the whole Christian world spectators were There by his son or were he by adoption Or nature his a brave Scene was presented Which I make choyce to speak of since from that The good successe of Alvarez had beginning Vil. So I love vertue in an enemy That I desire in the relation of This young mans glorious deed you 'ld keep your self A friend to truth and it Lam Such was my purpose The Town being oft assaulted but in vaine To dare the prow'd defendants to a sally Weary of ease Don Inigo Peralta Son to the Generall of our Castile forces All arm'd advanc'd within shot of their wals From whence the muskateers plaid thick upon him Yet he brave youth as carelesse of the danger As carefull of his honor drew his sword And waving it about his head as if He dar'd one spirited like himself to triall Of single valor he made his retreat With such a slow and yet majestique pace As if he still cald low'd dare none come on When sodainly from a posterne of the town Two gallant horse-men issued and o're-took him The army looking on yet not a man That durst relieve the rash adventurer Which Lucio son to Alvarez then seeing As in the vant-guard he sat bravely mounted Or were it pity of the youths misfortune Care to preserve the honour of his Country Or bold desire to get himselfe a name He made his brave horse like a whirle wind bear him Among the Combatants and in a moment Dischar'd his Petronell with such sure aime That of the adverse party from his horse One tumbled dead then wheeling round and drawing A faulchion swift as lightning he came on Upon the other and with one strong blow In view of the amazed Town and Campe He strake him dead and brought Peralta off With double honour to himselfe Vit. 'T was brave But the successe of this Lam. The Campe receiv'd him With acclamations of joy and welcome And for addition to the faire reward Being a massy chain of gold given to him By yong Peralta's Father he was brought To the Infantas presence kiss'd her hand And from that Lady greater in her goodnesse Then her high birth had this encouragement Go on youngman yet not to feed thy valour With hope of recompence to come from me For present satisfaction of what 's past Aske any thing that 's fit for me to give And thee to take and be assur'd of it Ana. Excellent princesse Vit. And stil'd worthily The heart bloud nay the soule of Souldiers But what was his request Lam. That the repeale Of Alvarez makes plaine he humbly begd His Fathers pardon and so movingly Told the sad story of your uncles death That the Infanta wept and instantly Granting his suit working the Arch-duke to it Their Letters were directed to the King With whom they so prevaild that Alvarez Was freely pardon'd Vit. 'T is not in the King To make that good Ana. Not in the King what subject Dares contradict his power Vit. In this I dare And wil and not call his prerogative In question nor presume to limit it I know he is the Master of his Lawes And may forgive the forfeits made to them But not the injury done to my honour And since forgeting my brave Uncles merits And many services under Duke D' Alva He suffers him to fall wresting from Justice The powerfull sword that would revenge his death I 'le fill with this Astrea's empty hand And in my just wreake make this arme the Kings My deadly hate to Alvarz and his house Which as I grew in years hath still encreas'd As if it cal'd on time to make me man Slept while it had no object for her fury But a weak woman and her talk'd of Daughter But now since there are quarries worth her sight Both in the father and his hopefull son I 'le boldly cast her off and gorge her full With both their hearts to further which your friendship And oathes will your assistance let your deedes Make answer to me uselesse are all words Till you have writ performance with your Swords Exeunt Scaena Secunda Enter Bobadilla and Lucio Luc. Go fetch my work this ruffe was not well starch'd So tell the maid 'thas too much blew in it And look you that the Partrich and the Pullen Have cleane meat and fresh water or my Mother Is like to hear on 't Bob. O good Sir Iaques helpe me was there ever such an Hermaphrodite heard of would any wench living that should hear and see what I do be wrought to believe that the best of a man lies under this Petticoate and that a Cod-peece were far fitter here then a pind-Placket Luc. You had best talk filthily do I have a tongue To tell my Mother as well as ears to heare Your ribaldry Bob. May you have ten womens tongues that way I am sure why my yong Mr. or Mistris Madam Don or what you wil what the devill have you to do with Pullen or Partrich or to sit pricking on a clowt all day you have a better needle I know and might make better work if you had grace to use it Luc. Why how dare you speak this before me sirha Bob. Nay rather why dare not you do what I speak though my Lady your mother for fear of Vitelli and his faction hath brought you up like her daughter and h 'as kept you this 20 year which is ever since you were born a close prisoner within dores yet since you are a man and are as wel provided as other men are me thinks you should have the same motions of the flesh as other Cavaliers of us are inclin'd unto Luc. Indeed you have cause to love those wanton motions They having hope you to an excellent whipping For doing something I but put you in mind of it With the Indian mayd the governour sent my mother From Mexico Bob. Why I but taught her a Spanish trick in charity and holp the King to a subject that may live to take grave Maurice prisoner and that was more good to the State then a thousand such as you are ever like to do and I wil tell you in a fatherly care of the Infant I speak it if he live as blesse the babe in passion I remember him to your years shall he spend his time in pinning painting purling and perfuming as you do no he shall to the wars use his Spanish Pike though with the danger of the lash as his father has done and when he is provoked as I am now draw his Toledo desperatly as Luc. You will not Kill me oh Bob. I knew this would silence him how he hides his eys If he were a wench now as he seems what an advantage Had I drawing two Toledos when one can do this But oh me my Lady I must put up young Master I did but jest O custom what ha'st thou made of him Enter Eugenia and Servants Eug. For bringing this be still my friend no more A servant to
have found it Ye were at Court Sweet Luc Yes this brought me thither Max. Rise and goe home I have my feares Aecius Oh my best friend I am ruind goe Lucina Already in thy teares I have read thy wrongs Already found a Cesar go thou Lilly Thou sweetly drooping floure go silver Swan And sing thine owne sad requiem goe Lucina And if thou dar'st out live this wrong Luc. I dare not Aec. Is that the Ring ye lost Max. That that Aecius That cursed Ring my selfe and all my fortunes T' has pleasd the Emperor my Noble master For all my services and dangers for him To make me mine owne Pandar was this justice Oh my Aecius have I liv'd to beare this Luc. Farewell for ever Sir Max. That 's a sad saying But such a one becomes ye well Lucina And yet me thinkes we should not part so lightly Our loves have been of longer growth more rooted Then the sharp word of one farewell can scatter Kisse me I find no Cesar here these lips Taste not of Ravisher in my opinion Was it not so Luc. O Yes Max. I dare believe thee For thou wert ever truth it selfe and sweetnesse Indeed she was Aecius Aec. So she is still Max. Once more O my Lucina ô my comfort The blessing of my youth the life of my life Aec. I have seene enough to stagger my obedience Hold me ye equall Gods this is too sinfull Max. Why wert thou chosen out to make a whore of To me thou wert too chast fall Christall fountaines And ever feed your streames you rising sorrowes Till you have dropt your mistris into marble Now goe for ever from me Luc. Long farewell Sir And as I have been loyall Gods think on me Max. Stay let me once more bid farewell Lucina Farewell thou excellent example of us Thou starry vertue farethee-well seeke heaven And there by Cassiopeia shine in glory We are too base and dirty to preserve thee Aec. Nay I must kisse too such a kisse againe And from a woman of so ripe a vertue Aecius must not take Farewell thou Phenix If thou wilt dye Lucina which well weighd If you can cease a while from these strange thoughts I wish were rather alterd Luc. No Aec. Mistake not I would not staine your honour for the Empire Nor any way decline you to discredit T is not my faire profession but a Villaines I find and feele your losse as deep as you doe And am the same Aecius still as honest The same life I have still for Maximus The same sword weare for you where justice wills mee And t is no dull one therefore misconceave not Only I would have you live a little longer But a short yeare Max. She must not Luc. Why so long Sir Am I not grey enough with griefe already Aec. To draw from that wild man a sweet repentance and goodnesse in his daies to come Max. They are so And will be ever comming my Aecius Aec. For who knowes but the sight of you presenting His swolne sins at the full and your faire vertues May like a fearefull vision fright his follies And once more bend him right again which blessing If your dark wrongs would give you leave to read Is more then death and the reward more glorious Death only eases you this the whole Empire Besides compeld and forcd with violence To what ye have done the deed is none of yours No nor the justice neither ye may live And still a worthier woman still more honoured For are those trees the worse we teare the fruits from Or should the eternall Gods desire to perish Because we daily violate their truths Which is the chastitie of heaven No Lady If ye dare live ye may and as our sins Makes them more full of equitie and justice So this compulsive wrong makes you more perfect The Empire too will blesse ye Max. Noble Sir If she were any thing to me but honour And that that 's wedded to me too layd in Not to be worne away without my being Or could the wrong be hers alone or mine Or both our wrongs not tide to after issues Not borne a new in all our names and kindreds I would desire her live nay more compell her But since it was not youth but malice did it And not her own nor mine but both our losses Nor staies it there but that our names must find it Even those to come and when they read she livd Must they not aske how often she was ravishd And make a doubt she lov'd that more then Wedlock Therefore she must not live Aec. Therefore she must live To teach the world such deaths are superstitious Luc. The tongues of Angels cannot alter me For could the world again restore my credit As faire and absolute as first I bred it That world I should not trust agen The Empire By my life can get nothing but my story Which whilst I breath must be but his abuses And where ye councell me to live that Cesar May see his errors and repent I le tell ye His penitence is but encrease of pleasures His prayers never said but to deceave us And when he weeps as you think for his vices T is but as killing drops from balefull Ewgh trees That rot their honest neighbour If he can grieve As one that yet desires his free conversion And almost glories in his penitence I le leave him robes to mourn in my sad ashes Aec. The farewells then of happy soules be with thee And to thy memory be ever sung The praises of a just and constant Lady This sad day whilst I live a Souldiers teares I le offer on thy Monument and bring Full of thy noble selfe with teares untold yet Many a worthy wife to weep thy ruine Max. All that is chast upon thy Tomb shal flourish All living Epitaphs be thine Time Story And what is left behind to peice our lives Shall be no more abus'd with tales and trifles But full of thee stand to eternitie Aeci. Once more farewell go find Elysium There where the happy soules are crownd with blessings There where t is ever spring and ever summer Max. There where no bedrid justice comes truth honor are keeper of that blessed place go thither For here thou livest chaste fire in rotten timber Aeci. And so our last farewells Max. Gods give the justice Exit Lucina Aeci. His thoughts begin to worke I feare him yet He ever was a noble Romane but I know not what to thinke on 't he hath suffered Beyond a man if he stand this Max. Aecius Am I a live or has a dead sleepe seized me It was my wife the Emperor abus'd thus And I must say I am glad I had her for him Must I not my Aecius Aeci. I am stricken With such a stiffe amazement that no answer Can readily come from me nor no comfort Will ye go home or go to my house Max. Neither I have no home and you are mad Aecius To keepe me company I am
labour Lea. Any thing sir That 's dry and wholsome I am no bred-wanton Bar. Then I receive you but I must desire ye To keep within your confines Lea. Ever sir There 's the Gold and ever be your servant Take it and give me Bookes may I but prove sir According to my wish and these shall multiply Lop. Do study hard pray ye take him in and settle him He 's onely fit for you Shew him his Cell sir Di. Take a good heart and when ye are a cunning Lawyer I 'le sell my Bells and you shall prove it lawfull Ba. Come sir with me neighbors I thank your diligence Lop. I 'l come sometimes and crack a case with ye Bar. Welcome Exit Lop. Here 's mony got with ease here spend that jovially And pray for the Foole the Founder Die Many more Fooles I heartily pray may follow his example Lawyers or Lubbers or of what condition And many such sweet friends in Nova Hispania Lop. It will do well Let 'em but send their moneys Come from what quarter of the world I care not I 'll know 'em instantly nay I 'll be a kin to 'em I cannot misse a man that sends me money Let him Law there long as his Duckets last Boy I 'll grace him and prefer him Die I 'l turn Trade Master and now live by the living Let the dead stinke 't is a poore stinking Trade Lop. If the young Foole now Should chance to chop upon his faire Wife Diego Die And handle her Case Master that 's a law point A point would make him start and put on his Spectacles A hidden point were worth the canvassing Lop. Now surely surely I should love him Diego And love him heartily nay I should love my selfe Or any thing that had but that good fortune For to say truth the Lawyer is a dog-bolt An arrant worme and though I call him worshipfull I wish him a canoniz'd Cuckold Diego Now if my youth doe dub him Di. He is too demure sir Lop. If he do sting her home Die There 's no such matter The woman was not borne to so much blessednesse He has no heate study consumes his oyle Master Lop. Let 's leave it to the will of Fate and presently Over a cup of lustie Sack let 's prophecie I am like a man that dreampt he was an Emperour Come Diego hope whilst he lasts we 'll lay it on Exit Scaena Tertia Enter Jamy Millanes Arsenio Jam. Angelo Millanes did you see this wonder Mil. Yes yes Jam. And you Arsenio Ar. Yes he 's gon Sir Strangely disguis'd he 's set upon his voyage Love guide his thoughts he 's a brave honest fellow Sit close Don Lawyer ô that arrant knave now How he will stinke will smoake againe will burst He 's the most arrant Beast Mil. He may be more beast Ja, Let him beare six and six that all may blaze him The villany he has sowed into my Brother And from his State the Revenue he has reach'd at Pay him my good Leandro take my praiers Ar. And all our wishes plough with his fine white heifer Ja. Marke him my deare Friend for a famous Cuckold Let it out-live his Bookes his paines and heare me The more he seeks to smother it with Justice Enter a Servant Let it blaze out the more what news Andrea Andr. Newes I am loth to tell ye but I am charg'd Sir Your Brother layes a strict command upon ye No more to know his house upon our danger I am sorry Sir Jam. 'Faith never be I am glad on 't He keepes the house of pride and foolery I meane to shun it so returne my Answer 'T will shortly spew him out Come let 's be merry And lay our heads together carefully How we may helpe our friend and let 's lodge neare him Be still at hand I would not for my patrimony But he should crown his Lawyer a learned Monster Come let 's away I am stark mad till I see him Exeunt Scaena Quarta Enter Bartolus and Amaranta Amar. Why will ye bring men in and yet be jealous Why will ye lodge a young man a man able And yet repine Bar. He shall not trouble thee Sweet A modest poore slight thing did I not tell thee He was onely given to the Booke and for that How royally he paies finds his owne meat too Am. I will not have him here I know your courses And what fits you will fall into of madnesse Bar. Y'faith I will not Wife Am. I will not try ye Bar. He comes not neare thee shall not dare to tread Within thy Lodgings in an old out-Roome Where Logs and Coles were layd Am. Now ye lay fire Fire to consume your quiet Bar. Didst thou know him Thou wouldst thinke as I doe he disquiet thee Thou mayst weare him next thy heart yet not warme him His mind poore man 's o' th' Law how to live after And not on lewdnesse on my conscience He knowes not how to looke upon a woman More then by reading what Sex she is Am. I doe not like it Sir Bar. Do'st thou not see Foole What presents he sends hourely in his gratefulnesse What delicate meates Am. You had best trust him at your Table Doe and repent it doe Bar. If thou be'st willing By my troth I thinke he might come he 's so modest He never speakes there 's part of that he gave me He 'll eat but halfe a dozen bits and rise immediatly Even as he eats he studies he 'll not disquiet thee Doe as thou pleasest Wife Am. What means this Wood-cocke Knock within Bar. Retire Sweet there 's one knocks come in your businesse Enter Servant Ser. My Lord Don Henrique would entreat ye Sir To come immediatly and speake with him He has businesse of some moment Bar. I 'll attend him I must be gon I pre'thee thinke the best wife At my returne I 'll tell thee more good morrow Sir keep ye close and study hard an houre hence I 'll read a new Case to ye Exit Leandro within Lean. I 'll be ready Enter Amaranta Amar. So many hundred Duckets to ly scurvily And learne the pelting law this sounds but slenderly But very poorely I would see this fellow Very faine see him how he lookes I will find To what end and what study there 's the place I 'll goe o'th' other side and take my Fortune I think there is a window Exit Enter Leandro Lean. He 's gone out Now if I could but see her she is not this way How nastily he keepes his house my Chamber If I continue long will choak me up It is so damp I shall be mortifide For any woman if I stay a moneth here I 'll in and strike my Lute that sound may call her Exit Enter Amaranta Lute and Song Ama. He keeps very close Lord how I long to see him A Lute strooke handsomely a voice too I 'll heare that These Verses are no Law they sound too sweetly Now
love or a recompence Fit for a fathers care O Lelia Had I been thus unkind thou hadst not been Or like me miserable But 't is impossible Nature should dye so utterly within thee And loose her promises thou art one of those She set her stamp more excellently on Then common people as fore-telling thee A generall example of her goodnesse Or say she could lye yet religion For love to parents is religious Would leade thee right againe Looke well upon me I am the roote that gave thee nourishment And made thee spring faire do not let me perish Now I am old and saplesse Lel. As I live I like ye far worse now ye grow thus holy I grant you are my father am I therefore Bound to consume my selfe and be a begger Still in relieving you I doe not feele Any such mad compassion yet within me Fath. I gave up all my state to make yours thus Lel. 'T was as ye ought to do and now ye cry for 't As children do for babies backe againe Fath. How wouldst thou have me live Lel. I would not have ye Nor know no reason Fathers should desire To live and be a trouble when children Are able to inherit let them dye 'T is fit and lookt for that they should do so Fath. Is this your comfort Lel. All that I feele yet Fath. I will not curse thee Lel. If you do I care not Fath. Pray you give me leave to weep Lel. Why pray take leave If it be for your ease Fath. Thy mother dyed Sweet peace be with her in a happy time Lel. She did Sir as she ought to do would you Would take the paines to follow what should you Or any old man do wearing away In this world with diseases and desire Only to live to make their children scourge-sticks And hoord up mill-money me thinks a marble Lyes quieter upon an old mans head Then a cold fit a' th palsey Fa. O good God! To what an impudence thou wretched woman Hast thou begot thy selfe againe well justice Will punish disobedience Lel. You mistake Sir T will punish beggers fye for shame go worke Or serve you are grave enough to be a Porter In some good man of worships house and give Sententious answers to the commers in A pretty place or be of some good Consort You had a pleasant touch 'ath Cithron once If idelnesse have not bereft you of it Be any thing but old and beggarly Two sinnes that ever do out grow compassion If I might see you offer at a course That were a likely one and shew'd some proffit I would not stick for ten groates or a noble Fa. Did I beget this woman Lel. Nay I know not And 'till I know I will not thanke you for 't How ever he that got me had the pleasure And that me thinkes is a reward sufficient Fa. I am so strangly stroken with amazement I know not where I am nor what I am Lel. You had best take fresh aire some where else 't will bring ye Out of your trance the sooner Fa. Is all this As you meane Lelia Lel. Yes believe me is it For yet I cannot thinke you are so foolish As to imagine you are young enough To be my heire or I so old to make A Nurse at these yeares for you and attend While you sup up my State in penny pots Of Malmsey when I am excellent at Cawdles And Cullices and have enough spare gold To boyle away you shall be welcome to me 'Till when I 'de have you be as merry Sir As you can make your selfe with that you have And leave to trouble me with these relations Of what you have beene to me or you are For as I heare them so I loose them this For ought I know yet is me resolution Fa. Well God be with thee for I feare thy end Will be a strange example Exit Father Lel. Fare ye well Sir Now would some poore tender harted foole have wept Relented and have been undone such children I thanke my understanding I hate truely For by my troth I had rather see their teares Then feele their pitties my desires and ends Are all the kindred that I have and friends Enter Woman Is he departed Wom. Yes but heer 's another Lel. Not of his tribe I hope bring me no more I would wish you such as he is If thou seest They looke like men of worth and state and carry Ballast of both sides like tall Gentlemen Admit 'em but no snakes to poyson us With poverty wench you must learne a wise rule Looke not upon the youthes of men and making How they discend in blood nor let their tongues Though they strike sodainly and sweet as musique Corrupt thy fancy see and say them faire too But ever keep thy selfe without their distance Unlesse the love thou swallows be a pill Gilded to hide the bitternesse it brings Then fall on without feare wench yet so wisely That one encounter cloy him not nor promise His love hath made thee more his then his moneyes Learne this and thrive Then let thine honour ever For that 's the last rule be so stood upon That men may fairely see 'T is want of meanes not vertue makes thee fall And if you weepe 't will be a great deale better And draw on more compassion which includes A greater tendernesse of love and bounty This is enough at once digest it well Go let him in wench if he promise proffit Not else Enter Iulio O you are welcome my faire servant Upon my troth I have been longing for ye Wom. This by her rule should be a liberall man I see the best on 's may learne every day Lel. Ther 's none come with you Iul. No Lel. You do the wiser For some that have been here I name no man Out of their malice more then truth have done me Some few ill offices Iul. How sweete Lel. Nay nothing Onely have talk't a little wildely of me As their unruly youth directed 'em Which though they bite me not I would have wish'd Had light upon some other that deserv'd 'em Iul. Though she deserve this of the loosest tongue Which makes my sinne the more I must not see it Such is my misery I would I knew him Lel. No no let him go He is not worth your anger I must chide you For being such a stranger to your Mistris Why would you be so Servant Iul. I should chide If chiding would worke any thing upon you For being such a stranger to your Servant I meane to his desires when my deare Mistris Shall I be made a happy man Lel. Fy Servant What do you meane unhand me or by heav'n I shall be very angry this is rudenesse Iul. 'T was but a kisse or two that thus offends you Lel. 'T was more I thinke then you have warrant for Iul. I am sorry I deserv'd no more Lel. You may But not this rough way Servant we are tender And ought in all to be respected so If
censur'd For her I scorne to answer and if they Yeeld any probability of truth In that she urges and I will confesse A guilty cause the peoples voyce which is The voyce of truth my husbands tendernesse In his affection to me that no dotage But a reward of humblenesse the friendship Eccho'd through France between him and Lisander All make against her for him in his absence VVhat ever imputation it draw on me I must take leave to speak 't is true he lov'd me But not in such a wanton way his reason Master'd his passions I grant I had At mid-night conference with him but if he Ever receiv'd a farther favour from me Then what a sister might give to a brother May I sinke quick and thus much did he know The shame I suffer for him with the losse Of his life for appearing on my soule He would maintaine Enter Lisander and Alcidon Lis. And will thou cleare example of womens purenesse King Though we hold her such Thou hast express'd thy selfe a desperat foole To thrust thy head into the Lions jawes The justice of thy King Lis. I came prepar'd for 't And offer up a guilty life to cleare Hir innocence the oath she tooke I sweare to And for Cleanders death to purge my selfe From any colour malice can paint on me Or that she had a hand in 't I can prove That fatall night when he in his own house fell And many daies before I was distant from it A long daies journey Clarin. I am caught Ber. If so How came your Sword into this stewards hands stand forth Mal. I have heard nothing that you spake I know I must dye and what kind of death Pray you resolve me I shall go away else In a qualme I am very faint Enter Leon Servants and Guard King Carry him off his feare will kil him Ex. with Mal. Dor. Sir 't was my ambition My Daughters reputation being wounded I' th' generall opinion to have it Cur'd by a publike triall I had else Forborne your Majesties trouble I 'le bring forth Cleanders murtherer in a wood I heard him As I rod sadly by unto himselfe With some compunction though this devill had none Lament what he had done cursing her lust That drew him to that bloudy fact Leon To lessen The foulenesse of it for which I know justly I am to suffer and with my last breath To free these Innocents I do confesse all This wicked woman only guilty with me Clari. Is 't come to this thou puling Rogue dye thou With prayers in thy mouth I 'le curse the lawes By which I suffer all I grieve for is That I dye unreveng'd Leon But one word mote sir And I have done I was by accident where Lisander met with Cloridon and Crysanthes Was an eare witnesse when he sought for peace Nay begg'd it upon colder tearmes then can Almost find credit his past deeds considered But they deafe to his reasons severally Assaulted him but such was his good fortune That both fell under it upon my death I take it uncompel'd that they were guilty Of their owne violent ends and he against His will the Instrument Alc. This I will sweare too for I was not far off Dor. They have alleadg'd As much to wake your sleeping mercy sir As all the Advocates of France can plead In his defence King The criminall judge shall sentence These to their merits with mine owne hand Lady I take you from the bar and do my selfe Pronounce you innocent Ex. with Leon and Clarin All Long live the King King And to confirme you stand high in our favour And as some recompence for what you have With too much rigour in your triall suffered Aske what you please becoming me to grant And be possest of 't Cal. Sir I dare not doubt Your royall promise in a King it is A strong assurance that emboldens me Upon my humble knees to make my boone Lisanders pardon Dor. My good Genius did prompt her to it Lem. At your feet thus prostrate I second her petition Alc. Never King Powr'd forth his mercie on a worthyer subject Ber. To witnesse my repentance for the wrong In my unjust suspition I did both I joyne in the same suit Lis. The life you give Still ready to lay down for your service Shall be against your enemies imploy'd Not hazzarded in brawles All Mercie dread sir King So many pressing me and with such reasons Moving compassion I hope it will not Be censur'd levity in me though I borrow In this from justice to relieve my mercie I grant his pardon at your intercession But still on this condition you Lisander In expiation of your guilt shall build A monument for my Cloridon and Crysanthes And never henceforth draw a Sword but when By us you are commanded in defence of The Flower de Luce and after one yeares sorrow For your deare frend Cleanders wretched fate Marry Caliste Ent. Lidian Lis. On your sacred hand I vow to do it seriously Lid. Great sir stay Leave not your seat of justice till you have Given sentence in a cause as much important As this you have determined King Lidian Enter Clarange and Frier Lid. He sir your humbled subject I accuse Clarange Of falshood in true friendship at the height We both were suiters to this Lady both Injoyn'd one pennance Clara. Trouble not the King With an unnecessarie repetition Of what the Court 's familiar with already King Clarange Dor. With a shaven crowne Olin. Most strange Claran. Looke on thy rivall your late servant Madam But now devoted to a better Mistris The Church whose orders I have tooke upon me I here deliver up my interest to her And what was got with cunning as you thought I simply thus surrender heretofore You did outstrip me in the race of friendship I am your equall now Dor. A suite soone ended Claran. And joyning thus your hands I know both willing I may do in the Church my Friers Office In marrying you Lid. The victory is yours sir King It is a glorious one and well set's of Our Scaene of mercy to the dead we tender Our sorrow to the living ample wishes Of future happines 't is a Kings duty To prove himselfe a father to his Subjects And I shall hold it if this well succeed A meritorious and praise worthy deed Exeunt Prologue A Story and a known one long since writ Truth must take place and by an able wit Foule mouth'd detraction daring not deny To give so much to Fletchers memory If so some may object why then do you Present an old piece to us for a new Or wherefore will your profest writer be Not tax'd of theft before a Plagary To this he answers in his just defence And to maintaine to all our Innocence Thus much though he hath travel'd the same way Demanding and receiving too the pay For a new Poem you may find it due He having neither cheated us nor you He vowes and deeply that he
But far above your finding he that gives Out of his providence to all that lives And no man knowes his treasure no not you He that made Egypt blind from whence you grew Scaby and lowsy that the world might see Your calculations are as blind as ye He that made all the stars you dayly read And from thence filtch a knowledge how to feed Hath hid this from you your conjectures all Are drunken things not how but when they fall Man is his own star and the soule that can Render an honest and a perfect man Command all light all influence all fate Nothing to him fals early or too late Our acts our Angels arc or good or ill Our fatall shadowes that walke by us still And when the stars are labouring we believe Jt is not that they govern but they grive For stubborn ignorance all things that are Made for our generall uses are at war Even we among our selves and from the strife Your first unlike opinions got a life O man thou image of thy makers good What canst thou fear when breath'd into thy blood His spirit is that built thee what dull sence Makes thee suspect in need that providence Who made the morning and who plact the light Guid to thy labours who cal'd up the night And bid her fall upon thee like sweet showers In hollow murmurs to lock up thy powers Who gave thee knowledge who so trusted thee To let thee grow so neer himselfe the Tree Must he then be distrusted shall his frame Discourse with him why thus and thus I am He made the Angels thine thy fellowes all Nay even thy servants when devotions call Oh canst thou be so stupid then so dim To seek a saving influence and loose him Can Stars protect thee or can poverty Which is the light to Heaven put out his eye He is my star in him all truth I find All influence all fate and when my mind Is furnished with his fullnesse my poor story Shall outlive all their Age and all their glory The hand of danger cannot fall amisse When I know what and in whose power it is Nor Want the cause of man shall make me groan A holy hermit is a mind alone Doth not experience teach us all we can To work our selves into a glorious man Love 's but an exhalation to best eyes The matter spent and then the fooles fire dyes Were I in love and could that bright star bring Increase to wealth honour and every thing Were she as perfect good as wee can aime The first was so and yet she lost the Game My mistris then be knowledge and faire truth So I enjoy all beauty and all youth And though to time her lights and lawes she lends She knowes no Age that to corruption bends Friends promises may lead me to believe But he that is his own friend knowes to live Affliction when J know it is but this A deep allay whereby man tougher is To bear the hammer and the deeper still We still arise more image of his will Sicknesse an humorous cloud twixt us and light And Death at longest but another night Man is his own Star and that soule that can Be honest is the only perfect man FINIS The Queene of Corinth Actus primus Scaena prima Enter Neaneres Sosicles Eraton Era. THe Generall is returned then Nean. With much honour Sol. And peace concluded with the Prince of Argos Nean. To the Queens wishes the conditions sign'd So farre beyond her hopes to the advantage Of Corinth and the good of all her Subjects That though Leonidas our brave Generall Ever came home a faire and great example He never yet return'd or with lesse losse Or more deserved honour Era. Have you not heard The motives to this generall good Nean. The maine one Was admiration first in young Agenor For by that name we know the Prince of Argos Of our Leonidas wisedome and his valour Which though an enemy first in him bred wonder That liking Love succeeded that which was Followed by a desire to be a friend Upon what termes soever to such goodnesse They had an enterview and that their friendship Might with our peace be ratified 't was concluded Agenor yeelding up all such stronge places As he held in our Territories should receive With a sufficient Dower paid by the Queene The faire Merione for his wife Era. But how Approves the Queene of this since we well know Nor was her Highnesse ignorant that her Sonne The Prince Theanor made love to this Lady And in the noblest way Nean. Which she allowed of And I have heard from some familiar with Her neerest secrets she so deeply priz'd her Being from an Infant train'd up in her service Or to speake better rather her owne Creature She once did say That if the Prince should steale A Marriage without her leave or knowledge With this Merione with a little suit She should grant both their pardons where as now To shew her selfe forsooth a Spartan Lady And that 't is in her power now it concernes The common good not alone to subdue Her owne affections but command her Sons She has not onely forc'd him with rough threats To leave his Mistris but compell'd him when Agenor made his entrance into Corinth To wait upon his Rivall Sos. Can it be The Prince should sit downe with this wrong Nean. I know not I am sure I should not Era. Trust me nor I A Mother is a name but put in ballance With a yong wench 't is nothing where did you leave him Nean. Neere Vesta's Temple for there he dismiss'd me And full of troubled thoughts calling for Crates He went with him but whither or to what purpose I am a stranger Enter Theanor and Crates Era. They are come backe Neanthes The. I like the place well Cra. Well Sir it is built As if the Architect had been a Prophet And fashion'd it alone for this nights action The vaults so hollow and the walls so strong As Dian there might suffer violence And with loud shrikes in vaine call Jove to helpe her Or should he heare his thunder could not finde An entrance to it The. I give up my selfe Wholly to thy direction worthiest Crates And yet the desperate cure that we must practice Is in it selfe so foule and full of danger That I stand doubtfull whether 't were more manly To dye not seeking helpe or that helpe being So deadly to pursue it Cra. To those reasons I have already urg'd I will adde these For but consider Sir Era. It is of weight What ere it be that with such vehement action Of eye hand foot nay all his bodies motion Crates incites the Prince to Nean. Then observe With what variety of passions he Receives his reasons now he 's pale and shakes For feare or anger now his naturall red Comes backe againe and with a pleasing smile He seemes to entertaine it 't is resolv'd on Be it what 't will to his ends may it
with the Ladies of the time Noble and faire only for love to thee Must of necessity invite a tendernesse As low as nature could have stampt a bond womans To entertaine quick motions of rare gratitude For my uncommon favours Bian. Deed my Lord as far as my simplicity can leade mee I freely thank your curtesies Cesar. To thank them is to reward them pretty one Bian. Then teach me How I may give them back again in truth I never yet receiv'd a paire of Gloves A trifling ring from any that expected An equall satisfaction but as willingly I parted with the gift unto the owner as he bestowd it Caesar. But I pow're before thee Such plenties as it lyes not in the ability Of thy whole kindred to returne proportionable One for a thousand Bian. You my Lord conclude For my instruction to ingage a debt Beyond a possibilitie of paiment I ever thought a sinne and therefore justly Without conceit of scorne or curious rudenesse I must refuse your bounty Cesar. Canst thou love Bian. Love is there such a word in any language That carries honest sence Cesar. Never dwelt ignorance In so sweet-shap't a building love Bianca Is that firme knot which tyes two hearts in one Shall ours be tyed so Bian. Vse a plainer word My Lord Insteed of tyes say marries hearts Then I may understand Cesar. Their hearts are married Whose enterchange of pleasures and embraces Soft kisses and the privacies of sweetes Keeps constant league together when temptation Of great mens oathes and gifts shall urge contempt Rather then batter resolution novelty Of sights or taste of new delights in wantonnesse Breeds surfeit more then appetite in any Reserv'd to noble vowes my excellent maide Live thou but true to me and my contents Mine only that no partner may pertake The treasure of those sweets thy youth yet glories in And I will raise thy lownesse to abundance Of all varieties and more triumph In such a mistris then great Princes doating On truth-betraying wives Bian. Thus to yeeld up then The cottage of my vertue to be swallow'd By some hard-neighboring landlord such as you are Is in effect to love a Lord so vicious O where shall innocence find some poore dwelling Free from temptations tirrany Cesar. Nay prethee Byan. Gay clothes high feeding easie beds of lust Change of unseemly sights with base discourse Draw curses on your Pallaces for my part This I will be confirmd in I will eate The bread of labour know no other rest Then what is earnd from honest paines ere once more Lend eare to your vild toyles Sir would you were As noble in desires as I could be in knowing vertue Pray doe not afflict a poore soule thus Caesar. I sweare to me Bianca steales off Gen. The Duke my Lord commands your speedy presence For answering agreivances late urg'd Against you by your Mother Caesar. By my Mother Gent. The Court is neere on sitting Cesar. I waite on it Sir Exeunt Enter Duke Magistrate Secretary Baptista Attendants Mentivole they sit Mentivole stands by Duke What wast of bloud what tumults what divisions What outrages what uprores in a state Factions though issuing from meane springs at first Have not restraind flowed to the sad example At Rome betweene the Ursins and Columnies Nay here at home in Florence twixt the Neers And the Bianchi can too mainly witnesse I sit not at the helme my Lords of soveraignty Deputed Pilot for the Common-wealth To sleep whiles others steere as their wild fancies Shall councell by the compasse of disorders Baptista This short Preface is directed Chiefly to you the petty brawles and quarrels Late urg'd betwixt th' Alberti and your family Must yes and shall like tender unknit joynts Fasten againe together of themselves Or like an angry Chyrurgion we will use The roughnesse of our justice to cut off The stubborne rancour of the limbes offending Bap. Most gracious Florence Duke Our command was signified That neither of the followers of each party Should appeare here with weapons Bap. T is obeyd Sir on my side Duke We must leave the generall cause Of State employments to give eare to brawles Of some particular grudges pollitick government For tutord Princes but no more henceforth Ent. Mariana and Clarissa at one door Cesario at the other Our frowne shall check presumption not our clemency Mari. All blessings due to unpartiall Princes Crowne Florence with eternity of happinesse Cesar. If double praiers can double blessings great Sir Mine joyne for your prosperity with my mothers Duke Rise both now briefly Lady without circumstance Deliver those agrievances which lately Your importunity possest our counsaile Were fit for audience wherein you petitiond You might be heard without an Advocate Which boone you find is granted Mari. Though divided I stand between the laws of truth and modesty Yet let my griefes have vent Yet the cleernesse Of strange necessity requires obedience To nature and your mercy in my weeds Of mourning emblems of too deer misfortunes Badges of griefes and Widdowhood the burthen Of my charg'd soule must be layd downe before you Wherein if strict opinion cancell shame My frailty is my plea Stand forth young man And heare a story that will strike all reason Into amasement Cesar. I attend Mar. Alberto peace dwell upon his ashes still the husband Of my remembrance and unchanging vowes Has by his death left to his heire possession Of faire revenew which this young man claymes As his inheritance I urgd him gently Friendly and privately to grant a partage Of this estate to her who ownes it all This his supposed Sister Bap. How supposed Cesar. Pray Madam recollect your selfe Mar. The relish Of a strange truth begins to work like Physick Already I have bitternesse to mingle With these preparatives so deadly loathsome It will quite choake digestion shortly heare it Cesario for I dare not rob unjustly The poore soule of his name this this Cesario Neither for Father had Alberto me For Mother nor Clarissa for his Sister Claris. Mother ô Mother Ment. I am in a Dream sure Duke No interruptions Lady on Maria. How ever Bap. A Faulkners sonne Mari. Mistake not Great Duke of Tuscany or the beginning Or processe of this novelty my husband The now deceasd Alberto from his youth In-urd to an impatiency and roughnesse Of disposition when not many monthes After our marriage were worne out repin'd At the unfruitfull barrennesse of youth Which as he pleasd to terme it cut our hops off From blessing of some issue to prevent it I grew ambitious of no fairer honor Then to preserve her love and as occasions Still call'd him from me studied in his absence How I might frame his welcome home with comfort At last I faynd my selfe with child the Message Of freedome or reliefe to one halfe stervd In prison is not utter'd with such greedinesse Of expectation and delight as this was To my much affected Lord his care his goodnesse Pardon me that I use
much you have other garments Host Will you intreat those too Theo. Your Mule must too To the next town you say 't is neer in pity You cannot see this poor Boy perish I know ye have a better soul we 'l satisfie ye Host 'T is a strange foolish trick I have but I cannot help it I am ever cozen'd with mine own commendations It is determin'd then I shall be robb'd too To make up vantage to this dozen here Sir Heaven has provided ye a simple garment To set ye off pray keep it hansomer Then you kept your own and let me have it render'd Brush'd and discreetly folded Leoc. I thank ye Sir Host Who wants a doblet 2. I Host Where will you have it 2. From you Sir if you please Host Oh there 's the poynt Sir Phil. My honest friends I am sorry for your fortunes But that 's but poor relief here are ten Duckets And to your distribution holy Sir I render 'em and let it be your care To se 'em as your wants are well divided Hos. Plain dealing now my friends and Father Fryer Set me the sadle right no wringing Fryer Nor tithing to the Church these are no duties Scowre me your conscience if the Devill tempt ye Off with your cord and swing him Fry Ye say well Sir all Heaven keep your goodnesse Theo. Peace keep you farewell friends Host Farewell light horse-men Exit the rob'd Phil. Which way travell you Sir Bayl. To the next town The. Do you want any thing Bayl. Only discretion to travell at good houres And some warm meat to moderate this matter For I am most outragious cruell hungry Host I have a stomach too such as it is Would pose a right good pasty I thank heaven for 't Bayl. Chees that would break the teeth of a new hand-saw I could endure now like an Eastrich or salt beeffe That Cesar left in pickell Phil. Take no care Wee 'l have meat for you and enough I th' mean time Keep you the horse way lest the fellow misse us We 'l meet ye at the end o' th wood Host. Make hast then Exit Host Bayl. Theo. My pretty Sir till your necessities Be full supplied so please you trust our friendships We must not part Leo. Ye have pull'd a charge upon ye Yet such a one as ever shall be thankfull Phil. Ye have said enough may I be bold to ask ye What Province you were bred in and of what parents Leo. Ye may Sir I was born in Andoluzia My name Francisco son to Don Henriques De Cardinas Theo. Our noble neighbour Phil. Son to Don Henriques I know the gentleman and by your leave Sir I know he has no son Leo. None of his own Sir Which makes him put that right upon his brother Don Zanchio's children one of which I am And therefore do not much err Phil. Still ye do Sir For neither has Don Zanchio any son A daughter and a rare one is heire Which though I never was so blest to see Yet I have heard great good of Theo. Urge no further He is ashamed and blushes Phil. Sir If it might import you to conceal your self I ask your mercy I have been so curious Leo. Alas I must ask yours Sir for these lies Yet they were usefull ones for by the claiming Such noble parents I beleev'd your bounties Would shew more gracious The plain truth is gentlemen I am Don Sanchios stewards son a wild boy That for the fruits of his unhappinesse Is faigne to seek the wars Theo. This is a lie too If I have any ears Phil. Why Theo. Mark his language And ye shall find it of too sweet a relish For one of such a breed I le pawn my hand This is no boy Phil. No boy what would you have him Theo. I know no boy I watcht how fearfully And yet how sodainly he cur'd his lies The right wit of a woman Now I am sure Phil. What are ye sure Theo. That 't is no boy I le burn in 't Phil. Now I consider better and take councell Methinks he shows more sweetnesse in that face Then his fears dare deliver Theo. No more talk on 't There hangs some great waight by it soon at night I le tell ye more Phil. Come Sir what ere you are With us embrace your liberty and our helps In any need you have Leo. All my poor service Shall be at your command Sir and my prayers Phil. Let 's walke a pace hunger will cut their throats els Exeunt SCAENA TERTIA. Enter Rodorigo Markantonio and a Ship-master two Chairs set out Rod. Call up the Master Mast. Here Sir within Rod. Honest Master Give order all the Gallys with this tyde Fall round and neer upon us that the next wind We may waigh off together and recover The Port of Barcelona without parting Mast. Your pleasures done Sir within Rod. Signior Markantonio Till meat be ready let 's sit here and prepare Our stomachs with discourses Marc. What you please Sir Rod. Pray ye answer me to this doubt Marc. If I can Sir Rod. Why should such plants as you are pleasures children That ow their blushing years to gentle objects Tenderly bred and brought up in all fulnesse Desire the stubborn wars Marc. In those 't is wonder That make their ease their god and nor their honour But noble Generall my end is other Desire of knowledge Sir and hope of tying Discretion to my time which only shews me And not my years a man and makes that more Which we call handsome the rest is but boys beauty And with the boy consum'd Rod. Ye argue well Sir Mar. Nor do I wear my youth as they were breches For object but for use my strength for danger Which is the liberal part of man not dalliance The wars must be my Mistress Sir Rod. O Signiour You 'l find her a rough wench Mar. When she is won once She 'l show the sweeter Sir Rod. You can be pleas'd though Sometimes to take a tamer Mar. 'T is a truth Sir So she be handsom and not ill condition'd Rod. A Soldier should not be so curious Mar. I can make shift with any for a heat Sir Rod. Nay there you wrong your youth too and however You are pleas'd to appear to me which shews wel Signior A tougher soul then your few years can testifie Yet my yong Sir out of mine own experience When my spring was I am able to confute ye And say y' had rather come to th' shock of eys And boldly march up to your Mistriss mouth Then to the Cannons Mar. That 's as their lading is Sir Rod. There be Trenches Fitter and warmer for your years and safer Then where the bullet plays Mar. Ther 's it I doubt Sir Rod. You 'l easily find that faith But come be liberal What kind of woman could you make best wars with Mar. They are all but heavy marches Rod. Fy Marckantonio Beauty in no more reverence Mar. In the Sex Sir
prompted by shallow merit through your profound grace for your chamber-maid Ben. How 's that how 's that Ferd. Her chamber-maid my Lord Ben. Her chamberpot my Lord You modest asse thou never shew'dst thy self an asse till now 'Fore heaven I am angrie with thee Sirha sirha this whitmeat-spirit 's not yours legitimate advance your hope and 't please you ghesse again Ang. And let your thoughts flee higher aim them right Sir you may hit you have the fairest white Ferd. If I may be so bold then my good Lord your favour doth encourage me to aspire to catch my Ladies Gentlewoman Ben. Where where would you catch her do you know my daughter Violanta Sir Ang. Well said no more about the bush Ferd. My good Lord I have gaz'd on Violanta and the stars whose heavenly influence I admir'd not knew nor ever was so sinful to believe I might attain 't Ben. Now you are an asse again for if thou ne'er attain'st 't is onely long of that faint heart of thine which never did it She is your Lords heir mine Benvoglio 's heir my brothers too Randulpho 's her descent not behinde any of the Millanois And Ferdinand although thy parentage be unknown thou know'st that I have bred thee up from five yeers old and do not blush to hear it have found thy wisdom trust and fair successe so full in all my affairs that I am fitter to call thee Master then thou me thy Lord Thou canst not be but sprung of gentlest blood thy minde shines thorow thee like the radiant sun although thy bodie be a beauteous cloud Come seriously this is no flatterie and well thou know'st it though thy modest blood rise like the morning in thy check to hear 't Sir I can speak in earnest Vertuous service so meritorious Ferdinand as yours yet bashful still and silent should extract a fuller price then impudence exact and this is now the wages it must have my daughter is thy wife my wealth thy slave Ferd. Good Madam pinch I sleep does my Lord mock and you assist Custom 's inverted quite for old men now adays do flout the young Ben. Fetch Violanta As I intend this religiously let my soul finde joy or pain Exit Angelina Ferd. My honour'd Lord and Master if I hold that worth could merit such felicitie you bred it in me and first purchas'd it it is your own and what productions in all my faculties my soul begets your very mark is on you need not adde rewards to him that is in debt to you you sav'd my life Sir in the Massacre there you begot me new since foster'd me O can I serve too much or pray for you alas 't is slender paiment to your bountie Your daughter is a paradice and I unworthie to be set there you may chuse the royalst seeds of Milain Ben. Prethee peace thy goodnesse makes me weep I am resolv'd I am no Lord o' th' time to tie my blood to sordid muck I have enough my name my state and honours I will store in thee whose wisedom will rule well keep and increase a knave or fool that could confer the like would bate each hour diminish every day Thou art her price-lot then drawn out by fate an honest wise man is a Princes mate Ferd. Sir heaven and you have over-charg'd my brest with grace beyond my continence I shall burst the blessing you have given me witnesse Saints I would not change for Millain But my Lord is she prepard Ben. What needs Preparative where such a Cordial is prescrib'd as thou thy person and thy vertues in one scale shall poize hers with her beautie and her wealth if not I adde my will unto thy weight thy mother 's with her now Son take my keys and let this preparation for this Marriage this welcom Marriage long determin'd here be quick and gorgeous Gerrard Enter Gerrard Ger. My good Lord my Lord your brother craves your conference instantly on affairs of high import Ben. Why what news Ger. The Tyrant my good Lord is sick to death of his old Apoplexie whereon the States advise that Letters missive be straight dispatcht to all the neighbour-Countreys and Schedules too divulg'd on every post to enquire the lost Duke forth their purpose is to re-instate him Ben. 'T is a pious deed Ferdinand to my daughter this delay though to so good a purpose angers me but I 'll recover it Be secret son Go woo with truth and expedition Exit Ferd. O my unsounded joy how fares my Gerrard my noble twin-friend fie thy look is heavie sullen and sowre blanch it didst thou know my cause of joy thou 'ldst never sorrow more I know thou lov'st me so How dost thou Ger. Well too well my fraught of health my sicknesse is in life I am dead by living dying still Ferd. What sublunary mischief can predominate a wise man thus or doth thy friendship play in this antipathous extreme with mine lest gladnesse suffocate me I I I do feel my spirit 's turn'd to fire my blood to air and I am like a purifi'd essence tri'd from all drossie parts Ger. Were 't but my life the losse were sacrific'd but vertue must for me slain and innocence made dust Ferd. Fare well good Gerrard Ger. Dearest friend stay Ferd. Sad thoughts are no companions for me now much lesse sad words thy bosom bindes some secret which do not trust me with for mine retains another which I must conceal from thee Ger. I would reveal it 't is a heavie tale canst thou be true and secret still Ferd. Why friend if you continue true unto your self I have no means of falshood Lock this door come yet your prisoner 's sure Ger. Stay Ferdinand Ferd. What is this trouble Love why thou art capable of any woman Doth want oppresse thee I will lighten thee hast thou offended law my Lord and thine and I will save thy life Does servitude upbraid thy freedom that she suffers it have patience but three days and I will make thee thy Lords companion Can a friend do more Ger. Lend me the means How can this be Ferd. First let this Cabinet keep your pawn and I will trust yet for the form of satisfaction take this my Oath to boot By my presum'd Gentrie and sacred known Christianitie I 'll die ere I reveal thy trust Ger. Then hear it Your Lords fair daughter Violanta is my betrothed wife goes great with childe by me and by this deed both made a prey to Law How may I save her life advise me friend Ferd. What did he say Gerrard whose voice was that O death unto my heart bane to my soul my wealth is vanish'd like the rich mans store in one poor minute all my daintie fare but jugling dishes my fat hope despair Ger. Is this so odious where 's your mirth Ferd. Why thou hast robb'd me of it Gerrard draw thy sword and if thou lov'st my Mistris chastitie defend it else I 'll cut it from thy heart