upbraid Phil. False Lovers broach these tenets to remove The fault from them by placing it on Love Cand. Yet grant in Youth you keep alive your Fire Old age will come and then it must expire Youth but a while does at Loves Temple stay As some fair Inn to lodge it on the way Phil. Your doubts are kind but to be satisfy'd I can be tâ—ue I beg I may be try'd Cand. Tryals of love too dear the making cost For if successless the whole venture's lost What you propose brings wants and care along Phil. Love can bear both Cand. but is your love so strong Phil. They do not want who wish not to have more Who ever said an Anchoret was poor Cand. To answer gen'rously as you have done I should not by your arguments be wonn I know I urge your ruine by consent Yet love too well that ruine to prevent Phil. Like water giv'n to those whom Feavers fry You kill but him who must without it die Cand. Secure me I may love without a Crime Then for our flight appoint both place and time Phil. Th' ensuing hour my plighted vows shall be The time 's not long or onely long to me Cand. Then let us go where we shall ne'r be seen By my hard Mother Phil. or my cruel Queen Exeunt Phil. Cand. Queen above O Philocles unkind to call me cruel So false Aeneas did from Dido fly But never branded her with cruelty How I despise my self for loving so Ast. At once you hate your self and love him too Qu. No his ingratitude has cur'd my wound A painful cure indeed Ast. and yet not sound His ignorance of your true thoughts Excuses this you did seem cruel Madam Qu. But much of kindness still was mix'd with it Who could mistake so grosly not to know A Cupid frowning when he draws his Bowe Ast. He 's going now to smart for his offence Qu. Should he without my leave depart from hence Ast. No matter since you hate him let him go Qu. But I my hate by my revenge will show Besides his head 's a forfeit to the State Ast. When you take that I will believe you hate Let him possess and then he 'll soon repenâ— And so his Crime will prove his punishment Qu. He may repent but he will first possess Ast. O Madam now your hatred you confess If his possessing her your rage does move 'T is jealousie the avarice of love Qu. No more Asteria Seek Lysimantes out bid him set Guards through all the Court and City Prevent their marriage first then stop their flight Some fitting punishments I will ordain But speak not you of Philocles again 'T is bold to search and dangerous to find Too much of Heaven's or of a Princes mind Qu. descends and exit As the Queen has done speaking Flavia is going hastily over the Stage Asteria sees her Ast. Flavia Flavia Whither so fast Flav. Did you call Asteria Ast. The Queen has business with Prince Lysimantes Speak to any Gentleman that 's next to fetch him Exit Asteria from above Flav. I suspect somewhat but I 'le watch you close Prince Lysimantes has not chose in me The worst Spy of the Court. Celadon what makes he here Enter Celadon Olinda Sabina they walk over the Stage together he seeming to court them Olind. Nay sweet Celadon Sab. Nay dear Celadon Flav. O-ho I see his business now 't is with Melissa's two Daughters Look look how he peeps about to see if the Coast be clear like an Hawk that will not plume if she be look'd on Exeunt Cel. Ol. Sab. So at last he has truss'ed his quarry Enter Florimell Flor. Did you see Celadon this way Flav. If you had not ask'd the question I should have thought you had come from watching him he 's just gone off with Melissa's Daughters Flor. Melissa's Daughters he did not Court 'em I hope Flav. So busily he lost no time while he was teaching the one a tune he was kissing the others hand Flor. O fine Gentleman Flav. And they so greedy of him Did you never see two Fishes about a Bait tugging it this way and t'other way for my part I look'd at least he should have lost a Leg or Arm i' th service Nay never vex your self but e en resolve to break with him Flor. No no 't is not come to that yet I 'le correct him first and then hope the best from time Flav. From time Believe me there 's little good to be expected from him I never knew the old Gentleman with the Scythe and Hour-glass bring any thing but gray hair thin cheeks and loss of teeth you see Celadon loves others Flor. There 's the more hope he may love me among the rest hang 't I would not marry one of these solemn Fops they are good for nothing but to make Cuckolds Give me a servant that is an high Flier at all games that is bounteous of himself to many women and yet whenever I pleas'd to throw out the lure of Matrimony should come down with a swing and fly the better at his own quarry Flav. But are you sure you can take him down when you think good Flor. Nothing more certain Flav. What wager will you venture upon the Trial Flor. Any thing Flav. My Maydenhead to yours Flor. That 's a good one who shall take the forfeit Flav. I 'le go and write a Letter as from these two Sisters to summon him immediately it shall be deliver'd before you I warrant you see a strange combat betwixt the Flesh and the Spirit if he leaves you to go to them you 'l grant he loves them better Flor. Not a jot the more a Bee may pick of many Flowers and yet like some one better then all the rest Flav But then your Bee must not leave his sting behind him Flor. Well make the experiment however I hear him coming and a whole noise of Fiddles at his heels Hey-day what a mad Husband shall I have Enter Celadon Flav. And what a mad wife will he have Well I must goe a little way but I 'le return immediately and write it You 'l keep him in discourse the while Exit Flav. Cel. Where are you Madam what do you mean to run away thus pray stand to 't that we may dispatch this busineâ—s Flor. I think you mean to watch me as they do Witches to make me confess I love you Lord what a bustle have you kept this Afternoon what with eating singing and dancing I am so wearied that I shall not be in case to hear of any more love this fortnight Cel. Nay if you surfeit on 't before Tryal Lord have mercy upon you when I have married you Flor. But what Kings Revenue do you think will maintain this extravagant expence Cel. I have a damnable Father a rich old Rogue if he would once die Lord how long does he mean to make it ere he dies Flor. As long as ever he can I 'le pass my word for
But now this picture has convinc'd me Qu. Ha! Let me see it Snatches it from her Candiope Prince Lysimantes sister Ast. Your favour Madam may encourage him And yet he loves in a high place for him A Princess of the Blood and what is more Beyond comparison the fairest Lady Our Isle can boast Qu. How she the fairest Beyond comparison 't is false you flatter her She is not fair Ast. I humbly beg forgiveness on my knees If I offended you But next yours Madam Which all must yield to Qu. I pretend to none Ast. She passes for a beauty Qu. I She may pass But why do I speak of her Dear Asteria lead me I am not well o' th sudden She faints Ast. Who 's near there help the Queen The Guards are coming Qu. Bid 'em away 't was but a qualm And 't is already going Ast. Dear Madam what 's the matter y' are You are of late so alter'd I scarce know you You were gay humour'd and you now are pensive Once calm and now unquiet Pardon my boldness that I press thus far Into your secret thoughts I have at least A subjects share in you Qu. Thou hast a greater That of a friend but am I forward saist thou Ast. It ill becomes me Madam to say that Qu. I know I am prithee forgive me for it I cannot help it but thou hast Not long to suffer it Ast. Alas Qu. I feel my strength insensibly consume Like Lillies wasting in a Lymbecks heat Yet a few dayes And thou shalt see me lie all damp and cold Shrowded within some hollow Vault among My silent Ancestors Ast. O dearest Madam Speak not of death or think not if you die That I will stay behind Qu. Thy love has mov'd me I for once will have The pleasure to be pitied I le unfold A thing so strange so horrid of my self Ast. Bless me sweet Heaven So horrid said you Madam Qu. That Sun who with one look surveys the Globe Sees not a wretch like me and could the world Take a right measure of my state within Mankind must either pity me or scorn me Ast. Sure none could do the last Qu. Thou long'st to know it And I to tell thee but shame stops my mouth First promise me thou wilt excuse my folly And next be secret Ast. Can you doubt it Madam Qu. Yet you might spare my labour Can you not guess Ast. Madam please you I 'le try Qu. Hold Asteria I would not have you guess for should you find it I should imagine that some other might And then I were most wretched Therefore though you should know it flatter me And say you could not guess it Ast. Madam I need not flatter you I cannot and yet Might not Ambition trouble your repose Qu. My Sicily I thank the Gods contents me But since I must reveal it know 't is love I who pretended so to glory am Become the slave of love Ast. I thought your Majesty had fram'd designes To subvert all your Laws become a Tyrant Or vex your neighbours with injurious wars Is this all Madam Qu. Is not this enough Then know I love below my self a Subject Love one who loves another and who knows not That I love him Ast. He must be told it Madam Qu. Not for the world Asteria When ere he knows it I shall die for shame Ast. What is it then that would content you Qu. Nothing but that I had not lov'd Ast. May I not ask without offence who ' t is Qu. Ev'n that confirms me I have lov'd amiss Since thou canst know I love and not imagine It must be Philocles Ast. My Cousin is indeed a most deserving person Valiant and wise and handsome and well born Qu. But not of Royal bloud I know his fate unfit to be a King To be his wife I could forsake my Crown but not my glory Yet would he did not love Candiope Would he lov'd me but knew not of my love Or ere durst tell me his Ast. In all this Labyrinth I find one path conducing to your quiet Qu. O tell me quickly then Ast. Candiope as Princess of the Bloud Without your approbation cannot marry First break his match with her by vertue of Your Sovereign Authority Qu. I fear That were to make him hate me Or what 's as bad to let him know I love him Could you not do it of your self Ast. I le not be wanting to my pow'r But if your Majesty appears not in it The love of Philocles will soon surmount All other difficulties Qu. Then as we walk we 'l think what means are best Effect but this and thou shar'st halfe my breast Exeunt ACT II. SCENE I. The Queens appartments Asteria NOthing thrives that I have plotted Sola For I have sounded Philocles and find He is too constant to Candiope Her too I have assaulted but in vain Objecting want of quality in Philocles I 'le to the Queen and plainly tell her She must make use of her Authority To break the match SCENE II. Enter Celadon looking about him Brother what make you here About the Queens appartments Which of the Ladies are you watching for Cel Any of 'em that will do me the good turn to make me soundly in love Ast. Then I 'le bespeak you one you will be desp'rately in love with Florimel so soon as the Queen heard you were return'd she gave you her for Mistriss Cel. Thank her Majesty but to confess the truth my fancy lies partly another way Ast. That 's strange Florimel vows you are already in love with her Cel. She wrongs me horribly if ever I saw or spoke with this Florimel Ast. Well take your fortune I must leave you Exit Asteria SCENE III. Enter Florimel sees him and is running back Cel. Nay 'faith I am got betwixt you and home you are my pris'ner Lady bright till you resolve me one question She signs She is dumb Pox I think she 's dumb what a vengeance dost thou at Court with such a rare face without a tongue to answer to a kind question Art thou dumb indeed then thou canst tell no tales goes to kiss her Flor. Hold hold you are not mad Cel. Oh my miss in a Masque have you found your tongue Flor. 'T was time I think what had become of me if I had not Cel. Methinks your lips had done as well Flor. I if my Masque had been over 'em as it was when you met me in the walks Cel. Well will you believe me another time did not I say you were infinitely handsome they may talk of Florimel if they will but i'faith she must come short of you Flor. Have you seen her then Cel. I look'd a little that way but I had soon enough of her she is not to be seen twice without a surfeit Flor. However you are beholding to her they say she loves you Cel. By fate she shan'not love me I have told her a piece of my mind already pox o 'these
him Cel. I think then we had best consider him as an obstinate old fellow that is deaf to the news of a better world and ne're stay for him Flor. But e'en marry and get him Grandchildren in abundance and great Grandchildren upon them and so inch him and shove him out of the world by the very force of new Generations If that be the way you must excuse me Cel. But dost thou know what it is to be an old Maid Flor. No nor hope I sha'n't these twenty years Cel. But when that time comes in the first place thou wilt be condemned to tell Stories how many men thou mightest have had and none believe thee Then thou growest froward and impudently weariest all thy Friends to sollicite Man for thee Flor. Away with your old Common-place wit I am resolved to grow fat and look young till forty and then slip out of the world with the first wrinckle and the reputation of five and twenty Cel. Well what think you now of a reckoning betwixt us Flor. How do you mean Cel. To discount for so many dayes of my years service as I have paid in since morning Flor. With all my heart Cel. Inprimis For a Treat Item For my Glass Coach Item For sitting bare and wagging your Fann And lastly and principally for my Fidelity to you this long hour and half Flor. For this I'bate you three Weeks of your Service now hear your Bill of Faults for your comfort 't is a short one Cel. I know it Flor. Inprimis Item and Sum totall for keeping company with Melissa's Daughters Cel. How the Pox came you to know of that ' Gad I believe the Devil plays booty against himself and tels you of my fins aside Flor. The offence being so small the punishment shall be but proportionable I will set you back onely half a year Cel. You 're most unconscionable why then do you think we shall come together there 's none but the old Patriarchs could live long enough to marry you at this rate What do you take me for some Cousin of Methusalem's that I must stay an hundred years before I come to beget Sons and Daughters Flor. Here 's an impudent Lover he complains of me without ever off ring to excuse himself Item a fortnight more for that Cel. So ther 's another puff in my voyage has blown me back to the North of Scotland Flo. All this is nothing to your excuse for the two Sisters Cel. 'Faith if ever I did more then kiss 'em and that but once Flor. What could you have done more to me Cel. An hundred times more as thou shalt know dear Rogue at time convenient Flo. You talk you talk Could you kiss 'em though but once and ne're think of me Cel. Nay if I had thought of thee I had kiss'd 'em over a thousand times with the very force of imagination Flor. The Gallants are mightily beholding to you you have found 'em out a new way to kiss their Mistresses upon other womens lips Cel. What would you have You are my Sultana Queen the rest are but in the nature of your Slaves I may make some slight excursion into the Enemies Country for forage or so but I ever return to my head quarters Enter one with a Letter Cel. To me Mess. If your name be Celadon Celad reads softly Flor. He 's swallowing the Pill presently we shall see the operation Cel. to the Page Child come hither Child here 's money for thee So be gone quickly good Child before any body examines thee Thou art in a dangerous place Child Thrusts him out Very good the Sisters send me word they will have the Fiddles this Afternoon and invites me to sup there Now cannot I forbear and I should be damn'd though I have scap'd a scouring so lately for it Yet I love Florimel better then both of 'em together there 's the Riddle o' nt but onely for the sweet sake of variety Aside Well we must all sin and we must all repent and there 's an end on 't Flor. What is it that makes you fidg up and down so Cel. 'Faith I am sent for by a very dear friend and 't is upon a business of life and death Flor. On my life some woman Cel. On my honour some man Do you think I would lye to you Flor. But you engag'd to sup with me Cel. But I consider it may be scandalous to stay late in your Lodgings Adieu dear Miss if ever I am false to thee again Exit Cel. Flor. See what constant metal you men are made of He begins to vex me in good earnest Hang him let him go and take enough of 'em and yet methinks I can't endure he should neither Lord that such a Mad-Cap as I should ever live to be jealous I must after him Some Ladies would discard him now but I A fitter way for my revenge will find I le marry him and serve him in his kind Exit Florimel ACT IV. SCENE The Walks Melissa after her Olinda and Sabina Melissa I Must take this business up in time this wild fellow begins to haunt my house again Well I 'le be bold to say it 't is as easie to bring up a young Lyon without mischief as a Maidenhead of Fifteen to make it tame for an Husbands bed Not but that the young man is handsome rich and young and I could be content he should marry one of 'em but to seduce 'em both in this manner Well I 'le examine 'em apart and if I can find out which he loves ' I le offer him his choice Olinda Come hither Child Olin. Your pleasure Madam Mel. Nothing but for your good Olinda what think you of Celadon Olin. Why I think he 's a very mad fellow but yet I have some obligements to him he teaches me new ayres on the Guitarre and talks wildely to me and I to him Mel. But tell me in earnest do you think he loves you Olin. Can you doubt it There were never two so cut out for one another we both love Singing Dancing Treats and Musick In short we are each others counterpart Mel. But does he love you seriously Olin. Seriously I know not that if he did perhaps I should not love him but we sit and talk and wrangle and are friends when we are together we never hold our tongues then we have always a noise of Fiddles at our heels he hunts me merrily as the Hound does the Hare and either this is Love or I know it not Mel. Well go back and call Sabina to me Olinda goes behind This is a Riddle past my finding out whether he loves her or no is the question but this I am sure of she loves him O my little Favourite I must ask you a question concerning Celadon Is he in love with you Sab. I think indeed he does not hate me at least if a mans word may be taken for it Mel. But what expressions has he made you Sab. Truly the man
has done his part he has spoken civilly to me and I was not so young but I understood him Mel. And you could be content to marry him Sab. I have sworn never to marry besides he 's a wild young man yet to obey you Mother I could be content to be sacrific'd Mel. No no we wou'd but lead you to the Altar Sab. Not to put off the Gentleman neither for if I have him not I am resolv'd to die a Maid that 's once Mother Mel. Both my Daughters are in love with him and I cannot yet find he loves either of ' em Olin. Mother mother yonder 's Celadon in the walks Mel. Peace wanton you had best ring the Bells for joy Well I 'le not meet him because I know not which to offer him yet he seems to like the youngest best I le give him opportunity with her Olinda do you make haste after me Olin. This is something hard though Exit Mel. Enter Celadon Cel. You see Ladies the least breath of yours brings me to you I have been seeking you at your Lodgings and from thence came hither after you Sab. 'T was well you found us Cel. Found you Half this brightness betwixt you two was enough to have lighted me I could never miss my way Here 's fair Olinda has beauty enough for one Family such a voice such a wit so noble a stature so white a skin Olin. I thought he would be particular at last Aside Cel. And young Sabina so sweet an innocence Such a Rose-bud newly blown This is my goodly Pallace of Love and that my little withdrawing Room A word Madam To Sab. Olin. I like not this aside Sir if you are not too busie with my Sister I would speak with you Cel. I come Madam Sab. Time enough Sir pray finish your Discourse and as you were a saying Sir Olin. Sweet Sir Sab. Sister you forget my Mother bid you make haste Olin. Well go you and tell her I am coming Sab. I 〈◊〉 never endure to be the Messenger of ill news but if you pleaâ—◠〈◊〉 send her word you won't come Olin. Minion Minion remember this Exit Olinda Sab. She 's horribly in love with you Cel. Lord who could love that walking Steeple She 's so high that every time She sings to me I am looking up for the Bell that tolls to Church Ha! Give me my little Fifth-rate that lies so snug She hang her a Duch built bottom she 's so tall there 's no boarding her But we lose time Madam let me seal my love upon your mouth kiss Soft and sweet by Heaven sure you wear Rose-leaves between your lips Sab. Lord Lord What 's the matter with me my breath grows so short I can scarce speak to you Cel. No matter give me thy lips again and I 'le speak for thee Sab. You don't love me Cel. I warrant thee set down by me and kiss again She warms faster then Pygmalion's Image aside kiss I marry sir this was the original use of lips talking eating and drinking came in by th ' by Sab. Nay pray be civil will you be at quiet Cel. What would you have me set still and look upon you like a little Puppy dog that 's taught to beg with his fore-leg up Enter Florimell Flor. Celadon the faithful in good time Sir Cel. In very good time Florimell for Heavens sake help me quickly Flor. What 's the matter Cel. Do not you see here 's a poor Gentlewoman in a swoon swoon away I have been rubbing her this half hour and cannot bring her to her senses Flor. Alas how came she so Cel. Oh barbarous do you stay to ask questions run for charity Flor. Help help alas poor Lady Exit Flor. Sab. Is she gone Cel. I thanks to my wit that helpt me at a pinch I thank Heaven I never pumpt for a lye in all my life yet Sab. I am affraid you love her Celadon Cel. Onely as a civil acquaintance or so but however to avoid slander you had best be gone before she comes again Sab. I can find a tongue as well as she Cel. I but the truth is I am a kind of scandalous person and for you to be seen in my company Stay in the walks by this kiss I 'le be with you presently Exit Sab. Enter Florimell running Flor Help help I can find no body Cel. 'T is needless now my dear she 's recover'd and gone off but so wan and weakly Flor. Umh I begin to smell a ratt what was your business here Celadon Cel. Charity Christian charity you saw I was labouring for life with her Flor. But how came you hither not that I care this but onely to be satisfied Sings Cel. You are jealous in my Conscience Flor. Who I jealous Then I wish this sigh may be the last that ever I may draw Sighs Cel. But why do you sigh then Flor. Nothing but a cold I cannot fetch my breath well But what will you say if I write the Letter you had to try your faith Cel. Hey-day This is just the Devil and the Sinner you lay snares for me and then punish me for being taken here 's trying a man's Faith indeed What did you think I had the faith of a Stock or of a Stone Nay and you go to tantalize a man ' gad I love upon the square I can endure no tricks to be used to me Olinda and Sabina at the door Peeping Ol. and Sab. Celadon Celadon Flor. What voices are those Cel. Some Camerades of mine that call me to play Pox on 'em they 'l spoil all A side Flor. Pray let 's see ' em Cel. Hang 'em Tatterdemallions they are not worth your sight 'pray Gentlemen be gone I 'le be with you immediately Sab. No we 'll stay here for you Flor. Do your Gentlemen speak with Treble-voices I am resolv'd to see what company you keep Cel. Nay good my Dear He lays hold of her to pull her back she lays hold of Olinda by whom Sabina holds so that he pulling they all come in Flor. Are these your Comerades Sings 'T is Strephon calls what would my love Why do not you roar out like a great Bass-vyal Come follow to the Myrtle-grove Pray Sir which of these fair Ladies is it for whom you were ' to do the courtesie for it were unconscionable to leave you to 'em both What a man 's but a man you know Olin. The Gentleman may find an owner Sab. Though not of you Flor. Pray agree whose the lost sheep is and take him Cel. ' Slife they 'l cry me anon and tell my marks Flor. Troth I pity your Highness there I perceive he has left you for the little one Me thinks he should have been affraid to break his neck when he fell so high as from you to her Sab. Well my drolling Lady I may be even with you Flor. Not this ten years by thy growth yet Sab. Can flesh and blood endure this Flor. How now my Amazon in
the falshood I intended But I thank Heav'n it has recal'd my vertue aside To her O my dear I love you and you onely Go in I have some business for a while But I think minutes ages till we meet Cand. I knew you had but yet I could not choose But come and look upon you Exit Candiope Phil. What barbarous man could wrong so sweet a vertue Enter the Queen in black with Asteria Madam the States are straight to meet but why In these dark ornaments will you be seen Qu. They fit the fortune of a Captive Queen Phil. Deep shades are thus to heighten colours set So Stars in Night and Diamonds shine in Jet Qu. True friends should so in dark afflictions shine But I have no great cause to boast of mine Phil. You may have too much prejudice for some And think 'em false before their trial 's come But Madam what determine you to do Qu. I come not here to be advis'd by you But charge you by that pow'r which once you own'd And which is still my right ev'n when unthron'd That whatsoe're the States resolve of me You never more think of Candiope Phil. Not think of her ah how should I obey Her tyrant eyes have forc'd my heart away Qu. By force retake it from those tyrant eyes I 'le grant you out my Letters of Reprize Phil. She has too well prevented that design By giving me her heart in change for mine Qu. Thus foolish Indians Gold for Glass forgo 'T was to your loss you priz'd your heart so low I set its value when you were advanc'd And as my favours grew its rate inhanc'd Phil. The rate of Subjects hearts by yours must go And love in yours has set the value low Qu. I stand corrected and my self reprove You teach me to repent my low-plac'd love Help me this passion from my heart to tear Now rail on him and I will sit and hear Phil. Madam like you I have repented too And dare not rail on one I do not know Qu. This Philocles like strange perverseness shows As if what e're I said you would oppose How come you thus concern'd for this unknown Phil. I onely judg his actions by my own Qu. I 've heard too much and you too much have said O Heav'ns the secret of my soul 's betray'd He knows my love I read it in his face And blushes conscious of his Queens disgrace aside To him Hence quickly hence or I shall die with shame Phil. Now I love both and both with equal flame Wretched I came more wretched I retire When two winds blow it who can quench the fire Exit Philocles Qu. O my Asteria I know not whom t' accuse But either my own eyes or you have told My love to Philocles Ast. Is' t possible that he should know it Madam Qu. Me thinks you ask'd that question guiltily Her hand on Ast. shoulder Confess for I will know what was the subject of your long discourse I' th Antichamber with him Ast. It was my business to convince him Madam How ill he did being so much oblig'd To joyn in your imprisonment Qu. Nay now I am confirm'd my thought was true For you could give him no such reason Of his obligements as my love Ast. Because I saw him much a Malecontent I thought to win him to your int'rest Madam By telling him it was no want of kindness Made your refusal of Candiope And he perhaps Qu. What of him now Ast. As men are apt interpreted my words To all th' advantage he could wrest the sence As if I meant you Lov'd him Qu. Have I deposited within thy breast The dearest treasure of my life my glory And hast thou thus betray'd me But why do I accuse thy female weakness And not my own for trusting thee Unhappy Queen Philocles knows thy fondness And needs must think it done by thy Command Ast. Dear Madam think not so Qu. Peace peace thou should'st for ever hold thy tongue For it has spoke too much for all thy life To her Then Philocles has told Candiope And courts her kindness with his scorn of me O whither am I fallen But I must rouze my self and give a stop To all these ills by headlong passion caus'd In hearts resolv'd weak love is put to flight And onely conquers when we dare not fight But we indulge our harms and while he gains An entrance please our selves into our pains Enter Lysimantes Ast. Prince Lysimantes Madam Qu. Come near you poor deluded criminal See how ambition cheats you You thought to find a Prisoner here But you behold a Queen Lys. And may you long be so 't is true this Act May cause some wonder in your Majesty Qu. None Cousin none I ever thought you Ambitious Proud designing Lys. Yet all my Pride Designs and my Ambition Were taught me by a Master With whom you are not unacquainted Madam Qu. Explain your self dark purposes like yours Need an Interpretation Lys. 'T is love I mean Qu. Have my low fortunes giv'n thee This insolence to name it to thy Queen Lys. Yet you have heard love nam'd without offence As much below you as you think my passion I can look down on yours Qu. Does he know it too This is th' extreamest malice of my Stars aside Lys. You see that Princes faults How e're they think 'em safe from publick view Fly out through the dark crannies of their Closets We know what the Sun does Ev'n when we see him not in t'other world Qu. My actions Cousin never fear'd the light Lys. Produce him then your darling of the dark For such an one you have Qu. I know no such Lys. You know but will not own him Qu. Rebels ne're want pretence to blacken Kings And this it seems is yours do you produce him Or ne're hereafter sully my Renown With this aspersion Sure he dares not name him aside Lys. I am too tender of your fame or else Nor are things brought to that extremity Provided you accept my passion I 'le gladly yield to think I was deceiv'd Qu. Keep in your error still I will not buy Your good opinion at so dear a rate As my own misery by being yours Lys. Do not provoke my patience by such scornes For fear I break through all and name him to you Qu. Hope not to fright me with your mighty looks Know I dare stem that tempest in your brow And dash it back upon you Lys. Spight of prudence it will out 'T is Philocles Now judge when I was made a property To cheat my self by making him your Prisoner Whether I had not right to take up armes Qu. Poor envious wretch was this the venome that swell'd up thy brest My grace to Philocles mis-deem'd my love Lys. 'T is true the Gentleman is innocent He ne're sinn'd up so high not in his wishes You know he loves elsewhere Qu. You mean your Sister Lys. I wish some Sybil now would tell me Why you refus'd her to him
founded on a story in the Cyrus which he calls the Queen of Corinth in whose Character as it has been affirm'd to me he represents that of the famous Christina Queen of Sweden This is what I thought convenient to write by way of Preface to the Maiden-Queen in the reading of which I fear you will not meet with that satisfaction which you have had in seeing it on the Stage the chief parts of it both serious and comick being performed to that height of excellence that nothing but a command which I could not handsomely disobey could have given me the courage to have made it publick Prologue I. HE who writ this not without pains and thought From French and English Theaters has brought Th' exactest Rules by which a Play is wrought II. The Unities of Action Place and Time The Scenes unbroken and a mingled chime Of Johnsons humour with Corneilles rhyme III. But while dead colours he with care did lay He fears his Wit or Plot he did not weigh Which are the living Beauties of a Play IV. Plays are like Towns which howe're fortifi'd By Engineers have still some weaker side By the o'reseen Defendant unespy'd V. And with that Art you make approaches now Such skilful fury in Assaults you show That every Poet without shame may bow VI. Ours therefore humbly would attend your doom If Souldier-like he may have termes to come With flying colours and with beat of Drum The Prologue goes out and stayes while a Tune is play'd after which he returnes again Second PROLOGUE I Had forgot one half I do protest And now am sent again to speak the rest He bowes to every great and noble Wit But to the little Hectors of the Pit Our Poet 's sturdy and will not submit He 'll be before-hand with 'em and not stay To see each peevish Critick stab his Play Each Puny Censor who his skill to boast Is cheaply witty on the Poets cost No Criticks verdict should of right stand good They are excepted all as men of blood And the same Law should shield him from their fury Which has exclud d Butchers from a Jury You 'd all be Wits But writing's tedious and that way may fail The most compendious method is to rail Which you so like you think your selves ill us'd When in smart Prologues you are not abus'd A civil Prologue is approv'd by no man You hate it as you do a Civil woman Your Fancy's pall'd and liberally you pay To have it quicken'd e're you see a Play Just as old Sinners worn from their delight Give money to be whip'd to appetite But what a Pox keep I so much ado To save our Poet he is one of you A Brother Judgment and as I hear say A cursed Critick as e're damn'd a Play Good salvage Gentlemen your own kind spare He is like you a very Wolf or Bear Yet think not he 'll your ancient rights invade Or stop the course of your free damning trade For he he vows at no friends Play can sit But he must needs find fault to shew his Wit Then for his sake ne're stint your own delight Throw boldly for he sets to all that write With such he ventures on an even lay For they bring ready money into Play Those who write not and yet all Writers nick Are Bankrupt Gamesters for they damn on Tick. The Persons QUeen of Sicily Mrs Marshall Candiope Princess of the Blood Mrs Quin. Asteria the Queens Confident Mrs Knep Florimell A Maid of Honour Mrs Ellen Guyn Flavia another Maid of Honour Mrs Frances Davenport Olinda Sisters Mrs Rutter Sabina Mrs Eliz. Davenport Melissa Mother to Olinda and Sabina Mrs Cory Lysimantes first Prince of the Blood Mr. Burt. Philocles the Queens favourite Major Mohun Celadon a Courtier Mr. Hart. Guards   Pages of Honour   Souldiers   The Scene SICILY ERRATA PAge 11. lin 21. dele you are Pag. 17. lin 3. dele more Pag. 18. lin 8. for from read on Ibid. lin 27. for to read so Pag. 22. lin 26. read from me Pag. 28. for sweats read sweets Pag. 33. lin penult for invites read invite Pag. 42 lin 11. for secur'd read secure Pag. 44. from Annalls read from the Annals Pag. 49. lin 5. for or read on SECRET LOVE OR THE Maiden-Queen ACT I. SCENE I. The Scene is Walks near the Court. Enter Celadon Asteria meeting each other he in riding habit they embrace Celedon DEar Asteria Asteria My dear Brother welcome a thousand welcomes Me thinks this year you have been absent has been so tedious I hope as you have made a pleasant Voyage so you have brought your good humour back again to Court Cel. I never yet knew any Company I could not be merry in except it were an old Womans Ast. Or at a Funeral Cel. Nay for that you shall excuse me for I was never merrier then I was at a Creditors of mine whose Book perished with him But what new Beauties have you at Court How do Melissa's two fair Daughters Ast. When you tell me which of 'em you are in love with I 'le answer you Cel. Which of 'em naughty sister what a question 's there With both of 'em with each and singular of ' em Ast. Bless me you are not serious Cel. You look as if it were a wonder to see a man in love are they not handsome Ast. I but both together Cel. I and both asunder why I hope there are but two of 'em the tall Singing and Dancing one and the little Innocent one Ast. But you cannot marry both Cel. No nor either of 'em I trust in Heaven but I can keep them company I can sing and dance with 'em and treat 'em and that I take it is somewhat better then musty marrying them Marriage is poor folks pleasure that cannot go to the cost of variety but I am out of danger of that with these two for I love 'em so equally I can never make choice between 'em Had I but one mistress I might go to her to be merry and she perhaps be out of humour there were a visit lost But here if one of 'em frown upon me the other will be the more obliging on purpose to recommend her own gayety besides a thousand things that I could name Ast. And none of 'em to any purpose Cel. Well if you will not be cruel to a poor Lover you might oblige me by carrying me to their lodgings Ast. You know I am always busie about the Queen Cel. But once or twice onely till I am a little flush'd in my acquaintance with other Ladies and have learn'd to prey for my self I promise you I 'le make all the haste I can to end your trouble by being in love somewhere else Ast. You would think it hard to be deny'd now Cel. And reason good many a man hangs himself for the loss of one Mistris How do you think then I should bear the loss of two especially in a Court where
coming women they set a man to dinner before he has an appetite Flavia at the door Florimel you are call'd within Exit Cel. I hope in the Lord you are not Florimel Flor. Ev'n she at your service the same kind and coming Florimel you have describ'd Cel. Why then we are agreed already I am as kind and coming as you for the heart of you I knew at first we two were good for nothing but one another Flor. But without raillery are you in Love Cel. So horribly much that contrary to my own Maxims I think in my conscience I could marry you Flor. No no 't is not come to that yet but if you are really in love you have done me the greatest pleasure in the world Cel. That pleasure and a better too I have in store for you Flor. This Animal call'd a Lover I have long'd to see these two years Cel. Sure you walk'd with your mask on all the while for if you had been seen you could not have been without your wish Flor I warrant you mean an ordinary whining Lover but I must have other proofs of love ere I believe it Cel. You shall have the best that I can give you Flor. I would have a Lover that if need be should hang himself drown himself break his neck or poyson himself for very despair he that will scruple this is an impudent fellow if he sayes he is in love Cel. Pray Madam which of these four things would you have your Lover do for a man 's but a man he cannot hang and drown and break his neck and poyson himself altogether Flor Well then because you are but a beginner and I would not discourage you any one of these shall serve your turn in a fair way Cel. I am much deceiv'd in those eyes of yours if a Treat a Song and the Fiddles be not a more acceptable proof of love to you then any of those Tragical ones you have mentioned Flor. However you will grant it is but decent you should be pale and lean and melancholick to shew you are in love and that I shall require of you when I see you next Cel. When you see me next why you do not make a Rabbet of me to be lean at 24 hours warning in the mean while we burn day-light loose time and love Flor. Would you marry me without consideration Cel. To choose by heaven for they that think on 't twenty to one would never do it hang forecast to make sure of one good night is as much in reason as a man should expect from this ill world Flor. Methinks a few more years and discretion would do well I do not like this going to bed so early it makes one so weary before morning Cel. That 's much as your pillow is laid before you go to sleep Flor. Shall I make a proposition to you I will give you a whole year of probation to love me in to grow reserv'd discreet sober and faithful and to pay me all the services of a Lover Cel. And at the end of it you 'll marry me Flor. If neither of us alter our minds before Cel. By this light a necessary clause but if I pay in all the foresaid services before the day you shall be obliged to take me sooner into mercy Flor. Provided if you prove unfaithful then your time of a Twelve-month to be prolong'd so many services I will bate you so many dayes or weeks so many faults I will add more to your ' Prentiship so much more And of all this I onely to be Judg. SCENE IV. Enter Philocles and Lysimantes Lys. Is the Queen this way Madam Flor. I 'le see so please your Highness Follow me Captive Cel. March on Conquerour She pulls him Lys. You 're sure her Majesty will not oppose it Exeunt Cel. Flor. Phil. Leave that to me my Lord. Lys. Then though perhaps my Sisters birth might challenge An higher match I 'le weigh your merits on the other side To make the ballance even Phil. I go my Lord this minute Lys. My best wishes wait on you Exit Lysimantes SCENE V. Enter the Queen and Asteria Qu. Yonder he is have I no other way Ast. O Madam you must stand this brunt Deny him now and leave the rest to me I 'le to Candiope's Mother And under the pretence of friendship work On her Ambition to put off a match So mean as Philocles Qu. to Phil. You may approach Sir We two discourse no secrets Phil. I come Madam to weary out your royal bounty Qu. Some suit I warrant for your Cousin Celadon Leave his advancement to my care Phil. Your goodness still prevents my wishes yet I have one request Might it not pass almost for madness and Extream Ambition in me Qu. You know you have a favourable Judg It lies in you not to ask any thing I cannot grant Phil. Madam perhaps you think me now too faulty But Love alone inspires me with ambition Though but to look from fair Candiope were an excuse for both Qu. Keep your Ambition and let Love alone That I can cloy but this I cannot cure I have some reasons invincible to me which must forbid Your marriage with Candiope Phil. I knew I was not worthy Qu. Not for that Philocles you deserve all things And to show I think it my Admiral I hear is dead His vacant place the best in all my Kingdom I here confer on you Phil. Rather take back all you have giv'n before Then not give this For believe Madam nothing is so near My soul as the possession of Candiope Qu. Since that belief would be your disadvantage I will not entertain it Phil. Why Madam can you be thus cruel to me To give me all things which I did not ask And yet deny that onely thing I beg And to beg that I find I cannot live Without the hope of it Qu. Hope greater things But hope not this Haste to o'recome your love It is but putting a short liv'd passion to a violent death Phil. I cannot live without Candiope But I can die without a murmure Having my doom pronounced from your fair mouth Qu. If I am to pronounce it live my Philocles But live without I was about to say Without his love but that I cannot do Live Philocles without Candiope aside Phil. Ah Madam could you give my doom so quickly And knew it was irrevocable 'T is too apparent You who alone love glory and whose soul Is loosned from your senses cannot judg What torments mine of grosser mould endures Qu. I cannot suffer you To give me praises which are not my own I love like you and am yet much more wretched Then you can think your self Phil. Weak barrs they needs must be that fortune puts 'Twixt Soveraign Power and all it can desire When Princes love they call themselves unhappy Onely because the word sounds handsome in a Lovers mouth But you can cease to be so when you please By making Lysimantes
the first Paradise With levell'd eyes gaz'd each upon their kind There fix'd their love and ne're look'd up to view That glorious Creature man their soveraign Lord. Qu. Y' are too severe on little faults but he has crimes untold Which will I fear move you much more against him He fell this day into a passion with me And boldly contradicted all I sed Phil. And stands his head upon his Shoulders yet How long shall this most insolent Qu. Take heed you rail not You know you are but on your good behaviour Phil. Why then I will not call him Traytor But onely rude audacious and impertinent To use his Soveraign so I beg your leave To wish you have at least imprison'd him Qu. Some people may speak ill and yet mean well Remember you were not confin'd and yet Your fault was great In short I love him And that excuses all but be not jealous His rising shall not be your overthrow Nor wil I ever marry him Phil. That 's some comfort yet He shall not be a King Qu. He never shall But you are discompos'd Stay here a little I have somewhat for you Shall shew you still are in my favour Exeunt Queen and Asteria Enter to him Candiope weeping Phil. How now in tears my fair Candiope So through a watry Clowd The Sun at once seems both to weep and shine For what Forefathers sin do you afflict Those precious eyes for sure you have None of your own to weep Cand. My Crimes both great and many needs must show Since Heav'n will punish them with loosing you Phil. Afflictions sent from Heav'n without a cause Make bold Mankind enquire into its Laws But Heav'n which moulding beauty takes such care Makes gentle fates on purpose for the fair And destiny that sees them so divine Spinn's all their fortunes in a silken twine No mortal hand so ignorant is found To weave course work upon a precious ground Cand. Go preach this doctrine in my Mother's ears Phil. Has her severity produc'd these tears Cand. She has recall'd those hopes she gave before And strictly bids me ne're to see you more Phil. Changes in froward age are Natural Who hopes for constant weather in the fall 'T is in your pow'r your duty to transfer And place that right in me which was in her Cand. Reason like foreign foes would ne're o'recome But that I find I am betray'd at home You have a friend that fights for you within Phil. Let Reason ever lose so love may win Enter Queen and Asteria Queen with a Picture in her hand Qu. See there Asteria All we have done succeeds still to the worse We hindred him from seeing her at home Where I but onely heard they lov'd and now She comes to Court and mads me with the sight on 't Ast. Dear Madam overcome your self a little Or they 'l perceive how much you are concern'd Qu. I struggle with my heart but it will have some vent To Cand. Cousin you are a stranger at the Court. Cand. It was my duty I confess To attend oftner on your Majesty Qu. Asteria Mend my Cousins Handkerchief It sits too narrow there and shows too much The broadness of her Shoulders Nay fie Asteria Now you put it too much backward and discover The bigness of her breasts Cand. I beseech your Majesty Give not your self this trouble Qu. Sweet Cousin you shall pardon me A beauty such as yours Deserves a more then ordinary care To set it out Come hither Philocles do but observe She has but one gross fault in all her shape That is she bears up here too much And the malicious Workman has left it open to your eye Phil. Where and ' please your Majesty methinks 't is very well Qu. Do not you see it Oh how blind is love Cand. And how quick-sighted malice Aside Qu. But yet methinks those knots of sky do not So well with the dead colour of her face Ast. Your Majesty mistakes she wants no red The Queen here plucks out her Glass and looks sometimes on her self sometimes on her Rival Qu. How do I look to day Asteria Methinks not well Ast. Pardon me Madam most victoriously Qu. What think you Philocles come do not flatter Phil. Paris was a bold man who presum'd To judg the beauty of a Goddess Cand. Your Majesty has given the reason why He cannot judge his Love has blinded him Qu. Methinks a long patch here beneath her eye Might hide that dismal hallowness what think you Philocles Cand. Beseech you Madam aske not his opinion What my faults are it is no matter He loves me with them all Qu. I he may love but when he marries you Your Bridal shall be kept in some dark Dungeon Farwel and think of that too easie Maid I blush thou shar'st my bloud Exeunt Queen Asteria Cand. In humane Queen Thou canst not be more willing to resign Thy part in me then I to give up mine Phil. Love how few Subjects do thy Laws fulfil And yet those few like us thou usest ill Cand. The greatest slaves in Monarchies are they Whom Birth sets nearest to Imperial sway While jealous pow'r does sullenly o're spy We play like Deer within the Lions eye Would I for you some Shepherdess had been And but each May ne're heard the name of Queen Phil. If you were so might I some Monarch be Then you should gain what now you loose by me Then you in all my glories should have part And rule my Empire as you rule my heart Cand. How much our golden wishes are in vain When they are past we are our selves again Enter Queen and Asteria above Qu. Look look Asteria yet they are not gone Hence we may hear what they discourse alone Phil. My Love inspires me with a gen'rous thought Which you unknowing in those wishes taught Since happiness may out of Courts be found Why stay we here on this enchanted ground And choose not rather with content to dwell If Love and we can find it in a Cell Cand. Those who like you have once in Courts been great May think they wish but wish not to retreat They seldom go but when they cannot stay As loosing Gamesters throw the Dice away Ev'n in that Cell where you repose would find Visions of Court will haunt your restless mind And glorious dreams stand ready to restore The pleasing shapes of all you had before Phil. He who with your possession once is blest On easie terms may part with all the rest All my Ambition will in you be crown'd And those white Arms shall all my wishes bound Our life shall be but one long Nuptial day And like chaf't Odours melt in Sweats away Soft as the Night our Minutes shall be worn And chearful as the Birds that wake the Morn Cand. Thus hope misleads it self in pleasant way And takes mores joyes on trust then Love can pay But Love with long possession once decayd That face which now you Court you will
I would think of him As of some God or Angel Lys. That God or Angel you and I may be to one another We have betwixt us An hundred men The Cittadel you govern What were it now to seize the Queen Phil. O impiety to seize the Queen To seize her said you Lys. The word might be too rough I meant secure her Phil. Was this your proposition And had you none to make it to but to me Lys. Pray hear me out e're you condemn me I would not the least violence were offer'd Her person two small grants is all I ask To make me happy in her self and you In your Candiope Cand. And will not you do this my Philocles Nay now my Brother speaks but reason Phil. Int'rest makes all seem reason that leads to it Int'rest that does the zeal of Sects create To purge a Church and to reform a State Lys. In short the Queen hath sent to part you two What more she means to her I know not Phil. To her alas why will not you protect her Lys. With you I can but where 's my power alone Cand. You know she loves me not you lately heard her How she insulted over me how she Despis'd that beauty which you say I have I see she purposes my death Phil. Why do you fright me with it 'T is in your Brothers pow'r to let us 'scape And then you run no danger Lys. True I may But then my head must pay the forfeit of it Phil. O wretched Philocles whither would love Hurry thee headlong Lys. Cease these exclamations Ther 's no danger on your side 't is but To live without my Sister resolve that And you have shot the gulf Phil. To live without her is that nothing think you The damn'd in Hell endure no greater pain Then seeing Heaven from far with hopeless eyes Cand. Candiope must die and die for you See it not unreveng'd at least Phil. Ha unreveng'd on whom should I revenge it But yet she dies and I may hinder it 'T is I then murder my Candiope And yet should I take armes against my Queen That favour'd me rais'd me to what I am Alas it must not be Lys. He cools again aside True she once favour'd you But now I am inform'd She is besotted on an upstart wretch So far that she intends to make him Master Both of her Crown and person Phil. Knows he that Then what I dreaded most is come to pass aside I am convinc'd of the necessity Let us make haste to raze That action from Annals of her Reign No motive but her glory could have wrought me I am a Traytor to her to preserve her From Treason to her self and yet Heav'n knows With what a heavy heart Philocles turns reformer but have care This fault of her strange passion take no air Let not the vulgar blow upon her fame Lys. I will be careful shall we go my Lord Phil. Time wasts apace Each first prepare his men Come my Candiope Exeunt Phil. Cand. Lys. This ruines him forever with the Queen The odium's half his the profit all my own Those who like me by others help would climb To make 'em sure must dip 'em in their crime Exit Lys. SCENE II. The Queens appartments Enter Queen and Asteria Qu. No more news yet from Philocles Ast. None Madam since Flavia's return Qu. O my Asteria if you lov'd me sure You would say something to me of my Philocles I could speak ever of him Ast. Madam you commanded me no more to name him to you Qu. Then I command you now to speak of nothing else I charge you here on your allegiance tell me What I should do with him Ast. When you gave orders that he should be taken You seem'd resolv'd how to dispose of him Qu. Dull Asteria not to know Mad people never think the same thing twice Alas I 'm hurried restless up and down I was in anger once and then I thought I had put into shore But now a gust of love blows hard against me And bears me off again Ast. Shall I sing the Song you made of Philocles And call'd it secret-Secret-love Qu. Do for that 's all kindness and while thou sing'st it I can think nothing but what pleases me Song I Feed a flame within which so torments me That it both pains my heart and yet contents me 'T is such a pleasing smart and I so love it That I had rather die then once remove it Yet he for whom I grieve shall never know it My tongue does not betray nor my eyes show it Not a sigh nor a tear my pain discloses But they fall silently like dew on Roses Thus to prevent my love from being cruel My heart 's the sacrifice as 't is the fuel And while I suffer this to give him quiet My faith rewards my love though he deny it On his eyes will I gaze and there delight me While I conceal my love no frown can fright me To be more happy I dare not aspire Nor can I fall more low mounting no higher Qu. Peace Me thinks I hear the noise Of clashing Swords and clatt'ring Armes below Enter Flavia. Now what news that you press in so rudely Flav. Madam the worst that can be Your Guards upon the sudden are surpris'd Disarm'd some slain all scatter'd Qu. By whom Flav. Prince Lysimantes and Lord Philocles Qu. It cannot be Philocles is a Prisoner Flav. What my eyes saw Qu. Pull 'em out they are false Spectacles Ast. O vertue impotent and blind as Fortune Who would be good or pious if this Queen Thy great Example suffers Qu. Peace Asteria accuse not vertue She has but given me a great occasion Of showing what I am when Fortune leaves me Ast. Philocles to do this Qu. I Philocles I must confess 't was hard But there 's a fate in kindness Still to be least return'd where most 't is given Where 's Candiope Flav. Philocles was whispering to her Qu. Hence Screech-owl call my Guards quickly there Put 'em apart in several Prisons Alas I had forgot I have no Guards But those which are my Jaylors Never till now unhappy Queen The use of pow'r till lost is seldom known Now I would strike I find my Thunder gone Exit Queen and Flavia. Philocles enters and meets Asteria going out Phil. Asteria Where 's the Queen Ast. Ah my Lord what have you done I came to seek you Phil. Is it from her you come Ast. No but on her behalf her heart 's too great In this low ebb of Fortune to intreat Phil. 'T is but a short Ecclipse Which past a glorious day will soon ensue But I would ask a favour too from you Ast. When Conquerors petition they command Those that can Captive Queens who can withstand Phil. She with her happiness might mine create ' Yet seems indulgent to her own ill fate But she in secret hates me fure for why If not should she Candiope deny Ast. If you dare trust my knowledg
of her mind She has no thoughts of you that are unkind Phil. I could my sorrows with some patience bear Did they proceed from any one but her But from the Queen whose person I adore By Duty much by inclination more Ast. He is inclin'd already did he know That she lov'd him how would his passion grow aside Phil. That her fair hand with Destiny combines Fate ne're strikes deep but when unkindness joynes For to confess the secret of my mind Something so tender for the Queen I find That ev'n Candiope can scarce remove And were she lower I should call it love Ast. She charg'd me not this secret to betray But I best serve her if I disobey For if he loves 't was for her int'rest done If not he 'll keep it secret for his own aside Phil. Why are you in obliging me so slow Ast. The thing 's of great importance you would know And you must first swear secresie to all Phil. I swear Ast. Yet hold your oath 's too general Swear that Candiope shall never know Phil. I swear Ast. No not the Queen her self Phil. I vow Ast. You wonder why I am so cautious grown In telling what concerns your self alone But spare my Vow and guess what it may be That makes the Queen deny Candiope 'T is neither hate nor pride that moves her mind Methinks the Riddle is not hard to find Phil. You seem so great a wonder to intend As were in me a crime to apprehend Ast. 'T is not a crime to know but would be one To prove ungrateful when your Duty 's known Phil. Why would you thus my easie faith abuse I cannot think the Queen so ill would chuse But stav now your imposture will appear She has her self confess'd she lov'd elsewhere Or some ignoble choice has plac'd her heart One who wants quality and more desert Ast. This though unjust you have most right to say For if you 'l rail against your self you may Phil. Dull that I was A thousand things now crowd my memory That make me know it could be none but I. Her Rage was Love and its tempestuous flame Like Lightning show'd the Heaven from whence it came But in her kindness my own shame I see Have I dethron'd her then for loving me I hate my self for that which I have done Much more discover'd then I did unknown How does she brook her strange imprisonment Ast As great souls should that make their own content The hardest term she for your act could find Was onely this O Philocles unkind Then setting free a sigh from her fair eyes She wip'd two pearls the remnants of mild show'rs Which hung like drops upon the bells of flowers And thank'd the Heav'ns Which better did what she design'd pursue Without her crime to give her pow'r to you Phil. Hold hold you set my thoughts so near a Crown They mount above my reach to pull them down Here Constancy Ambition there does move On each side Beauty and on both sides Love Ast. Me thinks the least you can is to receive This love with reverence and your former leave Phil. Think but what difficulties come between Ast. 'T is wond'rous difficult to love a Queen Phil. For pity cease more reasons to provide I am but too much yielding to your side And were my heart but at my own dispose I should not make a scruple where to choose Ast. Then if the Queen will my advice approve Her hatred to you shall expel her love Phil. Not to be lov'd by her as hard would be As to be hated by Candiope Ast. I leave you to resolve while you have time You must be guilty but may choose your crime Exit Asteria Phil. One thing I have resolv'd and that I 'le do Both for my love and for my honour too But then Ingratitude and falshood weigh'd I know not which would most my soul upbraid Fate shoves me headlong down a rugged way Unsafe to run and yet too steep to stay Exit Phil. ACT V. SCENE The Court. Florimel in Mans Habit. 'T Will be rare now if I can go through with it to out-do this mad Celadon in all his tricks and get both his Mistresses from him then I shall revenge my self upon all three and save my own stake into the bargain for I find I do love the Rogue in spight of all his infidelities Yonder they are and this way they must come if cloathes and a bon meen will take 'em I shall do 't Save you Monsieur Florimell Faith me thinks you are a very janty fellow poudré ajusté as well as the best of ' em I can manage the little Comb set my Hat shake my Garniture toss about my empty Noddle walk with a courant slurr and at every step peck down my Head if I should be mistaken for some Courtier now pray where 's the difference Enter to her Celadon Olinda Sabina Olin. Never mince the matter Sab. You have left your heart behind with Florimell we know it Cel. You know you wrong me when I am with Florimell 't is still your Prisoner it onely draws a longer chain after it Flor. Is it e'en so then farwell poor Florimell thy Maidenhead is condemned to die with thee aside Cel. But let 's leave the discourse 't is all digression that does not speak of your beauties Flor. Now for me in the name of impudence walks with them They are the greatest beauties I confess that ever I beheld Cel. How now what 's the meaning of this young fellow Flor. And therefore I cannot wonder that this Gentleman who has the honour to be known to you should admire you since I that am a stranger Cel. And a very impudent one as I take it Sir Flor. Am so extreamly surpriz'd that I admire love am wounded and am dying all in a moment Cel. I have seen him somewhere but where I know not prithee my friend leave us dost thou think we do not know our way in Court Flor. I pretend not to instruct you in your way you see I do not go before you but you cannot possibly deny me the happiness to wait upon these Ladies me who Cel. Thee who shalt be beaten most unmercifully if thou dost follow them Flor. You will not draw in Court I hope Cel. Pox on him let 's walk away faster and be rid of him Flor. O take no care for me Sir you shall not lose me I 'le rather mend my pace then not wait on you Olin. I begin to like this fellow Cel. You make very bold here in my Seraglio and I shall find a time to tell you so Sir Flor. When you find a time to tell me on 't I shall find a time to answer you But pray what do you find in your self so extraordinary that you should serve these Ladies better then I let me know what 't is you value your self upon and let them Judg betwixt us Cel. I am somewhat more a man then you Flor. That
Qu. Perhaps I did not think him worthy of her Lys. Did you not think him too worthy Madam This is too thin a vail to hinder your passion To prove you love him not yet give her him And I 'le engage my honour to lay down my Armes Qu. He is arriv'd where I would wish aside Call in the company and you shall see what I will do Lys. Who waits without there Exit Lys. Qu. Now hold my heart for this one act of honour And I will never ask more courage of thee Once more I have the means to reinstate my self into my glory I feel my love to Philocles within me Shrink and pull back my heart from this hard tryal But it must be when glory says it must As children wading from some Rivers bank First try the water with their tender feet Then shuddring up with cold step back again And streight a little further venture on Till at the last they plunge into the deep And pass at once what they were doubting long I 'le make the same experiment it shall be done in haste Because I 'le put it past my pow'r t' undo Enter at one door Lysimantes at the other Philocles Celadon Candiope Florimell Flavia Olinda Sabina the three Deputies and Soldiers Lys. In Armes is all well Philocles Phil. No but it shall be Qu. He comes and with him The fevour of my love returns to shake me I see love is not banish'd from my soul He is still there but is chain'd up by glory Ast. You 've made a noble conquest Madam Qu. Come hither Philocles I am first to tell you I and my Cousin are agreed he has Engag'd to lay down Armes Phil. 'T is well for him he has for all his party By my command already are surpriz'd While I was talking with your Majesty Cel. Yes 'faith I have done him that courtesie I brought his followers under pretence of guarding it to a straight place where they are all coupt up without use of their Armes and may be pelted to death by the small infantry o' the town Qu. 'T was more then I expected or could hope Yet still I thought your meaning honest Phil. My fault was rashness but 't was full of zeal Nor had I e're been led to that attempt Had I not seen it would be done without me But by compliance I preserv'd the pow'r Which I have since made use of for your service Qu. And which I purpose so to recompence Lys. With her Crown she means I knew 't would come to 't aside Phil. O Heav'ns she 'll own her love Then I must lose Candiope for ever And floating in a vast abyss of glory Seek and not find my self aside Qu. Take your Candiope and be as happy As love can make you both how pleas'd I am That I can force my tongue To speak words so far distant from my heart aside Cand. My happiness is more then I can utter Lys. Methinks I could do violence on my self for taking Armes Against a Queen so good so bountiful Give me leave Madam in my extasie Of joy to give you thanks for Philocles You have preserv'd my friend and now he owes not His fortunes onely to your favour but What 's more his life and more then that his love I am convinc'd she never lov'd him now Since by her free consent all force remov'd She gives him to my Sister Flavia was an Impostor and deceiv'd me aside Phil. As for me Madam I can onely say That I beg respit for my thanks for on the sudden The benefit's so great it overwhelmes me Ast. Mark but th' faintness of th' acknowledgment to the Qu. aside Qu. to Ast. I have observ'd it with you and am pleas'd He seems not satisfi'd for I still wish That he may love me Phil. I see Asteria deluded me With flattering hopes of the Queens love Onely to draw me off from Lysimantes But I will think no more on 't I 'm going to possess Candiope And I am ravish'd with the joy on 't ha Not ravish'd neither For what can be more charming then that Queen Behold how night sits lovely on her eye-brows While day breaks from her eyes then a Crown too Lost lost for ever lost and now 't is gone 'T is beautifull aside Ast. How he eyes you still to the Queen Phil. Sure I had one of the fallen Angels Dreams All Heav'n within this hour was mine aside Cand. What is it that disturbs you Dear Phil. Onely the greatness of my joy I 've ta'ne too strong a Cordial love And cannot yet digest it Qu. Clapping her hand on Asteria 'T is done but this pang more and then a glorious birth The Tumults of this day my loyal Subjects Have setled in my heart a resolution Happy for you and glorious too for me First for my Cousin though attempting on my person He has incurr'd the danger of the Laws I will not punish him Lys. You bind me ever to my loyalty Qu. Then that I may oblige you more to it I here declare you rightful successor And heir immediate to my Crown This Gentlemen to the Deputies I hope will still my subjects discontents When they behold succession firmly setled Deputies Heav'n preserve your Majesty Qu. As for my self I have resolv'd Still to continue as I am unmarried The cares observances and all the duties Which I should pay an Husband I will place Upon my people and our mutual love Shall make a blessing more then Conjugal And this the States shall ratifie Lys. Heav'n bear me witness that I take no joy In the succession of a Crown Which must descend to me so sad away Qu. Cousin no more my resolution 's past Which fate shall never alter Phil. Then I am once more happy For since none can possess her I am pleas'd With my own choice and will desire no more For multiplying wishes is a curse That keep the mind still painfully awake Qu. Celadon You care and loyalty have this day oblig'd me But how to be acknowledging I know not Unless you give the means Cel. I was in hope your Majesty had forgot me therefore if you please Madam I onely beg a pardon for having taken up armes once to day against you for I have a foolish kind of Conscience which I wish many of your Subjects had that will not let me ask a recompence for my loyalty when I know I have been a Rebel Qu. Your modesty shall not serve the turn Ask something Cel. Then I beg Madam you will command Florimell never to be friends with me Flor. Ask again I grant that without the Queen But why are you affraid on 't Cel. Because I am sure as soon as ever you are you 'l marry me Flor. Do you fear it Cel. No 't will come with a fear Flor. If you do I will not stick with you for an Oath Cel. I require no Oath till we come to Church and then after the Priest I hope for I find it