above these two years and find my self every day worse and worse in love nothing but madness can be the end on 't Arte. Doat on to the extremity and you are happy Dor. He deserves so infinitely much that the truth is there can be no doating in the matter but to love well I confess is a work that pays it self 't is telling gold and after taking it for ones pains Rho. By that I should be a very covetous person for I
sake Dor. You 'll be a man as soon as I shall Enter a Messenger to Rhodophil Mess. Sir the King has instant business with you I saw the Guard drawn up by your Lieutenant Before the Palace-gate ready to march Rhod. 'T is somewhat sodain say that I am coming Exit Messenger Now Palamede what think you of this sport This is some suddain tumult will you along Pala. Yes yes I will go but the devil take me if ever I was less in humour Why the pox could they not have staid their tumult till to morrow then I had done my business and been ready for ' em Truth is I had a little transitory crime to have committed first and I am the worst man in the world at repenting till a sin be throughly done but what shall we do with the two Boys Rho. Let them take a lodging in the house till the business be over Dor. What lie with a Boy for my part I own it I cannot endure to lie with a Boy Pala. The more 's my sorrow I cannot accommodate you with a better bed-fellow Mel. Let me die if I enter into a pair of sheets with him that hates the French Dor. Pish take no care for us but leave us in the streets I warrant you as late as it is I 'll find my lodging as well as any drunken Bully of 'em all Rho. I 'll fight in meer revenge and wreak my passion Aside On all that spoil this hopeful assignation Pala. I 'm sure we fight in a good quarrel Rogues may pretend Religion and the Laws But a kind Mistris is the Good old Cause Exeunt SCENE IV. Enter Palmyra Eubulus Hermogenes Palm You tell me wonders that Leonidas Is Prince Theagenes the late King's Son Eub. It seem'd as strange to him as now to you Before I had convinc'd him But besides His great resemblance to the King his Father The Queen his Mother lives secur'd by me In a Religious House to whom each year I brought the news of his increasing virtues My last long absence from you both was caus'd By wounds which in my journey I receiv'd When set upon by thieves I lost those Jewels And Letters which your dying Mother left Her The same he means which since brought to the King 〈◊〉 him first know he had a Child alive 'T was then my care of Prince Leonidas Caus'd me to say he was th' Usurpers Son Till after forc'd by your apparent danger I made the true discovery of your birth And once more hid my Prince's Enter Leonidas Leon. Hermogenes and Eubulus retire Those of our party whom I left without Expect your aid and counsel Exeunt ambo Palm I should Leonidas congratulate This happy change of your exalted fate But as my joy so you my wonder move Your looks have more of Business then of Love And your last words some great design did show Leon. I frame not any to be hid from you You in my love all my designs may see But what have love and you design'd for me Fortune once more has set the ballance right First equall'd us in lowness then in height Both of us have so long like Gamesters thrown Till Fate comes round and gives to each his own As Fate is equal so may Love appear Tell me at least what I must hope or fear Palm After so many proofs how can you call My love in doubt Fear nothing and hope all Think what a Prince with honour may receive Or I may give without a Parents leave Leon. You give and then restrain the grace you show As ostentatious Priests when Souls they wooe Promise their Heav'n to all but grant to few But do for me what I have dar'd for you I did no argument from duty bring Duty 's a Name and Love 's a Real thing Palm Man's love may like wild torrents over-flow Woman 's as deep but in its banks must go My love is mine and that I can impart But cannot give my person with my heart Leon. Your love is then no gift For when the person it does not convey 'T is to give Gold and not to give the Key Palm Then ask my Father Leon. He detains my Throne Who holds back mine will hardly give his own Palm What then remains Leon. That I must have recourse To Arms and take my Love and Crown by force Hermogenes is forming the design And with him all the brave and loyal joyn Palm And is it thus you court Palmyra's bed Can she the murd'rer of her Parent wed Desist from force so much you well may give To Love and Me to let my Father live Leon. Each act of mine my love to you has shown But you who tax my want of it have none You bid me part with you and let him live But they should nothing ask who nothing give Palm I give what vertue and what duty can In vowing ne'r to wed another man Leon. You will be forc'd to be Argaleon's wife Palm I 'll keep my promise though I lose my life Leon. Then you lose Love for which we both contend For Life is but the means but Love 's the end Palm Our Souls shall love hereafter Leon. I much fear That Soul which could deny the Body here To taste of love would be a niggard there Palm Then 't is past hope our cruel fate I see Will make a sad divorce 'twixt you and me For if you force employ by Heav'n I swear And all bless'd Beings Leon. Your rash Oath forbear Palm I never Leon. Hold once more But yet as he Who scapes a dang'rous leap looks back to see So I desire now I am past my fear To know what was that Oath you meant to swear Palm I meant that if you hazarded your life Or sought my Fathers ne'r to be your Wife Leon. See now Palmyra how unkind you prove Could you with so much ease forswear my love Palm You force me with your ruinous design Leon. Your Father's life is more your care then Mine Palm You wrong me 't is not though it ought to be You are my Care heav'n knows as well as he Leon. If now the execution I delay My Honour and my Subjects I betray All is prepar'd for the just enterprize And the whole City will to morrow rise The Leaders of the party are within And Eubulus has sworn that he will bring To head their Arms the person of their King Palm In telling this you make me guilty too I therefore must discover what I know What Honour bids you do Nature bids me prevent But kill me first and then pursue your black intent Leon. Palmyra no you shall not need to die Yet I 'll not trust so strict a piety Within there Enter Eubulus Eubulus a Guard prepare Here I commit this pris'ner to your care Kisses Palmyra 's hand then gives it to Eubulus Palm Leonidas I never thought these bands Could e'r be giv'n me by a Lover's hands Leon. Palmyra thus your Judge himself arraigns
room that has a couch or bed in 't and bestow your charity upon a poor dying man a little comfort from a Mistris before a man is going to give himself in Marriage is as good as a lusty dose of Strong-water to a dying Malefactour it takes away the sense of hell and hanging from him Dor. No good Palamede I must not be so injurious to your Bride 't is ill drawing from the Bank to day when all your ready money is payable to morrow Pal. A Wife is onely to have the ripe fruit that falls of it self but a wise man will always preserve a shaking for a Mistris Dor. But a Wife for the first quarter is a Mistris Pal. But when the second comes Dor. When it does come you are so given to variety that yâ—â— would make a Wife of me in another quarter Pal. No never except I were married to you marri'd people can never oblige one another for all they do is duty and consequently there can be no thanks but love is more frank and generous then he is honest he 's a liberal giver but a cursed pay-master Dor. I declare I will have no Gallant but if I would he should never be a marri'd man a marri'd man is but a Mistris's half-servant as a Clergy-man is but the King's half-subject for a man to come to me that smells o' th' Wife 's life I wou'd as soon wear her old Gown after her as her Husband Pal. Yet 't is a kind of fashion to wear a Princess cast shoes you see the Countrey Ladies buy 'em to be fine in them Dor. Yes a Princess shoes may be worn after her because they keep their fashion by being so very little us'd but generally a marri'd man is the creature of the world the most out of fashion his behaviour is dumpish his discourse his wife and family his habit so much neglected it looks as if that were marri'd too his Hat is marri'd his Perruke is marri'd his Breeches are marri'd and if we could look within his Breeches we should find him marri'd there too Pal. Am I then to be discarded for ever pray do but mark how terrible that word sounds For ever it has a very damn'd sound Doralice Dor. Ay for ever it sounds as hellishly to me as it can do to you but there 's no help for 't Pal. Yet if we had but once enjoy'd one another but then once onely is worse then not at all it leaves a man with such a lingring after it Dor. For ought I know 't is better that we have not we might upon trial have lik'd each other less as many a man and woman that have lov'd as desperately as we and yet when they came to possession have sigh'd and cri'd to themselves Is this all Pal. That is onely if the Servant were not found a man of this world but if upon trial we had not lik'd each other we had certainly left loving and faith that 's the greater happiness of the two Dor. 'T is better as 't is we have drawn off already as much of our Love as would run clear after possessing the rest is but jealousies and disquiets and quarrelling and piecing Pal. Nay after one great quarrel there 's never any sound piecing the love is apt to break in the same place again Dor. I declare I would never renew a love that 's like him who trims an old Coach for ten years together he might buy a new one better cheap Pal. Well Madam I am convinc'd that 't is best for us not to have enjoy'd but Gad the strongest reason is because I cann't help it Dor. The onely way to keep us new to one another is never to enjoy as they keep grapes by hanging 'em upon a line they must touch nothing if you would preserve 'em fresh Pal. But then they wither and grow dry in the very keeping however I shall have a warmth for you and an eagerness every time I see you and if I chance to out-live Melantha Dor. And if I chance to out-live Rhodophil Pal. Well I 'll cherish my body as much as I can upon that hope 'T is true I would not directly murder the wife of my bosome but to kill her civilly by the way of kindness I 'll put as fair as another man I 'll begin to morrow night and be very wrathful with her that 's resolv'd on Dor. Well Palamede here 's my hand I 'll venture to be your second Wife for all your threatnings Pal. In the mean time I 'll watch you hourly as I would the ripeness of a Melon and I hope you 'll give me leave now and then to look on you and to see if you are not ready to be cut yet Dor. No no that must not be Palamede for fear the Gardener should come and catch you taking up the glass Enter Rhodophil Rho. Aside Billing so sweetly now I am confirm'd in my suspicions I must put an end to this ere it go further Aside To Doralice Cry you mercy Spouse I fear I have interrupted your recreations Dor. What recreations Rho. Nay no excuses good Spouse I saw fair hand convey'd to lip and prest as though you had been squeezing soft wax together for an Indenture Palamede you and I must clear this reckoning why would you have seduc'd my wife Pal. Why would you have debauch'd my Mistris Rho. What do you think of that civil couple that play'd at a Game call'd Hide and Seek last evening in the Grotto Pal. What do you think of that innocent pair who made it their pretence to seek for others but came indeed to hide themselves there Rho. All things consider'd I begin vehemently to suspect that the young Gentleman I found in your company last night was a certain youth of my acquaintance Pal. And I have an odd imagination that you could never have suspected my small Gallant if your little villanous Frenchman had not been a false Brother Rho. Farther Arguments are needless Draw off I shall speak to you now by the way of Bilbo Claps his hand to his sword Pal. And I shall answer you by the way of Danger-field Claps his hand on his Dor. Hold hold are not you two a couple of mad fighting fools to cut one another's throats for nothing Pal. How for nothing he courts the woman I must marry Rho. And he courts you whom I have marri'd Dor. But you can neither of you be jealous of what you love not Rho. Faith I am jealous and that makes me partly suspect that I love you better then I thought Dor. Pish a meer jealousie of honour Rho Gad I am afraid there 's something else in 't for Palamede has wit and if he loves you there 's something more in ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have found some rich Mine for ought I know that I 〈…〉 discovered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what 's this here 's an argument for me to love Melantha for he has lov'd her and he has wit too and for ought
I know there may be a Mine but if there be I am resolv'd I 'll dig for 't Dor. to Rhod. Then I have found my account in raising your jealousie O! 't is the most delicate sharp sawce to a cloy'd stomach it will give you a new edge Rhodophil Rho. And a new point too Doralice if I could be sure thou art honest Dor. If you are wise believe me for your own sake Love and Religion have but one thing to trust to that 's a good sound faith Consider if I have play'd false you can never find it out by any experiment you can make upon me Rho. No Why suppose I had a delicate screw'd Gun if I left her clean and found her foul I should discover to my cost she had been shot in Dor. But if you left her clean and found her onely rusty you would discover to your shame she was onely so for want of shooting Pal. Rhodophil you know me too well to imagine I speak for fear and therefore in consideration of our past friendship I will tell you and bind it by all things holy that Doralice is innocent Rho. Friend I will believe you and vow the same for your Melantha but the devil on 't is how we shall keep 'em so Pal. What dost think of a blessed community betwixt us four for the solace of the women and relief of the men Methinks it would be a pleasant kind of life Wife and Husband for the standing Dish and Mistris and Gallant for the Desert Rhod. But suppose the Wife and the Mistris should both long for the standing Dish how should they be satisfi'd together Pal. In such a case they must draw lots and yet that would not do neither for they would both be wishing for the longest out Rho. Then I think Palamede we had as good make a firm League not to invade each others propriety Pal. Content say I. From henceforth let all acts of hostility cease betwixt us and that in the usual form of Treaties as well by Sea as by Land and in all Fresh waters Dor. I will adde but one Proviso That who ever breaks the League either by war abroad or by neglect at home both the Women shall revenge themselves by the help of the other party Rho. That 's but reasonable Come away Doralice I have a great temptation to be sealing Articles in private Palam Hast thou so Claps him on the shoulder Fall on Machduss And curst be he that first cries Hold enough Enter Polydamas Palmyra Artemis Argaleon after them Eubulus and Hermogenes guarded Palm Sir on my knees I beg you Pol. Away I 'll hear no more Palm For my dead Mother's sake you say you lov'd her And tell me I resemble her Thus she Had begg'd Pol. And thus had I deny'd her Palm You must be merciful Arga. You must be constant Pol. Go bear 'em to the torture you have boasted You have a King to head you I would know To whom I must resign Eub. This is our recompence For serving thy dead Queen Her And education Of thy daughter Arga. You are too modest in not naming all His obligations to you why did you Omit his Son the Prince Leonidas Pol. That Imposture I had forgot their tortures shall be doubled Her You please me I shall die the sooner Eub. No could I live an age and still be rack'd I still would keep the secret As they are going off Enter Leonidas guarded Leon. Oh whither do you hurry innocence If you have any justice spare their lives Or if I cannot make you just at least I 'll teach you to more purpose to be cruel Palm Alas what does he seek Leon. Make me the object of your hate and vengeance Are these decrepid bodies worn to ruine Just ready of themselves to fall asunder And to let drop the soul Are these fit subjects for a Rack and Tortures Where would you fasten any hold upon ' em Place pains on me united fix 'em here I have both youth and strength and soul to bear 'em And if they merit death then I much more Since 't is for me they suffer Her Heav'n forbid We should redeem our pains or worthless lives By our exposing yours Eub. Away with us Farewell Sir I onely suffer in my fears for you Arga. So much concern'd for him then my Aside Suspicion's true Whispers the King Palm Hear yet my last request for poor Leonidas Or take my life with his Arga. Rest satisfi'd Leonidas is he To the King Pol. I am amaz'd what must be done Arga. Command his execution instantly Give him not leisure to discover it He may corrupt the Soldiers Pol. Hence with that Traitour bear him to his death Haste there and see my will perform'd Leon. Nay then I 'll die like him the Gods have made me Hold Gentlemen I am Argaleon stops his mouth Arga. Thou art a Traitor 't is not fit to hear thee Leon. I say I am the Getting loose a little Arga. So gag him and lead him off Again stopping his mouth Leonidas Hermogenes Eubulus led off Polydamas and Argaleon follow Palm Duty and Love by turns possess my soul And struggle for a fatal victory I will discover he 's the King Ah no That will perhaps save him But then I am guilty of a father's ruine What shall I do or not do either way I must destroy a Parent or a Lover Break heart for that 's the least of ills to me And Death the onely cure Swoons Arte. Help help the Princess Rho. Bear her gently hence where she may Have more succour She is born off Arte. follows her Shouts within and clashing of swords Pal. What noise is that Enter Amalthea running Amal. Oh Gentlemen if you have loyalty Or courage show it now Leonidas Broke on the sudden from his Guards and snatching A sword from one his back against the Scaffold Bravely defends himself and owns aloud He is our long lost King found for this moment But if your valours help not lost for ever Two of his Guards mov'd by the sense of virtue Are turn'd for him and there they stand at Bay Against an host of foes Rho. Madam no more We lose time my command or my example May move the Soldiers to the better cause You 'll second me To Pal. Pal. Or die with you no Subject e'r can meet A nobler fate then at his Sovereign's feet Exeunt Clashing of swords within and shouts Enter Leonidas Rhodophil Palamede Eubulus Hermogenes and their party victorious Polydamas and Argaleon disarm'd Leon. That I survive the dangers of this day Next to the Gods brave friends be yours the honour And let Heav'n witness for me that my joy Is not more great for this my right restor'd Than 't is that I have power to recompence Your Loyalty and Valour Let mean Princes Of abject souls fear to reward great actions I mean to show That whatsoe'r subjects like you dare merit A King like me dares give Rho. You make