a brave Man of a high Spirit Sulpitius His Brother of a treacherous Nature Mutius One that had been a Lieutenant of a Province a Lover of War Artabaces Prince of Armenia driven from his Country by the Romans Tiridates His younger Brother Pris'ner at large in Rome and kept as Hostage till his Brother came in Caska Servant to Sertorius Corbulo and four or five more Veterans WOMEN Hersilia Daughter to Emilius Verginia Her Sister the Vestal Marcellina Their Cousin SCENE ROME PROLOGUE PRologues like Forlorn-hopes first face the Stage Before the main Battalions do engage Just so our Poet doubtful of the day Ventures his Prologue first and next his Play But stay I fancy that I hear one call I 'll step but to the door and tell you all ' Troth 't is the Poet's Voice now danger 's near He sends me back as his Commissioner To treat that he might fairly march away If you wou'd be content to have no Play He offers fair Shou'd it prove very bad As like enough it will you 'd wish you had He has been wounded proofs there need no more Than what you know that he has writ before For sure none ever scap'd that ever writ There 's no being shot-free in the Wars of Wit Poets by dangers like old Souldiers taught Grow wise and shun the fame which once they sought But if he must proceed Wou'd you wou'd tell him which of all the ways You like in Prologues us'd to help out Plays Some tell you stories of the former Age And swear that Faction now undoes the Stage Sure such believe you 'll do as you are bid And that you paid your money to be chid Some craftier Poets at each other hit Knowing grave Rudeness has been took for Wit This does a wretched dearth of Wit betray When things of Kind on one another prey Some Prologues are more modestly address'd Just like Petitions those he thinks are best For such a one he means that this shall be And therefore humbly shews as you shall see THE VESTAL VIRGIN OR THE Roman Ladies ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Sertorius and Sulpitius Sert. NOT speak to her nor see her Sulp. But for a few days Sert. A minute is too much Sulp. Be but patient Sert. And tamely wait upon my Rival's triumph Sul. You do mistake Sert. So do you to think a Roman Soul can be So mean to stoop to his own Victory Submitting to a Prince's empty Name And tamely yield unto a vanquish'd Fame Sulp. Your Passion tells you wrong 't is not that Prince But 't is Hersilia sends you these Commands Sert. I care not whence they came I like 'em not Sulp. You throw away your fury now as wildly As Tempests waste their giddy violence Sert. No matter raging Storms grow loud and high When they are most oppos'd and so will I. Sulp. Am not I your Brother Sert. Is not Prince Tiridates as you call him Your bosom Friend Sulp. You are not jealous are you that his Friendship Makes me betray the trust you plac'd in me Sert. You shou'd have scrupled then to bring a Brother Such an unwelcome Message Sulp. Consult a little with your prudence Sert. Wisdom's too froward to let any find Trust in himself or pleasure in his mind She takes by what she gives her help destroys She shakes our Courage and disturbs our joys Rashness allows unto the sudden sense All its own joys and adds her Confidence Sulp. You have not patience but to hear the Circumstance Sert. Well well what is 't quickly then Sulp. 'T is more than you deserve Sert. Then keep it for your self Sulp. They properly belong to you Since they were her Commands when she sent them She mingled trouble with her seeming Cruelty Theâ— sigh'd and paâ—â—'d then bid me tell you Her Father was so kind to Tiridates She cou'd no other way deny his Visits But by forbidding yours for some few days To give her self time to attempt some Friends To try their interest to perswade her Father That she with freedom may be left to chuse Where inclination guides her Sert. Um'h. Sulp. Now Sir is the Circumstance so trivial Sert. But was this all she said Sulp. Was not this enough Sert. As it may prove You are sure Tiridates will be forbid too Are you not Sulp. As I suppose Sert. I will be sure of that or else Sulp. What need you question it in a few hours You will discover that you are abus'd If there be foul play meant on any side Sert. That 's true but Sulp. Come trouble your self no more but strictly Observe what she Commands These starts are the Convulsions of weak Reason When sits of Passion grow too strong upon you We have all our haggard Passions but none so wild Or so unman'd as yours They may be tam'd and brought from their excess And watch'd by Reason into gentleness Sert. Without your Simile I will endeavour to endure it But Sulp. But what Sert. I find a mutiny in all my Faculties That will not yield to this Cessation My Tongue seems to consent without Commission But I 'll go wrangle with my self And will obey her if I can Exit Sertorius Sulp. Where must my wild beginnings find an end Nature and Friendship Brother too and Friend Titles that grow in soils so rich and good Whose Roots are spread in Honour and in Blood Yet all those ties keep not their hold so fast As to oppose unshaken but one blast Of Love's unruly storm great Trees fall so Pulling up all about 'em where they grow Enter Tiridates runs to Sulpitius and embraces him Tir. O my Sulpitius thou that canst prove Friend to the Rival of thy Brother's Love Have you yet spoke of me and wou'd she hear 'T is not thy Friendship but her Love I fear Sulp. I did not name you Tir. Perhaps you did not dare Methinks concern'd Physicians in despair Gaze on their Patients as you stare on me And from their Skill sink to their Piety Sulp. I wish Hersilia had not nam'd you Tir. You are my Friend Sulp. And therefore cou'd not like th' unwelcom Office That she has put upon me Tir. Cou'd you dislike what she commands Sulp. Yes I do or else I must repent My Love to you and grow indifferent Know 't is the cruel fair Hersilia's pleasure You shou'd forbear to visit her or if you meet her To speak to her for some few days He looks down as sad Tir. Why shou'd Hersilia cruelly contrive Death for that Passion which she keeps alive But 't is a guilt to question or repine She acts like what she seems something divine For when Mankind their frailer passions show Those Pow'rs above condemn that made them so Sulp. I fear'd 't wou'd trouble you for I can find A measure of your Sorrows by my Mind Tir. Did she not tell you why Sulp. That she refus'd Though I still prest it to find out her end More than became one that was less your
being forc'd to a general liking or disliking lest they should discover too much their own Weakness 't is to be expected they would rather chuse to pretend to Judgment than good Nature tho' I wish they could find better ways to shew either But I forget my self not considering That while I entertain the Reader in the Entrance with what a good Play should be when he is come beyond the Entrance he must be treated with what ill Plays are but in this I resemble the greatest part of the World that better know how to talk of things than to perform them and live short of their own Discourses And now I seem like an eager Hunter that has long pursu'd a Chase after an inconsiderable Quarry and gives over weary as I do THE SURPRISAL A COMEDY Written by the Honourable Sir ROBERT HOWARD LONDON Printed for Henry Herringman and are to be Sold by R. Bentley J. Tonson F. Saunders and T. Bennet M DC XCII Dramatis Personae CAstruccio Uncle to Miranzo Miranzo Cialto Friend to Miranzo the late General Brancadoro A rich Senator's Son Villerotto A bold Fellow cashier'd by Cialto and got into Brancadoro's Service Moreno Father to Emilia Bottolo His Servant Two or three Bravoes Baptista Servant to Miranzo A Friar WOMEN Samira Sister to Miranzo Emilia Taccola Her Governess A Nun. Scene SIENNA PROLOGUE SInce you expect a Prologue we submit But let me tell you this Excise on Wit Though undiscern'd consumes the Stock so fast That no new Fancy will be left at last Wit 's not like Money Money though paid in Passes about and is receiv'd agen But Wit when it has once been paid before There it lies dead 't is currant then no more Nor must we plead for what we do present As in Law-Cases by a Prcedent Poets and Mountebanks in this strange Age Practise with equal hopes upon the Stage For 't is expected they shou'd both apply To every Humour some new Remedy And one's as likely every man to please As t'other to cure every man's Disease But you are welcom all and what men say Before a Feast will serve before a Play Here 's nothing you can like Thus he that writes Or makes a Feast more certainly invites His Judges than his Friends there 's not a Guest But will find something wanting or ill drest The Proverb but thus varied serves I fear Fools make the Plays and Wise-men come to hear THE SURPRISAL ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Miranzo and Samira Mir. T IS strange Sister Sam. 'T is true Brother Mir. Perhaps it is but few such Wonders have been heard of Sam. Nor ever such a Wonder caus'd it Mir. There needs indeed a powerful Charm to raise up Spirits fettered long in Age. They say that Love is the Soul's business here when Youth seems to promise it shall have a long share in Time but his is fitted for its Journey Age already hath pack'd up all his Faculties Sam. Fie fie 't is otherwise with him he endeavours nay and I think believes he shall grow young again the warmth of Love serves for the heat of Youth Mir. Where in the name of wonder could this Love find entrance in his breast or how live there it has no blood to feed on Nature sure in him is at low ebb Sam. There needs small Fewel Brother to assist her influence she liâ—e the Sun warms all things with her sight yet is not wasted with expence of heat Mir. You speak a Miracle Sister He studies Sam. You seem troubled Brother Mir. Not much but I did believe when my dear Father left us to his care he did not apprehend my Uncle apt for such a folly and I little thought to have been first saluted with this News at my return from Travel Sam. My Uncle still pretends to remain just to us and I believe he will Mir. It may be so But when is this hot Lover to be married Sam. Tomorrow morning Mir. But what mov'd her consent to take this Mummy in her Ams Sam. She 's all obedience to her Father and with him my Uncle's Wealth pleads high I do believe she thinks choice were a sin and would seem guilty to her self as if she fell from perfect Innocence if that a partial thought for any should make a way for passion in her breast Mir. Then it seems her Father wooes I hope my Uncle spares his pains But Sister since we are in discourse of Lovers 't is not unseasonable to ask for yours the brave Cialto the last Intelligence I had was of his glorious Victory such a Lawrel ne'r yet adorn'd a Brow so youthful Believe me Sister though you may be cruel and unconcern'd I must confess I share in all that 's his good fortune Sam. Alas Brother since that time his condition is much alter'd Mir. Ha you amaze me Why do you appear so sad He is not dead I hope Sam. No perhaps his Life is now the greatest part of his misfortune Mir. Still I am lost in admiration What changes a little time produceth Sam. The Story is too long to tell you only for what concerns my self I have observ'd that since the loss of all his Fortunes he shunâ— all occasions of seeing me My Uncle will be with us presently I would not therefore ingage my self in a disorder which the relation of his miseries cannot but bring upon me Mir. Where is my Uncle Sam. Abroad upon a strange design He has imploy'd the best Wits in Sienna to make a Song or indeed an Apology for his doting at these years and that which he likes best when he salutes his Mistress must to morrow be presented before her Window Mir. I am amaz'd yet I 'le suspend my thoughts and trouble if I can till fitter time Sam. See Brother where he comes Bus'ness and Love are mingled in his postures Enter Castruccio Mir. How he mumbles to himself sure he does chew the cud of some set Speech What an amorous look was there with that amiable smile which only adds a few wrinkles in new places Sam. Pray let 's stand close He 's near beginning a rising wind you know is ever usher'd with a murmur Cast. How am I swell'd by expectation as the day breaks before the rising Sun so is Emilia's fair approach prepar'd within me by a precious sense of happiness He studies and searches his Pockets for Papers Sam. Peace he has hit a fault and now begins to hunt again Cast. O these be they now to my choice for I resolve to morrow 'fore the Wedding one of them shall be sung that which I judge will best describe my Passion Let me see Could'st thou be yet more fair or good He reads This Fool begins with impossibilities I le have none on 't What this other Since fancy makes all Women fair Worse and worse he lies abominably What ways are our Poets got into they cannot make a Song without a Lie a Vapour or Impossibility There 's none of these has hit my
stoll'n Cast. Why you have them both on Bran. I had forgot like an Ass as I was to hide one Aside Cast. Come come on Bran. Nay as I am an honest Man There 's my Almanack with Notes and Memorandums in 't I 'll go back and come presently Cast. Fie Nephew my Niece sees you Bran. You an 't tell how she likes me can you Uncle Cast. O â—ear not that Bran. Never stir Uncle I have mighty need I must needs do you know what He looks vengeance surley Aside He makes me wink as bad as a flash of Lightning wou'd Cast. Come Nephew what are you bashful Niece this is the Person I told you of That to morrow will make you an happy Woman And be an evidence of my care and kindness Sam. I need no such testimony Sir Bran. What does she say Uncle that she has no need of me Why then I have no need of her I 'll be beholden to no body living Cast. No no you are too mistrustful Come Niece prepare against to morrow To be made Mistress of the greatest Fortune Sienna boasts of Bran. I think I can tell some few particulars without Book Of some small Lordships that serve my turn To cover this poor out-side and some slight Equipage of Servants and Attendants Now dare not I proceed to particulars for fear Aside I should come to name that wild-looking Mans Estate Which shou'd make up the Catalogue I 'll tell you a pretty Jest Mistress A Friend of mine would have had me married A Kinswoman of his and Sam. I wou'd you had Sir Bran. Why how shou'd I have had you then Sam. I must have been content Sir Bran. Nay I thank you for that so I might have forfeited My Covenants to your Uncle I may be sued If I don't marry you to morrow Cial. How 's this Aside Mir. Peace does this Coxcomb move you Cast. 'T is as he tells you Niece Sam. I wonder Sir you should dispose of me so absolutely Without allowing me some larger time Cast. You had need consider indeed for such a Fortune Sam. Is there nothing but Fortune to be thought on Consent springs not alone from Wealth Marriage you know admits no separation And if Affections shou'd not be united The Persons must be miserable Cast. Hey day no more of this Love-Logick What you would have it a Romance And after some long time and strange Adventures Discover pity for your Knight Errant Remember your Father left you to my care If you marry not Brancadoro to morrow I 'll throw you out of it Sam. 'T is strange Sir that you shou'd press me thus So suddenly to dispose my self for ever What say you Sir I hope you are so civil To Brancadoro As not to urge it Bran. Why I say A bargain 's a bargain Cial. This is monstrous I can hold no longer Aside Mir. Consider you may do hurt Cial. I care not Signior Castruccio I think it does not much become you To force your Niece to any thing Her Father ne'r believ'd that you would use The Trust which he repos'd in you to such an end Bran. Nay for my part if she be'nt as willing as I A sig for her and you too I am horribly afraid Aside Mir. How the Ass shakes and bristles both together Aside Cast. Signior Cialto I wonder more that you Shou'd give your unask'd Counsel to disturb The Advancement of my Niece and Family Cial. He can make large Jointures indeed Thanks to his Father's base and griping practices Cast. You are uncivil in my House Cial. You are old and Samira's Uncle These are Protections you may say any thing But I would not advise this wealthy Coxcomb For all your Articles to venture upon Marriage 'T will be dangerous Signior Brancadoro Cast. Pray leave my House Sir I desire no such Rude Company Sam. Pray Sir go this does no good Mir. Come you are to blame you may do injury Cial. Pardon me fair Samira I am gone My Prayers were heard could but your happiness Be divided from all Mankind though I am one Exit Cialto Bran. He 's gone wou'd I might never live If I han't a great mind to bolt the door after him Now perhaps I shall venture to say something If I knew what He won't pop back trow will he Cast. Come Niece you will hereafter thank me for This happiness I know you will command Him and his whole Estate Bran. Nay she may do what she will in reason But if I 'm urg'd I am as stout and surly As the stoutest of 'em let it be Man or Woman This Gentleman thought to bluster me Out of my Bargain but I think he was deceiv'd He had best let me alone Mir. Seem to comply dear Sister I 'll tell you why hereafter Aside Sam. I hope Sir you will allow me a few hours To think perhaps to perswade my self To an obedience which you press so much Cast. Do my good Niece for to morrow I must needs have your Company Speak for your self Nephew Bran. I can't tell what to say for fear This 〈…〉 Fellow shou'd peep in again Aside Yet I 'll set a good face on 't Did you know my Father Mistress Who 's that at Door Aside Sam. I have seen him Sir Bran. I doubt he listens well I care not I am resolv'd Villerotto shall get his Throat cut Aside That he shall And now I will speak boldly Why Mistress he would have been your Father-in-law Had he liv'd to 't I had help'd you to a wise Father I can tell you that Mir. Wou'd he had had a wiser Son Aside Bran. As for my Mothers part Mir. She brought forth an Ass. Aside Bran. I 'll speak a bold word Though I say it that shou'd not say it Sam. You promis'd Sir to leave me to my thoughts For a few hours Cast. Well Virgins will be modest Come Nephew We 'll leave her to her self to day to morrow She shall be yours or mine no more Your Brother I hope is more sensible than you Of your own good you know my mind Farewel Be wise Bran. Your Uncle gives you good Counsel Mistress Farewel till to morrow In the mean time I 'll go find Villerotto I dare not for my ears venture to marry Unless he makes safe this furious Cialto Then I shall keep all quietly Or else I may perhaps be invited to an honourable Duel Which how I can endure Cast. Farewel Niece and prepare to make Your self and me truly happy Exeunt Castruccio and Brancadoro Sam. Now Brother to what purpose Did you advise me to seem willing Mir. I have some thoughts which only want of time Yet hinders me to ripen I like not My Uncle's picking Quarrels thus all 's in his power He may do mischief therefore seem to consent Yet fear not though the Wedding is so near At the last Minute I know a way to free thee Within I 'll tell thee my design This Mushroom never shall be yok'd to thee
practis'd to stare and swell strangely Sulp. Let him swell and burst it matters not Who are these Mutius Mut. Quiet Rogues they were brave Souldiers Sulp. Have they lost their Spirits Mut. I know not they are out of practice They have been bob'd They might be train'd again perhaps and enter'd Sulp. This way a little Mutius you are my Friend Mut. I wou'd cut any Man's throat That said the contrary Sulp. I must use your Sword Mutius Mut. Here it hangs ready 't is almost rusty Sulp. Be not startled when I tell you 'T is against my Brother Mut. Let it be against your Father 'T is all one to me Sulp. The quarrel is Hersilia Mut. A Woman is the worst that cou'd be Are you to fight who shall have her Sulp. That she must only judge Mut. So then shall we fight to make her sport A parcel of such Lovers Wou'd make excellent pastime in the Amphitheatre I had an easier way with my Damsels Kind or cruel they never scap'd me Sulp. Not if you cou'd come at 'em Mutius Mut. If they were hid in Houses I made 'em bolt with Fire And pitch'd my toils on all sides ready for ' em Sulp. Ha 1. Noble Mutius farewel we 'll wait on you Another time Sulp Pray let your Friends stay a little Mut. Stay Gentlemen Sulp. Fire a House Mutius Mut. There 's no such way the coyest then Will leap into the next Man's Arms I have been thank'd for saving them Out of the very Fire that I kindled Sulp. I hey may live to love Hersilia Seems troubled Mut. If we kill 'em 't is two to one however That you 'll ne'er have her Sulp. Dare these Men stick by us Mut. Pay 'em well and let the business Be wicked enough Then never fear ' em Sulp. They shall eat Gold Mut. ' Troth I believe they can digest it too Sulp. Thou hast put wild thoughts into my head If I shou'd fail she crowns their Victory Or if Prince Tiridates falls by me I must live hated by her You Pow'rs above Let either Death or Life reward my Love Mut. You are troubled Sir I did not talk To save the â—ighting part I wou'd serve you in your love Through greater dangers Sulp. O Mutius advise me something My blood and thoughts stand still within my Breast Reason's asleep and torments seem aâ— rest Mut. Why I have told you my best stratagem If you get her Father's House but fir'd Let us alone we 'll help to quench it And in the hurry we may get your Mistress There 's no suspicion waits on such disorders Sulp. Dear Mutuis thou reviv'st my drooping Soul There is no other way left probable Enter Claudius a Servant See Mutius Fortune seconds thy advice Here 's one may prove the Instrument walk off Claudius welcome here I have been short in my Rewards Gives him money Claud. You have been Sir too bountiful To my small services Sulp. I have a business if thou dar'st attempt it Shall treble thy Rewards and yet leave me thy debtor Claud. Name it Sir and think it done Sulp. Thou know'st How unsuccessful I am like to prove One Act of thine may help me to Hersilia Then think what thy reward shall be Claud. Speak but the thing Sir Sulp. Presently then in some convenient place Set fire on thy Master's House do not wonder I 'll have those ready that shall quench it quickly And in the hurry under pretence of help Bring Hersilia forth at the East-gate That looks towards the Tiber There I 'll wait for her and by my happiness Measure thy own Rewards Claud. Whither shall we fly Sir Sulp. Trouble not thy self leave that to me Dar'st thou do it Claud. When wou'd you have it done Sir Sulp Presently before suspicion can have time to grow Claud. I 'll do it Sir be sure that you wait ready Sulp. Be gone about it let me see it flame Before an hour 's expir'd trust to me And have no fears Claud. I know an unfrequented room Fit for my purpose I 'll do it instantly Expect me at the East-gate Ex. Claud. Sulp. I will not fail 'T is done Mutius 't is a fire already That Fellow is a Servant to Emilius Whom I have made my Slave with Brâ—bes He 's gone about it Are your Friends prepar'd Mut. Beyond sick Men ready to dye for you Sulp. 'T is well I 'll place you in your several stations That she may scape no way Then if we can but carry off our plunder Mut. Pish the fire will have all the Enemies We shall have none Sulp. Where shall our Rendezvouz be Mut At my House of pleasure That stands upon the Tiber That will be least suspected because I live Most in the City besides we have the River To help us to escape if need require Sulp. No better place Gentlemen Pray observe such orders as my Friend Mutius gives you He shall have money to reward you Equal to all your services and beyond modest wishes 1 2. Doubt us not Sir we will be punctual Sulp. Come Mutius as we go We will agree on the particulars Justice has took away all my compassion And when their flames in cruel brightness shine I 'll smile since there was none that pittied mine Exeunt Enter Sertorius and Caska Sert. Have you plac'd the Horses where I appointed Cask Yes Sir Ser. I have but one thing more then to enjoyn thee If I shou'd fall by Tiridates Sword Carry the News thy self unto Hersilia And watch her as thou woud'st an Arrow shot To see whether it hit or no. Cask To what purpose Sir Sert. If she had any pity for me living Her sorrow for me dead will shew it Caska But how Sir shou'd I send you word Sert. 'T is true abundance travel through the Grave But there 's not one of all the multitude Will carry more than his own News about him Why shou'd things so remote beget such strife Beyond our knowledge and beyond our life Succession thus some to fond Joys betray For whose vain hopes their ruine must make way Enter Tiridates Cask Prince Tiridates Sir Sert. O 't is well leave us now Caska And watch where I appointed If Tiridates comes without me Let him receive those helps that I shou'd have Cask This is a cruel Service Sir Sert. Dispute it not Exit Caska Tir. Your pardon Sertorius that I seem'd thus slow I was enforced to make some little stay To 'scape Sulpitius he and Mutius Were earnest in Discourse Sert. May be they are looking us Mutius is bold Nor is that base Sulpitius less than he And thus much Tiridates I 'll acknowledge Had they now met us with their Swords about 'em I shou'd with much more pleasure as your Friend Have took my share against ' em Draws Tir. Assisted by Sertorius I shou'd have been As sure of Conquest as he is now of Victory Draws I have one motion only left to make He that survives â—eâ— him go tell