A07934 ---- The divine poem of Musæus. First of all bookes. Translated according to the originall, by Geo: Chapman De Herone et Leandro. English Musaeus, Grammaticus. 1616 Approx. 44 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 63 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A07934 STC 18304 ESTC S102537 99838314 99838314 2688 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A07934) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 2688) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1110:06) The divine poem of Musæus. First of all bookes. Translated according to the originall, by Geo: Chapman De Herone et Leandro. English Musaeus, Grammaticus. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [126] p. Printed by Issac Iaggard, London : 1616. Signatures: A (-A8) B-H. Running title reads: Musæus. A verse translation, by George Chapman, of Musæus' De Herone et Leandro. With caption title, reading: Musaeus of Hero and Leander. Some print faded. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-11 Chris Scherer Sampled and proofread 2002-11 Chris Scherer Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE DIVINE POEM OF MVSAEVS . First of all BOOKES . TRANSLATED According to the Originall , By GEO : CHAPMAN ▪ LONDON , ¶ Printed by Isaac Iaggard . 1616. To the Most generally ingenious , and our only Learned Architect , my exceeding good Friend INYGO IONES , Esquire ; Surueigher of His Maiesties Workes . ANcient Poesie , and ancient Architecture , requiring to their excellēce a like creating and proportionable Rapture , and being alike ouer-topt by the monstrous Babels of our Moderne Barbarisme ; Their vniust obscurity , letting no glance of their trueth and dignity appear , but to passing few : To passing few is their lest apparance to be presented . Your selfe then being a Chiefe of that few , by whom Both are apprehended ; & their beames worthily measur'd and valew'd . This little Light of the one , I could not but obiect , and publish to your choise apprehension ; especially for your most ingenuous Loue to all Workes , in which the ancient Greeke Soules haue appear'd to you . No lesse esteeming this , woorth the presenting to any Greatest , for the smalnes of the wo●ke ; then the Authour himselfe hath beene helde therfore of the lesse estimation : h●uing obtain'd as much preseruation and honor , as the greatest of Others : the Smalnesse beeing supplyed with so greatly-exc●llent Inuention and Elocution . Nor lacks euen the most youngly-enamor'd affection it co●taines , a Temper graue enough , to become , both the Sight and Acceptance of the Grauest . And therefore , howsoeuer the mistaking worlde takes it ( whose left hand euer receyu'd what I gaue with my Right . ) If you freely and nobly ●ntertaine it , I obtaine my End : your Iudicious Loues continuance , being my onely Obiect : To which I at all partes commend . Your Ancient poore Friend George Chapman . To the Commune Reader . WHen you see Leander and Hero , the Subiects of this Pamphlet ; I perswade my self , your preiudice will encrease to the contempt of it ; eyther headlong presupposing it , all one ; or at no part matcheable , with that partly excellent Poem , of Maister Marloes . For your all one ; the VVorkes are in nothing alike ; a different Character being held through , both the Stile , Matter , & inuention . For the match of it ; let but your eyes be Matches , and it will in many parts ouermatch it . In the Originall , it being by all the most Learned , the incomparable Loue-Poem of the world . And I would be somthing sorry , you could iustly taxe me , with dooing it any wrong in our English ; though perhappes it will not so amble vnder your seasures and censures , as the before publish 't . Let the great Comprehenders , and vnable Vtterers of the Greeke elocution in other Language ; drop vnder theyr vnlodings , how humbly soeuer they please ; and the rather disclaime their owne strength , that my weaknesse may seeme the more presumptnous : It can impose no scruple the more burthen on my shoulders , that I wil feele ; vnlesse Reason chance to ioyne Arbiter with Will , and appeare to mee : To whome I am euer prostrately subiect . And if enuious Misconstruction could once leaue tyrannizing ouer my infortunate Innocence ; Both the Charity it argu'de , would render them that vse it , the more Christian ; and mee industrious , to hale out of them the discharge of their owne Duties . OF MVSAEVS ▪ Out of the worthy D. Gagers Coll●ctions . MVsae●s was a renown'd Greeke Poet , borne at Athens , the Sonne of Eumolpus . Hee liu'd in the time of Orpheus , and is saide to bee one of them that vvent the Famous voy●ge to Colchos for the Golden Fleece . He wrote of the Gods Genealogie before any other , and invented the Sphere . Whose opinion was , that all things were made of one matter , and resolued into one againe . Of whose works , onely this one Poem of Hero and Leander , is extant ; of himselfe in his sixte Booke of Aene. Virgil , makes memorable mention , where in Elisium hee makes Sybilla speake this of him . Musaeum ante Omnes ( medium nam plurima Tu●ba Hunc habet ) atque humeris extantem suspicit altis . Hee was borne in Falerum , a Towne in the middle of Tuscia , or the famous Countrey of Tuscany in Italy , cal'd also Hetruria . Of Abydus and Sestus . ABydus and Sestus , were two ancient Towns : One , in Europe , another in Asia ; East and West , opposite : On both the shores of the Hellespont . Their names are extāt in Maps to this day . But in the●r places , are two Castles buile , which the Turkes call Bogazossar , that is , Castles scituate by the Sea side . Seamen nowe call the place where Sestus stood , Malido . It was likewise cal'd Possidonium . But Abydus is called Au●o . They are both renowned in all Writers , for nothing so much as the Loue of Leander and Hero. Of the Hellespont . HEllespont is the straits of the two Seas , Propontis and Egeum runn●ng betwixt Abydus and Sestus . Ouer which , Xerxes builte a Bridge , and ioyn'd these two Townes together , conueighing ouer his Army of seauen hundred thousand men . It is now cal'd by some , The Streights of G●llipolis . But by Frenchmen , Flemings , and others , The Arme of Saint George . It had 〈◊〉 name of Hellespōt , because Helle the Daughter of Athamas K. of Thebes , was drown'd in it . And therfore of one it is called , The Virgin-killing-Sea . Of another , The Virgin-Sea . It is but seauen Italian Furlongs broade , which is one of our Miles , lacking a furlong . MVSAEVS OF HERO & LEANDER . Goddesse relate , the witnesse-bearing-light Of Loues , that would not beare a humane sight . The Sea-man that transported Marriages Shipt in the Night ; his bosome plowing th'seas : The Loue ioyes that in gloomy cloud : did flye The cleere beames of th' immortall mornings eye . Abydus and faire Sestus , where I heare The Night-hid Nuptials of young Hero were . Leanders swimming to h●r ▪ and a Light : A Light , that was administresse of sight To cloudy Venus ; and did serue ●'addresse Night-wedding Heroes Nuptiall ( 1 ) Offices . A Light that tooke the very forme of Loue : Which had bene Iustice in aethereall Ioue , When the Nocturnal duty had bene done , T' aduance amongst the Consort of the Sunne ; And call the Starre , that Nuptiall Loues di● guide , And to the Bridegroome ( ● ) gaue , and grac't the B●ide Because it was ( 3 ) Companion to the Death Of Loues , whose kinde cares cost their dearest breath : And that ( 4 ) Fame-●reight●d ship from Shipwracke kept , Tha● such ●weet Nuptials broght , th●y neuer slept . Till Aire was with a Bitter floud inflate , That bore their firme Loues as infixte a hate . But ( Goddesse ) forth ; and Both , one ys●ue sing : The Light extinct , Leander perishing . ¶ Two townes there were , that with one Sea were wald ; Built neere , and Opposi●e : this , Sestus cald ; Abydus that : Then LOV● his Bow bent hy , And at bo●h Citties , let one Arrow fly . That Two ( a Virgin and a Youth ) Infl●m'd : The Youth , was sweetly grac'● Leander nam'd ▪ The Virgin , Hero ▪ S●stus , she renownes , Abydus●e ●e , in Birth : of both which Townes Both were the Beuty-circled starres ; And Both , Grac't with like lookes , as with one Loue and Troth . ¶ If that way lye thy course , seeke for my sake , A Tower , that Se●●ian Hero once d●d make Her Watch-Tower : and a Torch stood holding there , By which , Leander his Sea-course did stere . Seeke likewise , of Abydus ancient Towres , The Roaring Sea lamenting to these houres Leanders Loue , and Death . But saie ; howe came Hee ( at Abydus borne ) to feele the flame Of Heroes Loue at Sestus ? and to binde In Chaines of equall fire , bright Heroes minde ? ¶ The Gracef●ll Hero , borne of gentle blood ▪ Was Venus Priest ; and since she vnderstood No Nuptiall Language : from her Parents , she Dwelt in a Towre , that ouer-lookt the Sea. For shamefastnesse and chastity , she raign'd Another Goddesse ▪ Nor was euer traind In Womens companies ; Nor learn'd to t●ed A gracefull Dance , to which such yeares are bred . The enu●ous spights of Women she did fly , ( Women for Beauty their owne sex enuy ) All her Deuotion was to Venus done , And to his heauenly Mother , her great Sonne Would reconcile , with Sacrifices euer ; And euer trembled at his flaming Quiuer . Yet scap't not so his fiery shafts , her Brest ▪ For now , the popular Venerean Feast , Which to Adoni● , and great Cyprias State , The Sestians yearely vs'de to celebrate , Was Come : and to that holy day came all , That in the bordering Isles , the Sea did wall . To it in Flockes they flew ; from Cyprus these , Enuiron'd with the rough Carpathian Seas : These from Haemonia ; nor remain'd a Man Of all the Townes , in ●h'Isles Cytherean : Not one was left , that vs'de to dance vpon The 〈◊〉 of ●dorifferous Libanon : Not one of Phrygia , not one of All The Neigh●or● , seated neere the Festiuall : Nor one of opposite Abydus Shore ▪ Non● of all these ▪ that Virgins fauours wore Were absent : All such , fill the flowing way , When Fame proclaimes a solemne holy da● . Not bent so much to offer holy Flames , As to the Beauties of assembled Dames . ¶ The Virgin Hero enter'd th'oly place , And gracefull beames cast round about her face , Like to the bright Orbe of the rising Moone . The Top-spheres of her snowy cheekes pus on A glowing rednesse , like the two hu'de Rose , Her odorous Bud begi●ning to disclose . You would haue saide , in all her Li●eaments A Medd●● full of Ro●es she presents All ouer her she blush't ; which ( putting on Her white Robe , ( reaching to her Ankles ) shone , ( While she in passi●g , did he● feete dispose ) As she had wholly bene a moouing Rose . Graces , in Numbers , from her parts did flow : The Ancients therefore ( ●ince they did not know Heroes vnb●unde● Beauties ) fal●ely fa●n'd Onely ●hree Graces : for when Hero strain'd Into a smile , her Priestly Modestie , A hundred Graces , grew , from either ●ye . A fit o●e sure , the Cyprian Godd●sse found To be her Ministresse ; And so highly crown'd With worth , her Grace was , past all other Dames , That , of a Priest made to the Queen● of Flames A New Queene of them , She in all eyes shin'de : And did so vndermine each tender minde Of all the yong-men : that the●e was not One But wish't faire Hero wer his wife , or None . Nor could she stirre about the wel-built Phane , This way , or that ; but euery way shee wan A following minde in all Men : which their ●yes Lighted with all their inmost Faculties Cleerely confirm'd : And One ( admiring ) said ; All Spar●a I haue trauail'd , and survai'd The Citty Lacedemon ; where we heare All Beauties Labors , and contentions were : A woman yet , so wise , and delicate I neuer saw ▪ It may be , Venus gate One of the yonger Graces , to supply The place of Priest hood to her Deity . Euen tyr'de I am with sight , yet doth not finde A ●a●isfac●ion , by my si●ht ; my Minde . O could I once ascend sweete Heroes bed , Let me be straight found in her bosome dead : I would not wish to be in heauen a God , Were Hero heere my wi●e : But , if forbod To lay proph●ne hands on thy holye Priest , O Venus , with another such assist My Nuptial Longings . Thus pray'd all that spake , The rest their wounds hid , and in Frenzies b●ake Her Beauties Fire , being so supprest , so rag'd . But thou , Leander , more then all engag'd , Wouldst not when thou hadst view'd th'amasing Maide Waste with clo●e stings , and seeke no open aide ; But , with the ●●aming Arrowes of her eyes Wounded vnwares , thou wouldst in sacrifice Vent th'inflammation thy bu●nt blood did proue , Or Li●e with sacred Medicine of her Loue. ¶ Bu● now the Loue-brand in his eie-beam●s bu●n'd , And with th' vnconquer'd fire , his heart was turn'd Into a Coale : together wrought the Flame ; The vertuous beauty of a spotle●●e Dame , Sharper to Men is , then the swiftest Shaft . H●s Eye ●he way by which his Heart is caught : And from the stroke his eye sustaines , the wounde Open's within , and doth his Intrailes sounde . Amaze then ●ooke him , Impudence , and Shame Made Earthquakes in him , with their Frost and Flame : His Heart betwixt them tost , till Reuerence Tooke all these Prisoners in him : and from thence H●r mat●●less bea●ty , with 〈◊〉 〈…〉 b●nds : 〈◊〉 Aguish L●ue , that len● Sh●me , and Obseruance , Licenc'st their remoue ; And wi●ely liking Im●udence in Loue : S●l●nt he went , an● stood against the Maide , And in side glances ●aintly he conuaide His craf●y eyes about her ; with dumbe showes Tempting her minde to Error . And now growes She to conceiue his subtle 〈◊〉 and ioy'd Since he was gracefull . Then herselfe imploy'd Her womanish cunning , turning from him qui●e Her Louely Count'nance ; giuing yet some Light Euen by her darke signes , of her kindling fire ; With vp and down-lookes , whe●ting his desire . He ioy'd at heart to see Loues sence in her , And no contempt of what he did prefer . And while he wish't vnseene to vrge the rest , The day shrunke downe her beames to lowest West And East : The Euen-starre tooke vantage of her shade ; Then boldly he , his kinde ap●roches made : And as he saw the Russet clouds encrease , He strain'd her Ro●●e hand , and held his peace : But sigh'd , as Silence had his bosom broke ; When She , as silent . put on Anger 's cloake ▪ And drew her hand backe . He descerning well Her would , and would not : to her boldlier fell : And her elaborate Robe , with much cost wrought , About her waste e●bracing : On he brought His Loue to ●h'in-parts of the reuerend Ph●ne : She , ( as her Loue-sparkes more and more did wane ) Went slowly on , and with a womans words Threatning Leander , thus his boldnesse bords . ¶ Why Stranger , Are you mad ? ●ll-fated Man , Why hale you thus , a Virgin Sestian ? Keepe on your way : Let go , Fea●e to offend The Noblesse of my birth-rights , ●ither Friend ; It ill become's you to solicite thus The Priest of Venus ; Hopelesse , dangerous The bar'd vp-way is to a Virgins bed . Thus , for the Maiden forme , she menaced . But he well knew . that when these Female mind●s Breake out in fury , they are certaine signes Of their perswasions . Womens threats once showne , Shewes in it , onely , all you wish your Owne : And therefore of the rubi-coloured Maide , The odorous Necke he with a kisse assaid . And stricken with the sting of Loue , he pra●'d . Deare Venus , next to Venus you must go ; And next Minerua ; ●race Minerua to Your like , with ●arthly Dames no light can show : To Io●es great Dau●hters , ● must liken you . Blest was thy great Begetter ; blest was she Whose wombe did beare thee ▪ But m●st blessedly The Wombe it selfe far'd , that thy throwes did proue . O heare my prayer : pitty the Neede of Loue. As Priest of Venus , practise Venus Rites . Come , and instruct me in her Beds del●ghts . It fits not you , a Virgin , to vow aides To Venus seruice ; Venus Loues no Maides . If Venus institutions you prefer , A●d faithfull Ceremonies vow to her , Nupt●als , and Beds they be . If her Loue bindes , Loue loues swe●t Lawes , that sof●en humane mindes . Make me your seruant : Husband , if you pleas'd ; Whom Cupid with his burning shafts hath ●eis'd , And ●un●ed to you ; As swift Hermes●raue ●raue With his Gold Rod , IOVES bold sonne to be slaue To Lydia's soueraigne virgin ; But for me ▪ Venus insulting , forc't my feete to thee . I was not guided by wise Mercury . Virgin , you know , When Atalanta fled Out of Arcadia , kinde Melanions bed , ( Affecting Virgine life ; your Angry Queene , Whom first she vs'd with a malignant spleene ) At last possest him of her compleat heart . And you ( deere Loue ) because I would auer● Your Goddesse anger ; I would faine perswade . With these Loue-luring words , conform'd he made The Maid Recusant to his bloods desire ; And set her soft minde , on an erring fire . Dumbe s●e was strooke : and downe to earth she threw Her Rosie eyes : hid in Vermillion hew , Made red with shame . Oft with her foote she rac't Earths vpper part ; And oft ( as quite vngrac't ) About her shoulders gathered vp her weede . All these fore●tokens are ●hat Men shall speede . Of a perswaded Virgin to her Bed , Promise is most giu●n , when the least is said . And now she tooke in , Loues sweet bitter sti●g ▪ Burn'd in a fire , that cool'd her ●urfetting ▪ Her Beauties likewise , strooke her Friend amaz'd : For while her eyes fix't on the Pauement gaz'd , Loue , on Leanders lookes , shew'd Fury seas'd . Neuer enough hi● greedy eyes were pleas'd To view the faire glosse of her tender Necke . At last this sweet voice past , and out did brea●e A ruddy moisture from her bashfull eyes ; Stranger , perhaps thy words might exercise Motion in F●ints , as well as my soft brest . Who taught thee words ▪ that erre from East to West In their wilde libe●ty ? O woe is me : To this my Nati●e soile , who guided thee ? All thou hast saide is vaine ; for how canst thou ( Not to be trusted : One , I do not know ) Hope to excite in me , a mixed Loue ? T' is cleere , that Law by no meanes will approue Nuptials with vs ; for thou canst neuer gaine My Paren●●●races . If thou 〈◊〉 remaine Close on my shore , as outcast from thine owne ; Venus will be in darkest corners knowne Mans tongue is friend to scandall ; loose acts done In surest secret : in the open Sunne And euery Market place , will burne thine cares . But say , what name ●ustainst thou ? What soile bea●●s Name of thy Countrey ? M●ne , I cannot hide ; My farre spred name , is Hero : I abide Hous'd in an all-seene-Towre ▪ whose tops touch heauen , Built on a steepe shore , that to Sea is driuen Before the City Sestus . One sole Maide Attending ; And this irkesome life is laide● By my austere Friends wils , on one so yong ; No like-year'd Virgins nere ; No youthfull throng To meete in some delights , Dances , or so : But Day and Night , the windy Sea doth throw . Wilde murmuring cuff●s about our deafned eares . This sayd : her white Robe , hid her Cheekes like spheres . And then ( with shame-affected , since she vs'de Words , that desir'd youths ; and her Friends accus'd ▪ ) Sh● blam'd her selfe for them , and them for her . Meane space , Leander felt Loues Arrow erre Through all his thoughts ; deuising how he might Encounter Loue , that dar'd him so to fight . Minde changing Loue wounds men , and cures againe : Those Mo●tals , ouer whom he list's to raigne , Th' All-Tamer stoopes to : in aduising how They may with some ease beare the yoke , his Bow So , our Leander , whom he hurt , he heal'd : Who , hau●ng long his hidden fire conceal'd , And vex't with thoughts , he thirsted to impart , His stay he quitted , wi●h this quickest Art. Virgin , for thy Loue , I will swim a waue That Ships denies : And though with fire it raue ▪ In way to thy Bed , all the Seas in one I would despis● : The Hellespont were none . All Nights to swim to one sweet bedde with thee , Were nothing ; if when Loue had landed me , All hid in weeds , and in Veneran fome , I brought ( withall ) bright Heroes husbands home . Not farre from hence , and iust against thy Towne Abydus stands , that my Birth cal's mine owne . Hold but a Torch then in thy heauen-high Towre : ( Which I beholding , to that starry Powre May plough ●he darke Seas , as the Ship of Loue. ) I will not care to see Bootes moue Downe to the Sea : Nor sharpe Orion traile His neuer-wet Carre ; but arriue my saile Against my Country , at thy pleasing shore . But ( deere ) take heed , that no vngentle blo're Thy Torch extinguish , bearing all the Light By which my life sailes , least I lose thee quite . Would'st thou my Name know ( as thou dost my house ) It is Leander , louely Hero's Spouse . Thus this kinde couple , their close Marriage made , And friendship euer to be held in shade , ( Onely by witnesse of one Nuptiall Light. ) Both vow'd : agreed , that Hero euery Night , ●hould hold her Torch out : euery Night , her Loue The tedious passage of the Se● should proue The whole Euen of the watchful Nuptia●s spent , Against ●heir wils : the sterne powre of constraint Enforc't their parting . Hero to her Towre ; Leander , ( minding his returning howre ) Tooke of the Turret , Markes , for feare he fail'd , And to well-founded broad Abydus●ail'd ●ail'd . All Night , Both thirsted 〈…〉 O● each yong-ma●ri●d , louely Man , and Wife . And all day after , No desire shot home , But that the Chamber-decking Night were come . ●nd now , Nights ●ooty c●owd●s clap't all 〈◊〉 on , Fraught all with sleepe : yet tooke L●●●der none . But on th'oppos'd shore of the noise-full Seas , The Messenger of glittering Marriages Look't wishly for : Or rather long'd to see , The witn●sse of their Light to Misery , Farre of● discouer'd in their Couert bed . When Hero saw the blackest Curtaine spred Tha● vail'd the da●ke night : her bright Torch she shew'd . Whose Light no so●ner th' eager Lou●r vi●w'd : But Loue , his blood set on as bright a Fire . Together burn'd ●he Torch , and his Desire . But hearing of the Sea , the horrid rore , With which , the tender ayre the mad waues tore : At first he trembled : But at last he rear'd High as the storme his spir●● , and thus chear'd , ( Vsing these words to it ) his resolute minde ▪ Loue d●eadfull is ; The Sea , with nought inclinde : But Sea , is Water ; outward all his yre , When Loue lights his feare with an inward 〈◊〉 . Take fire ( my heart ) feare nought that flits and raues : Be Loue himselfe to me , despise these waues . Art thou ●o know , that Venus birth was here ? Commands the Sea , and all that greeues vs there ? This sayd , his ●aire Limbes of his weede , he strip't : Which , at his he●d , with both hands bound , he shipt . Lept from the Shore , and cast into the Sea His louely body : thrusting all his way Vp to the Torch , that still he thought did call : He Ores , he Sterer , he the Ship , and All ▪ Hero aduanc't vpon a Towre so hye , As soone would lose on it , the fixed'st eye . And like her Goddesse star , with her Light shining : The windes , that alwayes ( as at her repining , Would blast her pleasures ) with her va●le she che'kt , And from their envies did her Totch protect . And this she neuer l●ft , till she had brought Leander , to the Hauenfull shore he sought . Then downe she ran , and vp she lighted then To her T●wr●s top , the weariest of Men. First , at the Gates , ( without a syllable vs'd ) She hug'd her panting husband , all diffus'd With somy drops , still stilling from his haire : Then brought she him in to the inmost Faire O● all , her Virgin Chamber ; That , ( at best ) Was with her beau●ies , ten times better drest . His body then she clen●'d : His body oyl'd With Rosie Odors : and his bosome ( ●oyl'd With the vnsauoury Sea ) she render'd sweet . Then , in the high-made●ed , ( euen pan●ing yet ) Her selfe she powr'd about her husband● brest , And th●se words vtter'd ▪ With too much vnrest , O Hu●band , you haue bought this litl● peace : Husband , No o●her man hath paid th' encrease Of that huge sum of paines you tooke for me . And yet I know , it is enough for thee To suffer for my Loue , the fishy sau●urs The working Sea breaths ▪ Come , lay all thy labors On my all-thankfull bosome . All this said , He straight vngirdled her ; and Both parts paid To Venus , what her gentle statutes bound . Here Weddings were ▪ but not a Musicall sound , Here bed-rites offer'd , but no hymnes gaue praise : No● Poe● , sacred w●dlocks worth did ●aise . No Torches gilt the honor'd Nuptiall bed : Nor ●ny y●uths much-mouing dances led . No Father ; Nor no reuerend Mother sung . Hymen , O Hymen , blessing LOVES so yong . But when the consummating Howres had croun'd The doun-right Nuptials , a ca●me bed was found . Silence , the Roome fixt ; Darknesse deck't the Bride , But Hymnes , and such Rites , farre were laide aside . Night , was sole Gracer of this N●ptiall house : Cheer●full Auror● neuer 〈…〉 Spous● In any Beds that were ●oo broadly known , Away he fled still , to his Region , And b●eath'd insatiate of the absent Sun. ¶ Hero kept all this from her parents still ; Her Priestly weede was large , and would not fill : A Maid by Day she was , a Wif● by Night : Which both so lou'd , they wisht it neuer light . And thus ( Both ) hiding● the strong Need of Loue : In Venus secret sphere , reioyc't to moue . But soone their ●oy di'de ; and that still-tost state Of their sto●ne Nuptials , drew but l●●tle date . For when the frosty winter kept his Iusts , Rousing together all the horrid Gusts , That from the euer-whirling pits arise : And those weake deepes , that driue vp to the skie● , Against the drench't foundations , making knocke Their curled forheads : Then with many a shocke The windes and seas met ; made the stormes aloud , Beate all the rough Sea with a Pitchy cloud ▪ And then the blacke Barke , buffered with gales , Earth checkes so rudely , that in Two it fals . The Seaman flying Winters faithlesse Sea. Yet ( braue Leander ) All this be●t at thee , Could not compell in thee one fit of feare : But when the cruell faithlesse Messenger ( The Towre ) appear'd , and shew'd th'accustom'd light ; It stung thee on , secure of all ●he spight The raging Sea spit . But since Winter came , Vnhappy Hero , should haue cool'd her flame , And lye without Leander ; No more lighting Her short-liu'd Bed-starre : but strange fate exciting As well as Loue ; And both their pow'rs combin'd Entic●ng her ; In her hand , neuer shin'd The fatall Loue Torch ( but this one houre ) more . Night came : And now , the Sea against the sho●e Muster'd her winds vp : from whose Wintry iawes They belch't ●heir rude breaths out , in bitterest flawes ▪ In mid●st of which , Leander , with the Pride Of his deere hope , to boord his matchle●se Bride ▪ ●p , on the rough backe o●●he high sea , leapes : 〈◊〉 then waues thrust vp wau●s ; ●he watry heapes ●●mbled together : Sea and sky were mixt , The fighting windes , the frame of earth vnfixt . Zephire and Eurus flew in eithers face ; Notus and Boreas wrastler like imbrace , Aud tosse each other with their bristled backes . Ineuitable were the horrid crackes The shak●n Sea gaue : Ruthfull 〈◊〉 the wrackes Leander suffer'd , in the sauage gale , Th'inexorable whirlepits did exhale . Often he ●ra●'d to Venus ▪ borne of Seas : Neptune their King : And Boreas , that t' would please His Godhead , for the Nimph Aitheas sake , Not to forget , the like s●elth he did make For her deare Loue ▪ touch't then , with his sad state , But none would helpe him : Loue , compels not Fate . Euery way tost with waues , and Aires r●de breath Iustling together , he was crush't to death . No more his youthfull fo●ce his feete commands , Vnmou'd lay now his late all-mouing hands . His throat was turn'd free channel to the flood , And drinke went downe , that did him farre from good . No more the ●alse Light for the curst winde burn'd : That of Leander euer-to-be mourn'd , Blew out the Loue , and soule ; when Hero still Had watchfull eyes , and a most constant ●ill To guide the voyage : and the morning shin'd , Yet not by her Light , she her Loue could finde ▪ She sto●d distract with ●i●erable woes ; And round about the Seas broad shoulders , throwes Her eye , to second the ex●inguisht Light ▪ And tried if any way her husbands ●ight Erring in any part , she could descry . When , at her Turrets foote , she saw him lye , Mangled with Rockes , and all embru'd ; she tore About her bre●t , the curious weede she wore ▪ And with a shrieke , from off he● Turrets height , Cast her faire body headlong , That ●ell right On her dead husband : Spent with him her breath , And each won other , in the worst of death . Annotations vpon this Poem of Musaeus . 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies one , qui Nuptias apparat vel instruit . 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , est qui sponsam sponso adducit ●eu conciliat . 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 socius in aliquo opere . 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies , Perdite amans ; and therefore I enlarge the Verball Translation . 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , besides what is translated in the Latine ; resest mutiatur , Item mandatum a Nuntio perlatum ; Item Fama , and therefore I translate it , Fame-freighted ship , because Leander calles himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is translated Nauis amoris , though 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies sulcus , or Tractus nauis , vel serpentis , vel aetherea ●●gittae . &c. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , are of one s●●n●ficarion ; or haue their d●duction one ; and seeme to be deduc't 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 1. haerere . Vt sit odium quod animo infixum haeret . For odium is by Ci●ero defin'de , ira inueterata . I haue therefore translated it acording to this deduction , because it expresses better : and taking the winde for the fate of the winde ; which conceiu'd and appointed before , makes it as inueterate or infixt . 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Colore enim membrorū cubebat . A most excellent Hyperbole , being to be vnderstood , she blusht al ouer her . Or , then followes another elegancie , as strange & hard to conceiue . The mere verball translation of the La●ine , being in th● sence either imperfect , or vtterly inelegant , which I must yet leaue to your iudgement , for your owne satisfaction . The words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . — Euntis vero Etiam Rosae candidam ( induta ) tunicam sub talis splendebant puellae . To vnderstand which ; that her white weede was al vnderlin'd with Roses , & that they shin'd out of it as shee went , is p●ssing poore and absurd : and as grosse to haue her 〈◊〉 all ouer with Rofes . 〈◊〉 therefore to make the 〈◊〉 answe●able in heighth and elegancy to the former , she ●eem'd ( blushing all ouer her White Robe , euen below her Ankles , as she went ) a mouing Ro●e , as hauing the blus● of many Roses about her . 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Apparuit vmbrosa Hesperus stella . Eregione is before ; with I English , & East . Th'Euen starre tooke vantage of her shade , v●z : of the Euening shade , which is the cause that Starres appeare . 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , instabiles nutus puellae . ● English , her would , and would not . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying , Cui mens laxatae est & enerua : and of ex●remity therein , Amens , demens . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 10 Demens sum she cals him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies cui diffici●e fatum obtingit : according to which I English it , infelix ( being the worde in the Latine ) not expressing so particularly , because the word vnhappie in our Language hath diuers Vnderstandings ; as waggish or subtle , &c. And the other well expressing an ill abodement in Hero , of his ill or hard fate : imagining straight , the strange & sodaine alteration in her , to be fatall . 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , going before : it is Latin'd , Virginis ad Lectum difficile est ire . But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies , nullis machinis expugnabilis ; The way vnto a Virgins bedde , is vtterly bar'd . 12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Venerearum consuetudinum per se nuntiae sunt minoe . Exceeding elegant . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying , qui sibi nuntius est , id est , qui sine al●orum opera sua ipse nuntiat . According to which I haue English't it . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ Lusus veneri . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also , whi●● signifies minae , hauing a reciprocall Sig. in our tongue , beeing englisht Mines : Mines , as it is priuileg'd amongest vs being English , signifying Mines made vnder the earth . I haue past it with that word , being fitte for this place in that vnderstāding . 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Corpus amorem parriens , & alicis , according to which I haue turn'd it . 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies , qui tenera & delicata est cute , tenerum ; therfore not enough expressing , I haue enlarg'd the expression , as in his place . 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 IS turn'd ; Variorum verborum . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying multinagus , erroneus , or errorum plenus , intending that sort of error that is in the Planets ; of whose wandering , they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sidera erranti . So that Hero tax't him for so bolde a liberty in wordes , as er'd toto coelo , from what was fit , or becam the youth of one so gracefull : which made her breake into the admyring exclamation ; that one so yong and gracious , shold put on so experien●st and licentious a boldnesse , as in that holy temple encorag'd him to make Loue to her . 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it is Translated Domo altissima ; but because it is a cōpound , and hath a grace superiour to the other● , in his more neere and verball conuersion ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying , Coelum sua proceritate tangens , I haue so render'd it . 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , translated madidus Maritus , when as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken heere for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying vnum & idem cubile habeus , which is more particular and true . 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & ● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies , La in altus aut profundus vt ab eius accessu aberres , intending the Tower vppon which Hero stoode . FINIS . A18401 ---- Andromeda liberata. Or the nuptials of Perseus and Andromeda. By George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1614 Approx. 49 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18401 STC 4964 ESTC S107688 99843384 99843384 8114 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18401) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8114) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 983:07) Andromeda liberata. Or the nuptials of Perseus and Andromeda. By George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [52] p. Printed [at Eliot's Court Press] for Laurence L'Isle and are to be sold at his shop in St, Paules-Church-yard, at the signe of the Tigers-head, London : 1614. On the occasion of the marriage of Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, and Frances Howard Carr, Countess of Somerset. In verse. Printer identified by STC. Signatures: [par.]-2[par.]⁴ A² B-E⁴ F² (-[par.]1, F2). F1 contains "Andromeda liberata. Apodosis". Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Somerset, Robert Carr, -- Earl of, d. 1645. Somerset, Frances Howard Carr, -- Countess of, 1593-1632. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-11 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-11 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion ANDROMEDA LIBERATA . OR THE NVPTIALS OF PERSEVS and ANDROMEDA . By GEORGE CHAPMAN . Nihil a veritate nec virtute remotius quam vulgaris opinio . Pet. LONDON , Printed for LAVRENCE L'ISLE and are to be sold at his shop in S t , Paules-Church-yard , at the signe of the Tigers-head ▪ 1614. TO THE RIGHT WORTHILY HONORED , Robert Earle of Sommerset , &c. AND HIS MOST NOBLE LADY the Ladie FRANCES . AS nothing vnder heauen is more remou'd From Truth & virtue , then Opinions prou'● By vulgar Voices : So is nought more true Nor soundly virtuous then things held by few : Whom Knowledge ( entred by the sacred line , And gouernd euermore by grace diuine , ) Keepes in the narrow path to spacious heauen , And therfore , should no knowing spirit be driue● From fact , nor purpose ; for the spleens prophan Of humours errant , and Plebeian ; But , Famelike , gather force as he goes forth , The Crowne of all Acts ends in onely worth . Nor will I feare to postrate this poore Rage Of forespoke Poesie , to your patronage , ( Thrice worthy Earle ) , & your vnequald grace ( Most Noble Countesse ) for the one-ear'd Race Of set-eyd vulgars , that will no waie see But that their stiffe necks driue them headlongy , Stung with the Gadflie of misgouernd zeale : Nor heare but one tale and that euer ill . These I contemne , as no Rubs fit for me To checke at , in my way t' Integritie . Nor will ye be incenst that such a Toie Should put on the presumption to enioie Your grauer eare , my Lord , and your faire eye ( Illustrous Ladie ) since poore Poesie Hath beene a Iewell in the richest eare Of all the Nuptiall States , that euer were . For as the Bodies pulse ( in Phisique ) is A little thing ; yet therein th' Arteries Bewray their motion , and disclose , to Art The strength , or weakenesse , of the vitall part ; Perpetually moouing , like a watch Put in our Bodies : So this three mens catch , This little Soules Pulse , Poesie , panting still Like to a dancing pease vpon a Quill , Made with a childes breath ; vp and downe to fly ( Is no more manly thought ) And yet thereby Euen in the corps of all the world we can Discouer all the good and bad of man , Anatomise his nakednesse , and be To his chiefe Ornament , a Maiestie : Erect him past his human Period And heighten his transition into God. Thus Sun-like , did the learnd and most diuine Of all the golden world , make Poesie shine ; That now , but like aglow worm , gleams by night Like Teachers , scarce foūd , by their proper light . But this ( my Lord ) and all poore virtues else Expos'd , ah las , like perdu Sentinels ●o warne the world of what must needs be nie ●or pride , and auarice , glas'd by Sanctitie , Must be distinguisht , and decided by Your cleere , ingenuous , and most quiet eye Exempt from passionate , and duskie fumes , That blinde our Reason : and in which consumes The Soule , halfe choakt , with stomacke casting mists ●red in the purest , turnd mere humorists . And where with douelike sweet humility They all things should authorise or deny , The vulgar heate and pride of splene and blood Blaze their opinions , which cannot be good . For as the Bodies Shadow , neuer can Shew the distinct , and expact Forme of man ; So nor the bodies passionate affects Can euer teach well what the Soule respects . For how can mortall things , immortall shew ▪ Or that which false is , represent the trew ▪ The peacefull mixture then that meetes in yow ( Most tēperat Earl ) that nought to rule do thow : In which , as in a thorough kindled Fire , Light and Heat marrie Iudgement and Desire . Reason is still in quiet , and extends All things t' aduantage of your honored Ends , May well authorise all your Acts of Note , Since all Acts vicious , are of Passion got : " Through dead Calms , of our Perturbations euer " Truths Voice ( to soules eares set ) we heare or neuer " The meerely animate Man , doth nothing see " That tends to heauen : It must be onely He " That is mere foule : Her separable powers " The scepter giuing heere : That then discourse " Of Motions that in sence doe neuer fall , " Yet know them too , and can distinguish all " With such a freedome , that our earthly parts " Sincke all to earth : And then th' ingenuous arts " Doe their true office , Then true Policie " Windes like : a serpent , through all Empery . " Her folds on both sides bounded , like a flood " With high-shores listed , making great and good " Whom she instructeth , to which , you ( my Lord ) May lay all claimes that Temper can afford ; Nought gathering ere t' is ripe : and so must taste Kindely and sweetely , and the longer hast , All fruits , in youth , ripe in you ; and must so Imply a facultie to euer growe . And as the morning that is calme and gray , Deckt all with curld clowds ; that the Sunne doth lay With varied coullours ; All aloft exhall'd As they t' adorn euen heauen it selfe were call'd , And could not fall in slendrest deawes till Night , But keepe daies Beauty : firme and exquisite ; More for delight fit , and doth more adorne Euē th'Euē with Graces , then the youthful morn : So you ( sweete Earle ) stay youth in aged bounds Euen absolute now , in all lifes grauest grounds , Like Aire , fill euery corner of your place , Your grace , your virtue heightning : virtue , grace And keeping all clowds high , aire calme , & cleer And in your selfe all that their height should rere Your life and light will proue a still full Moone , And all your night time nobler then your noone , The Sunne is in his rising , height , and set Still ( in himselfe ) alike , at all parts great , His light , heat , greatnes , coullors that are showne To vs ; as his charge , meerely is our owne . So let your charge , my Lord , in others be , But in your selfe hold Sun-like constancie . For as men skild in Natures study , say , The world was not the world , nor did conuay To coupling bodies Natures common forme , But ( all confus'd , like waues struck with a storme ) Some small were , and ( in no set being , staid ) All comprehension , and connexion fled ; The greater , and the more compact disturb'd With ceaseles warre , and by no order curb'd , Till earth receiuing her set magnitude Was fixt her selfe , and all her Birth indu'd With staie and law , so this small world of ours : Is but a Chaos of corporeall powers : Nor yeelds his mixt parts , forms that may becom A human Nature ; But at randome rome Past brutish fashions , and so neuer can Be cald the ciuill bodie of a man ; But in it , and against it selfe still fights , In competence of Cares , loyes , Appetites : The more great in command , made seruile more , Glutted , not satisfied : in plenty , poore : Till vp the Soule mounts , and the Scepter swaies Th' admired Fabricke of her world suruaies , And as it hath a magnitude confinde , ●o all the powers therein , she sees combinde ●n fit Acts for one end , which is t' obay Reason , her Regent ; Nature giuing way : Peace , Concord , Order , Stay proclaim'd , and Law , And none commanding , if not all in Awe , Passion , and Anger , made to vnderlie , And heere concludes , mans morall Monarchie ●n which , your Lordships milde Soule sits so hie Yet cares so little to be seene , or heard , That in the good thereof , her scope is Sphear'd . The Theban Ruler , paralleling Right , Who , thirst of glory , turnd to appetite Of inward Goodnesse , was of speech so spare , To heare , and learne , so couetous , and yare , That ( of his yeares ) none , things so many knew : Nor in his speeches , ventured on so few : Forth then ( my Lord ) & these things euer thirst Till Scandall pine , and Bane-fed enuie burst . And you , ( most noble ) Lady as in blood In minde be Noblest , make our factious brood Whose forked tongs , wold fain your honor sting Conuert their venomd points into their spring : Whos 's owne harts guilty , of faults faind in yours Wold fain be posting off : but , arme your powers With such a seige of vertues , that no vice Of all your Foes , Aduantage may entice To sally forth , and charge you with offence , But sterue within , for very conscience Of that Integritie , they see exprest In your cleere life : Of which , th'examples Rest , May be so blamelesse ; that all past must be ( Being Fount to th' other ) most vndoubtedly Confest vntouch't ; and Curiositie The beame picke rather from her own squint eie , Then ramp stil at the motes shade , faind in yours , Nought doth so shame this chimick serch of ours As when we prie long for assur'd huge prise , Our glasses broke , all vp in vapor flies . And as , the Royall Beast , whose image you Beare in your armes , and aires great Eagle too ; Sill as they goe , are said to keepe in close Their seres , & Tallons , lest their points shold lose Their vseful sharpnes , when they serue no vse : So this our sharp-eyd search that we abuse In others brests , we should keepe in , t'explore Our owne fowle bosomes , and quit them before VVe ransacke others : but ( great Ladie ) leaue These Rules to them they touch ; do you receaue Those free ioies in your honour , and your Loue That you can say are yours ; and euer moue VVhere your comand , as soon is seru'd as kown , Ioyes plac't without you , neuer are your owne . Your Honours euer most humbly and faithfully vowd . Geo. Chapman . To the preiudicate and peremptory Reader . I Am still in your hands ; but was first in his , that ( being our great sustainer of Sincerity , and Innocence ) will , I hope , defend mee from falling . I thinke you know not him I intend , more then you know me , nor can you know mee , since your knowledge is imagined so much aboue mine , that it must needes ouersee . He that lies on the ground can fall no lower . By such as backebite the highest , the lowest must looke to be de uor'd , Forth with your curious Scrutinie , and finde my Rush as knotty as you lust , and your owne Crab-tree , as smooth . Twillbe most ridiculous ▪ and pleasing , to sit in a corner , and spend your teeth to the stumps , in mumbling an ould Sparrow , till your lips bleed , and your eyes water : when all the faults you can finde are first in your selues , t' is no Herculean labor to cracke what you breed . Ah las who knowes not your vttermost dimensions ? Or loues not the best things you would seeme to loue , in deed , and better ? Truth was neuer the Fount of Faction . In whose Sphere since your purest thoughts moue , their motion must of force be oblique and angulare . But whatsoeuer your disease bee , I know it incurable , because your vrine will neuer shew it . At aduenture , at no hand be let blood for it , but rather sooth your ranke bloods and rub one another . You yet , ingenuous and iudicious Reader : that ( as you are your selfe ) retaine in a sound bodie , as sounde a soule : if your gentle tractability , haue vnwares let the common surfet surprize you : abstaine , take Phisique heere , and recouer . Since you reade to learne , teach : Since you desire to bee reform'd , reforme freely . Such strokes shall bee so farre from breaking my head ; they shall be rich Balmes to it , comfort , and strengthen the braine it beares , and make it healthfully neese out , whatsoeuer anoies it . Vale. The Argument . ANdromeda , Daughter of Cepheus , King of Aethiopia ; and Cassiope ( a virgine exempted from cōparison in all the vertues & beauties , both o● minde and bodie ) for the enuie of Iuno to her Mother ; being compar'd with her for beauty and wisedome ; ( or as others write , maligned by the Nereides , for the eminent Graces of her selfe ) moued so much the Deities displeasures ; that they procur'd Neptune to send into the Region of Ceph●us , a whale so monstrously vaste and dreadfull : that all the fields he spoild and wasted ; all the noblest edifices tumbling to ruine ; the strongest citties of the kingdome , not forcible enough to withstand his inuasions . Of which so vnsufferable a plague Cepheus consulting with an Oracle ; and asking both the cause , and remedie ; after accustomed sacrifices , the Oracle gaue answer , that the calamity would neuer cease , till his onely daughter Andromeda , was exposed to the Monster . Cepheus returnd , and with Iron chaines bound his daughter to a rocke , before a cittie of the kingdome called Ioppe . At which cittie , the same time , Perseus arriued with the head of Medusa &c. who pittying so matchles a virgines exposure to so miserable an euent ; dissolu'd her chaines and tooke her from the Rock . Both sitting together to expect the monster , & he rauenously hasting to deuoure her , Perseus , turndpart of him into stone , & through the rest made way with his sword to his vtter slaughter . When ( holding it wreath enough for so renownd a victory ) He took Andromeda to wife , & had by her one daughter called Perse , another Erythraea , of whom , the sea in those parts is called Mare Erythraeā ; since she both liued and died there : and one sonne called after himselfe , another Electrion , a third Sthenelus : and after liued Princely and happily with his wife and his owne Mother to his death . Then faind for their vertues to be made Constellations in Heauen . ANDROMEDA LIBERATA . AWay vngodly Vulgars , far away , Flie ye prophane , that dare not view the day , Nor speake to men but shadowes , nor would heare Of any newes , but what seditious were , Hatefull and harmefull euer to the best , Whispering their scandals , glorifying the rest , Impious , and yet gainst all ills but your owne , The hotest sweaters of religion . Whose poysons all things to your spleenes peruert , And all streames measure by the Fount your heart , That are in nought but misrule regulare , To whose eyes all seeme ill , but those that are , That hate yee know not why , nor with more cause , Giue whom yee most loue your prophane applause , That when Kings and their Peeres ( whose piercing eies Broke through their broken sleepes and policies , Mens inmost Cabinets disclose and hearts ; Whose hands loues ballance ( weighing all desarts ) Haue let downe to them ; which graue conscience , Charg'd with the blood and soule of Innocence . Holds with her white hand , ( when her either skole , Apt to be sway'd with euery graine of Soule , Her selfe swaies vp or downe , to heauen or hell , Approue an action ) you must yet conceale , A deeper insight , and retaine a taint To cast vpon the pure soule of a Saint . Away , in our milde Sphere doth nothing moue , But all-creating , all preseruing Loue , At whose flames , vertues , lighted euen to starres , All vicious Enuies , and seditious Iars , Bane-spitting Murmures and detracting Spels , Bannish with curses to the blackest hels : Defence of Beauty and of Innocence , And taking off the chaines of Insolence , From their prophan'd and godlike Lineaments , Actions heroique , and diuine descents , All the sweet Graces , euen from death reuiu'd , And sacred fruites , from barren Rockes deriu'd , Th' Immortall Subiects of our Nuptials are : Thee then ( iust scourge of factious populare ; Fautor of peace , and all the powers that moue In sacred Circle of religious Loue ; Fountaine of royall learning , and the rich Treasure of Counsailes , and mellifluous speech : ) Let me inuoke , that one drop of thy spring May spirit my aged Muse , and make her sing , As if th'inspir'd brest , of eternall youth Had lent her Accents , and all-mouing truth . The Kingdome that the gods so much did loue , And often feasted all the Powers aboue : At whose prime beauties the enamour'd Sunne , His Morning beames lights , and doth ouerrunne The world with Ardor ( Aethiopia ) Bore in her throne diuine Andromeda , To Cepheus and Cassiope his Queene : Whose boundlesse beauties , made ore'flow the spleene Of euery Neirid , for surpassing them : The Sun to her , resign'd his Diadem : And all the Deities , admiring stood , Affirming nothing mou'd , like flesh and blood : Thunder would court her with words sweetly phraz'd , And lightning stucke 'twixt heau'n and earth amaz'd . This matchlesse virgin had a mother too , That did for beautie , and for wisdome goe Before the formost Ladies of her time : To whom of super-excellence the crime Was likewise lai'd by Iuno , and from hence Pin'd Enuie suckt , the poison of offence . No truth of excellence , was euer seene , But bore the venome of the Vulgares spleene . And now the much enrag'd Neireides Obtain'd of him that moues the marble seas ( To wreake the vertue , they cal'd Insolence ) A whale so monstrous , and so past defence , That all the royall Region he laid wast , And all the noblest edifices rac't : Nor from his plague , were strongest Cities free , His bodies vast heape rag'd so heauily . With noblest names and bloods is still embrewd The monstrous beast , the rauenous Multitude . This plague thus preying vpon all the land , With so incomprehensible a hand : The pious virgin of the father sought , By Oracles to know , what cause had brought Such banefull outrage ouer all his State , And what might reconcile the Deities hate . His orisons and sacrifices past , The Oracle gaue answere , that the waste His Country suffered , neuer would conclude , Till his Andromeda he did extrude , To rapine of the Monster , he ( good man , ) Resolu'd to satiate the Leuiathan : With her , before his Country , though he lou'd Her past himselfe , and bore a spirit mou'd To rescue Innocence in any one That was to him , or his , but kindly knowne , To grace , or profite ; doe them any good That lay in swift streame of his noblest blood , Constant to all , yet to his deerest seed , ( For rights sake ) flitting : thinking true indeed , The generall vprore , that t' was sinne in her , That made men so exclaime , and gods conferre Their approbation : saying the Kingdomes bale Must end by her exposure to the Whale : With whom the Whale-like vulgare did agree , And their foule spleenes , thought her impiety , Her most wise mother yet , the sterne intent , Vow'd with her best endeauour to preuent . And tolde her what her father did addresse ; Shee ( fearefull ) fled into the wildernesse : And to th' instinct of sauage beasts would yeeld , Before a father that would cease to shield A daughter , so diuine and Innocent : Her feet were wing'd , and all the search out went , That after her was ordered : but shee flew , And burst the winds that did incenst pursue , And with enamoured sighes , her parts assaile , Plaide with her haire , and held her by the vaile : From whom shee brake , and did to woods repaire : Still where shee went , her beauties dide the ayre , And with her warme blood , made proud Flora blush : But seeking shelter in each shadie bush : Beauty like fire , comprest , more strength receiues And shee was still seene shining through the leaues . Hunted from thence , the Sunne euen burn'd to see , So more then Sunne-like a Diuinity , Blinded her eyes , and all inuasion seekes To dance vpon the mixture of her cheekes , Which show'd to all , that follow'd after far , As vnderneath the roundure of a starre , The euening skie is purple'd with his beames : Her lookes fir'd all things with her loues extreames . Her necke a chaine of orient pearle did decke , The pearles were faire , but fairer was her necke : Her breasts ( laid out ) show'd all enflamed sights Loue , lie a sunning , twixt two Crysolites : Her naked wrists showde , as if through the skie , A hand were thrust , to signe the Deitie Her hands , the confines , and digestions were Of Beauties world ; Loue fixt his pillars there . Her eyes that others caught , now made her caught , Who to her father , for the whale was brought , Bound to a barraine Rocke , and death expected ; But heau'n hath still such Innocence protected : Beauty needs feare no Monsters , for the sea , ( Mother of Monsters ) sent Alcyone , To warrant her , not onely gainst the waues , But all the deathes hid in her watrie graues . The louing birds flight made about her still , ( Still good presaging ) shew'd heau'ns sauing will : Which cheering her , did comfort all the shore That mourn'd in shade of her sad eyes before : Her lookes to perle turn'd peble , and her looks To burnisht gold transform'd the burning Rocks . And no● came roring to the tied , the Tide All the Neireides deckt in all their pride Mounted on Dolphins , ro●de to see their wreake The waues fom'd with their enuies ; that did speake In mutest fishes , with their leapes aloft For brutish ioy of the reuenge they sought . The people greedie of disastrous sights And newes , ( the food of idle appetites From the kings Chamber , straight knew his intent , And almost his resolu'd thoughts did preuent In drie waues beating thicke about the Shore And then came on the prodegie , that bore In one masse mixt their Image ; that still spread A thousand bodies vnder one sole head Of one minde still to ill all ill men are Strange sights and mischiefes fit the Populare . Vpon the Monster red Rhamnusia rode , The Sauage leapt beneath his bloody load Mad of his prey , giu'n ouer now by all : When any high , haue any meanes to fall , Their greatest louers proue false props to proue it And for the mischiefe onely , praise and loue it . There is no good they will not then commend , Nor no Religion but they will pretend A mighty title to , when both are vs'd , To warrant Innouation , or see brus'd The friendlesse Reed , that vnder all feet lies : The sound parts euermore , they passe like flies , And dwell vpon the sores , ill in themselues , They clearely saile with ouer rockes and shelues , But good in others ship wracke in the Deepes : Much more vniust is he that truely keepes Lawes for more shew , his owne ends vnderstood Then he that breakes them for anothers good . And 't is the height of all malignity , ●o tender good so , that yee ill implie : ●o treade on Pride but with a greater pride . When where no ill , but in ill thoughts is tri'd , To speake well is a charity diuine : The rest retaine the poyson serpentine Vnder their lips , that sacred liues condemne , And wee may worthily apply to them , This tragicke execration : perish hee That si●ts too far humane infirmity . But as your cupping glasses still exhale The humour that is euer worst of all In all the flesh : So these spic't conscienc't men The worst of things explore still , and retaine . Or rather , as in certaine Cities were Some ports through which all rites piaculare , All Executed men , all filth were brought , Of all things chast , or pure , or sacred , nought Entring or issuing there : so curious men , Nought manly , elegant , or not vncleane , Embrace , or bray out : Acts of staine are still Their Syrens , and their Muses : Any ill Is to their appetites , their supreme good , And sweeter then their necessary food . All men almost in all things they apply The By the Maine make , and the Maine the By. Thus this sweete Ladies sad exposure was Of all these moodes in men , the only glasse : But now the man that next to Ioue comptrold The triple world ▪ got with a shoure of gold : ( Armed with Medusa's head , and Enyos eye : The Adamantine sword of Mercury The helme of Pluto , and Minerua's Mirror , That from the Gorgus made his passe with Terror ) Came to the rescue of this enuied mayd : Drew neere , and first , in admiration stay'd That for the common ill of all the land , She the particular obloquie should stand : And that a beauty , no lesse then diuine Should men and women finde so serpentine As but to thinke her any such euent : Much lesse that eies and hands should giue consent To such a danger and to such a death . But though the whole Realme laboured vnderneath So foule an error , yet since Ioue and he Tendred her beauty , and integretie , In spight of all the more he set vp spirit To doe her right ; the more all wrong'd her merit , He that both vertue had , and beauty too Equall with her to both knew what to doe : The Ruthles still go laught at to the Graue Those that no good will doe , no goodnesse haue : The minde a spirit is , and cal'd the glasse In which we see God ; and corporeall grace The mirror is , in which we see the minde . Amongst the fairest women you could finde Then Perseus , none more faire ; mongst worthiest men , No one more manly : This the glasse is then To shew where our complexion is combinde ; A womans beauty , and a manly minde : Such was the halfe-diuine-borne Troian Terror Where both Sex graces , met as in their Mirror . Perseus of Loues owne forme , those fiue parts had Which some giue man , that is the loueliest made : Or rather that is loueliest enclin'd , And beares ( with shape ) the beauty of the mind : Young was he , yet not youthfull , since mid-yeeres , The golden meane holds in mens loues and feares : Aptly composde , and soft ( or delicate ) Flexible ( or tender ) calme ( or temperate ) Of these fiue , three , make most exactly knowne , The Bodies temperate complexion : The other two , the order doe expresse , The measure and whole Trim of comelinesse . A temperate corporature ( learn'd Nature saith ) A smooth , a soft , a solid flesh bewrayeth : Which state of body shewes th' affections State In all the humours , to be moderate ; For which cause , soft or delicate they call Our conquering Perseus , and but yong withall , Since time or yeeres in men too much reuolu'd , The subtiler parts of humour being resolu'd , More thicke parts rest , of fire and aire the want , Makes earth and water more predominant : Flexible they calde him , since his quicke conceit , And pliant disposition , at the height Tooke each occasion , and to Acts approu'd , As soone as he was full inform'd , he mou'd , Not flexible , as of inconstant state , Nor soft , as if too much effeminate , For these to a complexion moderate ( Which we before affirme in him ) imply , A most vnequall contrariety . Composure fit for Ioues sonne Perseus had , And to his forme , his mind fit answere made : " As to be lou'd , the fairest fittest are ; " To loue so to , most apt are the most faire , " Light like it self , tran●parent bodies makes , " At ones act ▪ th' other ioint impression takes . " Perseus , ( as if transparent ) at first sight , " Was shot quite thorough with her beauties light : " Beauty breedes loue ▪ loue consummates a man. " For loue , being true , and Eleutherean , " No Iniurie nor con●●●elie beares ; " That his beloued , eyther feeles or feares , " All good-wils enterchange it doth conclude " And mans whole summe holds , which is gratitude : " No wisdome , noblesse , force of armes , nor lawes , " Without loue , wins man , his compleat applause : " Loue , makes him valiant , past all else desires " For Mars , that is , of all heau'ns erring fires " Most full of fortitude ( since he inspires " Men with most valour ) Cytheraea tames : " For when in heau'ns blunt Angels shine his flames , " Or he , his second or eight house ascends " Of rul'd Natiuities ; and then portends " Ill to the then-borne : Venus in aspect " Sextile , or Trine doth ( being conioyn'd ) correct " His most malignitie : And when his starre " The birth of any gouernes ( fit for warre " The Issue making much to wrath enclin'd " And to the ventrous greatnesse of the minde ) " If Venus neere him shine she doth not let " His magnanimity , but in order set " The vice of Anger making Mars more milde " And gets the mastry of him in the childe : " Mars neuer masters her ; but if she guide " She loue inclines : and Mars set by her side " Her fires more ardent render , with his heat : " So that if he at any birth be set " In th' house of Venus , Libra , or the Bull , " The then-borne burnes , and loues flames feels at full . " Besides , Mars still doth after Venus moue " Venus not after Mars : because , of Loue " Boldnesse is hand-maid , Loue not so of her : " For not because men , bold affections beare " Loues golden nets doth their affects enfold ; " But since men loue , they therefore are more bold " And made to dare , euen Death , for their belou'd , " And finally , Loues Fortitude is prou'd " Past all , most cleerely ; for this cause alone " All things submit to Loue , but loue to none . " Celestials , Animals , all Corporeall things , " Wisemen , and Strong , Slaue-rich , and Free-borne Kings " Are loues contributories ; no guifts can buy , " No threats can loue constraine , or terrifie " For loue is Free , and his Impulsions still Spring from his owne free , and ingenious will. Not God himselfe , would willing loue enforce But did at first decree , his liberall course : Such is his liberty , that all affects All arts and Acts , the minde besides directs To some wish't recompence , but loue aspires To no possessions , but his owne desires : As if his wish in his owne sphere did moue , And no reward were worthy Loue but Loue. Thus Perseus stood affected , in a Time When all loue , but of riches was a crime A fancy and a follie . And this fact To adde to loues deseruings , did detract ; For t was a Monster and a monstrous thing Whence he should combat out , his nuptiall ring , The monster vulgar thought , and conquerd gaue The combatant already , the foule graue Of their fore-speakings , gaping for him stood And cast out fumes as from the Stigian flood Gainst his great enterprise , which was so fit For Ioues cheefe Minion , that Plebeian wit Could not conceiue it : Acts that are too hie For Fames crackt voice , resound all Infamie : O poore of vnderstanding : if there were Of all your Acts , one onely that did beare Mans worthie Image , euen of all your best Which truth could not discouer , to be drest In your owne ends , which Truths selfe not compels , But couers in your bottoms , sinckes and hels . Whose opening would abhor the sunne to see ( So ye stood sure of safe deliuerie Being great with gaine or propagating lust ) A man might feare your hubbubs ; and some trust Giue that most false Epiphonem , that giues Your voice , the praise of gods : but view your liues With eyes impartiall , and ye may abhorre To censure high acts , when your owne taste more Of damned danger : Perseus scorn'd to feare The ill of good Acts , though hel-mouth gap't there : Came to Andromeda ; sat by , and cheerd : But she that lou'd , through all the death she fear'd , At first sight , like her Louer : for his sake Resolu'd to die , ere he should vndertake A combat with a Monster so past man To tame or vanquish , though of Ioue he wanne A power past all men els , for man should still Aduance his powers to rescue good from ill , Where meanes of rescue seru'd : and neuer where Ventures of rescue , so impossible were That would encrease the danger : two for one Expose to Ruine : Therefore she alone Would stand the Monsters Fury and the Shame Of those harsh bands : for if he ouercame The monstrous world would take the monsters part ●o much the more : and say some sorcerouse art Not his pure valour , nor his Innocence Preuail'd in her deliuerance her offence Would still the same be counted , for whose ill The Land was threatned by the Oracle . The poisoned Murmures of the multitude . Rise more , the more , desert or power obtrude : Against their most ( sayd he ) come I the more : Vertue , in constant sufferance we adore . Nor could death fright him , for he dies that loues : And so all bitternesse from death remoues . He dies that loues , because his euery thought , ( Himselfe forgot ) in his belou'd is wrought . If of himselfe his thoughts are not imploy'd Nor in himselfe they are by him enioy'd . And since not in himselfe , his minde hath Act ( The mindes act chiefly being of thought compact ) Who workes not in himselfe , himselfe not is : For , these two are in man ioynt properties , To worke , and Be ; for Being can be neuer But Operation , is combined euer . Nor Operation , Being doth exceed , Nor workes man where he is not : still his deed His being , consorting , no true Louers minde He in himselfe can therefore euer finde Since in himselfe it workes not , if he giues Being from himselfe , not in himselfe he liues : And he that liues not , dead is , Truth then said That whosoeuer is in loue , is dead . If death the Monster brought then , he had laid A second life vp , in the loued Mayd : And had she died , his third life Fame decreed , Since death is conquer'd in each liuing deed : Then came the Monster on , who being showne His charmed sheild , his halfe he turn'd to stone And through the other with his sword made way : Till like a ruin'd Cittie , dead he lay Before his loue : The Neirids with a shrieke And Syrens ( fearfull to sustaine the like ) And euen the ruthlesse and the sencelesse Tide Before his howre , ran roring terrifi'd , Backe to their strength : wonders and monsters both , With constant magnanimitie , like froth Sodainely vanish , smother'd with their prease ; No wonder lasts but vertue : which no lesse We may esteeme , since t' is as seldome found Firme & sincere , and when no vulgar ground Or flourish on it , fits the vulgar eye Who viewes it not but as a prodegie ? Plebeian admiration , needes must signe All true-borne Acts , or like false fires they shine : If Perseus for such warrant had contain'd His high exploit , what honour had he gain'd ? Who would haue set his hand to his designe But in his skorne ? skorne censures things diuine : True worth ( like truth ) sits in a groundlesse pit And none but true eyes see the depth of it Perseus had Enyos eye , and saw within That grace , which out-lookes , held a desperate sin : He , for it selfe , with his owne end went on , And with his louely rescu'd Paragon Long'd of his Conquest , for the latest shocke : Dissolu'd her chaines , and tooke her from the rocke Now woing for his life that fled to her As hers in him lay : Loue did both confer To one in both : himselfe in her he found She with her selfe , in onely him was crownd : While thee I loue ( sayd he ) you louing mee In you I finde my selfe : thought on by thee , And I ( lost in my selfe by thee neglected ) In thee recouer'd am , by thee affected : The same in me you worke , miraculous strange Twixt two true Louers is this enterchange , For after I haue lost my selfe , if I Redeeme my selfe by thee , by thee supply I of my selfe haue , if by thee I saue My selfe so lost , thee more then me I haue . And neerer to thee , then my selfe I am Since to my selfe no otherwise I came Then by thee being the meane : In mutuall loue One onely death and two reuiuals moue : For he that loues , when he himselfe neglects Dies in himselfe once , In her he affects Straight he renewes , when she with equall fire Embraceth him , as he did her desire : Againe he liues too , when he surely seeth Himselfe in her made him : O blessed death Which two liues follow : O Commerce most strange Where , who himselfe doth for another change , Nor hath himselfe , nor ceaseth still to haue : O gaine , beyond which no desire can craue , When two are so made one , that either is For one made two , and doubled as in this : Who one life had : one interuenient death Makes him distinctly draw a two fold breath : In mutuall Loue the wreake most iust is found , When each so kill that each cure others wound ; But Churlish Homicides , must death sustaine , For who belou'd , not yeelding loue againe And so the life doth from his loue deuide Denies himselfe to be a Homicide ? For he no lesse a Homicide is held , That man to be borne lets : then he that kild A man that is borne : He is bolder farre That present life reaues : but he crueller That to the to-be borne , enuies the light And puts their eyes out , ere they haue their sight . All good things euer we desire to haue , And not to haue alone , but still to saue : All mortall good , defectiue is , and fraile ; Vnlesse in place of things , on point to faile , We daily new beget . That things innate May last , the languishing we re'create ●n generation , re'creation is , And from the prosecution of this Man his instinct of generation takes . Since generation , in continuance , makes Mortals , similitudes , of powers diuine , Diuine worth doth in generation shine . Thus Perseus sayd , and not because he sau'd Her life alone , he her in marriage crau'd : But with her life , the life of likely Race Was chiefe end of his action , in whose grace Her royall father brought him to his Court With all the then assembled glad resort Of Kings and Princes : where were solemniz'd Th' admired Nuptialls : which great Heau'n so priz'● That Ioue againe stoopt in a goulden showre T' enrich the Nuptiall as the Natall howre Of happy Perseus ▪ white-armd Iuno to Depos'd her greatnesse , and what she could do To grace the Bride & Bride-groome , was vouchsaf●● All Subiect-deities stoopt to : and the Shaft Golden and mutuall , with which loue comprest Both th'enuied Louers : offerd to , and kist : All answerablie feasted to their States : In all the Starres beames , stoopt the reuerend Fates : And the rere banquet , that fore ranne the Bed With his presage shut vp , and seconded : And sayd they sung verse , that Posteritie In no age should reproue , for Perfidie . Parcarum Epithalamion . O You this kingdomes glory that shall be Parents to so renownd a Progenie As earth shall enuie , and heauen glory in , Accept of their liues threds , which Fates shal spin Their true spoke oracle , and liue to see Your sonnes sonnes enter such a Progenie , As to the last times of the world shall last : Haste you that guide the web , haste spindles haste . ●ee Hesperus , with nuptiall wishes crownd , ●ake and enioy ; In all ye wish abound , Abound , for who should wish crowne with her store ●ut you that slew what barren made the shore ? You that in winter , make your spring to come Your Summer needs must be Elisium : ● race of mere soules springing , that shall cast ●heir bodies off in cares , and all ioyes taste . Haste then that sacred web , haste spindles haste . Ioue loues not many , therefore let those few That his guifts grace , affect still to renew : For none can last the same ; that proper is To onely more then Semideities : To last yet by renewing , all that haue More merit then to make their birth their graue , As in themselues life , life in others saue : First to be great seeke , then lou'd , then to last : Haste you that guide the web , haste spindles haste . She comes , ô Bridegroom shew thy selfe enflam'd And of what tender tinder Loue is flam'd : Catch with ech sparke , her beauties hurle about : Nay with ech thoght of her be rapt throughout ; Melt let thy liuer , pant thy startled heart : Mount Loue on earthquakes in thy euery part : A thousand hewes on thine , let her lookes cast ; Dissolue thy selfe to be by her embrac't , Haste ye that guide the web , haste spindles haste . As in each bodie , there is ebbe and flood Of blood in euery vaine , of spirits in blood ; Of Ioyes in spirits , of the Soule in Ioyes , And nature through your liues , this change imploies To make her constant : so each minde retaines Manners and customs , where vicicitude reignes : Opinions , pleasures , which such change enchains . And in this enterchange all man doth last , Haste then who guide the web , haste spindles haste . Who bodie loues best , feedes on dantiest meats , Who fairest seed seekes , fairest women gets : Who loues the minde , with loueliest disciplines Loues to enforme her , in which verity shines . Her beauty yet , we see not , since not her : But bodies ▪ ( being her formes ) who faire formes beare We view , and chiefely seeke her beauties there . The fairest then , for faire birth , see embrac't , Haste ye that guide the web , haste spindles haste . Starres ye are now , and ouershine the earth : Starres shall ye be heereafter , and your birth In bodies rule heere , as your selues in heau'n , What heer Detraction steals , shall there be giuen : The boūd that heer you freed shal triumph there The chaine that touch't her wrists shal be a starre Your beauties few can view , so bright they are : Like you shal be your birth , with grace disgrac't Haste ye that rule the web , haste spindles haste . Thus by diuine instinct , the fates enrag'd , Of Perseus and Andromeda presag'd Who , ( when the worthy nuptial State was done And that act past , which only two makes one , Flesh of each flesh and bone of eithers bone ) Left Cepheus Court ; both freed and honoured . The louing Victor , and blest Bride-groome led Home to the Seriphins , his rescu'd Bride ; Who ( after issue highly magnifi'd Both rapt to heau'n , did constellations reigne , And to an Asterisme was turn'd the chaine That onely touch't his grace of flesh & blood , In all which stands the Fates kinde Omen good . APODOSIS . THus through the Fount of stormes ( the cruell seas ) Her Monsters and malignant deities , Great Perseus made high and triumphant way To his starre crownd deed , and bright Nuptiall day . And thus doe you , that Perseus place supply In our Ioues loue , get Persean victorie Of our Land Whale , foule Barbarisme , and all His brood of pride , and liues Atheisticall : That more their pallats and their purses prise Then propagating Persean victories : Take Monsters parts , not aucthor manly parts : For Monsters kill the Man-informing Arts : And like a lothed prodegie despise The rapture that the Arts doth naturalise , Creating and immortalising men : Who scornes in her the Godheads vertue then , The Godheads selfe hath boldnesse to despise , And hate not her , but their Eternities : Seeke vertues loue , and vicious flatteries hate , Heere is not true sweete , but in knowing State. Who Honor hurts , neglecting vertues loue , Commits but Rapes on pleasures ; for not Ioue His power in thunder hath , or downeright flames , But his chiefe Rule , his Loue and Wisedome frames ▪ You then , that in loues strife haue ouercome The greatest Subiect blood of Crhistendome , The greatest subiect minde take , and in Both Be absolute man : and giue that end your oth . So shall my sad astonisht Muse arriue At her chiefe obiect : which is , to reuiue By quickning honor , in the absolute best : And since none are , but in Eternitie , blest , He that in paper can register things That Brasse and Marble shall denie euen Kings : Should not be trod on by ech present flash : The Monster slaine then , with your cleere Seas , wash From spots of Earth , Heauens beauty in the minde ●n which , through death , hath all true Noblesse shinde . FINIS . A18412 ---- A free and offenceles iustification of a lately publisht and most maliciously misinterpreted poeme: entituled Andromeda liberata. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1614 Approx. 21 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18412 STC 4977 ESTC S114692 99849916 99849916 15089 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18412) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 15089) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1478:11) A free and offenceles iustification of a lately publisht and most maliciously misinterpreted poeme: entituled Andromeda liberata. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [16] p. Printed [by Eliot's Court Press] for Laurence L'Isle and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls church-yard at the signe of the Tigers-head, London : 1614. By George Chapman. Printer from STC. Partly in verse. Running title reads: The iustification of Perseus and Andromeda. Signatures: *-2*⁴. Some print show-through; some leaves cropped. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. -- Andromeda liberata. 2002-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-01 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-02 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2003-02 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A FREE AND OFFENCELES Iustification , OF A LATELY PVBLISHT and most maliciously misinterpreted Poeme : ENTITVLED Andromeda liberata . Veritatem qui amat , emat . LONDON , Printed for LAVRENCE L'ISLE and are to be sold at his shop in Pauls church-yard at the signe of the Tigers-head , 1614. A FREE AND OFFENCELES IVSTIFIcation : Of a lately publisht and most maliciously misinterpreted Poeme ; Entituled ▪ Andromeda liberata . AS Learning , hath delighted from her Cradle , to hide her selfe from the base and prophane Vulgare , her ancient Enemy ▪ vnder diuers vailes of Hierogl●phikes Fables , and the like ; So hath she pleased her selfe with no disguise more ; then in misteries and allegoricall fictions of Poesie . These haue in that kinde , beene of speciall reputation ; as taking place of the rest , both for priority of time , and precedence of vse ; being borne in the ould world , long before Hieroglyphicks or Fabels were conceiued : And deliuered from the Fathers to the Sonnes of Art ; without any Aucthor but Antiquity . Yet euer held in high Reuerence and Aucthority ; as supposed to conceale , within the vtter barke ( as their Eternities approue ) some sappe of hidden Truth ▪ As either some dimme and obscure prints of diuinity , and the sacred history ; Of the grounds of naturall ▪ or rules of morall Philosophie , for the recommending of some virtue , torturing some vice in general ( For howsoeuer Phisitions alledge ; that their medicins , respect non Hominem , ●e●t Socratem ; not euery , but such a speciall body : Yet Poets professe the contrary , that their phisique intends non Socratem sed Hominem , not the indiuiduall but the vniuersall ) Or else recording some memorable Examples for the vse of policie and state : euer ( I say ) enclosing within the Rinde , some fruit of knowledge howsoeuer darkened ; and ( by reason of the obscurity ) of ambiguous and different construction . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. Est enim ipsa Natura 〈◊〉 Poe●●● anigmatu● plena , nec qu ●is eam dignostit : This Ambiguity in the sence , hath giuen scope to the varietie of expositions ; while Poem in al ages ( challenging , as their Birth-rights , the vse and application of these fictions ) haue euer beene allowed to fashion both , pro & contra , to their owne offencelesse , and iudicious occasions . And borrowing to farre the priuiledg'd licence of their professions ; haue enlarged , or 〈◊〉 the Allegory , with inuentions and dispositions of their owne , to extend it to their present doctrinall and illustrous purposes ▪ By which aucthority , my selfe ( resoluing amongst others , to offer vp my poore mite , to the honour of the late Nuptials ; betwixt the two most Noble personages , whose honored names renown the front of my Poeme ) singled out ( as in some parts harmelesly , and gracefully applicable to the occasion ) The Nuptials of Perseus and Andromeda , an innocent and spotlesse virgine , rescu'd from the polluted throate of a monster ; which I in this place applied to the sauage multitude ; peruerting her most lawfully-sought propagation , both of blood and blessing , to their owne most lawlesse and lasciuious intentions : from which in all right she was legally and formally deliuered . Nor did I euer imagine till now so farre-fetcht a thought in malice ( such was my simplicitie ) That the fiction being as ancient as the first world , was originally intended to the dishonor of any person now liuing : but presum'd , that the application being free I might pro meo iure dispose it ( innocenly ) to mine owne obiect : if at least , in mine owne wrighting , I might be reasonablie & conscionablie master of mine owne meaning . And to this sense , I confinde the allegory throughout my Poeme ; as euery word thereof , ( concerning that point ) doth cleerely and necessarilie demonstrate : without the least intendment ( I vow to God ) against any noble personages free state , or honor . Nor make I any noble ( whose meere shadowes heerin , the vulgar perhaps may imitatate ) any thought the more mixt with the grosse substance of the vulgar : but present the vulgare onely in their vnseuerd herde ; as euer in antient tradition of all autenticall Aucthours they haue beene resembled : To whom they were neuer beholding for any fairer Titles ; then the base , ignoble , barbarous , giddie multitude ; The Monster with many heads ( which the Emperor , in his displeasure , wisht to haue sprung all from one necke ; that all at one blow , he might haue v●trunkt them ) cui lumen 〈◊〉 ; without an Eye ; or , at most , seeing all by one fight ( like the Lamiae , who had but one eie to serue all their directions , which , as anie one of them went abroad , she put on , and put off when she came home ) giuing vp their vnderstandings to their affections , and taking vp their affections on other mens credits , neuer examining the causes of their Loues or hates , but ( like curres ) alwaies ba●king at all they know not : whose most honored deseruings ( were they knowen to them as to others of neerer and truer obseruation ) might impresse in them as much reuerence as their ignorance doth rudenesse : Euermore baying lowdest at the most eminent Reputations , & with whō as in the kingdom of Frogges ) the most lowd Crier , is the loftiest Rule● ▪ No reason nor aucthority able to stoope them ; though neuer so iudicially & religiously vrdging them : whose impartiall and cleere truth ; not their owne bold blindnesse can denie ; vnlesse they will dare to mutter with the Oratour touching the Delphicke Oracles , and say our Oracles of Truth , did likewise 〈◊〉 encline to Philip putting no difference betwixt Illusion and Truth , the consciences of learned religious men ▪ and the cunnings of prophane . And then how may my poore endeauours , in dutie to Truth , and my most deare Conscience ( for Reputation , since it stands , for the most part , on beasts feete , and Deserts hand is nothing to warrant it , let it goe with the beastly ) reforme or escape their vnrelenting detractions ? The Loues of the right vertuous and truly noble , I haue euer as much esteemed , as despised the rest ▪ finding euer of the first sort , in all degrees , as worthy as any of my rancke , till ( hauing enough to doe in mine owne necessary ends , hating to insinuate and labour their confirmation , and encrease of opinion , further then their owne free iudgements would excite and direct them ) I still met with vndermining laborers for themselues , who ( esteeming all worth their own , which they detract from others ) deminisht me much in some changeable estimations ( Amicu●● 〈◊〉 Animal facile mutabil● ) whose supplies yet farre better haue still brought me vnfought : and till this most vnequall impression opprest me , I stood firme vp with many , now onely , with God and my selfe . For the violent hoobub , setting my song to their owne tunes , haue made it yeeld so harsh and distastefull a sound to my best friends , that my Integritie ▪ euen they hold , affected with the shrill eccho thereof , by reflexion receiuing it from the mouthes of others . And thus ( to 〈◊〉 , as strooke dumbe with the disdaine of it , their most vnmanly lie both of my ba●●●ing and wounding , saying ▪ Take this for your Andromeda , not being so much as toucht , I witnesse God , nor one sillable suffering ) I will descend to a conclusion with this , that in all this my seede time , sowing others honours , 〈◊〉 super semi●auit Zizania &c. Whiles I slept in mine innocencie , the enuious man hath beene heere , who like a venomous spider , drawing this subtle thred out of himselfe , cunningly spred it into the eares of the manie ( who as they see all with one eye , so heare all with one eare , and that alwaies the left ) where multiplying and getting strength it was spred into an Artificiall webbe , to entangle my poore poeticall flie ; being otherwise ( God knowes ) for enough from all venome , saue what hath beene ●oro'st into her , by her poisonous enemy to sting her to death . But the allusion ( you will say ) may be extended so farre ; but qui nimium emulget elicet sanguinem ; a malicious reader by straining the Allegorie past his intentionall limits , may make it giue blood , where it yeeldes naturally milke , and ouercurious wits may discouer a sting in a flie : But as a guiltlesse prisoner at the barre sayd to a Lawyer thundring against his life , Num quia tu disertus es , ego peribo ? because malice is witty , must Innocence be condemned ? Or if some other , not sufficiently examining what I haue written , shall by mistaking the title , suppose it carrie such an vnderstanding ; doth any Law therfore cast that meaning vpon me ? Or doth any rule of reason make it good , that let the writer meane what he list , his writing notwithstanding must be construed in mentem Legentis ? to the intendment of the Reader ? If then , for the mistaking of an enuious or vnskilfull Reader , who commonly being praeiudicia pro iudicijs , I shal be exposed to the hate of the better sort , or taken forciblie into any powerfull displeasure , I shall esteeme it an acte as cruell and tyranous , as that of the Emperour , who put a Consul to death for the errour of a publique Crier ; misnaming him Emperour in stead of Consul . For my selfe I may iustly say thus much , that if my whole life were layd on the racke , it could neuer accuse me for a Satyrist or Libeller , to play with worthie mens reputations ; or if my vaine were so addicted , yet could I so farre be giuen ouer , as without cause or end , to aduenture on personages of renownd nobilitie ? hauing infallible reason to assure my selfe , that euen those most honoured personages , to whose graces I chiefly intended these labors , might they but in the lest degree haue suspected any such allusion by me purposed , as is now most iniuriously surmised against me , they would haue abhorred me and banisht me their sight . To conclude Hic Rhodus , hic saltus ; as I said of my life , so of my lines ; heere is the Poeme ; let euerie sillable of it be tortured by any how partiall and preiudicate so euer ( for as the case hath beene carried : I can now looke for no difference ) and if the least particle thereof , can be brought , necessarilie or iustly to confesse , any harmefull intention of mine to the height imagined , hauing already past the test of some of the most Iudiciall and Noble of this Kingdome : if Malice will still make vnanswerably mine , what her selfe hath meerely inuented , and say with Phisitians , that the fault of the first concoction cannot be corrected in the second , ( my meat supposed Harpy-like rauisht at first , into her vicious stomacke ) And that as Herodotus is vniustly said to praise onlie the Athenians , that all Grecians else he might the more freelie depraue , so Malice will as licentiouslie affirme , that my Poeme hath something honourablie applicable , that the rest might the more safely discouer my malignance : And lastelie , If my Iudges ( being preiudicd with my accusation , haue no eare left to heare my defence ) will therefore powerfullie continue their hostilitie both against my life & reputation , then Collū securi , I must endure at how inhumane hands soeuer ( at least ) my poore credits amputation : humblie retiring my selfe within the Castle of my Innocence , & there in patience possessing my Soule , quietlie abide their vttermost outrage : dedefending my selfe , as I maie , from the better sort , by a cleere conscience , from the baser , by an eternall contempt . Pereas , qui calamitates hominum colligis . Eur : The worst of the greatest Act. Aetna quencht . Dist : Two Plants in one soile fruitlesse ; Both transplanted : ( Vntoucht ) finde fit meanes for posterity granted . The worst of the least . The spleenelesse Flie. Dist : The Innocent deliuerd , her destroier Her trophe is : Her Sauer , Her Enioyer . Tamen haec fremit Plebs . Liv : Yet further opposd ; admit a little further answer . Dialogus . The Persons Pheme and Theodines . Phe. HO ! you ! Theodines you must not dreame Y' are thus dismist in Peace , se as too extreame Your song hath stird vp , to becalmd so soone : Nay , in your hauen you shipwracke , y' are vndone , Your Perseus is displeasd , and sleighteth now Your worke , as idle , and as seruile , yow . The Peoples god-voice , hath exclamd away Your mistie cloudes , and he se●s cleere as day Y 'aue made him scandald for anothers wrong , Wishing vnpublisht your vnpopular song . Theo. O thou with peoples breaths and bubbles fild . Euer de●iuered , euermore with childe : How Court and Citty burnish with th● breede Of newes and ni●les ? seasoning all their feede With nothing , but what onely ( drest like thee ) Of surfet tasts and superfluitie ? Let all thy bladder - 〈◊〉 still inspire ▪ And make embroderd facte-●als for the mire With thy suggestions : On the clouen feete Of thy Chymaera tost from streete to streete ; Out Perseus 〈…〉 with the pre●s● Or like th' inconstant Moone be , that like these M●kes her selfe readie by her glasse the 〈◊〉 The common Rendes vous of all rude streames : And fed in some part , with our common Thames As that is hourely seru'd with sewers and sinckes , Strengthening and cleansing our sweet meats and drinkes , Our Perseus by Mineruaes perfect Mirror Informes his beauties : that reformd from th'●rror Which Change and Fashion in most others finde , Like his faire bodie , he may make his minde , Decke that with knowing ornaments , and then Effuse his radiance , vpon knowing Men , Which can no more faile then the sunne to show By his in-●ight , his outward ouerflow . Perseus ? ( that when Minerua in her spring Which renders deathlesse , euery noble thing Clarified in it , thri●● 〈◊〉 hath his 〈◊〉 ) Take from a Sow , th●t washeth in her stoode ( The common ken●ell ) euery gut she feedes ? His food then thinking cleaner ? And 〈◊〉 then Take it for manly ; when unfit for Men ? Can I seeme seruile to him , when ahlas My whole Lifes freedome , shewes I neuer was ? If I be rude in speech , or not expresse My Plaine Minde , w●th affected Courtlines His Insight can into the Fountaine reach , And knowes , sound meaning nere vsde glosing speach . Phem. Well , be he as you hope , but this beleeue , All friends haue left you , all that knew you gri●ue ( For faire condition in you ) that your Thrall , To one Mans humour , should so lose them all : Theo. One may be worth all , and they thus implie Themselues are all bad , that our Good ●●uie ▪ Goodnesse and Truth they are ( the All-good knowes ) To whom my free Sole all her labours vowes . If friends for this forsake me , let them flie ; And know that 〈◊〉 their inconstancie Grieues , or disheartens my resolu'd endeauours Then I had shaken off so many fea●ers . M● faire condition moues them ● Euen right thus Far'd the Phisition , 〈◊〉 With still poore Socrates ; who terming rude , Lust●ull , vnlearnd ▪ and with no wit indude , The most wise Man , did adde yet , he is iust . And with that praise , would giue his dispraise trust . For as a man , whom Arte hath flattery taught , And is at all parts , master of his Craft ; With long and varied praises , doth sometimes Mixe by the way , some sleight and peruiall crimes As sawce ; to giue his flatteries taste and scope , So , that Malignitie , may giue her hope Of faults beleeu'd effect , she likewise laies In her strowd passage , some light flowers of praise . But t is not me ahlas , they thus pursue With such vnprofiting , Cunning , nor embrue Their bitter spent mouthes , with such bloud-mixt some , In chace of any action that can come From my poore forme , but from the foot they tread Those passages , that thence affect the head . And why ? who knowes ? not that next spirit that is Organe to all their knowing faculties , Or else , I know I oft haue read of one So sharpe-eyd , he could see through Oke and Stone , Another that high set in Sicilie As farre as Carthage numbred with his eye , The Nauie vnder saile ▪ which was dissite A night and daies saile ; with windes most fore-right ; And others , that such curious chariots made As with a flies wing , they hid all in shade , And in a Ses●●●ine ( small Indian graine ) Engrau'd a page of Homers verses plaine . These farre-seene meruailes , I could neuer see Being made of downe right , flat simplicitie , How neere our curious Craftsmen come to these They must demonstrate , ere they winne the wise : Phe. But who are those you reckon Homicides In your rackt Poeme ? I sweare , that diuides Your wondering Reader , far from your applause . Theo. I ioie in that , for weighing with this cause Their other Reason , men may cleerely see , How sharpe and pregnant their constructions be . I proue by Argument , that he that loues Is deade , and onely in his louer moues . His Louer as t' were taking life from him : And praising that kinde slaughter I condemne As churlish Homicides , who will denie In loue twixt two , the possibility To propagate their liues into descent Needefull and lawfull , and that argument Is Platoes , to a word , which much commends The two great personages , who wanting th' ends Of wedlocke , as they were ; with one consent Sought cleere distunction , which ( with blest euent ) May ioine both otherwise , with such encrease Of worthy Ofspring , that posterities May blesse their fautors , and their fauoures now : Whom now such bans and poisons ouerflow . Phem. Bound to a barraine rocke , and death expected , See that with all your skill then cleane dissected . That ( barraine ) cleere your edge of , if you can . Theo. As if that could applied be to a Man ? O barraine Malice ! was it euer sayd A man was barraine ? or the burthen layd Of bearing fruite on Man ? if not , nor this Epithete barraine , can be construed his In least proprietie : but that such a one As was Andromeda ; in whose parts shone All beauties , both of bodie and of minde The sea dame to a barraine rocke should binde In enuie least some other of her kinde Should challenge them for beauty any more ; Encreast the cause of making all deplore So deare an innocent , with all desert No more then ( for Humanities shame ) peruert For of your whole huge reckonings heere 's the sum , O saeclum insipiens , & inficetum . Quod dignis adimit , transit ad Impios . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A18412-e80 Pl●t . in A●●b . 2. Caligula . 〈…〉 Linceus . Callicrates . Mirmecides . See my reasons in their places . Quippe non minus homicida censendus est qui hominem praecipit nasciturum ; quam qui natum tollite medio . Audacior autem , qui presentem ab●umpit vitam , crudelio● , qui lucem inuidet naseituro , & nondum natos filios suos enecat . Plat. in Sympo . Virgo sanè egreg●● , & omnibus animi & corporis dotibus ornatissima Natal : Co : de Andromeda . A03120 ---- The georgicks of Hesiod, by George Chapman; translated elaborately out of the Greek: containing doctrine of husbandrie, moralitie, and pietie; with a perpetuall calendar of good and bad daies; not superstitious, but necessarie (as farre as naturall causes compell) for all men to obserue, and difference in following their affaires Works and days. English Hesiod. 1618 Approx. 123 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 24 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). 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A03120) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 4195) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 962:02) The georgicks of Hesiod, by George Chapman; translated elaborately out of the Greek: containing doctrine of husbandrie, moralitie, and pietie; with a perpetuall calendar of good and bad daies; not superstitious, but necessarie (as farre as naturall causes compell) for all men to obserue, and difference in following their affaires Works and days. English Hesiod. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [8], 39, [1] p. Printed by H[umphrey] L[ownes] for Miles Partrich, and are to be solde at his shop neare Saint Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet, London : 1618. In verse. A translation of: Works and days. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE GEORGICKS OF HESIOD , By GEORGE CHAPMAN ; TRANSLATED ELABORATELY out of the Greek : Containing Doctrine of Husbandrie , Moralitie , and Pietie ; with a perpetuall Calendar of Good and Bad Daies ; Not superstitious , but necessarie ( as farre as naturall Causes compell ) for all Men to obserue , and difference in following their affaires . Nec caret vmbra Deo. LONDON , Printed by H. L. for Miles Partrich , and are to be solde at his Shop neare Saint Dunstans Church in Fleetstreet . 1618. TO THE MOST NOBLE COMBINER OF LEARNING , AND HONOVR : Sr. FRANCIS BACON , Knight ; Lord High Chancelor of England , &c. ANtient wisedome , being so worthily eternis'd ; by the now-renew'd Instance of it in your Lordship ; And this ancient Authour , one of the most Authentique , for all wisedome , crown'd with Iustice and Pietie : To what Sea owe these poore Streames their Tribute , but to your Lordships Ocean ? The rather , since others of the like Antiquity , in my Trāslation of Homer , teach These their way , and adde comfort to their Courses ; by hauing receiued right cheerfull countenance and approbation from your Lordships most graue and honourd predecessor . All Iudgements of this Season ( sauouring any thing the truth ) preferring , to the wisedome of all other Nations , these most wise , learned , and circularly-spoken Grecians . According to that of the Poet : Graijs Ingenium ; Graijs dedit ore rotund● Musa loqui . And why may not this Romane Elogie of the Graians , extend in praisefull Intention ( by waie of Prophetick Poesie ) To Graies-Inne wits , and Orators ? Or if the allusion ( or petition of the Principle ) begge with too broad a Licence in the Generall : yet serious Truth , for the Particular , may most worthily apply it to your Lo p● . truely - Greek Inspiration , and absolutely Attick Elocution . Whose all-acknowledg'd facultie , hath banisht Flattery therein , euen from the Court ; much more from my countrie , and more-then-vpland simplicitie . Nor were those Greeks so circular in their elegant vtterance , but their inward Iudgements and learnings , were as round and solid . Their solidity prov'd in their eternity ; and their eternity propagated , by Loue of all vertue , and integritie : That Loue being the onely Parent , and argument , of all Truth , in any wisedome or learning ; without which , all is sophisticate , and adulterate ; howsoeuer painted & splinted with Degrees and Languages . Your Lordships aduancement of Learning , then , well showing your loue to it ; and in it , being true , to all true Goodnes ; your Learning strengthening that loue , must needs bee solide and eternall . This * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 therefore , exprest in this Author , is vsed here , as if prophecied by him then , now to take life in your Lop. whose life is chiefe soule , and essence , to all knowledge , and vertue : So few there are that liue now , combining Honour and Learning . This Time , resembling the terrible Time whereof this Poet prophecied ; to which hee desired he might not liue : since not a Grace would then smile , on any pious , or worthie ; All Greatnesse , much more gracing Impostors , then Men truely desertfull ; The worse deprauing the better ; and that so frontlesly , that Shame and Iustice , should flie the earth for them . To shame which ignorant Barbarisme now emboldned ; Let your Lordships learned humanitie , proue nothing the lesse gracious to Vertue , for the cōmunity of Vices graces ; but shine much the more cleere on her , for those clouds that eclipse her ; no Lustre being so Sun like , as that which passeth aboue al clouds vnseen , ouer Fields , Turrets , & Temples ; and breaks out , in free beams , on some humblest Cotage . In whose like , Ioue him selfe hath been feasted ; And wherein your Lordship may finde more honour , than in the fretted Roofes of the Mighty . To which honor , oftentimes , nothing more conduceth , then Noble acceptance of most humble Presentments . On this Noblitie in your Lordshippe , my prostrate humility relying ; I rest euer submitted in all simple and hearty vowes , Your Honours most truly , and freely deuoted , GEORGE CHAPMAN . Of Hesiodus . Hesiodus , surnam'd Ascraeus , was one , as of the most antient Greeke Poets ; so one of the purest and pressest writers . He liu'd in the later time of Homer ; & was surnamed Ascraeus ; of Ascra , a Towne in Helicon ; in which was built a tēple sacred to the Muses ; whose Priest , Hesiodus was consecrate : whom Virg. among so many writers of Georgicks , only imitated ; professing it in this ; Ascraeumque cano Romana per oppida carmen , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Nor is there any doubt , ( saith Mel : ) quin idē Virg : initio Georgicorū , hanc inscriptionem expresserit hoc versu : Quid faciat laetas segetes ; quo sidere terram &c. His autoritie was such amongst the Antients ; that his verses were commonly learned , as Axioms or Oracles ; All teaching good life , and humanitie : which though neuer so profitable for mens now readings ; yet had they rather ( saith Isocrates ) consume their times still in their owne follies , than bee any time conuersant in these precepts of wisedome ; Of which ( with Homer ) he was first Father , whose Interpreters were al the succeeding Philosophers ; Not Aristotle himselfe excepted : who before Thales , Solon , Pittacus , Socrates , Plato , &c. writ of Life , of Manners , of God , of Nature , of the Starres , and generall state of the vniuerse . Not are his writings the lesse worthy ; that Poesie informde them , but of so much the more Dignitie , and Eternitie : Not Thales , nor Anaxagoras , ( as Aristotle ingenuously confesseth ) hauing profited the world so much with all their writings ; as Homers one Vlisses , or Nestor . And sooner shall all the Atomes of Epicurus sustaine diuision ; the fire of Heraclitus be vtterly quencht ; the water that Thales extolls so much , bee exhausted ; the spirit of Anaxamines vanish ; the discord of Empedocles be reconciled ; & all dissolu'd to nothing ; before by their most celebrated faculties , they doe the world somuch profit for all humane instruction , as this one Work of Hesiodus : Here beeing no dwelling on any one subiect ; but of all humane affaires instructiuely concluded . To my worthy friend Mr. George Chapman , and his translated Hesiod . CHapman ; We finde by thy past-prized fraught , What wealth thou dost vpon this Land conferre ; Th' olde Graecian Prophets hither that hast brought , Of their full words the true Interpreter : And by thy trauell , strongly hast exprest The large dimensions of the English tongue ; Deliuering them so well , the first and best , That to the world in Numbers euer sung . Thou hast vnlock'd the treasury , wherein All Art ; and knowledge haue so long been hidden : Which , till the gracefull Muses did begin Here to inhabite , was to vs forbidden . In blest Elizium , ( in a place most fit ) Vnder that tree due to the Delphian God , Musaeus , and that Iliad Singer sit , And neare to them that noble Hesiod , Smoothing their rugged foreheads ; and do smile , After so many hundred yeares to see Their Poems read in this farre westerne I le , Translated from their ancient Greeke , by thee ; Each his good Genius whispering in his eare , That with so lucky , and a●spicious fate Did still attend them , whilst they liuing were , And gaue their Verses such a lasting date . Where slightly passing by the Thespian spring , Many long after did but onely sup ; Nature , then fruitfull , forth these men did bring , To fetch deepe Rowses from Ioues plentious cup. In thy free labours ( friend ) then rest content . Feare not Detraction , neither fawne on Praise : When idle Censure all her force hath spent , Knowledge can crowne her self with her owne Baies . Their Lines , that haue so many liues outworne , Cleerely expounded , shall base Enuy scorne . Michael Drayton . To my worthy and honour'd Friend , Mr George Chapman , on his Translation of Hesiods Works , & Dayes . WHose worke could this be ▪ Chapman , to refine Olde Hesiods Ore , and giue it vs ; but thine , Who hadst before wrought in rich Homers Mine ? What treasure hast thou brought vs ! and what store Still , still , dost thou arriue with , at our shore , To make thy honour , and our wealth the more ! If all the vulgar Tongues , that speake this day , Were askt of thy Discoueries ; They must say , To the Greeke coast thine onely knew the way . Such Passage hast thou found● such Returnes made , As , now of all men , it is call'd thy Trade : And who make thither else , rob , or inuade . Ben : Ionson . THE GEORGICKS , OF HESIOD . By GEORGE CHAPMAN . The First Booke . MVses ! That out of your Pierean state , All worth , in sacred Numbers celebrate ; Vse 1 here your faculties so much renownd , To sing 2 your sire ; And him in 3 hymns resoūd ; By whom , All humanes , that to death are boūd , Are bound together : Both the Great in 4 fame ; And Men , whose Poore Fates fitt them , with no 5 Name ; 6 Noble , and 7 Base ; Great Ioues will , orders All ; For He with ease extolls ; with ease , le ts fall ; Easely diminisheth the most in grace , And lifts the most obscure to loftiest place : Easely sets 8 straight the quite 9 shrunke vp together ; And makes the mostelated 10 Beautie , wither : And this is Ioue , that breakes his voice so hie , In horrid sounds ; nd dwels aboue the skie : Heare then , O Ioue , that dost both see and heare ; And , for thy Iustice sake , Be Orderer , To these iust 11 Praecepts ; that in 12 Prophecy ; I vse ; to teach my Brother Pietie : Not one contention , on the Earth there Raignes , To raise Mens fortunes , and peculiar gaines ; But Two. The One ; the knowing Man approues : The Other , 13 Hate should force from humane loues ; Since it derides our reasonable kinde ; In two 14 parts , parting , Mans vnited Minde ; And is so harmefull : for pernicious Warre , It feedes ; and bites , at euery Ciuile Iarre : Which no 15 man loues ; But strong Necessitie , Doth this Contention , as his plague implie , By Heauens hid Counsailes . Th' other strife , Black Night , Beg at before : which Ioue , that in the light Of all the starres dwels ; And though Thron'd aloft ; Of each Man , weighs yet , both the worke , and thought ; Put in the Roots of Earth ; from whose wombe , growe Mens needfull Meanes , to pay the debt they owe To Life , and liuing : And this strife is far , More fit for Men ; And much the sprightlier : For He , in whose 16 hands , liues no loue of Art , Nor vertuous Industry ; yet plucks vp heart , And falls to worke for liuing . Any One , Neuer so stupid , and so base a Drone ; Seeing a Rich Man haste , to sowe , and plant , And guide his House well ; feeles , with shame , his want , And labours like him : And this strife is good . When strife for riches , warmes , and fires the bloud ; The 17 Neighbour , doth the Neighbour , aemulate : The Potter , doth the Potters profit hate ; The Smith , the Smith , with spleene 18 inueterate : Begger , maligns the Begger , for good done ; And the Musition , the Musition . This strife , O Perses , see remembred still : But flie Contention , that insults on 19 th' ill Of other Men ; And from thy worke doth drawe , To be a well-seene Man , in works of Lawe . Nor to those Courts , afford affected eare : For he that hath not , for the entire yeare , Enough laid vp before hand ; little need , Hath to take Care , those factious Courts to feed , With what Earth beares ; And Ceres doth bestowe ; With which , when thou art satiate ; Nor dost know , What to do with it : Then , to those wars go , For others Goods : But see no more spent so Of thine hereafter . Let our selues decide , With Doomes direct ; All diff'rences implide , In our Affaires ; And what is ratifide , By Ioues will , to be ours ; Account our owne ; For that thriues euer best . Our discord growne ; For what did from our Fathers Bounty fall , We ended lately ; And shar'd freely All. When Thou much more than thine hadst rauisht home ; With which , 20 thou mad'st proud ▪ and didst ouercome With partiall affection to thy Cause ; Those gift-deuouring kings , that sway our lawes . Who would haue still retaind vs in their powers ; And giuen by their Doomes ; what was freely ours . O Fooles , that all things into Iudgement call ; Yet know not how much 21 Halfe is more than All. Nor how the Meane life , is the firmest still . Nor of the Mallow , and the Daffodill , How great a Good the little Meales containe . But God hath hid from Men the healthfull Meane ; For otherwise , A Man might heap ( and play ) Enough to serue the whole yeare , in a Day ; And strait , his Draught-Tree hang vp in the smoke , Nor more , his labouring Mules , nor Oxen yoke . But Ioue ; Mans knowledge of his Best , bereau'd ; Conceiuing Anger , since he was deceau'd , By that same 22 wisdome-wresting , Iaphets sonne ; For which , All ill All earth did ouer-run . For Ioue , close keeping in a hollow Cane , His holy fire : To serue the vse of Man , Prometheus stole it , by his humane sleight From him that hath of all heauens wit , the height . For which , He angrie ; Thus to him began The Cloud-Assembler : Thou most crafty Man , That ioy'st to steale my fire , deceiuing Me ; Shalt feele that Ioy , the greater griefe to thee ; And therein plague thy vniuersall Race : To whom , I le giue a pleasing ill , in place Of that good fire : And all shall be so vaine , To place their pleasure in embracing paine . Thus spake , and laught , of Gods and Men the sire : And straight enioynd the famous God of Fire , To mingle instantly , with Water , Earth ; The voyce , and vigor , of a 23 humane Birth , Imposing in it ; And so faire a face , As matcht th' Immortall Goddesses , in grace . Her forme presenting a most louely Maid ; Then on Minerua , his Command he laid , To make her worke , and wield the wittie loome : And ( for her Beauty ) such as might become The Golden Venus ; He commanded Her , Vpon her Browes , and Countenance to conferre Her owne Bewitchings ; stuffing all her Breast , With wilde 24 Desires , incapable of Rest ; And Cares , that feed to all satiety , All humane Lineaments . The Crafty spy , And Messenger of Godheads , Mercury , He charg'd t' informe her , with a 25 dogged Minde , And theeuish Manners . All as he design'd , Was put in act . A Creature straight had frame , Like to a Virgine ; Milde and full of shame ; Which Ioues suggestion , made the both-foot lame , Forme so deceitfully ; And all of Earth , To forge the liuing Matter of her Birth . Gray-eyd Minerua , Put her Girdle on ; And show'd how loose parts , wel-composed , shone The deified Graces ; And the 26 Dame that sets Sweet words , in chiefe forme ; Golden Carquenets , Embrac't her Neck withall ; The faire-haird Howers , Her gracious Temples crownd , with fresh-spring flowers ; But , of all these , imployd in seuerall place ; Pallas gaue 27 Order , the impulsiue grace . Her bosome , Hermes , the great God of spies , Which subtle fashions fill'd , faire words and lies ; Ioue prompting still . But all the 28 voyce she vs'd , The vocall Herald of the Gods infus'd ; And call'd her Name , Pandora ; since on Her , The Gods did all their seuerall gifts confer : Who made her such , in euery moouing straine , To be the Bane of curious Minded Men. Her harmefull , and ineuitable Frame , At all parts perfect ; Ioue dismist the Dame To Epimetheus , In his Heralds guide ; With all the Gods plagues , in a Box , beside . Nor Epimetheus , kept one word in store Of what Prometheus , had aduis'd before ; Which was ; That Ioue should fasten on his hand , No gift at all ; But he , his wile withstand , And back returne it ; Lest with instant ill , To mortall Men ; He all the world did fill . But he first tooke the gift ; and after 29 grieu'd . For first , the Families of Mortals , liu'd Without , and free from Ill ; Harsh Labour , then , Nor sicknesse , hasting timelesse Age on Men ; Their hard , and wretched Tasks impos'd on them , For many yeares ; But now , a violent stream , Of all Afflictions ; In an instant came , And quencht Lifes light ; that shin'd before in flame . For when the 30 women ; The vnwieldy lid , Had once discouerd : All the miseries hid , In that curst Cabinet ; disperst , and flew About the world ; Ioyes pin'd ; And Sorrowes grew . Hope onely rested , in the Boxes Brim ; And tooke not wing from thence : Ioue prompted him , That ow'd the Cabinet ; to clap it close , Before she parted ; But vnnumbred woes , Besides , encountred Men , in all their waies . Full were all shores of them ; And full all seas . Diseas●s ; Day , and Night ; with naturall wings , And silent Entries stole on men their stings ; The great in counsailes , Ioue , Their voyces re●t ; That not the truest , might auoide their Theft ; Nor any scape the Ill , in any kinde , Resolu'd at first , in his almighty Minde . And , wert thou willing ; I would adde to this , A second Cause of mens calamities : Sing all before ; And since ; Nor will be long , But short , and knowing ; And t' obserue my song , By thy conceit , And Mind's retention strong . When first , Both Gods , and Men , had one Times Birth ; The Gods , of diuerse languag'd Men , on Earth ; A golden 31 world produc't ; That did sustaine , Old Saturnes Rule ; when He in heauen did raigne ; And then liu'd Men , like Gods , in pleasure here ; Indu'd with Mindes secure ; from Toyles , Griefs , cleer ; Nor noysom Age , made any crooked , There . Their feet went euer naked as their hands ; Their Cates were blessed , seruing their Commands , With ceaselesse Plenties ; All Daies , sacred made To Feasts , that surfets neuer could inuade . Thus liu'd they long ; and died , as seisd with sleep ; All Good things seru'd them ; Fruits did euer keep , Their free fields crownd ; That all abundance bore ; All which ; All , equall , shar'd ; And none wisht more . And when the Earth had hid them ; Ioues will was , The Good should into heauenly Natures passe ; Yet still held state , on Earth ; And 32 32 Guardians were , Of all best Mortals , still suruiuing there ; Obseru'd works iust , and vniust ; clad in Aire ; And gliding vndiscouerd , euery where ; Gaue Riches where they pleas'd ; And so were reft , Nothing , of All the Royall Rule they left . The second Age ; That next succeeded This ; Was farre the worse ; which Heauen-hous'd Deities , Of Siluer , fashiond ; Not like that of Gould , In disposition ; Nor so wisely Soul'd . For Children then liu'd , in their mothers Cares , ( All that time growing still ) A Hundred yeares : And were such great fooles , at that Age ; That They , Could not , themselues , dispose a Family . And when they Youths grew ; hauing reacht the Date , That rear'd their forces vp , to Mans estate ; They liu'd small space ; And spent it all in paine ; Caus'd by their follies : Not of powre t' abstaine , From doing one another Iniurie . Nor would They worship any Deity ; Nor on the holy Altars of the Blest , Any appropriate sacrifice addrest , As fits the fashion of all humane Birth . For which , Ioue angry ; hid them straight in Earth ; Since to the blessed Deities of Heauen , They gaue not those Respects , They should haue giuen . But when the Earth had hid these , like the rest ; They then were calld , the subterrestriall blest ; And in Blisse second ; hauing honours then ; Fit , for th' Infernall spirits , of powrefull Men . 33 Then formd , our Father Ioue , a third Descent ; Whose Age was brazen ; clearely different From that of Siluer . All the Mortalls there , Of wilde Ashe fashiond ; stubborne and austere ; Whose Mindes , the harmefull facts of Mars affected ; And Petulant Iniurie . All Meates reiected , Of Naturall fruits , and Hearbs . And these were They , That first began , that Table Cruelty , Of slaughtering Beasts ; And therefore grew they fierce ; And not to be indur'd , in their Commerce . Their ruthlesse Mindes , in Adamant were cut ; Their strengths were dismall ; And their shoulders put , In accessible hands out ; ouer all Their brawny limbs , armd with a brazen wall . Their Houses all were brazen ; All of Brasse , Their working Instruments ; for blacke Iron was As yet vnknowne : And , these ( their owne liues ending ; The vast , and cold-sad house of hell-descending ) No 34 grace had in their ends : But though they were Neuer so powrefull ; and enforcing feare ; Blacke Death , reduc't their Greatnes in their spight , T' a 35 little Roome ; And stopt their chearefull light . When these left life ; A fourth kinde , Ioue gaue birth ; Vpon the many-a-creature , nourishing Earth ; More iust , and better than this Race before ; Diuine Her●es ; That the surnames bore , Of 36 Semigods ; yet These ; Impetuous Fight , And bloody War , bereft of life , and light . Some , in Cadmaean Earth ; contentious ; To prise the infinite wealth of Oedipus ; Before 37 seauen-ported Theb's ; some shipt vpon , The ruthles waues ; and led to Ilion , For faire-hair'd Hellens loue ; where , likewise They ; In bounds of Death ; confind the beames of Daie . To these yet ; loue gaue second life , and seat , At ends , of all the Earth ; In a Retreate , From humane feete ; where soules secure they beare 38 Amids the blessed Ilands ; situate nere , The gulfie-whirle-pit-eating Ocean floud . Happy Her●es liuing ; For whose food , The plentie-bearing Tellus ; thrice a yeare , Delicious fruits , and fragrant Hearbes doth beare . O that , I might not liue now ; To partake , The Age , that must , the fift succession make ; But either Dy before ; Or else were borne , When all that Age , is into ashes worne . For , that which next springs , in supply of this , 39 Will all of Iron , produce his families ; Whose bloods , shall be so banefully Corrupt , They shall not let them sleepe ; But interrupt , With Toiles , and Miseries , All their Rests , And fares . The Gods , such graue , and soule-dissecting cares , Shall steepe their Bosomes in ; And yet , some Good , Will God mixe with their bad ; for when the blood , Faints in their nourishment ; And leaues their haire , A little gray ; Ioues hand , will stop the Aire , Twixt them , and life ; And take them straight away . Twixt Men , and women , shall be such foule play , In their begetting pleasures ; And their Race , Spring from such false seed ; That the sonnes stolne face ; Shall nought be like the sires ; The sire , no more , Seene in his Issue . No friend as before Shall like his friend be : Nor no Brother , rest Kinde , like his Brother : No Guest , like a Guest Of former times ; No Childe , vse like a Childe , His aged Parents ; But with manners wilde , Reuile , and shame them ; Their Impietie , Shall neuer feare , that Gods all-seeing eye , Is fixt vpon them ; But shall quite despise , Repaiment of their educations prise ; 40 Beare their law , in their hands ; And when they get , Their fathers free-giuen goods ; Account them debt . Citie shall Citie ransack ; Not a Grace , To any pious Man shall shew her face ; Nor to a iust , or good Man. All , much more , Shall grace a Beastly , and iniurious Bore ; No Right shall seise on any hand of theirs ; Nor any shame make blush , their black affaires ; The worse shall worse the better , with bad words ; And sweare him out , of all his Right affords . Ill-lung'd ; 41 Ill-liuerd , Ill-complexion'd Spight , Shall consort all the Miserable plight , Of Men then liuing . Iustice then , and Shame , Clad in pure white ( as if they neuer came , In touch of those societies ) shall flie , Vp to the Gods Immortall familie , From broad-way'd Earth : And leave graue griefs to Men ; That ( desp'rate of Amends ) must beare all Then. But now to Kings , A Fable I le obtrude , Though cleere , they sauor all it can include . The 42 Hauke once , hauing trust vp in his Seres , The sweet-tun'd Nightingale ; and to the Spheres , His prey transferring : with his Tallons , she Pincht too extreamely ; and incessantly , Crying , for Anguish ; This imperious speech , He gaue the poore Bird ; Why complainst thou wretch ? One holdes thee now , that is thy Mightier far ; Goe , as he guides ; Though ne're so singular Thou art a Singer ; It lies now in me , To make thee sup me ; Or to set thee free . Foole that thou art ; who euer will contend , With one , whose faculties , his owne transcend ; Both failes of Conquest ; And is likewise sure , Besides his wrong , He shall bad words endure . Thus spake the swift , and broad-wing'd Bird of Prey ; But heare 43 thou Iustice ; And hate Iniury . Wrong touches neer a miserable Man ; For ( though most patient ) yet he hardly can Forbeare iust words ; and feele iniurious deeds ; Vniust loads , vex ; He hardly beares that bleeds . And yet hath Wrong , to Right ; a better way : For , in the end , will Iustice winne the Day . Till which , who beares , sees then , Amends arise : The 44 foole first suffers , and is after wise . But 45 crooked Iustice ; ioyntly hookes with it , Iniurious Periury ; And that vnfit Outrage , brib'd Iudges vse ; that makes them drawe , The way their gifts goe ; euer cuts out Lawe , By crooked Measures . Equall iustice then , All clad in Aire ; th' ill Mindes of bribed Men , Comes after mourning : Mourns the Cities ill ; Which where she is expell'd , shee brings in still . But those that with impartiall Doomes extend , As well to strangers , as their houshould friend The Law 's pure Truth ; And will in no point stray , From forth the straight Tract , of the equall way : With such , the Citie ; all things Noble nourish : With such , the People , in their Profits flourish . Sweet Peace , along the Land goes ; Nor to them All seeing Ioue , will destinate th' extreame Of banefull Warre . No Hunger euer comes ; No ill , where Iudges vse impartiall Doomes . But Goods well got maintaine still neighbour feasts ; The Fields flowe there , with lawfull Interests . On Hils , the high Oke , Acorns beares ; In Dales , Th' industrious Bee her Hony sweet exhales : And ful-feld Sheep , are shorne with Festiuales ; There , women bring forth children like their Sire ; And all , in all kindes , finde their owne entire . Nor euer plow they vp the barren Seas , Their owne fat Fields yeeld store enough to please . But whom rude Iniurie delights , and Acts That Misery , and Tyranny contracts ; Sharp-sighted Ioue , for such predestines paine ; And 46 oftentimes ; The whole Land doth sustain For one Mans wickednes ; that thriuing in Inequall Doomes ; still makes his sentence him . For where such Men beare priuileg'd office still ; There Ioue poures downe whole deluges of ill . Famine and Pestilence together goe ; The people perish ; women baraine growe ; Whole Houses vanish there , sometimes in peace ; And sometimes Armies rais'd to shield th' increase , The Gods late gaue them : euen those Gods destroy Their Rampires ruine ; and let Rapine ioy The Goods Iniustice gatherd : Or , elsewhere Ioue sinks their ships , and leaues their ventures there . 47 Weigh then your selues , this Iustice Oye Kings ; For howsoeuer oft , vnequall things Obtatine their passe ; they passe not so the eyes , Of all the all-discerning Deities ; For close and conuersant their virtues be With Men ; and how they grate each other , see , With wrested Iudgements ; yeelding no cares due , To those sure wreakes , with which the Gods pursue Vnequall Iudges ; Though on Earth there are , Innumerable Gods that minister , Beneath great Ioue ; That keep Men clad in Aire ; Corrupt Doomes noting , and each false affaire ; And gliding through the Earth , are euery where ; Iustice is seed to Ioue ; in all fame deare , And reuerend to the Gods , inhabiting Heauen ; And still a Virgin ; whom when Men ill giuen , Hurt , and abhorring from the right , shall wrong ; She for redresse ; to Ioue her sire complaines , Of the vniust minde , euery man sustaines ; And prayes the people may repay the paines Their Kings haue forfaited , in their offences ; Deprauing Iustice , and the genuine senses , Of lawes corrupted , in their sentences . Obseruing this , ye Gift-deuouring Kings ; Correct your sentences ; and to their springs , Remember euer to reduce those streames , Whose crooked courses euery Man condemnes . Whoeuer forgeth , for another , ill ; With it , himselfe is ouertaken still ; In ill , Men runne on that they most abhor ; Ill counsell , worst is to the Councelor . For Ioues eye , all things seeing , and knowing all ; Euen these things , if he will ; of force must fall Within his sight , and knowledge ; Nor to him : Can these brib'd Domes , in Cities shine so dim , But he discernes them ; and will pay them paine : Else would not I liue iustly amongst Men ; Nor to my Iustice frame my children ; If to be iust , is euer to be ill ; And that the vniust findes most iustice still ; And Ioue gaue each Man in the end his will. But he that loues the lightning ( I conceiue ) To these things thus , will no conclusion giue . 48 Howeuer Perses , put these in thy heart ; And to the equity of things conuert Thy Mindes whole forces ; all thought striking dead ; To that foule Rapine , that hath now such heade . For in our Manhoods , Ioue hath Iustice clos'd ; And as a law , vpon our soules impos'd : Fish , Foule , and sauage Beasts ; whose ( Law is power ) Ioue lets each other mutually deuoure ; Because they lack the equity he giues To gouerne Men ; as , farre best for their liues ; And therefore Men should follow it with striues . For he that knowes the iustice of a Cause ; And will in publike Ministrie of Lawes , Giue sentence to his knowledge ; Be he sure , God will enrich him . But who dares abiure His conscious knowledge ; and belie the lawe ; Past cure , will that wound in his Conscience drawe . And for his radiance now , his Race shall be The deeper plung'd in all obscurity . The iust mans state , shall in his seed exceed ; And , after him , breed honours as they breed . But , why mens ills preuaile so much with them ; I , that the Good know , will vnclowd the Beame , In whose light lies the reason ; with much ease , To vice , and her loue , Men may make accesse ; Such crewes in Rout , Herd to her , and her Court So passing neare lies ; Their way sweet and short ; 49 But before Vertue , doe the Gods raine sweat , Through which , with Toile , and halfe-dissolued feet , You must wade to her ; her path long and steep ; And at your entry , t is so sharp and deep . But scaling once her height , the ioy is more , Than all the paine she put you to before . The paine at first then , both to loue and knowe Iustice and Vertue ; and those few that goe Their rugged way ; is cause t is followed lest . 50 Of all Men therefore , he is alwaies best , That not depending on the mightiest , Nor on the most ; hath of him selfe descried , All things becomming ; and goes fortified , In his owne knowledge , so farre , as t' intend What now is best ; and will be best at th' end . Yet hee is good too , and enough doth know , That onely followes , being admonisht how : But hee that neither of himselfe can tell , What fits a man ; nor being admonisht well , Will giue his minde to learne ; but flat refuse ; That man , cast out from euery humane vse . Doe thou then , euer in thy Memory place My precepts Perses , sprung of sacred Race ; And worke out what thou knowst not : that with hate Famine may prosecute thy full estate ; And rich-wreath'd Ceres ( reuerenc't of all , ) Loue thee as much ; and make her festiuall , Amids thy Granaries : Famine euermore Is naturall consort of the idle Boore . Whoeuer idly liues , both Gods , and Men Pursue with hatefull and still-punishing spleene . The slothfull man is like the sting-lesse Drone , That all his powre , and disposition , Emploies to rob the labours of the Bee ; And with his sloth , deuoure her Industrie . Doe thou repose thy speciall pleasure then , In still being conuersant , with temperate paine ; That to thee still , the Seasons may send home Their vtmost store . With Labour Men become Herd-full , and rich ; with labour thou shalt proue Great , both in humane , and the Deities loue . One , with another , all combin'd in one , Hate with infernall horror , th' idle Drone . Labour ▪ and thriue ; and th' idle 't will inflame . No shame to labor ; sloth is yok't with shame . Glorie and vertue into consort fall With wealth ; wealth God-like winnes the grace of all . Since which , yet , springs out of the root of paine ; 50 Paine hath praecedence ; so thou dost maintaine The temper fitting ; and that foolish vaine Of striuing for the wealth of other Men , Thou giu'st no vent ; but on thine owne affaires Conuert'st thy Minde ; and thereon laiest thy cares . And then put on , with all the spirit , you can . Shame is not good in any needy Man. Shame much obscures , and makes as much to fame . Wealth loues Audacity ; Want fauours Shame . Riches , not rauisht , but diuinely sent For virtuous labour , are most permanent . If any stand on force , and get wealth so ; Or with the tongue , spoile , as a number doe ; When Gaine , or Craft doth ouergoe the soule ; And Impudence doth honest shame contoule ; God easely can the so-made-great disgrace ; And his House , raisd so , can as easely race . Riches beare Date , but of a little space . 52 Who wrongs an humble suppliant , doth offend ▪ As much as he , that wrongs a Guest , or friend . Who , for his brothers wifes loue , doth ascend His brothers bed ; and hath his vicious end ; Offends no more than he , that doth deceiue An Orphane , of the goods his Parents leaue ; Or he that in the wretched bounds of Age , Reuiles his Father . All these Ioue enrage ; And shall receiue of Him reuenge at last , Inflicting all paines , that till then they past . From all these therefore , turne thy striuing Minde , And to thy vtmost , see the Gods assign'd Chastly , and purely ; all their holy dues . Burne fattest thighes to them ; and sometimes vse Off'rings of wine . Sometimes , serue their delights , With burning incense : both , when bed-time cites ; And when from bed , the sacred Morning cals . That thou maist render the Celestialls , All waies propitious : And so , none else gather , Thy fortunes strow'd ; but thou reape others rather . Suffer thy foe thy table ; call thy friend . In chiefe , one neere ; for if Occasion send Thy householde vse of Neighbours ; they vndrest Will hast to thee ; where thy Allies will rest , Till they be ready . An ill Neighbour is A curse : a good one is as great a blisse . He hath a treasure , by his fortune sign'd ; That hath a Neighbour of an honest minde . No losse of Oxe , or Horse , a Man shall beare ; Vnlesse a wicked Neighbour dwell too neare . Iust Measure take of Neighbours , iust repay ; The same receiu'd and more ; If more thou may . That after , needing ; thou maiest after , finde Thy wants supplier , of as free a minde . 52 Take no ill gaine , ill gaine brings losse as ill . Aid quit with aid : goodwill pay with goodwill ; Giue him that hath giuen ; him that hath not , giue not ▪ Giuers , Men giue ; Gifts to no giuers thriue not . Giuing is good : Rapine is deadly ill . Who freely giues , though much , reioyceth still ; Who rauines , is so wretched , that though small His forst gift be ; he grieues , as if t were all . Little to little added , it oft done , In small time makes a great possession . Who addes to what is got ; needs neuer feare , 53 That swarth-che●k't Hunger will deuoure his cheare . Nor will it hurt a Man ; though something more , 54 Than serues meere need ; he laies at home in store . And , best at home : it may go lesse abroad . If cause call forth ; at home prouide thy Rode , Enough for all needs , for free spirits dy , To want , being absent from their owne supplie . 55 Which note , I charge thee . At thy purses height , And when it fights lowe ; giue thy vse his freight ; When in the midst thou art , then checke the blood ; Frugalitie at bottome is not good . 56 Euen with thy brother , thinke a witnesse by ; When thou wouldst laugh , or conuerse liberally ; Despaire hurts none , beyond Credulitie . 57 Let neuer neate-girt Dame , that all her wealth Laies on her waste ; make profit of her stealth , On thy true iudgement ; nor be heard to faine With her forkt tongue ; so far forth as to gaine Thy candle rent ( she calls it ) . He that giues A woman trust , doth trust a Den of theeues . One onely son preserues a familie ; As feeding it with onely fit supplie . And that house to all height his riches reares , Whose sire dies ould , and leaues a son of yeares . To many children too , God easely spares Wealth store ; but still , more children the more cares . And to the house , the more accesse is made . If then , the hearty loue of wealth inuade 58 Thy thrifty Minde ; performe what followes here ; And , one worke done ; with others serue the yeare . The end of the First Booke . THE SECOND BOOKE OF GEORGICKS . WHen Atlas Birth , 1 the Pleiades , arise ; Haruest begin ; Plow when they leaue the Skies . Twice twēty daies , & nights , these hide their heads ; The yeare then turning , leaue againe their Beds ; And show when first to whet the Haruest steele . This likewise is the Law , the fields must feele ; Both with Sea-dwellers ; neare , and high , and those , 2 Whose winding Vallies , Neptune ouerflowes : That Fenny grounds , and Marshes dwell vpon , Along the fat , and fruitfull Region . But wheresouer thou inhabit'st ; ply The Fields , before fierce winters cruelty Oppresse thy paines ; when thou maiest naked Plow ; Naked cast in thy seed , and naked Mow ; If timely thou wilt beare into thy Barne , The works of Ceres ; and to that end learne , As timely to prepare thy whole encrease ; Lest , in the meane time , thy Necessities Importune thee at others Doores to stand , And begge supplies to thy vnthriftle hand : As now thou com'st to me , But I , no more Will giue , or lend thee , what thou maiest restore , By equall measure ; Nor will trust thee so ; Labour ( vaine Perses ) and those labours do , 3 That by the certaine signe of Beggerie , Demonstrated in Idle Drones , thine eye May learne the work , that equall Deitie , Imposeth , of Necessitie , on Men : Lest , with thy wife , and wanting childeren ; ( Thy Minde much grieu'd ) Thou seek'st of Neighbours food ; Thine owne meanes failing . Men grow cold in Good. Some twice , or thrice perhaps , thy Neighbour will Supply thy wants ; whom if thou troubl'st still ; Thou com'st off empty ; and to aire dost straine A world of words ; words store , make wanting Men. I charge thee therefore , see thy thoughts imploid To pay thy Debts ; and how thou maist auoid , Deserued Famine . To which end , first see , Thy Wife well orderd ; and thy Familie ▪ 4 Thy Plough-drawne Oxe ; thy Maid , without her spouse , And wisely hir'd ; that businesse in thy house , May first worke off ; and then to Tillage come : To both which Offices ; make fit at Home , Euery thing needfull ; lest abroad thou send To aske another , and he will not lend ; Meane time thou want'st them ; Time flies fast away , Thy work vndone ; which not from Day to Day , Thou shouldst deferre ; the worke Deferrer , neuer 5 Sees full his Barne ; nor he that leaues worke euer , 6 And still is gadding out . Care flying Ease , Giues Labour euer , competent encrease . 7 He that with doubt , his needfull businesse crosses , Is euer wrastling , with his certaine Losses . 8 When therefore of the swift-sharp-sighted Sunne , 9 The chiefe force faints ; and sweating heat is done ; 10 Autumne growne olde ; and opening his last veine ; And great Ioue steeping all things in his Raine ; Mans body chang'd , and made more lightsome farre ; For then , but small time shines the Syrian star , 11 Aboue the heads of hard fate forsterd Man ; Rising neare Day ; and his beames Austrian , Enioy'd in Night most : when ( I say ) all this 12 Followes the Season ; and the Forrest is Sound , being feld ; his leaues vpon the ground Before , let fall ; and leauing what they crown'd : Then constantly take time to fell thy wood ; Of Husbandrie , the time kept , is the blood . 13 Cut then your three-foot Querne ; whose Pestle , cut Three Cubits long ; your Axeltree seuen foot . If it be eight foot , cut your Mallet thence : The Felfs , that make your Carts circumference , Cut three spans long . Many crookt peeces more , Ten Palmes in length ; fell for your Wagons store . All which poore Rules , a rich conuenience yeeld . If thou shalt finde a Culter in the Field , Or on the Mountaine : either Elme , or Oke ; Conuay it home ; since for thy Beasts of yoke , To plow withall , t will most his strength maintaine ; 14 And chiefly , If Athenian Ceres swaine , It fixing to the Draught-tree ( lest it failes ) Shall fit it , to the handles s●aie with Nailes . Two Ploughs compose , to finde thee worke at home ; One with a Shar ; that of it selfe doth come From forth the Ploughs whole Peece ; and one set on : Since so t is better much ; for , either gon ; With th' other , thou maist instantly impose Worke on thy Oxen. On the Lawrell growes , And on the Elme . your best Plow-handles euer . Of Oke , your Draught-tree : From the Maple , neuer Goe for your Culter : For your Oxen chuse Two males , of nine yeares olde ; for then , their vse Is most auailable ; since their strengths are then , Not of the weakest ; and the youthfull Meane , Stickes in their Neru's still : Nor will these contend With skittish tricks , when they their stitch should end , To breake their plough , and leaue their worke vndon ; These , let a youth of forty waite vpon ; 15 Whose bread at Meales , in foure good shiuers cut ; Eight bits in euery shiue ; for that Man , put To his fit taske ; will see it done past talke , With any fellowe ; Nor will euer Balke In any stitch he makes ; but giue his Minde , Whith care t' his labour . And this Man , no Hinde , ( Though much his younger ) shall his better be , At sowing Seed ; and shunning skilfullie , 16 Need to go ouer his whole worke againe . Your younger Man , feeds still a flying vaine , From his set taske ; to holde his equalls chat ; And trifles workes , he should be serious at . Take notice then , when thou the Crane shalt heare Aloft , out of the Clowds her changes reare ; That then he giues thee signall when to sowe , And winters wrathfull Season doth foreshowe . And then the Man , that can no Oxen get ; Or wants the Seasons worke ; his heart doth eat . Then feed thy Oxen , in the house with Hay ; Which he that wants ; with ease enough will say , Let me , alike , thy Waine and Oxen vse ▪ Which t is as easie for thee to refuse ; And say , thy Oxeworke then importunes much . He that is rich in Braine , will answer such ; Worke vp thy selfe , a Waggon of thine owne ; For to the foolish borrower , is not knowne , That each Waine askes a hundred ioynts of wood ; These things aske forecast ; and thou shouldest make good At home , before thy need so instant stood . When therefore , first , fit plow time doth disclose ; Put on with spirit ; All , as one , dispose Thy seruants , and thy selfe : plow wet and drie ; And when Aurora first affords her eye , In Spring-time turne the earth vp ; which see done , Againe , past all faile , by the Summers Sunne . Hasten thy labours , that thy crowned fields , May load themselues to thee ; and rack their yeelds . 17 The Tilth-field sowe , on Earths most light foundations ; The Tilth-field , banisher of execrations ; Pleaser of Sonnes , and Daughters : which t' improue , With all wisht profits ; pray to earthly Ioue , And vertuous Ceres ; that on all such suits , Her sacred gift bestowes , in blessing fruits . When first thou enterst foot to plow thy land , And on thy plow-staffes top hast laid thy hand ; Thy Oxens backs , that next thee , by a Chaine Thy Oken-draught Tree drawe ; put to the paine Thy Goad imposes . And thy Boy behinde , That with his Iron Rake thou hast design'd , To hide thy seed ; Let from his labour driue , The Birds , that offer on thy sweat to liue . The best thing , that in humane Needs doth fall , Is Industry ; and Sloath the worst of all . With one , thy Corne eares , shall with fruit abound ; And bow their thankfull forheads to the ground ; With th' other ; scarce thy seed againe redound . When Ioue then giues this good end to thy paine ; Amids the Vessels that preserue thy Graine , No Spiders then , shall need t' vsurp their roome , But thou ( I thinke ) reioyce , and rest at Home ; Prouision Inn'd enough of euery thing , To giue thee glad heart , till the neighbour Spring ; Not goe to others to supply thy store , But others , need to come to thee for more . If at the sunnes conuersion thou shalt sowe , 18 The sacred Earth ; Thou then , maist sit and mowe , Or reape in Haruest ; such a little paine Will serue thy vse , to sell thy thin-growne Graine ; And Reaps so scanty , will take vp thy hand ; Thou hid in dust ; Not comforted a sand , But gather gainst the graine . Thou shouldst be then , Coop't in a Basket vp ; for worldly Men , Admire no vnthrifts : Honour goes by gaine . As times still change , so changeth Ioue his Minde , Whose Seasons , mortall Men can hardly finde . But if thou shouldst sowe late , this well may be , In all thy slacknesse , an excuse for thee . When , in the Oakes greene armes the Cuckoe sings , And first delights Men in the louely springs ; If much raine fall , 't is fit then to defer Thy sowing worke . But how much raine to beare , And let no labour to that Much , giue eare , Past intermission , let Ioue steepe the grasse Three daies to gether , so he do not passe An Oxes hoofe in depth ; and neuer stay , To strowe thy seed in : but if deeper way Ioue , with his raine makes ; then forbeare the field : For late sowne then , will past the formost yield . Minde well all this , nor let it fly thy powrs , To knowe what fits , the white springs earely flowrs ; Nor when raines timely fall ; Nor when sharp colde In winters wrath , doth men from worke withholde 19 Sit by smiths forges , nor warme 20 tauernes hant ; Nor let the bitterest of the season dant Thy thrift-arm'd paines , like idle Pouertie ; For then the time is when th' industrious Thie Vpholdes , with all increase , his Familie . With whose rich hardnes spirited , do thou , Poore Delicacie flie ; lest frost and snowe , Fled for her loue ; Hunger sit both them out , And make thee , with the beggers lazie gout , Sit stooping to the paine , still pointing too 't , 21 And with a leane hand , stroke a foggie foot . The slothfull man , expecting many things , With his vaine hope , that cannot stretch her wings Past need of necessaries for his kinde , Turnes like a whirle-pit ouer , in his minde All meanes that Rapine prompts to th' idle Hinde ; Sits in the tauerne ; and findes meanes to spend Ill got ; and euer , doth to worse contend . When Summer therefore in her Tropicke sits ; Make thou thy seruants weare their winter wits , And tell them this , ere that warme season wast , Make nests ; for Summer will not euer last . 22 The month of Ianuaries all-ill daies , For Oxens good ; shun now by Iulies raies . 23 When aires chill North his noisome frosts shall blowe All ouer earth , and all the wide sea throwe At Heauen in hills ; from colde horse-breeding Thrace ; The beaten earth , and all her Syluane race Roring and bellowing with his bitter strokes ; Plumps of thick firre-trees , and high-crested Okes ; Torne vp in vallies , all Aires floud let flie In him , at Earth ; sad nurse of all that die ▪ Wilde beasts abhor him ; and run clapping close Their stern's betwixt their thighes ; and euen all those , Whose hides , their fleeces line , with highest proofe ; Euen Oxe-hides also want expulsiue stuffe ; And bristled goates , against his bitter gale : He blowes so colde , he beates quite through them all . Onely with silly sheepe it fares not so ; For they , each Summer fleec't , their fells so growe , They shield all winter , crusht into his winde . He makes the olde Man trudge for life , to finde Shelter against him , but he cannot blast The tender , and the delicately-grac't Flesh of the virgin ; she is kept within , Close by her mother , carefull of her skin ; Since yet she neuer knew , how to enfolde The force of Venus swimming all in golde . Whose snowie bosome choicely washt and balm'd , With wealthy oiles ; she keepes the house becalm'd , All winters spight ; when in his fire-lesse shed , And miserable roofe still hiding head ; 24 The bonelesse fish doth eat his feet for colde . To whom the sunne doth neuer food vnfolde ; But turnes aboue the blacke Mens populous towrs , On whom he more bestowes his radiant howres , 25 Then on th' Hellenians ; then all Beasts of horne ; And smooth brow'd , that in beds of wood are borne , About the Oken dales ; that North-winde flie , Gnashing their teeth , with restlesse miserie ; And euery where , that Care solicits all , That ( out of shelter ) to their Couerts fall , And Cauerns eaten into Rocks ; and then , 26 Those wilde Beasts shrink , like tame three footed Men , Whose backs , are broke with Age , and forheads driuen To stoope to Earth ; though borne to looke on Heauen . Euen like to these ; Those tough-bred rude ones , goe , Flying the white drifts of the Northerne Snowe . Then put thy Bodies best munition on ; Soft wastecotes , vveeds that th'Ankles traile vpon ; And , with a little linnen , vveaue much wull , In fore-wouen webs ; and make thy Garments full : And these put on thee ; lest thy harsh-growne haire Tremble vpon thee , and into the Aire Start , as affrighted ; all that brest of thine , 27 Pointed with Bristles like a Porcupine . About thy feet , see fitted Shooes be tied , Made of a strongly-dying Oxes Hide ; 28 Lin'd with wool socks : Besides , when those winds blow , Thy first fallen Kid-skinnes ; sure together sowe , With Oxes sinewes , and about thee throwe , To be thy refuge , gainst the soking Raine . Vpon thy head , a quilted Hat sustaine , 29 That from thy eares , may all Aires spight expell . When North-windes blowe , the Aire is sharp and fell ; 30. But Morning Aire , that brings a warmth withall , Downe from the Stars , and on the earth doth fall ; Expires a breath , that ( all things chearing then ) Is fit to crowne the works of blessed Men. Which drawing out of floods , that euer flow ; Winde-stormes are rais'd on Earth , that roughly blow ; And then , sometimes , a shower falls toward Euen ; And sometime Aire , in empty blasts is driuen . Which , from the North-winde rising out of Thrace , And gloomy clowds rais'd ; haste thee home apace ; Thy worke for that day done ; th' euent foreseen , Lest , out of Heauen , a darke clowd hide thee cleane , Thy weeds wet through , and steep thee to the skin ; But shun it ; for vvhen this colde Moneth comes-in ; Extreame it is for sheep , extreame for men ; Take from thy Oxen halfe their Commons then , 31 But mend thy seruants ; for ingenious Night , Then , great in length , affects the Appetite , With all contention , and alacritie , To all Inuention , and the scrutinie Of all our obiects ; and must therefore feast , To make the spirits runne high in their Inquest . These well obseruing , all the yeares Remaine , The Daies and Nights grow equall ; till , againe , Earth , that of all things is the Mother Queen ; All fruits , promiscuously , brings forth for Men. When , after sixtie turnings of the Sun , By Ioues Decrees ; all vvinters houres are run ; 32 Then does the Euening-starre , Arcturus , rise , And leaue th'vnmeasur'd Ocean ; all Mens eyes , Frst , noting then his Beames ; and , after him , Before the cleere Morns light , hath chast the Dim ; 33 Pandions Swallow , breakes out with her Mone ; Made to the Light ; the Spring but new put on . Preuenting vvhich ; cut Vines , for then t is best . But vvhen the horn'd house-bearer leaues his rest , And climes the Plants ; the seuen Starres then in flight ; No where digge Vines ; but Sithes vvhet , and excite Seruants to vvorke : flie shadie Tauerne boures ; And Beds , as soone as light salutes the floures . In Haruest , when the Sunne the bodie dries ; Then haste , and fetch the Fields home ; earely rise , That Plentie may , thy House-hould wants suffice : The Morne , the third part of thy worke doth gaine ; The Morne , makes short thy way , makes short thy paine ; The Morne , being once vp , fils the waies with all , And yokes the Oxe , her selfe vp , in his stall . When once the Thistle doth his flower prefer ; And on the Tree , the garrulous Grashopper , Beneath her wings ; all Day , and all Night long , Sits pouring out , her derisorie song ; When Labour drinks , his boyling sweat to thriue : Then Gotes grow fat ; then best wine chuse ; then striue Women for worke most ; and Men least can do ; For then , the Dog-starre , burns his drouth into , Their braines , and knees , and all the Bodie dries ; But then , betake thee , to the shade that lies , 34 In shield of Rocks ; drinke Biblian wine , and eate , The creamie wafer ; Gotes milke that the Teate , Giues newly free ; and nurses Kids no more . Flesh of Bow-browsing Beeues , that neuer bore ; And tender Kids . And to these , taste black wine , 35 The third part water , of the Crystaline , Still flowing fount , that feeds a streame beneath ; And sit in shades , where temperate gales may breath On thy oppos'd cheeks ; when Orions raies , His influence , in first Ascent assaies . Then to thy labouring seruants giue command , To dight the sacred gift of Ceres hand ; In some place windie , on a well-plan'd floore ; Which , all by measure , into Vessels poure ; Make then , thy Man-swaine , one that hath no House ; Thy hand-maid , one , that hath nor child , nor Spouse ; Hand-maids , that children haue , are rauenous . 36 A Mastiffe likewise , nourish still at home ; Whose teeth are sharp , and close as any Combe ; And meat him well , to keep with stronger guard , 37 The Day-sleep-wake● Night Man , from forth thy yard ; That else thy Goods into his Caues will beare . Inne Hay , and Chaffe enough , for all the yeare , To serue thy Oxen , and thy Mules ; and then , Lose them ; and ease the deare knees of thy Men. When Syrius , and Orions aspire To Heauens steep height ; and bright Arcturus fire , The rosie-fingerd Morning sees arise ; O Perses , then , thy Vineyard faculties See gather'd , and got home . Which twice fiue Daies , And Nights no lesse , expose to Phoebus Raies ; Then fiue Daies , Inne them , and in Vessels close , The gift , the gladnes-causing God bestowes . But after , that the Seuen-stars , and the Fiue , That twixt the Bulls hornes , at their set arriue ; Together with the great Orions force ; Then plie thy Plough , as fits the Seasons course . 38 If , of a Chance-complaining Man , at Seas , The humor take thee ; when the Pleiades , Hide head , and flie the fierce Orions , chace ; And the darke-deep Oceanus embrace ; Then diuerse Gusts of violent windes arise ; And then attempt , no Nauall enterprise . But ply thy Land affaires ; and draw ashore , Thy Ship ; and fence her round , with stonage store , To shield her Ribs , against the humorous Gales ; Her Pump exhausted , lest Ioues rainie falls , Breed putrefaction . All tooles fit for her ; And all her tacklings , to thy House confer ; Contracting orderly , all needfull things , That Imp a water-treading Vessels wings . Her well-wrought Sterne , hang in the smoke at home , Attending time , till fit Sea Seasons come . And then thy swift Saile lanch , conueying in , Burthen , that richly way that Trade begin ; As did our Father ; who a voiage went , For want of an Estate so competent , As free life askt ; and long since landed here ; When he had measur'd the vnmeasur'd Spheere , Of all the Sea ; Aeoliam Cumas leauing ; 39 Not flying wealth ( Reuenews great receiuing ; And Blisse it selfe possest , in all fit store ; If wisely vsde ; yet selling that t'explore Strange Countries , madly couetous of more ; But onely shunning lothsome Pouertie ; Which yet Ioue sends , and Men should neuer flie . The seat that he was left to dwell vpon , Was set in Ascra , neare to Helicon ; Amids a miserable Village there ; In winter vile , in summer noisomer ; And profitable neuer . Note thou then , To doe all workes ; the proper Season , when ; In Sea-workes chiefly . For whose vse allow A little Ship ; but in her bulke bestow , A great bigge Burthen ; the more Ships sustaine , The surer saile they ; and heap Gaine on Gaine : If Seas run smooth , and rugged Gusts abstaine . When thy vaine Minde then , would Sea-ventures try ; In loue , the Land-Rocks of loath'd Debt to fly ; 40 And Hunger's-euer harsh-to-heare of cry : I le set before thee all the Trim , and Dresse , Of those still-roaring-noise-resounding Seas ; 41 Though neither skild , in either Ship , or Saile , Nor euer was at Sea ; Or , lest I faile , But for Euboea once ; from Aulis where The Greeks , with Tempest driuen , for shore did stere Their mighty Nauie , gatherd to employ , For sacred Greece ; gainst faire-dame-breeding Troy ; To Chalcis there , I made by Sea my Passe ; 42 And to the Games of great Amphidamas ; Where many afore-studied Exercise , Was instituted , with excitefull prise , For great-and-good , and able-minded Men : And where I wonne , at the Pierean Pen , A three-ear'd Tripod , which I offerd on , The Altars of the Maids of Helicon . Where first their loues initiated me , In skill of their vnworldly Harmony . But no more practise haue my trauailes swet , In many-a-naile-composed ships ; and yet , I le sing what Ioues Minde will suggest in mine , Whose daughters taught my verse the rage diuine . Fifty daies after Heauens conuerted heate , When Summers land-works are dissolu'd with sweat ; Then growes the nauigable season fit : For then no stormes rise , that thy saile may split , Nor spoile thy sailers . If the God that swaies Th'earth-shaking Trident , doe not ouerpaise , With any counsaile , before hand decreed , The seasons naturall grace , to thy good speed ; Nor Ioue consent with his reuengefull will ; In whom are fixt the bounds of good and ill . But in the vsuall temper of the yeare , Easie to iudge of , and distinguish cleare , Are both the windes ▪ and seas ; none rude , none crosse , Nor mis-affected with the loue of losse . And therefore put to sea ; trust euen the winde Then , with thy swift ship ; but when thou shalt finde Fit freight for her ; as fitly stowe it strait ; And all haste home make . For no new wine waite , Nor aged Autumnes showres ; nor winters falls , Then fast approaching ; Nor the noisome gales , The humorous South breathes , that incense the seas , 42 And raise together in one series Ioues Autumne dashes , that come smoking downe , And with his roughest brows make th' Ocean frowne . But there 's another season for the seas , That in the first spring others choices please ; When , looke how much the Crowe takes at a stride , So much , put forth , the yong leafe is descride On Fig-tree tops . But then the gusts so fall , That oft the sea becomes imperviall . And yet this vernall season many vse , For sea affaires ; which yet , I would not chuse ; Nor giues it my minde any gratefull taste , Since then steales out so many a rauenous blast ; Nor , but with much skath thou canst scape thy bane , Which yet , Mens greedy follies dare maintaine ; Mony is soule to miserable Men : And to it many Men their soules bequeath . To dy in darke-seas is a dreadfull death . All this I charge thee , need to note no more ; Nor in one vessell venture all thy store ; But most part leaue out , and impose the lesse ; For t is a wretched thing t' indure distresse Incurr'd at sea . And , t is as ill , ashore To vse aduentures , couetous of more Than safety warrants ; As , vpon thy Waine To lay on more load than it can sustaine . For then , thy Axle breakes , thy goods diminish , And Thrifts meane meanes in violent Au'rice vanish . The Meane obseru'd , makes an exceeding slare . Occasion tooke at all times , equalls Fate . Thy selfe , if well in yeares ; thy wife take home , Not much past thirtie ; nor haue much to come : But being yong thy selfe ; Nuptialls that sease , The times best season in their acts are these . 43 At fourteene yeeres a woman growes mature , At fifteene , wed her ; and best meanes inure , To marry her a Maid ; to teach her then , Respect to thee , and chastnes t'other men . 44 In chiefe chuse one , whose life is neere thee bred , That her condition circularly weighd , ( And that with care too ) in thy neighbours eies , Thou wedd'st not , for a Maide , their mockeries . No purchase passes a good wife , no losse Is , than a bad wife , a more cursed crosse , 45. That must a gossip be at euery feast ; And priuate cates prouide too for her guest ; And beare her husband ne're so bolde a breast , 46 Without a fire , burnes in him euen to rage , And in his youth poures griefe on him in age . The Gods forewarnings , and pursuits of Men , Of impious liues , with vnauoided paine ; Their sight , their rule of all , their loue , their feare , 48 Watching , and sitting vp , giue all thy care . Giue neuer to thy friend an euen respect , 49 With thy borne brother ; for , in his neglect , Thy selfe thou touchest first , with that defect . If thou shalt take thy friend with an offence , By word , or deed ; twice onely , try what sense He hath of thy abuse , by making plaine The wrong he did thee : and if then againe He will turne friend , confesse , and pay all paine Due for his forfaite ; take him into grace : The shamelesse Man shifts friends still with his place . But keepe thou friends , forgiue , and so conuert , That not thy looke may reprehend thy heart . Be not a common host for guests , nor one That can abide the kinde receipt of none . Consort none ill , though rais'd to any state ; Nor leaue one good ; though n'ere so ruinate . Abhor all taking pleasure to vpbraid A forlorne Pouertie , which God hath laid On any Man , in so seuere a kinde , As quite disheartens , and dissolues his Minde . Amongst Men on the earth there neuer sprung An ampler treasure than a sparing tongue . Which yet , most grace gaines , when it sings the Meane . Ill-speakers euer heare as ill againe . Make not thy selfe at any publique feast , A troublesome or ouercurious guest . T is common cheare , nor touches thee at all ; Besides , thy grace is much , thy cost is small . Doe not thy tongues grace the disgrace to lie , Nor mend a true-spoke Minde with policie ; But all things vse with first simplicitie . To Ioue , nor no God poure out morning wine , With vnwasht hands : for , knowe , the powres diuine Auer● their eares , and praiers impure reiect . Put not they vrine out , with face erect Against the sun , but sitting let it fall , Or turne thee to some vndiscouering wall . 50 And after the great Sunne is in descent , Remember , till he greet the Orient , That , in way , or without , thou still forbeare . Nor ope thy nakednes while thou art there . The nights the Gods are , and the Godly Man , And wise will shun by all meanes to prophane 51 The Gods appropriates . Make no accesse ( Thy wife new left ) to sacred mysteries ; Or coming from an ominous funerall feast ; But from a banquet that the Gods haue blest In Men whose spirits are frolikely inclinde ; Performe those rights that propagate thy kinde . Neuer , the faire waues of eternall flouds , Passe with thy feet , but first inuoke the Gods ; Thine eies cast on their streames ; Which those that wade , ( Their hands vnwasht ) those Deities inuade With future plagues : and euen then angrie are . 52 Of thy fiue branches , see thou neuer pare The dry from off the greene , at solemne feasts : Nor on the quaffing Mazers of thy guests Bestow the boawle vowd , to the powres diuine ; For harmefull fate is swallow'd with the wine . When thou hast once begun to build a house , Leau't not vnfinisht , lest the Ominous , Ill-spoken Crowe , encounter thee abroad , And from her bow , thy meanes outgone , explode . From three-foot pots of meat , set on the fire To serue thy house ; serue not thy tasts desire With rauine of the Meate , till on the borde Thou seest it set and sacrifice afforde . Not if thou wash first , and the Gods wouldst please With that respect to them : for euen for these , Paines are imposde , being all Impieties . On tombe-stones , or fixt seats no boy permit , ( That 's growne to twelue yeares ould ) to idlie sit ; For t is not good , but makes a slothfull man. In bath's whose waters women first began To wash their bodies in , should bathe no Men. For , in their time , euen these parts haue their paine Grieuous enough . If any homely place , Syluane , or other , thou seest vowd to grace Of any God , by fire made for the weale Of any poore soule , mou'd with simplest zeale ; Mock not the mysteries : for God disdaines Those impious parts , and paies them certaine paines . Neuer in channels of those streames that pay The Ocean tribute , giue thy vrine way ; Nor into (r) fountaines : but past all neglect , See thou auoid it : for the graue respect Giuen to these secrets , meetes with blest effect . 53 Do this , and flie the peoples bitter fame , For Fame is ill : t is light and rais'd like flame ; The burthen heauie yet , and hard to cast . No fame doth wholly perish , when her blast Eccho resounds in all the peoples cries , For she her selfe , is of the Deities . The end of the second Booke of works . HESIODS BOOKE OF DAYES . THe Daies , that for thy workes , are Good , or Ill , According to the Influence , they instill ; Of Ioue with all care , learne , and giue them then , ( For their discharge ) in precept to thy Men. The thirtith Day of euery Moneth , is best 1 With diligent inspection , to digest The next Moneths workes ; and part thy house-hould foods : That being the Day , when all litigious Goods , Are iustly sentenc't , by the peoples voyces . And till that Daie , next Moneth , giue these Daies choyces ; For they are markt out , by most-knowing Ioue . 2 First , the first Day , in which the Moone doth mooue , With radiance renu'd . And then , the fourth , The seuenth Day , next ; being first in sacred worth : For that Day , did Latona bring to light , 3 The gould-sword-wearing Sun. Next then the eightth , And ninth , are Good ; being both , Daies that retaine The Moones prime strength , t' instruct the works of Men. 3 The leauenth , and twelfth , are likewise both Good Daies ; The twelfth yet , farre exceeds , the ' leuenths repaire ; For that Day hangs the Spinner in the Aire ; And weaues her web vp . So the Spinster , all Her Rock then ends , exposing it to sale . So Earth's third Huswife , the ingenious Ant , On that Day ends her Mole-hils cure of want . The Day her selfe , in their example then , Tasking her fire , and bounds her length to Men. The thirteenth Day , take care thou sowe no seed ; To plant yet , t is a Day of speciall speed . The sixteenth Day , Plants set , prooue fruitlesse still ; To get a Sonne t is good , a Daughter ill . 5 Nor good to get , nor giue in Nuptials ; Nor in the sixt Day , any Influence falls , To fashion her begetting Confluence . But to geld Kids , and Lambs , and Sheep-coats fence ; It is a Day of much beneuolence : To get a Sonne , it good effects affords ; 6 And loues to cut ones heart , with bitter words . And yet it likes faire speeches too , and lies ; And whispering out detractiue obloquies . The eight , the bellowing Bullock lib , and Gote ; The twelfth , the labouring Mule ; but if of note , 7 For wisedome , and to make a Iudge of Lawes ; To estimate , and arbitrate a Cause , Thou wouldst a Sonne get , the great twentith Day , Consort thy wife , when full the Morns broad Ray , Shines through thy windowes : for that Day is fit , To forme a great , and honourable wit. The tenth is likewise good , to get a Son ; 8 Fourteenth a Daughter ; then lay hand vpon The Colt , the Mule , and horne-retorted Stere ; And sore-bit Mastiffe ; and their forces rere , To vsefull seruices . Be carefull then , 9 The foure and twentith Day , ( the bane of Men , Hurling amongst them ) to make safe thy State ; For t is a Day , of Death insatiate . The fourth Day , celebrate thy Nuptiall feast , All Birds obseru'd , that fit a Bridall best . 10 All fift Daies , to effect affaires in , flie ; Being all of harsh and horrid qualitie . For then , all vengefull spirits walke their Round , And haunt Men like their hand-maids ; to confound Their faithles peace ; whose plague Contention got . The seuenteenth Day , what Ceres did allot Thy Barnes in Haruest ( since then view'd with care ) 11 Vpon a smooth floore ; let the vinnoware , Dight , and expose , to the opposed Gale. Then , let thy Forrest-feller , cut thee all Thy Chamber fuell ; and the numerous parts Of Nauall timber , apt for Ship-wrights Arts. The foure and twentith Day , begin to close 12 Thy Ships of leake . The ninth Day neuer blowes Least ill at all on Men. The ninteenth Day , Yeelds ( after Noone yet ) a more gentle Ray ; Auspicious , both to plant , and generate 13 Both Sonnes and Daughters ; ill to no estate . But the thrice ninth Daies Goodnes , few Men know ▪ Being best Day of the whole Moneth , to make flow Both wine , and Corne-tuns ; and to curb the force Of Mules and Oxen and the swift-hoou'd Horse . 14 And then , the well-built Ship lanch . But few men , Know truth in any thing . Or where , or when To doe , or order , what they must doe , needs : Daies differencing , with no more care than deeds . The twice seuenth Day ( for sacred worth ) exceeds . But few Men , when the twentith Day is past , Which is the best Day ( while the Morne doth last In her increasing power ; though after Noone , 15 Her grace growes faint ) approue , or end that Moone , 16 With any Care ; Mans life , most pris'd , is least : Though lengthlesse ; spent as endless . Fowle and Beast Farre passing it , for Date . For all the store Of yeares , Man boasts ; the prating Crowe hath more , By thrice three liues . The long-liu'd Stagge , foure parts , Exceeds the Crowes Time ; the Rauens Age ; the Harts , Triples in durance ; all the Rauens long Date , The Phoenix , ninefolde doth reduplicate . Yet Nymphs ( the blest seed of the Thunderer ) Ten liues out-last the Phoenix . But preferre Good life , to long life ; and obserue these Daies , That must direct it ; being to all Mens waies 17 Of excellent conduct . All the rest but sound 's , That follow falls ; meere vaine and haue no grounds : But , one doth one Day praise ; another , other ; Few knowing the truth . This Day becomes a Mother ; The next , a Step-dame . But , be Man still one ; That Man a happy Angell waites vpon ; Makes rich , and blessed , that through all these Daies Is knowingly emploid . In all his waies , ( Betwixt him and the Gods ) goes still vnblam'd . All their forewarnings , and suggestions fram'd , To their obedience ; being directly view'd : All Good endeauour'd , and all Ill eschew'd . The end of Hesiods Works , and Daies . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A03120-e90 * Vir verè ( seu clarè ) sciens : aut illustris Iudex , vel procul videns Arbiter ; quia eos acutos visu , seu gnaros esse oporteat r●i de qua agitur . Notes for div A03120-e1820 Annotations . To approue my difference from the vulgar and verball exposition ; and other amplifications , fitt and necessarie for the true rendring , and Illustration of my Author ; I am enforst to annexe some words of the Originall to my other Annotations : 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , huc agite . 2 Ioue . 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Hy●nu decan . tanses . 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , de quo magna famae est ; 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non di●endus ; incelebris . 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , honoratus , Nobilis . 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; ignobilis ; ad nullam ●unctionem seu dignitatem essum●tus . 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , r●ctus , er●ctu● ; non tor●uosus . Metaph 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tortuosus ; incuru●s . 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , superbum , seu florentem facit vt defloresc●t . 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Iudicia vel vera praecepta de moribus , seu pict●te . 12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rati●inor . 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , reprehensione , et derisione dignu● , 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . in duas partes . 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He saies no man loues this war per se , but per accidens ; because men cannot discerne ●●ō things truly worthy of their loues ; Those that falsly pretēd worth , & retain none , which he ascribes to som secret counsaile of loue ; That for plague to their impieties strikes blinde their vnderstandings . 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cuius manibus nulla Ars , nulla sedulitas inest . 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He showes Artizans aemulations for riches , and approues that kinde of contention . Notwithstanding Plato in Lysyas ; Aristot. in the 5. of his Pol. & 2. of his Rhetor. and Galen ; refer this strife to the first harmefull discord . yet Plutarch takes our Authors part ; and ascribes it to the vertuous Contention . 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , aestu● ira , quam diu press● in pectore . 19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , alieni● insultans calamitatibus , Contentio . which hee calles their going to lawe . 20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , valde gloriosos reddens . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Reges doniuoros . 21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dimidium plus Toto . He commēds the Mean And reprooues those kings , or Iudges , That are too indulgent , to their couetous , and glorious appetites ; from the frugall , & competent life declining ; ad 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. ad plus habendi auiditatem inexhaustam ▪ Shewing how ignorant they are ; that the virtue of Iustice and Medioc●ity ; is to be preferred , to iniustice , and insatiate Auarice . By 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , he vnderstands Medium inter Lucrū et Dānū ; which Meane is more profitable , and Noble , than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. Toto . quo et sua pars retinetur , et alterius ad se pertrahitur . 22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , he calles Prometheus ; i. qui obliqua agitat consilia ; who wrests that wisdome which God hath giuen him to vse to his glorie ; To his owne ends : which is cause to all the miseries Men suffer , and of all their impious actions that deserue them . Ioues fire , signifies truth ; which Prometheus stealing ; figures learned Mens ouer-subtile abuse of diuine knowledge ; wresting it in false expositions to their own obiects . Thereby to inspire , and puffe vp their owne prophane earth . Intending , their corporeall Parts ; And the Irreligious delights of them . But for the Muthologie of this ; reade my Lord Chauncelours Booke de sapientia veterum Cap. 26. being infinitly better . 23 Ioues creation of a woman . 24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 An vnwearied , and wanton desire to exceed others ; or an insatiate longing to be lou'd of all . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 membra ad sati●tatem vsque depascens . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cares , or meditations of voluptuous satisfactions . 25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●an●nam ment● , vel impudentem . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , furaces m●res . 26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 o● Suada , Goddesse of perswasion , or eloquence . 27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , impetu inspirabat ; gaue speciall force , to al her attractions , which he saies Pallas did . To , show that to all Beauty ; wisedome , and discreet behauiour , giues the chief excitement . 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Her voyce . The vocall , or high-spoken Herald of the Gods imposde ; All faire women , affecting , to be furthest heard , as well as most seen . 29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when he had receiu'd & tried the ills he knew t was ill , & grieu'd : But then was so infected with affection to it , that He could not reforme , nor refine it . For Mans corporeall part ; which i● figur'd in Epimetheus ; signifying the inconsiderate and headlong force of affection ; not obeying his reasonable part , or soule ; nor vsing foresight fit for the preuention of ills which is figur'd in Prometheus ; He is deceiued with a false shadow of pleasure ; for the substantiall , and true delight , he to be embrac't . Which found by Euent ( the Schoolemaster of fooles . ) He repents too late . And therefore , Horace truely ; nocet empta dolore voluptas . 30 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of this came the prouerbe , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , The plague of women . And by the woman is vnderstood , Appetite , or effeminate affection ; and customarie , or fashionable Indulgence to the blood ; not onely in womanish ●ffectations ; but in the generall fashions of Mens Iudgements and action● ; Both 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , id est , popularitor ; or gratia & authoritate , quo quisvalet apud populom . And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , id est , viducendi & floctendi animum . Intending illusiuely ; by this same docta ignorantia ; of which , many learned leaders of the Minde , are guilty : And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ● id est , The common source or sinke of the vulgar ; preuailing past the Nobility , and pietie , of humanity and Religion . By which , All sincere discipline , is dissolu'd , or corrupted ; And so , that Discipline taken away ( tanquam operculo Pandor● ) both the humane bodies , and Mindes dissolution ; instantly , ( as out of the Caue of A●olu● ) ●et the windes or forces of corruption , violently breake : qua data porta , t●unt , & terra● turbine po●stant . All which notwithstanding ; no course or custome is so desperate in infection ; but some hope is left to scape their punishment in euery Man ; according to Ouid ; viuere spe vidi , qui moriturus erat . 31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Not onely this description of Ages ( as the Critiques obserue ) is imitated by all the Latine Poets , but all the rest of this Author ; And chiefly by Virgil himselfe . His sentence & inuention ; made so common ; that their Communitie will darken the raritie of them in their Originall . And this was called the golden Age ; ( according to Plato ) for the vertuous excellency , of Mens naturall dispositions , and manners . 32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sed vt dij vtuebant homines . The Poet ( sales Melancthon ) could not , but haue some light of our Parents liues in Paradise . 32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cusiodes hominum : from hence the opinion springeth , that euery man hath his good Angel ; which sort of spirits ( howeuer discredited now to attend , & direct men ) Flutat● in his Commentaries de oraculorum defectu , defends to retaine assured Being . In this sort : As if a Man should take away the interiected Aire ; betwixt the Earth and the Moone : That Man must likewise dissolue , all the coherence and actuall vnitie of the vniuerse ; leauing vacuum in Medio ; and necessary Bond of it all ; so they that admit no Genij ; leaue betwixt God , and Men , no reasonable Meane for Commerce ; The Interpretatiue , and Administring facultie ; ( as Plato cals it ) betwixt them ; vtterly destroying ; And withdrawing consequently ; All their reciprocall , and necessarie vses . As the witches of Thessalie ; are said to pluck the Moone out of her Spheare . But these men being Good ; turn'd onely Good Genij ; The next Age ( Men being bad ) turn'd in their next Being ; bad Genij . Of which , after was held ; A mans good , and bad Genius . 33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Subterranei beati , mortales vocantur . Out of their long liues and little knowledges ; These Men are supposed by our Poet ; to suruiue dull and earthly spirits ; For their impieties , in neglect of Religion , subiect to painefull , and bitter Death ; where the former good Men , sweetly slept him out . But for the the Powers of their bodies ; being fashioned of the worlds yet fresh , and vigorous matter ; Their spirits that informed their bodies ; are supposed secondly powerfull . And that is intended ; in their recourse to earthly men ; such as themselues were ; furthering their affections and ambitions to ill ; for which they had honour of those Men : And , of them , were accounted blest ; As the former Good Genij , wereso , indeed ; for Exciting Men to goodnes . 34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , These he ●otendes were such rude , and powrefull men , as not onely refused , ( like the second sort ) to do honour to the Deities ; But directly rebeld against them : And affected here in Earth , celestiall Emperit . For which the Celestials let them see , that they needed none but them selues to take downe their affectations ; And for their so huge conceipt of themselues ▪ had neuer any least honor of others , which many great men of this Iron Age , need not be ignorant therefore ; is the euent of such great ones . And howsoeuer they laugh in their sleeues , at any other Being than this ; they may take notice by their wisers : That euen according to reason , both , there are other Beings ; And differences of those Beings ; Both in honours , and Miseries . 35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in arctumcogo : s●u in a●gustum redig● . 36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ semidei , Intending Hercules , lason and others of the Argonants ; whose ship was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 naula omnibus cura ▪ because it held the care of all men , in those that were in her . Intending of all the vertuous Men , that were then of Name , who were called semigods , for their god-like vertues ▪ 37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He cals this seauen-ported Thebes ; to distinguish it from that of Aegypt , that had a 100 Ports ; besides that Hyppoplace in Cilicia . 38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In beatrum Insulis . Of which fortunate Ilands , Vide Hom : Odys : 8. 39 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Cuius Genus est ferraum . This fift Age he onely prophecied of : almost three thousand years since ; which falling out in this age especially true , showes how diuine a Truth inspired him : And whether it be lawful or not , with Plato and all the formerly learned ; to giue these worthiest Poets the commendation of diuine . 40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quibus ius est in manibus . All this Ouid translates ; Nec hospes ●b hospite tutus , Non socer à genero ; fratrū quoque gratia ●ara est . 41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , malè seu grauiter so●ans ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ma●● gaudens ; vel quo mali gaudent , & delectantur . Vel alienis insultans calamitatibus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , inuiso aspectu ; & t●ruis oculis cernens : All Epithets of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 42 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Accipiter , The manners of the Mighty towards the Meane , are figured in this fiction . By the Nightingale ; vnderstanding , learned , and vertuous Men. The following verse ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , imprudens &c. followes the most sacred letter , no●esse reluctandum potentioribus . 43 O 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He speakes to his brother , and returnes to his first Proposition ; of the fit contention , to which hee perswaded him before . And though shame and iustice are fled in others ; yet he wisheth him to loue and embrace them . The elegant description immediately before ; being truely Philosophicall , and is handled at large , by Plato , in Protagoras . 44 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Passus vero stultus sapit , which was since vsurpt prouerbially : signifying that wisdome to be follie , that we learne but of our owne first suffered afflictions : which yet , I think farre exceeds any wisdom that was neuer taught , nor confirmed by first feeling infortunes , and calamities . 45 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , properly signifies Curuis , v●l tortuosis indicijs ; which ( he saies ) rauish together with them , Preiurie ; Alluding to crooked things ; or things wrapt together like brambles ; that catch and keep with them whatsoeuer touches them . Our prouerbe ; to ouertake with a crooked Measure ; not ridiculously applied to this graue Metaphor ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not signifying , in this place , what our Criticks teach ; vid. lites iniquas ; but Iudicia iniqua seutortuosa . 46 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , oftentimes , for one ill Man a whole Citie suffers ; which sentence , in neare the same words , is vsed in Ecclesiastes . Saepe vniuersa Ciuitas , mali viri paenam luit . And as before he recounts the blessings that accompany good Kings or Iudges ; ●o here he remembers the plagues , that pursue the bad ; enforcing in both ( as I may say ) the ebbing , or flowing of euery Common-wealth by them . For Law being soule to euery such politicke Bodie ; And Iudges ; as if Essence to that soule , in giuing it forme and Beeing , according to their sentences & expositions of it ; The bodie politick , of force must fare well or ill , as it is gouerned , well or ill . No otherwise then , as the body of ● Man , suffers good or ill ; by his soules good or bad information , and discipline . These threats vsed here ( saith Melancthon ) as in diuerse other places of this diuine Poet ; He questionless gathered out of the doctrine of Moses and the Prophets , with whom the like comminations are euery where frequent . 47 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He would haue Iudges enter into consideration thēselues , of the dangers in iniustice ; which presently after , he reduces into three arguments . The first , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sibi ipsi , which sentence , to admiration agrees to that of the Script . Incidit in fo●●ā quante fecit . The second for feire of further punishment from God. The third , he makes out of the naturall indignity , and absurdity of the thing . 48 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He perswades his brother to the loue of Iustice , by argument taken from the true nature of Man. That by vertue of his diuine soule , naturally loues it . Because God infused into that diuine Beam of his , being immortall ; a loue to that , that preseru'd immortalities ; without that immortall destruction affected in ini●stice . Fishes , Beasts , and Foules , indued naturally with no such loue to Iustice ; but allowed by God , to doe like themselues and deuo●re one another , which that men should doe , as well as they ; is most inhumane , and full of confusion ; as well in their deformed mixture , as in the Ruine that inseparably followes it . But his confidence here , that whosoeuer will doe Iustice freely , and without respect of riches ; God will enrich him ; And that the worse enclined , will feele it in the Hell of his conscience ; The others ●eed prospering beyond himselfe ; Is truly , religious and right Christian , 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ante virtutem . His argument to perswade to vertue , here is taken both from her owne naturall Fate ; and the diuine disposition of God. For as she hath a body ( being supposed the vertue of Man ) and through the worthily exercised and instructed organes of that bodie ; Her soule receiues her excitation to all her expressible knowledge ; ( for dati sunt sensus , ad excitandum intellectum ) so to the loue and habite of knowledge , and vertue , there is first necessarily required , a laborious and painefull conflict ; fought through the knowledge , and ha●e of the miseries and beastlinesse of vice . And this paineful passage to Vertue Virgil imitated in his translation of the Pythagorean letter , Y. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or sud●r , is to be vnderstood of sweat , ex labore & fatigatione ●rt● . 50 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hee tels he●e . who is at all parts the best and happiest Man ; which Virgil. euen to a word almost recites ; and therefore more than imitates , in this ; Felix qui potuit verum cognoscere cansas &c. wherein our diuine and all-teaching Poet , since , describes three sorts of Men ; One that loues vertue out of knowledge acquired and elaborate ; which the Philosopher calls scientiam acquisitam ; The second , th●● loues her out of admonition ; which he calls infu●am scientiam ; The third , is hee , that hath neither of those two knowledges ; no● is capable of either ; hauing both these ignorances in him ; viz. Ignorantiam pranae disposition● , and purae negationis . Li●ie , as well as Virgil , recites this place almost ad verbum , in Fabio & Minuti● ; In these words , Saepe ego audini , milites , eum primum ess● virum , qui ipse consulat , quid in remsit : secundum eum , qui bene mone●●i obediat : Qui nec ipse consolere , nec alt riparere scit , eum extromi ingenij esse . 50 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , laborare aut●m melius . Notwithstanding he hath no other way to perswade his vnwise brother to follow his busines , and leaue his strife in law for other Mens goods ▪ but to propose wealth , and honour for the fruits of it : yet he prefers labor alone , ioind with loue of vertue and Iustice , and the good expence of a mans time ; before wealth , and honour with Couetousnes and Contention . 52 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Par est delictū . He ia●e● it is as great a sinne ; to wrong a poor suppliant , as to wrong a man : best friend or Guest . Which was then held one of the greatest impieties . And to deceiue an Orphane of his dead parents gift , he affirmes to be nothing lesse an offence than to ascend to the bed of his brother . Not that hee makes all sins alike ; but shews how horrible those sins are , with which wee are most familiar . 52 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , mala lucra aequaliai● damnis . According to this of the Scripture ; Male portum male disperit ; Et , de male quesitis non gaudit tertius haeres . 53 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●tram famem . Black or swar●h he cals Famine , or Hung●r ; ab effectu , quod nigrum , aut lucidum colorem inducat . 54 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hee la●●s it will not hurt a man , to haue a little more than needs meerely , laid vp at home ; A● we say ; it will eat a man no mea● . And prefers keeping a mans store at home ; to putting it forth ; for it may go lesse so , as often it doth . 55 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 incipiente dolio . At the beginning , or height of a mans store , hee aduiseth liberality ; And at the bottome . In the midst frugality . Admonishing therein not to be prodigall nor sordid ; or wretched : But as at the top of the Cask , wi●e is the weakest , and thinnest ; because it is most neer the aire ; and therefore may there be best spent ; at the bottome full of lees ; and so may there be best spared ; In the midst nearest and briskest , and should bee then most made of , or busb●nded ; so in the midst of a Mans purse , he aduiseth parsimo●y . 56 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 testem adhil●to . The Criticks expound it ; as if a man talking priuatly and liberally with his brother , should confesse so securely ; that he must euer bring a witnesse with him , of what words past him , and the Criticks intend it personally ; where the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies heere onely , sup●uta , cogita , hypothetically , or by way of supposition ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comming of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , faci● , esto vt ita sit , suppose there were a witnesse by ; and be as circumspect in speeches with your brother , euen in your most priuate and free discourse , as if you supposed a third Man heard you . The other exposition is to be exploded . 57 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui vel quae 〈◊〉 ex●rnat . 58 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vnigenitus . He saies one onely Son , preserues his Fathers house ; & addes most ingeniously , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. pascendo , se● nutriendo . Intending , that he addes onely necessarie vitall fewell ( as 't were ) to his fathers decaying fire . Where many sons oftentimes , rather famish , or extinguish a familie , than nourish , or fewell it . And yet hee addes most grauely and piously , that God can easiely giue store of Goods , fit for the greatest store of children ; but yet , the more children the more care ; and speaking to the happiest state of a familie ; he prefers one supplier to many . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sic facito . A generall Conclusion , and Transition to his doctrine of the next booke . Notes for div A03120-e11770 1 He begins his workes , to which , immediately before , he prepares his Brother . This whole Booke , containing Precepts of Husbandry ; both for field & familie . By the Ascent and Set of the Pleiades ; is showne the Haruest , and seed season ; as well for ground neare the Seas , as the farre distant . The Pleiades ( cald the Daughters of A●las ) are the seuen Stars , in the back of the Bull , which the Latines call'd Vergilias ; when which are seene , neare the Sunne ●ising ; which is in June ; Hee appoints entrie on Haruest affaires ; when , in the Morning they leaue this Hemispheere ( which is in Nouember ) he designes seed Tyme . 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 P●lustrem Terram significat . 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . per signum demonstr● , ita vt coniectare sit facile . 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , famulā considerat● acq●isitam . He would haue her likewise vnmaried ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●on nuptam , his reason he showes after . 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non assidum in opere . 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cura cum industria , & exercitatione . 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Iui opus de die in diem dubitat , & procrastina● . 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Metaphori●è accipitur , pro ●cumine , & visus selevitate . 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , I● dorificus : humidus calor , does not expres●e the word ; being so turned in the verball translation . 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui extremi & senescentis A●tumniest . 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 qui 〈◊〉 cum L●thifero fato a●itur , vel qui educatar inte● multas dur● fortis iriseri●● , The most fit Epithe●e of Man. 12 Prosylna . 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , A kinde of Mortar to bray corne in , which the Ancient vsed for a little Mill , or Que●n . 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Attic● Cerecis ser●●●s A Periphrasis of a Plow-man , she being call'd Attick Ceres ; quod ipsa Athenienses , adeoque omnes homines de frugibus d●cuerit . 15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ Quadrisidum octo morsu●m , He commends a Man of forty for a most fit seruant . And therefore presc●●be● allowance of bread to his meales , something extraordinarie : saying , hee would haue allowed foure shiues of bread at a meale to his meat ; euery shiue containing eight bits or morsels ; Not that the whole foure shiues should containe but eight morsels , as the Criti●ks expound it . For how absurd is it to imagine , a shiue of bread but two bits ? And how pinching a diet it were for an able Plow-man ? 16 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Qui quidem opus curans , &c ▪ aetatis quam in serus requirit ( saies Melancthon ) rationes addit adm●dum graues , sentitque mu●tum situm esse , in maturitate ●tatis . Forty yeares then , being but a youths a●e 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , No●alu impr●cationum expultrix . The Tilth-field , hee c●l●es banisher of execrations , and pleaser of sons & daughters ; first , because rude ●usbandmen vse to curse , when their crops answere not their expectations ; and next , it pleases sonnes and daughters , since it helps adde to their portions . 18 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Sedens . He disprooues sowing at the winter Solstice ; and saies , he that doth sow then , may sit & reap , for any labour his crop will require ; a Reap , they call as much , as at once the Reaper grasps in his hand . 19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 By which he vnderstands smiths forge● ; where the poorer sor● of Greece vsed to sit , as they do still in the winter amongst vs , and a● amongst the Romanes in tensiriuis , or barbars shops . 20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , calidam taber●ā These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 were of olde said to bolde the meetings of Philosophers . And after , because amongst them mixt idle talkers ouer cups ; they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nugae , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , loq ●acitas , or garrulitas ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Ma●ileu●a vers crassum pedem manu pre●as Aristo●le in his problems , as out of this place , ●ffirmes that da●ly and continuall hunger makes mens feet , and ankles swell . And by the same reason , superiores partes exte●u●●●ur et macrescunt , for which He●● vses this ingenious a●●usion to his ●rother ; aduising him to take heed ne pedem tumefactum tenni mau● demulcere oporteat , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying here demul●eo , not stringend● cr●cio , ●t premo , as it is vsually rendered . But ( for the paine ) stroke o●●ouch it softly ; for some ease to it : though it doth little good to it , but onely makes good the prouerbe . Vbidolor ibi digitus . 21 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mala intra animum v●rsat . A●d therefore saies Melancthon out of Columel : homines ●●hil agendo male agere dis●u●t . But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies not onely versat , but iustar v●darum f●u●i● 〈◊〉 v●raginis versat . 22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Mensis in quo sestam in honorem Le●ei celebratur . Bacchus being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , q●oniam torculaeribus et vini expressione praeest . And because his feast vsed to be solemnised in Ianuarie ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called Ianu●rium . 23 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , flante borea . ●y●mis tempus , et mensem Boreali frigore grauissimum copios● et eleganter descripsit . saies Melancthon . 24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . exof●●● , he intends the Polypus ; that hath no bones , but a gristle for his back-bone . 25 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Hellen was son to Deucalion ; of whom as being author of that Nation , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●icitur Graecus vt testatur Plinis , Lib. 4. cap. 7. The sun being in Sagittar●iu● is longer with the Aethiops , which are Meridionall : 〈◊〉 with the Graecians . 26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Trip●di homini similes . He cals olde Men helpt with slaues in their gate ; three-footed . 27 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , p●n ●arum in mere in altum erigere . 28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not Pil●● , as it is vsually translated , but soculis la●eis . 29 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , aer igniser , o● frugifer , though fruits are the chiefe effects of it ; but Aire that brings a comfortable fire with it ; and he saies , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , à coelo stoilifero . 31 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Tum &c Then sharpen thy Oxens stomacks , with taking away halfe their allowance ; but giue more to thy seruants ; his reason is ▪ because the Daies being shorter by halfe , then ; then in Sūmer ; and so take away halfe the worke of the Oxe ; therefore halfe their fother should be in equall husbandry abated . But since seruants must worke in Night as well , and that the Nights are much longer ; he would haue their commons encreast ; Allowing euen those bodily laborers , in a kinde of proportion , the same that is fit for Mentall painetakers ▪ Studen●s &c. for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , taken here for Nights ; is vsurpt for the eff●cts of Night . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying prudentia va'eus , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is called Night ; quod putaretur multum conferre , ad inuentionem eorum quae quaruntur , intending in studies and labours of the soule , especially the Epithete , 〈◊〉 , signifying auxilium , seu inspirationem serentes ; magna cum alacritate & contention● . All that since therefore , the words containing , a man may obserue , how verball E●p●si●ors ●●ubber vp these diuine expressions ; with their contractions , and going the next way . 32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Arcturus● is a Starre sub Zona ●oota ; oritur vespere , initio veris 33 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ante-lucano tempore quiritam . The construction should be ; not Prorumpit , ad lucem ; but ●ugens ad lucem ; since it came not soone enough to preuent the Nights Tyranny in Tereus . The fiction of which is too common to be repeated . 34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Biblinum vi●ū ▪ dicitur a Biblia R●gione T●r●ciae vbi nobilis●ima ●ina sunt . 35 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , tertiam aquae pa●tem insunde ▪ The Greeks neuer drunk Merum , but dilutum vinum ; wine alaid with water . Athenaeus saies , that to two cups of wine , sometime they put fiue cups of water ; and sometimes , to ●oure of wine , but two of water ; which they order according to the strength , or weaknes of their wine . 36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ den●es in●●rse pectinatim coeuntes habens . 37 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , d●e dormi●ns , nocte vigilance vir , a Periphrasis of a Theefe . 38 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui de sorte sua quaeritur . 39 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , non redditus , s●● diuitias fugiens . Hee blames those that hauing richly enough of their owne ; which they freely and safely possesse● ashore ; will yet with insatiate desire of more , venture the losse of all ; which his father ( he saies ) was not to be blamed for ; in going to Sea ; who onely tooke that course to auoid Pouertie ; his meanes by Land not enough , to liue withall , freely . 40 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , famem auditu insua●em . 41 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , etsi neque nauigand peritus : Melancthon in this free confession of his vnskilfulnesse in what he intended to teach , giues this Note ; Rem●net à se reprehensionem ob imperitiam Hic videmu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Primo vsurpa tum fuisse , cum laude , pro docere & tradere aliquid eruditius pre alij . 42 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , King of Euboea , was shine in Battell , against the Erythreans . At whose Funerals , his soones instituted Games . And from hence Melancton gathers ; by that time in which the King died ; Hesiod then liuing ; that Homer liued a hundred yeares before him : And so could not be the Man , from whom our Author is affirmed by some Historians to winne the prise , hee now speakes of . 42 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Coelestem imbr● secutus ; intending a following of those things quae serie quadam continuase sequuntur . 43 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Pollux expounds this word , which is vsually taken for foure ; fourteen . Plato and Aristotle appoint the best time of womens marriages at eightteene . 44 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qua prope 〈◊〉 habitat . His counsell is , to marry a maid bred neere a man , whose breeding and behauiour he hath still taken into note . Counsell of gold , but not respected in this borne age 46 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Torres sine fac● et cr●da senecta tradit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , senecta ante temp●s adueniens , which place Boaetius imitates in his booke de consolatione in this distich : Intempestiui funduntur vertice cani , et dolor aetatemiussit-inesse suam . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , In God signifies insight , and gouernment in all things , and his iust indignation against the impious ; In man , respect to the feare of God , and his reuerence . Mel. 48 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . vigilus et excubi●s positu . 49 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . This precept of preferring a mans owne brother to his friend , is full of humanitie , and sauours the true tast of a true-borne Man. The neglect of which in these daies , showes children either vtterly mist ego●●e● , or got by vnnaturall fathers ; of whō children must tast , in disposition , as a poison of degeneracie , poured into thē both , & a iust plague for both . 50 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . utque contra solem versus erectus m●ito . He would haue no contempt against the sun ; either directly , or allegorically intending by the sun , great & reuerend men : against whom , nihil proteruè , et irreuerenter agendum , If in the plain sense ; which he makes serious , he would not haue a Man make water turning purposely against the sun , nor standing , but sitting , as at this day euen amongst the rude Turkes it is abhorred , Quibus religiosum est vt sedentes mingant , et ingens flagitium designari credunt siquis in publico cacaret aut mingeret . 51 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Melancthon expounds this place a congressu vxoris ne sacra accedas ▪ whom I haue followed ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifies here inf●●stut , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 funebre epulum . 52 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hee saies a man must not pare his nailes at the Table , in which our reuerend Author is so respectfull and morall in his setting downe , that hee nameth not nailes , but calls what is to be pared away 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 siccum , or aridum , and the naile it selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 because it is still growing , he cals likewise the hand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or quae in quinos ramo● dispergitur , because it puts out fiue fingers , like branches . (r) Hirectè in fon●es immingere dicuntnr qui sacram doctr . nā commaculant . 53 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , grauem or terribilem famam he aduiseth a man to auoid . Intending with deseruing a good and honest fame amongst men , which knowne to himselfe impartially , and betwixt God & him ; euery worthy man should despise the contrary conceit of the world . According to that of Qu●ntilian writing to Seneca affirming he cared no more what the misiudging world vented against him , quā de vent●● redditi crepitus . Notes for div A03120-e20780 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , diligèti inspectione digero , seu seceru● & ●ligo . He beginnes with the last day of the Moneth , which he names not a day of any good , or bad influence ; but being ( as t were ) their Terme Day ; in which their businesse in Lawe was attended : And that , not lasting all the Day ; He aduiseth to spend the rest of it , in disposing the next Moneths labours . Of the rest , hee makes difference ; shewing which are infortunate , and which auspicious ; and are so farre to be obserued , as naturall cause is to be giuen for them ; for it were madnesse , not to ascribe Reason to Nature ; or to make that Reason so farre aboue vs , that we cannot know by it , what is daily in vse with vs ; all beeing for our cause created of God : And therefore the differences of D●ies , arise in some part from the Aspects ; quibus Luna intuetur solem Nam quadrati asp●ctus cient pugnam Naturae cum morb● . 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , primum Nouilunium ; which he calls sacred ; nam omnia initia sacra . The fourth likewise , hee calls sacred , quia eo die prodit a cui●● Luna , primumque tum conspicitur . 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , The second , and fift day , let p●sse , and sixt ; vt medijs ; he comes to the eighth , & ninth , which in their encreasing he tearms truely profitable ; Nam humores alit crescentia Luna . 3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , The tenth let passe ; the eleuenth , and twelfth , he praises diuersely ; because the Moone beholdes the Sunne then in a triangulare aspect ; which is euer called beneuolent . 5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●eque ●uptijs trudendis The sixteenth Day , he saies , is neither good to get a Daughter , nor to wed her ; quia à plenilunio coepit iam humor deficere . He saies , t is good to get a Sonne in , nam ex humido semine s●● nellae : 〈◊〉 sictiore , puelli na●cuntur . 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , eor al●cui scindeus . 7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , prudentem ver●●ud cem , seu Arbitr●m quod eoigna●os esse oporteat rei de qua agitur ; He calls ●t the great ● w●●●●th , because it is the last , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is of the middle De●●d of the Moneth ; diebus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or daies of the dying moone immediatly following . 8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The fourteenth is good to get a Daughter ; because the Moone then abounds in humours ; and her light is more gel●d & cold ; her heat more temperate . And therefore he saies , t is good likewise , to tame Beast● in , since then , by the abundance of humous , they are made more gentle , & consequently , easier tamed . 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He calls this day so banefull ; because of the opposition of Sunne and the Moone ; and the time then being , that is , between the old and new Moone ; are hurtfull for bodies , such as labour with cholerick diseases ; most languish then : Those with Phlegmatick contrary . 10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , He warnes Men to flie all fif● Daies ; that is , the fift , the the fifteenth , and the fiue & twentith ; because all vengefull spirits he affirmes then to be most busie with Men. 11 The seuenteenth day , he thinketh best to vi●now , or dight Corne à pleniluni● ▪ because about that time , winds are stirred vp , and the Aire is drier . 12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , prima no●a . That is , from the beginning of the Moneth ; he cals harmelesse ; proptergeminum aspectum , cum sol abest a signis . 13 Prouerb n●ll●● dies omni● mal●●● . 14 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Hee saies , few obserue these differences of daies ; and as few know , or make any difference betwixt one day and another . 15 He saies , few approue those daies , because these cause most change of tempests , and Mens bodies , in the beginning of the last quarter . 16 All this , and the liues of Foules , is cited out of this Author by Plutarch ; not being extant in the common Copie . 17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Et hae quidem d●es hominibus sunt magno commodo . The Epilogue of the Teacher ; in all Daies is to be considerd what Religion commands , & then what riseth out of naturall Causes . A09532 ---- Petrarchs seuen penitentiall psalmes paraphrastically translated: with other philosophicall poems, and a hymne to Christ vpon the crosse. Written by George Chapman Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374. 1612 Approx. 107 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 51 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A09532 STC 19810 ESTC S120615 99855810 99855810 21313 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A09532) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 21313) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 857:04) Petrarchs seuen penitentiall psalmes paraphrastically translated: with other philosophicall poems, and a hymne to Christ vpon the crosse. Written by George Chapman Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [6], 94 p. Imprinted [by R. Field] for Matthevv Selman, dwelling in Fleete-streete neare Chancerie lane, London : 1612. Printer's name from STC. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Bible. -- O.T. -- Psalms -- Paraphrases, English -- Early works to 1800. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion PETRARCHS SEVEN PENITENTIALL PSALMS , PARAPHRASTICALLY TRANSLATED : With other Philosophicall POEMS , and a HYMNE to Christ vpon the Crosse. Written by GEORGE CHAPMAN . Arri. Epict. Progressus sum in medium , & pacem Omnibus hominibus proclamo . At mihi quod viuo detraxerit inuida turba , Post obitum duplici foenore reddet honos . LONDON , Imprinted for MATTHEVV SELMAN , dwelling in Fleete-streete neare Chancerie lane . 1612. TO THE RIGHT WORTHILY HONORD , graue , and ingenuous Fauorer of all vertue , Sir Edw. Phillips Knight , Maister of the Rolles , &c. SIR , though the name of a Poeme beares too light and vaine a Character in his forhead , either to answer my most affectionate desire to do you honour , or deserue your acceptance ; yet since the subiect & matter is graue and sacred enough , ( how rudely soeuer I haue endeuored to giue it grace and elocution , ) I presumed to preferre to your emptiest leisure of reading , this poore Dedication . In the substance and soule of whose humane and diuine obiect , the most wise and religious that euer writ to these purposes , I haue ( for so much as this little containes ) imitated , and celebrated . Good life , and the true feeling of our humane birth and Being , being the end of it all : and ( as I doubt not your iudiciall and noble apprehension will confesse ) the chiefe end of whatsoeuer else , in all authoritie and principalitie . Notwithstanding ( either for the slendernesse of the volume , or harshnesse of the matter ) I haue not dared to submit it ( as the rest of my weake labors ) to my most gracious and sacred Patron , the Prince ; reseruing my thrice humble dutie to his Highnesse , for some much greater labours , to which it hath pleased him to command me . And thus most truly thankfull for all your right free and honorable fauours , I humbly and euer rest The most vnfained and constant obseruer of you and yours , Geo. Chapman . PETRARCHS SEVEN PENITENTIALL PSALMES . PSALME I. Heu mihi Misero . 1. O Me wretch , I haue enrag'd My Redeemer ; and engag'd My life , on deaths slow foote presuming : I haue broke his blessed lawes , Turning with accursed cause , Sauing loue to wrath consuming . 2. Truths straite way , my will forsooke , And to wretched bywaies tooke , Brode , rough , steepe , and full of danger . Euery way , I labour found , Anguish , and delighte vnsound , To my iourneyes end a stranger . 3. Rockes past fowles wings , tooke my fligh●● , All my dayes spent ; all my nights ; Toyles and streights though still repelling . One or other beast I met , Shunning that for which I swet ; Wild beasts dens were yet my dwelling . 4. Pleasure , that all paine subornes Making beds of ease , on thornes , Made me found with ruine sleeping . Rest , in Torments armes I sought , All good talkt , but all ill thought , Laught , at what deseru'd my weeping . 5. What is now then left to do ? What course can I turne me to ? Danger , such v●icap't toyles pitching . All my youths faire glosse is gone , Like a shipwracke each way blown● , Yet his pleasures still bewitching . 6. I delay my Hauen to make ; Nor yet safeties true way take ; On her left hand euer erring : I a little see my course , Which in me , the warre makes worse , Th' vse of that small sight deferring . 7. Oft I haue attempted flight , Th' old yoke casting , but his weight Thou Nature to my bones impliest . O that once my necke were easde , Straight it were ; were thy powre pleasd , O , of all things high , thou highest . 8. O could I my sinne so hate , I might loue thee yet , though late ; But my hope of that is sterued ; Since mine owne hands make my chaines : Iust , most iust , I grant my paines ; Labour wrings me most deserued . 9. Mad wretch , how deare haue I bought Fetters with mine owne hands wrought ? Freely in deaths ambush falling . I made ; and the foe disposde Nets that neuer will be losde . More I striue , the more enthralling : 10. I look't by , and went secure In paths slipperie , and impure ; In my selfe , my sinne still flattering . I thought youths flowre still would thriue , Follow'd as his storme did driue , With it , all his hemlockes watering : 11. Said ; what thinke I of th'extreames Ere the Meane hath spent his beames ? Each Age hath his proper ob●ect . God sees this , and laughs to see . Pardon soone is go● My knee When I will repent , is subiect . 12. Custome then his slaue doth claime , Layes on hands , that touch and maime ; Neuer cour'd , repented neuer : Flight is then , as vaine , as late ; Faith too weake , to cast out Fate , Refuge past my reach is euer . 13. I shall perish then in sinne , If thy aide Lord , makes not in , Mending what doth thus depraue me ; Minde thy word then , Lord , and le●d Thy worke thy hand , crowne my end . From the iawes of Sathan saue me . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he : With the coequall sacred Spirit ; Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME II. Inuocabo quem offendi . 1. I Will inuoke whom I inflam'd ; Nor will approch , his fierie throne in feare ; I will recall , nor be asham'd Whom I cast off , and pierce againe his eare . Hope , quite euen lost , I will restore , And dare againe to looke on heauen ; The more I fall , inuoke the more ; Prayre once will speed , where ●are is euer giuen . 2. In heauen my deare Redeemer dwels , His eare yet let downe to our lowest sounds ; His hand can reach the deepest hels ; His hand holds balmes for all our oldest wounds . I , in my selfe , do often die ; But in him , I as oft reuiue ; My health shines euer in his eye ; That heales in hell , and keepes euen death aliue . 3. Feare all , that would put feare on me ; My sinne most great is , but much more his grace : Though ill for worse still alterd be : And I in me , my eagrest foe embrace : Yet Truth in this hath euer stood , The blackest spots my sinnes let fall , One drop of his most precious blood ; Can cleanse and turne , to purest luorie all . 4. Strike , Lord , and breake the rockes that grow In these red seas of thy offence in me : And cleansing fountaines thence shall flow , Though of the hardest Adamant they be . As cleare as siluer , seas shall rore , Descending to that noysome sinke , Where euery houre hels horride Bore Lies plung'd , and drownd , & doth his vomits drinke . 5. Race , Lord , my sinnes inueterate skarres , And take thy new-built Mansion vp in me : Though powre failes , see my wils sharpe warres , And let me please euen while I anger thee . Let the remembrance of my sinne , With sighs all night ascend thine eare : And when the morning light breakes in , Let health be seene , and all my skies be cleare . 6. Thus though I temper ioyes with cares . Yet keepe thy mercies constant , as my crimes : I le cherish , with my faith , my prayres , And looke still sighing vp for better times . My selfe I euermore will feare , But thee , my rest , my hope , still keepe : Thy darkest clouds , thy lightnings cleare , Thy thunders rocke me , that breake others sleepe . 7. My purgatorie O Lord make My bridall chamber , wedded to thy will : And let my couch still witnesse take , In teares still steep't , that I adore thee still . My body I le make pay thee paines , Hell iawes shall neuer need to ope . Though all loues faile , thine euer raign●● , Thou art my refuge , last , and onely hope . All glorie to the Father , &c. PSALME III. Miserere Domine . 1. STay now , O Lord , my bleeding woes , The veine growes low and drie ▪ O now enough , and too much flowes , My sinne is swolne too hie . 2. What rests for the abhorr'd euent ? Time wasts , but not my woe : Woes me , poore man , my life is spent In asking what to do . 3. Pale Death stands fixt before mine eyes , My graue gaspes , and my knell Rings out in my cold eares the cryes and gnashed teerh of hell . 4. How long shall this day mocke my hope , With what the next will be ? When shall I once begin to ope , My lockt vp way to thee ? 5. Ease Lord , my still-increasing smart , Salue not , but cure my wounds : Direct the counsels of my heart , And giue my labours bounds . 6. As in me , thou hast skill infusd , So will , and action breath : Lest chidden for thy gifts abusd , I weepe and pine to death . 7. See , bound beneath the foe I lie , Rapt to his blasted shore : O claime thy right , nor let me die , Let him insult no more . 8. Tell all the ransome I must giue , Out of my hourely paines : See how from all the world I liue , To giue griefe all the raines . 9. What is behind , in this life aske , And in these members sums : Before the neuer ending taske , And bed●id beggerie comes . 10. Shew me thy way , ere thy chiefe light Downe to the Ocean diues : O now t is euening , and the night , Is chiefly friend to theeues . 11. Compell me , if thy Call shall faile , To make thy straight way , mine : In any skorn'd state let me wayle , So my poore soule be thine . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he , With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginning● were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME IIII. Recordari libet . 1. ONce let me serue , Lord , my desire , Thy gifts to me recounting , and their prise , That shame may set my cheekes on fire , And iust confusion teare in teares mine eyes . Since quite forgetting what I am , Adorn'd so Godlike with thy grace , I yet neglect to praise thy name , And make thy image in me , poore and base . 2. Thou hast created , euen for me , The starres , all heauen , and all the turns of time ; For of what vse are these to thee , Though euery one distinguisht by his clime ? Thou Sunne and Moone , thou Nights and Dayes , Thou Light and Darknesse hast disposd : Wrapt earth in waters nimble wayes , Her vales , hils , plains , with founts , floods , seas enclosd 3. Her rich wombe thou hast fruitfull made , With choyce of seeds , that all wayes varied are : And euery way , our eyes inuade With formes and graces , in being common , rare . In sweete greene herbes thou cloth'st her fields , Distinguishest her hils with flowres . Her woods thou mak'st her meadowes shields , Adorn'd with branches , leaues , and odorous bowres . 4. The wearie thou hast rest prepar'd , The hote refreshest with coole shades of trees , Which streames melodious enterlar'd , For sweete retreats , that none but thy eye sees : The thirstie , thou giu'st siluer springs ; The hungrie , berries of all kinds ; Herbes wholesome , and a world of things , To nurse our bodies , and informe our mind● . 5. Now let me cast mine eye , and see With what choice creatures , strangely form'd and faire , All seas , and lands , are fil'd by thee : And all the round spread tracts of yeelding aire . Whose names or numbers who can reach ? With all earths powre , yet in thy span : All which , thy boundlesse bounties preach , All laide , O glorie ! at the foote of man. 6. Whose body , past all creatures shines , Such wondrous orders of his parts thou mak'st , Whose countenance , state , and loue combines : In him vnmou'd , when all the world thou shak'st . Whose soule thou giu'st powre , euen of thee , Ordaining it to leaue the earth , All heauen , in her discourse to see , And note how great a wombe , went to her birth . 7. Vnnumberd arts thou add'st in him , To make his life more queint and more exact : His eye , eternesse cannot dim . Whose state he mounts to , with a mind infract : Thou shew'st him all the milke-white way , Op'st all thy Tabernacles do●es . Learn'st how to praise thee how to pray , To shun , and chuse , what likes and what abhorres . 8. To keepe him in which hallowed path , As his companions , and perpetuall guides , Prayre thou ordainst , thy word and faith , And loue , that all his soule offences hides . And to each step his foot● shall take , Thy couenants stand like wals of brasse , Which , from thy watch towre , good to make , Thou add'st thine eye for his securer passe . 9. All this deare ( Lord ) I apprehend , Thy Spirit euen partially inspiring me : Which to consort me to my end , With endlesse thanks , I le strew my way to thee . Confessing falling , thou hast staid : Confirm'd me fainting , prostrate raisd , With comforts rapt me , quite dismaid , And dead , hast quickn'd me , to see thee praisd . All glorie to the Father b● , And to the Sonne , &c. PSALME V. Noctes mea in moerore transeunt . 1. YEt , Lord , vnquiet sinne is stirring , My long nights , longer grow , like euening shades : In which woe lost , is all waies erring : And varied terror euery step inuades . Wayes made in teares , shut as they ope , My lodestarre I can no way see : Lame is my faith , blind loue and hope , And , Lord , t is passing ill with me . 2. My sleepe , like glasse , in dreames is broken , No quiet yeelding , but affright and care , Signes that my poore life is forspoken : Lord , cou●be the ill , and good in place prepare . No more delay my spent desire , T is now full time , for thee to heare : Thy loue hath set my soule on fire , My heart quite broke twixt hope and feare . 3. No outward light , my life hath graced , My mind hath euer bene my onely Sunne : And that so farre hath enuie chaced , That all in clouds her hated head is runne . And while she hides , immortall cares Consume the soule , that sense inspires : Since outward she sets eyes and eares , And other ioyes spend her desires . 4. She musters both without and in me , Troubles , and tumults : she 's my houshold theefe , Opes all my doores to lust , and enuie , And all my persecutors lends releefe . Bind her , Lord , and my true soule free , Preferre the gift thy hand hath giuen : Thy image in her , crowne in me , And make vs here free , as in heauen . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne , &c. PSALME VI. Circumuallarunt me inimici . 1. MY foes haue girt me in with armes , And earthquakes tost vp all my ioynts , No flesh can answer their alarmes , Each speare they manage hath so many points . 2. Death , arm'd in all his horrors , leades : Whom more I charge , the lesse he yeelds : Affections , with an hundred heads , Conspire with them , & turne on me their shields 3. Nor looke I yet , Lord , to the East , Nor hope for helpe , where I am will'd : Nor , as I ought , haue arm'd my breast ; But rust in sloth , and naked come to field . 4. And therefore hath the host of starres Now left me , that before I led : Arm'd Angels tooke my pay in wa●res , Frō whose height falne , all leaue me here for dead . 5. In falling , I discern'd how sleight , My footing was on those blest towres . I lookt to earth , and her base height , And so lost heauen , and all his aidfull powres . 6. Now , broke on earth , my bodie lies , Where theeues insult on my sad fall : Spoyle me of many a daintie prise , That farre I fetcht , t' enrich my soule withall . 7. Nor ceasse they , but deforme me too , With wounds that make me all engor'd : And in the desart , leaue me so , Halfe dead , all naked , and of all abhorr'd . 8. My head , and bosome , they transfixt , But in my torne affections rag'd : Wounds there , with blood , and matter mixt , Corrupt and leaue my very soule engag'd . 9. There , Lord , my life doth most misgiue , There quickly thy white hand bestow : Thou liu'st , and in thee I may liue . Thy fount of life doth euer ouerflow . 10. All this from heauen , thy eyes explore , Yet silent sitst , and sufferst all : Since all I well deserue , and more ; And must confesse me , wilfull in my fall : 11. And hence t is , that thou letst me bleed , Mak'st all men shun , and skorne my life : That all my workes such enuie breed , And my disgrace giues food to all mens strife . 12. But this , since Goodnesse oft doth cause , And t is Goods grace to heare his ill : Since t is a chiefe point in his lawes , No thought , without our powre , to make our wil. 13. Still let the greene seas of their gall , Against this rocke with rage be borne : And from their height , still let me fall : Them , stand and laugh , & me lie still and scorne . 14. But , Lord , my fall from thee , ô raise , And giue my fainting life thy breath : Sound keepe me euer in thy waies , Thou mightie art , and setst downe lawes to death . 15. Driue thou from this my ruines rape , These theeues , that make thy Phane their den : And let my innocence escape The cunning malice of vngodly men . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he : With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . PSALME VII . Cogitabam stare . 1. WHile I was falne , I thought to rise , And stand , presuming on my thies : But thighes , and knees , were too much broken . My haire stood vp to see such bane Depresse presumption so prophane : I tremble but to heare it spoken . 2. Yet in my strength , my hope was such , Since I conceiu'd , thou vow'dst as much : I fain'd dreames , and reioyc't to faine them : But weighing awake , thy vowes profound , Their depth , my lead came short to sound : And now , aye me , my teares containe them . 3. For calmes , I into stormes did stere , And look't through clouds , to see things cleare , Thy waies shew'd crook't , like speares in water ; When mine went trauerse , and no Snake Could winde with that course , I did take : No Courtier could so grosly flatter . 4. But which way I soeuer bend , Thou meet'st me euer in the end : Thy finger strikes my ioynts with terrors ; Yet no more strikes , then points the way : Which , weighing weeping , straight I stay , And with my teares cleanse feete and errors . 5. But of my selfe , when I beleeue To make my steps , thy waies atchieue , I turne head , and am treading mazes ▪ I feele sinnes ambush ; and am ●ext To be in error so perplext , Nor yet can finde rests holy places . 6. I loath my selfe , and all my deeds , Like Rubarbe taste , or Colche in weed● : I flie them , with their throwes vpon me . In each new purpose , customes old , So checke it , that the stone I rold Neuer so oft , againe fals on me . 7. No step in mans trust should be trod , Vnlesse in mans , as his in God : Of which trust , make good life the founder : Without which , trust no forme , nor art ; Faiths loadstarre is a guiltlesse heart ; Good life is truths most learn'd expounder . 8. With which , Lord , euer rule my skill ; In which , as I ioyne powre with will , So let me trust , my truth in learning , To such minds , thou all truth setst ope● The rest are rapt with stormes past hopes The lesse , for more deepe arts discerning . 9. Blesse , Lord , who thus their arts employ , Their sure truth , celebrate with ioy , And teare the maskes from others faces ; That make thy Name , a cloake for sinne ; Learning but termes to iangle in , And so disgrace thy best of Graces . 10. Whereof since I haue onely this , That learnes me what thy true will is , Which thou , in comforts still concludest ; My poore Muse still shall sit , and sing , In that sweete shadow of thy wing , Which thou to all earths state obtrudest . 11. As oft as I my fraile foote moue , From this pure fortresse of thy loue : So oft let my glad foes deride me . I know my weakenesse yet , and feare , By triall , to build comforts there , It doth so like a ruine hide me . 12. My worth is all , but shade , I finde , And like a fume , before the winde ; I gaspe with sloth , thy waies applying : Lie tumbling in corrupted blood ; Loue onely , but can do no good : Helpe , Lord , lest I amend not dying . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he , With the coequall sacred Spirit : Who all beginnings were before : Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . The end of Petrarchs seuen Penitentiall Psalmes . THE I. PSALME more strictly translated . 1. O Me accurst , since I haue set on me ( Incenst so sternely ) my so meeke Redeemer ; And haue bene proud in prides supreme degree ; Of his so serious law , a sleight esteemer . 2. I left the narrow right way with my will , In bywaies brode , and farre about transferred : And euery way found toyle , and euery ill , Yet still in tracts more rough , and steepe I erred . 3. Where one or other of the brutish heard My feete encounterd , yet more brute affected : Euen to the dens of sauage beasts I err'd , And there my manlesse mansion house erected . 4. I haunted pleasure still , where sorrow mournd , My couch of ease , in sharpest brambles making : I hop't for rest , where restlesse torment burnd , In ruines bosome , sleepes securely taking . 5. Now then , aye me , what resteth to be done , Where shall I turne me , where such dangers trēble ? My youths faire flowres , are altogether gone , And now a wretched shipwracke I resemble . 6. That ( all the merchandise , and venture lost , ) Swims naked forth , with seas and tempests tost . 7. Farre from my hauen , I roue , touch at no streme That any course to my saluation tenders : But waies sinister , rauish me with them : I see a little ; which more grieuous renders 8. My inward conflict ; since my charges passe Vpon my selfe ; and my sad soule endanger : Anger with sinne striues ; but so huge a masse Of cruell miseries oppresse mine anger , 9. That it confounds me , nor leaues place for breath . Oft I attempt to flie , and meditation Contends to shake off my old yoke of death , But to my bones cleaues the vncur'd vexation . 10. O that at length , my necke his yoke could cleare , Which would be straite , wouldst thou ô highest will it : O that so angrie with my sinne I were , That I could loue thee , though thus late fulfill it . 11. But much I feare it , since my freedome is So with mine owne hands out of heart , & sterued : And I must yeeld , my torment iust in this , Sorrow , and labor , wring me most deserued . 12. Mad wretch , what haue I to my selfe procured ? Mine owne hands forg'd , the chains I haue endur'd . 13. In deaths blacke ambush , with my will I fell , And wheresoeuer vulgar brode waies traine me : Nets are disposde for me , by him of hell . When more retir'd , more narrow paths containe me . 14. There meete my feete with fitted snares as sure , I ( wretch looke downeward , and of one side euer , And euerie slipperie way I walke secure , My sins forget their traitrous flatteries neuer . 15. I thought the grace of youth could neuer erre , And follow'd where his boundles force wold driue me , Said to my selfe ; Why should th'extremes deterre , Before youths season , of the meane depriue me ? 16. Each age is bounded in his proper ends ; God , I know , sees this , but he laughs and sees it : Pardon , at any time , on prayre attends ; Repentance still weeps when thy wish decrees it . 17. Then vilest custome challengeth his slaue , And laies on hand , that all defence denies me ; And then no place reseru'd for flight I haue : Subdu'd I am , and farre my refuge flies me . 17. Die'in my sinne I shall , vnlesse my aide Stoopes from aloft , of which deserts depriue me . Yet haue thou mercie , Lord , helpe one dismaide , Thy word retain , & from hell mo●●h retriue me . All glorie to the Father be , And to the Sonne as great as he ▪ With the coequall sacred Spirit ; Who all beginnings were before , Are , and shall be euermore . Glorie , all glorie to their merit . A HYMNE TO OVR Sauiour on the Crosse. HAile great Redeemer , man , and God , all haile , Whose feruent agonie , tore the temples vaile , Let sacrifices out , darke Prophesies And miracles : and let in , for all these , * A simple pietie , a naked heart , And humble spirit , that no lesse impart , And proue thy Godhead to vs , being as rare , And in all sacred powre , as circulare . Water and blood mixt , were not swet from thee With deadlier hardnesse : more diuinitie Of supportation , then through flesh and blood , Good doctrine is diffusde , and life as good . O open to me then , ( like thy spread armes That East & West reach ) all those misticke charmes That hold vs in thy life and discipline : Thy merits in thy loue so thrice diuine ; It made thee , being our God , assume our man ; And like our Champion Olympian , Come to the field gainst Sathan , and our sinne : Wrastle with torments , and the garland winne From death & hell ; which cannot crown our browes 1 But blood must follow : thornes mixe w t thy bowes Of conquering ●aw●ell , fast naild to thy Crosse , Are all the glories we can here engrosse . Proue then to those , that in vaine glories place Their happinesse here : thy hold not by thy grace , To those whose powres , proudly oppose thy lawes , Oppressing Vertue , giuing Vice applause : They neuer manage iust authoritie , But thee in thy deare members crucifie . Thou couldst haue come in glorie past them all , With powre to force thy pleasure , and empale Thy Church with brasse , & Adamant , that no swine , Nor theeues , nor hypocrites , nor fiends 2 diuine Could haue broke in , or rooted , or put on Vestments of Pietie , when their hearts had none : Or rapt to ruine with pretext , to saue : Would 3 pompe , and radiance , rather not out braue Thy naked truth , then cloath , or countnance it With grace , and such sincerenesse as is fit : But since true pietie weares her pearles within , And outward paintings onely pranke vp sinne : Since bodies strengthned , soules go to the wall ; Since God we cannot serue and Beliall . Therefore thou putst on , earths most abiect plight , Hid'st thee in humblesse , vnderwentst despight , Mockerie , detraction , shame , blowes , vilest death . These , thou , thy 4 souldiers taughtst to fight beneath : Mad'st a commanding President of these , Perfect , perpetuall : bearing all the keyes To holinesse , and heauen . To these , such lawes Thou in thy blood writst : that were no more cause 5 T' enflame our loues , and feruent faiths in thee , Then in them , truths diuine simplicitie , T were full enough ; for therein we may well See thy white finger furrowing blackest hell , In turning vp the errors that our sence And sensuall powres , incurre by negligence Of our eternall truth-exploring soule . All Churches powres , thy writ word doth controule ; And , mixt it with the fabulous Alchoran , A man might boult it out , as floure from branne ; Easily discerning it , a heauenly birth , Brake it but now out , and but crept on earth . Yet ( as if God lackt mans election , And shadowes were creators of the Sunne ) Men must authorise it : antiquities Must be explor'd , to spirit , and giue it thies , And 6 controuersies , thicke as flies at Spring , Must be maintain'd about th' ingenuous meaning ; When no stile can expresse it selfe so cleare , Nor holds so euen , and firme a character . Those mysteries that are not to be reacht , Still to be striu'd with , make them more impeacht : * And as the Mill fares with an ill pickt grist , When any stone , the stones is got betwist , Rumbling together , fill the graine with grit ; Offends the eare , sets teeth an edge with it : Blunts the pict quarrie so , t will grinde no more , Spoyles bread , and scants the Millars custom'd store . So in the Church , when controuersie fals , It marres her musicke , shakes her batterd wals , Grates tender consciences , and weakens faith ; The bread of life taints , & makes worke for Death ; Darkens truths light , with her perplext Abysmes , And dustlike grinds men into sects and schismes . And what 's the cause ? the words deficiencie ? In volume , matter , perspicutitie ? Ambition , lust , and damned auarice , Peruert , and each the sacred word applies To his prophane ends ; all to profite giuen , 7 And pu●snets lay to catch the ioyes of heauen . Since truth , and reall worth , men seldome sease , Impostors most , and sleightest learnings please : And , where the true Church , like the nest should be Of chast , and prouident 8 Alcione : ( To which is onely one straight orifice , Which is so strictly fitted to her sise , 9 That no bird bigger then her selfe , or lesse , Can pierce and keepe it , or discerne th' accesse : Nor which the sea it selfe , on which t is made , Can euer ouerflow , or once inuade . 1 Now wayes so many to her Altars are , So easie , so prophane , and populare : That torrents charg'd with weeds , and sin-drownd beasts , Breake in , lode , cracke them : sensuall ioyes and feasts Corrupt their pure fumes : and the slendrest flash Of lust , or profite , makes a standing plash Of sinne about them , which men will not passe . Looke ( Lord ) vpon them , build them wals of brasse , To keepe prophane feete off : do not thou In wounds and anguish euer ouerflow , And suffer such in ease , and sensualitie , Dare to reiect thy rules of humble life : The minds true peace , & turne their zeales to strife , For obiects earthly , and corporeall . A tricke of humblesse now they practise all , Confesse their no deserts , habilities none : Professe all frailties , and amend not one : As if a priuiledge they meant to claime In sinning by acknowledging the maime Sinne gaue in Adam : Nor the surplussage Of thy redemption , seeme to put in gage For his transgression : that thy vertuous paines ( Deare Lord ) haue eate out all their former staines ; That thy most mightie innocence had powre To cleanse their guilts : that the vnualued dowre Thou mad'st the Church thy spouse , in pietie , And ( to endure paines impious ) constancie , Will and alacratie ( if they inuoke ) To beare the sweete lode , and the easie yoke Of thy iniunctions , in diffusing these ( In thy perfection ) through her faculties : In euery fiuer , suffering to her vse , And perfecting the forme thou didst infuse 2 In mans creation : made him cleare as then Of all the frailties , since defiling men . 3 And as a runner at th' Olympian games , With all the luggage he can lay on , frames His whole powres to y ● race , bags , pockets , greaues Stuft full of sand he weares , which when he leaues , And doth his other weightie weeds vncouer , With which halfe smotherd , he is wrapt all ouer : Then seemes he light , and fresh as morning aire ; Guirds him with silkes , swaddles with roulers faire His lightsome body : and away he scoures So swift , and light , he scarce treads down the flowrs : So to our game proposde , of endlesse ioy ( Before thy deare death ) when we did employ , Our tainted powres ; we felt them clogd and chain'd With sinne and bondage , which did rust , and raign'd In our most mortall bodi●● : but when thou Strip'dst vs of these bands , and from foote to brow Guirt , ●old , and trimd vs vp in thy deserts : Free were our feete , and hand● ; and spritely hearts Leapt in our bosoms ; and ( ascribing still All to thy merits : both our powre and will To euery thought of goodnesse , wrought by thee ; 4 That diuine scarlet , in which thou didst die Our cleansd consistens ; lasting still in powre T' enable acts in vs , as the next howre To thy most sauing , glorious sufferance ) We may make all our manly powres aduance Vp to thy Image ; and these formes of earth , Beauties and mockeries , match in beastly birth : We may despise , with still aspiring spirits To thy high graces , in thy still fresh merits : Not ●ouching at this base and spongie mould , For ●●y springs of lust , or mines of gold . For else ( milde Sauiour , pardon me to speake ) How did thy foote , the Serpents forhead breake ? How hath the Nectar of thy vertuous blood , The sinke of Adams forfeit oue●flow'd ? How doth it set vs free , if we still stand 5 ( For all thy sufferings ) bound both foote and hand Vassals to Sathan ? Didst thou onely die , Thine owne diuine deserts to glorifie , And shew thou couldst do this ? O were not those Giuen to our vse in powre ? If we shall lose By damn'd relapse , grace to enact that powre : And basely giue vp our redemptions towre , Before we trie our strengths , built all on thine , 6 And with a humblesse , false , and Asinine , Flattering our senses , lay vpon our soules The burthens of their conquests , and like Moules Grouell in earth still , being aduanc't to heauen : ( Cowes that we arre ) in heards how are we driuen To Sathans shambles ? Wherein stand we for Thy heauenly image , Hels great Conqueror ? Didst thou not offer , to restore our fall Thy sacrifice , full , once , and one for all ? If we be still downe , how then can we rise Againe with thee , and seeke crownes in the skies ? But we excuse this ; saying , We are but men , And must erre , must fall : what thou didst sustaine To free our beastly frailties , neuer can With all thy grace , by any powre in man Make good thy Rise to vs : O blasphemie In hypocriticall humilitie ! 7 As we are men , we death and hell controule , Since thou createdst man a liuing soule : 8 As euerie houre we sinne , we do like beasts : Needlesse , and wilfull , murthering in our breasts Thy saued image , out of which , one cals Our humane soules , mortall celestials : When casting off a good lifes godlike grace , We fall from God ; and then make good our place When we returne to him : and ●o are said To liue : when life like his true forme we leade , And die ( as much as an immortall creature : ) 1 Not that we vtterly can ceasse to be , But that we fall from lifes best qualitie . But we are tost out of our humane Throne By pied and Protean opinion ; We vouch thee onely , for pretext and fashion , And are not inward with thy death and passion . We slauishly renounce the royaltie With which thou crownst vs in thy victorie : Spend all our manhood in the fiends defence , And drowne thy right , in beastly negligence . God neuer is deceiu'd so , to respect , His shade in Angels beauties , to neglect His owne most cleare and rapting louelinesse : Nor Angels dote so on the species And grace giuen to our soule ( which is their shade ) That therefore they will let their owne formes fade . And yet our soule ( which most deserues our woe , And that from which our whole mishap doth flow ) So softn'd is , and rapt ( as with a storme ) With flatteries of our base corporeall forme , ( Which is her shadow ) that she quite forsakes Her proper noblesse , and for nothing takes The beauties that for her loue , thou putst on ; In torments rarefied farre past the Sunne . Hence came the cruell fate that Orpheus Sings of Narcissus : who being amorous Of his shade in the water ( which denotes ) Beautie in bodies , that like water flotes ) Despisd himselfe , his soule , and so let fade , His substance for a neuer-purchast shade . Since soules of their vse , ignorant are still , With this vile bodies vse , men neuer fill . And , as the Suns light , in streames ne're so faire Is but a shadow , to his light in aire , His splendor that in aire we so admire , 3 Is but a shadow to his beames in fire : In fire his brightnes●e , but a shadow is To radiance fir'd , in that pure brest of his : So as the subiect on which thy grace shines , Is thicke , or cleare ; to earth or heauen inclines ; So that truths light showes ; so thy passion takes ; With which , who inward is , and thy breast makes Bulwarke to his breast , against all the darts The foe st●l shoots more , more his late blow smarts , And sea-like raues most , where t is most withstood . He tasts the strength and vertue of thy blood : He knows that when flesh is most sooth'd , & grac't , Admir'd and magnified , ador'd , and plac't In height of all the blouds Idolatry , And fed with all the spirits of Luxury , One thought of ioy , in any soule that knowes Her owne true strength , and thereon doth repose ; Bringing her bodies organs to attend Chiefly her powres , to her eternall end ; Makes all things outward ; and the sweetest sin , That rauisheth the beastly flesh within ; All but a fiend , prankt in an Angels plume : A shade , a fraud , before the wind a fume . Hayle then diuine Redeemer , still all ●aile , All glorie , gratitude , and all auaile , Be giuen thy all deseruing agonie ; Whose vineger thou Nectar mak'st in me , Whose goodnesse freely all my ill turnes good : Since y u being crusht , & straind throgh flesh & blood : Each nerue and artire needs must tast of thee . What odour burn'd in ayres that ●oisome be , Leaues not his sent there ? O then how much more Must thou , whose sweetnesse swet eternall odour , Stick where it breath'd : & for whō thy sweet breath , Thou freely gau'st vp , to reuine his death ? Let those that shrink then as their conscience lodes , That fight in Sathans right , and faint in Gods , Still count them slaues to Sathan . I am none : Thy fight hath freed me , thine y u mak'st mine owne . * O then ( my sweetest and my onely life ) Confirme this comfort , purchast with thy griefe , And my despisde soule of the world , loue thou : No thought to any other ioy I vow . Order these last steps of my abiect state , Straite on the marke a man should leuell at : And grant that while I striue to forme in me , Thy sacred image , no aduersitie May make me draw one limme , or line amisse : Let no vile fashion wrest my faculties From what becomes that Image . Quiet so My bodies powres , that neither weale nor wo , May stirre one thought vp , gainst thy freest will. Grant , that in me , my mindes waues may be still : The world for no extreme may vse her voice ; Nor Fortune treading reeds , make any noise . Amen . Complaine not whatsoeuer Need inuades , But hea●iest fortunes beare as lightest shades . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Poems . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of a good man. 1 A Good and wise man ( such as hardly one Of millions , could be found out by the Sun ) Is Iudge himselfe , of what stuf●e he is wrought , And doth explore his whole man to a thought . What ere great men do ; what their sawcie bawdes ; What vulgar censure barks at , or applauds : His cariage still is chearfull and secure ; He , in himselfe , worldlike , full , round , and sure . 2 Lest , through his polisht parts , the slendrest staine Of things without , in him should sit , and raigne ; To whatsoeuer length , the fierie Sunne , Burning in Cancer , doth the day light runne ; How faire soeuer Night shall stretch her shades , When Phoebus gloomie Capricorne inuades ; He studies still ; and with the equall beame , 3 His ballance turnes ; himselfe weighs to th' extreme . Lest any crannie gaspe , or angle swell Through his strict forme : and that he may compell His equall parts to meete in such asphere , That with a * compasse tried , it shall not erre : What * euer subiect is , is solide still : Wound him , and with your violent * fingers feele All parts within him , you shall neuer find An emptie corner , or an abiect mind . He neuer lets his watchfull lights descend , To those sweet sleepes that all iust men attend , Till all the acts the long day doth beget , With thought on thought laid , he doth oft repeate : Examines what hath past him , as forgot : What deed or word was vsde in time , what not . Why this deed of Decorum felt defect ? Of reason , that ? What left I by neglect ? Why set I this opinion downe for true , That had bene better chang'd ? Why did I * rue Need in one poore so , that I felt my mind ( To breach of her free powres ) with griefe declin'd ? Why will'd I what was better not to will ? Why ( wicked that I was ) preferr'd I still Profite to honestie ? Why any one Gaue I a foule word ? or but lookt vpon , With count'nance churlish ? Why should nature draw More my affects , then manly reasons law ? Through all this thoughts , words works , thus making way , And all reuoluing , frō the Euen till Day : Angrie , with what amisse , abusde the light , Palme and reward he giues to what was right . A great Man. 1 A Great and politicke man ( which I oppose To good and wise ) is neuer as he showes . Neuer explores himselfe to find his faults : But cloaking them , before his conscience halts . Flatters himselfe , and others flatteries buyes , Seemes made of truth , and is a forge of lies . Breeds bawdes and sycophants , and traitors makes To betray traitors ; playes , and keepes the stakes , Is iudge and iuror , goes on life and death : And damns before the fault hath any breath . Weighs faith in falsehoods ballance ; iustice does To cloake oppression ; taile-like downward groes : Earth his whole end is : heauen he mockes , and hell : 2 And thinkes that is not , that in him doth dwell . Good , with Gods right hand giuē , his left takes t'euil : When holy most he seemes , he most is euill . Ill vpon ill he layes : th'embroderie Wrought on his state , is like a leprosie , The whiter , still the fouler . What his like , What ill in all the bodie politike Thriues in , and most is curst : his most blisse fires : And of two ils , still to the worst aspires . When his thrift feeds , iustice and mercie feare him : And ( * Wolf-like fed ) he gnars at all men nere him . Neuer is chearefull , but when flatterie trailes On * squatting profite ; or when Policie vailes Some vile corruption : that lookes red with anguish Like wauing reeds , his windshook cōforts languish . Paies neuer debt , but what he should not ow ; Is sure and swift to hurt , yet thinks him slow . His bountie is most rare , but when it comes , T is most superfluous , and with strook-vp drums . Lest any true good pierce him , with such good As ill breeds in him , Mortar ▪ made with blood Heapes stone-wals in his heart , to keepe it out . His sensuall faith , his soules truth keepes in doubt , And like a rude , * vnlearn'd Plebeian , Without him seekes his whole insulting man. 1 Nor can endure , as a most deare prospect , To looke into his owne life , and reflect Reason vpon it , like a Sunne still shining , To giue it comfort , ripening , and refining : But his blacke soule , being so deformd with sinne , He still abhorres ; with all things hid within : And forth he wanders , with the outward fashion , Feeding , and fatting vp his reprobation . Disorderly he sets foorth euerie deed , Good neuer doing , but where is no need . If any * ill he does , ( and hunts through blood , For shame , ruth , right , religion ) be withstood , The markt withstander , his race , kin , least friend , That neuer did , in least degree offend , He prosecutes , with hi●'d intelligence To fate , defying God and conscience , And to the vtmost mite , he rauisheth All they can yeeld him , rackt past life and death . In all his acts , he this doth verifie , The greater man , the lesse humanitie . While * Phebus runs his course through all the signes , He neuer studies ; but he vndermines , Blowes vp , and ruines , with pretext to saue : Plots treason , and lies hid in th' actors graue . Vast crannies gaspe in him , as wide as hell , And angles , gibbet-like , about him swell : Yet seemes he smooth and polisht , but no more Solide within , then is a Medlars core . The kings frown fels him , like a gun-strooke fowle : When downe he lies , and casts the calfe his soule . He neuer sleepes but being tir'd with lust : Examines what past , not enough vniust ▪ Not bringing wealth enough , not state , not grace : Not shewing miserie bedrid in his face : Not skorning vertue , not depra●ing her , Whose ruth so flies him , that her Bane's his cheare . In short , exploring all that passe his guards , Each good he plagues , and euerie ill rewards . A sleight man. A Sleight , and mixt man ( set as t were the meane Twixt both the first ) frō both their heapes doth gleane : Is neither good , wise , great , nor polititick . Yet tastes of all these with a naturall tricke . Nature and Art , sometimes meet in his parts : Sometimes deuided are : the austere arts , Splint him together , set him in a brake Of forme and reading . Nor is let partake With iudgement , wit , or 1 sweetnesse : but as time , Terms , language , and degrees , haue let him clime , To learn'd opinion ; so he there doth stand , Starke as a statue ; stirres nor foote nor hand ▪ Nor any truth knowes : knowledge is a meane To make him ignorant , and rapts him cleane , In stormes from truth . For what Hippocrates Sayes of foule 2 bodies ( what most nourishes , That most annoies them ) is more true of minds : For there , their first inherent prauitie blinds Their powres preiudicate : and all things true Proposd to them , corrupts , and doth eschue : Some , as too full of toyle ; of preiudice some : Some fruitlesse , or past powre to ouercome : With which , it so augments , that he will seeme With 3 iudgment , what he should hold , to contemne And is incurable . And this is he Whose learning formes not lifes integritie . This the mere Artist ; the mixt naturalist , With foole quicke memorie , makes his hand a fist , And catcheth Flies , and Nifles : and retaines With heartie studie , and vnthrif●ie paines , What your composd man shuns . With these his pen And prompt tongue tickles th'●ares of vulgar men : Sometimes takes matter too , and vtters it With an admir'd and heauenly straine of wit : Yet with all this , hath humors more then can Be thrust into a foole , or to a woman . As nature made him , reason came by chance , Held her torch to him , cast him in a trance ; And makes him vtter things that ( being awake In life and manners ) he doth quite forsake . He will be graue , and yet is light as aire ; He will be proude , yet poore euen to despaire . Neuer sat Truth in a tribunall fit , But in a modest , staid , and humble wit. I rather wish to be a naturall bred , Then these great wits with madnesse leauened . He 's bold , and frontlesse , passionate , ●nd mad , Drunken , adulterous , good at all things bad . Yet for one good , he quotes the best in pride , And is enstil'd a man well qualifide ▪ These delicate shadowes of things vertuous the● Cast on these vitious , pleasing , patcht vp men , Are but the diuels cousenages to blind Mens sensuall eyes , and choke the enuied mind . And where the truly * learnd is euermore Gods simple Image , and true imitator : These sophisters are emulators still ( Cousening , ambitious ) of men true in skill . Their imperfections yet are hid in sleight , Of the felt darknesse , breath'd out by deceipt , The truly learn'd , is likewise hid , and failes To pierce eyes vulgar ▪ but with other vailes . And they are the diuine beames , truth casts round About his beauties , that do quite confound Sensuall beholders . Scuse these rare seene then , And take more heede of common sleighted men . A good woman . A Woman good , and faire ( which no dame can Esteeme much easier found then a good man ) Sets not her selfe to shew , nor found would be : Rather her vertues flie abroad then she . Dreames not on fashions , loues no gossips feasts , Affects no newes , no tales , no guests , no ieasts : Her worke , and reading writs of worthiest men : Her husbands pleasure , well taught childeren : Her housholds fit prouision to see spent , As fits her husbands will , and his consent : Spends pleasingly her time , delighting still , To her iust dutie , to adapt her will. Vertue she loues , rewards and honors it , And hates all scoffing , bold and idle wit : Pious and wise she is , and treads vpon This foolish and this false opinion , That learning fits not women ▪ since it may Her naturall cunning helpe , and make more way To light , and close affects : for so it can Courbe and compose them too , as in a man : And , being noble , is the noblest meane , To spend her time : thoughts idle and vncleane , Preuenting and suppressing ▪ to which end She entertaines it : and doth more commend Time spent in that , then houswiferies low kinds , As short of that , as bodies are of minds . If it may hurt , is powre of good lesse great , Since food may lust excire , shall she not eate ? She is not Moone-like , that the Sunne , her spouse Being furthest off , is cleare and glorious : And being neare , growes pallid and obscure : But in her husbands presence , is most pure , In all chast ornaments , bright still with him , And in his absence , all retir'd and dim : With him still kind and pleasing , still the same ; Yet with her weeds , not putting off her shame : But when for bed-rites her attire is gone , In place thereof her modest shame goes on . Not with her husband lies , but he with her : And in their loue-ioyes doth so much prefer Modest example , that she will not kisse Her husband , when her daughter present is . When a iust husbands right he would enioy , She neither flies him , nor with moods is ●oy . One , of the light dame sauours ▪ th' other showes Pride , nor from loues ingenuous humor flowes . And as * Geometricians approue , That lines , nor superfie●es , do moue Themselues , but by their bodies motions go : So your good woman neuer striues to grow Strong in her owne affections and delights , But to her husbands equall appetites , Earnests and ieasts , and lookes austerities , Her selfe in all her subiect powres applies . Since lifes chiefe cares on him are euer laid , * In cares she euer comforts , vndismaid , Though her heart grieues , her lookes yet makes it sleight , Dissembling euermore , without deceit . * And as the ●wins of learn'd Hippocrates , If one were sicke , the other felt disease : If one reioyc't ; ioy th' others spirits fed : If one were grieu'd , the other sorrowed : * So fares she with her husband ; euery thought ( Weightie in him ) still watcht in her , and wrought . * And as those that in Elephants delight , Neuer come neare them in weeds rich and bright ▪ Nor Buls approch in scarlet ; since those hewes , Through both those beasts , enrag'd affects diffuse : And as from Tygres , men the Timbrels sound And Cimbals keepe away ; since they abound Thereby in furie , and their owne flesh teare : So when t'a good wife , it is made appeare , That rich attire , and curiositie In wires , tires , shadowes , do displease the eye Of her lou'd husband ; musicke , dancing , breed● Offence in him ; she layes by all those weeds , Leaues dancing , musicke ; and at euery part Studies to please ; and does it from her heart . As greatnesse in a Steed ; so dignitie Needs in a woman , courbe , and bit , and eie , If once she weds , shee 's two for one before : Single againe , she neuer doubles more . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of Play. DEspise base gaine ; mad Auarice hurts the mind : Ye wise , shun fraud ; beleeue y e learn'd , ye blind . At play put passions downe , as monies are . He playes secure , whose trunks hold crowns to spare : Who brings all with him , shall go out with none : A greedie gamester euer ends vndone . Peace holy is to men of honest minds ; If ye will play , then courbe your warring splenes : No man wins alwayes . It shames mans true worth , Of but three Furies , to fare like a fourth . Correct your earnest spirits , and play indeed : At staid yeares be not mou'd : nere play for need . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of wine and women . BE not enthrall'd with wine , nor womens loue , For both by one meanes hurt : as women proue Meanes to effeminate , and mens powres decline : So doth the too much indulgence of wine , Staggers the vpright steps a man should take , Dissolues his nerues , and makes his goers weake . Blind loue makes many all their thoughts expresse , Whose like effect hath brainlesse drunkennesse . Wilde Cupid oft beates vp warres sterne alarmes , As oft fierce Bacchus cals our hands to armes . Dishonest Venus made Mars Ilion sease : And Bacchus lost with warre the Lapithes . Lastly , when both make mad misgouern'd minds , Feare , shame , all vertues vanish with the winds . With Giues make Venus hold her legs together , And bind Liaeus in his iuie with her . Let wine quench thirst , sweet Venus children beare , Whose bounds once broke , ye buy their pleasures deare . VIRGILS EPIGRAM of this letter Y. THis letter of Pythagoras , that beares This forkt distinction , to conceit prefers The forme mans life beares . Vertues hard way takes Vpon the right hand path : which entrie makes ( To sensuall eyes ) with difficult affaire : But when ye once haue climb'd the highest staire , The beautie and the sweetnesse it containes , Giue rest and comfort , farre past all your paines . The broad-way in a brauery paints ye forth ( In th' entrie ) softnesse , and much shade of worth : But when ye reach the top , the taken Ones It headlong hurles downe , to●●e at sharpest stones . He then , whom vertues loue , shall victor crowne , Of hardest fortunes , praise wins and renowne : But he that sloth and fruitlesse luxurie Pursues , and doth with foolish warinesse flie Opposed paines , ( that all best acts befall ) Liues poore and vile , and dies despisde of all . A FRAGMENT OF the Teares of peace . O That some sacred labour would let in The ocean through my womb , to clense my sin ; I , that belou'd of Heauen , as his true wife , Was wont to bring forth a delightsome life To all his creatures : and had vertues hand To my deliuerance , decking euery land ( Where warre was banisht ) with religious Temples , Cloisters and monuments in admir'd examples Of Christian pietie , and respect of soules , Now drunke with Auarice and th' adulterous boules Of the light Cyprian , and by Dis deflowr'd , I bring forth seed , by which I am deuour'd : Infectuous darknesse from my intrails flies , That blasts Religion , breeds blacke heresies , Strikes vertue bedrid , fame dumb , knowledge blind , And for free bounties ( like an Easterne wind ) Knits nets of Caterpillers , that all fruites Of planting peace , catch with contentious suites . And see ( O heauen ) a warre that inward breeds Worse farre then Ciuill , where in brazen steeds , Armes are let in vnseene , and fire and sword Wound and consume men with the rauenous hord Of priuate riches , like prickt pictures charm'd , And hid in dunghils , where some one is arm'd With armes of thousands ; and in such small time , ( Euen out of nakednesse ) that the dismall crime Stickes in his blasing forehead like a starre , Signall of rapine and spoile worse then warre , These warres giue such slie poison for the spleene , That men affect and studie for their teene , That it recures the wolfe in auarice , And makes him freely spend his golden thies : Yet no one thought spends on poore Vertues peace . Warres , that as peace abounds , do still increase . Warres where in endlesse rout the kingdome erres , Where misers mightie grow the mightie misers , Where partiall Lucre Iustice sword doth draw : Where Eris turnes into Eunomia , And makes Mars weare the long robe , to performe A fight more blacke and cruell , with lesse storme , To make for stratageme , a policie driuen Euen to the conquest ▪ ere th' alarme be giuen . And for set battels where the quarrell dies , Warres that make lanes through whole posterities , A●achne wins from Pallas all good parts , To take her part , and euery part conuerts His honie into poison : abusde Peace Is turn'd to fruitlesse and impostum'd ease , For whom the dwarfe Contraction is at worke In all professions ; and makes heauen lurke In corner pleasures : learning in the braine Of a dull linguist , and all tight in gaine , All rule in onely powre , all true zeale In trustlesse auarice : all the commonweale In few mens purses . Volumes fild with fame Of deathlesse soules , in signing a large name Loue of all good in selfe loue : all deserts In sole desert of hate . Thus Ease inuerts * My fruitfull labours , and swolne blind with lust , Creepes from her selfe , trauailes in yeelding dust ; Euen recking in her neuershifted bed : Where with benumd securitie she is fed : Held vp in Ignorance , and Ambitions armes , Lighted by Comets , sung to by blind charmes . Behind whom Danger waites , subiection , spoyle , Disease , and massacre , and vncrowned Toyle : Earth sinkes beneath her , heauen fals : yet she deafe Heares not their thundring ruines : nor one leafe Of all her Aspen pleasures , euer stirres ; In such dead calmes her starke presumption erres . For good men . A Good man want ? will God so much deny His lawes , his witnesses , his ministrie ? Which onely for examples he maintaines Against th'vnlearnd , to proue , he is , and raignes : And all things gouerns iustly : nor neglects Things humane , but at euery part protects A good man so , that if he liues or dies , All things sort well with him ? If he denies A plenteous life to me , and sees it fit I should liue poorely ; What , alas , is it ? But that ( refusing to endanger me In the forlorne hope of men rich and ●ie , ) Like a most carefull Captaine , he doth sound Retraite to me ▪ makes me come backe , giue ground To any , that hath least delight to be A scuffler in mans warre for vanitie ? And I obey , I follow , and I praise My good Commander . All the cloudie daies Of my darke life , my enuied Muse shall sing His secret loue to goodnesse : I will bring Glad tidings to the obscure few he keepes : Tell his high deeds , his wonders , which the deepes , Of pouertie , and humblesse , most expresse , And weepe out ( for kinde ioy ) his holinesse . Please with thy place . GOd hath the whole world perfect made , & free ; His parts to th' vse of all . Men then , that be Parts of that all , must as the generall sway Of that importeth , willingly obay In euerie thing , without their powres to change . He that ( vnpleasd to hold his place ) will range , Can in no other be containd , that 's fit : And so resisting all is crus●t with it . But he that knowing how diuine a frame The whole world is , and of it all can name ( Without selfe flatterie ) no part so diuine As he himselfe , and therefore will confine Freely , his whole powres , in his proper part : Goes on most god-like . He that striues t' inuert The vniuersall course , with his poore way : Not onely , dustlike , shiuers with the sway ; But ( crossing God in his great worke ) all earth Beares not so cursed , and so damn'd a birth . This then the vniuersall discipline Of manners comprehends : a man to ioyne Himselfe with th'vniuerse , and wish to be Made all with it , and go on , round as he . Not plucking from the whole his wretched part , And into streights , or into nought reuert : Wishing the complete vniuerse might be Subiect to such a ragge of it , as he . But to consider great necessitie , All things , as well refract , as voluntarie Reduceth to the high celestiall cause : Which he that yeelds to , with a mans applause , And cheeke by cheeke goes , crossing it , no breath , But like Gods image followes to the death : That man is perfect wise , and euerie thing , ( Each cause and euerie part distinguishing ) In nature , with enough Art vnderstands , And that full glorie merits at all hands , That doth the whole world , at all parts adorne , And appertaines to one celestiall borne . Of sodaine Death . VVHat action wouldst y u wish to haue in hand , If sodain death shold come for his cōmand . I would be doing good to most good men That most did need , or to their childeren , And in aduice ( to make them their true heires ) I would be giuing vp my soule to theirs . To which effect if Death should find me giuen , I would with both my hands held vp to heauen , Make these my last words to my deitie : Those faculties thou hast bestowd on me To vnderstand thy gouernment and will I haue , in all fit actions offerd still To thy diuine acceptance , and as farre As I had influence from thy bounties starre , I haue made good thy forme infusde in me : Th'anticipations giuen me naturally , I haue with all my studie , art , and prayre Fitted to euerie obiect , and affaire My life presented , and my knowledge taught . My poore saile , as it hath bene euer fraught With thy free goodnesse , hath bene ballast to With all my gratitude . What is to do , Supply it sacred Sauiour : thy high grace In my poore gifts , receiue againe , and place Where it shall please thee : thy gifts neuer die But , hauing brought one to felicitie , Descend againe , and helpe another vp , &c. Height in Humilitie . WHy should I speak impe●ious courtiers faire ? Lest they exclude thee , at thy Court repaire . If they shall see me enter willingly , Let them exclude me . If necessitie Driue me amongst them , and they shut the dore , I do my best , and they can do no more . Gods will , and mine , then weigh'd : I his preferre , Being his vow'd lackey , and poore sufferer : I trie what his will is , and will with it : No gate is shut to me ; that shame must fit Shamelesse intruders . Why feare I disgrace To beare ill censure by a man of face ? Will any thinke that impudence can be An equall demonstration of me ? T is kingly , Cyrus ( said Antisthenes ) When thou doest well , to heare this ill of these . But many pitie thy defects in thee . I mocke them euer that so pittie me . Strangers they are , and know not what I am ; Where I place good and ill , nor euer came Where my course lies : but their 's the world may know : They lay it out , onely to name and show . If comfort follow truth of knowledge still , They meete with little truth ; for if their skill Get not applause , their comfort comes to nought . I studie still to be , they to be thought . Are they lesse frustrate of their ends then I ? Or fall they lesse into the ils they flie ? Are they industrious more ? lesse passionate ? Lesse faltring in their course ? more celebrate Truth in their comforts ? But they get before Much in opinion . True , they seeke it more . For stay in competence . THou that enioyst onely enough to liue , Why grieu'st thou that the giuer does not giue Foode with the fullest , when as much as thou He thinkes him emptie ? T is a state so low That I am fearefull euerie howre to sinke . Well said . Vnthankfull fearefull , eate and drinke , And feare to sterue still . Knowst thou not who sings Before the theefe ? The penurie of things Whither conferres it ? Drawes it not one breath With great satietie ? End not both in death ? Thy entrailes , with thy want , together shrinke ; He bursts with cruditie , and too much drinke . Will not thy want then with a chearefull eye Make thee expect death ? whom sterne tyrannie , Empire , and all the glut of thirstie store , Shun with pale cheekes affrighted ●uermore ? Earth is a whore , and brings vp all her brats With her insatiate gadflie : euen her flats High as her ●il● looke ; lusting , lusting still , No earthly pleasure euer hath her fill . Turne a new leafe then : thirst for things past death ; And thou shalt neuer thinke of things beneath . How should I thirst so , hauing no such heat● ? Fast , pray , to haue it : better neuer eate , Then still the more thou 〈◊〉 the more des●re . But wilt thou quench this ouerneedie fire ? Canst thou not write , nor reade , nor keepe a gate● Teach children , be a porter . That poore state Were base and hatefull . Is that base to thee , That is not thy worke ? That necessitie Inflicts vpon thee ? that inuades thee to Onely as head-aches and agues do ? That the great Ordrer of th'vniuerse sees So good , he puts it in his master peece ? But men will scorne me . Let them then go by , They will not touch thee : he that shifts his eye To others eye-browes , must himselfe be blind . Leau'st thou thy selfe for others ? t is the mind Of all that God and euery good forsakes . If he goes thy way , follow : if he takes An opposite course , canst thou still go along , And end thy course ? Go right , though all else wrong . But you are learn'd , and know Philosophie To be a shift to salue necessitie : Loue syllogismes , figures , and to make All men admire how excellent you spake . Your caution is to keepe a studious eye , Lest you be caught with carpes of sophistrie : To b● a man of reading , when alas , All these are caught in a Plebeians case . None such poore fooles , incontinent , couetous , Atheisticall , deceitfull , villanous . Shew me thy studies end , and what may be Those weights and measures , that are vsde by thee , To mete these ashes barreld vp in man. Is not the wreath his , that most truly can Make a man happie ? And ( in short ) is that Any way wrought more , then in teaching what Will make a man most ioyfully embrace The course his end holds , and his proper place ? Not suffering his affections to disperse , But fit the maine sway of the vniuerse . Of the Will. THe empire of the Will is euer sau'd , Except lost by it selfe , when t is deprau'd . Of Man. MAn is so soueraigne and diuine a state , That not contracted and elaborate , The world he beares about with him alone , But euen the Maker makes his breast his throne . Of a Philosopher . Does a Philosopher inuite , or pray Any to heare him ? or not make his way , As meate and drinke doth ? or the Sunne excite Onely by vertue of his heate and light ? Of Ambition . Who , others loues and honors goes about , Would haue things outward , not to be without . Of Friendship . NOw I am old , my old friends loues I wish , As I am good ; & more old , grow more fresh . Friends constant , not like lakes are standing euer , But like sweete streames , euer the same , yet neuer Still profiting themselues , and perfecting . And as a riuer furthest from his spring , Takes vertue of his course , and all the way Greater and greater growes , till with the sea He combats for his empire , and gets in , Curling his billowes , till his stile he win : So worthy men should make good to their ends , Increase of goodnesse ; such men make thy friends . Such nobler are , the poorer was their source ; And though w t crooks & turns , yet keep their course , Though till their strength , they did some weaknesse show , ( All thankes to God yet ) now it is not so . Will is the garden first , then Knowledge plants ; Who knowes and wils well , neuer vertue wants : Though o●t he faile in good , he nought neglects ; The affect , not the effect , God respects . But as the Academickes euer rate A man for learning , with that estimate They made of him , when in the schooles he liu'd ; And how so ere he scatter'd since , or thriu'd , Still they esteeme him as they held him then : So fares it with the doomes of vulgar men ; If once they knew a man defectiue , still The staine stickes by him ; better he his skill , His life and parts , till quite refin'd from him He was at first ; good drownes , ill still doth swim : Best men are long in making : he that soone Sparkles and flourishes , as soone is gone . A wretched thing it is , when nature giues A man good gifts , that still the more he liues , The more they die . And where the complete man ( Much lesse esteem'd ) is long before he can The passage cleare , betwixt his soule and sense , And of his body gaine such eminence , That all his organs open are , and fit To serue their Empresse . Th' other man of wit , At first is seru'd with all those instruments ▪ Open they are , and full , and free euents All he can thinke obtaines , and forth there flies Flashes from him , thicke as the Meteord skies , Like which he lookes , and vp drawes all mens eies , Euen to amaze : yet like those Meteors , ( Onely in ayre imprest ) away he soares , His organs shut : and twixt his life and soule , Sue a diuorce aliue . Such ne're enroule In thy brasse booke of Friendship : such are made To please light spirits , not to grow but fade . Nor friends for old acquaintance chuse , but faith , Discretion , good life , and contempt of death : That foes wrongs beare with Christian patience , Against which fighting , Reason hath no fence : That lay their fingers on their lips the more , The more their wrong'd simplicities deplore , And stop their mouthes to euery enemies ill , With th' ill he does them . Thus good men do still , And onely good men friends are : make no friend Of fleshie-beast-men , friendship 's of the mind . Of plentie and freedome in goodnesse . NOt to haue want , what riches doth exceed ? Not to be subiect , what superior thing ? He that to nought aspires , doth nothing need : Who breakes no law , is subiect to no King. Of Attention . WHen for the least time , y u lett'st fall thine eare From still attending , things still fit to heare , And gin'st thy mind way to thy bodies will : Imagine not thou hold'st the raines so still , That at thy pleasure thou canst turne her in : But be assur'd that one dayes soothed sinne , Will aske thee many to amend and mourne : And make thy mind so willing to adiourne That instant-due amendment , that t will breed A custome to do ill ; and that will need A new birth to reforme . What ? May I then ( By any diligence , or powre in men ) Auoid transgression ? No , t is past thy powre : But this thou maist do ; euery day and houre , In that be labouring still , that lets transgression : And worth my counsell t is , that this impression Fixt in thy mind , and all meanes vsde in man , He may trangresse as little as he can . If still thou saist , To morrow I will win My mind to this attention : therein Thou saist as much , as this day I will be Abiect and impudent : it shall be free This day for others to liue Lords of me , To leade and rule me : this day I will giue Reines to my passions , I will enuious liue , Wrathfull and lustfull : I will leaue the state Man holds in me , and turne adulterate , Vulgar and beastly . See to how much ill Thou stand'st indulgent . But all this thy will Shall mend to morrow : how much better t were This day thou shouldst mans godlike scepter beare : For if to morrow , in thy strengths neglect , Much more to day , while t is vncounter-checkt . To liue with little . VVHen thou seest any honour'd by the king , Oppose y u this , thou thirsts for no such thing . When thou seest any rich , see what in sted Of those his riches thou hast purchased . If nothing , nothing fits such idle wretches . If thou hast that , that makes thee need no riches ▪ Know thou hast more , and of a greater price , And that which is to God a sacrifice . When thou seest one linkt with a louely wife , Thou canst containe , and leade a single life . Seeme these things smal to thee ? O how much more Do euen those great ones , and those men of store Desire those small things , then their greatest owne : That they could scorn their states so bladder-blown , Their riches , and euen those delicious Dames , That seast their blood with such enchanted flames ? For haue not yet thy wits the difference found , Betwixt a feu'rie mans thirst , and one sound ? He hauing drunke is pleasd : the other lies Fretting and lothing , vomits out his eyes : His drinke to choler turnes , and ten parts more His vicious heate inflames him , then befo●e . So while the long fit of his drie desire Lasts in a rich man , such insatiate fire He feeles within him . While the like fit lasts In one ambitious , so he thirsts , and wasts . While the fit lasts , and lust hath any fewell : So fares the fond venerean with his iewell There being linkt to euery one of these Feares , emulations , sleeplesse Ielosies , Foule cogitations , foule words , fouler deeds . Enough be that then , that may serue thy needs , What thou canst keepe in thy free powre alone , Others affect , and thou reiect'st thine owne . Both will not draw in one yoke : one release And th' other vse , or neither keepe in peace Twixt both distracted . Things within thee prise ; Onely within , thy helpe and ruine lies . What wall so fencefull ? what possession So constant , and so properly our owne ? What dignitie so expert of deceipts ? All trade-like beggarly , and full of sleights . On which who sets his mind , is sure to grieue , Feed on faint hopes , neuer his ends atcheeue , Fall into that he shuns , and neuer rest , But bad esteeme his state , when t is at best . Serue but thy mind with obiects fit for her , And for things outward thou shalt neuer care . Obtaine but her true , and particular vse And obtaine all things Nor let doubt , abuse Thy will to winne her , as being coy enclind , Nought is so pliant as a humane mind . And what shall I obtaine , obtaining her , Not wishing all , but some particular ? What wouldst thou wish for her dowre more then these ? To make thee pleasant , of one hard to please ? To make thee modest , of one impudent ; Temperate , and chast , of one incontinent : Faithfull , being faithlesse . Fit not these thy will ? Affect'st thou greater ? What thou dost , do still : I giue thee ouer , doing all I can , Th' art past recure , with all that God giues man. To yong imaginaries in knowledge . NEuer for common signes , dispraise or praise , Nor ar● , nor want of a●t ▪ for what he saies Ascribe to any Men may both waies make In forme , & speech , a mans quicke doome mistake . All then that stand in any ranke of Art , Certaine decrees haue , how they shall impart That which is in them : which decrees , because They are within men , making there the lawes To all their actions , hardly shew without : And till their ensignes are displaid , make doubt To go against or with them : nor will they So well in words as in their deeds display . Decrees are not degrees . If thou shalt giue Titles of learning , to such men as liue Like rude Plebeians , since they haue degrees , Thou shalt do like Plebeians . He that sees A man held learn'd do rudely , rather may Take for that deed , his learned name away , Then giu 't him for his name . True learnings act ▪ And speciall object is , so to compact The will , and euery actiue powre in man , That more then men illiterate , he can Keepe all his actions in the narrow way To God and goodnesse , and there force their stay As in charm'd circles . Termes , tongs , reading , all That can within a man , cald learned , fall ; Whose life is led yet like an ignorant mans : Are but as tooles to goutie Artizans , That cannot vse them ; or like childrens arts , That out of habite , and by rootes of hearts , Construe and perce their lessons , yet discerne Nought of the matter , whose good words they learn : Or like our Chimicke Magi , that can call All termes of Art out , but no gold at all : And so are learn'd like them , of whom , none knows His Arts cleare truth , but are meere Ciniflos . But sacred learning , men so much prophane , That when they see a learn'd-accounted man Liue like a brute man ; they will neuer take His learn'd name from him , for opinions sake : But on that false gound brutishly conclude , That learning profites not . You beastly rude , Know , it mor●s profites , being exact and true , Then all earths high waies chokt with herds of you . But must degrees , & termes , and time in schooles , Needs make men learn'd , in life being worse then fooles ? What other Art liues into happy aire , That onely for his habite , and his haire , His false professors worth you will commend ? Are there not precepts , matter , and an end To euery science ? which , not kept , nor showne By vnderstanding ; vnderstanding knowne By fact ; the end , by things to th' end directed , What hap , or hope haue they to be protected ? Yet find such , greatest friends : and such professe Most learning , and will preasse for most accesse Into her presence , and her priuiest state , When they haue hardly knockt yet at her gate . Externall circumscription neuer s●rues To proue vs men : blood , flesh , nor bones nor nerues But that which all these vseth , and doth guide : Gods image in a soule eternifide , Which he that shewes not in such acts as tend To that eternesse , making that their end : In this world nothing knowes , uor after can , But is more any creature then a man. This rather were the way , if thou wouldst be , A true proficient in philosophie : Dissemble what thou studiest , till alone By thy impartiall con●e●tion Thou prou'st thee fit , to do as to professe . And if thou still professe it nor , what lesse Is thy philosophie , if in thy deeds Rather then signes , and shadowes , it proceedes ? Shew with what temper thou dost drinke , and eate : How farre from wrong thy deeds are , angers heat● ▪ How thou sustainst , and abstainst ; how farre gone In appetite and auersation ▪ To what account thou doest affections call , Both naturall , and ad●entitiall : That thou art faithfull , pious , humble , kind , Enemie to enuie : of a chearefull mind , Constant , and dantlesse . All this when men see Done with the learnedst ▪ them let censure thee ; But if so dull , and blind of soule they are , Not to acknowledge heauenly Mulciber , To be a famous Artist by his deeds , But they must see him in his working weeds : What ill is it , if thou art neuer knowne To men so poore of apprehension ? Are they within thee , or so much with thee As thou thy selfe art ? Can their dull eyes see Thy thoughts at worke ? Or how like one that 's sworn To thy destruction , all thy powres are borne T' entrap thy selfe ? whom thou dost hardlier please Then thou canst them ? Arme then thy mind w t these : I haue decrees set downe twixt me and God ; I know his precepts , I will beare his lode , But what men throw vpon me , I reiect : No man shall let the freedome I elect ; I haue an owner that will challenge me , Strong to defend , enough to satisfie : The rod of Mercurie , will charme all these , And make them neither strange , nor hard to please ▪ And these decrees , in houses constitute Friendship , and loue : in fields cause store of fruite : In cities , riches ; and in temples zeale : And all the world would make one commonweale . Shun braggart glorie , seeke no place , no name : No shewes , no company , no laughing game , No fashion : nor no champion of thy praise , As children sweete meates loue , and holidaies : Be knowing shamefastnesse , thy grace , and guard , As others are with dores , wals , porters bard . Liue close awhile ; so fruits grow , so their seed Must in the earth a little time lie hid ; Spring by degrees , and so be ripe at last . But if the Eare , be to the blades top past Before the ioynt amidst the blade , be knit , The corne is lanke , and no Sunne ripens it . Like which art thou yong Nouice ; florishing Before thy time , winter shall burne thy spring . The husbandman dislikes his fields faire birth , When timelesse heate beates on vnreadie earth , Grieues lest his fruits with aire should be too bold , And not endure the likely-coming cold . Comfort the roote then first , then let appeare The blades ioynt knit , and then produce the Eare : So Natures selfe , thou shalt constraine , and be Blest with a wealthy crop in spite of thee . Of Constancie in goodnesse . Who feares disgrace for things wel done , y e knows i● Wrong euer does most harme to him that does it . Who more ioy takes , that men his good aduance , Then in the good it selfe , does it by chance : That being the worke of others ; this his owne . In all these actions therefore that are common , Men neuer should for praise or dispraise care , But looke to the Decrees , from whence they are . Of Learning . LEarning , the Art is of good life : they then That leade not good liues , are not learned men . For ill successe . If thou sustainst in any sort an ill , Beare some good with thee to change for it still . Of negligence . When thou letst loose thy mind to obiects vain T is not in thee to call her backe againe : And therefore when thy pleasure in her good Droopes , and would downe in melancholy blood , Feed her alacritie with any thought Or word , that euer her recomfort wrought . Of iniurie . When thou art wrong'd , see if the wrong proceed From fault within thy iudgement , word or deed : If not , let him beware that iniures thee , And all that sooth him ; and be thy state fr●e . Of Attire . IN habite , nor in any ill to th'eie , Affright the vulgar from Philosophie : But as in lookes , words , workes , men witnesse thee Comely and checklesse , so in habite be . For if a man shall shew me one commended For wit , skill , iudgement , neuer so extended , That goes fantastically , and doth fit The vulgar fashion ; neuer thinke his wit Is of a sound peece , but hath bracks in it . If slouenly and nastily in weed● Thou keep'st thy body , such must be thy deeds , Hence , to the desart , which thou well deseru'st , And now no more for mans societie seru'st . Externall want to this height doth expresse Both inward negligence , and rottennesse . FRAGMENTS . Of Circumspection . IN hope to scape the law , do nought amisse , The penance euer in the action is . Of Sufferance . IT argues more powre willingly to yeeld To what by no repulse can be repeld , Then to be victor of the greatest state , We can with any fortune subiugate . Of the Soule . THe Soule serues with her functions to excite , Abhorre , prepare , and order appetite , Cause auersation , and susception : In all which , all her ill is built vpon Ill receiu'd iudgements ; which reforme with good ; And as with ill she yeelded to thy blood , And made thy pleasures , God and man displease , She will as well set both their powres at peace , With righteous habits , and delight thee more With doing good now , then with ill before . Of great men . WHen Homer made Achilles passionate , Wrathfull , reuengefull , and insatiate In his affections ; what man will denie He did compose all that of industrie ? To let men see , that men of most renowne , Strong'st , noblest , fairest , if they set not downe Decrees within them , for disposing these , Of iudgement , resolution , vprightnesse . And vertuous knowledge of their vse and ends , Mishaps and miserie , no lesse extends To their destruction , with all that they prisde , Then to the poorest , and the most despisde . Of learned men Who knows not truth , knows nothīg ; who what 's best Knowes not , not 1 truth knowes . Who ( alone profest In that which best is ) liues bad : Best not knowes , Since with that Best and Truth , such ioy still goes , That he that finds them , cannot but dispose His whole life to them . Seruile Auarice can Prophane no liberall-knowledge-coueting man. Such hypocrites , opinion onely haue , Without the 2 minds vse : which doth more depraue Their knowing powres , then if they 3 nought did know . For if with all the sciences they flow , Not hauing that , that such ioy brings withall , As cannot in vnlearn'd mens courses fall : As with a 4 tempest they are rapt past hope Of knowing Truth , because they thinke his scope Is in their tongues , much reading , speech profuse , Since they are meanes to Truth in their true vse : 5 But t is a fashion for the damned crue , One thing to praise , another to pursue : As those learn'd men do , that in words preferre Heauen and good life , yet in their liues so erre , That all heauen is not broade enough for them To hit or aime at , but the vulgar streame Hurries them headlong with it : and no more They know or shall know , then the r●dest Bore . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A09532-e7450 * Simplicitie of pietie , and good life , answerable to such doctrine in men ; now as rare as miracles in other times : and require as much diuinitie of supportation . 1 As our Sauiours browes bled with his crowne of thorns . 2 Such as are Diuines in profession ; and in fact , diuels , or Wolues in sheepes clothing 3 Pompe and outward glorie , rather outface truth then countenance it . 4 Christ taught all his militant souldiers to fight vnder the ensignes of Shame and Death . 5 We need no other excitation to our faith in God , and good life , but the Scriptures , and vse of their meanes prescribed . 6 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . In these controuersies men make the By the Maine : the Maine the By. * Simile . 7 Men seeke heauen , with vsing the enemies to it ; Money and Auarice . 8 Alciones nest described in part , out of Plut. to which the Church is compared . 9 If the bird be lesse , the sea will get in ; by which meanes though she may get in , she could not preserue it . 1 Altars of the Church for her holiest place● vnderstood . 2 Vbi abundauit delictum , superabunda●it gratia . Rom. 5. ver . 20. 3 A simile , to life expressing mans estate , before our Sa●iours descension . 4 Our Sauiours blood , now and euer , as fresh , and vertuous as in the howre it was shed for vs. 5 Our Sauiour suffered nothing for himselfe , his owne betternesse , or comfort : but for vs and ours . 6 It is false humilitie to lay necessarily ( all our Sauiours grace vnderstood ) the victorie of our bodies , on our soules . 7 Man i● a liuing soule . Gen. 2. 8 We do not like men when we sin , ( for as we are true and worthie men , we are Gods images : ) but like brutish creatures , slauishly and wilfully conquered with the powers of flesh . 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Hier. in Carm. Pythag. Non quod existere de●inat , sed quod vitae praestantia exciderit . 3 Simile . The minds ioy farre aboue the bodies , to those few , whom God hath inspird with the soules true vse . * Inuocatio . Notes for div A09532-e11060 1 The Sunn● vsurpe for Apollo ; whose Oracle being aske for such a man , ●ound onely Socrates . 2 Externae nequid labis per laeuia sidat . This verse Ascensius ioynes with the next before ; which is nothing so ; the sence being vtterly repugnant , as any impar●●all and iudiciall conferrer ( I suppose ) will confirme . 3 Cogitat , & iusto trutinae se examine pensat ▪ This verse is likewise mis●yned in the order of Ascenscius , which makes the period to those before . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * I here needlesly take a little licence : for the word is Amussis , the mind of the Author being as well exprest in A compasse . Sit solidum quodcunqu● subest , nec inania subtus . Subest and subtus Ascens●con founds in his sence ; which the presnesse and matter of this Poem allowes not : it being in a Translator sooner and better seen then a Commentor . He would turne digitis pellentibus , to digitis palantibus . To which place , the true order is hard to ●it . And that truth in my conuersion ( how opposite soeuer any may stand ) with any conference , I make no doubt I shall perswade . * Miseratus egentē , cur aliquē fracta persensi mente dolorem . Ascens very iudicially makes this good man in this di●tie , opposite to a good Christian , since Christ ( the president of all good men ) enioynes vs , vt supra omnia misericordes simus . But his meaning here is , that a good and wise man should not so piti● the want of any , that he should want manly patience himselfe to sustaine it . And his reason Ser●ius alledgeth for him is this , saying , In quem cadit vna mentis perturbatio , posse in eum omnes cadere : sicut potest omni virtute pollere cui virtus vna contigerit . 1 A great & politike man , such as is , or may be opposed , to good or wise . 2 The priuation of a good life , and therein the ioyes of heauen , is hell in this world . * As Wolues and Tigers horribly gnarre , in their feeding : so these zealous , and giuen-ouer great ones to their own lusts and ambitions : in aspiriring to them , and their ends , fare , to all that come nere them in comp●tencie ; or that resist their de●o●ring . * This alludeth to hounds upon the traile of a squa● Hare , and making a chearefull crie about her , is applyed to the forced cheare or flatterie this great man ●hewe●h , when he hunts for his profite . * Plebeij status & nota est nunquam à seipso vel damn●m expectare , vel vtilitatem , sed à rebus externis . 1 How a good great man should employ his greatnesse . * The most vnchristian disposition of a great and ill man , i● following any that withstand his ill . * This hath reference ( as most of the rest hath ) 〈◊〉 the good man before , being this mans opposite . 1 Intending in his writing , &c. 2 Quo magis alantur , co magis ea laedi . 3 To be therefore instructed in the truth of knowledge , or a●spire to any egregious vertue ; not stiffe & 〈◊〉 Art serues ▪ but he must be help● besides , benigniore nascendi hor● . According to this of Inusual . — plus etenim fati valet hora benigni , Quam fi te Veneris commendet epistola Marti . * The truly learned imitateth God , the sophi●te●● emul●●eth man. His imperfections are hid in the mists imposture breathes : the others perfections are unseene by the brightnesse truth casts about his temples , that dazle ignorant and corrupt beholders , or ●pprehenders . * Geometrae dicunt , lineas & superficies , non seipsis moue●i , sed motus corporum comitari . * A good wife in most cares , should euer vn●●smaid comfort her husband . * Simile . * A good wife watcheth her husbands serious thoughts in his looke● and applies her owne to them . * Simile . * Ease and Securitie described . Resp. 1 Si absit scientia optimi , nihil scitur . 2 Qui opinioni absque mente , consenserint . 3 Prodest multis non nosse quicquā . 4 Nonne merit● , multa tempestate iactabitur● 5 Absurdam alia laudare , alia sequi . A18410 ---- An epicede or funerall song on the most disastrous death, of the high-borne prince of men, Henry Prince of Wales, &c. With the funeralls, and representation of the herse of the same high and mighty prince ... VVhich noble prince deceased at St. Iames, the sixt day of Nouember, 1612. and was most princely interred the seuenth day of December following, within the Abbey of Westminster, in the eighteenth yeere of his age. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1613 Approx. 62 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 28 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18410 STC 4974 ESTC S107694 99843390 99843390 8120 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18410) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8120) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1229:24) An epicede or funerall song on the most disastrous death, of the high-borne prince of men, Henry Prince of Wales, &c. With the funeralls, and representation of the herse of the same high and mighty prince ... VVhich noble prince deceased at St. Iames, the sixt day of Nouember, 1612. and was most princely interred the seuenth day of December following, within the Abbey of Westminster, in the eighteenth yeere of his age. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Hole, William, d. 1624, engraver. [52] p., folded plate : port. Printed by T[homas] S[nodham] for Iohn Budge, and are to bee sould at his shop at the great south dore of Paules, and at Brittanes Bursse, London : 1612 [i.e. 1613] Dedication signed: Geo: Chapman. Printer's name from STC. "The funerals of the high and mighty prince Henry, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwaile and Rothsay, Count Palatine of Chester, Earle of Carick, and late Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter" has separate title page dated 1613. It may have been issued separately (STC 13157), and is probably not by Chapman. ² A1 and ² C2 each have a woodcut of Prince Henry's feathers, crown, and motto. The engraved plate has title "The herse, and representation of our late highe and mighty Henry Prince of Wales, &ct:". It bears verses by Hugh Holland and George Chapman, and is signed "Guli: Holus sculp:" (i.e. William Hole). An early state lacks the signature. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Henry Frederick, -- Prince of Wales, 1594-1612 -- Death and burial -- Poetry -- Early works to 1800. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN EPICEDE OR Funerall Song : On the most disastrous Death , of the High-borne Prince of Men , HENRY Prince of WALES , &c. With The Funeralls , and Representation of the Herse of the same High and mighty Prince ; Prince of Wales , Duke of Cornewaile and Rothsay , Count Palatine of Chester , Earle of Carick , and late Knight of the most Noble Order of the GARTER . Which Noble Prince deceased at St. Iames , the sixt day of Nouember , 1612. and was most Princely interred the seuenth day of December following , within the Abbey of Westminster , in the Eighteenth yeere of his Age. LONDON : Printed by T. S. for Iohn Budge , and are to bee sould at his shop at the great south dore of Paules , and at Brittanes Bursse . 1612. TO MY AFFECTIONATE , AND TRVE Friend , Mr. Henry Iones . My truest Friend : THE most vnualuable and dismaifull hope of my most deare and Heroicall Patrone , Prince HENRY , hath so stricken all my spirits to the earth , that I will neuer more dare , to looke vp to any greatnesse ; but resoluing the little rest of my poore life to obscuritie , and the shadow of his death ; prepare euer hereafter , for the light of heauen . So absolute , constant , and noble , your loue hath beene to mee ; that if I should not as effectually , by all my best expressions , acknowledge it ; I could neither satisfie mine owne affection , nor deserue yours . Accept therefore , as freely as I acknowledge , this vnprofitable signe of my loue ; till God blessing my future labours , I may adde a full end , to whatsoeuer is begunne in your assurance of my requitall . A little , blest , makes a great feast ( my best friend ) and therefore despaire not , but that , out of that little , our loues alwayes made euen , may make you say , you haue rather beene happy in your kindnesse , then in the least degree , hurt . There may fauours passe betwixt poore friends , which euen the richest , and greatest may enuy . And GOD that yet neuer let me liue , I know will neuer let me die an empaire to any friend . If any good , more then requitall succeede , it is all yours as freely , as euer yours was mine ; in which noble freedome and alacritie of doing ; you haue thrice done , all I acknowledge . And thus knowing , I giue you little contentment , in this so farre vnexpected publication of my gratitude ; I rest satisfied with the ingenuous discharge of mine owne office . Your extraordinary and noble loue and sorrow , borne to our most sweet PRINCE , entitles you worthily to this Dedication : which ( with my generall Loue , vnfainedly protested to your whole Name and Family ) I conclude you as desertfull of , at my hands , as our Noblest Earle ; and so euer remaine Your most true poore Friend , GEO : CHAPMAN . The Herse and Representacion of our late Highe and Mighty HENRY Prince of Wales . &c ▪ AN EPICED , OR Funerall Song : On the most disastrous Death , of the High-borne Prince of Men , HENRY Prince of WALES , &c. IF euer aduerse Influence enui'd The glory of our Lands , or tooke a pride To trample on our height ; or in the Eye Strooke all the pomp of Principalitie , Now it hath done so ; Oh , if euer Heauen Made with the earth his angry reckening euen , Now it hath done so . Euer , euer be Admir'd , and fear'd , that Triple Maiestie VVhose finger could so easily sticke a Fate , Twixt least Felicity , and greatest state ; Such , as should melt our shore into a Sea , And dry our Ocean with Calamitie . Heauen open'd , and but show'd him to our eies , Then shut againe , and show'd our Miseries . O God , to what end are thy Graces giuen ? Onely to show the world , Men fit for Heauen , Then rauish them , as if too good for Earth ? VVe know , the most exempt in wealth , power , Birth , Or any other blessing ; should employ ( As to their chiefe end ) all things they enioy , To make them fit for Heauen ; and not pursue VVith hearty appetite , the damned crue Of meerely sensuall and earthye pleasures ? But whē one hath done so ; shal strait the tresures Digg'd to , in those deeps , be consum'd by death ? Shall not the rest , that error swalloweth , Be , by the Patterne of that Master-peece , Help't to instruct their erring faculties ? VVhen , without cleare example ; euen the best ( That cannot put by knowledge to the Test what they are taught ) serue like the worst in field ? Is power to force , who will not freely yield , ( Being great assistant , to diuine example ) As vaine a Pillar to thy Manly Temple ? when ( without perfect knowledge , which scarce one Of many kingdoms reach ) no other stone Man hath to build one corner of thy Phane , Saue one of these ? But when the desperate wane Of power , and of example to all good , So spent is , that one cannot turne the flood , Of goodnes , gainst her ebbe ; but both must plie , And be at full to ; or her streame will drie ; VVhere shall they meete againe , now he is gone Where both went foot by foot ; & both were one ? One that in hope , tooke vp to toplesse height All his great Ancestors ; his one saile , freight VVith all , all Princes treasures ; he like one Of no importance ; no way built vpon , Vanisht vvithout the end , for vvhich he had Such matchlesse vertues , & was God-l●ke made ? Haue thy best vvorkes no better cause t' expresse Themselues like men , and thy true Images ? To toile in vertues study , to sustaine ( vvith comfort for her ) want , & shame , & paine ; No nobler end in this life , then a death Timeles , and wretched , wrought with lesse then breath ? And nothing solide , worthy of our soules ? Nothing that Reason , more then Sense extols ! Nothing that may in perfect iudgement be A fit foote for our Crowne eternitie ? All which , thou seem'st to tell vs , in this one Killing discomfort ; apt to make our mone Conclude gainst all things , serious and good ; our selues , not thy forms , but Chymaeras brood . Now Princes , dare ye boast your vig'rous states That Fortunes breath thus builds and ruinates ? Exalt your spirits ? trust in flowry youth ? Giue reynes to pleasure ? all your humors sooth ? Licence in rapine ? Powers exempt from lawes ? Contempt of all things , but your own applause ? And think your swindge to any tyranny giuen , VVill stretch as broad , & last as long as heauen ; whē he that curb'd with vertues hand his powre his youth with continence ; his sweet with sowre Boldnes with pious feare ; his pallats height Applied to health , and not to appetite ; Felt timeles sicknes charge ; state , power to flie , And glutted Death with all his crueltie . Partiall deuourer euer of the best , VVith headlong rapture , sparing long the rest Could not the precious teares his Father shed , ( That are with Kingdomes to be ransomed ? ) His Bleeding prayer , vpon his knees t'implore , That if for any sinne of his , Heauen tore From his most Royall body that chiefe Limme , It might be ransom'd , for the rest of Him ? Could not the sacred eies thou didst prophane In his great Mothers teares ? The spightful bane Thou pour'dst vpon the cheeks of al the Graces In his more gracious Sisters ? The defaces ( with all the Furies ouer-flowing Galles ) Cursedly fronting her neere Nuptials ? Could not , O could not , the Almighty ruth Of all these force thee to forbeare the youth Of our Incomparable Prince of Men ? whose Age had made thy Iron Forcke his Pen , T'eternise what it now doth murder meerely ; And shal haue from my soule , my curses yerely . Tyrant , what knew'st thou , but the barbarous wound Thou gau'st the son , the Father might cōfound ? Both liu'd so mixtly , and were ioyntly One , Spirit to spirit cleft . The Humor bred In one heart , straight was with the other fed ; The bloud of one , the others heart did fire ; The heart and humour , were the Sonne & Sire ; The heart yet , void of humors slender'st part , May easier liue , then humour without heart ; The Riuer needes the helpfull fountaine euer , More then the Fountaine , the supplyed Riuer . As th'Iron then , when it hath once put on The Magnets qualitie , to the vertuous Stone Is euer drawne , and not the stone to it : So may the heauens , the sonnes Fate , not admit To draw the Fathers , till a hundred yeeres Haue drown'd that Issue to him in our teares . Blest yet , and sacred shall thy memory be , O-nothing-lesse-then-mortall Deitie . Thy Graces , like the Sunne , to all men giuing ; Fatall to thee in death , but kill me liuing . Now , as inuerted , like th' Antipodes , The world ( in all things of desert to please ) Is falne on vs , with thee : thy ruines lye On our burst bosomes , as if from the skye The Day-star , greater then the world were driuen Suncke to the Earth , and left a hole in Heauen ; throgh which , a secōd deluge now poures down On our poore Earth ; in which are ouer-flowne The seeds of all the sacred Vertues , set In his Spring-Court ; where all the prime spirits met Of all our Kingdomes ; as if from the death , That in men liuing ; basenes and rapine sheath , VVhere they before liu'd , they vnwares were come Into a free , and fresh Elisium ; Casting regenerate , and refined eyes On him that rais'd them from their graues of vice , Digg'd in their old grounds , to spring fresh on those That his diuine Ideas did propose , First to himselfe ; & then would forme in them . VVho did not thirst to plant his sonne neer him as neer the Thames their houses ? what one worth VVas there in all our world , that set not forth All his deserts , to Pilgrime to his fauors , VVith all deuotion , offering all his labors ? And how the wilde Bore , Barbarisme , now will roote these Quick-sets vp ? what hearb shall grow , that is not sown in his inhumane tracts ? No thought of good shall spring , but many acts Will crop , or blast , or blow it vp : and see How left to this , the mournfull Familie , Muffled in black clouds , full of teares are driuen With stormes about the relickes of this Heauen ; Retiring from the world , like Corses , herst Home to their graues , a hundred waies disperst . O that this court-schoole ; this Olimpus meerly , VVhere two-fold Man was practisde ; should so early Dissolue the celebration purpos'd there , Of all Heroique parts , when farre and neere , All were resolu'd t' admire , None to contend , VVhen , in the place of all , one wretched end VVill take vp all endeauours ; Harpye Gaine , Pandare to Gote , Ambition ; goulden Chaine To true mans freedome ; not from heau'n let fal To draw men vp ; But shot from Hell to hale All men , as bondslaues , to his Turckish den , For Toades , and Adders , far more fit then men . His house had well his surname from a Saint , All things so sacred , did so liuely paint Their pious figures in it : And as well His other house , did in his Name fore-tell what it should harbour ; a rich world of parts Bonfire-like kindling , the still-feasted Arts , which now on bridles bite , and puft Contempt Spurres to Despaire , from all fit foode exempt . O what a frame of Good , in all hopes rais'd Came tumbling downe with him ! as when was seisde By Grecian furie , famous Ilion , VVhose fall , still rings out his Confusion . VVhat Triumphs , scatterd at his feete , lye smoking ! Banquets that will not downe ; their cherers choking , Fields fought , and hidden now , with future slaughter , Furies sit frowning , where late sat sweet laughter , The actiue lying maim'd , the healthfull crasde ? All round about his Herse ? And how amaz'd The change of things stands ! how astonisht ioy VVonders he euer was ? yet euery Toy Quits this graue losse : Rainbowes no sooner taint Thinne dewye vapors , which oppos'd beames paint Round in an instant , ( at which children stare And slight the Sunne , that makes them circular And so disparent ) then mere gawds peirce men , Slighting the graue , like fooles , and children . So courtly nere plagues , sooth and stupefie And vvith such paine , men leaue selfe flatterie . Of vvhich , to see him free ( who stood no lesse Then a full siege of such ) who can expresse His most direct infusion from aboue , Farre from the humorous seede of mortal loue ? He knew , that Iustice simply vsd , vvas best , Made princes most secure , most lou'd , most blest No Artezan ; No Scholler ; could pretend , No Statesman ; No Diuine ; for his owne end Any thing to him , but he vvould descend The depth of any right belong'd to it , Where they could merit , or himselfe should quit . He would not trust , with what himselfe concern'd , Any in any kinde ; but euer learn'd The grounds of what he built on : Nothing lies In mans fit course , that his own knowledge flies Eyther direct , or circumstantiall . O what are Princes then , that neuer call Their actions to account , but flatterers trust To make their triall , if vniust or iust ? Flatterers are houshold theeues , traitors by law , that rob kings honors , & their soules-bloud draw ; Diseases , that keep nourishment from their food . And as to know himselfe , is mans chiefe good , So that vvhich intercepts that supreame skill , ( which Flattery is ) is the supreamest ill : VVhose lookes will breede the Basilisk in kings eyes , That by reflexion of his sight , dyes . * And as a Nurse lab'ring a vvayward Childe , Day , and night watching it , like an offspring wilde ; Talkes infinitely idly to it still ; Sings with a standing throate , to worse from ill ; Lord-blesses it ; beares with his pewks and cryes ; And to giue it a long lifes miseries , Sweetens his food , rocks , kisses , sings againe ; Plyes it with rattles , and all obiects vaine : So Flatterers , with as seruile childish things , Obserue , & sooth the waiward moods of kings ; So kings , that flatterers loue , had neede to haue as nurse-like councellors , & contemn the graue ; Themselues as wayward , and as noisome too ; Full as vntuneable in all they doe , As poore sicke Infants ; euer breeding Teeth In all their humours , that be worse then Death . How wise then was our Prince that hated these , and wold with nought but truth his humor plese Nor would hee giue a place , but where hee saw One that could vse it ; and become a Law Both to his fortunes , and his Princes Honor. Who wold giue fortune noght she took vpon her , Not giue but to desert ; nor take a chance , That might not iustly , his vvisht ends aduance . His Good he ioyn'd with Equitie and Truth ; VVisedome in yeeres , crown'd his ripe head in youth ; His heart wore all the folds of Policie , Yet went as naked as Simplicitie . Knew good and ill ; but onely good did loue ; In him the Serpent did embrace the Doue . Hee was not curious to sound all the streame Of others acts , yet kept his owne from them : " He whose most darke deeds dare not stand the light , " Begot was of imposture and the night . " VVho surer then a Man , doth ends secure ; " Eyther a God is , or a Diuell sure . The President of men ; whom ( as men can ) All men should imitate , was God and Man. In these cleere deepes our Prince fish't troubl'd streams of bloud & vantage challenge diadems . In summe , ( knot-like ) hee was together put , That no man could dissolue , and so was cut . But we shal see our foule-mouth'd factions spite ( Markt , witch-like , with one blacke eie , th' other white ) Ope , & oppose against this spotlesse sun ; Such heauen strike blinder thē th' eclipsed moon Twixt whom and noblesse , or humanities truth , As much dull earth lies , and as little ruth , ( Should all things sacred perish ) as there lyes Twixt Phaebe , and the Light-fount of the skies , In her most darke delinquence : vermine right , That prey in darknesse , and abhorre the light ; Liue by the spoile of vertue ; are not well But when they heare newes , frō their father hell Of some blacke mischiefe ; neuer do good deed , But where it does much harme , or hath no need . What shall become of vertues far-short traine , when thou their head art reacht , high Prince of men ? O that thy life could haue disperst deaths stormes , To giue faire act to those Heroique formes , with which al good rules had enricht thy mind , Preparing for affayres of euery kinde ; Peace being but a pause to breathe fierce warre ; No warrant dormant , to neglect his Starre ; The licence sense hath , is t' informe the soule ; Not to suppresse her , and our lusts extoll ; This life in all things , to enioy the next ; Of which lawes , thy youth , both contain'd the text And the contents ; ah , that thy grey-ripe yeeres Had made of all , Caesarean Commentares , ( More then can now be thoght ) in fact t'enroule ; And make blacke Faction blush away her soule . That , as a Temple , built when Pietie Did to diuine ends offer specially , What men enioy'd ; that wondrous state exprest , Strange Art , strange cost ; yet who had interest In all the frame of it ; and saw those dayes , Admir'd but little ; and as little praise Gaue to the goodly Fabricke : but when men , That liue whole Ages after , view it , then , They gaze , and wonder ; and the longer time It stands , the more it glorifies his prime ; Growes fresh in honor , and the age doth shame That in such Monuments neglect such fame ; So had thy sacred Frame beene rais'd to height , Forme , fulnesse , ornament : the more the light Had giuen it view , the more had Men admir'd ; And tho men now are scarce to warmnesse fir'd VVith loue of thee ; but rather colde and dead To all sense of the grace they forfeited In thy neglect , and losse ; yet after-ages VVould be inflam'd , and put on holy rages with thy inspiring vertues ; cursing those VVhose breaths dare blast thus , in the bud , the Rose . But thou ( woe's me ) art blown vp before blowne , And as the ruines of some famous Towne , Show here a Temple stood ; a Pallace , here ; A Cytadell , an Amphitheater ; Of which ( ahlas ) some broken Arches , still ( Pillars , or Columns rac't ; which Art did fill VVith all her riches and Diuinitie ) Retaine their great , and vvorthy memory : So of our Princes state , I nought rehearse But show his ruines , bleeding in my verse . What poison'd Ast'risme , may his death accuse ? Tell thy astonisht Prophet ( deathles Muse ) And make my starres therein , the more aduerse , The more aduance , vvith sacred rage my Verse , And so adorne my dearest Fautors Herse . That all the wits prophane , of these bold times May feare to spend the spawne of their rancke rymes On any touch of him , that shold be sung To eares diuine , and aske an Angels tongue . VVith this it thundred ; and a lightning show'd VVhere she sate writing in a sable cloud ; A Penne so hard and sharpe exprest her plight , It bit through Flint ; and did in Diamant write ; Her vvords , she sung , and laid out such a brest , As melted Heauen , and vext the very blest . In which she cal'd all worlds to her complaints , And how our losse grew , thus vvith teares shee paints : Hear earth & heauen ( & you that haue no eares ) Hell , and the hearts of tyrants , heare my teares : Thus Brittaine Henry tooke his timelesse end ; VVhen his great Father did so far transcend All other Kings ; and that he had a Sonne In all his Fathers gifts , so farre begunne , As added to Fames Pynions , double wings ; And ( as braue riuers , broken from their springs , The further off , grow greater , and disdame To spread a narrower current then the Maine ) Had drawne in all deserts such ample Spheares , As Hope yet neuer turn'd about his yeeres . All other Princes with his parts comparing ; Like all Heauens pettie Luminaries faring , To radiant Lucifer , the dayes first borne ) It hurld a fire red as a threatning Morne On fiery Rhamnusias sere , and sulphurous spight , who turn'd the sterne orbs of her ghastly sight , About each corner of her vaste Command , And ( in the turning of her bloudy hand ) Sought how to ruine endlesly our Hope , And set to all mishap all entries ope . And see how ready meanes to mischiefe are ; She saw , fast by , the bloud-affecting Feuer , ( Euen when th'Autumnal-starre began t' expire ) Gathering in vapours thinne , Ethereall fire : Of which , her venomde finger did jmpart To our braue Princes fount of heat , the heart ; A praeternaturall heat ; which through the vaines And Arteries , by 'th blood and spirits meanes Diffus'd about the body , and jnflam'd , Begat a Feuor to be neuer nam'd . And now this loather of the louely Light , ( Begot of Erebus , and vglie Night ) Mounted in hast , her new , and noysefull Carre , Whose wheeles had beam-spokes frō th'Hungarian star ; And all the other frame , and freight ; from thence Deriu'd their rude and ruthlesse jnfluence . Vp to her left side , lept jnfernall Death His head hid in a cloud of sensuall breath ; By her sat furious Anguish , Pale Despight ; Murmure , and Sorrow , and possest Affright ; Yellow Corruption , Marow-eating Care ; Languor , chill Trembling , fits Irregulare ; Inconstant Collor , feeble voyc't Complaint ; Relentles Rigor , and Confusion faint ; Frantick Distemper ; & Hare-eyd vnrest ; And short-breath'd Thirst , with th'euer-burning breast A wreath of Adders bound her trenched Browes ; Where Tormēt Ambusht lay with all her throws Marmarian Lyons , frindg'd with slaming Manes , Drew this grym furie , and her brood of Banes , Their hearts of glowing Coles , murmurd , & ror'd , To beare her crook't yokes , and her Banes abhord , To their deare Prince , that bore them in his Armes , And should not suffer , for his Good , their Harmes ; Then from Hels burning whirlepit vp she hallde , The horrid Monster fierce Echidna calde ; That from her Stigian Iawes , doth vomit ever , Quitture , and Venome , yet is empty neuer : Then burnt her bloudshot eyes , her Temples yet Were cold as Ice , her Necke all drownd in swet : Palenes spred all her breast , her lifes heat stung : The Minds Interpreter , her scorched tongue , Flow'd with blew poison : frō her yawning Mouth Rhumes fell like spouts fild frō the stormy South : Which being corrupt , the hewe of Saffron tooke , A feruent Vapor , all her body shooke : From whence , her Vexed Spirits , a noysome smell , Expyr'd in fumes that lookt as blacke as Hell. A ceaseles Torrent did her Nosthrils steepe , Her witherd Entrailes tooke no rest , No sleepe : Her swoln throte ratl'd , warmd with lifes last spark And in her salt jawes , painfull Coughs did barke : Her teeth were staind with Rust , her sluttish hand Shee held out reeking like a New-quencht Brand : Arm'd with crook'd Tallons like the horned Moone , All Cheere , all Ease , all Hope with her was gone : In her left hand a quenchles fire did glow , And in her Right Palme freez'd Sithonian Snow : The ancient Romanes did a Temple build To her , as whome a Deitie they held : So hyd , and farre from cure of Man shee flyes , In whose Life 's Power she mates the Deities . When fell Rhamnusia saw this Monster nere , ( Here steele Heart sharpning ) thus she spake to her : Seest thou this Prince ( great Maid & seed of Night ) Whose brows cast beams about thē , like the Light : Who joyes securely in all present State , Nor dreams what Fortune is , or future Fate : At whome , with fingers , and with fixed eyes All Kingdomes Point , and Looke , and Sacrifice : Could be content to giue him : Temples rayse To his Expectance , and Vnbounded Praise : His Now-ripe Spirits , and Valor doth despise , Sicknesse , and Sword , that giue our Godheads Prise : His worth contracts the worlds , in his sole Hope , Religion , Vertue , Conquest haue no scope : But his Indowments ; At him , at him , flie ; More swift , and timelesse , more the Deitie ; His Sommer , Winter with the jellid flakes ; His pure Life , poyson , sting out with thy Snakes ; This is a worke will Fame thy Maidenhead : With this , her speach and she together fledde ; Nor durst she more endure her dreadfull eyes ; Who stung with goads her roaring Lyons thyes ; And brandisht , round about , her Snak-curld head With her left hand , the Torch it managed . And now Heavens Smith , kindl'd his Forge & blew ; And throgh the round Pole , thick the sparkls flew When great Prince Henrie , the delight of fame ; Darkn'd the Pallace , of his Fathers Name ; And hid his white lyms , in his downie Bed ; Then Heaven wept falling Stars that summoned ( With soft , and silent Motion ) sleepe to breath On his bright Temples , th' Ominous forme of death ; Which now the cruel Goddes did permit , That she might enter so , her Mayden fit ; When the good Angell , his kind Guardian , Her withet'd foot , saw neare this spring of Man ; He shrik't and said : what , what are thy rude ends ; Cannot , in him alone , all vertues friends , ( Melted into his all-vpholding Neru's ; For whose Assistance , euery Deity serues ) Mooue thee to proue thy Godhead , blessing him With long long life , whose light extinckt , wil dim , All heavenly graces ? all this , moou'd her nought ; But on , & in his , all our rujnes wrought : She toucht the Thresholds , and the thresholds shooke ; The dore-posts , Palenes pierst with her faint look : The dores brake open , and the fatall Bed Rudely sh'aproacht , & thus her fell mouth said ; Henrie , why tak'st thou thus thy rest secure ? Nought doubting what Fortune & fates assure ; Thou neuer yet felt'st my red right hands maims , That I co thee , and fate to me proclaimes ; Thy fate stands jdle ; spinns no more thy thread ; Die thou must ( great Prince ) sigh not ; beare thy head In all things free , even with necessity If sweet it be to liue ; t is sweet to dye : This said shee shooke at him her Torch , and cast A fire in him , that all his breast embrac't , Then darting through his heart a deadly cold , And as much venome as his vaines could holdj Death , Death , O Death , jnserting , thrusting in , Shut his faire eyes , and op't our vglie sinne : This seene resolu'd on , by her selfe and fate ; Was there a sight so pale , and desperate , Euer before seene , in a thrust-through State ? The poore Verginian , miserable sayle , A long-long-Night-turnd-Day , that liu'd in Hell Neuer so portrayd , where the Billowes stroue ( Blackt like so many Devils ) which should proue The damned Victor ; all their furies heighting ; Their Drum , the thunder ; & their Colours lightning , Both souldiers in the battel ; one contēding To drown the waues in Noyse ; the other spēding His Hel-hot sulphurous flames to drink thē dry : When heaven was lost , when not a teare-wrackt eye , Could tell in all that dead time , if they were , Sincking or sayling ; till a quickning cleere Gaue light to saue them by the ruth of Rocks At the Bermudas ; where the tearing shocks And all the Miseries before , more felt Then here halfe told ; All , All this did not melt Those desperate few , still dying more in teares , Then this Death , all men , to the Marrow weares : All that are Men ; the rest , those drudging Beasts , That onely beare of Men , the Coates , and Crests ; And for their Slaue , sick , that can earne thē pence , More mourne ( O Monsters ) thē for such a Prince ; Whose soules do ebbe & flow still with their gain , Whō nothing moues but pelf , & their own pain ; Let such ( great Heauen ) be onely borne to beare , All that can follow this meere Massacre . Lost is our poore Prince ; all his sad jndurers ; The busie Art of those that should be Curers ; The sacred vowes made by the zealous King , His God-like Syre ; his often visiting ; Nor thy graue prayers and presence ( holy Man ) This Realme thrice Reverend Metropolitan , That was the worthy Father to his soule ▪ Th'jnsulting Feuer could one fit controule . Nor let me here forget on farre , and neare ; And in his lifes loue , Passing deepe and deare ; That doth his sacred Memorie adore , Virtues true favtor his graue Chancellor , Whose worth in all workes should a Place enioie , Where his fit Fame her Trumpet shall jmploie , Whose Cares , and Prayers , were euer vsde to ease His feu'rous Warre , & send him healthfull peace , Yet sicke our Prince is still ; who though the steps Of bitter Death , he saw bring in by heaps Clouds to his Luster , and poore rest of light ; And felt his last Day suffering lasting Night ; His true-bred-braue soule , shrunck yet at no part , Downe kept he all sighs , with his powers al-Hart ; Cler'd euen his dying browes : and ( in an Eye Manly dissembling ) hid his Misery . And all to spare the Royall heat so spent In his sad Father , fearefull of th' event . And now did Phoebus with his Twelfth Lampe show The world his haples light : and in his Brow A Torch of Pitch stuck , lighting halfe t'half skies , When life 's last error prest the broken eyes Of this heart-breaking Prince ; his forc't look fled ; Fled was all Colour from his cheekes ; yet fed His spirit , his sight : with dying now , he cast On his kind King , and Father : on whome , fast He fixt his fading beames : and with his view A little did their empty Orbs renew : His Mind saw him , come frō the deeps of Death , To whome he said , O Author of my Breath : Soule to my life , and essence to my Soule , Why grieue you so , that should al griefe cōtroule ? Death's sweet to me , that you are stil lifes creature , I now haue finisht the great worke of Nature . I see you pay a perfect Fathers debt And in a feastfull Peace your Empire kept ; If your true Sonnes last words haue any right In your most righteous Bosome , doe not fright your hearkning kingdoms to your cariage now ; All yours , in mee , I here resigne to you , My youth ( I pray to God with my last powres ) Substract from me may adde to you and yours . Thus vanisht he , thus swift , thus instantly ; Ah now I see , euen heauenly powres must dye . Now shift the King and Queene from court to court but no way can shift off their cares resort , That which we hate the more vve flie , pursues , that which we loue , the more we seek , eschewes : Now weepes his Princely Brother ; Novv alas His Cynthian Sister , ( our sole earthly Grace ) Like Hebes fount still ouerflowes her bounds , And in her colde lips , stick astonisht sounds , Sh'oppresseth her sweet kinde ; In her soft brest Care can no vent finde , it is so comprest : And see hovv the Promethean Liuer growes As vulture Griefe deuoures it : see fresh showes Reuiue woes sence , and multiply her soule ; And worthely ; for vvho would teares controle On such a springing ground ? T is dearely fit , To pay all tribute , Thought can poure on it : For vvhy vvere Funerals first vs'd but for these , Presag'd and cast in their Natiuities ? The streames were checkt a while : so Torrents staid Enrage the more ; but are ( left free ) allaid . Now our grim waues march altogether ; Now Our blacke seas runne so high , they ouerflow the clouds they nourish ; now the gloomy herse Puts out the Sunne : Reuiue , reuiue ( dead vierse ) death hath slain death ; there ther the person lies VVhose death should buy out all mortalities . But let the world be now a heape of death , Lifes ioy lyes dead in him , and challengeth No lesse a reason : If all motion stoode Benumb'd and stupified , with his frozen blood ; And like a Tombe-stone , fixt , lay all the seas There were fit pillers for our Hercules To bound the world with : Men had better dye Then out-liue free times ; slaues to Policie . On on sad Traine , as from a crannid rocke Bee-swarmes rob'd of their honey , ceasles flock . Mourne , mourne , dissected now his cold lims lie Ah , knit so late vvith flame , and Maiestie . where 's now his gracious smile , his sparkling eie His Iudgement , Valour , Magnanimitie ? O God , what doth not one short hour snatch vp Of all mans glosse ? still ouer-flowes the cup Of his burst cares ; put with no nerues together , And lighter , then the shadow of a feather . On : make earth pomp as frequent as ye can , 'T will still leaue black , the fairest flower of man ; Yee vvell may lay all cost on miserie , T is all can boast , the proud'st humanitie . If yong Marcellus had to grace his fall , Sixe hundred Herses at his Funerall ; Sylla sixe thousand ; let Prince Henry haue Sixe Millions bring him to his greedy graue . And now the States of earth , thus mourn below Behold in Heauen , Loue with his broken Bow ; his quiuer downwards turn'd , his brands put out Hanging his wings ; with sighes all black about . Nor lesse , our losse , his Mothers heart infests , Her melting palmes , beating her snowy brests ; As much confus'd , as when the Calidon Bore The thigh of her diuine Adonis tore : Her vowes all vaine , resolu'd to blesse his yeeres VVith Issue Royall , and exempt from freres ; Who now dyed fruitlesse ; and preuented then The blest of women , of the best of men . Mourne all ye Arts , ye are not of the earth ; Fall , fall with him ; rise with his second birth . Lastly , with gifts enrich the sable Phane , And odorous lights eternally maintaine ; Sing Priests , O sing now , his eternall rest , His light eternall ; and his soules free brest As ioyes eternall ; so of those the best ; And this short verse be on his Tomb imprest . EPITAPHIVM . SO flits , ahlas , an euerlasting Riuer , As our losse in him , past , will last for euer . The golden Age , Star-like , shot through our Skye ; Aim'd at his pompe renew'd , and stucke in 's eye . And ( like the sacred knot , together put ) Since no man could dissolue him , he was cut . ) Aliud EPITAPH . VVHom all the vaste frame of the fixed Earth Shrunck vnder ; now , a weake Herse stands beneath ; His Fate , he past in fact ; in hope , his Birth ; His youth , in good life ; and in spirit , his death . Aliud EPITAPH . BLest be his great Begetter ; blest the Wombe That gaue him birth , though much too neare his Tombe In them was hee , and they in him were blest ; What their most great powers gaue him , was his least , His Person grac't the Earth ; and of the Skies , His blessed Spirit , the praise is , and the prise . FINIS . THE FVNERALS OF THE HIGH AND MIGHTY PRINCE HENRY , Prince of Wales , Duke of Cornewaile and Rothsay , Count Palatine of Chester , Earle of Carick , and late KNIGHT of the most Noble Order of the GARTER . Which Noble Prince deceased at St. Iames , the sixt day of Nouember , 1612. and was most Princely interred the seuenth day of December following , within the Abbey of Westminster , in the Eighteenth yeere of his AGE . LONDON : Printed by T. S. for Iohn Budg●e , and are to be sould at his shop at the great south dore of P●ules , and at Brittanes Bursse . 1613. THE FVNERALS OF THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE HENRY , Prince of VVales , Duke of Cornewaile and Rothsay , Count Palatine of Chester , Earle of Carick , and late Knight of the most Noble Order of the GARTER . VVhich Noble Prince deceased at Saint IAMES , the 6. day of Nouember , 1612. and was most Princely interred the 7. of December following , within the Abbey of Westminster , in the Eighteenth yeere of his AGE . THe body of the said PRINCE being bowelled , enbalmed and closed vp in Lead , there were foure Chambers hung with blackes , viz. the Gaurd chamber and the Presence with blacke Cloth , the Priuy Chamber with finer Cloth , and that which was his Highnes Bed-chamber , with blacke Veluet : in the middest whereof was set vp a Canopy of blacke Veluet , valanced , and fringed ; vnder which vpon Tressels the Coffin with the body of the PRINCE was placed , couered with a large pall of blacke Veluet and adorned with Scuchions of his Armes . Vpon the head of which Coffin was layde a Cushion of blacke Veluet , and his Highnesse Cap and Coronet set thereon , as also his Robes of estate , Sword and Rod of Gould ; and so it remayned ( being daily and nightly watched ) vntill two or three dayes before his Highnesse Funerals . In which time euery day , both Morning and Euening Prayers were said in his Presence or Priuy Chamber , by his Chaplaines , and his Gentlemen and chiefe Officers attendant thereat . Thursday before the Funeralls his Princely body was brought forth of his Bed-chamber into his priuie chamber . Friday , it was brought into his Presence-chamber and set vnder his cloath of estate . Satterday , the fift of December , about three of the clocke in the after-noone it was remoued into the Guard-chamber , where all his chiefe seruants and Officers being assembled , and the Officers of Armes in their Coates , the corps was solempnly carried into the Chappell of that house , and placed vnder a canopy in the middest of the Quire , the Bishop of Lich-field red the Seruice , and the Gentlemen of the Kings Chappell , with the children thereof , sung diuers excellent Antheams , together with the Organs , and other winde instruments , which likewise was performed the day following , being Sunday . Munday , the 7. of December , ( the Funerall day ) the representation was layd vpon the Corps , and both together put into an open Charior , and so proceeded as followeth : Pooremen , in gownes , to the number of 140. About 300. Gentlemens seruants . About 300. Esquires seruants . About 300. Knights seruants . About 300. Baronets seruants . About 300. Barons sonnes seruants . About 300. Viscount sonnes seruants . About 300. Earles sonnes seruants . Two Drummes and a Fife , their Drummes couered with blacke cloth , and Scuchions of the Prince his Armes therevpon . Portesmouth , Pursuiuant of Armes . The great Standard of Prince HENRY , being a Lyon crowned , standing on a Chappean , borne by Sir Iohn Win , KNIGHT and Baronet , the Motto therein , Fax mentis honestae gloria . About 306. Prince HENRY his Houshold Seruants , according to their seuerall Offices and Degrees : with Trades-men and Artificers that belonged vnto his Highnesse . Trumpets . The Coronet of the Prince , being the three Feathers in a Crownet , with his Motto : Iuuat ire per altum ; borne by Sir Roger Dallison , Knight and Baronet . About 360. Barons seruants . About 360. Viscounts seruants . About 360. Earles seruants : as well English as Strangers . About 360. The Duke of Lenox his seruants . About 360. The Lord Chauncellors seruants . About 360. Count Henry de Nassau his seruants . Trumpets . A Banner of th'Earledome of Carick , borne by Sir Dauid Fowles . A Horse led by a Quirry of the Stable ; the Horse was couered with blacke cloath , and armed with Scuchions of that Earledome , hauing his Cheiffron and Plumes . About 80. Archbishops seruants . About 80. Prince Palatine his seruants . About 80. Prince Charles his seruants . Blew-mantle Pursuyuant of Armes . A Banner of the Earledome of Chester , borne by the Lord Howard of Effingham . A Horse led by a Quirry of the Stable , couered with blacke cloath , and armed with Scuchions of that Earledome , his Cheiffron and Plumes . About 40. Faulconers and Huntsmen . About 40. Clearkes of the workes . About 40. Clearkes of the Poultry . About 40. Clearkes of the Acatry . About 40. Clearkes of the Larder . About 40. Clearkes of the Spicery . About 40. Clearkes of the Kitchin. About 40. Clearkes of the Coffery . About 40. Clearkes of the Stable . About 40. Clearkes of the Auery . About 40. Clearkes of the Wardrobe . About 40. Mr. of the Workes . About 40. Pay-Mr. About 40. And Clearke Comptroller . About 60. Seriants of the Vestry . About 60. Children of the Chappell . About 60. Gentlemen of the Chappell in rich Copes . About 60. Musitians . About 60. Apothecaries and Surgions . 6. Doctors of Physicke . 24. The Princes Chapleyns . Portcullis Pursuyuant of Armes . A Banner of the Dukedome of Rothsay , borne by the Lord Bruse , Baron of Kinlosse . A Horse led by a Quirry of the Stable , couered with blacke cloath , armed with Scuchions of that Dukedome , his Cheiffron and Plumes . About 80. Pages of the Chamber . About 80. Gentlemen , the Princes seruants extraordinary . About 80. The Princes Solicitor , and Counsell at Law. About 80. Groome Porter . About 80. Gentlemen Vshers , quarter Waiters . About 80. Groomes of the Priuy-Chamber extraordinary . About 80. Groomes of the Priuy-Chamber in ordinary . About 80. Groomes of the Bed-chamber . About 80. Pages of the Bed-chamber , and the Princes owne Page . Rouge-Dragon Pursuyuant . A Banner of the Dukedome of Cornewall , borne by the Lord Clifford . A Horse led by Mr. Henry Alexander , couered with blacke cloath , armed with Scuchions of that Dukedome , his Cheiffron and Plumes . About 146. Count Henrickes Gentlemen . About 146. Count Palatines Gentlemen , viz. viz. Mounsieur Eltz. viz. Mouns . Helmstadt . viz. Mouns . Colbe . viz. Mouns . Benefer . viz. Mouns . Adolshein . viz. Mouns . Nenzkin . viz. Mouns . Walbron . viz. Mouns . Waldgraue . viz. Mouns . Factes . viz. Mouns . Carden . viz. Mouns . Berlinger . viz. Mouns . Grorode . viz. Mouns . Cawlt . viz. Mouns . Stensels . viz. Mouns . Ridzell . viz. Mouns . Helinger . viz. Mouns . Henbell . viz. Mouns . Auckensten . viz. Mouns . Gellu . viz. Mouns . Wallyne . viz. Mouns . Pellinger . viz. Mouns . Berlipps . viz. Mouns . Shott . viz. Mouns . Weldensten . viz. Mouns . Croilesemere . viz. Mouns . Leuinsten . viz. Mouns . Pathenes . viz. Mouns . Colbe . Scultetez . viz. Mouns . Rampf . viz. Mouns . Dawnsier . viz. Mouns . Maier . viz. Mouns . Wanebach . About 146. Prince Charles his Gentlemen . About 146. Gentlemen of Prince Henries Priuy-Chamber extraordinary . About 146. Knights and Gentlemen of his Highnesse Priuy-Chamber in ordinary , and of his Bed-Chamber , with Sewers , Caruers , and Cupbearers . About 146. The Prince his Secretary . About 146. The Prince his Thresorer of his Houshold . The Thresorer of his Reuenewes , and the Comptroller of his Houshould together , bearing their white staues . Roug-croix Pursuyuant of Armes . A Banner of the Princes Principalitie of Scotland , with a Labell , borne by the Viscount Fenton . A Horse led by Sir Sigismond Alexander , couered with blacke cloath , armed with Scuchions of that Kingdome , his Cheiffron and Plumes . Baronets . Barons yonger sonnes . Sir Edward Phillips , Mr. of the Roles , being the Prince his Chaunceller , going alone . Knights Priuy Councellors to the KING : viz. Sir Iohn Herbart , Secretary . Sir Iulius Cesar Chaunceller of the Exchequer . Sir Thomas Parry , Chaunceller of the Duchie of Lancaster . Barons eldest sonnes . Three Trumpets . Lancaster Herauld . A Banner of England , France , and Ireland , quartered with Wales , borne by the Viscount Lisle . A Horse led by Sir William VVebb , Knight , couered with blacke cloath , his Cheiffron and Plumes . Earles yonger sonnes . Viscounts eldest sonnes . Barons of Scotland . Barons of England : viz. Lord Kneuit . Lord Arundell of VVardor . Lord Stanhop . Lord Spencer . Lord Danvers . Lord Peters . Lord VVotton . Lord Norris . Lord Hunsden . Lord Northe . Lord Sheffeild . Lord VVharton . Lord VVentworth . Lord Mounteagle . Lord Stafford . Lord Morley . Lord Candish . Lord Carewe . Lord Denny . Lord Garrard . Lord Harington . Lord Russell . Lord Knowles . Lord Compton . Lord Chandos . Lord Darcy of Chich. Lord Rich. Lord Evers . Lord VVindesor . Lord Dudley . Lord Dacres . Lord Laware . Bishops 5. The Bishop of Rochester . The Bishop of Couentry and Lichfield . The Bishop of Ely. The Bishop of Oxford . The Bishop of London . The Earle of Excester . The Prince his Chamberlayne , Sir Thomas Chaloner , alone , bearing his white staffe . The Lord Chancellor , and Count Henricke . The Archbishop of Canterbury : Preacher . The great Embrodered Banner of the Vnion , borne by the Earles of Montgomery and Argyle . A Horse led , called Le Cheual de deul , couered with blacke Veluet , and ledde by a chiefe Quirry . Monsieur Sant Antoin . The Prince his Hachments of HONOVR , caried by Officers of Armes , viz. The Spurres , by Windsor . The Gauntlets , by Somerset . The Helme and Crest , by Richmond . The Targe , by Yorke . The Sword , by Norroy , King of Armes . The Coat , by Clarencieux , King of Armes . Three Gentlemen Vshers to the Prince , bearing their wands . The Corps of the Prince , lying in an open Chariot , with the Princes representation thereon , inuested with his Robes of estate of Purple Veluet , furred with Ermines , his Highnesse Cap and Coronet on his head , and his Rod of Gould in his hand , and at his feet , within the said Chariot , sat Sir Dauid Murrey , the Master of his Wardrobe . The Chariot was couered with blacke Veluet , set with Plumes of blacke feathers , and drawne by sixe Horses couered , and Armed with Scuchions , hauing their Cheiffrons and Plumes . A Canopy of blacke Veluet borne ouer the representation by sixe Baronets . Tenne Bannerols , borne about the body by ten Baronets . Sir Moyle Finch . Sir Thomas Mounson . Sir Iohn Wentworth . Sir Henry Sauile . Sir Thomas Brewdnell . Sir Anthony Cope . Sir George Gresley . Sir Robert Cotten . Sir Lewis Tresham . Sir Phillip Tiruit . Foure Assistants to the Corps , that bore vp the corners of the Pall. viz. 1 The Lord Zouch . 2 The Lord Abergaueny . 3 The Lord Burghley . 4 The Lord Walden . William Seger , Garter , Principall King of Armes , betweene the Gentleman-Vsher of Prince Charles , and the Gentleman-Vsher of the Prince Palatine . Prince CHARLES chiefe Mourner , supported by the Lord Priuy-Seale , and the Duke of Lenox . His Highnesse Traine was borne by the Lord Dawbney , Brother to the Duke of Lenox . Then followed the Prince Elector , FREDERICK , Count Palatine of the Rhein . His Highnesse Traine was borne by Mounsieur Shamburgh . Twelue Earles Assistants to the chiefe Mourner , viz. Earle of Nottingham . Earle of Shrewsbury . Earle of Rutland . Earle of Southampton . Earle of Hartford . Earle of Dorset . Earle of Suffolke . Earle of Worcester . Earle of Sussex . Earle of Pembroke . Earle of Essex . Earle of Salisburie . Earles strangers , attendants on Count Palatine , Count VVigensten . Count Lewis de Nassau . Count Leuingsten . Count Hodenlo . Count Ringraue . Count Erback ▪ Count Nassaw . Scarburg . Count Le Hanow , Iunior . Count Isinbersh ▪ Page . Count ●olmes . Page . Count Zerottin . Page . The Horse of Estate , led by Sir Robert Dowglas , Maister of the Princes Horse . The Palzgreaues Priuy-Counsellors , viz. The Count of Solmes . Mounsieur Shouburgh . Mounsieur de Pleshau . Mounsieur Helmestedt . Mouns . Shouburgh , Iunior . Mouns . Landshat . Officers and Groomes of Prince Henries stable . The Guard. The Knight Marshall , and twenty seruants that kept order in the proceeding . Diuers Knights and Gentlemen , the Kings seruants that came in voluntary in blacks . So that the whole number amounted to 2000. or thereabout . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A18410-e410 Expostulatio à perturbatione . Potentia expers sapientiae quo maior est , eo perniciosior : sapientia procul à potentia manca videtur . Plat. Chymaera , a monster , hauing his head and brest like a Lyon ; his belly like a Gote ; and taile like a Dragon . To Death . The Prayer of the King in the Princes sicknes . Simil. Apodesis . Reditio ad Principem . Those that came to the Princes seruice seem'd ( compared with the places they liu'd in before ) to rise from death to the fields of life , intending the best part of yong and noble Gentlemen . The parting of the Princes Seruants . The Princes house an Olimpus , where all contention of vertues were practised . Non Homeri Aurea Restis Saint Iames his house . Richmond . The Prince not to be wrought on by flattery . His knowledge and wisdome . Any man is capable of his own fit course and office in any thing . Apostrophe . Men grow so vgly by trusting flattery with their informations , that when they see themselues truely , by casting their eyes inward , they cast themselues away with their owne lothing . * Simil. Simil. Musae lachrimae . The cause and manner of the Princes death . Rhamnusia ( Goddesse of reuenge , and taken for Fortune ) in enuy of our Prince , excited Feuer against him . The Feuer the Prince died on ( by Prosopopeia ) described by her effects & circumstances . The Fever the Prince dyed off , is observ'd by our Moderne Phisitions to bee begun in Hungarie . Out of the property of the Hare that never shuts her eyes sleeping . Marmaricae Leunes , of Marmarica a Region in Affrica where the fiercest Lyons are bred ; with which Feuer is supposd to bee drawn , for their excesse of heat & violence , part of the effects of this Feuer . The properties of the Feuer in these effects . Rhamnusi● excitatiō of feuer Rham : durst no lōger indure her , beeing stirred into furie . The starry Euening describ'd by Vulcans setting to worke at that time . The Night being ever chiefesly consecrate to the Works of the Gods , and out of this Deities fires , the Starres are supposd to flye ; as sparkles of them . The good Angell of the Prince to the Fever , as shee approache . Feuer to the prince ; who is thougght by a friend of mine to speake too mildly ; not being satis compos mētis Portice , in this . Her counsell or perswasiō , shewing onlie how the Prince was perswaded & resolu'd in his deadlyest sufferāce of her which shee is made to speake in spight of her selfe , since he at her worst was so sacredly resolute . Descriptiō of the tempest that cast Sir Th. Ga●es on the Bermudas , & the state of his Ship and Men , to this Kingdomes Plight applyed in the Princes death . The Archbishop of Cantebury passing pyous in care of the Prince . S. Ed : Phillips Master of the Rols and the Princes Chancelor , a chiefe sorrower for hlm . The prince heroical his bearing his sicknes at the Kings comming to see him , careful not to discomfort him . The Twelfth day after his beginning to bee sicke , his sicknes was hold incurable . The prince dying to the King. The sorrowes and bemones of the King Queene , Prince and his most Princely Sister , for the Princes death . The funerall described . A18411 ---- Euthymiæ raptus; or The teares of peace with interlocutions. By Geo. Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1609 Approx. 68 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 23 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18411 STC 4976 ESTC S104931 99840661 99840661 5188 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18411) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5188) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1132:02) Euthymiæ raptus; or The teares of peace with interlocutions. By Geo. Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [44] p. Printed by H[umphrey] L[ownes] for Rich. Bonian, and H. Walley: and are to be solde at the spread-eagle, neere the great north-door of S. Pauls Church, At London : 1609. In verse. Printer's name from STC. Signatures: A-E⁴ F² . Running title reads: The teares of peace. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion EVTHYMIAE RAPTVS ; OR The Teares of PEACE : With Interlocutions . By GEO. CHAPMAN . AT LONDON , Printed by H. L. for Rich. ●onian , and H. Walle● : and are to be solde at the spread-eagle , neere the great North-door of S. Pauls Church . 1609. TO THE HIGH BORN PRINCE OF MEN , HENRIE , THRICE-ROYALL INHERITOVR TO THE VNITED KINGDOMS OF GREAT BRITANNE . THE TEARES OF PEACE . INDVCTIO . NOw that our Soueraign , the great King of Peace , Hath ( in her grace ) outlabour'd Hercules ; And , past his Pillars , stretcht her victories ; Since ( as he were sole Soule , t'all Royalties ) He moues all Kings , in this vast Vniuerse , To cast chaste Nettes , on th'impious lust of Mars ; See , All ; and imitate his goodnesse still ; That ( hauing cleard so well , warres outward ill ) Hee , God-like , still employes his firme desires , To cast learn'd ynke vpon those inwarde fires , That kindle worse Warre , in the mindes of men , Like to incense the outward Warre againe : Selfe-loue , inflaming so , mens sensuall bloud , That all good , publique , drownes in priuate good ; And that , sinks vnder , his owne ouer-freight ; Mens Reasons , and their Learnings , shipwrackt quite ; And their Religion , that should still be One , Takes shapes so many , that most know 't in none . Which , I admiring ( since , in each man shinde A light so cleere , that by it , all might finde ( Being well informd ) their obiect perfect Peace , Which keepes the narrow path to Happinesse ) In that discourse ; I shund , ( as is my vse ) The iarring preace , and all their times abuse ; T' enioy least trodden fieldes , and fre'est shades ; Wherein ( of all the pleasure that inuades The life of man , and flies all vulgar feet , Since silent meditation is most sweet ) I sat to it ; discoursing what maine want So ransackt man ; that it did quite supplant The inward Peace I spake of ; letting in ( At his loose veines ) sad warre , and all his sinne . When , sodainely , a comfortable light Brake through the shade ; and , after it , the sight Of a most graue , and goodly person shinde ; With eys turnd vpwards , & was outward , blind ; But , inward ; past , and future things , he sawe ; And was to both , and present times , their lawe . His sacred bosome was so full of fire , That t' was transparent ; and made him expire His breath in flames , that did instruct ( me thought ) And ( as my soule were then at full ) they wrought . At which , I casting downe my humble eyes , Not daring to attempt their feruencies ; He thus bespake me ; Deare minde , do not feare My strange apparance ; Now t' is time t'outweare Thy bashfull disposition , and put on As confident a countnance , as the Sunne . For what hast thou to looke on , more diuine , And horrid , then man is ; as hee should shine , And as he doth ? what , free'd from this worlds strife ; What he is entring ; and what , ending life ? All which , thou onely studiest , and clost knowe ; And , more then which , is onely sought for showe . Thou must not vnderualue what thou hast , In weighing it with that , which more is grac't ; The worth that weigheth in ward , should not long For outward prices . This should make thee strong In thy close value ; Nought so good can be As that which lasts good , betwixt God , and thee . Remember thine owne verse — Should Heauen turn Hell , For deedes well done , I would do euer well . This heard , with ioy enough , to breake the twine Of life and soule , so apt to breake as mine ; I brake into a trance , and then remainde ( Like him ) an onely soule ; and so obtainde Such bouldnesse , by the sense hee did controule ; That I set looke , to looke ; and soule to soule . I view'd him at his brightest ; though , alas , With all acknowledgement , of what hee was Beyond what I found habited in me ; And thus I spake ; O thou that ( blinde ) dost see My hart , and soule ; what may I reckon thee ? Whose heauenly look showes not ; nor voice sounds man ▪ I am ( sayd hee ) that spirit Elysian , That ( in thy natiue ayre ; and on the hill Next Hitchins left hand ) did thy bosome fill , With such a flood of soule ; that thou wert faine ( With ●●clamations of her Rapture then ) To vent it , to the Echoes of the vale ; When ( meditating of me ) a sweet gale Brought me vpon thee ; and thou didst inherit My true sense ( for the time then ) in my spirit ; And I , inuisiblie , went prompting thee , To those fayre Greenes , where thou didst english me . Scarce he had vttered this , when well I knewe It was my Princes Homer ; whose deare viewe Renew'd my gratefull memorie of the grace His Highnesse did me for him : which , in face , Me thought the Spirit show'd , was his delight ; And added glory to his heauenly plight : Who tould me , he brought stay to all my state ; That hee was Angell to me ; Starre , and Fate ; Aduancing Colours of good hope to me ; And tould me , my retired age should see Heauens blessing , in a free , and harmelesse life , Conduct me , through Earths peace-pretending strife , To that true Peace , whose search I still intend , And to the calme Shore of a loued ende . But now , as I cast round my rauisht eye , To see , if this free Soule had companie ; Or that , alone , hee louingly pursude The hidden places of my Solitude ; He rent a Cloude downe , with his burning hand That at his backe hung , twixt me , and a Land Neuer inhabited ; and sayd ; Now , behould What maine defect it is that doth enfould The World , in ominious flatteries of a Peace So full of worse then warre ; whose sterne encrease Deuours her issue . With which words , I view'd A Lady , like a Deitie indew'd ; ( But weeping , like a woman ) and made way Out of one Thicket , that sawe neuer day , Towards another ; bearing vnderneath Her arme , a Coffine , for some prize of death ; And after her ( in funerall forme ) did goe The woddes foure-footed Beasts , by two , and two ; A Male , and Female , matcht , of euerie kinde ; And after them ; with like instinct enclinde , The ayrie Nation felt her sorrowes stings ; Fell on the earth , kept rancke , and hung their wings . Which sight I much did pittie , and admire ; And longd to knowe the dame that could inspire Those Bestials , with such humane Forme , and ruthe ; And how I now should knowe , the hidden Truthe ( As Homer promist ) of that maine defect That makes men , all their inward Peace reiect For name of outward : Then hee tooke my hand ; Led to her ; and would make my selfe demand , ( Though he could haue resolv'd me ) what shee was ? And from what cause , those strange effects had pass ? For whom , She bore that Coffine ? and so mournd ? To all which ; with all mildensse , she returnd Aunswere ; that she was Peace ; sent down from heauen With charge , from the Almightie Deitie giuen , T' attend on men ; who now had banisht her From their societies , and made her erre In that wilde desert ; onely Humane loue ( Banisht in like sort ) did a longtime proue That life with her ; but now , alas , was dead , And lay in that wood to bee buried ; For whom she bore that Coffine , and did mourne ; And that those Beasts were so much humane , borne , That they , in nature , felt a loue to Peace ; For which , they followd her , when men did cease . This went so neere her heart , it left her tongue ; And ( silent ) the gaue time , to note whence sprung Mens want of Peace , which was from want of loue : And I observ'd now , what that peace did proue That men made shift with , & did so much please . For now , the Sunne declining to the Seas , Made long misshapen shadowes ; and true Peace ( Here wa●king in his Beames ) cast such encrease Of shaddowe from her ; that I saw it glide Through Citties , Courts , and Countryes ; and descride , How , in her shadowe only , men there liv'd , While shee walkt here i th Sunne : and all that thriv'd Hid in that shade their thrift ; nought but her shade Was Bullwarke gainst all warre that might inuade Their Countries , or their Consciences ; since Loue ( That should giue Peace , her substance ) now they droue Into the Deserts ; where hee sufferd Fate , And whose sad Funerals Beasts must celebrate . With whom , I freely wisht , I had beene nurst ; Because they follow Nature , at their wurst ; And at their best , did teach her . As wee went I felt a scruple , which I durst not vent , No not to Peace her selfe , whom it concernd , For feare to wrong her ; So well I haue learnd , To shun iniustice , euen to doues , or flies ; But , to the Diuell , or the Destinies , Where I am iust , and knowe I honour Truth , I le speake my thoughts , in scorne of what ensu'th . Yet ( not resolv'd in th' other ) there did shine A Beame of Homers fre'er soule , in mine , That made me see , I might propose my doubt ; Which was ; If this were true Peace I found out , That felt such passion ? I prov'd her sad part ; And prayd her call , her voice out of her hart ( There , kept a wrongfull prisoner to her woe ) To answere , why shee was afflicted so . Or how , in her , such contraries could fall ; That taught all ioy , and was the life of all ? Shee aunswered ; Homer tould me that there are Passions , in which corruption hath no share ; There is a ioy of soule ; and why not then A griefe of soule , that is no skathe to men ? For both are Passions , though not such as raigne In blood , and humor , that engender paine . Free sufferance for the truth , makes sorrow sing , And mourning farre more sweet , then banqueting . Good , that deserueth ioy ( receiuing ill ) Doth merit iustly , as much sorrow still : And is it a corruption to do right ? Griefe , that dischargeth Conscience , is delight : One sets the other off . To stand at gaze In one position , is a stupide maze , Fit for a Statue . This resolv'd me well , That Griefe , in Peace , and Peace in Griefe might dwell . And now fell all things from their naturall Birth : Passion in Heauen ; Stupiditie , in Earth , Inuerted all ; the Muses , Vertues , Graces , Now suffer● rude , and miserable chaces From mens societies , to that desert heath ; And after them , Religion ( chac't by death ) Came weeping , bleeding to the Funerall : Sought her deare Mother Peace ; and downe did fall , Before her , fainting , on her horned knees ; Turnd horne , with praying for the miseries ▪ She left the world in ; desperate in their sinne ; Marble , her knees pearc't ; but heauen could not winne To stay the weightie ruine of his Glorie In her sad Exile ; all the memorie Of heauen , and heauenly things , rac't of all hands ; Heauen moues so farre off , that men say it stands ; And Earth is turnd the true , and mouing Heauen ; And so t is left ; and so is all Truth driuen From her false bosome ; all is left alone , Till all bee orderd with confusion . Thus the poore broode of Peace ; driuen , & distrest , Lay brooded all beneath their mothers breast ; Who fell vpon them weeping , as they fell : All were so pinde , that she containde them well . And in this Chaos , the digestion And beautie of the world , lay thrust and throwne . In this deiection , Peace pourd out her Teares , Worded ( with some pause ) in my wounded Eares . INVOCATIO . O ye three-times-thrice sacred Quiristers , Of Gods great Temple ; the small Vniuerse Of ruinous man : ( thus prostrate as ye lye Brooded , and Loded with Calamitie , Contempt , and shame , in your true mother , Peace ) As you make sad my soule , with your misease : So make her able fitly to disperse Your sadnesse , and her owne , in sadder verse . Now ( olde , and freely banisht with your selues From mens societies ; as from rockes , and shelues ) Helpe me to sing , and die , on our Thames shore ; And let her lend me , her waues to deplore ( In yours , and your most holy Sisters falls ) Heauens fall , and humane Loues , last funeralls . And thou , great Prince of men ; let thy sweete graces Shine on these teares ; and drie , at length , the faces Of Peace , and all her heauen-allyed brood ; From whose Doues eyes , is shed the precious blood Of Heauens deare Lamb , that freshly bleeds in them . Make these no toyes then ; gird the Diadem Of thrice great Britaine , with their Palm and Bayes : And with thy Eagles feathers , daigne to raise The heauie body of my humble Muse ; That thy great Homers spirit in her may vse Her topless flight , and beare thy Fame aboue The reach of Mortalls , and their earthy loue ; To that high honour , his Achilles wonne , And make thy glory farre out-shine the Sunne . While this small time gaue Peace ( in her kinde Throes ) Vent for the violence of her sodaine woes ; She turnd on her right side , and ( leaning on Her tragique daughters bosome ) lookt vpon My heauy lookes , drownd in imploring teares For her , and that so wrongd deare Race of hers . At which , euen Peace , exprest a kinde of Spleene . And , as a carefull Mother , I haue seene Chide her lov'd Childe , snatcht with som feare from danger : So Peace chid me ; and first shed teares of anger . The Teares of Peace . Peace . THou wretched man , whome I discouer , borne To want , and sorrowe , and the Vulgars scorne : Why haunt'st thou freely , these vnhaunted places , Emptie of pleasures ? empty of all Graces , Fashions , and Riches ; by the best pursude With broken Sleepe , Toyle , Loue , Zeale , Seruitude ; With feare and trembling , with whole liues , and Soules ? While thou break'st sleepes , digst vnder Earth , like moules , To liue , to seeke me out , whome all men fly : And think'st to finde , light in obscuritie , Eternitie , in this deepe vale of death : Look'st euer vpwards , and liu'st still beneath ; Fill'st all thy actions , with strife , what to thinke , Thy Braine with Ayre , and skatterst it in inke : Of which thou mak'st weeds for thy soule to weare , As out of fashion , as the bodies are . Interlo . I grant their strangenesse , and their too ill grace , And too much wretchednesse , to beare the face Or any likenesse of my soule in them : Whose Instruments , I rue with many a Streame Of secret Teares for their extream defects , In vttering her true forms : but their respects Need not be less'ned , for their being strange , Or not so vulgar , as the rest that range With headlong Raptures , through the multitude : Of whom they get grace , for their being rude . Nought is so shund by Virtue , throwne from Truth , As that which drawes the vulgar Dames ▪ and Youth . Pea. Truth must confesse it : for where l●ues there one , That Truth or Vertue , for themselues alone , Or seekes , or not contemns ? All , all pursue Wealth , Glory , Greatnesse , Pleasure , Fashions new . Who studies , studies these : who studies not And sees that studie , layes the vulgar Plot ; That all the Learning he gets liuing by , Men but for forme , or humour dignifie ( As himselfe studies , but for forme , and showe , And neuer makes his speciall end , to knowe ) And that an idle , ayrie man of Newes , A standing Face ; a propertie to vse In all things vil● , makes Booke-wormes , creepe to him : How scorns he bookes , and booke-worms ! O how dim Burnes a true Soules light , in his Bastard eyes ! And , as a Forrest ouer-grow'n breedes Flyes , Todes , Adders , Sauadges , that all men shunne ; When , on the South-side , in a fresh May Sunne , In varied Heards , the Beasts lie out , and sleepe , The busie Gnatts , in swarms a buzzing keepe , And guild their empty bodies ( lift aloft ) In beames , that though they see all , difference nought : So , in mens meerly outward , and false Peace , Insteade of polisht men , and true encrease , She brings forth men , with vices ouer-growne : Women , so light , and like , fewe knowe their owne : For milde and humane tongues , tongues forkt that sting : And all these ( while they may ) take Sunne , and spring , To help them sleep , and florish : on whose beames , And branches , vp they clime , in such extreams Of proude confusion , from iust Lawes so farre , That in their Peace , the long Robe sweeps like warre ; Int. That Robe serues great men : why are great so rude , Pea. Since great , and meane , are all but multitude ? For regular Learning , that should difference set Twixt all mens worths , and make the meane , or great , As that is meane or great ( or chiefe stroke strike ) Serues the Plebeian and the Lord alike . Their obiects , showe their learnings are all one ; Int. Their liues , their obiects ; Learning lov'd by none . You meane , for most part : nor would it displease That most part , if they heard ; since they professe , Contempt of learning : Nor esteeme it fit , Noblesse should study , see , or count'nance it . Pea. Can men in blood be Noble , not in soule ? Reason abhorres it ; since what doth controule The rudenesse of the blood , and makes it Noble ( Or hath chiefe meanes , high birth-right to redouble , In making manners soft , and man-like milde , Not suffering humanes to runne proude , or wilde ) Is Soule , and learning ; ( or in loue , or act ) In blood where both faile then , lyes Nobless wrackt , Interlo . It cannot be denyde : but could you proue , As well , that th' act of learning , or the loue , ( Loue being the act in will ) should difference set , Twixt all mens worths , and make the meane or great , As learning is , or great , or meane in them ; Then cleare , her Right , stood to mans Diadem , Pea. To proue that Learning ( the soules actuall frame ; Without which , t is a blanke ; a smoke-hid flame ) Should sit great Arbitresse , of all things donne , And in your soules , ( like Gnomons in the Sunne ) Giue Rules to all the circles of your liues ▪ I proue it , by the Regiment God giues To man , of all things ; to the soule , of man ; To Learning , of the Soule . If then it can Rule , liue ; of all things best , is it not best ? O who , what god makes greatest , dares make least ? But , to vse their tearms ; Life is Roote and Crest To all mans Cote of Nobless ; his soule is , Field to that Cote ; and learning differences All his degrees in honour , being the Cote . Simi . And as a Statuarie , hauing got An Alablaster , bigge enough to cut A humane image in : till he hath put His tooles , and art to it ; hew'n , formd , left none Of the redundant matter in the Stone ; It beares the image of a man , no more , Then of a Woolf , a Cammell , or a Boare : So when the Soule is to the body giuen ; ( Being substance of Gods Image , sent from heaven ) It is not his true Image , till it take Into the Substance , those fit forms that make His perfect Image ; which are then imprest By Learning and impulsion ; tha inuest Man with Gods forme in liuing Holinesse , By cutting from his Body the excesse Of Humors , perturbations and Affects ; Which Nature ( without Art ) no more eiects , Then without tooles , a naked Artizan Can , in rude stone , cut th' Image of a man. How then do Ignorants ? who , oft , we trie , Int. Rule perturbations , liue more humanely Then men held learnd ? Pea. Who are not learn'd indeed ; More then a house fram'd loose , ( that still doth neede The haling vp , and ioyning ) is a house : Nor can you call , men meere Religious , ( That haue good-wills , to knowledge ) Ignorant ; For , virtuous knowledge hath two waies to plant ; By Powre infus'd , and Acquisition ; The first of which , those good men , graft vpon ; For good life is th' effect , of learnings Act ; Which th' action of the minde , did first compact By infusde loue to Learning gainst all ill , Conquests first step , is to all good , the will. Int. If Learning then , in loue or act must be , Meane to good life , and true humanitie ; Where are our Scarre-crowes now , or men of ragges , Of Titles meerely , Places , Fortunes , Bragges , That want and scorne both ? Those inuerted men ? Those dungeons ; whose soules no more containe The actuall light of Reason , then darke beasts ? Those Cloudes , driuen still , twixt Gods beame and their brests ? Those Giants , throwing gouldē hils gainst heauē ? To no one spice of true humanitie given ? Peace . Of men , there are three sorts , that most foes be To Learning and her loue ; themselues and me : Actiue , Passiue , and Intellectiue men : Whose selfe-loues ; Learning , and her loue disdaine . Your Actiue men , consume their whole lifes fire , In thirst of State-height , higher still and higher , ( Like seeled Pigeons ) mounting , to make sport , To lower lookers on ; in seeing how short They come of that they seeke , and with what trouble ; Lamely , and farre from Nature , they redouble Their paines in flying , more then humbler witts , To reach death , more direct . For Death that sits , Vpon the fist of Fate , past highest Ayre , ( Since she commands all liues , within that Sphere ) The higher men aduance ; the neerer findes Her seeled Quarries ; when , in bitterest windes , Lightnings , and thunders , and in sharpest hayles Fate casts her off at States ; when lower Sayles Slide calmely to their ends ▪ Your Passiue men ( So call'd of onely passing time in vaine ) Passe it , in no good exercise ; but are In meates , and cuppes laborious ; and take care To lose without all care their Soule-spent Time ; And since they haue no meanes , nor Spirits to clime , Like Fowles of Prey , in any high affaire ; See how like Kites they bangle in the Ayre , To stoope at scraps , and garbidge ; in respect , Of that which men of true peace should select ; And how they trot out , in their liues , the Ring ; With idlely iterating oft one thing , A new-fought Combat , an affaire at Sea ; A Marriage , or a Progresse , or a Plea. No Newes , but fits them , as if made for them , Though it be forg'd , but of a womans dreame ; And stuffe with , such stolne ends , their manlesse breasts , ( Sticks , rags , and mud ) they seem meer Puttocks nests : Curious in all mens actions , but their owne ; All men , and all things censure , though know none . Your Intellectiue men , they study hard Not to get knowledge , but for meere rewarde . And therefore that true knowledge that should be Their studies end , and is in Nature free , Will not be made their Broker ; hauing powre ( With her sole selfe ) to bring both Bride , and dowre . They haue some shadowes of her ( as of me , Adulterate outward Peace ) but neuer see Her true , and heauenly face . Yet those shades serue ( Like errant Knights , that by enchantments swerue , From their true Ladyes being ; and embrace An ougly Witch , with her phantastique face ) To make them thinke , Truths substance in their arms : Which that they haue not , but her shadowes charmes , See if my proofes , be like their Arguments That leaue Opinion still , her free dissents . They haue not me with them ; that all men knowe The highest fruite that doth of knowledge grow ; The Bound of all true formes , and onely Act ; If they be true , they rest ; nor can be rackt Out of their posture , by Times vtmost strength ; But last the more of force , the more of length ; For they become one substance with the Soule ; Which Time with all his adiuncts shall controule . But since , men wilfull may beleeue perchance ( In part of Errors two-folde Ignorance , Ill disposition ) their skills looke as hie And rest in that diuine Securitie ; See if their liues make proofe of such a Peace , For Learnings Truth makes all lifes vain war cease ; It making peace with God , and ioines to God ; Whose information driues her Period Through all the Bodies passiue Instruments ; And by reflection giues them Soule-contents , Besides , from perfect Learning you can neuer Wisedome ( with her faire Reigne of Passions ) seuer ; For Wisdome is nought else , then Learning fin'd , And with the vnderstanding Powre combin'd ; That is , a habite of both habits standing ; The Bloods vaine humours , euer countermaunding . But , if these showe , more humour then th'vnlearn'd ; If in them more vaine passion be discern'd ; More mad Ambition ; more lust ; more deceipt ; More showe of golde , then gold ; then drosse , less weight ; If Flattery , Auarice haue their soules so giuen , Headlong , and with such diuelish furies driuen ; That fooles may laugh at their imprudencie , And Villanes blush at their dishonestie ; Where is true Learning , proov'd to separate these And seate all forms in her Soules height , in peace ? Raging Euripus , that ( in all their Pride ) Driues Shippes gainst roughest windes , with his fierce Tide , And ebbes and flowes , seuen times in euerie daie ; Toyles not on Earth with more irregulare swaye , Nor is more turbulent , and mad then they . And shine ; like gould-worms , whom you hardly finde , By their owne , light ; not seene ; but heard like winde . But this is Learning ; To haue skill to throwe Reignes on your bodies powres , that nothing knowe ; And fill the soules powers , so with act , and art , That she can curbe the bodies angrie part ; All preturbations ; all affects that stray From their one obiect ; which is to obay Her Soueraigne Empire ; as her selfe should force Their functions onely , to serue her discourse ; And , that ; to beat the streight path of one ende Which is , to make her substance still contend , To be Gods Image ; in informing it , With knowledge ; holy thoughts , and all formes fit For that eternitie , ye seeke in way Of his sole imitation ; and to sway , Your lifes loue so , that hee may still be Center To all your pleasures ; and you , ( here ) may enter The next lifes peace ; in gouerning so well Your sensuall parts , that you , as free may dwell Of vulgare Raptures , here ; as when calme death Dissolues that learned Empire , with your Breath . To teach , and liue thus , is the onely vse , And end of Learning . Skill that doth produce But tearmes , and tongues , and Parrating of Arte , Without that powre to rule the errant part ; Is that which some call , learned ignorance ; A serious trifle ; error in a trance . And let a Scholler , all earths volumes carrie , He will be but a walking dictionarie : A meere articulate Clocke , that doth but speake By others arts ; when wheeles weare , or springs breake , Or any fault is in him ; hee can mend No more then clockes ; but at set howres must spend His mouth , as clocks do ; If too fast , speech goe Hee cannot stay it ; nor haste if too slowe . So that , as Trauaylers , seeke their peace through storms , In passing many Seas , for many forms , Of forreigne gouernment ; indure the paine Of many faces seeing ; and the gaine That Strangers make , of their strange-louing humors ; Learn tongues ; keep note books ; all to feed the tumors Of vaine discourse at home ; or serue the course Of State employment , neuer hauing force T' employ themselues ; but idle complements Must pay their paines , costs , slaueries , all their Rents ; And , though they many men knowe , get few friends : So couetous Readers ; setting many endes To their much skill to talke ; studiers of Phrase ; Shifters in Art ; to flutter in the Blaze Of ignorant count'nance ; to obtaine degrees And lye in Learnings bottome , like the Lees , To be accounted deepe by shallow men ; And carue all Language , in one glorious Pen ; May haue much fame for learning : but th' effect Proper to perfect Learning ; to direct Reason in such an Art , as that it can Turne blood to soule , and make both , one calme man ; So making peace with God ; doth differ farre From Clearkes that goe with God & man to warre . Int. But may this Peace , and mans true Empire then , By learning be obtainde ? and taught to men ? Pea. Let all men iudge ; who is it can denie , That the rich crowne of ould Humanitie , Is still your birth-right ? and was ne're let downe From heauen , for rule of Beasts liues , but your owne ? You learne the depth of Arts ; and ( curious ) dare By them ( in Natures counterfaits ) compare Almost with God ; to make perpetually Motion like heauens ; to hang sad Riuers by The ayre , in ayre ; and earth , twixt earth and heauen By his owne paise . And are these vertues giuen To powrefull Art , and Vertue 's selfe denied ? This proues the other , vaine , and falsified . Wealth , Honour , and the Rule of Realmes doth fall In lesse then Reasons compasse ; yet , what all Those things are giuen for ( which is liuing well ) Wants discipline , and reason to compell . O foolish men ! how many waies ye vex Your liues with pleasing them ? and still perplex Your liberties , with licence ? euery way Casting your eyes , and faculties astray From their sole obiect ? If some few bring forth ( In Nature , freely ) something of some worth ; Much rude and worthlesse humour runs betwixt ; ( Like fruit in deserts ) with vile matter mixt . Nor ( since they flatter flesh so ) they are bould ( As a most noble spectacle ) to behould Their owne liues ; and ( like sacred light ) to beare There Reason inward : for the Soule ( in feare Of euerie sort of vice , shee there containes ) Flies out ; and wanders about other mens ; Feeding , and fatting , her infirmities . And as in auntient Citties , t' was the guise To haue some Ports of sad , and haplesse vent , Through which , all executed men they sent ; All filth ; all off all , cast from what purg'd sinne ; Nought , chaste , or sacred , there going out , or in : So , through mens refuse eares , will nothing pearse That 's good , or elegant ; but the sword ; the herse ; And all that doth abhorre , from mans pure vse , Is each mans onely Siren ; only Muse. And thus , for one God ; one fit good ; they prise These idle , foolish , vile varieties . Int. Wretched estate of men , by fortune blest ; That being euer idle , neuer rest ; That haue goods , ere they earne them ; and for that , Want art to vse them . To bee wonderd at Is Iustice ; for Proportion , Ornament ; None of the Graces , is so excellent . Vile things , adorne her : me thought , once I sawe How , by the Seas shore , she sat giuing lawe Euen to the streames , and fish ( most loose , and wilde ) And was ( to my thoughts ) wondrous sweet and milde ; Yet fire flew from her that dissolued Rocks ; Her lookes , to Pearle turnd pebble ; and her locks , The rough , and sandy bankes , to burnisht gould ; Her white left hand , did goulden bridles holde ; And , with her right , she wealthy gifts did giue ; Which with their left hands , men did still receiue ; Vpon a world in her chaste lappe , did lye , A little Iuory Book , that show'd mine eye , But one Page onely ; that one verse containde , Where all Arts , were contracted , and explainde ; All policies of Princes , all their forces ; Rules for their feares , cares , dangers , pleasures , purses , All the fayre progresse of their happinesse here , Iustice conuerted , and composed there . All which I thought on , when I had exprest Why great men , of the great states they possest , Enioyd so little ; and I now must note The large straine of a verse , I long since wrote . Which ( me thought ) much ioy , to men poore presented ; God hath made none ( that all might be ) contented . Peace ▪ It might ( for the capacitie it beares ) Be that concealed and expressiue verse , That Iustice , in her Iuorie Manuell writ ; Since all Lines to mans Peace , are drawne in it . For great men ; though such ample stuffe they haue To shape contentment ; yet , since ( like a waue ) It flittes , and takes all formes , retayning none ; ( Not fitted to their patterne , which is one ) They may content themselues ; God hath not giuen , To men meere earthly , the true Ioyes of heauen ; And so their wilde ambitions either stay ; Or turne their headstrong course , the better way . For poore men ; their cares may be richly easde ; Since rich ( with all they haue ) liue as displeasde . Int. You teach me to be plaine . But what 's the cause , That great , and rich , whose stares winne such applause ; With such enforc't , and vile varieties , Spend time ; nor giue their liues glad sacrifice ; But when they eate , and drinke , with tales , iests , sounds ; As if ( like frantique men , that feele no wounds ) They would expire in laughters ? and so erre From their right way ; that like a Trauayler , ( Weariest when neerest to his iourneys ende ) Time best spent euer , with most paine they spend ? Pea. The cause , is want of Learning ; which ( being right ) Makes idlenesse a paine ; and paine delight . It makes men knowe , that they ( of all things borne Beneath the siluer Moone , and goulden Morne ) Being onely formes of God ; should onely fix One forme of life to those formes ; and not mix With Beasts in formes of their liues . It doth teach , To giue the soule her Empire ; and so reach To rule of all the bodies mutinous Realme ; In which ( once feared ▪ She then takes the Helme , And gouernes freely ; stering to one Port. Then , ( like a man in health ) the whole consort Of his tun'd body , sings ; which otherwise , Is like one full of weiward maladies , Still out of tune ; and ( like to Spirits raisde Without a Circle ) neuer is appaisde . And then , they haue no strength , but weakens them ; No greatnes , but doth crush them into streame ; No libertie , but turnes into their snare ; Their learnings then , do light them but to erre ; Their ornaments , are burthens ; their delights , Are mercinarie , seruile Parasites , Betraying , laughing ; Feends , that raisde in feares , At parting , shake their Roofes about their eares ; Th' imprison'd thirst , the fortunes of the Free ; The Free , of Rich ; Rich , of Nobilitie ; Nobilitie , of Kings ; and Kings , Gods thrones ; Euen to their lightning flames ; and thunder-stones . O liberall Learning , that well vsde , giues vse To all things good ; how bad is thy abuse ! When , onely thy diuine reflection can ( Th●● lights but to thy loue ) make good a man ; How can the regular Body of thy light , Informe , and decke him ? the Ills infinite , That ( like beheaded Hydra's in that Fen Of bloud , and flesh , in lewd illiterate men ) Aunswere their amputations , with supplyes That twist their heads , and euer double rise ; Herculean Learning conquers ; And O see How many , and of what fowle formes they be ? Vnquiet , wicked thoughts ; vnnumbred passions ; Poorenesse of Counsailes ; howrely fluctuations ; ( In entercourse ) of woes , and false delights ; Impotent wils to goodnesse ; Appetites That neuer will bee bridl'd ; satisfied ; Nor knowe how , or with what to be supplyed ; Feares , and distractions , mixt with greedinesse ; Stupidities of those things ye possesse ; Furies for what ye lose ; wrongs done for nonce ; For present , past , and future things , at once Cares vast , and endlesse ; miseries , wolne with pride ; Vertues despisde , and vices glorified . All these , true Learning calmes , and can subdue : But who turnes learning this way ? All pursue Warre with each other , that exasperates these ; For things without ; whose ends are inward peace ; And yet those inward Rebels they maintaine . And as your curious sort of Passiue men , Thrust their heads through the Roofs of Rich & Poore ; Through all their liues , and fortunes , and explore Forraigne , and home-affayres ; their Princes Courts , Their Counsaile , and Bedchambers for reports ; And ( like free-booters ) wander out , to win Matter to feede their mutinous Route within ; ( Which are the greedier still ) and ouershoote Their true-sought inward Peace , for outward boote ; So Learned men , in controuersies spend ( Of tongues , and tearmes , readings , and labours pend ) Their whole liues studies ; Glorie , Riches , Place , In full crie , with the vulgare giuing Chace ; And neuer , with their learnings true vse striue To bridle strifes within them ; and to liue Like men of Peace , whome Art of Peace begat : But , as their deedes , are most adulterate , And showe them false Sons , to their Peacefull Mother , In those warres ; so their Arts , are prov'd no other . And let the best of them , a search impose Vpon his Art : for all the things shee knowes ( All being referd , to all , to her vnknowne ) They will obtaine the same proportion That doth a little brooke that neuer ran Through Summers Sunne ; compar'd with th' Ocean . But , could he Oracles speake ; and wright to charme A wilde of Sauadges ; take Natures Arme , And plucke into his search , the Circuit Of Earth , and Heauen ; the Seas space , and the spirit Of euerie Starre : the Powers of Herbs , and Stones ; Yet touch not , at his perturbations ; Nor giue them Rule , and temper , to obay Imperiall Reason ; in whose Soueraigne sway , Learning is wholly vs'd , and dignified ; To what end serues he ? is his learning tryed That comforting , and that creating Fire That fashions men ? or that which doth inspire Citties with ciuile conflagrations , Countries , and kingdomes ? That Art that attones All opposition to good life , is all ; Liue well ye Learnd ; and all men ye enthrall . Interl● . Alas they are discourag'd in their courses , And ( like surpris'd Forts ) beaten from their forces . Bodies , on Rights of Soules did neuer growe With ruder Rage , then barbarous Torrents flowe Ouer their sacred Pastures ; bringing in Weedes , and all rapine ; Temples now begin To suffer second deluge ; Sinne-drownde Beasts , Making their Altars crack ; and the filde Nests Of vulturous Fowles , filling their holy places ; For wonted Ornaments , and Religious graces . Pea. The chiefe cause is , since they themselues betraie ; Take their Foes baites , for some particular swaie T' inuert their vniuersall ; and this still , Is cause of all ills else ; their liuing ill . Int. Alas ! that men should striue for others swaie ; But first to rule themselues : And that being waie To all mens Bliss ; why is it trod by none ? And why are rules so dully lookt vpon That teach that liuely Rule ? Pea. O horrid thing ! T is Custome powres into your common spring Such poyson of Example , in things vaine ; That Reason nor Religion can constraine Mens sights of serious things ; and th' onely cause That neither humane nor celestiall lawes Drawe man more compasse ; is his owne slacke bent T' intend no more his proper Regiment . Where ; if your Actiue men ( or men of action ) Their Policie , Auarice , Ambition , Faction , Would turne to making strong , their rule of Passion , To search , and settle them , in Approbation Of what they are , and shal be ( which may be By Reason , in despight of Policie ) And in one true course , couch their whole Affaires To one true blisse , worth all the spawne of theirs ; If halfe the idle speech , men Passiue spend , At sensuall meetings , when they recommend Their sanguine Soules , in laughters , to their Peace , Were spent in Counsailes how they might decrease That frantique humour of ridiculous blood ( Which addes , they vainely thinke , to their liues flood ) And so conuerted , in true humane mirth , To speech , what they shall be ( dissolv'd from Earth ) In bridling it in flesh ; with all the scope Of their owne knowledge here ; and future hope : If ( last of all ) your Intellectiue men Would mixe the streames of euery iarring Penne. In one calme Current ; that like land flouds , now Make all Zeales bounded Riuers ouer-flowe ; Firme Truth , with question , euery howre pursue ; And yet will have no question , all is true : Search in that troubled Ocean , for a Ford That by it selfe runnes ; and must beare accord In each mans self ; by banishing falshood there , Wrath , lust , pride , earthy thoughts ; before elsewhere . ( For , as in one man , is the world inclosde , So to forme one , it should be all disposde : ) If all these would concurre to this one end , It would aske all their powres ; and all would spend Life with that reall sweetnesse , which they dreame Comes in with obiects that are meere extreame : And make them outward pleasures still apply Which neuer can come in , but by that key ; Others aduancements , others Fames desiring ; Thirsting , exploring , praysing , and admiring ; Like lewd adultererers , that their owne wiues scorne , And other mens , with all their wealth , adorne . Why , in all outraying , varyed ioyes , and courses , That in these errant times , tire all mens forces , Is this so common wonder of our dayes ? That in poore foretimes , such a fewe could raise So many wealthy Temples , and these none ? All were deuout then ; all deuotions one ; And to one end conuerted ; and when men Giue vp themselues to God ; all theirs goes then : A few well-giuen , are worth a world of ill ; And worlds of Powre , not worth one poore good-will . And what 's the cause , that ( being but one Truth ) spreds About the world so manie thousand heads , Of false Opinions , all self-lov'd as true ? Onely affection , to things more then due : One Error kist , begetteth infinite . How can men finde truth , in waies opposite ? And with what force , they must take opposite wayes When all haue opposite obiects ? Truth displaies One colourd ensigne ; and the world pursues Ten thousand colours : see ( to iudge , who vse Truth in their Arts ; ) what light their liues doe giue : For wherefore doe they study , but to liue ? See I Eternities streight milke-white waie , And One , in this life 's crooked vanities straie ; And , shall I thinke he knowes Truth , following Error ? This ; onely this ; is the infallible myrror , To showe , why Ignorants , with learn'd men vaunt , And why your learn'd men , are so ignorant . Why euery Youth , in one howre will be old In euery knowledge ; and why Age doth mould . Then ; As in Rules of true Philosophie There must be euer due Analogie Betwixt the Powre that knowes , and that is knowne , So surely ioynde that they are euer one ; The vnderstanding part transcending still To that it vnderstands , that , to his skill ; All , offering to the Soule , the Soule to God ; ( By which do all things make their Period In his high Powre ; and make him , All in All ; So , to ascend , the high-heauen-reaching Skale Of mans true Peace ; and make his Art entire , By calming all his Errors in desire ; ( Which must preceede , that higher happinesse ) Proportion still , must trauerse her accesse Betwixt his powre , and will ; his Sense and Soule ; And euermore th'exorbitance controule Of all forms , passing through the bodies Powre , Till in the soule they rest , as in their Towre . Int. But ; as Earths grosse and elementall fire , Cannot maintaine it selfe ; but doth require Fresh matter still , to giue it heate , and light ; And , when it is enflam'd ; mounts not vpright ; But struggles in his lame impure ascent ; Now this waie works , and then is that waie bent , Not able , straight , t' aspire to his true Sphere Where burns the fire , eternall , and sincere ; So , best soules here ; with heartiest zeales enflam'd In their high flight for heauen ; earth-broos'd and lam'd ) Make many faint approches ; and are faine , VVith much vnworthy matter , to sustaine Their holiest fire ; and with sick feathers , driuen , And broken Pinions , flutter towards heauen . Peace The cause is , that you neuer will bestowe Your best , t' enclose your liues , twixt God , and you ; To count the worlds Loue , Fame , Ioy , Honour , nothing ; But life , ( with all your loue to it ) betrothing To his loue ; his recomfort ; his rewarde ; Since no good thought calls to him , but is heard . Nor neede you , thinke this strange ; since he is there , Present : within you ; euer , euery where Where good thoughts are ; for Good hath no estate Without him ; nor himself is , without That : If then , this Commerce stand twixt you entire ; Trie , if he either , grant not each desire ; Or so conforme it , to his will , in staie ; That you shall finde him , there , in the delaie , As well as th' instant grant ; And so prooue , right How easie , his deare yoke is ; and how light His equall burthen : whether this Commerce Twixt God and man , be so hard , or peruerse ( In composition ) ; as , the Raritie , Or no-where-patterne of it , doth implie ? Or if , in worrhy contemplation It do not tempt , beyond comparison Of all things worldly ? Sensualitie , Nothing so easie ; all Earths Companie , ( Like Rubarb , or the drugges of Thessalie ) Compar'd , in taste with that sweet ? O trie then If , that contraction ( by the God of men ) Of all the lawe , and Prophets , layd vpon The tempting Lawyer ; were a lode , that None Had powre to stand beneath ? If Gods deare loue , Thy Conscience do not , at first sight approue Deare , aboue all things ? And , so passe this shelfe ; To loue ( withall ) thy Neighbour as thy selfe ? Not , loue as much ; but as thy selfe ; in this , To let it be as free , as thine owne is ; Without respect of profit , or reward , Deceipt , or flatterie ; politique regard , Or anie thing , but naked Charitie . Interlo . I call , euen God , himselfe ; to testifie ( For men , I know but fewe ) that farre aboue All to be here desir'd ; I rate his loue . Thanks to his still-kist-hand , that so hath fram'd My poore , and abiect life ; and so , inflam'd My soule with his sweete , all-want-seasoning loue ; In studying to supply , though not remoue , My desert fortunes , and vnworthinesse , With some wisht grace from him ; that might expresse His presence with me ; and so dignifie , My life , to creepe on earth ; behold the skie , And giue it meanes enough , for this lowe plight ; Though , hitherto , with no one houres delight , Heartie or worthie ; but in him alone ; Who , like a carefull guide , hath hal'd me on ; And ( euery minute , sinking ) made we swimme , To this calme Shore ; hid , with his Sonne , in him : And here , ay me ! ( as trembling , I looke back ) I fall againe , and , in my hauen , wracke ; Still being perswaded ( by the shamelesse light ) That these are dreames , of my retired Night ; That , all my Reading ; Writing ; all my paines Are serious trifles ; and the idle vaines Of an vnthriftie Angell , that deludes My simple fancie ; and , by Fate , extendes My Birth-accurst life , from the blisse of men : And then ; my hands I wring ; my bosome , then Beate , and could breake ope ; fill th' inraged Ayre ; And knock at heauen , with sighs ; inuoke Despaire , At once , to free the tyr'd Earth of my lode ; That these recoiles , ( that , Reason doth explode ; Religion damns ; and my arm'd Soule defies ; Wrastles with Angels ; telling Heauen it lies , If it denie the truth , his Spirit hath writ , Grauen , in my soule , and there eternisde it ) Should beat me from that rest ; and that is this ; That these prodigious Securities That all men snore-in ( drowning in vise liues The Soules of men , because the bodie thriues ) Are Witch-crafts damnable ; That all learnings are Foolish , and false , that with those vile liues square ; That these sowre wizzards , that so grauely scorne Learning with good life ; kinde gainst kinde suborne ; And are no more wise , then their shades , are men ; Which ( as my finger , can goe to my Penne ) I can demonstrate ; that our knowledges , * ( Which we must learne , if euer we professe Knowledge of God ; or haue one Notion true ) Are those , which first , and most we should pursue ; That , in their searches , all mens actiue liues , Are so farre short of their contemplatiues ; As Bodies are of Soules ; This life , of Next : And , so much doth the Forme , and whole Context Of matter , seruing one ; exceede the other ; That Heauen , our Father is ; as Earth our Mother . And therefore ; in resemblance to approue , Who are the true bredde ; fatherd by his loue ; ( As Heauen it selfe , doth only , virtually Mix with the Earth ; his Course still keeping hie , And Substance , vndisparag'd ; ( though his Beames Are dround in many dung-hils ; and their Steames , ( To vs ) obscure him ; yet he euer shines : ) So though our soules beames , digge in bodies Mines , To finde them rich discourses , through their Senses ; And meet with many myddins of offences , Whose Vapours choke their Organes ; yet should they Disperse them by degrees ; because their swaie ( In Powre ) is absolute ; And ( in that Powre ) shine As firme as heauen ; heauen , nothing so diuine . All this , I holde ; and since , that all truth else , That all else knowe , or can holde ; staies and dwelles On these grounds vses ; and should all contend ( Knowing our birth here , serues but for this end To make true meanes , and waies , t' our second life ) To plie those studies ; and holde euery strife To other ends ( more then to amplifie , Adorne , and sweeten these ) deseruedly ) As balls cast in our Race ; and but grasse knitt From both sides of our Path ; t' ensnare our wit : And thus , because , the gaudie vulgar light Burns vp my good thoughts , form'd in temperate Night , Rising to see , the good Moone oftentimes ( Like the poore virtues of these vicious times ) Labour as much to lose her light ; as when She fills her waning horns ; And how ( like men Raisd to high Places ) Exhalations fall That would be thought Starres ; I le retire from all The hot glades of Ambition ; Companie , That ( with their vainenesse ) make this vanitie ; And coole to death , in shaddowes of this vale : To which end , I will cast this Serpents skale ; This loade of life , in life ; this fleshie stone ; This bond , and bundle of corruption ; This breathing Sepulcher ; this spundge of griefe ; This smiling Enemie ; this household-thiefe ; This glasse of ayre ; broken with lesse then breath ; This Slaue , bound face to face , to death , till death ; And consecrate my life , to you , and yours : In which obiection ; if that Powre of Powers That hath reliev'd me thus farre ; with a hand Direct , and most immediate ; still will stand Betwixt me , and the Rapines of the Earth ; And giue my poore paines , but such gratious birth , As may sustaine me , in my desert Age , With some powre , to my will ; I still will wage Warre with that false Peace , that exileth you ; And ( in my prayd for freedome ) euer vow , Teares in these shades , for your teares ; till mine eyes Poure out my soule in better sacrifise . Peace . Nor doubt ( good friend ) but God , to whom I see Your friendlesse life conuerted ; still will be A rich supply for friends ; And still be you Sure Conuertite to him . This , this way rowe All to their Countrie . Thinke how hee hath shew'd You wayes , and by wayes ; what to bee pursew'd , And what auoyded . Still , in his hands be , If you desire to liue , or safe , or free . No longer dayes take ; Nature doth exact This resolution of thee , and this fact : The Foe hayles on thy head ; and in thy Face Insults , and trenches ; leaues thee , no worlds grace ; The walles , in which thou art besieged , shake . Haue done ; Resist no more : but if you take Firme notice of our speech , and , what you see ; And will adde paines to write all ; let it be Divulged too . Perhappes , of all , some one May finde some good : But might it touch vpon Your gratious Princes liking ; hee might doe Good to himselfe , and all his kingdomes too : So virtuous , a great Example is ; And that , hath thankt , as small a thing as this ; Here being stuffe , and forme , for all true Peace ; And so , of all mens perfect Happinesse . To which , if hee shall lend his Princely eare , And giue commandement ( from your selfe ) to heare My state ; tell him you know me ; and that I , That am the Crowne of Principalitie , ( Though thus cast off by Princes ) euer vow Attendance at his foote ; till I may growe Vp to his bosome ; which ( being deaw'd in time With these my Teares ) may to my comforts clyme : Which ( when all Pleasures , into Palseys turne , And Sunne-like Pomp ; in his own clowds shal mourne ) Will be acceptiue . Meane space I will pray , That hee may turne , some toward thought this way ; While the round whirlewindes , of the earths delights Dust betwixt him and me ; and blinde the sights Of all men rauisht with them ; whose encrease ( You well may tell him ) fashions not true Peace . The Peace that they informe ; learns but to squat , While the slye legall foe ( that leuels at Warre , through those false lights ) soudainly runs by Betwixt you , and your strength ; and while you lye , Couching your eares ; and flatting euerie lymme So close to earth , that you would seeme to him The Earth it selfe : yet hee knowes who you are ; And , in that vantage , poures on , ready warre . Conclusio . THus , by the way , to humane Loues interring , These marginall , and secret teares referring To my disposure ( hauing all this howre Of our vnwordly conference , giuen powre To her late-fainting issue , to arise ) She raisde her selfe , and them ; The Progenies Of that so ciuile Desert , rising all ; Who fell with her ; and to the Funerall ( She bearing still the Coffine ) all went on . And , now giues Time , her states description . Before her flew Affliction , girt in storms , Gasht all with gushing wounds ; and all the formes Of bane , and miserie , frowning in her face ; Whom Tyrannie , and Iniustice , had in Chace ; Grimme Persecution , Pouertie , and Shame ; Detraction , Enuie , foule Mishap and lame ; Scruple of Conscience ; Feare , Deceipt , Despaire ; Slaunder , and Clamor , that rent all the Ayre ; Hate , Warre ▪ and Massacre ; vncrowned Toyle ; And Sickenes ( t'all the ●est , the Base , and Foile ) Crept after ; and his deadly weight , trode downe Wealth , Beautie , and the glorie of a Crowne . These vsherd her farre of ; as figures giuen , To showe , these Crosses borne , make peace with heauen ▪ But now ( made free from them ) next her , before ; Peacefull , and young , Herculean silence bore His craggie Club ; which vp , aloft , hee hild ; With which , and his forefingers charme hee stild All sounds in ayre ; and left so free , mine eares , That I might heare , the musique of the Spheres , And all the Angels , singing , out of heauen ; Whose tunes were solemne ( as to Passion giuen ) For now , that Iustice was the Happinesse there For all the wrongs to Right , inflicted here . Such was the Passion that Peace now put on ; And on , all went ; when soudainely was gone All light of heauen before vs ; from a wood Whose sight , fore-seene ( now lost ) amaz'd wee stood , The Sunne still gracing vs ; when now ( the Ayre Inflam'd with Meteors ) we discouerd , fayre , The skipping Gote ; the Horses flaming Mane ; Bearded , and trained Comets ; Starres in wane ; The burning sword ; the Firebrand , flying Snake ; The Lance ; the Torch ; the Licking fire ; the Drake : And all else Metors , that did ill abode ; The thunder chid ; the lightning leapt abrode ; And yet , when Peace came in , all heauen was cleare ; And then , did all the horrid wood appeare ; Where mortall dangers , more then leaues did growe ; In which wee could not , one free steppe bestowe ; For treading on some murtherd Passenger , Who thither , was by witchcraft , forc't to erre . Whose face , the bird hid , that loues Humans best ; That hath the bugle eyes , and Rosie Breast ; And is the yellow Autumns Nightingall ; Peace made vs enter here secure of all ; Where , in a Caue , that through a Rocke did eate The monster , Murther , held his impious Seat : A heape of panting Harts , supported him ; On which , he sate , gnawing a reeking lymme , Of some man newly murtherd . As he eate His graue-digg'd Browes , like stormy Eaues did sweat , Which , like incensed Fennes , with mists did smoke ; His hyde was rugged , as an aged Oke With heathie Leprosies ; that still hee sed With hote raw lyms , of men late murthered . His Face was like a Meteo● flashing blood ; His head all bristl'd , like a thornie wood ; His necke cast wrinkles , like a Sea enrag'd ; And , in his vast Armes , was the world engag'd , Bathing his hands in euerie cruell deed ; Whose Palmes were hell-deepe lakes of boyling lead ; His thighes were mines of poyson , torment , griefe ; In which digg'd Fraude , and Trecherie , for reliefe ; Religions Botcher , Policie ; and Pride ; Oppression , Slauerie , Flatterie glorified ; Atheisme , and Tyranny , and gaine vniust ; Franticke Ambition , Enuie , shagge-heard Lust ; Both sorts of Ignorance ; and Knowledge swell'd ; And ouer these , the ould wolfe Auarice held A goulden Scourge , that dropt , with blood and vapor ; With which , he whipt them to their endlesse labor . From vnder heapes , cast from his fruitfull thyes , ( As ground , to all their damn'd Impieties ) The mourneful Goddesse , drew dead Humane Loue ▪ Nor could they let her entrie , though they stroue ; And furnac't on her , all their venemous breath ; ( For ; though all outrage breakes the Peace of death ) She Coffind him ; and forth to Funerall All helpt to beare him : But to sound it all , My Trumpet fayles ; and all my forces shrinke . Who can enact to life , what kils to thinke ? Nor can the Soules beames beat , through blood & flesh , Formes of such woe , and height , as now , afresh , Flow'd from these Obiects : to see Poesie Prepar'd to doe the speciall obsequie , And sing the Funerall Oration ; How it did showe , to see her tread vpon The breast of Death ; and on a Furie leane ; How , to her Fist , ( as rites of seruice then ) A Cast of Rauens flew ; On her shoulders , how The Foules , that to the Muses Queene we vow , ( The Owle , and Heronshawe ) ●a●e how , for her hayre , A haplesse Comet , hurld about the Ayre Her curled Beames : whence sparkes , like falling starres , Vanisht about her ; and with windes aduerse , Were still blowne back ; To which the Phoenix flew ; And ( burning on her head ) would not renew : How her diuine Oration did moue , For th' vnredeemed losse of humane Loue ; Obiect mans future state to reasons eye ; The soules infusion ; Immortalitie ; And proue her formes firme , that are here imprest ; How her admirde straines , wrought on euery Beast ; And made the woods cast their Immanitie , Vp to the Ayre ; that did to Citties flye In Fewell for them : and , in Clowds of smoke , Euer hang ouer them ; cannot be spoke ; Nor how to Humane loue ( to Earth now giuen ) A lightening stoop't , and rauisht him to heauen , And with him Peace , with all her heauenly seede : Whose outward Rapture , made me inward bleed ; Nor can I therefore , my Intention keepe ; Since Teares want words , & words want teares to weepe . Corollarium ad Principem . THus shooke I this abortiue from my Braine ; Which , with it , laie in this vnworthy paine : Yet since your HOMER had his worthy hand In vent'ring this delaie of your Command , To end his Iliades ; deigne ( Great Prince of men ) To holde before it your great Shielde ; and then It may , doe seruice , worthy this delaie , To your more worthy Pleasure ; and I maie Regather the sperst fragments of my spirits , And march with HOMER through his deathless merits , To your vndying graces . Nor did he Vanish with this slight vision ; but brought me Home to my Cabine ; and did all the waie Assure me of your Graces constant staie To his soules Being , wholly naturalliz'd And made your Highnesse subiect ; which he priz'd , Past all his honours helde in other Lands ; And that ( because a Princes maine state stands In his owne knowledge , and his powre within ) These works that had chiefe virtue to beginne Those informations ; you would holde most deare ; Since false Ioyes , haue their seasons to appeare Iust as they are ; but these delights were euer Perfect and needefull , and would irke you neuer . I praying for this happie worke of heauen In your sweete disposition ; the calme Euen Tooke me to rest ; and he with wings of Fire , To soft Ayres supreame Region did aspire . By the euer most humbly and truly dedicated to your most Princely graces . GEO. CHAPMAN . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A18411-e120 * Knowledge of our selues . A18414 ---- A iustification of a strange action of Nero; in burying with a solemne funerall, one of the cast hayres of his mistresse Poppæa. Also a iust reproofe of a Romane smell-feast, being the fifth satyre of Iuuenall. Translated by George Chapman Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1629 Approx. 33 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 17 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18414 STC 4979 ESTC S104934 99840664 99840664 5191 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18414) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 5191) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1342:09) A iustification of a strange action of Nero; in burying with a solemne funerall, one of the cast hayres of his mistresse Poppæa. Also a iust reproofe of a Romane smell-feast, being the fifth satyre of Iuuenall. Translated by George Chapman Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Juvenal. Satura 5. English. [8], 24 p. By Tho· Harper, Imprinted at London : M.DC.XXIX. [1629] The second part, in verse, is a translation of Juvenal's book 1, satire 5. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Nero, -- Emperor of Rome, 37-68 -- Early works to 1800. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Jennifer Kietzman Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Jennifer Kietzman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A Iustification OF A STRANGE ACTION OF NERO ; In burying with a solemne FVNERALL One of the cast HAYRES of his Mistresse POPPAEA . Also a iust reproofe of a Romane smell-Feast , being the fifth Satyre of IVVENALL . Translated by George Chapman . Imprinted at London by THO. HARPER . M.DC.XXIX . TO THE RIGHT VIRTVOVS AND WORthily honoured Gentleman RICHARD HVBERT , Esquire . SIR , Greate workes get little regard ; little and light are most affected with height : Omne levesursum ; grave deorsum , you know ; For which , and because Custome or Fashion , is another Nature , and that it is now the fashion to iustifie Strange Actions ; I ( vtterly against mine owne fashion ) followed the vulgar , and assaid what might bee said , for iustification of a Strange Action of Nero ; in burying with a solemne Funerall one of the cast hayres of his Mistresse Poppea . And not to make little labours altogether vnworthy the sight of the great ; I say with the great defender of little labours , In tenui labor est , at tenuis non gloria . Howsoeuer ; As Seamen seeing the aproches of Whales cast out empty vessells , to serue their harmeful pleasures , and diuert them from euerting their maine aduenture ; ( for in the vast and immane power of any thing , no thing is distinguisht ; great and precious things , basest and vilest serue alike their wild and vnwildy swinges ) so my selfe hauing yet once more some worthier worke then this Oration , and following Translation , to passe this sea of the land ; expose to the land and vulgar Leuiathan , these slight aduentures . The rather , because the Translation containing in two or three instances , a preparation to the iustification of my ensuing intended Translations , lest some should account them , as they haue my former conuersions in some places ; licenses , bold ones , and utterly redundant . Though your iudiciall selfe ( as I haue heard ) hath taken those liberall redundances , rather as the necessary ouerflowings of Nilus ; then rude or harmefull torrents swolne with head-strong showers . To whose iudgement and merit , submits these and all his other seruices , GEORGE CHAPMAN . To the Reader . BEcause in most opinions of translation , a most asinine error hath gotten eare and head , that men must attempt it as a mastery in rendring any originall into other language , to doe it in as few words , and the like order ; I thought it not amisse in this pore portion of translation ; to pick out ( like the rotten out of Apples if you please so to repute it ) apoore instance or two that endeauour to demonstrate a right in the contrary . And the rather I take this course ocularily to present you with example of what I esteeme fit to saue the liberty and dialect of mine owne language ; because there are many valetudinaries , that neuer know the goodnesse of their stomacke till they see meat afore them . Where therefore the most worthy Satyrist , describes the differences of pages that attend the Lord and the guest at the table , and expresses the disdaine of the Lords page to attend his guest ; he speakes for his pride thus ; — sed forma sed aetas digna supercilio — Which I take out with this bold one : And to say truth , his forme and prime beside May well alow him some few grains of pride . To speake truth , is too much , you say ; I confesse it , in policy ; but not in free and honest poesie . In the other , the words are vtterly altered ; it should be so , to avoid verball seruitude . But the sense , I might wish my betters could render no worse . It followes : where hee sets downe the difference betwixt the Lords bread and the guests ; where he hath plaid vpon the coursenesse and mustinesse of the guests pantry ; he differences his Lords thus ; Sed tener & niveus , mollique siligine factus , Servatur domino . Which I thus ; But for his bread , the pride of appetite , Tenderly soft , incomparably white , The first flowre of fine meale subdu'd in paste That 's a peculiar for my Lords owne taste . O this you will say is a bold one ; which I am too bashfull to answere otherwise then thus , that here the purest bread affects a full description ; which I amplifying no more then is needfull for the full facture of it ; if I be ouerflowing , my Author is arid ; but who would not greedily here haue falne vpon snowy ? it lying so faire for him , put soft faithfully in his proper place , and would euer haue dreamed of subdu'd in paste ? because it was not put in his mouth . And I hope it will seem no ouer-broad bold one , to enter where the purest bread out of industry , should make his expected apparance . A number more out of this of no number , I could instance , that would trouble men made of greatest number to imitate . But all mastery hath his end , to get great men to commend . It is the outward not the inward vertue that preuailes . The candlestick more then the candle , is the learning with which blind fortune useth to preferre her fauorites . And who but the spawnes of candlesticks ( men of most lucubration for name ) winne the day from such Dormise as wake sleeping ; and rest onely in those vnprofitable and abhord knowledges , that no man either praises or acknowledges . Me dulcis saturet q●ies . Leni pefruar ocio . Ignotus omnibus . Cognitus egomet mihi . Quite opposite to your admir'de and knowne learned man : Qui notus nimis omnibus , Ignotus moritur sibi . And so shall know nothing either in life or death when euery truly-learned mans knowledge especially begins . Your seruant . THE FVNERALL ORATION made at the buriall of one of POPPAEAS hayres . THis solemne Pageant graced with so glorious a Presence as your Highnesse selfe , and others , as you see , that mourne in their gowns and laugh in their sleeues ; may perhaps breed a wonder in those that know not the cause , and laughter in those that know it . To see the mighty Emperor of Rome march in a mourning habit , and after him all the state of the Empire either present or presented ; The Peeres in person though with drie eyes , yet God knowes their hearts ; Others in their Rankes ; One representing the state of a Courtier ( as I iudge by his legge ; ) another of a Citizen ( as I iudge by his head ; ) another of a Souldier , ( as I iudge by his looke ; ) another the state Poeticall ( as I iudge by his clothes ; ) for the state Physicall , it hath no place heere ; for who euer saw a Physitian follow a Funerall ? To see , I say , all this Assemblie masking in this Funerall pomp ; could hee that saw it imagine any lesse Funerall subiect would follow , then the Herse of your deare Mother Agrippina ? or your beloued wife Octauia ? or else of her whom you preferre to them both , your diuine Poppaea ? At least who would imagine , that a poore hayre broken loose from his fellowes ; or shaken off , like a windfall from the golden tree before his time ; should haue the honour of this Imperiall solemnitie : And bee able to glory like the flie in the Cart ; good heauen what a troope of fooles haue I gathered together ? It is fatall to all honourable actions to fall vnder the scourge of detracting tongues , and for the most part to bee condemn'd before they come to triall . In regard whereof , I will borrow so much of your patience , as that I may in a word or two examine the whole ground of this spectacle : Not doubting but that I shall make it appeare to all vpright eares , that it is an action most worthy your wisedome ( my gracious Soveraigne ) and that this silly , this base , this contemptible hayre on this Herse supported , receiues no thought of honour , but what it well deserueth . Etiam capillus unus habet umbram suam , was the saying of your master Seneca ; and may not your Highnesse goe one step further , and say , Etiam capillus unus habet urnam suam ? To enter into the common place of womens hayre , I list not ; though it would afford scope enough for my pen to play in ; that Theame hath beene already canvast , and worne halfe threed-bare by Poets and their fellowes . My meaning is not to exceede the compasse of this hayre , which we haue here in hand . This sacred beame falne from that sunne of beauty Poppaea ; whose very name is able to giue it honour , though otherwise base . And albeit hayre were of it selfe the most abiect excrement that were , yet should Poppaeas hayre be reputed honourable . I am not ignorant that hayre is noted by many as an excrement , a fleeting commodity , subiect to spring , and fall ; & he whose whole head last day was not worth one hayre , it shall bee in as good estate the next day as it was euer before : And such as last yeare had as faire a crop of haire as euer fruitfull head afforded ; if there come but a hot summer ; it shall bee so smooth that a man may slur a Dye on 't . An excrement , it is , I deny not ; and yet are not all excrements to be vilified as things of no value : for Maske , Ciuet , Amber , are they not all excrements ? yet what more pleasing to the daintiest sense wee haue ? Nature giues many things with the left hand , which Art receiues with the right : Sublimate and other drugges are by nature poyson : yet Art turnes them to wholsome medicines ; so hayre though by nature giuen vs as an excrement , yet by Art it is made our capitall ornament . For whereas the head is accounted the chiefe member of the body , hayre is giuen vs as the chiefe ornament of the head ; I meane of womens heads ; for men haue other ornaments belonging to their heads , as shall hereafter appeare more largely . And howsoeuer hayre fals within the name of excrement ; yet it is euermore the argument of a rancke or rich soyle where it growes , and of a barren where it failes ; for I dare bouldly pronounce in despight of all paltry prouerbs , that a mans wit is euer rankest , when his hayre is at the fullest . I say not his wit is best , but ranckest ; for I am not ignorant , that the ranckest flesh is not alwayes the soundest , as the ranckest breath is not alwaies the sweetest . And thus much more I will adde for the generall commendation of hayre , that nature in no part hath exprest such curious and subtill skill as in this ( as wee terme it ) excrement ; for what more excellent point of Art can there be , then to indurate and harden a thinne vapor into a dry and solid substance ? And this whole bush of hayre , hath both his being and his nour●shment from those sweet vapors , which breathe and steame from the quintessence of the braine , through those subtill pores of the head in which they are fashioned and spunne by natures finger into so slender and delicate a thred ; as if she intended to doe like the painter that came to see Apelles , drew that subtill lyne for a masterpeece of his workmanship . And besides the highest place giuen to the hayre , and singularity of workmanship exprest in it , Nature hath endowed it with this speciall priuiledge , and left therein so great an impression of her selfe , as it is the most certaine marke by which we may ayme at the complexion and condition of euery man ; as red hayre on a man is a signe of trechery , what t is in a woman , let the sweet musique of rime inspire vs ; a soft hayre chicken-hearted ; a harsh hayre churlish natur'd ; a flaxen hayre foolish brain'd ; what a black-hayr'd man is aske the prouerbe ; if ye beleeue not that , aske your wiues ; if they will not tell you , looke in your glasses , and ye shall see it written on your foreheads . So that nature hauing honoured hayre with so great a priuiledge of her fauour , why should wee not thinke it worthy all honour in it selfe without any addition of other circumstance . And if Nature hath grac't the whole Garland with this honour , may not euery flower challenge his part ? If any hayre , then this hayre ( the argument of our present mourning ) more then any : But wee must not thinke ( Princes and Senators ) that the vndanted heart of our Emperor , which neuer was knowne to shrinke at the butchering of his owne mother Agrippina ; and could without any touch of remorse , heare ( if not behold ) the murther of his most deare wife Octavia after her diuorce ; wee must not thinke ( I say ) this Adamantine heart of his could resolue into softnesse , for the losse of a common or ordinary hayre . But this was ( alas why is it not ) a hayre of such rare and matchlesse perfection , whether yee take it by the colour or by the substance , as it is impossible for nature in her whole shop to patterne it : So subtill and slender as it can scarce be seene , much lesse felt ; and yet so strong as it is able to binde Hercules hand and foot ; and make it another of his labors to extricate himselfe . In a word it is such a flowre as growes in no garden but Poppaeas ; borne to the wonder of men , the enuie of women , the glory of the Gods , &c. A hayre of such matchlesse perfection , that if any where it should be found by chance , the most ignorant would esteeme it of infinite value , as certaynely some hayres haue beene . The purple hayre of Nisus , whereon his kingdome and life depended , may serue for an instance . And how many yong gallants doe I know my selfe , euery hayre of whose chin , is worth a thousand crowns ; and others ( but simple fornicators ) that haue neuer a hayre on their crownes , but is worth a Kings ransome ? At how much higher rate then shall we value this hayre , which if it were not Poppaeas , yet being such as it is , it deseru'd high estimation ; but being Poppaeas ( if it were not such ) it can bee worth no lesse . When therefore a hayre of this excellence is fallen like an Apple from the golden Tree , can the losse bee light ? And can such losse doe lesse then beget a iust and vnfayned griefe , not proceeding from humour in our Emperour ▪ nor flattery in vs , but out of true iudgement in vs all ? Albeit I must adde this for the qualifying of your griefe ( most sacred Emperour ) that this diuine hayre is not vtterly lost ; It is but sent as a Harbenger before , the rest must follow it : And in the meane time this remaines in blessed estate ; it is at rest ; it is free from the trouble and incombrance which her miserable fellowes that suruiue are dayly enforc't to endure . The cruell combe shall no more fasten his teeth vpon it ; it shall no more bee tortured with curling bodkins , tied vp each night in knots , wearied with tyres , and by all meanes barr'd of that naturall freedome in which it was borne : And , which is a torment aboue torments , subiect to the fearefull tincture of Age , and to change his amber hew into a witherd and mortified gray . From all this feare and trouble this happie hayre is freed ; it rests quietly in his Vrne , straight to bee consecrated as a relique vpon this altar of Venus , there to bee kept as her treasure , till it hath fetcht to it a fayre number more ; and then to be employed by Venus , eyther as a bracelet for her paramour Mars , or else ( which I rather beleeue ) for a Periwig for her selfe ; all his fellowes and his Mistresse , hauing from it taken the infection of the falling sicknesse . Dixi. D. IVNII IVVENALIS LIB . 1. SAT. 5. To Trebius . Labouring to bring him in dislike of his continued course of frequenting the Table of VIRRO , a great Lord of Rome . IF of thy purpose yet , thou tak'st no shame , But keep'st thy minde ( immutably ) the same , That thou esteem'st it as a good in chiefe At others Trenchers to relieue thy life : If those things thou can'st find a backe to beare , That not Sarmentus , nor vile Galba were So base to put in patience of a guest , No , not for Caesars far-exceeding feast : Feare will affect me to bleeue thy troth In any witnesse , though produc'd by oath . For nothing in my knowledge fals , that is More frugall then the belly : but say this That not enough food all thy meanes can find , To keepe thy gut from emptinesse and wind Is no Creeke void ? no Bridge ? no peece of shed Halfe , or not halfe ? Would thy not being fed At Virro's Table be so foule a shame ? Does hunger blow in thee so false a flame ? As not to tast it nobler in as poore And vile a place as hath beene nam'd before ? To quake for cold , and gnaw the mustiest grounds Of Barly-griest ( bak'd purposely for hounds ) First , take it for a Rule , that if my Lord Shall once be pleas'd to grace thee with his bord , The whole reuenewes that thy hopes inherit Rising from seruices of ancient merit , In this requitall amply paid will prooue . O 't is the fruit of a transcendent loue , To giue one victuals ; That , thy Table-King Layes in thy dish , though nere so thinne a thing , Yet that reproch , still in thine eares shall ring . If therefore after two moneths due neglect He deignes his poore dependant to respect , And lest the third bench faile to fill the ranck , He shall take thee vp to supply the blanck . Let 's sit together Trebius ( saies my Lord ) See all thy wishes sum'd-vp in a word . What canst thou aske at Ioues hand after this ? This grace to Trebius , enough ample is ; To make him start from sleepe before the Larke , Poasting abroad vntrus'd , and in the darke Perplex'd with feare , lest all the seruile-rout Of his saluters , haue the round run-out Before he come ; whiles yet the fixed Starre Shewes his ambiguous head ; and heauens cold Car The slow Bootes wheeles about the Beare . And yet for all this , what may be the cheare ? To such vile wine , thy throat is made the sinck As greasie woll , would not endure to drink , And we must shortly looke to see our guest Transform'd into a Berecynthian-Priest . Words make the Prologue to prepare the fray , And in the next Scene , Pots are taught to play The parts of weapons : Thy red Napkin now Descends to tell thee of thy broken-Brow : And such euents doe euermore ensue When you poore Guests , and Virro's seruing crue Grow to the heat of such vnciuill Warrs , The vile Wine made the Bellowes to your Iarrs . For Virro's-selfe , the wine he drinks was borne When Consuls ( Phaebus-like ) appear'd vnshorn , A Grape that long since in the wars was prest By our confederate - Marsians , and the rest Of which , no drop his longing-frend can git Tho●gh blowne in fume vp with a Cardiack fit . Next day he likes to taste another field , The Albane hills , or els the Setine yeeld Whose race and rich succession if you aske , Age hath decayd , and sicknesse of the caske , Such Thrasea & Heluidius quaft , stil crownd When Brutus birth , and Cassius they renownd . Virro himselfe in solemn Bowles is seru'd Of Amber , and disparent Beryl keru'd ; But to thy trust , no such Cup they commit , Or if they doe , a Spie is fix'd to it To tell the stones ; whose firme eye neuer fayles To watch the close walks of thy vulturous nails , Giue leaue ( saies Virro ) and then takes the Cup , The famous Iasper in it lifting-vp Inglorious prayses : for 't is now the guize Of him and others to transferre such prize Off from his fingers to his Bowl 's ; that were Wont to grace swords : & our yong Troian Peere That made Iarbus iealous ( since in loue Prefer'd past him by Dido ) vs'd t' improue By setting them in fore-front of his sheath ; But thy Bowle stands an infinite beneath And beares the Beneuentane-Coblers name , Whose Gallon drunke-off , must thy bloud enflame And is so craz'd , That they would let it passe To them that Matches giue , for broken Glasse ; Now , if by fumes of wine , or fiery-meat His Lordships stomacke ouer-boyle with heat , Ther 's a cold liquor broght that 's made t'outvie The chill impressions of the North-East-skie . I formerly affirm'd , that you and he Were seru'd with wines of a distinct degree , But now remember it belongs to you To keepe your distance in your water too . And ( in his Pages place ) thy Cups are brought By a swarth foot man , from Getulia bought , Or some steru'd Negro , whose affrightfull sight Thou wouldst abhorre to meet in dead of night Passing the monuments of Latia , In his eye waites the flowre of Asia , A Iewell purchas'd at a higher rate Then Martiall Ancus , or King Tullus State. ( Not to stand long ) Then all the idle things That grac'd the Courts of all our Roman Kings If then thy Bowle his Nectars store shall neede Addresse thee to his Indian Ganymed . Thinke not his page , worth such a world , can skill Or does not scorne , for thred bare Coates to fill , And ( to say truth ) his forme and prime beside , May well allow him some few Graines of pride . But when does he , to what thou want'st descend ? Or thy entreaties , not contemnet ' attend ? Supply of water craving , hot or cold : No , he ( I tell you ) in high scorne doth hold To stirre at euery stale dependants call ; Or that thou call'st for any thing at all , Or sit'st where his forc'd-Stand , his pride depraues ; Houses of State abound with stately slaues . And see , another's proud disdaines resist His hand to set thee bread : And yet what is 't But hoary cantles of vnbowlted grist ? That would a iaw-tooth rowze ; and not admit ( Though nere so base ) thy baser throat a bit : But for his bread , the pride of appetite , Tenderly soft , incomparably white ; The first flowre of fine meale , subdu'd in paste , That 's a peculiar for my Lords owne taste ; See then thou keep'st thy fingers from offence , And giue the Pantler his due reuerence : Or say thou should'st be ( malepertly ) bold , Seest thou not slaues enough , to force thy hold From thy attempted prize , with taunts like these , Hands off , forward companion , will you please With your familiar Crible to be fed , And vnderstand the colour of your bread ? Then grumbles thy disgrace : and is it this For which so oft I haue forborne the blisse Of my faire wife , to poast with earliest speed Vp to Mount Esculine , where agues breede ? When my repaire did vernall Iove prouoke , To driue his wether through my winter cloake And in his bitter'st hailes , his murmurs broake ? But let vs to our Cates , our course addresse Obserue that Lobster seru'd to Virro's messe , How with the length of his extended limbes He does surcharge the Charger : how the brims With lust-full Sperage are all ouer-stor'd ? with what a taile , he ouer-tops the bord ? In seruice first borne-vp betwixt the hands Of that vast Yeoman ; But , for thee , there stands A puny-Cray-fish , pent in halfe a shell , The dish not feast enough for one in Hell. The fish he tastes , swimmes in an oyle that grew In Campany , and drank Venafrian Dew . But , for the Worts ( poore snake ) presented thee , Whose pale aspect , shewes their infirmity ; They drinke an oyle , much of the Curriers stamp , Exquisite stuffe , that sauours of the lamp . For know , that for your Bord , is billeted An Oyle that from the Lybian Cane is shed The burthen of a sharpe Numidian Prow ; An Oyle , for whose strength Romans disauow To Bathe with Boccharis : an Oyle whose smell 'Gainst Serpents , doth an Amulet excell . Next , for my Lord , a Mullet see seru'd-in , Sent from the Corsicke shore ; or of a fin Bred in Sicilia's Taurominian-Rockes , All our Seas being exhausted : all our Flockes Spent and destroy'd , while our luxurious diet Makes hauocke , and our Kitchins neuer quiet Still with vnwearied nets , that no truce keepe Ransacke the entrayles of th'adioyning deepe ; Nor respite our Etrurian Frie to grow , And now our markets , their chief purueiance owe To some remote , and ditionary coast ; Thence come the Dainties , that our Kitchins boast . Such as to buie , the vulture Lenas deignes : Such as to sell , Aurelia enterteines . In messe with that , behold for Virro lies A Lamprey of an exemplary Size , That for dimension beares the price from all Which Gulphes Sicilian sent his Festiuall , For while the South conteynes himselfe ; while he Lies close , and dries his feathers in his Lee , Our greedy Pursenets for their gaine despise The danger that in mid Charibdis lies . Now , for his Lamprey , thou art glad to take An Eele , neere cozen to a hideous Snake , Or els a freckled - Tiberine , bit with frost , And he , the poorest slaue of all the coast ; Fed with the torrent of the common Sewer , And swims the towne-ditch , ( where 't is most impure . Here would I on himself a word haue spent , So he inclind an eare beneuolent : Nor doe we such beneuolences craue , As Seneca his meane acquaintance gaue ; Such as good Piso ; such as Cotta made To deale for Largesse ; a familiar Trade ; For times haue beene , that in the worlds account , The title of munificent did mount Aboue triumphant , or imperiall Baies : But our desire , in this due limit staies , That you will make , when you entreat a guest , Ciuill respect the Steward of your Feast : Doe this and be ( as many Lords are more ) Rich to your-selfe , and to your followers , poore . Before him see a huge Goose-liuer set , A Capon cramb'd , euen with that Goose ; for great A whole wild Boare , hid in his smoaking heat That gold-lock't Meleagers dart deseru'd , And after all this , Virro's-selfe is seru'd With pure-dress'd Mushroms : be the spring then freed , And wished thunders , make his meales exceed . And then the Gully-gut ( Aledius ) cryes O Lybia , keepe with thee thy Wheates and Ries , And ease thy Oxen , sending these supplies . And that no indignation want to thee ; ( As bound t' obserue ) the Caruer thou must see Dancing about his businesse : and he That teaches him the Lawes , to the true life Of caruing comely ; with his flying knife Touching at euery ioynt he carues , before He dares th' attempt ; till not a gesture more In all his dictates can deserue offence , Nor must your note faile , how huge difference There is 'twixt the vnlacing of your hare , And Hens dissection : 'gainst which , if you dare But whisper , like a three-nam'd Noble man , Like Cacus , struck by hands-Herculean , Thou shalt bee , by the heeles , drag'd forth the place : But when doth Virro then vouchsafe the grace To drinke to thee ? Or touch the Cup that thou hast , with thy lippes prophan'd ? Or which of you So desperate is ? so lost ? to bid the King Drinke to me Sir ? No : there is many a thing , That thred-bare coates dare not for feare bring forth , But if some god , or god-like man ; or worth Better then Fate , would Wealth bestow on thee , Fit to maintaime a Knight of Romes degree , How huge a peece of man should'st thou ascend Rais'd out of nothing ? how much Virro's friend ? Giue Trebius ; Set to Trebius ; Brother ( now ) Please you these puddings taste ? O moneys , you He giues this honour : you , these Brother are , Yet notwithstanding , if thou please to share His Lordship with him ; or become his King You must to Court no young Aeneas bring Nor daughter ( though his daintier ) to be Play-pheeres with Virro's daintiest progenie , But Childlesse be : a pleasing and deare friend A barren wife makes : but suppose she lend Thy lappe much issue ( euen at one birth three ) So thou be Rich , Virro will ioine with thee , In ioy of that thy prating progenie ; And euer when the Infant Parasite Comes to the Table , asking his delight , Virro commands it , all his appetite To all his cheap-priz'd friends , they serue the bord With dangerous Toad-stooles : Mushroms for my Lord , But such as Claudius pleas'd to tast , before His wif 's guift came , that made him tast no more . Virro commands for him , and all the rest Of the Virronian rancke , fruit of such Feast As thou shalt onely in their odour eat ; Such as Phaeacia's endlssse autumnes sweat ; Or thou wouldst thinke got from the golden trees That grew in guard of the Atlantides , Where thou eat'st spaky fruit , of that sowre sort That fresh-traind-souldiers feed on in their fort , Bestow'd on them in practise of their Art At a stuft goat-skin , to bestow a dart , Fearing for their default , the scourges smart . Perhaps , for sauing cost , thou maist conceiue That Virro feeds thee so ▪ No ▪ 't is to greeue Thy greedy liquorous appetite , because There is no Comedy of more applause , Nor any excellentest Zany can , More then a weeping-gut , delight a man : All is then done : ( if we must teach thine eares ) To make thee purge thy choler by thy teares , And liue still gnashing of thy great-eye-teeth , Thou think'st , he thinks thee free ; & not beneath Guests for his loue and Grace : but he knowes well Thee onely taken with his kitchins-smell : Nor thinks amisse : For who , so naked liues , That twice , on his entreates , attendance giues ? Vaine hope of supping-well , deceiues you all : But see ( say you ) that halfe-eat hare will fall In his guift , to our shares : Or of that bore Some little fragments , that his Hanches wore : Or sure that Cap'net ; when , for all prepar'd ; ( Your musty bread par'd cleane ) and no bit shar'd Of all those meats of marke , and long'd-for dishes Your vaine hopes vanish , and y' are mute as fishes . He 's wise that serues thee so : for if thou can Beare all , thou shouldst : and he 's no vniust man That layes all on thee , euen to stoope thy head ▪ To the fooles Razor ; and be buffeted : 〈◊〉 if thou dost , nor let'st thy Forag● 〈◊〉 Besides to suffer Virro's whipping cheare , With all the sharpe Sauce , that he can extend , Thou' rt worthy such a feast , and such a friend . FINIS . A18420 ---- Pro Vere, autumni lachrymæ. Inscribed to the immortal memorie of the most pious and incomparable souldier, Sir Horatio Vere, Knight: besieged, and distrest in Mainhem. By Geo: Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1622 Approx. 9 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18420 STC 4988 ESTC S107715 99843411 99843411 8143 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18420) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8143) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1342:13) Pro Vere, autumni lachrymæ. Inscribed to the immortal memorie of the most pious and incomparable souldier, Sir Horatio Vere, Knight: besieged, and distrest in Mainhem. By Geo: Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [18] p. Printed by B. Alsop for Th. Walkley, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Eagle and Child in Britaines Burse, London : 1622. In verse. Signatures: A-B⁴ C² (-C2). Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Vere of Tilbury, Horace Vere, -- Baron, 1565-1635 -- Poetry. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion PRO VERE , AVTVMNI LACHRYMAE . INSCRIBED TO THE IMMORTAL Memorie of the most Pious and Incomparable Souldier , Sir HORATIO VERE , Knight : Besieged , and distrest in MAINHEM . Pers : Sat : IV. — da verba & decipe neruos By GEO : CHAPMAN . LONDON , Printed by B. Alsop for Th. Walkley , and are to be sold at his shop at the Signe of the Eagle and Child in Britaines Burse . 1622. TO THE MOST WORTHILY HONORED and Iudicially-Noble Louer and Fautor of all Goodnesse and Vertue , ROBERT , Earle of SOMERSET , &c. ALL lest Good ; That but onely aymes at Great , I know ( best Earle ) may boldly make retreat To your Retreat , from this Worlds open Ill. Of Goodnesse therefore , The Prime part ( the Will ) Enflam'd my Pow'rs , to celebrate as farre As their force reacht , This Thunderbolt of Warre . His wisht Good , and the true Note of his Worth , ( Yet neuer , to his full Desert , set forth ) Being Root , and Top , to this his Plant of Fame . Which cannot furnish with an Anagram Of iust Offence , any Desire to wrest All the free Letters here ; by such a Test To any Blame : for equall Heauen auert , It should returne Reproach , to prayse Desert ; How haplesse , and peruerse , soeuer bee The Enuies , and Infortunes following Mee : Whose true , and simple-onely-ayme at Merit , Makes your acceptiue , and still-bettering Spirit My Wane view , as at Full still ; and sustaine A Life , that other subtler Lords disdaine : Being Suttlers more , to Braggart-written Men , ( Though still deceiu'd ) then any truest Pen. Yet Hee 's as wise , that to Impostors giues , As Children , that hang Counters on their sleeues : Or ( to pare all his Wisedome to the Quick ) That , for th' Elixar , hugges the Dust of Brick . Goe then your owne Way still ; and God with you Will goe , till his state all your steppes auow . The World still in such impious Error strayes , That all wayes fearefull are , but Pious wayes . Your best Lordships euer most worthily bounden , GEO : CHAPMAN . PRO VERE , AVTVMNI LACHRYMAE . ALL my yeeres comforts , fall in Showres of Teares , That this full Spring of Man , This VERE of VERES , Famine should barre my Fruites , whose Bountie breedes them , The faithlesse World loue to deuoure who feedes them . Now can th'Exempt I le from the World , no more ( With all her arm'd Fires ) such a Spring restore . The dull Earth thinkes not This ; Though should I summe The Master-Martiall Spirits of Christendome , In his few Nerues ; My Summe ( t'a thought ) were true . But who liues now , that giues true Worth his due ? 'T is so diuine a Sparke , and loues to liue So close in Men ; that hardly it will giue The Owner notice of his Pow'r or Being . Nought glories to be seene , that 's worth the seeing . God , and all good Spirits , shunne all Earthy sight , And all true Worth , abhorres the guilty Light , Infus'de to few , to make it choice and deare , And yet how cheape the Chiefe of all is VERE ? As if his want , wee could with Ease supply . When should from Heauen fall His Illustrious Eye , We might a Bon-Fire thinke would fill his Sphere , As well as any other , make vp VERE . Too much this : why ? All know , that some one Houre Hath sent a Soule downe , with richer Dowre . Then many Ages after , had the Graces , To Equall in the Reach of all their Races . As when the Sunne in his Aequator shines , Creating Gold , and precious Minerall Mines In some one Soyle of Earth , and chosen Veine ; When , not 'twixt Gades and Ganges ▪ Hee againe Will daine t' enrich so , any other Mould . Nor did great Heauens free Finger , ( That extold The Race of bright ELIZA'S blessed Raigne , Past all fore-Races , for all sorts of Men , Schollers , and Souldiers , Courtiers , Counsellors ) Of all Those , chuse but Three ( as Successors ) Eyther to other , in the Rule of Warre ; Whose Each , was All , his three-Forckt-Fire and Starre : Their last , This VERE ; being no lesse Circular In guard of our engag'd Ile ( were he here ) Then Neptunes Marble Rampier : But ( being There Circled with Danger ( Danger to vs All ; As Round , as Wrackfull , and Reciprocall . Must all our Hopes in Warre then ▪ Safeties All ; In Thee ( O VERE ) confound their Spring and Fall ? And thy Spirit ( Fetcht off , Not to be confinde In lesse Bounds , then the broad wings of the Winde ) In a Dutch Cytadell , dye pinn'd , and pin'de ? O England , Let not thy old constant Tye To Vertue , and thy English Valour lye Ballanc't ( like Fortunes faithlesse Leuitie ) Twixt two light wings : Nor leaue Eternall VERE In this vndue plight . But much rather beare Armes in his Rescue , And resemble her , Whom long time thou hast seru'd ( The PAPHIAN Queene ) When ( all asham'd of her still-giglet Spleene ) She cast away her Glasses , and her Fannes , And Habites of th' Effeminate Persians , Her Ceston , and her paintings ▪ and in grace Of great LYCVRGVS , tooke to her Embrace , Cask , Launce , and Shield , and swum the Spartan Flood ( EVROTAS ) to his ayde , to saue the blood Of so much Iustice , as in him had feare To wracke his Kingdome . Be ( I say ) like her , In what is chaste , and vertuous , as well As what is loose , and wanton ; and repell This Plague of Famine , from thy fullest Man : For , to thy Fame , 't will be a blasting Ban , To let him perish . Battailes haue beene lay'd In Ballance oft , with Kingdomes ; and hee weigh'd , With Victorie , in Battailes . Muster then ( Onely for him vp ) all thy Armed Men , And in thy well-rigg'd Nymphs Maritimall , Ship them , and plough vp all the Seas of Gall , Of all thy Enemies , in their Armed Prease ; And ( past Remission ) flye to his Release . 'T is done , as sure as counsail'd : For who can Resist God , in the Right of such a Man ? And , with such Men , to be his Instruments , As hee hath made to liue in Forts and Tents , And not in soft SARDANAPALIAN Sties Of Swinish Ease , and Goatish Veneries . And know ( Great Queene of Iles ) That Men that are In Heauens Endowments , so Diuinely rare , No Earthy Powre should too securely dare To hazard with Neglect , since as much 't is , As if the Worlds begetting Faculties Should suffer ruine ; with whose losse would lye The World it selfe , and all Posteritie . For worthy men the breeders are of Worth , And Heauens broode in them ( cast as Offall forth ) Will quite discourage Heauen to yeeld vs more : Worths onely want , makes all Earths plenty , poore . But thou hast now a kind and Pious King , That will not suffer his immortall Spring To die vntimely ; if in him it lye , To lend him Rescue : Nor will therefore I Let one Teare fall more from my Muses Eye , That else ha's vow'd to pine with him , and dye . But neuer was ( in best Times most Abuses ) A Peace so wretched , as to sterue the Muses . FINIS . A03505 ---- The crowne of all Homers workes Batrachomyomachia or the battaile of frogs and mise. His hymn's - and - epigrams translated according to ye. originall by George Chapman Battle of the frogs and mice. English. 1624 Approx. 222 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 103 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A03505 STC 13628 ESTC S119240 99854447 99854447 19869 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A03505) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 19869) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 667:8) The crowne of all Homers workes Batrachomyomachia or the battaile of frogs and mise. His hymn's - and - epigrams translated according to ye. originall by George Chapman Battle of the frogs and mice. English. Passe, Willem van de, 1598-ca. 1637, engraver. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Homer, attributed name. [12], 143, 148-179, [1], 201-207, [5] p. Printed by Iohn Bill, his Maiesties printer, London : [1624?] "Batrachomyomachia" was attributed in antiquity to Homer, but is probably of a much later date. The hymns and epigrams are not by Homer. In verse. The title page is engraved and signed "Will: Pass: fecit". Variant: title page in an earlier state, with "worckes". Publication date conjectured by STC. The first leaf is blank. With a two-leaf epilogue. Identified as STC 13628a on UMI microfilm. Reproduction of the original in the Folger Shakespeare Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-09 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-10 Olivia Bottum Sampled and proofread 2002-10 Olivia Bottum Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion the CROWNE of all HOMERS WORKES Batrachomyomachia Or the ( Battaile of Frogs and Mise . His Hymn's — and — Epigrams Translated according to ye. Originall By George Chapman . London , Printed by Iohn Bill , his MAIESTIES Printer . TO MY EVER MOST-WORTHIE-TO-BE-MOST HONOR'D LORD , THE EARLE OF SOMERSET , &c. NOt forc't by fortune ; but since your free minde ( Made by affliction ) rests in choice resign'd To calme Retreate ; laid quite beneath the winde Of Grace , and Glory : I well know , my Lord , You would not be entitl'd to a word That might a thought remoue from your Repose , To thunder and spit Flames , as Greatnesse does ; For all the Trumps , that still tell where he goes . Of which Trumps , Dedication being One , Me thinks I see you start to heare it blowne . But this is no such Trump as summons Lords , Gainst Enuies steele , to draw their leaden swords , Or gainst Hare-lipt Detraction , Contempt , All which , from all Resistance stand exempt , It being as hard to seuer Wrong from Merit , As meate-indude , from blood ; or blood from spirit . Nor in the spirits Chariot rides the soule In bodies chaste , with more diuine controule ; Nor virtue shines more in a louely Face ; Then true desert , is stuck off with Disgrace . And therefore truth it selfe that had to blesse The merit of it all , Almightinesse ; Would not protect it , from the Bane and Ban Of all Moodes most distraught , and Stygian ; As counting it the Crowne of all Desert , Borne to Heauen , to take of Earth , no part Of false Ioy here , for Ioyes-there-endlesse troth , Nor sell his Birthright for a messe of Broth. But stay and still sustaine , and his Blisse bring , Like to the hatching of the Black-thornes spring , With bitter frosts , and smarting haile-stormes forth ; Fates loue Bees labors ; onely Paine crownes Worth. This Dedication calls no Greatnes then , To patrone this Greatnes-creating Penn ; Nor you to add to your dead calme a breath ; For those arm'd Angells , that in spight of death Inspir'd those flowrs that wrought this poets wreath Shall keepe it euer , Poesies steepest Starr , As , in Earths flaming wals , Heauens seuenfold Carr , ( From all the windes of Neptunes watrie sphere ) For euer guards the Erymanthian Beare . Since then your Lordship , settles in your shade A life retir'd ; and no Retreate is made But to some strength ; ( for else , t is no Retreate , But rudely running from your Battailes heate ) I giue this , as your strength : your strength , my Lord , In Counsailes and Examples , that afford More Guard , then whole Hosts of corporeal powre , And more deliuerance , teach the fatall Howre . Turne not your medcine then , to your disease , By your too set , and sleight repulse of these , The Adiuncts of your matchlesse Odyss●s ; Since on that wisest minde of Man , relies Refuge from all Liues Infelicities . Nor sing these , such diuision from them ; But that these spinn the thred of the same streame , From one selfe Distaffs stuff : for Poesies Pen ( Through al theames ) is t' informe the liues of Men : All whose Retreates , neede strengths of all degrees ; Without which ; ( had you euen Herculean knees ; ) Your foes fresh Charges , would , at length preuaile , To leaue your Noblest suff'rance , no least saile . Strength then , the Obiect is of all Retreates ; Strength needes no friends trust ; strength , your foes defeates . Retire to strength then , of eternall things , And y' are eternall ; for our knowing Spring 's Flow into those things that we truely know ; Which ( being Eternall ) we are render'd so . And though your high-fixt Light passe infinite farr Th'aduicefull Guide , of my still-trembling Starr ; Yet heare what my dischardg'd Peece must foretell , Standing your Poore , and Perdue Sentinell . Kings may perhaps wish , euen your Beggars Voice To their Eternities ; how skorn'd a choice Soeuer , now it lies ; And ( dead I ) may Extend your life to lights extreamest Raie . If not ; your Homer yet , past doubt shall make , Immortall , like himselfe , your Bounties stake Put in my hands , to propagate your Fame , Such virtue reigns in such vnited Name . Retire to him then , for aduice , and skill To know , things call'd worst , Best ; and Best most ill . Which knowne ; truths best chuse ; and retire to still . And as our English Generall , ( whose Name Shall equall interest finde in T'House of Fame , With all Earths great'st Commanders ) in Retreate To Belgian Gant , stood all Spaines Armies heate , By Parma led ; though but one thousand strong : Three miles together thrusting through the throng Of Th'Enimies Horse , ( still pouring on their Fall Twixt him & home ) & thunderd through them al : The Gallick Monsiour standing on the wall , And wondring at his dreadfull Discipline ; Fir'd with a Valor , that spit spirit Diuine : In fiue Battaillons randging all his Men ; Bristl'd with Pikes , and flanck't with Flanckers ten ; Gaue fire still in his Rere , retir'd and wrought , Downe to his fixt strength still : retir'd and ●ought ; All the Battaillons of the Enemies Horse Storming vpon him still , their fieriest Force ; Charge vpon Charge laid fresh : he fresh as day Repulsing all ; and forcing glorious way Into the Gates ; that gaspt ( as swounes for Ayre ) And tooke their life in , with vntoucht Repaire : So fight out ( sweet Earle ) your Retreate in Peace ; No ope-warr equalls that , where priuie Prease Of neuer-numberd odds of Enimie Arm'd all by Enuie , in blinde Ambush lie , To rush out , like an open threatning skie , Broke al in Meteors round about your eares . Gainst which , ( though far frō hēce ) through al your Reres Haue fires prepar'd ; wisdome , with wisdome flanck , And all your forces randge in present ranck ; Retiring as you now fought in your strength , From all the Force laid , in times vtmost length , To charge , and basely , come on you behind . The Doctrine of all which , you here shall finde , And , in the true Glasse of a humane Minde . Your Odysses ; the Body letting see All his life past , through Infelicitie , And manage of it all . In which to friend , The full Muse brings you both the prime and end Of all Arts ambient in the Orbe of Man ; Which neuer darknesse most Cimmerian Can giue Eclipse ; since ( blinde ) He all things sawe And to all , euer since , liu'd Lord , and Lawe . And though our mere-learn'd mē ; & Modern wise Taste not poore Poesies Ingenuities , Being crusted with their couetous Leprosies ; But hold her paines , worse then the spiders worke , And lighter then the shadowe of a Corke ; Yet th' ancient learn'd ; heat with celestiall fire , Affirmes her flames so sacred and entire ; That , not without Gods greatest grace she can Fall in the wid'st Capacitie of Man. If yet , the vile Soule of this Verminous time ; Loue more the Sale-Muse ; and the Squirrels chime , Then this full sphere of Poesies sweetest Prime ; Giue them vnenuied , their vaine veine , and vent ; And rest your wings , in his approu'd ascent That yet was neuer reacht ; nor euer fell Into affections bought with things that sell Being the Sunns Flowre ; and wrapt so in his skie , He cannot yeeld to euery Candles eye . Whosemost worthy Discoueries , to your Lordships Iudiciall Perspectiue in most subdude Humilitie submitteth , George Chapman . The occasion of this Impos'd CROWNE . AFter this not onely Prince of Poets , but Philosophers , had written his two great Poems , of Iliads & Odysses ; which ( for their first Lights borne before all Learning ) were worthily call'd the Sunne and Moone of the Earth ; ( finding no compensation ) he writ , in contempt of Men , this ridiculous Poem of Vermin , giuing them Nobility of Birth , valorous elocution not inferior to his Heroes . At which the Gods themselues put in amaze , call'd Counsailes about their assistance of either Armie , and the iustice of their Quarrels , euen to the mounting of ●oues Artillery against them , and discharge of his three-forckt flashes : and all for the deuouring of a Mouse . After which sleight and onely recreatiue touch , hee betooke him seriously to the honor of the Gods ; in Hymn's resounding all their peculiar Titles , Iurisdiction , and Dignities ; which hee illustrates at all parts , as he had beene continually conuersant amongst them : and whatsoeuer autentique Poe●ie he omitted in the Episods , contained in his Iliads and Odysses ; he comprehends and concludes in his Hym'ns and Epigrams . Al his obseruance and honor of the Gods , rather mou'd their enuies against him , then their rewards , or respects of his endeauours . And so like a Man verecundi ingenij ( which he witnesseth of himselfe ) he liu'd vnhonord and needie till his death ; yet notwithstanding all mens seruile and manacled Miseries , to his most absolute and neuer-equall'd Merite ; yea euen bursten profusion to Imposture and Impiety ; ●eare our-euer-the Same intranced , and neuer-sleeping Master of the Muses , to his last accent , incomparablie singing . BATRAXOMYOMAXIA . ENtring the fields , first let my Vowes call on The Muses whole Quire out of Helicon Into my Heart ; for such a Poems sake , As lately I did in my Tables take , And put into report , vpon my knees . A fight so fierce , as might in all degrees Fit Mars himselfe , and his tumultuous hand , Glorying to dart to th' eares of euery land Of all the a voice-deuided ; And to show How brauely did both Froggs and Mise bestow In glorious fight their forces ; euen the deedes Daring to imitate of earths Giant-seedes . Thus then , men talkt ; this seede the strife begat : The Mouse , once drie ; and scap't the dangerous Cat ; Drench't in the neighbour lake , her tender berde , To taste the sweetnesse of the waue it rer'de . The farre-fam'de Fen-affecter ( seeing him ) said ; Ho ? Stranger ? what are you ? And whence , that tred This shore of ours ? who brought you forth ? replie , What truth may witnesse , lest I finde , you lie . If worth fruition of my loue , and me ; I le haue thee home ; and Hospitalitie Of feast , and gift ; good and magnificent Bestow on thee : For all this Confluent Resounds my Royaltie ; my Name , the great In blowne-vp count'nances ; and lookes of threat , * Physignathus ; ador'd of all Frogs here All their daies durance ; And the Empire beare Of all their Beings . Mine owne Beeing , begot By royall Peleus ; mixt in nuptiall knot , With faire a Hydromedusa ; On the Bounds Nere which b Eridanus , his Race resounds . And Thee , mine Eie , makes my Conceipt enclinde To reckon powerfull , both in forme , and Minde : A Scepter-bearer ; And past others farre , Aduanc't in all the fiery Fights of warre . Come then , Thy race , to my renowne commend . The Mouse made answer ; why enquires my friend ? For what so well , know men and Deities , And all the wing'd affecters of the skies ? c Psycharpax , I am calld ; d Troxartes seede ; Surnam'de the Mighty-Minded : She that free'd Mine eies from darknesse ; was e Lichomyle , King f Pternotroctes Daughter ; shewing me Within an aged houell , the young light : Fed me with figges , and nuts ; and all the height Of varied viands . But vnfolde the cause , Why , 'gainst similitudes most equall lawes ( Obseru'd in friendship ) thou makst me thy friend ? Thy life , the waters only helpe t' extend . Mine , whatsoeuer , men are vs'd to eat , Takes part with them , at shore : their purest cheat , Thrice boulted , kneaded , and subdu'd in past , In cleane round kymnels ; cannot be so fast From my approches kept ; but in I eat : Nor Cheesecakes full , of finest Indian wheat , That f Crustie-weedes weare , large as Ladies traines : g Lyurings , ( white-skind as Ladies : ) nor the straines Of prest milke , renneted ; Nor collups cut , Fresh from the flitch : Nor iunkets such as put Palats diuine in Appetite : nor any Of all mens delicates ; thought ne're so many Their Cookes deuise them , who each dish see deckt With all the dainties h all strange soiles affect . Yet am I not so sensuall , to flie Of fields embattaild , the most fiery crie : But rush out strait ; and with the first in sight , Mixe in aduenture : No man with affright Can daunt my forces ; though his bodie bee Of neuer so immense a quantitie . But making vp , euen to his bed , accesse ; His fingers ends dare with my teeth compresse : His feet taint likewise ; and so soft sease both , They shall not tast Th' Impression of a tooth . Sweet sleepe shall holde his owne , in euery eie Where my tooth takes his tartest libertie : But two there are , that alwaies , far and neare Extremely still , controule my force with feare ; ( The Cat , and Night-Hawke ) who much skathe confer On all the Outraies , where for food I erre . Together with the i streights-still-keeping Trap ; Where lurkes deceiptfull and set-spleend Mishap . But most of all the Cat constraines my feare ; Being euer apt t' assault me euery where : For by that hole , that hope saies , I shall scape , At that hole euer , she commits my Rape . The best is yet , I eat no pot-herb grasse , Nor Raddishes ; nor Coloquintida's : Nor Still-greene ; Beetes , nor Parsley : which you make Your dainties still , that liue vpon the lake . The Frog replide : Stranger ? your boasts creepe all Vpon their bellies ; though to our liues fall ; Much more miraculous meates , by lake and land : Ioue tendring our liues with a twofold hand ; Enabling vs to leape ashore for food , And hide vs strait in our retreatfull flood : Which if your will serue ; you may proue with ease . I le take you on my shoulders : which fast sease , If safe arriuall at my house y'intend . He stoopt ; and thither spritelie did ascend , Clasping his golden necke , that easie seat Gaue to his sallie : who was iocund yet ; Seeing the safe harbors of the King so nere ; And he , a swimmer so exempt from Pere. But when he sunke into the purple waue ; He mournd extremely ; and did much depraue Vnprofitable penitence : His haire ▪ Tore by the roots vp , labord for the aire , With his feet fetcht vp to his belly , close : His heart within him , panted out repose , For th' insolent plight , in which his state did stand : Sigh'd bitterly , and long'd to greete the land , Forc't by the dire Neede , of his freezing feare . First on the waters , he his taile did stere Like to a Sterne : then drew it like an ore , Still praying the Gods to set him safe ashore : Yet sunke he midst the red waues , more and more , And laid a throat out , to his vtmost height : Yet in forc'd speech , he made his perill sleight ; And thus his glorie with his grieuance stroue ; Not in such choice state was the charge of loue Borne by the Bull ; when to the Cretane shore He swumme Europa through the wauie rore ; As this Frog ferries me ; His pallid brest Brauely aduancing ; and his verdant crest ( Submitted to my seat ) made my support , Through his white waters , to his royall Court. But on the sudden did apparance make An horrid spectacle ; a water-snake Thrusting his freckeld necke aboue the lake . Which ( seene to both ) away Physignathus Diu'd to his deepes ; as no way conscious Of whom , he left to perish in his lake ; But shunn'd blacke fate himselfe ; and let him take The blackest of it : who amids the Fenn Swumme with his brest vp ; hands held vp in vaine , Cried Peepe , and perisht : sunke the waters oft , And often with his sprawlings , came aloft ; Yet no way kept downe deaths relentlesse force : But ( full of water ) made an heauie Corse . Before he perisht yet , he threatned thus ; Thou lurk'st not yet from heauen ( Physignathus ) Though yet thou hid'st here , that hast cast from thee ( As from a Rocke , ) the shipwrackt life of mee . Though thou thy selfe , no better was than I ( O worst of things ) at any facultie ; Wrastling or race : but for thy perfidie In this my wracke ; Ioue beares a wreakefull eie : And to the Hoast of Mise , thou paines shalt pay Past all euasion . This , his life let say , And left him to the waters . Him beheld , a Lichopinax ; plac't in the pleasing fielde : Who shrick't extremely ; ranne and told the Mise ; Who , hauing heard his watry destinies ; Pernicious anger pierst the hearts of all ; And then their Heralds , forth they sent to call A councell early , at Troxartes house , Sad father of this fatall shipwrack't Mouse : Whose dead Corpse , vpwards swum along the lake ; Nor yet ( poore wretch ) could be enforc'd to make The shore , his harbour ; but the mid-Maine swum : When now ( all haste made ) with first morne did come All to set councell ; in which , first rais'd head , Troxartes , angrie for his sonne ; and said ; O Friends , though I alone may seeme to beare All the infortune ; yet may all mette here Account it their case . But ti 's true , I am In chiefe vnhappy ; that a triple flame Of life , feele put forth , in three famous sonnès ; The first , the chiefe in our confusions ( The Cat ) made rape of ; caught without his hole : The second ; Man , made with a cruell soule , Brought to his ruine , with a new-found sleight ; And a most woodden engine of deceipt , They terme a Trap ; mere a Murthresse of our Mise . The last that in my loue held speciall prise , And his rare mothers ; this Physignathus ( With false pretext of wafting to his house ; ) Strang l'd in chiefe deepes , of his bloudy streame . Come then ; haste all , and issue out on them , Our bodies deckt , in our Dedalean armes . This said ; his words thrust all vp in alarmes ; And Mars himselfe , that serues the cure of war ; Made all in their Appropriats circular . First on each leg , the greene shales of a Beane , They clos'd for Bootes ; that sat b exceeding cleane : The shales they broke ope , Bootehaling by night , And eat the beanes : Their Iacks ; Art exquisite Had showne in them ; being Cats-skins , euery where Quilted with quills : Their fencefull bucklers were , The middle rounds of Can'sticks ; but their speare A huge long Needle was ; that could not beare The braine of any ; but be Mars his owne Mortall inuention . Their heads arming Crowne Was vessel to the kirnell of a nut : And thus the Mise , their powers in armour put . This , the frogs hearing ; From the water , all Issue to one place ; and a councell call Of wicked war ; consulting what should be Cause to this murmure , and strange mutinie . While this was question'd ; neere them made his stand An Herald with a Scepter in his hand , ( g Embasichytrus calld ) that fetcht his kinde , From h Tyroglyphus , with the mightie minde ; Denouncing ill-nam'd war , in these high termes ; O Frogs ? the Mise , sends threats to you of armes And bid me bid ye Battell ; and fixt fight ; Their eies all wounded with Psycharpax sight , Floting your waters , whom your king hath kild . And therefore all prepare for force of field , You that are best borne , whosoeuer held . This said ; he seuer'd ; his speech firing th' eares Of all the Mise ; but frees'd the Frogs with feares , Themselues conceiting guiltie ; whom the King Thus answer'd ( rising . ) Friends ? I did not bring Psycharpax to his end ; He , wantoning Vpon our waters , practising to swimme , a Ap'te vs , and drown'd ; without my sight of him . And yet these worst of Vermine , accuse me Though no way guiltie . Come , consider we How we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise . For my part ; I giue voice to this aduise ; As seeming fittest to direct our deeds . Our bodies decking with our arming weeds ; Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st repose Of all our shore ; that when they charge vs close ; We may the helms snatch off , from all so deckt , Daring our onset ; and them all direct Downe to our waters . Who not knowing the sleight To diue our soft deeps , may be strangl'd streight ; And we triumphing , may a Trophey rere , Of all the Mise , that we haue slaughter'd here . These words put all in armes ; and mallow leaues They drew vpon their leggs , for arming b Greaues . Their Curets ; broad greene Beetes ; their bucklers were Good thick-leau'd Cabbadge ; proofe gainst any spe're . Their speares , sharpe Bullrushes ; of which , were all Fitted with long ones . Their parts Capitall They hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes . And thus , all arm'd ; the steepest shores they chose , T'encamp themselues ; where lance with lance , they lin'd ; And brandisht brauelie ; each Frogg full of Minde . Then Ioue calld all Gods , in his flaming Throne And shewd all , all this preparation For resolute warre . These able soldiers , Many , and great ; all shaking lengthfull spe'res : In shew like Centaures ; or the Gyants Host. When ( sweetlie smiling , ) he enquir'd who , most Of all th'Immortalls , pleas'd to adde their aide To Froggs or Mise : and thus to Pallas said ; O daughter ? Must not you , needs aid these Mise ? That with the Odors , and meate sacrifice Vs'd in your Temple , endlesse triumphs make ; And serue you , for your sacred victles sake ? Pallas repli'd ; O Father , neuer I Will aid the Mise , in anie miserie . So many mischiefes by them , I haue found ; a Eating the Cotten , that my distaffs crown'd ; My lamps still banting , to deuoure the oyle . But that which most my minde eates , is their spoile Made of a veile , that me in much did stand : On which , bestowing an elaborate hand ; A fine woofe working ; of as pure a thre●d ; Such holes therein , their Petulancies fed ; That , putting it to darning ; when t' was done ; The darner , a most deare paie stood vpon For his so deare paines ; laid downe instantlie ; b Or ( to forbeare ) exacted vsurie . So , borrowing from my Phane , the weed I woue ; I can by no meanes , th'vsurous darner , moue To let me haue the mantle to restore . And this is it , that rubs the angrie sore Of my offence tooke , at these petulant Mise . Nor will I yeeld , the Froggs wants , my supplies , For their infirme mindes ; that no confines keepe ; For I , from warre retir'd ; and wanting sleepe ; All lept ashore in tumult ; nor would staie Till one winck seas'd myne eyes : and so I laie Sleeplesse , and pain'de with headach ; till first light The Cock had crow'd vp . Therefore , to the fight Let no God goe assistent ; lest a lance Wound whosoeuer offers to aduance ; Or wishes but their aid ; that skorne all foes ; Should any Gods accesse , their spirits oppose . Sit we then pleas'd , to see from heauen , their fight . She said ; and all Gods ioin'd in her delight . And now , both Hosts , to one field drew the iarre ; Both Heralds bearing the ostents of warre . And then the a wine-Gnats , that shrill Trumpets sound Terriblie rung out , the encounter , round . Ioue thundred ; all heauen , sad warrs signe resounded . And first , b Hypsiboas , c Lychenor wounded , Standing th' impression of the first in fight . His lance did , in his Lyuers midsts alight , Along his bellie . Downe he fell ; his face , His fall on that part swaid ; and all the grace Of his soft hayre , fil'd with disgracefull dust . Then d Troglodytes , his thick iaueline thrust In * Pelions bosome ; bearing him to ground : Whom sad death seas'd ; his soule flew through his wound . a Sentlaeus next , Embasichytros slew ; His heart through thrusting : then b Artophagus threw His lance at c Polyphon ; and strooke him quite Through his midd-bellie : downe he fell vpright : And from his fayre limms , took his soule her flight . d Lymnocharis beholding Polyphon Thus done to death ; did with as round a stone As that the mill turnes ; Troglodytes wound Neare his mid-neck ; ere he his onset found : Whose eyes , sad darknes seas'd . e Lychenor cast A flying dart off , and his ayme so plac't Vpon Lymnocharis ; that f Sure he thought The wound he wisht him : nor vntruely wrought The dire successe ; for through his Lyuer flew The fatall lance ; which when g Crambaphagus knew ; Downe the deepe waues neare shore ; he , diuing , fled ; But fled not fate so ; the sterne enimie fed Death with his life in diuing : neuer more The ayre he drew in ; his Vermilian gore Staind all the waters ; and along the shore He lay extended ; his fat entrailes laie ( By his small guts impulsion ) breaking waie Out at his wound . h Lymnisius , neare the shore Destroid Tyroglyphus : which frighted sore The soule of i Calaminth ; seeing comming on ( For wreake ) k Pternoglyphus : who got him gon With large leapes to the lake ; his Target throwne Into the waters . l Hydrocharis slew King m Pternophagus , at whose throte he threw A huge stone ; strooke it high ; and beate his braine Out at his nostrills : earth blusht , with the staine His blood made on her bosom . For next Prise ; Lichopinax , to death did sacrifice n Borborocoetes faultlesse faculties ; His lance enforc't it ; darknes clos'd his eyes . On which when o Brassophagus , cast his looke ; p Cnisodioctes , by the heeles he tooke ; Dragg'd him to fenn , from off his natiue ground ; Then seas'd his throte , and souc't him , till he droun'd . But now ; Psycharpax wreakes his fellows deaths ; And in the bosome of q Pelusius sheathes , ( In center of his Lyuer ) his bright lance : He fel before the Author of the chance ; His soule to hell fled . Which r Pelobates Taking sad note of ; wreakefully did sease His hands gripe full of mudd ; and all besmear'd ; His forhead with it so ; that scarce appeard The light to him . Which certainely incenst His fierie splene : who , with his wreake dispenst No point of tyme ; but rer'd with his strong hand A stone so massie , it opprest the land ; And hurld it at him ; when , below the knee It strooke his right legge so impetuouslie ; It peece-meale brake it ; be the dust did sease , Vpwards euerted . But a Craugasides Reuendg'd his death ; and at his enimie Dischardg'd a dart ; that did his point implie In his mid-bellie . All the sharp-pil'de speare Got after in ; and did before it beare His vniuersall entrailes to the earth , Soone as his swolne hand , gaue his iaueline birth . b Sitophagus , beholding the sad sight , Set on the shore ; went halting from the fight , Vext with his wounds extremelie . And to make Waie from extreme fate , lept into the lake . Troxartes strooke , in th'insteps vpper part , Physignathus ; who , ( priuie to the smart His wound imparted ) with his vtmost hast Lept to the lake , and fled . Troxartes cast His eye vpon the foe that fell before ; And , ( see'ng him halfe-liu'de ) long'd againe to gore His gutlesse bosome ; and ( to kill him quite ) Ranne fiercely at him . Which c Prassaeus sight Tooke instant note of ; and the first in fight Thrust desp'rate way through ; casting , his keene lance Off at Troxartes ; whose shield turn'd th'aduance The sharpe head made : & checkt the mortall chance . Amongst the Mise fought , an Egregiouse Young spring all ; and a close-encountring Mouse : Pure d Artepibulus-his deare descent : A Prince that Mars himselfe shewd , where he went ( Call'd e Meridarpax . ) Of so huge a might ; That onely He still , dominer'd in fight , Of all the Mouse-Host . He aduancing close Vp to the Lake ; past all the rest arose In glorious obiect ; and made vant that He Came to depopulate all the progenie Of Froggs , affected with the lance of warre . And certainely ; he had put on as farre As he aduanc't his vant ; ( he was indude With so vnmatcht a force , and fortitude ) Had not the Father , both of Gods and Men Instantly knowne it ; and the Froggs ( euen then Giuen vp to ruine ) rescude with remorse . Who , ( his head mouing , ) thus began discourse : No meane amaze , affects me to behold Prince Meridarpax , rage so vncontrold , In thirst of Frogg-blood ; all along the lake : Come therefore still ; and all addression make ; Dispatching Pallas , with tumultuous Mars , Downe to the field , to make him leaue the wars : How a Potently soeuer he be said , Where he attempts once ; to vphold his head . Mars answered ; O Ioue ; neither she nor I ( With both our aides ) can keepe depopulacie From off the Froggs . And therefore arme we all ; Euen thy lance letting brandish to his call From off the field : that from the field withdrew The Titanois ; the Titanois that slew ; Though most exempt from match , of all earths seedes So great and so inaccessible deeds It hath proclaim'd to men ; bound hand and foot , The vast Enceladus ; and rac't by th'root The race of vpland Gyants . This speech past ; Saturnius , a smoking lightening cast Amongst the armies ; thundring then so sore , That with a rapting circumflexe , he bore All huge heauen ouer . But the terrible ire , Of his dart , sent abroad , all wrapt in fire , ( Which certainely , his very finger was ) Amazde both Mise and Froggs . Yet soone let passe Was all this by the Mise : who , much the more ; Burnd in desire t'exterminate the store Of all those lance-lou'd souldiers . Which , had beene ; If , from Olympus , Ioues eye had not seene The Froggs with pittie ; and with instant speede Sent them assistents . Who ( ere any heede Was giuen to their approch ) came crawling on With a Anuiles on their backs ; that ( beat vpon Neuer so much ) are neuer wearied , yet : Crook-pawd ; and wrested on , with foule clouen feet : b Tongues in their mouths : Brick-backt , all ouer bone , Broade-shoulderd ; whence a ruddie yellow shone . Distorted , and small thigh'd : had eyes that saw Out at their bosomes . Twice foure feet did draw About their bodies . Strong neckt ; whence did rise Two heads ; nor could to any hand be Prise . They call them Lobsters ; that eat from the Mise , Their tailes ; their feet ; and hands ; and wrested all Their lances from them so ; that cold Appall The wretches put in rout , past all returne . And now the Fount of light forbore to burne Aboue the earth . When ( which mens lawes commend ) Our Battaile , in one daie , tooke absolute end . The end of Homers Battaile of Frogges and Mise . AL THE HYMNES OF HOMER . An Hymne to Apollo . I Will remember , and expresse the praise Of heauens far-darter , the faire King of daies . Whom euen the Gods themselues feare , when he goes Through Ioues high house ; and when his goodly bowes He goes to bend ; all from their Thrones arise , And cluster neare , t' admire his faculties . Onely Latona , stirs not from her seate Close by the Thunderer ; till her sonnes retreat From his dread archerie ; but then she goes ; Slackens his string ; and shuts his Quiuer close ; And ( hauing taken to her hand , his bowe , From off his able shoulders ) doth bestowe Vpon a Pinne of gold the glorious Tiller ; The Pinne of gold fixt in his Fathers Piller . Then doth she to his Throne , his state vphold ; Where his great Father , in a cup of gold Serues him with Nectar ; and shews all , the grace Of his great sonne . Then th' other gods take place . His gracious mother , glorying to beare So great an Archer , and a sonne so cleare . All haile ( O blest Latona ! ) to bring forth An issue of such All-out-shining worth , Royall Apollo , and the Queene that loues The hurles of darts . She in th' Ortygian groues , And he , in cliffie Delos ; leaning on The loftie Oros ; and being built vpon By Cynthus Prominent : that his head reares Close to the Palme , that Inops fluent cheares . How shall I praise thee ? farre being worthiest praise ? ( O Phoebus ) to whose worth , the law of layes In all kindes is ascrib'de ? If feeding flocks By Continent , or I le ; all eminen'st rocks Did sing for ioy : Hill-tops , and floods in song Did breake their billows , as they flow'd along To serue the sea . The shores , the seas , and all Did sing as soone , as from the lap did fall Of blest Latona , thee the ioy of Man. Her Child-bed made , the mountaine Cynthian In rockie Delos , the sea-circled Ile : On whose all sides , the black seas brake their Pile , And ouer-flowd for ioy , so franck a Gale The singing winds did on their waues exhale . Here borne ; all mortalls liue in thy commands . Who euer Crete holds ; Athens ; or the strands Of th'Ile Aegina ; or the famous land For ships ( Euboea : ) or Eresia ; Or Peparethus , bordring on the sea . Aegas ; or Athos , that doth Thrace diuide And Macedon . Or Pelion , with the pride Of his high forehead . Or the Samian Ile ; That likewise lies neare Thrace ; or Scyrus soile ; Ida's steepe tops . Or all that Phocis fill : Or Autocanes , with the heauen-high hill : Or populous Imber : Lemnos without Ports ▪ Or Lesbos , fit for the diuine resorts , And sacred soile of blest Aeolion . Or Chius that exceeds comparison For fruitfulnes : with all the Iles that lie Embrac't with seas . Mimas , with rocks so hie . Or Loftie-crownd Corycius ; or the bright Charos : or Aesagaeus dazeling height : Or waterie Samos ▪ Mycale , that beares Her browes euen with the circles of the spheares . Miletus ; Cous ; That the Citie is Of voice-diuided-choice humanities . High Cnidus ; Carpathus , still strooke with winde . Naxus , and Paros ; and the rockie-mind Rugged Rhenaea . Yet through all these parts , Latona , great-growne , with the King of dares , Trauailde ; and tried , If any would become To her deare birth , an hospitable home . All which , extremely trembled ( shooke with feare ) Nor durst endure , so high a birth to beare , In their free States : though , for it , they became Neuer so fruitfull ; till the reuerend Dame Ascended Delos ; and her soile did sease With these wing'd words : O Delos ! would'st thou please To be my sonne Apolloes natiue seat ; And build a welthie Phane to one so great : No one shall blame , or question thy kinde deede . Nor thinke I , thou , dost Sheepe or Oxen feede , In any such store ; Or in vines exceede ; Nor bring'st forth such innumerable Plants ; ( Which often make the rich Inhabitants Careles of Deitie . ) If thou then should'st rere A Phane to Phoebus : all men would confer Whole Hecatombs of beeues for sacrifice , Still thronging hither . And to thee would rise Euer vnmeasur'd Odors ; should'st thou long Nourish thy King thus ; and from forreigne wrong The Gods would guard thee ; which thine owne addresse Can neuer compasse for thy barrennesse . She said ; and Delos ioi'd ; replying thus : Most happie sister of Saturnius ? I gladly would , with all meanes entertein The King your sonne ; being now despis'de of men ; But should be honord with the greatest then . Yet this I feare ; Nor will conceale from theee ; Your Sonne ( some say ) will author miserie In many kindes : as being to sustein A mightie empire ouer Gods , and Men , Vpon the holie-gift-giuer the earth . And bitterly I feare , that when his birth Giues him the sight , of my so barren soile He will contemne ; and giue me vp to spoile : Enforce the sea to me ; that euer will Oppresse my heart , with many a watrie hill . And therefore , let him chuse some other land , Where he shall please ; to build at his command Temple and Groue , set thick with many a Tree . For wretched Polypusses , breed in me Retyring chambers ; and black sea-calues , Den In my poore soile , for penurie of Men. And yet ( O Goddesse ) would'st thou please to sweare The Gods great oath to me , before thou beare Thy blessed Sonne here ; that thou wilt erect A Phane to him , to render the effect Of mens demands to them , before they fall ; Then will thy sonnes renowne be generall ; Men will his name , in such varietie call . And I shall , then , be glad , his birth to beare . This said ; the Gods great oath , she thus did swere : Know this ( O earth ! ) broad heauens inferior sphere , And of blacke Styx , the most infernall lake ( Which is the grauest oath , the Gods can take ) That here shall euer rise to Phoebus Name An odorous Phane , and Altar ; and thy fame Honor , past all Iles else , shall see him emploid . Her oath thus tooke , and ended ; Delos ioi'd In mightie measure , that she should become , To farr-shot Phoebus birth the famous home . Latona then , nine daies and nights did fall In hopeles labor : at whose birth were all Heauens most supreame , and worthie Goddesses . Dione , Rhaea ; and th'Exploratresse ( Themis ; ) and Amphitrite , that will be Pursu'd with sighs still . Euery Deitie Except the snowie-wristed wife of Ioue : Who held her moodes aloft ; and would not moue . Onely Lucina , ( to whose virtue vowes Each Child-birth patient ) heard not of her throwes ; But sat ( by Iuno's counsaile ) on the browes Of broad Olympus , wrapt in clouds of gold . Whom Ioues proud wife , in enuie did with-hold ; Because bright-lockt Latona , was to beare A Sonne so faultles ; and inforce so cleare . The rest ( Thaumantia ) sent before to bring Lucina to release the enuied King : Assuring her , that they would strait confer A Carquenet , nine cubits long , on her , All wouen with wires of Gold. But chargd her then , To call apart from th'Iuorie-wristed Queene The child-birth-guiding Goddesse ; for iust feare Lest , her charge vtter'd , in Saturnia's eare ; She , after , might disswade her from descent . When winde-swift-footed Iris , knew th' intent . Of th' other Goddesses ; away she went ; And instantly she past , the infinite space Twixt Earth , and Heauen ; when , comming to the place Where dwelt th'Immortals ; strait without the gate She gat Lucina ; and did all relate The Goddesses commanded ; and enclin'd , To all that they demanded , her deare Minde . And on their way they went , like those two Doues That , walking high-waies , euery shadow moues Vp from the earth ; forc't with their naturall feare . When entring Delos ; she that is so deare To Dames in labor , made Latona strait Prone to deliuerie ; and to weild the wait Of her deare burthen , with a world of ease . When , with her faire hand ; she a Palme did sease And ( staying her by it ) slucke her tender knees Amidst the soft meade ; that did smile beneath Her sacred labor , and the child did breath The aire , in th' instant . All the Goddesses Brake in kinde teares , and shrikes for her quicke ease : And Thee ( O Archer Phoebus ) with waues cleere Washt sweetly ouer , swadled with sincere And spotlesse swath-●ands ; and made then to flow About thy breast , a mantle , white as snow ; Fine , and new made ; and cast a Veile of Gold Ouer thy forehead . Nor yet forth did hold Thy mother , for thy foode , her golden brest : But Themis in supply of it , addrest Louely Ambrosia ; and drunke off to thee A Bowle of Nectar ; interchangeablie With her immortall fingers , seruing thine . And when ( O Phoebus ) that eternall wine Thy tast had relisht ; and that foode diuine : No golden swath-band longer could containe Thy panting bosome : all that would constraine Thy soone-easd God-head ; Euery feeble chaine , Of earthy Child-rights ; flew in sunder , all . And then didst thou thus , to the Deities call : Let there be giuen me , my lou'd Lute and Bow ; I 'le prophecie to men ; and make them know Ioues perfect counsailes . This said ; vp did flie From brode-waide Earth , the vnshorne Deitie , Far-shot Apollo . All th'Immortalls stood In steepe amaze , to see Latonaes brood . All Delos , looking on him ; all with gold Was loden strait ; and ioi●d to be extold By great Latona so ; that she decreed , Her barrennesse , should beare the fruitfulst seed Of all the Iles , and Continents of earth ; And lou'd her , from her heart so , for her birth . For so she florisht ; as a hill that stood Crownd with the flowre of an abundant wood : And thou ( O Phoebus ) bearing in thy hand Thy siluer bow : walk'st ouer euery land . Sometimes ascend'st the rough-hewne rockie hill Of desolate Cynthus : and sometimes tak'st will To visit Ilands ; and the Plumps of men . And manie a Temple ; all wayes , men ordein To thy bright God-head : Groues , made darke with Trees , And neuer shorne , to hide ye Deities . All high-lou'd Prospects ; all the steepest browes Of farr-seene Hills : and euery flood that flowes Forth to the sea ; are dedicate to Thee . But most of all ; thy mindes Alacritie Is rais'd with Delos ; since to fill thy Phane There flocks so manie an Ionian , With ample Gownes , that flowe downe to their feet : With all their children ; and the reuerend Sweet Of all their pious wiues . And these are they That ( mindefull of thee ) euen thy Deitie Render more spritelie , with their Champion fight Dances , and songs , perform'd to glorious sight ; Once hauing publisht , and proclaim'd their strife . And these are acted with such exquisite life That one would say , Now , the Ionian straines Are turn'd Immortalls ; nor know what Age meanes . His minde would take such pleasure from his eye , To see them seru'd , by all Mortalitie . Their men so humane ; women so well-grac't ; Their ships so swift ; their riches so encreast , Since thy obseruance . Who ( being all , before Thy opposites ) were all despis'd , and poore . And to all these , this absolute wonder add , Whose praise shall render all posterities gladd : The Delian Virgines , are thy handmaides , All ; And , since they seru'd Apollo ; iointly fall Before Latona , and Diana too In sacred seruice : and doe therefore know How to make mention of the ancient Trimms Of men , and women ; in their well-made Hymns ; And soften barbarous Nations with their song's . Being able , all , to speake the seuerall tongu's Of forreine Nations ; and to imitate Their musiques there , with art so fortunate , That one would say ; there euery one did speake , And all their tunes , in naturall accents breake . Their songs , so well compos'd are ; and their Art To answer all soundes , is of such Desart . But come Latona ; and thou king of Flames , With Phoebe Rectresse , of chaste thoughts in Dames ; Let me salute ye , and your Graces call Hereafter to my iust memoriall . And you ( O Delian Virgins ) doe me grace , When any stranger of our earthie Race Whose restlesse life , Affliction hath in chace ; Shall hither come ; and question you ; Who is To your chaste eares , of choicest faculties In sacred Poesie ; and with most right Is Author of your absolut'st delight ; Ye shall your selues doe , all the right ye can , To answer for our Name : The sightlesse man Of stonie Chios . All whose Poems , shall In all last Ages , stand for Capitall . This for your owne sakes I desire ; for I Will propagate mine owne precedencie , As far as earth shall well-built cities beare ; Or humane conuersation , is held deare . Not with my praise direct ; but praises due ; And men shall credit it , because t is true . How euer , I 'le not cease the praise I vow To farre-shot Phoebus , with the siluer bow ; Whom louely-hair'd Latona gaue the light . O King ? Both Lycia , is in Rule thy Right ; Faire Moeonie , and the Maritimall Miletus ; wisht to be the seate of all . But chiefely Delos , girt with ●illowes round , Thy most respected empire doth resound . Where thou to Pythus wentst ; to answer there , ( As soone as thou wert borne ) the burning eare Of many a far-come , to heare future deeds : Clad in diuine , and odoriferous weeds . And with thy Golden Fescue , plaidst vpon Thy hollow Harp ; that sounds to heauen set gone . Then to Olympus , swift as thought hee flew To Ioues high house ; and had a retinew Of Gods t' attend him . And then strait did fall To studie of the Harp , and Harpsicall , All th'Immortalls . To whom , euery Muse With rauishing voices , did their answers vse , Singing Th' eternall deeds of Deitie . And from their hands , what Hells of miserie , Poore Humanes suffer ; liuing desperate quite . And not an Art they haue ; wit , or deceipt , Can make them manage any Act aright : Nor finde with all the soule they can engage , A salue for Death , or remedie for Age. But here , the fayre-hayrd graces ; the wise Howres ; Harmonia , Hebe , and sweet Venus powres , Danc't ; and each others , Palme , to Palme , did cling . And with these , danc't not a deformed thing : No forspoke Dwarfe ; nor downeward witherling ; But all , with wondrous goodly formes were deckt , And mou'd with Beauties , of vnpris'd aspect . Dart-deare - Diana , ( euen with Phoebus bred ) Danc't likewise there ; and Mars a march did tred , With that braue Beuie . In whose consort , fell Argicides , th'ingenious Sentinell . Phoebus-Apollo , toucht his Lute to them ; Sweetely , and softly : a most glorious beame Casting about him , as he danc't , and plaid ; And euen his feet , were all with raies araide . His weede and all , of a most curious Trymm , With no lesse Luster , grac't , and circled him . By these , Latona , with a hayre that shin'd Like burnisht gold ; and , ( with the Mightie Minde ) Heauens Counsailor , ( Ioue ; ) sat with delightsome eyes To see their Sonne , new rankt with Deities . How shall I praise thee then , that art all praise ? Amongst the Brides , shall I thy Deitie raise ? Or being in loue , when , sad , thou wentst to wowe The Virgin Aza ? and didst ouerthrowe The euen-with-Gods , Elations Mightie seed ? That had of goodly horse , so braue a breed ? And Phorbas ; sonne of soueraigne Triopus ; Valiant Leucippus , and Ereutheus ; And Triopus , himselfe , with equall fall ? Thou but on foot ; and they on horsebacke all ? Or shall I sing thee , as thou first didst grace Earth with thy foot ; to finde thee forth a place Fit to pronounce thy Oracles to Men ? First from Olympus , thou alightedst then , Into Pieria ; Passing all the land Of fruitles Lesbos , chok'● with drifts of sand . The Magnets likewise , and the Perrhabes ? And to Iolous variedst thy accesse ? Cenaeus Topps ascending ; that their Base Make bright Euboea ; being of ships the Grace . And fixt thy faire stand , in Lelantus field ; That did not yet , thy mindes contentment yeeld , To raise a Phane on ; and a sacred Groue . Passing Eurypus then ; thou ma●'st remoue Vp to earths euer-greene , and holyest Hill. Yet swiftly , thence too , thou transcendedst still To Mycalessus , and did'st touch vpon Teucmessus , apt to make greene 〈◊〉 on , And flowrie field-bedds . Then thy Progresse found Thebes out ; whose soile , with onely woods was crown'd . For yet was sacred Thebes , no humane seate ; And therefore were no Paths , nor high waies beat On her free bosome , that flowes now with wheat . But then , she onely , wore on it , a wood . From hence ( euen loth to part , because it stood Fit for thy seruice ) thou put'st on Remoue To greene Onchestus ; Neptunes glorious Groue ; Where new-tam'd horse , bredd , nourish nerues so rare , That still they frolick , though they trauaild are Neuer so sore ; and hurrie after them Most heauie Coches : but are so extream ( In vsuall-trauaile ) fierie-and-free ; That though their cochman , ne're so masterlie Gouernes their courages ; he sometimes must Forsake his seat , and giue their spirits their lust : When , after them , their emptie coach they drawe , Foming , and Neighing , quite exempt from awe . And if their Cocheman , guide through any Groue Vnshorne , and vow'd to any Deities Loue : The Lords encocht , leap out ; and all their care Vse to allaie their fires , with speaking faire ; Stroking , and trimming them ; and in some queach , ( Or strength of shade ) within their nearest reach , Reigning them vp ; inuoke the deified King Of that vnshorne , and euerlasting spring ; And leaue them then , to her preseruing hands , Who is the Fate , that there , the God commands . And this was first , the sacred fashion there . From hence thou wentst ( O thou in shafts past Pere ) And found'st Cephyssus , with thy all-seeing beames ; Whose flood affects , so many siluer streames ; And from Lylaeus , poures so bright a waue . Yet forth thy foot flew , and thy faire eyes gaue The view of Ocale , the rich in towrs ; Then , to Amartus , that abounds in flowrs . Then to Delphusa , putt'st thy progresse on , Whose blessed soile , nought harme fall breeds vpon . And there , thy pleasure , would a Phane adorne And nourish woods , whose shades should ne're be shorne . Where , this thou told'st her ; standing to her close : Delphusa ? here I entertaine suppose To build a farr-fam'd Temple ; and ordein An Oracle t' informe the mindes of Men : Who shall for euer , offer to my loue Whole Hecatombs . Euen all the men that moue In rich Peloponesus ; and all those Of Europe ; and the Iles the seas enclose ; Whom future search of Acts , and Beings brings : To whom I 'le prophecie the truths of things In that rich Temple , where my Oracle sings . This said ; The all-bounds-reacher , with his bowe , The Phanes diuine foundations did foreshowe ; Ample they were ; and did huge length impart ; With a continuate Tenour , full of Art. But when Delphusa look't into his end ; Her heart grew angrie , and did thus extend It selfe to Phoebus : Phoebus ? since thy minde A farr-fam'd Phane , hath in it selfe design'd , To beare an Oracle to men , in me ; That Hecatombs , may put in fire to thee ; This let me tell thee , and impose for staie Vpon thy purpose : Th'Inarticulate neye Of fire-hou'd horse , will euer disobaie Thy numerous eare ; and mules will for their drinke Trouble my sacred springs ; and I should thinke That any of the humane Race , had rather See here , the burreys of rich Coches gather , And heare the haughtie Neys of swift-hou'd horse , Than ( in his pleasures place ) conuert recourse T' a Mightie Temple ; and his wealth bestow On Pieties ; where his sports may freely flow , Or see huge wealth , that he shall neuer owe. And therefore , ( wouldst thou beare , my free aduise ; Though Mightier farre thou art , and much more wise O King , than I ; thy powre being great'st of all ) In Crissa , vnderneath the bosomes fall Of steepe Paranassus ; let thy minde be giuen To set thee vp a Phane ; where neuer driuen Shall glorious Coches be , nor horses Neys Storme neare thy well-built Altars ; but thy praise Let the faire race of pious Humanes bring , Into thy Phane , that Io-Paeans sing . And those gifts onely let thy Deified minde Be circularlie pleas'd with ; being the kinde And fayre-burnt-offrings , that true Deities binde . With this ; His minde she altered ; though she spake Not for his good ; but her owne glories sake . From hence ( O Phoebus ) first thou mad'st retreat ; And of the Phlegians , reacht the walled seat ; Inhabited with contumelious Men : Whoe , sleighting Ioue ; tooke vp their dwellings then Within a large Caue , neare Cephyssus Lake . Hence , swiftly mouing ; thou all speed didst make Vp to the tops intended ; and the ground Of Crissa , vnder the-with-snowe-still croun'd ( Parnassus ) reacht ; whose face affects the west : Aboue which , hangs , a rock that still seemes prest To fall vpon it ; through whose brest doth runn A rockie Caue , neare which , the King the Sunn Cast to contriue a Temple to his minde ; And said ; Now heere , stands my conceipt inclin'd To build a famous Phane , where still shall be An Oracle to Men ; that still to me Shall offer absolute Hecatombs ; as well Those that in rich Peloponessus dwell ; As those of Europe ; and the Iles that lie Walld with the sea ; That all their paines applie T' employ my counsailes . To all which will I True secrets tell , by way of Prophesie , In my rich Temple ; that shall euer be An Oracle , to all Posteritie . This said ; the Phanes forme he did strait present , Ample , and of a length of great extent ; In which Trophonius , and Agamede ( Who of Erginus , were the famous seed ) Impos'd the stonie Entrie : and the Heart Of euery God had , for their excellent Art. About the Temple dwelt , of humane Name Vnnumbred Nations ; it acquir'd such Fame ; Being all of stone , built for eternall date ; And neare it did a Fountaine propagate A fayre streame farr away ; when Ioues bright seed , ( The King Apollo ) with an arrow , ( freed From his strong string ) destroid the Dragonesse That Wonder nourisht ; being of such excesse In size , and horridnesse of monstrous shape , That on the forc't earth , she wrought many a rape ; Many a spoile , made on it ; many an ill On crooke-hancht Herds brought ; being impurpl'd still With blood of all sorts : Hauing vndergone The charge of Iuno , with the golden Throne , To nourish Typhon the abhorr'd affright And bane of mortalls . Whom , into the light Saturnia brought forth , being incenst with Ioue ; Because the most renowm'd fruit of his loue ( Pallas ) he got , and shooke out of his braine . For which ; Maiestique Iuno , did complaine In this kinde , to the blest Court of the skies ; Know all ye sex-distinguisht Deities ; That Ioue ( assembler of the cloudie throng ) Beginns with me first ; and affects with wrong My right in him ; made by himselfe , his wife ; That knowes and does the honor'd marriage life , All honest offices ; and yet hath he Vndulie got , without my companie Blew-eyd Minerua : who of all the skie Of blest Immortalls is the absolute Grace . Where , I haue brought into the heauenly Race , A Sonne , both taken in his feet and head ; So oughly ; and so farr from worth my bedd , That ( rauisht into hand ) I tooke and threw Downe to the vast sea , his detested view . Where Nereus Daughter Thetis ; ( who , her waie With siluer feet makes , and the faire araie Of her bright sisters ) sau'd , and tooke to guard . But , would to heauen , another , yet , were spar'd , The like Grace of his God-head . ( Craftie mate ) What other scape canst thou excogitate ? How could thy hears sustaine to get alone , The grey-eyd Goddesse ? her conception , Nor bringing forth , had any hand of mine ; And yet know all the Gods , I goe , for thine To such kinde vses . But I 'le now employ My braine to procreate a masculine Ioy ; That'mongst th'Immortalls , may as eminent shine ; With shame affecting , nor my bedd , nor thine ; Nor will I , euer , touch at thine againe ; But farr , fly it , and thee : and yet will raigne Amongst th'Immortalls euer . This spleene spent , ( Still yet left angrie ) farre away she went ; From all the Deathlesse ; and yet praid to all ; Aduanc't her hand , and e're she let it fall Vs'd these excitements ; Heare me now ( O Earth ? ) Brode Heauen aboue it ; and ( beneath your birth ) The Deified Titanoys ; that dwell about Vast Tartarus ; from whence sprung all the Rout Of Men and Deities : Heare me all ( I say ) With all your forces ; and giue instant way T' a sonne of mine , without Ioue ; who yet may Nothing inferiour proue , in force to him ; But past him spring as farre , in able lim , As he past Saturne . This , pronounc't , she strooke Life-bearing Earth so strongly ; that she shooke Beneath her numb'd hand : which when she beheld ; Her bosome with abundant comforts sweld ; In hope all should , to her desire extend . From hence , the Yeare that all such proofes giues end ; Grew round ; yet all that time , the bed of Ioue Shee neuer toucht at ; neuer was her loue Enflam'd to fit nere his Dedalian Throne , As she accustomed ; to consult vpon Counsells kept darke , with many a secret skill ; But kept her Vow-frequented Temple still , Pleas'd with her sacrifice ; till now , the Nights And Daies accomplish't ; and the yeares whole rights , In all her reuolutions , being expir'de ; The Howres , and all , run out , that were requir'd , To vent a Birth-right ; she brought forth a Sonne , Like Gods , or Men , in no condition ; But a most dreadfull , and pernicious thing Call'd Typhon ; who on all the humane Spring Confer'd confusion : which , receiu'd to hand By Iuno ; instantly , she gaue command ( Ill to ill adding ) that the Dragonesse Should bring it vp , who tooke , and did oppresse With many a misery ( to maintaine th' excesse Of that inhumane Monster ) all the Race Of Men , that were of all the world the grace . Till the farre-working Phoebus ; at her sent A fierie Arrow ; that inuok't euent Of death gaue , to her execrable life . Before which yet ; she lay in bitter strife , With dying paines ; gr●ueling on earth , and drew Extreme short respirations ; for which slew A shout about the aire ▪ whence , no man knew But came by power diuine . And then she lay Tumbling her Tr●ncke ; and winding euery way About her nastie Nest ; quite leauing then Her murtherous life , embr●'d with deaths of Men. Then Phoebus gloried ; saying , Thy selfe now lie On Men-sustaining Earth , and putrifie : Who first , of Putrifaction , was inform'd . Now on thy life , haue Deaths cold vapors stormd ; That stormd'st on Men the Earth-f●d , so much death , In enuie of the Of-spring , they made breathe Their liues out , on my Altars ; Now from thee , Not Typhon shall enforce the miserie Of merited death ; nor shee , whose name implies Such scath ( Chymaera ) but blacke earth make prise To putrifaction , thy Immanities . And bright Hyperion , that light , all eyes showes , Thyne , with a night of rottennesse shall close . Thus spake he glory'ng ; and then seas'd vpon Her horrid heape , with Putrifaction Hyperions louely powrs ; from whence , her name Tooke sound of Python ; and heauens soueraigne flame Was surnam'd Pythius ; since the sharp-eyd Sunn , Affected so , with Putrifaction The hellish Monster . And now Phoebus minde Gaue him to know , that falsehood had strooke blinde Euen his bright eye ; because it could not finde The subtle Fountaines fraud . To whom he flew , Enflam'd with anger ; and in th' instant drew Close to Delphusa ; vsing this short vow ; Delphusa ? you must looke no longer now To vent your fraud's on me ; for well I know Your scituation , to be louely worth A Temples Imposition ; It poures forth So delicate a streame . But your renowne Shall now no longer shine here , but mine owne . This said ; he thrust her Promontorie downe , And damn'd her fountaine vp , with mightie stones ; A Temple giuing consecrations , In woods adioining . And in this Phane all On him , by surname of Delphusius call . Because Delphusa's sacred flood and fame His wrath affected so , and hid in shame . And then thought Phoebus , what descent of Men To be his Ministers , he should retein ; To doe in stonie Pythos sacrifice . To which , his minde contending ; his quicke eies He cast vpon the blew Sea ; and beheld A ship , on whose Masts , sailes that wing'd it sweld : In which were men transferr'd , many and good That in Minoian Gnossus , eate their food , And were Cretensians ; who now are those That all the sacrifising dues dispose ; And all the lawes , deliuer to a word Of Daies great King , that weares the golden sword : And Oracles ( out of his Delphian Tree That shrowds her faire armes in the Cauitie Beneath Parnassus Mount ) pronounce to Men. These , now his Priests , that liu'd as Merchants then , In trafficks , and Pecuniarie Rates , For sandie Pylos and the Pylean States , Were vnder saile . But now encounterd them Phoebus Apollo , who into the streame Cast himselfe headlong : and the strange disguise Tooke of a Dolphine , of a goodly ●ise : Like which ; He leapt into their ship , and lay As an Ostent of infinite dismay . For none , with any strife of Minde could looke Into the Omen . All the shipmasts shooke ; And silent , all sate , with the feare they tooke . Armd not ; nor strooke they saile ; But as before , Went on with full Trim : And a foreright Blore , Stiff ; and from forth , the South ; the ship made flie . When first , they stript the Mal●●e Promont'rie : Toucht at Laconias soile ; in which a Towne Their ship ariu'd at , that the Sea doth Crowne , Call'd Tenarus ; A place of much delight To men that serue Heauens Comforter of sight . In which are fed , the famous flocks that beare The wealthie Fleeces ; On a delicate Laire Being fed , and seated : where the Merchants , faine Would haue put in ; that they might out againe , To tell the Miracle , that chanc't to them ; And trie if it would take the sacred streame , Rushing far forth , that he againe might beare Those other Fishes that abounded there , Delightsome companie ; Or still would stay , Abord their drie ship . But it failde t' obay . And for the rich Peloponesian shore , Steer'de her free saile ; Apollo made the Blore Directly guide it : That , obaying still Reacht drie Arena ; And , ( what wish doth fill ) Faire Aryphaea ; And the populous height Of Thryus ; whose streame ( siding her ) doth weight With safe passe on Alphaeus . Pylos sands And Pylian dwellers : keeping by the strands On which th' Inhabitants of Crunius dwell : And Helida , set opposite to Hell. Chalcis , and Dymes reach't ; And happily Made saile by Pheras : All being ouer-ioide With that francke Gale , that Ioue himselfe emploid . And then amongst the cloudes , they might descrie , The Hill , that far-seene Ithaca , calls her Eie . Dulichius , Samos , and , ( with timber grac't ) Shadie Zacynthus . But when now they past Peloponesus all : And then , when show'de The infinite Vale of Crissa , that doth shroud All rich Moraea , with her liberall brest : So francke a Gale , there flew out of the West , As all the skie discouered ; t was so great , And blew so from the verie Counsell seat Of Ioue himselfe : that quickly it might send The ship through full Seas , to her iourneys end . From thence , they saild , ( quite opposite ) to the East , And to the Region , where light leaues his rest . The Light himselfe being sacred Pylot there ; And made the Sea-trod ship , ariue them nere The Grapefull Crissa ; where he rest doth take ; Close to her Port , and sands . And then forth brake The far-shot King ; like to a starre that strowes His glorious forehead , where the Mid-day glowes , That all in sparkles , did his state attire , Whose Luster leapt vp , to the spheare of fire ; He trodd , where no waie op'te ; and pierst the place That of his sacred Tripods , held the grace ; In which , he lighted such a fluent flame , As guilt all Crissa ; In which , euery Dame And Dames faire daughter ; cast out vehement cries At those fell fires , of Phoebus Prodigies : That shaking feares , through all their fancies threw . Then ( lik the mindes swift light ) Againe he flew Backe to the ship ; shap't like a youth in Height Of all his graces : shoulders broad , and streit , And all his haire , in golden currls enwrapt : And to the Merchants , thus , his speech he shap't : Ho ? strangers ? what are you ? and from what seat Saile ye these waies , that salt and water sweat ? To traffick iustlie ? Or vse vagrant scapes Voyde of all rule ? Conferring wrongs , and Rapes ( Like Pyrats ) on the men , ye neuer sawe ? With mindes proiect ; exempt from list , or Lawe ? Why sit ye heere so stupified ? nor take Land while ye may ? Nor deposition make Of Nauall Arms ? when this the fashion is Of men Industrious ! who , ( their faculties Wearied at sea , ) leaue ship , and vse the land For foode , that with their healths , and stomacks stand . This said ; with bold mindes , he their brest suppli'd , And thus made answer , the Cretensian guide ; Stranger ? because , you seeme to vs no seed Of any mortall , but celestiall breed , For parts , and person ; Ioy your steps ensue , And Gods make good , the blisse , we thinke your due . Vouchsafe vs true relation , on what land We here ariue ? and what men ▪ here command ? We were for well-knowne parts bound ; and from Crete ( Our vanted countrie ) to the Pylian , ●ea● Vow'd our whole voyage . Yet ariue we here , Quite crosse to those wills , that our motion● stere . Wishing to make returne some other way ; Some other course desirous to assaie . To pay our lost paines . But some God hath fill'd Our frustrate sayles ; defeating what we will'd . Apollo answerd : Strangers ? though before Yee dwelt in wooddie Gnossus ; yet no more Yee must be made , your owne Reciprocalls To your lou'd Cittie , and faire seueralls Of wiues , and houses . But ye shall haue bere My wealthie Temple ; honord farre and nere Of many a Nation : for my selfe am Son To Ioue himselfe ; and of Apollo won The glorious Title ; who thus safelie through The seas vast billows , still haue held your plough . No ill intending , that will let yee make My Temple here , your owne ; and honors take Vpon your selues ; all that to me are giuen . And more : the counsailes of the King of Heauen , Your selues shall know ; and with his will receiue Euer the honors , that all men shall giue . Doe as I say then instantly ; strike saile ; Take downe your Tackling ; and your vessell hale Vp , into land : your goods bring forth , and all The instruments , that into sayling fall ; Make on this shore , an Altar : fire enflame ; And barley white cakes , offer to my name . And then , ( enuironing the Altar ) pray , And call me , ( as ye sawe me , in the day When from the windie seas , I brake swift way Into your ship ; ) Delphinius : since I tooke A Dolphins forme then . And to euery looke That there shall seeke it ; that , my Altar shall Be made A Delphian memoriall From thence , for euer . After this ; ascend Your swift blackship , and sup ; and then intend Ingenuous Offerings to the equall Gods That in celestiall seates , make blest abods . When , ( hauing staid , your helthfull hungers sting ) Come all with me ; and Io-Paeans sing All the waies length , till you attaine the state , Where I , your oppulent Phane haue consecrate . To this , they gaue him , passing diligent eare ; And vow'd to his obedience , all they were . First striking sayle , their tacklings then they los'd ; And ( with their Gables stoop't ) their mast impos'd Into the Mast roome . Forth , themselues then went ; And from the sea into the Continent Drew vp their ship ; which farr vp from the sand They rais'd , with ample raf●ers . Then , in hand They tooke the Altar ; and inform'd it on The seas nere shore ; imposing thereupon White cakes of barley : Fire made ; and did stand About it round ; as Phoebus gaue command ▪ Submitting Inuocations to his will. Then sacrifis'd to all the heauenly Hill Of powrefull God heads . After which , they eat Abord their ship ; till with 〈◊〉 foot rep●ea● ; They rose ; nor to their Temple , vs a delay . Whom Phoebus vsherd ; and ●oucht ; all the way His heauenly Lute ; with Art , aboue admir'd ; Gracefully leading them . When all were fir'd With zeale to him ; and follow'd wondring , All , To Pythos ; and vpon his name did call With Io-Paeans , such as Cre●ans vse . And in their bosomes did the deified Muse Voices of honey-Harmonie , in fuse . With neuer-wearie feet , their way they we●● ; And made , with all alacritie , asce●t Vp to Parnassus ; and that long●d-f●● place Where they should liue ; and be of men , the Grace . When , all the way ; Apollo show'd there still Their farr-stretch● valleys , and their two-topt Hill ; Their famous Phane ; and all ▪ th●● All could eaise , To a supreame height , of their Ioy ▪ and praise . And then the Cre●an Captaine , thus enquir'd Of King Apollo ; Since you haue retir'd ( O Soueraigne ) our sad liues , so farr from friends And natiue soile ; ( because so farr extends Your deare mindes pleasure ) tell vs how we shall Liue in your seruice . To which question call Our prouident mindes ; because we see not croun'd This soile , with store of vines ; nor doth abound In welthie meddows ; on which , we may liue , As well as on men , our attendance giue . He smil'd , and said ; O men , that nothing know And so are follow'd , with a world of woe ; That needs will succour care , and curious mone And poure out sighs , without cessation ; Were all the riches of the earth your owne . Without much busines ; I will render knowne ; To your simplicities , an easie way , To wealth enough ; Let euery man puruaie A skeane , ( or slaught'ring steele ) and his right hand ( Brauely bestowing ) euermore see mann'd With killing sheepe , that to my Phane will flowe , From all farr Nations . On all which bestowe Good obseruation ; and all else they giue To me ; make you your owne All ; and so liue . For all which , watch before my Temple well ; And all my counsailes , aboue all , conceale . If any giue vaine language ; or to deeds ; Yea , or as farr as iniurie proceedes ; Know that , ( at losers hands ) for those that gai●e ; It is the lawe of Mortalls , to sustaine . Besides ; yee shall haue Princes to obay , Which , still , yee must ; and ( so yee gaine ) yee may . All , now , is said ; giue All , thy memories stay . And thus to thee , ( Ioue and Latona's Sonne ) Be giuen all grace of salutation . Both thee and others of th' Immortall state ; My song shall memorize , to endlesse date . The end of the Hymne to Apollo . A HYMNE TO HERMES . HErmes , the Sonne of Ioue and Maia , sing , ( O Muse ) th' Arcadian , & Cyllenian King : They rich in flocks ; he heauen enriching still , In Messages , return'd with all his will. Whom glorious Maia ( The Nimph rich in haire ) Mixing with Ioue , in amorous affaire ; Brought forth to him : sustaining a retre at From all th'Immortalls of the blessed seat ; And liuing in the same darke Caue ; where Ioue Inform'd , at mid-night , the effect of loue , Vnknowne to either man or Deitie : Sweet sleepe once , hauing seas'd the ielous eye Of Iuno , deckt with wrists of iuorie . But when great Ioues high minde was consummate , The tenth moneth had in heauen confin'de the date Of Maias Labour ; And into the sight She brought , in one birth , Labours infinite . For then she bore a sonne , that all tried waies Could turne , and winde , to wisht euents , assaies . A faire tongu'd , but false-hearted Counsellor . Rector of Ox-stealers ; and for all stealths , bore A varied finger . Speeder of Nights spies And guide of all her dreames obscurities . Guard of dore-Guardians : and was borne to be Amongst th'Immortalls , that wing'd Deitie , That in an instant , should doe acts would aske The Powres of others , an Eternall Taske . Borne , in the Morne ; He form'd his Lute at Noone ; At Night stole all the Oxen of the Sunne ; And all this in his Births first day was done ; Which was the fourth of the encreasing Moone . Because Celestiall lims , sustain'd his straines ; His sacred swath-bands , must not be his chaines . So ( starting vp ) to Phoebus Herde he stept ; Found strait , the high-roof't Caue where they were kept ; And ( th' entrie passing ) he th' inuention found , Of making Lutes ; and did in wealth abound By that Inuention ; Since He first of all , Was author of that Engine Musicall . By this meane , mou'd to the ingenious worke : Nere the Caues inmost ouerture , did lurke A Tortois , tasting th'odoriferous grasse ; Leisurely mouing ; and this Obiect was The motiue to Ioues Sonne ( who could conuert To profitablest vses , all desert That nature had in any worke conuaid ) To forme the Lute : when ( smiling ) thus he said ; Thou mou'st in me , a note of excellent vse ; Which thy ill forme , shall neuer so seduce T'euert the good , to be inform'd by it , In pliant force , of my forme-forging wit. Then the slowe Tortois , wrought on by his minde ; He thus saluted ; All ioy to the kinde Instinct of nature , in thee ; Borne to be The spirriter of Dances ; companie For feasts , and following Banquets ; grac't and blest For bearing light to all the interest Claim'd in this Instrument . From whence shall spring Play faire , and sweet ; to which may Graces sing . A prettie painted cote , thou putt'st on here ( O Tortois ) while thy bill-bred vitall sphere Confines thy fashion ; but ( surpris'd by me , ) I 'le beare thee home ; where thou shalt euer be A Profit to me ; and yet nothing more Will I contemne thee , in my merited store . Goods , with good parts got , worth and honour gaue : Left goods , and honors , euery foole may haue . And since thou first , shalt giue me meanes to liue , I 'le loue thee euer . Virtuous qualities giue To liue at home with them , enough content ; Where those that want such inward ornament , Fly out for outward ; their life , made their lode ; T is best to be at home ; Harme lurks abroad . And certainely , thy vertue shall be knowne Gainst great-yll-causing incantation , To serue as for a Lance , Or Ammulet . And where , in comfort of thy vitall heat , Thou now breathst but a sound confus'd , for song ; Expos'd by nature ; after death , more strong Thou shalt in sounds of Art be ; and command Song infinite sweeter . Thus with either hand He tooke it vp ; and instantly tooke flight Back to his Caue , with that his home-delight . Where , ( giuing to the Mountaine Tortois vents Of life and motion ) with fit Instruments Forg'd of bright steele ; he strait inform'd a Lute . Put neck , and frets to it ; of which , a sute He made of splitted quills ; in equall space Impos'd vpon the neck ; and did embrace Both backe , and bosome . At whose height ( as gynns T' extend , and ease the strings ) he put in pynns . Seuen strings , of seuerall tunes , he then applied ; Made of the Entrailes of a sheepe well dried ; And throughly twisted . Next he did prouide A Case for all ; made of an Oxes Hyde ; Out of his counsailes to preserue as well , As to create : and all this Action fell Into an instant consequence . His word , And worke , had indiuiduall accord . All being as swiftly to perfection brought ; As any worldly mans , most rauisht thought , Whose minde , Care cuts , in an infinity Of varied parts , or passions instantly ; Or as the frequent twincklings of an eye . And thus his House-delight giuen absolute end ; He toucht it ; and did euery string extend ( With an exploratorie spirit assaid ) To all the parts , that could on it be plaid . It sounded dreadfully ; to which he sung ; As if from thence , the first , and true force spr●ng That fashions Virtue . God , in him did sing . His play was likewise an vnspeakable thing ; Yet , but as an extemporall Assay , Of what showe , it would make , being the first way , It tryed his hand ; or a tumultuous noise ; Such as at feasts , the first-flowr'd spirits of Boies Poure out in mutuall contumelies still : As little squaring with his curious will ; Or was as wanton , and vntaught a Store . Of Ioue and Maia , that rich shoes still wore , He sung ; who sufferd , ill reports before , And foule staines , vnder her faire titles bore . But Hermes sung , her Nation , and her Name Did itterate euer . All her high-flowne fame Of being Ioues Mistresse ; celebrating all Her traine of seruants ; and collaterall Sumpture of Houses , all her Tripods there , And Caldrons huge ; encreasing euery yeare . All which she knew ; yet felt her knowledge flung With her fames losse ; which ( found ) she more wisht sung . But now ; he , in his sacred cradle laid His Lute so absolute ; and strait conuaid Himselfe vp to a watch-towre , forth his house ; Rich , and diuinely Odoriferous ; A loftie wile , at worke in his conceipt ; Thirsting the practise of his Empires height . And where Impostors rule ; ( since sable Night Must serue their deeds ) he did his deeds their right : For now the neuer-resting Sunne , was turn'd For th'vnder earth , and in the Ocean burn'd His Coch , and Coursers . When th'ingenious spie Pieria's shadie hill , had in his eye ; Where the immortall Oxen of the Gods In ayres flood solac't their select Abods ; And earths sweet greene floure , that was neuer shorne ; Fed euer downe ; And these the wittie-borne ( Argicides , ) set serious spie vpon : Seuering from all the rest ; and setting gone Full fiftie of the violent Bellowers . Which driuing through the sands ; he did reuerse ( His births-craft trait remembring ) all their houes ; And them transpos'd , in opposite remoues ; The fore , behinde set ; The behinde , before ; T' employ the eyes , of such as should explore . And he himselfe ( as slye-pac't ) cast away His sandalls , on the sea-sands . Past display ; And vnexcogitable thoughts , in Act Putting ; to shunn , of his stolne steps , the Tract . Mixing , both Tamrisk ; and like-Tamrisk sprayes , In a most rare confusion , to raise His footsteps vp from earth . Of which sprayes , he ( His armefull gathering , fresh from off the Tree , ) Made for his sandalls , Tyes ; both leaues , and tyes Holding together ; and then fear'd no eyes That could affect his feets discoueries . The Tamrisk boughs he gather'd , making way Backe from Pieria : but as to conuaie Prouision in them , for his iourney fit ; It being long ; and therefore needing it . An ould man , now at labour , nere the field Of greene Onchestus ; knew the verdant yield Of his fayre armefull ; whom th'ingenious Sonne Of Maia , therefore ; salutation Did thus beginn to ; Ho ? ould man ! That now Art crooked growne , with making Plants to grow ! Thy nerues will farr be spent ; when these boughs shall To these their leaues , confer me fruit , and All. But see not thou , what euer thou dost see ; Nor heare , though heare ; But all , as touching me Conceale ; since nought , it can endamage thee . This , and no more he said ; and on draue still His brode-browd Oxen. Many a shadie Hill , And many an echoing valley ; many a field Pleasant , and wishfull , did his passage yield Their safe Transcension . But now , the diuine And black-browd Night ( his Mistresse ) did decline Exceeding swiftly ; Daies most earely light Fast hasting to her first point ; to excite Wordlings to worke ; and in her Watch-towre , shone , King Pallas-Megamedes seed , ( the Moone ) When through th' Alphaean flood , Ioues powerfull Sonne Phoebus-Apollo's ample-foreheaded Herd ( Whose necks , the laboring yoke , had neuer spher'd ) Draue swiftly on ; and then into a stall ( Hillie ; yet past to , through an humble vale And hollow Dells , in a most louely Meade ) He gatherd all ; and them diuinely fedd With Odorous Cypresse ; and the rauishing Tree That makes his Eaters , lose the memorie Of name , and countrie . Then he brought , withall ; Much wood ; whose sight , into his serch let fall The Art of making fire . Which thus he tried : He tooke a branch of Lawrell , amplified Past others , both in beautie , and in sise ; Yet , lay next hand ; rubb'd it ; and strait did rise A warme fume from it . Steele , being that did raise ( As Agent ) the attenuated Baies To that hot vapor . So that , Hermes found Both fire first ; and of it , the seede , close bound In other substances ; and then , the seed He multiplied ; of sere-wood making feed The apt heat of it ; in a pile Combin'de , Laid in a lowe Pit ; that inflames strait shin'de ; And cast a sparkling crack vp to the Skye ; All the drie parts , so feruent were , and hye In their combustion . And how long the force Of glorious Vulcan , kept the fire in course ; So long was he , in dragging from their stall , Two of the crook-hancht Herd : that ror'd withall ; And rag'd for feare , t'approch the sacred fire : To which did all , his dreadfull powrs aspire . When ( blustring forth their breath ) He on the soile , Cast both , at length ; though with a world of toile . For long he was , in getting them to ground After their through-thrust , and most mortall wound . But worke , to worke , he ioin'd ; the flesh and cut , Couerd with fat ; and ( on treene broches put ) In peeces rosted . But , in th'Intestines The black blood , and the honorarie chines , Together with the carcases , lay there Cast on the cold earth , as no Deities chere . The Hydes , vpon a rugged rock he spred ▪ And thus were these now , all in peeces shred , And vndistinguisht from Earths common herd ▪ Though borne for long date ; and to heauen endeard ; And now must euer liue , in dead euent . But Hermes , h●rehence , hauing his content , Car'd for no more ; but drew to places euen , The fat-works , that , of force , must haue for heauen Their capitall ends ; though stolne ; and therefore were In twelue parts cut , for twelue choice Deities chere , By this deuotion . To all which , he gaue Their seuerall honors ; and did wish to haue His equall part thereof ; as free , and well As th' other Deities ; but the fattie smell Afflicted him , though he immortall were ; Play'ng mortall parts ; and being , ( like mortalls ) here . Yet his proud minde , nothing the more obayde For being a God , himselfe ; and his owne aide Hauing to cause his due : And though in heart Hee highly wisht it ; but the weaker part Subdu'd the stronger ; and went on , in ill . Euen heauenly Powre , had rather haue his Will , Then haue his Right ; and will 's the worst of All , When but in least sort , it is criminall ; One Taint , being Author of a Number , still . And thus ( resolu'd to leaue his hallow'd Hill ) First , both the fat parts , and the fleshie , All Taking away ; at the steepe-entryed stall He laid all ; All , the feet and heads entire ; And all the sere-wood ; making cleare with fire . And now , he leauing there then , all things done And finisht , in their fit perfection ; ( The Coles put out ; and their black Ashes throwne From all discouerie , by the louely light The cherefull Moone cast ; shyning all the Night ) He strait assum'd a nouell voices note ; And in the whirle-pit-eating-flood , aflote He set his sandalls . When now , once againe The-that-morne-borne - Cyllenius , did attaine His Homes diuine height ; all the farr-stretcht waie No one blest God , encountring , his assaie ; Nor Mortall Man ; nor any Dogg durst spend His-borne-to-barke-mouth at him ; till , in th' end , He reacht his Caue ; and at the Gate went in Crooked , and wrapt into a fold so thin , That no eye could discouer his repayre ; But as a darknesse , of th'Autumnall ayre . When , going on ; fore-right ; he strait arriu'd At his rich Phane : his soft feet quite depriu'd Of all least noise , of one that trod the earth ; They trod so swift , to reach his roome of Birth . Where , In his swath-bands , he his shoulders wrapt , And ( like an Infant , newly hauing scap't The teeming streights ) as in the Palms he lay Of his lou'd Nurse . Yet instantly would play ( Freeing his right hand ) with his bearing cloth About his knees wrapt ; and strait ( loosing both His right and left hand ) with his left , he caught His most-lou'd Lute . His Mother yet , was taught His wanton wiles ; nor could a Gods wit lie Hid from a Goddesse ; who did therefore trye His answer , thus : Why ( thou made all of sleight ) And whence ariu'st thou , in this rest of Night ? Improuident Impudent ; In my conceipt Thou rather shouldst be getting forth thy Gate , With all flight fit , for thy endanger'd State ; ( In merit of th' Ineuitable bands , To be impos'd by vext Latona's hands Iustly incenst for her Apollo's harms ) Thenly thus wrapt , as ready for her arms , To take thee vp , and kisse thee : Would to heauen , ( In crosse of that high grace ) Thou hadst beene giuen Vp to Perdition ; ere poore mortalls beare Those blacke banes , that thy father Thunderer Hath planted thee of purpose to confer , On them , and Deities . He return'd replie ; As Master of the feates of Policie ; Mother ? why ayme you thus amisse at me ? As if I were a Sonne that Infancie Could keepe from all the skill , that Age can teach ? Or had in cheating , but a childish reach ? And of a Mothers mandats , fear'd the breach ? I mount that Art at first ; that will be best When all times consummate their cunningest . Able to counsaile , Now my selfe , and thee , In all things best , to all Eternitie . We cannot liue like Gods here , without gifts ; No , nor without corruption , and shifts . And much lesse , without eating ; as we must In keeping thy rules , and in being Iust ; Of which we cannot vndergoe the lodes . T is better here , to Imitate the Gods , And wine , or wench out all times Periods ; To that end , growing rich in readie heapes ; Stor'de with Reue●news ; being in corne-fielde reapes Of infinite Acres ; then to liue enclos'd In Caues , to all Earths sweetest ayre expos'd . I , as much honor hold , as Phoebus does ; And if my Father please not to dispose Possessions to me ; I my selfe will see If I can force them in , for I can be Prince of all Theeues . And if Latona's Sonne Make after my stealth , Indignation ; I 'le haue a Scape , as well as ●e a Serch , And ouertake him with a greater lurch . For I can post to Pythos ; and breake through , His huge house , there ; where harbors wealth enough ; Most precious Tripods ; Caldrons ; Steele , and Gold ; Garments rich wrought ; and full of liberall fold : All which will I , at pleasure owne ; and thow Shalt see all ; wilt thou but thy ●ight bestow . Thus chang'd great words ; the Go●e-hyde-wearers Sonne , And Maia , of Maiestique fashion . And now the Ayre-begot Aurora rose From out the Ocean-great-in-ebbs-and flows ; When , at the ne●er-shorne , pure-and-faire Groue , ( Onchestus ) consecrated to the loue Of round and long-neckt Neptune ; Phoebus found A man whom heauie yeares , had prest halfe roun● ▪ And yet at worke , in plashing of a Fenc● About a Vineyeard ; that had residence Hard by the high-way ; whom Latona's Sonne ; Made it not strange , but first did question , And first saluted : Ho ? you ? Aged syre That here are hewing from the Vine , the Bryre ; For certaine Oxen , I come here t' enquire Out of Pieria ; femalls All ; and rer'd All , with hornes wreath'd , vnlike the common Herde ; A Cole-black Bull , fed by them all alone ; And all obseru'd for preseruation Through all their foodie , and delicious Fen ; With foure fierce Mastifs , like one-minded men . These left their Doggs , and Bull ; ( which I admire ) And when was nere set , Daies eternall fire ; From their fierce Guardians ; from their delicate fare , Made clere departure . To me then declare ; ( O ould man , long since borne ) If thy graue raie Hath any man seene , making stealthfull waie With all those Oxen ! Th' olde man made replie ; T is hard ( O friend ) to render readily , Account of all , that may inuade mine eye ; For many a Trauailer , this high-way tredds ; Some in much ills serch ; some , in noble thredd 's Leading their liues out ; but I , this young Day Euen from her first point , haue made good display , Of all men , passing this abundant hill , Planted with Vines ; and no such stealthfull ill , Her light hath showne me : But last Euening late , I sawe a Thing , that shew'd of childish state ; To my ould lights ; and seem'd as he pursude A Herd of Oxen , with braue Heads indude ; Yet but an Infant ; and retainde a Rodd ; Who warilie , both this , and that way trodd , His head still backwards turn'd . This th'ould Man spake ; Which he well thought vpon ; and swiftly brake Into his Pursuit , with abundant wing ; That strooke but one plaine ; ere he knew the thing That was the Theefe ; to be th'Impostor borne ; Whom Ioue yet , with his Sonnes name did adorne . In studie , and with Ardor , then the King ( Ioues dazeling Sonne ) plac't his exploring wing On sacred Pylos , for his forced Heard ; His ample shoulders ▪ in a cloud ensphear'd Of fierie chrimsine . Strait , the steps he found Of his stolne Herd : And said ; Strange sights confound My apprehensiue powers : for here I see The Tracts of Oxen ; but auersiuelie Conuerted towards the Pierian Hills , As tredding to their Meade of Daffodills ; But , nor mine eye , Mens feet , nor Womens drawes ; Nor hoarie Wolues , nor Beares ▪ nor Lyons Paws ; Nor thick-neckt Bulls they show . But hee that ●oes , These monstrous Deeds , with n●uer so swift shooes ; Hath past from that howre hither ; but from hence , His foule course , may meete , fouler consequence . With thi● , tooke Phoebus wing ; and Hermes still , ( For all his Threats ) secure lay in his Hill Wall'd with a woodd ; and more ▪ ● Rock , beside Where a Retreat rann , deepely multiplide In blinding shadows ; and where th'endlesse Bride ; Bore to Saturnius , his Ingenious Sonne : An Odor , worth a Hearts desire , being throwne , Along the Heauen-sweet Hill ; on whose Herb , fedd , Rich flocks of sheepe , that bow not where they tredd Their horney Pasterns . There , the light of Men , ( Ioues Sonne Apollo ) strait descended then , The Marble Pauement , in that gloomie Den. On whom , when Ioue , and Maia's Sonne set eye , Wroth for his Oxen : On then , instantly His Odorous swath-bands , flew ; in which , as close Th'Impostor lay ; As in the coole repose Of cast-on Ashes , Harths of burning Coles Ly in the woods hidd , vnder the Controules Of skilfull Colyers : Euen so close did lie Inscrutable Hermes in Apollo's eye . Contracting his great God-head , to a small And Infant likenesse ; feet , hands , head and All. And as a Hunter hath beene often viewd , From Chace retir'd with both his hands embrewd In his Games blood ; that doth for water call To clense his hands ; And to prouoke withall Delightsome sleepe ; new washt and laid to rest ; So now lay Hermes in the close comprest Chace of his Oxen. His New-found-out Lute ; Beneath his arme held ; As if no pursuite But that Prise , and the virtue of his play , His heart affected . But to Phoebus , lay , His close Heart , open : And he , likewise , knew The braue Hyll-Nymph there ; and her deare Sonne , new ▪ Borne ; and as well wrapt , in his wiles , as weed's . All the close shroud's too , for his Rapinous deedes , In All the Caue , he knew : and with his key He open'd three of them ; In which there lay Siluer , and Gold-heapes ; Nectar infinite store ; And Deare Ambrosia ; and of weedes she wore , ( Pure white , and Purple ) A rich Wardrobe shin'de ; Fit for the blest States , of powrs so diuin'de . All which discouerd ; Thus to Mercurie He offerd Conference : Infant ? you that lie Wrapt so in swath-bands ; Instantly vnfold In what conceald Retreats of yours you bold My Oxen stolne by you ; Or strait we shall Iarr , as beseemes not , powrs Celestiall . For I will take , and hurle Thee to the Deepes Of dismall Tartarus ; where ill Death keepes His gloomie , and inextricable fates ; And to no Eye , that light Illuminates , Mother , nor Father , shall returne thee free , But vnder Earth , shall Sorrow fetter thee , And few repute thee , their Superiour . On him replied , Crafts subtlest Counsailor ; What cruell speech hath past Latona's Care ! Seekes be his stolne-wilde-Cows , where Deities are ? I haue nor seene , nor ●eard ; nor can report ▪ From others mouthes , one word of their resort To any strang r. Nor will I , to gaine A base Reward , a false Relation faine . Nor would I ; Could I tell . Resemble I An Ox-Theefe ? Or a Man ? Especiallie A man of such a courage ; such a force As to that labour goes ? That violent course ? No Infants worke is That . My powres aspire To sleepe , and quenching of my hungers fire With Mothers Milke ; and gainst cold shades , to arme With Cradle-cloths , my shoulders ; and Baths warme , That no man may conceiue , the warr you threat Can spring , in cause , from my so peace full heat . And euen amongst th'Immortalls it would beare Euent of absolute Miracle , to heare A new-borne Infants forces should transcend The limits of his Dores ; much lesse contend With vntam'd Oxen. This speech nothing seemes To sauour the Decorum of the Beames Cast round about the Ayre Apollo breakes , Where his diuine minde , her intention speakes . I brake but yesterday , the blessed wombe , My feet are tender , and the common Tombe Of men , ( the Earth ) lies sharpe beneath their tred . But , ( if you please ) euen by my Fathers head I 'le take the great Oath ; That nor I protest My selfe , to Author on your Interest Any such vsurpation ; Nor haue I Seene any other , that felloniously Hath forc't your Oxen. Strange thing ! what are those Oxen of yours ? Or what are Oxen ? knowes My rude minde , thinke you ? My eares onely touch At their renowne , and heare that there are such . This speech he past , and euer as he spake Beames from the hayre , about his eye-lidds brake ; His eye-brows , vp , and downe cast ; and his eye Euery way look't , askans , and careleslie . And he , into a loftie whistling fell ; As if he idle thought , Apollo's spell . Apollo ( gently smiling ) made Replie ; O thou Impostor ! whose thoughts euer lye In labour with Deceipt ! For certaine , I Retaine Opinon ; that thou , ( euen thus soone ) Hast ransackt , many a House ; and not in one Nights-worke alone ; nor in one Countrie neither Hast beene beseeging , House and Man together ; Rigging , and rifeling all waies ; and no Noise Made with thy soft fee●e , where it all destroies . Soft therefore , well ; and tender thou maist call The feet that thy stealthe , goe , and fly withall . For many a field-bredd Herdsman . ( vnheard still ) Hast thou made drowne , the Ca●er●s of the Hill Where his Retreates lie , with his helplesse teares , When any flesh-stealth thy desire endea●●● ▪ And thou encountrest , either flocks of sheepe Or Herds of Oxen ! vp then doe not sleepe Thy last Nap , in thy Cradle ; but come downe ; ( Companion of black Night ) and for this Crowne Of thy young Rapines ; beare ( from all ) the state And stile of Prince Theefe , into endlesse Date . This said ; he tooke the Infant in his Armes ; And with him , the remembrance of his harmes ; This Praesage vtt'ring ; lifting him aloft ; Be euer more , the miserablie-soft Slaue of the bellie ; Pursuiuant of all And Author , of all mischiefs Capitall . He scorn'd his Prophesie so ; he Nees'd in 's face Most forciblie ( which hearing ) his embrace He loth'd ; and burl'd him gainst the ground ; yet still Tooke seate before him ; though , ( with all the ill He bore by him ) he would haue left full faine That Hewer of his heart , so into twaine . Yet salu'd all thus ; Come ! ( you so swadl'd thing ; Issue of Maia , and the Thunders King ; Be confident ; I shall hereafter finde My brode-browd Oxen. My Prophetique minde So farr from blaming this thy course ; that I , Foresee thee , ( in it , ) to Posteritie The guide of All Men , ( All waies , ) to their ends . This spoken ; Hermes , from the Earth Ascends ; Starting Aloft ; and as in Studie went ; Wrapping himselfe , in his Integument ; And thus askt Phoebus ; Whither force you Me ( Farr-shot ; and farr most powrefull Deitie . ) I know ( for all your fayning ) y' are still wroth , About your Oxen ; and suspect my Troth . O Iupiter ? I wish the generall Race Of all Earths Oxen , rooted from her face . I steale your Oxen ? I againe , professe That neither , I , haue stolne them ; nor can ghesse Who else should steale them . What strange Beasts are these Your so-lou'd Oxen ? I must say ( to please Your humor thus farr ) that euen My few Hoowres Haue heard their fame . But be the sentence yours Of the Debate betwixt vs ; Or to Ioue ( For more indifferencie ) the Cause remoue . Thus when the Solitude-affecting God , And the Latonian seede , had laid abroad All things betwixt them ; ( though not yet agreed ; Yet , might I speake ) Apollo did proceede Nothing vniustly , to charge Mercurie With stealing of the Cows , he does denie . But his Profession was , with filed speach , And Crafts faire Complements , to ouerreach All ; And euen Phoebus . Who because he knew His Trade of subtletie ; He still at view Hunted his Foe , through all the sandie waie Vp to Olympus . Nor would let him stra●e From out his sight ; but kept behinde him still . And now they reacht , the Odoriferous Hill Of high Olympus , to their Father Ioue , To Arbitrate the Cause , in which they stroue . Where , before both ; Talents of iustice were Propos'd for him , whom Ioue should sentence Clere , In cause of their contention . And now About Olympus , ( euer-crown'de with snow ) The rumor of their controuersie flew . All the Incorruptible , to their view , On heavens steepe Mountaine , made return'd repaire . Hermes and He , that light hurls through the ayre ; Before the Thunderers knees stood : who begunn , To question thus farr , his Illustrious Sonne : Phoebus ? To what end bringst thou Captiue here Him in whom my Minde , putts delights so deare ? This New-borne Infant ? that the place supplies Of Herrald yet , to all the Deities ? This serious busines , you may witnesse , drawes The Deities whole Court , to discusse the cause . Phoebus replied : And not vnworthie is The cause , of all the Court of Deities . For you shall heare , it comprehends the weight Of Deuastation ; and the verie height Of spoile , and rapine , euen of Deities rights . Yet you ( as if my selfe lou'd such delights ) Vse words that wound my heart . I bring you here An Infant , that , euen now , admits no Pere In rapes and robb'ries . Finding out , his Place , ( After my measure of an infinite space ) In the Cyllenian Mountaine . Such a one In all the Art of opprobration , As not in all the Deities , I haue seene ; Nor in th'Obliuion-marckt-whole Race of men . In Night , he draue my Oxen from their Leas ; A long the loftie rore-resounding Seas : From out the Rode way quite : the steps of them So quite transpos'd , as would amaze the beam● Of any mindes eye : being so infinite much Inuolu'd in doubt ; as showd a Deified touch Went to the works performance . All the way Through which , my cross-hou'd Cows hee did conuaie , Had dust so darklie-hard to serch ; and He So past all measure , wrapt in subtiltie . For , nor with feet , nor hands , be form'd his steps , In passing through the drie waies sandie heap's : But vs'd another counsaile to keepe hidd His monstrous Tracts ; that showd as one had slid On Oke , or other Boughs ; That swept out still The footsteps of his Oxen ; and did fill Their prints vp euer ; to the Daffodill ( Or daintie feeding Meddow ) as they trodd , Driuen by this cautelous , and Infant God. A Mortall Man yet , saw him driuing on His Prey to Pylos . Which when he had done And got his Passe sign'd , with a sacred fire In peace ; and freely ( though to his desire Not to the Gods , he offerd part of these My rauisht Oxen ) he retires , and lies Like to the gloomie Night in his dimm Denn , All hid in darknesse ; and in clouts againe , Wrapt him so closely ; that the sharpe-seene eye Of your owne Eagle , could not see him lye . For with his hands , the ayre he rarified ( This way , and that mou'd ) till bright gleames did glide About his Being ; that if any eye Should dare the Darknesse ; Light appos'd so nie Might blinde it quite , with her Antipathie . Which wile he woue , in curious care t'illude Th' Extreame of any eye , that could intrude . On which relying ; he outrageouslie ( When I accus'd him ) trebled his replie ; I did not see ; I did not heare ; nor I Will tell at all ; that any other stole Your brode-browd Beeues . Which an Impostors soule Would soone haue done ; and any Author faine Of purpose onely , a Reward to gaine . And thus he colourd truth , in euery lie . This said ; Apollo sate ; and Mercurie , The Gods Commander , pleas'd with this replie . Father ! I 'le tell the truth ; ( for I am true And farr from Art to lie . ) He did pursue Euen to my Caue , his Oxen : this selfe daie ; The Sunn , new raising his illustrious raie . But brought with him , none of the Bliss-indu'd , Nor any ocular witnesse ▪ to conclude , His bare assertion . But his owne command Laid on with strong , and necessarie hand , To showe his Oxen. Vsing Threats to cast My poore , and Infant powrs , into the Vast Of ghastlie Tartarus ; because he beares Of strength-sustayning youth , the flaming yeares . And I , but yesterday produc't to light By which , it fell into his owne fre sight That I , in no similitude apper'd Of powre to be the forcer of a Herde . And credite me ( O Father , since the Grace Of that name , in your stile , you please to place ) I draue not home his Oxen , no nor preast Past mine owne threshold ; for t is manifest , I reuerence , with my soule , the Sunn ; and all The knowing dwellers , in this heauenly Hall. Loue you ; obserue the least : and t is most cleare In your owne knowledge , that my Merits beare No least guilt of his blame . To all which , I , Dare adde , heauens great oath , boldly swearing by All these so well-built Entries of the Blest . And therefore when I saw my selfe so prest With his reproches ; I confesse I burn'd In my pure gall ; and harsh replie return'd . Adde your aid to your Yonger then ; and free The scruple fixt in Phoebus Ielousie . This said ; he winckt vpon his Sire ; and still His swath-bands , held beneath his arme ; no Will Discernd in him , to hide , but haue them showne . Ioue laught aloud at his Ingenious Sonne , Quitting himselfe with Art , so likely wrought , As showd in his heart , not a rapinous thought . Commanding Both , to beare attoned mindes And seeke out th'Oxen ; In which serch he bindes Hermes to play the Guide ; and show the Sunn ( All grudge exilde ) the Shrowd to which he wunn His fayre-eyd Oxen. Then ; his forehead bow'd For signe it must be so ; and Hermes show'd His free obedience . So soone , he inclin'd To his perswasion , and command , his minde . Now then , Ioues Iarring Sonnes , no longer stood ; But sandie Pylos , and th' Alphaean flood Reacht instantly ; and made as quick a fall On those rich-feeding fields , and loftie stall Where Phoebus Oxen , Hermes safelie kept ; Driuen in , by night . When sodainely he stept Vp to the stonie Caue ; and into light Draue forth the Oxen ▪ Phoebus at first sight Knew them the same : and saw apart dispread Vpon a high-rais'd rock ; the hydes new flead Of th'Oxen sacrifis'd . Then Phoebus said ; O thou in craftie counsailes vndisplaid ! How couldst thou cut the throtes , and cast to Earth Two such huge Oxen ? being so young a birth , And a mere Infant ? I admire thy force And will , behinde thy back . But this swift course Of growing into strength , thou hadst not need Continue any long Date , O thou seed Of honor'd Maia ! Hermes , ( to shew how He did those Deedes ) did forthwith cut and bow Strong Osiers in soft folds ; and strappl'd strait One of his hugest Oxen : all his weight Lay'ng prostrate on the earth , at Phoebus feet : All his foure clouen houes , easly made to greete Each other vpwards ; all , together bro●ght . In all which bands yet , all the Beasts powres wrought To rise , and stand ; when all the Herd about The mighty Hermes , rusht in , to help out Their fellow from his fetters ; Phoebus view Of all this , vp to Admiration drew Euen his high forces : And sterne lookes he threw At Hermes for his Herds wrong ; and the place To which he had retir'd them ; being in grace And fruitfull riches of it , so entire : All which , set all his force , on enuious fire . All whose heat , flew out of his eyes in flames : Which faine he would haue hidd , to hide the shames Of his ill gouern'd passions . But with ease Hermes could calme them ; and his humors please Still at his pleasure ; were he ne're so great In force , and fortitude ; and high in heat . In all which , he his Lute tooke ; and assaid A Song vpon him ; and so strangely plaid ; That from his hand , a rauishing horror flew . Which Phoebus , into laughter turn'd ; and grew Pleasant past measure ; Tunes so artfull clere Strooke euen his heart-strings ; & his minde , made heare . His Lute so powerfull was , in forcing loue ; ( As his hand rul'd it ) that from him it droue All feare of Phoebus ; yet he gaue him still The vpper hand ; and ( to aduance his skill ) The vtmost Miracle ; he plaid sometimes , Single awhile ; In which , when all the Clymes Of rapture he had reacht ; ( to make the Sunn Admire enough ) O then , his voice would runn Such points vpon his play ; and did so moue , They tooke Apollo Prisoner to his loue . And now the deathlesse Gods , and deathfull Earth He sung ; beginning , at their eithers Birth , To full extent of all their Emperie . And , first ; the honor to Mnemosyne ( The Muses Mother ) of all Goddesse states He gaue ; euen forc't too 't , by the equall fates . And then ( as it did in Prioritie fall Of Age , and Birth ) He celebrated All. And with such Elegance , and Order sung ; ( His Lute still toucht , to stick more off his tongue ) That Phoebus heart , with infinite loue , he eate . Who therefore thus , did his Deserts entreate : Master of Sacrifice ! chiefe soule of feast ? Patient of all paines ? Artizan so blest ; That all things thou canst doe , in any One. Worth fiftie Oxen is th' Inuention Of this one Lute . We both , shall now ; I hope ; In firme peace , worke , to all our wishes scope . Informe me , ( thou that euery way canst winde , And turne to Act , all wishes of thy minde ) Together with thy birth , came all thy skill ? Or did some God , or God-like man instill This heauenly song to thee ? Me thinks I heare A new voice ; such as neuer yet came nere The brest of any ; either Man , or God ; Till in thee , it had Prime , and Period . What Art ? what Muse ? that medicine can produce For cares most curele●●e ? what inueterate vse ; Or practise of a virtue so profuse , ( Which three , doe all the contribution keep● That Ioy , or Loue conferrs , or pleasing Sleepe ) Taught thee the soueraigne facture of them all ? I , of the Muses , am the capitall Consort , or follower : ( and to these belong The grace of dance ; all worthie waies of song ; and euer-florishing verse : the delicate Set And sound of Instruments . ) But neuer yet Did anything so much affect my minde With ioy , and care to compasse ; as this kinde Of Song and Play : that for the spritely feast Of florishing assemblies , are the best And aptest works , that euer Worth gaue Act. My powres with admiration stand distract , To heare , with what a hand to make in loue , Thou rul'st thy Lute . And ( though thy yongst howres moue , At full art , in ould counsailes . Here I vow ( Euen by this Cornell Dart , I vse to throw ) To thee , and to thy Mother ; I 'le make thee Amongst the Gods , of glorious degree . Guide of Mens waies , and Theirs . And will impart To thee , the mightie Imperatorie Art : Bestowe rich gifts on thee ; and in the end Neuer deceiue thee . Hermes ( as a friend That wrought on all aduantage ; and made gaine His Capitall obiect ) thus did entertaine Phoebus Apollo : Doe thy Dignities ( Farr-working God ; and circularlie wise ) Demand my vertues ? without enuie I Will teach thee to ascend my facultie . And this Day thou shalt reach it ; finding me , In Acts and Counsailes , all waies kinde to thee ; As one that all things knows : And first tak'st seat Amongst th'Immortalls ; being good , and great . And therefore to Ioues loue , mak'st free accesse , Euen out of his accomplisht Holinesse . Great gifts , he likewise giues thee ; who ( fame saies ) Hast wunn thy greatnesse , by his will : his waies . By him know'st all the powers Propheticall ( O thou farr-worker ) and the fates of all . Yea ; and I know thee rich ; yet apt to learne : And euen thy Wish , dost but discerne , and earne . And since thy soule , so burns to know the way To play and sing as I doe : sing , and play . Play ; and perfection in thy play employ ; And be thy care , to learne things good ; thy Ioy. Take thou my Lute ( My Loue ) and giue thou me , The glorie of so great a facultie . This sweet-tun'd consort ; held but in thy hand ; Sing ; and perfection in thy song command . For thou , alreadie , hast the way to speake Fayrely , and elegantly ; and to breake All eloquence into thy vtterd minde . One gift from heauen found , may another finde . Vse then , securely , this thy gift ; and goe To feasts , and dances , that enamour so ; And to that couetous sport of getting glory , That Day , nor Night , will suffer to be sory . Whoeuer , does but say , in verse ; sings still : Which he that can ; of any other skill Is capable ; so he be taught by Art , And wisedome ; and can speake , at euery part Things pleasing to an vnderstanding Minde : And such a one , that seekes this Lute , shall finde . Him still it teaches easely , though he plaies Soft voluntaries onely ; and assaies As wanton , as the sports of children are . And ( euen when he aspires to singular In all the Mast'ries he shall play or sing ) Findes the whole worke , but an vnhappie thing : He ( I say ) sure ; shall of this Lute be King. But he ; whoeuer , rudely sets vpon , Of this Lutes skill , th'Inquest , or Question ; Neuer so ardently , and angrilie ; Without the aptnesse , and habilitie Of Art , and Nature fitting : neuer shall Aspire to this ; but vtter triuiall And idle accents ; though sung ne're so lowd , And neuer so commended of the Crowde . But thee I know ( O Eminent Sonne of Ioue ) The fiery Learner , of what euer Loue Hath sharpn'd thy affections to achiue . And thee , I giue this Lute ; let vs now liue Feeding vpon the Hill-and-horse-fed Earth Our neuer-handled Oxen : whose deare Birth ( Their femalls fellowd with their Males ) let flowe In store enough hereafter ; nor must you ( How-euer-cunning hearted your wits are ) Boile in your Gall , a Grudge too circulare . Thus gaue he him his Lute ; which he embrac't ; And gaue againe , a Gode , whose bright head cast Beames like the light forth ; leauing to his care His Oxens keeping . Which , with ioyfull fare , He tooke on him . The Lute Apollo tooke Into his left hand ; and aloft he shooke Delightsome sounds vp ; to which God did sing . Then were the Oxen , to their endlesse Spring Turn'd ; and Ioues Two illustr'ous Off-springs flew Vp to Olympus , where it euer snew ; Delighted with their Lutes sound all the way . Whom Ioue , much ioi'd to see ; and endlesse stay Gaue to their knot of friendship . From which date ; Hermes gaue Phoebus , an eternall state In his affection : whose sure pledge and signe His Lute was ; and the Doctrine so diuine , Iointly conferd on him . Which well might be True Symbole of his Loues simplicitie . On th' other part ; Apollo , in his friend Form'd th' Art of Wisedome ; to the binding end Of his vow'd friendship ; and ( for further meede ) Gaue him the farr-heard fistularie Reede . For all these forms of friendship , Phoebus yet Feard that both forme , and substance were not mett In Mercurie's intentions : and , in plaine , Said , ( since he saw him , borne to craft and gaine ; And that Ioues will had him the honor done , To change at his will , the possession Of others Gods ) be fear'd his breach of of vowes , In stealing both his Lute , and comming Bowes . And therefore wisht , that what the Gods affect , Himselfe would witnesse ; and to his request His head Bow ; swearing by th' Impetuous flood Of Styx ; that of his whole possessions , not a Good He would diminish ; but therein maintaine The full content , in which his Minde did raigne . And then did Maia's Sonne , his fore-head bow : Making , by all that he desir'd , his vow : Neuer to prey more vpon any Thing , In iust possession of the farr-shot King ; Nor euer to come neare , a House of his . Latonian Phoebus , bowd his Brow to this , With his like promise ; say'ng , Not any One Of all the Gods , nor any Man , that , Sonne Is to Saturnius ; is more deare to me ; More trusted , nor more honord , is then thee . Which , yet , with greater Gifts of Deitie , In future I 'le confirme ; and giue thy state A Rodd that riches shall accumulate ; Nor leaue the bearer , thrall to Death , or fate Or any sicknesse . All of Gold it is ; Three-leau'd ; and full of all felicities . And this shall be thy Guardian ; this shall giue The Gods to thee , in all the truth they liue . And finally , shall this the Tutresse be Of all the words , and workes , informing me From Ioues high counsailes ; making knowne to thee All my instructions . But to Prophesie ( O best of Ioues belou'd ) and that high skill ; Which to obtaine , lies burning in thy will ; Nor thee , nor any God , will Fate let learne . Onely Ioues minde , hath insight to discerne What that importeth ; yet am I allowd ( My knowne faith trusted ; and my forhead bowd ; Our great Oath taken , to resolue to none Of all th'Immortalls , the restriction Of that deepe knowledge ) of it All , the Minde . Since then it sits , in such fast bounds confinde , ( O Brother ) when the Golden rodd is held In thy strong hand ; seeke not to haue reueal'd Any sure fate , that Ioue will haue conceald . For no man shall , by know'ng , preuent his fate ; And therefore will I hold , in my free state The powre , to hurt and helpe , what man I will , Of all the greatest ; or least toucht with ill ; That walke within the Circle of mine eye ; In all the Tribes , and Sexes , it shall trye . Yet , truely , any man shall haue his will To reape the fruites of my Prophetique skill ; Whoeuer seekes it , by the voice , or wing Of Birds , borne truely , such euents to sing . Nor will I falfly , nor with fallacies Infringe the truth , on which his faith relies ; But he that Truths , in chattering plumes would finde ; ( Quite opposite to them , that prompt my Minde , ) And learne by naturall forgers of vaine lyes , The more-then-euer-certaine Deities ; That man shall Sea-waies tred , that leaue no Tracts ; And false , or no guide finde , for all his facts . And yet will I , his Gifts accept as well As his ; to whom , the simple truth I tell . One other thing to thee , I 'le yet make knowne ( Maia's exceedingly renowned sonne And Ioues ; and of the Gods whole session The most ingenious Genius . ) There dwell Within a crooked Crannie , in a Dell Beneath Parnassus ; certaine sisters borne , Call'd Parcae ; whom extreame swift wings adorne ; Their Number three ; that haue vpon their heads White Barly floure still sprinckled ; and are maids ; And these are schoole-Mistresses of things to come , Without the gift of Prophecie : of whom ( Being but a boy , and keeping Oxen , nere ) I learn'd their skill ; though my great Father were Careles of it , or them . These flying from home , To others roofes ; and fedd with Hony-come , Command all skill ; and ( being enraged then ) Will freely tell the Truths of things to Men. But if they giue them not , that Gods sweete meat ; They then are apt , to vtter their deceit , And leade Men from their way . And these will I Giue thee hereafter ; when their scrutinie And truth ; thou hast both made , and learn'd , and then ; Please thy selfe with them ; and the Race of men ( Wilt thou know any ) with thy skill endeare : Who will , ( be sure ) afford it greedie eare ; And heare it often , if it proue sincere . Take these ( O Maia's Sonne ) and in thy care , Be Horse , and Oxen : all such Men as are Patient of labour ; Lyons ; white-tooth'd Bores ; Mastifs , and flocks , that feede the flowrie shores ; And euery foure-foot Beast : all which shall stand In awe of thy high Imperatory hand . Be thou to Dis too , sole Ambassador ; Who ( though all gifts , and bounties he abhor ) On thee he will bestowe , a wealthie One. Thus King Apollo , honor'd Maia's Sonne , With all the rights of friendship : all whose loue Had Imposition , from the Will of Ioue . And thus , with Gods and Mortalls Hermes liu'd ; Who truely helpt but few ; but all deceiu'd With an vndifferencing respect ; and made Vaine words , and false perswasions his Trade . His Deeds , were all associats of the Night ; In which , his close wrongs , car'd for no mans Right . So all salutes to Hermes , that are due ; Of whom , and all Gods , shall my Muse sing true . The end of the Hymne to Hermes . A HYMNE TO VENVS . THe force ( O Muse ) and functions , now , vnfold , Of Cyprian Venus , grac't with Mines of Gold. Who , euen in Deities , lights Loues sweet desire ; And all Deaths kindes of men , makes kisse her fire : All Ayres wing'd Nation ; all the Belluine ; That or the Earth feedes , or the Seas confine . To all which appertaine , the loue and care Of well-crown'd Venus works . Ye three there are , Whose mindes , she neither can deceiue nor moue ; Pallas , the seede of Aegis-bearing - Ioue ; Who still liues Indeuirginate ; her eyes Being blew , and sparkling like the freezing skies : Whom all the Gold of Venus , neuer can Tempt to affect her facts , with God or Man. She louing strife , and Mars-his working Bones ; Pitcht fields , and fights , and famous Artizanes , Taught earthie men first , all the Arts that are ; Charriots , and all the frames vehiculare ; Chiefely with brasse , arm'd , & adorn'd for warre . Where Venus , onely soft-skinnd wenches fills With wanton House-works , and suggests those skills Still to their studies . Whom Diana neither , That beares the Golden distaff ; and together Calls Horns , and Hollows ; and the cries of Houndes ; And ownes the Epithete of louing sounds For their sakes ; springing from such spritely sports ; Can catch with her kinde Lures . But hill resorts To wilde-Beasts slaughters ; accents farr-off heard Of Harps , and Dances ; and of woods vnsheard The sacred shades she loues ; yet likes as well Citties where good men , and their off-spring dwell . The third , whom her kinde Passions nothing please ; Is Virgine Vesta ; whom Saturnides Made reuerend with his counsailes : when his Sire That aduers counsailes agitates , lifes fire Had kindled in her ; being his last begot . Whom Neptune wow'd , to knit with him the knot Of honord Nuptialls ; and Apollo too ; Which , with much vehemence , she refus'd to doe ; And sterne Repulses , put vpon them both . Adding to all her vows ; the Gods great Oath ; And touching Ioues chynn , ( which must consummate All vows so bound ) that she would hold her state ; And be th'Inuincible Maid of Deities Through all her daies dates . For Saturnides Gaue her a faire gift , in her Nuptialls stedd ; To sit in midst of his house , and be fedd With all the free , and richest feast of Heauen : In all the Temples of the Gods being giuen The prise of honor . Not a mortall Man , ( That either of the powrs Olympian His half-birth hauing ; may be said to be A mortall of the Gods ; or else that he ( Deities wills doings ) is of Deitie ) But giues her honor , of the amplest kinde . Of all these Three ; can Venus , not a Minde Deceiue , or set on forces to reflect . Of all powrs els yet , not a sex , nor sect , Flies Venus ; either of the blessed Gods ; Or Men , confin'de in mortall Periods . But euen the Minde of Ioue , she doth seduce , That chides with Thunder so , her lawlesse vse In humane Creatures ; and by lot is giuen Of all , most honor ; both in Earth , and Heauen . And yet euen his all-wise , and mightie Minde ; She , when she lifts , can forge affectes to blinde , And mixe with mortall Dames , his Deitie : Conceald , at all parts , from the ielous eye Of Iuno ; who was both his sister borne , And made his wife ; whom beautie did adorne Past all the B●●ie of immortall Dames ; And whose so chiefely-glorified Flames Crosse-counsailde Saturne got ; and Rhaea bore ; And Ioues pure counsailes , ( being Conqueror ) His wife made of his sister . I , and more ; Cast such an amorous fire into her minde As made her ( like him ) with the Mortall kinde Meete in vnmeete bedd ; vsing vtmost haste ; Lest she should know , that he liu'd so vnchaste , Before her selfe , felt that fault in her heart ; And gaue her tongue , too iust edge of Desert To tax his lightnes . With this End , beside , Lest laughter-studying Venus , should deride The Gods more then the Goddesses ; and say That shee the Gods commixt in amorous play , With mortall Dames ; begetting mortall seede T'Immortall sires ; and not make Goddesses breede The like with mortall Fathers . But t'acquite Both Gods and Goddesses of her despite , Ioue tooke ( euen in her selfe ) on him , her powre ; And made her with a mortall Paramoure Vse as deform'd a mixture , as the rest ; Kindling a kinde affection in her brest To God-like-limm'd Anchises ; as he kept On Idas-top-on-top-to-heauens-Pole heapt , Amongst the manie fountaines there , his Herd ; For after his braue Person had apper'de To her bright eye ; her heart flew all on fire ; And ( to amaze ) she burn'd in his desire . Flew strait to Cyprus , to her odorous Phane And Altars , that the people Paphiane Aduanc't to her . Where , ( soone as entred ) shee The shyning gates shut ; and the Graces three Washt ; and with Oiles of euerlasting sent , Bath'd , as became , her deathlesse lyneament . Then her Ambrosian Mantle she assum'd ; With rich and odoriferous Ayres perfum'd ; Which being put on ; and all her Trimms beside Fayre , and with all allurements amplified ; The All-of-Gold-made-laughter-louing Dame ; Left odorous Cyprus ; and for Troy became A swift Contendresse ; her Passe cutting All Along the cloudes ; and made her instant fall On fountfull Ida ; that her Mother-Brests Giues to the Preyfull broode , of sauage Beasts . And through the Hill she went , the readie way T' Anchises Oxstall , where did fawne and play About her blessed feet , Wolues griflie-gray ; Terrible Lyons ; many a Mankind Beare ; And Lybberds swift , insatiate of red Deare . Whose sight so pleas'd , that euer as she past Through euery Beast , a kindely Loue she cast : That in their Denns-obscur'd with shadowes deepe ; Made all , distinguisht , in kinde Couples , sleepe . And now she reacht the rich Pauilion Of the Heroe ; In whom heauens had showne A fayre and goodly Composition . And whom she in his Oxstall found , alone ; His Oxen feeding in fat Pastures , by ; He walking vp , and downe ; sounds clere , and hye , From his harp striking . Then , before him , shee Stood like a Virgine , that inuinciblie Had borne her beauties ; yet alluringly Bearing her person ; lest his rauisht eye Should chance t' affect him , with a stupid feare . Anchises seeing her , all his senses were With wonder stricken ; and high-taken-heed●s Both of her forme ; braue stature ; and rich weedes . For , for a vaile ; she shin'd in an Attire That cast a radiance , past the Ray of fire . Beneath which , wore she guirt to her , a Gowne Wrought all with growing-rose-budds ; reaching downe T' her slender small 's ; which buskinns did diuine ; Such as taught Thetis siluer Feete to shine . Her soft white neck ; rich Carquenets embrac't ; Bright , and with gold , in all variety grac't ; That , to her brests ( let downe ) lay there and shone , As at her ioyfull full , the rising Moone . Her sight show'd miracles . Anchises Heart , Loue tooke into his hand ; and made him part With these high Salutations ; Ioy , ( O Queene ? ) Whoeuer of the Blest , thy beauties beene , That light these Entries ! Or the Deitie That Darts affecteth ; or that gaue the eye Of Heauen , his heat and Luster ! Or that moues The hearts of all , with all-commanding Loues ? Or generous Themis ? Or the blew-eyd Maid ? Or of the Graces , any that are laid With all the Gods , in comparable skales ? And whom Fame , vp to Immortalitie calles ? Or any of the Nymphs , that vnshorne Groues , Or that this fayre Hill-habitation loues ? Or valleys , flowing with earths fattest Goods ? Or Fountaines , pouring forth , eternall floods ? Say , which , of all thou art ; that in some place Of circular prospect , for thine eyes deare grace I may an Altar build , and to thy Powres Make sacred all the yeares deuoted Howres , With consecrations sweet , and oppulent . Assur'd whereof ; be thy benigne Minde bent To these wisht blessings of me ; giue me parts Of chiefe attraction in Troian hearts . And after ; giue me the refulgencie Of most renownd , and rich Posteritie ; Long , and free life ; and Heauens sweet light as long ; The peoples blessings ; and a health so strong ; That no disease , it let my life engage ; Till th' vtmost limit , of a humane Age. To this , Ioues seede , this answer gaue againe ; Anchises ? happiest of the humane straine ? I am no Goddesse : why , a thrall to Death Think'st thou like those , that immortality breath ? A woman brought me forth , my Fathers Name Was Otreus ( If euer his high fame Thine eares haue witnest ) for he gouernd all The Phrygian State : whose euery Towne , a wall Impregnable embrac't . Your tongue , ( you heare ) I speake so well , that in my naturall spheare ( As I pretend ) It must haue taken prime . A woman likewise , of the Troian clime Tooke of me , in her house , the Nurses care From my deare Mothers Bosome ; and thus are My words of equall accent , with your owne . How , here , I come ; ( to make the reason knowne ) Argicides , that beares the Golden Rod Transferd me forciblie from my Abod Made with the Maiden Traine , of her that ioies In Golden shafts ; and loues so well the noise , Of Hounds , & Hunters ( Heauens pure-liuing powre ) Where many a Nymph , and maid of mighty Dowre , Chast sports emploid All circkl'd with a Crowne Of infinite Multitude , to see so showne Our maiden Pastimes . Yet from all the Fayre Of this so forcefull concourse ; vp in Ayre The Golden-Rodd-sustaining - Argus Guide , Rapt me in sight of all ; and made me ride Along the Clouds with him ; enforcing me Thro●gh many a labour of Mortalitie : Through many an vnbuilt Region ; and a rude , Where sauage Beasts , deuour'd Preys warme , and crude ▪ And would not let my feares , take one foots tred On her by whom , are all Liues comforted ; But said , my Maiden State , must grace the Bed Of King Anchises : And bring forth to thee Issue as faire , as of diuine Degree . Which said , and showing me thy mouing Grace ; Away flew he vp , to th' Immortall Race . And thus came I to thee : Necessitie With her steele stings ; compelling me t'applie To her high Powre , my will. But You must I , Implore by Ioue ; and all the reuerence due , To your deare Parents ; who ( in bearing you ) Can beare no meane saile ; leade me home to them An vntoucht Maid : being brought vp in th' extreme Of much too cold simplicitie ; to know The fiery cunnings , that in Venus glow . Show me to them then ; and thy Brothers borne : I shall appeare none , that , parts disadorne ; But such as well may serue , a Brothers wife ; And show them now , euen to my future life ; If such , or no , my Present , will extend . To Horse-Breede-vary'ng Phrygia , likewise send T' Informe my Sire and Mother of my State , That liue for me , extreame disconsolate . Who Gold enough , and well-wouen weedes will giue . All whose rich Gifts , in my Amends receiue . All this perform'd ; adde celebration then Of honord Nuptialls ; that by God and Men Are held in reuerence . All this while she said ; Into his bosome , iointly , she conuaid The fires of loue ; when ( all enamourd ) He In these terms answered : If Mortalitie Confine thy Fortunes ; and a woman were Mother to those attractions that appeare In thy admir'd forme ; thy great Father giuen High Name of Otreus ; and the Spie of Heauen ( Immortall Mercurie ) th'enforce-full cause That made thee lose the Prize of that applause , That modestie , immaculate Virgines giues : My wife thou shalt be call'd , through both our liues . Nor shall the powrs of Men , nor Gods withhold My fiery resolution , to enfold Thy bosome in mine armes ; which here I vow To firme performance , past delay ; and Now. Nor ( should Apollo with his siluer Bow Shoote me to instant death ) would I forbeare To doe a deede , so full of cause so deare . For with a Heauen-sweet woman , I will ly , Though strait I stoope the house of Dis , ' and die . This said ; he tooke her hand ; and she tooke way With him ; her bright eyes casting round ; whose stay She stuck vpon a bed , that was before Made for the King , and wealthie couerings wore . On which , Beares Hydes , and bigg-voic't Lyons lay ; Whose Preyfull liues , the King had made his Prey , Hunting th'Idalian Hills . This Bed when they Had both ascended ; first he tooke from her The fierie weede , that was her vtmost weare . Vnbutto'nd her next rosie Robe ; and los'd The Gyrdle , that her slender wast enclos'd . Vnlac't her buskinns ; all her Iewellrie Tooke from her neck , and brests ; and all lay'd by , Vpon a Golden-studded Chaire of State. Th'Amaze of all which , being remou'd : euen Fate , And counsaile of the equall Gods gaue way To this ; that with a Deathlesse Goddesse lay A deathfull Man : since , what his loue assum'd , Not with his conscious knowledge , was presum'd . Now when the shepherds , and the Herdsmen , all , Turnd from their flowrie Pasture , to their Stall ; With all their Oxen ; fat , and frolick sheepe ; Venus , into Anchises , cast a sleepe , Sweet , and profound ; while , with her owne hands now With her rich weeds , she did her selfe indow : But so distinguisht ; that he clere might know : His happie Glories ; Then ( to her desire Her heauenly Person ; put in Trimms entire ) Shee by the bed stood , of the well-built Stall , Aduanc't her head , to State Celestiall , And in her cheekes , arose the radiant hew Of rich-cround Venus , to apparant view . And then she rou●'d him from his rest ; and said ; Vp ( my Dardanides ) forsake thy bed . What pleasure , late emploid , let ts Humor steepe Thy lidds , in this inexcitable sleepe ? Wake , and now say , If I appeare to thee Like her , that first , thine eyes conceited me . This started him from sleepe ; though deepe , and deare , And passing promptlie , he enioy'd his eare . But when his eye saw Venus neck , and eyes , Whose beauties could not beare the Counterprise Of any other : downe his owne eyes fell ; Which pallid feare , did from her view repell : And made him , with a maine respect beside ; Turne his whole person from her state ; and hide ( With his rich weede appos'd ) his royall face ; These wing'd words vsing ; When , at first , thy Grace , Mine eyes gaue entertainment ; well I knew Thy state was Deified : but thou told'st not true ; And therefore let me pray thee ; ( by thy Loue Borne to thy Father , Aegis-bearing Ioue ) That thou wilt neuer let me liue to be An abiect , after so diuine degree Taken in fortune ; but take ruth on me . For any Man that with a Goddesse lies ; Of interest in immortalities , Is neuer long liu'd . She replied ; Forbeare ( O happiest of Mortall Men ) this feare : And rest assur'd ; that ( not for me , at least ) Thy least ills feare fits ; no nor for the rest Of all the Blessed ; for thou art their friend ; And so farr from sustaining instant end ; That to thy long-enlarg'd life ; there shall spri●g Amongst the Troians , a deare Sonne , and King ; To whom shall many a Sonne ; and Sonnes Sonne rise In euerlasting-great Posterities . His Name Aeneas : therein keeping life ; For euer , in my much-conceipted griefe ; That I ( immortall ) fell into the bed Of one whose blood , Mortality must shed . But rest thou comforted ; and all the Race That Troy shall propagate , in this high grace ; That , past all Races else , the Gods stand nere Your glorious Nation ; for the formes ye beare And Natures so ingenuous , and sincere . For which , the great in counsailes ( Iupiter ) Your Gold-lockt Ganymedes did transfer ( In rapture farr from mens depressed fates ) To make him Consort with our Deified states ; And skale the Top● of the Saturnian skies ; He was so meere a Marueile in their eyes . And therefore from a Bolle of Gold he fills Redd Nectar ; that the rude distension kills Of windes that in your humane stomacks breede . But then did Languor , on the Liuer feede Of Tros ( his Father ) that was King of Troy ; And euer did his memorie employ With losse of his deare bewtie so bereuen ; Though with a sacred whirlewinde ●apt to heauen . But Ioue ( in pittie of him ) saw him giuen Good compensation ; sending by Heauens Spye , White-swift-hou'd Horse ; that Immortality Had made firme spirrited ; and had ( beside ) Hermes to see his Ambassie supplied With this vow'd Bountie ( vsing all at large That his vnaltered counsailes gaue in charge ) That he himselfe , should Immortality breath , Expert of Age , and Woe , as well as Death . This Ambassie exprest , he mourn'd no more ; But vp , with all his inmost minde he bore ; Ioying that he , vpon his swift-hou'd Horse , Should be stustain'd in an eternall course . So did the golden-thron'de Aurora , raise Into her Lap ; another that the praise Of an Immortall fashion , had in Fame ; And of your Nation , bore the Noble Name : ( His Title Tython ) who , not pleas'd with her , As she his louely Person , did transfer ; ( To satisfie him ) she bad aske of Ioue , The Gift of an Immortall for her Loue. Ioue gaue ; and bound it with his bowed Brow ; Performing to the vtmost point , his vow . Foole that she was ; that would her loue engage ; And not , as long aske , from the Bane of Age , The sweet exemption ; and Youths endlesse flowre . Of which , as long , as both the grace and powre His person entertainde ; she lou'd the Man ; And ( at the fluents of the Ocean Nere Earths extreame bounds ) dwelt with him : but when ( According to the course of aged Men ) On his faire head ; and honorable Beard ; His first gray hayres , to her light eyes apperd ; She left his bed ; yet gaue him still , for food The Gods Ambrosia ; and attire as good . Till , euen the hate of Age , came on so fast That not a lyneament of his was grac't With powre of Motion ; nor did still sustaine ( Much lesse ) the Vigor had , t' aduance a vaine ; The virtue lost , in each exhausted lim● , That , ( at his wish ) before would answer him ; All Powrs so quite decaid ; that when he spake , His voice , no perceptible accent brake : Her counsaile , then , thought best ; to striue no more ; But lay him in his bed , and lock his Dore. Such an Immortall ; would not I wish thee , T' extend all daies so , to Eternitie . But if , as now , thou couldst performe thy course In Grace of Forme , and all corporeall force To an eternall Date ; Thou then should'st beare My Husbands worthie Name ; and not a Teare , Should I neede raine , for thy deserts declinde , From my All clouded bitternesse of minde . But now , the sterne storme of relentlesse Age Will quickly circkle thee ; that waites ●'engage All Men alike ; euen Lothsomnesse , and Bane Attending with it , euery humane ●ane : Which euen the Gods bate . Such a Penance lies Impos'd on flesh and bloods infirmities . Which I my selfe must taste , in great degree , And date as endlesse ; for consorting thee . All the Immortalls , with my opprobrie Are full , by this time ; on their Hearts so lie , ( Euen to the sting of Feare ) my cunnings vs'd ; And wiuing conuersations infus'd , Into the bosomes of the best of them , With women , that the fraile and mortall stream Doth daily rauish . All this long since done . Which now , no more but with effusion Of teares ; I must in Heauen , so much as name : I haue so forfaited , in this , my Fame , And am impos'd , paine of so great a kinde For so much erring , from a Goddesse Minde . For I haue put beneath my Gyrdle here , A Sonne , whose sire , the humane mortall sphere Giues Circumscription . But when first the light His eyes shall comfort ; Nymphs that hant the height ; Of Hills ; and Brests haue , of most deepe receit ; Shall be his Nurses : who inhabit now A Hill of so vast , and diuine a Brow , As Man , nor God , can come at their Retreates . Who liue long liues , and eat immortall Meates ; And with Immortalls , in the exercise Of comely Dances , dare contend ; and rise Into high Question , which deserues the Prise . The light Sileni , mix in loue with These ; And of all Spies , the Prince Argicides : In well-trymmd Caues , their secret meetings made . And with the liues of these ; doth life inuade Or odorous firre Trees ; or high-forheaded Okes ; Together taking their begetting strokes . And haue tbeir liues and deaths , of equall Dates ; Trees bearing louely , and Delightsome states ; Whom Earth first feedes , that Men initiates . On her high Hills , she doth their states sustaine , And they , their owne heights , raise as high againe . Their Growghts together made ; Nymphs call their Groues ; Vowd to th'Immortalls seruices , and loues . Which mens steeles therefore touch not ; but let grow . But when wise Fates , times for their fadings know ; The faire Trees still , before the faire Nymphs die ; The Bark about them ; growne corrupt , and drie ; And all their boughs ( falne ) yeeld to Earth her right ; And then the Nymphs liues , leaue the louely Light. And these Nymphs , in their Caues , shall nurse my Son ; Whom ( when in him , Youths first grace is begun ) The Nymphs , his Nurses , shall present to thee , And shew thee what a Birth , thou hast by Me. And ( sure as now I tell thee all these things ) When earth , hath cloth'd her plants , in fiue faire springs ; My selfe will make returne , to this Retreate ; And bring that Flowre of thy enamour'd heate ; Whom when thou then seest , Ioy shall fire thine eyes ; He shall so well Present the Deities . And then into thine owne care take thy Sonne ; From his calme seat , to windie Ilion . Where , if strickt question , be vpon thee past , Asking what Mother , bore beneath her wast So deare a Sonne ; answer , as I afford Fit admonition , nor forget a word ; They say a Nymph , call'd Calucopides , That is with others , an inhabitresse On this thy wood-crownd Hill ; acknowledges That she , his life gaue . But if thou declare The Secrets , truth ; and art so mad to dare ( In glory of thy fortunes ) te approue , That rich-crownd Venus , mixt with thee in loue ; Ioue ( fir'd with my aspersion , so dispred ) Will , with a wreakefull lightning , dart thee dead . All , now , is told thee ; comprehend it All. Be Master of thy selfe ; and doe not call My Name in question ; but , with reuerence vow To Deities angers , all the awe , ye owe. This said ; shee reacht Heauen , where ayres euer flowe ; And so ( O Goddesse ) euer honord be In thy so Odorous Cyprian Emperie ; My Muse , affecting first , thy Fame to raise ; Shall make Transcension now , to others Praise . The end of the first Hymne to Venus . To the same . THe Reuerend Rich-crownd , and Faire Queene , I sing ; ( Venus ) that owes in Fate the fortressing , Of all Maritimall Cyprus : Where the force Of gentle-breathing Zephire sterde her Course Along the waues of the resounding Sea ; While , yet , vnborne , in that soft fome she laie That brought her forth ; whom those faire Howrs that beare The Golden-bridles ; ioyfully stood nere ; Tooke vp into their armes ; and put on her Weed's of a neuer-corruptible weare . On her immortall head , a Crowne they plac't ; Elaborate ; and with all the beauties grac't That Gold could giue it . Of a weight so great ; That , to impose , aud take off ; it had set Three Handles on it ; made for endlesse hold , Of shyning Brasse ; and all adorn'd with Gold. Her soft neck ; all with Carquenets was grac't ; That stoop't , and both her siluer brests embrac't , Which euen the Howrs themselues weare in resort , To Deities Dances ; and her Fathers Court. Grac't at all parts ; they brought to Heauen her graces ; Whos 's first sight seene ; all fell into embraces ; Hugg'd her white bands ; saluted ; wishing , all , To weare her Maiden Flowre in festiuall Of sacred Hymen : and to leade her home . All , to all admiration , ouercome With Cytheraea , with the violet Crowne . So , to the black-Browd-sweet-spoke ; All Renowne ; Prepare my Song ; and giue me , in the end , The victory ; to whose Palme , all contend . So shall my Muse , for euer honour thee , And ( for thy sake ) thy faire Posteritie . BACCHVS , OR The Pyrats . OF Dionysus ( Noble Semeles Son ) I now intend to render Mention : As on a prominēt shore , his person shone , Like to a Youth , whose flowre was newly blone . Bright azure Tresses , plaid about his head ; And on his bright brode shoulders , was dispred A purple Mantle . Strait he was descride By certaine Manly Pyrats , that applide Their vtmost speede to prise him ; being abord A well-built Barck ; about whose brode ●ides ror'd The wine-black Tyrrhene Billows : Death as black Brought them vpon him , in their future wrack . For soone as they had purchast but his view ; Mutuall signes past them ; and ashore they flew : Tooke him ; and brought him , instantly aborde ; Soothing their Hopes , to haue obtain'd a Horde Of riches with him ; and a Ioue-kept King To such a Flowre , must needes be naturall spring . And therefore-strait , strong Fetters they must fetch , To make him sure . But no such strength would stretch , To his constrain'd Powrs . Farr flew all their Bands From any least force , done his feet , or hands . But he sate casting smiles , from his black eyes At all their worst . At which Discoueries Made by the Master : he did thus dehort All his Associats ; Wretches ? Of what sort , Hold ye the Person , ye assaie to binde ? Nay , which of all , the Powre fully-diuin'de Esteeme ye him ? whose worth yeelds so much weight , That , not our well-built Barck , will beare his freight . Or Ioue himselfe he is ; Or he that beares The siluer Bowe ; Or Neptune . Nor appeares In him the least resemblance of a Man ; But of a straine ; at least Olympian . Come ! Make we quick dismission of his state ; And on the black-soild earth , exonerate Our sinking vessell , of his Deified Lode : Nor dare the touch , of an intangible God. Lest windes outragious , and of wrackfull scath ; And smoking Tempests , blowe his fiery wrath . This well-spoke Master , the Tall captaine gaue Hatefull , and horrible language : call'd him slaue ; And bad him mark the prosperous gale that blew ; And bow their vessell , with her maine saile , flew . Bade all take armes ; and said , their workes requir'de ; The cares of Men ; and not of an inspir'de , Pure zealous Master . His firme hopes being fir'de With this Opinion ; that they should ariue In Aegypt strait ; or Cyprus ; or where liue Men whose braue breaths , aboue the Northwinde blowe ; Yea , and perhaps beyond their Region too . And that he made no doubt , but in the end , To make his Prisoner , tell him euery friend Of all his off-spring : Brothers : Wealth , and All ; Since that Prise , certaine , must some God let fall . This said ; the Most , and maine-saile ; vp he drew , And in the maine sailes midd'st , a franck Gale blew ; When all his ship tooke arms , to braue their Prise . But strait , strange works apperde to all their eyes : First ; sweete wine , through-their swift-black Barck did flow ; Of which , the Odors , did , a little , blowe : Their fiery spirits , making th' Ayre so fine , That , they in flood were there , as well as wine . A meere Immortall-making sauour rose ; Which on the Ayre , the Deitie did Impose . The Sea-Men see'ng All ; Admiration seas'd . Yet instantly , their wonders were encreas'd : For on the Top saile , there rann , here , and there , A Vine that Grapes did , in abundance beare ; And in an instant , was the ships maine Mast With an obscure-greene-Iuies armes embrac't , That florisht strait , and were with Buries grac't ; Of which , did Gyrlonds , circle euery brow Of all the Pirats ; and no One knew how . Which when they sawe , they made the Master stere Out to the shore : whom Bacchus made forbeare , With showing more wonders ; On the Hatches , He Apper'd a terrible Lyon , horriblie Roring ; and in the Mid-deck , a Male Beare , Made with a huge Mane : making all , for feare Crowd to the sterne , about the Master there : Whose Minde , he still kept , dantlesse , and sincere . But on the Captaine rusht and rampt , with force So rude , and sodaine ; that his maine recours Was to the Maine-Sea strait : and after him , Leapt all his Mates ; as trusting to their swimm ; To fly foule Death . But so ; found what they fled , Being all to Dolphinns , metamorphosed . The Master , he tooke Ruth of ; sau'd , and made . The blessedst Man , that euer tried his Trade . These few words giuing him : Be confident Thou God-inspir'd Pylot ! In the Bent Of my affection , readie to requite Thy late-to-me-intended benefite . I am the Roring God , of spritely Wine : Whom Semele , ( that did , euen Ioue incline , To amorous Mixture , and was Cadmus care ) Made issue to the Mighty Thunderar . And thus , all Excellence of Grace to thee , Sonne of sweete-count'nance-cary'ng Semele . I must not thee forget , in least Degree , But pray thy spirit , to render so , my song , Sweete , and all waies , in order'd furie , strong . To Mars . MArs Most strong : Gold-helm'd ; making Chariots crack ; Neuer without a shield , cast on thy back . Minde master towne-guard ▪ with darts neuer driuen . Strong-handed ; Allarmes ; fort , and fence of heauen . Father of Victory , with faire strokes giuen . Ioint surrogate of Iustice , lest she fall ; In vniust strifes , a Tyrant . Generall , Onely of Iust. Men , iustly . That dost beare Fortitud's Scepter . To Heauens fiery sphere Giuer of circulare motion : betweene That , and the Pleiad's that still wandring bene . Where thy still vehemently-flaming Horse , About the third Heauen , make their fiery course . Helper of Mortalls ; Heare ! As thy fires giue The faire , and present boldnesses that striue In Youth for Honor ; being the sweete-beamd Light That darts into their liues , from all thy Height The Fortitudes , and Fortunes , found in fight . So , would I likewise wish to haue the Powre To keepe off , from my head , thy bitter Howre ; And that false fire , cast from my soules lowe kinde , Stoope to the fit rule , of my highest Minde . Controuling , that so eager sting of wrath , That styrrs me on still , to that horrid scath Of warr ; that God still sends to wreake his splene ; ( Euen by whole Tribes ) of proud iniurious Men. But O thou euer-blessed ! Giue me still , Presence of minde , to put in Act , my will Varied , as fits , to all Occasion . And to liue free ; vnforc't ; vnwrought vpon ; Beneath those Lawes of Peace , that neuer are Affected with Pollutions Populare Of vniust hurt ; or losse to any One ; And to beare safe , the burthen vndergone Of Foes inflexiue , and inhumane hates ; Secure from violent , and harmefull Fates . To Diana . DIana praise ( Muse ) that in Darts delights ; Liues still a Maid , & had nutritiall rights With her borne-Brother , the farr-shooting Sunn . That doth her all of Gold-made-Chariot runn In Chace of Game ; from Meles that abounds In black-browd Bull-rushes ; ( and where her Hounds , She first vncouples ; ioyning there , her Horse ) Through Smyrna ; carried in most fiery course To Grape-rich Claros . Where ( in his rich hom● , And constant expectation she will come ) Sits Phoebus , that the siluer Bowe doth beare ; To meete with Phoebe , that doth Darts transferre As farr as He his shafts . As farr then , be Th● chaste Fame shot ( O Queene of Archerie ) Sacring my song , to euery Deitie . To Venus . TO Cyprian Venus , still my verses vow : Who Gifts , as sweete as honey doth bestow On all Mortality . That euer smiles ; And rules a face , that all foes reconciles . Euer sustaining in her hand , a Flowre , That all desire keepes , euer in her Powre . Haile then O Queene of well-built Salamine , And all the state , that Cyprus doth confine : Informe my song , with that celestiall fire , That in thy beauties , kindles all desire . So shall my Muse , for euer honour Thee , And any other , thou commend'st to Me. To Pallas . PAllas Minerua ; Onely I beginne To giue my song ; that makes warrs terrible Dinne : Is Patronesse of Citties ; and with Mars Marshall'd in all the care , and cure of wars : And in euerted Citties , fights , and Cries . But neuer doth her selfe , set downe , or rise , Before a Cittie ; but at both times Shee , All iniur'de people , sets on foot , and free . Giue , with thy warrs force , Fortune then to Me ; And with thy Wisedomes force , Felicity . To Iuno . SAturnia , and her Throne of Gold I sing ; That was of Rhaea , the eternall spring ; And Empresse of a beautie ; neuer yet Equall'd in height of Tincture . Of the great Saturnius ( breaking Ayre , in awfull Noise , ) The farr-fam'd wife , and sister ; whom in ioies Of high Olympus , all the blessed Loue ; And Honour , equall , with vnequall'd Ioue . To Ceres . THe Rich-hayr'd , Ceres , I assaie to sing ; A Goddesse , in whose Grace the naturall spring Of serious Maiestie it selfe , is seene : And of the wedded , yet in grace stil green , ( Proserpina , her Daughter ) that displaies A Beautie , casting euery way her Raies . All Honor to thee ( Goddesse : ) keepe this Towne ; And take , thou , chiefe charge of my songs Renoune . TO THE MOTHER OF The Gods. MOther of All ; both Gods , and Men , Commend ( O Muse ) whose faire Forme did from Ioue descend ; That doth with Cymball sounds , delight her life ; And tremulous diuisions of the Fife . Loues dreadfull Lyons Rores ; and Wolues hoarse Houles , Syluane Retreates ; and Hills , whose hollow knoules , Raise repercussiue soundes about her eares . And so , may , Honour , euer crowne thy yeares , With All-else Goddesses ; and euer be Exalted in the Muses Harmonie . TO LYON-HEARTED Hercules . ALlcides , ( Force-fullest of all the Broode Of Men , enforc't with neede of earthie foode , ) My Muse shal memorise ; the son of Ioue ; Whom , in faire-seated Thebs ( commixt in loue With great Heauens sable-cloude-assembling state ) Al●mena bore to him . And who ( in date Of daies forepast ) through all the Sea was sent And Earths inernarable Continent , To Acts , that King Eurystheus had decreede . Did many a Petulant , and Imperious Deede Himselfe ; and therefore , suffer'd many a Toile . Yet now inhabites the illustrious Soile Of white Olympus ; and Delights his life With still young Hebe ; his well-anckled wife . Haile , King ; and Sonne of Ioue ; vouchsafe thou Me Virtue ; and her Effect , Felicitie . To Aesculapius . WIth Aesculapius , ( the Phisition ) Sonne , That cur'd all sicknesse , and was Phoebus M● Muse , makes Entrie ; to whose life gaue yield Diuine Coronis , in the Dotian field , ( King Phlegius Daughter : ) who , much Ioy on Men Conferd in deare Ease , of their yrkesome Paine . For which ; my salutation ( worthy King ) And vowes to thee paid , euer when I sing . TO CASTOR AND POLLVX . CAstor and Pollux , ( the Tyndarides ) Sweete Muse illustrate ; that their Essences Fetch from the high forms of Olympian Ioue ; And were the faire fruits of bright Leda's Loue. Which shee produc't , beneath the sacred shade Of steepe Taygetus ; being subdu'd ; and made To serue Affections of the Thunderer . And so , all Grace to you ; whom all Auer , ( For skill in Horses , and their Manage geuen ) To be the brauest Horsemen , vnder Heauen . To Mercurie . HErmes , I honor , ( the Cyllenian Spie ) King of Cyllenia , and of Arcadie With flocks abounding : and the Messenger Of all th'Immortalls ; that doth still inferre Profites of infinite valew to their store : Whom to Saturnius , bashfull Maia bore ; Daughter of Atlas ; and did therefore flie Of all th'Immortalls , the Societie , To that darcke Caue ; where , in the dead of Night , Ioue ioind with her , in Loues diuine Delight ; When Golden sleepe , shut Iuno's iealous eye , Whose arms had wrists , as white as Iuorie ; From whom , and all , both Men , and Gods beside , The faire-hayrd Nymph , her scape kept vnderscride . Ioy to the Ioue-got then , and Maia's Care ; Twixt Men and Gods , the generall Messenger : Giuer of good Grace ; Gladnesse , and the Flood Of all that Men , or Gods , account their Good. To Pan. SIng ( Muse ) this chiefe of Hermes loue-got Ioies ; Goate-sooted , Two-horn'd ; amorous of noise . That through the faire-Greenes , al adorn'd with Trees Together goes , with Nymphs ; whose nimble knees , Can euer● Dance , foot ; That affect to scale The most inaccessible Tops of all Vprightest rocks : and euer vse to call On Pan , the bright-hayr'd God of Pastorall . Who yet , is leane , and louelesse ; and doth owe By lot , all loftiest ▪ Mountaines , crown'd with snowe ; All Tops of Hills , and cliffie Highnesses : All Siluan Copses , and the Fortresses Of Thorniest Queaches , here and there doth roue . And sometimes , ( by allurement of his loue ; ) Will wade the watrie softnesses . Sometimes ( In quite oppos'de Capriccios ) he climes The hardest Rocks , and highest : euery way Running their Ridges . Often will conuaie Himselfe vp to a watch-Towrs Top ; where sheepe ; Haue their Obseruance : oft through Hills as steepe , His Gotes he runns vpon ; and neuer rests . Then turns he head ; and flies on sauage Beasts , Mad of their slaughters . So most sharpe an eye Setting vpon them ; as his Beames let flie Through all their thickest Tapistries . And then ( When Hesp'rus calls to folde , the flocks of Men ) From the greene Clossets , of his loftiest Reedes , He rushes forth ; and Ioy , with Song , he feedes . When , ( vnder shadow , of their motions , set , ) He plaies a verse forth , so profoundly sweet ; As not the Bird that in the flowrie Spring ( Amidds the leaues set ) makes the Thickets ring Of her sowre sorrowes , sweetened with her song , Runns her diuisions varied so , and strong . And then the sweete-voic't Nymphs , that crowne his mountaines ; ( Flockt round about , the deepe-black-watred fountaines ; Fall in with their Contention of song . To which , the Echoes , all the Hills along Their repercussions add . Then here , and there ( Plac't in the midd'st ) the God , the Guide doth beare Of all their Dances ; winding in , and out . A Lynces Hide ( besprinckled round about With blood , cast on his shoulders . And thus He With well-made songs , maintaines th' alacritie Of his free minde , in silken Meddows crownde With Hyacynths , and Saffrons ; that abound Iu sweete-breath'd Odors : that th'vnnumber'd grasse ( Besides their sents ) giue as through all they passe . And these , in all their pleasures , euer raise The blessed Gods and long Olympus , praise : Like zealous Hermes ; who ( of all ) I said Most Profits , vp , to all the Gods conuaide . Who , likewise , came into th' Arcadian state ; ( That 's rich in Fountaines ; and all celebrate For Nurse of flocks . ) Where , he had vowd a Groue ( Surnam'd Cyllenius ) to his God-heads loue . Yet euen himselfe ( although a God he were Clad in a squallid sheepskinn ) gouernd there A Mortalls sheepe . For soft Loue , entring him , Conformd his state , to his conceipted Trimm . And made him long , in an extreame degree , T' enioy the fayre-hayrd Virgine Dryope . Which , ere he could ; she made him consummate The florishing Rites of Hymens honord State. And brought him , such a peece of Progenie , As showd ( at first sight ) monstrous to the eye ; Gote-footed , Two-horn'd ; full of noise , euen Then ; And ( opposite quite to other children ) Told ( in sweete laughter ) he ought death no Teare . Yet strait his Mother start ; and fled , in feare The sight of so vnsatisfying a Thing ; In whose face , put forth , such a bristled spring . Yet the most vsefull Mercurie embrac't , And tooke into his armes , his homely-fac't : Beyond all measure ioyfull with his sight : And vp to heauen with him , made instant flight , Wrapt in the warme skinne , of a Mountaine Hare : Set him by Ioue ; and made most merrie fare To all the Deities else , with his Sonnes sight ; Which , most of all , fill'd Bacchus with delight ; And Pan they call'd him , since he brought to All , Of Mirth so rare ; and full a Festiuall . And thus , all honor to the shepherds King : For Sacrifice to Thee , my Muse shall sing . To Vulcan . PRaise Vulcane , now Muse ; whom Fame giues the Prise , For Depth , & Facture , of al Fordge deuise ; Who , with the skie-eyd Pallas , first did giue Men , rules of buildings , that before did liue , In Caues , and Denns ; and Hills like sauage Beasts : But now , by Art-fam'd Vulcans Interests In all their ciuill Industries ; waies cleare Through th'All-things-bringing-to-their-Ends , ( the yeare ) They worke out to their Ages ends ; at ease Lodg'd in safe Roofes , from Winters vtmost prease . But Vulcan ; stand propitious to Me ; Virtue safe , granting , and Felicitie . To Phoebus . O Phoebus ! Euen the Swann from forth her wings , ( Iumping her proyning-banck ) thee sweetly sings , By bright Peneus , whirle-pit-making-streames . Thee , that thy Lute ; mak'st sound so to thy Beames . Thee , first and last , the sweete-voic't singer , still Sings ; for thy songs-all-songs-transcending skill . Thy Pleasure then ; shall my song still supply : And so salutes thee , King of Po●sie . To Neptune . NEptune , the mighty Marine God , I sing ; Earths mouer ; & the fruitles Oceans king . That Helicon , and th' Aegan Deepes dost hold . O thou Earth-shaker ; Thy Command , two-fold The Gods haue sorted ; making thee , of Horses The awfull Tamer ; and of Nauall Forces The sure Preseruer . Haile ( O Saturns Birth ) Whose gracefull greene bayre , circkles all the Earth . Beare a benigne minde ; and thy helpfull hand , Lend All , submitted , to thy drad Command . To Ioue . IOue , now I sing ; the greatest , & the best , Of al these Powrs , that are with Deitie blest . That farr-off , doth his dreadfull Voice , diffuse ; And ( being King of All ) doth all conduce To all their Ends. Who ( shut from all-Gods else With Themis ; that the lawes of all things tells ) Their fit Composures , to their Times doth call ; Wedds them together ; and preserues This All. ( geuen ; Grace then ( O farr-heard Ioue ) the grace t' hast Most glorious , & most great of Earth & Heauen . To Vesta . VEsta , that ( as a seruant ) Ouersees King Phoebus hallowd house : in all degrees Of Guide about it ; on the sacred shore Of heauenly Pythos : and hast euermore Rich balms distilling from thy Odorous hayre ; Grace this House , with thy huswifely repaire . Enter , and bring a Minde that most may moue , Conferring , euen the great in counsailes , Ioue : And let my verse taste , of your eithers loue . TO THE MVSES AND APOLLO . THe Muses Ioue , and Phoebus , now I sing ; For from the farr-off-shooting Phoebus , spring All Poets , and Musitions ; and from Ioue Th'Ascents of Kings . The Man , the Muses loue , Felicitie blesses ; Elocutions choice In Syrrup lay'ng , of sweetest breath , his voice . Haile ( Seede of Ioue ) my song , your honors , giue ; And so , in Mine , shall yours , and others , liue . To Bacchus . IVie-Crown'd Bacchus , Iterate in thy Praises , ( O Muse ) whose Voice , all loftiest Echoes raises ; And He with all th' illustrous seede of Ioue ; Is ioinde in honor : being the fruite of Loue To him , and Semele-the-great-in-graces : And from the King , his Fathers kinde embraces , By faire-hayrde Nymphs , was taken to the Dales Of Nyssa ; and with curious Festiuals Giuen his faire Grought ; far from his Fathers view , In Caues , from whence , eternall Odors flew . And in high number of the Deities plac't ; Yet , when the many - Hymne-giuen God , had past His Nurses Cares ; in Iuies , and in Baies All ouer Thicketed ; his varied waies To syluan Couerts , euermore he tooke With all his Nurses ; whose shrill voices shooke Thickets , in which , could no footes Entrie fall ; And he himself made Captaine of them All. And so ( O Grape-abounding Bacchus ) be Euer saluted by my Muse , and Me. Giue vs to spend with spirit , our Howres out here ; And euery Howre , extend to many a Yeare . To Diana . DIana , ( that the Golden Spyndle , moues ; And loftie soundes , as wel as Bacchus loue● A bashfull Virgine , and of fearefull hearts The Death-affecter , with delighted Darts ; By Sire , and Mother , Phoebus Sister borne ; Whose Thigh , the Golden Falchion doth adorne ) I sing ; who , likewise , ouer Hills of shade , And Promontories , that vast windes inuade , ( Amorous of Hunting ) bends her all-gold Bowe ; And sigh-begetting Arrows doth bestowe , In fates so dreadfull ; that the Hill-Tops quake ; And Bristlde woods , their leauie foreheads shake ; Horrors inuade Earth ; and fishie Seas Impassiond furies ; nothing can appease The dying Braies of Beasts ; and her Delight In so much Death , affects so with affright , Euen all inanimate natures . For while shee Her sports applies ; Their generall Progenie Shee all waies , turnes vpon , to All their Banes : Yet , when her fierie Pleasures finde their wanes ; ( Her yeelding Bowe vnbent ) to th'ample House ( Seated in Delphos , rich , and Populous ) Of her deare Brother , her Retreats aduance . Where , Th'Instauration of delightsome Dance Amongst the Muses , and the Graces , shee Giues forme ; In which , her selfe the Regencie ( Her vnbent Bowe hung vp ; and casting on A gracious Robe ) assumes ; and first sets gone The Dances Entrie ; to which , all send forth Their heauenly voices ; and aduance the worth Of her faire-anckl'd Mother ; since , to light Shee Children brought , the farr most exquisite In Counsailes , and Performances ; of all The Goddesses , that grace the heauenly Hall. Haile then , Latona's faire-hayrd seede , & Ioues ; My song shall euer , call to Minde your Loues . To Pallas . PAllas-Minerua's Deitie , the renown'd : My Muse , in her variety , must resound ; Mightie in counsailes ; whose Illustrous Eyes , In all resemblance , represent the skies . A reuerend Maid of an inflexible Minde : In Spirit , and Person , strong : of Triple kinde ; Fautresse of Citties , that iust Lawes maintaine ; Of Ioue-the-great-in-counsailes , very Braine Tooke Prime existence : his vnbounded Brows , Could not containe her ; such impetuous Throw's Her Birth gaue way to ; that abrode she flew , And stood in Gold arm'd , in her Fathers view , Shaking her sharpe Lance : all Olympus shooke So terriblie beneath her ; that it tooke Vp , in amazes , all the Deities there . All Earth resounded , with vociferous Feare . The Sea was put vp , all in purple Waues ; And settld sodainly , her rudest Raues . Hyperions radiant Sonne , his swift-hou'd Steedes , A mighty Tyme staid ; till her arming weedes , As glorious as the Gods , the blew-eyd Maid Tooke from her Deathlesse shoulders : but then staid All these distempers ; and heauens counsailor , Ioue , Reioic't that all things else , his stay , could moue . So I salute thee still ; and still in Praise Thy Fame , and others , shall my Memorie raise . To Vesta , and Mercurie . VESta I sing , who , in Bequest of Fate , Art sorted out , an euerlasting State In all th'Immortals high-built roofes , & all Those of Earth-dwelling Men : As generall And ancient honors , giuen thee for thy gift Of free-liu'd Chastitie ; and precious Thrift . Nor can there amongst Mortalls , Banquets be ; In which , both first and last , they giue not Thee Their endlesse Gratitudes , in pourd-out wine ; As gracious sacrifice , to thy diuine And vsefull virtues ; being inuok't by All , Before the least Taste of their Festiuall In wine or foode , affect their appetites . And thou , that of th'adorn'd with all Delights , Art the most vsefull Angell : borne a God Of Ioue , and Maia ; of Heauens golden Rodd The sole Sustainer ; and hast powre to blesse With All good , All Men ( great Argicides ) Inhabit all Good houses ; see'ng no wants Of mutuall mindes loue , in Th' inhabitants . Ioine in kinde blessing with the bashfull Maid And all-lou'd Virgin , Vesta ; eithers aid Combin'd in euery Hospitable House : Both being best seene , in all the gracious House-works of Mortalls . Iointly follow then Euen from their youths , the mindes of dames and men . Haile then , ould Daughter of the ouldest God , And thou great bearer of Heauens golden Rodd ? Yet not to you , alone , my vowes belong ; Others as well , claime T'Homage of my song . TO EARTH THE Mother of all . MOther of all things , the well-founded Earth , My Muse shall memorise ; who al the birth Giues foode , that al her vpper regions breede ; All that in her diuine diffusions feede In vnder Continents : All those that liue In all the Seas ; and All the ayre doth giue Wing'd expeditions ; Of thy bounties eate Faire Children , and faire fruites , thy labors sweate ; ( O great in reuerence : ) and referd to thee For life , and death , is all the Pedigree Of Mortall humanes . Happie then is He Whom the innate Propensions of thy Minde Stand bent to honor . He shall all things finde In all abundance : All his Pastures yield Herds in all plenties : All his roofes are fill'd With rich possessions : He , in all the swaie Of Lawes best orderd , cuts out his owne way In Citties shining with delicious Dames ; And takes his choice of all those striuing Flames . High happinesse , and riches , ( like his Traine ) Follow his Fortunes ; with delights that raigne In all their Princes . Glorie inuests his Sonnes ; His Daughters , with their croun'd selections Of all the Cittie , frolick through the Meades ; And euery one , her calld-for Dances treads Along the soft-flowre of the clauer Grasse . All this , with all those , euer comes to passe , That thy loue blesses , Goddesse full of grace , And treasurous Angell t' all the humane Race . Haile then , Great Mother of the Deified kinde ; Wife to the Cope of Starrs ? sustaine a Minde Propitious to me , for my Praise ; and giue ( Answering my minde ) my vows fit Meanes to liue . To the Sun. THe radiant Suns diuine renowne , diffuse ( Ioues Daughter , great Calliope my Muse ) Whom Ox-ey'd Euryphaessa gaue Birth , To the bright seede of starrie Heauen and Earth . For the farr-fam'd Hyperion tooke to Wife His sister Euryphaessa ; that life Of his high Race , gaue , to these louely Three , Aurora with the Rosie-wrists , and shee That ownes th'enamouring tresses ( the bright Moone ) Together , with the neuer-wearied Sunne . Who , ( his Horse mounting ) giues , both Mortalls light And all Th'immortalls . Euen to horror , bright A blaze burns from his Golden Burgonet Which to behold , exceeds the sharpest set Of any eyes intention : Beames so cleare It allwaies powres abroade . The glorious cheare Of his farr-shining Face , vp to his Crowne , Casts circular Radiance : that comes streaming downe About his Temples ; his bright Cheekes , and all Retayning the refulgence of their Fall. About his bosome flowes so fine a Weede As doth the thynnesse of the winde exceede In rich context : beneath whose deepe folds flie His Masculine Horses , round about the skie ; Till in this Hemisphere , he renders staie T' his gold-yo'kt Coch , and Coursers : and his way ( Let downe by Heauen ) the heauenly Cocheman makes Downe to the Ocean , where his rest he takes . My Salutations then , faire King , receiue , And , in propitious returnes Relieue My life with Minde-fit means ; & then from Thee And all the race of compleate Deitie My song shall celebrate those halfe-God states , That yet , sad deaths condicion circulates . And whose braue Acts , the Gods shew men , that they As braue may ayme at ; since they can but die . To the Moone . THe Moone , now Muses , teach me to resound , Whose wide wings measure such a world of ground . Ioues Daughter , deckt with the mellifluous Tongue ; And seene in All , the sacred Art of Song . Whose deathles Brows , when shee from Heauen displaies , All Earth she wraps vp , in her Orient Raies . A Heauen of Ornament in Earth is rais'd , When her Beames rise . The subt'le Ayre is sais'd Of delicate splendor , from her Crowne of Gold ; And when her siluer Bosome is extoll'd , Washt in the Ocean ; In Daies equall'd Noone , Is Mid-night seated : but when shee puts on Her farr-off-sprinckling-Luster-Euening weedes ; ( The Moneth in two cut : her high-brested Steedes ; Man'de All with curl'd flames ; put in Coch and All , Her huge Orb fill'd ) her whole Trimms Then exhall Vnspeakable splendors , from the glorious skie . And , out of that State , Mortall Men implie Many Praedictions . And , with Her then ( In Lo●● mixt ) lay , the King of Gods and Men ; By whom , ( made fruitfull ) she Pandaea bore , And added her State , to th' immortall Store . Haile , queene , & Goddesse , th'iuorie-wristed Moone Diuine , Prompt ; faire-hayr'd . With thy grace begun My Muse shall forth , and celebrate the praise Of Men whose states , the Deities did raise To Semideities : whose deedes t'endlesse Date Muse-lou'd , and sweete-sung Poets celebrate . TO CASTOR AND POLLVX . IOues faire Sonnes , Father'd by Th' Oebalian King , Muses-well-worth-All Mens beholdings , sing : The Deare Birth , that Bright-Anckl'd Laeda bore ; Horse-taming Castor ; and the Conqueror Of Tooth-tongu'd ▪ Momus ( Pollux : ) whom beneath St●epe-Browd Taygetus , she gaue half-God breath ; In Loue mixt with the black-cloudes King of heauen : Who , both of Men and ships , ( being Tempest driuen , When Winters wrathfull Empire , is in force Vpon th'Implacable Seas ) preserue the course . For when the Gusts beginn ; ( if nere the shore ) The Sea-Men leaue their ship ; and ( euermore Bearing two milke-white Lambs aboard ; ) they now Kill them ashore , and to Ioues Issue vow , When , though their ship ( in height of all the rore The windes and waues confound ) can liue no more , In all their hopes ; then sodainely appeare Ioues sauing Sonnes ; who both their Bodies beare Twixt yellowe wings , downe from the sparkling Pole. Who strait , the rage of those rude Winds controle , And all the high-waues couch into the Brest Of T'hoarie Seas . All which sweete signes of rest To Sea-Mens labors , their glad soules conceiue , And End to all their yrckesome grieuance giue . So ( once more ) to the swift-horse-riding Race Of Royall Tyndarus , eternall Grace . TO MEN OF Hospitalitie . REuerence a Man , with vse Propitious , That Hospitable rights wants ; and a house , ( You of this Cittie , with the seate of State To Ox-eyd Iuno vowd ) yet situate Nere Pluto's Region . At the extreame Base Of whose so high-hayrd Cittie ; from the Race Of blew-wau'd Hebrus louely Fluent ( grac't With Ioues begetting ) you diuine Cups Tast. Certaine Epigramms AND OTHER POEMS of Homer . To Cuma . LEnd hospitable Rights , and house-respect , You that the Virgine with the faire eys deckt , Make Fautresse of your stately-seated Towne : At foot of Sardes , with the high-haird Crowne , Inhabiting rich Cuma : where ye Taste Of Hermus heauenly Fluent ; all embrac't By curld-head whyrlpits : And whose waters moue From the diuine seede , of immortall Ioue . IN HIS RETVRNE To Cuma . SWiftlie my feete sustaine me to the Towne , Where Men inhabit , whom due Honors Crowne : Whose Mindes with free-giuen faculties , are mou'd ; And whose graue Counsailes , best of Best approu'd . VPON THE SEPVLCHER OF MIDVS , Cut in Brasse , in the FIGVRE OF A VIRGINE . A Maid of Brasse , I am , Inf●ixed here T'Eternise Honest Midus Sepulcher . And while the streame , her fluent seede receiues ; And steepe trees curle their verdant brows with leaues ; While Phoebus , rais'd aboue the Earth giues sight ; And T'humorous Moone , takes Luster from his light ; While floods beare waues ; and Seas shall wash the shore ; At this his Sepulcher , whom all deplore , I 'le constantly Abide ; All passers by Informing ; Here , doth Honest Midus Lie. CVMA REFVSING HIS OFFER T'ETERNISE THEIR STATE , THOVGH BROVGHT THITHER by the Muses . O To what Fate , hath father Ioue giuen O're My friendles life ; borne euer to be Pore ? While in my Infant state , he pleas'd to saue Mee ; Milke , on my reuerend Mothers knees , he gaue Me ▪ In delicate , and curious Nurserie . Aeolian Smyrna , seated neare the Sea ; ( Of glorious Empire ; and whose bright sides Sacred Meletus siluer Current glides ) Being natiue Seate to me . Which ( in the force , Of farr-past Time ) the Breakers of wilde Horse ; ( Phriconias Noble Nation ) girt with Towres : Whose Youth in fight , put on with fiery Powres . From hence , ( the Muse-maids , Ioues illustrous seed● Impelling me ) I made impetuous speede ; And went with them to Cuma ; with Intent T'Eternise all the sacred Continent And State of Cuma . They ( in proud Ascent From off their Bench ) refus'd with vsage fierce The sacred voice which I auerre , is Verse . Their follies yet , and madnesse borne by Me Shall by some Powre , be thought on futurely ; To wreake of him whoeuer , whose tongue sought With false empaire , my fall . What fate , God brought Vpon my Birth , Iile beare with any paine ; But vndeseru'd Defame ; vnfelt , sustaine . Nor feeles my Person ( deare to me , though Pore ) Any great lust , to linger , any more In Cuma's holy Highwaies : but my Minde ( No thought empaird , for cares of any kinde Borne in my body ) rather vowes to trie The Influence of any other skie , And spirits of People ; bredd in any Land ▪ Of ne're so slender , and obscure Command . AN ASSAIE OF HIS BEGVNNE ILIADS. I Lion , and all , the braue-Horse-breeding Soile ( Dardania ) I sing ; that many a Toile Impos'd vpon the Mighty Grecian Powrs , Who were of Mars , the manlie Seruitours . TO THESTORS SONNE ▪ Inquisitiue of HOMER , ABOVT THE CAVSES OF THINGS . THestorides ? Of all the skills vnknowne To errant Mortals ; there remains not One , Of more inscrutable Affaire , to finde Than is the true State of a humane Minde . To Neptune . HEare Powreful Neptune , that shak'st Earth in Ire ; King of the great Greene , where dance All the Quire Of faire-hayr'd Helicon ; giue prosperous Gales And good passe , to these Guiders of our sailes : Their Voyage rendring happily directed , And their Returne , with no ill Fate affected . Grant , likewise , at rough Mimas lowest rootes , ( Whose strength , vp to her Tops , praerupt rocks shootes ) My Passage safe arriuall ; and that I My bashfull disposition may applie To Pious Men ; and wreake my selfe vpon The Man whose verball circumuention In Me , did wrong , t'Hospitious Ioues whole state , And T'Hospitable Table violate . To the Cittie Erythraea . WOrshipfull Earth ; giuer of all things good ? Giuer of , euen Felicitie ; whose flood The Minde all-ouer steepes , in honey Dewe . That , to some Men , dost infinite kindenesse shew ; To others that despise thee , art a Shrew . And giu'st them Gamesters galls ; who , once , their Maine Lost with an ill cāhce ; fare like Abiects slaine . To Mariners . YE waue-trod Watermen ; As ill as shee That all the Earth in Infelicitie Of Rapine plunges . Who vpon youre Fare As steru'd-like-rauenous , as Cormorants are . The liues ye leade , ( but in the worst Degree ) Not to be enuied , more then Misery . Take shame , and feare the Indignation Of him that Thunders from the highest Throne ( Hospitious Ioue ) who , at the Back , prepares Paines of abhord effect , of him that dares The Pieties breake , of his Hospitious squares . The Pine. ANy Tree else , beares better Fruit then Thee , That Idas Tops sustaine ; where euery Tree Beares vp in aire , such perspirable Heights , And in which , Ca●●s , and sinuous Receipts Creepe , in such great abundance . For , about Thy rootes ( that euer , all thy Fruites put out As nourisht by them , equall with thy Fruites ) Poure Mars his Iron-Mines their accust pursuites . So that when any Earth-encroching Man Of all the Martiall Broode Cebrenian ; Plead neede of Iron ; They are certaine still , About thy Rootes , to satiate euery Will. TO GLAVCVS : WHO WAS SO MISERABLIE , SPARING ; THAT HE FEARED ALL MENS ACCESSE TO HIM GLaucus ? though wise enough ; yet one word more , Let my aduice add , to thy wisedomes store ▪ For t' will be better so . Before thy Dore Giue still thy Mastifs Meate ; that will be sure To lie there , therefore , still ; and not endure ( With way-laid eares ) the softest foot can fall ; But Men , and Beasts , make fly Thee and thy stall . AGAINST THE SAMIAN MINISTRESSE OR NVNNE . HEare Me ( O goddesse ) that inuoke thine eare : Thou that dost feede , and forme the youthfull Yeare . And grant that this Dame , may the loues refuse And Beds of Young Men ; and affect to vse Humanes whose Temples , hoary hayres distaine ; Whose Powrs are passing coye ; whose Wils would faine . WRITTEN ON THE COVNSAILE Chamber . OF Men ; Sonnes are the Crownes , of Citties Towres : Of Pastures , Horse , are the most bewtious Flowres : Of Seas , ships are the Grace ; and Money still With Traines , and Titles , doth the Family fill . But Royall Counsailors ; in Counsaile set , Are Ornaments past All , as clearely great ; As Houses are that shining fires enfolde , Superior farr , to Houses nak't and colde . THE FORNACE CALL'D IN TO SING BY POTTERS . IF ye deale freely ( O my fierie Friends , As ye assure ) I 'le sing , and serue your Ends. Pallas : Vouchsafe thou here , inuok't Accesse ; Impose thy hand vpon this Fordge ; and blesse All Cups these Artists earne so ; that they may Looke black still with their depth ; and euery way , Giue all their Vessels a most sacred Sale. Make all well burn'd ; and Estimation call Vp to their Prices . Let them marcket well ; And , in all high-waies , in abundance sell. Till Riches to their vtmost wish arise ; And as thou mak'st them rich ; so make me wise . But if ye now , turne all to Impudence ; And think to pay with lies , my Pacience ; Then will I summon gainst your Fornace , All Hells harmefull'st spirits ; Maragus , I 'le call ; Sabactes , Asbett , and Omadamus , Who , ylls against your Art , Innumerous Excogitates , supplies , and multiplies . Come Pallas then ; and all command to rise : Infesting Fordge , and house with fire , till All Tumble together , and to Ashes Fall : These Potters selues , dissolu'd in Teares as small . And as a Horse-cheeke , chides his foming Bit So let this Fordge , murmure in fire , and flit ; And all this stuffe , to ashie ruines runne . And thou ( O Circe ) Daughter of the Sunne ; Great-many-Poison Mixer ; come ; and poure Thy cruell'st Poisons , on this Potters floore ; Shiuering their vessells ; and themselues affect With all the Mischiefes possible to direct Gainst all their Beings , vrdg'd by all thy feends . Let Chiron , likewise come ; and all those friends ( The Centaures ) that Alcides fingers fled , And All the rest too , that his hand strooke dead ( Their Ghosts excited ; ) come and macerate These Earthen Men ; and yet with further Fate Affect their Fornace ; All their teare-burst Eyes Seeing , and mourning for their Miseries . While I looke On , and laugh their blasted Art , And them to Ruine . Lastly ; if , apart , Any lies lurking , and sees yet ; his Face Into a Cole , let th' angrie fire embrace ; That all may learne by them ; in all their lust To dare Deedes Great ; to see them great and Iust. EIRESIONE OR The Oliue Branch . THe Turrets of a Man of infinite Might ; Of infinite Action ; substance Infinite , Wee make accesse to ; whose whole Being rebounds From Earth to Heauen ; & nought but Blisse resounds . Giue entrie then , ye Dores ; more riches yet Shall enter with me ; All the Graces met In ioy of their fruition : perfect Peace Confirming All ; All crown'd with such encrease , That euery emptie Vessell in your House May stand repleate , with all thing precious . Elaborate Ceres , may your Larders fill With all deare Delicates ; and serue in still . May , for your Sonne , a Wife make wisht approch , Into your Towrs ; and rapt in , in her Coch With strong-kneed Mules . May yet , her state proue staid With honord Huswiferies : Her faire hand laid To artfull Loomeworks ; and her nak't feet treade The Gumme of Amber , to a Golden Beade . But I 'le returne ; Returne ; and yet not presse Youre bounties now assaid , with oft Accesse ; Once a yeere , onely ; as the Swallow prates , Before the welthie Springs wide open Gates . Meane time I stand at yours : nor purpose stay More time t' entreate . Giue , or not giue ; away My feet shall beare me ; that did neuer come , With any thought , to make your House , my Home . TO CERTAINE FISHER-BOYES PLEASING HIM WITH INGENIOVS RIDDLES . YEt from the bloods , euen of your-selfe-like sires , Are you descended ; that could make ye heires To no huge hords of Coine ; nor leaue ye Able To feede Flocks of innumerable Rabble . The end of all the endlesse works of Homer . THe Worke that I was borne to doe , is done . Glory to him , that the Conclusion Makes the beginning of my life : and Neuer Let me be said to li●e , till I liue Euer ▪ Where 's the outliuing of my Fortunes then , Ye errant vapors of F●mes Lernean Fenn ? That ( like possest stormes ) blast all ; not in Herde With your abhorr'd heads : who ▪ because casher'de By Men , for Monsters ; thinck Men , Monsters All , That are not of your pyed Hood , and your Hall. When you are nothing but the scumm of things , And must be cast off : Droues , that haue no stings , Nor any m●re soule , then a stone hath wings . Auant ye Haggs ; your Hates , and Scandalls are , The Crownes , and Comforts of a good Mans Care ; By whose impartiall Perpendiculare ; All is extuberance , and excretion All , That you your Ornaments , and glories call . Your wrie Mouthes censure right ? your blister'd Tongues , That licke but itches ? and whose vlce●ous Lungs Come vp at all things permanent , and sound ? O you ( like flies in Dreggs ) in Humors droun'd ; Your loues , like Atoms , lost in gloomie Ayre ; I would not retriue with a wither'd Haire . Hate , and cast still your stings then ; for your kisses Betray but Truth ; and your Applaud's , are Hisses . To see our supercilious wizerds frowne ; Their faces falne like Foggs ; and coming downe , Stincking the Sunn out ; make me shine the more : And like a checkt flood , beare aboue the shore , That their prophane Opinions faine would set , To what they see not ; know not ; nor can let . Yet then , our learn'd Men , with their Torrents come Roring from their forc't Hills , all crown'd with ●ome , That one not taught like them , should learne to know Their Greeke rootes , & from thence the Groues that grow , Casting such rich shades , from great Homers wings : That first , and last , command the Muses springs . Though he 's best Scholler , that through paines and vows ; Made his owne Master onely ; all things know's . Nor pleades my poore skill ; forme ; or learned Place ; But dantlesse labor , constant Prayer , and Grace . And what 's all their skill , but vast varied reading ? As if brode-beaten High-waies had the leading To Truths abstract , and narrow Path , and Pit ? Found in no walke , of any worldly wit. And without Truth ; all 's onely sleight of hand , Or our Law-learning , in a Forraine Land ; Embroderie spent on Cobwebs , Braggart show Of Men that all things learne ; and nothing know . For Ostentation , humble Truth still flies , And all confederate fashionists , defies . And as some sharpe-browd Doctor , ( English borne ; ) In much learn'd Latine Idioms can adorne A verse with rare Attractions ▪ yet become His English Muse , like an ●●●ach●ean in Loome , Wrought spight of Pallas ; and therein be●raies More tongue then truth , beggs , and adopts his Bayes ; So Ostentation , hee bee neuer so Larded with labour , to suborne his showe ; Shall soothe within him , but a bastard soule , No more Heauen heyring , then Earths sonne the Moule . But as in dead Calmes , emptiest smokes arise Vncheckt , and free ; vp , strait into the skies ; So drousie Peace , that in her humor steepes All she affects , le ts such rise while she sleepes . Many , and most Men , haue of wealth least store , But None the gracious shame that fits the Pore ; So most learn'd Men , enough are Ignorant ; But few the grace haue , to confesse their want , Till Liues , and Learnings , come concomitant . For from Mens knowledges ▪ their Liues-Acts flowe ▪ Vaine glorious Acts then , vaine proue all they know . As Night , the life-enclining starrs , best showes ; So liues obscure , the starriest soules disclose . For me ; let iust Men iudge by what I show In Acts expos'd , how much I erre , or knowe ▪ And let not Enuie , make all worse then nought With her meere headstrong , and quite braineles thought : Others , for doing nothing ; giuing All ; And bounding all worth in her bursten Gall. God and my deare Redeemer , rescue Me From Mens immane , and mad Impietie ; And by my life and soule , ( sole knowne to them ) Make me of Palme , or Yew , an Anadem . And so , my sole God , the thrice sacred Trine , Beare all th'Ascription , of all Me and Mine . Sine honore viuam , Nulloque Numero ero . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A03505-e100 A fimile illustrating the most renownd seruice of Generall Noris in his Retreate before Gant , neuer before made sacred to Memorie . Vt non fine Maximo fa●●re Dei comparari n●queat . Pla. in Ioue . Notes for div A03505-e2040 a Intending Men : being diuided from all other creatures , by the voice , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being a pe●●phrasis signifying v●ce di●isus , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 diuido , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vox . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Genas & buccas infl●n● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui ex luto nascitu● . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Aquarum Regina . b The riuer Po , in Italie . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Gather-crum , or rauish-crum . d Sheare-crust . e Lick-mill . f Bacon-flitch-deuourer , or gnawer . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Extenso & promisso Peplo amictus . A metaphor taken from ladies veiles , or traines , and therefore their names are here added . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Liuering puddings white skind . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Whose commō exposition is onely Varijs , when it properly signifies , Ex omni solo . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Angustus . a Lick-dish . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Interfectrix . Perditrix . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Elaborate concinno . g Enter-pot , or Serch-pot . h Cheese-miner . Qui caseum rodendo cauat . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aping or imitating vs. b Boot's of warre . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Lanas , eo quod colus cingant se● coronent . Which our learned sect translate eating the crownes that Pallas wore . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Partus et id quod partu ●●●dit Mater . Metap . hic appellatur f●●nus quod ex vsura ad nos redit . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C●lex vi●arius . b Lowd-mouth . c Kitchen-vessell licker . d Hole-dweller . Qui for 〈…〉 . * Mud-borne . a Beet-deuourer . b The great bread-●ater . c The great Noise-maker , shrill or bigg-voic't . d The lake-louer . e Qui lambit culinaria vasa . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 intentissime dirigo , vt certum ictum inferam . g The cabbage-eater . h Paludis Incola . Lake-liuer . i Qui in Calamintha herba palustra habitat . k Bacon-eater . l Qui Aquit delectatur . m Collup-deuourer . n Mudd-●loeper . o Leeke-or scalion louer . p Kitchin smell , hanter , or hunter . q Fennstalker . r Qui per lutum it . a Vociferator . b Eate-corne . c Scallian-deuourer . d Bread-betraier . e Scrap or broken-meat-eater . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Validus se●● potens in retinendo . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Incudes ferentes : Or Anuile-back't . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Incus , dicta per syncopen , quasi nullis Ictibus fatigetio . b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Forcipem in ●re habens . Notes for div A03505-e31080 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Altissimum habens virticem , cuiuss●mmitas ipsum polum ●●●●ngit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cuius Memoria erit perpetua . Notes for div A03505-e46630 Homer intimated in this his Answer to Thestorides , A will to haue him learne , The knowledge of himselfe , before hee enquir'd so curiously the causes of other things . And from hence , had the great Peripatetique ( Themistius ) his most graue Epiphoneme , Anima quae seipsam ignorat , quid sciret ipsa de alijs ? And therefore ( according to Aristotle ) aduises all Philosophicall Students , to beginne with that Studie . Notes for div A03505-e48570 Supplico tibi Domine , Pater et Dux rationis nostrae ; vt Nostrae Nobilitatis recordemur , qua tu nos ornasti ; et vt tu nobis prestò sis , vt jis qui per sese mouentur ; vt et à Corporis contagio , Brutorumque affectuum repurgemur ; ●osque superemus , atque regamus ; et , sicut decet ; pro instrumentis jis vtamur . Deinde , vt nobis Adiuneto sis ; ad accuratam rationis nostrae correctionem ; et coniunctionem cum jis qui verè sunt , per lucem veritatis . Et tertiùm , Saluatori supplex oro ; vt ab oculis animorum nostrorum , caliginem prorsus ab●tergas ; vt norimus bene , qui Deus , aut Mortalis habendus , Amen . A18416 ---- The Masque of the Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18416 of text S107695 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4981). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18416.xml The memorable maske of the two honorable houses or Innes of Court; the Middle Temple, and Lyncolns Inne. As it was performd before the King, at White-Hall on Shroue Munday at night; being the 15. of February. 1613. At the princely celebration of the most royall nuptialls of the Palsgraue, and his thrice gratious Princesse Elizabeth. &c. With a description of their whole show; in the manner of their march on horse-backe to the Court from the Maister of the Rolls his house: with all their right noble consorts, and most showfull attendants. Inuented, and fashioned, with the ground, and speciall structure of the whole worke: by our kingdomes most artfull and ingenious architect Innigo Iones. Supplied, aplied, digested, and written, by Geo: Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 28 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843391 STC (2nd ed.) 4981. Greg, I, 310(a). 8121 A18416

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The memorable maske of the two honorable houses or Innes of Court; the Middle Temple, and Lyncolns Inne. As it was performd before the King, at White-Hall on Shroue Munday at night; being the 15. of February. 1613. At the princely celebration of the most royall nuptialls of the Palsgraue, and his thrice gratious Princesse Elizabeth. &c. With a description of their whole show; in the manner of their march on horse-backe to the Court from the Maister of the Rolls his house: with all their right noble consorts, and most showfull attendants. Inuented, and fashioned, with the ground, and speciall structure of the whole worke: by our kingdomes most artfull and ingenious architect Innigo Iones. Supplied, aplied, digested, and written, by Geo: Chapman. Masque of the middle Temple, and Lincolns Inne. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Jones, Inigo, 1573-1652. [56] p. Printed by G. Eld, for George Norton, and are to be sould at his shoppe neere Temple-bar, At London : [1613] 1613

Publication date from STC.

Signatures: [par.]2 A4 a4 B-E4 F2.

The last leaf is blank.

Running title reads: The masque of the middle Temple, and Lincolns Inne.

Leaf a4r has errata. Variant: a4r lacks errata; the argument in a different setting.

Reproduction of the original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.

Frederick, -- I, -- King of Bohemia, -- 1596-1632. Elizabeth, -- Queen, consort of Frederick I, King of Bohemia, -- 1596-1662. Masques. A18416 shc The Masque of the Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn Chapman, George Melina Yeh 1613 play masque shc no A18416 S107695 (STC 4981). 8942 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE MEMORABLE MASKE of the two Honorable Houses or Inns of Court ; the Middle Temple , and Lyncolns Inne .

As it was performd before the King , at White-Hall on Shroue Munday at night ; being the 15. of February . 1613 .

At the Princely celebration of the most Royall Nuptialls of the palsgrave , and his thrice gratious Princesse Elizabeth . &c.

With a description of their whole show ; in the manner of their march on horse-backe to the Court from the Maister of the Rolls his house : with all their right Noble consorts , and most showfull attendants .

Inuented , and fashioned , with the ground , and speciall structure of the whole worke ,

By our Kingdomes most Artfull and Ingenious Architect INNIGO IONES .

Supplied , Aplied , Digested , and written , By GEO : CHAPMAN .

AT LONDON , Printed by G. Eld , for George Norton and are to be sould at his shoppe neere Temple-bar .

TO THE MOST NOble , and constant Combiner of Honor , and Vertue , Sir EDWARD PHILIPS , Knight , Mr. of the Rolls .

THis Noble and Magnificent performance , renewing the ancient spirit , and Honor of the Innes of Court ; being especially furthered and followed by your most laborious and honored endeuors , ( for his Maiesties seruice ; and honour of the all-grace-deseruing Nuptialls , of the thrice gracious Princesse Elizabeth , his Highness daughter ) deserues especially to be in this sort consecrate , to your worthy memory and honor . Honor , hauing neuer her faire hand more freely and nobly giuen to Riches ( being a fit particle of this Inuention ) then by yours , at this Nuptiall solemnity . To which assisted , and memorable ceremony ; the ioin'd hand and industry , of the worthely honour'd Knight , Sir H. Hubberd , his Maiesties Atturny generall , deseruing , in good part , a ioint memory with yours ; I have submitted it freely to his noble acceptance . The poore paines I added to this Royall seruice , being wholly chosen , and commanded by your most constant , and free fauour ; I hope will now appeare nothing neglectiue of their expected duties . Hearty wil , and care enough , I am assured was employ'd in me ; and the onely ingenuous will , being first and principall step to vertue ; I beseech you let it stand for the performing vertue it selfe . In which addition of your euer-honour'd fauours , you shall euer binde all my future seruice to your most wished Commandement .

God send you long health , and your Vertues will endue you with honor enough ,

By your free merits euer vow'd honorer , and most vnfainedly affectionate Obseruant . GEO. CHAPMAN .
THE MASKE OF THE Gentlemen of the two combin'd houses , or Inns of Court , the Middle-Temple , and Lincolns Inne .

AT the house of the most worthely honour'd preferrer and gracer of all honorable Actions , and vertues , ( Sir Edward Philips Knight , Master of the Rolls ) al the Performers and their Assistents made their Rendesvous , prepar'd to their performance , and thus set forth .

Fiftie Gentlemen , richly attirde , and as gallantly mounted , with Foot-men perticularly attending , made the noble vant-guarde of these Nuptiall forces . Next ( a fit distance obseru'd betweene them ) marcht a mock-Maske of Baboons , attir'd like fantasticall Trauailers , in Neapolitane sutes , and great ruffes , all horst with Asses ; and dwarfe Palfries , with yellow foot-cloathes , and casting Cockle-demois about , in courtesie , by way of lardges ; Torches boarn on either hand of them ; lighting their state as ridiculously , as the rest Nobly . After them were sorted two Carrs Triumphall , adornd with great Maske heads , Festones , scroules , and antick leaues , euery part inricht with siluer and golde . These were through-varied with different inuention , and in them aduanc't , the choice Musitions of our Kingdome , sixe in each ; attir'd like Virginean Priests , by whom the Sun is there ador'd ; and therfore called the Phoebades . Their Robes were tuckt vp before ; strange Hoods of feathers , and scallops about their neckes , and on their heads turbants , stucke with seuerall colour'd feathers , spotted with wings of Flies , of extraordinary bignesse ; like those of their countrie : And about them march't two ranks of Torches . Then rode the chiefe Maskers , in Indian habits , all of a resemblance : the ground cloath of siluer , richly embroidered , with golden Sunns , and about euery Sunne , ran a traile of gold , imitating Indian worke , : their bases of the same stuffe and work , but betwixt euery pane of embroidery , went a rowe of white Estridge feathers , mingled with sprigs of golde plate ; vnder their breasts , they woare bawdricks of golde , embroidered high with purle , and about their neckes , Ruffes of feathers , spangled with pearle and siluer . On their heads high sprig'd-feathers , compast in Coronets , like the Virginian Princes they presented . Betwixt euery set of feathers , and about their browes , in the vnder-part of their Coronets , shin'd Sunnes of golde plate , sprinkled with pearle ; from whence sprung rayes of the like plate , that mixing vvith the motion of the feathers , shew'd exceedingly delightfull , and gracious . Their legges were adorn'd , with close long white silke-stockings : curiously embroidered vvith golde to the Middelegge .

And ouer these ( being on horse backe ) they drew greaues or buskins embrodered with gould , & enterlac't with rewes of fethers ; Altogether estrangfull , and Indian like .

In their Hands ( set in seueral postures as they rode ) they brandisht cane darts of the finest gould . Their vizerds of oliue collour ; but pleasingly visag'd : their hayre , blacke and lardge , wauing downe to their shoulders .

Their Horse , for rich show , equalld the Maskers them-selues ; all their caparisons being enchac't with sunnes of Gould and Ornamentall Iewells . To euery one of which , was tackt a Scarffing of Siluer ; that ran sinnuousely in workes ouer the whole caparison , euen to the daseling of the admiring spectators .

Their heads , no lesse gracefully and properly deckt with the like light skarffing that hung about their eares wantonly dangling .

Euery one of these horse , had two Moores , attir'd like Indian slaues , that for state sided them ; with swelling wreaths of gould , and watshed on their heads , which arose in all to the number of a hundred .

The Torch-bearers habits were likewise of the Indian garb , but more strauagant then those of the Maskers ; all showfully garnisht with seueral-hewd fethers . The humble variety whereof , stucke off the more amplie , the Maskers high beauties , shining in the habits of themselues ; and reflected in their kinde , a new and delightfully-varied radiance on the beholders .

All these sustaind torches of Virgine wax , whose staues were great canes al ouer gilded ; And these ( as the rest ) had euery Man his Moore , attending his horse .

The Maskers , riding single ; had euery Masker , his Torch-bearer mounted before him .

The last Charriot , which was most of all adornd ; had his whole frame fill'd with moulded worke ; mixt all with paintings , and glittering scarffings of siluer ; ouer which was cast a Canopie of golde , boarne vp with antick figures , and all compos'd a la Grotesea . Before this in the seate of it , as the Chariotere ; vvas aduanc't a strange person , and as strangely habited , half French , halfe Swizz ; his name Capriccio ; wearing on his head a paire of golden Bellowes , a guilt spurre in one hand , and with the other mannaging the reignes of the fowre Horses that drewe it :

On a seate of the same Chariot , a little more eleuate , sate Eunomia , the Virgine Priest of the Goddesse Honor , together with Phemis , her Herald : The habite of her Priest , was a Robe of white silke , gathered about the necke ; a pentacle of siluered stuffe about her shoulders , hanging foldedly downe , both before and behind .

A vestall vaile on her head of Tiffany , strip't with siluer , hanging with a trayne , to the earth .

The Herrald was attyr'd in an Antique Curace of siluer stuffe , with labells at the wings and basses ; a short gowne of gould stuffe ; with wide sleeues , cut in panes : A wreath of gould on his head , and a Rod of gould in his hand .

Highest of all in the most eminent seate of the Tryumphall sat , side to side , the coelestiall Goddesse , Honour ; and the earthy Deity , Plutus ; or Riches . His attire ; a short robe of gould , frindg'd ; his wide sleeues turn'd vp , and out-showd his naked armes : his Head and Beard sprinckl'd with showrs of gould : his Buskins , clinckant , as his other attire . The Ornaments of Honor were these : a rich full robe of blew silke girt about her , a mantle of siluer worne ouer-thwart , ful gathered , and descending in folds behind : a vaile of netlawne , enbrodered with Oos and Spangl'd ; her tresses in tucks , braided with siluer : The hinder part shadowing in waues her shoulders .

These , thus perticularly , and with proprietie adorn'd , were strongly attended with a full Guard of two hundred Halbardiers : two Marshals ( being choice Gentlemen , of either house ) Commaunder-like attir'd , to and fro coursing , to keepe all in their orders .

A showe at all parts so nouell , conceitfull and glorious , as hath not in this land , ( to the proper vse and obiect it had porpos'd ) beene euer before beheld . Nor did those honorable Inns of Court , at any time in that kinde , such acceptable seruice to the sacred Maiesty of this kingdome , nor were return'd by many degrees , with so thrice gratious , and royall entertainment and honor . But , ( as aboue sayd ) all these so marching to the Court at White Hall , the King , Bride , & Bridegroom , with all the Lords of the most honord priuy Councel , and our chief Nobility , stood in the Gallery before the Tilt-yeard , to behold their arriuall ; who , for the more ful satisfaction of his Maiesties view , made one turn about the yeard , and dismounted : being then honorably attended through the Gallery to a Chamber appointed , where they were to make ready for their performance in the Hall , &c.

The King beeing come forth , the Maskers ascended vnseene to their scoene . Then for the works .

First there appear'd at the lower end of the Hall , an Artificiall Rock , whose top was neere as high as the hall it selfe . This Rock , was in the vndermost part craggy , and full of hollow places , in whose concaues were contriv'd , two winding paire of staires , by whose greeces the Persons aboue might make their descents , and all the way be seene : all this Rocke grew by degrees vp into a gold-colour ; and was run quite through , with veines of golde : On the one side whereof , eminently raised on a faire hill , was erected a siluer Temple of an octangle figure , whose Pillars were of a compos'd order , and bore vp an Architraue , Freese , and Cornish : Ouer which stood a continued Plinthe ; whereon were aduaunc't Statues of siluer : Aboue this , was placed a bastarde Order of Architecture , wherein were keru'd Compartements : In one of which was written in great golde Capitalls , HONORIS FANVM : Aboue all , was a Coupolo , or Type , which seem'd to be scal'd with siluer Plates .

For finishing , of all , vpon a Pedistall , was fixt a round stone of siluer , from which grew a paire of golden wings , both faign'd to bee Fortunes : the round stone ( when her feet trod it ) euer affirm'd to be rouling ; figuring her inconstancy : the golden wings , denoting those nimble Powres , that pompously beare her about the world ; On that Temple ( erected to her daughter , Honor ; and figuring this kingdome ) put off by her , and fixt , for assured signe she would neuer forsake it .

About this Temple , hung Festones wreath'd with siluer from one Pillars head to another . Besides , the Freese was enricht with keruings , all shewing Greatnes and Magnificence .

On the other side of the Rocke , grewe a Groue , in whose vtmost part appear'd a vast , wither'd , and hollow Tree , being the bare receptacle of the Baboonerie .

These following should in duty haue had their proper places , after euery fitted speech of the Actors ; but being preuented by the vnexpected haste of the Printer , which he neuer let me know , and neuer sending me a proofe , till he had past those speeches ; I had no reason to imagine hee could haue been so forward . His fault is therfore to be supplied by the obseruation , and reference of the Reader , who will easily perceiue , where they were to bee inserted .

After the speech of Plutus ( who as you may see after , first entred ) the middle part of the Rocke began to moue , and being come some fiue paces vp towards the King , it split in peeces with a great crack ; and our brake Capriccio , as before described . The peeces of the Rocke vanisht and he spake as in his place .

At the singing of the first Song , full , which was sung by the Virginian Priests ; called the Phoebades , to sixe Lutes ( being vsed as an Orphean vertue , for the state of the Mines opening ) : the vpper part of the Rock was sodainly turn'd to a Cloude , discouering a rich and refulgent Mine of golde ; in which the twelue Maskers vvere triumphantly seated : their Torch-bearers attending before them . All the lights beeing so ordred , that though none were seen , yet had their lustre such vertue , that by it , the least spangle or spark of the Maskers rich habites , might with ease and cleerenesse be discerned as far off as the seate .

Ouer this golden Mine , in an Euening sky , the ruddy Sunne was seen ready to be set ; and behind the tops of certaine white Cliffes , by degrees descended , casting vp a banke of Cloudes ; in which , a while hee was hidden : but then gloriously shining , gaue that vsually-obseru'd good Omen , of succeeding faire weather .

Before he was fully set , the Phoebades ( shewing the custome of the Indians to adore the Sunne setting ) began their obseruance with the Song , to whose place , wee must referre you for the manner and words ; All the time they were singing ; the Torch-bearers holding vp their Torches to the Sun ; to whome the Priests themselues , and the rest , did as they sung obeisance : Which was answred by other Musique and voices , at the commandement of Honor , with all' obseruances vs'd to the King &c. As in the following places .

TO answer certaine insolent obiections made against the length of my speeches , and narrations ; being ( for the probability of all accidents , rising from the inuention of this Maske ; and their aplication , to the persons , and places : for whome , and by whome it was presented ) not conuenient , but necessary ; I am enforct to affirme this ; That : as there is no Poem nor Oration so generall ; but hath his one perticular proposition ; Nor no riuer so extrauagantly ample , but hath his neuer-so-narrow fountaine , worthy to be namd ; so all these courtly , and honoring inuentions ( hauing Poesie , and Oration in them , and a fountaine , to be exprest , from whence their Riuers flow ) should expressiuely-arise ; out of the places , and persons for ; and by whome they are presented ; without which limits , they are luxurious , and paine . But what rules soeuer are set downe , to any Art , or Act ( though , without their obseruation ; No Art , nor Act , is true , and worthy ) yet are they nothing the more followd ; or those few that follow them credited . Euery vulgarly-esteemd vpstart ; dares breake the dreadfull dignity of antient and autenticall Poesie : and presume Luciforously , to proclame in place thereof , repugnant precepts of their owne spaune . Truth , and Worth , haue no faces , to enamour the Lycentious , but vaine-glory , and humor . The same body : the same beauty , a thousand men seeing : Onely the man whose bloud is fitted , hath that which hee calls his soule , enamourd . And this , out of infallible cause ; for , men vnderstand not these of Maenander � est morbus oportunitas

Animae , quodictus , vulnus accipit graue .

But the cause of all Mens being enamourd with Truth . And of her slight respect , in others ; is the diuine Freedom ; one touching with his aprehensiue finger , the other , passing . The Hill of the Muses ( which all men must clime in the regular way , to Truth ) is said of ould , to be forcked . And the two points of it , parting at the Top ; are Insania , and , diuinus furor . Insania , is that which euery Ranck-brainde writer ; and iudge of Poeticall writing , is rapt withal ; when hee presumes either to write or censure the height of Poesie ; and that transports him with humor , vaine-glory and pride , most prophane and sacrilegious : when diuinus furor ; makes gentle , and noble , the neuer so truly inspired writer �

Emollit mores nec sinit esse feros .

And the mild beames of the most holy inflamer ; easely , and sweetly enter , with all vnderstanding sharpenesse , the soft , and sincerely humane ; but with no Time ; No Study ; No meanes vnder heauen : any arrogant , all-occupation deuourer ( that will Chandler-like set vp with all wares ; selling , Poesies Nectar and Ambrosia ; as wel as musterd , and vineagar . ) The chast and restraind beames of humble truth will euer enter ; but onely grase , and glaunce at them : and the further fly them .

The aplicable argument of the Maske .

HOnor , is so much respected , and ador'd ; that shee hath a Temple erected to her , like a Goddesse ; a Virgine Priest consecrated to her ( which is Eunomia , or Lawe ; since none should dare accesse to Honor , but by Vertue ; of which Lawe being the rule , must needes be a chiefe ) and a Herrald ( call'd Phemis , or Fame ) to proclame her institutions , and commandements . To amplefie yet more the diuine graces of this Goddesse ; Plutus , ( or Riches ) being by Aristophanes , Lucian . &c. presented naturally blind , deformd , and dull witted ; is here by his loue of Honor , made see , made sightly , made ingenious ; made liberall : And all this conuerted and consecrate to the most worthy celebration of these sacred Nuptialls ; all issuing ( to conclude the necessary application ) from an honorable Temple . &c. Non est certa fides , quam non Iniuria versat . � Fallit portus & ipse fidem .

Errata .

In Capri . first speech , for many , read maine , in c. 1. for Pot , re . post . in c. 3. for answer , re . austerity , for purposes , re . purses , in c. 3. for seemingly , re . securely , in d. 2. for law , and vertue , re . loue and beauty , in the first stance of the second song , for this re . his . for sweet deuotions , re . fit deuotions .

THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS . Honour , a Goddesse . Plutus , ( or Riches ) a God . Eunomia ( or law ) Priest of honor . Phemis , Honors Herrald . Capriccio , a man of wit , &c.
THE PRESENTMENT . Plutus appear'd suruaying the worke with this speech . PLVTVS .

ROckes ? Nothing but Rockes in these masking deuices ? Is Inuention so poore shee must needes euer dwell amongst Rocks ? But it may worthily haue chaunc'd ( being so often presented ) that their vaine Custome is now become the necessarie hand of heauen , transforming into Rocks , some stonie hearted Ladies , courted in former masks ; for whose loues , some of their repulst seruants haue perisht : or perhaps some of my flintie-hearted Vsurers haue beene heere metamorphosed ; betwixt whom and Ladies , there is resemblance enough : Ladies vsing to take interest , besides their principall , as much as Vsurers . See , it is so ; and now is the time of restoring them to their naturall shapes : It moues , opens , excellent ! This metamorphosis I intend to over-heare .

A ROCK , MOOVING and breaking with a cracke about Capriccio , he enters with a payre of Bellows on his head , a spur in one hand , and a peece of golde Ore in the other , &c. He speakes , vt sequitur . CAPRICCIO .

HOw hard this world is to a man of wit ? hee must eate through manie Rockes for his food , or fast ; a restles and tormenting stone , his wit is to him : the very stone of Sisyphus in hell ; nay , the Philosophers stone , makes not a man more wretched : A man must be a second Proteus , and turne himselfe into all shapes ( like Vlisses ) to winde through the straites of this pinching vale of miserie ; I haue turn'd my selfe into a Tailor , a Man , a Gentleman , a Nobleman , a Worthy man ; but had neuer the witte to turne my selfe into an Alder-man . There are manie shapes to perish in , but one to liue in , and tha 's an Aldermans : T is not for a man of wit to take any rich Figure vpon him : your bould , proud , ignorant , that 's braue and clinkant , that findes crownes put into his shooes euery morning by the Fayries and will neuer tell ; whose Wit is humor , whose Iudgement is fashion , whose Pride is emptinesse , Birth his full man , that is in all things something , in Sum totall , nothing . He shall liue in the land of Spruce , milke and hony flowing into his mouth sleeping .

PLVTVS .

This is no transformation , but an intrusion into my golden mines : I will heare him-further .

CAPRIC.

This breach of Rockes I haue made , in needy pursuite of the blind Deity , Riches : who is myraculously ariued here . For ( according to our rare men of wit ) heauen standing , and earth mouing , her motion ( being circular ) hath brought one of the most remote parts of the world , to touch at this all-exceeding Iland : which a man of wit would imagine must needs moue circularly with the rest of the world , and so euer maintaine an equal distance . But , Poets ( our chiefe men of wit ) answere that point directly ; most ingeniously affirming : That this I le is ( for the excellency of it ) diuided from the world ( diuisus ab orbe Britannus ) and that though the whole World besides moues ; yet this I le stands fixt on her owne feete , and defies the Worlds mutability , which this rare accident of the arriuall of Riches , in one of his furthest-off-scituate dominions , most demonstratiuely proues .

PLVTVS .

This is a man of wit indeede , and knows of all our arriuals .

CAPRIC.

With this dull Deity Riches , a rich Iland lying in the South-sea , called Poeana , ( of the Poeans ( or songs ) sung to the Sun , whom they there adore ( being for strength and riches , called the Nauill of that South-sea ) is by earths round motion mou'd neere this Brittan Shore . In which Island ( beeing yet in command of the Virginian continent . ) A troupe of the noblest Virginians inhabiting ; attended hether the God of Riches , all triumphantly shyning in a Mine of gould . For hearing of the most royal solemnity , of these sacred Nuptialls ; they crost the Ocean in their honor , and are here arriu'd . A poore snatch at some of the goulden Ore , that the feete of riches haue turnd vp as he trod here , my poore hand hath purchast ; and hope the Remainder of a greater worke , wil be shortly extant .

PLVT.

You Sir , that are miching about my goulden Mines here .

CAPR.

What , can you see Sir ? you haue heretofore beene presented blinde : like your Mother Fortune ; and your Brother Loue .

PLVT.

But now Sir , you see I see .

CAPR.

By what good meanes , I beseech you Sir .

PLVT.

That meanes , I may vouchsafe you hereafter ; meane space , what are you ?

CAPR.

I am Sir a kinde of Man ; A Man of wit : with whom your worship has nothing to do I thinke .

PLVT.

No Sir , nor will haue any thing to doe with him : A Man of wit ? what 's that ? A Begger .

CAPR.

And yet no Diuell Sir .

PLV.

As I am , you meane .

CAPR.

Indeede sir your Kingdome is vnder the Earth .

PLVT.

That 's true ; for Riches is the Atlas that holdes it vp , it would sinke else .

CAPR.

T is rather a wonder , it sinks not with you Sir , y' are so sinfully , and damnably heauy .

PLVT.

Sinfull ? and damnable ? what a Puritane ? These Bellowes you weare on your head , shew with what matter your braine is pufft vp Sir : A Religion-forger I see you are , and presume of inspiration from these Bellowes ; with which yee study to blow vp the setled gouernments of kingdomes .

CAPR.

Your worship knockes at a wrong dore Sir , I dwell farre from the person you speak of .

PLVT.

What may you be then , beeing a man of wit ? a Buffon , a Iester . Before I would take vpon mee the title of a man of wit , and bee baffl'd by euery man of wisedome for a Buffon ; I would turne Banckrout , or let vp a Tobacco shop , change clokes with an Alchemist , or serue an Vsurer , bee a watering pot for euery Groome ; stand the push of euery rascall wit ; enter lifts of iests with trencher-fooles , and bee foold downe by them , or ( which is worse ) put them downe in fooling : are these the qualities a man of wit should run proud of ?

CAPR.

Your worship I see has obtaind wit , with sight , which I hope yet my poor wit wil well be able to answer ; for touching my iesting , I haue heard of some Courtiers , that haue run themselues out of their states with Iusting ; and why may not I then raise my selfe in the State with iesting ? An honest Shoomaker , ( in in a liberall Kings time ) was knighted for making a cleane boote , and is it impossible , that I for breaking a cleane Iest , should bee aduaunct in Court , or Counsaile ? or at least , serued out for an Ambassador to a dull Climate ? Iests , and Merriments are but wild weedes in a rank soile , which being well manured , yield the wholesom crop of wisdome and discretion at time ath ' yeare .

PLV.

Nay , nay , I commend thy iudgement for cutting thy cote so iust to the bredth of thy shoulders ; he that cannot be a courser in the field , let him learne to play the Iack-an-Apes in the Chamber , hee that cannot personate the wise-man well amongst wisards , let him learne to play the foole well amongst dizzards .

CAPR.

T is passing miraculous , that your dul and blind worship should so sodainly turne both sightfull , and witfull .

PLVT.

The Riddle of that myracle , I may chance dissolue to you in sequell ; meane time , what name sustain'st thou ? and what toies are these thou bear'st so phantastically about thee ?

CAPR.

These , toies Sir , are the Ensignes that discouer my name and qualitie : my name being Capriccio , and I weare these Bellowes on my head , to shew I can pusse vp with glory all those that affect mee : and besides , beare this spurre , to shew I can spur gall , euen the best that contemne me .

PLVT.

A dangerous fellowe , But what makest thou ( poore man of wit ) at these pompous Nuptials ;

CAPRIC.

Sir , I come hether with a charge ; To doe these Nuptialls , I hope , very acceptable seruice ; And my charge is ; A company of accomplisht Trauailers ; that are excellent at Antemaskes ; and will tender a tast of their quallity , if your worship please .

PLVT.

Excellent well pleasd ; of what vertue are they besides .

CAPR.

Passing graue Sir , yet exceeding acute : witty , yet not ridiculous ; neuer laugh at their owne iests : laborious yet not base , hauing cut out the skirts of the whole world , in amorous quest of your gould and siluer .

PLVT.

They shal haue enough ; cal them : I beseech thee call them : how farre hence abide they ?

CAPR.

Sir ( being by another eminent qualitie the admired souldiers of the world ) in contempt of softnes , and delicacie , they lie on the naturally hard boords of that naked tree ; and will your worship assure them rewards fit for persons of their freight .

PLVT.

Dost thou doubt my reward beeing pleased ?

CAPR.

I know Sir , a man may sooner win your reward , for pleasing you , the� deseruing you . But you great wise persons , haue a fetch of State ; to employ with countenance , and encouragement , but reward with answer and disgrace , saue your purposes , and lose your honours .

PLVT.

To assure thee of reward , I will now satisfie thee touching the miraculous cause , both of my sight and wit , and which consequently moues mee to humanity , and bounty ; And all is , onely this ; my late being in loue , with the louely Goddesse Honor .

CAPRIC.

If your Worshipp loue Honor , indeed , Sir you must needes be bountifull . But where is the rare Goddesse you speake of to be seene ?

PLVTVS .

In that Rich Temple , where Fortune fixt those her goulden wings , thou seest ; And that rowling stone she vs'd to tread vpon , for signe shee would neuer for-sake this Kingdome ; There is ador'd , the worthy Goddesse Honor . The swetnesse of whose voice , when I first heard her perswasions , both to my self , and the Virginian Princes arriu'd here , to doe honor and homage , to these heauenly Nuptialls , so most powerfully enamour'd mee , that the fire of my loue flew vp to the sight of mine eyes : that haue lighted within mee a whole firmament of Bounty , which may semingly assure the , thy reward is certaine : & therefore call thy accomplisht company to their Antemaske .

CAPRIC.

See Sir , The time , set for their apperance , being expir'd ; they appeere to their seruice of them-selues .

Enter the Baboones after whose dance , being Anticke , and delightful , they returned to their Tree , when Plutus spake to Capriccius . PLVTVS .

Gramercy now Capriccio , take thy men of complement , and trauaile with them to other marriages . My Riches to thy Wit ; they will get something some-where .

CAPR.

What 's this ?

PLVT.

A straine of Wit beyond a Man of Wit . I haue imployd you , and the grace of that , is reward enough ; hence ; packe , with your complemental Fardle : The sight of an attendant for reward , is abominable in the eyes of a turne-seru'd Politician , and I feare , will strike me blinde againe . I can not abide these bellowes of thy head , they and thy men of wit haue melted my Mines with them , and consum'd me , yet take thy life and be gone . Neptune let thy predecessor , Vlysses , liue after all his slaine companions , but to make him die more miserably liuing ; gaue him vp to ship wracks , enchantments ; men of wit are but enchanted , there is no such thing as wit in this world . So , take a tree , inure thy souldiers to hardnes , t is honorable , though not clinkant .

CAPR.

Can this be possible ?

PLVT.

Alas ! poore man of wit , how want of reward daunts thy vertue ? But because I must send none away discontented , from these all-pleasing Nuptials ; take this wedge of golde , and wedge thy selfe into the world with it , renouncing that loose wit of thine , t' will spoile thy complexion .

CAPR.

Honor , and all Argus eyes , to Earths all-commaunding Riches . Pluto etiam cedit Iupiter

Exit Capr .
After this lowe Induction , by these succeeding degrees , the chiefe Maskers were aduanc't to their discouerie PLVTVS . These humble obiects can no high eyes drawe , Eunomia ? ( or the sacred power of Lawe ) Daughter of Ioue , and Goddesse Honors Priest ; Appeare to Plutus , and his loue assist . EVN. What would the god of Riches ? PLVT. Ioine with Honor : In purpos'd grace of these great Nuptials ; And since to Honor none should dare accesse , But helpt by vertues hand ( thy selfe , chaste Loue Being Vertues Rule , and her directfull light ) Help me to th' honor of her speech and sight . EVN. Thy will shal straight be honour'd ; all that seek Accesse to Honor , by cleer virtues beame , Her grace preuents their pains , and comes to them . Loud Musick , and Honor appears , descending with her Herrald Phemis , and Eunomia ( her Priest ) before her . The Musique ceasing Plutus spake . PLVT. Crowne of all merit , Goddess , and my Loue ; T is now high time , that th' end for which we come Should be endeuor'd in our vtmost right , Done to the sweetnes of this Nuptiall night . HON. Plutus ? The Princes of the Virgine land , Whom I made crosse the Britan Ocean To this most famed I le , of all the world , To do due homage to the sacred Nuptials Of Lawe , and Vertue , celebrated here , By this Howre of the holy Eeuen I know , Are ready to performe the rites they owe To setting Phoebus ; which ( for greater State To their apparance ) their first act aduances . And with songs Vshers their succeeding dances , Herrald ! giue summons to the Virgine Knights , No longer to delay their purpos'd Rites . HER. Knights of the Virgine Land , whom bewties lights Would glorifie with their inflaming sights ; Keep now obscur'd no more your faire intent , To adde your Beames to this nights ornament , The golden-winged Howre strikes now a Plaine , And calls out all the pompe ye entertaine ; The Princely Bride-groome , and the Brides bright eyes , Sparkle with grace to your discoueries . At these words , the Phoebades ( or Priests of the Sunne ) appear'd first with sixe Lutes , and sixe voices , and sung to the opening of the Mine and Maskers discouery , this sul Song .
The first Song . OPe Earth thy wombe of golde , Shew Heauen thy cope of starres . All glad Aspects vnfolde , Shine out , and cleere our Cares : Kisse Heauen and Earth , and so combine In all mixt ioy our Nuptiall Twine .
This Song ended , a Mount opened , and spred like a Skie , in which appear'd a Sunne setting ; beneath which , sate the twelue Maskers , in a Mine of golde ; twelue Torch-bearers holding their torches before them , after which Honor , &c. HON. Se now the setting Sun , casts vp his bank , And showes his bright head at his Seas repaire , For signe that all daies future shall be faire . PLVT. May he that rules the nightes & dayes confirme it . HON. Behold the Sunnes faire Preists the Phaebades , Their euening seruice in an Hymne addresse To Phoebus setting ; which we now shall heare , And see the formes of their deuotions there . The Phoehades sing the first Stance of the second song , vt sequitur . One alone 1. Descend ( faire Sun ) and sweetly rest , In Tethis Cristal armes , thy toyle , Fall burning on her Marble brest , And make with Loue her billowes boyle . Another alone . 2. Blow blow , sweet windes , O blow away , Al vapours from the fined ayre : That to this golden head no Ray , May languish with the least empaire . CHO. Dance Tethis , and thy loues red beames , Embrace with Ioy he now discends : Burnes burnes with loue to drinke thy streames , and on him endles youth attends . After this Stance , Honor &c. HON. This superstitious Hymne , sung to the Sunne , Let vs encounter with fit duties done To our cleere Phoebus ; whose true piety , Enioyes from heaven an earthly deity . Other Musique , and voyces ; and this second Stance was sung , directing their obseruance to the King . One alone 1. Rise , rise O Phoebus , euer rise , descend not to th' inconstant streame , But grace with endles light , our skyes , to thee that Sun is but a beame . Another 2. Dance Ladies in our Sunnes bright rayes , in which the Bride and Bridegroome shine : Cleere sable night with your eyes dayes , and set firme lights on Hymens shrine . CHO. O may our Sun not set before , he sees his endles seed arise : And deck his triple crowned shore , with springs of humane Deities . This ended the Phoebades sung the third Stance . 1. Set Set ( great Sun ) our rising loue shall euer celebrate thy grace : Whom entring the high court of Ioue , each God greetes rising from his place . 2. When thow thy siluer bow dost bend , all start aside and dread thy draughtes : How can we thee enough commend , commanding all worlds with the shafts ? CHO. Blest was thy mother bearing thee , and Phoebe that delights in darts : Thou artful Songes dost set ; and shee winds horns , loues hounds , & high pallmd harts After this Honor . HON. Againe our Musique and conclude this Song , To him , to whom all Phoebus beames belong : The other voyces sung to other Musike the third stance . 1 Rise stil ( cleere Sun ) and neuer set , but be to Earth her only light : All other Kings in thy beames met , are cloudes and darke effects of night . 2. As when the Rosie Morne doth rise , Like Mists , all giue thy wisedome waie ; A learned King , is , as in skies , To poore dimme stars , the flaming day . CHO. Blest was thy Mother , bearing Thee , Thee only Relick of her Race , Made by thy vertues beames a Tree , Whose armes shall all the Earth embrace . This done Eunomia spake to the Maskers set yet aboue . EVN. Virginian Princes , ye must now renounce Your superstitious worship of these Sunnes , Subiect to cloudy darknings and descents , And of your sweet deuotions , turne the euents To this our Britan Phoebus , whose bright skie ( Enlightned with a Christian Piety ) Is neuer subiect to black Errors night , And hath already offer'd heauens true light , To your darke Region , which acknowledge now ; Descend , and to him all your homage vow . With this the Torch-bearers descended , and performed another Antemaske , dancing with Torches lighted at both ends ; which done , the Maskers descended , and fell into their dances , two of which being past , and others with the Ladies . Honor spake . Musiquely our voyces , now tune sweet and hie , And singe the Nuptiall Hymn of Loue , and Beauty . Twinns , as of one age , so to one desire May both their bloods giue , an vnparted fire . And as those twinns that Fame giues all her prise , Combind their lifes power in such Symphathies ; That one being merry ; mirth the other grac't : If one felt sorrow , th' other griefe embrac't . If one were healthfull ; Health the other pleasd : If one were sicke : the other was diseasd ; And all waies ioynd in such a constant troth That one like cause had like effect in both , So may these Nuptiall Twynnes , their whole liues store , Spend in such euen parts , neuer grieuing more , Then may the more set off their ioyes diuine ; As after clouds , the Sunne , doth clerest shine . This sayd , this Song of Loue , and Bewty was sung ; single . Bright Panthaea borne to Pan , Of the Noblest Race of Man , Her white hand to Eros giuing , With a kisse , ioin'd Heauen to Earth And begot so faire a birth , As yet neuer grac't the liuing . CHO. A Twinne that all worlds did adorne , For so were Loue and Bewty borne . 2. Both so lou'd , they did contend Which the other should transcend , Doing either , grace , and kindnes ; Loue from Bewty did remoue , Lightnes call'd her staine in loue , Bewtie took from Loue his blindness . CHO. Loue sparks made flames in Bewties skie , And Bewtie blew vp Loue as hie . 3 Virtue then commixt her fire ; To which Bountie did aspire , Innocence a Crowne conferring ; Mine , and Thine , were then vnusde , All things common : Nought abusde , Freely earth her frutage bearing . CHO. Nought then was car'd for , that could fade , And thus the golden world was made . This sung , the Maskers danc't againe with the Ladies , after which Honor . HON. Now may the blessings of the golden age , Swimme in these Nuptials , euen to holy rage , A Hymn to Sleep prefer , and all the ioyes That in his Empire are of dearest choice , Betwixt his golden slumbers euer flow , In these ; And Theirs , in Springs as endless growe . This sayd , the last Song was sung full .
The last Song . Now sleepe , binde fast , the flood of Ayre , strike all things dumb and deafe , And , to disturbbe our Nuptiall paire , Let stir no Aspen leafe . Send flocks of golden Dreames That all true ioyes presage , Bring , in thy oyly streames , The milke and hony Age . Now close the world-round sphere of blisse , And fill it with a heauenly kisse .
After this Plutus to the Maskers . PLVT. Come Virgine Knights , the homage ye haue done , To Loue and Bewty , and our Britan Sun , Kinde Honor , will requite with holy feasts In her faire Temple ; and her loued Guests , Giues mee the grace t' inuite , when she and I ( Honor and Riches ) will eternally A league in fauour of this night combine , In which Loues second hallowed Tapers shine ; Whose Ioies , may Heauen & Earth as highly please As those two nights that got great Hercules . The speech ended ; they concluded with a dance , that brought them off ; Plutus , with Honor and the rest conducting them vp to the Temple of Honor . FINIS .
A Hymne to Hymen for the most timefitted Nuptialls of our thrice gracious Princesse Elizabeth &c. SInge , Singe a Rapture to all Nuptial eares , Bright Hymens torches , drunke vp Parcaes tears : Sweete Hymen ; Hymen , Mightiest of Gods , Attoning of all-taming blood the odds ; Two into One , contracting ; One to Two Dilating , which no other God can doe . Mak'st sure , with change , and lett'st the married try , Of Man and woman , the Variety . And as a flower , halfe scorcht with daies long heate Simil . Thirsts for refreshing , with Nights cooling sweate , The wings of Zephire , fanning still her face , No chere can ad to her heart-thirsty grace ; Yet weares she gainst those fires that make her fade , Her thicke hayr 's proofe , al hyd , in Midnights shade ; Her Helth , is all in dews ; Hope , all in showres , Whose want bewailde , she pines in all her powres : So Loue-scorch't Virgines , nourish quenchles fires ; The Fathers cares ; the Mothers kind desires . Their Gould , and Garments , of the newest guise , Can nothing comfort their scorcht Phantasies , But , taken rauish't vp , in Hymens armes , His Circkle holds , for all their anguish , charms : Then , as a glad Graft , in the spring Sunne shines , That all the helps , of Earth , & Heauen combines In Her sweet grouth : Puts in the Morning on Her cherefull ayres ; the Sunnes rich fires , at Noone ; At Euen the sweete deaws , and at Night with starrs , In all their vertuous influences shares ; So , in the Bridegroomes sweet embrace ; the Bride , All varied Ioies tasts , in their naked pride : To which the richest weedes : are weedes , to flowres ; Come Hymen then ; com close these Nuptial howres With all yeares comforts . Come ; each virgin keepes Her odorous kisses for thee ; Goulden sleepes Will , in their humors , neuer steepe an eie , Till thou inuit'st them with thy Harmony . Why staiest thou ? see each Virgin doth prepare Embraces for thee ; Her white brests laies bare To tempt thy soft hand ; let 's such glances flie As make starres shoote , to imitate her eye . Puts Arts attires on , that put Natures doune : Singes , Dances , sets on euery foote a Crowne , Sighes , in her songs , and dances ; kisseth Ayre Till Rites , and words past , thou in deedes repaire ; The whole court Io sings : Io the Ayre : Io , the flouds , and fields : Io , most faire , Most sweet , most happy Hymen ; Come : away ; With all thy Comforts come ; old Matrons pray , With young Maides Languors ; Birds bill , build , and breed To teach thee thy kinde , euery flowre and weed Looks vp to gratulate thy long'd for fruites ; Thrice giuen , are free , and timely-granted suites : There is a seed by thee now to be sowne , In whose fruit Earth , shall see her glories show'n , At all parts perfect ; and must therfore loose No minutes time ; from times vse all fruite flowes ; And as the tender Hyacinth , that growes Where Phoebus most his golden beames bestowes , Is propt with care ; is water'd euery howre ; The sweet windes adding their encreasing powre , The scattered drops of Nights refreshing dew , Hasting the full grace , of his glorious hew , Which once disclosing , must be gatherd straight , Or hew , and Odor both , will lose their height ; So , of a Virgine , high , and richly kept , The grace and sweetnes full growne must be reap't , Or , forth her spirits fly , in empty Ayre ; The sooner fading ; the more sweete and faire . Gentle , O Gentle Hymen , be not then Cruell , That kindest arts to Maids , and Men ; These two , One Twynn are ; and their mutuall blisse , Not in thy beames , but in thy Bosome is . Nor can their hands fast , their harts ioyes make sweet ; Their harts , in brests are ; and their Brests must meete . Let , there be Peace , yet Murmur : and that noise , Beget of peace , the Nuptiall battailes ioyes . Let Peace grow cruell , and take wrake of all , The warrs delay brought thy full Festiuall . Harke , harke , O now the sweete Twyn murmur sounds ; Hymen is come , and all his heate abounds ; Shut all Dores ; None , but Hymens lights aduance . No sound styr ; let , dumb Ioy , enioy a trance . Sing , sing a Rapture to all Nuptiall eares , Bright Hymens Torches drunke vp Parcaes teares . FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18416-e100650 Plutus , cals to Eunomia . Eunomia in the Temple gates . The Bride and Bride groome were figured in Loue and Beauty . Twinns of which Hippocrates speakes . Called Twynns being both of an Age .
Notes for div A18416-e104050 Simil. ad eandem explicat . Simil.
Machine-generated castlist A18416-plutus 27 A18416-capriccio 22 A18416-chorus 7 A18416-honour 6 A18416-eun 3 A18416-herald 1
Textual Notes

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Palfgraue celebration of the most Royall Nuptialls of the palsgrave , and his thrice gratious Princesse Elizabeth aioint Atturny generall , deseruing , in good part , a ioint memory with yours ; I have submitted Rendes vous Performers and their Assistents made their Rendesvous , prepar'd to their performance , and thus strip'twith A vestall vaile on her head of Tiffany , strip't with siluer , hanging with a trayne , to sleeuesturn'd short robe of gould , frindg'd ; his wide sleeues turn'd vp , and out-showd his naked armes al'obseruances voices , at the commandement of Honor , with all' obseruances vs'd to the King &c. As in deu�ces _ROckes ? Nothing but Rockes in these masking deuices ? Is Inuention so poore shee must needes ouek-heare excellent ! This metamorphosis I intend to over-heare . peeece on his head , a spur in one hand , and a peece of golde Ore in the other , &c. � , To poore dimme stars , the flaming day . ATwinne A Twinne that all worlds did adorne , For t�inuite and her loued Guests , Giues mee the grace t'inuite , when she and I ( Honor and Riches ) will ea�dem Simil. ad eandem explicat .
A18424 ---- The vvarres of Pompey and Caesar Out of whose euents is euicted this proposition. Only a iust man is a freeman. By G.C. Caesar and Pompey Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 1631 Approx. 136 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 37 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A18424 STC 4992 ESTC S107720 99843416 99843416 8148 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A18424) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 8148) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 1167:07) The vvarres of Pompey and Caesar Out of whose euents is euicted this proposition. Only a iust man is a freeman. By G.C. Caesar and Pompey Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [76] p. Printed by Thomas Harper, and are to be sold by Godfrey Edmonson, and Thomas Alchorne, London : M.DC.XXXI. [1631] G.C. = George Chapman. In verse. Signatures: A-I⁴ K² . The first leaf is blank. Running title reads: The tragedy of Cæsar and Pompey. A variant of the edition with title: Caesar and Pompey (STC 4993). Reproduction of the original in Yale University. Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. 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Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Rome -- History -- Civil war, 49-48 B.C. -- Drama. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-11 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2002-11 Mona Logarbo Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-12 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion THE WARRES OF POMPEY and CAESAR . Out of whose euents is euicted this Proposition . Only a iust man is a freeman . By G. C. LONDON : Printed by THOMAS HARPER , and are to be sold by Godfrey Emondson , and Thomas Alchorne . M.DC.XXXI . TO THE RIGHT HONOrable , his exceeding good Lord , the Earle of Middlesex , &c. THough ( my good Lord ) this martiall History suffer the diuision of Acts and Scenes , both for the more perspicuity and height of the celebration , yet neuer toucht it at the Stage ; or if it had ( though some may perhaps causelesly empaire it ) yet would it , I hope , fall vnder no exception in your Lordships better-iudgeing estimation , since scenicall representation is so farre from giuing iust cause of any least diminution ; that the personall and exact life it giues to any History , or other such delineation of humane actions , 〈◊〉 to them luster , spirit and apprehension , which the only section of Acts and 〈◊〉 makes mee stand vpon thus much , si●ce that only in some precisianismes will require a little preuention : And the hasty prose the stile auoides , obtaine to the more temperate and stai'd numerous elocution , some assistance to the acceptation and grace of it . Though ingeniously my gratitude confesseth ( my Lord ) it is not such as hereafter I vow to your honor ; being written so long since ; and had not the timely ripenesse of that age that ( I thank God ) I yet finde no fault withall for any old defects . Good my Lord vouchsafe your idle minutes may admit some slight glances at this , till some worke of more nouelty and fashion may conferre this the more liking of your honors more worthy deseruings ; To which his bounden affection vowes all seruices . Euer your Lordships GEO. CHAPMAN . The Argument . POmpey and Caesar bring their Armies so neare Rome , that the Senate except against them . Caesar vnduly and ambitiously commanding his forces . Pompey more for feare of Caesars violence to the State , then mou'd with any affectation of his own greatnesse . Their opposite pleadings , out of which admirable narrations are made , which yet not conducing to their ends , warre ends them . In which at first Caesar is forc't to fly , whom Pompey not pursuing with such wings as fitted a speeding Conqueror ; his victory was preuented , and he vnhappily dishonor'd . Whose ill fortune his most louing and learned wife Cornelia trauailde after , with paines solemne and carefull enough ; whom the two Lentnli and others attended , till she miserably found him , and saw him monstrously murthered . Both the Consuls and Cato are slaughterd with their owne invincible hands ; and Caesar ( in spight of all his fortune ) without his victory , victor . ONELY A IVST MAN IS A FREE MAN. Act I. Scene I. Cato , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Cat. NOw will the two Suns of our Romane Heauen ( Pompey & Caesar ) in their Tropicke burning , Wit● their contention , all the clouds assemble That th●eaten tempests to our peace & Empire , Which we shall shortly see poure down in bloud , Ciuill and naturall , wilde and barbarous turning . Ath. From whence presage you this ? Cat. From both their Armies , Now gathered neere our Italie , contending To enter seuerally : Pompeys brought so neere By Romes consent ; for feare of tyranous Caesar , Which Caesar fearing to be done in fauour Of Pompey , and his passage to the Empire ; Hath brought on his for interuention . And such a flocke of Puttocks follow Caesar , For fall of his ill-disposed Purse ( That neuer yet spar'd Crosse to Aquiline vertue ) As well may make all ciuill spirits suspicious . Looke how against great raines , a standing Poole Of Paddockes , Todes , and water-Snakes put vp Their speckl'd throates aboue the venemous Lake , Croking and gasping for some fresh falne drops To quench their poisond thirst ; being neere to stifle With clotterd purgings of their owne foule bane ; So still , where Caesar goes , there thrust vp head , Impostors , Flatterers , Fauorites , and Bawdes , Buffons , Intelligencers , select wits ; Close Murtherers , Montibanckes , and decaied Theeues , To gaine their banefull liues reliefes from him . From Britaine , Belgia , France , and Germanie , The scum of either Countrie , ( chus'd by him , To be his blacke Guard , and red Agents here ) Swarming about him . Porc. A●d all these are said To be suborn'd , in chiefe , against your selfe ; Since Caesar chiefly feares , that you will ●it This day his opposite ; in the cause for which Both you were sent for home ; and he hath stolne Accesse so soone here ; Pompey : whole rest raisde To his encounter ; and on both sides , Rome In generall vproa●e . Stat. Which Sir , if you ●aw , And knew , how for the danger , all suspect To this your worthiest friend ( for that knowne freedome His spirit will vse this day , 'gainst both the Riuals , His wife and familie mourne , no food , no comfort Allowd them , for his danger ) you would vse Your vtmost powrs to stay him from the Senate , All this daies Session . Cat. Hee 's too wise , Statilius , For all is nothing . Stat. Nothing Sir ? I ●aw Castor and Pollux Temple , thrust vp full , With all the damn'd crew you haue lately nam'd : The market place and suburbs swarming with them : And where the Senate si● , are Ruffians pointed To keepe from entring the degrees that goe Vp to the Bench ; all other but the Consuls , Caesar and Pompey , and the Senators , And all for no cause , but to keepe out Cato , With any violence , any villanie ; And is this nothing Sir ? Is his One life , On whom all good liues , and their goods depend , In Romes whole Empire ! All the Iu●●ice there That 's free , and simple ; all such virtues too , And all such knowledge ; Nothing , nothing , all ▪ Cat. Away Statilius ; how long shall thy loue Exceede thy knowledge of me , and the Gods ? Whose rights tho● wrongst for my right ? haue not I Their powers to guard me , in a cause of theirs ? Their iustice , and integrity included , In what I stand for ? he that feares the Gods , For guard of any goodnesse ; all things feares ; Earth , Seas , and Aire ; Heauen , darknesse , broade day-light , Rumor , and Silence , and his very shade : And what an Aspen soule hath such a creature ? How dangerous to his soule i● such a feare ? In whose cold fits , is all heauens iustice shaken To his faint thoughts ; and all the goodnesse there Due to all good men , by the gods owne vowes , Nay , by the firmenesse of their endlesse Being , All which shall faile as soone as any one Good to a good man in them : for his goodnesse Proceeds from them , and is a beame of theirs . O neuer more , Statilius , may this feare Taint thy bould bosome , for thy selfe , or friend , More then the gods are fearefull to defend . Athen. Come ; let him goe , Statilius ; and your fright ; This man hath inward guard , past your yong sight . Exeunt Enter Minutius , manet Cato . Cat. Welcome ; come stand by me in what is fit For our poore Cities safety ; nor respect Her proudest foes corruption , or our danger Of what seene face soeuer . Min. I am yours . But what alas , Sir , can the weaknesse doe Against our whole State of vs only two ? You know our Statists spirits are so corrupt And seruile to the greatest ; that what crosseth Them , or their owne particular wealth , or honor ; They will not enterprise to saue the Empire . Cat. I know it ; yet let vs doe like our selues . Exeunt . Enter some bearing Axes , bundles of rods , bare ; before two Consuls , Caesar and Metellus ; Anthonius , and Marcellus in couples ; Senators , People , Souldiers , &c. following . The Consuls enter the Degrees , with Anthonius , and Marcellus : Caesar staying a while without with Metellus , who hath a paper in his ha●d . Caes. Moue you for entring only Pomp●ys army ; Which if you gaine for him ; for me , all iustice Will ioyne with my request of entring mine . Met. T is like so , and I purpose to enforce it . Caes. But might we not win Cato to our friendship By honoring speeches , nor perswasiue gifts ? Met. Not possible . Caes. Nor by enforciue vsage ? Met. Not all the violence that can be vsde , Of power , or set authoitry can stirre him , Much lesse faire words win , or rewards corrupt him ; And therefore all meanes we must vse to keepe him From off the Bench. Caes. Giue you the course for that , And if he offer entry , I haue fellowes Will serue your will on him , at my giuen signall . They ascend . Enter Pompey , Gabinius , Vibius , Demetrius , with papers . Enter the Lists , ascend and ●it . After whom enter Cato , Minutius , Athenodorus , Statilius , Porcius . Cat. He is the man that sits so close to Caesar , And holds the law there , whispering ; see the Cowherd Hath guards of arm'd men got , against one naked . I le part their whispering virtue . 1 Hold , keepe out . 2 What ? honor'd Cato ? enter , chuse thy place . Cat. Come in ; He drawes him in and fits betwixt Caesar and Metellus . — Away vnworthy groomes . 3 No more . Caes. What should one say to him ? Met. He will be Stoicall . Cat. Where fit place is not giuen , it must be taken . 4 Doe , take it Cato ; feare no greatest of them ; Thou seek'st the peoples good ; and these their owne . 5 Braue Cato ! what a countenance he puts on ? Let 's giue his noble will , our vtmost power . 6 Be bould in all thy will ; for being iust , Thou maist defie the gods . Cat. Said like a God. Met. We must endure these people . Caes. Doe ; begin . Met. Consuls , and reuerend Fathers ; And ye people , Whose voyces are the voyces of the Gods ; I here haue drawne a law , by good consent , For entring into Italy , the army Of Romes great Pompey : that his forces here , As well as he , great Rome , may rest secure From danger of the yet still smoaking fire , Of Catilinet abhorr'd conspiracy : Of which the very chiefe are left aliue , Only chastisde , but with a gentle prison . Cat. Put them to death then , and strike dead our feare , That well you vrge , by their vnfit suruiuall . Rather then keepe it quick ; and two liues giue it , By entertaining Pompeys army too . That giues as great cause of our feare , as they . For their conspiracy , onely was to make One Tyrant ouer all the State of Rome . And Pompeys army , sufferd to be entred , Is , to make him , or giue him meanes to be so . Met. It followes not . Cat. In purpose ; clearely Sir , Which I le illustrate , with a cleare exa●●ple . If it be day , the Sunne 's aboue the earth ; Which followes not ( you le answere ) for 't is day When first the morning breakes ; and yet is then The body of the Sunne beneath the earth ; But he is virtually aboue it too , Because his beames are there ; and who then knowes not His golden body will soone after mount . So Pompeys army entred Italy , Yet Pompey 's not in Rome ; but Pompey's beames Who sees not there ? and consequently , he Is in all meanes enthron'd in th' Emperie . Met. Examples proue not , we will haue the army Of Pompey entred . Cato . We ? which we intend you ? Haue you already bought the peoples voices ? Or beare our Consuls or our Senate here So small loue to their Country ; that their wills Beyond their Countrys right are so peruerse , To giue a Tyrant here entire command ? Which I haue prou'd as cleare as day , they doe ; If either the Conspirators suruiuing Be let to liue ; or Pompeys army entred ; Both which , beat one sole path ; and threat one danger . Caes. Consuls , and honor'd Fathers ; The sole entry Of Pompeys army , I le not yet examine : But for the great Conspirators yet liuing , ( Which Cato will conclude as one selfe danger , To our deare Country ; and deterre all therefore That loue their Country , from their liues defence I see no reason why such danger hangs On their sau'd liues ; being still safe kept in prison ; And since close prison , to a Roman freedome , Ten fold torments more , then directest death , Who can be thought to loue the lesse his Country , That seekes to saue their liues ? And lest my selfe ( Thus speaking for them ) be vniustly toucht With any lesse doubt of my Countryes loue , Why ( reuerend Fathers ) may it be esteem'd Selfe praise in me , to proue my selfe a chiefe Both in my loue of her ; and in desert Of her like loue in me ? For he that does Most honour to his Mistrisse ; well may boast ( Without least question ) that he loues her most . And though things long since done , were long since known , And so may seeme superfluous to repeat ; Yet being forgotten , as things neuer done , Their repetition needfull is , in iustice , T' enflame the shame of that obliuion : For hoping it will seeme no lesse empaire To others acts , to truely tell mine owne ; Put all together ; I haue past them all That by their acts can boast themselues to be Their Countries louers : first in those wilde kingdomes Subdu'd to Rome , by my vnwearied toyles . Which I dissauag'd and made nobly ciuill . Next , in the multitude of those rude Realmes That so I fashiond ; and to Romes yong Empire Of old haue added : Then the battailes numbred This hand hath fought , and wonne for her , with all Those infinites of dreadfull enemies ( I slue in them : Twice fifteene hundred thousand All able Souldiers ) I haue driuen at once Before my forces : and in sundry onsets , A thousand thousand of them , put to sword : Besides , I tooke in lesse then ten yeares time , By strong assault , aboue eight hundred Cities , Three hundred seuerall Nations , in that space , Subduing to my Countrey ; all which seruice , I trust , may interest me in her loue , Publique , and generall enough , to aquit me Of any selfe-loue ; past her common good : For any motion of particular iustice ( By which her generall Empire is maintaind ) That I can make for those accused prisoners , Which is but by the way ; that so the reason Metellus makes for entring Pompeys armie , May not more weighty seeme , then to agree With those imprison'd nobles , vitall safeties . Which granted , or but yeelded fit to be , May well extenuate the necessity Of entring Pompeys armie . Cat. All that need I tooke away before ; and reasons gaue For a necessity to keepe it out Whose entry ( I thinke ) he himselfe affects not . Since I as well thinke he affects not th' Empire , And both those thoughts hold ; since he loues his Country , In my great hopes of him too well to seeke His sole rule of her , when so many soules , So hard a taske approue it ; nor my hopes Of his sincere loue to his Country , build On sandier grounds then Caesars ; since he can As good Cards shew for it as Caesar did , And quit therein the close aspersion Of his ambition , seeking to imploy His army in the breast of Italy . Pomp. Let me not thus ( imperiall Bench and Senate ) Feele myselfe beat about the eares , and tost With others breathes to any coast they please : And not put some stay to my errors in them . The gods can witnesse that not my ambition Hath brought to question th' entry of my army ; And therefore not suspected the effect , Of which that entry is supposde the cause : Which is a will in me , to giue my power The rule of Romes sole Empire ; that most strangely Would put my will in others powers ; and powers ( Vnforfeit by my fault ) in others wills . My selfe-loue , out of which all this must rise : I will not wrong the knowne proofes of my loue To this my natiue Cities publique good , To quit , or thinke of ; nor repeat those proofes Confirm'd in those three triumphs I haue made ; For conquest of the whole inhabited world ; First Affrick , Europe , and then Asia , Which neuer Consull but my selfe could boast . Nor can blinde Fortune vaunt her partiall hand , In any part of all my seruices , Though some haue said , she was the page of Caesar , Both sayling , marching , fighting , and preparing His fights in very order of his battailes : The parts she plaid for him inuerting nature , As giuing calmnesse to th' enraged sea ; Imposing Summers weather on sterne winter ; Winging the slowest foot he did command , And his most Cowherd making fierce of hand . And all this euer when the force of man Was quite exceeded in it all ; and she In th' instant adding her cleare deity . Yet , her for me , I both disclaime and scorne ; And where all fortune is renounc't , no reason Will thinke one man transferd with affectation Of all Pomes Empire ; for he must haue fortune That goes beyond a man ; and where so many Their hand-fulls finde with it ; the one is mad That vndergoes it : and where that is clear'd ; Th' imputed meanes to it , which is my ●ute For entry of mine army , I confute . Cat. What rests then , this of all parts being disclaimd ? Met. My part , Sir , rests , that let great Pompey beare What spirit he lists ; 't is needfull yet for Rome , That this Law be establisht for his army . Caes. T is then a● needfull to admit in mine ; Or else let both lay downe our armes ; for else To take my charge off , and leaue Pompey his ; You wrongfully accuse me to intend A tyranny amongst ye ; and shall giue Pompey full meanes to be himselfe a tyrant , Anth. Can this be answer'd ? 1 Cons. Is it then your wils That Pompey shall cease armes ? Anth. What else ? Omnes . No , no. 2 Cons. Shall Caesar cease his armes ? Omn. I , I. Anth. For shame Then yeeld to this cleare equity , that both May leaue their armes . Omn. We indifferent stand . Met. Read but this law , and you shall see a difference Twixt equity and your indifferency ; All mens obiections answered ; Read it Notary . Cat. He shall not read it . Met. I will read it then . Min. Nor thou shalt read it , being a thing ●o vaine , Pretending cause for Pompeys armies entry , That only by thy Complices and thee ; T is forg'd to set the Senate in an vproare ▪ Met. I haue it Sir , in memory , and will speake it . Cat. Thou shalt be dumbe as soone . Caes. Pull downe this Cato , Author of factions , and to prison with him . Gen. Come downe Sir. He drawes , and all draw . Pom. Hence ye mercenary Ruffians . 1 Cons. What outrage shew you ? sheath your insolent swords , Or be proclaim'd your Countreys foes and traytors . Pom. How insolent a part was this in you , To offer the imprisonment of Cato ? When there is right in him ( were forme so answer'd With termes and place ) to send vs both to prison ? If , of our owne ambitions , we should offer Th' entry of our armies ; for who knowes That , of vs both , the best friend to his Country , And freest from his owne particular ends ; ( Being in his power ) would not assume the Empire , And hauing it , could rule the State so well As now 't is gouer'nd , for the common good ? Caes : Accuse your selfe , Sir , ( if your conscience vrge it ) Or of ambition , or corruption , Or insufficiency to rule the Empire , And sound not me with your Lead . Pom. Lead ? t is Gold , And spirit of Gold too ; to the politique drosse With which false Caesar ●ounds men ; and for which His praise and honour crownes them ; who sounds not The inmost sand of Caesar ? for but sand Is all the rope of your great parts affected . You speake well , and are learn'd ; and golden speech Did Nature neuer giue man ; but to guild A copper soule in him ; and all that learning That heartily is spent in painting speech , Is merely painted , and no solid knowledge . But y 'aue another praise for temperance , Which nought commends your free choice to be temperate . For so you must be ; at least in your meales , Since y 'aue a malady that tyes you to it ; For feare of daily fals in your aspirings . And your disease the gods nere gaue to man ; But such a one , as had a spirit too great For all his bodies passages to serue it , Which notes th' excesse of your ambition . The malady chancing where the pores and passages Through which the spirit of a man is borne , So narrow are , and straight , that oftentimes They intercept it quite , and choake it vp . And yet because the greatnesse of it notes A heat mere fleshly , and of bloods ranck fire , Goates are of all beasts subiect'st to it most . Caes. Your selfe might haue it then , if those faults cause it ; But deales this man ingeniously , to tax Men with a frailty that the gods inflict ? Pomp. The gods inflict on men , diseases neuer , Or other outward maimes ; but to decipher , Correct , and order some rude vice within them : And why decipher they it , but to make Men note , and shun , and tax it to th' extreame ? Nor will I see my Countryes hopes abusde , In any man commanding in her Empire ; If my more tryall of him , makes me see more Into his intricasies ; and my freedome Hath spirit to speake more , then obseruers seruile . Caes. Be free , Sir , of your insight and your speech ; And speak , and see more , then the world besides ; I must remember I haue heard of one , That same gaue out , could see thorow Oke and stone : And of another set in Sicily , That could discerne the Carthaginian Nauy , And number them distinctly , leauing harbor , Though full a day and nights saile distant thence : But these things ( Reuerend Fathers ) I conceiue , Hardly appeare to you worth graue beliefe : And therefore since such strange things haue beene seene In my so deepe and foule detractions , By only Lyncean Pompey ; who was most Lou'd and beleeu'd of Romes most famous whore , Infamous Flora ; by so fine a man As Galba , or Sarmentus ; any iester Or flatterer may draw through a Ladyes Ring ; By one that all his Souldiers call in scorne Great Agamemnon , or the king of men ; I rest vnmou'd with him ; and yeeld to you To right my wrongs , or his abuse allow . Cat. My Lords , ye make all Rome amaz'd to heare . Pom. Away , I le heare no more ; I heare it thunder My Lords ; All you that loue the good of Rome , I charge ye , follow me ; all such as stay , Are friends to Caesar , and their Countreys foes . Caes. Th' euent will fall out contrary , my Lords . 1 Cons. Goe , thou art a thiefe to Rome , discharge thine army , Or be proclaim'd , forthwith , her open foe . 2 Cons. Pompey , I charge thee , helpe thy iniur'd Country With what powers thou hast arm'd , and leuy more . The Ruffians . Warre , warre , O Caesar. Sen. and ●eop . Peace , peace , worthy Pompey . Act II. Scene I. Enter Fr●nt● all ragg'd , in an ouergrowne red Beard , black head , with a Halter in his ●and , looking about . VVArres , warres , and presses , fly in fire about ; No more can I lurke in my lasie corners , Nor shifting courses : and with honest meanes To rack my miserable life out , more , The rack is not so fearefull ; when dishonest And villanous fashions faile me ; can I hope To liue with virtuous ? or to raise my fortunes By creeping vp in Souldierly degrees ? Since villany varied thorow all his fingures , Will put no better case on me then this ; Despaire ! come sease me : I had able meanes ; And spent all in the swinge of lewd affections ; Plung'd in all riot , and the rage of blood ; In full assurance that being knaue enough , Barbarous enough , base , ignorant enough , I needs must haue enough , while this world lasted ; Yet , since I am a poore , and ragged knaue , My rags disgace my knauery so , that none Will thinke I am knaue ; as if good clothes Were knacks to know a knaue ; when all men know He has no liuing ? which knacks since my knauery Can shew no more ; and only shew is all That this world cares for ; I le st●p out of all The cares 't is s●eept in . He offers to hang himselfe . Thunder , and the Gulfe opens , flames issuing ; and Ophioneu● ascending , with the face , wings , and taile of a Dragon ; a skin coate all speckled on the throat . Oph. Hold Rascall , hang thy selfe in these dayes ? The only time that euer was for a Rascall to liue in ? Fron. How chance I cannot liue then ? Oph. Either th' art not rascall nor villaine enough ; Or else thou dost not pretend honesty And piety enough to disguise it . Fro. That 's certaine , for euery asse does that . What art thou ? Oph. A villaine worse then thou . Fro. And dost breathe ? Oph. I speake thou heur'st , I moue , my pulse beates Fast as thine . Fro. And wherefore liu'st thou ? Oph. The world 's out of frame , a thousand Rulers Wresting it this way , and that , with as many Religions ; when , as heauens vpper Sphere is mou'd Onely by one ; so should the Sphere of earth be , and I le haue it so . Fro. How canst thou ? what art thou ? Oph. My shape may tell thee . Fro. No man ? Oph. Man ? no , spawne of a clot , none of that ●ursed Crew , damn'd in the masse it selfe ; plagu'd in his birth , Confinde to creepe below , and wrestle with the Elements ▪ Teach himselfe tortures ; kill himselfe , hang himselfe ; No such gally slaue , but at warre with heauen ; Spurning the power of the gods , command the Elements ▪ Fro. What maist thou be then ? Oph. An endlesse friend of thine ; an immortall deuill . Fro. Heauen blesse vs. Oph. Nay then , forth , goe , hang thy selfe , and thou talk'st Of heauen once . Fro. I haue done ; what deuill art thou ? Oph. Read the old stoick Pherecides , that tels thee Me truly , and sayes that I Ophioneu● ( for so is My name . ) Fro. Ophioneus ? what 's that ? Oph. Deuilish Serpent , by interpretation ; was generall Captaine of that rebellious host of spirits that Wag'd warre with heauen ▪ Fro. And so were hurl'd downe to hell . Oph. We were so ; and yet haue the rule of earth ; and cares Any man for the worst of hell then ? Fro. Why should he ? Oph. Well said ; what 's thy name now ? Fro. My name is Fronto . Oph. Fronto ? A good one ; and has Fronto liu'd thus long In Rome ? lost his state at dice ? murther'd his Brother for his meanes ? spent all ? run thorow worse Offices since ? beene a Promoter ▪ a Puruey or ? a Pander ? A Summer ? a Sergeant ? an Intelligencer ? and at last Hang thy selfe ? Fro. How the deuill knowes he all this ? Oph. Why thou art a most greene Plouer in policy , I Perceiue ; and maist drinke Colts-foote , for all thy Horsemane beard : S'light , what need hast Thou to hang thy selfe ? as if there were a dearth Of hangmen in the land ? Thou liu'st in a good cheape State ▪ a man may be hang'd here for a little , or Nothing . What 's the reason of thy desperation ? Fro. My idle dissolute life , is thrust out of all his corners By this searching tumult now on foot in Rome . — Caesar now and Pompey Are both for battaile : Pompey ( in his feare Of Caesars greater force ) is sending hence His wife and children , and he bent to fly . Enter Pompey running ouer the Stage with his wife and children , Gabinius , Demetrius , Vibius , Pages ; other Senators , the Consuls and all following . See , all are on their wings ; and all the City In such an vproare , as if fire and sword Were ransacking , and ruining their houses , No idle person now can lurke neare Rome , All must to armes ; or shake their heeles beneath Her martiall halters ; whose officious pride I le shun , and vse mine owne swinge : I be forc't To helpe my Countrey , when it forceth me To this past-helping pickle ? Oph. Goe to , thou shalt serue me ; chuse thy profession ; And what cloth thou wouldst wish to haue thy Coat Cut out on . Fro. I can name none . Oph. Shall I be thy learn'd Counsaile ? Fro. None better . Oph. Be an Archflamen then , to one of the Gods. Fro. Archflamen ? what 's that ? Oph. A Priest. Fro. A Priest ? that nere was Clerke ? Oph. No Clerke ? what then ? The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men . Nor skils it for degrees in a knaue , or a fooles preferment , Thou shalt rise by fortune : let desert rise leisurely Enough , and by degrees ; fortune preferres headlong , And comes like riches to a man ; huge riches being Got with little paines ; and little with huge paines . And For discharge of the Priesthood , what thou wantst In learning , thou shalt take out in goodfellowship : Thou shalt equiuocate with the Sophister , prate with The Lawyer , scrape with the Vsurer , drinke with the Dutchman , sweare with the French man , cheat With the English man , brag with the Scot , and Turne all this to Religion , Hoc est regnum Deorum Gentibus . Fro. All this I can doe to a haire . Oph. Very good , wilt thou shew thy selfe deepely learn'd too , And to liue licentiously here , care for nothing hereafter ? Fro. Not for hell ? Oph. For hell ? soft Sir ; hop'st thou to purchase hell With only dicing or whoring away thy liuing ? Murthering thy brother , and so forth ? No there Remaine works of a higher hand and deeper braine , To obtaine hell . Thinkst thou earths great Potentates haue gotten their places there with Any single act of murther , poysoning , adutery , And the rest ? No ; t is a purchase for all manner Of villany ; especially , that may be priuiledg'd By Authority ; colourd with holinesse , and enioyd With pleasure . Fro. O this were most honourable and admirable . Oph. Why such an admirable honorable villane shalt Thou be . Fro. Is 't possible ? Oph. Make no doubt on 't ; I le inspire thee . Fro. Sacred and puissant . He kneeles . Oph. Away ; Companion and friend , giue me thy Hand ; say , dost not loue me ? art not enamourd Of my acquaintance ? Fro. Protest I am . Oph. Well said , protest and t is enough . And know for Infallible ; I haue promotion for thee ; both here , and Hereafter ; which not one great one amongst Millions shall euer aspire to . Alexander , nor great Cyrus , retaine those titles in hell , that they did On earth : Fro. No ? Oph. No : he that sold Seacoale here , shall be A Baron there ; he that was a cheating Rogue here , shall be a Iustice of peace there ; A knaue here , a knight there . In the meane Space , learne what it is to liue ; and thou shalt Haue Chopines at commandment to any height Of life thou canst wish . Fro. I feare my fall is too low . Oph. Too low foole ? hast thou not heard of Vulcans falling Out of heauen ? Light a thy legges , and no matter Though thou halt'st with thy best friend euer after ; t is The more comely and fashionable . Better goe lame In the fashion with Pompey , then neuer so vpright , Quite out of the fashon with Cato . Fro. Yet you cannot change the old fashion ( they say ) And hide your clouen feet . Oph. No ? I can weare Roses that shall spread quite Ouer them . Fro. For loue of the fashion doe then . Oph. Goe to ; I will hereafter . Fro. But for the Priesthood you offer me , I affect it not . Oph. No ? what saist thou to a rich office then ? Fro. The only second meanes to raise a rascall In the earth . Oph. Goe to ; I le helpe thee to the be●● i th earth then : And that 's in Sicilia ; the very storehouse of the Romanes , where the Lord chiefe Censor there Lyes now a dying ; whose soule I will haue ; and Thou shalt haue his office . Fro. Excellent ; was euer great office better supplied ? Exeunt . Nuntius . Now is the mighty Empresse of the earth ( Great Rome ) fast lockt vp in her fancied strength , All broke in vproares ; fearing the iust gods In plagues will drowne her so abused blessings . In which feare , all without her wals , fly in ; By both their iarring Champions rushing out ; And those that were within , as fast fly forth ; The Consuls both are fled without one rite Of sacrifice submitted to the gods , As euer heretofore their custome was When they began the bloody frights of warre . In which our two great Souldiers now encountring , Since both left Rome , oppos'd in bitter skirmish , Pompey ( not willing yet to hazard battaile , By Cat●s counsaile , vrging good cause ) fled : Which firing Caesars spirit ▪ he pursu'd So home , and fiercely , that great Pompey skorning The heart he tooke , by his aduised flight , Despisde aduice as much as his pursuite . And as in Lybia , an aged Lion , Vrg'd from his peacefull couert , feare● the light With his vnready and diseas'd appearance , Giues way to chace a while , and coldly hunts , Till with the youthfull hunters wanton heat , He all his coole wrath frets into a flame : And then his sides he swinges with his Sterne , To lash his strenth vp , let 's downe all his browes About his burning eyes ; erects his mane , Breakes all hi● throat in thunders , and to wreake His hunters insolence , his heart euen barking ; He frees his fury , turnes , and rushes back With such a gastly horror , that in heapes , His proud foe● fly , and he that station keepes : So Pompeys coole spirits , put to all their heat By Caesars hard pursuit he turnd fresh head , And flew vpon his foe with such a rapture A● tooke vp into furies , all friends feares ; Who fir'd with his first turning , all turnd head , And gaue so fierce a charge , their followers fled , Whose instant issue on their both sides , see , And after set out such a tragedy , As all the Princes of the earth may come To take their patternes by the spirits of Rome . Alarme , after which enter Caesar following Crassiniuscalling to the Souldiers . Crass. Stay cowherd , fly ye Caesars fortunes ? Caes. Forbeare foolish Crassinius , we contend in vaine To stay these vapours , and must raise our Campe. Crass. How shall we rise ( my Lord ) but all in vproares , ●eing still pursude ? Enter Acilius . The pursuit stayes , my Lord , Pompey hath sounded a retreat , resigning His time to you to vse , in instant raysing Your ill-lodg'd army , pi●ching now where fortune May good amends make for her fault to day . Caes. It was not fortunes fault , 〈◊〉 mine Acilius , To giue my foe charge , being so neare the ●ea , Where well I knew the eminence of his strength , And should haue driuen th' encounter further off ; Bearing before me such a goodly Country , So plentifull , and rich , in all things fit To haue suppli'd my armies want with victuals , And th' able Cities too , to strengthen it , Of Macedon and Thessaly , where now I rather was besieg'd for want of food , Then did assault with fighting force of armes . Enter Anthony , Vibius , with others . Ant. See , Sir , here 's one friend of your foes recouer'd . Caes. Vibius ? In happy houre . Vib. For me vnhappy . Caes. What ? brought against your will ? Vib. Else had not come . Ant. Sir , hee 's your prisoner , but had made you his , Had all the rest pursu'd the chace like him ; He draue on like a fury ; past all friends , But we that tooke him quick in his engagement . Caes. O Vibius , you deserue to pay a ransome Of infinite rate , for had your Generall ioyn'd In your addression , or knowne how to conquer ; This day had prou'd him the supreame of Caesar. Vib. Knowne how to conquer ? His fiue hundred Conquests Atchieu'd ere this day , make that doubt vnfit For him that flyes him ; for , of issues doubtfull Who can at all times put on for the best ? If I were mad , must hee his army venture In my engagement ? Nor are Generalls euer Their powers disposers , by their proper Angels , But trust against them , oftentimes , their Counsailes , Wherein , I doubt not , Caesars selfe hath err'd Sometimes , as well as Pompey . Caes. Or done worse , In disobeying my Counsaile ( Vibius ) Of which , this dayes abused light is witnesse ; By which I might haue seene a course secure Of this discomfiture . Ant. Amends ●its euer Aboue repentance , what 's done , wish not vndone ; But that prepared patience that you know Best fits a souldier charg'd with hardest fortunes ; Asks still your vse , since powers still temperate kept Ope still the clearer eyes by one faults sight To place the next act , in the surer right . Caes. You prompt me nobly Sir , repayring in me Mine owne stayes practice , out of whose repose The strong convulsions of my spirits forc't me Thus farre beyond my temper ; but good Vibius , Be ransom'd with my loue , and haste to Pompey , Entreating him from me , that we may meet , And for that reason which I know this day ( Was giuen by Cato , for his pursutes stay Which was preuention of our Romane blood ) Propose my offer of our hearty peace . That being reconcil'd , and mutuall faith Giuen on our either part , not three dayes light May further shew vs foes , but ( both our armies Disperst in Garisons ) we may returne Within that time to Italy , such friends As in our Countryes loue , containe our splenes Vib. T is offerd , Sir , ' boue the rate of Caesar In other men , but in what I approue Beneath his merits : which I will not faile T' enforce at full to Pompey , nor forget In any time the gratitude of my seruice . Vi. salutes Ant. and the other , & exit . Caes. Your loue , Sir , and your friendship . Ant. This prepares a good induction to the change of fortune , In this dayes issue , if the pride it kindles In Pompeys vaines , makes him deny a peace So gently offerd : for her alterd hand Works neuer surer from her ill to good On his side she hath hurt , and on the other With other changes , then when meanes are vsde To keepe her constant , yet retire refusde . Caes. I try no such conclusion , but desire Directly peace . In meane space I le prepare For other issue in my vtmost meanes ; Whose hopes now resting at Brundusium , In that part of my army , with Sabinus , I wonder he so long delaies to bring me , And must in person haste him , if this Euen I heare not from him . Crass. That ( I hope ) flyes farre Your full intent , my Lord , since Pompeys navie , You know , lies houering all alongst those seas , In too much danger , for what ayde soeuer You can procure to passe your person safe . Acil. Which doubt may proue the cause that stayes Sabinus ▪ And , if with shipping fit to passe your army , He yet straines time to venture , I presume You will not passe your person with such Conuoy Of those poore vessels , as may serue you here . Caes. How shall I helpe it ? shall I suffer this Torment of his delay ? and rack suspitions Worse then assur'd destructions through my thoughts . Anth. Past doubt he will be here ; I left all orderd , And full agreement made with him to make All vtmost haste , no least let once suspected . Caes. Suspected ? what suspection should feare a friend In such assur'd streights from his friends enlargement . If t were his souldiers safeties he so tenders , Were it not better they should sinke by sea , Then wrack their number , King and cause ashore ? Their stay is worth their ruine , should we liue , If they in fault were ? if their leader ! he Sould dye the deaths of all ; in meane space , I That should not , beare all , fly the sight in shame , Thou eye of nature , and abortiue night Fall dead amongst vs : with defects , defects Must serue proportion ; iustice neuer can Be else restor'd , nor right the wrongs of man ▪ Exeunt . Pompey , Cato , Gabinius , Demetrius , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Pomp. This charge of our fierce foe , the firiendly gods Haue in our stregthen'd spirits beaten back With happy issue , and his forces lessen'd , Of two and thirty Ensignes forc't from him , Two thousand souldiers slaine . Cat. O boast not that , Their losse is yours , my Lord. Pomp. I boast it not , But only name the number . Gab. Which right well You might haue raisde so high , that on their tops Your Throne was offer'd , euer t' ouerlooke Subuerted Caesar , had you beene so blest To giue such honor to your Captaines Counsailes As their alacrities did long to merit With proofefull action . Dem. O t was ill neglected . Stat. It was deferr'd with reason , which not yet Th' euent so cleare is to confute . Pom. If t were , Our likeliest then was , not to hazard battaile , Th' aduenture being so casuall ; if compar'd With our more certaine meanes to his subuersion ? For finding now our army amply storde With all things fit to tarry surer time , Reason thought better to extend to length The warre betwixt vs ; that his little strength May by degrees proue none ; which vrged now , ( Consisting of his best and ablest souldiers ) We should haue found at one direct set battaile Of matchlesse valours ; their defects of victuall Not tyring yet enough on their tough nerues , Where , on the other part , to put them still In motion , and remotion , here and there ; Enforcing them to fortifying still Where euer they set downe ; to siege a wall , Keepe watch all night in armour : their most part Can neuer beare it , by their yeares oppression ; Spent heretofore too much in those steele toyles . Cat. I so aduisde , and yet repent it not , But much reioyce in so much saued blood As had beene pour'd out in the stroke of battaile , Whose fur● thus preuented , comprehends Your Countreys good , and Empires ; in whose care ▪ Let me beseech you that in all this warre , You sack no City , subiect to our Rule , Nor put to sword one Citizen of Rome ; But when the needfull fury of the sword Can make no fit distinction in maine battaile , That you will please still to prolong the stroke Of absolute decision to these iarres , Considering you shall strike it with a man Of much skill and experience , and one That will his Conquest ●ell at infinite rate , If that must end your difference ; but I doubt There will come humble offer on his part , Of honor'd peace to you , for whose sweet name So cryed out to you in our late-met Senate , Lost no fit offer of that wished treaty . Take pity on your Countreys blood as much As possible may stand without the danger Of hindering her iustice on her foes , Which all the gods to your full wish dispose . Pom. Why will you leaue vs ? whither will you goe To keepe your worthyest person in more safety Then in my army , so deuoted to you ? Cat. My person is the least , my Lord , I value ; I am commanded by our powerfull Senate , To view the Cities , and the kingdomes scituate About your either army , that which side Soeuer conquer , no disordered ●traglers Puft with the Conquest , or by need impeld , May take their swinge more then the care of one May curb and order in these neighbor confines My chiefe passe yet resolues for Vtica . Pom. Your passe ( my truest friend , and worthy Father ) May all good powers make safe , and alwayes answer Your infinite merits , with their like protection . In which , I make no doubt but we shall meet With mutuall greetings , or for absolute conquest Or peace preuenting that our bloody stroke , Nor let our parting be dishonor'd so , As not to take into our noblest notice Your selfe ( most learned and admired Father ) Whose merits , if I liue , shall lack no honor . Porcius , Statilius , though your spirits with mine Would highly chere me , yet ye shall bestow them In much more worthy conduct , but loue me , And wish me conquest , for your Countreys sake . Sta. Our liues shall ●eale our loues , Sir , with worst deaths Aduentur'd in your seruice . Pom. Y' are my friends . Exeunt . Cat. Athen Por. Sat. These friends thus gone , t is more then time we minded Our lost friend Vibius . Gab. You can want no friends , See , our two Consuls , Sir , betwixt them bringing The worthy Brutus . Enter two Consuls leading Brutus betwixt them . 1 Cons. We attend ( my Lord ) With no meane friend , to spirit your next encounter , Six thousand of our choice Patricia● youths Brought in his conduct . 2 Cons. And though neuer yet He hath saluted you with any word Or looke of slendrest loue in his whole life , Since that long time since , of his fathers death By your hand authord ; yet see , at your need He comes to serue you freely for his Country . Pom. His friendly presence , making vp a third With both your persons , I as gladly welcome , As if Io●es triple flame had guilt this field , And lightn'd on my right hand , from his shield . Bru. I well assure my selfe , Sir , that no thought In your ingenious construction , touches At the aspersion that my tendred seruice Proceeds ●●om my despaire of elsewhere safety ▪ But that my Countreys safety owning iustly My whole habilities of life and fortunes , And you the ablest f●utor of her safty , Her loue , and ( for your loue of her ) your owne Only makes sacred to your vse my offering . Pom. Farre fly all other thought from my construction ▪ And due acceptance of the liberall honor , Your loue hath done me , which the gods are witnesse , I take as stirr'd vp in you by their fauours , Nor lesse esteeme it then an offering holy ; Since , as of all things , man is said the measure , So your full merits measure forth a man. 1 Cons. See yet , my Lord , more friends . 2 Cons. Fiue Kings , your seruants . Enter fiue Kings . Hib. Conquest and all grace crowne the gracious Pompey , To serue whom in the sacred Romane safety , My selfe , Iber●as King , present my forces . Thess. And I that hold the tributary Throne Of Grecian Thessaly , submit my homage , To Rome , and Pompey . Cil. So Cilicia too . Epir. And so Epiru● . Thra. Lastly I from Thrace Present the duties of my power and seruice . Pom. Your royall aides deserue of Rome and Pompey Our vtmost honor● . O may now our fortune Not ballance her broad breast twixt two light wings , Nor on a slippery globe sustaine her steps , But as the Spartans say , the Paphian Queene ( The flood Eurota● passing ) laid aside Her Glasse , her Ceston , and her amorous graces , And in Lycurgus fauor ; arm'd her beauties With Shield and ●aueline , so may fortune now , The flood of all our enemies forces passing With her faire Ensignes , and arriu'd at ours , Displume her shoulders , ●ast off her wing'd shooes , Her faithlesse , and still-rowling stone spurne from her , And enter our powers as she may remaine Our firme assistent : that the generall aydes , Fauours , and honors you performe to Rome , May make her build with you her endlesse home . O●● . The gods vouchsafe it ; and our causes right . Dem. What suddaine Shade is this ? obserue my Lords , The night , me thinks , comes on before her houre . Thunder and lightning . Gab. Nor trust me if my thoughts conceiue not so . Bru. What thin clouds fly the winds , like swiftest shafts Along aires middle region . 1 Cons. They presage Vnusuall tempests . 2 Cons. And t is their repaire , That timelesse darken thus the gloomy ayre . Pom. Let 's force no omen from it , but avoid The vapors furies now by Iou● employd . Thunder continued , and Caesar enters disguisde . The wrathfull tempest of the angry night , Where hell flyes mufl'd vp in clouds of pitch , Mingl'd with Sulphure , and those dreadfull bolts , The Cyclops Ram in Ioues Artillery , Hath rousde the furies , arm'd in all their horrors , Vp to the enuious seas , in spight of Caesar. O night , O ielous night , of all the noblest Beauties , and glories , where the gods haue stroke Their foure digestions , from thy gastly Chaos , Blush thus to drowne them all in this houre sign'd By the necessity of ●ate for Caesar. I that haue ransackt all the world for worth , To forme in man the image of the gods , Must like them haue the power to check the worst Of all things vnder their celestiall Empire , Stoope it , and burst it , or break● through it all , With vse and safety , till the Crowne be set On all my actions ; that the hand of nature In all her worst works ayming at an end , May in a master-peece of hers be seru'd With tops , and state fit for his virtuous Crowne : Not lift arts thus farre vp in glorious frame , To let them vanish thus in smoke and shame . This riuer Anius ( in whose mouth now lyes A Pynnace I would passe in , to fetch on My armies dull rest from Brundu●ium ) That is at all times else exceeding calme , ( By reason of a purling winde that flyes Off from the shore each morning , driuing vp The billows farre to sea ) in this night yet , Beares such a terrible gale ; put off from sea , As beats the land wind back , and thrusts the flood Vp in such vproare , that no boat dare stirre . And on it is disperst all Pompeys nauy To make my perill yet more enuious . Shall I yet shrinke for all ? were all , yet more ? There is a certaine need that I must giue Way to my paste ; none , knowne , that I must giue . Enter Master of a ship with Sailors Mast. What battaile is there fought now in the ayre . That threats the wrack of nature ? Caes. Master ? come . Shall we thrust through it all ? Mast. What lost man , Art thou in hopes and fortunes , that dar'st make So desperate a motion . Caes. Launch man , and all thy feares fraight disauow , Thou carriest Caesar and his fortunes now . Act III. Scene I. Pompey , two Consuls , fine Kings , Brutus , Gabinius , Demetrius . NOw to Pharsalia , where the smarting strokes Of our resolu'd contention must resound , ( My Lords and friends of Rome ) I giue you all Such welcome as the spirit of all my fortunes , Conquests , and triumphs ( now come for their cro●●● ) Can crowne your fauours with , and serue the hopes Of my deare Country , to her vtmost wish ; I can but set vp all my being to giue So good an end to my forerunning Acts ; The powers in me that formd them hauing lost No least time since , in gathering skill to better ; But like so many Bees haue brought me home , The sweet of whatsoeuer flowers haue growne In all the me●des , and gardens of the world . All which hath growne still , as the time encrease In which t was gather'd , and with which it stemm'd . That what decay soeuer blood inferr'd , Might with my mindes store , be suppli'd , and cher'd , All which , in one fire of this instant fight I le burne , and sacrifice to euery cinder In sacred offering to my Countreys loue , And therefore what euent soeuer sort , As I no praise will looke for , but the good Freely bestow on all ; ( if good succeed ) So if aduerse fate fall , I wish no blame , But th' ill befalne me , made my fortunes shame , Not mine , nor my fault . 1 Cons. We too well loue Pompey , To doe him that iniustice . Bru. Who more thirsts The Conquest , then resolues to beare the foile ? Pom. Said Brutus-like , giue seuerall witnesse all , That you acquit me whatsoeuer fall . 2 Cons. Particular men particular fates must beare , Who feeles his owne wounds lesse , to wound another ? Thess. Leaue him the worst whose best is left vndone , He only conquers whose minde still is one . Epir. Free mindes , like dice , fall sqare , what ere the cast . Ibir. Who on him selfe sole stands , stands solely fast . Thra. He 's neuer downe , whose minde fights still aloft . Cil. Who cares for vp or downe , when all 's but thought . Gab. To things euents doth no mans power extend . Dem. Since gods rule all , who any thing would mend . Pom. Ye sweetly ease my charge , your selues vnburthening . Return'd not yet our trumpet , sent to know Of Vibius certaine state ? Gab. Not yet , my Lord. Pomp. Too long protract we all meanes to recouer His person quick or dead , for I still thinke His losse seru'd fate , before we blew retreat ; Though some affirme him seene , soone after fighting . Dem. Not after , Sir , ( I heard ) but ere it ended . Gab. He bore a great minde to extend our pursuit Much further then it was ; and seru'd that day ( When you had , like the true head of a battaile , Led all the body in that glorious turne ) Vpon a farre-off Squadron that stood fast In conduct of the great Marc Anthony , When all the rest were fled , so past a man That in their tough receipt of him , I saw him Thrice breake thorow all with ease , and passe as faire As he had all beene fire , and they but ayre . Pom. He stuck at last yet , in their midst , it seem'd . Gab. So haue I seene a fire drake glide at midnight Before a dying man to point his graue , And in it stick and hide . Dem. He comes yet safe . A Trumpet sounds , and enters before Vibius , with others . Pom. O Vibius , welcome , what a prisoner ? With mighty Caesar , and so quickly ransom'd ? Vib. I Sir , my ransome , needed little time , Either to gaine agreement for the value , Or the disbursment , since in Caesars grace We both concluded . Pom. Was his grace so free . Vib. For your respect , Sir ▪ Pom. Nay , Sir , for his glory . That the maine Conquest he so surely builds on , ( Which euer is forerun with petty fortunes ) Take not effect , by taking any friend From all the most , my poore defence can make , But must be compleat , by his perfect owne . Vib. I know , Sir , you more nobly rate the freedome He freely gaue your friend ; then to peruert it So past his wi●dome : that knowes much too well Th' vncertaine state of Conquest ; to raise frames Of such presumption on her fickle wings , And chiefely in a losse so late , and grieuous . Besides , your forces farre exceeding his , His whole powers being but two and twenty thousand : And yours full foure and forty thousand strong : For all which yet , he stood as farre from feare In my enlargement , as the confident glory You please to put on him ; and had this end In my so kinde dismission , that as kindely I might ●olicite a sure peace betwixt you . Pom. A peace ? Is 't possible ? Vib. Come , doe not shew this wanton incredulity too much . Pom. Beleeue me I was farre from such a thought In his high stomack : Cato prophecied then . What thinke my Lords our Consuls , and friend Brutus ? Omn. An offer happy : Bru. Were it plaine and hearty . Pom. I , there 's the true inspection to his prospect . Bru. This streight of his perhaps may need a sleight Of some hid stratagem , to bring him off . Pom. Deuices of a new fordge to entrap me ? I rest in Caesars shades ? walke his strow'd paths ? Sleepe in his quiet waues ? I le sooner trust Hibernian Boggs , and quicksands ; and hell mo●th Take for my sanctuary : in bad parts That no extreames will better , natures finger Hath markt him to me , to take heed of him . What thinks my Brutus ? Bru. T is your best and safest . Pom. This offer'd peace of his is sure a snare To make our warre the bloodier , whose ●it feare Makes me I dare not now ( in thoughts maturer Then late enclin'de me ) put in vse the Counsaile Your noble father Cato ( parting ) gaue me , Whose much too tender shunning innocent blood , This battaile hazards now , that must cost more . 1 Cons. It doe● , and therefore now no more deferre it . Pom. Say all men so ? Omn. We doe . Pom. I grieue ye doe , Because I rather wish to erre with Cat● Then with the truth goe of the world besides ; But since it shall abide this other stroke . Ye gods that our great Romane Genius Haue made , not giue vs one dayes conquest only . Nor grow in conquests for some little time , As did the Genius of the Macedons ; Nor be by land great only , like Laconians ; Nor yet by sea alone , as was th' Athenians ▪ Nor slowly stirr'd vp , like the Persian Angell ; Nor rockt asleepe soone , like the Ionian spirit . But made our Romane Genius , fiery , watchfull , And euen from Romes prime , ioynd his youth with hers , Grow as she grew , and firme as earth abide , By her encreasing pomp , at sea , and shore , In peace , in battaile ; against Greece as well As our Barbarian foes ; command yet further Ye firme and iust gods , our assistfull Angell For Rome , and Pompey , who now fights for Rome ; That all these royall Lawes , to vs , and iustice Of common safety , may the selfe-loue drowne Of tyrannous Caesar ; and my care for all Your Altars crown'd with endlesse festiuall . Exeunt . Caesar , Anthony , a Soothsayer , Crassinius , Acilius , with others . Caes. Say ( sacred Southsayer ) and informe the truth , What liking hast thou of our sacrifice ? Sooth. Imperiall Caesar , at your sacred charge , I drew a milke white Oxe into the Temple , And turning there his face into the east , ( Fearefully shaking at the shining light ) Downe fell his horned forehead to his hoofe , When I began to greet him with the stroke , That should prepare him for the holy rites , With hydeous roares he laid out such a throat As made the secret lurkings of the god To answer ecco-like , in threatning sounds : I stroke againe at him , and then he slept , His life-blood boyling out at euery wound In streames as cleare as any liquid Ruby , And there began to alter my presage , The other ill signes shewing th' other fortune , Of your last skirmish , which farre opposite now Proues , ill beginnings good euents foreshew . For now the beast cut vp , and laid on th'Al●ar , His lims were all lickt vp with instant flames , Not like the Elementall fire that burnes In houshold vses , lamely struggling vp , This way and that way winding as it rises , But ( right and vpright ) reacht his proper sphere Where burnes the fire eternall and sincere . Caes. And what may that presage ? Sooth. That euen the spirit Of heauens pure flame flew downe and rauisht vp Your offerings blaze in that religious instant , Which shewes th' alacritie and cheerefull virtue Of heauens free bounty , doing good in time , And with what swiftnesse true deuotions clime . Omn. The gods be honor'd . Sooth. O behold with wonder , The sacred blaze is like a torch enlightned , Directly burning iust aboue your campe ! Omn. Miraculous . Sooth. Beleeue it , with all thanks : The Romane Genius is alterd now , And armes for Caesar. Caes. Soothsayer be for euer Reuerenc't of Caesar. O Marc Anthony , I thought to raise my camp , and all my tents , Tooke downe for swi●t remotion to Scotussa . Shall now our purpose hold ? Anth. Against the gods ? They grace in th' instant , and in th' instant we Must adde our parts , and be in th' vse as free . Crass. See Sir , the scouts returne . Enter two scouts . Caes. What newes , my friends ? 1 Scou. Arme , arme , my Lord , the voward of the foe Is rang'd already : 2 Scou. Answer them , and arme : You cannot set your rest of battell vp In happyer houre ; for I this night beheld A strange confusion in your enemies campe , The souldiers taking armes in all dismay , And hurling them againe as fast to earth . Euery way routing ; as th' alarme were then Giuen to their army . A most causelesse feare Disperst quite through them . Caes. Then t was Ioue himselfe That with his secret finger stirr'd in them . Crass. Other presages of successe ( my Lord ) Haue strangely hapn'd in th' adiacent Citie● , To this your army : for in Tralleis , Within a Temple , built to Victory , There stands a statue of your forme and name , Neare whose firme base , euen from the marble pauement , There sprang a Palme tree vp , in this last night , That seemes to crowne your statue with his boughs , Spred in wrapt shadowes round about your browes . Caes. The signe , Crassinius , is most strange and gracefull , Nor could get issue , but by power diuine ; Yet will not that , nor all abodes besides ( Of neuer such kinde promise of successe ) Performe it without tough acts of our owne . No care , no nerue the lesse to be emploid ; No offering to the gods , no vowes , no prayers : Secure and idle spirits neuer thriue When most the gods for their aduancements striue . And therefore tell me what abodes thou buildst on In an spirit to act , enflam'd in thee , Or in our Souldiers seene resolu'd addresses ? Crass. Great and firy virtue . And this day Be sure ( great Caesar ) of effects as great In absolute conquest ; to which are prepar'd Enforcements resolute , from this arm'd hand , Which thou shalt praise me for aliue or dead . Caes. Aliue ( ye gods vouchsafe ) and my true vowes For life in him ( great heauen ) for all my foes ( Being naturall Romans ) so farre ioyntly heare As may not hurt our Conquest ; as with feare Which thou already strangely hast diffusde Through all their army ; which extend to flight Without one bloody stroke of force and fight . Anth. T is time , my Lord , you put in forme your battell . Caes. Since we must fight then , and no offerd peace Will take with Pompey : I reioyce to see This long-time lookt for , and most happy day , In which we now shall fight , with men , not hunger , With toyles , not sweats of blood through yeares extended , This one day se●uing to decide all iarres Twixt me and Pompey . Hang out of my tent My Crimsine coat of armes , to giue my souldiers That euer-sure signe of resolu'd-for fight . Crass. These hands shall giue that signe to all their longings . Exit Crass. Caes. My Lord , my army , I thinke best to order In three full Squadrons : of which let me pray Your selfe would take on you the left wings charge ; My selfe will lead the right wing , and my place Of fight elect in my tenth legion : My battell by D●mitius Calvinus Shall take direction . The Cote of Armes is hung out , and the Souldiers shoute within . An. Heark , your souldiers shoute For ioy to see your bloody Cote of Armes Assure their fight this morning . Caes. A blest Euen Bring on them worthy comforts . And ye gods Performe your good presages in euents Of fit crowne for our discipline , and deeds Wrought vp by conquest ; that my vse of it May wipe the hatefull and vnworthy s●aine Of Tyrant from my Temples ▪ and exchange it For fautor of my Country , ye haue giuen That title to those poore and fearefull fowles That euery sound puts vp , in frights and cryes ; Euen then , when all Romes powers were weake and heartles , When traiterous fires , and fierce Barbarian swo●ds , Rapines , and soule-expiring slaughters fild Her houses , Temples , all her ayre , and earth ▪ To me then ( whom your bounties haue enform'd With such a spirit as despiseth feare ; Commands in either fortune , knowes , and armes Against the worst of fate ; and therefore can Dispose blest meanes , encourag'd to the best ) Much more vouchsafe that honor ; chiefely now , When Rome wants only this dayes conquest giuen me To make her happy , to confirme the brightnesse That yet she shines in ouer all the world ; In Empire , riches , strife of all the Arts , In gifts of Cities , and of kingdomes sent her ; In Crownes laid at her feet , in euery grace That shores , and seas , floods , Islands , Continents , Groues , fields , hills , mines , and metals can produce ; All which I ( victor ) will encrease , I vow By all my good , acknowledg'd giuen by you . Act IIII Scene I. Pompey in haste , Brutus , Gabinius , Vibius following . THe poyson steep't in euery vaine of Empire , In all the world , meet now in onely me , Thunder and lighten me to death ; and make My senses feed the flame , my soule the crack . Was euer soueraigne Captaine of so many Armies and Nations , so opprest as I , With one hosts headstrong outrage ? vrging fight , Yet fly about my campe in panick terrors ; No reason vnder heauen suggesting cause . And what is this but euen the gods deterring My iudgement from enforcing fight this morn● ? The new-fled night made day with Meteors , Fir'd ouer Caesars campe , and falne in mine , As pointing out the terrible euent● Yet in suspence ; but where they threat their ●all Speake not these prodigies with fiery tongues , And eloquence that should not moue but rauish All sound mindes , from thus tempting the iust gods , And spitting out their faire premonishing flames With brackish ●heumes of ruderand brainsick number , What 's infinitely more , thus wild , thus mad For one poore fortune of a beaten few ; To halfe so many staid , and dreadfull souldiers ? Long train'd ▪ long foughten ? able , nim●le , perfect To turne and winde aduantage euery way ? Encrease with little , and enforce with none ? Ma●e bold as Lyons , gaunt as famisht wolues , With still seru'd slaughters , and continuall toyles . Bru. You should no● , Sir , fo●sake your owne wise Counsell , Your owne experien●'t discipline , owne practise , Owne god inspired insight to all changes , Of Protean fortune , and her ●●ny , warre , For hosts , ●nd hel● of such ; What man will thinke The best of them , not mad ; to see them ra●ge So vp and downe your campe , already suing For offices falne , by Caesars built on fall , Before one stroke be struck ? Domitius , Spinther , Your father Scipi● new preparing friends For Caesars place of vniuersall Bishop ? Are you th' obserued rule , and voucht example ; Who euer would commend Physitians , That would not follow the diseas'd desires Of their sick patients ? yet incurre your selfe The faults that you so much abhorre in others . Pom. I cannot , Sir , abide mens open mouthes , Nor be ill spoken of ; nor haue my counsels And circumspections ; turnd on me for feares , With mocks and scandals that would make a man Of lead , a lightning ; in the desperat'st onset That euer trampled vnder death , his life . I beare the touch of feare for all their safeties , Or for mine owne ? enlarge with twice as many Selfe-liues , selfe-fortunes ? they shall sinke beneath Their owne credulities , before I crosse them . Come , haste , dispose our battaile . Vib. Good my Lord , Against your Genius warre not for the world . Pom. By all worlds he that moues me next to beare Their sco●s and imputations of my feare For any cause , shall beare this sword to hell . Away , to battaile ; good my Lord lead you The whole six thousand of our yong Patricians , Plac't in the left wing to enuiron Caesar. My father Scipio shall lead the battaile ; Domitius the left wing ; I the right Against Marc Anthony . Take now your fils Ye beastly doters on your barbarous wills . Exeunt ▪ Alarme , excursions , of al : The fiue Kings driuen ouer the Stage , Crassinius chiefely pursuing : At the dore enter againe the fiue Kings . The battell continued within . Epir. Fly , fly , the day was lost before was fought . Thess. The Romans feard their shadowes . Cil. Were there euer Such monstrous confidences , as last night Their Cups and musique shew'd ? Before the morning Made such amazes ere one stroke was struck ? Iber. It made great Pompey mad , which who could mend ? The gods had hand in it . Tra. It made the Consuls Run on their swords to see 't . The braue Patrician● Fled with their spoyled faces , arrowes sticking As shot from heauen at them . Thess. T was the charge That Caesar gaue against them . Epir. Come , away , Leaue all , and wonder at this fatall day . Exeunt . The fight neerer ; and enter , Crassin●us , a sword , as thrust through his face ; he fals . To him Pompey and Caesar fighting : Pompey giues way , Caesar follows , and enters at another dore . Caes. Pursue , pursue ; the gods foreshew'd their powers , Which we gaue issue , and the day is ours . Crassineus ? O looke vp : he does , and shewes Death in his broken eyes ; which Caesars hands Shall doe the honor of eternall closure . Too well thou keptst thy word , that thou this day Wouldst doe me seruice to our victory , Which in thy life or death I should behold , And praise thee for ; I doe , and must admire Thy matchles valour ; euer euer rest Thy manly lineaments , which in a tombe Erected to thy noble name and virtues , I le curiosly preserue with balmes , and spices , In eminent place of these Pharsalian fields , Inscrib'd with this true soule of funerall . Epitaph : Crassineus fought for fame , and died for Rome , Whose publique weale springs from this priuate tombe . Enter some taking him off , whom Caesar helps . Enter Pompey , Demetrius , with black robes in their hands , broad hats , &c. Pom. Thus haue the gods their iustice , men their wils , And I , by mens wils rulde ; my selfe renouncing , Am by my Angell and the gods abhorr'd ; Who drew me , like a vapour , vp to heauen To dash me like a tempest 'gainst the earth : O the deserued terrors that attend On humane confidence ! had euer men Such outrage of presumption to be victors Before they arm'd ? To send to Rome before For houses neare the market place , their tents Strowd all with flowers , and nosegayes ; tables couer'd With cups and banquets ; bayes and mirtle garlands , As ready to doe sacrifice for conquest Rather then arme them for fit fight t' enfore it ; Which when I saw , I knew as well th' euent As now I feele it , and because I rag'd In that presage , my Geniu● shewing me clearely ( As in a mirror ) all this cursed issue ; And therefore vrg'd all meanes to put it off For this day , or from these fields to some other , Or from this om●nous confidence , till I saw Their spirits settl'd in some grauer knowledge Of what belong'd to such a d●are decision ; They spotted me with fe●re , with loue of glory , To keepe in my command so many Kings , So great an army ; all the hellish blastings That could be breath'd on me , to strike me blinde Of honor , spirit and soule : And should I then Saue them that would in spight of heauen be ruinde ? And , in their safeties ruine me and mine In euerlasting rage of their detraction . Dem. Your safety and owne honor did deserue ▪ Respect past all their values ; O my Lord. Would you ? Pom. Vpbraid me not ; goe to , goe on . Dem. No ; I le not rub the wound . The misery is , The gods for any error in a man ( Which they might rectify , and should ; because That man maintain'd the right ) should suffer wrong To be thus insolent , thus grac't , thus ble●t ? Pom. O the strange carriage of their acts , by which Men order theirs ; and their deuotions in them ; Much rather striuing to entangle men In pathlesse error , then with regular right Confirme their reasons , and their pieties light . For now Sir , whatsoeuer was foreshowne By heauen , or prodigy ; ten parts more for vs , Forewarning vs , deterring vs , and all Our blinde and brainlesse frenzies , then for Caesar ; All yet will be ascribde to his regard Giuen by the gods for his good parts , preferring Their glosse ( being starck impostures ) to the iustice , Loue , honor , piety , of our lawes and Countrey . Though I thinke these are arguments enow For my acquitall , that for all these fought . Dem. Y' are cleare , my Lord. Pom. Gods helpe me , as I am ; What euer my vntoucht command of millions Through all my eight and fifty yeares , hath woonne , This one day ( in the worlds esteeme ) hath lost . So vile is praise and dispraise by euent . For I am still my selfe in euery worth The world could grace me with , had this dayes Euen In one blaze ioyn'd , with all my other Conquests . And shall my comforts in my well-knowne selfe Faile me for their false fires , Demetrius ? Dem. O no , my Lord. Pom. Take griefe for them , as if The rotten-hearted world could steepe my soule In filthy putrifaction of their owne ? Since their applauses faile me ? that are hisses To euery sound acceptance ? I confesse , That till th' affaire was past , my passions flam'd , But now its helplesse , and no cause in me , Rest in these embers my vnmoued soule , With any outward change ▪ this dystick minding ; No man should more allow his owne losse , woes , ( Being past his fault ) then any stranger does . And for the worlds false loues , and ayry honors , What soule that euer lou'd them most in life , ( Once seuer'd from this breathing sepulchre ) Againe came and appearde in any kind Their kinde admirer still , or did the state Of any best man here , associate ? And euery true soule should be here so feuer'd From loue of such men , as here drowne their soules As all the world does ? Cato sole accepted , To whom I le fly now , and my wife in way ( Poore Lady , and poore children , worse then fatherlesse ) Visit , and comfort . Come Demetrius , They disguise themselues . We now must ●ute our habites to our fortunes ▪ And since these changes euer chance to greatest . Nor desire to be ( Doe fortune , to exceed it , what she can ) A Pompey , or a Caesar , but a man. Exeunt . Enter Caesar , Anthony , Acilius , with souldiers . Caes. O We haue slaine , not conquerd , Roman blood Peruerts th' euent , and desperate blood let out With their owne swords . Did euer men before Enuy their owne liues , since another liu'd Whom they would willfully conceiue their foe , And forge a Tyrant merely in their feares To iustifie their slaughters ? Consuls ? furies . Ant. Be , Sir , their fault● their griefes ! The greater number Were only slaues , that left their bloods to ruth , And altogether , but six thousand slaine . Caes. How euer many ; gods and men can witnesse Themselues enforc't it , much against the most I could enforce on Pompey for our peace . Of all slaine , yet , if Brutus only liu'd , I should be comforted , for his life ●au'd Would weigh the whole six thousand that are lost . But much I feare his death , because the battell Full stricken now , he yet abides vnfound . Acil. I saw him fighting neare the battels end ▪ But suddainly giue off , as be●t to fly . Enter Brutus . Anth. He comes here , see Sir. Bru. I submit to Caesar My life and fortunes . Caes. A more welcome fortune Is Brutus , then my conquest . Bru. Sir , I fought Against your conquest , and your selfe ; and merit ( I must acknowledge ) a much sterner welcome . Caes. You fought with me , Sir , for I know your armes Were taken for your Country , not for Pompey : And for my Country I fought , nothing lesse Then he , or both the mighty-stomak't Consuls ; Both whom ( I heare ) haue slaine themselues before They would enioy life in the good of Caesar. But I am nothing worse , how ill foeuer They , and the great authority of Rome Would faine enforce me by their mere suspitions . Lou'd they their Country better then her Brutus ? Or knew what fitted noblesse , and a Romane With freer soules then Brutus . Those that liue Shall see in Caesars iustice , and what euer Might make me worthy both their liues and loues , That I haue lost the one without my merit , And they the other with no Roman spirit . Are you empair'd to liue , and ioy my loue ? Only requite me , Brutus , loue but Caesar , And be in all the powers of Caesar , Caesar ▪ In which free wish , I ioyne your father Cato ; For whom I le haste to Vtica , and pray His loue may strengthen my fuccesse to day . Exeunt . Porcius i● haste , Marcillius bare , following , Porcius discouers a bed , and a sword hanging by it , which he takes downe . Mar. To what vse take you that ( my Lord ? ) Por. Take you No note that I take it , nor let any seruant , Besides your selfe , of all my fathers nearest , Serue any mood he serues , with any knowledge Of this or any other . Caesar comes And giues his army wings to reach this towne . Not for the townes sake , but to saue my father . Whom iustly he suspects to be resolu'd Of any violence to his life , before He will preserue it by a Tyrants fauour . For Pompey hath miscaried , and i● fled . Be true to me , and to my fathers life ; And doe not tell him ; nor his fury serue With any other . Mar. I will dye , my Lord , Ere I obserue it . Por. O my Lord and father . Cato , Athenodorus , Statilius . Cato with a booke in his hand . Cat. What feares fly here on all sides ? what wilde lookes Are squinted at me from mens mere suspicions That I am wilde my selfe , and would enforce What will be taken from me by the ●yrant . Ath. No : Would you only aske life , he would thinke His owne life giuen more strength in giuing yours Cat. I aske my life of him ? Stat. Aske what 's his owne ? Of him he scornes should haue the least drop in it At his disposure . Cat. No , Statilius . Men that haue forfeit liues by breaking lawes , Or haue euer beene ouercome , may beg their liues , But I haue euer beene in euery iustice Better then Caesar , and was neuer conquer'd , Or made to fly for life , as Caesar was . But haue beene victor euer , to my wish , 'Gainst whomsoeuer euer hath opposde ; Where Caesar now is conquer'd in his Conquest , In the ambition , he till now denide ; Taking vpon him to giue life , when death Is tenfold due to his most tyrannous selfe . No right , no power giuen him to raise an army , Which in despight of Rome he leades about Slaughtering her loyall subiects , like an outlaw , Nor is he better . Tongue , shew , falshood are , To bloodiest deaths his parts so much admir'd , Vaineglory , villany ; and at best you can , Fed with the parings of a worthy man. My fame affirme my life receiu'd from him ? I le rather make a beast my second father ▪ Stat. The gods auert from euery Roman minde The name of slaue to any Tyrants power . Why was man euer iust , but to be free , 'Gainst all iniustice ? and to beare about him As well all meanes to freedome euery houre , As euery houre he should be arm'd for dea●h , Which only is his freedome ? Ath. But Statilius Death is not free for any mans election , Till nature , or the law , impose it on him . Cat. Must a man goe to law then , when he may Enioy his owne in peace ? if I can vse Mine owne my selfe , must I of force , reserue it To serue a Tyrant with it ? All iust men Not only may enlarge their liues , but must , From all rule tyrannous , or liue vniust . Ath. By death must they enlarge their liues ? Cat. By death . Ath. A man 's not bound to that . Cat. I le proue he is . Are not the liues of all men bound to iustice ? Ath. They are . Cat. And therefore not to serue iniustice : Iustice it selfe ought euer to be free , And therefore euery iust man being a part Of that free iustice , should be free as it . Ath. Then wherefore is there law for death ? Cat. That all That know not what law is , nor freely can Performe the fitting iustice of a man In kingdomes common good , may been forc't . But is not euery iust man to him selfe The perfect'st law ▪ Ath. Suppose . Cat. Then to himselfe Is euery iust man● life subordinate . Againe , Sir ; Is not our free soule infus'd To euery body in her absolute end To rule that body ? in which absolute rule Is she not absolutely Empresse of it ? And being Empresse , may she not dispose It , and the life in it , at her iust pleasure ? Ath. Not to destroy it . Cat. No ; she not destroyes it When she disliues it ; that their freedomes may Goe firme together , like their powers and organs , Rather then let it liue a rebell to her , Prophaning that diuine coniunction Twixt her and it ; nay , a disiunction making Betwixt them worse then death ; in killing quick That which in iust-death liues : being dead to her If to her rule dead ; and to her aliue , If dying in her iust rule . Ath. The body liues not When death hath rest it . Cat. Yet t is free , and kept Fit for reiunction in mans second life ; Which dying rebell to the soule , is farre Vnfit to ioyne with her in perfect life . Ath. It shall not ioyne with her againe . Cat. It shall . Ath. In reason shall it ? Cat. In apparant reason ; Which I le proue clearely . Stat. Heare , and iudge it Sir. Cat. As nature works in all things to an end , So in th' appropriate honor of that end , All things precedent haue their naturall frame ; And therefore is there a proportion Betwixt the ends of those things and their primes : For else there could not be in their creation , Alwayes , or for the most part , that firme forme In their still like existence ; that we see In each full creature . What proportion then Hath an immortall with a mortall substance ? And therefore the mortality to which A man is subiect ; rather is a sleepe , Then bestiall death ; since sleepe and death are call'd The twin● of nature . For if absolute death And bestiall sease the body of a man , Then is there no proportion in his parts , His soule being free from death , which otherwise Retaines diuine proportion . For as sleepe No disproportion holds with humane soules , But aptly quickens the proportion Twixt them and bodies , making bodies fitter To giue vp formes to soules , which is their end : So death ( twin-borne of sleepe ) resoluing all Mans bodies heauy parts ; in lighter nature Makes a reunion with the spritely soule ; When in a second life their beings giuen , Holds their proportion firme , in highest heauen . Ath. Hold you our bodies shall reuiue , resuming Our soules againe to heauen ? Cat. Past doubt , though others Thinke heauen a world too high for our low reaches . Not knowing the sacred sence of him that sings , Ioue can let downe a golden chaine from heauen , Which tyed to earth , shall fetch vp earth and seas ; And what 's that golden chaine , but our pure soules , A golden beame of him , let downe by him , That gouern'd with his grace , and drawne by him , Can hoist this earthy body vp to him , The sea , and ayre , and all the elements Comprest in it : not while t is thus concret , But fin'd by death , and then giuen heauenly heat . Ath. Your happy exposition of that place ( Whose sacred depth I neuer heard so sounded ) Euicts glad grant from me you hold a truth . Stat. Is 't not a manly truth , and mere diuine ? Cat. T is a good chearefull doctrine for good men . But ( sonne and seruants ) this is only argu'd To spend our deare time well , and no life vrgeth To any violence further then his owner And grauer men hold fit . Le ts talke of Caesar , He 's the great subiect of all talke , and he Is hotly hasting on . Is supper ready ? Mar. It is , my Lord. Cat. Why then let 's in and ●at ; Our coole submission will quench Caesars heat . Sta. Submission ? here 's for him . Cat. Statilus , My reasons must not strengthen you in error , Nor learn'd Athenodorus gentle yeelding . Talke with some other deepe Philosophers , Or some diuine Priest of the knowing gods , And heare their reasons ▪ in meane time comes up . Exeunt . Cato going out arme in arme betwixt Athen. and Statilius . Act V. Scene I. Enter Vshers , with the two Lentuli , and Septimius before Cornelia ; Cyris , Telesilla , Laelia , Drusus , with others , following , Cornelia , Septimius and the two Lentuli reading letters . Cor. SO may my comforts for this good newes thriue As I am thankfull for them to the Gods. Ioyes vnexpected , and in desperate plight , Are still most sweet , and proue from whence they come ; When earths still Moonelike confidence , in ioy , Is at her full . True ioy descending farre From past her sphere , and from that highest heauen That moues and is not mou'd : how farre was I From hope of these euents , when fearefull dreames Of Harpies tearing out my heart ? of armies Terribly ioyning ? Cities , kingdomes falling , And all on me ? prou'd sleepe , not twin to death , But to me , death it selfe ? yet making then , These letters , full of as much chearefull life , I found closde in my hand . O gods how iustly Ye laugh at all things earthly ? at all feares That rise not from your iudgements ? at all ioyes , Not drawne directly from your selues ▪ and in ye , Distrust in man is faith , trust in him ruine . Why write great learned men ? men merely rapt With sacred rage , of confidence , beleefe ? Vndanted spirits ? inexorable fate And all feare treading on ? t is all but ayre , If any comfort be , t is in despaire . 1 L●n . You learned Ladies may hold any thing . 2 Lent. Now madam is your walk from coach come neare The promontory , where you late commanded A Sentinell should stand to see from thence If either with a nauy , brought by sea , Or traine by land ; great Pompey comes to greet you As in your letters , he neare this time promisde . Cor. O may this Isle of Lesbos , compast in With the Aegae●● sea that doth diuide Europe from Asia . ( The sweet literate world From the Barbarian ) from my barbarous dreames Diuide my dearest husband and his fortunes . 2 Len. He 's busied now with ordering offices . By this time , madam , sits your honor'd father He looks in his letter . In Caesars chaire of vniuersall Bishop . Domitius Aenobarbas , is made Consull , Spynther his Consort ; and Phaoniu● Tribune , or Pretor . Septimius with a letter . Sep. These were only sought Before the battaile , not obtaind ; nor mouing My father but in shadowes . Corn. Why should men Tempt fate with such firme confidence ? seeking places Before the power that should dispose could grant them ? For then the stroke of battaile was not struck . 1 Len. Nay , that was sure enough . Physitians know When sick mens eyes are broken , they must dye . Your letters telling you his victory Lost in the skirmish , which I know hath broken Both the eyes and heart of Caesar : for as men Healthfull through all their liues to grey●hayr'd age , When sicknesse takes them once , they seldom scape : So Caesar victor in his generall fights Till this late skirmish , could no aduerse blow Sustaine without his vtter ouerthrow . 2 Lent. See , madam , now ; your Sentinell : enquire . Cor. Seest thou no fleet yet ( Sentinell ) nor traine That may be thought great Pompeys ? Sen. Not yet , madame . 1 Len. Seest thou no trauellers addrest this way ? In any number on this Lesbian shore ? Sent. I see some not worth note ; a couple comming This way , on foot , that are not now farre hence . 2 Lent. Come they apace ? like messengers with newes ? Sent. No , nothing like ( my Lord ) nor are their habites Of any such mens fashions ; being long mantles , And ●able hew'd ; their heads all hid in hats Of parching Thessaly , broad brimm'd , high crown'd . Cor. These serue not our hopes . Sent. Now I see a ship . A kenning hence ▪ that strikes into the hauen . Cor. One onely ship ? Sen. One only , madam , yet . Cor. That should not be my Lord. 1 Lent. Your Lord ? no madam . Sen. She now le ts out arm'd men vpon the land . 2 Lent. Arm'd men ? with drum , and colours ? Sen. No , my Lord , But bright in armes , yet beare halfe pikes , or bead hookes . 1 Lent. These can be no plumes in the traine of Pompey . Cor. I le see him in his letter , once againe . Sen. Now , madam , come the two I saw on foot . Enter Pompey and Demetrius . Dem. See your Princesse , Sir , come thus farre from the City in her coach , to encounter your promist comming About this time in your last letters . Pom. The world is alterd since Demetrius ; ( offer to goe by ▪ 1 Lent. See , madam , two Thessalian Augurs it seem●● By their habits . Call , and enquire if either by their Skils or trauels , they know no newes of your husband . Cor. My friends ? a word . Dem. With vs , madam ? Cor. Yes . Are you of Thessaly ? Dem. I , madam , and all the world besides . Cor ▪ Your Country is great . Dem. And our portions little . Cor. Are you Augures ? Dem. Augures , madam ? yes a kinde of Augures , alias Wiz●rds , that goe vp and downe the world , teaching How to turne ill to good . Cor. Can you doe that ? Dem. I , madam , you haue no worke for vs , haue you ? No ill to turne good , I meane ? Cor. Yes ; the absence of my husband . Dem. What 's she ? Cor. Pompey the great . Dem. Wherein is he great ? Cor. In his command of the world . Dem. Then he 's great in others . Take him without his Addition ( great ) what is he then ? Cor. Pompey . Dem. Not your husband then ? Cor. Nothing the lesse for his greatnesse . Dem. Not in his right ; but in your comforts he is . Cor. His right is my comfort . Dem. What 's his wrong ? Cor. My sorrow . Dem. And that 's ill . Cor. Yes . Dem. Y' are come to the vse of our Profession , madam , Would you haue that ill turnd good ? that Sorrow turnd comfort ? Cor. Why is my Lord wrong'd ? Dem. We professe not that kno●ledge , madam : Suppose he were . Cor. Not I. Dem. You le suppose him good . Cor. He is so . Dem. Then must you needs suppose him wrong'd ; for All goodnesse is wrong'd in this world . Cor. What call you wrong ? Dem. Ill fortune , affliction . Cor. Thinke you my Lord afflicted ? Dem. If I thinke him good ( madam ) I must . Vnlesse he Be worldly good ; and then , either he is ill , or has ill : Since , as no sugar is without poyson : so is no worldly Good without ill . Euen naturally nourisht in it , like a Houshold thiefe , which is the worst of all theeues . Cor. Then he is not worldly , but truly good . Dem. He 's too great to be truly good ; for worldly greatnes Is the chiefe worldly goodnesse ; and all worldly goodnesse ( I prou'd before ) has ill in it : which true good has not . Cor. I● he rule well with his greatnesse ; wherein is he ill ? Dem. But great Rulers are like Carpenters , that weare their Rules at their backs still : and therefore to make good your True good in him , y 'ad better suppose him little or meane , For in the meane only is the true good . Pom. But euery great Lady must haue her husband Great still , or her loue will be little . Cor. I am none of those great Ladyes . 1 Lent. She 's a Philosophresse Augure , and can ●urne Ill to good as well as you . Pom. I would then , not honor , but adore her : could you Submit your selfe chearefully to your hu●band , Supposing him falne ? Cor. I● he submit himselfe chearfully to his fortune . Pom. T is the greatest greatnes in the world you vndertake . Cor. I would be so great , if he were . Pom. In supposition . Cor. In fact . Pom. Be no woman , but a Goddesse then ; & make good thy greatnesse ; I am chearfully falne ; be chearfull . Cor. I am : and welcome , as the world were closde In these embraces . Pom. Is it possible ? A woman , losing greatnesse , still as good , As at her greatest ? O gods , was I euer Great till this minute ? Amb. Len. Pompey ? Pom. View me better ▪ Amb. Len. Conquerd by Caesar ? Pom. Not I , but mine army . No fault in me , in it : no conquest of me . I tread this low earth as I trod on Caesar. Must I not hold my selfe , though lose the world ? Nor lose I lesse ; a world lost at one clap , T is more then ●oue euer thundred with . What glory is it to haue my hand hurle So vast a volley through the groning ayre ? And is 't not great , to turne griefes thus to ioyes , That breake the hearts of others ? Amb. Len. O t is Ioue - like . Pom , It is to imitate Ioue , that from the wounds Of softest clouds , beats vp the terriblest sounds . I now am good , for good men still haue least , That twixt themselues and God might rise their rest . Cor. O Pompey , Pompey : neuer Great till now . Pom. O my Cornelia : let vs still be good , And we shall still be great : and greater farre In euery solid grace , then when the tumor And bile of rotten obseruation sweld vs. Griefes for wants outward , are without our cure , Greatnesse , not of it selfe , is neuer sure . Before , we went vpon heauen , rather treading The virtues of it vnderfoot , in ma●ing The vicious world our heauen ; then walking ther● Euen here , as knowing that our home ; con●emning All forg'd heauens here raisde ; setting hills on hills . Vulcan from heauen ●ell , yet on 's feet 〈◊〉 light ; And stood no lesse a god then at his height ; At lowest , things lye fast : we now are like The two Poles propping heauen , on which heauen moues ; And they are fixt , and quiet , being aboue All motion farre ; we rest aboue the heauens . Cor. O , I more ioy , t' embrace my Lord thus fixt , Then he had brought me ten inconstant conquests . 1 Len ▪ Miraculous standing in a fall so great , Would Caesar knew , Sir , how you conquerd him In your conuiction . Pom. T is enough for me That Pompey knows it . I will stand no more On others legs : nor build one ioy without me . If euer I be worth a house againe , I le build all inward : not a light shall ope The common outway : no expence , no art , No ornament , no dore will I vse there , But raise all plaine , and rudely , like a rampier , Against the false society of men That still batters All reason peecemeale . And for earthy greatnesse All heauenly comforts rarifies to ayre , I le therefore liue in darke , and all my light , Like ancient Temples , let in at my top . This were to turne ones back to all the world , And only looke at heauen . Empedocles Recur'd a mortall plague through all his Country , With stopping vp the yawning of a hill , From whence the hollow and vnwholsome South Exhald his venomd vapor . And what else Is any King , giuen ouer to his lusts , But euen the poyson'd cleft of that crackt mountaine , That all his kingdome plagues with his example ? Which I haue stopt now , and so cur'd my Country Of such a sensuall pestilence : When therefore our diseas'de affections Harmefull to humane freedome ; and stormelike Inferring darknesse to th' infected minde Oppresse our comforts : t is but letting in The light of reason , and a purer spirit , Take in another way ; like roomes that fight With windowes gainst the winde , yet let in light . Amb. Len. My Lord , we seru'd before , but now adore you . Sen. My Lord , the arm'd men I discou'rd lately Vnshipt , and landed ; now are trooping neare . Pom. What arm'd men are they ? 1 Len. Some , my Lord , that lately The Sentinell discouer'd , but not knew . Sen. Now all the sea ( my Lords ) is hid with ships , Another Promontory flanking this , Some furlong hence , is climb'd , and full of people , That easily may see hither ; it seemes looking What these so neare intend : Take heed , they come . Enter Achillas , Septius , Saluius , with souldiers , Ach. Haile to Romes great Commander ; to whom Aegypt ( Not long since seated in his kingdome by thee , And sent to by thee in thy passage by ) Sends vs with answer ▪ which withdraw and heare ▪ Pom. I le kille my children first ▪ Sep. Blesse me , my Lord. Pom. I will , and Cyris , my poore daughter too . Euen that high hand that hurld me downe thus low , Keepe you from rising high : I heare : now tell me . I thinke ( my friend ) you once seru'd vnder me . Septius only nods with his h●●d . Pom. Nod onely ? not a word daigne ? what are these ? Cornelia ? I am now not worth mens words . Ach. Please you receiue your ayde , Sir ? Pom. I , I come . Exit Pom. The draw and follow . Cor. Why draw they ? See , my Lords ; attend them vshers . Sen. O they haue slaine great Pompey . Cor. O my husband . Sept. Cyr. Mother , take comfort . Enter Pompey ble●ding . O my Lord and father . Pom. See heauens your sufferings , is my Countres loue The iustice of an Empire ; pietie ; Worth this end in their leader : last yet life , And bring the gods off fairer : after this Who will adore , or serue the deities ? He hides his face with his robe . Enter the Murtherers . Ach. Helpe hale him off : and take his head for Caesar. Sep. Mother ? O saue vs ; Pompey ? O my father . Enter the two Lentuli and Demetrius bleeding , and kneele about Cornelia . 1 Len. Yet fals not heauen ? Madam , O make good Your late great spirits ; all the world will say , You know not how to beare aduerse euents , If now you languish . Omn. Take her to her coach . They beare her out . Cato with a booke in his hand . O Beastly apprehenders of things manly , And merely heauenly : they with all the reasons I vsde for iust mens liberties , to beare Their liues and deaths vp in their owne free hands ; Feare still my resolution though I seeme . To giue it off like them : and now am woonne To thinke my life in lawes rule , not mine owne , When once it comes to death ; as if the law Made for a sort of outlawes , must bound me In their subiection ; as if I could Be rackt out of my vaines , to liue in others ; As so I must , if others rule my life ; And publique power keepe all the right of death , As if men needes must serue the place of iustice ; The forme , and idoll , and renounce it selfe ? Our selues , and all our rights in God and goodnesse ? Our whole contents and freedomes to dispose , All in the ioyes and wayes of arrant rogues ? No stay but their wilde errors , to sustaine vs ? No forges but their throats to vent our breaths ? To forme our liues in , and repose our deaths ? See , they haue got my sword . Who 's there ? Enter Marcillius bare . Mar. My Lord : Cat , Who tooke my sword hence ? Dumb ? I doe not aske For any vse or care of it : but hope I may be answered . Goe Sir , let me haue it . Exit Mar. Po●re slaues , how terrible this death is to them ? If men would sleepe , they would be wroth with all That interrupt them : Physick take to take The golden rest it brings : both pay and pray For good , and soundest naps : all friends consenting In those kinde inuocations ; praying all Good rest , the gods vouchsafe you ; but when death ( Sleepes naturall brother ) comes ; ( that 's nothing worse , But better ; being more rich ; and keepes the store ; Sleepe euer ●ickle , way ward still , and poore ) O how men grudge , and shake , and feare , and fly His sterne approaches ? all their comforts taken In faith , and knowledge of the blisse and beauties . That watch their wakings in an endlesse life : Dround in the paines and horrors of their sense Sustainde but for an houre ; be all the earth Rapt with this error , I le pursue my reason , And hold that as my light and fiery pillar , Th' eternall law of heauen and earth no firmer . But while I seeke to conquer conquering Caesar , My soft-splen'd seruants ouerrule and curb me . He knocks , and Brutus enters . Where 's he I sent to fetch and place my sword Where late I left it ? Dumb to ? Come another ! Enter Cleanthes . Where 's my sword hung here ? Cle. My Lord , I know not , Ent. Marcilius . Cat. The rest , come in there . Where 's the sword I charg'd you To giue his place againe ? I le breake your lips ope , Spight of my freedome ; all my seruants , friends ; My sonne and all , will needs betray me naked To th' armed malice of a foe so fierce And Beare-like , mankinde of the blood of virtue . O gods , who euer saw me thus contemn'd ? Goe call my sonne in ; tell him , that the lesse He shewes himselfe my sonne , the lesse I le care To liue his father . Enter Athenodorus , Porcius : Porcius kneeling ; Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius by him . Por. I beseech you , Sir , Rest patient of my duty , and my loue ; Your other children think on , our poore mother , Your family , your Country . Cat. If the gods Giue ouer a'l , I le fly the world with them . Athen●dorus , I admire the changes , I note in heauenly prouidence . When Pompey Did all things out of course , past right , past reason , He stood inuincible against the world : Yet , now his cares grew pious , and his powers Set all vp for his Countrey , he is conquered . Ath. The gods wills secret are , nor must we measure Their chast-reserued deepes by our dry shallowes . Sufficeth vs , we are entirely such As twixt them and our consciences we know Their graces , in our virtues , shall present Vnspotted with the earth ; to 'th high throne That ouerlookes vs : for this gyant world Let 's not contend with it , when heauen it selfe Failes to reforme it : why should we affect The least hand ouer it , in that ambition ? A heape t is of digested villany ; Virtue in labor with eternall Chaos Prest to a liuing death , and rackt beneath it ▪ Her throwes vnpitied ; euery worthy man Limb by limb sawne out of her virgine wombe , To liue here peecemeall tortur'd , fly life then ; Your life and death made presidents for men . Exit . Cat. Ye heare ( my masters ) what a life this is , And vse much reason to respect it so . But mine shall serue ye . Yet restore my sword , Lest too much ye presume , and I conceiue Ye front me like my fortunes . Where 's Statilius ? Por. I think Sir , gone with the three hundred Romans In Lucius Caesars charge , to serue the victor . Cat. And would not take his leaue of his poore friend ? Then the Philosophers haue stoop't his spirit . Which I admire , in one so free , and knowing , And such a fiery hater of base life , Besides , being such a vow'd and noted foe To our great Conqueror . But I aduisde him To spare his youth , and liue . Por. My brother Brutus Is gone to Caesar. Cat. Brutus ? Of mine honor ( Although he be my sonne in law ) I must say There went as worthy , and as learned a President As liues in Romes whole rule , for all lifes actions ; And yet your sister Porcea ( his wife ) Would scarce haue done this . But ( for you my sonne ) Howeuer Caesar deales with me ; be counsailde By your experienc't father , not to touch At any action of the publique weale , Nor any rule beare neare her politique sterne : For , to be vbright , and sincere therein Like Catos sonne , the times corruption Will neuer beare it : and , to sooth the time , You shall doe basely , and vnworthy your life ; Which , to the gods I wish , may outweigh mine In euery virtue ; howsoeuer ill You thriue in honor . Por. I , my Lord , shall gladly Obey that counsell . Cat. And what needed you Vrge my kinde care of any charge that nature Imposes on me ? haue I euer showne Loues least defect to you ? or any dues The most iddulgent father ( being discreet ) Could doe his dearest blood ? doe you me right In iudgement , and in honor ; and dispence With passionate nature : goe , neglect me not , But send my sword in . Goe , t is I that charge you . Por. O my Lord , and father , come , aduise me . Exeunt . Cat. What haue I now to thinke on in this world ? No one thought of the world , I goe each minute Discharg'd of all cares that may fit my freedome . The next world , and my soule , then let me serue With her last vtterance , that my body may With sweetnesse of the passage drowne the sowre That death will mix with it : the Consuls soules That slew themselues so nobly , scorning life Led vnder Tyrants Scepters , mine would see . For we shall know each other ; and past death Retaine those formes of knowledge le●rn'd in life ; Since , if what here we learne , we t●ere shall lose , Our immortality were not life , but time . And that our soules in reason are immortall , Their naturall and proper obiects proue ; Which immortallity and knowledge are . For to that obiect euer is referr'd The nature of the soule , in which the acts Of her high faculties are still employde . And that true obiect must her powers obtaine To which they are in natures aime directed . Since t were absurd to haue her set an obiect Which possibly she neuer can aspire . Enter a Page with his sword taken out before . Pag. Your sword , my Lord. Cat. O is it found ? lay downe Vpon the bed ( my boy ) Exit Pa. Poore men ; a boy Must be presenter ; manhood at no hand Must serue so foule a fact ; for so are calde ( In common mouths ) mens fairest acts of all . Vnsheath ; is 't sharpe ? t is sweet . Now I am safe , Come Caesar , quickly now , or lose your vassall . Now wing thee , deare soule , and receiue her heauen . The earth , the ayre , and seas I know , and all The ioyes , and horrors of their peace and warres , And now will see the gods state , and the starres . He fals vpon his sword , and enter Statilius at another side of the Stage with his sword drawne , Porcius , Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius holding his hands . Stat. Cate ? my Lord ? Por. I sweare ( Statilius ) He 's forth , and gone to seeke you , charging me To seeke elsewhere , lest you had slaine your selfe ; And by his loue entreated you would liue . Sta. I sweare by all the gods , I le run his fortunes . Por. You may , you may ; but shun the victor now , Who neare is , and will make vs all his slaues . Sta He shall himselfe be mine first , and my slaues . Exit . Por. Looke , looke in to my father , O ( I feare ) He is no sight for me to beare and liue . Exit . Omn. 3 O ruthfull spectacle ▪ Cle. He hath ript his entrals . Bru. Search , search ; they may be ●ound . Cle. They may , and are . Giue leaue , my Lord , that I may few them vp Being yet vnperisht . He thrusts him back , & plucks out his entrals . Ca. Stand off ; now they are not . Haue he my curse that my lifes least part saues . ●ust men are only free , the rest are slaues . Bru. Myrror of men . Mar. The gods enuied his goodnesse . Enter Caesar , Anthony , Brutus , Acilius , with Lords and Citizens of Vtica . Caes. Too late , too late ; with all our haste . O cato , All my late Conquest , and my life 's whole acts , Most crownde , most beautified , are basted all With thy graue lifes expiring in their scorne . Thy life was rule to all liues ; and thy death ( Thus forcibly despising life ) the quench Of all liues glories . Ant. Vnreclaimed man ? How censure● Brutus his sterne fathers fact ? Bru. T was not well done . Caes. O censure not his acts ; Who knew as well what fitted man , as all men . Enter Achilius , Septimius , Salvius , with Pompeys head . All kneeling . Your enemies head great Caesar. Caes. Cursed monsters , Wound not mine eyes with it , nor in my camp Let any da●e to view it ; farre as noblesse The den of barbarisme flies , and blisse The bitterest curse of vext and tyrannisde nature , Transferre it from me . Borne the plagues of virtue How durst ye poyson thus my thoughts ? to torture Them with instant rapture . Omn. 3. Sacred Caesar. Caes. Away with them ; I vow by all my comforts , Who slack seemes , or not fiery in my charge , Shall suffer with them . All the souldiers . Out base murtherers ; Tortures , tortures for them : hale them out . Omn. Cruell Caesar. Caes. Too milde with any torture . Bru. Let me craue The ●ase of my hate on their one curst life . Caes. Good Brutus take it ; O you coole the poyson These villaines flaming pou'rd vpon my spleen To suffer with my lothings . If the blood Of euery common Roman toucht so neare ; Shall I confirme the faise brand of my tyranny With being found a fautor of his murther Whom my deare Country chusde to ●●ght for her ? Ant. Your patience Sir , their tortures well will quit you . Bru. Let my slaues vse , Sir , be your president . Caes. It shall , I sweare : you doe me infinite honor . O Cato , I enuy thy death , since thou Enuiedst my glory to preserue thy life . Why fled his sonne and friend Statilius ? So farre I fly their hurt , that all my good Shall fly to their desires . And ( for himselfe ) My Lords and Citizens of Vtica , His much renowne of you , quit with your most . And by the sea , vpon some eminent rock , Erect his sumptuous tombe ; on which aduance With all fit state his statue ; whose right hand Let hold his sword , where , may to all times rest His bones as honor'd as his soule is blest . FINIS . A18402 ---- The Blind Beggar of Alexandria Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18402 of text S104930 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4965). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18402.xml The blinde begger of Alexandria most pleasantly discoursing his variable humours in disguised shapes full of conceite and pleasure. As it hath been sundry times publickly acted in London. by the right honorable the Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Admirall his seruantes. By George Chapman: Gentleman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 24 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99840660 STC (2nd ed.) 4965. Greg, I, 146. 5187 A18402

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The blinde begger of Alexandria most pleasantly discoursing his variable humours in disguised shapes full of conceite and pleasure. As it hath been sundry times publickly acted in London. by the right honorable the Earle of Nottingham, Lord high Admirall his seruantes. By George Chapman: Gentleman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [48] p. [By J. Roberts] for William Iones, dwelling at the signe of the Gun, neere Holburne Conduict, Imprinted at London : 1598. 1596

Partly in verse.

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-F4.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18402 shc The Blind Beggar of Alexandria Chapman, George Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar 1596 play comedy shc no A18402 S104930 (STC 4965). 16070 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE BLINDE begger of Alexandria , most pleasantly discoursing his variable humours in disguised shapes full of conceite and pleasure . As it hath beene sundry times publickly acted in London . by the right honorable the Earle of Nottingham , Lord high Admirall his seruantes . By George Chapman : Gentleman .

Imprinted at London for William Iones , dwelling at the signe of the Gun neere Holburne Conduict . 1598 .

Enter Queene Aegiale , Janthe her maid two counselers . Aegiale . LEaue me a while my Lordes and waite for me , At the blacke fountayne , by Osiris groue , I le walke alone to holy Irus caue , Talking a little while with him and then returne . Exeunt omnes . Manet Aegiale . Ianthe begone . Now Irus Let thy mindes eternall eye , Extend the vertue of it past the Sunne . Ah my Cleanthes where art thou become , But since I saued thy guiltlesse life from death , And turnd it onely into banishment , Forgiue me loue , mee pittie comfort mee . Enter Irus the Begger with Pego. Pego.

Maister .

Irus .

Pego .

Pego.

VVipe your eyes and you had them .

Jrus.

VVhy Pego .

Pego.

The Queene is here to see your blindnes .

Irus . Her Maiestie is wel come , Heauens preserue , And send her highnes an immortall rayne . Aegi. Thankes reuerent Irus for thy gentle prayer , Dismisse thy man a while and I will lead thee , For I haue waightie secretes to impart . Pego.

Would I were blind that she might lead mee .

Exit .
Aegi. Irus thy skill to tell the driftes of fate , Our fortunes and thinges hid from sensuall eyes , Hath sent mee to thee for aduertisment . VVhere Duke Cleanthes liues that was exilde , This kingdome for attempting mee with loue , And offering stayne to AEgipts royall bed . Irus . I hope your maiestie will pardon mee , If Conscience make me vtter what I thinke , Of that hye loue affayres twixt him and you . Aegi. I will sweete Jrus being well assurd , That whatsoeuer thy sharpe wisdomes sees , In my sad frailtie thou willt haue regard , To my estate and name and keepe it close � Jrus. Of that your highnes may be well assurde , Then I am bound madam to tell you this , That you your selfe did seeke Cleanthes loue , And to aspire it , made away his Dutches , VVhich he well knowing and affecting her , Deare as his life denyed to satisfie , That kindenesse offered twixt your selfe and him . Therefore did you in rage informe the Duke , He sought your loue , and so he banisht him . Aegi. To true it is graue Irus thou hast tould , But for my loues sake which not Gods can rule , Strike me no more of that wound yet too greene , But onely tell me where Cleanthes is , That I may follow him in some disguise , And make him recompence for all his wrong . Irus Cleanthes is about this Cittie off , VVith whom your maiestie shall meete ere long : And speake with him , if you will vse such meanes , As you may vse for his discouery . Aegi. VVhat shall I vse then what is in my power , I will not vse for his discouery , I le bind the winges of loue vnto myne armes , And like a Eagle prying for her pray , VVill ouerlooke the earthes round face for him , VVere this sufficient . Or I will Moorelike learne to swimme and diue . Into the bottome of the Sea for him . Least beeing the sonne of Aegypt and now set , Thetis in rage with loue would rauish him . VVere this sufficient . Irus . But Maddam this must be the likliest meane To seeke him out , and haue him at your will Let his true picture through your land be sent . Opposing great rewardes to him that findes him , And threaten death to them that succour him , So I le assure your grace shall meete with him eare long . Aegi Happie and blest be Irus for his skill He sweetely plantes in my contentious mind , For which most reuerent and religious man , I giue this Iewell to thee richly worth . A kentall or an hundreth waight of gold , Bestow it as thou list on some good worke , For well I know thou nothing doost reserue , Of all thy riches men bestow on thee , But wouldst thou leaue this place and poore mans life , The count of Aegipt should imbrace thy feete , And Toples honors be bestowed on thee , Irus . I thanke your highnes for thus raysing mee , But in this barrennesse I am most renound . For wisdome and the sight of heauenly thinges , Shines not so cleare as earthlye vanities . Aegi. Most rich is Irus in his pouertie Oh that to finde his skill my crowne were lost . None but poore Irus can of riches boast , Now my Cleanthes I will straight aduance Thy louely pictures on each monument About the Cittie and within the land . Proposing twise fiue thousand Crownes to him , That findes him to be tendered by my handes , And a kind kisse at my imperiall lipes , To him that succours him , I le threaten death , But he that doth not threaten him shall die , For who is worthy , life will see him want . To all his pictures when they be disperst . VVill I continuall pilgrimages make , As to the saintes and Idols I adore , VVhere I will offer sighes , and vowes , and teares . And sacrifice a hecatombe of beast , On seuerall alters built where they are plast , By them shal Isis stature gently stand , And I le pretend my Iealous rites to her But my Cleanthes shall the obiect bee , And I will kneele and pray to none but he . Exit . Irus . See Earth and Heauen where her Cleanthes is . I am Cleanthes and blind Irus too , And more then these , as you shall soone perceaue , Yet but a shepheardes sonne at Memphis borne , And I will tell you how I got that name , My Father was a fortune teller and from him I learnt his art , And knowing to grow great , was to grow riche , Such mony as I got by palmestrie , I put to vse and by that meanes became To take the shape of Leon . by which name , I am well knowne a wealthie Vsurer , And more then this I am two noble men , Count Hermes is another of my names , And Duke Cleanthes whom the Queene so loues , For till the time that I may claime the crowne , I meane to spend my tyme in sportes of loue , VVhich in the sequell you shal playnely see , And Ioy I hope in this my pollicie . Enter Pego , Elimine , Samaphis , and Martia with there men Menippus , Pollidor , and Druso. Pego.

Oh maister heere comes the three wenches now strike it deade for a fortune .

Irus . These are the nymphes of Alexandria . So called because there beauties are so rare . VVith two of them at once am I in loue Deepely and Equally the third of them , My silly brother heere asmuch affectes , VVhom I haue made the Burgomaister of this rich towne , VVith the great wealth , I haue bestowed on him , All three are maides kept passing warilye , Yet lately beeing at their Fathers house as I was Leon the rich vserer I fell in loue with them , and there my brother too , This fitly chaunceth that they haue liberty , To visit me alone : now will I tell their fortunes so , As may make way to both their loues at once , The one as I am Leon the rich vserer , The other as I am the mad brayne Count , And do the best too , for my brothers loue , ' Pe. Thanks good maister brother , but what are they that Talke with them so long are they wooers trow , I do not like it , would they would come neare . Irus . O those are three seruantes that attend on them , Let them alone , let them talke a while . Eli. Tell vs Menippus , Druso , and Polydor , VVhy all our parentes gaue you three such charge , To waite on vs and ouer see vs still , VVhat do they feare , thinke you that we would do . Mem. There feare is least you should accompanie , Such as loue wanton talke , and dalliance , Eli.

VVhy what is wanton talke .

Mem. To tell you that were to offend our selues , And those that haue forbidden you should heare it . Sa.

VVhy what is dalliance sayes my seruant then ,

Dru.

You must not know because you must not dally .

Sa.

How say you by that , well do you keepe it from vs , as much as you can , wee le desire it neuerlesse I can tell ye ,

Mar. Lord what straite keepers of poore maides are you , You are so chast you are the worse agayne : Eli. Pray you good seruantes will you do vs the seruice , To leaue vs alone a while . Mem. VVe are commaunded not to be from you , And therefore to leane you alone , Were to wrong the trust your parentes put in vs . Ma. I cry you mercy sir , yet do not stand all on the Trust our parentes puts in you , but put vs in a litell to I pray . Sa.

Trust vs good seruantes by our selues a while .

Dru. Le ts my mastrs and you say the woord , They le but to Irus for to know theire fortunes , And hee s a holy man all Egypt knowes . Mem.

Stay not to long , then mistris and content ,

Eli.

That 's my good seruant we will straight returne .

Po.

And you mistris .

Mar.

And I trustie seruant .

Po.

Faith then I le venter my charge among the rest .

Exeunt
Mar. A mightie venture you shall be cronicled in Abrahams asses , Catalog of cockscombes for your resolution . Eli. Now the great foole take them all who could haue , Pickt out three such liuelesse puppies , Neuer to venter on their mistrisses . Sa.

One may see by them it is not meete choise men should haue offices ,

Mar.

A prettie morrall work it in the samplar of your hart ,

Eli.

But are we by our selues .

Mar.

I thinke so vnlesse you haue alone in your belly .

Eli. Not I God knowes I neuer came where they grew yet , Since we are alone le ts talke a little merrily , Mee thinkes I long to know what wanton talke and dalliance is Sa. I le lay my life t is that my mother vses when she and others , Do beginne to talke and that she sayes to me mayde , Get ye hence fall to your needle : what a mayd and Idle . Ma.

A mayd and Idle why maydes must be Idle but not an other thing .

Sa. then do not name it for I feare t is naught . For yesterday I hard Menippus as he was talking , VVith my mothers maide and I stoode harkning at the chamber doore , Sayde that , with that woord a mayd was got with childe . Eli

How with the very woord .

Sa.

I meane with that the woord seemes to expresse .

Mar. Nay if you be so fine you will not name it now , VVe are all alone , you are much too nice . Eli.

VVhy let her chuse , let vs two name it ,

Mar.

Do then Elimine .

Eli

Nay doe you Martia .

Mar.

VVhy woman I dare .

Eli.

Do then I warrant thee .

Mar. I le warrant my selfe if I list , but come let it alone , Let vs to Irus for our fortunes . Eli.

God saue graue Irus .

Irus .

VVelcome beautious Nymphes .

Sa.

How know you Irus we are beautifull and cannot see .

Irus . Homer was blinde yet could he best discerne , The shapes of euery thing and so may I , Eli. Indeede wee heare your skill can beautifie , Beautie it selfe , and teach dames how to decke , Their heades and bodies fittest to their formes , To their complexions and their countenances . Ir. So can I beauteous Nimphes , and make all eyes , Sparkle with loue fire from your excellence . Eli. How thinke you we are tyred to tempte mens lookes , Beeing thus Nimphlike is it not too strange , Irus . It is the better so it doth become . But that I may disclose to you your fortunes Tell me first Pego their true faces formes . Pe.

Mary sir this that speakes to you has a face thinne like vnto water grewell , but yet it would do your hart good if you could see it

Irus . I know and see it better then thy selfe , The blaze whereof doth turne me to a fyre . Burning mine Intrailes with a strong desire . Eli.

VVhy turnst thou from vs Irus tell my fortune .

Irus . I wonder at the glorie it presentes , To my soules health that sees vppon your heade , A corronet , and at your gratious feete , Nobles and princes in their highest state , VVhich state shal crowne your fortune eare you die , And eare the hart of Heauen , the glorious sunne , Shall quench his rosiat fires within the west . You shall a husband haue noble and rich . Sa.

Happie Elimine , oh that I myght too .

Eli. Thankes for this newes good Irus but disclose , The meanes to this , if it be possible . Irus . VVhen you come home ascend your Fathers tower If you see a man come walking by , And looking vp to you , descend , And Issue , for you shall haue leaue , And if he woe , you chuse him from the world , Though he seeme humorous and want an eye , VVearing a veluet patch vpon the same , Chuse him your husband , and be blest in him , Eli. I le doe as thou aduisest gentle Irus , And prouing this I le loue thee whilst I liue . Sa.

My fortune now sweete Irus .

Irus .

VVhat face hath this Nimph Pego .

Pego .

Mary sir a face made in forme like the ace of hartes .

Irus . And well compard for she commaundes all hartes , Equall in beautie with that other Nimph , And equally she burnes my hart with loue , Sa. Say , say sweete Irus what my fortune is , Thou turnst from me , as when thou didest admire . The happie fortune of Elimine . Irus . So might I well , admiring yours no lesse . Then when the light cround monarch of the heauens Shal quench his fire within the Oceans brest Rise you and to your fathers garden hie , There in an arbour doe a banquet set , And if there come a man that of him selfe , Sits downe and bids you welcome to your feast , Accept him for he is the richest man , That Alexandria or Aegypt hath , And soone possessing him with all his wealth , In little tyme you shall be rid of him , Making your seconde choyse mongst mightie kinges . Sa. Blest be thy lippes sweete Irus , and that light , That guides thy bosome with such deepe fore sight , Sleepe shall not make a closet for these eyes , All this succeeding night for hast to rise . Ma. My fortune now sweete Irus , but I fayth , I haue some wrong to be the last of all , For I am olde as they , and big enough , To beare as great a fortune as the best of them , Irus .

VVhat face hath this Nimph Pego .

Pego. Oh maister what face hath she not , if I should beg a face I would haue her face . Irus . But is it round , and hath it neare a blemmish , A mouth to wide a looke too impudent . Pego.

Oh mayster t is without all these , and without al crie .

Irus . Round faces and thinne skinde are hapieest still . And vnto you fayre Nimph . Shall fortune be exceeding gratious too , VVhen the next morning therefore you shal rise , Put in your bosome rosemary time and rue . And presently stand at your fathers doore , He that shall come offering kindenesse there , And craue for fauour those same holsome hearbes , bestowe them on him , and if meeting him , He keepe the nuptiall Rosemary and time , And tread the bitter rue beneath his feete , Chuse him your husband and be blest in him . Ma. I wil sweete Irus nothing greeues me now , But that Elimine this nyght shall haue , Her happie husband , and I stay till morning . Eli. Nought greeues me Irus but that we are maides . Kept short of all thinges and haue nought to giue thee , But take our loues and in the wished proofe , Of these high fortunes thou foretellest vs . Nothing we haue shall bee to deare for thee . Sa. we that are sisters Irus by our vow , VVill be of one selfe blood and thankefull minde , To adore so cleare a sight in one so blinde . exeunt . Irus . farewell most beautious Nimphes your loues to mee . Shall more then gold or any treasure bee , Now to my wardroppe for my veluet gowne , now doth the sport beginne , Come gird this pistole closely to my side , By which I make men feare my humor still , And haue slayne two or three as t were my VVhen I haue done it most aduisedly ( mood To rid them as they were my heauie foes , Now am I knowne to be the mad braine Count , VVhose humours twise , fiue summers I haue held , And sayde at first I came from stately Rome , Calling my selfe Count Hermes and assuming The humour of a wild and franticke man , Carelesse of what I say or what I doe , And so such faultes as I of purpose doe , Is buried in my humor and this gowne I weare , In rayne or snowe or in the hottest sommer , And neuer goe nor ride without a gowne , which humor doth not fit my frencie wel , But hides my persons forme from beeing knowne , VVhen I Cleanthes am to be discried , Enter Pego like a Burgomaister . Pego.

How now maister brother .

Ir. Oh sir you are very well suted . Now M. Burgomaister . I pray you remember to seaze on all Aleantisthenes his goods His landes and cattels to my propper vse , As I am Leon the rich vsurer . The sunne is downe and all is forfeited . Pego.

It shalbe doone my noble Count .

Ir. And withal sir I pray you forget not your loue , To morrow morning at her fathers doore . Pego. Ah my good Count I cannot that forget , For still to keepe my memorie in order , As I am Burgomaister , so loue is my recorder . Exeunt , Enter Elimine aboue on the walles . Now see a morning in an euening rise . The morning of my loue and of my ioy , I will not say of beautie , that were pride , VVith in this tower I would I had a torch , To light like hero my leander heather , VVho shall be my leander let me see , Reherse my fortune . When you see one clad in a veluet gowne And a blacke patch vpon his eye , A patch , patch that I am , why that may be a patch of cloth , Of Buckrome , or a fustian cloth , say with a veluet patch , Vpon his eye & so my thoughts may patch vp loue the better See where he comes , the Count , what girle a countesse , Enter Count . See , see , he lookes as Irus said he should go not away my loue , I le meete thee straight . Count . Oh I thanke you I am much beholding to you , I sawe her in the tower and now she is come downe , Lucke to this patch and to this veluet gowne . Enter Elimine and Bragadino A Spaniard following her . Count .

How now shall I be troubled with this rude spaniard now ,

Bra.

One worde sweet nimph .

Count .

How now sirra what are you ,

Br.

I am signeor Braggadino the Martiall spaniardo the aide of Aegypt in her present wars , but lesu what art thou that hast the guts of thy braines gript with such famine of knowledge not to know me .

Count .

How now sir I le trie the proofe of your guts with my pistoll if you be so saucie sir .

Brag.

Oh I know him well it is the rude Count the vnciuill Count , the vnstayed Count , the bloody Count , the Count of all Countes , better I were to hazard the dissolution of my braue soule agaynst an host of grantes then with this loose Count , otherwise I could tickle the Count , I fayth my noble Count , I doe descend to the crauing of pardon , loue blinded me I knewe thee not .

Count .

Oh sir you are but bonaventure not right spanish I perceaue but doe you heare sir are you in loue .

Brag.

Surely the sodayne glaunce of this lady Nymph hath suppled my spanish disposition with loue that neuer before drempt of a womans concauitie .

Count .

A womans concauitie , sblood what 's that ,

Brag.

Her hollow dispositon which you see sweete nature will supplye or otherwise stop vp in her with solid or firme fayth .

Co.

Giue me thy hand wear louers both , shall we haue her both

Bra.

No good sweete Count pardon me .

Count

VVhy then thus it shal be wee le strike vp a drumme , set vp a tent , call people together , put crownes a peece le ts rifle for her .

Brag.

Nor that my honest Count .

Count .

VVhy then thus it shal be , wee le wooe her both and him she likes best shall lead her home thorow streetes holding her by both her handes , with his face towardes her , the other shall follow with his backe towards her biting of his thumbes , how sayest thou by this .

Brag.

It is ridiculous , but I am pleasd for vpon my life I do know this the shame will light on the neck of the Count .

Count .

VVell to it lets heare thee .

Brag.

Sweete Nimph a spaniard is compard to the to the great elixar or golden medicine .

Count .

VVhat dost thou come vpon her with medicines dost thou thinke she is sore .

Bra.

Nay by thy sweete fauour do not interrupt mee .

Count .

VVell sir goe forward .

Brag.

I say a spaniard is like the Philosophers stone .

Count .

And I say an other mans stone may bee as good as a Philosophers at all tymes .

Brag.

By thy sweete fauour .

Count .

VVell sir goe on .

Brag.

Sweet nimph I loue few wordes you know my intent my humor is in sophistical & plaine I am spaniard a borne , my byrth speakes for my nature , my nature for your grace , and should you see a whole Battaile ranged by my skil you would commit your whole selfe to my affection , and so sweet nimph I kisse your hand .

Co.

To see a whole battaile ha ha ha what a iest is that , thou shalt se a whole battaile come forth presently of me sa sa sa .

Bra.

Put vp thy pistol t is a most dangerous humor in thee .

Cou. .

Oh is that all why see t is vp agayne , now thou shalt lee I le come to her in thy humor , sweete lady I loue sweete wordes , but sweete deedes are the noble sowndes of a noble spaniard , noble by countrie , noble by valour , noble by byrth , my very foote is nobler then the head of another man , vppon my life I loue , and vpon my loue I liue , and so sweete Nimph I kisse your hand , why loe heere we are both , I am in this hand , and hee is in that handy dandy prickly prandy , which hand will you haue .

Eli.

This hand my Lord if I may haue my choyce

Cou.

Come spaniard to your pennance bite your thumbes .

Brag.

Oh base woman .

Co.

Sblood no base woman but bite your thumbes quickly .

Brag.

Honor commaundes I must do it .

Connt.

Come on sweete lady giue me your handes if you are mine , I am yours , if you take me now at the worst I am the more beholding to you , if I bee not good enough , I le mend what would you more .

Eli. It is enough my Lord and I am youres . Since I wel know my fortune is to haue you Now must I leaue the pleasant maiden chase , In hunting sauage beasts with Isis nimphes , And take me to a life which I God knowes , Do know no more then how to scale the heauens . Count .

VVell I le teach you feare not you , what signior not bite your thumbes ,

Bra.

Pardon me sir , pardon me .

Count. .

By Gods blood I will not pardon you therefore bite your thumbes .

Bra.

By thy sweete let me speake one worde with thee , I do not like this humor in thee in pistoling men in this sort , it is a most dangerous and stigmaticall humor , for by thy fauour t is the most finest thing of the world for a man to haue a most gentlemanlike carriage of himselfe , for otherwise I doe hold thee for the most tall resolute and accomplisht gentleman on the face of the earth , harke yee wee le meete at Corrucus and wee le haue a pipe of Tobacco adew adew .

Co.

Do you heare sir , put your thumbes in your mouth without any more adoe , by the heauens I le shoote thee through the mouth .

Bra.

It is base and ridiculous .

Count .

VVell thou shalt not do it , lend me thy thumbes I le bite them for thee

Brag.

Pardon mee .

Coun. .

Swounes and you had I would haue made such a wofull parting betwixt your fingers and your thumbe that your spanish fistes should neuer meete againe , in this world wil you doit sir .

Bra.

I will , I will presto and I wil follow thee .

Cou.

VVhy so oh that we had a noyse of musitions to play to this anticke as we goe , come on sweete lady giue me your handes wee le to Church and be married straight , beare with my hast now , I le be slow enough another tyme I warrant you , come spaniola questo , questo , spaniola questo .

Exeunt .
Enter Aegiale , Herald , Euribates , Clearchus with a picture . Aegi. Aduance that picture on this fatall spring , And Herald speake vttering the kinges edict . He.

Ptolomie the most sacred king of Aegypt first of that name , desiring peace and amitie with his neighbour princes hath caused this picture of Cleanthes to be set vp in all places , proposing great rewardes to him that findes him , and threatning death to him that sucours him .

Aegi. VVhich Gods forbid , and put it in his minde . Not so to stomacke his vniust exile . That he conuert the furie of his arme , Agaynst fosaken Aegypt taking part , VVith those foure neighbour kinges that threaten him , And haue beseiged his most Imperiall towne . Clear.

Now may it please your hignesse to leaue your discontented passions , and take this mornings pride to hunt the Bore .

Ianthe . We haue attended on our grace thus farre , Out of the Cittie beeing glad to heare , Your highnesse had abandoned discontent . And now will bend your selfe to meriment , Aegi. So will I louely Ianthe come then . Let vs goe call foorth sacred Isis Nimphes , To helpe vs keepe the game in ceaselesse vew , That to the busie brightnesse of his eyes . VVe may so interuent his shiftes to scape . That giddie with his turning he may fall , Slayne with our beauties more then swordes on dartes . Exit with a sownd of Horns . Enter Leon with his sworde . Leon .. Now am I Leon The rich vsurer and here according To the kinges commaund and mine owne promise . I haue brought my swoord and fix it by the statue , She set vp , by this am I knowne to be Cleanthes , VVhose sodayne sight I now will take vpon mee , And cause the nobles to pursue my shadowe , As for my substance they shall neuer finde , Till I my selfe , do bring my selfe to light . Cleanthes , Cleanthes , stop Cleanthes , see Cleanthes , Pursue Cleanthes , follow Cleanthes . Enter three Lordes with swordes drawne . 1 Lo.

where is Cleanthes , Leon sawest thou him .

Le. I why should I els haue thus cried out on him , I saw him euen now heere did he fix his sworde And not for dastard feare or cowardize , For know all Aegypt ringes of his renowne . But fearing for his noble seruice done , To be rewarded with ingratitude , he fled From hence fearing to be pursued , 2. Lord . Come on my Lordes then le ts follow him And pursue him to the death . Exeunt . Leon . Oh do not hurt him gentle Citizens , See how they flye from him whom they pursue . I am Cleanthes , and whilest I am heare , In vayne they follow for to finde him out , But here comes my loue Bright Psamathis , VVhom I loue Equally with fayre Elimine , See here she comes as I apoynted her . Enter Samathis and her maydes with a banquet . Iaquine .

But I fayth mistris is this for a woer .

Sa. Not for a woer onely my Jaquine , But a quicke speeder girle for this is he , That all my fortune runnes vpon I tell thee , Ia.

O daintie mistris send for some more banquet .

Sa. No my fine wench this and my selfe is well . And let him not sit downe like the oxe and the asse , But giue God thanks for we are worthie of it though we faite . Ia. Mistris t is true . And that he may be good , I coniure him by these three things a crosse , Now let him come he shal be good I warrant ye , Leon .

Nay do not flye me gentle Samathis ,

Sa. Pardon me sir for if I see a man , I shall so blush still that I warrant you , I could make white wine claret with my lookes , Le.

But do not blush and flie an old mans sight .

Sa.

From whom if not from old men should I flie

Le. From young men rather that can swift pursue , And then it is some credit to out goe them , Yet though my yeeres would haue me old I am not , But haue the gentle Ierke of youth in mee , As fresh as he that hath a maidens chinne . Thus can I bend the stiffnes of my limbes , Thus can I turne and leape and hoyse my gate , Thus can I lift my loue as light as ayre , Now say my Samathis am I old or young . Sa. I would haue my loue neither old nor young But in the middle Iust betweene them both . Le. Fit am I then for matchlesse Samathis . And will be bould to sit . For batchlers Must not be shamefast when they meet with maids , Sweete loue now let me intreate you sit , And welcome you to your owne banquet heere , Sa. Euen thus did Irus say that he should say , Then by your leaue sir I will sit with you , Le. VVelcome as gold into my tresurie , And now will I drinke vnto my loue . VVith the same mind that drinking first began to one another . Sa.

And what was that I pray sir .

Le. I le tell my loue the first kind cause of it . And why t is vsd as kindnesse still amongst vs , If it be vsda aright t is to this end , VVhen I doe say I drinke this loue to you , I meane I drinke this to your proper good , As if I sayde what health this wine doth worke in mee , Shal be imploied for you at your commande & to your proper vse And this was first th entent of drinking to you . Sa.

T is very prettie is it not Jaquine .

Iaquine .

Oh excellent Mistris hee s a daintie man .

Leon . Now to your vse sweete loue I drinke this wine , And with a merrie hart that makes long life , Ouer the cup I le sing for my loues sake . Song . Health , fortune , mirth , and wine , To thee my loue deuine . I drinke to my dareling , Giue mee thy hand sweeting . UUith cuppe full euer plyed , And hartes full neuer dryed . Mine owne , mine owne dearest sweeting . Oh oh myne owne dearest sweeting .

VVhat frollicke loue mirth makes the banquet sweete .

Sa.

I loue it sir aswell as you loue me .

Leon . That is aswell as I do loue my selfe , I will not Ioy my treasure but in thee , And in thy lookes I le count it euery hower , And thy white armes shal be as bandes to me , Wherein are mightie Lordshippes forfeited , And all the dames of Alexandria , For their attire shall take there light from thee , Sa. VVel sir I drinke to you & pray you thinke You are as welcome to me as this wine , Le. Thankes gentle Samathis , but delitious loue , Hath beene the figge I eate before this wine , VVhich kills the taste of these delitious cates , VVill you bestowe that banquet loue on me , Sa. Nay gentle Leon talke no more of loue If you loue God or a good countenance , For I shal quite be out of countenance then , Le. Loue deckes the countenance , speriteth the eye , And tunes the soule in sweetest harmony , Loue then sweete Samathis . Sama.

VVhat shall I doe Iaquine .

Iaquine .

Fayth Mistris take him .

Sa.

Oh but he hath a great nose .

Ia.

T is no matter for his nose , for he is rich .

Sa.

Leon I loue and since t is foorth farewell .

Le. Then triumph Leon richer in thy loue . Then all the heapes of treasure I possesse , Neuer was happie Leon rich before , Nor euer was I couetous till now , That I see gold so fined in thy haire . Sa. Impart it to my Parentes gentle Leon , And till we meete agayne at home farewell . Exeunt . Le. Soone will I talke with them and follow thee , So now is my desire accomplished . Now was there euer man so fortunate . To haue his loue so sorted to his wish , The ioyes of many I I 'm one enioy . Now do I meane to woe them crossely The one as I am Leon the rich vsurer . ( both , The other as I am the mad brayne Count . VVhich if it take effect , and rightly proue , T will be a sporte for any emperours loue . Exit . Enter Ptolomie , Aegiale , Doricles , Aspatis , Ianthe , Euphrosine , Clearchus , Euribates , with sound , Pto. Prince of Arcadia louely Doricles , Be not discouraged that my daughter heere , Like a well fortified and loftie tower , Is so repulsiue and vnapt to yeelde , The royall siege of your heroycke partes , In her acheeuement will be more renound , And with the greater merite is imployde . The bewtious queene my wife her mother here VVas so well mand and yet had neuer man , So mayne a rocke of chast and cold disdayne . Aegi. My Lord what meane ye , go Aspasia , Send for some Ladies to goe play with you , At chesse , at Billiardes , and at other game , Ianthe attend her . You take a course my Lord to make her coy , To vrge so much the loue of Doricles , And frame a vertue of her wanton hate , VVe must perswade her that he loues her not , But that his seruices and vowes of loue , Are but the gentle complimentes of court , So would shee thinke that if she would haue loud , Shee might haue wonne him . And with that conceite of hardnesse to be wonne , His merites grace will shine more clearely , In her turning eyes , Thinges hard to win with ease makes loue incited , And fauours wonne with ease are hardly quited , Then make as If you loud her not my Lord . Do. Loue that hath built his temple on my browes Out of his Battlementes into my hart , And seeing me to burne in my desire , VVill be I hope appeased at the last . Aegi. Be ruld by me yet , and I warrant you , She quickly shall beleeue you loue her not , Do.

VVhat shall I doe Madam .

Aegi.

Looke not on her so much .

Do. I cannot chuse my neck standes neuer right , Till it be turnd asside and I behold her . Aegi. Now trust me such a wrie neckt loue was neuer sene , But come with me my Lord and I le instruct you better Pto. So maddam I leaue you now from our loue sportes , To Antistenes and his great sute with Leon , Enter Antistenes Leon and Burgomaister . See the Burgomaister Antistenes and Leon . Comes togeather stay maister Burgomaister . VVhat reason made you vse your office on the Lord Antistenes seazing on al his moueables , And goodes at the sute of Leon . Pe. I will tell your grace the reason of it or any Thinge els for I know you are a wise prince , And apt to learne . Pto. I thanke you for your good opinion sir , But the reason of your office done vpon this noble man And his landes . Pe. The reason why I haue put in office or execution , My authoritie vpon this nobleman consisteth , in three principall poyntes or members , VVhich indeede are three goodly matters . Ptolo.

I pray you le ts heare them .

Pe.

The first is the credit of this honest man because he is rich .

Pto.

VVhy is he honest because he is rich .

Pe.

Oh I learne that in any case , the next is the forfaite of his assurance and the last I will not trouble your grace with all .

An. But this it is whereof I most complaine vnto your grace , That hauing occasion in your graces seruice , To borow mony of this Leon heere , For which I morgagd al my landes and goods He onely did agree that paying him foure thousand pound at the day I should receiue safely , in which now not onely falsely he denies . ( my statute But that he hath receiued one penny due , VVhich this my friend can wittnes I repay de , Vpon the stone of Irus the blindeman , Foure thousand pound in Iewels and in golde , And therefore craue I iustice in this case , Le. Voutchsafe dread soueraigne an vnpartiall eare . To that I haue to say for my replye , He pleades the payment of foure thousand pounde , Vpon the stone before blinde Irus caue , To which I answere and do sweare by heauen , He spake with me at the foresayde place , And promist payment of foure thousand pound , If I would let him haue his statutes in , And take other assurance for another thousand , Some three monthes to come or thereaboutes . VVhich I refusing he repayde me none , But parted in a rage and card not for me . Gen. Oh monstrous who euer hard the like . My Lord I will be sworne he payde him , On poore Irus stone foure thousand pound , VVhich I did helpe to tender and hast thou A hellish conscience and such a brasen forhead , To denye it agaynst my wittnesse , And his noble woorde . Le. Sir agaynst your witnesse and his noble worde , I plead myne owne and one as good as his , That then was present at our whole conference . An. My Lord there was not any but our selues , But who was it that thou affirmst was there , Le. Count Hermes good my Lord a man VVell knowne though he be humorous to be honorable , Pto.

And will he saie it .

Le. He will my gratious Lord I am well assurd , And him will I send hether presently , Intreating your gratious fauour if the impediment , Of a late sickenesse cause me not returne , For I am passing ill . Pto.

Well send him hether and it shall suffice .

Le. I will my gratious Lord and stand To any censure passing willingly , Your highnesse shall set downe or commaund , VVorshipfull maister Burgomaister your officer , To see performd betwixt vs . Exit . Pe. VVe Thanke you hartely , alas poore soule , How sicke he is . Truly I cannot chuse but pittie him , In that he loues your gratious officers , Enter Coont . Pto.

Oh I thanke you sir .

Count . King by your leaue , and yet I neede not aske leaue , Because I am sent for if not I le begone agayne . without leaue , say am I sent for yea or no , Pto.

You are to witnesse twixt Antistenes and welthy Leon .

Count . I know the matter and I come from that old miser Leon , who is sodainely fallen sicke of a knaues euill , Which of you are troubled with that disease maisters . Pto.

VVel say what you know of the matter , betwixt them .

Count . Then thus I say my Lord , Antistenes came , To the stone of the blinde foole Irus , That day when foure thousand pounds were to be payde ,

VVhere he made proffer of so much mony if Leon would returne the morgage of his lands , and take assurance for another thousand to be paide I trow some three monthes to come or there about , which Leon like an olde churle as hee was most vncourteously refused : my Lord Antistenes as he might very well departed in a rage but if it had beene to me I would haue pistoled him I fayth .

An. But you are wonderously deceiued my Lord . And was not by when he and we did talke . Count . Swounes then I say you are deceiued my Lord , For I was by now by my honor and by all the gods . Eu.

Then you stoode close my Lord vnseene to any ,

Count .

VVhy I stood close to you and seene of all , and if You thinke I am too mad a fellow to witnes such a waightie peece of worke the holy begger shall performe as much , For he was by at our whole conference .

Pto.

But say Count Hermes was the begger by .

Count .

I say he was and he shall say he was .

Euri. But he is now they say lockt in his caue , Fasting and praying talking with the Gods , And hath an Iron doore twixt him and you , How will you then come at him , Count .

I le fetch him from his caue in spight of all his Gods and Iron dores , or beate him blinde when as I doe catch him next , farwell my Lordes you haue done with mee , I le send the begger presently for I am now ryding to Corrucus .

Exit .
Pto. I know not what to thinke in these affaires I cannot well condemne you my Lord , And your sufficient witnesse beeing a gentleman , Nor yet the other two , both men of credit , Though in his kinde this Count be humorous , But stay we shall here straight what Irus wil depose , Enter Irus . Irus Oh who disturbes me in my holy prayers , Oh that the king were by that he might heere , VVhat thundring there is at my farther doore , Oh how the good of Aegipt is disturbd in my deuotion . Pto. I am here Irus and it was Count Hermes . That was so rude to Interrupt thy prayers , But I suppose the end of thy repayre , Beeing so waightie could not haue displeasd , For on thy witnesse doth depend the liuing Of Lord Antistenes , who doth affirme , That three dayes past he tendered at thy stone , Foure thousand poundes to Leon , and desired His morgage quited which he promising On such assurance , more as he proposed , Receiued at that tyme his foure thousand pounds . Irus . I then was in the hearing of them both . Bnt hard noe penny tendred , onely proposed By Lord Antistenes , if he would bring him in , His morgage and take assurance for another thousand Some three monthes to come or there aboutes , VVhich Leon most vncourteously refused , My Lord was angrye and I hard no more , And thus must I craue pardon of your grace . Exit Pto.

Farewell graue Irus .

An.

Gods are become oppressors of the right .

Euge. Neuer had right so violent a wrong . For let the thunder strike me into hell . If what I haue reported be not true , Pto. This holy man no doubt speakes what he hard And I am sory for Antistenes . But I le releeue your lowe estate my Lord , And for your seruice done me gwerdon you , Maister Burgomaister let the Lord haue libertie , And I will answere Leon what is due . Exeuut . Enter Elimime , Martia , Samathis . Eli. Soft Mistris Burgomaister , pray you stay , your hart is greater then your parson farre or your state eyther , doe we not know ye trow , what woman you are but a Burgomaisters wife , And he no wiser then his neighbours neyther , Giue me the place acording to my calling . Mar.

VVhat skill for places , do we not all call sisters ,

Eli. Noe by my fayth I am a countesse now , I should haue one to goe before me bare , And say stand by there to the best of them , And one to come behinde and beare my trayne , Because my handes must not be put vnto it . My husband is a Lord and past a Lord , Sa.

And past a Lord what is that past I pray ,

Eli.

VVhy hee s a what you ca lt .

Mar.

A what you call it can you not name it .

Eli.

I thinke I must not name it .

Sa.

And why so I pray .

Eli.

because it comes so neare a thing that I knowe ,

Mar.

Oh he is a Count that is an Earle .

Sa.

And yet he is not knowne to haue much land .

Eli.

VVhy therefore he is an vnknowne man .

Mar.

I but my husband is the kings officer .

Sa.

I but my husband is able to buy both yours ,

Eli.

You say husband , I may saie my Lord .

Mar.

And me thinkes husband is worth ten of Lord .

Eli. Indeede I loue my Lord to call mee wife , Better then Maddam yet doe I not meane , To lose my Ladies , titles at your handes , I may for courtesie and to be termd , A gentle Ladie call you sisters still , But you must say and please your Ladishippe , T is thus and so , and as your honor please , Yet shall my husband call me wife like youres , For why made god the husband and the wife , But that those tearmes should please vs more then others New fashion tearmes I like not for a man , To call his wife cony , forsooth , and Lambe , And Porke , and Mutton , he as well may say , Mar. VVell Madam then and please your Ladishippe , VVhat gownes and head tyres will your honor weare . Eli. Twentie are making for me head tyres and gownes , Head tyres enchast in order like the starres , VVhich perfit great and fine cut pretious stones , One hath bright Ariadnes Crowne in it , Euen in the figure it presentes in heauen , Another hath the fingers of Diana , And Berenices euer burning haire , An other hath the bright Andromica , VVith both her siluer wristes bound to a rocke , And Perseus that did lose her and saue her life , All set in number and in perfect forme , Euen like the Asterismes fixt in heauen , And euen as you may see in Moone shine nightes , The Moone and Starres reflecting on their streames So from my head shall you see starres take beames , Mar.

Oh braue God willing I will haue the like .

Sa.

And so will I by Gods grace if I liue .

Eli.

Come vp to supper it will become the house wonderfull well

Mar,

Well if my husband will not , let him not loke for one good looke of me .

Sa.

Nor mine I sweare .

Mar. I le aske my husband when I am with child , And then I know I shall be sped I fayth . Eli. . But euery pleasure hath a payne they say My husband lies each other nyght abrode , Sa.

and so doth mine which I like but little ,

Mar. VVell time I hope and change of companie , VVill teach vs somewhat to beare out the absence , Exit . Eli. I know not what to say , My husband makes as if each other nyght he had occasion , To ride from home at home serues not his turne , To my good turne it , cupid I beseech you , Enter Leon and Druso following him . Le. Now will I trie to make my selfe the Count . An arrant Cuckold and a wittol too . Dru. Now may I chance to proue a cunning man , And tell my mistris where my maister hauntes , Le. Bright Nimph I come in name of all the worlde , That now sustaines dead winter in the spring , To haue a graces from thy summer darted , Thy loue sweete soule is all that I desire , To make a generall sommer in this hart , VVhere winters duble wrath hath tirraunisde . Eli. How dare you Leon thus solicit mee , VVhere if the Count my husband should come now , And see you courting you were sure to die . Le. Oh but he is safe , for at my house , Booted and spurd and in his veluet gowne , He tooke his horse and rode vnto Corrucus , And therefore beautious Ladie make not strange , To take a freind and adde vnto thy Ioyes , Of happie wedlocke : the end of euery acte , Is to increase contentment and renowne , Both which my loue : shall amplye ioy in you , Eli.

How can renowne ensue an act of shame ,

Le. No acte hath any shame within itselfe , But in the knowledge and ascription . Of the base world from whom shall this be kept , As in a laborinth or a brasen tower . Fl.

But vertues sole regard must hold me backe .

Le. The vertue of each thing is in the prayse , And I will reare thy prayses to the skyes , Out of my tresurie chuse the choyse of gold , Till thou finde some matching thy hayre in brightnesse , But that will neuer , be so chuse thou euer . Out of my Iewelrye chuse thy choyse of Diamondes , Till thou finde some as bright some as thyne eyes , But that will neuer be , so chuse thou euer , Chuse Rubies out vntill thou match thy lippes , Pearle till thy teeth , and Iuorie till thy skinne , Be matcht in whitnesse but that wil neuer bee . Nor neuer shall my tresurie haue end , Till on there beauties Ladies loth to spend , But that will neuer be so chuse thou euer . Eli. Now what a gods name would this vayne man haue , Do you not shame to tempt a woman thus , I know not what to saye nor what to doe , He would haue me doe that I feare I should not , Some thing it is he seekes that he thinkes good , And me thinkes he should be more wise then I , I am a foolish girle though I be married And know not what to doe , the Gods doe know . Leon .

Are you content sweete loue to graunt me loue ,

Eli.

and what then sir .

Le.

To grant me lodging in your house this night ,

Eli. I thinke the man be wearie of his life , Know you the Count my husband . Le.

Marueilous well and am of him ,

Eli. Faith that you are as sure as I my selfe , So you did talke of gold and Diamonds , Leon .

I and gold and Diamondes shal my sweet loue haue ,

Eli. VVell I le not bid you sir but if you come , At your owne perill for I le wash my handes . Offer to goe out . Leon .

A plague of all sanguine simpliciti

Eli.

But do you heare sir pray you do not thinke that I granted you .

Le. No I warrant you , I le haue no such thought . ( in any case Oh this is olde excellent . Now who can desire better sporte . This nyght my other wife must lie alone , And next night this wife must doe the like . Now will I woe the other as the Count , VVhich if she graunt and they do breake their troth , I le make my selfe a cuckolde twixt them both . Exit . Druso.

I le follow him vntill he take the earth , and then I le leaue him .

Exit .
Enter Samathis alone . Sa. Now if my husband be not all alone , He is from home and hath left me alone , So I must learne to lie , as children goe , All alone , all alone , which lesson now . I am able to beare a childe is worsse to me then when I was a child The morall this strength without a health a disaduantage is . Enter Druso.

Mistris what will you say if I can tel you where my maister is ,

Sa.

VVhere Druso I pray thee .

Dru.

Euen close with the young countesse I fayth .

Sa. Out on her strumpet doth she bragge so much , Of her great Count , and glad to take my husband Hence comes her head tyres and her fayre gownes , Her trayne borne vp and a man bare before her , VVas this my fortune that should be so good , I fayth you begger you , you old false knaue , You holy villiane you propheticke asse , Know you noe better what shall come to passe , I le be reuenged I fayth , I fayth I le be reuenged . Exit . Enter Aegiale with the garde Aegi. Oh Irus shall thy long approued skill , Fayle in my fortunes onely , when shall I meete , VVith my Cleanthes what a worlde of tyme , Is it for me to lie as in a sounde , VVithout my life Cleanthes , can it be , That I shall euer entertayne agayne , Hauing the habit of colde death in me , My life Cleanthes . Count knocke within

Let me come in you knaues , I say let me come in ,

1. Gard.

Sir , we are set to gard this place as our liues and None without a warrant from the King or the Queene must enter heere .

Cou

Swoundes tell not me of your warrantes , let me come in I say ,

1. Ga.

My Lord we are commaunded to keepe out all comers , because of the branch wherein the kings life remaynes ,

Co.

Let me come in you knaues , how dare you keepe me out , t was my gowne to a mantle of rugge , I had not put you all to the pistoll .

Aegi.

Shall we be troubled now with this rude Count

Cou.

How now Queene what art thou doing , passioning ouer the picture of Cleanthes I am sure for I know thou louest him ,

Aegi.

VVhat 's that you traytor .

Count .

No traytor neyther bnt a true freind to you , for had I bene otherwise I should haue disclosed the secret talke thou hadst with Cleanthes in the arbour , the night before he was banished , whilest I stoode close and hard all .

Ae.

The man is mad chaines and a whippe for him .

Cou.

Be patient my wench and I le tell thee the very words , oh my Cleanthes , loue me , pittie me , hate me not for loue , and it is not lust hath made me thus importunate , for then there are men enough besides Cleanthes , go to tel me were not these your woords , & I like no traytor to you but a trustie freend now by this pistol which is Gods angell I neuer vttered them till now

Aegi. I spake them not but had you beene so bad , As some men are you might haue saide as much , By fictions onely therefore I must needes , Thinke much the better of you to conceale it , Count .

Oh your a cunning wench and am not I a mad slaue to haue such vertue as secresie in me and none neuer lookt for any such thing at my handes , and here 's a branch forsooth of your little sonne turnd to a Mandracke tree , by Hella the sorceresse .

Aegiale.

T is true and kils me to remember it .

Cou.

Tut tut remember it and be wise thou wouldst haue Cleanthes , come agayne wouldst thou not ,

Ac.

The king is so aduisd to giue him death .

Connt.

The King , come come t is you rule the King now would any wise woman in the worlde be so hungerstarued for a man and not vse the meanes to haue him , thinkst thou Cleanthes will come agayne to haue his head chopt of so soone as he comes , but had you pluckt vp this branch wherein the King thy husbandes life consistes and burnt it in the fyre , his olde beard would haue stuncke for t in the graue ere this , and then thou shouldst haue seene whether Cleanthes would haue come vnto thee or noe .

Aegi.

Oh excreable counsaile .

Count .

Go to t is good counsaile , take the grace of God before your eyes , and follow it to it wench corragio , I know I haue gotten thee with childe of a desire , and thou longst but for a knife to let it out , hold there t is serue God and be thankfull , now you knaues will you let mee come out trow .

1. Gard.

Please your Lordshippe to bestow something on vs for we are poore knaues .

Count .

Harke you be euen knaues still , and if you be poore long your foolish knaues , and so I le leaue you .

2. Gard.

Nay swounes my Lord no knaues neyther .

Cou.

Then he was a knaue that told me so , what doost thou tell mee that .

Exit .
Ae. This serpentes counsell stinges mee to the hart . Mountes to my braine and bindes my prince of sence . My voluntarie motion and my life , Sitting it selfe triumphing in there thrones , And that doth force my hand to take this knife , That bowes my knees and sets me by thy branch , Oh my diones oh my onely sonne , Canst thou now feele the rigour of a knife , Noe thou art senslesse and I le cut thee vp , I le shroude thee in my bosome safe from stormes , And trust no more my trustlesse gard with thee ,

Come then returne vnto thy mothers armes , and when I pull thee foorth to scrue the fire , turne thy selfe wholy into a burning tounge , invoking furies and infernall death , to coole thy tormentes with thy fathers breth .

Enter Elimine and Samathis . Sa. Now madam countesse do you make account . To take vp husbandes by your countishippe . Haue you the broade seale for it , are you so hye , and stoope , To one so lowe as is my husband , Hence come your headtyres and your costly gownes , Your trayne borne vp and a man bare before you , Now fye on pride when woman goe thous naked . I euer thought that pride would haue a fall But little thought it would haue such a fall . Eli.

VVhat fall I pray you .

Sa.

There you lay last , forsooth there you lay last .

Eli.

Be not so angry woman you are deceiued

Sa. I know I am deceiued for thou deceiuedst me , Thou mightest aswell haue pict my pursse I tell thee , Oh would my mother say , when you haue a husband . Keepe to him onely but now one may see , How horible a thing it is to change , Because it angers one so horribly , You must haue Vshers to make way before you , Eli.

The dame is madde , I le stay no longer with her .

Exit Elimine .
Sa. VVell madam shorte heeles I le be euen with you , See where the mad brayne Count her husband comes , Enter Count . Sama.

I will begone .

Count .

Heare you Vsurers wife stay , a plague on you stay , whither go you so fast , why did I euer hurt any of your sex yet .

Sa.

VVhy no my Lord .

Count .

VVhy no my Lorde , why the deuill do you turne tayle when you should not , when you should you will not be halfe so hastie , a man must loue you , woe you , spend vpon you and the deuill of one of you is worthy to kisse the hemme of my riding gowne heere .

Sa.

Is this your riding gowne my Lord .

Count .

T is no matter what it is , talke not to me , what the deuill did I meane to call thee backe agayne ,

Sa.

VVhy , my Lord I meane not to trouble you ,

Count .

Goe to stay I say , t is agaynst my will that I vse you so kindly I can tell you .

Sa.

Why you may chuse my Lord .

Count .

I but I cannot chuse , there you lie now , t is loue forsooth that Intailes me to you , for if it had not beene for loue , I had not beene heere now , for the Gods do know I hold thee dearer then the Poungranet of mine eye , and that 's better by three pence then the aple of mine eye .

Sa.

My Lord I am sory for your heauinesse .

Count .

Nay t is no matter I am not the first asse that hath borne Cupides tresurie .

Sa.

My Lord t is enough to make an asse wise to beare treasure .

Count . VVhy then be you that wise asse , and beare me for I haue some treasure about me will you loue me . Sa.

Loue you my Lord it is strange you wil aske it .

Count .

I am not the first hath desired you ,

Sa.

Nor you shall not be the last I will refuse .

Count .

Nor are you the fayrest I haue seene ,

Sa.

Nor the foulest you haue loud .

Count .

Nor the fittest to be beloued .

Sa.

Nor the vnfittest to hate .

Count . Doe and you dare but sirra and thou wilt not loue , I pray thee be proud Sa.

VVhy so my Lord .

Count

Because I would haue thee fall , for pride must haue a fall .

Sa.

Do you delight in my fall so much .

Count .

As much as in mine owne rysing I fayth , but do not you thinke it strange that I doe loue you , for before I did loue you , Cupid pinckt me a spanish lether Ierkin with shooting at me , and made it so full of holes that I was fayne to leaue it of , and this losse haue I had for your sake .

Sa.

My Lord I le bestowe an old Ierkin on you ,

Count .

Nay that shall not serue your turne , for I haue had a greater losse then that , I lost my left eye for your sake .

Sa.

I do not thinke so .

Count .

I but I le tell you how as I was hunting in the parke , I saw Cupid shooting a cockhye into your face , and gazing after his arrow it fell into mine eye .

Sa.

A prettie fiction .

Count .

I but I finde this no fiction , and you shall make me amends with loue or by this patch of mine eye , and the patch thou wotest where I will sweare to all the Cittie I haue layne with thee .

Sa.

I hope your Lordshippe will not doe me that wrong .

Count .

Then do you me right and let me lie with you , I haue made the botle nosd knaue your husband so drunke that he is not able to stand goe get you home I le follow you .

Sa.

VVhy my Lord what will you do there .

Count .

Goe to make no more questions but say I shall bee welcome or by mine honor I le doe as I say , otherwise be as secret as death .

Sa.

Twentie to one he will , well my Lord if you come you come .

Count .

Oh I thanke you hartely , oh exellent or neuer trust mee .

Enter Menippus and Elimine . Me.

Madam your honor is come somewhat to soone .

Eli.

VVhy so Menippus .

Me.

Had you stayed neuer so little longer you should haue met my Lord comming out of Leons house and out of his moueables ,

Eli.

How out of his moueables .

Me.

Euen in playne troth , I see him woe her , winne her , and went in with her .

Eli.

Now of mine honor I will be reuenged fetch me the Burgomaister Menippus I le haue them both whipt about the towne .

Me.

Nay madam you must not dishonor him so ,

Eli.

VVhat shall mine honor doe then .

Me. Do but tongue whip him madam and care not , And so I leaue him to the mercie of your tongue , Eli.

My tongue shall haue hell and no mercie in it

Enter the Count .

Excellent musicke exellent musicke .

El.

And the Deuill take the Instrument ,

Count .

VVhat art thou so nye .

Eli.

I and it were a good deede to be a little nier too , you make a Count asse of me indeede , as if I were too little for you , but bignesse is my fault vnlesse I were a little better vsd at your handes .

Cou.

VVhy thou wilt be to perfit if I should vse thee much for vse makes perfitnesse .

Eli.

I but I cannot be too perfit and therefore I le spoyle her perfections that helpes to spoyle mine I warrant her .

Cou.

VVhy may not I lie with her aswell as thou layest with her husband .

Eli.

I defie you and all the world that can say blacke is mine eye .

Count .

I thinke so indeede , for thine eye is gray , but thou didst lye with him by that same token he gaue thee a carknet , and thou toldst me that thy mother sent it thee , thou didst promise to banquet him when I was next abroade , thou didst say he could not be so old as he made himselfe to be , thou didst say t was pittie of his nose , for he would haue bene a fine man els , and that God did well to make him a rich man , for a was a good man too , and these tokens I thinke are sufficient , for these a told me with his owne mouth .

Eli.

He lyed like an old knaue as he was and that he shall knowe the next time these lippes open in fayth , oh wicked periurd man would a disclose my secretes I fayth what woman would trust any man a liue with her honestie .

Exit .
Count . Ha ha ha , I haue sent her in a pelting chase , But I le follow her and make her madde with anger . Enter Porus king of Aethiopia , Resus king of Arabia , Bion king of Phasiaca , Bebritius king of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme and ensigne . Porus. Thus haue we trode the sandy vales of Aegypt , Adioyning to the plaines of Alexandria , VVhere proud king ' Ptolemy keepes his residence , Securely trusting to his prophesies , VVhich hath foretold him many yeares agoe , That if the young Archadian Doricles , Should linke in marriage with his louely daughter . He then should conquere all our bordering landes , And make vs subiect to his tirrannie . Rhe. Trusting to his fond fantasticke dreames , He hath exild the warlicke Duke Cleanthes . VVhose name was terror to our valiant troopes . Bion. Cleanthes exild giues vs easy way , To our attemptes where had he stayed , Aud beene a freind to him , yet should he not Escape subiection . Be. VVe will deuide his kingdome twixt vs foure , And reaue from him his foure cheife ornamentes , And for to greeue his aged mind the more , He shall be kept in lasting seruitude . So to fulfill what fates to him assignde , Po. Come let vs march and braue him at the walles , If Porus liue to weild his martiall sworde , His Citty walles shall not preserue him safe , But he shall dye by Porus and his freindes . Exeunt . Enter Doricles and Aspasia . Do. Sweet madam grant me once a chearful looke To glad my dying hart with sorow kild , Your father hath resignd his free consent . You bound by dutie to obey his will , As. Nay rather let him hayle me to my death Then gaynst my will constraine me match my selfe . Enter Count . Count Dye thou vile wretch and liue Aspatia , Euen now I hard thy father Ptolemy VVith wordes that still do tingle in mine eares , Pronounce him heyre to Alexandria , T is time for me to stirre when such young boyes , Shal haue their weake neckes ouer poisd with crownes VVhich must become resolued champions , That for a crownes exchange will sel their soules , He kils him . Aspa. Wicked Count Hermes for this monsterous deede , Aegypt will hate thee . and thou sure must dye , Then hye thee to the hils beyond the Alpes , Flye to vnknowne and vnfrequented climes , Some desert place that neuer sawe the sunne , For if the king or any of his friendes , Shall finde Count Hermes thou art surely dead . Count . I le flye no more then doth a setled rocke , No more then mountaines or the steadfast powles , But come sweete loue if thou wilt come with me , We two will liue amongst the shadowy groues , And we will sit like shepherdes on a hill , And with our heauenly voyces tice the trees , To eccho sweetely to our celestiall tunes . Els will I angle in the running brookes , Seasoning our toyles with kisse , on the bankes , Sometime I le diue into the murmerrng springes , And fetch thee stones to hang about thy necke , VVhich by thy splendor will be turnd to pearle , Say fayre Aspasia wilt thou walke with me . As. No bloody Count but I will cleare my selfe , And tell thy murders to the amased court . Count . Nay if thou wilt not chuse you peeuish girle Thou canst not say but thou wert offered fayre , But here must end Count Hermes strange disguise , My veluet gowne my pistoll and this patch , No more must hide me in the countes attire , Now will I turne my gowne to Vsurers Cotes , And thus appeare vnto the worlde no more , Farewell Aspasia . Exit Count . As. Goe wretched villayne hide thy hated head , VVhere neuer heauens light may shine on thee , VVhos 's there , Come forth for here is murder done , Murder Murder of good prince Doricles . Enter Euribates .

VVho cals out murther Lady was it you .

As. As I was walking in the pleasant weedes , VVith Doricles the young Archadian prince , rusht in Count Hermes and in desperate wordes , Hath slayne this prince . Eu. A balefull deede pursue the murderer , And tell the King of this foule accident Enter Ptolomy . Pto. Oh tell no more in stead of teares , My beating hart dissolues in droppes of blood , And from mine eyes that stares vpon this corse . Leapes out my soule and on it I will die , Oh Doricles oh deare Archadian prince , The bulwarke and supporter of my life . That by decree of fates was promised , To adde foure neighbour kingdomes to my crowne , And shield me from a most abhorred death , Now shall my kingdome leaue me with my life , And sodainly looke for some monsterous fate , Shall fall like thunder on my wretched state . Enter a messenger . Arme arme my Lord , my Lords to instant armes , Foure mightie kinges are landed in thy coast , And threaten death and ruine to thy land , Blacke Porus the AEthiopian king , Comes marching first with twentie thousand men , Next Rhesus king of sweete Arabia , In warlicke manner marcheth after him , In equall number and in battaile ray , Next Bion king of rich Phasiaca , And sterne Bebritius of Bebritia , VVith each of them ful twentie thousand strong

All which hath vowd the death , of Ptolomy , and thus they hether bend their speedie feete .

Pto. How sodaynely is weather ouer cast , How is the face of peacefull Aegypt changd , Like as the smiling flowers aboue the ground , By keenest edge of Euras breath is cut . Cl. To armes my Lord and gather vp your strength , Your bandes in Memphis and in Caspia , Ioynd with your power of Alexandria , VVill double all the forces of these kinges , Pto. All shal be done we may meane while , Bury the body of this slaughtered prince , Least with the vew my senses follow his , Curst be his hand that wrought the damned deede , Cold and vncouered may his body lye . Let stormie hayle and thunder beate on him And euery bird and beast runne ouer him , That robd poore Ptolomy of such a hope , Pursue the desperate Count that murdered him , A thousand kingdomes shall not saue his life Enter Leon .

A miracle a miracle , a dreadfull miracle .

Pto. VVhat miracle , oh what will heauens do more , To punish Aegypt and her haplesse king , Leon As I was walking through the Serian groues I sawe the desperate Count the murderer , Of good prince Doricles as I heare say , Fly through the desarts to the mimphick shades VVhere hell to interrupt his passage thether , Rauing beneath the ground worke of the earth As if ten thousand vapours burst in her , Seuered her wombe and swallowed quicke , The miserable Count . Pto. Iust are the heauens in his most dreadfull end , But come my Lords let vs to instant armes , To driue away more mischeiefes from our land . Exeunt . Leon . So get you gone and perish all with him , Now shall you know what want you haue of mee , Now will I gather vp my sommes of money , And of my creditors borow what I can , Because as Leon I le be seene no more , This day they promisd for to meete me heere , And here comes some of them . Enter first Messenger .

My mayster sir your friend Calatius , Hath sent you sir your fiue hundreth crownes for the rich Iewell that he bought of you . I thanke him hartely , this Iewell of so many thousand crownes The Queene of Aegypt did bestowe on mee , when that I told her in poore Jrus shape where her Cleanthes was , but soft who haue we here .

Enter second Messenger . Druso the Italian Marchant here by mee , Hath sent you sir in Diamonds and in Pearles , So much as mounteth to fiue thousand crownes , And craues no more assurance but your woord ,
Leon .

There 's my bill and thanke thy maister he shall haue more then woord .

Exeunt . Manet Leon . Neuer shall he nor they see this agayne , Nor me neyther as I am this present man , This with the rest I haue wil make a prettie somme VVith this will I imploye me in these warres , Now will I take on me the forme and shape , Of Duke Cleanthes , but what intendes this alarum . Alarum . Enter Clearchus . VVhere may I seeke to finde Cleanthes out , That martiall prince whom Ptolomy vnkinde , Hath banished from out the Aegyptian Land , Our warlike troopes are scatered and ouer throne , And his deare freindes Acatos and Acanthes , Lie in the field besmired in their bloodes , I le run through al these groues to find him out . Exit
Le. My sweete Acates and Acanthes slayne , Greife to my hart and sorrow to my soule , Then rouse thy selfe Cleanthes and reuenge . Their guiltlesse blood on these base miscreantes Oh let the cankred trumpet of the deepe , Be ratled out and ring into their eares , The dire reuenge Cleanthes will inflicte , One these foure Kings and all there complices , Alarum Excursions , Enter Cleanthes leading Porus , Rhesus , Bion , Bebritius , Pego , Clearchus Euribatus . Clean. Thus haue you stroue in vayne agaynst those Gods , That rescues Aegypt in Cleanthes armes , Come yeeld your crownes and homages to mee , Though Ptolomie is dead yet I suruiue , Elect and chosen by the peares to scourge , The vile persumption of your hated liues , Then yeeld as vanquisht vnto Aegypts king . Po. First by thy valoure and the strength of armes , Porus the welthie Aethiopian king , Doth yeeld his crowne and homage vnto thee , Swearing by all my Gods whom I adore , To honor Duke Cleanthes whilst he liue , And in his ayde with twentie thousand men , VVill alwayes march gaynst whom thou meanst to fyght , Bi. Bion whose necke was neuer forct to bow Doth yeeld him captiue to thy warlike sworde , Command what so thou list , we will performe , And all my power shall march at thy commaund . Rhe. Rhesus doth yeeld his crowne and dignitie , To great Cleanthes Aegyptes onely strength , For if Cleanthes liues , who euer liued , More likelier to be monarke of the world , Then here accept my vowd allegiance , VVhich as the rest I render vnto thee . Bebri. So sayth Bebritius of Bebritia . And layes his crowne and homage at thy feete , Clean. Hold take your crownes agayne and kepe your othes and fealties to mee , So shal you liue as free as here to fore And neare hereafter stoupe to conquest more . Enter Elimine and Samathis with childe , Pego. .

Here comes the two widowes of the begger and the king , little know they that both their husbandes are turnd into one king , there would be olde striuing who should bee Queene I fayth .

Eli.

Pittie dread soueraigne .

Sa.

Pittie gratious Lord .

Clean.

VVhat are your sutes .

Eli. I the poore countesse and the widdow left , Of late Count Hermes hauing all my goodes , seazd to our late kings vse for murder done , Of young prince Dorules humbly pray your grace , I may haue somewhat to mainetayne my state , And this poore burthen then which I goe withall . The haplesse Infant of a haplesse father . Sa. And I my Lord humbly intreate your grace . That where my husband Leon is deceast , And left me much in debt , his creditors Hauing seased all I haue into their handes , And turnd me with this haplesse burthen heere , Into the streetes your highnesse will descend , To my reliefe by some conuenient order . Clean. Poore soules I most extreamely pittie them , But say is Leon deade , Clear. Men say my Lord he cast his desperate body , From Th alexandrian tower into the sea . Cean. VVho saw the sight , or gaue out this reporte , You maister Burgomaister . Pe.

I did my gratious Lord .

Clean. So I deuisd indeede that he should say , That none should neuer looke for Leon more But these my widowes here must not be left , vnto the mercie of the needy world , Nor mine owne Issue that they goe withall , Haue such base fortunes and there fire so great , VVidowes in pittie of your widowhood , And vntymely endes of both your husbandes , The slaughter of the Count your husband madam , Shal be remitted , and your selfe enioy , The vtmost of the liuing he possest , So will I pay your husband Leons debt , And both shall liue fitting there wonted states , Kinges in there mercie come most neare the Goddes , And can no better shew it then in ruth , Of widowes and of children fatherlesse , My selfe will therefore be to both your birthes , A carefull father in there bringing vp . Ambo.

The Gods for euer blesse your maiestie ,

Cle. But tell me were your husbandes such bad men , That euery way they did deserue such endes , Eli. Myne was a husband to my hartes content . But that he vsd the priuiledge of men . Clean

VVhat priuiledge of men ,

Eli. To take some other loue besides his wife VVhich men think by their custome they may do , Although their wiues be strictly bound to them . Clean

VVith whom suspect you he was great with all .

Eli.

VVith this poore widow here the worlde supposeth .

Sa.

So thinkes the world my husband was with you .

Pe, Fayre dames what will you say to me , If I can tell you where your husbandes bee . Clean.

VVhat can you sir .

Pe. Nay nothing sir I did but ieast with you , I feard him I fayth but I le be secret that 's flat . Clean. VVell maister Burgomaister see that you restore , The goodes and landes you ceasd . Both of the countesse and rich Leons wife , Not pittie of their widowhoodes alone , But their rare beauties moue me to this good . Oh Maister Burgomaster see here 's your wife come to welcome you home from warre . Enter Martia with a child .

Oh husband husband will you goe to warre , and leaue me in this taking .

Pe.

This taking why this is a very good taking how say you is it not and like your Maiestie .

Clean.

T is very wel Maister Burgomaister .

Pe.

But Shall I intreat one boone of your Maiestie .

Cle.

VVhat 's that Maister Burgomaister .

Pe.

Mary euen to be god father to my young Burgomaister here .

Cle.

VVithall my hart sir .

Mar.

Come on sweete husband for my time drawes neare .

Pe.

Feare not thou shalt be a ioyfull mother I warrant thee .

Cle.

How say you my Lordes is not our Burgomaister a tall man euery way , did you not marke how manfully he be haued himselfe in our late Battayle ,

Po.

We did my Lord and wonder at his courage

Rhe. His merit doth deserue a better place . Then to be Burgomaister of Alexandria . Cle.

Then say my Lordes how shall we deale with him .

Bi.

Had he beene widower he might haue wedded with this countesse heere .

Pe.

Oh I haue one of mine owne I thanke you sir , here 's one has the sweete of them I fayth :

Po. My Lord the offer had beene to hye a grace for him For neare did eye behold a fayrer face . Be.

So sayth mine eye that hath my hart incenst .

Bi.

And Rhesus me thinkes this exceedes her farre ,

Rhe.

No question of it as the sonne a starre .

Po.

As sodaynely as lightning beautie woundes .

Be.

None euer loud but at first sight they loud .

Po.

Loues dartes are swift as is the lightning fier .

Rhe.

See he shootes arrowes burning from her eyes .

Po.

VVhy which loues Rhesus .

Rhe.

This coelestiall dame .

Po

And which loues Bion .

Bi.

Euen the very same .

Po.

Then may I freely Ioy the countesse heere .

Be.

No Porus for Bebritius loues her too

Cle. Are they in loue oh Gods would that were true My louing ioy the fresh desire of kinges . How now my Lords doth beauty startle you . Po.

More then dead stockes would startle at such beauty ,

Be. In vayne do I resist my passions , Mightie Cleanthes to annex my hart , In loue to thee aswell as victorie , Grant this fayre countesse here may be my queene . Po. No great Cleanthes giue her to my hand , VVhose hart was first the subiect of her graces . Rhe.

Then let the Arabian king make this his queene .

Bi.

Nay this Cleanthes let my loue inioy .

Cle. How fatall are these loues now I perceaue , Their fortunes that I told as I was Irus . VVill now in force I see be come to passe . Sa. Oh holy Irus blessed be thy tongue , That like an orator hath told our fortunes . Eli. He told vs we should soone lose our first loues , Making our second choise mongst greatest kinges . Cle

I did indeede , but God knowes knew not how .

Pe.

How say you maister brother , am not I secret now ,

Cle. Thou art and be so still for not the worlde , Shall euer know the mad prankes I haue played , Now stand fayre my Lordes and let these Ladies view you , Eli. In my eye now the blackest is the fayrest , For euery woman chooseth white and red , Come martiall Perus thou shalt haue my loue . Be.

Out on thee foolish woman thou hast chose a deuill .

Pe.

Not yet sir til he haue hornes .

Sa. T is not the face and colour I regard , But fresh and louely youth allures my choyse . And thee most beautious Bion I affecte . Rhe.

Haplesse is Rhesus .

Bebri.

Accurst Bebritius .

Cle. Haue patience gentle Lordes I will prouide , Other Aegyptian Ladies for your turne , So will we linke in perfit league of loue So shall the victorie you lost to me , Set double glorie on your conquered heades . So let vs goe to frolicke in our Court . Carousing free whole boules of greekish wine , In honor of the conquest we haue made , That at our banquet all the Gods may tend , Plauding our victorie and this happie end . Exeunt . FINIS .
Machine-generated castlist A18402-count 68 A18402-samathis 66 A18402-elimine 58 A18402-leon 35 A18402-pego 29 A18402-irus 29 A18402-martia 24 A18402-aegiale 23 A18402-bragadino 21 A18402-ptolemy 20 A18402-unassigned 17 A18402-cleanthes 17 A18402-polydore 11 A18402-menippus 9 A18402-rhesus 8 A18402-bebritia 7 A18402-bion 6 A18402-druso 5 A18402-aspasia 5 A18402-antisthenes 4 A18402-doricles 4 A18402-euphrosyne 3 A18402-ianthe 3 A18402-jaquine 3 A18402-1_guard 3 A18402-clearchus 2 A18402-ambo 1 A18402-2_guard 1 A18402-porus 1 A18402-herald 1 A18402-xxxx_1 1 A18402-2_lord 1
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�eere Iones , dwelling at the signe of the Gun neere Holburne Conduict . 1598. �e LEaue me a while my Lordes and waite for me , At Os�is waite for me , At the blacke fountayne , by Osiris groue , Ile walke alone to holy Irus caue �le the blacke fountayne , by Osiris groue , Ile walke alone to holy Irus caue , Talking onelyinto guiltlesse life from death , And turnd it onely into banishment , Forgiue me loue , mee Ex� Exit . Cle�nthes mee to thee for aduertisment . VVhere Duke Cleanthes liues that was exilde , This kingdome for Ae�ipts attempting mee with loue , And offering stayne to AEgipts royall bed . I� I hope your maiestie will pardon mee , If Conscience make me vtter what I thinke , Aeg�. Aegi. h�ue wisdomes sees , In my sad frailtie thou willt haue regard , To my estate and name and keepe ��� regard , To my estate and name and keepe it close � clo� regard , To my estate and name and keepe it close � � To my estate and name and keepe it close � Cl�nthes you this , That you your selfe did seeke Cleanthes loue , And to aspire it , made away his �our satisfie , That kindenesse offered twixt your selfe and him . Therefore did you in rage �our you in rage informe the Duke , He sought your loue , and so he banisht him . ��� the Duke , He sought your loue , and so he banisht him . Aeg�. Aegi. ha�t To true it is graue Irus thou hast tould , But for my loues sake which not yo�r Cleanthes is about this Cittie off , VVith whom your maiestie shall meete ere long : And speake vs� long : And speake with him , if you will vse such meanes , As you may vse for his discouery Aegyp� the Sea for him . Least beeing the sonne of Aegypt and now set , Thetis in rage with loue would likli�st But Maddam this must be the likliest meane To seeke him out , and haue him at h�ndreth Iewell to thee richly worth . A kentall or an hundreth waight of gold , Bestow it as thou list eathlye heauenly thinges , Shines not so cleare as earthlye vanities . Clea�thes but poore Irus can of riches boast , Now my Cleanthes I will straight aduance Thy louely pictures sac�ifice offer sighes , and vowes , and teares . And sacrifice a hecatombe of beast , On seuerall alters � See Earth and Heauen where her Cleanthes is . I am Cleanthes and blind Irus too , And me� Elimine , Samaphis , and Martia with there men Menippus , Pollidor , and Druso. Menippu� Elimine , Samaphis , and Martia with there men Menippus , Pollidor , and Druso. �ortune the three wenches now strike it deade for a fortune . �athers passing warilye , Yet lately beeing at their Fathers house as I was Leon the rich vserer I fell themso brother , but what are they that Talke with them so long are they wooers trow , I do not M�nippus Tell vs Menippus , Druso , and Polydor , VVhy all our parentes P�lydor Tell vs Menippus , Druso , and Polydor , VVhy all our parentes gaue you three such Ex�unt Exeunt El�. Eli. S�.. Sa. camewhere Not I God knowes I neuer came where they grew yet , Since we are alone S�. Sa. di�cerne Homer was blinde yet could he best discerne , The shapes of euery thing and so may I beateuous So can I beauteous Nimphes , and make all eyes , Sparkle with �r Mary sir this that speakes to you has a face thinne Acorronet soules health that sees vppon your heade , A corronet , and at your gratious feete , new�s Thankes for this newes good Irus but disclose , The meanes to this bl�st the same , Chuse him your husband , and be blest in him , ��� gentle Irus , And prouing this Ile loue thee whilst I liue . Peg� VVhat face hath this Nimph Pego . P�go Pego . m�de Mary sir a face made in forme like the ace of hartes . happ�e from me , as when thou didest admire . The happie fortune of Elimine . hea Then when the light cround monarch of the heauens - Shal quench his fire within the Oceans s� garden hie , There in an arbour doe a banquet set , And if there come a man that of him selfe bi�s a man that of him selfe , Sits downe and bids you welcome to your feast , Accept him for ��� his wealth , In little tyme you shall be rid of him , Making your seconde choyse mongst I�us Irus . ro�nd But is it round , and hath it neare a blemmish , A mouth a�d beneath his feete , Chuse him your husband and be blest in him . s�ay nyght shall haue , Her happie husband , and I stay till morning . gr�ues Nought greeues me Irus but that we are maides . Kept short f�rtunes and in the wished proofe , Of these high fortunes thou foretellest vs . Nothing we haue shall �ore beautious Nimphes your loues to mee . Shall more then gold or any treasure bee , Now to my sh�lbe It shalbe doone my noble Count . s�gneor I am signeor Braggadino the Martiall spaniardo the aide � A womans concauitie , sblood whats that , conc�uitie A womans concauitie , sblood whats that , ris�e people together , put crownes a peece lets rifle for her . �or together , put crownes a peece lets ris�e for her . kn�w ridiculous , but I am pleasd for vpon my life I do know this the shame will light on the neck of wi�l for vpon my life I do know this the shame will light on the neck of the Count . C�unt Count . d�st VVhat dost thou come vpon her with medicines dost thou thinke she is sore . B�ag. Brag. ��� my humor is in sophistical & plaine I am spaniard a borne , my byrth speakes for my nature C�. Co. sh�lt battaile ha ha ha what a iest is that , thou shalt se a whole battaile come forth presently wh�le ha what a iest is that , thou shalt se a whole battaile come forth presently of me sa sa �ut Put vp thy pistol tis a most dangerous humor ��� Cou. . swee� to her in thy humor , sweete lady I loue sweete wordes , but sweete deedes are the noble �iue , vppon my life I loue , and vpon my loue I liue , and so sweete Nimph I kisse your N�ph , and vpon my loue I liue , and so sweete Nimph I kisse your hand , why loe heere we are �nd beholding to you , if I bee not good enough , Ile mend what would you more . �nough It is enough my Lord and I am youres . Since I wel know �leasant fortune is to haue you Now must I leaue the pleasant maiden chase , In hunting sauage beasts �ot Ile teach you feare not you , what signior not bite your thumbes , Cou�t Count. . ��� Coun. . ��� we goe , come on sweete lady giue me your handes weele to Church and be married straight ��� , come on sweete lady giue me your handes weele to Church and be married straight , beare ��� Church and be married straight , beare with my hast now , Ile be slow enough another tyme ��� Church and be married straight , beare with my hast now , Ile be slow enough another tyme I ��� be married straight , beare with my hast now , Ile be slow enough another tyme I warrant ��� enough another tyme I warrant you , come spaniola questo , questo , spaniola questo . ��� Enter Aegiale , Herald , Euribates , Clearchus Ae�iale Enter Aegiale , Herald , Euribates , Clearchus with a n�me most sacred king of Aegypt first of that name , desiring peace and amitie with his neighbour ��� Ianthe . cealesse Isis Nimphes , To helpe vs keepe the game in ceaselesse vew , That to the busie brightnesse of his sworde� , ��� Slayne with our beauties more then swordes on dartes . subs�nce the nobles to pursue my shadowe , As for my substance they shall neuer finde , Till I my selfe � 1 Lo. �tune speeder girle for this is he , That all my fortune runnes vpon I tell thee , yo�g as ayre , Now say my Samathis am I old or young . ne�ther I would haue my loue neither old nor young But in the middle Iust betweene �rsu Euen thus did Irus say that he should say , Then by your leaue VViththe tresurie , And now will I drinke vnto my loue . VVith the same mind that drinking first began right kindnesse still amongst vs , If it be vsda aright tis to this end , VVhen I doe say I drinke �artes sweeting . UUith cuppe full euer plyed , And hartes full neuer dryed . Mine owne , mine owne fullneuer UUith cuppe full euer plyed , And hartes full neuer dryed . Mine owne , mine owne dearest lo�e Thankes gentle Samathis , but delitious loue , Hath beene the figge I eate before this ��� sorted to his wish , The ioyes of many I I'm one enioy . Now do I meane to woe them crossely I� Like a well fortified and loftie tower , Is so repulsiue and vnapt to yeelde , The royall Ladeis what meane ye , go Aspasia , Send for some Ladies to goe play with you , At chesse , at Billiardes �ited Thinges hard to win with ease makes loue incited , And fauours wonne with ease are hardly neck� Now trust me such a wrie neckt loue was neuer sene , But come with me my you� I thanke you for your good opinion sir , But the reason of your hau�ng whereof I most complaine vnto your grace , That hauing occasion in your graces seruice , To borow � in which now not onely falsely he denies . ( my statute But that he hath receiued one L�. Le. dre� Voutchsafe dread soueraigne an vnpartiall eare . To that �are Voutchsafe dread soueraigne an vnpartiall eare . To that I haue to say for my replye , ��� vnpartiall eare . To that I haue to say for my replye , He pleades the payment of foure thousand pay�nt haue to say for my replye , He pleades the payment of foure thousand pounde , Vpon the stone offoure the foresayde place , And promist payment of foure thousand pound , If I would let him statu�es thousand pound , If I would let him haue his statutes in , And take other assurance for another ho�orable VVell knowne though he be humorous to be honorable , gr�ious I send hether presently , Intreating your gratious fauour if the impediment , Of a late sickenesse suffi� Well send him hether and it shall suffice . �nd I will my gratious Lord and stand To any censure passing willingly , ca�e But he is now they say lockt in his caue , Fasting and praying talking with the Gods bli�de all his Gods and Iron dores , or beate him blinde when as I doe catch him next , farwell my He�mes I am here Irus and it was Count Hermes . That was so rude to Interrupt thy prayers d�pend haue displeasd , For on thy witnesse doth depend the liuing Of Lord Antistenes , who doth I�s Farewell graue Irus . Burgoma�ster your seruice done me gwerdon you , Maister Burgomaister let the Lord haue libertie , And I will Eli�nime Enter Elimime , Martia , Samathis . ney�her wife , And he no wiser then his neighbours neyther , Giue me the place acording to my calling ��� I but my husband is able to buy both yours , ��� I but my husband is able to buy both yours , ��� You say husband , I may saie my Lord . o� And me thinkes husband is worth ten of Lord . ��� Indeede I loue my Lord to call mee wife , Better then Maddam yet doe I not meane mean� mee wife , Better then Maddam yet doe I not meane , To lose my Ladies , titles at your handes ��� Ladishippe , Tis thus and so , and as your honor please , Yet shall my husband call me wife like lik� please , Yet shall my husband call me wife like youres , For why made god the husband and Andr�mica burning haire , An other hath the bright Andromica , VVith both her siluer wristes bound to ��� Eli. . d�th and so doth mine which I like but little , mygood from home at home serues not his turne , To my good turne it , cupid I beseech you , witto� my selfe the Count . An arrant Cuckold and a wittol too . mymaister a cunning man , And tell my mistris where my maister hauntes , sweet�soule graces from thy summer darted , Thy loue sweete soule is all that I desire , To make a generall t�nisde this hart , VVhere winters duble wrath hath tirraunisde . mak� Corrucus , And therefore beautious Ladie make not strange , To take a freind and adde �nd beautious Ladie make not strange , To take a freind and adde vnto thy Ioyes , Of happie wedlocke vn to make not strange , To take a freind and adde vnto thy Ioyes , Of happie wedlocke : the end happ� take a freind and adde vnto thy Ioyes , Of happie wedlocke : the end of euery acte , Is to con�nt : the end of euery acte , Is to increase contentment and renowne , Both which my loue : shall �owne How can renowne ensue an act of shame , �ct How can renowne ensue an act of shame , ac� No acte hath any shame within itselfe , But in the � my Iewelrye chuse thy choyse of Diamondes , Till thou finde some as bright some as thyne L�.. Le. ou� Offer to goe out . L�on Leon . � like . Now will I woe the other as the Count , VVhich if she graunt and they do breake fay� husband Hence comes her head tyres and her fayre gownes , Her trayne borne vp and a man bare wiuh Enter Aegiale with the garde meout me come in you knaues , how dare you keepe me out , twas my gowne to a mantle of rugge Cleant� thou doing , passioning ouer the picture of Cleanthes I am sure for I know thou louest him , Ibene neyther bnt a true freind to you , for had I bene otherwise I should haue disclosed the dis�losed , for had I bene otherwise I should haue disclosed the secret talke thou hadst with Cleanthes th� Be patient my wench and Ile tell thee the very words , oh my Cleanthes , loue tru�ie woords , & I like no traytor to you but a trustie freend now by this pistol which is Gods fictious men are you might haue saide as much , By fictions onely therefore I must needes , Thinke much � Oh your a cunning wench and am not I a mad slaue to haue such vertue as secresie s�resic not I a mad slaue to haue such vertue as secresie in me and none neuer lookt for any such �or vertue as secresie in me and none neuer lookt for any such thing at my handes , and heres Aeg�le. Aegiale. m�n woman in the worlde be so hungerstarued for a man and not vse the meanes to haue him , thinkst stunckefort it in the fyre , his olde beard would haue stuncke fort in the graue ere this , and then thou no� whether Cleanthes would haue come vnto thee or noe . A�gi. Aegi. in voking turne thy selfe wholy into a burning tounge , invoking furies and infernall death , to coole thy sye borne vp and a man bare before you , Now fye on pride when woman goe thous naked . I thoug� pride when woman goe thous naked . I euer thought that pride would haue a fall But little ho�bly it is to change , Because it angers one so horribly , You must haue Vshers to make way before be�e horribly , You must haue Vshers to make way before you , mad� VVell madam shorte heeles Ile be euen with you , See withyou VVell madam shorte heeles Ile be euen with you , See where the mad brayne Count her � where the mad brayne Count her husband comes , fa� a plague on you stay , whither go you so fast , why did I euer hurt any of your sex yet �n should you will not be halfe so hastie , a man must loue you , woe you , spend vpon you he� deuill of one of you is worthy to kisse the hemme of my riding gowne heere . d�ll matter what it is , talke not to me , what the deuill did I meane to call thee backe agayne , ch�se Why you may chuse my Lord . forso�th cannot chuse , there you lie now , tis loue forsooth that Intailes me to you , for if it had i� loue forsooth that Intailes me to you , for if it had not beene for loue , I had not beene wi� VVhy then be you that wise asse , and beare me for I haue some treasure �ut asse , and beare me for I haue some treasure about me will you loue me . � I am not the first hath desired you , wi� Nor you shall not be the last I will refuse . hau� Nor the foulest you haue loud . C�t.. Count pin�kt loue you , for before I did loue you , Cupid pinckt me a spanish lether Ierkin with shooting �ull Ierkin with shooting at me , and made it so full of holes that I was fayne to leaue it of �or greater losse then that , I lost my left eye for your sake . � to all the Cittie I haue layne with thee . dshonor Nay madam you must not dishonor him so , m�sicke Excellent musicke exellent musicke . the�fore I but I cannot be too perfit and therefore Ile spoyle her perfections that helpes to d�dst be so old as he made himselfe to be , thou didst say twas pittie of his nose , for he would d�sclose in fayth , oh wicked periurd man would a disclose my secretes I fayth what woman would trust s�nt Ha ha ha , I haue sent her in a pelting chase , But Ile follow ch�fe Ha ha ha , I haue sent her in a pelting chase , But Ile follow her and make her madde Beb�tius king of Arabia , Bion king of Phasiaca , Bebritius king of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme ��� Arabia , Bion king of Phasiaca , Bebritius king of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme and ��� Bebritius king of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme and ensigne . ��� king of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme and ensigne . ��� of Bebritia , with soldiers and drumme and ensigne . Alexan�ria vales of Aegypt , Adioyning to the plaines of Alexandria , VVhere proud king ` Ptolemy keepes his ��� plaines of Alexandria , VVhere proud king ` Ptolemy keepes his residence , Securely trusting refidence , VVhere proud king ` Ptolemy keepes his residence , Securely trusting to his prophesies , ��� He then should conquere all our bordering landes , And make vs subiect to his tirrannie . afreind attemptes where had he stayed , Aud beene a freind to him , yet should he not Escape b� greeue his aged mind the more , He shall be kept in lasting seruitude . So to fulfill P�. Po. ��� Exeunt . D�. Do. de�th Nay rather let him hayle me to my death Then gaynst my will constraine me match ��� Dye thou vile wretch and liue Aspatia , Euen now I hard thy father Ptolemy VVith wordes ��� liue Aspatia , Euen now I hard thy father Ptolemy VVith wordes that still do tingle in mine ��� VVith wordes that still do tingle in mine eares , Pronounce him heyre to Alexandria , Tis ��� wordes that still do tingle in mine eares , Pronounce him heyre to Alexandria , Tis time for me �or Pronounce him heyre to Alexandria , Tis time for me to stirre when such young boyes , Shal ��� Wicked Count Hermes for this monsterous deede , Aegypt will hate thee . and thou sure Aipes dye , Then hye thee to the hils beyond the Alpes , Flye to vnknowne and vnfrequented climes tovnknowne thee to the hils beyond the Alpes , Flye to vnknowne and vnfrequented climes , Some ��� tice the trees , To eccho sweetely to our celestiall tunes . Els will I angle in the running Fls eccho sweetely to our celestiall tunes . Els will I angle in the running brookes , Seasoning m�st say but thou wert offered fayre , But here must end Count Hermes strange disguise , My veluet ��� wert offered fayre , But here must end Count Hermes strange disguise , My veluet gowne my pistoll M� Oh tell no more in stead of teares , My beating hart dissolues in droppes of blood Arca� and on it I will die , Oh Doricles oh deare Archadian prince , The bulwarke and supporter of my ��� threaten death and ruine to thy land , Blacke Porus the AEthiopian king , Comes marching first ��� and ruine to thy land , Blacke Porus the AEthiopian king , Comes marching first with twentie B�n equall number and in battaile ray , Next Bion king of rich Phasiaca , And sterne Bebritius stotmie Cold and vncouered may his body lye . Let stormie hayle and thunder beate on him And euery hau� shape where her Cleanthes was , but soft who haue we here . A�d much as mounteth to fiue thousand crownes , And craues no more assurance but your woord �e a prettie somme VVith this will I imploye me in these warres , Now will I take on me � Cleanthes , but what intendes this alarum . Cle�thes VVhere may I seeke to finde Cleanthes out , That martiall prince whom Ptolomy �loodes Acanthes , Lie in the field besmired in their bloodes , Ile run through al these groues to find Ala�um Alarum Excursions , vow� monarke of the world , Then here accept my vowd allegiance , VVhich as the rest I render �nto allegiance , VVhich as the rest I render vnto thee . ��� So sayth Bebritius of Bebritia . And layes his crowne and homage at thy fo�e mee , So shal you liue as free as here to fore And neare hereafter stoupe to conquest more Peg� Pego. . st�iuing turnd into one king , there would be olde striuing who should bee Queene I fayth . C�an.. Cean. � Count your husband madam , Shalbe remitted , and your selfe enioy , The vtmost of the �lean Clean �lean. Clean suspectyou VVith whom suspect you he was great with all . husoandes say to me , If I can tell you where your husbandes bee . �yth I did but ieast with you , I feard him I fayth but Ile be secret thats flat . a�d landes you ceasd . Both of the countesse and rich Leons wife , Not pittie of their widowhoodes p�ie of the countesse and rich Leons wife , Not pittie of their widowhoodes alone , But their rare wido �odes and rich Leons wife , Not pittie of their widowhoodes alone , But their rare beauties moue me �re Oh husband husband will you goe to warre , and leaue me in this taking . Burg�ster Tis very wel Maister Burgomaister . fot Come on sweete husband for my time drawes neare . Po� Po. � None euer loud but at first sight they loud . bur�ing See he shootes arrowes burning from her eyes . � And which loues Bion . B�itins No Porus for Bebritius loues her too � How now my Lords doth beauty startle you . Be� Be. �y my passions , Mightie Cleanthes to annex my hart , In loue to thee aswell as victorie �eanthes Nay this Cleanthes let my loue inioy . � you maister brother , am not I secret now , Cl�. Cle. ��� Eli. �britius Accurst Bebritius . t�ne prouide , Other Aegyptian Ladies for your turne , So will we linke in perfit league of loue lou� turne , So will we linke in perfit league of loue So shall the victorie you lost to me , Set he�des me , Set double glorie on your conquered heades . So let vs goe to frolicke in our Court win� . Carousing free whole boules of greekish wine � In honor of the conquest we haue made � Carousing free whole boules of greekish wine , In honor of the conquest we haue made , Ex� Exeunt .
A01911 ---- Sir Giles Goosecap Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A01911 of text S103309 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 12050). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A01911.xml Sir Gyles Goosecappe Knight. A comedie presented by the Chil: of the Chappell. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 38 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99839066 STC (2nd ed.) 12050. Greg, I, 228(a). 3462 A01911

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Sir Gyles Goosecappe Knight. A comedie presented by the Chil: of the Chappell. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [76] p. Printed by Iohn Windet for Edward Blunt, At London : 1606. 1602

Attributed to George Chapman.

Signatures: A-I4 K2.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A01911 shc Sir Giles Goosecap Chapman, George Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar 1602 play comedy shc no A01911 S103309 (STC 12050). 25766 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

SIR GYLES GOOSECAPPE Knight . A Comedie presented by the I hil : of the Chappell .

AT LONDON . Printed by Iohn Windet for Edward Blunt . 1606 .

Eugenia , A widowe , and a Noble Ladie . Hyppolita , Ladie-virgines , and Companions to Eugenia . Penelope , Ladie-virgines , and Companions to Eugenia Wynnifred , gentlewoman to Eugenia . Momford , A Noble Man , vnkle to Eugenia . Clarence , Gentleman , friend to Monf Fowlewether , a french affected Trauayler , & a Captaine . Sir Giles Goosecap : a foolish knight . Sir Cuthbert Rudsbie , a blunt knight . Sir Clement kingcob , a knight . Lord Tales . Lord Furnifall . Bullaker , a french Page . Iack ' Pages Will ' Pages
SIR GYLES GOOSECAPPE , KNIGHT .
ACTVS PRIMVS ,
SCAeNA PRIMA Enter Bullaker with a Torche . Bullaker .

THis is the Countesse Eugenias house I thinke , I can neuer hit of theis same English Cittie howses , tho I were borne here : if I were in any Citty in Fraunce , I coulde find any house there at midnight .

Enter Iacke , and Will . Iack .

Theis two strange hungrie knights ( VVil ) make the leanest trenchers that euer I waited on .

VVill .

A plague on them Iack , they leaue vs no fees at all , for our attendance , I thinke they vse to sett their bones in siluer they pick them so cleane , see , see , see Iack what 's that ?

Iack

A my worde ( VVill ) t is the great Baboone , that was to be seene in Southwarke .

VVill

Is this he ? gods my life what beastes were we , that we wood not see him all this while , neuer trust mee if hee looke not somewhat like a man , see how pretely hee holds the torche in one of his forefeete , where 's his keeper trowe owe , is he broke loose ?

Iack

Hast euer an Apple about thee ( VVill ) wee le take him vp sure , we shall get a monstrous deale of mony with him .

VVil .

That we shall yfath boy , and looke thou here , here 's a red cheekt apple to take him vp with .

Ia.

Excellent fit a my credit , le ts lay downe our prouant , and to him .

Bul.

I le let them alone a while .

Ia.

Giue me the apple to take vp Iacke , because my name is Iacke .

VVil

Hold thee Iacke , take it .

Ia.

Come Iacke , come Iacke , come Iacke .

Bul.

I will come to your Sir , I le Iacke ye a my worde , I le Iacke ye .

VVill

Gods me he speakes Iacke , O pray pardon vs Sir .

Bul.

Out ye mopede monckies can yee not knowe a man from a Marmasett , in theis Frenchified dayes of ours ? nay I le Iackefie you alittle better yet .

both ,

Nay good Sir , good Sir , pardon vs .

Bul

Pardon vs , out ye home-bred peasants , plain english , pardon vs , if you had parled , & not spoken , but said pardonne moy ; I wood haue pardon'd you , but since you speake , and not parley , I will cudgell ye better yet .

Ambo

O pardonne moy mounsieur .

Bul.

Bièn iè vous remercie , ther 's pardonne pour vous Sir now .

Will

Why I thanke ye for it Sir , you seeme to bee a Squire of our order Sir .

Ia.

Whose page might you be Sir .

Bul.

I am now the great French Traualers page .

Wil

Or rather the fre�ch Traualers great page . Sir , on , on

Bul.

Hight Captaine Fouleweather , alias Comendations ; whose valours within here at super with the Cou¯tes Eugenia , whose propper eaters I take you two to be .

Will

You mistake vs not Sir .

Ia.

This captain Fouleweather , alias Co�mendations ( Wil ) is the galla�t that wil needs be a sutor to our Cou�tes

Will

Faith and if Fouleweather be a welcome suiter to a faire Ladie , has good lucke .

Ia.

O Sir , beware of one that can showre into the lapps of Ladies , Captaine Fowleweather ? why hee s a Captinado , or Captaine of Captaines , and will lie in their ioyntes that giue him cause to worke vppon them so heauylie , that hee will make their hartes ake I warrant him ; Captaine Fowleweather ? why hee will make the cold stones sweate for feare of him , a day or two before he come at them . Captaine Fowleweather ? why he does so dominere , and raigne ouer women .

Will

A plague of Captaine Fowleweather I reme�ber him now Jack , and know him to be a dull moist braind Asse .

Ia.

A Southerne man I thinke .

Will

As fearefull as a Hare , & a will lye like a Lapwing , & I know how he came to be a Captain , & to haue his Surname of Commendations .

Ia.

How I preethee Will ?

Will

Why Sir he serued the great Ladie Kingcob , and was yeoman of her wardroppe , & because a cood brush vp her silkes lustely , she thought hee would curry the enemies coates as soundly , and so by her commendations , he was made Captaine in the lowe Countries .

Ia.

Then being made Captaine onely by his Ladies commendations , without any worth also of his owne , he was euer after surnamde Captaine Commendations ?

Will

Right .

Bul.

I Sir right , but if he had not said right , my Captaine shoulde haue taken no wrong at his handes , nor yours neither I can tell ye .

Ia.

What are those two Knights names , that are thy captaines Comrades , and within at supper with our Lady ?

Bul.

One of their names Sir , is , Sir Gyles Goosecappe , the others Sir Cutt . Rudseby .

Will

Sir Gyles Goosecappe what 's he a gentleman ?

Bul.

I that he is at least if he be not a noble man , and his chiefe house is in Essex .

Ia.

In Essex ? did not his Auncestors come out of Londo�

Bul.

Yes that they did Sir , the best Gosecappes in England , comes out of London I assure you .

VVill

I but Sir these must come into it before they come out on t I hope , but what countriman is Sir Cutt . Rudeby ?

Bul.

A Northern man , or a VVesternma� I take him , but my Captaine is the Emphaticall man ; and by that pretty word Emphaticall you shall partly know him ; for t is a very forcible word in troth , & yet he forces it too much by his fauour ; mary no more then he does all the rest of his wordes ; with whose multiplicitie often times he trauailes himsele out of all good company .

Iack

Like enough ; he trauaild for nothing else .

VVil

But what qualities haunt Sir Gyles Goosecap now Sir ?

Bul.

Sir Gyles Goosecap has alwayes a deathes head ( as it were ) in his mouth , for his onely one reason for euery thing is , because wee are all mortall ; and therefore hee is generally cald the mortall knight ; then hath he another prettie phrase too , and that is , he will tickle the vanitie an t still in euery thing and this is your Summa totalis of both their virtues .

Ia.

T is enough , t is enough , as long as they haue land enough , but now muster your thirde person afore vs I beseech you ,

Bul.

The thirde person and second knight blunt Sir Cutt . Rudesby , is indeed blunt at a sharpe wit , and sharpe at a blunt wit a good bustling gallant talkes well at Rouers ; he is two parts souldier ; as slouenlie as a Switzer , and somewhat like one in face too ; for he weares a bush beard wil dead a Cannon shott better then a woolpacke : hee will come into the presence like yor Frenchman in foule bootes : and dares eate garlik as a prepratiue to his Courtship ; you shall knowe more of him hereafter ; but good wags let me winne you now , for the Geographicall parts of your Ladies in requitall .

Wil

That you shall Sir , and the Hydrographicall too and you will ; first my Ladie the widowe , and Countes Eugenia , is in earnest , a most worthy Ladie , and indeede can doe more then a thousand other Ladies can doe I can tell ye .

Bvl

What 's that I pray thee ?

Iack .

Mary Sir , he meanes she can do more then sleep , and eate and drinke ; and play at noddy , and helpe to make hir selfe readie .

Bul

Can she so ?

Will

She is the best scholler of any woman but one in England , she is wise and vertuous ,

Ia.

Nay shee has one strange qualitie for a woman besides , tho these be strange enough that hee has rekoned .

Bul.

For Gods sake what 's that ?

Ia.

She can loue reasonable constantly , for she loued her husband only , almost a whole yeere togeather .

Bul.

That 's strange indeed , but what is youre faire Ladie Sir ?

Ia.

My Ladie Sir , the Ladie Hippolita .

VVill

That is as chast as euer was Hippolitus .

Ia.

( True my prettie Parenthesis ) is halfe a maid , halfe a wife , and halfe a widdowe .

Bul.

Strange tale to tell ; howe canst thou make this good my good Assumpsit .

Ia.

Thus Sir , she was betroathed to a gallant young gentleman that loude hir with such passion and admiration that he neuer thought he could bee so blessed as to enioy her in full marriage , till the minister was marrying them , and euen then when he was saying I Charles take thee Hippolita ; with extreame ioy he began to looke pale , then going forwardes saying to my wedded wife , he lookt paler , and , then pronouncing , for richer for poorer as long as we both shall liue , he lookt extreame pale ; Now sir when she comes to speake her parte , and said , I Hippolota take thee Charles , hee began to faint for ioy , then saying to my wedded husband , hee began to sinke , but then going forth too for better for worse , he coulde stand no longer but with verie conceit it seemd , that shee whome hee tendred as the best of all thinges , shoulde pronounce the worst , and for his sake too , hee suncke downe right , and died sodenly : And thus being halfe married , & her halfe husband wholy dead , I hope I may with discretion affirme her , halfe a maide , halfe a wife , and halfe a widdowe ; do ye conceiue me Sir ?

Bul.

O Lord Sir , I deuoure you quicke ; and now Sir I beseech you open vnto me your tother Ladie , what is shee ?

Will

I le answere for her , because I know her Ladiship to be a perfect maide indeed .

Bul

How canst thou know that ?

Will

Passing perfectly I warrant ye .

Ia.

By measuring her necke twice , and trying if it will come about hir forehead , and slyp ouer her nose ?

VVill

No Sir no , by a rule that wil not slip so I warrant you , which for hir honours sake I wil let slip vnto you , gods so Iack , I thinke they haue supt .

Ja.

Bi r Ladie we haue waited wel the while .

Will

VVell though they haue lost their attendance , let not vs lose our Suppers Iack .

Iack

I doe not meane it , come Sir you shall goe in and drinke with vs y faith .

Bul.

Pardonne moy mounsieur .

both

No pardoning in trueth Sir ,

Bul

Ie vous remercy de-bon Ceur .

Exeunt .
Enter Goosecappe Rudesby Fouleweather Eugenia Hippol . Penelope , Wynne . Rud.

A plague on you sweete Ladies , t is not so late , what needed you to haue made so short a supper .

Goos.

In truth Sir Cutt . we might haue tickled the vanitie an t , an howre longer if my watch be trustible .

Foul.

I but how should theis bewties knowe that Sir Gyles ? your watch is mortall , and may erre .

Go.

That 's sooth Captain , but do you hear honest friend , pray take a light , and see if the moone shine , I haue a Sunne diall will resolue presently .

Fo.

Howsoeuer belieue it Ladies , t is vnwholesome , vncourtlie , vnpleasant to eate hastelie , & rise sodainly , a ma� can shew no discourse , no witt , no stirring , no varietie , no prettie conceits , to make the meate goe down emphaticaly ?

Eu.

Winnefred .

Win.

Madam .

Eu.

I prethie goe to my vnkle the Lord Momford , and intreat him to come quicken our eares with some of his pleasant Spirit ; This same Fowleweather has made me so melanchollie , prethie make haste .

Win.

I will madam .

Exit .
Hip.

VVe will bid our guests good night madam , this same Fowleweather makes me so sleepie .

Pen.

Fie vppon it , for Gods sake shut the Casements , here 's such a fulsome aire comes into this chamber ; in good faith madame you must keepe your house in better reparations , this same Fowlweather beats in so filthily .

Eug.

I le take order with the Porter for it Ladie , good night gentlemen .

Ru.

VVhy good night & be ha�gd , & you l needs be gon .

Goos.

God giue you good night madams , thanke you for my good cheere , wee le tickle the vanitie an t , no longer with you at this time , but I le indite your La : to supper at my lodging one of these mornings ; and that ere long too , because we are all mortall you know .

Eu.

Light the Ladie Penelope , and the Ladie Hippolita to their chambers , good night faire Ladies .

Hip.

Good night madam , I wish you may sleepe well after your light supper .

Eug.

I warrant you Ladie I shall neuer be troubled with dreaming of my Fre�ch Suter .

Exeunt
Ru.

VVhy how now my Fre�chified captain Fowlweather ? by gods ludd thy Surname is neuer thought vpo� here , I perceiue heere 's no bodie giues thee any co�mendations .

Fo.

VVhy this is the vntrauaild rudnes of our grose English Ladies now ; would any French Ladie vse a man thus thinke ye ? be they any way so vnciuil , and fulsome ? they say they weare fowle smockes , and course smockes , I say they lie , and I will die in t .

Rud.

I , doe so , pray thee , thou shalt die in a very honorable cause , thy countries generall quarrell right .

Foul.

Their smockes quoth you ? a my worde you shal take them vp so white , and so pure , so sweet , so Emphaticall , so moouing .

Rud.

I marry Sir , I think they be continually mouing .

Foul.

But if their smockes were Course or foule .

Rud.

Nay I warrant thee thou ca rest not , so thou wer : at them .

Foul

S'death they put not all their virtues in their smockes , or in their mockes , or in their stew de cockes as our Ladies doe .

Rud.

But in their stewde pox , there 's all their gentilitie .

Goos.

Nay good Sir Cutt . doe not agrauate him no more .

Fowl.

Then are they so kinde , so wise , so familiare so noble , so sweet in entertainment , that when you shal , haue cause to descourse or sometimes to come neerer ! them ; if your breath bee ill , your teeth ill , or any thing about you ill why they will presently breake with ye , in kind sort , good termes , pretty experiments , and tell you plaine this ; thus it is with your breath Sir , thus it is with your teeth Sir , this is your disease , and this is your medicine .

Goos.

As I am true mortall Knight , it is most superlatiuely good , this .

Foul.

Why this is Courtly now , this is sweete , this plaine , this is familiar , but by the Court of France , our peuishe dames are so proud , so precise , so coy , so disdainfull , and so subtill , as the Pomonean Serpent , mort dieu the Punck of Babilon was neuer so subtill .

Rud.

Nay doe not chafe so Captaine .

Foul.

Your Frenchman wood euer chase Sir Cutt , being thus moude .

Rud.

VVhat ? and play with his beard so .

Foul.

I and brystle , it doth expresse that passion of anger very full and emphaticall .

Goos.

Nay good knight if your French wood brystle , let him alone , introth our Ladies are a little too coy and subtill Captaine indeed .

Foul.

Subtle Sir Giles Goosecappe ? I assure your Soule , they are as subtill with their suters , or loues , as the Latine Dialect where the nominatiue Case , and the verbe , the Substantiue , and the Adiectiue , the verbe , and the verbe , stand as far a sunder , as if they were perfect strangers one to another ; and you shall hardly find them out , but then learne to Construe , and perse them , and you shall find them prepard , and acquainted , & agree together , in Case , gender , and number .

Goos.

I detest Sir Cutt , I did not thinke hee had bin halfe the quintissence of a he is .

Foul.

Slydd there 's not one of them truely emphatical .

Goos.

Yes I le ensure you Captaine , there are many of them truely Emphaticall but all your French Ladies are not fatt ? are they Sir ?

Foul.

Fatt Sir , why doe yee thinke Emphaticall is fatt Sir Giles ?

Rud.

Gods my life brother knight , didst thou thinke so ? hart I know not what it is my selfe , but yet I neuer thought it was fatt , I le be sworne to thee .

Foul.

Why if any true Courtly dame had had but this new fashioned sute , to entertaine any thing in differently stuffed , why you should haue had her more respectiue by farre .

Rud.

Nay there 's some reason for that Captaine , me thinks a true woman should perpetually doate vppon a new fashion .

Foul.

VVhy y' are i' th right Sir Cutt . Innoua fert Animus mutatas dicere-formas . t is the mind of man , and woman to affect new fashions ; but to our Mynsatiues for sooth , if he come like to your Besognio , or your bore , so he bee rich , or emphaticall , they care not ; would I might neuer excell a dutch Skipper in Courtshippe if I did not put distaste into my cariage of purpose ; I knew I should not please them . Lacquay ? allume le torche .

Rud.

Slydd , here 's neither Torch , nor Lacquay me thinks .

Foul.

O mon dew .

Rud.

O doe not sweare Captaine .

Foul.

Your Frenchman euer sweares Sir Cutt , vpon the lacke of his Lacquay I assure you .

Goos.

See heere he comes , and my Ladies two pages , they haue bin tickling the vanitie on t yfaith .

SCAeNA TERTIA Enter to them Iack Bullaker , Will . La.

Captaine Fowleweather , my Ladie the Countes Eugenia commends hir most kindly to you , and is determined to morrowe morning earely if it be a frost to take her Coach to Barnet to bee nipt where if it please you , to meet her , and accompany her homewarde , ioyning your wit with the frost , and helpe to nippe her , She does not doubt but tho you had a sad supper , you will haue a ioyfull breakefast .

Foul.

I shall indeed my deare youth .

Rud.

Why Captaine I abusd thee , I see : I said the Ladies respected thee not , and now I perceiue the widowe is in loue with thee .

Foul.

Sblood knight I knew I had strucke her to the quicke , I wondred shee departed in that extrauagant fashion : I am sure I past one Passado of Courtship vppon her , that has hertofore made a lane amongst the French Ladies like a Culuering shot , I le be sworne ; and I think Sir Gyles you saw how she fell vnder it .

Goos.

O as cleare as candlelight , by this day-light .

Rud.

O good knight a the post , hee le sweare any thing .

Will

The other two Ladies commend them no lesse kindly to you two knights too ; & desire your worships wood meete them at Barnet i th morning with the Captaine .

Foul. Goos. Rud.

O. good Sir .

Goos.

Our worships shal attend their Ladiships thether .

Ia.

No Sir Giles by no meanes , they will goe priuately thether , but if you will meet them there .

Rud.

Meet them , wee le die for t , but wee le meet them .

Foul.

Le ts goe thether to night knights , and you bee true gallants .

Rud.

Content .

Ja.

How greedely they take it in Sirra .

Goos.

No it is too farre to goe to night , wee le bee vp betimes i th morning , and not goe to bedd at all .

Foul.

Why it s but ten miles , & a fine cleere nightS . Gyles

Goos.

But ten miles ? what doe ye talke Captaine ?

Rud.

VVhy doost thinke its any more ?

Goos.

I , I le ten pounds it s more then ten mile , or twelue either .

Rud.

VVhat to Barnet ?

Gous.

I , to Barnet ?

Ru.

Slidd , I le laie a hu�dred pou�d with thee , if thou wilt .

Goos.

I le laie fiue hundred , to a hundred , Slight I will not be out borne with a wager , in that I know , I am sure it was foure yeares agon ten miles thether , and I hope t is more now , Slidd doe not miles growe thinke you , as well as other Animals .

Ia.

O wise Knight !

Gos.

I neuer Innd in the Towne but once , and then they lodged me in a Chamber so full of theise Ridiculus Fleas , that I was faine to lie standing all night , and yet I made my man rise , and put out the candle too , because they should not see to bire me .

Foul.

A prettie proiect .

Bul.

Intruth Captain if I might aduise you , you should tarrie , and take the morning afore you .

Foul.

How ? O mon Diew , how the villaine poulltroune , dishonours his trauaile ? you Buffonly Mouchroun , are you so mere rude , and English to aduise your Captaine ?

Ru.

Nay I prethie Fouleweather be not te�pesteous with thy poore Lacquay .

Foul.

Te�pesteous Sir Cutt , will your Frenchman thinke you , suffer his Lacquay to aduise him ?

Go.

O God you must take heed Lacquy how you aduise your captain , your Fre�ch lacquay would not haue don it .

Foul.

He would haue bin poxt first : Allume le torche , sweet pages commend vs to your Ladies , say wee kisse their white handes , and will not faile to meete them : knights which of you leades ?

Goos.

Not we Sir , you are a Captaine , and a leader .

Rud.

Besides , thou art commended for the better man , for thou art very Commendations it selfe , and Captaine Commendations .

Foul.

VVhy , what tho I be Captaine Commendations ?

Rud.

VVhy and Captain commendations , is hartie ? commendations , for Captaines are hartie I am sure , or else hang them ,

Foul.

VVhy , what if I bee harty Commendations , come , come , sweete knights leade the way .

Rud.

O Lorde Sir , alwaies after my hartie Commendations .

Foul.

Nay then you conquer mee with president , by the Autenticall forme of all Iustice letters . Alloun .

Exeunt .
Ia.

Here 's a most sweet Gudgeon swallowed , is there not ?

Will

I but how will they disgest it thinkest thou ? when they shall finde our Ladies not there ?

Ia.

I haue a vaunt-Curriing deuise shall make them digest it most healthfully .

Exeunt .
SCAeNA QVARTA . Enter Clarence Musicians . Cla. VVorke on sweet loue , I am not yet resolud T' exhaust this troubled spring of vanities And nurse of perturbations , my poore life , And therefore since in euery man that holds This being deare , there must be some desire VVhose power to' enioy his obiect may so maske The Iudging part that in her radyant eyes His estimation of the world may seeme Vpright , and worthy , I haue chosen loue To blind my Reason with his mistie handes And make my estimatiue power beleiue I haue a proiect worthy to imploy VVhat worth so euer my whole man affordes : Then sit at rest my Soule , thou now hast found The ende of thy infusion , in the eyes Of thy diuine Eugenia looke for heauen . Cla.

Thanks gentle friends is your good Lord and mine , gon vp to bedd yet ?

A song to the Uiolls
Enter Momford . Mom.

I do assure ye not Sir , not yet , nor yet , my deep , and studious friend , not yet musicall Clarence .

Cla.

My Lord ?

Mom ,

Nor yet , thou sole deuider of my Lordshippe .

Cla. That were a most vnfit diuision And farre aboue the pitche of my lowe plumes I am your bold and constant guest my Lord . Mom. Far , far from bold , for thou hast known me long Almost theis twentie yeares , and halfe those yeares Hast bin my bedfellow ; long time before This vnseene thing , this thing of nought indeed Or Atome cald , my Lordshippe shinde in me , And yet thou makst thy selfe as little bould To take such kindnes , as becomes the Age And truth of our indissolable loue As our acquaintance sprong but yesterday Such is thy gentle and too tender Spirit . Cla. My Lord , my want of Courtship makes me feare I should be rude , and this my meane estate Meetes with such enuie , and detraction Such misconstructions , and resolud misdoomes Of my poore worth , that should I be aduaunc'd Beyond my vnseene lowenes , but one haire I should be torne in peeces with the Spirits That flye in ill-lungd tempests through the world , Tearing the head of vertue from her shoulders If she but looke out of the ground of glorie . Twixt , whome , and me and euery worldlie fortune There fights such sowre , and Curst Antipathy So waspishe , and so petulant a Starre , That all things tending to my grace or good Are rauisht from their obiect , as I were A thing created for a wildernes And must not thinke of any place with men . Mom.

O harke you Sir , this waiwarde moode of yours must syfted be , or rather rooted out , you le no more musick Sir ?

Cla.

Not now my Lord ,

Mom.

Begon my masters then to bedd , to bedd .

Cla.

I thanke you honest friends

Exeunt Musicians .
Mo.

Hence with this book & now Mounsieur Clarence , methinks plaine & prose friendship would do excellent well betwixt vs come thus Sir , or rather thus , come Sir t is time I trowe that we both liu'd like one bodie , thus , and that both our sides were slit , and Concorporat with Organs fit to effect an indiuiduall passage euen for out very thoughts ; suppose wee were one bodie now , and I charge you beleeue it ; where of I am the hart , and you the liuer .

Cla.

Your Lordship might well make that diuision if you knew the plaine song .

Mom.

O Sir , and why so I pray ?

Cla.

First because the heart , is the more worthy entraile , being the first that is borne , and moues , and the last that moues , and dies ; and then being the fountaine of heate too , for wheresoeuer our heate does not flowe directly from the hart to the other Organs , there , their action must of necessitie cease , and so without you I nether would nor could liue .

Mom.

VVel Sir for these reasons I may be the heart , why may you be the liuer now ? .

Cla.

I am more then ashamde , to tell you that my Lord .

Mom.

Nay nay be not too suspitious of my iudgeme�t , in you I beseech you : asham'd friend ? if your loue ouercome not that shame , a shame take that loue I saie . Come sir why may you be the liuer ?

Cla.

The plaine and short truth is ( my Lord ) because I am all liuer , and tournd louer .

Mom.

Louer ?

Cla

Louer y faith my Lord .

Mom.

Now I prethee let me leape out of my skin for ioy why thou wilt not now reviue the sociable mirth of thy sweete disposition ? wilt thou shine in the world a new ? and make those that haue sleighted thy loue , with the Austeritie of thy knowledge , doate on the againe with thy commaunding shaft of their humors ?

Cla.

A las my Lord they are all farre out of my aimes and onely to fit my selfe a little better to your friendshippe , haue I giuen these wilfull raygnes to my affections .

Mom.

And y faith is my sower friend to all worldlie desires ouertaken with the hart of the world ? Loue I shall be monstrous proud now , to heare shee s euerie way a most rare woman that I know thy spirit , & iudgement hath chosen , is she wise ? is she noble ? is she capable of thy vertues ? will she kisse this forehead with iudiciall lipps ? where somuch iudgement & vertue deserues it ? Come brother Twinn , be short I charge you , & name me the woman .

Cla.

Since your Lordship will shorten the length of my follies relation , the woman that I so passionatelie loue , is no worse Ladie then your owne Neece , the too worthie Countesse Eugenia .

Mom.

VVhy so , so , so , you are a worthie friend are you not to conceale this loue-mine in your head , and would not open it to your hart , now beshrow my hart , if my hart dance not for ioy tho my heeles do not , & they doe not , because I will not set that at my heeles that my friends set at his heart , what ? friende and Nephew ? both nephew is a far inferior title to friend I confesse , but I wil preferre the backwards ( as many friends doe ) & leaue their friends woorse then they found them ,

Cla.

But my noble Lo. it is almost a prodegie , that I being onely a poore Gentleman and farre short of that state and wealth that a Ladie of her greatnesses in both will expect in her husband .

Mom.

Hold thy doubt friend , neuer feare any woman , vnlesse thy selfe be made of strawe , or some such drie matter , and she of lightning , Audacitie prospers aboue probabilitie in all worldlie matters , dost not thou knowe that Fortune gouernes them without order , and therefore reason the mother of order is none of her counsaile , why should a man desiring to aspire an vnreasonable creature which is a woman ? seeke her fruition by reasonable meanes , because thy selfe bindes vppon reason , wilt thou looke for congruitie in a woman ? why ? there is not one woman amongst one thousand , but will speake false Latine , and breake Priscians head , attempt nothing that you may with great reason doubt of , and out of doubt you shall obtaine nothing , I tell thee friend the enminent confidence of strong spirits is the onely wich-craft of this world , Spirits wrastling with spirits , as bodies ? with bodies ? this were enough to make the hope well , if she were one of these painted communities , that are rauisht with Coaches , and vpper hands , and braue men of durt : but thou knowest friend shee s a good scholler , and like enough to , bite at the rightest reason , and reason euermore Ad optima hortetur : to like that which is best , not that which is brauest , or rightest , or greatest , and so consequently worst , But proue what she can , we will turne her , and winde her , and make her so plyant that we will drawe her through a wedding ring y faith .

Cla.

Would to god we might my Lord .

Mom.

I le warrant thee friend .

Enter Messenger . Mes.

VVhere is mistris Winnyfred ; for my Lady Eugenia desires to speake with your Lordshippe .

Mom.

Marrie enter mistris Winnifred euen here I pray thee , from the Ladie Eugenia , doe you heare friend ?

Cla.

Very easilie on that side my Lord .

Mom.

Let me feele ? does not thy heart pant apace , by my hart well labor'd Cupid , the field is yours sir God , and vppon a verie honourable composition , I am sent for now I am sure , and must euen trusse and to her :

Enter Winnyfred .

wittie mistris Winnifred , nay come neere woman I am sure this Gentleman thinkes his chamber the sweeter for your deare presence .

Win,

My absence shall thanke him my Lord .

Mom.

VVhat rude Mistris Winnifred ? nay faith you shall come to him , and kisse him , for his kindenesse .

Win.

Nay good my Lord , I le neuer goe to the market for that ware I can haue it brought ho�e to my dore

Mom.

O Winnifred , a man may know by the market folkes how the market goes .

Win.

So you may my Lord , but I knowe fewe Lords that thinke scorne to go to that market the�selues .

Mom.

To goe to it Winnifred , nay to ride to it y faith .

Win.

That 's more then I knowe my Lord .

Mom.

You le not belieue it till you are then a horsebacke , will ye ?

Win.

Come , come , I am sent of a message to you wil you heare it ?

Mom.

Stoppe , stoppe faire Winnifred , would you haue audience so soone , there were no state in that y faith ; this faire gentlewoman sir .

Win.

Now we shall haue a fiction I beleiue .

Mom.

Had three Suiters at once .

Win.

You le leaue out none my Lord .

Mom.

No more did you Winnifred you enterferde with them all in truth .

Win.

O Monstrous Lord by this light !

Mom.

Now Sir to make my tale short I will doe that which she did not ; vz. leaue out the two first , the third comming the third night for his turne .

Win.

My Lord , my Lord , my Ladie does that , that no bodie else does , desires your companie and so fare you well .

Mom.

O stay a little sweet Winnifred , helpe me but to trusse my pointes againe , and haue with you .

Win.

Not I by my truth my Lord , I had rather see your hose about your heeles , then I would helpe you to trusse a point .

Mom.

O wittie Winnifred ? for that left , take thy pasport , and tell thy Ladies thou leftst me with my hose about my heeles .

Win.

Well , well my Lord you shall sit till the mosse grow a bout your he les , ere I come at you againe .

exit .
Mom.

She cannot abide to heare of her three Suiters ; but is not this verie fit my sweete Clarence ? Thou seest my rare Neece cannot sleep without me ; but forthy company sake , she shall to night ; and in the morning I will visit her earely ; when doe thou but stand in that place , and thou maiest chance heare , ( but art sure to see ) in what subtill , and farre-fetcht manner I le solicite her about thee .

Cla

Thanks worthie Lord .

exeunt .
Finis . Actus Primis
ACTVS SECVNDI
SAeNA PRIMA Clarence Solus . Cla.

I That haue studied with world - skorning thoughts the waie of heauen , and how trew heauen is reacht

To know how mightie , and how many are The strange affections of inchaunted number How to distinguish all the motions Of the Celestiall bodies , and what powre doth seperate in such forme this massie Rownd : VVhat is his Essence , Efficacies , Beames ? Footesteps , and Shadowes ? what Eternesses is The world , and Time , and Generation ? VVhat Soule , the worldes Soule is ? what the blacke Springes And vnreueald Originall of Things , VVhat their perseuerance � what is life and death , And what our Certaine Restauration ? Am with the staid-heads of this Time imployd To watch with all my Nerues a Female shade .
Enter Wynnefred , Anabell , with their sowing workes and sing : After their song Enter Lord Momford . Mom.

VVitty Mistrisse Wynnefred , where is your Countesse I pray ?

Wyn.

Faith your Lordship is bould enough to seeke her out , if she were at her vrinall ?

Mom.

Then Sh 'as done it seemes , for here she comes to saue mee that labour , away wenches , get you hence wenches .

Exeunt .
Eu.

VVhat , can you not abide my maides vnkle ?

Mom.

I neuer cood abide a maid in my life Neece , but either I draw away the maid , or the maidenhead with a wet finger .

Eu.

You loue to make your selfe worse then you are stil .

Mom.

I know fewe mend in this world Madam , For the worse the better thought on , the better the worse spoken on euer amongst women .

Eu.

I wonder where you haue binne all this while with your sentences .

Mom ,

Faith where I must be again presently . I cannot stay long with you my deere Neece .

Eu.

By my faith but you shall my Lorde , Gods pittie what wil become of you shortly , that you driue maids afore you , & offer to leaue widowes behind you , as mankindelie , as if you had taken a surfet of our Sex lately , and our very sight turnd your stomacke .

Mom.

Gods my life , She abuses her best vnkle ; neuer trust mee if it were not a good reuenge to helpe her to the losse of her widowhead .

Eu.

That were a reuenge and a halfe , indeed .

Mom.

Nay t were but a whole reuenge Neece , but such a reuenge as woulde more then obserue the true rule of a reuenge .

Eu.

I know your rule before you vtter it , Vlciscere Inimico sed sine tuo incommodo .

Mom.

O rare Neece , you may see , what t is to bee a a scholler now , Learning in a woman is like waight in gold , or Luster in Diamants , which in no other Stone is so rich or refulgent

Eug.

But say deere Vnckle how could you finde in your heart to stay so long from me .

Mom.

VVhy alas Neece , y' are so smeard with this willfull-widdowes three-yeeres blacke weede , that I neuer come to you , but I dreame of Courses , and Sepulchres , and Epitaths , all the night after , and therefore adew deere Neece .

Eug.

Beshrew my hearte my Lorde , if you goe theis three houres .

Mom.

Three houres ? nay Neece , if I daunce attendance three houres ( alone in her chamber ) with an Lady so neere alide to me , I am verie idle ifaith , marie with such an other ; I woulde daunce , one , two , three , foure , and fiue , tho it cost me tenne shillings ; and now I am in , haue at it , my head must deuise something while my feet are pidling thus , that may bring her to some fit consideration of my friend , who indeed is only a great scholler , and all his honours , and riches lie in his mind .

Eug.

Come , Come , pray tell me vnckle , how does my cosen Momford ?

Mom.

VVhy , well , verie well Neece , & so is my friend Clarence well too , & then is there a worthie gentleman well as any is in England I can tell ye .

Eug.

But when did you see my Cosen ?

Mom.

And t is pittie but he should do well , and he shall be well too , if all my wealth will make him well .

Eug.

VVhat meanes hee by this tro yee , your Lo : is verie dancitiue me thinkes .

Mom.

I , and I could tel you a thing would make your Ladiship verie dancitiue , or else it were verie dunsatiue yfaith . O how the skipping of this Christmas blocke of ours moues the blockhead heart of a woman , & indeed any thing that pleaseth the foolish eye which presently runnes with a lying tale of Excellence to the mind .

Eug.

But I pray tell me my Lord could you tell me of a thing would make me dance say you ?

Mom.

VVel , farewell sweet Neece I must needs take my leaue in earnest .

Eug.

Lord blesse vs , here 's such a stir with your farewels .

Mom.

I wil see you againe within these two or three dayes a my woord Neece .

Eug.

Gods pretious , two or three dayes ? why this Lord is in a marualous strange humor . Sit downe sweet Vnckle , yfaith I haue to talke with you about greate matters .

Mom.

Say then deere Neece , bee shorte vtter your mind quickly now .

Eug.

But I pray tell me first , what 's that would make me daunce yfaith ?

Mom.

Daunce , what daunce ? hetherto your dauncers legges bow for-sooth , and Caper , and Ierke , and Firke , and dandle the bodie aboue them , as it were their great childe , though the speciall Ierker bee aboue this place I hope , here lies that shudd fetch a perfect woman ouer the Coles yfaith .

Eug.

Nay good Vnckle say what 's the thing you could tel me of .

Mom.

No matter , no matter : But let mee see a passing prosperous forehead of an exceeding happie dista�ce betwixt the eye browes ; a cleene lightning eye ; a temperate and freshe bloud in both the cheekes ; excellent markes , most excellent markes of good fortune .

Eug.

VVhy , how now Vnckle did you neuer see mee before !

Mom.

Yes Neece ; but the state of these thinges at this instant must bee specially obserued , and these outwarde signes being now in this cleere eleuation , showe your vntroubled mind is in an excellent power , to preferre them to act forth then a litle deere Neece .

Eug.

This is excellent .

Mom.

The Creses here are excellent good ; The proportion of the chin good ; the little aptnes of it to sticke out ; good . And the wart aboue it most exceeding good . Neuer trust me , if all things bee not answerable to the predictio� of a most diuine fortune towards her ; uow if shee haue the grace to apprehend it in the nicke ; ther 's all .

Eug.

VVell my Lorde , since you will not tell me your secret , I le keepe another from you ; with whose discouerie , you may much pleasure mee , and whose concealement may hurt my estate . And if you bee no kinder then to see mee so indangered ; I le bee very patient of it I assure you .

Mom.

Nay then it must instantly foorth . This kind con iuration euen fires it out of me ; and ( to be short ) gather all your Iudgment togeather , for here it comes . Neece ; Clarence Clarence , rather my Soule then my frie�d Clarence of too substantiall a worth , to haue any figures cast about him , ( notwithstanding , no other woman with Empires could stirre his affections ) is with your vertues most extreamely in loue ; and without your requitall dead . And with it fame shall sound this golden disticke through the world of you both .

Non illo melior quisquam nec amantior aequi Vir fuit , aut illa reuerentior vlla Dearum .
Eug. Ay me poore Dame , O you amase me Vnckle , Is this the wondrous fortune you presage ? VVhat man may miserable women trust ? Mom.

O peace good Ladie , I come not to rauishe you to any thing . But now I see how you accept my motion : I perceiue ( how vpon true triall ) you esteeme me . Haue I ridd al this Circuite to leuie the powers of your Iudgment , that I might not prooue their strength too sodainly with so violent a charge : And doe they fight it out in white bloud . And showe me their hearts in the soft Christall of teares

Eug.

O vnckle you haue wounded your selfe in charging me that I should shun Iudgement as a monster , if it woulde not weepe ; I place the poore felicitie of this worlde in a woorthie friende , and to see him so vnworthely reuolted , I shedd not the teares of my Brayne , but the teares of my soule . And if euer nature made teares the effects of any worthie cause , I am sure I now shedde them worthelie .

Mom.

Her sensuall powers are vp yfaith , I haue thrust her soule quite from her Tribunall . This is her Sedes vacans when her subiects are priueledged to libell against her , and her friends . But weeps my kind Neece for the wounds of my friendshippe ? and I toucht in friendship for wishing my friende doubled in her singular happinesse ?

Eug.

How am I doubl'd ? when my honour , and good name , two essentiall parts of mee ; woulde bee lesse , and lost ?

Mom.

In whose Iudgment ?

Eug.

In the iudgment of the world .

Mom.

Which is a fooles boult . Nihil a vertute nec a viritate remotius quam Vulgaris opinto : But my deare Neece , it is most true that your honour and good name tendred as they are the species of truth are worthilie two essentiall parts of you ; But as they consist only in ayrie titles and corrupteble blood ( whose bitternes sanitas et non nobilitas efficit ) and care not how many base and execrable acts they commit , they touch you no more then they touch eternitie . And yet shal no nobilitie you haue in either , be impaired neither .

Eu.

Not to marrie a poore gentleman ?

Mom.

Respect him not so ; for as he is a gentleman he is noble ; as he is welthilie furnished with true knowledge , he is rich and therein adorn'd with the exatest complements belonging to euerlasting noblenesse .

Eug.

Which yet will not maintaine him a weeke : Such kinde of noblenesse giues no cotes of honour nor can scarse gette a cote for necessitie

Mom.

Then is it not substantiall knoweledge ( as it is in him ) but verball and fantasticall for Omnia in illa ille . complexu tenet .

Eug.

VVhy seekes he me then ?

Mom.

To make you ioynt partners with him in all thinges , and there is but a little partiall difference betwixt you , that hinders that vniuersall ioynture : The bignesse of this circle held too neer our eye keepes it fro� the whole Spheare of the Sunne but ; could we sustaine it indifferently betwixt vs and it , it would then without checke of one beame appeare in his fulnes .

Eug.

Good Vnckle be content for now shall I neuer dreame of contentment .

Mom.

I haue more then done Ladie , and had rather haue suffer'd an alteration of my being then of your Iudgement ; but ( deere neece ) for your owne honour sake repaire it instantly .

Enter Hippolita . Penelope . Jack . Will .

See heere comes the Ladies ; make an Aprill day one deare loue and be sodainely cheerefull God saue you more then faire Ladies , I am glad your come , for my busines will haue me gone presently .

Hip.

VVhy my Lord Momford I say ? wil you goe before dinner ?

Mom.

No remedie sweete Bewties , for which rudenesse I lay my hands thus lowe for your pardons :

Pen.

O Courteous Lord Momford !

Mom.

Neece ? Mens estquae sola quietes . Sola facit claros mentemque honoribus ornat

exit
Eug

Verus honos Iuuat at mendax infamia terret .

Mon.

Mine owne deare nephew ?

Cla.

VVhat successe my Lord ?

Mom.

Excellent ; excellent ; come I le tell thee all .

exeunt
Hip.

Doe you heare madam , how our youthes here haue guld our three suiters ?

Eug

not I Ladie , I hope our suiters are no fit meat for our Pages .

Pe.

No madam , but they are fit sawce for anie mans meat I le warrant them .

Eug.

VVhat 's the matter Hippolita ?

Hip

They haue sent the knightes to Barnet madam this frostie morning to meete vs their .

Efug.

I' st true youths , are knights fit subiects for your knaueries �

Wil.

Pray pardon vs madam , we would be glad to please anie body .

Iac.

I indeed madam and we were sure we pleas'd the� highly to tell the� you were desirous of their companie .

Hip.

O t was good Eugenia , their liuers were too hot , you know , and for temper sake they must needes haue a cooling carde plaid vpon them .

Wil.

And besides madam we wood haue them knowe that your two little Pages , which are lesse by halfe then two leaues , haue more learning in them then is in all their three volumnes .

Ia.

I faith Will , and putt their great pagicall index to them too .

Hip.

But how will ye excuse your abuses wags ?

Will

We doubt not madam , but if it please your Ladiship to put vp their abuses ,

Ia.

Trusting they are not so deere to you , but you may .

Will

Wee shall make them gladly furnishe their pockets with them .

Hip.

VVell , children , and foules , agree as you will , and let the world knowe now , women haue nothing to doe with you .

Pe.

Come madam I thinke your dinner bee almost readie ,

Enter Tales Kingcob .
Hip.

And see , here are two honorable guestes for you , the Lord Tales , and Sir Cutberd Kingcob .

Ta.

Lacke you any guests madam ?

Eu.

I my Lord such guests as you .

Hip

There 's as common an answere , as yours was a question my Lord .

King.

VVhy ? al things shood be co�mon betwixt Lords , and Ladies you know .

Pen.

Indeed Sir Kuttberd Bingcob , I haue heard , you are either of the familie of Loue , or of no religion at all .

Eug.

Hee may well be said to be of the family of Loue , he does so flowe in the loues of poore ouerthrowne Ladies .

King.

You speake of that I wood doe madam , but in earnest , I am now suing for a newe mistres ; looke in my hand sweet Ladie , and tell mee what fortune I shall haue with her .

Eug.

Doe you thinke me a witch , Sir Cutberd ?

King.

Pardon mee Madam , but I know you to bee learnd in all thinges .

Eug.

Come on le ts see .

Hip.

He does you a speciall fauour Ladie , to giue you his open hand , for t is commonly shut they say .

King.

VVhat find you in it madam ?

Eug.

Shut it now and I le tell yee .

King.

VVhat now Ladie ?

Eug.

Y 'aue the worst hand that euer I saw knight haue , when t is open , one can find nothing in it , and when t is shutt one can get nothing out on t .

King.

The age of letting goe is past madam , wee must not now let goe , but strike vp mens heeles , and take am as they fall .

Eug.

A good Cornish principle belieue it Sir Cuttberd .

Tales

But I pray tell me Ladie Penelope , how entertaine you the loue of my Cosen Sir Gyles Goosecappe .

Pene.

Are the Goosecaps a kin to you my Lord .

Ta.

Euen in the first degree madam . And Sir Gyles I can tell ye , tho he seeme something simple , is composd of as many good parts as any knight in England .

Hip,

He shood be put vp for concealement then , for he shewes none of them .

Pen.

Are you able to reckon his good parts my Lord ?

Ta.

I le doe the best I can Ladie , first , hee daunces as comely and lightly as any man , for vpon my honour , I haue seene him daunce vpon Egges , and a has not broken them .

Pen.

Nor crackt them neither .

Ta.

That I know not , indeed I wood bee loath , to lie though he be my kinsman , to speake more then I know by him .

Eug.

VVell forth my Lord .

Ta.

He has an excele�t skil in al maner of perfumes , & if you bring him gloues fro fortie pence , to forty Shillings a paire he will tell you the price of them to two pence .

Hip.

A prettie sweet qualitie belieue me .

Tales

Nay Ladie hee will perfume you gloues him selfe ; most dilicately , and giue them the right Spanish Titillation .

Titillation what 's that my Lord ?

Tal.

VVhy Ladie t is a pretty kinde of terme newe come vp in perfuming , which they call a Titillation .

Hip.

Very well expounded my Lord ; forth with your kinsmans parts I pray .

Tal.

Hee is the best Sempster of any woman in England , and will worke you needle worke edgings , and French purles from an Angell to foure Angells a yearde .

Eug.

That 's pretious ware indeed .

Tal.

He will worke you any flower to the life , as like it as if it grewe in the verie place , and being a delicate perfumer , hee will giue it you his perfect and naturall sauor .

Hip.

This is wonderful ; forth sweet Lord Tales .

Tal.

He will make you flyes and wormes , of all sortes most liuely , and is now working a whole bed embrodred , with nothing but glowe wormes ; whose lightes a has so perfectly done , that you may goe to bed in the chamber , doe any thing in the Chamber , without a Candle .

Pene.

Neuer trust me if it be not incredible ; forth my good Lord .

Tal.

Hee is a most excellent Turner , and will turne you wassel-bowles , and posset Cuppes caru'd with Libberdes faces , and Lyons heades with spoutes in their mouthes , to let out the posset Ale , most artificially .

Eug.

Forth good Lord Tales .

Pene.

Nay good my Lord no more , you haue spoken for him thoroughly I warrant you .

Hip.

I lay my life Cupid has shott my sister in loue with him out of your lipps my Lord .

Eug.

VVel , come in my Lords , and take a bad dinner with me now , and wee will all goe with you at night to a better supper with the Lord , and Ladie Furnifall .

King. Tale.

VVe attend you honorable Ladies .

Exeunt .
ACTVS TERTII
SCAeNA PRIMA . Enter Rudesby Goosecappe . Rud.

Bullaker .

Bul.

I Sir .

Rud.

Ride and catch the Captaines horse .

Bul.

So I doe Sir .

Rud.

I wonder Sir Gyles you wood let him goe soe , and not ride after him .

Goos.

VVood I might neuer be mortall Sir Cutt : if I ridd not after him , till my horse sweat , so that he had nere a drie thread on him , & hollod & hollod to him to stay him , till I had thought my fingers ends wood haue gon off with hollowings ; I le be sworn to ye & yet he ran his way like a Diogenes , and would neuer stay for vs .

Rud.

How shall wee doe to get the lame Captaine to London , now his horse is gone ?

Goos.

Why hee is but a lame Iade neither Sir Meyle , we shal soone our'take him I warrant ye .

Rud.

And yet thou saist thou gallopst after him as fast as thou coodst , and coodst not Catch him ; I lay my life some Crabfishe has bitten thee by the tongue , thou speakest so backward still .

Goos.

But here 's all the doubt Sir Cutt : if nobodie shoold catch him now , when hee comes at London , some boy or other wood get vppe on him and ride him hotte into the water to washe him ; I le bee sworne I followed one that ridd my horse into the Thames , till I was vppe tooth knees hetherto ; and if it had not beene for feare of going ouer shooes , because I am troubled with the rheume , I wood haue taught him to washe my horse when hee was

Enter Foul .

hott yfath ; how now sweet Captaine dost feele any ease in thy payne yet ?

Rud.

Ease in his paine quoth you , has good lucke if he feele ease in paine I thinke , but wood any asse in the world ride downe such a hill as Highgate is , in such a frost as this , and neuer light

Foul.

Gods pretious Sir Cutt . your Frenchman neuer lights I tell ye .

Goos.

Light Sir Cutt , Slight and I had my horse again , there 's nere a paltrie English frost an them all shood make me light .

Rud.

Goe too you French Zanies you , you wil follow the french steps so long , till you be notable to set one Sound Steppe o th ground all the daies of your life .

Goos.

Why Sir Cut I care not if I be not sound so I be well but we were iustly plaugde , by this hill for following women thus .

Foul.

I and English weomen too sir Giles .

Rud.

Thou art still prating against English women I haue seene none of the French dames I confesse , but your greatest gallants for men in Fraunce , were here lately I am sure , and methinkes there should be no more difference betwixt our Ladies and theirs , then there is betwixt our Lordes and theirs , and our Lords are as farr beyond them yfaith , for person , and Courtshippe , as they are beyond ours for phantasticallitie .

Foul.

O Lord sir Cut , I am sure our Ladies hold our Lords tack for Courtshippe , and yet the french Lords put them downe , you noted it sir Gyles .

Goos.

O God sir , I stud and heard it , as I sat i th presence .

Rud.

How did they put them downe I pray thee ?

Foul.

Why for wit , and for Court-shippe Sir Moile .

Foul.

As how good lefthandded Francois .

Fou ..

VVhy Sir when Meunsieur Lambois came to your mistris the Ladie Hippolita as she sate in the presence , sitt downe here good Sir Gyles Goosecappe , hee kneeld me by her thus Sir , and with a most queint French Arte in his speech of ah bellissime , I desire to die now fares hee for in his speech of ah bellissime I desire to die now saies he for your loue that I might be buried here .

Rud.

A good pick-thacht complement by my faith ; but I prethee what answer'd she .

Foul.

She , I scorne to note that I hope then did he vie it againe with an other hah .

Rud.

That was hah , hah , I wood haue put the third hah to it , if I had been as my mistris , and hah, hah, hah'ed him out of the presence yfaith ,

Foul.

Hah saies he , theis faire eyes , I wood not for a million they were in Fraunce , they wood renewe all our ciuill-wars againe .

Goose.

That was not so good me thinkes captaine .

Rud.

Welliudgd yfaith , there was a little wit in that I must co�fesse , but she put him down far , & au�swered him with a questio� & that was whether he wood seem a louer or a iesster , if a louer a must tel her far more lykelier then those , or else she was far fro� belieuing the� , if a Iester , she cood haue much more ridiculous iests then his of twenty fooles that followed the court , and told him she had as lieue be courted with a brush faggot as with a fre�chman , that spe�t it selfe al in sparks , & would sooner fire ones chimney then warme the house , and that such sparkes were good enough yet to set thatcht dispositio�s a fire , but hers was tild with sleight , and respected the� as sleightly .

Goos.

VVhy so Captaine , and yet you talke of your great frenchmen , to God little England had neuer knowne them I may say .

Foul.

VVhat 's the matter sir Giles , are you out of loue with frenchmen now of a sodaine .

Goos.

Slydd captaine VVood not make one , I le be sworne , I le be sworne , they tooke away a mastie dogge of mine by commission now , I thinke on 't makes my teares stand in my eyes with greefe , I had rather lost the dearest friend that euer I lay withal , in my life be this light , neuer stir if if hee fought not with great Sekerson foure hours to one , foremoste take vp hindmoste , and tooke so many loaues from him , that hee sterud him presently : So at last the dogg cood doe no more then a Beare cood doe , and the beare being heauie with hunger you know , fell vppon the dogge , broke his backe , and the dogge neuer stird more .

Rud.

VVhy thou saist the frenchmen tooke him away .

Goos.

Frenchmen , I , so they did too , but yet and hee had not bin kild , t wood nere a greeud me .

Foul.

O excellent vnitie of speach .

Enter Will and Iacke at seuerall doores . Will

Saue ye knights .

Ia.

Saue you Captaine .

Faul.

Pages , welcome my fine pages .

Rud.

Welcome boyes .

Goos.

VVelcome sweet Will , good Iacke .

Foul.

But how chaunce you are so farre from London now pages , is it not almost dinner time .

Will

Yes indeed Sir , but we left our fellowes to wait for once , and cood not chuse in pure loue to your worships , but we must needs come and meet you , before you mett our Ladies , to tell you a secret .

Omnes

A secrett , what secret I pray thee ?

Ia.

If euer your worships say any thing , we are vndone for euer .

Omnes

Not for a world beleue it .

Will

VVhy then this it is ; wee ouerheard our Ladies as they were talking in priuate say they refusde to meet you at Barnet this morning of purpose , because they wood try which of you were most patient .

Ia.

And some said you , Sir Gyles , another you Sir and the third you Captaine ,

Om.

This was excellent .

Will

Then did they sweare one another not to excuse themselues to you by any meanes , that they might trie you the better , now if they shal see you say nothing in the worlde to them , what may come of it , when Ladies begin to trie their suters once , I hope your wisedomes can iudge a little .

Foul.

O ho my little knaue let vs alone now yfaith , wood I might be Casheird , if I say any thing .

Rud.

Faith and I can forbeare my Tongue as well as another I hope .

Goos.

VVood I might be degraded if I speake a word , I le tell them I care not for loosing my labour .

Foul.

Come knights shall we not reward the pages ?

Rud.

Yes I prethee doe , Sir Gyles giue the boyes something .

Goos.

Neuer stirre Sir Cutt , if I haue euer a groat about me but one three pence .

Foul.

VVell knights I le lay out fo rs all , here my fine pages .

Will

No in deed an t please your worshippe .

Foul.

O pages refuse a gentlemans bountie .

Ia.

Crie you mercy Sir , thanke you sweete Captaine

Foul.

And what other newes is stirring my fine villiacos .

Will

Marrie Sir they are inuited to a greate supper to night to your Lords house Captaine , the Lord Furnifall , and there will bee your great cosen Sir Gyles Goosecappe , the Lorde Tales , and your vnckle Sir Cutt . Rudesby , Sir Cutbert Kingcob .

Foul.

The Lord Tales , what countriman is hee ?

Ia.

A kentish Lord Sir , his auncestors came forth off Canterburie .

Foul.

Out of Canterburie .

Will

I indeed Sir the best Tales in England are your Canterburie tales , I assure ye .

Rud.

the boy tels thee true Captaine .

Ia.

Hee writes his name Sir , Tales , and hee being the tenth sonne his father had ; his father Christned him Decem Tales , and so his whole name is the Lord Decem Tales .

Goos.

A my mortallitie the boy knowes more then I doe of our house .

Rud.

But is the Ladie Furnifall ( Captaine ) still of the same drinking humor she was wont to be .

Foul.

Still of the same knight , and is neuer in any sociable vaine till she be typsie , for in her sobrietie shee is madd , and feares my good little old Lord out of all proportion .

King.

And therefore as I hear he will earnestly inuite guestes to his house , of purpose to make his wife dronk , and then dotes on her humor most prophanely .

Foul.

T is very true knight ; wee will suppe with them to night ; and you shall see her ; and now I thinke on t , I le tell you a thing knights , wherein perhaps you may exceedingly pleasure me .

Goos.

VVhat 's that good Captain .

Foul.

I am desirous to helpe my Lord to a good merrie Foole , & if I cood help him to a good merry one , he might doe me very much credit I assure ye .

Rud.

Sblood thou speakest to vs as if wee cood serue thy turne .

Foul.

O Fraunce Sir Cutt : your Frenchman wood not haue taken me so , for a world , but because Fooles come into your companies many times to make you merrie

Rud.

As thou doost .

Goos.

Nay good Sir Cutt : you know fooles doe come into your companies .

Rud.

I and thou knowst it too , no man better .

Foul.

Beare with Choller Sir Gyles .

Will .

But wood you helpe your Lord to a good foole so faine Sir .

Foul.

I my good page exceeding faine .

Ia.

You mean a wench , do you not Sir , a foolish we�ch ?

Foul.

Nay I wood haue a man foole , for his Lord : page .

Will

Does his Lord : loue a foole , so wel I pray .

Foul.

Assure thy selfe page , my Lord loues a foole as he loues himselfe .

Ia.

Of what degree wood you haue your Foole Sir , for you may haue of all maner of degrees .

Foul.

Faith I wood haue him a good Emphaticall foole , one that wood make my Lorde laugh well , and I carde not ,

Will

Laugh well ( vm ) then wee must know this Sir , is your Lorde Costiue of laughter , or laxatiue of laughter ?

Foul.

Nay he is good merrie little Lorde , and indeed something Laxatiue of Laughter .

Will .

Why then Sir the lesse witt will serue his Lordships turne , marrie if he had bin Costiue of laughter , hee must haue had two or three drams of witt the more in his foole , for we must minister according to the qua�tity of his Lord : humor you know , and if he shood haue as much Witt in his foole being Laxatiue of laughter , as if hee were Costiue of Laughter , why he might laugh himsele into an Epilepsie , and fall down dead sodainly , as many haue done with the extremitie of that passion ; and I know your Lord cares for nothing , but the health of a foole .

Foul.

Th art i th right my notable good page .

Ia.

Why , and for that health Sir we will warrant his Lordship , that if he should haue all Bacon de sanitate tuenda reade to him , it shood not please his Lordship so well as our foole shall .

Foul.

Remercy my more then English pages .

Goos.

A my word I haue not seene pages haue so much witt , that haue neuer bin in Fraunce Captain .

Foul.

T is true indeed Sir Gyles , well then my almost french Elixers , will you helpe my Lord to a foole , so fitt for him as you say .

Will

As fitt , I le warra�t you Captain , as if he were made for him , and hee shall come this night to supper , and foole where his Lord : sits at table .

Foul.

Excellent sirr , faile not now my sweet pages .

Ia.

Not for a world sir , we will goe both , and seeke him presently .

Foul.

Doe so my good wagges

Wil.

Saue you knights .

Ia.

Saue you Captaine .

Exeunt .
Foul.

Farewell my prettie knaues , come knights , shall we resolue to goe to this Supper ?

Rud.

VVhat else .

Goos.

And let 's prouide torches for our men to sit at dore with all captaine .

Foul.

That we will I warrant you sir Giles .

Rud.

Torches ? why the Moone will shine man .

Goos.

The moone Sir Cut : I scorne the moone yfaith , Slydd sometimes a man shal not get her to shine & if he wood giue her a couple of Capons , and one of them must be white too , God forgiue me I cud neuer abide her since yesterday , she seru'de me such a trick tother night .

Rud.

VVhat trick sir Gyles ?

Goos.

VVhy sir Cut : cause the daies be mortall and short now you knowe , and I loue daie light well ; I thought it went a waie faster then it needed , and run after it into Finsburie-fieldes i th calme euening to see the winde mils goe ? & euen as I was going ouer a ditch the moone by this light of purpose runnes me behind a cloud , and lets me fall into the ditch by heauen .

Rud.

That was ill done in her in deed sir Giles .

Goos.

Ill done sir Cut : Slydd a man may beare , and beare , but and she haue noe more good manners , but to make euery black slouenly cloude a pearle in her eye I shall nere loue English moone againe , while I liue I le be sworne to ye .

Foul.

come knights to London horse , horse , horse .

Rud.

In what a case he is with the poore English moone , because the french moones ( their torches ) wil be the lesse in fashion , and I warrant you the Captaine will remember it too , tho hee say no thing , hee seconds his resolute chaseso and followes him , I le lay my life you shall see them the next cold night , shut the mooneshine out of their chambers , and make it lie without doores all night . I discredit my witt with their companies now I thinke on 't , plague a god on them ; I le fall a beating on them presently .

Exit .
Enter Lorde Momford and Clarence . Clarence Horatio . Cla. Sing good Horatio , while I sigh and write . According to my master Platos minde The Soule is musick , and doth therefore ioy In accents musicall , which he that hates VVith points of discorde is togeather tyed And barkes at Reason , Consonant in sence . Diuine Eugenia , beares the ocular forme Of musicke and of Reason , and presents The Soule exempt from flesh in flesh inflam'd , Who must not loue hir then , that loues his soule ? To her I write , my friend , the starre of friends VVil needs haue my strange lines greet her strange eies And for his sake I le powre my poore Soule forth In floods of Inke ; but did not his kind hand Barre me with violent grace , I wood consume . In the white flames of her impassionate Loue Ere my harsh lipps shood vent the odorous blaze . For I am desperate of all worldly Ioyes And there was neuer man so harsh to men , VVhen I am fullest of digested life I seeme a liuelesse Embrion to all Each day rackt vp in nightlike Funerall . Sing good Horatio , whilst I sigh and write . Canto . The Letter .

Suffer him to loue that suffers not louing , my loue is without passion and therefore free from alteration .

Prose is too harsh , and verse is poetrie VVhy shood I write then ? merrit clad in Inke Is but a mourner , and as good as naked I will not write my friend shall speake for me Sing one staue more my good Horatio . Canto . I must remember I knowe whom I loue , A dame of learning , and of life exemt From all the Idle fancies of her sex , And this that to an other dame wood seeme Perplext and foulded in a rudelesse vaile Wil be more cleere then ballads to her eye I le write , if but to satisfie my friend . Your third stance sweet Horatio and no more . Canto . How vainely doe I offer my strange loue ? I marrie , and bid states , and entertaine Ladies with tales and iests , and Lords with newes And keepe a house to feast Acteons hounds That eate their maister , and let ydell guests Drawe me from serious search of things diuine To bid them sit , and welcome , and take care To sooth their palats with choyce kytchin-stuff As all must doe that marrie and keepe house And then looke on the left sid of my yoake Or on the right perhaps and see my wife Drawe in a quite repugnant course from me Busied to starch her french purles , and her puffs When I am in my Anima refiexa quid sit faelicitas quae origo rerum ? And make these beings that are knowne to be The onely serious obiects of true men Seeme shadowes , with substantiall stir she keepes About her shadowes , which if husbands loue They must belieue , and thus my other selfe Brings me another bodie to dispose That haue alreadie much too much of one , And must not looke for any Soule of her To helpe two rule to bodies . Mom. Fie for shame . I neuer heard of such an antedame . Doe women bring no helpe of soule to men ? VVhy friend they either are mens soules themselues Or the most wittie Imitatrixes of them Or prettiest sweet apes of humaine Soules , That euer Nature fram'd ; as I will proue . For first they be Substantiae lucidae And purer then mens bodies like their soules , VVhich mens harsh haires both of their brest & chinne Occasiond by their grose and ruder heate Plainely demonstrates : Then like soules they doe , Mouere corpora , for no power on earth Moues a mans bodie , as a woman does ! Then doe they Dare formas corpori Or adde faire formes to men , as their soules doe : For but for women , who wood care for formes ? I vowe I neuer wood washe face , nor hands Nor care how ragg'd , or slouenlie I went VVer 't not for women , who of all mens pompes Are the true finall causes : Then they make Men in their Seedes imortall like their Soules That els wood perish in a spanne of time . Oh they be Soulelike-Creatures , and my Neece The Soule of twentie rare Soules stild in one . Cla.

That , that it is my Lord , that makes me loue .

Mom. Oh are ye come Sir , welcome to my Neece As I may say at midnight gentle friend What haue you wrott I pray ? Cla.

Strange stuffe my Lord .

Mom. Indeed the way to belieue is to loue And the right way to loue is to belieue , This I will carry now with pen and Incke For her to vse in answere , see , sweet friend She shall not stay to call , but while the steele Of her affection is made softe and hott , I le strike and take occasion by the browe . Blest is the wooing that 's not long a dooing . Exit . Cla. Had euer man so true , and noble friend ? Or wood men thinke this sharpe worlds freezing Aire To all true honour and iudiciall loue VVood suffer such a florishing pyne in both To ouerlooke the boxe-trees of this time ? VVhen the learnd mind hath by impulsion wrought Her eyes cleere fire into a knowing flame . No elementall smoke can darken it Nor Northen coldnes nyppe her Daphnean flower , O sacred friendshippe thanks to thy kind power That being retir'd from all the faithles worlde Appearst to me in my vnworldly friend , And for thine owne sake let his noble mind By mouing presedent to all his kind ( Like iust Deucalion ) of earths stonie bones Repaire the world with humane bloud and flesh And dying vertue with new life refresh . Exit .
ACTVS QVARTVS . Enter Tales , Kingcob , Eugenia , Hippolita , Penelope , Winnifred . King.

T is time to leaue your Chests Ladies t is too studious an exercise after dinner .

Tal.

Why is it cal'd Chests ?

Hip.

Because they leane vppon their Chests that play at it .

Tal

I wood haue it cald the strife of wittes , for t is a game so wittie , that with strife for maisterie , wee hunt it eagerly .

Eug

Specially where the wit of the Goosecaps are in chase my Lord .

Tal.

I am a Goosecappe by the mothers side madam , at least my mother was a Goosecappe .

Fen.

And you were her white sonne , I warrant my Lord .

Tal.

I was the youngest Ladie , and therefore must be her white sonne ye know , the youngest of tenne I was .

Hip.

And the wisest of Fifteene .

Tal.

And sweet Ladie will ye cast a kind eye now vpon my Cosin , Sir Gyles Goosecappe .

Pen.

Pardon my Lord I haue neuer a spare eye to cast away I assure ye .

Tal.

I wonder you shood Count it cast away Ladie vppon him , doe you remember those fewe of his good partes I rehearst to you .

Pen.

Verie perfectly my Lord , amongst which one of them was , that he is the best Sempster of any woman in England , pray le ts see some of his worke ?

Hip.

Sweet Lord le ts see him sowe a little .

Tal.

You shall a mine honour Ladie .

Eug.

Hee s a goodly greate knight indeed ; and a little needle in his hand will become him prettelie .

King.

From the Spanish pike to the Spanish needle , he shall play with any knight in England Ladie .

Eug.

But not e conuerso , from the Spanish needle to the Spanish pike .

King.

I thinke he be too wise for that indeed madam , for he has 20. miles length in land lies togeather , and hee wood bee loath to bring it all to the length of a pike .

Hip.

But no man commends my blount Seruant Sir Cutt : Rudesby methinks .

King.

Hee is a kind gentleman Ladie though hee bee blunt , and is of this humor , the more you presume vppon him without Ceremonie , the more he loues you , if he knowe you thinke him kinde once and will say nothing but still vse him , you may melt him into any kindenesse you will ; he is right like a woman , and had rather , you shood bluntlie take the greatest fauour you can of him , then shamefastly intreat it .

Eug

He saies wel to you Hippolita .

Hip

I madam , but they saie , he will beat one in Iest , and byte in kindenesse , and teare ones ruffes in Courtshippe .

King.

Some that he makes sport withall perhappes , but none that he respects I assure ye .

Hip.

And wha't 's his liuing sir Cutbeard ?

King.

Some two thousand a yeare Ladie .

Hip.

I pray doe not tell him that I ask't , for I stand not vpon liuing .

King

O Good Ladie who can liue without liuing ?

Enter Momford . Mom

Still heere Lordings ? good companions yfaith , I see you come not for vittles .

Tal.

Vittles , my Lord , I hope we haue vittles at home .

Mom.

I but sweet Lord , there is a principle in the Polititians phisicke , that not your meat vpon other mens trenchers , & beware of surfits of your owne coste manie good companions cannot abide to eate meate at home ye know . And how faires my noble Neece now , and her faire Ladie Feeres ?

Eug.

VVhat winde blowes you hether troe ?

Mom.

Harke you madam , the sweete gale of one Clarences breath , with this his paper sayle blowes me hether .

Eug.

Aye me stil , in that humor ? beshrowe my hart it I take anie Papers from him .

Mom.

Kinde bosome doe thou take it then .

Eug.

Nay then neuer trust me .

Mom.

Let it fall then , or cast it awaie you were best , that euerie bodie may discouer your loue suits , doe ; there 's sombodie neare if you note it , and how haue you spent the time since dinner nobles ?

King.

At chests my Lords ,

Mom.

Read it neece .

Eug.

Heere beare it backe I pray .

Mom.

I beare you on my backe to heare you ; and how play the Ladies sir Cuthbert , what men doe they play best withall , with knights or rookes ?

Tal.

With knights my Lord .

Mom.

T' is pitty their boord is no broader , and that some men caled guls are not added to their game

King.

Why my Lo it needs not , they make the knights guls .

Mom

That 's pretty sir Cuthbert ; you haue begon I know Neece , forth I commaund you .

Eug.

O y are a sweete vnckle .

Mom.

I haue brought her a little Greeke , to helpe me out withal , and shee s so coy of her learning for sooth she makes it strange : Lords , and Ladies , I inuite you al to supper to night , and you shal not denie me .

Ad.

VVe will attend your Lordshippe .

Tal.

Come Ladies let 's into the gallerie a little .

exeunt
Mom.

And now what saies mine owne deare neece yfaith ?

Eug.

VVhat shood she saie to the backside of a paper .

Mom.

Come , come , I knowe you haue byn a' the bellie side .

Eug.

Now was there euer Lord so prodigall , of his owne honor'd blood , and dignity ?

Mom

Away with these same horse faire alligations , will you answere the letter ?

Eug.

Gods my life you goe like a cuning spokes man , man , answere vnckle ? what doe ye thinke me desperate of a husband

Mom.

Not so neece , but carelesse of your poore vnkle .

Eug.

I will not write that 's certaine .

Mom.

VVhat wil you haue my friend and I perish , doe you thirst our bloods ?

Eug.

O y are in a mightie danger noe doubt on 't .

Mom.

If you haue our bloods beware our ghostes I can tell ye , come will ye write ?

Eug.

I will not write yfaith .

Mom.

yfaith dame , then I must be your secretarie I see , here 's the letter , come , doe you dictate and I le write .

Eug.

If you write no otherwise then I dictate , it will scarce proue a kinde answere I beleeue .

Mom.

But you will be aduis'de I trust . Secretaries are of counsaile with their countesses , thus it begins . Suffer him to loue , that suffers not louing , what answere you to that ?

Eug.

He loues extreamely that suffers not in loue .

Mom.

He answeres you for that presentlie , his loue is without passion , and therefore free from alteration , for Pati you know is in Alterationem labi he loues you in his soule he tels you , wherein there is no passion , saie dame what answere you .

Eug.

Nay if I answere anie thing .

Mom.

VVhy ? verie well , I le answere for you .

Eug.

You answere ? shall I set my hand to your answere ?

Mom.

I by my faith shall ye .

Eug.

By my faith , but you shal answere as I wood haue you then .

Mom.

Alwaies put in with aduice of your secretarie , neece , come , what answere you ?

Eug.

Since you needes will haue my Answere , I le Answere briefely to the first , and last part of his letter .

Mom.

Doe so Neece , and leaue the midst for himselfe a gods name , what is your answeare ?

Eug.

I cannot but suffer you to loue , if you do loue .

Mom.

Why very good , there it is , and will requit your loue ; say you so ?

Eug.

Beshrowe my lipps then my Lord .

Mom.

Beshrowe my fingers but you shall ; what , you may promise to requite his loue , and yet not promise him marriage I hope ; wel , and will requite your loue .

Eug.

Nay good my Lord hold your hand , for I le bee sworne , I le not set my hand too 't .

Mom.

VVell hold of your hand good madam till it shood come on , I le be readie for it anon , I warrant yee now forth ; my Loue is without passion , and therefore free from alteration , what answere you to that madam ?

Eug.

Euen this my Lorde , your Loue being mentall , needes no bodely Requitall .

Mom.

I am Content with that , and here it is ; but in hart .

Eug.

VVhat but in hart ?

Mom.

Hold of your hand yet I say , I doe embrace and repaie it ,

Eug.

You may write vnckle , but if you get my hand to it ,

Mom.

Alas Neece this is nothing , i st any thing to a bodely marriage , to say you loue a ma� in Soule if your harts agree and your bodies meet not ? simple marriage rites , now let vs foorth : hee is in the way to felicitie , and desires your hand .

Eug.

My hand shall alwaies signe the way to felicitie .

Mom.

Very good , may not any woman say this now . Conclud now sweet Neece .

Eug.

And so God prosper your Iourney .

Mom.

Charitably concluded , though farre short of that loue I wood haue showen to any friend of yours Neece I sweare to you , your hand now , and let this little stay his appetite .

Eug.

Read what you haue writ my Lord .

Mom.

What needs that madam , you remember it I am sure .

Eug.

Well if it want sence in the Composition , let my secretarie be blam'd for 't , their 's my hand .

Mom.

Thanks gentle Neece , now I le reade it .

Eug.

VVhy now , more then before I pray ?

Mom.

That you shall see straite , I cannot but suffer you to loue if you doe loue and wil requite your loue .

Eug.

Remember that requitall was of your own putning it , but it shal be after my fashion I warrant ye .

Mom.

Interrupt me no more , your loue being mentoll needs no bodely requitall , but in hart I embrace & repay it ; my hand shall alwaies signe the way to felicitie , and my selfe knit with you in the bandes of marriage euer walke with you , in it , and so God prosper our iourney :

Eugenia .
Eug.

Gods me life , t is not thus I hope .

Mom.

By my life but it is Neece .

Eug.

By my life but t is none of my deed then .

Mom.

Doe you vse to set your hand to that which is not your deed , your hand is at it Neece , and if there be any law in England , you shall performe it too :

Eug. Why , this is plaine dishonoured deceit . Does all your truest kindnes end in lawe ? Mom. Haue patience Neece , for what so ere I say Onely the lawes of faith , and thy free loue Shall ioyne my friend and thee , or naught at al , By my friends loue , and by this kisse it shall . Eug.

VVhy , thus did false Accontius snare Cydippe .

Mom. Indeed deere loue his wile was something like And then t is no vnheard-of That was enacted in a goddes Eye , Accontius worthie loue feard not Diana Before whome he contriu'de this sweete deceite Eug.

VVel there you haue my hand , but I le be sworne I neuer did thing so against my will .

Mom T' will proue the better madam , doubt it not . And to allay the billows of your blood , Rais'de with my motion bold and opposite Deere neece suppe with me , and refresh your spirites : I haue inuited your companions VVith the two guests that dinde with you to daie , And will send for the old Lord Furnifall The Captaine , and his mates and ( tho at night ) VVe will be merrie as the morning Larke . Eug.

No , no my Lord , you will haue Clarence there .

Mom. A las poore gentleman I must tell you now Hee s extreame sicke , and was so when he writt Tho he did charge me not to tell you so ; And for the world he cannot come abroade . Eug.

Is this the man that without passion loues

Mom. I doe not tell you he is sicke with loue ; Or if he be t is wilfull passion . VVhich he doth choose to suffer for your sake And cood restraine his sufferance with a thought , Vppon my life he will not trouble you ; And therefore worthie neece faile not to come . Eug.

I will on that condition .

Mom.

T is perform'd : for were my friend well and cood comfort me ; I wood not now intreate your companie , but one of you I must haue , or I die , oh such a friend is worth a monarchie .

Exeunt .
Enter Lord Furnifall . Rudsbie . Goosecappe . Fowlweather . Bullaker . Fur.

Nay my gallants I will tell you more .

All .

Forth good my Lord .

Fur. The euening came and then our waxen stars Sparkled about the heauenly court of Fraunce . VVhen I then young and readiant as the sunne Giue luster to those lampes , and curling thus My golden foretoppe , stept into the presence , Where set with other princely dames I found The Countesse of Lancalier and her neece VVho as I told you cast so fix'd an eye On my behauiours talking with the king : All

True my good Lord .

Fur. They rose when I came in , and all the lights Burnd dim for shame , when I stood vp and shind . Foul

O most passionate description Sir Cutt :

Rud.

True of a candles end .

Goos.

The passingst description of a candle , that euer liu'd Sir Cutt :

Fur. Yet aymd I not at them , nor seemd to note VVhat grace they did me , but found courtly cause To talke with an accomplisht gentleman New come from Italie , in quest of newes I spake Italian with him . Rud.

What so young ?

Fur.

O rarissime volte cadono nel parlar nostro familiare .

Foul.

Slidd a cood speake it knight , at three yeare old .

Fur. Nay gentle Captaine doe not set me forth I loue it not , in truth I loue it not . Foul.

Slight my Lord but truth is truth you know .

Goos.

I dare ensure your Lordship , Truth is truth , & I haue heard in Fraunce , they speake French as well , as their mother tongue my Lord .

Fur. VVhy t is their mother tonge my noble knight But ( as I tell you ) I seem'd not to note The Ladies notes of me , but held my talke , with that Italionate Frenchman , and tooke time ( Still as our conference seru'd ) to shew my Courtship In the three quarter legge , and setled looke , The quick kisse of the toppe of the forefinger And other such exploytes of good Accost ; All which the Ladies tooke into their eyes VVith such attention that their fauours swarm'de About my bosome , in my hatt , mine eares , In skarffes about my thighes , vpon mine armes Thicke on my wrystes , and thicker on my hands , And still the lesse I sought , the more I found . All this I tell to this notorious end , That you may vse your Courtship with lesse care To your coy mistresses ; As when we strike A goodly Sammon , with a little line VVe doe not tugge to hale her vp by force For then our line wood breake , and our hooke lost ; But let her carelesse play alongst the streame As you had left her , and shee le drowne her selfe . Foul

A my life a most rich comparison .

Goos.

Neuer stirre , if it bee not a richer Caparison , then my Lorde my Cosine wore at tilt , for that was brodred with nothing but mooneshine i th the water , and this has Sa�mons in 't ; by heauen a most edible Capariso� .

Ru.

Odious thou woodst say , for Co�pariso�s are odious .

Foul.

So they are indeede sir Cutt : all but my Lords .

Goos.

Bee Caparisons odious Sir Cutt : what like flowers ?

Rud.

O asse they be odorous .

Goos.

A botts ath at stincking worde odorous , I can neuer hitt on 't ,

Fur.

And how like you my Court-counsaile galla�ts ha :

Foul.

Out of all proportion excellent my Lord : & beleeue it for Emphaticall Courtship , your Lordship puts downe all the Lords of the Court .

Fur.

No good Captaine no .

Foul.

By Fraunce you doe my Lord for Emphaticall Courtship .

Fur.

For Emphaticall Courtship indeed I can doe somewhat .

Foul.

Then does your merrie entertainment become you so festifally , that you haue all the brauerie of a Saint Georges day about ye when you vse it .

Fur.

Nay that 's too much in sadnes Captaine .

Goos.

O good my Lord , let him prayse you , what so ere it costs your Lordshippe .

Foul.

I assure your Lordshippe your merrie behauiour does so festifally showe vpon you , that euery high holliday when Ladies wood bee most bewtifull ; euery one wishes to God shee were turnd into such a little Lord as you , when y' are merrie .

Goos.

By this fire they doe my Lord , I haue heard am .

Fur.

Marrie God forbid knight they shood be turnd into me ; I had rather be turnd into them amine honor .

Foul.

Then for your Lordships quippes , & quick iests , why Gesta Romanorum were nothing to them a my vertue

Fur.

Well , well , well , I will heare thee no more , I will heare thee no more , good Captaine , Tha 'st an excellent witt , and thou shalt haue Crownes amine honour , and now knights and Captain , the foole you told me off , do you al know him ?

Goos.

I know him best my Lord .

Fur.

Doe you Sir Gyles , to him then good knight , & be here with him , and here , and here , and here againe ; I meane paint him vnto vs Sir Gyles , paint him liuely , liuely now , my good knightly boy .

Goos.

Why my good Lord ? hee will nere be long from vs , because we are all mortall you know .

Fur.

Verie true ,

Goos.

And as soone as euer wee goe to dinner , and supper togeather ,

Rud.

Dinner and supper togeather , whens that troe ?

Goos.

A will come you in amongst vs , with his Cloake buttond , loose vnder his chinne .

Rud.

Buttond loose my Lord ?

Goos.

I me Lord buttond loose still , and both the flaps cast ouer before , both his shoulders afore him .

Rud.

Both shouldiers afore him ?

Fur.

From before him hee meanes ; forth good Sir Gyles .

Goos.

Like a potentate My Lord ?

Rud.

Much like a Potentate indeed .

Goos.

For all the world like a Potentate S. Cut : ye know .

Rud,

So Sir .

Goos.

All his beard nothing but haire .

Cud.

Or something else .

Goos.

Or something else as you say .

Foul.

Excellent good .

Goos.

His Mellons , or his Apricocks , Orrenges alwaies in an vncleane hand kerchiffe very cleanely I warrant you my Lord .

Fur.

A good neate foole Sir Gyles of mine honour .

Goos.

Then his fine words that hee sets them in , concaticall , a fine Annisseede wenche foole vppon ticket and so forth .

Fur.

Passing strange wordes belieue me ,

Goos.

Knoth euery man at the table , though he neuer saw him before , by sight and then will he foole you so finely my Lorde , that hee will make your hart ake , till your eyes runne ouer .

Fur.

The best that euer I heard , gray mercy good knight for thy merrie description , Captaine , I giue thee twentie companies of commendations , neuer to bee casheird .

Enter Iacke and Will on the other side . Am.

Saue your Lordship ,

Fur.

My prettie cast of Merlins , what prophecies with your little maistershippes ?

Ia.

Things that cannot come to passe my Lord , the worse our fortunes .

Foul.

Why what 's the matter pages ?

Rud.

How now my Ladies foysting hounds .

Goos.

M. Iack , M. Iacke ; how do ye M. William , frolick ?

Will

Not so frolicke , as you left vs Sir Gyles .

Fur.

VVhy wags , what news bring you a Gods name .

Ia.

Heauie newes indeed my Lord , pray pardone vs .

Fur.

Heauie newes ? not possible your little bodies cood bring am then , vnload those your heauie newes I beseech ye ?

Will .

VVhy my Lord the foole we tooke for your Lord : is thought too wise for you , and we dare not prese�t him ,

Goos.

Slydd pages , you le not cheates of our foole wil ye ?

Ia.

VVhy sir Giles , hee s too dogged and bitter for you in truth , we shall bring you a foole to make you laugh , and he shall make all the world laugh at vs .

Will .

I indeed sir Giles , and he knowes you so wel too

Giles

Knowe me ? slight he knowes me no more then the begger knowes his dish .

Ia.

Faith he begs you to be content sir Giles , for he wil not come .

Goos.

Begg me ? slight I wood I had knowne that , tother daie , I thought I had met him in Paules , & he had byn anie body else but a piller , I wood haue runne him through by heauen , beg me ?

Foul.

He begges you to be content sir Giles , that is , he praies you .

Goos.

O does he praise me , then I commend him .

Fur.

Let this vnsutable foole goe sir Giles , we will make shift without him .

Goos.

That we wil a my word my Lord , and haue him too for all this .

Wil.

Doe not you say so sir Giles , for to tell you true that foole is dead .

Goos.

Dead ? Slight that cannot be man , I knowe he wood ha writ to me on t had byn so .

Fur.

Quick or dead let him goe sir Giles .

Ia.

I my Lord , for we haue better newes for you to harken after .

Fur.

what are they my good Nouations ?

Ia.

My Lord Momford intreates your Lorship and these knights and captaine to accompany the countesse Eugenia and the other two Ladies at his house at supper to night .

Wil.

All desiring your Lo : to pardon them , for not eating your meat to night .

Fur.

VVithall my hart wagges , and their 's amends ; my harts , now set your courtshippe a' the last , a' the tainters , and pricke vp your selues for the Ladies .

Goos.

O braue sir Cut come le ts prick vp the Ladies :

Fur.

And wil not the knights two noble kinseme� be there ?

Ia.

Both will be their my Lord .

Fur.

VVhy there 's the whole knot of vs then , and there shall wee knocke vppe the whole triplicitie of your nuptials .

Goos.

I le make my Lord my Cosin speake for me .

Foul.

And your Lordship will be for me I hope .

Fur.

VVith tooth and naile Captaine , A my Lord .

Rua.

Hang am Tytts I le pommell my selfe into am .

Ia.

Your Lo : your Cosin Sir Gyles has promist the Ladies they shall see you sowe .

Goos.

Gods mee , wood I might neuer be mortall if I doe not carty my worke with me .

Fur. Doe so Sir Gyles , and withall vse meanes To taint their high blouds with the shafte of Loue , Sometimes a fingers motion woundes their minds ; A iest , a Iesture , or a prettie laugh . A voyce , a present , ah , things done i th nick VVound deepe , and sure , and let flie your gold And we shall nuptialls haue hold belly hold . Goos.

O rare Sir Cutt : we shall eate nut-shells . hold belly hold

Exeunt .
Ia.

O pittifull knight , that knowes not nuptialls from nutshells .

Will .

And now Comme porte vous monsieur ?

Bull

Porte bien vous remercy .

Ia.

VVe may see it indeed Sir , & you shall goe afore with vs .

Bul.

No good monsieurs .

Will :

Another Crashe in my Ladies Celler yfaith monsieur .

Bul.

Remercy de bon ceur monsieurs .

Exeunt .
Enter Clarence Momford . Mom. How now my friend does not the knowing beames That through thy co�mon sence glau�ce through thy eyes To reade that letter , through thine eyes retire And warme thy heart with a tryumphant fire ? Mom. My Lord I feele a treble happines Mix in one soule , which proues how eminent Things endlesse are aboue things temporall , That are in bodies needefully confin'de ; I cannot suffer their dementions pierst VVhere my immortall part admits expansure Euen to the comprehension of two more Commixt substantially with her meere selfe . Mom.

As how my strange , and riddle-speaking friend ?

Cla. As thus my Lord , I feele my owne minds ioy As it is separate from all other powers , And then the mixture of an other soule Ioyn'de in direction to one end , like it , And thirdly the contentment I enioy , As we are ioynd that I shall worke that good In such a noble spirit as your neece , VVhich in my selfe I feele for absolute ; Each good minde dowbles his owne free content VVhen in an others vse they giue it vent . Mom. Said like my friend , and that I may not wrong Thy full perfections with an emptier grace , Then that which showe presents to thy conceits , In working thee a wife worse then she seemes ; I le tell thee plaine a secret which I knowe . My neece doth vse to paint herselfe with white VVhose cheekes are naturally mixt with redd Either because she thinks pale-lookes moues most : Or of an answereable nice affect To other of her modest qualities ; Because she wood not with the outward blaze Of tempting bewtie tangle wanton eies ; And so be troubled with their tromperies : VVhich construe as thou wilt . I make it knowne That thy free comment may examine it , As willinger to tell truth of my neece , Then in the least degree to wrong my friend . Cla. A ielous part of friendshippe you vnfold ; For was it euer seene that any dame Wood chainge of choice a well mixt white and redd For bloodles palenes , if she striu'd to moue ? Her painting then is to shunn motion , But if she mended some defect with it Breedes it more hate then other ornaments ; ( Which to supplie bare nature ) Ladies weare ? What an absurd thing is it to suppose ; ( If Nature made vs either lame or sick , ) VVe wood not seeke for sound lymmes , or for health By Art the Rector of confused Nature ? So in a face if Nature be made lamer Then Art can make it , is it more offence To helpe her want there then in other limmes ? Who can giue instance where dames faces lost The priuiledge their other parts may boast . Mom. But our most Court receiued Poets saies That painting is pure chastities abator . Cla. That was to make vp a poore rime to Nature . And farre from any Iudgment it confered For lightnes comes from harts , and not from lookes And if inchastitie possesse the hart ; Not painting doth not race it , nor being cleare Doth painting spot it , Omne bonum naturaliter pulchrum . For outward fairenes beares the diuine forme , And moues beholders to the Act of loue ; And that which moues to loue is to be wisht And eche thing simplie to be wisht is good . So I conclude mere painting of the face A lawfull and a commendable grace . Mom. VVhat paradox dost thou defend in this And yet through thy cleare arguments I see Thy speach is farr exempt from flatterie , And how illiterate custome groslie erres ? Almost in all traditions she preferres . Since then the doubt I put thee of my neece , Checks not thy doubtlesse loue , forth my deare friend , And to all force to those impressions , That now haue caru'd her phantasie with loue , I haue invited her to supper heere . And told her thou art most extreamelie sick . VVhich thou shalt counterfeit with all thy skill , Cla :

VVhich is exceeding smale to counterfeit ,

Mom. Practise a little , loue will teach it thee , And then shall doctor Versey the phisitian , Come to thee while her selfe is in my house . VVith whome as thou confer'st of thy disease , I le bring my neece with all the Lords and Ladies . VVithin your hearing vnder fain'd pretext , To shew the pictures that hang neere thy chamber , VVhere when thou hearst my voyce , know she is there . And therefore speake that which may stir her thoughts , And make her flie into thy opened armes . Ladies whome true worth cannot moue to ruth Trew louers must deceue to shew their truth Exeunt . Finis Actus Quarti .
ACTVS QVINTI
SCAeNA PRIMA . Enter Momford , Furnifall , Tales , Kingcob , Rudesbie , Goosecap , Foulweather , Eugenia , Hippolita , Penelope , Winnifred . Mom.

VVhere is Sir Gyles Goosecappe here ?

Goos.

Here my Lord .

Mom.

Come forward knight t' is you that the Ladies admire at working a mine honor .

Goos:

A little at once my Lorde for Idlenes sake .

Fur:

Sir Cut , I say , to her captaine .

Penel :

Come good seruant let 's see what you worke .

Goos:

VVhy looke you mistris I am makeing a fine drie sea , full of fishe , playing in the bottome , & here I le let in the water so liuely , that you shall heare it rore .

Eug :

Not heare it Sir Giles .

Goos.

Yes in sooth madam with your eyes .

Tal :

I Ladie ; for when a thing is done so exceedeingly to the life , as my knightlie cosen does it , the eye oftentimes takes so strong a heede of it , that it cannot containe it alone , and therefore the eare seemes to take part with it .

Hip:

That 's a verie good reason my Lord .

Mom.

VVhat a Iest it is , to heare how seriouslie he striues to make his foolish kinsmans answeres wise ones .

Pen:

VVhat shall this be seruant ?

Goos:

This shall be a great whale mistris , at all his bignesse spouting huge hils of salt-water afore him , like a little water squirt , but you shall not neede to feare him mistris , for he shal be silke and gould , he shall doe you noe harme , and he be nere so liuely .

Pen.

Thanke you good seruant .

Tal :

Doe not thinke Ladie , but he had need tell you this a forehand for a mine honor , he wrought me the monster Caucasus so liuely , that at the first sight I started at it .

Mom.

The monster Caucasus my Lord ? Caucasus is a mountaine ; Cacus you meane .

Tal :

Cacus indeede my Lorde , crie you mercie .

Goos:

Heere I le take out your eye , and you wil mistris .

Pen:

No by my faith Seruant t' is better in

Goos.

VVhy Ladie , I le but take it out in iest , in earnest .

Pen.

No , something else there , good seruant .

Goos.

VVhy then here shall be a Camell , and he shall haue hornes , and he shall looke ( for al the world ) like a maide without a husband .

Hip.

O bitter sir Giles .

Tal.

Nay he has a drie wit Ladie I can tell ye .

Pen.

He bobd me there indeede my Lord .

Fur.

Marry him sweet Lady , to answere his bitter bob .

King.

So she maie answere him with hornes indeed .

Eug.

See what a pretie worke he weares in his boote hose .

Hip.

Did you worke them your selfe sir Gyles , or buy them ?

Goos.

I bought am for nothing madam in th' exange

Eug.

Bought am for nothing .

Tal.

Indeed madam in th' exchange they so honor him for his worke that they will take nothing for anie thing he buies on am ; but where 's the rich night-cappe you wroght cosen ? if it had not byn too little for you , it was the best peece of worke , that euer I sawe .

Goos.

VVhy my Lord , t' was bigg enough , when I wrought it , for I wore pantables then you knowe .

Tal.

Indeede the warmer a man keepes his feete the lesse he needes weare vppon his head .

Eug.

You speake for your kinsman the best , that euer I heard my Lord .

Goos.

But I beleeue madam , my Lord my cosen has not told you all my good parts .

Tal :

I told him so I warrant you cosen .

Hip:

VVhat doe you thinke he left out Sir Giles ?

Goos:

Marrie madam I can take tobacco now , and I haue bought glow-wormes to kindle it withall , better then all the burning glasses i th world .

Eug.

Glowe-wormes sir Giles will they make it burne ?

Goos.

O od madam I feed am with nothing but fire , a purpose , I le be sworne they eat me fiue faggots a weeke in charcoale .

Tal :

Nay he has the strangest deuices Ladies that euer you heard I warrant ye .

Fur:

That 's a strange deuice in deed my Lord .

Hip:

But your sowing sir Gyles is a more gentlewoman-like qualitie I assure you .

Pen:

O farr away , for now seruant , you neede neuer marrie , you are both husband , and wife your selfe .

Goos:

Nay indeede mistris I wood faine marrie for all that , and I le tell you my reason , if you will .

Pen:

Let 's heare it good seruant .

Goos:

VVhy madam we haue a great match at foot-ball towards , married men against batchellers , & the married men be al my friends , so I wood faine marrie to take the married mens parts in truth .

Hip:

The best reason for marriage that euer I heard sir Gyles .

Goos:

I pray will you keepe my worke a little mistris ; I must needes straine a little courtsie in truth .

Exit Sir Gyles .
Hip:

Gods my life I thought he was a little to blame .

Rud:

Come , come , you heare not me dame .

Fur:

VVell said sir Cut , to her now we shall heare fresh courting .

Hip:

A las sir Cut , you are not worth the hearing , euery bodie saies you cannot loue , how soeuer you talke on 't .

Rud:

Not loue dame ? slydd what argument woodst haue of my loue tro ? lett me looke as redde as scarlet a fore I see thee , and when thou comst in sight if the sunne of thy bewtie , doe not white me like a sheppards holland I am a Iewe to my Creator .

Hip.

O excellent .

Rud.

Let mee burst like a Tode , if a frowne of thy browe has not turnd the verie heart in my bellie , and made mee readie to bee hangd by the heeles for a fortnight to bring it to the right againe .

Hip.

You shood haue hangd longer Sir Cut : t is not right yet ,

Rud.

Zonnes , bid me cut off the best lymme of my bodie for thy loue , and I le lai 't in thy hand to proue it , doost thinke I am no Christian , haue I not a Soule to saue ?

Hip.

Yes t is to saue yet I warrant it , and wil be while t is a soule if you vse this .

Fur.

Excellent Courtship of all hands , only my Captaines Courtshippe , is not heard yet , good madam giue him fauour to court you with his voyce .

Eug.

What shood he Court me with all else my Lord ?

Mom.

VVhy , I hope madam there be other things to Court Ladies withall besides voyces .

Fur.

I meane with an audible sweete song madam .

Eug.

VVith all my heart my Lorde , if I shall bee so much in debted to him .

Foul.

Nay I will be indebted to your eares Ladie for hearing me sound musicke .

Fur.

VVell done Captaine , proue as it wil now .

Enter Messenger .
Me.

My Lord Doctor Versey the Physitian is come to see master Clarence .

Mom.

Light and attend him to him presently .

Fur.

To master Clarence ? what is your friend sicke ?

Mom.

Exceeding sicke .

Ta.

I am exceeding sorrie .

King. Neuer was sorrow worthier bestowed Then for the ill state of so good a man . Pen.

Alas poore gentleman ; good my Lord le ts see him .

Mom. Thankes gentle Ladie , but my friend is loth To trouble Ladies since he cannot quitt them . With any thing he hath that they respect . Hip. Respect my Lord ; I wood hold such a man In more respect then any Emperor For he cood make me Empresse of my selfe And in mine owne rule comprehend the world . Mom. How now young dame ? what so inspird This speech hath siluer haires , and reuerence asks And soner shall haue dutie done of me Then any pompe in temperall Emperie . Hip.

Good madam get my Lord to let vs greet him .

Eug. Alas we shall but wrong and trouble him . His Contemplations greet him with most welcome . Fur. I neuer knew a man of so sweet a temper So soft and humble , of so high a Spirit . Mom. Alas my noble Lord he is not rich , Nor titles hath , nor in his tender cheekes The standing lake of Impudence corrupts , Hath nought in all the world , nor nought wood haue , To grace him in the prostituted light . But if a man wood consort with a Soule VVhere all mans Sea of gall and bitternes Is quite evaporate with hir holy flames , And in whose powers a Doue-like Innocence Fosters her owne deserts , and life and death , Runnes hand in hand before them : All the Skies Cleere and transparent to her piercing eyes , Then wood my friend be something , but till then A Cipher , nothing , or the worst of men . Foul.

Sweet Lord le ts goe visit him .

Enter Gooscappe .
Goos.

Pray good my Lord , what 's that you talke on ?

Mom.

Are you come from your necessarie busines Sir Gyles ? we talke of the visiting of my sicke friend Clarence .

Goos.

O good my Lord le ts visit him , cause I knowe his brother .

Hip.

Know his brother , nay then Count doe not denie him .

Goos.

Pray my Lord whether was eldest , he or his elder brother ?

Mom.

O! the younger brother eldest , while you liue Sir Gyles .

Goos.

I say so still my Lord , but I am so borne down with truth as neuer any knight i th world was I thinke .

Ta.

A man wood thinke he speakes simplie now ; but indeed it is in the will of the parents , to make which child they will youngest , or eldest : For often we see the younger inherite , wherein he is eldest .

Eug.

Your Logicall wit my Lorde is able to make any thing good .

Mom. VVell come sweet Lords , & Ladies , let vs spend The time till supper-time with some such sights As my poore house is furnished withall Pictures and Iewels ; of which implements It may be I haue some wil please you much . Goos.

Sweet Lord le ts see them .

Exeunt .
Enter Clarence and Doctor . Do.

I thinke your disease Sir , be rather of the mind then the bodie .

Cla.

Be there diseases of the mind Doctor ?

Do.

No question Sir , euen as there be of the bodie .

Cla.

And cures for them too ?

Do.

And cures for them too , but not by Phisick .

Cla.

You will haue their deseases , greifes ? wil ye not ?

Do.

Yes , oftentimes .

Cla.

And doe not greifes euer rise out of passions ?

Do.

Euermore .

Cla.

And doe not passions proceed from corporall distempers ?

Do.

Not the passions of the mind , for the mind many times is sicke , when the bodie is healthfull .

Cla.

But is not the mindes-sicknes of power to make the bodie sicke ?

Do.

In time , certaine .

Cla.

And the bodies ill affections able to infect the mind ?

Do.

No question .

Cla.

Then if there bee such a naturall commerce of Powers betwixt them , that the ill estate of the one offends the other , why shood not the medicines for one cure the other ?

Do.

Yet it will not you see . Heimihi quod nullus amor est medicabilis herbis .

Cla.

Nay then Doctor , since you cannot make any reasonable Connexion of these two contrarieties the minde and the bodie , making both subiect to passion , wherein you confound the substances of both , I must tell you there is no disease of the mind but one , and that is Ignorance .

Do.

VVhy what is loue ? is not that a disease of the mind ?

Cla.

Nothing so for it springs naturally out of the bloode , nor are wee subiect to any disease , or sorrowe , whose causes or effects simply and natiuely concerne the bodie , that the mind by any meanes partaketh , nor are there any passions in the Soule , for where there are no affections , there are no passions : And Affectus your master Gallen refers parts irascents , For illic est anima sentiens vbi sunt affectus : Therefore the Rationall Soule cannot be there also .

Do.

But you know we vse to say , my mind giues mee this or that , euen in those addictions that concerne the bodie .

Cla.

VVe vse to say so indeed , and from that vse comes the abuse of all knowledge , and her practize , for when the obiect in question onely concerns the state of the bodie ? why shood the soule bee sorry or glad for it ? if she willingly mixe her selfe , then shee is a foole , if of necessitie and against her will , A slaue , And so , far from that wisdome , and freedome that the Empresse of Reason , and an eternall Substance shood comprehend .

Do.

Diuinely spoken Sir , but verie Paradoxicallie .

Enter Momford , Tales , Kingcob , Furnif ; Rudes . Goos: Foul : Eugenia , Penelope , Hippolita , Winnifrid . Mom. Who 's there ? I , my Lord . Mom.

Bring hether the key of the gallerie , me thought I heard the Doctor and my friend .

Fur.

I did so sure .

Mom. Peace then a while my Lord We will be bold to evesdroppe ; For I know My friend is as respectiue in his chamber And by himselfe , of any thing he does As in a Criticke Synods curious eyes Following therein Pythagoras golden rule . Maximè omnium teipsum reuerere . Cla.

Knowe you the Countesse Eugenia Sir ?

Do.

Exceeding wel Sir , she 's a good learned scholler .

Cla.

Then I perceiue you know her well indeed .

Do.

Me thinks you two shood vse much conference .

Cla. Alas sir , we doe verie seldome meet , For her estate , and mine are so vnequall , And then her knowledge passeth mine so farre That I hold much to sacred a respect , Of hir high vertues to let mine attend them . Do. Pardon me Sir , this humblenes cannot flowe Out of your iudgment but from passion . Cla. Indeed I doe account that passion , The verie high perfection of my mind , That is excited by her excellence , And therefore willingly , and gladly feele it . For what was spoken of the most chast Queene Of riche Pasiaca may be said of her . Anteuenit sortem moribus virtutibus Annos , Sexum animo , morum Nobilitate Genus . Do.

A most excellent Dictick .

Mom. Come Lords away , le ts not presume too much Of a good nature , not for all I haue VVood I haue him take knowledge of the wrong I rudely offer him : come then I le shewe A few rare Iewels to your honour'd eyes , And then present you with a common supper . Goos.

Iewells my Lord , why is not this candlesticke one of your iewells pray ?

Mom.

Yes marre is it Sir Gyles if you will .

Goos:

T is a most fine candlesticke in truth , it wants nothing but the languages .

Pen.

The languages seruant , why the languages ?

Goos.

VVhy mistris ; there was a lattin candlestick here afore , and that had the languages I am sure .

Ta.

I thought he had a reason for it Ladie .

Pen.

I and a reason of the Sunne too my Lord , for his father wood haue bin ashamed on 't .

Exeunt .
Do. VVell master Clarence I perceiue your mind Hath so incorparate it selfe with flesh And therein ratified that flesh to spirit , That you haue need of no Phisitians helpe . But good Sir euen for holy vertues health And grace of perfect knowledge , doe not make Those ground-workes of eternitie , you lay Meanes to your ruine , and short being here : For the too strict and rationall Course you hold VVill eate your bodie vp ; and then the world , Or that small point of it , where virtue liues VVill suffer Diminution : It is now Brought almost to a simple vnitie , VVhich is , ( as you well know ) Simplicior puncto . And if that point faile once , why , then alas The vnitie must onely be suppos'd , Let it not faile then , most men else haue sold it ; Tho you neglect your selfe , vphould it , So with my reuerend loue I leaue you Sir . Exit . Cla. Thanks worthie Doctour , I do amply quite you I proppe poore vertue , that am propt my selfe , And onely by one friend in all the world , For vertues onely sake I vse this wile , VVhich otherwise I wood despise and scorne , The world should sinke and all the pompe she hugs Close in her hart , in her ambitious gripe Ere I sustaine it , if this slendrest ioynt Mou'd with the worth that worldlings loue so well Had power to saue it from the throate of hell He drawes the Curtaines and sits within them . Enter Eugenia , Penelope , Hippolita . Eug. Come on faire Ladies I must make you both Familiar witnesses of the most strange part And full of impudence that ere I plaide . Hip.

VVhat 's that good madam ?

Eug. I that haue bene so more then maiden-nice To my deare Lord and vnkle not to yeeld By his importunate suite to his friends loue In looke , or almost thought ; will of my selfe Farre past his expectation or his hope In action , and in person greete his friend , And comfort the poore gentlemans sick state . ' Pen.

Is this a part of so much Impudence ?

Eug.

No but I feare me it will stretch to more

Hip.

Mary madam the more the merrier .

Eug.

Marrie Madam ? what shood I marrie him ?

Hip. You take the word me thinkes as tho you would , And if there be a thought of such kind heate In your cold bosome , wood to God my breath Might blowe it to the flame of your kind hart . Eug. Gods pretious Ladie , knowe ye what you say , Respect you what I am , and what he is , VVhat the whole world wood say , & what great Lords I haue refused and might as yet embrace , And speake you like a friend , to wish me him ? Hip. Madam I cast all this , and know your choyse Can cast it quite out of the christall dores Of your Iudiciall eyes : I am but young And be it said without all pride I take , To be a maid , I am one , and indeed Yet in my mothers wombe to all the wiles Weend in the loomes of greatnes , and of state : And yet euen by that little I haue learn'd Out of continuall conference with you , I haue cride haruest home of thus much iudgment In my greene sowing time , that I cood place The constant sweetnes of good Clarence mind , Fild with his inward wealth and noblenes ; ( Looke madam here , ) when others outward trashe Shood be contented to come vnder here . Pen.

And so say I vppon my maiden head .

Eug. T is well said Ladies , thus we differ then , I to the truth-wise , you to worldly men : And now sweet dames obserue an excellent iest ( At least in my poore iesting . ) Th' Erle my vnckle Will misse me straite , and I know his close drift Is to make me , and his friend Clarence meete By some deuice or other he hath plotted . Now when he seekes vs round about his house And cannot find vs , for we may be sure He will not seeke me in his sicke friends chamber , ( I haue at al times made his loue so strange , ) He straight will thinke , I went away displeas'd , Or hartelie careles of his hartiest sute . And then I know there is no greife on earth Will touch his hart so much , which I will suffer To quite his late good pleasure wrought on me , For I le be sworne in motion and progresse Of his friends suite , I neuer in my life VVrastled so much with passion or was mou'd To take his firme loue in such Ielouse part . Hip. This is most excellent madam , and will proue A neecelike , and a noble frends Reuenge . Eug. Bould in a good cause , then le ts greet his friend , VVhere is this sickly gentleman at his booke ? Now in good troth I wood theis bookes were burnd That rapp men from their friends before their time , How does my vnckles friend , no other name I need giue him , to whome I giue my selfe , Cla. O madam let me rise that I may kneele , And pay some dutie to your soueraigne grace . Hip: Good Clarence doe not worke your selfe disease My Ladie comes to ease and comfort you . Pen :

And we are handmaides to her to that end .

Cla : Ladies my hart will breake , if it be held VVithin the verge of this presumtuous chaire . Eug. VVhy , Clarence is your iudgement bent to show A common louers passion ? let the world , That liues without a hart , and is but showe , stand on her emtie , and impoisoned forme , I knowe thy kindenesse , and haue seene thy hart , Cleft in my vnckles free , and friendly lippes And I am onely now to speake and act , The rit'es due to thy loue : oh I cood weepe . A bitter showe of teares for thy sick state , I cood giue passion all her blackest rites . And make a thousand vowes to thy deserts , But these are common , knowledge is the bond , The seale and crowne of our vnited mindes . And that is rare , and constant , and for that , To my late written hand I giue thee this , See heauen , the soule thou gau'st is in this hand . This is the knot of our eternitie , VVhich fortune , death , nor hell , shal euer loose . Enter Bullaker . lack Wil. Ia:

VVhat an vnmannerly trick is this of thy countesse , to giue the noble count her vnckle the slippe thus ?

Wil

Vnmannerlie , you villayne ? O that I were worthie to weare a dagger to anie purpose for thy sake ?

Bul:

VVhy young gentlemen , vtter your anger with your fists .

Wil.

That cannot be man , for all fists are shut you know , and vtter nothing , and besides I doe not thinke my quarrell iust for my Ladies protection in this cause , for I protest she does most abhominable miscarrie her selfe .

Ia:

Protest you sawsie Iack you , I shood doe my countrie and court-shippe good seruice to beate thy coalts teeth out of thy head , for suffering such a reuerend worde to passe their guarde ; why , the oldest courtier in the world man , can doe noe more then protest ,

Bul.

Indeede page if you were in Fraunce , you wood bee broken vpon a wheele for it , there is not the best Dukes sonne in Fraunce dares saie I protest , till hee bee one and thirtie yeere old at least , for the inheritance of that worde is not to bee possest before .

Wil,

VVell , I am sorie for my presumtion then , but more sorie for my Ladies , marie most sorie for thee good Lorde Momforde , that will make vs most of all sorie for our selues , if wee doe not fynde her out .

la:

VVhy alas what shood wee doe ? all the starres of our heauen see , wee seeke her as fast as wee can , if shee bee crept into a rush wee will seeke her out or burne her .

Enter Momford . Mom. Villaines where are your Ladies , seeke them Out ; hence , home ye monsters , nad stil keep you there VVhere leuitie keepes , in her in constant Spheare , A Awaye you pretious villaines , what a plague , Of varried tortures is a womans hart ? How like a peacockes taile with different lightes , They differ from them selues ; the very ayre Alters the aspen humors of their bloods . Now excellent good , now superexcellent badd . Some excellent good , some ? but one of all : VVood anie ignorant babie serue her friend , Such an vnciuill part ? Sblood what is learning ? An artificiall cobwebbe to catch flies , And nourish Spiders , cood she cut my throate , VV with her departure I had byn her calfe , And made a dish at supper for my guests Of her kinde charge , I am beholding to her , Puffe , is there not a feather in this ayre A man may challenge for her ? what ? a feather ? So easie to be seene ; so apt to trace ; In the weake flight of her vnconstant wings ? A mote man at the most , that with the sunne , Is onely seene , yet with his radiant eye , we cannot single so from other motes , To say this mote is shee , passion of death , She wrongs me past a death , come , come my friend , Is mine , she not her owne , and there 's an end . Eug.

Come vnckle shall we goe to supper now ?

Mom.

Zounes to supper ? what a dorr is this ?

Eug.

A las what ailes my vnckle , Ladies see .

Hip.

Is not your Lordshippe well ?

Pen:

Good speake my Lord .

Mom.

A sweete plague on you all , ye wittie rogues haue you no pittie in your villanous iests , but runne a man quite from his fifteene witts ?

Hip.

VVill not your Lord-shippe see your friend , and neece ?

Mom . VVood I might sinke if I shame not to see her Tush t' was a passion of pure Ielosie , I le now make her now a mends with Adoration . Goddes of learning and of constancie , Of friendshippe and euerie other vertue . Eug. Come , come , you haue abus'de me now I know And now you plaister me with flatteries . Pen.

My Lord the contract is knit fast betwixt them

Mom. Now all heauens quire of Angels sing Amen , And blesse theis true borne nuptials with their blisse , And Neece tho you haue Cosind me in this , I le vnckle you yet in an other thing , And quite deceiue your expectation . For where you think you haue contracted harts VVith a poore gentleman , he is sole heire To all my Earledome , which to you and yours I freely , and for euer here bequeath ; Call forth the Lords , sweet Ladies let them see This sodaine and most welcome Noueltie ; But crie you mercy Neece , perhaps your modestie VVill not haue them pertake this sodaine matche . Eug. O vnckle thinke you so , I hope I made My choyce with too much Iudgment to take shame Of any forme I shall performe it with . Mom.

Said like my Neece , and worthy of my friend .

Enter Furnifal , Tal : King : Goos: Rud : Foul : Ia : Will , Bullaker . Mom : My Lords , take witnes of an absolute wonder , A marriage made for vertue , onely vertue , My friend , and my deere neece are man and wife . Fur. A wonder of mine honour , and withall A worthie presedent for al the world ; Heauen blesse you for it Ladie , and your choyce . Ambo

Thankes my good Lord .

Ta. An Accident that will make pollicie blushe , And all the Complements of wealth and state , In the succesfull and vnnumbred Race That shall flowe from it , fild with fame and grace . Kin.

So may it speed deere Countesse , worthy Clarence .

Ambo

Thankes good Sir Cutberd .

Fur. Captaine be not dismaid , I le marrie thee , For while we liue , thou shalt my consort be . Foul. By Fraunce my Lord , I am not grieu'd a whit , Since Clarence hath her ; he hath bin in Fraunce , And therefore merits her if she were better . Mom. The� knights I le knit your happie nuptial knots , I know the Ladies minds better then you ; Tho my rare Neece hath chose for vertue onlie , Yet some more wise then some , they choose for both Vertue , and wealth . Eug. Nay vnckle then I plead This goes with my choyce , Some more wise then some , For onely vertues choise is truest wisedome . Mom. Take wealth , & vertue both amongst you then , They loue ye knights extreamely , and Sir Cutt : I giue the chast Hippolita to you , Sir Gyles this Ladie ; Pen. Nay stay there my Lord , I haue not yet prou'd all his knightly parts I heare he is an excellent Poet too . Tal. That I forgot sweet Ladie ; good Sir Gyles Haue you no sonnet of your penne about ye ? Goos.

Yes , that I haue I hope my Lord my Cosen .

Fur.

Why , this is passing fit .

Goos.

I de be loth to goe without paper about me against my mistris , hold my worke againe , a man knows not what neede he shall haue perhaps .

Mom.

VVell remembred a mine honour Sir Gyles :

Goos.

Pray read my Lorde , I made this sonnet of my mistris .

Rud.

Nay reade thy selfe man .

Goos.

No intruth Sir Cut : I cannot reade mine owne hande .

Mom.

VVell I will reade it .

Three things there be which thou shouldst only craue , Thou Pomroy , or thou apple of mine eye ; Three things there be , which thou shouldst longe to haue , And for which three , each modest dame wood crie , Three things there be , that shood thine anger swage , An English mastife , and a fine french page .
Rud.

Sblood Asse , there 's but two things , thou shamst thy selfe .

VVhy Sir Cutt : that 's Poeticalicentia , the verse wood haue binne too long , and I had put in the third , S'light you are no Poet I perceiue .

Pen.

T is excellent seruant .

Mom. Keepe it Ladie then , And take the onely knight of mortall men . Goos.

Thanke you good my Lord as much as tho you had giuen me twentie shillings in truth , now I may take the married mens parts at footeball .

Mom. All comforts crowne you all ; & you Captaine For merrie forme sake let the willowe crowne ; A wreath of willow bring vs hither straite . Fur. Not for a world shood that haue bin forgot Captaine it is the fashion , take this crowne . Foul. VVith all my hart my Lord , and thanke ye too I will thanke any man that giues me crownes . Mom. Now will we consecrate our readie supper To honourd Hymen as his nuptiall rite , In forme whereof first daunce faire Lords and Ladies And after sing , so we will sing and daunce , And to the skies our vertuous ioyes aduance . The Measure .

Now to the song , and doe this garland grace .

Canto . Willowe , willowe , willowe . our captaine goes downe : Willowe , willowe , willowe , his vallor doth crowne . The rest with Rosemarie we grace , O Hymen let thy lights With richest rayes guild euerie face , and feast harts with delights . Willowe , willowe , willow , we chaunt to the skies : And with blacke and yellows , giue courtship the prize .
FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A01911-e108300 He reads and comments .
Notes for div A01911-e112050 He writes and she dictates .
Notes for div A01911-e118590 Exeunt . Pages .
Machine-generated castlist A01911-momford 145 A01911-eugenia 110 A01911-goosecap 98 A01911-foulweather 83 A01911-rudesby 67 A01911-jack 54 A01911-will 51 A01911-clarence 46 A01911-hippolyta 45 A01911-furnifall 44 A01911-tales 35 A01911-bullaker 32 A01911-penelope 30 A01911-kingcob 19 A01911-doctor 17 A01911-winifrid 14 A01911-unassigned 7 A01911-ambo 4 A01911-omnes 3 A01911-lady 2 A01911-all 2 A01911-both 2 A01911-messenger 2 A01911-giles 1 A01911-multiple 1 A01911-kingcob_tales 1
Textual Notes

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��� Eugenia , A widowe , and a Noble Ladie . Awidowe Eugenia , A widowe , and a Noble Ladie . � Ladie-virgines , and Companions to Eugenia . Monfor� Momford , A Noble Man , vnkle to Eugenia . Clare�ce Clarence , Gentleman , friend to Monf . Fowle� ether Fowlewether , a french affected Trauayler , & a Captaine � Sir Giles Goosecap : a foolish knight . ��� Sir Cuthbert Rudsbie , a blunt knight . �ack Iack ` Pages ��� howses , tho I were borne here : if I were in any Citty in Fraunce , I coulde find any house ��� VVill . ��� A my worde ( VVill ) tis the great Baboone , that was to be tha� he ? gods my life what beastes were we , that we wood not see him all this while , neuer �ee life what beastes were we , that we wood not see him all this while , neuer trust mee if ��� one of his forefeete , wheres his keeper trowe owe , is he broke loose ? Bul� Bul. Iack� Come Iacke , come Iacke , come Iacke . � me he speakes Iacke , O pray pardon vs Sir . m�pede Out ye mopede monckies can yee not knowe a man from a na� Marmasett , in theis Frenchified dayes of ours ? nay ile Iackefie you alittle better yet . � Nay good Sir , good Sir , pardon vs . � parled , & not spoken , but said pardonne moy ; I wood haue pardon'd you , but since you � I am now the great French Traualers page . Traualer� Or rather the fre�ch Traualers great page . Sir , on , on �aire if Fouleweather be a welcome suiter to a faire Ladie , has good lucke . C�ptaine Fowleweather ? why hees a Captinado , or Captaine of Captaines , and will lie in their ioyntes io�ntes Captaine of Captaines , and will lie in their ioyntes that giue him cause to worke vppon them � will make their hartes ake I warrant him ; Captaine Fowleweather ? why hee will make befo�e stones sweate for feare of him , a day or two before he come at them . Captaine Fowleweather Cap�aine A plague of Captaine Fowleweather I reme�ber him now Jack , and comme�dations Then being made Captaine onely by his Ladies commendations , without any worth also of his owne , he �ir come out ont I hope , but what countriman is Sir Cutt . Rudeby ? �uery his mouth , for his onely one reason for euery thing is , because wee are all mortall ; � another prettie phrase too , and that is , he will tickle the vanitie ant still in gal�ant and sharpe at a blunt wit a good bustling gallant talkes well at Rouers ; he is two parts � presence like yor Frenchman in foule bootes : and dares eate garlik as a prepratiue to prep�atiue foule bootes � and dares eate garlik as a prepratiue to his Courtship ; you shall knowe more h�reafter his Courtship ; you shall knowe more of him hereafter ; but good wags let me winne you now , for �ugenia ; first my Ladie the widowe , and Countes Eugenia , is in earnest , a most worthy Ladie , wi�e of any woman but one in England , she is wise and vertuous , stra�ge Nay shee has one strange qualitie for a woman besides , tho these reaso�able She can loue reasonable constantly , for she loued her husband only hal�e Parenthesis ) is halfe a maid , halfe a wife , and halfe a widdowe . �he Thus Sir , she was betroathed to a gallant young gentleman � sake I wil let slip vnto you , gods so Iack , I thinke they haue supt . �o No pardoning in trueth Sir , �ooth Thats sooth Captain , but do you hear honest ��� pray hone� Thats sooth Captain , but do you hear honest ��� pray take a light , and see if the moone ��� Thats sooth Captain , but do you hear honest friend, pray take a light , and see if the moone mo�ne honest ��� pray take a light , and see if the moone shine , I haue a Sunne diall will resolue Wi�fred Winnefred . pleas�nt to come quicken our eares with some of his pleasant Spirit ; This same Fowleweather has made �ame eares with some of his pleasant Spirit ; This same Fowleweather has made me so melanchollie E�it Exit . sa�e will bid our guests good night madam , this same Fowleweather makes me so sleepie . fleepie madam , this same Fowleweather makes me so sleepie . ind�te no longer with you at this time , but ile indite your La : to supper at my lodging one of �ow vntrauaild rudnes of our grose English Ladies now ; would any French Ladie vse a man thus v�e English Ladies now ; would any French Ladie vse a man thus thinke ye ? be they any way so thi�ke now ; would any French Ladie vse a man thus thinke ye ? be they any way so vnciuil , and fulsome F�l. Foul. �o Nay I warrant thee thou ca rest not , so thou wer : at them . disdain�full dames are so proud , so precise , so coy , so disdainfull , and so subtill , as the Pomonean Serpent bry�le I and brystle , it doth expresse that passion of anger bry�le Nay good knight if your French wood brystle , let him alone , introth our Ladies are �im knight if your French wood brystle , let him alone , introth our Ladies are a little fa�ion woman should perpetually doate vppon a new fashion . m�tatas i'th right Sir Cutt . Innoua fert Ani� mus mutatas dicere-formas . tis the mind of man , and nei�her Slydd , heres neither Torch , nor Lacquay me thinks . �uer Your Frenchman euer sweares Sir Cutt , vpon the lacke of his yfa�th , they haue bin tickling the vanitie ont yfaith . Butlaker Enter to them Iack Bullaker , Will . deeare I shall indeed my deare youth . n�w said the Ladies respected thee not , and now I perceiue the widowe is in loue with thee Iperceiue said the Ladies respected thee not , and now I perceiue the widowe is in loue with thee �hot amongst the French Ladies like a Culuering shot , Ile be sworne ; and I think Sir Gyles can dlelight O as cleare as candlelight , by this day-light . gailants thether to night knights , and you bee true gallants . donit captain , your Fre�ch lacquay would not haue don it . � handes , and will not faile to meete them : knights which of you leades ? comme ndations VVhy and Captain commendations , is hartie ? commendations , for Captaines Musuians Enter Clarence Musicians . M� My Lord , my want of Courtship makes me feare Mee�es should be rude , and this my meane estate Meetes with such enuie , and detraction Such misconstructions lowen�s that should I be aduaunc'd Beyond my vnseene lowenes , but one haire I should be torne in peeces hai�e aduaunc'd Beyond my vnseene lowenes , but one haire I should be torne in peeces with the Spirits fiights , and me and euery worldlie fortune There fights such sowre , and Curst Antipathy So waspishe waspi�he fights such sowre , and Curst Antipathy So waspishe , and so petulant a Starre , That all things fri�nds I thanke you honest friends Mou�sieur Hence with this book & now Mounsieur Clarence , methinks plaine & prose friendship comethus friendship would do excellent well betwixt vs come thus Sir , or rather thus , come Sir tis sli� bodie , thus , and that both our sides were slit , and Concorporat with Organs fit to effect � Sir for these reasons I may be the heart , why may you be the liuer now ? . wil� me leape out of my skin for ioy why thou wilt not now reviue the sociable mirth of thy fleighted the world a new ? and make those that haue sleighted thy loue , with the Austeritie of thy knowledge passionateli� my follies relation , the woman that I so passionatelie loue , is no worse Ladie then your owne worthi� worse Ladie then your owne Neece , the too worthie Countesse Eugenia . Euge�ia your owne Neece , the too worthie Countesse Eugenia . conce�le , you are a worthie friend are you not to conceale this loue-mine in your head , and would hee�es hart , if my hart dance not for ioy tho my heeles do not , & they doe not , because I will nephewis heart , what ? friende and Nephew ? both nephew is a far inferior title to friend I confesse worldhe Audacitie prospers aboue probabilitie in all worldlie matters , dost not thou knowe that Fortune E�genia Winnifred euen here I pray thee , from the Ladie Eugenia , doe you heare friend ? m�rket O Winnifred , a man may know by the market folkes how the market goes . Nuw Now we shall haue a fiction I beleiue . Mom� Mom. ��� Winnifred you enterferde with them all in truth . ��� Now Sir to make my tale short I will doe that which ��� little sweet Winnifred , helpe me but to trusle my pointes againe , and haue with you . you� you shall sit till the mosse grow a bout your he les , ere I come at you againe . aexit exit . Sui� She cannot abide to heare of her three Suiters ; but is not this verie fit my sweete Clarence ��� this verie fit my sweete Clarence ? Thou seest my rare Neece cannot sleep without me ; maie�t doe thou but stand in that place , and thou maiest chance heare , ( but art sure to see ) in ��� I That haue studied with world - skorning thoughts the waie of heauen , and how trew �rew skorning thoughts the waie of heauen , and how trew heauen is reacht Eternes�es Beames ? Footesteps , and Shadowes ? what Eternesses is The world , and Time , and Generation � Originall of Things , VVhat their perseuerance � what is life and death , And what our Certaine staid � heads Certaine Restauration ? Am with the staid staid-heads of this Time imployd To watch withall withall staid � heads of this Time imployd To watch with all my Nerues a Female shade . ��� VVitty Mistrisse Wynnefred , where is your Countesse I pray ? �ood I neuer cood abide a maid in my life Neece , but either isaith Lady so neere alide to me , I am verie idle ifaith , marie with such an other ; I woulde daunce � friend , who indeed is only a great scholler , and all his honours , and riches lie in � No matter , no matter : But let mee see a passing prosperous forehead pass�g No matter , no matter � But let mee see a passing prosperous forehead of an exceeding happie forchead matter � But let mee see a passing prosperous forehead of an exceeding happie dista�ce betwixt �eshe a cleene lightning eye ; a temperate and freshe bloud in both the cheekes ; excellent markes m�arkes freshe bloud in both the cheekes ; excellent markes , most excellent markes of good fortune N�ce Yes Neece � but the state of these thinges at this � Yes Neece ; but the state of these thinges at this instant �oubled now in this cleere eleuation , showe your vntroubled mind is in an excellent power , to preferre N�ce preferre them to act forth then a litle deere Neece . propor�ion The Creses here are excellent good ; The proportion of the chin good ; the little aptnes of �inder concealement may hurt my estate . And if you bee no kinder then to see mee so indangered ; ile bee �rie�d Clarence Clarence , rather my Soule then my frie�d Clarence of too substantiall a worth , to vertue� could stirre his affections ) is with your vertues most extreamely in loue ; and without your �ame without your requitall dead . And with it fame shall sound this golden disticke through sh�ll without your requitall dead . And with it fame shall sound this golden disticke through the world �ound your requitall dead . And with it fame shall sound this golden disticke through the world of No� Non illo melior quisquam nec amantior aequi fu�t illo melior quisquam nec amantior aequi Vir fuit , aut illa reuerentior vlla Dearum . thi�g Ladie , I come not to rauishe you to any thing . But now I see how you accept my motion C�cuite triall ) you esteeme me . Haue I ridd al this Circuite to leuie the powers of your Iudgment , that theffects my soule . And if euer nature made teares the effects of any worthie cause , I am sure sub�ects Tribunall . This is her Sedes vacans when her subiects are priueledged to libell against her , opi� vertute nec a viritate remotius quam Vulgaris opinto : But my deare Neece , it is most true that ��� true that your honour and good name tendred as they are the species of truth are worthilie exe crable efficit ) and care not how many base and execrable acts they commit , they touch you no more �nitie , they touch you no more then they touch eternitie . And yet shal no nobilitie you haue in Om�a in him ) but verball and fantasticall for Omnia in illa � ille . complexutenet . complexutenet and fantasticall for Omnia in illa � ille . complexu tenet . ci�cle vniuersall ioynture : The bignesse of this circle held too neer our eye keepes it fro� the ��� could we sustaine it indifferently betwixt vs and it , it would then without checke of dear� comes the Ladies ; make an Aprill day one deare loue and be sodainely cheerefull God saue Mo�ford VVhy my Lord Momford I say ? wil you goe before dinner ? qui�s Neece ? Mens estquae sola quietes . Sola facit claros ment emque honoribus ment emque estquae sola quietes . Sola facit claros mentemque honoribus ornat ex� exit �at Verus honos Iuuat at mendax infamia terret . h�re Doe you heare madam , how our youthes here haue guld our three suiters ? Hp. Hip E�ug.. Efug. subiec� I'st true youths , are knights fit subiects for your knaueries � � are knights fit subiects for your knaueries � �a.. Iac. pleas�d I indeed madam and we were sure we pleas'd the� highly to tell the� you were desirous def�rous pleas'd the� highly to tell the� you were desirous of their companie . �ug. Eug. �hinges Madam , but I know you to bee learnd in all thinges . � the worst hand that euer I saw knight haue , when tis open , one can find nothing in �irst Ile doe the best I can Ladie , first , hee daunces as comely and lightly as any vpo� vpon my honour , I haue seene him daunce vpon Egges , and a has not broken them . glones al maner of perfumes , & if you bring him gloues fro fortie pence , to forty Shillings a Exeu� Exeunt . � SCAeNA PRIMA . ��� I wonder Sir Gyles you wood let him goe soe , and not ride after him . C�tt VVood I might neuer be mortall Sir Cutt : if I ridd not after him , till my horse aftter neuer be mortall Sir Cutt : if I ridd not after him , till my horse sweat , so that he had ��� How shall wee doe to get the lame Captaine to London , now his horse is gone horseis get the lame Captaine to London , now his horse is gone ? o� London , some boy or other wood get vppe on him and ride him hotte into the water to ��� yfath ; how now sweet Captaine dost feele any ease in thy payne yet � � Captaine dost feele any ease in thy payne yet ? bet�ixt methinkes there should be no more difference betwixt our Ladies and theirs , then there is betwixt Lor�s is betwixt our Lordes and theirs , and our Lords are as farr beyond them yfaith , for person Lodrs tack for Courtshippe , and yet the french Lords put them downe , you noted it sir Gyles satith O God sir , I stud and heard it , as I sat ith presence . Meuusieur VVhy Sir when Meunsieur Lambois came to your mistris the Ladie Hippolita sa�es speech of ah bellissime , I desire to die now fares hee for in his speech of ah bellissime I aquestio� she put him down far , & au�swered him with a questio� & that was whether he wood seem ie stter that was whether he wood seem a louer or a iesster , if a louer a must tel her far more lykelier soonerfire that spe�t it selfe al in sparks , & would sooner fire ones chimney then warme the house , fparkes chimney then warme the house , and that such sparkes were good enough yet to set thatcht dispositio�s R�ud. Rud. � If euer your worships say any thing , we are vndone for euer . oue�heard VVhy then this it is ; wee ouerheard our Ladies as they were talking in priuate inui�ed Marrie Sir they are inuited to a greate supper to night to your Lords � supper to night to your Lords house Captaine , the Lord Furnifall , and there will bee Christ�d the tenth sonne his father had ; his father Christned him Decem Tales , and so his whole name Furnif� But is the Ladie Furnifall ( Captaine ) still of the same drinking exceedinly a thing knights , wherein perhaps you may exceedingly pleasure me . d�e cood help him to a good merry one , he might doe me very much credit I assure ye . R�d. Rud. � wood haue a man foole , for his Lord : page . W�ll Will � Does his Lord : loue a foole , so wel I pray . afoole Assure thy selfe page , my Lord loues a foole as he loues himselfe . o� Foole Sir , for you may haue of all maner of degrees . d�s Foole Sir , for you may haue of all maner of degrees . �inister witt the more in his foole , for we must minister according to the qua�tity of his Lord : L�rd �inister according to the qua�tity of his Lord : humor you know , and if he shood haue s�ood of his Lord : humor you know , and if he shood haue as much Witt in his foole being Laxatiue w�rrant Why , and for that health Sir we will warrant his Lordship , that if he should haue all �hat haue not seene pages haue so much witt , that haue neuer bin in Fraunce Captain . � Gyles , well then my almost french Elixers , will you helpe my Lord to a foole , so fitt �rt Excellent sirr , faile not now my sweet pages . Slydda Ill done sir Cut : Slydd a man may beare , and beare , but and she se�onds remember it too , tho hee say no thing , hee seconds his resolute chaseso and followes him , moon�shine shall see them the next cold night , shut the mooneshine out of their chambers , and make it lie �ular Consonant in sence . Diuine Eugenia , beares the ocular forme Of musicke and of Reason , and presents star�e soule ? To her I write , my friend , the starre of friends VVil needs haue my strange lines fake lines greet her strange eies And for his sake ile powre my poore Soule forth In floods E�e the white flames of her impassionate Loue Ere my harsh lipps shood vent the odorous blaze despera�e lipps shood vent the odorous blaze . For I am desperate of all worldly Ioyes And there was neuer Adame I must remember I knowe whom I loue , A dame of learning , and of life exemt From Perplex� And this that to an other dame wood seeme Perplext and foulded in a rudelesse vaile Wilbe more stauce if but to satisfie my friend . Your third stance sweet Horatio and no more . substanti al� obiects of true men Seeme shadowes , with substantiall stir she keepes About her shadowes , which Imitatrix�s mens soules themselues Or the most wittie Imitatrixes of them Or prettiest sweet apes of humaine p�rer For first they be Substantiae lucidae And purer then mens bodies like their soules , VVhich �uder brest & chinne Occasiond by their grose and ruder heate Plainely demonstrates : Then like flouenlie face , nor hands Nor care how ragg'd , or slouenlie I went VVer't not for women , who of all ��� He reads and comments . cl�re learnd mind hath by impulsion wrought Her eyes cleere fire into a knowing flame . No elementall cold�es elementall smoke can darken it Nor Northen coldnes nyppe her Daphnean flower , O sacred friendshippe � haue it cald the strife of wittes , for tis a game so wittie , that with strife for maisterie witti� the strife of wittes , for tis a game so wittie , that with strife for maisterie , wee hunt Countit I wonder you shood Count it cast away Ladie vppon him , doe you remember �n Spanish needle , he shall play with any knight in England Ladie . � But not e conuerso , from the Spanish needle to the c�erso But not � conuerso , from the Spanish needle to the Spanish � bee loath to bring it all to the length of a pike . Rudeshy man commends my blount Seruant Sir Cutt : Rudesby methinks . mor� presume vppon him without Ceremonie , the more he loues you , if he knowe you thinke him lo� vppon him without Ceremonie , the more he loues you , if he knowe you thinke him kinde once �our rather , you shood bluntlie take the greatest fauour you can of him , then shamefastly intreat ��� I madam , but they saie , he will beat one in Iest , and byte in Cour�ippe in kindenesse , and teare ones ruffes in Courtshippe . �assureye withall perhappes , but none that he respects I assure ye . ��� And wha'ts his liuing sir Cutbeard ? C�beard And wha'ts his liuing sir Cutbeard ? �ot doe not tell him that I ask't , for I stand not vpon liuing . Poli�itians sweet Lord , there is a principle in the Polititians phisicke , that not your meat vpon other �at a principle in the Polititians phisicke , that not your meat vpon other mens trenchers ��� abide to eate meate at home ye know . And how faires my noble Neece now , and her faire Ladie �ayle one Clarences breath , with this his paper sayle blowes me hether . E�g. Eug. �all Let it fall then , or cast it awaie you were best , awa�e Let it fall then , or cast it awaie you were best , that euerie bodie may discouer E�g. Eug. Gre�ke I haue brought her a little Greeke , to helpe me out withal , and shees so E�g. Eug. backfide VVhat shood she saie to the backside of a paper . d�nity prodigall , of his owne honor'd blood , and dignity ? A�ay Away with these same horse faire alligations go� Gods my life you goe like a cuning spokes man , man , answere pe�ish VVhat wil you haue my friend and I perish , doe you thirst our bloods ? Pa� and therefore free from alteration , for Pati you know is in Alterationem labi he loues veri� VVhy ? verie well , ile answere for you . ��� needes will haue my Answere , Ile Answere briefely to the first , and last part of his letter ye� on , Ile be readie for it anon , I warrant yee now forth ; my Loue is without passion , marriarge harts agree and your bodies meet not ? simple marriage rites , now let vs foorth : hee is in the ha�d My hand shall alwaies signe the way to felicitie �oue Charitably concluded , though farre short of that loue I wood haue showen to any friend of yours andlet yours Neece I sweare to you , your hand now , and let this little stay his appetite . VVh Why , this is plaine dishonoured deceit . Does ythis Why , this is plaine dishonoured deceit . Does all Acconti�s vnheard-of That was enacted in a goddes Eye , Accontius worthie loue feard not Diana Before whome wort�ie That was enacted in a goddes Eye , Accontius worthie loue feard not Diana Before whome he contriu'de � T'will proue the better madam , doubt it not . And to allay the billows of your blood , Goosecapp� Enter Lord Furnifall . Rudsbie . Goosecappe . Fowlweather . Bullaker . Spa�kled The euening came and then our waxen stars Sparkled about the heauenly court of Fraunce . VVhen G�ue VVhen I then young and readiant as the sunne Giue luster to those lampes , and curling thus � lampes , and curling thus My golden foretoppe , stept into the presence , Where set with Fou� Foul cad�no O rarissime volte cadono nel parlar nostro familiare . Lo�d Slight my Lord but truth is truth you know . �nsure I dare ensure your Lordship , Truth is truth , & I haue mistress�s your Courtship with lesse care To your coy mistresses ; As when we strike A goodly Sammon , with stre�me ; But let her carelesse play alongst the streame As you had left her , and sheele drowne Cu� So they are indeede sir Cutt � all but my � Lords . � So they are indeede sir Cutt : all but my � Lords . al� So they are indeede sir Cutt � all but my � Lords . � how like you my Court-counsaile galla�ts ha : belee�e Out of all proportion excellent my Lord : & beleeue it for Emphaticall Courtship , your Lordship doemy By Fraunce you doe my Lord for Emphaticall Courtship . eue�y holliday when Ladies wood bee most bewtifull ; euery one wishes to God shee were turnd into such mygood Sir Gyles , paint him liuely , liuely now , my good knightly boy . go�d Why my good Lord ? hee will nere be long from vs , because o�r buttond loose still , and both the flaps cast ouer before , both his shoulders afore him . Gyl�s From before him hee meanes ; forth good Sir Gyles . �otentate Much like a Potentate indeed . w�rld For all the world like a Potentate S. Cut : ye know . Si� So Sir . hai�e All his beard nothing but haire . concatic�ll Then his fine words that hee sets them in , concaticall , a fine Annisseede wenche foole vppon ticket � M. Iack , M. Iacke ; how do ye M. William , frolick s� Not so frolicke , as you left vs Sir Gyles . � Knowe me ? slight he knowes me no more then the begger begge� me � slight he knowes me no more then the begger knowes his dish . �a. Ia. � content sir Giles , that is , he praies you . G�les Let this vnsutable foole goe sir Giles , we will make shift without him . Nou�tions what are they my good Nouations ? o�her to accompany the countesse Eugenia and the other two Ladies at his house at supper to night s�r O braue sir Cut come lets prick vp the Ladies : ��� O braue sir Cut come lets prick vp the Ladies : ��� O braue sir Cut come lets prick vp the Ladies : A�d And wil not the knights two noble kinseme� be kno�ke whole knot of vs then , and there shall wee knocke vppe the whole triplicitie of your nuptials �e Ile make my Lord my Cosin speake for me . Gyl�s Doe so Sir Gyles , and withall vse meanes To taint their koowes O pittifull knight , that knowes not nuptialls from nutshells . port� And now Comme porte vous monsieur ? m�nsieurs Remercy de bon ceur monsieurs . o�e My Lord I feele a treble happines Mix in one soule , which proues how eminent Things riddle � speaking As how my strange , and riddle-speaking friend ? ��� be troubled with their tromperies : VVhich construe as thou wilt . I make it knowne That thy known� VVhich construe as thou wilt . I make it knowne That thy free comment may examine it , As nee�e examine it , As willinger to tell truth of my neece , Then in the least degree to wrong my friend � the face A lawfull and a commendable grace . extreameli� supper heere . And told her thou art most extreamelie sick . VVhich thou shalt counterfeit with �eere pretext , To shew the pictures that hang neere thy chamber , VVhere when thou hearst my T�es Enter Momford , Furnifall , Tales , Kingcob , Rudesbie , Goosecap , Foulweather Rudesbi� Enter Momford , Furnifall , Tales , Kingcob , Rudesbie , Goosecap , Foulweather , Eugenia , Hippolita Fou�weather , Tales , Kingcob , Rudesbie , Goosecap , Foulweather , Eugenia , Hippolita , Penelope , Winnifred P�nel Penel : ser�ant Come good seruant let's see what you worke . knight�e done so exceedeingly to the life , as my knightlie cosen does it , the eye oftentimes takes si�ke neede to feare him mistris , for he shalbe silke and gould � he shall doe you noe harme , � him mistris , for he shalbe si�ke and gould , he shall doe you noe harme , and he be nere Cauca�s The monster Caucasus my Lord ? Caucasus is a mountaine ; Cacus you meane . wrohgt am ; but wheres the rich night-cappe you wroght cosen � if it had not byn too little for � wheres the rich night-cappe you wroght cosen ? if it had not byn too little for you , it necdes warmer a man keepes his feete the lesse he needes weare vppon his head . aweeke purpose , Ile besworne they eat me siue faggots a weeke in charcoale . ha� Nay he has the strangest deuices Ladies that euer you ��� A las sir Cut , you are not worth the hearing , euery bodie saies you cannot loue , how hollandl bewtie , doe not white me like a sheppards holland I am a Iewe to my Creator . bri�g bee hangd by the heeles for a fortnight to bring it to the right againe . yo� warrant it , and wilbe while tis a soule if you vse this . ��� gall and bitternes Is quite evaporate with hir holy flames , And in whose powers a Doue-like Co�nt Know his brother , nay then Count doe not denie him . deni� Know his brother , nay then Count doe not denie him . knightith am so borne down with truth as neuer any knight ith world was I thinke . ��� or eldest : For often we see the younger inherite , wherein he is eldest . poo�e till supper-time with some such sights As my poore house is furnished withall Pictures and �ome Iewels ; of which implements It may be I haue some wil please you much . a�or it will not you see . Heimihi quod nullus amor est medicabilis herbis . �hat there is no disease of the mind but one , and that is Ignorance . part�irascents : And Affectus your master Gallen refers parts irascents , For illic est anima sentiens Ent�r Enter Momford , Tales , Kingcob , Furnif ; Rudes Hipposita Rudes . Goos : Foul : Eugenia , Penelope , Hippolita , Winnifrid . Pyth�goras Criticke Synods curious eyes Following therein Pythagoras golden rule . Maximè omnium teipsum reuerere �psum therein Pythagoras golden rule . Maximè omnium teipsum reuerere . Eugonia Knowe you the Countesse Eugenia Sir ? esta�e sir , we doe verie seldome meet , For her estate , and mine are so vnequall , And then her udgment , this humblenes cannot flowe Out of your iudgment but from passion . accoun� Indeed I doe account that passion , The verie high perfection Ante�t Queene Of riche Pasiaca may be said of her . Anteuenit sortem moribus virtutibus Annos , Sex� animo Sex� Anteuenit sortem moribus virtutibus Annos , Sexum animo , morum Nobilitate Genus . No�litate moribus virtutibus Annos , Sex� animo , morum Nobilitate Genus . ru�ely I haue him take knowledge of the wrong I rudely offer him : come then ile shewe A few rare off�r him take knowledge of the wrong I rudely offer him : come then ile shewe A few rare Iewels �are rudely offer him : come then ile shewe A few rare Iewels to your honour'd eyes , And then pre�t rare Iewels to your honour'd eyes , And then present you with a common supper . �wells Iewells my Lord , why is not this candlesticke one candlestick� �wells my Lord , why is not this candlesticke one of your iewells pray ? yo�r Lord , why is not this candlesticke one of your iewells pray ? iew� why is not this candlesticke one of your iewells pray ? marrre Yes marre is it Sir Gyles if you will . �is Tis a most fine candlesticke in truth , it wants si�e Tis a most fine candlesticke in truth , it wants nothing la�tin VVhy mistris ; there was a lattin candlestick here afore , and that had the cand�estick VVhy mistris ; there was a la�tin candlestick here afore , and that had the languages h�re mistris ; there was a la�tin candlestick here afore , and that had the languages I am perc�iue VVell master Clarence I perceiue your mind Hath so incorparate it selfe with wi�h perceiue your mind Hath so incorparate it selfe with flesh And therein ratified that flesh to Etl iest ( At least in my poore iesting . ) Th' Erle my vnckle Will misse me straite , and I �iends be sure He will not seeke me in his sicke friends chamber , ( I haue at al times made his cau�e Bould in a good cause , then lets greet his friend , VVhere is wo�ke Good Clarence doe not worke your selfe disease My Ladie comes to ease P�n Pen : liue� common louers passion ? let the world , That liues without a hart , and is but showe , stand Clest thy kindenesse , and haue seene thy hart , Cleft in my vnckles free , and friendly lippes � rit'es due to thy loue : oh I cood weepe . A bitter showe of teares for thy sick state � The seale and crowne of our vnited mindes . And that is rare , and constant , and for ra�e crowne of our vnited mindes � And that is rare , and constant , and for that , To my late ��� not thinke my quarrell iust for my Ladies protection in this cause , for I protest she does most ��� this cause , for I protest she does most abhominable miscarrie her selfe . co�lts and court-shippe good seruice to beate thy coalts teeth out of thy head , for suffering such b�st broken vpon a wheele for it , there is not the best Dukes sonne in Fraunce dares saie I protest �or more sorie for my Ladies , marie most sorie for thee good Lorde Momforde , that will make ��� thee good Lorde Momforde , that will make vs most of all sorie for our selues , if wee a�l Lorde Momforde , that will make vs most of all sorie for our selues , if wee doe not fynde �orie Momforde , that will make vs most of all sorie for our selues , if wee doe not fynde her w�e out heauen see , wee seeke her as fast as wee can , if shee bee crept into a rush wee Momfor� Enter Momford . � Exeunt . Pages . Page� Exeuut � Pages . le�itie monsters , nad stil keep you there VVhere leuitie keepes , in her in constant Spheare , A pr�ious in her in constant Spheare , A Awaye you pretious villaines , what a plague , Of varried tortures �yre , Puffe , is there not a feather in this ayre A man may challenge for her ? what ? a feather � death , She wrongs me past a death , come , come my friend , Is mine , she not her owne do�r Zounes to supper ? what a dorr is this ? ��� Mom . the�s heauens quire of Angels sing Amen , And blesse theis true borne nuptials with their blisse , ��� Angels sing Amen , And blesse the�s true borne nuptials with their blisse , And Neece tho you haue ��� with their blisse , And Neece tho you haue Cosind me in this , Ile vnckle you yet in an other �arledome poore gentleman , he is sole heire To all my Earledome , which to you and yours I freely , and �rie This sodaine and most welcome Noueltie ; But crie you mercy Neece , perhaps your modestie Countsse So may it speed deere Countesse , worthy Clarence . Cu�berd Thankes good Sir Cutberd . ��� Nay vnckle then I plead This goes with my choyce , exreamely both amongst you then , They loue ye knights extreamely , and Sir Cutt : I giue the chast Hippolita ��� They loue ye knights extreamely , and Sir Cutt : I giue the chast Hippolita to you � Sir ch a st knights extreamely , and Sir Cutt : I giue the chast Hippolita to you � Sir Gyles this Ladie � Cutt : I giue the chast Hippolita to you , Sir Gyles this Ladie ; �oth Ide be loth to goe without paper about me against my ��� And for which three , each modest dame wood crie , Three things there be , that shood thine ��� Sblood Asse , theres but two things , thou shamst thy selfe ��� Sblood Asse , theres but two things , thou shamst thy selfe . ��� VVhy Sir Cutt : thats Poeticalicentia , the verse wood haue binne too long , and Pe�. Pen. Cant� Canto . grac� doth crowne . The rest with Rosemarie we grace , O Hymen let thy lights With richest rayes ��� Hymen let thy lights With richest rayes guild euerie face , and feast harts with delights . Willowe tothe . Willowe , willowe , willow , we chaunt to the skies : And with blacke and yellows co�rtship skies : And with blacke and yellows , giue courtship the prize .
A18400 ---- All Fools Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18400 of text S107687 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4963). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18400.xml Al fooles a comedy, presented at the Black Fryers, and lately before his Maiestie. Written by George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 37 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843383 STC (2nd ed.) 4963. Greg, I, 219. 8113 A18400

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Al fooles a comedy, presented at the Black Fryers, and lately before his Maiestie. Written by George Chapman. All fooles. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [76] p. Printed [by George Eld] for Thomas Thorpe, At London : 1605. 1601

In verse.

The first of two words of the title are xylographic, with the "S" reversed.

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-I4 K2.

The first leaf is blank except for signature-mark "A"; the last leaf is blank.

Running title reads: All fooles.

Variant: title page has "comody".

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18400 shc All Fools Chapman, George Nayoon Ahn 1601 play comedy shc no A18400 S107687 (STC 4963). 24251 0 0 0 850035.05D The rate of 35.05 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

AL FOOLES A Comody , Presented at the Black Fryers , And lately before his Maiestie . Written by George Chapman .

AT LONDON , Printed for Thomas Thorpe . 1605 .

Actors . Gostanzo . Knights . Mar. Antonio . Knights . Valerio , sonne to Gostanzo . Fortunio , elder sonne to Marc Antonio . Rynaldo , the younger . Dariotto . Courtiers . Claudio . Courtiers . Cornelio , A start-vp Gentleman . Curio , a Page . Kyte , a Scriuener . Fraunces Pock , a Surgeon . Gazetta , wife to Cor : Bellonora , daughter to Gostanzo . Gratiana Stolne wife to Valerio .
Prologus . THe fortune of a Stage ( like Fortunes : selfe ) Amazeth greatest iudgements : And none knowes The hidden causes of those strange effects , That rise from this Hell , or fall from this Heauen : Who can shew cause , why your wits , that in-ayme At higher Obiects , scorne to compose Playes ; ( Though we are sure they could , would they vouchsafe it ? ) Should ( without meanes to make ) iudge better farre , Then those that make , and yet yee see they can ; For without your applause , wretched is he That vndertakes the Stage , and he 's more blest , That with your glorious fauours can contest . Who can shew cause , why th' ancient Comick vaine Of Eupolis and Cratinus ( now reuiu'd , Subiect to personall application ) Should be exploded by some bitter splenes ? Yet merely Comicall , and harmelesse iestes ( Though nere so witty ) be esteem'd but toyes , If voide of th other satyrismes sauce ? Who can shew cause why quick Uenerian iestes , Should sometimes rauish ? sometimes fall farre short , Of the iust length and pleasure of your eares ? When our pure Dames , thinke them much lesse obscene , Then those that winne your Panegyrick splene ? But our poore doomes ( alas ) you know are nothing ; To your inspired censure , euer we Must needs submit , and there 's the mistery . Great are the giftes giuen to vnited heades , To gifts , attyre , to faire attyre , the stage Helps much , for if our other audience see You on the stage depart before we end , Our wits goe with you all , and we are fooles ; So Fortune gouernes in these stage euents , That merit beares least sway in most contents . Auriculas Asini quis non habet ? How we shall then appeare , we must referre To Magicke of your doomes , that neuer erre .
All Fooles .
Actus primi . Scaena prima . Enter Rynaldo , Fortunio , Valerio . Ryn. CAn one selfe cause , in subiects so a like As you two are , produce effect so vnlike ? One like the Turtle , all in mournefull straines , Wailing his fortunes ? Th' other like the Larke Mounting the sky in shrill and cheerefull notes , Chaunting his ioyes aspir'd , and both for loue : In one , loue rayseth by his violent heate , Moyst vapours from the heart into the eyes , From whence they drowne his brest in dayly showers ; In th' other , his diuided power infuseth Onely a temperate and most kindly warmth , That giues life to those fruites of wit and vertue , Which the vnkinde hand of an vnciuile father , Had almost nipt in the delightsome blossome . For. O brother loue rewards our seruices With a most partiall and iniurious hand , If you consider well our different fortunes : Valerio loues , and ioyes the dame he loues : I loue , and neuer can enioy the sight Of her I loue , so farre from conquering In my desires assault , that I can come To lay no battry to the Fort I seeke ; All passages to it , so strongly kept , By straite guard of her Father . Ryn. I dare sweare , If iust desert in loue measur'd reward , Your fortune should exceede Valerios farre : For I am witnes ( being your Bed fellow ) Both to the dayly and the nightly seruice , You doe vnto the deity of loue , In vowes , sighes , teares , and solitary watches , He neuer serues him with such sacrifice , Yet hath his Bowe and shaftes at his commaund : Loues seruice is much like our humorous Lords ; Where Minions carry more then Seruitors , The bolde and carelesse seruant still obtaines : The modest and respectiue , nothing gaines ; You neuer see your loue , vnlesse in dreames , He , Hymen puts in whole possession : What different starres raign'd when your loues were borne , He forc't to weare the Willow , you the horne ? But brother , are you not asham'd to make Your selfe a slaue to the base Lord of loue , Be got of Fancy , and of Beauty borne ? And what is Beauty ? a meere Quintessence , Whose life is not in being , but in seeming ; And therefore is not to all eyes the same , But like a cousoning picture , which one way Shewes like a Crowe , another like a Swanne : And vpon what ground is this Beauty drawne ? Vpon a Woman , a most brittle creature , And would to God ( for my part ) that were all . Fort.

But tell me brother , did you neuer loue ?

Ryn. You know I did , and was belou'd againe , And that of such a Dame , as all men deem'd Honour'd , and made me happy in her fauours , Exceeding faire she was not ; and yet faire In that she neuer studyed to be fayrer Then Nature made her ; Beauty cost her nothing , Her vertues were so rare , they would haue made An Aethyop beautifull : At least , so thought By such as stood aloofe , and did obserue her With credulous eyes ? But what they were indeed I le spare to blaze , because I lou'd her once , Onely I found her such , ��� for her sake I vow eternall warres against their whole sexe , Inconstant shuttle-cocks , louing fooles , and ��� ; Men rich in durt , and tytles sooner woone With the most vile , then the most vertuous : Found true to none : if one amongst whole hundreds Chance to be chaste , she is so proude withall , Way ward and rude , that one of vnchaste life , Is oftentimes approu'd , a worthier wife : Vndressed , sluttish , nasty , to their husbands , Spung'd vp , adorn'd , and painted to their louers : All day in cesselesse vprore with their housholdes , If all the night their husbands haue not pleas'd them , Like hounds , most kinde , being beaten and abus'd , Like wolues , most cruell , being kindelyest vs'd . For.

Fye , thou prophan'st the deity of their sexe .

Ry. Brother I read , that Aegipt heretofore , Had Temples of the riches frame on earth ; Much like this goodly edifice of women , With Alablaster pillers were those Temples , Vphelde and beautified , and so are women : Most curiously glaz'd , and so are women ; Cunningly painted too , and so are women ; In out-side wondrous heauenly , so are women : But when a stranger view'd those phanes within , In stead of Gods and Goddesses , he should finde A painted fowle , a fury , or a serpent , And such celestiall inner parts haue women . Val. Rynaldo , the poore Foxe that lost his tayle , Perswaded others also to loose theirs : Thy selfe , for one perhaps that for desert Or some defect in thy attempts refus'd thee , Reuil'st the whole sexe , beauty , loue and all : I tell thee , Loue , is Natures second sonne , Causing a spring of vertues where he shines , And as without the Sunne , the Worlds great eye , All colours , beauties , both of Arte and Nature , Are giuen in vaine to men , so without loue All beauties bred in women are in vaine ; All vertues borne in men lye buried , For loue informes them as the Sunne doth colours , And as the Sunne reflecting his warme beames Against the earth , begets all fruites and flowers : So loue , fayre shining in the inward man , Brings foorth in him the honourable fruites Of valour , wit , vertue , and haughty thoughts , Braue resolution , and diuine discourse : O t is the Paradice , the heauen of earth , And didst thou know the comfort of two hearts , In one delicious harmony vnited ? As to ioy one ioy , and thinke both one thought , Liue both one life , and therein double life : To see their soules met at an enter-view In their bright eyes , at parle in their lippes , Their language kisses : And t' obserue the rest , Touches , embraces , and each circumstance Of all loues most vnmatched ceremonies : Thou wouldst abhorre thy tongue for blasphemy , O who can comprehend how sweet loue tastes , But he that hath been present at his feastes ? Ryn. Are you in that vaine too Valerio ? T were fitter you should be about your charge , How Plow and Cart goes forward : I haue knowne Your ioyes were all imployde in husbandry , Your study was how many loades of hay A meadow of so many acres yeelded ; How many Oxen such a close would fat ? And is your rurall seruice now conuerted From Pan to Cupid ? and from beastes to women ? O if your father knew this , what a lecture Of bitter castigation he would read you ? Val. My father ? why my father ? does he thinke To rob me of my selfe ? I hope I know I am a Gentleman , though his couetous humour And education hath transform'd me Bayly , And made me ouerseer of his pastures , I le be my selfe , in spight of husbandry . Enter Gratiana . And see bright heauen here comes my husbandry , Here shall my cattle graze , here Nectar drinke , Here will I hedge and ditch , here hide my treasure , O poore Fortunio , how wouldst thou tryumph , If thou enioy'dst this happines with my Sister ? For.

I were in heauen if once t were come to that .

Ryn. And me thinkes t is my heauen that I am past it , And should the wretched Macheuilian , The couetous knight your father see this sight Lusty Valerio . Val. Sfoote Sir if he should , He shall perceiue ere long my skill extends To something more , then sweaty husbandry . Ryn. I le beare thee witnes , thou canst skill of dice , Cards , tennis , wenching , dauncing , and what not ? And this is something more then husbandry : Th' art knowne in Ordinaries , and Tabacco shops , Trusted in Tauernes and in vaulting houses , And this is something more then husbandry : Yet all this while , thy father apprehends thee For the most tame and thriftie Groome in Europe . For. Well , he hath venter'd on a mariage Would quite vndoe him , did his father know it . Ryn. Know it ? alas Sir where can he bestow This poore Gentlewoman he hath made his wife , But his inquisitiue father will heare of it ? Who , like the dragon to th' esperean fruite , Is to his haunts ? slight hence , the olde knight comes . Gost.

Rynaldo .

Intrat Gostanzo . Omnes aufugiunt .
Ry. Whos 's that calles ? what Sir Gostanzo ? How fares your Knighthood Sir ? Gost. Say who was that Shrunke at my entry here ? was 't not your brother ? Ryn.

He shrunke not sir , his busines call'd him hence .

Gost.

And was it not my sonne that went out with him ?

Ryn. I saw not him , I was in serious speech About a secret busines with my brother . Gost. Sure t was my sonne , what made he here ? I sent him About affaires to be dispacht in hast . Ryn. Well sir , lest silence breed vniust suspect , I le tell a secret I am sworne to keep , And craue your honoured assistance in it . Gost.

What i st Rynaldo ?

Ryn.

This sir , t was your sonne .

Gost.

And what yong gentlewoman grac'st their company ?

Ryn. Thereon depends the secret I must vtter : That gentle woman hath my brother maryed . Gost.

Maryed ? what is she ?

Ryn. Faith sir , a gentlewoman : But her vnusering dowry must be tolde Out of her beauty . Gost. Is it true Rynaldo ? And does your father vnderstand so much ? Ryn. That was the motion sir , I was entreating Your sonne to make to him , because I know He is well spoken , and may much preuaile In satisfying my father , who much loues him , Both for his wisedome and his husbandry . Gost. Indeede he 's one can tell his tale I tell you , And for his husbandry . Ryn. O sir , had you heard , What thrifty discipline he gaue my brother , For making choyce without my fathers knowledge , And without riches , you would haue admyr'd him . Gost.

Nay , nay , I know him well , but what was it ?

Ryn. That in the choyce of wiues men must respect The chiefe wife , riches , that in euery course A mans chiefe Load-starre should shine out of riches , Loue nothing hartely in this world but riches ; Cast off all friends , all studies , all delights , All honesty , and religion for riches : And many such , which wisedome sure he learn'd Of his experient father ; yet my brother , So soothes his rash affection , and presumes So highly on my fathers gentle nature , That he 's resolu'd to bring her home to him , And like enough he will . Gost. And like enough . Your silly father too , will put it vp , An honest knight , but much too much indulgent To his presuming children . Ryn. What a difference Doth ��� it selfe , twixt him and you ? Had your sonne vs'd you thus ? Gost. My sonne ? alas I hope to bring him vp in other fashion , Followes my husbandry , sets early foote Into the world ; he comes not at the citty , Nor knowes the citty Artes . Ryn.

But dice and wenching .

��� .
Gost. Acquaints himselfe with no delight but getting , A perfect patterne of sobriety , Temperance and husbandry to all my housholde , And what 's his company I pray ? not wenches . Ryn. Wenches ? I ��� be sworne he neuer smelt a wenches breath Yet , but me thinkes t were fit you sought him out a wife . Gost. A wife Rynaldo ? He dares not lookee a woman in the face . Ryn.

Sfoote holde him to one , your sonne such a sheep ?

Gost.

T is strange in earnest .

Ryn. Well sir , though for my thriftlesse brothers sake , I little care how my wrong'd ��� takes it , Yet for my fathers quiet , if your selfe Would ioyne hands with your wife and toward Sonne , I should deserue it some way . Gost. Good Rynaldo , I loue you and your father , but this matter Is not for me to deale in : And t is needlesse , You say your brother is resolu'd , presuming Your father will allow it . Enter Marcantonio . Ryn. See my father , since you are resolute not to moue him Sir , In any case conceale the secret Absconditse , By way of an attonement let me pray you will . Gost.

Vpon mine honour .

Ryn.

Thankes Sir .

Mar.

God saue thee honourable Knight Gostanzo .

Gost. Friend Marc Antonio ? welcome , and I thinke I haue good newes to welcome you withall . Ryn.

He cannot holde .

Mar.

What newes I pray you Sir ?

Gost. You haue a forward , valiant eldest Sonne , But wherein is his forwardnes , and valour ? Mar.

I know not where in you intend him so .

Gost. Forward before , valiant behinde , his duety , That he hath dar'd before your due consent To take a wife . Mar.

A wife sir ? what is she ?

Gost. One that is rich enough , her hayre pure Amber , Her forehead mother of pearle , her faire eyes Two wealthy diamants : her lips , mines of Rubies : Her teeth , are orient pearle ; her necke , pure Iuory . Mar. Iest not good Sir , in an affayre so serious , I loue my sonne , and if his youth reward me With his contempt of my consent in mariage � T is to be fear'd that his presumption buildes not Of his good choyce , that will beare out it selfe , And being bad , the newes is worse then bad . Gost.

What call you bad ? is it bad to be poore ?

Mar. The world accounts it so ; but if my soone Haue in her birth and vertues helde his choice , Without disparagement , the sault is lesse . Gost. Sits the winde there � blowes there so calme a gale From a contemned and deserued anger ? Are you so easie to be disobay'd ? Mar. What should I doe ? if my enamour'd sonne Haue been so forward ; I assure my selfe He did it more to satisfie his loue , Then to incense my hate , or to neglect me . Gost. A passing kinde construction ; suffer this , You ope him doores to any villany , He 'le dare to sell , to pawne , runne euer ryot , Despise your loue in all , and laugh at you : And that knights competency you haue gotten With care and labour ; he with lust and idlenesse Will bring into the stypend of a begger ; All to maintaine a wanton whirly-gig , Worth nothing more then she brings on her back , Yet all your wealth too little for that back : By heauen I pitty your declining state , For be assur'd your sonne hath set his foote , In the right path-way to consumption : Vp to the heart in loue ; and for that loue , Nothing can be too deare his loue desires : And how insatiate and vnlymited , Is the ambition and the beggerly pride Of a dame hoysed from a beggers state , To a state competent and plentifull , You cannot be so simple not to know . Mar. I must confesse the mischiefe : But alas Where is in me the power of remedy ? Gost. Where ? in your iust displeasure : cast him off , Receiue him not , let him endure the vse Of their enforced kindnesse that must trust him For meate and money , for apparrell , house , And euery thing belongs to that estate , Which he must learne with want of misery , Since pleasure and a full estate hath blinded His dissolute desires . Mar. What should I doe ? If I should banish him my house and sight , What desperate resolution might it breed ? To runne into the warres , and there to liue In want of competencie and perhaps Taste th' vnrecouerable losse of his chiefe limbes , Which while he hath in peace , at home with me , May with his spirit , ransome his estate From any losse his mariage can procure . Gost. I st true ? Ne let him runne into the warre , And lose what limbes he can : better one branch Be lopt away , then all the whole tree should perish : And for his wants , better young want then olde , You haue a younger sonne at Padoa , I like his learning well , make him your heire , And let your other walke : let him buy wit Att 's owne charge , not at 's fathers , if you loose him , You loose no more then that was lost before , If you recouer him , you finde a sonne . Mar.

I cannot part with him .

Gost. If it be so , and that your loue to him be so extreame , In needfull daungers , euer chuse the least : If he should be in minde to passe the Seas , Your sonne Rynaldo ( who tolde me all this ) Will tell me that , and so we shall preuent it : If by no sterne course you will venture that , Let him come home to me with his faire wife : And if you chaunce to see him , shake him vp , As if your wrath were hard to be reflected , That he may feare hereafter to offend In other dissolute courses : At my house With my aduice and my sonnes good example , Who shall serue as a glasse for him to see His faults , and mend them to his president : I make no doubt but of a dissolut Sonne And disobedient , to send him home Both dutifull and thriftie , M�r. O Gostanzo ! Could you do this , you should preserue your selfe , A perfect friend of mee , and mee a Sonne . Gost. Remember you your part , and feare not mine : Rate him , revile him , and renounce him too : Speake , can you doo 't man ? Mar.

I le do all I can .

Exit Mar.
Gost.

Ahlas good man , how Nature ouer-wayes him .

Rynaldo comes foorth . Ryn.

God saue you Sir .

Gost. Rynaldo , All the Newes You told mee as a secret , I perceiue Is passing common ; for your Father knowes it , The first thing he related , was the Marriage . Ryn.

And was extreamly moou'd �

Gost. Beyond all measure : But I did all I could to quench his furie : Told him how easie t' was for a young man To runne that Amorous course : and though his choyce Were nothing rich , yet shee was gentlie borne , Well quallified and beautifull : But hee still Was quite relentles , and would needes renounce him . Ryn. My Brother knowes it well , and is resolud To trayle a Pyke in Field , rather then bide The more feard push of my vext Fathers furie . Gost. Indeed that 's one way : but are no more meanes Left to his fine wits , then t' incence his Father With a more violent rage , and to redeeme A great offence with greater ? Ryn. So I told him � But to a desperat minde all breath is lost , Gost. Go to , let him be wise , and vse his friendes , Amongst whom , I le be formost to his Father : Without this desperate errour he intends Ioynd to the other � I le not doubt to make his Easie returne into his Fathers fauour : So he submit himselfe , as duetie bindes him � For Fathers will be knowne to be them selues , And often when their angers are not deepe , Will paint an outward Rage vpon their lookes . Rin. All this I told him Sir � but what sayes hee � I know my Father will not be reclaymde , Hee le thinke that if he wincke at this offence , T' will open doores to any villanie : I le dare to sell to pawne , and run all ryot , To laugh at all his patience , and consume All he hath purchast to an honord purpose , In maintenance of a wanton Whirligigg , Worth nothing more then she weares on her backe . Gost. The very words I vsd t' incense his Father , But good Rinoldo let him be aduisde � How would his Father grieue , should he be maymd , Or quite miscarie in the ruthles warre ? Rin. I told him so ; but better farr ( sayd hee ) One branch should vtterly be lopt away , Then the whole Tree of all his race should perish : And for his wants , better yong want , then eld . Gost. By heauen the same words still I vsde t' his Father . Why comes this about ? Well , good Rinaldo , If hee dare not indure his Fathers lookes , Let him and his faire wife come home to me , Till I haue quallified his Fathers passion , He shall be kindly welcome , and be sure Of all the intercession I can vse . Rin. I thanke you sir , I le try what I can doe , Although I feare me I shall striue in vaine . Gost.

Well , try him , try him .

Exit .
Rin. Thanks sir , so I will � See , this olde politique dissembling Knight , Now he perceives my Father so affectionate , And that my brother may hereafter liue By him and his , with equall vse of either , He will put on a face of hollowe friendship . But this will proue an excellent ground to sow The seede of mirthe amongst vs ; ��� go seeke Valerio and my brother , and tell them Such newes of their affaires , as they 'le admire . Exit . Enter Gazetta , Bellonora , Gratiana � Gaze. How happie are your fortunes aboue mine � Both still being woode and courted still so feeding � On the delightes of loue , that still you finde An appetite to more � where I am cloyde , And being bound to loue sportes , care not for them . Bell. That is your fault Gazetta , we haue Loues And wish continuall company with them . In honour'd marriage rites , which you enioy . But seld or neuer can we get a looke Of those we loue , Fortunio my deare ��� Dare not be knowne to loue me , nor come neere My Fathers house , where I as in a prison Consume my lost dayes , and the tedious nights , My Father guarding me for one I ��� � And Gratiana here my brothers loue , Ioyes him by so much ��� , that vehement feare Drinkes vp the sweetnesse of their stolne delightes . � Where you enloye a husband , and may freely Performe all obsequies you desire to loue . Gaze. Indeede I hane a husband , and his ��� Is more then I desire , being vainely ielouse : Extreames , though contrarie , haue the like effects , Extreames heate mortifies like extreame colde : Extreame loue breedes ��� as well As extreame Hatred : and too violent rigour , Tempts Chastetie as much , as too much Licence : There 's no mans eye fixt on mee but doth pierce My Husbandes soule : If any take my wel-fare ? Hee straight doubts Treason practis'd to his bed : Fancies but to himselfe all likelihoods Of my wrong to him , and layes all on mee For certaine trueths � yet seekes he with his best , To put Disguise on all his Ielosie , Fearing perhaps , least it may teach me that , Which otherwise I should not dreame vpon : Yet liues he still abrode , at great expence , Turns merely Gallant from his Farmers state , Vses all Games and recreations � Runnes Races with the ��� of the Court , Feastes them at home , and entertaines them costly , And then vpbraydes mee with their companie : Enter ��� .

See see , wee shal be troubl'd with him now .

Cor. Now Ladyes � what plots haue we now in hand ? They say , when onely one Dame is alone , Shee plots some mischiefe ; but if three together , They plot three hundred : Wife , the Ayre is sharpe , Y 'ad best to take the house least you take cold . Gaz.

Ahlas this time of yeere yeeldes no such danger ,

Cor.

Goe , in I say ; a friend of yours attends you .

Gaz.

Hee is of your bringing , and may stay .

Cor.

Nay stand not chopping Logicke ; in I pray .

Gaz. Yee see , Gentle women , what my happines is , These humors raigne in mariage ; humors , humors . Exit , he followith . ��� . Now by my Sooth I am no fortune teller , And would be loth to prooue so ; yet pronounce This at aduenture , that t' were indecorum This Heffer should want hornes . �ll.. Fie on this Loue , I rather wish to want , then purchase so . Gra. In deede such Loue is like a Smokie fire In a cold morning ; though the Fire be cheerefull , Yet is the Smoke so sowre and combersome , T' were better lose the Fire , then finde the Smoke : Such an attendant then as Smoke to Fire , Is Ielosie to Loue : Better want both , Then haue both . Enter Ualerio and Fortunio . Ual. Come Fortunio , now take hold On this occasion � as my selfe on this : One couple more would make a Barly-breake . For. I feare Valerio , wee shall breake too soone , Your Fathers Ielosie Spy-all , will displease ��� � Val. Well Wench , the daye will come his Argus eyes Will shut , and thou shalt open : Sfoote , I thinke Dame Natures memorie begins to fayle her � If I write but my Name in Mercers Bookes , I am as sure to haue at sixe months end A Rascole at my elbow with his Mace , As I am sure my Fathers not farre hence : My Father yet hath ought Dame Nature debt These threescore yeeres and ten , yet cals not on him : But if shee turne her Debt-booke ouer once , And finding him her debtor , do but send Her Sergeant Iohn Death to arrest his body , Our Soules shall rest Wench then , And the free Light Shall triumph in our faces ; where now Night , In imitation of my Fathers frownes , Lowres at our meeting : Enter Rinald .

See where the Scholler comes .

Rin.

Downe on your ��� ; poore louers reuerence learning

For.

I pray thee why Rinaldo ?

Rin. Marke what cause Flowes from my depth of knowledge to your loue , To make you kneele and blesse me while you liue . Ual.

I pray thee good Scholards giue vs cause .

Rin. Marke then , erect your eares : you know what horror Would flye on your loue from your fathers frownes , If he should know it . And your sister here � ( My brothers sweete hart ) knowes aswell what ��� Would sease his powers for her , if he should knowe � My brother woo'd her , or that she lou'd him , Is not this true ? speake all . Omn.

All this is true .

Rin. It is as true that now you meete by stelth In depth of midnight , kissing out at grates , Clime ouer walles . And all this ��� reforme . Vale.

By Logicke .

Rin. Well sir , you shall haue all meanes To liue in one house , eate and drinke together , Meete and kisse your fils . Ual.

All this by learning �

Rin.

I , and your frowning father know all this .

Val.

I marry , small learning may proue that .

Rin. Nay he shall know it , and desire it too , Welcome my Brother to him , and your wife , Entreating both to come and dwell with him . Is not this strange � For.

I too strange to be true .

Rin. T is in this head shall worke it : Therefore heare ; Brother this Lady you must call your wife , For I haue tolde her sweet harts Father here That she is your wife ; and because my Father ( Who now beleeues it ) must be quieted Before you see him , you must liue a while As husband to her , in his Fathers house � Ualerio here 's a simple meane for you To lye at racke and manger with your wedlocke And brother , for your selfe to meete as freely . With this your long desir'd and barred loue . For.

You make vs wonder .

Rin. Peace , be ruld by mee , And you shall see to what a perfect shape �e bring this rude Plott , which blind Chaunce ( the Ape Of Counsaile aduice ) hath brought foorth blind . Ualerio , can your heat of loue forbeare Before your Father , and allow my Brother To vse some kindnes to your wife before him � Ual. I before him , I do not greatlie care , Nor anie where in deed ; my Sister heere Shall be my spie � if shee will wrong her selfe , And giue her right to my wife , I am pleasd . For. My dearest life I know , will neuer feare Anie such will or thought in all my powers � When I court her then , thinke I thinke t is thee � When I embrace her , hold thee in mine Armes : Come , let vs practise gainst wee see your Father . Ual. Soft Sir , I hope you need not do it yet , Let mee take this time . Rin.

Come , you must not touch her .

Ual.

No not before my Father ?

Rin. No nor now , Because you are so soone to practise it � For I must bring them to him presentlie . Take her Fortunio ; goe , hence man and wife , Wee will attend you rarely with fixt faces . Valerio keepe your conntenaunce , and conseaue Your Father in your forged sheepishnes , Who thinks thou dar'st not looke vpon a Wench , Nor knowest at which end to begin to kisse her . Exeunt . Finis Actus Prima .
Actus secundi , Scaena prima . Gostanzo , Marcantonio . Gost. It is your owne too simple lenitie , And doting indulgence showne to him still That thus hath taught your Sonne to be no Sonne , As you haue vs'd him , therefore so you haue him : Durst my Sonne thus turne rebell to his dutie , Steale vp a match vnshuting his estate Without all knowledge of or friend or father ; And to make that good with a worse offence resolue to runne beyond Sea to the warres . Durst my Sonne serue me thus ? well , I haue stayd him , Though much against my disposition , And this howre I haue set for his repayre , With his young mistresse and concealed wife , And in my house here they shall soiourne both Till your blacke angers storme be ouer-blowne . Mar. My angers storme ? Ah poore Fortunio , One gentle word from thee would soone resolue The storme of my rage to a showre of teares � Gost. In that vaine still ? well Marcantonio , Gur olde acquaintance and long neighbourhood Ties my affection to you , and the good Of your whole house � in kinde regard whereof I haue aduisde you for your credite sake , And for the tender welfare of your sonne , To frowne on him a little ; if you do not But at first parle take him to your fauour , I protest vtterly to renownce all care Of you and yours , and all your amities . They say hee 's wretched that out of himselfe Cannot draw counsell to his propper weale , But hee 's thrice wretched that has neither counsell Within himselfe , nor apprehension Of counsaile for his owne good , from another . M�r. Well , I will arme my selfe against this weaknes The best I can ; I long to see this Hellene That hath enchaunted my young Paris thus , And 's like to set all our poore Trope on fire . Enter Valerio with a Page . Marc . retyres himselfe . Gost. Here comes my Sonne ; withdraw , take vp your stand , You shall heare odds betwixt your Sonne and mine . Val. Tell him I can not doo 't : Shall I be made A foolish Nouice , my Purse set a broch By euerie cheating come you seauen ? to lend My Money and be laught at ? tell him plaine I professe Husbandrie , and will not play The Prodigall like him , gainst my profession . Gost.

Here 's a Sonne .

Mar.

An admirable sparke .

Page .

Well sir , I le tell him so .

Exit Page .
Ual. Sfoote , let him lead A better Husbands life , and liue not idlely , Spending his time , his coyne , and selfe on Wenches . Gost.

Why what 's the matter Sonne ?

Ual. Cry mercie Sir ; why there comes messengers From this and that braue Gallant � and such Gallants , As I protest I saw but through a Grate . Gost.

And what 's this Message ?

Val. Faith Sir , hee 's disappoynted Of payments � and disfurnisht of meanes present � If I would do him the kind office therefore To trust him but some seuen-night with the keeping � Of fourtie Crownes for mee , hee deepely sweare � As hee 's a Gentleman , to discharge his trust , And that I shall eternally endeare him To my wisht seruice , he protestes and contestes . Gost. Good words Ualerio ; but thou art too ��� To be deceiu'd by breath : I le turne thee loose To the most cunning Cheater of them all . Ual. Sfoote , Hee 's not ashamde besides to charge mee With a late Promise : I must yeeld in deed , I did ( to shift him with some contentment ) Make such a friuall promise . Gost. I , well done , Promises are no Fetters : with that tongue Thy promise past , vnpromise it againe . Wherefore has Man a Tongue , of powre to speake , But to speake still to his owne priuate purpose ? Beastes vtter but one sound ; but Men haue change Of speach and Reason , euen by Nature giuen them : Now to say one thing , and an other now , As best may serue their profitable endes . Mar.

Ber-Ladie sound instructions to a Sonne .

Ual.

Nay Sir , he makes his claime by debt of friendship .

Gost. Tush , Friendship 's but a Terme boy : the fond world Like to a doting Mother glases ouer Her Childrens imperfections with fine tearmes : What she calls Frindship and true humane kindnes , Is onely want of true Experience : Honestie is but a defect of Witt , Respect but meere Rusticitie and Clownerie . Mar. Better and better . Soft , here comes my Sonne . Enter Fortunion , Rinaldo , and Gratiana . Rin. Fortunio , keepe your countenance : See sir here The poore young married couple , which you pleasd To send for to your house . Gost. Fortunio welcome , And in that welcome I imploy your wiues , Who I am sure you count your second selfe . He kisses her . For. Sir , your right noble fauours do exceede All powre of worthy gratitude by words , That in your care supplie my Fathers place . Gost. Fortunio , I can not chuse but loue you , Being Sonne to him who long time I haue lou'd : From whose iust anger , my house shall protect you , Till I haue made a calme way to your meetings . For. I little thought Sir , that my Fathers loue Would take so ill , so sleight a fault as this . Gost. Call you it sleight ? Nay though his spirit take it In higher manner then for your lou'd sake , I would haue wisht him ; yet I make a doubt , Had my Sonne done the like , if my affection Would not haue turnd to more spleene , then your Fathers : And yet I quallifie him , all I can , And doubt not but that time and my perswasion , Will worke out your excuse : since youth and loue Were th' vnresisted organies to seduce you : But you must giue him leaue , for Fathers must Be wonne by penitence and submission � And not by force or opposition . For. Ahlas Sir , what aduise you mee to doe ? I know my Father to be highly moou'd , And am not able to endure the breath Of his exprest displeasure , whose hote flames I thinke my absence soonest would haue quencht . Gost. True Sir , as fire with oyle , or else like them That quench the sire with pulling downe the house , You shall remaine here in my house conceal'd Till I haue wonne your Father to conceiue Kinder opinion of your ouersight . Ualerio entertaine Fortunio And his ��� ��� , and giue them conduct in . Val.

Y' are welcome sir .

Gost. What ��� ��� that all � No entertainment to the Gentlewoman ? Ual.

Forsooth y' are welcome by my Fathers leaue .

Gost. What no more complement ? Kisse her you sheepes-head , Why when ? Go go Sir , call your Sister hither . Exit Ual. Ladie , you le pardon our grosse bringing vp ? Wee dwell farre off from Court you may perceiue : The sight of such a blazing Starre as you , Dazles my rude Sonnes witts . Grat. Not so good Sir , The better husband , the more courtlie euer . Rin. In deed a Courtier makes his lipps go farre , As he doth all things else . Enter Ualerio , Bell . Gost. Daughter reciue This Gentlewoman home , and vse her kindly . She kisses her Bell. My Father bids you kindly welcome Lady , And therefore you must needes come well to mee . Grat.

Thanke you for-soth .

Gost.

Goe Dame , conduct-am in .

Exeunt Rinaldo , Fortunio , Bell . Grat. Ah errant Sheepes-head , hast thou liu'd thus long , And dar'st not looke a Woman in the face ? Though I desire especially to see My Sonne a Husband , Shall I therefore haue him Turne absolute Cullion ? Le ts see , kisse thy hand . Thou kisse thy hand ? thou wip'st thy mouth by th' masse . Fie on thee Clowne ; They say the world 's growne finer , But I for my part , neuer saw Youngmen Worse fashin'd and brought vp then now adayes . Sfoote , when my selfe was young , was not I kept As farre from Court as you ? I thinke I was : And yet my Father on a time inuited The Dutchesse of his house ; I beeing then About some fiue and twentie yeares of age , Was thought the onelie man to entertaine her : I had my Conge ; plant my selfe of one legg , Draw backe the tother with a deepe fetcht honor : Then with a Bell regard aduant mine eye With boldnes on her verie visnomie . Your Dauncers all were counterfets to mee : And for discourse in my faire Mistresse presence , I did not as you barraine Gallants doe , Fill my discourses vp drinking Tobacco ; But on the present furnisht euer more With tales and practisde speeches ; as some times What i st a clocke ? What stuff 's this Petticoate ? What cost the making ? What the Frindge and all ? And what she had vnder her Petticoate ? And such like wittie complements : and for need , I could haue written as good Prose and Verse , As the most beggerlie Poet of am all , Either accrostique , Exordion , Epithalamions , Satyres , Epigrams , Sonnets in Doozens , or your Quatorzanies , In any Rime Masculine , Feminine , Or Sdrnciolla , or cooplets , Blancke Verse , Y' are but bench-whistlers now a dayes to them That were in our times � well , about your Husbandrie , Go , for I'fayth th' art fit for nothing else . Exit Val. prodit Mar.
Mar.

Ber-Ladie you haue plaide the Courtier rarelie .

Gost. But did you euer see so blanck a Foole , When he should kisse a Wench , as my Sonne is ? Mar. Ahlas t is but a little bashfulnes , You let him keepe no companie , nor allow him Monie to spend at Fence and Dauncing-scholes , Y' are too seueere y'faith . Gost. And you too supple . VVell Sir , for your sake I haue staide your Sonne From flying to the warres : now see you rate him , To staie him yet from more expencefull courses , Wherein your lenitie will encourage him . Mar.

Let me alone , I thank you for this kindnes .

Exeunt .
Enter Ualerio and Rinaldo . Rin. So , are they gone ? Now tell me braue Ualerio Haue I not wonne the wreath from all your wits , Brought thee t' enioy the most desired presence Of thy deare loue at home ? and with one labour My brother t' enioy thy sister , where It had beene her vndooing t' haue him seene , And make thy father craue what he abhorres : T' entreate my brother home t' enioy his daughter , Commaund thee kisse thy wench , chide for not kissing , And worke all this out of a Macheuil � A miserable Politician ? I thinke the like was neuer plaid before � Vale. Indeede I must commend thy wit of force , And yet I know not whose deserues most praise Of thine , or my wit : thine for plotting well , Mine , that durst vndertake and carrie it With such true forme . Rin. Well , th' euening crownes the daie , Perseuer to the end , my wit hath put Blinde Fortunne in a string into your hand , Vse it discreetlie , keepe it from your Father , Or you may bid all your good daies good night . Ual.

Let me alone boy .

Rin. Well sir , now to varie The pleasures of our wits , thou knowst Valerio Here is the new turnd Gentlemans faire wife , That keepes thy wife and sister companie ; With whome the amorous Courtier Doriotto Is farre in loue , and of whome her sowre husband Is passing ��� , puts on Eagles eies To ��� into her carriage . Shall wee see . If he be now from home , and visite her . Enter Gazetta sowing , Cornelio following .

See , see , the prisoner comes .

Ual. But soft Sir , see Her ielous Iaylor followes at her heeles � Come , we will watch some fitter time to boord her , And in the meane time seeke out our mad crue . My spirit ��� to swagger . Rin. Goe too youth , walke not too boldly , if the Sergeants meete you ; You may haue swaggering worke your bellie full . Val.

No better Copesmates ,

Gazetto sits and singes sowing . I le go seeke im out with this light in my hand , The slaues grow proud with seeking out of vs . Exeunt .
Cor.

A prettie worke , I pray what flowers are these �

Gaze.

The Pancie this .

Cor. O that 's for louers thoughtes . What 's that , a Columbine ? Gaze.

No , that thankles Flower fitts not my Garden .

Cor. Him ? yet it may mine � This were a pretrie present for some friend , Some gallant Courtier , as for Doriotto , One that adores you in his soule I know . Gaz.

Mee ? why mee more then your selfe I pray �

Cor. O yes , hee adores you , and adhornes mee � Y faith deale plainelie , Doe not his kisses relish Much better then such Pessants as I am ? Gaz.

Whose kisses ?

Cor. Doriottoes ; does he not ? The thing you wot on ? Gaz.

What thing good Lord ?

Cor.

Why Lady , lie with you ?

Gaz.

Lie with mee ?

Cor.

I with you .

Gaz.

You with mee indeed .

Cor. Nay I am told that he lies with you too , And that he is the onely Whore-maister About the Cittie . Gaz. Yf he be so onely , T is a good hearing that there are no more , Cor. Well Mistresse well , I will not be abusde , Thinke not you daunce in Netts ; for though you do not Make brode profession of your loue to him , Y et do I vnderstand your darkest language , Your treads ath ' toe , your secret iogges and wringes : Your enter course of glaunces : euery tittle Of your close Amorous rites I vnderstand , They speake as loud to mee , as if you said , My dearest Dariotto , I am thine . Gaz. Iesus what moodes are these ? did euer Husband Follow his Wife with Ielosie so vnjust ? That once I lou'd you , you your selfe will sweare . And if I did , where did you lose my Loue � In deed this strange and vndeserued vsage , Hath powre to shake a heart were nere so setled : But I protest all your vnkindnes , neuer Had strength to make me wrong you , but in thought . Cor.

No , not with Doriotto ?

Gaz.

No by heauen .

Cor.

No Letters past , nor no designes for meeting ?

Gaz.

No by my hope of heauen .

Cor. Well , no time past , Goe goe ; goe in and sow � Gaz.

Well , bee it so .

Exit Gaz.
Cor. Suspition is ( they say ) the first degree Of deepest wisedome : and how euer others inueygh against this mood of Ielousy , For my part I suppose it the best curb , To check the ranging appetites that raigne In this weake sexe : my neighbours poynt at me For this my ielousy ; but should I doe As most of them doe ; let my wife fly out To feasts and reuels , and inuite home Gallants , Play Menelaus , giue them time and place , While ��� sit like a well-taught wayting-woman , Turning her eyes vpon some worke or picture , Read in a Booke , or take a fayned nap , While her kind Lady takes one to her lap ? No , let me still be poynted at , and thought A ielouse Asse , and not a wittally Knaue . I haue a shew of Courtyers haunt my house , In shew my friends , and for my profit too : But I perceiue vm , and will mock their aymes , With looking to their marke , I warrant vm : I am content to ride abroad with them , To reuell , dice , and fit their other sports ; But by their leaues I le haue a vigilant eye To the mayne chaunce still . See my braue Comrades . Enter Dariotto , Claudio and Valerio : Valerio putting vp his Sword . Dar. Well , wag , well , wilt thou still deceiue thy father , And being so simple a poore soule before him , Turne swaggerer in all companies besides ? Clau.

Hadst thou bin rested , all would haue come forth .

Val. Soft , ��� , there lyes the poynt ; I do not doubt , But t' haue my penny worths of these Rascals one day : I le smoke the buzzing Hornets from their nests , Or else I le make their lether Ierkins stay . The whorson hungry Horse-flyes ; Foot , a man Cannot so soone , for want of Almanacks , Forget his day but three or foure bare moneths , But strait he fees a sort of Corporals , To lye in Ambuscado to surprize him . Dar.

Well , thou hadst happy fortune to escape vm .

Val. But they thought ��� was happier to scape me . I walking in the place , where mens law suites Are heard and pleaded , not so much as dreaming Of any such encounter , steps me forth Their valiant fore-man , with the word , I rest you . I made no more adoe , but layd these pawes Close on his shoulders , tumbling him to earth ; And there sate he on his posteriors , Like a Baboone ; and turning me about , I ��� espyed the whole troope issuing on me . I stept me backe , and drawing my olde friend heere , Made to the midst of them , and all vnable T' endure the shock , all rudely sell in rout , And downe the stayres they ranne with such a fury , As meeting with a troope of Lawyers there , Man'd by their Clyents : some with ten , some with twenty , Some fiue , some three ; he that had least , had one : Vpon the stayres they bore them downe afore them : But such a rattling then was there amongst them Of ��� Declarations , Replications , Reioynders and Petitions ; all their bookes And writings torne and trod on , and some lost , That the poore Lawyers comming to the Barre , Could say nought to the matter , but instead , Were fayne to rayle and talke besides their bookes Without all order . Clau. Fayth , that same vayne of rayling became Now most applausiue ; your best Poet , is He that rayles grossest . Dar. True , and your best foole Is your broad rayling foole . Val. And why not , sir ? For by the gods , to tell the naked trueth , What obiects see men in this world , but such As would yeeld matter to a rayling humour ? When he that last yere carryed after one An empty Buckram bag , now fills a Coach , And crowds the Senate with such troops of Clyents , And seruile followers , as would put a mad spleene Into a Pigeon . Dar. Come , pray leaue these crosse capers , Let 's make some better vse of precious time . See , here 's Cornelio : come , Lad , shall we to dice ? Cor.

Any thing I .

Clau.

Well sayd , how does thy wife ?

Cor.

In health , God saue her .

Val.

But where is she , man ?

Cor.

Abroad about her businesse .

Val. Why , not at home ? Foot , my ��� , take her to the Court , And this rare Lad her husband : and doest heare ? Play me no more the miserable Farmer , But be advisde by friends , sell all i th countrey , Be a flat Courtier , follow some great man , Or bring thy ��� there , and shee le make thee great . Cor.

What , to the Court ? then take me for a Gull .

Val. Nay , neuer shun it to be cald a Gull : For I see all the world is but a Gull : One man Gull to another in all kinds : A Marchant to a Courtyer is a Gull : A Clyent to a Lawyer is a Gull : A marryed man to a Bacheler , a Gull : A Bacheler to a Cuckold is a Gull : All to a Poct , or a Poct to himselfe . Cor.

Hark ��� , shall we gull this Guller ?

Dar.

He gulls his father , man , we cannot gull him .

Cor. Let me alone . Of all mens ��� aliue , I most admyre Valerioes , that hath stolne , By his meere industry , and that by spurts , Such qualities , as no wit else can match , With plodding at perfection euery houre ; Which , if his father knew eche gift he has , Were like enough to make him giue all from him : I meane besides his dyeing and his wenching , He has stolne languages , th' Italian , Spanish , And some spice of the French , besides his dauncing , Singing , playing on choyce Instruments : These has he got , almost against the hayre . Clau.

But hast thou stolne all these , Valerio ?

Val. Toyes , toyes , a pox ; and yet they be such toyes , As euery Gentleman would not be without . Cor.

Vayne glory makes yee iudge on lyte yfayth .

Dar. A fore heauen I was much deceyu'd in him : But hee 's the man indeed that hides his gifts , And sets them not to sale in euery presence . I would haue sworne , his soule were far from musike ; And that all his choyce musike was to heare His fat beastes bellow . Cor. Sir , your ignorance Shall est soone be confuted . Prythee Val , Take thy Theorbo for my sake a little . Val.

By heauen , this moneth I toucht not a Theorbo .

Cor. Toucht a Theorbo ? marke the very word . Sirra , goe fetch . Exit Page . Val. If you will haue it , I must needs confesse , I am no husband of my qualityes . He vntrusses and capers . Cor.

See what a Caper there was !

Clau.

See agayne .

Cor.

The best that euer ; and how it becomes him !

Dar.

O that his father saw these qualityes !

Enter a Page with an Instrument . Cor. Nay , that 's the very wonder of his wit , To carry all without his fathers knowledge . Dar.

Why , we might tell him now .

Cor. No but we could not , Although we think we could : his wit doth charme vs . Come sweet Val , touch and sing . Dar. Foote , will you heare The worst voyce in Italy ? Enter Rinaldo . Cor.

O God , sir . He sings . Courtiers , how like you this ?

Dar.

Beleeue it excellent .

Cor.

Is it not naturall ?

Val. If my father heard me , Foot , hee 'd renounce me for his naturall sonne . Dar. By heauen , Valerio , and I were thy father , And lou'd good qualities as I doe my life , I de disinherit thee : for I neuer heard Dog howle with worse grace . Cor. Go to , Signeur Courtier , You deale not courtly now to be so playne , Nor nobly , to discourage a young Gentleman , In vertuous qualityes , that has but stolne vm . Clau.

Call you this touching a Theorbo ? Omn. ha , ha , ha .

Exeunt all but Val. and Rin. Val.

How now , what 's heere ?

Rin. Zoones , a plot layd to gull thee . Could thy wit thinke the voyce was worth the hearing ? This was the Courtiers and the Cuckolds proiect . Val.

And i st cene so ? t is very well , mast Courtier , & Dan Cornuto , I le cry quit with both : And first , I le cast a iarre betwixt them both , with firing the poore cuckolds ielousy .

I haue a tale will make him madde , And turne his wife diuorced loose amongst vs � But first let 's home , and entertayne my wife . O father , pardon , I was borne to gull thee . Exeunt .
Finis Actus secundi .
ACTVS III . SCENA I. Enter Fortunio , Bellanora , Gratiana , ��� following closely . Fort. How happy am I , that by this sweet meanes I gayne accesse to your lost loued sight , And there withall to vtter my full loue , Which but for vent would burne my entrayles vp ! G�ll.

by th masse they talke too softly .

Bell. Little thinks The ��� mind my thrifty father beares , That I am vow'd to you , and so am bound From him : who for more riches he would force On my disliking fancy . Fort. T is no fault , With iust deeds to defraud an iniury . Gost. My daughter is perswading him to yeeld In dutifull ��� to his ��� . Enter Valerio . Val. Do I not dreame ? do I be this sight With waking eyes ? or from the Iuory gate Hath Morpheus sent a vision to delude me ? ��� possible that I a mortall man , Should shrine within mine armes so bright a Goddesse , The fayre Gratiana , beautyes little world ! Gost.

What haue we heere ?

Val. My dearest Myne of Gold , All this that thy white armes enfold , Account it as thine owne free-hold . Gost. Gods my deare soule , what sudden change is here ! I ��� �ll how this geare will fall out �yth . Val.

Fortunio , sister ; come , let 's to the garden .

Exeunt .
Gost. Sits the wind there yfayth ? see what example Will worke vpon the dullest appetite . My sonne last day so bashfull , that he durst not Looke on a wench , now courts her ; and byrlady , Will make his friend Fortunio weare his head Of the right moderne fashion . What Rynaldo . Enter Rin. Rin.

I feare I interrupt your priuacy .

Gost. Welcome , Rinaldo , would ' thad bin your hap To come a little sooner , that you might Haue seene a handsome sight . but let that passe , The short is , that your sister Gratiana Shall stay no longer here . Rin. No longer , sir ? Repent you then so soone your fauour to her , And to my brother ? Gost. Not so , good Rinaldo ; But to preuent a mischiefe that I see Hangs ouer your abused brothers head . In briefe , my sonne has learn'd but too much courtship . It was my chaunce euen now to cast mine eye Into a place whereto your sister entred : My ��� sonne : I must conceale What I saw there : but to be playne , I saw More then I would see : I had thought to make My house a kind receypt for your kind brother ; But I de be loth his ��� should find more kindnesse , Then she had cause to like of . Rin. What 's the matter ? Perhaps a little complement or so . Gost. Wel , sir , such complement perhaps may cost Marryed Fortunio the setting on : Nor can I keepe my knowledge ; He that lately Before my face I could not get to looke Vpon your sister ; by this light , now kist her , Embrac't and courted with as good a grace , As any Courtyer could : and I can tell you ( Not to disgrace her ) I perceyu'd the Dame Was as far forward as himselfe , by th masse . Rin.

You should haue schoold him for 't .

Gost. No , I le not see 't : For shame once found , is lost ; I le haue him thinke That my opinion of him is the same That it was euer ; it will be a meane , To bridle this fresh humour bred in him . Rin.

Let me then schoole him ; foot , I le rattle him vp �

Gost. No , no , Rinaldo , th' onely remedy , Is to remoue the cause ; carry the obiect From his late tempted eyes . Rin. Alas , sir , whither ? You know , my father is incenst so much , Hee le not receyue her . Gost. Place her with some friend But for a time , till I reclayme your father : Meane time your brother shall remaine with me . Rin. The care 's the lesse then , he has still his longing , To be with this Gulls daughter . Gost. What resolue you ? I am resolu'd she lodges here no more : My friends sonne shall not be abusde by mine . Rin.

T'roth , sir , I le tell you what a sudden toy comes in my head ; what think you if I brought her home to my fathers house ?

Gost. I mary , sir ; Would he receyue her ? Rin. Nay , you heare not all : I meane , with vse of some deuice or other . Gost.

As how , Rinaldo ?

Rin. Mary sir , to say , She is your sonnes wife , maryed past your knowledge . Gost.

I doubt , last day he saw her , and will know her to be Fortunioes wife �

Rin. Nay , as for that I wil pretend she was euen then your sonnes wife , But faynde by me to be Fortunioes , Onely to try how he would take the matter . Gost.

'Fore heauen 't were pretty .

Rin.

Would it not doe well ?

Gost.

Exceeding well in sadnesse .

Rin. Nay , good sir , Tell me vnfaynedly , do ye lik't indeed . Gost.

The best that ere I heard .

Rin. And do you thinke Hee le swallow downe the Gudgion ? Gost. A my life It were a grosse gob would not downe with him , An honest knight , but simple , not acquainted With the fine slights and policies of the world , As I my selfe am . Ri�. I le go fetch her strait : And this iest thriue , 't will make vs princely sport : But you must keepe our counsell , second all , Which to make likely , you must needs sometimes Giue your sonne leaue ( as if you knew it not ) To steale and see her at my fathers house . Gost. I , but see you then that you keepe good gard Ouer his forward new begun affections : For by the Lord , hee le teach your brother else , To sing the Cuckooes note : spirit will breake out , Though neuer so supprest and pinioned . Rin. Especially your sonnes : what would he be , If you should not restrayne him by good connsell � Gost. I le haue an eye on him , I warrant thee . I le in and warne the Gentlewoman to make ready . Rin. Wel , sir , & I le not be long after you . Exit Gost. Heauen , heauen , I see these Politicians ( Out of blind Fortunes hands ) are our most fooles . T is she that giues the lustre to their wits , Still plodding at traditionall deuices : But take vm out of them to present actions , A man may grope and tickle vm like a Trowt , And take vm from their close deere holes , as fat As a Phisician ; and as giddy-headed , As if be myracle heauen had taken from them , Euen that which commonly belongs to fooles . Well , now let 's note what black ball of debate , Valerioes wit hath cast betwixt Cornelio , And the inamoured Courtyer ; I beleeue His wife and he will part : his ielousy Hath euer watcht occasion of diuorce , And now Valerioes villany will present it . See , here comes the twyn-Courtier his companio� . Enter Claud. Clau.

Rinaldo , well encountred .

Rin.

Why ? what newes ?

Clau. Most sudden and infortunate , Rinaldo : Cornelio is incenst so 'gainst his wife , That no man can procure her quiet with him . I haue assayd him , and made Marc Antonio , With all his gentle Rethorike second me , Yet all I feare me will be cast away . See , see , they come : ioyne thy wit , good Rinaldo , And helpe to pacify his yellow fury . Rin. With all my heart , I consecrate my wit To the wisht comfort of distressed Ladies . Enter Cornelio , Marc Ant. Valerio , Page . Cor.

Will any man assure me of her good behauiour ?

Val.

Who can assure a ielous spirit ? you may be afrayd of the shaddow of your eares , & imagine the� to be hornes : if you will assure your selfe , appoynt keepers to watch her .

Cor.

And who shall watch the keepers ?

Mar.

To be sure of that , be you her keeper .

Val. Well sayd , and share the hornes your selfe : For that 's the keepers fee . Cor.

But say I am gone out of town , & must trust others ; how shall I know if those I trust be trusty to me ?

Rin.

Mary , sir , by a singular instinct , giuen naturally to all you maryed men , that if your wiues play legerdeheele , though you bee a hundred miles off , yet you shall be sure instantly to find it in your forheads .

Cor.

Sound doctrine I warrant you : I am resolu'd ifaith .

Pag.

Then giue me leaue to speak , sir , that hath all this while bene silent : I haue heard you with extreme patience , now therefore pricke vp your ��� , and vouchsafe me audience .

Clau.

Good boy , a mine honour .

Cor.

Pray what are you , sir ?

Pag.

I am here , for default of better , of counsel with the fayre Gazetta , and though her selfe had bene best able to defend her selfe , if she had bin here , and would haue pleasd to put forth the Buckler , which Nature hath giuen all women , I meane her tongue .

Val.

Excellent good boy .

Pag.

Yet since she either vouchsafes it not , or thinks her innocence a sufficient shield against your ielous accusations , I wil presume to vndertake the defence of that absent & honorable Lady , whose sworne Knight I am ; and ��� her of all that name ( for Lady is growne a common name to their whole sex ) which sex I haue euer loued fro� my youth , and shall neuer cease to loue , till I want wit to admire .

Mar.

An excellent spoken boy .

Val.

Giue eare , Cornelio , heere is a yong ��� sent to perswade thee .

Cor.

Well , sir , let him say on .

Pag.

It is a heavy case , to see how this light sex is tu�bled and tost from post to piller , vnder the vnsauory breath of euery humourous Peasant : Gazetta , you sayd , is vnchaste , disloyall , and I wot not what ; Alas , is it her fault ? is shee not a woman � did she not suck it ( as others of her sex doe ) from her mothers brest ? and will you condemne that , as her fault , which is her Nature ? Alas , sir , you must consider , a woman is an vnfinisht Creature , deliuered hastyly to the world , before Nature had set to that ��� which should haue made them perfect . Faultes they haue ( no doubt ) but are wee free ? Turne your eye into your selfe ( good Signeur Cornelio ) and weygh your owne imperfections with hers : If shee be wanton abroad , are not you wanting at home ? if she be ��� , are not you ��� ? If she be high set , are not you taken downe ? If she be a Courtizan , are not you a Cuckold ?

Cor.

Out you rogue .

Rin.

On with thy speech boy .

Marc.

You doe not well , Cornelio , to discurage the bashfull youth .

Clau.

Forth , boy , I warrant thee .

Pag.

But if our owne imperfections will not teach vs to beare with theirs ; yet let their vertues perswade vs : let vs indure their bad qualities for their good ; allow the prickle for the Rose ; the bracke for the Veluet ; the paring for the cheese , and so forth : if you say they range abroad , consider it is nothing but to auoyd idlenesse at home : their nature is still to be doing : keepe vm a doing at home ; let them practise one good quality or other , either sowing , singing , playing , chiding , dauncing or so , & these will put such idle toyes out of their heads into yours : but if you cannot find them variety of businesse within dores , yet at least imitate the ancient wise Citizens of this City , who vsed carefully to prouide their wiues gardens neere the towne , to plant , to graft in , as occasion serued , onely to keepe vm from idlenesse .

Val.

Euerlasting good boy .

Cor.

I ��� your knauery , sir , and will yet haue patience .

Rin.

Forth , my braue Curio .

Pag.

As to her vnquietnesse ( which some haue rudely tearm'd shrewishnesse ) though the fault be in her , yet the cause is in you . What so calme as the sea of it own nature ? Arte was neuer able to equall it : your dycing tables , nor your bowling alleys are not comparable to it ; yet if a blast of wind do but crosse it , not so turbulent & violent an element in the world : So ( nature in lieu of womens scarcity of wit , hauing indued them with a large portion of will ) if they may ( without impeach ) inioy their willes , no quieter creatures vnder heauen : but if the breath of their husba�ds mouthes once crosse their wils , nothing more tempestuous . Why the� , sir , should you husbands crosse your wiues wils thus , considering the law allowes the� no wils at all at their deaths , because it intended they should haue their willes while they liued ?

Val.

Answere him but that , Cornelio .

Cor.

All shall not serue her turne , I am thinking of other matters .

Mar.

Thou hast halfe wonne him , Wag ; ply him yet a little further .

Pag.

Now ( sir ) for these Cuckooish songs of yours , of Cuckolds , hornes , grafting , and such like ; what are they , but meere imaginary toyes , bred out of your owne heads , as your owne , and so by tradition deliuered from man to man , like Scar-crowes , to terrify fooles from this earthly paradice of wedlock , coyn'd at first by some spent Poets , superannated Bachelers , or some that were scarce men of their hands ; who , like the Foxe , hauing lost his taile , would perswade others to lose theirs for company ? Agayne , for your Cuckold , what is it but a meere fiction ? shew me any such creature in nature ; if there be , I could neuer see it , neyther could I euer find any sensible difference betwixt a Cuckold and a Christen creature . To conclude , let Poets coyne , or fooles credit what they list ; for mine owne part , I am cleere of this opinion , that your Cuckold is a meere Chymera , and that there are no Cuckoldes in the world , but those that haue wiues : and so I will leaue them .

Cor.

T is excellent good , sir ; I do take you , sir , d' ye see ? to be , as it were bastard to the sawcy Courtier , that would haue me father more of your fraternity , d' ye see ? & so are instructed ( as we heare ) to second that villayne with your toung , which he has acted with his Tenure piece , d' ye see ?

Pag.

No such matter , a my credit , sir .

Cor.

Wel , sir , be as be may , I scorn to set my head against yours , d' ye see ? when in the meane time I will fircke your father , whether you see or no .

Exit drawing ��� ��� .
Rin.

Gods my life , Cornelio .

Exit .
Val.

Haue at your father ifaith , boy , if he can find him .

Mar.

See , he comes here , he has mist him .

Enter Dariot .
Dar. How now , my hearts , what , not a wench amongst you ? T is a signe y' are not in the grace of wenches , That they will let you be thus long alone . Val. Well , Dariotto , glory not too much , That for thy briske attyre and lips perfumde , Thou play playest the Stally on euer where thou com'st ; And like the husband of the flocke , runn'st through The whole towne heard , and no mans bed secure : No womans honour vnattempted by thee . Thinke not to be thus fortunate for euer : But in thy amorous conquests at the last Some wound will slice your mazer : Mars himselfe Fell into ��� snare , and so may you . Dar. Alas , alas , fayth I haue but the name : I loue to court and wynne ; and the consent , Without the act obtayn'd , is all I seeke . I loue the victory that drawes no bloud . Cl�u. O , t is a high desert in any man To be a secret Lecher ; I know some , That ( like thy selfe ) are true in nothing else . Mar. And , me thinks , it is nothing , if not told ; At least the ioy is neuer full before . Val. Well , Dariotto , th'hadst as good confesse , The Sunne shines broad vpon your practises . Vulcan will wake and intercept you one day . Dar. Why , the more ielous knaue and coxcombe he . VVhat , shall the shaking of his bed a little Put him in motion ? It becomes him not ; Let him be duld and stald , and then be quiet . The way to draw my costome to his house , Is to be mad and ielous ; t is the sauce That whets my appetite . Val. Or any ��� : Sine periculo ��� lusus . They that are ielous , vse it still of purpose To draw you to their houses . Dar. I , by heauen , I am of that opinion . Who would steale Out of a common Orchard ? Let me gayne My loue with labour , and inioy 't with feare , Or I am gone . Enter Rinaldo . Rin. What , Dariotto here ? Foot , dar'st thou come neere Cornelioes house ? Dar.

Why ? is the Bull run mad ? what ayles he , trow ?

Rin. I know not what he ayles ; but I would wish you To keepe out of the reach of his sharpe hornes : For by this hand hee le gore you . Dar. And why me , More then thy selfe , or these two other whelps ? You all haue basted him as well as I . I wonder what 's the cause . Rin. Nay , that he knowes , And sweares withall , that wheresoere he meets you , Hee le marke you for a marker of mens wines . Val. Pray heauen he be not ielous by some tales That haue bin told him lately : did you neuer Attempt his wife ? hath no Loues Harbenger , No looks , no letters past twixt you and her ? Dar. For looke I cannot answere ; I bestow them At large , and carelesly , much like the Sunne : If any be so foolish to apply them To any priuate fancy of their owne , ( As many doe ) it 's not my fault , thou knowest . Val. Well , Dariotto , this set face of thine ( If thou be guilty of offence to him ) Comes out of very want of wit and feeling What danger haunts thee : for Cornelio ��� a tall man , I tell you ; and 't were best You shund his sight awhile , till we might get His patience , or his pardon : for past doubt Thou dyest if he but see thee . Enter Cornelio . Rin.

Foot , he comes .

Dar. Is this the Cockatrice that kils with ��� ? How doest thou boy ? ha ? Cor.

Well .

Dar. What , lingring still About this paltry towne ? hadst thou bin rulde By my aduice , thou hadst by this time bene A gallant Courtyer , and at least a Knight : I would haue got thee dubd by this time certayne . Cor.

And why then did you not your selfe that honour �

Dar. Tush , t is more honour still to make a Knight , Then t is to be a Knight : to make a Cuckold , Then t is to be a Cuckold . Cor.

Y' are a villayne .

Dar.

God shield man : villayne ?

Cor.

I , I le proue thee one .

Dar. What , wilt thou proue a villayne ? By this light thou deceyu'st me then . Cor.

Well , sir , thus I proue it .

Drawes .
O�n.

Hold , hold , rayse the streets .

Clau.

Cornelio .

Rin.

Hold , Darioto , hold .

Val.

What , art thou hurt ?

Dar.

A scratch , a scratch .

Val.

Goe sirra , fetch a Surgeon .

Cor. You le set a badge on the ielous fooles head , sir ; Now set a Coxcombe on your owne . Val.

What 's the cause of these warres , Darioto ?

Dar.

Foot , I know not .

Cor.

Well , sir , know and spare not ; I will presently bee diuorst , and then take her amongst ye .

Rin.

Diuorst � nay good Cornelia .

Cor.

By this sword I will , the world shall not disswade me .

Exit .
Val. Why this has bin your fault now Darioto , You youths haue fashions when you haue obtei'nd : A Ladies fauour , straight your hat must weare it , Like a Iacke-daw that when he lights vpon A dainty morsell kaas and makes his brags , And then some kite doth scoope it from him straight , Where if he fed without his dawish noise , He might fare better , and haue lesse disturbance : Forbeare it in this case ; and when you proue , Victorious ouer faire Gazettas Forte , Doe not for pittie sound your trumpe for ioy , But keepe your valour close , and ��� your honour . Enter Page and Pock . Poc.

God saue you Signior Darioto ,

Dar.

I know you not Sir , your name I pray ?

Poc.

My name is Pock Sir ; a practitioner in Surgery ,

Dar.

Pock the Surgeon , y' are welcome Sir , I know a Doctor of your name maister Pocke .

Poc.

My name has made many Doctors Sir .

Rinal.

Indeede t is a worshipfull name .

Val.

Mary is it , and of an auncient discent .

Poc.

Faith Sir I could fetch my pedigree far , if I were so dispos'd .

Rin.

Out of France at least .

Poc.

And if I stood on my armes as others doe ,

Dar.

No doe not Pock , let other stand a their armes , and thou a thy legs as long as thou canst .

Poc.

Though I liue by my bare practise , yet I could shew good cardes for my Gentilitie .

Val.

Tush thou canst not shake off thy gentry Pock , t is bred i' th bone ; but to the maine Pock ; what thinkest thou of this gentlemans wound , Pock canst thou cure it Pock .

Poc.

The incision is not deepe , nor the Orifice exorbitant , the Pericranion is not dislocated , I warrant his life for forty crownes , without perishing of any ��� .

Dar.

Faith Pock , t is a ioynt I would be loath to loose , for the best ioynt of Mutton in Italy .

Rin.

Would such a scratch as this hazards a mans head ?

Foc.

I Byr-lady Sir , I haue knowen some haue lost there heads for a lesse matter I can tell you , therefore sir you must keepe good dyet : if you please to come home to my house till you be perfectly cur'd , I shall haue the more care on you .

Val.

That 's your onely course to haue it well quickly .

Poc.

By what time would he haue it well sir .

Dari.

A very necessary question , canst thou limit the time .

Pock .

O sir , cures are like causes in law , which may be lengthned or shortned at the discretion of the Lawyer , he can either keepe it greene with replications or reioinders , or sometimes skinne it faire a' th outside for fashion sake , but so he may be sure 't will breake out againe by a writt of error , and then has he his suite new to begin , but I will couenant with you , that by such a time I le make your head as sound as a Bell , I will bring it to suppuration , and after I will make it coagulate and growe to a perfect Cycatrice , and all within these ten dayes , so you keepe a good dyet .

Dar.

Well come Pock , wee le talke farther on 't within , it drawes neere dinner time ; what 's a clock boye ?

Page .

By your clock sir it should be almost one , for your head rung noone some halfe houre agoe .

Dar.

I st true sir ?

Val.

Away let him alone , though he came in at the window he sets the gates of your honor open I can tell you .

Dar. Come in Pock , come , apply ; and for this deede I le giue the Knaue a wound shall neuer bleed : So sir I thinke this knock rings lowd acquittance , For my ridiculouse . Exeunt all but Rinal. & Valer. Ryn. Well sir to turne our heads to salue your licence , Since you haue vsd the matter so vnwisely , That now your father has discern'd your humor , In your too carelesse vsage in his house , Your wife must come from his house to Antonios , And he , to entertaine her must be tould She is not wife to his sonne , but to you : Which newes will make his simple wit triumphe Ouer your father ; and your father thinking He still is guld , will still account him simple : Come sir , prepare your villanous witt to faine A kinde submission to your fathers fury , And we shall see what harty policie , He will discouer , in his fained Anger , To blinde Antonios eyes , and make him thinke , He thinkes her hartely to be your wife . Val. O I will gull him rarely with my wench , Lowe kneeling at my heeles before his furie , And iniury shal be salu'd with iniurie . Finis Actus 3.
ACTVS 4. SCENA 1. Marc-Ant : Gostanzo . Marc-Ant. You see how too much wisdome ��� , Out-shootes the truth : you were so forwards still , To taxe my ignorance , my greene experience In these gray haires , for giuing such advantage , To my sonnes spirit , that he durst vndertake A secret match , so farre short of his woorth : Your sonne so seasoned with obedience , Euen from his youth , that all his actions relish Nothing but dutie , and your angers feare , What shall I say to you , if it fall out That this most precious sonne of yours , has plaide A part as bad as this , and as rebellious : Nay more has grosely guld your witt withall . What if my sonne has vndergone the blame That appertain'd to yours ? and that this wench With which my sonne is charg'd , may call you father : Shall I then say you want experience ? Y' are greene , y' are credulous ; easie to be blinded . Gost. Ha , ha , ha , good Marc-Antonio , When 't comes to that ; laugh at me , call me foole , proclaime so , Let all the world take knowledge I am an Asse . Marc. O the good God of Gods , How blinde is Pride ? what Eagles we are still , In matters that belong to other men ? What Beetles in our owne ? I tell you Knight , It is consest to be as I haue tould you ; And Gratiana , is by young Rinaldo , And your white sonne , brought to me as his wife : How thinke you now Sir ? Gost. Euen iust as before , And haue more cause to thinke honest Credulity , Is a true Loadstone to draw on Decrepity : You haue a hart to open to imbrace , All that your eare receiues : alas good man , All this is but a plot for entertainment Within your house , for your poore sonnes yong wife My house without huge danger cannot holde : Mar.

I st possible , what danger Sir I pray ?

Gost. ��� tell you Sir , t was time to take her thence : My sonne that last day you saw could not frame , His lookes to entertaine her , now bir-lady Is grone a Courtier : for my selfe vnseene , Saw when he courted her , imbrac't and kist her , And I can tell you left not much vndone , That was the proper office of your sonne . Mar.

What world is this ?

Gost, I tolde this to Rinaldo , Aduising him to fetch her from my house , And his yong wit not knowing where to lodge her Vnlesse with you : and saw that could not be , Without some wyle : I presently suggested This queint deuise , to say she was my sonnes : And all this plot , good Marc-Antonio , Flow'd from this fount , onely to blinde our eyes . Mar. Out of how sweete a dreame haue you awak't me ? By heauen , I durst haue laid my part in heauen All had bin true ; it was so liuely handled , And drawne with such a seeming face of trueth : Your sonne had cast a perfect vaile of grief Ouer his face , for his so rash offence , To seale his loue with act of marriage , Before his father had subscrib'd his choyce : My sonne ( my circumstance lessening the fact ) Intreating me to breake the matter to you , And ioyning my effectuall perswasions , With your sonnes penitent submission , Appease your fury ; I at first assented , And now expect their comming to that purpose . Gost. T' was well � t' was well , see me to beleeue it still , Let Art end what Credulitie began , When they come , suire your words and lookes to theirs , Second my sad Sonnes fain'd submission , And see in all points how my braine will answere , His disguisde grief � with a set countenance Of and choller ; now obserue and learne To schoole your sonne by me . Intrant Rynaldo Val : Grat : Mar.

On with your maske ; here come the other maskers sir ,

Rinal. Come on I say , Your Father with submission wil be calm'd ; come on ; downe a your knees : Gost. Villaine durst thou Presume to gull thy Father ? doost thou not Tremble to see my bent and cloudy browes Ready to thunder on thy gracelesse head , And with the bolt of my displeasure cut The thred of all my liuing from thy life , For taking thus a beggar to thy wife ? Val. Father , if that part I haue in your blood , If teares , which so aboundantly distill Out of my inward eyes : and for a neede , Can drowne these outward ( lend me thy hand-kercher ) And being indeed as many drops of blood , Issuing from the Creator of my hart , Be able to beget so much compassion , Not on my life , but on this louely Dame � Whom I hold dearer ? Gost.

Out vpon thee villaine .

Marc.

Nay good Gostanzo , thinke you are a Father .

Gost. I will not heare a word ; out , out vpon thee : Wed without my aduise , my loue , my knowledge , I , and a begger too , a trull , a blowse ? Rinal. You thought not so last day , when you offerd her A twelue months boord for one nights lodging with her . Gost. Goe too , no more of that , peace good Rinaldo , It is a fault that onely she and you know . Rein.

Well sir , go on I pray .

Gost. Haue I fond wretch , With vtmost care and labour brought thee vp , Euer instructing thee , omitting neuer The office of a kinde and carefull Father , To make thee wise and vertuous like thy father : And hast thou in one acte euerted all ? Proclaim'd thy selfe to all the world a foole ? To wedde a begger ? Val. Father , say not so , Nay shee s thy owne , here , rise foole , take her to thee , Liue with her still , I know thou countst thy selfe Happy in soule , onely in winning her : Be happy still , heere , take her hand enioy her , Would not a sonne hazard his Fathers wrath , His reputation in the world ? his birth-right , To haue but such a messe of broth as this ? Marc. Be not so violent , I pray you good Gostanzo , Take truce with passion , licence your sad sonne , To speake in his excuse . Gost. What ? what excuse ? Can any orator in this case excuse him ? What can he say ? what can be said of any ? Val. Ahlas sir , heare me , all that I can say In my excuse , is but to shew loues warrant . Gost.

Notable wagge .

Val. I know I haue committed A great impiety , not to mooue you first Before the dame , I meant to make my wife Consider what I am , yet young , and greene , Beholde what she is , is there not in her I , m her very eye , a power to conquer , Euen age it selfe and wisdome , call to minde Sweete Father , what your selfe being young haue bin , Thinke what you may be , for I doe not thinke The world so farre spent with you , but you may Looke back on such a beauty , and I hope To see you young againe � and to liue long With young affections , wisdome makes a man Liue young for euer : and where is this wisdome If not in you ? ahlas I know not what Rests in your wisedome to subdue affections , But I protest it wrought with me so strongly , That I had quite bin drownd in seas of teares Had I not taken hold in happy time Of this sweete hand , my hart had beene consum'de T' a heape of Ashes with the flames of loue , Had it not sweetly bin asswag'd and cool'd , With the moist kisses of these sugred lippes . Gost. O puisant wag , what huge large thongs he cuts Out of his friend Fortunios stretching leather . Marc.

He knows he does it but to blinde my eyes .

Gost.

O excellent , these men will put vp any thing .

Ual. Had I not had her , I had lost my life , Which life indeed I would haue lost before , I had displeasd you , had I not receau'd it From such a kinde , a wise , and honour'd Father . Gost.

Notable Boy .

Val. Yet doe I here renounce Loue , life and all , rather then one houre longer Indure to haue your loue eclipsed from me . Gra. O I can hold no longer , if thy words Be vs'd in earnest my Valerio , Thou woundst my hart , but I know t ist in Iest . Gost.

No I le be sworne she has her lyripoope too .

Grat. Didst thou not sweare to loue me , spight of Father , & all the world That nought should seuer vs but death it selfe . Ual. I did , but if my father Will haue his sonne foresworne , vpon his soule , The blood of my black periurie shall lye , For I will seeke his fauour though I dye . Gost. No , no , liue still my sonne , thou well shalt know , I haue a fathers hart , come ioyne your hands , Still keepe thy vowes , and liue together still � Till cruell death set foote betwixt you both . Val.

O speake you this in earnest ?

Gost.

I by heauen .

Val.

And neuer to recall it ?

Gost.

Not till death .

Rinal. Excellent sir , you haue done like your selfe : What would you more Valerio ? Ual.

Worshipfull Father .

Rinal.

Come sir , come you in , and celebrate your ioyes .

Exeunt all saue the old men .
Gost. O Marc-Antonio , Had I not armd you with an expectation , Would not this make you pawne your very soule , The wench had bin my sonnes wife ? Marc. Yes by heauen : A knauerie thus effected might deceiue A wiser man then I , for I ah las , Am noe good polititian , plaine beleeuing Simple honesty , is my policy still . Gost, The visible markes of folly , honesty , and quick Credulitie his yonger brother . I tell you Marc-Antonio there is mutch In that young boy my Sonne . Marc.

Not much honesty , if I may speake without offence to his father .

Gost. O God you cannot please me better sir , H 'as honesty enough to serue his turne , The lesse honesty euer the more wit , But goe you home , and vse your daughter kindly , Meane time I le schoole your sonne : and do you still Dissemble what you know , keepe off your sonne , The wench at home must still be my sonnes wife , Remember that , and be you blinded still . Marc. You must remember too , to let your sonne Vse his accustom'd visitations , Onely to blinde my eyes . Gost. He shall not faile : But still take you heede , haue a vigilant eye , On that slie childe of mine , for by this light , Hee le be too bould with your sonnes forhead els . Marc.

Well sir let me alone , I le beare a braine .

Exeunt .
Enter Ualerio , Rynaldo . Val.

Come they are gone .

Ryn.

Gone , they were farre gone heere .

Val. Guld I my father , or guld he himselfe ? Thou toldst him Gratiana was my wife , I haue confest it , he has pardoned it . Ryn. Nothing more true , enow can witnesse it . And therefore when he comes to learne the truth , ( As certainly for all these slie disguises , Time will strip Truth into her nakednesse ) Thou hast good plea against him to confesse , The honor'd Action , and to claime his pardon . Val. T is true , for all was done he deeply swore Out of his hart . Ryn. He has much faith the whiles , That swore a thing , so quite against his hart : Val.

Why this is pollicie .

Ryn. Well see you repaire , To Gratiana daily , and enioy her In her true kinde ; and now we must expect The resolute , and ridiculous diuorce , Cornelio hath sued against his wedlock . Val.

I thinke it be not so ; the Asse dotes on her .

Ryn. It is too true , and thou shalt answere it , For setting such debate twixt man and wife : See , we shall see the solemne maner of it . Enter Cor : Darioto . Claud. Notarie , Page , Gazetta . Bell : Gratiana . Bell.

Good Signior Cornelio let vs poore Gentlewomen intreate you to forbeare .

Cor.

Talke no more to me , I le not be made Cuckold in my owne house : Notarie read me the diuorce .

Gazet.

My deare Cornelio , examine the cause better before you condemne me .

Cor.

Sing to me no more Syren , for I will heare thee no more , I will take no compassion on thee .

Page .

Good Signior Cornelio be not too mankinde against your wife , say y' are a cuckold ( as the best that is may be so at ��� time ) will you make a trumpet of your owne hornes ?

Cor.

Goe too sir , y' are a rascall , we giue you a fee for pleading for her one day , Notary doe you your office .

Val.

Goe too Signior looke better to your wife , and be better aduised , before you grow to this extremitie .

Cor.

Extremity ? go too , I deale but too mercifully with her , If I should vse extremitie with her I might hang her , and her copesmate my drudge here , how say you M. Notary , might I not doe it by law ?

Not.

Not hang am , but you may bring them both to a white sheete .

Cor.

Nay by the masse they haue had too much of the sheete already .

Not.

And besides you may set capitall letters on their foreheads .

Cor.

What 's that to the capitall letter that 's written in minde , I say for all your law , maister Notary that I may hang am , may I not hang him that robs me of mine honour , as well as he that robs me of my horse ?

Not.

No sir your horse is a chattell .

Cor.

Soe is honour , a man may buy it with his peny , and if I may hang a man for stealing my horse ( as I say ) much more for robbing mee of my honour ; for why ? if my horse be stolne , it may bee my owne fault ; for why ? eyther the stable is not strong enough , or the pasture not well fenc't , or watcht , or so foorth : But for your wife that keepes the stable of your honour : Let her be lockt in a brazen towre , let Argus himselfe keepe her , yet can you neuer bee secure of your honour , for why ? she can runne through all with her serpent nodle : besides you may hang a locke vpon your horse , and so can you not vpon your wife .

Rin.

But I pray you Sir what are the presumptions on which you would build this diuorce ?

Cornelio .

Presumption enough Sir , for besides their entercourse , or commerce of glances that past betwixt this cockrill-drone , and her , at my table the last Sunday night at supper , their winckes , their beckes , due gard , their treads a' the toe ( as by heauen I sweare she trode once vpon my toe instead of his ) This is chiefly to be noted , the same night she would needs lie alone ; and the same night her dog barkt , did not you heare him Ualerio ?

Ual.

And vnderstand him too , I le be sworne of a booke .

Cornelio .

Why very good , if these be not manifest presumptions now , let the world be iudge : Therefore without more ceremony , Maister Notarie plucke out your Instrument .

Notary .

I will sir , if there be no remedie .

Corn.

Haue you made it strong in law Maister Notary ? haue you put in words enough ?

Notary .

I hope so sir , it has taken me a whole skinne of Parchment you see .

Cornelio .

Very good , and is Egresse and Regresse in ?

Nota.

I le warrant you sir , it is forma Iuris .

Corn.

Is there no hoale to be found in the Ortography ?

Not�.

None in the world sir .

Corn.

You haue written Sunt with an S haue you not ?

Nota.

Yes that I haue .

Corn.

You haue done the better for quietnesse sake : and are none of the ��� dashes ouer the head left out ? if there be Maister Notary an error will lye out .

Nota.

Not for a dashe ouer head sir I warrant you , if I should ouersee ; I haue seene that tryed in Butiro & Caseo , in Butler and Casons case , Decimo sexto of Duke Anonimo .

Rinal.

Y 'aue gotten a learned Notarie Signior Cornelio .

Corn.

Hee s a shroad fellow indeed , I had as leeue haue his head in a matter of fellony , or Treason , as any Notary in Florence , read out Maister Notary , harken you mistresse , Gentlemen marke I beseech you .

Omnes .

We will all marke you sir , I warrant you .

Nota.

I thinke it would be something tedious to read all , and therfore Gentlemen the summe is this : That you Signior Cornelio Gentleman , for diuers & sundry waighty and mature considerations , you especially mouing , specifying all the particulars of your wiues enormities in a scedule here unto annexed , the transcript whereof is in your owne tenure , custodie , occupation , & keeping : That for these the aforesaid premises , I say , you renounce , disclaime and discharge Gazetta fro� being your leeful , or your lawfull wife : And that you eftsoones deuide , disioyne , seperate , remoue , & finally eloigne , sequester , & diuorce her , fro� your bed & your boord ; That you forbid her all accesse , repaire , egresse or regresse to your person , or persons , mansion or mansions , dwellings , habitations , remainenances or abodes , or to any shop , sellar , Sollar , easements chamber , dormer , and so forth , now in the tenure , custody , occupation or keeping of the said Cornelio ; notwithstanding all former contracts , couenants , bargaines , conditions , agreements , compacts .

Promises , vowes , affiances , assurances , bonds , billes , indentures , pole-deedes , deeds of guift , defesances , feoffments , endowments , vowchers , double vowchers , priuie entries , actions , declarations , explications , reioinders , surreioinders , rights , interests , demands , claymes , or titles whatsoeuer , heretofore betwixt the one and the other party , or parties , being had , made , past , couenanted & agreed , from the beginning of the world , till the day of the date hereof , giuen the 17. of Nouember 1500. and so forth , here Sir you must set to your hand .

Cor.

What els maister Notary , I am resolute ifaith .

Gaz.

Sweete husband forbeare .

Cor.

Auoyde , I charge thee in name of this diuorce : Thou mightst haue lookt to it in time , yet this I will doe for thee ; if thou canst spie out any other man that thou wouldest cuckolde , thou shalt haue my letter to him : I can do no more : more Inke maister Notary , I wright my name at large .

Not.

Here is more Sir .

Cor.

Ah asse that thou could not know thy happinesse till thou hadst lost it , how now ? my nose bleed ? shall I write in blood ? what onely three drops ? Sfoote thi 's Omninous : I will not set my hand too t now certaine , maister Notary I like not this abodement : I will deferre the setting too of my hand till the next court day : keepe the diuorce I pray you , and the woman in your house together .

Om.

Burne the diuorce , burne the diuorce .

Cor.

Not so Sir , it shall not serue her turne M. Notary , keep it at your perill , & gentlemen you may be gone a Gods name , what haue you to doe to flocke about me thus ? I am neither Howlet , nor Cuckooe : gentlewomen for gods sake medle with your owne cases , it is not fit you should haunt these publike assembles .

Om.

well , farewell Cornelio .

Val. Vse the gentlewoman kindely maister Notary , As mine owne wise , I assure you Sir . Exeunt . Clau.

Signior Cornelio I ca�not but in kindenes tell you that Balerio by counsaile of Rinaldo hath whispered all this ��� into your eares , not that he knew any iust cause in your wise , but only to be reuengd on you , for the gull , you put vpon him , when you drew him with his glory to touch the Theorbo .

Cor.

May I beleeue this ?

Clau.

As I am a gentleman : and if this accident of your nose had not falne out , I would haue told you this before you set too your hand .

Cor. It may well be , yet haue I cause enough To perfect my diuorce , but it shall rest , Till I conclude it with a Counterbuffe , giuen to these noble rascals : Claudio thankes : What comes of this , watch but my braine a little , And yee shall see , if like two partes in me , I leaue not both these gullers wits Imbrierd , Now ��� perceiue well where the wilde winde sits , Here 's Gull for Gull and wits at warre with wits . ( Exeunt .
AGTVS QVINTI : SCENA PRIMA . Rinaldo solus . Fortune the great commandresse of the world � Hath diuers wayes to aduance her followers : To some she giues honour without deseruing , To other some deseruing without honour , Some wit , some wealth : and some wit without wealth : Some wealth without wit , some , nor wit nor wealth But good smocke-faces : or some qualities , by nature without iudgement , with the which They liue in sensuall acceptation , And make show onely , without touche of substance ; My fortune is to winne renowne by Gulling , Gostanzo , Darioto , and Cornelio : All which suppose in all their different kindes , Their witts entyre , and in themselues no piece , All at one blow ; my helmet yet vnbruisde , I haue vnhorst , laid flat on earth for Guls ; Now in what taking poore Cornelio is , Betwixt his large diuorce , and no diuorce , I long to see , and what he will resolue : I lay my life he cannot chew his meate , And lookes much like an Ape had swallowed pilles , And all this comes of bootelesse iealousie : And see where bootlesse iealousie appeares . Enter Cornel . I le bourd him straight ; how now Cornelio ? Are you resolu'd on the diuorce or no ? Cor. What 's that to you ? looke to your owne affaires , The time requires it ; are not you engag'd In some bonds forfeit for Valerio ? Ri�al.

Yes , what of that ?

Corn. Why so am I my selfe , And both our dangers great , he is arrested On a recognizance , by a vsuring slaue . Rinal. Arrested ? I am sorry with my hart , It is a matter may import me much , May not our bayle suffize to free him thinke you ? Cor. I thinke it may , but I must not be seene in 't , Nor would I wish you , for we both are parties , And liker ��� to bring our selues in trouble , Then beare him out : I haue already made Meanes to the officers to sequester him In priuate for a time , till some in secret Might make his Father vnderstand his state , Who would perhaps take present order for him , Rather then suffer him t' endure the shame Of his imprisonment ; Now , would you but goe And breake the matter closely to his Father , ( As you can wisely doo 't ) and bring him to him , This were the onely way to saue his credit , And to keepe off a shrowd blow from our selues . Rinal.

I know his Father will be moou'd past ��� .

Corn. Nay if you stand on such nice ceremonies , Farewell our substance : ��� diseases Aske extreame ��� , better he should storme Some little time , then we be beate for euer Vnder the horred shelter of a prison , Rinal.

Where is the place ?

Corn. T is at the halfe Moone Tauerne , Hast , for the matter will abide no staye . Rin.

Heauen send my speed be equall with my hast .

Exit .
Corn. Goe shallow scholler , you that make all Guls , You that can out-see cleere-ey'd ieolousie , Yet make this slight a Milstone , where your braine Sticks in the midst amazd : This Gull to him And to his fellow Guller , shall become More bitter then their baiting of my humour : Heere at this Tauerne shall Gostanzo finde , Fortunio , Darioto , Claudio , And amongst them , the ringleader his sonne His husband , and his Saint Valerio , That knowes not of what fashion Dice are made , Nor euer yet lookt towards a red Lettice , ( Thinkes his blinde Sire ) at drinking and at Dice , With all their wenches , and at full discouer His owne grose folly , and his sonnes distempers , And both shall know ( although I be no scholler ) Yet I haue thus much Latin , as to say Iam sumus ergo pares . Exit . Enter Valerio , Fortunio , Claudio , Page , Grat : Gazetta , Bellanora . A Drawer or two , setting a Table . Val. Set me the Table heere , we will shift roomes , To see if Fortune will shift chances with vs : Sit Ladies , fit , Fortunio place thy wench , And Claudio place you Dariotos mistresse , I wonder where that neate spruce slave becomes : I thinke he was some Barbers sonne by th' masse , T is such a picked fellow , not a haire About his whole Bulke , but it stands in print , Each Pinne hath his due place , not any point , But hath his perfect tie , fashion , and grace , A thing whose soule is specially imployde In knowing where best Gloues , best Stockings , Wasecotes , Curiously wrought are solde ; sacks Milleners shops For all new tyres and fashions , and can tell yee What new deuices of all sorts there are : And that there is not in the whole Rialto , But one new-fashion'd Wast-cote , or one Night-cap , One paire of Gloues , pretty or well perfum'd , And from a paire of Gloues of halfe a crowne , To twenty crownes : will to a very scute Smell out the price : and for these womanly parts He is esteem'd a witty Gentleman . Fortunio .

See where he comes .

Enter Darioto .
Dari.

God saue you louely Ladies .

Val. I well said louely Paris , your wall eye , Must euer first be gloting on mens wiues , You thinke to come vpon vs , being halfe drunke , And so to part the freshest man amongst vs , But you shall ouer-take vs , I le be sworne . Dario.

Tush man where are your dice ? le ts fall to them .

Clau.

We haue bin at am , Drawer , call for more .

Vale. First le ts haue Wine , Dice haue no perfect edge , Without the liquid whetstone of the Sirrope . Fort. True , and to welcome Darioto's latenes , He shall ( vnpledg'd ) carouze one crowned cup To all these Ladies health . Dari.

I am well pleasd .

Val. Come on , let vs varie our sweete time With sundry excercises , Boy ? Tabacco . And Drawer , you must get vs musique too , Calls in a cleanly noyse , the slaues grow lowzy . Drawer .

You shall haue such as we can get you sir .

Exit .
Dariot..

Let 's haue some Dice : I pray thee , they are clenly �

Ual.

Page , Let mee see that ��� �

Page .

It is not Leafe Sir , T is pudding cane Tabacco

Val.

But I meane , your linstock sir , what lease is that I pray

Page .

I pray you see sir , for I cannot read .

Ual. ��� a rancke stincking Satyre : this had been Enough to haue poysned euerie man of vs . Dari. And now you speake of that , my Boy once lighted A pipe of Cane Tabacco with a peece Of a vild Ballad , and I le sweare I had A singing in my head a whole weeke after . Ual.

Well , th' old verse is , A Ap�tibus incipe io-� .

Enter Drawer with Wine and a Cupp . Uall. Drawer , fill out this Gentlemans Carowse , And harden him for our societie . Dariot.

Well Ladies heere is to your honourd healths .

For.

What Dariotto , without hat or knee ?

Ual. Well said Fortunio , O y' are a rare Courtier , Your knee good Signior , I beseech your knee . Dariot.

Nay pray you , le ts take it by degrees Ualerio ; on our feete first , for this will bring 's too soone vpon our ��� .

Vall. Sir , there are no degrees of order in a Taverne , Heere you must , I chargd yee runne all a head , Slight , Courtier , downe ; I hope you are no Elephant , you haue Ioynts ? Dari.

Well Sir , heere 's to the Ladies on my knees .

Vall.

I le be their pledge .

Enter Gostanzo & Rinaldo �
Fort. Not yet Valerio , This hee must drinke vnpledgd . Uall.

Hee shall not , I will giue him this advantage .

Gost.

How now ? what 's here are these the Officers ?

Rin.

Slight , I would all were well .

Enter Cornelio .
Uall. He is his pledge : Here 's to our common friend Cornelioes health . Clau.

Health to Gazetta , Poyson to her husband .

He kneeles .
Cor.

Excellent Guestes : these are my dayly Guestes .

Ual. Drawer make euen th' impartiall skales of Iustice , Giue it to Claudio , and from him fill round . Come Dariotto , sett mee , let mee rest , Come in when they haue done the Ladyes right . Gost.

Sett mee , doe you know what belongs to setting ?

Rin.

What a dull slaue was I to be thus gull'd .

Cor. Why Rinald , what meant you to intrap your friend , And bring his Father to this spectacle ? You are a friend in deed . Rin. T is verie good Sir , Perhaps my friend , or I , before wee part , May make euen with you . Fort.

Come , le ts sett him round .

Uall. Doe so : at all . A plague vpon these Dice . Another health , sfoote I shall haue no lucke , Till I be druncke : come on , heere 's to the comfort , The Caualier my Father should take in mee , If he now saw mee , and would do me right . Fort.

I le pledge it , and his health Valerio .

Gost.

Heere 's a good Husband .

Rin.

I pray you haue patience Sir .

Val.

Now haue at all , an 't were a thousand pound .

Gost.

Hold Sir , I barr the Dice .

Val. What Sir , are you there ? Fill 's a fresh pottle , by this light , Sir Knight , You shall do right . Enter Marc. Ant. Gost. O thou vngratious villaine , Come , come , wee shall haue you now thunder foorth Some of your thriftie sentences , as grauely :

For as much Valerius as euery thing has time , and a Pudding has two : yet ought not satisfaction to swerue so much from defalcation of well dispos'd people , as that indemnitie should preiudice what securitie doth insinuate : a try all yet once againe .

Marc. An. Heere 's a good sight , y' are well encountred sir , Did not I tell you you 'd oreshoote your selfe With too much wisedome � V�l. Sir , your wisest do so . Fill the old man some wine . Gost.

Heere 's a good Infant .

Marc. Why Sir : Ahlas I le wager with your wisedome , His consorts drew him to it , for of him selfe He is both vertuous , bashfull , innocent : Comes not at Cittie : knowes no Cittie Art , But plies your Husbandrie ; dares not view a Wench . Ual.

Father , hee comes vpon you �

Gost.

Heere 's a Sonne .

Marc.

Whose wife is Gratiana now I pray ?

Gost. Sing your old song no more , your braine 's too short To reach into these pollicies . Marc. T is true , Mine eyes soone blinded : and your selfe would say so , If you knew all : Where lodg'd your Sonne last night ? Doe you know that with all your pollicie ? Gost. You le say he lodg'd with you , and did not I Foretell you : all this must for cullour sake Be brought about , onely to blinde your eyes ? Marc. By heauen I chaunc't this morne , I know not why To passe by Gratianas bed-chamber , And whom saw I fast by her naked side , But your Ualerio ? Gost. Had you not warning giuen ? Did not I bidd you watch my Courtier well , Or hee would set a Crest a your Sonnes head ? Marc. That was not all , for by them on a stoole , My Sonne sate laughing , to see you so gull'd , Gost.

T is too too plaine �

Mar.

Why Sir , do you suspect it the more for that ?

Gost. Suspect it ? is there any So grosse a wittoll , as if t' were his wife , Would sit by her so tamelie ? Mar.

Why not Sir , To blind my eyes ?

Gost. Well Sir , I was deceiu'd , But I shall make it prooue a deare deceipt to the deceiuer . Rin. Nay Sir , le ts not haue A new infliction , set on an old fault : Hee did confesse his fault vpon his knees , You pardned it , and swore t was from your hart . Gost. Swore ; a great peece of worke , the wretch shall know I haue a Daughter heere to giue my land too , I le giue my Daughter all : the prodigall Shall not haue one poore House to hide his head in . Fort. I humblie thanke you Sir , and vow all duetie My life can yeelde you . Gost.

Why are you so thankfull ?

Fort. For giuing to your Daughter all your Lands , Who is my Wife , and so you gaue them mee , Gost.

Better , and better .

Fort. Pray Sir be not moou'd , You drew mee kindlie to your house , and gaue mee Accesse to woe your Daughter , whom I lou'd : And since ( by honord mariage ) made my wife . Gost. Now all my Choller flie out in your witts : Good trickes of Youth y'faith , no Indecorum , Knights sonne , Knights daughter ; Marc Antonio Giue mee your hand , There is no remedie , Mariage is euer made by Destenie . Rin. Scilence my Maisters , now heere all are pleas'd , Onelie but Cornelio : who lackes but perswasion To reconcile himselfe to his faire wife : Good Sir will you ( of all men our best speaker ) Perswade him to receiue her into grace ? Gost.

That I will gladlie , and he shal be rul'd good Cornelio : I haue heard of your wayward Ielosie , and I must tell you plaine as a friend , y' are an Asse : you must pardon me , I knew your Father .

Rin.

Then you must pardon him , indeed Sir .

Gost.

Vnderstand mee : put case Dariotto lov'd your wife , whereby you would seeme to refuse her ; would you desire to haue such a Wife as no man could loue but your selfe ?

Mar.

Answere but that Cornelio .

Gost.

Vnderstand mee : Say Dariotto hath kist your wife , or perform'de other offices of that nature , whereby they did conuerse togeather at bedd and at boord , as friendes may seeme to doe :

Mar.

Marke but the now vnderstand mee .

Gost.

Yet if there come no proofes , but that her actions were cleanlie , or indiscreete priuate , why t' was a signe of modestie : and will you blow ��� Horne your selfe , when you may keepe it to your selfe ? Goe to , you are a Foole , vnderstand mee ?

Val.

Doe vnderstand him Cornelio .

Gost.

Nay Cornalio I tell you againe , I knew your Father ; Hee was a wise Gentleman , and so was your Mother : mee thinkes I see her yet , a lustie stoute Woman , bore great Children , you were the verie skundrell of am all ; but let that passe : As for your Mother , shee was wise , a most flippant tongue she had , and could set out her Taile with as good grace as any shee in Florence , come cut and long-tayle ; and she was honest enough too : But yet by your leaue she would tickle Dob now and then , as well as the best on am ; By Ioue it 's true Cornelio , I speake it not to flatter you : your Father knew it well enough , and would he do as you do thinke you ? set Rascalles to vndermine her , or looke to her water , ( as they say ) ? No , when he saw t was but her humour ( for his owne quietnesse sake ) hee made a Backe-doore to his house for conuenience , gott a Bell to his fore doore , and had an odd fashion in ringing , by which shee and her Mayde knew him ; and would stand talking to his next neighbour to prolong time , that all thinges might be ridde clenly out a the way before he came , for the credite of his Wife : This was wisedome now , for a mans owne-quiet .

Mar.

Heere was a man Cornelio .

Gost.

What I say ? Young men thinke old men are fooles ; but old men know young men are fooles .

Cor.

Why harke you , you two Knights ; Doe you thinke I will forsake Gazetta ?

Gost.

And will you not ?

Cor.

Why theer 's your wisedome ; why did I make shew of Diuorce thinke you ?

Marc.

Pray you why Sir ?

Cor.

Onelie to bridle her stout stomack : and how did I draw on the cullour for my diuorce ? I did traine the Woodcocke Dariotto into the net , drew him to my house , gaue him opportunitie with my wife ( as you say my Father dealt with his wiues friendes ) onely to traine him in : let him alone with my wife in her bed-chamber ; and sometimes founde him a bedd with her , and went my way backe againe softlie , onelie to draw him into the Pitte .

Gost.

This was well handled in deed Cornelio .

Marc.

I marrie Sir , now I commend your wisedome .

Corn.

Why , if I had been so minded as you thinke , I could haue flung his Pantable downe the staires , or doone him some other disgrace : but I winckt at it , and drew on the good foole more and more , onelie to bring him within my compasse .

Gost.

Why , this was pollicie in graine .

Cor.

And now shal the world see I am as wise as my father .

Ual.

Is 't come to this ? then will I make a speech in praise of this reconcilement , including therein the praise and honor of the most fashionable and autenticall HORNE : stande close Gentles , and be silent .

He gets into a chaire .
Gost.

Come on , le ts heare his wit in this potable humour .

Ualerio .

THe course of the world ( like the life of man ) is said to be deuided into seuerall ages : As wee into Infancie , Childhood , Youth , and so forward to Old-age : So the World into the Golden age , the Siluer , the Brasse , the Iron , the Leaden , the Wooden ; and now into this present age , which wee tearme the Horned age : not that but former ages haue inioyde this benefite as well as our times ; but that in ours it is more common , and neuerthelesse pretious . It is said , that in the Golden age of the world , the vse of Gold was not then knowne : an argument of the simplicitie of that age , least therefore succeeding ages should hereafter impute the same fault to vs , which wee lay vpon the first age ; that wee liuing in the Horned age of the world , should not vnderstand the vse , the vertue , the honour , and the very royaltie of the Horne ; I will in briefe sound the prayses thereof , that they who are alreadie in possession of it , may beare their heades aloft , as beeing proud of such loftie accowtrements : And they that are but in possibilitie , may be rauisht with a desire to be in possession .

A Trophey so honorable , and vnmatchably powerfull , that it is able to raise any man from a Beggar to an Emperours fellow , a Dukes fellow , a Noble-mans fellow , Aldermans fellow ; so glorious , that it deserues to be worne ( by most opinions ) in the most conspicuous place about a man : For what worthier Crest can you beare then the Horne ? which if it might be seene with our mortall eyes , what a wonderfull spectacle would there be ? and how highly they would rauish the beholders ? But their substaunce is incorporall , not falling vnder sence , nor mixt of the grosse concretion of Elementes , but a quintessence beyond them ; a spirituall essence inuisible , and euerlasting .

And this hath been the cause that many men haue called their beeing in question , whether there be such a thing in verum natura , or not ; because they are not to be seene : as though nothing were that were not to be seene ? Who euer saw the Winde ? yet what wonderfull effectes are seene of it ? It driues the cloudes , yet no man sees it : It rockes the House , beares downe Trees , Castles , Steeples , yet who sees it ? In like sort does your Horne , it swelles the Forehead , yet none sees it : it rockes the Cradle , yet none sees it : so that you plainely perceiue Sence , is no Iudge of Essence . The Moone to any mans sence , seemes to be Horned ; yet who knowes not the Moone to be euer perfectly round : So likewise your Heades seeme euer to be round , when in deed they are oftentimes Horned : for their originall , it is vnsearchable : Naturall they are not ; for there is Beast borne with Hornes , more then with Teeth : Created they were not , for Ex nihilo nihil sit ; Then will you aske mee , How came they into the world ? I know not ; but I am sure Women brought them into this part of the world , howsoeuer some Doctors are of opinion that they came in with the Diuell : and not vnlike ; for , as the Diuell brought Sinne into the worlde ; but the Woman brought it to the Man : so it may very well be that the Diuell brought Hornes into the world ; but the Woman brought them to the man ,

For their power it is generall ouer the world , no Nation so barbarous , no Countrey so proude , but doth equall homage to the Horne . Europa when shee was carried through the Sea by the Saturnian Bull , was said ( for feare of falling ) to haue held by the Horne : and what is this but a plaine shewing to vs , that all Europa , which tooke name from that Europa , should likewise hold by the Horne : So that I say , it is vniuersall ouer the face of the world , general ouer the face of Europe , and common ouer the face of this Countrey . What Cittie , what Towne , what Village , what Streete ? nay what House can quit it selfe of this prerogatiue ? I haue read that the Lion once made a Proclamation through all the Forrest , that all Horned Beastes should depart foorthwith vpon paine of death : If this Proclamation should be made through our Forrest , Lord what pressing , what running , what flying , would there be euen from all the parts of it ? he that had but a bunch of Flesh in his head would away : and some foolishly fearefull , would imagine the shadow of his Eares to be Hornes : Ahlas how desart would this Forrest be left ?

To conclude for there force it is ineuitable , for were they not ineuitable , then might eyther propernesse of person secure a man , or wisedome preuent am ; or greatnesse exempt , or riches redeeme them , but present experience hath taught vs , that in this case , all these stand in no steade : for we see the properst men take part of them , the best wits cannot auoide them ( for then should Poets be no cuckolds ) nor can money redeeme them , for then would rich-men fine for their hornes , as they do for offices : But this is held for a maxime , that there are more rich cuckolds then poore , lastly for continuance of the horne it is vndeterminable till death : Neither doe they determine with the wiues death , ( howsoeuer ignorant writers holde opinion they doe ) For as when a knight dies , his Ladie still retaines the title of Ladie ; when a company is cast yet the Captaine still retaines the title of Captaine ; So though the wife die by whom this title came to her husband , yet by the curtesie of the City , he shal be a cuckold during life , let all ignorant asses prate what they list .

Gost. Notable wag , come sir shake hands with him , In whose high honour you haue made this speech : Mar Ant.

And you sir come , ioyne hands , y' are one amongst the� .

Gost. Very well done , now take your seuerall wiues , And spred like wilde-geese , though you now grow tame : Liue merily together and agree , Hornes cannot be kept off with iealousie .
FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18400-e100650 ��� eam .
Notes for div A18400-e115710 To himselfe .
Epilogue . SInce all our labours are as you can like , We all submit to you ; nor dare presume , To thinke ther 's any reall worth in them : Sometimes feastes please the cookes , and not the guestes , Sometimes the guestes , and curious Cookes contemne them , Our dishes we intirely dedicate To our kinde guestes , but since yee differ so , Some to like onely mirth without taxations , Some to count such workes trifles , and such like , We can but bring you meate , and set you stooles , And to our best cheere say , you all are welcome .
Machine-generated castlist A18400-gostanzo 127 A18400-rinaldo 110 A18400-valerio 101 A18400-cornelio 85 A18400-marc-antonio 52 A18400-dariotto 41 A18400-fortunio 25 A18400-gazetta 19 A18400-claudio 16 A18400-page 13 A18400-notary 11 A18400-pock 9 A18400-omnes 5 A18400-gratiana 5 A18400-unassigned 4 A18400-bellanora 4 A18400-drawer 1
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Ky� Kyte , a Scriuener . Shoul� reuin'd , Subiect to personall application ) Should be exploded by some bitter splenes ? Yet Tu�le , produce effect so vnlike ? One like the Turtle , all in mournefull straines , Wailing his mournesull so vnlike ? One like the Turtle , all in mournefull straines , Wailing his fortunes ? Th'other d�ty and the nightly seruice , You doe vnto the deity of loue , In vowes , sighes , teares , and S�ruitors humorous Lords ; Where Minions carry more then Seruitors , The bolde and carelesse seruant still say�r yet faire In that she neuer studyed to be fayrer Then Nature made her ; Beauty cost her nothing s� because I lou'd her once , Onely I found her such , ��� for her sake I vow eternall warres hundred� Found true to none : if one amongst whole hundreds Chance to be chaste , she is so proude withall ostentimes and rude , that one of vnchaste life , Is oftentimes approu'd , a worthier wife : Vndressed , sl�ish approu'd , a worthier wife : Vndressed , sluttish , nasty , to their husbands , Spung'd vp �eames colours , And as the Sunne reflecting his warme beames Against the earth , begets all fruites and fo�ward about your charge , How Plow and Cart goes forward : I haue knowne Your ioyes were all imployde �at yeelded ; How many Oxen such a close would fat ? And is your rurall seruice now conuerted ou�rseer education hath transform'd me Bayly , And made me ouerseer of his pastures , Ile be my selfe , in spight sh�ll Sfoote Sir if he should , He shall perceiue ere long my skill extends To something o� Ile beare thee witnes , thou canst skill of dice , Cards , tennis , wenching , dauncing t�th diamants : her lips , mines of Rubies : Her teeth , are orient pearle ; her necke , pure Iuory A�e gale From a contemned and deserued anger ? Are you so easie to be disobay'd ? enamou�'d What should I doe ? if my enamour'd sonne Haue been so forward ; I assure my selfe �ypend with lust and idlenesse Will bring into the stypend of a begger ; All to maintaine a wanton p�y wealth too little for that back : By heauen I pitty your declining state , For be assur'd your assu�'d heauen I pitty your declining state , For be assur'd your sonne hath set his foote , In the right en�orced him not , let him endure the vse Of their enforced kindnesse that must trust him For meate p�rhaps there to liue In want of competencie and perhaps Taste th'vnrecouerable losse of his chiefe Go� ��� O Gostanzo ! Could you do this , you should preserue pres�rue Gostanzo ! Could you do this , you should preserue your selfe , A perfect friend of mee , and �ceiue All the Newes You told mee as a secret , I perceiue Is passing common ; for your Father knowes moreviolent fine wits , then t'incence his Father With a more violent rage , and to redeeme A great offence �s him � But to a desperat minde all breath is lost , hi� Ioynd to the other � Ile not doubt to make his Easie returne into his Fathers fauour : wi�ke not be reclaymde , Heele thinke that if he wincke at this offence , T'will open doores to wenton to an honord purpose , In maintenance of a wanton Whirligigg , Worth nothing more then she �aire indure his Fathers lookes , Let him and his faire wife come home to me , Till I haue quallified �e Ile try what I can doe , Although I feare me I shall striue in vaine . �r Thanks sir , so I will � See , this olde politique �y politique dissembling Knight , Now he perceives my Father so affectionate , And that my brother herea� so affectionate , And that my brother may hereafter liue By him and his , with equall vse of so� But this will proue an excellent ground to sow The seede of mirthe amongst vs ; ��� go Grat�na Enter Gazetta , Bellonora , Gratiana � Lou� That is your fault Gazetta , we haue Loues And wish continuall company with them . the� haue Loues And wish continuall company with them . In honour'd marriage rites , which you F�rtunio neuer can we get a looke Of those we loue , Fortunio my deare ��� Dare not be knowne to loue deligh� Drinkes vp the sweetnesse of their stolne delightes. . � Where you enloye a husband , and may pra� my wel-fare ? Hee straight doubts Treason practis'd to his bed : Fancies but to himselfe all se� layes all on mee For certaine trueths � yet seekes he with his best , To put Disguise on all otherwis� perhaps , least it may teach me that , Which otherwise I should not dreame vpon : Yet liues he La� Now Ladyes � what plots haue we now in hand ? They mar�age what my happines is , These humors raigne in mariage ; humors , humors . follow�h Exit , he followith . Ielo� Such an attendant then as Smoke to Fire , Is Ielosie to Loue : Better want both , Then haue both occ� Come Fortunio , now take hold On this occasion � as my selfe on this : One couple more Serg�ant finding him her debtor , do but send Her Sergeant Iohn Death to arrest his body , Our Soules lou� Flowes from my depth of knowledge to your loue , To make you kneele and blesse me while �neele depth of knowledge to your loue , To make you kneele and blesse me while you liue . bl�e knowledge to your loue , To make you kneele and blesse me while you liue . �ect Marke then , erect your eares : you know what horror Would Lo� By Logicke . �e haue tolde her sweet harts Father here That she is your wife ; and because my Father ( Who b�ues your wife ; and because my Father ( Who now beleeues it ) must be quieted Before you see him b� because my Father ( Who now beleeues it ) must be quieted Before you see him , you must liue ly� Ualerio here's a simple meane for you To lye at racke and manger with your wedlocke And Plo� to what a perfect shape �e bring this rude Plott , which blind Chaunce ( the Ape Of Counsaile Cou��d Plott , which blind Chaunce ( the Ape Of Counsaile aduice ) hath brought foorth blind . Ualerio spie� where in deed ; my Sister heere Shall be my spie� � if shee will wrong her selfe , And giue th� When I court her then , thinke I thinke tis thee � When I embrace her , hold thee in mine �brace then , thinke I thinke tis thee � When I embrace her , hold thee in mine Armes : Come , let h�'s draw counsell to his propper weale , But hee's thrice wretched that has neither counsell Mar� Enter Valerio with a Page . Marc . retyres himselfe . himself� Enter Valerio with a Page . Marc . retyres himselfe . �ine You shall heare odds betwixt your Sonne and mine . admi�able An admirable sparke . h�'s Faith Sir , hee's disappoynted Of payments � and disfurnisht m�e with the keeping � Of fourtie Crownes for mee , hee deepely sweare � As hee's a Gentleman h� the keeping � Of fourtie Crownes for mee , hee deepely sweare � As hee's a Gentleman , decein'd words Ualerio ; but thou art too ��� To be deceiu'd by breath : Ile turne thee loose To the U�lerio Enter Ualerio , Bell . p�rt say the world's growne finer , But I for my part , neuer saw Youngmen Worse fashin'd and be�ing time inuited The Dutchesse of his house ; I beeing then About some fiue and twentie yeares B��-Ladie Ber-Ladie you haue plaide the Courtier rarelie . wo�ke kisse thy wench , chide for not kissing , And worke all this out of a Macheuil � A miserable thi�e I know not whose deserues most praise Of thine , or my wit : thine for plotting well , o� Well sir , now to varie The pleasures of our wits , thou knowst Valerio Here is the Do�to companie ; With whome the amorous Courtier Doriotto Is farre in loue , and of whome her sowre far�e With whome the amorous Courtier Doriotto Is farre in loue , and of whome her sowre husband s�s Gazetto sits and singes sowing . ado� gallant Courtier , as for Doriotto , One that adores you in his soule I know . ye� O yes , hee adores you , and adhornes mee � Y h� O yes , hee adores you , and adhornes mee � Y faith strang� where did you lose my Loue � In deed this strange and vndeserued vsage , Hath powre to shake s�led Hath powre to shake a heart were nere so setled : But I protest all your vnkindnes , neuer �st Suspition is ( they say ) the first degree Of deepest wisedome : and how euer in�te my wife fly out To feasts and reuels , and inuite home Gallants , Play Menelaus , giue them �t Menelaus , giue them time and place , While ��� sit like a well-taught wayting-woman , Turning �or haunt my house , In shew my friends , and for my profit too : But I perceiue vm , and va�ant any such encounter , steps me forth Their valiant fore-man , with the word , I rest you . �pyed a Baboone ; and turning me about , I ��� espyed the whole troope issuing on me . I stept �n vnable T'endure the shock , all rudely sell in rout , And downe the stayres they ranne o� with such a fury , As meeting with a troope of Lawyers there , Man'd by their Clyents : ca�yed a rayling humour ? When he that last yere carryed after one An empty Buckram bag , now fills �h Farmer , But be advisde by friends , sell all ith countrey , Be a flat Courtier , follow some Co�r friends , sell all ith countrey , Be a flat Courtier , follow some great man , Or bring thy ��� himsel�e is a Gull : All to a Poct , or a Poct to himselfe . Ha� Hark ��� , shall we gull this Guller ? Fort�io Enter Fortunio , Bellanora , Gratiana , ��� following closely Bella�ora Enter Fortunio , Bellanora , Gratiana , ��� following closely . accesle am I , that by this sweet meanes I gayne accesse to your lost loued sight , And there withall �ost this sweet meanes I gayne accesle to your lost loued sight , And there withall to vtter vtt�r your lost loued sight , And there withall to vtter my full loue , Which but for vent would masle Byth masse they talke too softly . so�ly Byth masle they talke too softly . disl�king who for more riches he would force On my disliking fancy . �st Tis no fault , With iust deeds to defraud an iniury . d�ds Tis no fault , With iust deeds to defraud an iniury . �nter Enter Valerio . Valeri� Enter Valerio . �rom do I be this sight With waking eyes ? or from the Iuory gate Hath Morpheus sent a vision J�ory this sight With waking eyes ? or from the Iuory gate Hath Morpheus sent a vision to delude he�re What haue we heere ? sudd� Gods my deare soule , what sudden change is here ! I ��� �ll how this geare F�rtunio Fortunio , sister ; come , let's to the garden . sist�r Fortunio , sister ; come , let's to the garden . l�t's Fortunio , sister ; come , let's to the garden . Exe�nt Exeunt . s�e Sits the wind there yfayth ? see what example Will worke vpon the dullest �xample Sits the wind there yfayth ? see what example Will worke vpon the dullest appetite . My by�lady not Looke on a wench , now courts her ; and byrlady , Will make his friend Fortunio weare his Fortuni� her ; and byrlady , Will make his friend Fortunio weare his head Of the right moderne fashion mod�rne friend Fortunio weare his head Of the right moderne fashion . What Rynaldo . R�naldo head Of the right moderne fashion . What Rynaldo . Ri� Enter Rin. . Welco�e Welcome , Rinaldo , would 'thad bin your hap To yo� No longer , sir ? Repent you then so soone your fauour to her , And to No� Not so , good Rinaldo ; But to preuent a mischiefe H�ngs Rinaldo ; But to preuent a mischiefe that I see Hangs ouer your abused brothers head . In briefe b�t brothers head . In briefe , my sonne has learn'd but too much courtship . It was my chaunce euen �onne place whereto your sister entred : My ��� sonne : I must conceale What I saw there : but conce�le your sister entred : My ��� sonne : I must conceale What I saw there : but to be playne , I play�e must conceale What I saw there : but to be playne , I saw More then I would see : I had thought l�th receypt for your kind brother ; But ide be loth his ��� should find more kindnesse , Then �he his ��� should find more kindnesse , Then she had cause to like of . comple�ent What's the matter ? Perhaps a little complement or so . W�l Wel , sir , such complement perhaps may cost For�nio such complement perhaps may cost Marryed Fortunio the setting on : Nor can I keepe my knowledge se�ting complement perhaps may cost Marryed Fortunio the setting on : Nor can I keepe my knowledge ; He that perc�yu'd I can tell you ( Not to disgrace her ) I perceyu'd the Dame Was as far forward as himselfe se�'t No , Ile not see't : For shame once found , is lost ; Ile haue I� No , no , Rinaldo , th'onely remedy , Is to remoue the cause ; carry the obiect From iestthriue Ile go fetch her strait : And this iest thriue , 'twill make vs princely sport : Go� Good boy , a mine honour . �he Yet since she either vouchsafes it not , or thinks her �re Giue eare , Cornelio , heere is a yong ��� sent to Cornel�o Giue eare , Cornelio , heere is a yong ��� sent to perswade thee heer� Giue eare , Cornelio , heere is a yong ��� sent to perswade thee . hea�y It is a heavy case , to see how this light sex is tu�bled vn�uory and tost from post to piller , vnder the vnsauory breath of euery humourous Peasant : Gazetta Gaz� vnsauory breath of euery humourous Peasant : Gazetta , you sayd , is vnchaste , disloyall , and distoyall Peasant : Gazetta , you sayd , is vnchaste , disloyall , and I wot not what ; Alas , is it her per�ct set to that ��� which should haue made them perfect . Faultes they haue ( no doubt ) but are imperfection� good Signeur Cornelio ) and weygh your owne imperfections with hers : If shee be wanton abroad , are b� high set , are not you taken downe ? If she be a Courtizan , are not you a Cuckold ? dis�urage You doe not well , Cornelio , to discurage the bashfull youth . al�owes your wiues wils thus , considering the law allowes the� no wils at all at their deaths , because coyn � d fooles from this earthly paradice of wedlock , coyn'd at first by some spent Poets , superannated Chym�ra this opinion , that your Cuckold is a meere Chymera , and that there are no Cuckoldes in the Corn� Gods my life , Cornelio . H� Haue at your father ifaith , boy , if he can E� Enter Dariot . Dar�ot Enter Dariot . est briske attyre and lips perfumde , Thou play playest the Stally on euer where thou com'st ; And �are your mazer : Mars himselfe Fell into ��� snare , and so may you . p�culo Or any ��� : Sine periculo ��� lusus . They that are ielous , vse it �sus Or any ��� : Sine periculo ��� lusus . They that are ielous , vse it still of En�r Enter Rinaldo . h� Why ? is the Bull run mad ? what ayles he , trow ? tal� Pray heauen he be not ielous by some tales That haue bin told him lately : did you Cor� and feeling What danger haunts thee : for Cornelio ��� a tall man , I tell you ; and 'twere Corn� Enter Cornelio.. . b� rulde By my aduice , thou hadst by this time bene A gallant Courtyer , and at least a Knight dec�yu'st thou proue a villayne ? By this light thou deceyu'st me then . Dr� Drawes . Corne�o Cornelio . a� What , art thou hurt ? D� What's the cause of these warres , Darioto ? si� Well , sir , know and spare not ; I will presently Diuorst� Diuorst � nay good Cornelia . Cor� Diuorst � nay good Cornelia . we� A Ladies fauour , straight your hat must weare it , Like a Iacke-daw that when he lights �aas that when he lights vpon A dainty morsell kaas and makes his brags , And then some kite Surg� My name is Pock Sir ; a practitioner in Surgery , �o Cycatrice , and all within these ten dayes , so you keepe a good dyet . Antonio� house , Your wife must come from his house to Antonios , And he , to entertaine her must be tould Gostanz� Marc-Ant : Gostanzo . Y'ar� : Shall I then say you want experience ? Y'are greene , y'are credulous ; easie to be blinded y'ar� say you want experience ? Y'are greene , y'are credulous ; easie to be blinded . proclai� me comes to that ; laugh at me , call me foole , proclaime so , Let all the world take knowledge I grie� : Your sonne had cast a perfect vaile of grief Ouer his face , for his so rash offence yoursonnes ioyning my effectuall perswasions , With your sonnes penitent submission , Appease your �ury sonnes penitent submission , Appease your fury ; I at first assented , And now expect their grie� how my braine will answere , His disguisde grief � with a set countenance Of and choller Ofrage disguisde grief � with a set countenance Of and choller ; now obserue and learne To ma�kers On with your maske ; here come the other maskers sir , Dam� compassion , Not on my life , but on this louely Dame � Whom I hold dearer ? lest Thou woundst my hart , but I know tist in Iest . matkes The visible markes of folly , honesty , and quick Credulitie school� vse your daughter kindly , Meane time Ile schoole your sonne : and do you still Dissemble �e Goe too sir , y'are a rascall , we giue you a fee for pleading for her one Sighior Goe too Signior looke better to your wife , and be better extremi�e too mercifully with her , If I should vse extremitie with her I might hang her , and her copesmate W�'s What's that to the capitall letter thats written bark� needs lie alone ; and the same night her dog barkt , did not you heare him Ualerio ? mani� Why very good , if these be not manifest presumptions now , let the world be iudge wo�ld be not manifest presumptions now , let the world be iudge : Therefore without more ceremony mo�e let the world be iudge : Therefore without more ceremony , Maister Notarie plucke out your Mais�er iudge : Therefore without more ceremony , Maister Notarie plucke out your Instrument . Corn�lio Cornelio . form� Ile warrant you sir , it is forma Iuris . Ortography� Is there no hoale to be found in the Ortography? ? s�ne warrant you , if I should ouersee ; I haue seene that tryed in Butiro & Caseo , in Butler Corn�lio Gentlemen the summe is this : That you Signior Cornelio Gentleman , for diuers & sundry waighty �nure chamber , dormer , and so forth , now in the tenure , custody , occupation or keeping of the �ghts explications , reioinders , surreioinders , rights , interests , demands , claymes , or titles interes� explications , reioinders , surreioinders , rights , interests , demands , claymes , or titles whatsoeuer knowthy Ah asse that thou could not know thy happinesse till thou hadst lost it , Corn�lio well , farewell Cornelio . w�alth deseruing without honour , Some wit , some wealth : and some wit without wealth : Some wealth Ap� chew his meate , And lookes much like an Ape had swallowed pilles , And all this comes ieal ousie bootelesse iealousie : And see where bootlesse iealousie appeates . appeates iealousie : And see where bootlesse ieal ousie appeares . V�lerio not you engag'd In some bonds forfeit for Valerio ? Arres�ed Arrested ? I am sorry with my hart , It is a matter Fa�ewell Nay if you stand on such nice ceremonics , Farewell our substance : ��� diseases Aske extreame littletime extreame ��� , better he should storme Some little time , then we be beate for euer Vnder the icolousie all Guls , You that can out-see cleere-ey'd ieolousie , Yet make this slight a Milstone , where Fortuuio Heere at this Tauerne shall Gostanzo finde , Fortunio , Darioto , Claudio , And amongst them , e�r knowes not of what fashion Dice are made , Nor euer yet lookt towards a red Lettice , ( Thinkes Withall his blinde Sire ) at drinking and at Dice , With all their wenches , and at full discouer His �ull at Dice , Withall their wenches , and at full discouer His owne grose folly , and his pa�te new-fashion'd Wast-cote , or one Night-cap , One paire of Gloues , pretty or well perfum'd , And Ent�r Enter Darioto . �pledg'd to welcome Darioto's latenes , He shall ( vnpledg'd ) carouze one crowned cup To all these Ladies pl�asd I am well pleasd . sund�y Come on , let vs varie our sweete time With sundry excercises , Boy ? Tabacco . And Drawer L�t Page , Let mee see that ��� � Itis It is not Leafe Sir , Tis pudding cane Tabacco Ta� It is not Leafe Sir , Tis pudding cane Tabacco poy�ned stincking Satyre : this had been Enough to haue poysned euerie man of vs . sp�ake And now you speake of that , my Boy once lighted A pipe of o�e And now you speake of that , my Boy once lighted A pipe of Cane Tabacco with a peece li�d And now you speake of that , my Boy once lighted A pipe of Cane Tabacco with a peece Of a rar� Well said Fortunio , O y'are a rare Courtier , Your knee good Signior , I beseech En�r Enter Gostanzo & Rinaldo � v�dgd Not yet Valerio , This hee must drinke vnpledgd . gi� Hee shall not , I will giue him this advantage . ad�antage Hee shall not , I will giue him this advantage . h�re How now ? whats here are these the Officers ? Ent�r Enter Cornelio . H� He is his pledge : Here's to our common friend pl�dge He is his pledge : Here's to our common friend Cornelioes H�re's He is his pledge : Here's to our common friend Cornelioes health . Corn� his pledge : Here's to our common friend Cornelioes health . C�audio th'impartiall skales of Iustice , Giue it to Claudio , and from him fill round . Come Dariotto �e Ile pledge it , and his health Valerio . Valeri� Ile pledge it , and his health Valerio . an'�were Now haue at all , an't were a thousand pound . Corneli� Doe vnderstand him Cornelio . slippant for your Mother , shee was wise , a most flippant tongue she had , and could set out her Taile tong�e Mother , shee was wise , a most flippant tongue she had , and could set out her Taile with h�e her humour ( for his owne quietnesse sake ) hee made a Backe-doore to his house for conuenience Hornedage into this present age , which wee tearme the Horned age : not that but former ages haue inioyde ben�ite not that but former ages haue inioyde this benefite as well as our times ; but that in ours alost possession of it , may beare their heades aloft , as beeing proud of such loftie accowtrements a cowtrementes heades aloft , as beeing proud of such loftie accowtrements : And they that are but in possibilitie bein possibilitie , may be rauisht with a desire to be in possession . na�ura , whether there be such a thing in verum natura , or not ; because they are not to be seene S�turnian when shee was carried through the Sea by the Saturnian Bull , was said ( for feare of falling ) slying Lord what pressing , what running , what flying , would there be euen from all the parts woul� his Eares to be Hornes : Ahlas how desart would this Forrest be left ? irreu�table To conclude for there force it is ineuitable , for were they not ineuitable , then might irreuitable force it is ineuitable , for were they not ineuitable , then might eyther propernesse of person Cookos worth in them : Sometimes feastes please the cookes , and not the guestes , Sometimes the guestes tri� without taxations , Some to count such workes trifles , and such like , We can but bring you meate
A18403 ---- Bussy D'Ambois Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18403 of text S107951 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4966). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18403.xml Bussy d'Ambois a tragedie: as it hath been often presented at Paules. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 37 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843643 STC (2nd ed.) 4966. Greg, I, 246(a*). 8389 A18403

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Bussy d'Ambois a tragedie: as it hath been often presented at Paules. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [2], 70 p. Printed [at Eliot's Court Press] for William Aspley, London : 1607. 1604

Anonymous. By George Chapman.

Identification of printer from STC.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

Bussy d'Amboise, -- 1549?-1579 -- Drama -- Early works to 1800. A18403 shc Bussy D'Ambois Chapman, George Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar 1604 play tragedy shc no A18403 S107951 (STC 4966). 24666 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

Bussy D'Ambois : A TRAGEDIE : As it hath been often presented at Paules .

LONDON , Printed for William Aspley . 1607 .

Bussy D'Ambois : A TRAGEDIE . Actus primi Scena prima . Bussy solus . FOrtune , not Reason , rules the state of things , Reward goes backwards , Honor on his head ; Who is not poore , is monstrous ; only Need Giues forme & worth to euery humane seed . As Cedars beaten with incessant stormes , So great men flourish ; and doe imitate Vnskilfull statuaries , who suppose ( In forging a Colossus ) if they make him Stroddle enough , stroote , and looke big , and gape , Their worke is goodly : so our Tympanouse statists ( In their affected grauitie of voice , Sowernesse of countenance , maners crueltie , Authoritie , wealth , and all the spawne of Fortune ) Thinke they beare all the kingdomes worth before them ; Yet differ not from those Colossicke Statues , Which with Heroique formes , without o'respread , Within are nought but morter , flint and lead . Man is a Torch borne in the winde ; a Dreame But of a shadow , summ'd with all his substance ; And as great Seamen vsing all their powers And skils in Neptunes deepe inuisible pathes , In tall ships richly built and ribd with brasse , To put a Girdle round about the world , When they haue done it ( comming neere their Hauen ) Are glad to giue a warning peece , and call A poore staid fisher-man , that neuer past His Contries sight , to waft and guide them in : So when we wander furthest through the waues Of Glassie Glorie and the Gulfes of State , Topt with all Titles , spreading all our reaches , As if each priuate Arme would sphere the world ; Wee must to vertue for her guide resort , Or wee shall shipwracke in our safest Port . Procumbit . Monsieur with two Pages . There is no second place in Numerous State That holds more than a Cypher : In a King All places are contain'd . His words and lookes Are like the flashes and the bolts of Ioue , His deedes inimitable , like the Sea That shuts still as it opes , and leaues no tracts , Nor prints of President for poore mens facts : There 's but a Thred betwixt me and a Croune ; I would not wish it cut , vnlesse by nature ; Yet to prepare mee for that likely Fortune , T is fit I get resolued spirits about mee . I followd D'Ambois to this greene Retreat ; A man of spirit beyond the reach of feare , Who ( discontent with his neglected worth ) Neglects the light , and loues obscure Abodes ; But he is yoong and haughtie , apt to take Fire at aduancement , to beare state and flourish ; In his Rise therefore shall my bounties shine : None lothes the world so much , nor loues to scoffe it , But gold and grace will make him surfet of it . What , D'Ambois ? Buss. He sir . Mons. Turn'd to Earth , aliue ? Vp man , the Sunne shines on thee . Buss. Let it shine . I am no mote to play in 't , as great men are . Mons. Think'st thou men great in state , motes in the sunne ? They say so that would haue thee freeze in shades , That ( like the grosse Sicilian Gurmundist ) Emptie their Noses in the Cates they loue , That none may eat but they . Do thou but bring Light to the Banquet Fortune sets before thee , And thou wilt loth leane Darkenesse like thy Death . Who would beleeue thy Mettall could let sloth Rust and consume it ? If Themistocles Had liued obscur'd thus in th' Athenian state , Xerxes had made both him and it his slaues . If braue Camillus had lurckt so in Rome , He had not fiue times beene dictator there , Nor foure times triumpht . If Epaminondas ( Who liu'd twice twentie yeeres obscur'd in Thebs ) Had liu'd so still , he had beene still vnnam'd , And paid his Countrie nor himselfe their right : But putting foorth his strength , he rescude both From imminent ruine ; and like Burnisht Steele , After long vse he shin'd ; for as the light Not only serues to shew , but render vs Mutually profitable ; so our liues In acts exemplarie , not only winne Our selues good Names , but doth to others giue Matter for vertuous Deedes , by which wee liue . Buss. What would you wish me doe ? Mons. Leaue the troubled streames , And liue as Thriuers doe at the Well head . Buss. At the Well head ? Alas what should I doe With that enchanted Glasse ? See diuels there ? Or ( like a strumpet ) learne to set my lookes In an eternall Brake , or practise iuggling , To keepe my face still fast , my hart still loose ; Or beare ( like Dames Schoolemistresses their Riddles ) Two Tongues , and be good only for a shift ; Flatter great Lords , to put them still in minde Why they were made Lords : or please portly Ladies With a good carriage , tell them idle Tales , To make their Physicke worke ; spend a mans life In sights and visitations , that will make His eies as hollow as his Mistresse heart : To doe none good , but those that haue no neede ; To gaine being forward , though you breake for haste All the Commandements ere you breake your fast ? But Beleeue backewards , make your Period And Creedes last Article ; I beleeue in God : And ( hearing villanies preacht ) t' vnfold their Art Learne to commit them , T is a great mans Part . Shall I learne this there ? Mons. No , thou needst not learne , Thou hast the Theorie , now goe there and practise . Buss. I , in a thridbare suit ; when men come there , They must haue high Naps , and goe from thence bare : A man may drowne the parts often rich men In one poore suit ; Braue Barks , and outward Glosse Attract Court eies , be in parts ne're so grosse . Mons. Thou shalt haue Glosse enough , and all things fit T' enchase in all shew , thy long smothered spirit : Be rul'd by me then . The rude Scythians Painted blinde Fortunes powerfull hands with wings , To shew her gifts come swift and suddenly , Which if her Fauorite be not swift to take , He loses them foreuer . Then be rul'd : Exit Mons. Manet Buss. Stay but a while heere , and I 'le send to thee . Buss. What will he send ? some Crounes ? It is to sow them Vpon my spirit , and make them spring a Croune Worth Millions of the feede Crounes he will send : But hee 's no husband heere ; A smooth plaine ground Will neuer nourish any politicke seede ; I am for honest Actions , not for great : If I may bring vp a new fashion , And rise in Court with vertue ; speede his plow : The King hath knowne me long as well as hee , Yet could my Fortune neuer fit the length Of both their vnderstandings till this houre . There is a deepe nicke in times restlesse wheele For each mans good , when which nicke comes it strikes ; As Rhetoricke , yet workes not perswasion , But only is a meane to make it worke : So no man riseth by his reall merit , But when it cries Clincke in his Raisers spirit : Many will say , that cannot rise at all , Mans first houres rise , is first steppe to his fall . I l'e venture that ; men that fall low must die , As well as men cast headlong from the skie . Ent. Maffe . Humor of Princes . Is this man indu'd With any merit worth a thousand Crounes ? Will my Lord haue me be so ill a Steward Of his Reuenue , to dispose a summe So great with so small cause as shewes in him ? I must examine this : Is your name D'Ambois ? Buss. Sir . Maff. Is your name D'Ambois ? Buss. Who haue wee heere ? Serue you the Monsieur ? Maff. How ? Buss. Serue you the Monsieur ? Maff. Sir , y' are very hot . I serue the Monsieur ; But in such place as giues me the Command Of all his other seruants : And because His Graces pleasure is , to giue your good A Passe through my Command ; Methinks you might Vse me with more good fashion . Buss. Crie you mercie . Now you haue opened my dull eies , I see you ; And would be glad to see the good you speake of : What might I call your name ? Maff. Monsieur Maffe . Buss. Monsieur Maffe ? Then good Monsieur Maffe , Pray let me know you better . Maff. Pray doe so , That you may vse me better , For your selfe , By your no better outside , I would iudge you To be a Poet ; Haue you giuen my Lord Some Pamphlet ? Buss. Pamphlet ? Maff. Pamphlet sir , I say . Buss. Did his wise excellencie leaue the good That is to passe your charge , to my poore vse , To your discretion ? Maff. Though he did not sir , I hope t is no bad office to aske reason , How that his grace giues mee in charge , goes from me ? Buss. That 's very perfect sir . Maff. Why very good sir ; I pray then giue me leaue : If for no Pamphlet , May I not know what other merit in you , Makes his compunction willing to relieue you ? Buss. No merit in the world sir . Maff. That is strange . Y' are a poore souldier , are you ? Buss. That I am sir . Maff. And haue Commanded ? Buss. I , and gone without sir . Maff. I see the man : A hundred Crounes will make him Swagger , and drinke healths to his highnes bountie ; And sweare he could not be more bountifull . So ther 's nine hundred Crounes , saft ; heere tall souldier , His grace hath sent you a whole hundred Crounes . Buss. A hundred sire naie doe his Highnes right ; I know his hand is larger , and perhaps I may deserue more than my outside shewes : I am a scholar , as I am a souldier , And I can Poetise ; and ( being well encourag'd ) May sing his Fame for giuing ; yours for deliuering ( Like a most faithfull Steward ) what he giues . Maff. What shall your subiect be ? Buss. I care not much , If to his excellence I sing the praise Of faire great Noses , And to your Deserts The reuerend vertues of a faithfull Steward ; What Qualities haue you sir ( beside your chaine And veluet Iacket ) Can your worship dance ? Maff. A merrie Fellow faith : It seemes my Lord Will haue him for his Iester ; And beleeue it , Such men are now no fooles , T is a Knights place : If I ( to saue my Lord some Crounes ) should vrge him T' abate his Bountie , I should not be heard ; I would to heauen I were an errant Asse , For then I should be sure to haue the Eares Of these great men , where now their Iesters haue them : T is good to please him , yet I le take no notice Of his preferment , but in policie Will still be graue and serious , lest he thinke I feare his wodden dagger : Heere sir Ambo , A thousand Crounes I bring you from my Lord ; Serue God , play the good husband , you may make This a good standing liuing , T is a Bountie , His Highnes might perhaps haue bestow'd better . D'Amb. Goe , y' are a Rascall ; hence , Away you Rogue . Maff. What meane you sir ? D'Amb. Hence ; prate no more ; Or by thy villans blood thou prat'st thy last : A Barbarous Groome , grudge at his masters Bountie : But since I know he would as much abhorre His hinde should argue what he giues his friend , Take that Sir , for your aptnesse to dispute . Exit . Maff. These Crounes are sown in blood , blood be their fruit . Exit . Henry , Guise , Montsurry , Elenor , Tamyra , Beaupre , Pero , Charlotte , Pyr , Annable . Henr. Dutchesse of Guise , your Grace is much enricht , In the attendance of this English virgin , That will initiate her Prime of youth , ( Dispos'd to Court conditions ) vnder hand Of your preferd instructions and Command , Rather than anie in the English Court , Whose Ladies are not matcht in Christendome , For gracefull and confirm'd behauiours ; More than the Court , where they are bred is equall'd . Guis. I like not their Court forme , it is too crestfalne , In all obseruance ; making Semi-gods Of their great Nobles ; and of their old Queene An euer-yoong , and most immortall Goddesse . Henr. Assure you Cosen Guise , so great a Courtier , So full of maiestie and Roiall parts , No Queene in Christendome may boast her selfe , Her Court approoues it , That 's a Court indeede ; Not mixt with Rudenesse vs'd in common houses ; But , as Courts should be th'abstracts of their kingdomes , In all the Beautie , State , and Worth they hold ; So is hers , amplie , and by her inform'd . The world is not contracted in a man , With more proportion and expression Than in her Court , her Kingdome : Our French Court Is a meere mirror of confusion to it : The King and subiect , Lord and euerie slaue Dance a continuall Haie ; Our Roomes of State , Kept like our stables ; No place more obseru'd Than a rude Market place : And though our Custome Keepe this assur'd deformitie from our sight , T is nere the lesse essentiallie vnsightlie , Which they would soone see , would they change their forme To this of ours , and then compare them both ; Which we must not affect , because in Kingdomes , Where the Kings change doth breede the Subiects terror , Pure Innouation is more grosse than error . Mont. No Question we shall see them imitate ( Though a farre off ) the fashions of our Courts , As they haue euer Ap't vs in attire ; Neuer were men so wearie of their Skins , And apt to leape out of themselues as they ; Who when they trauell to bring foorth rare men , Come home deliuered of a fine French suit : Their Braines lie with their Tailors , and get babies For their most compleat issue ; Hee 's first borne To all the morall vertues , that first greetes The light with a new fashion , which becomes them Like Apes , disfigur'd with the attires of men . Henr. No Question they much wrong their reall worth , In affectation of outlandish Scumme ; But they haue faults , and wee ; They foolish-proud , To be the Pictures of our vanitie ; We proud , that they are proud of foolerie . Enter Monsieur , D'Ambois . Mons. Come mine owne sweet heart I will enter thee . Sir , I haue brought this Gentleman t' attend you ; And pray , you would vouchsafe to doe him grace . Henr. D'Ambois , I thinke . D'Amb. That 's still my name , my Lord , though I be something altered in attire . Henr. I like your alteration , and must tell you , I haue expected th' offer of your seruice ; For we ( in feare to make milde vertue proud ) Vse not to seeke her out in any man . D'Amb. Nor doth she vse to seeke out any man : He that will winne , must wooe her ; shee 's not shamelesse . Mons.

I vrg'd her modestie in him , my Lord , and gaue her those Rites , that he saies shee merits .

Henr. If you haue woo'd and won , then Brother weare him . Mons.

Th' art mine , my loue ; See here 's the Guises Duches . The Countesse of Mountsurreaue ; Beaupres , come I 'le enseame thee ; Ladies , y' are too many to be in Counsell : I haue heere a friend , that I would gladlie enter in your Graces .

Duch.

If you enter him in our Graces , me thinks by his blunt behauiour , he should come out of himselfe .

Tam.

Has he neuer beene Courtier , my Lord ?

Mons.

Neuer , my Ladie .

Beaup.

And why did the Toy take him in th' head now ?

D'Amb.

T is leape yeere , Ladie , and therefore verie good to enter a Courtier .

Tam.

The man 's a Courtier at first sight .

D'Amb.

I can sing prickesong , Ladie , at first sight ; and why not be a Courtier as suddenly ?

Beaup.

Heere 's a Courtier rotten before he be ripe .

D'Amb.

Thinke mee not impudent , Ladie , I am yet no Courtier , I desire to be one , and would gladly take entrance ( Madam ) vnder your Princely Colours .

Gui.

Sir , know you me ?

D'Amb.

My Lord ?

Gui.

I know not you : Whom doe you serue ?

D'Amb.

Serue , my Lord ?

Gui.

Go to Companion ; Your Courtship 's too saucie .

D'Amb.

Saucie ? Companion ? T is the Guise , but yet those termes might haue beene spar'd of the Guiserd .

Companion ? Hee 's iealous by this light : are you blinde of that side Sir ? I le to her againe for that . Forth Madam , for the honour of Courtship .

Gui.

Cease your Courtshippe , or by heauen I le cut your throat .

D'Amb.

Cut my throat ? cut a whetstone ; good Accius Noeuius , doe as much with your tongue as he did with a Rasor ; cut my throat ?

Gui.

I le doe 't by this hand .

D'Amb. That hand dares not doe 't ; y 'aue cut too many Throates alreadie Guise ; and Robb'd the Realme of Many thousand Soules , more precious than thine owne . Come Madam , talke on ; Sfoote , can you not talke ? Talke on I say , more Courtship , as you loue it . Enter Barrisor , L' Anou , Pyrlot . Bar.

What new-come Gallant haue wee heere , that dares mate the Guise thus ?

L' An.

Sfoote t is D'Ambois ; The Duke mistakes him ( on my life ) for some Knight of the new edition .

D'Amb.

Cut my throat ? I would the King fear'd thy cutting of his throat no more than I feare thy cutting of mine .

Gui.

So Sir , so .

Pyr.

Heere 's some strange distemper .

Bar.

Heere 's a sudden transmigration with D'Ambois , out of the Knights ward , into the Duches bed .

L'An.

See what a Metamorphosis a braue suit can worke .

Pyr.

Slight step to the Guise and discouer him .

Bar.

By no meanes , let the new suit worke , wee 'll see the issue .

Gui.

Leaue your Courtship .

D'Amb.

I will not . I say mistresse , and I will stand vnto it , that if a woman may haue three seruants , a man may haue threescore mistresses .

Gui.

Sirha , I le haue you whipt out of the Court for this insolence .

D'Amb.

Whipt ? Such another syllable out a th' presence , if thou dar'st for thy Dukedome .

Gui.

Remember , Poultron .

Mons.

Pray thee forbeare .

Buss.

Passion of death ! Were not the King heere , he should strow the Chamber like a rush .

Mons.

But leaue Courting his wife then .

Buss.

I will not : I le Court her in despight of him . Not Court her ! Come Madam , talke on ; Feare me nothing : Well maist thou driue thy master from the Court ; but neuer D'Ambois .

Mons. His great heart will not downe , t is like the Sea That partly by his owne internall heat , Partly the starr's dailie and nightly motion , Ardor and light , and partly of the place , The diuers frames ; And chiefly by the Moone , Bristled with surges , neuer will be wonne , ( No , not when th' hearts of all those powers are burst ) To make retreat into his setled home , Till he be croun'd with his owne quiet fome . Henr. You haue the mate . Another . Gui. No more . Exit Guise , after him the King , Mons. whispering . Bar.

Why heer 's the Lion , skard with the throat of a dunghill Cocke ; a fellow that has newlie shak'd off his shackles ; Now does he crow for that victorie .

L' An.

T is one of the best Iigges that euer was acted .

Pry.

Whom does the Guise suppose him to be troe ?

L' An.

Out of doubt , some new denizond Lord ; and thinks that suit come new out a th' Mercers bookes .

Bar.

I haue heard of a fellow , that by a fixt imagination looking vpon a Bulbaiting , had a visible paire of hornes grew out of his forhead : and I beleeue this Gallant ouerioied with the conceit of Monsieurs cast suit , imagines himselfe to be the Monsieur .

L' An

And why not ? as well as the Asse , stalking in the Lions case , beare himselfe like a Lion , roaring all the huger beasts out of the Forrest ?

Pry.

Peace , he lookes this way .

Bar.

Marrie let him looke sir , what will you say now if the Guise be gone to fetch a blanquet for him ?

L' An.

Faith I beleeue it for his honour .

Pyr.

But , if D'Ambois carrie it cleane ?

Bar.

True , when he curuets in the blanquet .

Pyr.

I marie sir .

L' An.

Sfoote , see how he stares on 's .

Bar.

Lord blesse vs , let 's away .

Buss.

Now sir , take your full view : how does the Obiect please ye ?

Bar.

If you aske my opinion sir , I thinke your suit sits as well as if 't had beene made for you .

Buss.

So sir , and was that the subiect of your ridiculous ioilitie ?

L' An.

What 's that to you sir ?

Buss.

Sir , I haue obseru'd all your fleerings ; and resolue your selues yee shall giue a strickt account for 't .

Enter Brisac Melynell . Pyr.

O strange credulitie ! Doe you thinke your selfe Such a singular subiect for laughter , that none can fall into Our meriment but you ?

Bar.

This iealousie of yours sir , confesses some close defect in your selfe , that wee neuer dream'd of .

L An.

We held discourse of a perfum'd Asse , that being disguis'd with a Lions case , imagin'd himselfe a Lion : I hope that toucht not you .

Buss.

So sir : Your descants doe maruellous well fit this ground , wee shall meete where your Buffonly laughters will cost ye the best blood in your bodies .

Bar.

For lifes sake let 's be gone ; hee 'll kill 's outright .

Buss.

Goe at your pleasures , I le be your Ghost to haunt you , and yee sleepe an 't , hang mee .

L' An.

Goe , goe sir , Court your mistresse .

Pyr.

And be aduis'd : we shall haue odds against you .

Buss.

Tush , valour stands not in number : I le maintaine it , that one man may beat three boies .

Bris.

Nay you shall haue no ods of him in number sir : hee 's a gentleman as good as the proudest of you , and yee shall not wrong him .

Bar.

Not sir .

Mely.

Not sir : Though he be not so rich , hee 's a better man than the best of you ; And I will not endure it .

L' An.

Not you sir ?

Bris.

No sir , nor I .

Buss.

I should thanke you for this kindnesse , if I thought these perfum'd muske-Cats ( being out of this priuiledge ) durst but once mew at vs .

Bar.

Does your confident spirit doubt that sir ? Come follow vs and trie .

L'An.

Come sir , wee 'll lead you a dance . Exeunt .

Finis Actus primi .
Actus secundi Scena prima . Henry , Guise , Beaumond , Nuncius . Henr. THis desperate quarrell sprung out of their enuies To D'Ambois sudden brauerie , and great spirit . Gui. Neither is worth their enuie . Henr. Lesse then either Will make the Gall of Enuie ouerflow ; She feedes on outcast entrailes like a Kite : In which foule heape , if any ill lies hid , She sticks her beake into it , shakes it vp , And hurl's it all abroad , that all may view it . Corruption is her Nutriment ; but touch her With any precious ointment , and you kill her : When she findes any filth in men , she feasts , And with her blacke throat bruits it through the world ; ( Being sound and healthfull ) But if she but taste The slenderest pittance of commended vertue , She surfets of it , and is like a flie , That passes all the bodies soundest parts , And dwels vpon the sores ; or if her squint eie Haue power to finde none there , she forges some : She makes that crooked euer which is strait ; Call's valour giddinesse , Iustice Tyrannie : A wise man may shun her , she not her selfe ; Whither soeuer she flies from her Harmes , She beares her Foe still claspt in her owne Armes : And therefore cousen Guise let vs auoid her . Enter Nuncius . What Atlas , or Olympus lifts his head So farre past Couert , that with aire enough My words may be inform'd ? And from his height I may be seene , and heard through all the world ? A tale so worthie , and so fraught with wonder , Sticks in my iawes , and labours with euent . Henr. Com'st thou from D'Ambois ? Nun. From him , and the rest His friends and enemies ; whose sterne fight I saw , And heard their words before , and in the fray . Henr. Relate at large what thou hast seene and heard . Nun. I saw fierce D'Ambois , and his two braue friends Enter the Field , and at their heeles their foes ; Which were the famous souldiers ; Barrisor , L'Anou , and Pyrrhot , great in deedes of Armes : All which arriu'd at the euenest peece of earth The field affoorded ; The three Challengers Turn'd head , drew all their rapiers , and stoode ranckt : When face to face the three Defendants met them , Alike prepar'd , and resolute alike , Like bonfires of Contributorie wood : Euerie mans looke shew'd , Fed with eithers spirit , As one had beene a mirror to another , Like formes of life and death , each tooke from other ; And so were life and death mixt at their heights , That you could see no feare of death , for life ; Nor loue of life , for death : But in their browes Pyrrho's Opinion in great letters shone ; That life and death in all respects are one . Henr. Past there no sort of words at their encounter ? Nun. As Hector , twixt the Hosts of Greece and Troy , ( When Paris and the Spartane King should end The nine yeeres warre ) held vp his brasen launce For signall , that both Hosts should cease from Armes , And heare him speake : So Barrisor ( aduis'd ) Aduanc'd his Naked Rapier twixt both sides , Ript vp the Quarrell , and compar'd six liues ; Then laid in ballance with six idle words , Offer'd remission and contrition too ; Or else that he and D'Ambois might conclude The others dangers . D'Ambois lik'd the last ; But Barrisors friends ( being equally engag'd In the maine Quarrell ) neuer would expose His life alone , to that they all deseru'd . And ( for the other offer of remission ) D'Ambois ( that like a Lawrell put in fire , Sparkl'd and spit ) did much much more than scorne , That his wrong should incense him so like chaffe , To goe so soone out ; and like lighted paper , Approoue his spirit at once both fire and ashes : So drew they lots , and in them Fates appointed , That Barrisor should fight with firie D'Ambois ; Pyrhot with Melynell ; with Brisac L'Anou : And then like flame and Powder they commixt , So spritely , that I wisht they had beene spirits , That the ne're shutting wounds , they needes must open , Might as they open'd , shut , and neuer kill : But D'Ambois sword ( that lightned as it flew ) Shot like a pointed Comet at the face Of manly Barrisor ; and there it stucke : Thrice pluckt he at it , and thrice drew on thrusts , From him , that of himselfe was free as fire ; Who thrust still as he pluckt , yet ( past beliefe ! ) He with his subtle eie , hand , bodie , scap't ; At last the deadly bitten point tuggd'd off , On fell his yet vndaunted Foe so fiercely , That ( only made more horrid with his wound ) Great D'Ambois shrunke , and gaue a little ground ; But soone return'd , redoubled in his danger , And at the heart of Barrisor seal'd his anger : Then , as in Arden I haue seene an Oke Long shooke with tempests , and his loftie toppe Bent to his roote , which being at length made loose ( Euen groaning with his weight ) he gan to Nodde This way and that : as loth his curled Browes ( Which he had oft wrapt in the skie with stormes ) Should stoope : and yet , his radicall fiuer 's burst , Storme-like he fell , and hid the feare-cold Earth . So fell stout Barrisor , that had stoode the shockes Often set Battles in your Highnesse warre , Gainst the sole souldier of the world , Nauarre . Gui. O pitious and horrid murther ! Beau. Such a life Me thinkes had mettall in it to suruiue An age of men . Henr. Such , often soonest end . Thy felt report cals on , wee long to know On what euents the other haue arriu'd . Nun. Sorrow and furie , like two opposite fumes , Met in the vpper Region of a Cloud , At the report made by this worthies fall , Brake from the earth , and with them rose Reuenge , Entring with fresh powers his two noble friends ; And vnder that ods fell surcharg'd Brisac , The friend of D'Ambois , before fierce L'Anou ; Which D'Ambois seeing , as I once did see In my yoong trauels through Armenia , An angrie Vnicorne in his full carier Charge with too quicke an eie a Ieweller , That watcht him for the Treasure of his browe ; And ere he could get shelter of a tree , Naile him with his rich Antler to the Earth : So D'Ambois ranne vpon reueng'd L'Anou , Who eying th' eager point borne in his face , And giuing backe , fell backe , and in his fall His foes vncurbed sword stopt in his heart : By which time all the life strings of the tw'other Were cut , and both fell as their spirits flew Vpwards : and still hunt Honour at the view . And now ( of all the six ) sole D'Ambois stood Vntoucht , saue only with the others blood . Henr. All slaine outright ? Nun. All slaine outright but he , Who kneeling in the warme life of his friends , ( All feebled with the blood , his Rapier raind ) He kist their pale cheekes , and bade both farewell ; And see the brauest man the French earth beares . Enter Monsieur , D'Amb. bare . Buss. Now is the time , y' are Princely vow'd my friend , Performe it Princely , and obtaine my pardon . Mons. Else Heauen , forgiue not me : Come on braue friend . If euer Nature held herselfe her owne , When the great Triall of a King and subiect Met in one blood , both from one bellie springing : Now prooue her vertue and her greatnesse One , Or make the t'one the greater with the t'other , ( As true Kings should ) and for your brothers loue , ( Which is a speciall species of true vertue ) Doe that you could not doe , not being a King . Henr. Brother I know your suit ; these wilfull murthers Are euer past our pardon . Mons. Manly slaughter Should neuer beare th account of wilfull murther ; It being a spice of iustice , where with life Offending past law , equall life is laid In equall ballance , to scourge that offence By law of reputation , which to men Exceedes all positiue law , and what that leaues To true mens valours ( not prefixing rights Of satisfaction , suited to their wrongs ) A free mans eminence may supplie and take . Henr. This would make euerie man that thinks him wrongd , Or is offended , or in wrong or right , Lay on this violence , and all vaunt themselues , Law-menders and suppliers though meere Butchers ; Should this fact ( though of iustice ) be forgiuen ? Mons. O no , my Lord ; it would make Cowards feare To touch the reputations of full men , When only they are left to impe the law , Iustice will soone distinguish murtherous mindes From iust reuengers : Had my friend beene slaine , ( His enemie suruiuing ) he should die , Since he had added to a murther'd fame ( Which was in his intent ) a murthered man ; And this had worthily beene wilfull murther : But my friend only sau'd his fames deare life , Which is aboue life , taking th'vnder value , Which in the wrong it did , was forfeit to him ; And in this fact only preserues a man In his vprightnesse ; worthie to suruiue Millions of such as murther men , aliue . Henr. Well brother , rise , and raise your friend withall From death to life : and D'Ambois , let your life ( Refin'd by passing through this merited death ) Be purg'd from more such foule pollution ; Nor on your scape , nor valour more presuming , To be againe so violent . Buss. My Lord , I loth as much a deede of vniust death , As law it selfe doth ; and to Tyrannise , Because I haue a little spirit to date , And power to doe , as to be Tyranniz'd ; This is a grace that ( on my knees redoubled ) I craue to double this my short lifes gift ; And shall your royall bountie Centuple , That I may so make good what God and nature Haue giuen mee for my good : since I am free , ( Offending no iust law ) let no law make By any wrong it does , my life her slaue : When I am wrong'd and that law failes to right me , Let me be King my selfe ( as man was made ) And doe a iustice that exceedes the law : If my wrong passe the power of single valour To right and expiate ; then be you my King , And doe a Right , exceeding Law and Nature : Who to himselfe is law , no law doth neede , Offends no King , and is a King indeede . Henr. Enioy what thou intreat'st , we giue but ours . Buss. What you haue giuen , my Lord , is euer yours . Exit Rex cum Beau. Gui. Mort dieu , who would haue pardon'd such a murther ? Mons. Now vanish horrors into Court attractions , Exit . For which let this balme make thee fresh and faire . Buss. How shall I quite your loue ? Mons. Be true to the end : I haue obtain'd a Kingdome with my friend . Exit , Montsur . Tamyra , Beaupre , Pero , Charlotte , Pyrha . Mont. He will haue pardon sure . Tam. T were pittie else : For though his great spirit something ouerflow , All faults are still borne , that from greatnesse grow : But such a sudden Courtier saw I neuer . Beau. He was too sudden , which indeede was rudenesse . Tam. True , for it argued his no due conceit Both of the place , and greatnesse of the persons : Nor of our sex : all which ( we all being strangers To his encounter ) should haue made more maners Deserue more welcome . Mont. All this fault is found Because he lou'd the Dutchesse and left you . Tam. Ahlas , loue giue her ioy ; I am so farre From Enuie of her honour , that I sweare , Had he encounterd me with such proud sleight : I would haue put that proiect face of his To a more test , than did her Dutchesship . Be. Why ( by your leaue my Lord ) I le speake it heere , ( Although she be my ante ) she scarce was modest , When she perceiued the Duke her husband take Those late exceptions to her seruants Courtship To entertaine him . Tam. I , and stand him still . Letting her husband giue her seruant place : Though he did manly , she should be a woman . Enter Guise . D'Ambois is pardond : wher 's a king ? where law ? See how it runnes , much like a turbulent sea ; Heere high , and glorious , as it did contend To wash the heauens , and make the stars more pure : And heere so low , it leaues the mud of hell To euery common view : come count Montsurry We must consult of this . Tam. Stay not , sweet Lord . Mont. Be pleased , I le strait returne . Exit cum Guise . Tamy. Would that would please me . Beau. I le leaue you Madam to your passions . I see , ther 's change of weather in your lookes . Exit cum suis . Tamy. I cannot cloake it : but ; as when a fume , Hot , drie and grosse : within the wombe of earth Or in her superficies begot : When extreame cold hath stroke it to her heart , The more it is comprest , the more it rageth ; Exceeds his prisons strength that should containe it , And then it tosseth Temples in the aire ; All barres made engines , to his insolent fury : So , of a sudden , my licentious fancy Riots within me : not my name and house Nor my religion to this houre obseru'd Can stand aboue it : I must vtter that That will in parting breake more strings in me , Than death when life parts : and that holy man That , from my cradle , counseld for my soule : I now must make an agent for my bloud . Enter Monsieur . Mons. Yet , is my Mistresse gratious ? Tamy. Yet vnanswered ? Mons. Pray thee regard thine owne good , if not mine , And cheere my Loue for that ; you do not know What you may be by me , nor what without me ; I may haue power t' aduance and pull downe any . Tamy. That 's not my study : one way I am sure You shall not pull downe me : my husbands height Is crowne to all my hopes : and his retiring To any meane state , shal be my aspiring : Mine honour 's in mine owne hands , spite of kings . Mons. Honour , what 's that ? your second maidenhead : And what is that ? a word : the word is gone The thing remaines : the rose is pluckt , the stalke Abides : an easie losse where no lack 's found : Beleeue it ther 's as small lacke in the losse , As there is paine i th losing : archers euer Haue two strings to a bow : and shall great Cupid ( Archer of archers both in men and women ) Be worse prouided than a common archer ? A husband and a friend all wise wiues haue . Tamy. Wise wiues they are that on such strings depend , With a firme husband , weighing a dissolute friend . Mons. Still you stand on your husband , so doe all The common sex of you , when y are encounterd With one ye cannot fancie : all men know You liue in court heere by your owne election , Frequenting all our solemne sports and triumphs , All the most youthfull companie of men : And wherefore doe you this ? To please your husband ? T is grosse and fulsome : if your husbands pleasure Be all your Obiect , and you aime at Honour , In liuing close to him , get you from Court , You may haue him at home ; these common Puttofs For common women serue : my honor ? husband ? Dames maritorious , ne're were meritorious : Speake plaine and say I do not like you Sir , Y' are an illfauor'd fellow in my eie , And I am answer'd . Tamy. Then I pray be answer'd : For in good faith my Lord I do not like you In that sort you like . Mons. Then haue at you heere : Take ( with a politique hand ) this rope of Pearle ; And though you be not amorous : yet be wise : Take me for wisdome ; he that you can loue Is neere the further from you . Tamy. Now it comes So ill prepar'd , that I may take a poison , Vnder a medicine as good cheape as it : I will not haue it were it worth the world . Mons. Horror of death : could I but please your eie , You would giue me the like , ere you would loose me : Honor and husband ? Tamy. By this light my Lord Y' are a vile fellow : and I le tell the King Your occupation of dishonouring Ladies And of his Court : a Lady cannot liue As she was borne ; and with that sort of pleasure That fits her state : but she must be defam'd With an infamous Lords detraction : Who would endure the Court if these attempts , Of open and profest lust must be borne ? Whos 's there ? come on Dame , you are at your booke When men are at your mistresse ; haue I taught you Any such waiting womans qualitie ? Mons. Farewell good husband . Exit Mons. Mont. Farewell wicked Lord . Enter Mont. Mont. Was not the Monsieur heere ? Tam. Yes , to good purpose . And your cause is as good to seeke him too And haunt his company . Mont. Why what 's the matter ? Tam. Matter of death , were I some husbands wife : I cannot liue at quiet in my chamber For opportunities almost to rapes Offerd me by him . Mont. Pray thee beare with him : Thou know'st he is a Bachelor , and a Courtier , I , and a Prince : and their prerogatiues Are , to their lawes , as to their pardons are Their reseruations , after Parliaments One quits another : forme giues al their essence : That Prince doth high in vertues reckoning stand That will entreat a vice , and not command : So far beare with him : should another man Trust to his priuiledge , he should trust to death : Take comfort then ( my comfort ) nay triumph , And crown thy selfe , thou part'st with victory : My presence is so only deare to thee , That other mens appeare worse than they be . For this night yet , beare with my forced absence : Thou know'st my businesse ; and with how much weight , My vow hath charged it . Tam. True my Lord , and neuer My fruitlesse loue shall let your serious profit , Yet , sweet Lord , do no stay , you know my soule Is so long time without me , and I dead As you are absent . Mont. By this kisse , receiue My soule for hostage , till I see my loue . Tam. The morne shall let me see you : Mont. With the sunne I le visit thy more comfortable beauties . Tam. This is my comfort , that the sunne hath left The whole worlds beauty ere my sunne leaues me . Mont. T is late night now indeed : farewell my light . Exit . Tam. Farewell my light and life : But not in him . Alas , that in the waue of our affections We should supplie it with a full dissembling , In which each yoongest maid is growne a mother , Frailtie is fruitfull , one sinne gets another : Our loues like sparkles are that brightest shine , When they goe out most vice shewes most diuine : Goe maid , to bed , lend me your booke I pray : Not like your selfe , for forme , I le this night trouble None of your seruices : Make sure the doores , And call your other fellowes to their rest . Per. I will , yet I will watch to know why you watch . Exit . Tam. Now all the peacefull regents of the night , Silently-gliding exhalations , Languishing windes , and murmuring fals of waters , Sadnesse of heart , and ominous securenesse , Enchantments , dead sleepes , all the friends of rest , That euer wrought vpon the life of man , Extend your vtmost strengths ; and this charm'd houre Fix like the Center ; make the violent wheeles Of Time and Fortune stand ; and Great Existens ( The Makers treasurie ) now not seeme to bee , To all but my approaching friends and mee : They come , alas they come , feare , feare and hope Of one thing , at one instant fight in mee : I loue what most I loath , and cannot liue Vnlesse I compasse that that holds my death : For loue is hatefull without loue againe , And he I loue , will loth me , when he sees I flie my sex , my vertue , my Renowne , To runne so madly on a man vnknowne . See , see the gulfe is opening , that will swallow Me and my fame for euer ; I will in , And cast my selfe off , as I ne're had beene . Exit . Com. Come worthiest sonne , I am past measure glad , That you ( whose worth I haue approou'd so long ) Should be the Obiect of her fearefull loue ; Since both your wit and spirit can adapt Their full force to supplie her vtmost weakenesse : You know her worths and vertues , for Report Of all that know , is to a man a knowledge : You know besides , that our affections storme , Rais'd in our blood , no Reason can reforme . Though she seeke then their satisfaction , ( Which she must needes , or rest vnsatisfied ) Your iudgement will esteeme her peace thus wrought , Nothing lesse deare , than if your selfe had sought : And ( with another colour , which my Art Shall teach you to lay on ) your selfe must seeme The only agent , and the first Orbe Moue , In this our set , and cunning world of Loue . Buss. Giue me the colour ( my most honour'd Father ) And trust my cunning then to lay it on . Com. T is this , good sonne ; Lord Barrisor ( whom you slew ) Did loue her dearely , and with all fit meanes Hath vrg'd his acceptation , of all which She keepes one letter written in his blood : You must say thus then , That you heard from mee How much her selfe was toucht in conscience With a Report ( which is in truth disperst ) That your maine quarrell grew about her loue , Lord Barrisor , imagining your Courtship Of the great Guises Duchesse in the Presence , Was by you made to his elected mistresse : And so made me your meane now to resolue her , Chosing ( by my direction ) this nights depth , For the more cleere auoiding of all note , Of your presumed presence , and with this ( To cleere her hands of such a louers blood ) She will so kindely thanke and entertaine you , ( Me thinkes I see how ) I , and ten to one , Shew you the confirmation in his blood , Lest you should thinke report and she did faine , That you shall so haue circumstantiall meanes , To come to the direct , which must be vsed : For the direct is crooked ; Loue comes flying ; The height of loue is still wonne with denying . D' Amb. Thankes honoured Father . Commolet . She must neuer know That you know any thing of any loue Sustain'd on her part : For learne this of mee ; In any thing a woman does alone , If she dissemble , she thinkes t is not done ; If not dissemble , nor a little chide , Giue her her wish , she is not satisfi'd ; To haue a man thinke that she neuer seekes , Does her more good than to haue all she likes : This frailtie sticks in them beyond their sex ; Which to reforme , reason is too perplex : Vrge reason to them , it will doe no good ; Humour ( that is the charriot of our foode In euerie bodie ) must in them be fed , To carrie their affections by it bred . Stand close . Enter Tamyra . Tam. Alas , I feare my strangenesse will retire him : If he goe backe , I die ; I must preuent it , And cheare his onset with my sight at least , And that 's the most ; though euerie step he takes Goes to my heart , I le rather die than seeme Not to be strange to that I most esteeme . Com. Madam . Tamy. Ah . Com. You will pardon me , I hope , That , so beyond your expectation , ( And at a time for visitants so vnfit ) I ( with my noble friend heere ) visit you : You know that my accesse at any time Hath euer beene admitted ; and that friend That my care will presume to bring with mee , Shall haue all circumstance of worth in him , To merit as free welcome as my selfe . Tamy. O father , but at this suspicious houre You know how apt best men are to suspect vs , In any cause , that makes suspicious shadow No greater than the shadow of a haire : And y' are to blame : what though my Lord and husband Lie foorth to night ? and since I cannot sleepe When he is absent , I sit vp to night , Though all the doores are sure , & all our seruants As sure bound with their sleepes ; yet there is one That sits aboue , whose eie no sleepe can binde : He sees through doores , and darkenesse , and our thoughts ; And therefore as we should auoid with feare , To thinke amisse our selues before his search ; So should we be as curious to shunne All cause that other thinke not ill of vs . D'Amb. Madam , t is farre from that : I only heard By this my honour'd father , that your conscience Was something troubled with a false report ; That Barrisors blood should something touch your hand , Since he imagin'd I was courting you , When I was bold to change words with the Duchesse , ( And therefore made his quarrell ; which my presence Presum'd on with my father at this season , For the more care of your so curious honour ) Can well resolue your Conscience , is most false . Tam. And is it therefore that you come good sir ? Then craue I now your pardon and my fathers , And sweare your presence does me so much comfort , That all I haue , it bindes to your requitall : Indeede sir , t is most true that a report Is spread , alleaging that his loue to mee Was reason of your quarrell , and because You shall not thinke I faine it for my glorie , That he importun'd me for his Court seruice , I le shew you his owne hand , set downe in blood To that vaine purpose : Good Sir , then come in . Father I thanke you now a thousand fold . Com. May it be worth it to you honour'd daughter . Finis Actus secundi .
Actus Tertij Scena Prima . Bucy , Tamyra . Tam. O My deare seruant , in thy close embraces , I haue set open all the dores of danger To my encompast honor , and my life : Before I was secure against death and hell ; But now am subiect to the hartlesse feare : Of euery shadow , and of euery breath , And would change firmnesse with an aspen leafe : So confident a spotlesse conscience is ; So weake a guilty : O the daugerous siege Sin laies about vs ? and the tyranny He exercises when he hath expugn'd : Like to the horror of a winters thunder , Mixt with a gushing storme , that suffer nothing To stirre abroad on earth , but their own rages ; Is sin , when it hath gathered head aboue vs : No roofe , no shelter can secure vs so , But he will drowne our cheeks in feare or woe . Buc. Sin is a coward Madam , and insults But on our weaknesse , in his truest valour : And so our ignorance tames vs , that we let His shadowes fright vs : and like empty clouds In which our faulty apprehensions fordge The formes of Dragons , Lions , Elephants , When they hold no proportion : the slie charmes Of the witch policy makes him , like a monster Kept onely to shew men for Goddesse money : That false hagge often paints him : in her cloth Ten times more monstrous than he is in troth : In three of vs , the secret of our meeting , Is onely guarded , and three friends as one Haue euer beene esteem'd : as our three powers That in our one soule , are , as one vnited : Why should we feare then ? for my truth I sweare Sooner shall torture , be the Sire to pleasure , And health be grieuous to men long time sicke , Than the deare iewell of your fame in me , Be made an outcast to your infamy ; Nor shall my value ( sacred to your vertues ) Onely giue free course to it , from my selfe : But make it flie out of the mouths of kings In golden vapours , and with awfull wings . Tam. It rests as all kings seales were set in thee . Exit D' Amb. Manet Tamy. Ta. It is not I , but vrgent destiny , That ( as great states men for their generall end In politique iustice , make poore men offend ) Enforceth my offence to make it iust : What shall weake Dames doe , when t'whole worke of Nature Hath a strong finger in each one of vs ? Needs must that sweep away the silly cobweb Of our still-vndone labours ; that laies still Our powers to it : as to the line , the stone , Not to the stone , the line should be oppos'd ; We cannot keepe our constant course in vertue : What is alike at all parts ? euery day Differs from other : euery houre and minute : I , euery thought in our false clock of life , Oft times inuerts the whole circumference : We must be sometimes one , sometimes another : Our bodies are but thicke clouds to our soules ; Through which they cannnot shine when they desire : When all the starres , and euen the sunne himselfe , Must stay the vapors times that he exhales Before he can make good his beames to vs : O how can we , that are but motes to him , VVandring at randon in his orderd rayes , Disperse our passions fumes , with our weake labors , That are more thick & black than all earths vapors ? Enter Mont. Mon. Good day , my loue : what vp and ready too ! Tam. Both , ( my deare Lord ) not all this night made I My selfe vnready , or could sleepe a winke . Mont. Ahlasse , what troubled my true loue ? my peace , From being at peace within her better selfe ? Or how could sleepe forbeare to sease thy beauties VVhen he might challenge them as his iust prise ? Tam. I am in no powre earthly , but in yours ; To what end should I goe to bed my Lord , That wholly mist the comfort of my bed ? Or how should sleepe possesse my faculties , VVanting the proper closer of mine eies ? Mont. Then will I neuer more sleepe night from thee : All mine owne Businesse , all the Kings affaires Shall take the day to serue them : Euerie night I le euer dedicate to thy delight . Tam. Nay , good my Lord esteeme not my desires Such doters on their humours , that my iudgement Cannot subdue them to your worthier pleasure : A wiues pleas'd husband must her obiect be In all her acts , not her sooth'd fantasie . Mont. Then come my loue , Now pay those Rites to sleepe Thy faire eies owe him : shall we now to bed ? Tam. O no my Lord , your holy Frier saies , All couplings in the day that touch the bed , Adulterous are , euen in the married ; Whose graue and worthie doctrine , well I know , Your faith in him will liberally allow . Mont. Hee 's a most learned and Religious man ; Come to the Presence then , and see great D'Ambois ( Fortunes proud mushrome shot vp in a night ) Stand like an Atlas vnderneath the King ; Which greatnesse with him Monsieur now enuies As bitterly and deadly as the Guise . Tam. What , he that was but yesterday his maker ? His raiser and preseruer ? Mont. Euen the same . Each naturall agent workes but to this end , To render that it works on , like it selfe ; Which since the Monsieur in his act on D'Ambois , Cannot to his ambitious end effect , But that ( quite opposite ) the King hath power ( In his loue borne to D'Ambois ) to conuert The point of Monsieurs aime on his owne breast , He turnes his outward loue to inward hate : A Princes loue is like the lightnings fume , Which no man can embrace , but must consume . Exeunt . Henry , D'Ambois , Monsieur , Guise , Monts . Elenor , Tam. Pero . Henr. Speake home my Bussy , thy impartiall wordes Are like braue Faulcons that dare trusse a Fowle Much greater than themselues ; Flatterers are Kites That checke at nothing ; thou shalt be my Eagle , And beare my thunder vnderneath thy wings : Truths words like iewels hang in th' eares of Kings . Buss. Would I might liue to see no Iewes hang there In steede of iewels ; sycophants I meane , Who vse truth like the Diuell , his true Foe Cast by the Angell to the pit of feares , And bound in chaines ; truth seldome decks Kings eares : Slaue flatterie ( like a Rippiers legs rowl'd vp In bootes of haie-ropes ) with Kings soothed guts Swadled and strappl'd , now liues only free . O t is a subtle knaue ; how like the plague Vnfelt , he strikes into the braine of truth , And rageth in his entrailes when he can , Worse than the poison of a red hair'd man . Henr. Flie at him and his broode , I cast thee off , And once more giue thee surname of mine Eagle . Buss. I le make you sport enough then , let me haue My lucerns too ( or dogges inur'd to hunt Beasts of most rapine ) but to put them vp , And if I trusse not , let me not be trusted : Shew me a great man ( by the peoples voice , Which is the voice of God ) that by his greatnesse Bumbasts his priuate roofes , with publique riches ; That affects royaltie , rising from a clapdish ; That rules so much more than his suffering King , That he makes kings of his subordinate slaues : Himselfe and them graduate like woodmongers ( Piling a stacke of billets ) from the earth , Raising each other into steeples heights ; Let him conuey this on the turning proppes Of Protean Law , and ( his owne counsell keeping ) Keepe all vpright ; let me but Hawlke at him , I le play the Vulture , and so thumpe his liuer , That ( like a huge vnlading Argosea ) He shall confesse all , and you then may hang him . Shew me a Clergie man , that is in voice A Larke of Heauen ; in heart a Mowle of earth ; That hath good liuing , and a wicked life ; A temperate looke , and a luxurious gut ; Turning the rents of his superfluous Cures Into your Phesants and your Partriches ; Venting their Quintessence as men read Hebrew : Let me but hawlke at him , and , like the other , He shall confesse all , and you then may hang him . Shew me a Lawyer that turnes sacred law ( The equall rendrer of each man his owne , The scourge of Rapine and Extortion , The Sanctuarie and impregnable defence Of retir'd learning , and oppressed vertue ) Into a Harpye , that eates all but 's owne , Into the damned sins it punisheth ; Into the Synagogue of theeues and Atheists ; Blood into gold , and iustice into lust : Let me but hawlke at him , as at the tother , He shall confesse all , and you then may hang him . Gui. Where will you finde such game as you would hawlke at ? Buss. I le hawlke about your house for one of them . Gui. Come , y' are a glorious Ruffin , and runne proud Of the Kings headlong graces ; hold your breath , Or by that poison'd vapour not the King Shall backe your murtherous valour against me . Buss. I would the King would make his presence free But for one charge betwixt vs : By the reuerence Due to the sacred space twixt kings and subiects , Heere would I make thee cast that popular purple , In which thy proud soule sits and braues thy soueraigne . Mons. Peace , peace , I pray thee peace . Buss. Let him peace first that made the first warre . Mons. Hee 's the better man . Buss. And therefore may doe worst ? Mons. He has more titles . Buss. So Hydra had more heads . Mons. Hee 's greater knowne . Buss. His greatnesse is the peoples , mine 's mine owne . Mons. Hee 's noblie borne . Buss. He is not , I am noble . And noblesse in his blood hath no gradation , But in his merit . Gui. Th' art not nobly borne , But bastard to the Cardinall of Ambois . Buss. Thou liest proud Guiserd ; let me flie ( my Lord . ) Henr. Not in my face ; ( my Eagle ) violence flies The Sanctuaries of a Princes eies . Buss. Still shall we chide ? and some vpon this bit ? Is the Guise only great in faction ? Stands he not by himselfe ? Prooues he th' Opinion That mens soules are without them ? Be a Duke , And lead me to the field . Guis. Come , follow me . Henr. Stay them , stay D'Ambois ; Cosen Guise , I wonder Your equall disposition brookes so ill A man so good , that only would vphold Man in his natiue noblesse , from whose fall All our dissentions rise ; that in himselfe ( Without the outward patches of our frailtie , Riches and honour ) knowes he comprehends Worth with the greatest : Kings had neuer borne Such boundlesse eminence ouer other men , Had all maintain'd the spirit and state of D'Ambois ; Nor had the full impartiall hand of nature That all things gaue in her originall , Without these definite terms of Mine and Thine , Beene turn'd vniustly to the hand of Fortune : Had all preseru'd her in her prime , like D'Ambois ; No enuie , no disiunction had dissolu'd , Or pluck'd out one sticke of the golden fagot , In which the world of Saturne was compris'd , Had all beene held together with the nerues , The genius and th' ingenuous soule of D'Ambois . Let my hand therefore be the Hermean rodde To part and reconcile , and so conserue you , As my combin'd embracers and supporters . Buss. T is our Kings motion , and wee shall not seeme ( To worst eies ) womanish , though wee change thus soone Neuer so great grudge for his greater pleasure . Gui. I seale to that , and so the manly freedome That you so much professe , heereafter prooue not A bold and glorious licence to depraue : To mee his hand shall prooue the Hermean rodde His grace affects , in which submissiue signe On this his sacred right hand , I lay mine . Buss. T is well my Lord , and so your worthie greatnesse Engender not the greater insolence , Nor make you thinke it a Prerogatiue , To racke mens freedomes with the ruder wrongs ; My hand ( stucke full of lawrell , in true signe T is wholly dedicate to righteous peace ) In all submission kisseth th' other side . Hen. Thankes to ye both : and kindly I inuite ye Both to a banquet where wee le sacrifice Full cups to confirmation of yours loues ; At which ( faire Ladies ) I entreat your presence . Exeunt Henry , D'Amb. Ely . Ta . Mons. What had my bounty drunke when it rais'd him ? Gui. Y 'aue stucke vs vp a very proper flag That takes more winde than we with all our sailes . Mons. O so he spreds and flourishes . Gui. He must downe , Vpstarts should neuer perch too neere a crowne . Mons. T is true my Lord ; and as this doting hand , Euen out of earth , ( like Iuno ) strooke this giant , So Ioues great ordinance shal be heere implide To strike him vnder th' Aetna of his pride : To which worke lend your hands and let vs cast Where we may set snares for his gadding greatnes . I thinke it best , amongst our greatest women : For there is no such trap to catch an vpstart As a loose downfall ; and indeed their fals Are th' ends of all mens rising : if great men And wise ; make scapes to please aduantage T is with a woman : women that woorst may Still hold mens candles : they direct and know All things amisse in all men ; and their women All things amisse in them : through whose charmd mouthes We may see all the close scapes of the Court : When the most royall beast of chace ( being old , And cunning in his choice of layres and haunts ) Can neuer be discouered to the bow The peece or hound : yet where his custome is To beat his vault , and he ruts with his hinde , The place is markt , and by his Venery He still is taken . Shall we then attempt The chiefest meane to that discouery heere , And court our greatest Ladies greatest women , With shews of loue , and liberall promises ? T is but our breath . If something giuen in hand , Sharpen their hopes of more ; twilbe well venterd . Gui. No doubt of that : and t is an excellent point Of our deuis'd inuestigation . Mons. I haue already broke the ice , my Lord , With the most trusted woman of your Countesse , And hope I shall wade through to our discouery , Mont. Take say of her my Lord , she comes most fitly And we will to the other . Enter Charlot , Anable , Pero . Gui. Y' are engag'd . An. Nay pray my Lord forbeare . Mont. What skittish , seruant ? An. No my Lord I am not so fit for your seruice : Char. Pray pardon me now my Lord ? my Lady expects me . Gui. I le satisfie her expectation , as far as an vnkle may . Mons. Well said : a spirt of Courtship of all hands : Now mine owne Pero : hast thou remembred mee For the discouery I entreated thee to make concerning Thy Mistresse ? speak boldly , and be sure of all things I haue promised . Pero .

Building on that you haue sworne ( my Lord ) I may speake : and much the rather , because my Lady hath not trusted me with that I can tell you ; for now I cannot be said to betray her .

Mons.

That 's all one : so it bee not to one that will betray thee : foorth I beseech thee .

Per.

To tell you truth , my Lord , I haue made a strange discouery .

Mons.

Excellent Pero thou reuiu'st me : may I sincke quicke into earth heere , if my tongue discouer it .

Per.

T is thus then : This last night my Lord lay foorth : and I wondring my Ladies sitting vp , stole at midnight from my pallat : and ( hauing before made a hole both through the wall and arras to her inmost chamber ) I saw D'Ambois and she set close at a banquet .

Mons.

D'Ambois ?

Per.

Euen he my Lord .

Mons.

Dost thou not dreame wench ?

Per.

No my Lord , he is the man .

Mons.

The diuell he is , and thy Lady his dam : infinite regions betwixt a womans tongue and her heart : is this our Goddesse of chastity ? I thought I could not be so sleighted : if shee had not her freight besides : and therefore plotted this with her woman : deare Pero I will aduance thee for euer : but tell mee now : Gods pretious it transformes me with admiration : sweet Pero , whom should she trust with his conueiance ? Or , all the doores being made sure , how could his conueiance bee performed ?

Per.

Nay my Lord , that amazes me : I cannot by any study so much as guesse at it .

Mons.

Well , le ts fauour our apprehensions with forbearing that a little : for if my heart were not hoopt with adamant , the conceipt of this would haue burst it : but hearke thee .

Char.

I sweare to your Grace , all that I can coniecture touching my Lady your Neece , is a strong affection she beares to the English Mylor .

Gui.

All quod you ? t is enough I assure you , but tell me .

Mont.

I pray thee resolue me : the Duke will neuer imagine that I am busie about 's wife : hath D'Ambois any priuy accesse to her ?

An.

No my Lord , D'Ambois neglects her ( as she takes it ) and is therefore suspicious that either your Lady , or the Countesse Beaupre hath closely entertaind him .

Mont.

Ber lady a likely suspition , and very neere the life , if she marks it ; especially of my wife .

Mons.

Come we 'l put off all , with seeming onely to haue courted ; away drie palme : sh 'as a liuer as hard as a bisket : a man may goe a whole voyage with her , and get nothing but tempests at her windpipe .

Gui.

Heer 's one : ( I thinke ) has swallowd a porcupine , she casts pricks from her tongue so .

Mont.

And heer 's a peacock seemes to haue deuourd one of the Alpes , she has so swelling a spirit , and is so cold of her kindnesse .

Char.

We be no windfals my Lord ; ye must gather vs with the ladder of matrimony , or we 'l hang till we be rotten .

Mons.

Indeed that 's the way to make ye right openarses . But ahlas ye haue no portions fit for such husbands as we wish you .

Per.

Portions my Lord , yes and such portions as your principality cannot purchase .

Mons.

What woman ? what are those portions ?

Per.

Riddle my riddle my Lord .

Mons.

I marry wench , I thinke thy portion is a right riddle , a man shall neuer finde it out : but le ts heare it .

Per. You shall my Lord . What 's that , that being most rar 's most cheape ? That if you sow , you neuer reape ? That when it growes most , most you in it ? And still you lose it when you win it : That when t is commonest , t is dearest , And when t is farthest off 't is neerest ? Mons.

Is this your portion ?

Per.

Euen this my Lord .

Mons.

Beleeue me I cannot riddle it .

Per.

No my Lord , t is my chastity , which you shall neither riddle nor fiddle .

Mons.

Your chastity ? let me begin with the end of you ; how is a womans chastitie neerest a man , when t is furthest off ?

Per.

Why my Lord , when you cannot get it , it goes toth ' heart on you ; and that I thinke comes most neere you : and I am sure it shall bee farre enough off ; and so I leaue you to my mercy . Exit .

Mons.

Farewell riddle .

Gui.

Farewell Medlar .

Mont.

Farewell winter plum .

Mons.

Now my Lords , what fruit of our inquisition ? feele you nothing budding yet ? Speake good my Lord Mountsurry .

Mont.

Nothing but this : D'Ambois is negligent in obseruing the Duchesse , and therefore she is suspicious that your Neece or my wife closely entertaines him .

Mons.

Your wife , my Lord ? Thinke you that possible ?

Mont.

Alas , I know she flies him like her last houre .

Mons.

Her last houre ? why that comes vpon her the more she flies it : Does D'Ambois so thinke you ?

Mont.

That 's not worth the answering : T is horrible to think with what monsters womens imaginations engrosse them when they are once enamour'd , and what wonders they will worke for their satisfaction . They will make a sheepe valiant , a Lion fearefull .

Mons. And an Asse confident , my Lord , t is true , and more will come forth shortly , get you to the banquet . Exit Guise cum Mont. O the vnfounded Sea of womens bloods , That when t is calmest , is most dangerous ; Not any wrincle creaming in their faces , When in their hearts are Scylla and Charibdis , Which still are hid in monster-formed cloudes , Where neuer day shines , nothing euer growes , But weeds and poisons , that no states-man knowes ; Not Cerberus euer saw the damned nookes Hid with the vailes of womens vertuous lookes : I will conceale all yet , and giue more time To D'Ambois triall , now vpon my hooke ; He awes my throat ; else like Sybillas Caue It should breath oracles ; I feare him strangely , And may resemble his aduanced valour Vnto a spirit rais'd without a circle , Endangering him that ignorantly rais'd him , And for whose furie he hath learn'd no limit . Enter D'Ambois . Mons. How now , what leap'st thou at ? D'Amb. O royall obiect . Mons. Thou dream'st awake : Obiect in th' emptie aire ? D'Amb. Worthie the head of Titan , worth his chaire . Mons. Pray thee what mean'st thou ? D'Amb. See you not a Croune Empale the forehead of the great King Monsieur ? Mons. O fie vpon thee . D'Amb. Sir , that is the Subiect Of all these your retir'd and sole discourses . Mons. Wilt thou not leaue that wrongfull supposition ? This still hath made me doubt thou dost not loue me . Wilt thou doe one thing for me then syncerelie ? D'Amb. I , any thing , but killing of the King . Mons. Still in that discord , and ill taken note ? D'Amb. Come , doe not doubt me , and command mee all things . Mons. I will not then , and now by all my loue Shewne to thy vertues , and by all fruits else Alreadie sprung from that affection , I charge thee vtter ( euen with all the freedome Both of thy noble nature and thy friendship ) The full and plaine state of me in thy thoughts . D'Amb. What , vtter plainly what I thinke of you ? Why this swims quite against the streame of greatnesse : Great men would rather heare their flatteries , And if they be not made fooles , are not wise . Mons. I am no such great foole , and therefore charge thee Euen from the roote of thy free heart , display mee . D'Amb. Since you affect it in such serious termes , If your selfe first will tell me what you thinke As freely and as heartily of mee , I le be as open in my thoughts of you . Mons. A bargaine of mine honour ; and make this , That prooue wee in our full dissection Neuer so foule , liue still the sounder friends . D'Amb. What else Sir ? come begin , and speake me simply . Mons. I will I sweare . I thinke thee then a man , That dares as much as a wilde horse or Tyger ; As headstrong and as bloodie ; and to feede The rauenous wolfe of thy most Caniball valour , ( Rather than not employ it ) thou would'st turne Hackster to any whore , slaue to a Iew , Or English vsurer , to force possessions , And cut mens throates of morgaged estates ; Or thou would'st tire thee like a Tinkers wife , And murther market folkes , quarrell with sheepe , And runne as mad as Aiax ; serue a Butcher , Doe any thing but killing of the King : That in thy valour th' art like other naturals , That haue strange gifts in nature , but no soule Diffus'd quite through , to make them of a peece , But stoppe at humours , that are more absurd , Childish and villanous than that hackster , whore , Slaue , cut-throat , Tinkers bitch , compar'd before : And in those humours would'st enuie , betray , Slander , blaspheme , change each houre a religion ; Doe any thing , but killing of the King ; That in that valour ( which is still my dunghill , To which I carrie all filth in thy house ) Th' art more ridiculous and vaine-glorious Than any Mountibancke ; and impudent Than any painted bawde ; which , not to sooth And glorifie thee like a Iupiter Hammon , Thou eat'st thy heart in vineger ; and thy gall Turns all thy blood to poison , which is cause Of that Tode-poole that stands in thy complexion ; And makes thee ( with a cold and earthie moisture , Which is the damme of putrifaction , As plague to thy damn'd pride ) rot as thou liu'st ; To study calumnies and treacheries ; To thy friends slaughters , like a Scrich-owle sing , And to all mischiefs , but to kill the King . D'Amb. So : Haue you said ? Mons. How thinkest thou ? Doe I flatter ? Speake I not like a trustie friend to thee ? D'Amb. That euer any man was blest withall ; So heere 's for mee . I thinke you are ( at worst ) No diuell , since y' are like to be no king ; Of which , with any friend of yours I le lay This poore Stilladoe heere , gainst all the starres , I , and gainst all your treacheries , which are more ; That you did neuer good , but to doe ill ; But ill of all sorts , free and for it selfe : That ( like a murthering peece , making lanes in armies The first man of a ranke , the whole ranke falling ) If you haue once wrong'd one man , y' are so farre From making him amends , that all his race , Friends and associates fall into your chace : That y' are for periuries the verie prince Of all intelligencers ; and your voice Is like an Easterne winde , that where it flies , Knits nets of Catterpillars , with which you catch The prime of all the fruits the kingdome yeeldes . That your politicall head is the curst fount Of all the violence , rapine , crueltie , Tyrannie & Atheisme flowing through the realme . That y 'aue a tongue so scandalous , t will cut A perfect Crystall ; and a breath that will Kill to that wall a spider ; you will iest With God , and your soule to the diuell tender For lust ; kisse horror , and with death engender . That your foule bodie is a Lernean fenne Of all the maladies breeding in all men . That you are vtterlie without a soule : And ( for your life ) the thred of that was spunne , When Clotho slept , and let her breathing rocke Fall in the durt ; and Lachesis still drawes it , Dipping her twisting fingers in a boule Defil'd , and croun'd with vertues forced soule . And lastly ( which I must for Gratitude Euer remember ) That of all my height And dearest life , you are the onlie spring , Only in royall hope to kill the king . Mons. Why now I see thou lou'st mee , come to the banquet . Finis Actus terty .
Actus Quarti Scena Prima . Henry , Monsieur , Guise , Montsurry , Bussy , Elynor , Tamyra , Beaupre , Pero , Charlotte , Anable , Pyrha , with foure Pages . Henr. LAdies , ye haue not done our banquet right , Nor lookt vpon it with those cheerefull raies That lately turnd your breaths to flouds of gold ; Your looks , me thinks , are not drawne out with thoughts , So cleere and free as heeretofore , but fare As if the thicke complexions of men Gouernd within them . Buss. T is not like my Lord That men in women rule ; but contrary , For as the Moone ( of all things God created ) Not only is the most appropriate image Or glasse to shew them how they wax and wane , But in her light and motion , likewise beares Imperiall influences that command In all their powers , and make them wax & wane ; So women , that ( of all things made of nothing ) Are the most perfect images of the Moone ( Or still-vnweand sweet Moon-calues with white faces ) Not only are paternes of change to men : But as the tender Moon-shine of their beauties Cleeres , or is cloudy , make men glad or sad . Mons. But heere the Moones are chang'd ( as the King notes ) And either men rule in them , or some power Beyond their voluntary motions : For nothing can recouer their lost faces . Buss. None can be alwaies one : our griefes and ioies Hold seuerall scepters in vs , and haue times For their predominance : which griefe now , in them Doth claime , as proper to his diademe : And grief 's a naturall sicknesse of the bloud , That time to part , asks as his comming had ; Onely sleight fooles grieu'd , suddenly are glad ; A man may say t' a dead man , be reuiu'd , As well as to one sorrowfull , be not grieu'd . And therefore ( Princely mistresse ) in all warres Against these base foes that insult on weaknesse , And still fight hous'd , behinde the shield of Nature , Of tyrannous law , treachery , or beastly need , Your seruant cannot helpe ; authority heere Goes with corruption ; something like some States , That back woorst men : valure to them must creepe That ( to themselues left ) would feare him asleepe . Ely. Ye all take that for granted , that doth rest Yet to be prou'd ; we all are as we were As merry , and as free in thought as euer . Gui. And why then can ye not disclose your thoughts ? Tamy. Me thinks the man hath answerd for vs well . Mons. The man ? why Madam d' ee not know his name ? Tamy. Man is a name of honour for a King : Additions take away from each chiefe thing : The Schoole of Modesty , not to learne , learnes Dames : They sit in high formes there , that know mens names . Mons. Harke sweet heart , hee'r 's a bound set to your valure : It cannot enter heere ; no , not to notice Of what your name is ; your great Eagles beake ( Should you flie at her ) had as good encounter An Albion cliffe , as her more craggy liuer . Buc. I le not attempt her Sir ; her sight and name ( By which I only know her ) doth deter me . Henr. So do they all men else . Mons. You would say so If you knew all . Tamy. Knew all my Lord ? what meane you ? Mons. All that I know Madam . Tamy. That you know ? speake it . Mons. No t is enough I feele it . Henr. But me thinkes Her Courtship is more pure than heeretofore : True Courtiers should be modest , but not nice : Bold , but not impudent : pleasure loue , not vice . Mons. Sweet heart : come hither , what if one should make Horns at Mountsurry ? would it strike him iealous Through all the proofes of his chaste Ladies vertues ? Buc. No I thinke not . Mons. Not if I nam'd the man With whom I would make him suspicious His wife hath armd his forehead ? Buc. So , you might Haue your great nose made lesse indeed : and slit : Your eies thrust out . Mons. Peace , peace , I pray thee peace . Who dares doe that ? the brother of his King ? Buc. Were your King brother in you : all your powers ( Stretcht in the armes of great men and their bawds ) Set close downe by you ; all your stormie lawes Spouted with Lawyers mouths ; and gushing bloud , Like to so many Torrents : all your glories : ( Making you terrible , like enchaunted flames Fed with bare cockescombes : and with crooked hammes ) All your prerogatiues , your shames and tortures : All daring heauen , and opening hell about you : Were I the man , ye wrong'd so and prouok'd : ( Though ne're so much beneath you ) like a box tree I would ( out of the toughnesse of my root ) Ramme hardnesse , in my lownesse , and like death Mounted on earthquakes , I would trot through all Honors and horrors : through fowle and faire , And from your whole strength tosse you into aire . Mons. Goe , th' art a diuell ; such another spirit Could not be stild , from all Th' Armenian dragons . O my Loues glory : heire to all I haue : That 's all I can say , and that all I sweare . If thou outliue me , as I know thou must , Or else hath nature no proportiond end To her great labors : she hath breath'd a spirit Into thy entrailes , of effect to swell Into another great Augustus Caesar : Organes , and faculties fitted to her greatnesse : And should that perish like a common spirit , Nature 's a Courtier and regards no merit . Henr. Heer 's nought but whispering with vs : like a calme Before a tempest , when the silent aire Laies her soft eare close to the earth to hearken For that she feares is comming to afflict her ; Some fate doth ioine our eares to heare it comming . Come , my braue eagle , let 's to Couert flie : I see Almighty Aether in the smoake Of all his clowds descending : and the skie Hid in the dimme ostents of Tragedy . Exit Hen . with D'Amb. Guis. Now stirre the humour , and begin the brawle . Mont. The King and D'Ambois now are growen all one . Mons. Nay , they are two my Lord . Mont. How 's that ? Mons. No more . Mont. I must haue more my Lord . Mons. What more than two ? Mont. How monstrous is this ? Mons. Why ? Mont. You make me Horns . Mons. Not I , it is a worke , without my power , Married mens ensignes are not made with fingers : Of diuine Fabrique they are , Not mens hands ; Your wife , you know , is a Meere Cynthia , And she must fashion hornes out of her Nature . Mont. But doth she ? dare you charge her ? speak false Prince . Mons. I must not speake my Lord : but if yow 'le vse The learning of a noble man , and read Heer 's something to those points : soft you must pawne Your honour hauing read it to returne it . Mont. Not I , I pawne mine Honour , for a paper ? Mons. You must not buie it vnder . Ent. Tamy. Pero . Mont. Keepe it then ! And keepe fire in your bosome . Tam. What saies he ? Mont. You must make good the rest . Tam. How fares my Lord ? Takes my Loue any thing to heart he saies ? Mont. Come y' are a. Tam. What my Lord ? Mont. The plague of Herod Feast in his rotten entrailes . Tam. Will you wreake Your angers iust cause giuen by him , on mee ? Mont. By him ? Tamy. By him my Lord , I haue admir'd You could all this time be at concord with him , That still hath plaid such discords on your honour . Mont. Perhaps t is with some proud string of my wiues . Tam. How 's that , my Lord ? Mont. Your tongue will still admire , Till my head be the miracle of the world . Tam. O woe is mee . Pero . What does your Lordship meane ? Madam , be comforted ; my Lord but tries you . Madam ? Helpe good my Lord , are you not mou'd ? Doe your set lookes print in your words , your thoughts ? Sweete Lord , cleere vp those eies , for shame of Noblesse : Mercilesse creature ; but it is enough , You haue shot home , your words are in her heart ; She has not liu'd to beare a triall now . Mont. Looke vp my loue , and by this kisse receiue My soule amongst thy spirits for supplie To thine , chac'd with my furie . Tam. O my Lord , I haue too long liu'd to heare this from you . Mont. T was from my troubled blood , and not from mee : I know not how I fare ; a sudden night Flowes through my entrailes , and a headlong Chaos Murmurs within mee , which I must digest ; And not drowne her in my confusions , That was my liues ioy , being best inform'd : Sweet , you must needes forgiue me , that my loue ( Like to a fire disdaining his suppression ) Rag'd being discourag'd ; my whole heart is wounded When any least thought in you is but touch't , And shall be till I know your former merits : Your name and memorie altogether craue In loth'd obliuion their eternall graue ; And then you must heare from me , ther 's no meane In any passion I shall feele for you : Loue is a rasor cleansing being well vs'd , But fetcheth blood still being the least abus'd : To tell you briefly all ; The man that left mee When you appear'd , did turne me worse than woman , And stab'd me to the heart thus , with his hand . Tamy. O happie woman ! Comes my staine from him ? It is my beautie , and that innocence prooues , That slew Chymaera , rescu'd Peleus From all the sauage beasts in Peleon ; And rais'd the chaste Athenian prince from Hell : All suffering with me ; they for womens lusts , I for a mans ; that the Egean stable Of his foule sinne would emptie in my lappe : How his guilt shunn'd me ? sacred innocence That where thou fear'st , art dreadfull ; and his face Turn'd in flight from thee , that had thee in chace : Come , bring me to him : I will tell the serpent Euen to his teeth ( whence , in mine honors soile , A pitcht field starts vp twixt my Lord and mee ) That his throat lies , and he shall curse his fingers , For being so gouern'd by his filthie soule . Mont. I know not , if himselfe will vaunt t' haue beene The princely author of the slauish sinne , Or any other ; he would haue resolu'd mee , Had you not come ; not by his word , but writing , Would I haue sworne to giue it him againe , And pawn'd mine honour to him for a paper . Tam. See how he flies me still : T is a foule heart That feares his owne hand : Good my Lord make haste To see the dangerous paper : Be not nice For any trifle , ieweld with your honour , To pawne your honor ; and with it conferre My neerest woman heere , in all she knowes ; Who ( if the sunne or Cerberus could haue seene Anie staine in mee ) might as much as they : And Pero , heere I charge thee by my loue , And all proofes of it , ( which I might call bounties ) By all that thou hast seeme seeme good in mee , And all the ill which thou shouldst spit from thee , By pity of the wound , my Lord hath giuen mee , Not as thy Mistresse now , but a poore woman ( To death giuen ouer : ) rid me of my paines , Powre on thy powder : cleere thy breast of me : My Lord is only heere : heere speake thy worst , Thy best will doe me mischiefe ; If thou spar'st mee , Neuer shine good thought on thy memorie : Resolue my Lord , and leaue me desperate . Pero . My Lord ? My Lord hath plaid a prodigals part , To breake his Stocke for nothing ; and an insolent , To cut a Gordian when he could not loose it : What violence is this , to put true fire To a false traine ? To blow vp long crown'd peace With sudden outrage ? and beleeue a man Sworne to the shame of women , gainst a woman , Borne to their honours : I le attend your Lordship . Tam. No , I will write ( for I shall neuer more Speake with the fugitiue ) where I will defie him , Were he ten times the brother of my king . Exeunt . Musicke : and she enters with her maid , bearing a letter . Tam. Away , deliuer it : O may my lines ( Fild with the poison of a womans hate When he shall open them ) shrinke vp his eies With torturous darkenesse , such as stands in hell , Stucke full of inward horrors , neuer lighted ; With which are all things to be fear'd , affrighted ; Father ? Ascendit Bussy with Comolet . D' Amb. How is it with my honour'd mistresse ? Tam. O seruant helpe , and saue me from the gripes Of shame and infamie . D' Amb. What insensate stocke , Or rude inanimate vapour without fashion , Durst take into his Epimethean breast A box of such plagues as the danger yeeldes , Incurd in this discouerie ? He had better Ventur'd his breast in the consuming reach Of the hot surfets cast out of the cloudes , Or stoode the bullets that ( to wreake the skie ) The Cyclops ramme in Ioues artillerie . Com. Wee soone will take the darkenesse from his face That did that deede of darkenesse ; wee will know What now the Monsieur and your husband doe ; What is contain'd within the secret paper Offerd by Monsieur , and your loues euents : To which ends ( honour'd daughter ) at your motion , I haue put on these exorcising Rites , And , by my power of learned holinesse Vouchsaft me from aboue , I will command Our resolution of a raised spirit . Tamy. Good father raise him in some beauteous forme , That with least terror I may brooke his sight . Com. Stand sure together then , what ere ye see , And stirre not , as ye tender all our liues .

Occidentalium legionum spiritalium imperator ( magnus ille Behemoth ) veni , veni , comitatus cum Asaroth locotenente inuicto . Adiuro te per stygis inscrutabilia arcana , per ipsos irremeabiles anfractus auerni : adesto ô Behemoth , tu cui peruia sunt Magnatum scrinia ; veni , per Noctis & tenebrarum abdita profundissima ; per labentia sydera ; per ipsos motus horarum furtiuos , Hecatesque altum silentium : Appare in forma spiritali , lucente splendida & amabili . Ascendit .

Beh. What would the holy Frier ? Com. I would see What now the Monsieur and Mountsurrie doe ; And see the secret paper that the Monsieur Offer'd to Count Montsurry , longing much To know on what euents the secret loues Of these two honor'd persons shall arriue . Beh. Why calledst thou me to this accursed light ? To these light purposes ? I am Emperor Of that inscrutable darkenesse , where are hid All deepest truths , and secrets neuer seene , All which I know , and command Legions Of knowing spirits that can doe more than these . Any of this my guard that circle mee In these blew fires , and out of whose dim fumes Vast murmurs vse to breake , and from their soundes Articulat voices ; can doe ten parts more Than open such sleight truths , as you require . Com. From the last nights black depth , I cald vp one Of the inferior ablest ministers , And he could not resolue mee ; send one then Out of thine owne command , to fetch the paper That Monsieur hath to shew to Count Montsurry . Beh. I will : Cartophylax : thou that properly Hast in thy power all papers so inscribde : Glide through all barres to it and fetch that paper . Car. I will . a torch remoues . Com. Till he returnes ( great prince of darknesse ) Tell me , if Monsieur and the Count Montsurry Are yet encounterd . Beh. Both them and the Guise Are now together . Com. Shew vs all their persons , And represent the place , with all their actions . Beh. The spirit will strait returne : and then I le shew thee : See he is come ; why broughtst thou not the paper ? Cart. He hath preuented me , and got a spirit Rais'd by another , great in our command To take the guard of it before I came . Beh. This is your slacknesse , not t' nuoke our powers When first your acts , set foorth to their effects ; Yet shall you see it , and themselues : behold They come heere & the Earle now holds the paper . Ent. Mons. Gui. Mont. Bus. May we not heare them ? Mons. No , be still and see . Bus. I will go fetch the paper . Com. Do not stir : Ther 's too much distance and too many lockes Twixt you & them : ( how neere so e're they seeme ) For any man to interrupt their secrets . Tam. O honord spirit : flie into the fancie Of my offended Lord : and do not let him Beleeue what there the wicked man hath written . Pre. Perswasion hath already enterd him Beyond reflection ; peace till their departure . Mons. There is a glasse of inke wherein you see How to make ready black fac't Tragedy : You now discerne , I hope through all her paintings Her gasping wrinkles , and fames sepulchres . Gui. Thinke you he faines my Lord ? what hold you now ? Doe we maligne your wife : or honour you ? Mons. What stricken dumbe ? nay fie , Lord be not danted : Your case is common : were it ne're so rare Beare it as rarely : now to laugh were manly : A woorthy man should imitate the weather That sings in tempests : and being cleere is silent . Gui. Goe home my Lord , and force your wife to write Such louing stuffe to D'Ambois as she vsde When she desir'd his presence . Mons. Doe my Lord , And make her name her conceald messenger : That close and most inennerable Pander That passeth all our studies to exquire : By whom conuay the letter to her loue : And so you shall be sure to haue him come Within the thirsty reach of your reuenge ; Before which , lodge an ambush in her chamber Behind the arras of your stoutest men All close and soundly armd : and let them share A spirit amongst them , that would serue a thousand . Gui. Yet stay a little : see she sends for you . Mons. Poore , louing lady , she 'le make all good yet , Thinke you not so my Lord ? Gui. Ahlas poore soule . Mons. This was ill done y'faith . Exit Mont. Per. T' was nobly done . And I forgiue his Lordship from my soule . Mons. Then much good doo 't thee Pero : hast a letter ? Per. I hope it be , at least , if not a volume Of worthy curses for your periury . Mons. Now out vpon her . Gui. Let me see my Lord . Mons. You shall presently : how fares my Pero ? Whos 's there ? take in this maid sh 'as caught a clap : And fetch my surgeon to her ; come my Lord , We 'l now peruse our letter . Exeunt Mons. Guise . Per. Furies rise Lead her out . Out of the blacke lines , and torment his soule . Tam. Hath my Lord slaine my woman ? Beh. No , she liues . Com. What shall become of vs ? Beh. All I can say Being cald thus late , is briefe , and darkly this : If D'Ambois mistresse , stay not her white hand With his forst bloud he shall remaine vntoucht : So father , shall your selfe , but by your selfe : To make this Augurie plainer : when the voice Of D'Ambois shall inuoke me I will rise , Shining in greater light : and shew him all That will betide ye all ; meane time be wise , And let him curb his rage , with policy . Descendit cum suis : Buc. Will he appeare to me , when I inuoke him ? Com. He will : be sure . Buc. It must be shortly then : For his darke words haue tied my thoughts on knots Till he dissolue , and free them . Tam. In meane time Deare seruant , till your powerfull voice reuoke him , Be sure to vse the policy he aduis'd : Lest fury in your too quicke knowledge taken Of our abuse , and your defence of me Accuse me more than any enemy : And Father , you must on my Lord impose Your holiest charges , and the churches power To temper his hot spirit : and disperse The cruelty and the bloud , I know his hand Will showre vpon our heads , if you put not Your finger to the storme , and hold it vp , As my deare seruant heere must do with Monsieur . Bus. I le sooth his plots : and strow my hate with smiles Till all at once the close mines of my heart Rise at full date , and rush into his bloud : I le bind his arme in silke , and rub his flesh , To make the vaine swell , that his soule may gush Into some konnell , where it longs to lie , And policy shal be flanckt with policy . Yet shall the feeling center where wee meet Grone with the wait of my approaching feet : I le make th' inspired threshals of his Court Sweat with the weather of my horrid steps Before I enter : yet will I appeare Like calme security , before a ruine ; A politician , must like lightening melt The very marrow , and not Print the skin : His waies must not be seene : the superficies Of the greene center must not taste his feet : When hell is plowd vp with his wounding tracts : And all his haruest reap't , from hellish facts . Finis Actus Quarti .
Actus Quinti Scena Prima . Montsurry bare , vnbrac't , pulling Tamyra in , Comolet , One bearing light , a standish and paper , which sets a Table . Com. MY Lord remember that your soule must seeke Her peace , as well as your reuengefull bloud : You euer , to this houre haue prou'd your selfe A noble , zealous , and obedient sonne , T' our holy mother : be not an apostate : Your wiues offence serues not , ( were it the woorst You can imagine , without greater proofes ) To seuer your eternall bonds , and harts ; Much lesse to touch her with a bloudy hand : Nor is it manly ( much lesse husbandly ) To expiate any frailty in your wife , With churlish strokes , or beastly ods of strength : The stony birth of clowds , will touch no lawrell : Nor any sleeper ; your wife is your lawrell : And sweetest sleeper ; do not touch her then Be not more rude than the wild seed of vapor , To her that is more gentle than it rude ; In whom kind nature sufferd one offence But to set of , her other excellence . Mont. Good father leaue vs : interrupt no more The course I must run for mine honour sake . Relie on my loue to her , which her fault Cannot extinguish ; will she but disclose Who was the hatefull minister of her loue , And through what maze he seru'd it , we are friends . Com. It is a damn'd worke to pursue those secrets , That would ope more sinne , and prooue springs of slaughter ; Nor is 't a path for Christian feete to touch ; But out of all way to the health of soules , A sinne impossible to be forgiuen : Which he that dares commit ; Mont. Good father cease : Tempt not a man distracted ; I am apt To outrages that I shall euer rue : I will not passe the verge that boundes a Christian , Nor breake the limits of a man nor husband . Com. Then God inspire ye both with thoughts and deedes Worthie his high respect , and your owne soules . Exit Com. Mont. Who shall remooue the mountaine from my heart , Ope the seuentimes-heat furnace of my thoughts , And set fit outcries for a soule in hell ? Mont. turnes a key . O now it nothing fits my cares to speake , But thunder , or to take into my throat The trumpe of Heauen ; with whose determinate blasts The windes shall burst , and the enraged seas Be drunke vp in his soundes ; that my hot woes ( Vented enough ) I might conuert to vapour , Ascending from my infamie vnseene ; Shorten the world , preuenting the last breath That kils the liuing , and regenerates death . Tamy. My Lord , my fault ( as you may censure it With too strong arguments ) is past your pardon : But how the circumstances may excuse mee God knowes , and your more temperate minde heereafter May let my penitent miseries make you know . Mont. Heereafter ? T is a suppos'd infinite , That from this point will rise eternally : Fame growes in going ; in the scapes of vertue Excuses damne her : They be fires in Cities Enrag'd with those windes that lesse lights extinguish . Come Syren , sing , and dash against my rockes Thy ruffin Gallie , laden for thy lust : Sing , and put all the nets into thy voice , With which thou drew'st into thy strumpets lappe The spawne of Venus ; and in which ye danc'd ; That , in thy laps steede , I may digge his toombe , And quit his manhoode with a womans sleight , Who neuer is deceiu'd in her deceit . Sing , ( that is , write ) and then take from mine eies The mists that hide the most inscrutable Pandar That euer lapt vp an adulterous vomit : That I may see the diuell , and suruiue To be a diuell , and then learne to wiue : That I may hang him , and then cut him downe , Then cut him vp , and with my soules beams search The crankes and cauernes of his braine , and studie The errant wildernesse of a womans face ; Where men cannot get out , for all the Comets That haue beene lighted at it ; though they know That Adders lie a sunning in their smiles , That Basilisks drinke their poison from their eies , And no way there to coast out to their hearts ; Yet still they wander there , and are not stai'd Till they be fetter'd , nor secure before All cares distract them ; nor in humane state Till they embrace within their wiues two breasts All Pelion and Cythaeron with their beasts . Why write you not ? Tam. O good my Lord forbeare In wreake of great sins , to engender greater , And make my loues corruption generate murther . Mont. It followes needefully as childe and parent ; The chaine-shot of thy lust is yet aloft , And it must murther ; t is thine owne deare twinne : No man can adde height to a womans sinne . Vice neuer doth her iust hate so prouoke , As when she rageth vnder vertues cloake . Write : For it must be ; by this ruthlesse steele , By this impartiall torture , and the death Thy tyrannies haue inuented in my entrailes , To quicken life in dying , and hold vp The spirits in fainting , teaching to preserue Torments in ashes , that will euer last . Speake : Will you write ? Tam. Sweete Lord enioine my sinne Some other penance than what makes it worse : Hide in some gloomie dungeon my loth'd face , And let condemned murtherers let me downe ( Stopping their noses ) my abhorred foode . Hang me in chaines , and let me eat these armes That haue offended : Binde me face to face To some dead woman , taken from the Cart Of Execution , till death and time In graines of dust dissolue me ; I le endure : Or any torture that your wraths inuention Can fright all pittie from the world withall : But to betray a friend with shew of friendship , That is too common , for the rare reuenge Your rage affecteth ; heere then are my breasts , Last night your pillowes ; heere my wretched armes , As late the wished confines of your life : Now breake them as you please , and all the boundes Of manhoode , noblesse , and religion . Mont. Where all these haue beene broken , they are kept , In doing their iustice there : Thine armes haue lost Their priuiledge in lust , and in their torture Thus they must pay it . Tam. O Lord . Mont. Till thou writ'st I le write in wounds ( my wrongs fit characters ) Thy right of sufferance . Write . Tam. O kill me , kill me : Deare husband be not crueller than death ; You haue beheld some Gorgon : Feele , ô feele How you are turn'd to stone ; with my heart blood Dissolue your selfe againe , or you will grow Into the image of all Tyrannie . Mont. As thou art of adulterie , I will still Prooue thee my like in ill , being most a monster : Thus I expresse thee yet . Tam. And yet I liue . Mont. I , for thy monstrous idoll is not done yet : This toole hath wrought enough : now Torture vse This other engine on th' habituate powers Of her thrice damn'd and whorish fortitude . Vse the most madding paines in her that euer Thy venoms sok'd through , making most of death ; That she may weigh her wrongs with them , and then Stand vengeance on thy steepest rocke , a victor . Tamy. O who is turn'd into my Lord and husband ? Husband ? My Lord ? None but my Lord and husband . Heauen , I aske thee remission of my sinnes , Not of my paines : husband , ô helpe me husband . Com. What rape of honour and religion ? O wracke of nature . Tam. Poore man : ô my father , Father ? looke vp ; ô let me downe my Lord , And I will write . Mont. Author of prodigies ! What new flame breakes out of the firmament , That turnes vp counsels neuer knowne before ? Now is it true , earth mooues , and heauen stands still ; Euen Heauen it selfe must see and suffer ill : The too huge bias of the world hath swai'd Her backe-part vpwards , and with that she braues This Hemisphere , that long her mouth hath mockt : The grauitie of her religious face : ( Now growne too waighty with her sacriledge And here discernd sophisticate enough ) Turnes to th' Antipodes : and all the formes That her illusions haue imprest in her , Haue eaten through her backe : and now all see , How she is riueted with hypocrisie : Was this the way ? was he the meane betwixt you ? Tam. He was , he was , kind innocent man he was . Mont. Write , write a word or two . Tamy. I will , I will . I le write , but in my bloud that he may see , These lines come from my wounds and not from me . Mont. Well might he die for thought : me thinkes the frame And shaken ioints of the whole world should crack To see her parts so disproportionate ; And that his generall beauty cannot stand Without these staines in the particular man . Why wander I so farre ? heere heere was she That was a whole world without spot to me : Though now a world of spots ; oh what a lightning Is mans delight in women ? what a bubble , He builds his state , fame , life on , when he marries ? Since all earths pleasures are so short and small , The way t' nioy it , is t' abiure it all : Enough : I must be messenger my selfe , Disguis'd like this strange creature : in , I le after , To see what guilty light giues this caue eies , And to the world sing new impieties . D' Ambois with two Pages . D' Amb. Sit vp to night , and watch , I le speake with none But the old frier , who bring to me . Pa. We will Sir . Exit . D' Amb. What violent heat is this ? me thinks the fire Of twenty liues doth on a sudden flash Through all my faculties : the aire goes high In this close chamber , and the frighted earth ! Trembles , and shrinkes beneath me : the whole house Crackes with his shaken burthen ; blesse me , heauen . Enter Vmb. Comol . Vmb. Note what I want , my sonne , and be forewarnd : O there are bloudy deeds past and to come , I cannot stay : a fate doth rauish me : I le meet thee in the chamber of thy loue . Exit . D' Amb. What dismall change is heere ? the good old Frier Is murtherd ; being made knowne to serue my loue ; Note what he wants ? he wants his vtmost weed , He wants his life , and body : which of these Should be the want he meanes , and may supplie me With any fit forewarning ? this strange vision , ( Together with the darke prediction Vs'd by the Prince of darknesse that was raisd By this embodied shadowe ) stir my thoughts With reminiscion of the Spirits promise ; Who told me , that by any inuocation I should haue power to raise him ; though it wanted The powerfull words , and decent rites of art ; Neuer had my set braine such need of spirit , T' instruct and cheere it ; now then , I will claime , Performance of his free and gentle vow , T' appeare in greater light ; and make more plain , His rugged oracle : I long to know How my deare mistresse fares ; and be informd What hand she now holds on the troubled bloud Of her incensed Lord : me thought the Spirit , ( When he had vtterd his perplext presage ) Threw his chang'd countenance headlong into clowdes ; His forehead bent , as it would hide his face ; He knockt his chin against his darkned breast , And strooke a churlish silence through his powrs ; Terror of darknesse : O thou King of flames , That with thy Musique-footed horse dost strike The cleere light out of chrystall , on darke earth ; And hurlst instructiue fire about the world : Wake , wake , the drowsie and enchanted night ; That sleepes with dead eies in this heauy riddle : Or thou great Prince of shades where neuer sunne Stickes his far-darted beames : whose eies are made , To see in darknesse : and see euer best Where sense is blindest : open now the heart Of thy abashed oracle : that for feare , Of some ill it includes , would faine lie hid , And rise thou with it in thy greater light . Surgit Spiritus cum suis . Sp. Thus to obserue my vow of apparition , In greater light : and explicate thy fate : I come ; and tell thee that if thou obay The summons that thy mistresse next wil send thee , Her hand shal be thy death . D' Amb. When will she send ? Sp. Soone as I set againe , where late I rose . D' Amb. Is the old Frier slaine ? Sp. No , and yet liues not . D' Amb. Died he a naturall death ? Sp. He did . D' Amb. Who then , Will my deare mistresse send ? Sp. I must not tell thee . D' Amb. Who lets thee ? Sp. Fate . D' Am. Who are fates ministers ? Sp. The Guise and Monsieur . D' Amb. A fit paire of sheeres To cut the threds of kings , and kingly spirits , And consorts fit to sound forth harmony , Set to the fals of kingdomes : shall the hand Of my kinde Mistresse kill me ? Sp. If thou yeeld , To her next summons , y' are faire warnd : farewell . Exit . D' Amb. I must fare well , how euer : though I die My death consenting with his augurie ; Should not my powers obay , when she commands My motion must be rebell to my will : My will : to life , If when I haue obaid , Her hand should so reward me : they must arme it , Binde me and force it : or I lay my soule She rather would conuert it , many times On her owne bosome : euen to many deaths : But were there danger of such violence , I know t is far from her intent to send : And who she should send , is as far from thought Since he is dead , whose only meane she vsde Whos 's there ? looke to the dore : and let him in , Though politicke Monsieur , or the violent Guise . Enter Montsurry like the Frier . Mont. Haile to my worthy sonne . D'Amb. O lying Spirit : welcome loued father How fares my dearest mistresse ? Mont. Well , as euer Being well as euer thought on by her Lord : Whereof she sends this witnesse in her hand And praies , for vrgent cause , your speediest presence . D'Amb. What ? writ in bloud ? Mont. I , t is the inke of louers . D'Amb. O t is a sacred witnesse of her loue . So much elixer of her bloud as this Dropt in the lightest dame , would make her firme As heat to fire : and like to all the signes , Commands the life confinde in all my vaines ; O how it multiplies my bloud with spirit , And makes me apt t' encounter death and hell : But , come kinde Father ; you fetch me to heauen , And to that end your holy weed was giuen . Exit . Enter Monsieur , Guise aboue . Mons. Now shall we see , that nature hath no end , In her great workes , responsiue to their worths , That she who makes so many eies , and soules , To see and foresee , is starke blinde herselfe : And as illiterate men say Latine praiers By roote of heart , and daily iteration ; In whose hot zeale , a man would thinke they knew What they ranne so away with , and were sure To haue rewards proportion'd to their labours ; Yet may implore their owne confusions For any thing they know , which oftentimes It fals out they incurre : So nature laies A masse of stuffe together , and by vse , Or by the meere necessitie of matter , Ends such a worke , fils it , or leaues it emptie , Of strength , or vertue , error or cleere truth ; Not knowing what she does ; but vsually Giues that which wee call merit to a man , And beleeue should arriue him on huge riches , Honour , and happinesse , that effects his ruine ; Right as in ships of warre , whole lasts of powder Are laid ( men thinke ) to make them last , and gard them ; When a disorder'd sparke that powder taking , Blowes vp with sudden violence and horror Ships that kept emptie , had sail'd long with terror . Gui. He that obserues , but like a worldly man , That which doth oft succeede , and by th' euents Values the worth of things ; will thinke it true , That nature workes at randome iust with you : But with as much decorum she may make A thing that from the feete vp to the throat Hath all the wondrous fabrike man should haue , And leaue it headlesse for an absolute man , As giue a whole man valour , vertue , learning , Without an end more excellent than those , On whom she no such worthie part bestowes . Mons. Why you shall see it here , here will be one Yoong , learned , valiant , vertuous , and full mand ; One on whom Nature spent so rich a hand , That , with an ominous eie , she wept to see So much consum'd her vertuous treasurie ; Yet , as the windes sing through a hollow tree , And ( since it lets them passe through ) let it stand But a tree solid , since it giues no way To their wilde rages , they rend vp by th' roote : So this full creature now shall reele and fall , Before the franticke pufs of purblinde chance That pipes thorow emptie men , and makes them dance : Not so the Sea raues on the Lybian sandes , Tumbling her billowes in each others necke : Not so the surges of the euxine Sea ( Neere to the frostie Pole , where free Bootes From those darke-deepe waues turns his radiant Teame ) Swell being enrag'd , euen from their inmost drop , As Fortune swings about the restlesse state Of vertue , now throwne into all mens hate . Intrat vmbra , Comolet to the Countesse , wrapt in a Canapie . Reuiue those stupid thoughts , and sit not thus , Gathering the horrors of your seruants slaughter , ( So vrg'd by your hand , and so imminent ) Into an idle fancie ; but deuise How to preuent it ; watch when he shall rise , And with a sudden outcrie of his murther , Blow his retreat before he be engag'd . Count . O father , haue my dumbe woes wak'd your death ? When will our humane griefes be at their height ? Man is a tree , that hath no toppe in cares ; No roote in comforts ; all his power to liue Is giuen to no end , but t' haue power to grieue . Vmb. T is the iust curse of our abus'd creation , Which wee must suffer heere , and scape heereafter : He hath the great mind that submits to all , He sees ineuitable ; he the small That carps at earth , and her foundation shaker , And rather than himselfe , will mend his maker . D'Amb. at the gulfe . Count . Away , ( my loue ) away , thou wilt be murther'd . Buss. Murther'd ? I know not what that Hebrew meanes : That word had ne're beene nam'd had all beene D'Ambois . Murther'd ? By heauen he is my murtherer That shewes me not a murtherer ; what such bugge Abhorreth not the very sleepe of D'Ambois ? Murther'd ? Who dares giue all the roome I see To D'Ambois reach ? or looke with any oddes His fight i th' face , vpon whose hand sits death ; Whose sword hath wings , and euerie feather pierceth ? Let in my politique visitants , let them in , Though entring like so many mouing armours , Fate is more strong than arms , and slie than treason , And I at all parts buckl'd in my Fate : Dare they not come ? Tam. They come . 1. Come all at once . Vmb. Backe coward murtherers , backe . Omn. Defend vs heauen . Exeunt . 1. Come ye not on ? Buss. No , slaue , nor goest thou off . Stand you so firme ? Will it not enter heere ? You haue a face yet : so in thy lifes flame I burne the first rites to my mistresse fame . Vmb. Breath thee braue sonne against the other charge . Buss. O is it true then that my sense first told mee ? Is my kinde father dead ? Tam. He is my loue . T was the Earle my husband in his weede that brought thee . Buss. That was a speeding sleight , and well resembled . Where is that angrie Earle my Lord ? Come forth And shew your owne face in your owne affaire ; Take not into your noble veines the blood Of these base villans , nor the light reports Of blister'd tongues , for cleere and weightie truth : But me against the world , in pure defence Of your rare Ladie , to whose spotlesse name I stand heere as a bulwarke , and proiect A life to her renowne , that euer yet Hath beene vntainted euen in enuies eie , And where it would protect a sanctuarie . Braue Earle come forth , and keepe your scandall in : T is not our fault if you enforce the spot , Nor the wreake yours if you performe it not . Enter Mont with others . Mont. Cowards , a fiend or spirit beat ye off ? They are your owne faint spirits that haue forg'd The fearefull shadowes that your eies deluded : The fiend was in you ; cast him out then thus . Tam. Fauour ( my Lord ) my loue , ô fauour him . Buss. I will not touch him : Take your life , my Lord , And be appeas'd : O then the coward fates Haue maim'd themselues , and euer lost their honour . Vmb. What haue ye done slaues ? irreligious Lord ? Buss. Forbeare them , father ; t is enough for me That Guise and Monsieur , death and destinie Come behinde D'Ambois : is my bodie then But penetrable flesh ? And must my minde Follow my blood ? Can my diuine part adde No aide to th' earthly in extremitie ? Then these diuines are but for forme , not fact : Man is of two sweet Courtly friends compact ; A mistresse and a seruant : let my death Define life nothing but a Courtiers breath . Nothing is made of nought , of all things made , Their abstract being a dreame but of a shade . I le not complaine to earth yet , but to heauen , And ( like a man ) looke vpwards euen in death . Proppe me , true sword , as thou hast euer done : The equall thought I beare of life and death , Shall make me faint on no side ; I am vp Heere like a Roman Statue ; I will stand Till death hath made me marble : ô my fame Liue in despight of murther ; take thy wings And haste thee where the gray-eyd morne perfines , Her Rosie chariot with Sabaean spices , Flie , where the euening from th' Iberean vales , Takes on her swarthy shoulders , Heccate Cround with a groue of oakes : flie where men feele The burning axeltree : and those that suffer Beneath the chariot of the Snowy Beare : And tell them all that D'Ambois now is hasting To the eternall dwellers ; that a thunder Of all their sighes together ( for their frailties Beheld in me ) may quit my worthlesse fall With a fit volley for my funerall . Vmb. Forgiue thy murtherers . Buss. I forgiue them all ; And you my Lord , their fautor ; for true signe Of which vnfain'd remission , take my sword ; Take it , and only giue it motion , And it shall finde the way to victorie By his owne brightnesse , and th' inherent valour My fight hath still'd into 't , with charmes of spirit . Bus. And let me pray you , that my weighty bloud Laid in one skale of your impertiall splene May sway the forfeit of my worthy loue Waid in the other : and be reconcilde With all forgiuenesse to your matchlesse wife . Tam. Forgiue thou me deare seruant , and this hand That lead thy life to this vnworthy end , Forgiue it , for the bloud with which t is staind In which I writ the summons of thy death : The forced summons , by this bleeding wound , By this heere in my bosome : and by this That makes me hold vp both my hands embrewd For thy deare pardon . Bus. O , my heart is broken Fate , nor these murtherers , Monsieur , nor the Guise . Haue any glorie in my death , but this : This killing spectacle : this prodigie : My sunne is turnd to blood gainst whose red beams Pindas and Ossa ( hid in endlesse snow Laid on my heart and liuer ; from their vains ) Melt like two hungrie torrents : eating rockes Into the Ocean of all humane life , And make it bitter , only with my bloud : O fraile condition of strength , valure ; vertue , In me ( like warning fire vpon the top Of some steepe Beakon , on a steeper hill ) Made to expresse it : like a falling starre Silently glanc't , that like a thunderbolt , Lookt to haue stucke and shooke the firmament . Vmb. Son of the earth , whom my vnrested soule , Rues t' haue begotten in the faith of heauen ; ( Since thy reuengefull Spirit hath reiected The charitie it commands , and the remission To serue and worship , the blind rage of bloud ) Assay to gratulate and pacifie , The soule fled from this worthy by performing The Christian reconcilement he besought Betwixt thee and thy Lady , let her wounds Manlesly digd in her , be easd and cur'd With balme of thine owne teares : or be assur'd Neuer to rest free from my haunt and horror . Mont. See how she merits this : still sitting by And mourning his fall , more than her owne fault . Vmb. Remoue , deare daughter , and content thy husband : So piety wils thee , and thy seruants peace . Tamy. O wretched piety , that art so distract In thine owne constancy ; and in thy right Must be vnrighteous : if I right my friend I wrong my husband : if his wrong I shunne , The duty of my friend I leaue vndone ; Ill plays on both sides ; heere and there , it riseth ; No place : no good so good , but ill compriseth ; My soule more scruple breeds , than my bloud , sinne , Vertue imposeth more than any stepdame : O had I neuer married but for forme , Neuer vowd faith but purposd to deceiue : Neuer made conscience of any sinne , But clok't it priuately and made it common : Nor neuer honord beene , in blood , or mind , Happy had I beene then , as others are Of the like licence ; I had then beene honord : Liu'd without enuy : custome had benumbd All sense of scruple , and all note of frailty : My fame had beene vntoucht , my heart vnbroken : But ( shunning all ) I strike on all offence , O husband ? deare friend ? O my conscience ? Mont. I must not yeeld to pity nor to loue So seruile and so traiterous : cease my bloud To wrastle with my honour , fame and iudgement : Away , forsake my house , forbeare complaints Where thou hast bred them : heere all things full , Of their owne shame and sorrow , leaue my house . Tam. Sweet Lord forgiue me , and I will be gone , And till these wounds , that neuer balme shall close Till death hath enterd at them ( so I loue them Being opened by your hands ) by death be cur'd I neuer more will grieue you with my sight : Neuer endure that any roofe shall part Mine eies and heauen : but to the open deserts ( Like to hunted Tygres ) I will flie : Eating my heart , shunning the steps of men , And looke on no side till I be arriu'd . Mont. I do forgiue thee , and vpon my knees With hands ( held vp to heauen ) wish that mine honor Would suffer reconcilement to my loue : But since it will not , honor , neuer serue My Loue with flourishing obiect till it sterue : And as this Taper , though it vpwards looke , Downwards must needs consume , so let our loue ; As hauing lost his hony , the sweet taste Runs into sauor , and will needs retaine A spice of his first parents , till ( like life ) It sees and dies ; so let our loue : and lastly , As when the flame is sufferd to looke vp It keepes his luster : but , being thus turnd downe ( His naturall course of vsefull light inuerted ) His owne stuffe puts it out : so let our loue , Now turne from me , as heere I turne from thee , And may both points of heauens strait axeltree Conioine in one , before thy selfe and me . Vmb. My terrors are strook inward , and no more My pennance will allow they shall enforce Earthly afflictions but vpon my selfe : Farewell braue relicts of a compleat man : Looke vp and see thy spirit made a star , Ioine flames with Hercules : and when thou setst Thy radiant forhead in the firmament , Make the vast continent , cracke with thy receit , Spred to a world of fire : and th' aged skie , Chere with new sparkes of old humanity . Finis Actus Quinti & vltimi .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18403-e117950 Thunder .
Notes for div A18403-e123550 Ascendit Comolet .
Machine-generated castlist A18403-monsieur 94 A18403-tamyra 71 A18403-bussy 68 A18403-montsurry 61 A18403-d'ambois 44 A18403-guise 35 A18403-henry 27 A18403-comolet 19 A18403-pero 18 A18403-maffe 15 A18403-barrisor 13 A18403-l'anou 12 A18403-umbra 9 A18403-spirit 8 A18403-behemoth 8 A18403-pyra 6 A18403-nuntius 5 A18403-beaumond 4 A18403-unassigned 4 A18403-charlotte 3 A18403-annabell 3 A18403-count 2 A18403-xxxx_1 2 A18403-cartophylax 2 A18403-brisac 2 A18403-beaupre 2 A18403-ely 1 A18403-omnes 1 A18403-duchess 1 A18403-melynell 1
Textual Notes

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� will not : Ile Court her in despight of him . Not Court her ! Come Madam , talke on ; so undest like a flie , That passes all the bodies soundest parts , And dwels vpon the sores ; or if � Hector , twixt the Hosts of Greece and Troy , ( When Paris and the Spartane King should � wherefore doe you this ? To please your husband ? Tis grosse and fulsome : if your husbands s pirt Well said : a spirt of Courtship of all hands : Now mine owne off'tis commonest , tis dearest , And when tis farthest off 'tis neerest ? would ' st mens throates of morgaged estates ; Or thou would'st tire thee like a Tinkers wife , And murther oftents descending : and the skie Hid in the dimme ostents of Tragedy . � but tries you . Madam ? Helpe good my Lord , are you not mou'd ? Doe your set lookes Asc�dit Ascendit Bussy with Comolet . ��� condition of strength , valure ; vertue , In me ( like warning fire vpon the top Of some ��es Son of the earth , whom my vnrested soule , Rues t'haue begotten in the faith of heauen ;
A18419 ---- An Humorous Day's Mirth Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18419 of text S104936 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4987). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Madeline Burg Lydia Zoells This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18419.xml A pleasant comedy entituled: An humerous dayes myrth. As it hath beene sundrie times publikely acted by the right honourable the Earle of Nottingham Lord high Admirall his seruants. By. G.C. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 30 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99840666 STC (2nd ed.) 4987. Greg, I, 159. 5193 A18419

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A pleasant comedy entituled: An humerous dayes myrth. As it hath beene sundrie times publikely acted by the right honourable the Earle of Nottingham Lord high Admirall his seruants. By. G.C. Humorous day's mirth Humerous dayes myrth. Humerous dayes mirth. Humerous dayes myrth. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [60] p. Printed by Valentine Syms, At London : 1599. 1597

G.C. = George Chapman.

Signatures: A-G4 H2.

Running title reads: An humerous dayes mirth.

Quire H is in two settings; H1v catchword reads (1) "Mor." or (2) "norable".

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18419 shc An Humorous Day's Mirth Chapman, George Madeline Burg Lydia Zoells 1597 play comedy shc no A18419 S104936 (STC 4987). 21306 0 0 0 6002.82B The rate of 2.82 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

A pleasant Comedy entituled : An Humerous dayes Myrth .

As it hath beene sundrie times publikely acted by the right honourable the Earle of Nottingham Lord high Admirall his seruants .

By G. C.

AT LONDON Printed by Ualentine Syms : 1599 .

A pleasant Comedie entituled An humorous dayes mirth . Enter the count Laberuele in his shirt and night gowne , with two iewells in his hand . Laberuele .

YEt hath the morning sprinckled throwt the clowdes , But halfe her tincture and the soyle of night stickes stil vpon the bosome of the ayre : yet sleepe doth rest my loue for Natures debt , and through her windowe , and this dun twee-light , her maide , nor any waking I can see . This is the holy Greene my wifes close walke , to which not any but her selfe alone hath any key , onelye that I haue clapt her key in waxe , and made this counterfeite , to the which I steale accesse , to work this rare & politike deuice : Faire is my wife and yong and delicate , although too religious in the purest sorte , but pure religion being but mental stuffe and sence indeed , al for it selfe , is to be doubted , that when an obiect comes fit to her humour she wil intercept religious letters sent vnto her minde , and yeelde vnto the motion of her bloud , heere haue I brought then two rich agots for her , grauen with two poses of mine own deuising , for Poets I le not trust , nor friends , nor any : shee longs to haue a child , which yet alas I cannot get , Yet long as much as she , and not to make her desperate , thus I write in this faire iewell though it simple be , yet t is mine owne that meaneth well in nought , t is spare , not of children , loue with the longest , when man is at the weakest , god is at str�gest , I hope t is plain , & knowing in this other that I write , God will reward her a thousand fold , that takes what age can and not what age would , I hope t is prety & pathetical : Wel , euen here lie both together til my loue arise and let her thinke you fall out of the skies , I wil to bed againe .

Exit .
Enter Lemot and Colenet. Lemot.

How like thou this morning Colenet ? What , shall we haue a faire day ?

Colenet.

The skie hangs full of humour , and I thinke we shall haue raine .

Lem.

Why raine is faire wether when the ground is dry and barren , especially when it raines humor , for then doe men like hot sparrowes and pigeons open all their wings ready to receiue them .

Col.

Why then we may chaunce to haue a faire day , for we shall spend it with so humorous acquaintance , as raines nothing but humor al their life time .

Le.

True Colenet , ouer which wil I sit like an old King in an old fashion play , hauing his wife , his counsel , his children , and his foole about him , to whome he will sit and point very learnedly as foloweth ; my counsell graue , and you my noble peeres , my tender wife , and you my children deare , and thou my foole .

Co.

Not meaning me sir I hope .

Le.

No sir , but thus will I sit , as it were , and point out all my humorous companions .

Co.

You shal do maruelous wel sir .

Le.

I thanke you for your good incouragement , but Colinet thou shalt see Catalian bring me hither an od gentleman presently to be acquainted withall , who in his manner of taking acquaintance wil make vs excellent sport .

Co.

Why Lemot I thinke thou sendst about of purpose for yong gallants to be acquainted withal , to make thy selfe merry in the maner of taking acquaintance .

Le.

By heauen I do Colenet , for there is no better sport then to obserue the complement , for that 's their word , complement , do you marke sir ?

Co.

Yea sir , but what humor hath this gallant in his maner of taking acquaintance ?

Le.

Marry thus sir , he will speake the very selfe same word , to a sillable after him of whome he takes acquaintance , as if I should say ,

I am marueilous glad of your acquaintance , He will reply , I am meruailous glad of your acquaintance , I haue heard much good of your rare parts & fine cariage , I haue heard much good of your rare parts & fine cariage , so long as the complements of a gentleman last , he is your complete ape .
Co.

Why this is excellent .

Le.

Nay sirra here 's the iest of it , when hee is past this gratulation , he wil retire himself to a chimny , or a wal standing folding his armes thus : and go you and speake to him so farre as the roome you are in wil afford you , you shal neuer get him from that most gentlemanlike set , or behauior .

Co.

This makes his humor perfit , I would he would come once .

Enter Catalian and Blanuel . Le.

See where he comes , now must I say , Lupus est in fabula , for these latine ends are part of a gentleman and a good scholler .

Catalian .

O good morrow Monseur Lemot , here is the gentleman you desired so much to be acquainted withal .

Le.

He is marueilous welcome , I shall be exceeding prowd of your acquaintance .

Blan.

I shal be exceeding prowd of your acquaintance .

Le.

I haue heard much good of your rare parts and fine cariages .

Blan.

I haue heard much good of your rare parts and fine cariages .

Le.

I shall be glad to be commanded by you .

Blan.

I shall be glad to be commanded by you .

Le.

I pray do not you say so .

Blan.

I pray do not you say so .

Le.

Well Gentlemen , this day let 's consecrate to mirth , and Colenet you know no man better , that you are mightily in loue with loue , by Martia daughter to old Foyes .

Co.

I confesse it here are none but friends .

Le.

Wel then , go to her this morning in Countesse Moris name , and so perhaps you may get her company , thogh the olde churle bee so iealous that he will suffer no man to come at her , but the vaine gull Labesha for his liuing sake , and he as yet she will not be acquainted withall .

Co.

Well this I le do whatsoeuer come on it .

Le.

Why nothing but good wil come of it , nere doubt it man .

Cata.

Hee hath taken vp his stand , talke a little further and see and you can remoue him .

Le.

I wil Cat . nowe Monsieur Blanuele marke I pray .

Blan.

I do sir very well I warrant you .

Le.

You know the old Count Laberuele , hath a passing faire yong Lady , that is a passing foule Puritane .

Blan.

I know her very well sir , she goes more like a milke maide then a Countesse , for all her youth and beautie .

Lemot.

True sir , yet of her is the old Count so iealous that he will suffer no man to come at her , yet I will find a meanes , that two of vs will haue accesse to her tho , be fore his face , which shal so heate his ielous humor til he be start mad : but Colenet go you first to louely Martia , for t is too soone for the old Lord and his faire yong Lady to rise .

Co.

Adue Monseur Blanuel .

Blan.

A due good Monsieur Colinet .

Exit Col.
Le.

Monseur Blanuel your kindnes in this wil bind me much to you .

Bla.

Monseur Lemot your kindnes in this will bind me much to you .

Le.

I pray you do not say so sir .

Blan.

I pray you do not say so sir ,

Le.

Wil t please you to go in .

Blan.

Wil t please you to go in .

Le.

I will follow you .

Blan.

I will follow you .

Le.

It shall be yours .

Blan.

It shall be yours .

Le.

Kind Monsieur Blanuel .

Blan.

Kind Monsier Lemot .

Exit .
Enter Foyes , and Martia , and Besha . Foyes.

Come on faire daughter fall to your worke of mind , and make your body fit to imbrace the body of this Gentlemans , t is art : happy are they say I .

Be.

I protest sir you speake the best that euer I heard .

Fo.

I pray sir take acquaintance of my daughter .

Be.

I do desire you of more acquaintance .

Fo.

Why dost not thou say yea , and I the same of you ?

Mar.

That euery body sayes .

Fo.

O you would be singular .

Mar.

Single indeede .

Fo.

Single indeede that 's a prety toy , Your betters dame beare double , and so shall you .

Be.

Fxceeding prety , did you marke it forsooth ?

Mar.

What should I marke forsooth ?

Be.

Your bearing double , which equificate is & hath fit illusion to a horse that beares double , for your good father meanes you shall indure your single life no longer , not in worse sence then bearing double forsooth .

Mar.

I crie you mercy , you know both belike .

Be.

Knowlege forsooth is like a horse , and you that can beare double : it nourisheth both Bee and Spider , the Bee honnisuckle , the Spider poyson , I am that Bee .

Mar.

I thought so by your stinging witte .

Be.

Lady I am a Bee without a sting , no way hurting any , but good to all , and before all , to your sweete selfe .

Fo.

afore God daughter , thou art not worthy to heare him speake : but who comes here ?

Enter Colinet .
Co.

God saue you sir .

Fo.

You are welcome sir for ought that I know yet .

Co.

I hope I shall be so still sir .

Fo.

What is your busines sir , and then I le tell you ?

Co.

Marry thus sir , the Countesse Morene intreats your faire daughter to beare her company this fore-noone .

Fo.

This forenoone sir , doth my Lord or Lady send for her I pray ?

Co.

My Lady I assure you .

Fo.

My Lady you assure me , very wel sir , yet that house is full of gallant Gentlemen , dangerous thornes to pricke yong maides I can tell you .

Co.

There are none but honest and honourable Gentlemen .

Fo.

Al is one sir for that , I le trust my daughter with any man , but no man with my daughter , only your selfe Monser Besha , whom I wil intreat to be her gardian , & to bring her home againe .

Co.

I will waite vpon her , and it please you .

Fo

No sir , your weight vpo� her wil not be so good : here Monser Besha I deliuer my daughter vnto you a perfect maide , and so I pray you looke well vnto her .

Co.

Farewell Monser Foyes .

Besh.

I warrant I le looke vnto her wel enough . Mistris will it please you to preambulate .

Ma.

With all my heart .

Exeunt .
Enter the puritane . Florila

What haue I done ? put on too many clothes , the day is hote , and I am hoter clad then might suffice health , my conscience telles me that I haue offended , and I le put them off , that will aske time that might be better spent , one sin will draw another quickly so , see how the diuell tempts : but what 's here ? iewels ? how should these come here ?

Enter Laberuele . Lab.

Good morrow louely wife , what hast thou there ?

Flo.

Iewels my Lord which here I strangely found .

Lab.

That 's strange indeede , what , where none comes but when your selfe is here ? surely the heauens haue rained thee iewels for thy holy life , and vsing thy olde husbande louingly or else doe Fairies haunt this holy greene , as euermore , mine auncesters haue thought .

Flo.

Fairies were but in times of ignorance , not since the true pure light hath beene reuealed , and that they come from heauen I scarce beleeue : for iewels are vaine things , much gold is giuen for such fantastical & fruitlesse iewels , and therfore heauen I know wil not maintain the vse of vanitie , surely I feare I haue much sinned to stoupe take take them vp , bowing my bodie to an idle worke , the strength that I haue had to this verie deed might haue beene vsed to take a poore soule vp in the his way .

Lab.

You are too curious wise , behold your iewels : what me thinks ther 's posies written on the� . Dispaire not of children , loue with the longest , whe� man is at the weakest , god is at the strongest . Wonderfull rare and wittie , nay diuine , why this is heauenly co�fort for thee wife , what is this other ? God will reward her a thousand folde that takes what age can , & not what age would . The best that euer I heard , no mortall braine I thinke did euer vtter such conceit for good plaine matter , and for honest rime .

Flo.

Vaine Poetry , I pray you burne them sir .

La.

You are to blame wife , heauen hath sent you them to decke your self withall , like to your self , not to go thus like a milk-maid , why there is difference in all estats by al religio� .

Flo.

There is no difference .

Lab.

I prethee wife be of another mind , and weare these iewels and a veluet hood .

Flo

A veluet hood ! O vaine diuelish deuise a toy made with a superfluous flap , which being cut off , my head were still aswarme . Diogenes did cast away his dish , because his hand would serue to help him drinke , surely these heathens shall rise vp against vs .

Lab.

Sure wife I thinke thy keeping alwaies close , making thee melancholy , is the cause we haue no children , and therefore if thou wilt , be mery , and keepe companie a gods name .

Flo.

Sure my lord , if I thought I shold be rid of this same banishment of barrennes , and vse our marriage to the end it was made which was for procreation , I should sinne , if by my keeping house I should neglect the lawful means to be a fruitful mother , & therfore if it please you I le vse resort

Lab.

Gods my passion what haue I done ? who woulde haue thought her purenesse would yeeld so soone to courses of temptations ? nay harke you wife , I am not sure that going abroad will cause fruitfulnesse in you , that you know none knowes but God himselfe .

Flo.

I know my lord t is true , but the lawfull means must still be vsed .

Lab.

Yea , the lawfull meanes indeed must still , but now I remember that lawfull meanes is not abroad .

Flo.

Well , well , I le keepe the house still .

Lab.

Nay , heark you lady , I would not haue you thinke , mary , I must tel you this , if you shuld change the maner of your life , the world would think you changed religion too .

Flo.

T is true , I will not go .

Lab.

Nay , if you haue a fancie .

Flo

Yea a fancie , but that 's no matter .

La.

Indeed fancies are not for iudicial & religious wome� .

Enter Catalian like a scholer . Cat.

God saue your lordship , & you most religious lady .

Lab.

Sir you may say God saue vs well indeed that thus are thrust vpon in priuate walkes .

Cat,

A slender thrust sir , where I touche you not .

Lab.

Well sir what is your busines ?

Cat.

Why sir , I haue a message to my ladie from Monsieur du Barto .

Lab.

To your lady , wel sir , speake your mind to your lady .

Flo.

You are very welcome sir , and I pray how doth he .

Cat.

In health Madam , thanks be to God , commending his dutie to your ladiship , & hath sent you a message which I would desire your honour to heare in priuate .

Flo.

My ladiship , and my honor , they be words which I must haue you leaue , they be ydle woordes , and you shal answere for them truly : my dutye to you , or I desire you , were a great deale better , then , my ladiship , or my honour .

Cat.

I thanke you for your christian admonition .

Flo.

Nay thanke God for me : Come I will heare your message with all my heart , and you are very welcome sir .

Lab.

With all my heart , and you are very welcome sir , and go and talke with a yong lustie fellow able to make a mans haire stand vpright on his head , what puritie is there in this trow you ? ha , what wench of the facultie could haue beene more forward ? Well sir , I will know your message , you sir , you sir , what sayes the holy man sir , come tell true , for by heauen or hell I will haue it out .

Cat.

Why you shall sir , if you be so desirous .

Lab.

Nay sir , I am more then so desirous : come sir , study not for a new deuice now .

Cat.

Not I my lord , this is both new and old , I am a scholer , and being spiritually inclined by your ladies most godly life , I am to professe the ministerie , & to become her chaplaine , to which end monsier du Barte hath commended me .

Lab.

Her chaplaine in the diuels name , fit to be vickar of hell .

Flo.

My good head , what are you afraid of ? he comes with a godly & neighborly sute : what think you his words or his looks can tempt me ? haue you so litle faith ? if euery word he spake were a serpent , as suttle as that which tempted Eue , he cannot tempt me I warrant you .

La.

Wel answered for him lady by my faith : wel hark you I le keepe your chaplaines place yonder for a while , and at length put in one my self : what more yet ? Gods my passion whom do I see , the very imp of desolation , the minio� of our King , whome no man sees to enter his house but hee lookes vp , his wife , his children , and his maides , for where hee goes hee carries his house vppon his head like a snaile : now sir I hope your busines is to me .

Lem.

No sir , I must craue a word with my ladie .

La.

These words are intollerable , & she shal hear no more

Lem.

She must heare me speake .

Lab.

Must she sir , haue you brought the kings warrant for it ?

Le.

I haue brought that which is aboue Kings .

Lab.

Why euery man for her sake is a puritan . The Diuill I thinke wil shortly turne Puritan , or the Puritan will turne Diuell .

Flo.

What haue you brought sir ?

Lem.

Mary this Madam , you know we ought to proue one anothers constancie , and I am come in all chast and honourable sort to proue your constancie .

Flo.

You are verie welcome sir , and I will abide your proofe : it is my dutie to abide your proofe .

Lab.

You le bide his proofe , it is your dutie to bide his proofe , how the diuell will you bide his proofe ?

Flo

My good head , no other wise then before your face in all honorable and religious sort , I tell you I am constant to you , and he comes to trie whether I be so or no , which I must indure , begin your proofe sir .

Le.

Nay Madam , not in your husbands hearing , thogh in his sight for there is no woman wil shewe shee is tempted from her constancie , though she be a little : withdraw your selfe sweete ladie .

Lab.

Well I will see though I do not heare , women may be courted without offence , so they resist the courtier .

Lem.

Deare and most beautifull ladie , of al the sweet honest and honorable meanes to proue the puritie of a ladies constancy , kisses are the strongest , I will therefore be bold to begin my proofe with a kisse .

Fo

No sir , no kissing .

Lem.

No kissing Madam ? how shall I proue you the� sufficiently , not vsing the most sufficient proofe ? to flatter your selfe by affection of spirit , when it is not perfitly tried , is sin .

Flo.

You say well sir , that which is truth is truth .

Le.

Then do you wel Lady and yeeld to the truth .

Flo.

By your leaue sir , my husband sees , peraduenture it may breed an offence to him .

Lem.

How can it breed an offence to your husband to see your constancie perfectly tried .

Flo.

You are an odde man I see , but first I pray tel me how kissing is the best proofe of chast Ladies .

Lem.

To giue you a reason for that , you must giue me leaue to be obscure and Philosophicall .

Flo.

I pray yon be , I loue Philosophie well .

Lem.

Then thus Madam : euery kisse is made as the voice is by imagination and appetite , and as both those are presented to the eare in the voyce , so are they to the silent spirites in our kisses .

Flo.

To what spirit meane you ?

Lem.

To the spirites of our bloud .

Flo.

What if it doe ?

Lem:

Why then my imagination , and mine appetite working vpon your eares in my voyce , and vpon your spirites in my kisses , pearcing therein the more deeply , they giue the stronger assault against your constancie .

Flo.

Why then to say , proue my constancy , is as much as to say , kisse me .

Lem.

most true rare Ladie .

Flo.

Then prooue my constancie .

L�m.

Beleeue me Madam , you gather exceeding wittily vpon it .

Lab.

O my forehead , my very heart akes at a blowe , what dost thou meane wife ? thou wilt loose thy fame , discredite thy religion , and dishonour me for euer .

Flo.

Away sir , I wil abide no more of your proofe , nor endure any more of your triall .

Lem.

O she dares not , she dares not I am as glad I haue tride your puritie as may be : you the most constant Lady in France ? I know an hundred Ladies in this towne that wil dance , reuill all night amongst gallants , and in the morning goe to bed to her husband as cleere a woman as if she were new christned , kisse him , imbrace him , and say , no , no husband , thou art the man , and he takes her for the woman .

Flo.

And all this can I doe .

La.

Take heede of it wife .

Flo.

Feare not my good heade , I warrant you for him .

Lem.

Nay Madam , triumph not before the victorie , howe can you conquer that , against which you neuer striue , or striue against that which neuer incounters you To liue idle in this walke , to inioy this companie , to weare this habite , and haue no more delights then those will affoorde you , is to make vertue an idle huswife , and to hide herselfe slouthfull cobwebbes that still should be adorned with actions of victorie : no Madam , if you wil vnworthilly prooue your constancie to your husband , you must put on rich apparrell , fare daintily , heare musique , reade Sonetes be continually courted , kisse , daunce , feast , reuell all night amongst gallants , then if you come to bed to your husband with a cleere minde , and a cleere body , then are your vertues ipsissima ; then haue you passed the ful test of experiment , and you shall haue an hundred gallants fight thus farre in bloud for the defence of your reputation .

Lab.

O vanitie of vanities !

Flo.

O husband this is perfect tryall indeede .

La.

And you wil try all this now , wil you not ?

Flo

Yea my good head , for it is written , we must passe to perfection through al temptation , Abacuke the fourth .

Lab.

Abacucke , cucke me no cuckes , in a doores I saye , theeues , Puritanes , murderers , in a doores I say .

Exit .
Le.

So now is he start mad yfaith : but sirra , as this is an old Lorde iealous of his yong wife , so is antient Countesse Moren iealous of her yong husband , wee le thither to haue some sport yfaith .

Exit .
Enter Besha hanging vpon Martia sleeue , and the Lord Moren comes to them . Mar.

I prethee Besha keepe a little off ; hang not vpon her shoulders thus for shame .

Be.

My Lord , Pardon a moy , I must not let her talk alone with any one , for her father gaue me charge .

Mar.

O you are a goodly charger for a Goose .

Be.

A Goose , you are a Gander to call me Goose , I am a christian Gentleman as well as you .

Mar.

Well sirra get you hence , or by my troth I le haue thee taken out in a blanket , tossed from forth our hearing .

Be.

In a blanket ? what do you make a puppie of me , by skies and stones I will go and tell your Lady .

Exit .
Mor.

Nay but Besha .

Mar.

Nay he will tell my Lorde .

Enter the Countesse Moren and Besha . Co.

Why how now my Lord , what thought you I was dead , that you are wooing of another thus , or are you laying plots to worke my death ?

Mor.

Why neither sweete bird , what need you moue these questions vnto me , whome you know loues you aboue all the women in the world ?

Co.

How he can flatter now he hath made a fault .

Besh,

He can do little , and he cannot cogge .

Mor.

Out you asse .

Co.

Wel , come tell me what you did intreat .

Mor.

Nothing by heauen sweete bird I sweare , but to intreat her loue .

Co.

But to intreat her loue .

Mor.

Nay heare me out .

Co.

Nay here you are out , you are out too much me thinkes , and put me in .

Mor.

And put you in ?

Co.

In a faire taking sir I meane .

Mor.

O you may see what hastie taking is , you women euermore scramble for our woordes , and neuer take them mannerly from our mouths .

Con.

Come tell me what you did intreat .

Mor.

I did intreat her loue to Colinet .

Con.

To Colinet ? O he is your deare cousen , and your kinde heart yfaith is neuer well but when you are doing good for euery man : speake , do you loue me ?

Mor.

Yfaith sweete bird .

Con.

Best of all others .

Mor.

Best of all others ?

Con.

That 's my good bird yfaith .

Besh.

O mistris , will you loue me so ?

Mor.

No by my troth will I not .

Besh.

No by my troth will I not : Why that 's well said , I could neuer get her to flatter me yet .

Enter Lemot , Blanuel , and Catalian , and Colinet . Le

Good morrow my good Lord , and these passing louely Ladies .

Cat.

So now we shall haue all maner of flattering with Monsieur Lemot .

Le

You are all manner of waies deceiued Madam , for I am so farre from flattering you , that I do not a whit praise you .

Con.

Why do you call vs passing louely then ?

Lem.

Because you are passing from your louelines .

Mar.

Madam we shall not haue one mot of Monsieur Lemot , but it shal be as it were a mote to drown al our conceit in admiration .

Le.

See what a mote her quick eye can spie in mine , before she lookes in it .

Mar

So mote I thee , thine answer is as good as mought be .

Le.

Here 's a poore name run out of breath quickly .

Co.

Why Monsieur Lemot , your name is runne out of breath at euery word you speake .

Le.

That 's because my name signifies word .

Mar.

Wel hit , Monsieur verbum .

Le.

What are you good at latine Lady ?

Mar.

No sir , but I know what verbum is .

Le.

Why t is greenebum , ver is greene , and you know what bum is , I am sure of that .

Mar.

No sir , t is a verbe , and I can decline you .

Lem.

That you can I le be sworne .

Mar.

What can I do ?

Le.

Decline me , or take me a hole lower , as the prouerbe is .

Mar.

Nay sir , I meane plaine Gramatical declination

Le.

Well , let 's heare your schollership , and decline me .

Mar.

I will sir , moto , motas .

Besha.

O excellent ! she hath cald him asse in latine .

Le.

Well sir , forward .

Mar.

Nay there 's enough to trie both our scholerships

Le.

Moto , motas , nay faith forward to motani , or motandi .

Mar.

Nay sir , I le leaue when I am well .

Co.

Why Monsieur Lemot , your name being in word general , is in nini , or in hammer , or in cock , or in buzzard .

Le.

Or in wagtaile , or in woodcocke , or in dotteril , or in dizard .

Ma.

Or in clotte , or in head , or in cow , or in baby .

Le.

Or in maukin , or in trash , or in pape , or in Lady .

Co.

Or in deed in euery thing .

Le.

Why then t is in Thing .

Ma.

Then good Monsier Thing , there let it rest .

Le.

Then aboue all things I must haue a woorde with you .

Be.

Hands off sir , she is not for your mowing .

Le.

She is for your mocking .

Be.

And she mocke me , I le tell her father .

Le.

That 's a good child , thou smellest of the mother , and she was a foole I warrant you .

Be.

Meddle with me , but doe not meddle with my mother .

Le.

That 's a good child , come , I must needes haue a word with you .

Be.

You shall do none of your needs with her sir .

Cata.

Why what will you do ?

Be.

What will I doe ? you shall see what I le do .

Blan.

Go to you asse , offer to draw here , and wee le draw thee out of the house by the heeles .

Be.

What , three against one ? now was euer proper hard fauord Gentleman so abused ?

Go to Mistris Martia , I see you well enough , are you not ashamed to stand talking alone with such a one as hee ?

Le.

How sir ? with such a one as I sir ?

Be.

Yea sir , with such a one as you sir .

Le.

Why , what am I ?

Be.

What are you sir ? why I know you well enough .

Le.

Sirra tel me , what you know me for , or else by heauen I le make thee better thou hadst neuer knowne how to speake .

Be.

Why sir , if you wil needes know , I know you for an honorable gentleman and the Kings minion , and were it not to you , there 's nere a gentleman in Paris should haue had her out of my hands .

Ma.

Nay , hee s as tall a Gentleman of his hands as auy is in Paris .

Col.

There 's a fauour for you sir .

Le.

But I can get no fauour for you sir .

Blan.

I pray my Lord intreat for your cossen Colinet .

Mo.

Alas man , I dare not for my wife .

Cat.

Why my Lord she thinkes it is for nothing , but to speake for your cosen .

Mo.

I pray you birde , giue me leaue to speake for my cosen .

Co.

I am content for him .

Mo.

Then one woorde with you more , curteous ladie Martia .

Be.

Not , and you were my father .

Mo.

Gentlemen , for God sake thrust this asse out of the doores .

Lem.

Nay , birladye he le runne home and tell her father .

Ca.

Well , go to her , I warrant he shall not trouble you ( kind gentleman ) how we dote on thee : imbrace him gentlemen .

Blan.

O sweete Besha how we honour thee .

Co.

Nay Gentlemen , looke what a pearcing eye hee hath .

Be.

An eie ? I haue an eie and it were a pole-cat .

Ca.

Nay , looke what a nose he hath .

Be.

My nose is nete crimson .

Blan.

Nay , looke what a handsome man he is , O Nature , Nature , thou neuer madest man of so pure a feature .

Be

Truly truly Gentlemen , I do not deserue this kindnesse .

Ca.

O Lorde sir , you are too modest , come shall we walke ?

Be.

Whither ? to the alehouse ?

Le

Hearke you Madam , haue you no more care of the right of your husband , then to let him talke thus affectionately with another ?

Coun.

Why he speakes not for himselfe , but for his cosen Colinet .

Le.

Gods my life ? he telles you so , nay and these excuses may serue I haue done .

Con.

By the masse now I obserue him , he lookes very suspitiously indeede , nere trust me if his lookes , and his iesture doe not plainely shewe himselfe to sweare , by this light I do loue thee .

Lem.

Burlady Madam you gesse shrewdly indeede , but hearke you Madam , I pray let not me be the author of discord betweene my good Lord and you .

Con.

No no Monsieur Lemot , I were blinde if I could not see this , I le slit her nose by Iesus

Me.

How now what 's the matter ?

Co.

What 's the matter ? if I could come at your Mistris , she should know what 's the matter .

Mo.

My Mistris ?

Co.

Yea your Mistris , O here 's faire dissimulation , O ye impudent gossip , do I send for you to my house to make you my co�panion , and do you vse me thus ? little dost thou know what t is to loue a man truly , for if thou didst , thou wouldst be ashamed to wrong me so .

Mar.

You wrong me Madam to say I wrong you .

Co.

Go to , get you out of my house .

Mar.

I am gone Madam .

Mor.

Well , come in sweete bird and I le perswade thee , ther 's no harme done .

C.

Well , we shall heare your perswasions .

Le.

Well God knowes , and I can partly gesse what he must do to perswade her : well , take your faire charge , faire and manly L. Monsieur Labesha .

Co.

One word with you more faire ladie .

Le.

Not a word , no man on paine of death , not a word , he comes vpon my rapiers point , that comes within fortie foote on her .

Be.

Thankes good Lemot , and thankes gentlemen all , and her father shal thanke you .

C.

Much good do it you sir : come Gentlemen , le ts go wait vpon the king , and see the humour of the young lord Dowseger .

Lem.

Excuse me to the King , and tell him I will meet him there : so this is but the beginning of sport betweene this fine lord and his old lady : but this wench Martia hath happy starres raigned at the disposition of her beautie , for the King him selfe doth mightily dote on her . Now to my Puritane , and see if I can make vp my full proofe of her .

Enter the puritane in her best attyre . Flo.

Now am I vp and ready , ready ? why ? because my cloathes once on , that call we ready : but readinesse I hope hath reference to some fit action for our seuerall state : for when I am attyred thus Countesse-like , t is not to worke , for that befittes me not , t is on some pleasure , whose chiefe obiect is one mans content , and hee my husbande is , but what need I thus be attyred , for that he would be pleased with meaner weed ? besides I take no pleasure thus to please him : I am content , because it is my duty to keep to him , and not to seeke no further : but if that pleasure be a thing that makes the time seeme short , if it do laughter cause , if it procure the tongue but hartily to say , I thanke you , I haue no such thing , nor can the godliest woman in the worlde , against her nature please her sense , or soule , she may say , this I will , or this I will not . But what shall she reape hereby ? comfort in an other world , if she will stay till then .

Enter her husband behind her . Lab.

Yea mary sir now I must looke about , now if her desolate proouer come againe , shal I admit him to make farther triall ? I le haue a Dialogue betweene my selfe and manly reason : to that speciall end reason , shall I indure a desolate man to come and court my wife , and proue her constancie : reason , to court and proue her you may beare my lord , for perfite things are not the worse for triall ; gold will not turne to drosse for deepest triall : before God a comfortable saying ; thanks gentle reason , I le trouble you no more . God saue sweet wife , looke vp , thy tempter comes .

Flo.

Let him my lord , I hope I am more blest then to relent in thought of lewde suggestion .

Lab.

But if by frailtie you should yeeld in thought , what will you do ?

Flo.

Then shall you keepe me close , and neuer let me see man but your selfe , if not , then boldly may I go abroade .

Lab.

But how , shall I know whether you yeeld , or no ?

Flo.

Heare vs your selfe , my lord .

Lab.

Tut , that were grosse , for no woman will yeeld in her husbands hearing .

Flo.

Then to assure you if I yeelde or no , marke but these signes : as hee is proouing me , if I doe yeelde , you shall perceyue my face blush and looke pale , and put on heauie lookes . If I resist I will triumph , and smile , and when I hold but vp my finger , stop his vaine lips , or thrust him on the breast , then is he ouerthrowne both horse and foote .

Lab.

Why , this doth satisfie me mightily : see hee is come .

Lem.

Honor to my good lord , and his faire yong ladie .

Lab.

Nowe Monsieur Sathan , you are come to tempt and prooue at full the spirit of my wife .

Lem.

I am my lord , but vainly I suppose .

Lab.

You see she dares put on this braue attire fit with the fashion , which you think serues much to lead a woman into light desires .

Lem.

My lord I see it : and the sight thereof doth halfe dismay me to make further proofe .

Lab.

Nay prooue her , proue her sir , and spare not : what doth the wittie minion of our King thinke any dame in France will say him nay ? but proue her , proue her , see and spare not .

Lem.

Well sir , though halfe discouraged in my comming , yet I le go forward : ladie , by your leaue .

Flo.

Nowe sir , your cunning in a Ladyes proofe .

Lem.

Madam , in prouing you I find no proofe against your piercing glauncings , but swear I am shot thorow with your loue .

Flo.

I do beleeue you : who will sweare he loues , to get the thing he loues not ? if he loue , what needs more perfite triall ?

Lem.

Most true rare ladie .

Flo.

Then are we fitly met , I loue you too .

Lem.

Exceeding excellent .

Flo.

Nay , I knowe you will applaude mee in this course , but to let common circumstaunces passe , let vs be familiar .

Lem.

Deare life , you rauish my conceit with ioy .

Lab.

I long to see the signes that she will make .

Flo.

I told my husband I would make these signes : if I resisted , first hold vp my finger , as if I said , yfaith sir you are gone , but it shall say , yfayth sir , we are one .

Lab.

Nowe shee triumphes , and pointes to heauen I warrant you .

Flo.

Then must I seeme as if I woulde heare no moret and stoppe your vaine lips , go cruell lippes , you haue bewitcht me , go .

Lab.

Now she stops in his scorned wordes , and rates him for his paines .

Flo.

And when I thrust you thus against the breast , then are you ouerthrowne both horse and foote .

Lab.

Now is he ouerthrowne both horse and foote .

Flo.

Away vaine man , haue I not answered you ?

Lem.

Madam , I yeeld and sweare , I neuer saw so constant , nor so vertuous a ladie .

Lab.

Now speake I pray , and speake but truly , haue you not got a wrong sow by the eare ?

Lem.

My lord , my labor is not altogether lost , for now I find that which I neuer thought .

Lab.

A sirrah , is the edge of your steele wit rebated then against her Adamant ?

Lem.

It is my Lord , yet one word more faire ladie .

Lab.

Faine would he haue it do , and it will not be : harke you wife , what signe will you make mee nowe if you relent not ?

Flo.

Lend him my handkercher to wipe his lips of their last disgrace .

Lab.

Excellent good , go forward , see I pray .

Flo.

An other signe yfaith , loue is required .

Lem.

Let him haue signes inowe , my heauenly loue , then knowe there is a priuate meeting this day at Verones ordinarie , where if you will do me the grace to come , and bring the beauteous Martia with you , I wil prouide a faire and priuate roome , where you shal be vnseene of any man , onely of me , and of the King himselfe , whom I will cause to honour your repaire with his high presence , and there with Musicke and quicke reuellings you may reuiue your spirits so long time dulled .

Flo.

I le send for Martia then , and meete you there , and tell my husband , I wil locke my selfe in my choise walke till supper-time : we pray sir , wipe your lips of the disgrace they tooke in their last labour .

Lem.

Mary the diuell was neuer so dispited .

Lab.

Nay stay , see .

Lem.

No , no , my L , you haue the constantst wife that euer : wel , I le say no more .

Exit .
Lab.

Neuer was minion so disminioned , come constancie , come my girle , I le leaue thee loose to twentie of them yfaith .

Flo.

Come my good head , come .

Exit .
Enter the King and all the lords , with the Trumpets . King .

Why sound these Trumpets in the Diuelles name .

C.

To shew the King comes .

King .

To shew the King comes ? Go hang the Trumpetters , they mocke me boldly , and euery other thing that makes me knowne , not telling what I am , but what I seem , a King of clouts , a scarcrow , full of cobwebs , spiders and earewigs , that sets Iackdawes long tongue in my bosome , and vpon my head , and such are all the affections of loue swarming in me , without commaund or reason .

Lem.

Howe nowe my liege ! what quackemyred in Philosophie , bounde with loues whipcorde , and quite robbed of reason : and I le giue you a receyte for this presently .

King .

Peace Lemot , they say the yong lord Dowseger is rarely learned , and nothing lunatike as men suppose , but hateth companie , and worldly trash , the iudgement and the iust contempt of them , haue in reason arguments that breake affection ( as the most sacred Poets write ) and still the roughest wind : and his rare humour come we now to heare .

Lem.

Yea , but hearke you my hege , I le tell you a better humour then that , here presently will be your faire loue Martia , to see his humour , and from thence faire countesse Florula , & she will go vnto Verones ordinarie , where none but you and I , and Count Moren , will be most merry .

King .

Why Count Moren I hope dares not aduenture into any womans companie , but his wiues .

Lem.

Yes , as I will worke , my liege , and then let me alone to keepe him there till his wife comes .

King .

That will be royall sport : see where all comes : welcome faire lords and ladies .

Enter Laberuele , Labesha , and all the rest . Lab.

My liege you are welcome to my poore house .

Lem.

I pray , my liege know this Gentleman especially , he is a Gentleman borne I can tell you .

King .

With all my heart : what might I call your name ?

Lab.

Monsieur Labesha , siniora defoulasa .

Ki. Defoulasa .

an il sounding barendrie of my word : but to the purpose , lord Laberuele , we are come to see the humour of your rare sonne , which by some meanes I pray let vs pertake .

La.

Your highnes shal too vnworthily pertake the sight which I with griese and teares daily behold , seeing in him the end of my poore house .

King .

You know not that ( my lord ) your wife is yong , and he perhaps hereafter may be mooued to more societie .

La.

Would to God hee would , that wee might do to your crowne of France , more worthy and more acceptable seruice .

King .

Thanks good my lord , see where he appeeres .

Enter Lauele with a picture , and a paire of large hose , and a codpeece , and a sword . K.

Say Lauel , where is your friend the young lord Dowsecer ?

La.

I looke my liege he will be here anone , but then I must intreat your Maiestie and all the rest , to stand vnseen , for he as yet will brooke no companie .

King .

We will stand close Lauele , but wherefore bring you this apparell , that picture , and that sword ?

Lau.

To put him by the sight of them in mind of their braue states that vse them , or that at the least of the true vse they should be put vnto .

King .

Indeede the sence doth still stir vp the soule , and though these obiects do not worke , yet it is very probable in time she may , at least , we shal discerne his humor of the� .

Lem.

See where he comes contemplating , stand close .

Enter Dowsecer .

Quid Dei potes videri magnum in rebus humanis quae aeterni omnes to thy �sque notas sic omnibus magna tutor , what can seeme strange to him on earthly things to whom the whole course of eternitie , and the round compasse of the world is knowne ? a speech diuine , but yet I maruaile much how it should spring from thee , Marke Cicero that sold for glory the sweet peece of life , & make a torment of rich natures work , wearing thy self by watchful candel light , when all the Smithes & Weauers were at rest , and yet was gallant ere the day bird sung to haue a troope of clyents at thy gates , armed with religious suplications , such as wold make sterne Minos laugh to reade : look on our lawyers billes , not one containes vntrue or honest drifts ; but he cares , he cares , he cares ; for acorns now are in request , but the okes poore fruite did nourish men , men were li cokes of body , tough , and strong men were like Gyants then , but Pigmies now , yet full of villanies as their skinne can hold .

Le.

How like you this humor my liege ?

King .

This is no humour , this is but perfit iudgement .

Coun.

Is this a frensie ?

Mar.

O were al men such , men were no men but gods : this earth a heauen .

Do.

See see the shamelesse world , that dares present her mortall enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity yron and steele , vncharitable stuffe , good spittle-sounders , enemies to whole skinnes , as if there were not waies enow to die by natural and casuall accidents , diseases , surfeits , braue carowses , old aquavitae , and too base wiues , and thousands more hence with this art of murder . But here is goodly geare , the soule of man , for t is his better part , take away this , and take away their merites , and their spirites , scarce dare they come in any publike view , without this countenance giuer , and some dares not come , because they haue it too , for they may sing , in written books they find it , what is it then the fashion , or the cost , the cost doth match , but yet the fashion more , for let it be but meane , so in the fashion , & t is most gentleman like , is it so ? make a hand in the margent , and burne the booke , a large house and a codpeice makes a man a codpece , nay indeed but house must down : well for your gentle forgers of men , and for you come to rest me into fashion , I le weare you thus , and sit vpon the matter .

La.

And he doth despise our purposes .

Ca.

Beare with him yet my Lorde , hee is not resolued .

La.

I would not haue my friend mocke worthy men , for the vaine pride of some that are not so .

Dow.

I do not here deride difference of states , no not in shew , but wish that such as want shew might not be scorned with ignorant Turkish pride , beeing pompous in apparel , and in mind : nor would I haue with imitated shapes menne make their natiue land , the land of apes , liuing like strangers when they be at home , and so perhaps beare strange hearts to their home , nor loose a snuffe like a piannets taile , for nothing but their tailes and formall lockes , when like to creame boules all their vertues swim in their set faces , all their in parts then fit to serue pesants or make curdes for dawes : but what a stocke am I thus to neglect this figure of mans comfort this rare peece ?

La.

Heauens grant that make him more humane , and sotiable .

King .

Nay hee s more humane then all we are .

La.

I feare he will be too sharp to that sweete sex .

Dow.

She is very faire , I thinke that she be painted ; and if she be sir , she might aske of mee , how many is there of our sexe that are not ? t is a sharpe question : marry and I thinke they haue small � skill , if they were all of painting t were safer dealing with them , and indeed were their minds strong enough to guide their bodies , their beuteous deeds shoulde match with their heauenly lookes , t were necessarie they should weare them , and would they vouchsafe it , euen I would ioy in their societie .

Ma.

And who would not die with such a man ?

Dow.

But to admire them as our gallants do , O what an eie she hath , O dainty hand , rare foote and legge , and leaue the minde respectles , this is a plague , that in both men and women make such pollution of our earthly beeing : well I will practice yet to court this peece .

La.

O happie man , now haue I hope in her .

King .

Me thinkes I could indure him daies and nights .

Dow.

Well sir , now thus must I do sir , ere it come to women ; now sir a plague vpon it , t is so ridiculous I can no further : what poore asse was it that set this in my way ? now if my father should be the man : Gods precious coles t is he .

Lab.

Good sonne go forward in this gentle humor , obserue this picture , it presents a maide of noble birth and excellent of parts , whom for our house and honor sake , I wish thou wouldst confesse to marrie .

Dow.

To marrie father ? why we shall haue children .

La.

Why that 's the ende of marriage , and the ioye of men .

Do.

O how You are deceiued , you haue but me , & what a trouble am I to your ioy ? but father , if you long to haue some fruite of me , see father I will creepe into this stuborne earth and mixe my flesh with it , and they shall breede grasse , to fat oxen , asses and such like , and when they in the grasse the spring conuerts into beasts nourishment , then comes the fruite of this my body forth ; then may you well say , seeing my race is so profitably increased , that good fat oxe , and that same large eard asse are my sonne sonnes , that caulfe with a white face is his faire daughter , with which , when your fields are richly filled , then will my race content you , but for the ioyes of children , tush t is gone , children will not deserue , nor parents take it : wealth is the onely father & the child , and but in wealth no man hath any ioy .

La.

Some course deare sonne take for thy honor sake .

Dow.

Then father here 's a most excellent course .

La.

This is some comfort yet .

Dow.

If you will strait be gone and leaue me here , I le stand as quietlye as anye lambe , and trouble none of you

La.

An haplesse man .

Le.

How like you this humour yet my liege ?

King .

As of a holy fury , not a frensie .

Mor.

See see my liege , he hath seene vs sure .

King .

Nay looke how he viewes Martia and makes him fine .

Lem.

Yea my liege , and she as I hope wel obserued , hath vttered many kind conceits of hers .

King .

Well I le be gone , and when shee comes to Verones ordinarie , I le haue her taken to my custodie .

Lem,

I le stay my liege , and see the euent of this .

King .

Do so Lemot .

Exit the king .
Dow.

What haue I seene ? howe am I burnt to dust with a new Sun , and made a nouell Phoenix , is she a woman that obiects this sight , able to worke the chaos of the world into gestion ? O diuine aspect , the excellent disposer of the mind shines in thy beautie , and thou hast not chaunged my soule to sense but sense vnto my soule , and I desire thy pure societie , but euen as angels do , to angels flie .

Exit .
Mar.

Flie soule and follow him .

Lab.

I maruaile much at my sonnes sodaine straunge behauiour .

Lem.

Beare with him yet my Lord , t is but his humour : come , what shall we go to Verones ordinarie ?

Lab.

Yea for Gods sake , for I am passing hungry .

Mor.

Yea , come Monsieur Lemot , will you walke ?

Count .

What , will you go ?

Mor.

Yea sweet bird , I haue promised so .

Count .

Go to , you shall not go and leaue me alone .

Mor.

For one meale gentle bird : Veron inuites vs to buy some iewels he hath brought of late from Italie : I le buy the best , and bring it thee , so thou wilt let me go .

Count .

Well said flattering Fabian , but tel me then what ladies will be there ?

Mor.

Ladies ? why none .

Lem.

No ladies vse to come to ordinaries . Madam .

Count .

Go to bird , tell me now the very truth .

Mor.

None of mine honour bird , you neuer heard that ladies came to ordinaries .

Count

O that 's because I should not go with you .

Mar.

Why t is not fit you should .

Cou.

Well heark you bird , of my word you shall not go , vnlesse you will sweare to me , you will neither court nor kisse a dame in any sort , till you come home againe .

Mar.

Why I sweare I will not .

Count .

Go to , by this kisse .

Mar.

Yea , by this kisse .

Foies.

Martia , learne by this when you are a wife .

Lab.

I like the kissing well .

Flo.

My lord I le leaue you , your sonne Dowsecer hath made me melancholy with his humour , and I le go locke my selfe in my close walke till supper time .

Lab.

What , and not dine to day ?

Flo.

No my good head : come Martia , you and I will fast togither .

Mar.

With all my heart Madam .

Exit .
Lab.

Well Gentlemen I le go see my sonne .

Exit .
Foy.

Birlady Gentlemen I le go home to dinner .

Labe.

Home to dinner ? birlord but you shall not , you shall go with vs to the ordinarie , where you shall meete Gentlemen of so good carriage , and passing co�plements , it will do your hart good to see them , why you neuer saw the best sort of Gentlemen if not at ordinaries .

Foy.

I promise you that 's rare , my lord , and Monsieur Lemot , I le meet you there presently .

Lem.

Wee le expect your comming .

Exeunt all .
Enter Uerone with his Napkin vpon his shoulder , and his man Iaques with another , and his sonne bringing in cloth and napkins . Uer.

Come on my maisters , shadow these tables with their white vailes , accomplish the court Cupboord , waite diligently to day for my credite and your owne , that if the meate should chance to be raw , yet your behauiors being neither rude nor raw , may excuse it , or if the meate should chaunce to be tough , be you tender ouer them in your attendance , that the one may beare with the other .

Iaq.

Faith some of them bee so hard to please , finding fault with your cheere , and discommending your wine , saying , they fare better at Verones for halfe the mony .

Boy .

Besides , if there be any cheboules in your napkins , they say your nose or ours haue dropt on them , and then they throw them about the house .

Uer.

But these bee small faultes , you may beare with the , young Gentlemen and wilde heades will be doing .

Enter the Maide . Maid .

Come , whose wit was it to couer in this roome , name in the of God I trowee .

Boy .

Why I hope this roome is as faire as the other .

Maid .

In your foolish opinion : you might haue tolde a wise body so , and kept your selfe a foole still .

Boy .

I cry you mercie , how bitter you are in your prouerbs .

Maid .

So bitter I am sir .

Uer.

O sweet Sateena I dare not say I loue thee .

Iaq.

Must you controule vs you proud baggage you ?

Maid .

Baggage ? you are a knaue to call me baggage .

Iaq.

A knaue ? my maister shall know that .

Ver.

I will not see them .

Iaq.

Maister , here is your Maid vses her selfe so sawsily , that one house shall not holde vs two long , God willing .

Uer.

Come hither huswife . Pardon mee sweete Iacenan , I must make an angry face outwardly , though I smile inwardly .

Maid .

Say what you will to me sir .

Ver.

O you are a fine Gossip , can I not keepe honest seruants in my house , but you must controule them ? you must be their mistres .

Maid .

Why I did but take vp the cloth , because my mistresse would haue the dinner in an other roome , and hee called me baggage .

Iaq.

You called me knaue and foole , I thanke you small bones .

Ma.

Go to , go to , she were wise enough would talke with you .

Boy .

Go thy waies for the prowdest harlotrie that euer came in our house .

Ver.

Let her alone boy , I haue scoold her I warant thee , she shall not be my maide long , if I can helpe it .

Boy .

No , I thinke so sir , but what , shal I take vppe the cloath ?

Ue.

No , let the cloth lie , hither thei le com first , I am sure of it , then If they will dine in the other roome , they shal .

Enter Rol . Ro.

Good morrow my host , is no body come yet ?

Ue.

Your worship is the first sir .

Ro.

I was inuited by my cosen Colinet , to see your iewells .

Ve.

I thanke his worship and yours .

Ro.

Here 's a prettie place for an ordinarie , I am very sory I haue not vsed to come to ordinaries .

Ve.

I hope we shall haue your company hereafter .

Ro.

You are very like so .

Enter Berger . Ber.

Good morrow my host , good morrow good Monsieur Rowle .

Ro.

Good morrow to you sir ,

Ber.

What are we two the first ? giue 's the cardes , here come , this gentleman and I wil go to cardes while dinner be ready .

Ro.

No truly I cannot play at cardes .

Ber.

How ! not play , O for shame say not so , how can a yong gentleman spend his time but in play , and in courting his Mistris : come use this , least youth take too much of the other .

Ro.

Faith I cannot play , and yet I care not so much to venture two or three crownes with you .

Ber.

O I thought what I shuld find of you , I pray God I haue not met with my match .

Ro.

No trust me sir , I cannot play .

Ber.

Hearke you my host , haue you a pipe of good Tabacco ?

Ue.

The best in the towne : boy drie a leafe .

Boy .

There 's none in the house sir .

Ve.

Drie a docke leafe .

Be.

My host , do you know Monsieur Blanuel ?

Ue.

Yea passing well sir .

Be.

Why , he was taken learning trickes at old Lucilas house the muster mistris of all the smocktearers in Paris , and both the bawde and the pander were carried to the dungeon .

Ve.

There was dungeon vpon dungeon , but call you her the muster-mistris of al the smocktearers in Paris ?

Be.

Yea , for she hath them all trained vp afore her .

Enter Blanuel . Bla.

Good morow my host , good morow gentlemen al .

Ue.

Good morow Monsieur Blanuel , I am glad of your quicke deliuery .

Bla.

Deliuery , what didst thou thinke I was with child ?

Ve.

Yea of a dungeon .

Bla.

Why , how knew you that ?

Ro.

Why Berger told vs .

Bla.

Berger who told you of it ?

Be.

One that I heard , by the lord .

Bla

O excellent , you are still playing the wagge .

Enter Lemot and Moren . Le

Good morrow Gentlemen all , good morrow good Monsieur Rowle .

Ro.

At your seruice .

Le.

I pray my lord look what a prety falling band he hath , t is pretty fantasticall , as I haue seen made , with good iudgement , great shew , and but little cost .

Moren.

And so it is I promise you , who made it I pray ?

Row

I know not yfaith , I bought it by chance .

Le.

It is a very pretty one , make much of it .

Enter Catalian sweating . Ca.

Boy , I prethee call for a course napkin . Good morrow Gentlemen , I would you had bin at the tenniscourt , you should haue seene me a beat Monsieur Besan , and I gaue him fifteene and all his faults .

Le.

Thou didst more for him , then euer God wil do for thee .

Ca.

Iaques , I prethee fill me a cup of canary , three parts water

Le.

You shall haue all water and if it please you .

Enter Maide . Ma.

Who cald for a course napkin ?

Ca.

Marry I , sweete heart , do you take the paines to bring it your selfe , haue at you by my hosts leaue .

Ma.

Away sir , fie for shame .

Ca.

Hearke you my host , you must marry this young wench , you do her mighty wrong els .

Ver.

O sir , you are a merry man .

Enter Foyes and Labesha . Foy.

Good morrow gentlemen , you see I am as good as my word .

Mo.

You are sir , and I am very glad of it .

Le

You are welcome Monsieur Foyes : but you are not , no not you .

Be.

No , welcome that Gentleman , t is no matter for me .

Le.

How sir ? no matter to you , by this rush I am angry with you , as if al our loues protested vnto you were dissembled , no matter for you ?

Bo.

Nay sweet Lemot be not angry , I did but iest , as I am a Gentleman .

Lem.

Yea but there 's a difference of iesting , you wrong all our affections in so doing .

Be.

Faith and troth I did not , and I hope sirs you take it not so .

All .

No matter for me , t was very vnkindly sayd , I must needs say so .

La.

You see how they loue me .

Foy.

I do sir , and I am very glad of it .

Be ,

And I hope Lemot , you are not angry with me stil .

Le.

No faith , I am not so very a foole to be angry with one that cares not for me .

Be.

Do not I care for you ? nay then .

Ca.

What , dost thou cry ?

Be.

Nay I do not cry , but my stomacke waters to thinke that you should take it so heauily , if I do not wish that I were cut into three peeces , and that these peeces were turned into three blacke puddings , and that these three blacke puddings were turned into three of the fairest Ladies in the land for your sake , I would I were hanged , what a diuel can you haue more then my poore heart ?

Ca.

Well harke you Lemot , in good faith you are too blame to put him to this vnkindnes , I prethee be friends with him .

Le.

Well , I am content to put vp this vnkindnesse for this once , but while you liue take heede of : no matter for me .

Be.

Why is it such a hainous word ?

Le.

O the hainousest word in the world .

Be.

Wel , I le neuer speake it more , as I am a gentleman .

Le.

No I pray do not .

Foy.

My lord , will your lordship go to cards ?

Lor.

Yea with you Monsieur Foyes .

Ro.

Lemot , will you play ?

Le.

Pardon good Monsieur Rowle , if I had any disposition to gaming your company should draw me before any mans here .

Foy.

Labesha , what will you play ?

Lab.

Play , yea with all my heart , I pray lend me three pence .

Row

I le play no more .

Cat.

Why , haue you wonne or lost ?

Row.

Faith I haue lost two or three crownes .

Cat.

Well to him againe , I le be your halfe .

Lem.

Sirrah , Catalian , while they are playing at cardes , thou and I will haue some excellent sport : sirrah , dost thou know that same Gentleman there ?

Cat.

No yfaith , what is he ?

Lem.

A very fine gull , and a neat reueller , one that 's heire to a great liuing , yet his father keepes him so short , that his shirts will scant couer the bottom of his belly , for all his gay outside , but the linings be very foule and sweatie , yea and perhappes lowsie , with dispising the vaine shiftes of the world .

Cat.

But he hath gotten good store of money now me thinks .

Lem.

Yea , and I wonder of it , some ancient seruing man of his fathers , that hath gotten four shillings in fiftie years vpon his great good husbandrie , he swearing monstrous othes to pay him againe , and besides to doe him a good turne ( when God shall heare his prayer for his father ) hath lent it him I warrant you , but howsoeuer , we must speake him faire .

Cat.

O what else !

God saue sweete Monsieur Rowls , what loose or win , loose or win ?

Row.

Faith sir saue myselfe , and loose my money .

Lem.

There 's a prouerbe hit dead in the necke like a Cony , why hearke thee Catalian , I could haue told thee before what he would haue said .

Cat.

I do not thinke so .

Lem.

No , thou seest heer 's a fine plumpe of gallants , such as thinke their wits singular , and their selues rarely accomplished , yet to shew thee how brittle their wittes be , I will speake to them seuerally , and I will tell thee before what they shall answer me .

Cat.

That 's excellent , le ts see that yfaith .

Lem.

Whatsoeuer I say to Monsieur Rowlee , he shall say , O sir , you may see an ill weed growes apace .

Cat.

Come , le ts see .

Lem.

Now Monsieur Rowlee , me thinks you are exceedingly growne since your comming to Paris .

Row.

O sir , you may see an ill weed growes a pace .

Cat.

This is excellent , forward sir I pray .

Lem.

What soere I say to Labesha , he shall answer me , blacke will bee no other hue , and that same olde Iustice , as greedie of a stale prouerbe , he shall come in the necke of that and say , Blacke is a pearle in a womans eye .

Cat.

Yea , much yfayth .

Lem.

Looke thee , here comes hither Labesha , Catalian . and I haue beene talking of thy complexion , and I say that all the faire ladies in France would haue beene in loue with thee , but that thou art so blacke .

Labe.

O sir blacke will beare no other hue .

Foy.

O sir blacke is a pearle in a womans eye .

Lem.

You say true sir , you say true sir , sirrah Catalian , whatsoere I say to Berger that is so busie at Cardes , he shall answer me , sblood , I do not meane to die as long as I can see one aliue .

Cat.

Come let vs see you .

Lem.

Why Berger , I thought thou hadst beene dead , I haue not heard thee chide all this while .

Ber.

Sblood , I do not meane to die , as long as I can see one aliue .

Cat.

Why but hearke you Lemot , I hope you cannot make this lord answer so roundly .

Lem.

O , as right as any of them all , and he shall aunswere mee with an olde Latine Prouerbe , that is , usus promptos facit .

Cat.

Once more le ts see .

Lem.

My lord , your lordship could not play at this game verie latelie , and nowe me thinkes you are growne exceeding perfite .

Mor.

O sir , you may see , vsus promptos facit .

Enter Iaques . Iaq.

Monsieur Lemot , here is a Gentleman and two Gentlewomen do desire to speake with you .

L�.

What are they come ? Yes , conuey them into the inwarde Parlour by the inwarde roome , and there is a brace of Crownes for thy labour , but let no bodie know of their being here .

Iaq.

I warrant you sir .

Lem.

See where they come : welcome my good lord and ladies , I le come to you presently : so , now the sport begins , I shall starte the disguised King plaguilie , nay I shall put the ladie that loues me in a monstrous fright , when her husband comes and finds her here .

Boy .

The Gentleman , and the two Gentlewomen desires your companie .

Lem.

I le come to them presently .

Foy.

Gentlemen , I le go speake with one , and come to you presently .

Lem.

My lord , I would speake a worde with your lordship , if it were not for interrupting your game .

Lord .

No , I haue done Lemot .

Lem.

My lord there must a couple of ladies dine with vs to day .

Lord .

Ladies ? Gods my life I must be gone .

Lem.

Why , hearke you my Lorde , I knewe not of their comming I protest to your Lordship , and woulde you haue mee turne such faire Ladies as these are away ?

Lord

Yea but hearke you Lemot , did not you heare mee sweare to my Wife , that I woulde not tarie , if there were any women , I wonder you would suffer any to come there .

Lem.

Why you swore but by a kisse , and kisses are no holie things , you know that .

Lord .

Why but hearke you Lemot , indeed I would be very loath to do any thing , that if my wife should know it , should displease her .

Le.

Nay then you are to obsequious , hearke you , let me intreate you , and I le tell you in secrete , you shall haue no worse company then the Kings .

Lord .

Why will the King be there ?

Lem.

Yea , though disguised .

Lord .

Who are the ladies ?

Lem.

The flowers of Paris , I can tell you , faire countesse Florila , and the ladie Martia .

Enter Iaque . Iaq.

Monsieur Lemot , the gentleman and the two Gentlewomen desire your companie .

Lem.

I le come to them straight : but Iaques come hither I prethee , go to Labesha , and tell him that the Countesse Florila , and the ladie Martia be here at thy maisters house : and if it come in question hereafter , denie that thou tolde him any such thing .

Iaq.

What , is this all ? Sblood I le denie it , and feare it too .

Lem.

My Lorde , I le goe and see the roome be neate and fine , and come to you presently .

Lord.

Yea but hearke you Lemot , I prethee take such order that they be not knowne of any women in the house .

Lem.

O how shuld they now to his wife go yfaith !

Exit .
Iaq.

Hearke you , Monsieur Labesha , I pray let me speak a worde with you .

Labe.

With all my heart , I pray looke to my stake , there 's three pence vnder the Candle .

Iaq.

I pray see , do you know the Countesse Florila and the ladie Martia ?

Lab.

Do I know the ladie Martia ? I knew her before she was borne , why do you aske me ?

Ia.

Why , they are both here at my masters house .

Lab.

What , is Mistris Martia at an ordinarie ?

Ia.

Yea that she is .

La.

By skies and stones I le go and tel her father .

Exit .
Enter Lemot and the Countesse . Cou.

What you are out of breath me thinks Monsieur Lemot ?

Le

It is no matter Madam , it is spent in your seruice , that beare your age with your honesty , better then an hundred of these nise gallants , and indeed it is a shame for your husband , that contrary to his oath made to you before dinner , he shoud be now at the ordinary with that light huswife Martia , which I could not chuse but come and tell you ; for indeede it is a shame that your motherly care should be so slightly regarded .

Co.

Out on thee strumpet and accurst , and miserable dame .

Le.

Well , there they are : nothing els now , to her husband go I .

Exit .
Co.

Nothing els quoth you , can there be more ? O wicked man , would he play false , that would so simply vow , and sweare his faith , and would not let me be displeased a minute , but he would sigh , and weepe til I were pleased , I haue a knife within that 's rasor sharp , and I wil lay an yron in the fire , making it burning hot to mark the strumpet , but t will bee colde too ere I can come thither , doe something wretched woman , staies thou here ?

Exit .
Enter Lemot . Le.

My lorde , the roome is neate and fine , wilt please you go in ?

Ue.

Gentlemen , your dinner is ready .

All .

And we are ready for it .

Le.

Iaquis , shut the doores let no body come in .

Exeunt omnes .
Enter Laberuele , Foyes , Labesha , and the Countesse . La.

Where be these puritanes , these murderers , let me come in here ?

Fo.

Where is the strumpet ?

Co.

where is this harlot , let vs come in here .

La.

What shall we do ? the streets do wonder at vs , and we do make our shame knowne to the world , let vs go , and complaine vs to the King .

Fo.

Come Labesha , will you go ?

La.

No no I scorne to go ; no King shal heare my plaint , I will in silent liue a man forlorne , mad , and melancholy , as a cat , and neuer more weare hat band on my hat .

Enter Moren , and Martia . Mo.

What dost thou meane ? thou must not hang on me .

Mar.

O good lord Moren , haue me home with you , you may excuse all to my father for me .

Enter Lemot . Lem.

O my lord , be not so rude to leaue her now .

Lor.

Alas man , and if my wife should see it , I were vndone .

Enter the King and another . Ki.

Pursue them sirs , and taking Martia from him , conuay her presently to Valeres house .

What vilain was it that hath vttered this .

Enter the Puritane to Lemot . Le.

Why t was euen I , I thanke you for your gentle tearmes , you giue me vilain at the first , I wonder where 's this old doter , what doth he thinke we feare him .

Flo.

O monstrous man , what , wouldst thou haue him take vs ?

Le.

Would I quoth you , yea by my troth would I , I know he is but gone to cal the constable , or to raise the streets .

Flo.

What meanes the man trow ? is he mad ?

Le.

No , no , I know what I do , I doe it of purpose , I long to see him come and raile at you , to call you harlot , and to spurne you too , O you 'l loue me a great deale the better , and yet let him come , and if he touch but one thread of you , I le make that thread his poyson .

Flo.

I know not what to say .

Le.

Speake , do you loue me ?

Flo.

Yea surely do I .

Le,

Why then haue not I reason that loue you so dearely as I do , to make you hatefull in his sight , that I might more freely enioy you .

Flo.

Why let vs be gon my kind Lemot , and not be wondered at in the open streets .

Le.

I le go with you through fire , through death , throgh hell , come giue me your owne hand , my owne deare heart , this hand that I adore and reuerence , and loath to haue it , touch an olde mans bosome , O let me sweetely kisse it ; he bites .

Flo.

Out on thee wretch , he hath bit me to the bone , O barbarous Canibal , now I perceiue thou wilt make me a mocking stocke to all the world .

Le.

Come , come , leaue your passions , they cannot mooue mee , my father and my mother died both in a day , and I rung mee a peale for them , and they were no sooner brought to the church and laide in their graues , but I fetcht me two or three fine capers aloft , and took my leaue of them , as men do of their mistresses at the ending of a galiard ; Besilos manus .

Flo.

O brutish nature , how accurst was I euer to indure the sound of this damned voice ?

Le.

Well , and you do not like my humor , I can be but sory for it , I bit you for good will , and if you accept it , so , if no , go .

Flo.

Vilain , thou didst it in contempt of me .

Le.

Well , and you take it so , so be it : harke you Madam , your wisest course is , euen to become puritane againe , put off this vaine attire , and say , I haue despised all : thanks my God , good husband , I do loue thee in the Lord , and he ( good man ) will thinke all this you haue done , was but to shew thou couldest gouerne the world , and hide thee as a rainebow doth a storme : my dainty wench , go go , what shall the flattering words of a vaine man make you forget your dutie to your husband ? away , repent , amend your life , you haue discredited your religion for euer .

Flo.

Well wench , for this foule shame thou puttest on me , the curse of all affection light on thee .

Exit .
Le.

Go Abacuck , go , why this is excellent , I shal shortly become a schoolemaster , to whom men will put their wiues , to practise ; well now wil I go set the Queene vpo� the King , and tell her where he is close with his wench : and he that mends my humor , take the spurres : sit fast , for by heauen , I le iurke the horse you ride on .

Enter my host , Catalian , Blanuel , Berger , Iaquis , Maide , and Boy . Host.

Well Gentlemen , I am vtterly vndone without your good helpes , it is reported that I receiued certaine ladies or gentlewomen into my house : no here 's my man , my maid , and my boy , now if you saw any , speak boldly before these Gentlemen .

Ia.

I saw none sir .

Boy .

Nor I , by my maidenhead .

Boy .

Nor I , as I am a man .

Ca.

Wel my host , wee le go answere for your house at this time , but if at other times you haue had wenches , and would not let vs know it , we are the lesse beholding to you .

Exeunt al , but my host and the Gentleman .
Ber.

Peraduenture the more beholding to him , but I laye my life Lemot hath deuised some ieast , he gaue vs the slip before dinner .

Cat.

Well Gentlemen , since we are so fitly mette , I le tell you an excellent subiect for a fit of myrth , and if it bee well handled .

Ber.

Why , what is it ?

Cat.

Why man , Labesha is grown maruelous malecontent , vpon some amorous disposition of his mistres , and you know he loues a mease of cream , and a spice-cake with his heart , and I am sure he hath not dined to day , and he hath taken on him the humour of the yong lord Dowsecer , and we will set a mease of creame , a spice-cake , and a spoone , as the armour , picture , and apparell was set in the way of Dowsecer , which I doubt not but will woorke a rare cure vpon his melancholie .

Host.

Why , this is excellent , I le go fetch the creame .

Cat.

And I the cake .

Ber.

And I the spoone .

Exeunt , and come in againe .
Cat.

See where hee comes as like the lord Dowsecer as may be , nowe you shall heare him begin with some Latin sentence that hee hath remembred euer since hee read his Accidence .

Enter Labesha . La.

Felix que� faciunt aliena pericula cantum . O sillie state of things , for things they be that cause this sillie state : and what is a thing , a bable , a toy , that stands men in small stead : but what haue we here ? what vanities haue we here ?

Host.

He is strongly tempted , the lord strengthen him , see what a vaine he hath .

Lab.

O cruell fortune , and dost thou spit thy spite at my poore life : but O sowre creame what thinkest thou that I loue thee still ? no , no , faire and sweete is my mistries , if thou haddest strawberries and sugar in thee : but it may bee thou art set with stale cake to choke me : well taste it , and trie it , spoonefull by spoonefull : bitterer and bitterer still , but O sowre creame , wert thou an Onion , since Fortune set thee for mee , I will eate thee , and I will deuour thee in spite of Fortunes spite , choake I , or burst I , mistres for thy sake , to end my life eate I this creame and cake .

Cat.

So he hath done , his Melancholy is well eased I warrant you .

Host.

Gods my life Gentlemen , who hath beene at this creame ?

Lab.

Creame , had you creame ? where is your creame ? I le spend my penny at your creame .

Cat.

Why , did not you eate this creame ?

Lab.

Talke not to me of creame , for such vaine meate I do despise as food , my stomack dies drowned in the cream boules of my mistres eyes .

Cat.

Nay-stay Labesha .

Lab.

No not I , not I .

Host.

O he is ashamed yfayth : but I will tell thee howe thou shalt make him mad indeed , say his mistres for loue of him hath drowned her selfe .

Cat.

Sblood , that will make him hang himselfe .

Exeunt omnes .
Enter the Queene , Lemot , and all the rest of the lordes , and the Countesse : Lemots arme in a scarffe . Lemot.

haue at them yfayth with a lame counterfeite humor : ake on rude arme , I care not for thy paine , I got it nobly in the kings defence , and in the gardiance of my faire Queenes right .

Qu.

O tell me sweet Lemot , how fares the king ? or what his right was that thou didst defend ?

Lem.

That you shall know when other things are told .

Lab.

Keepe not the Queene too long without her longing .

Foyes.

No , for I tell you it is a daungerous thing .

Coun.

Little care cruell men how women long .

Le.

What would you haue me then put poyson in my breath , and burne the eares of my attentiue Queene .

Quee.

Tell me what ere it be , I le beare it all .

Lem.

beare with my rudenesse then in telling it , for alas you see I can but act it with the left hande , this is my gesture now .

Quee.

T is well enough .

Lem.

Yea well enough you say , this recompence haue I for all my woundes : then thus the King inamoured of an other ladie compares your face to hers , and saies that yours is fat and flat , and that your neather lip was passing big .

Quee.

O wicked man , doth he so sodainlie condemne my beautie , that when he married me he thought diuine : for euer blasted be that strumpets face , as all my hopes are blasted , that did change them .

Lem.

Nay Madam , though he saide your face was fat , and flat , and so forth , yet he liked it best , and said , a perfect beautie should be so .

La.

O did he so ! why that was right euen as it should be .

Foy.

You see now Madam , howe much too hastie you were in your griefes .

Que.

If he did so esteeme of me indeed , happie am I .

Coun.

So may your highnesse be that hath so good a husband , but hell hath no plague to such an one as I .

Lem.

Indeed Madam , you haue a bad husband : truly then did the king growe mightily in loue with the other ladie , and swore , no king could more inriched be , then to inioy so faire a dame as shee .

Cat.

O monstrous man , and acurst most miserable dame !

Le.

But saies the king I do inioy as faire , & though I loue in al honoured sort , yet I le not wro�g my wife for al the world

Foy.

This proues his constancie as firme as brasse .

Que.

It doth , it doth : O pardon me my lord , that I mistake thy royall meaning so .

Coun

In heauen your highnesse liues , but I in hell .

Lem.

But when he vewd her radient eyes againe , blinde was hee strooken with her feruent beames : and now good King he gropes about in corners voide of the chearefull light should guide vs all .

Que.

O dismall newes , what is my soueraigne blind ?

Le.

Blind as a Beetle madam , that a while houering aloft , at last in cowsheds fall .

Lab.

Could her eyes blind him ?

Lem.

Eyes or what it was I know not , but blind I am sure he is as any stone .

Q.

Come bring me to my Prince my lord that I may leade him , none aliue but I may haue the honour to direct his feete .

Lem.

How lead him madam ? why hee can go as right as you , or any here , and is not blind of eyesight .

Quee.

Of what then ?

Lem.

Of reason .

Quee.

Why thou saidest he wanted his cheerfull light .

Lem.

Of reason still I meant , whose light you knowe should cheerefully guide a worthie King , for he doth loue her , and hath forced her into a priuate roome where now they are .

Quee.

What mocking chaunges is there in thy wordes fond man , thou murtherest me with these exclaimes .

Lem.

Why madam t is your fault , you cut mee off before my words be halfe done .

Quee.

Forth and vnlade the poyson of thy tongue .

Lem.

Another lord did loue this curious ladie , who hearing that the King had forced her , as she was walking with another Earle , ran straightwaies mad for her , and with a friend of his , and two or three blacke ruffians more , brake desperately vpon the person of the King , swearing to take from him , in traiterous fashion , the instrument of procreation : with them I fought a while , and got this wound , but being vnable to resist so many , came straight to you to fetch you to his ayde .

Lab.

Why raised you not the streetes ?

Lem.

That I forbore , because I would not haue the world , to see what a disgrace my liege was subiect to , being with a woman in so meane a house .

Foy.

Whose daughter was it that he forst I pray ?

Lem.

Your daughter sir .

La.

Whose sonne was that ranne so mad for her ?

Lem.

Your sonne my Lord .

La.

O Gods , and fiends forbid .

Co.

I pray sir , from whom did he take the Ladie ?

Le.

From your good Lord .

Co.

O Lord I beseech thee no .

Le.

T is all too true , come follow the Queen and I , where I shall leade you .

Qu.

O wretched Queene , what would they take from him ?

Le.

The instrument of procreation .

Enter Moren . Mo.

Now was there euer man so much accurst , that when his minde misgaue him , such a man was haplesse , to keep him company ? yet who would keep him company but I , O vilde Lemot , my wife and I are bound to curse thee while we liue , but chiefely I , well : seeke her , or seek her not ; find her , or find her not , I were as good see how hell opens , as looke vpon her .

Enter Catalian , and Berger behind him . Ca.

We haue yfaith , stop thou him there , and I wil meet him here .

Mo.

Well , I will venture once to seek her .

Ber.

Gods Lord , my Lord , come you this way , why your wife runnes ranging like as if she were mad , swearing to slit your nose if she can catch you .

Exit .
Mo.

What shal I do at the sight of her and hern .

Ca.

Gods precious my Lord , come you this way , your wife comes ranging with a troope of dames , like Bacchus drunken foes , iust as you go , shift for your selfe my Lord .

Mo.

Stay good Catalian .

Ca.

No not I my Lord .

Exit .
Mo.

How now Iaques , what 's the newes ?

Enter Iaques . Iaq.

None but good my Lord .

Mo.

Why hast not seene my wife run round about the streets .

Ia.

Not I my Lorde , I come to you from my maister , who would pray you to speake to Lemot , that Lemot might speake to the King , that my masters lottery for his iewells may go forward , he hath made the rarest deuice that euer you heard , we haue fortune in it , and she our maide plaies , and I , and my fellow carrie two torches , and our boy goes before and speakes a speech , t is very fine yfaith sir .

Mo.

Sirra in this thou maiest highly pleasure me , let me haue thy place to beare a torch , that I may look on my wife , and she not see me , for if I come into her sight abruptly , I were better be hanged .

Ia.

O sir you shall , or any thing that I can do , I le send for your wife to .

Mor.

I prethee do .

Exeunt both .
Enter the Queene , and all that were in before . Le.

This is the house where the mad Lord did vow to do the deed , draw all your swoords couragious gentlemen , I le bring you there where you shall honor win , but I can tell you , you must breake your shinne .

Ca.

Who will not breake his necke to saue his King : set forward Lemot .

Le.

Yea , much good can I do with a wounded arme , I le go and call more helpe .

Qu.

Others shall go , nay we will raise the streets , better dishonor , then destroy the King .

Le.

Sbloud I know not how to excuse my villany , I would faine be gone .

Enter Dowsecer , and his friend . Dow.

I le geld the adulterous goate , and take from him the instrument , that plaies him such sweete musicke .

La.

O rare , this makes my fiction true : now I le stay .

Quee.

Arrest these faithlesse traitrous gentlemen .

Dow.

What is the reason that you call vs traitours ?

La.

Nay , why do you attempt such violence against the person of the King ?

Dow.

Against the King , why this is strange to me .

Enter the King , and Martia . Ki.

How now my masters , what ? weapons drawne , come you to murder me .

Qu.

How fares my Lord ?

Ki.

How fare I ? well , but you yfaith shall get me speak for you another time ; he got me here to wooe a curious Lady , and she temptes him , say what I can , ouer what state I will in your behalfe Lemot , she will not yeeld .

Le.

Yfaith my liege , what a hard heart hath she , well hearke you , I am content your wit shall saue your honesty for this once .

Ki.

Peace , a plague OR you , peace ; but wherefore asked you how I did ?

Queene .

Because I feared that you were hurte my Lord .

Ki

Hurt , how I pray ?

Lem.

Why , hurt Madam , I am well againe .

Quee.

Do you aske ? why he told me Dowsecer and this his friend , threatned to take away .

Ki.

To take away , what should they take away .

Le.

Name it Madam .

Qu.

Nay , I pray name it you .

Le.

Why then , thus it was my liege , I told her Dowsecer , and this his friende threatned to take away , and if they could the instrument of procreation , and what was that now , but Martia beeing a fayre woman , is not shee the instrument of procreation , as all women are .

Qu.

O wicked man .

Le.

Go to , go to , you are one of those fiddles too yfaith .

Ki.

Well pardon my minion , that hath frayd you thus , t was but to make you mery in the end .

Qu.

I ioy it endes so well , my gracious Lord .

Fo.

But say my gracious Lord , is no harme done , betweene my louing daughter , and your grace ?

Ki.

No , of my honor and my soule Foyes .

Dow.

The fire of loue which she hath kindled in me being greater then my heate of vanity , hath quite expelled .

Ki

Come Dowsecer , receiue with your lost wittes your loue , though lost ; I know you le yeeld , my lord and you her father .

Both

Most ioyfully my Lord .

Ki.

And for her part I know her dispositio� well enough .

Lem.

What , will you haue her ?

Dow.

Yea mary will I .

Le.

I le go and tell Labesha presently .

Enter Iaquis , and my Host . Ia.

Monsieur I emot , I pray let me speake with you , I come to you from the Lord Moren , who would desire you to speake to the King for my masters lottery , and he hath my place to beare a torch , for bare faced hee dares not look vpon his wife , for his life .

Le.

O excellent , I le further thy masters lottery and it be but for this iest only , harke you my liege , here 's the poore man hath bin at great charges for the preparation of a lottery , and he hath made the rarest deuice , that I know you wil take great pleasure in it , I pray let him present it before you at Valeros house .

Ki.

Whith all my heart , can you be ready so soone ?

Host.

Presently and if it like your grace .

Ki.

But hearke you Lemot , how shall we do for euery mans posie .

Le.

Will you all trust me with the making of them ?

All .

With all our hearts .

Le.

Why then I le go to make the poses and bring I abesha to the lottery presently .

Enter Florila like a Puritan . Flo.

Surely the world is full of vanitie , a woman must take heed she do not heare a lewd man speake , for euery woman cannot when shee is tempted , when the wicked fiend gets her into his snares escape like me , for graces measure is not so filled vp , nor so prest downe in euery one as me , but yet I promise you a little more : well , I le go seeke my head , who shal take me in the gates of his kind armes vntoucht of any .

King .

What Madam are you so pure now ?

Flo.

Yea , would not you be pure ?

King .

No puritane .

Flo.

You must be then a diuell . I can tell you .

Lab.

O wife where hast thou beene ?

Flo.

where did I tell you I would be I pray .

Lab.

In thy close walke thou saidst .

Flo.

And was ' not ?

Lab.

Truly / know not , I neither looked nor knocked , for Labesha told me that you , and faire Martia were at Verones ordinarie .

Ki.

Labesha ? my lord you are a wise man to beleeue a fool .

Flo.

Well my good head , for my part I forgiue you : but surely you do much offend to be suspicious : where there is no trust , there is no loue , and where there is no loue twixt man and wife , there 's no good dealing surely : for as men should euer loue their wiues , so should they euer trust the� , for what loue is there where there is no trust ?

King .

She tels you true , my lord .

Lab.

Shee doth my liege ; and deare wife pardon this and I will neuer be suspicious more .

Flo.

Why I say , I do .

Enter Lemot , leading Labesha in a halter . Lem.

Looke you my liege , I haue done simple seruice amongest you , here is one had hanged himselfe for loue , thinking his Mistresse had done so for him : well , see your Mistresse liues .

Labes�.

And doth my Mistresse liue ?

King .

Shee doth , O noble knight , but not your Mistresse now .

Lab.

Sblood , but she shall for me , or for no body else .

Lem.

How now , what a traitor , draw vpon the King .

Lab.

Yea , or vpon any woman here in a good cause .

King .

Well sweete Besha let her marry Dowsecer , I le get thee a wife worth fifteene of her , wilt thou haue one that cares not for thee ?

Lab.

Not I by the Lord , I scorne her , I le haue her better if I can get her .

King .

Why that 's well said .

Lem.

What Madam , are you turned puritan againe ?

Elo.

When was I other , pray ?

Lem.

Marie I le tell you when , when you went to the Ordinarie , and when you made false signes to your husband , which I could tell him all .

Flo.

Cursed be he that maketh debate twixt man & wife .

Lem.

O rare scripturian ! you haue sealed vp my lips , a hall , a hall , the pageant of the Butterie .

Enter two with torches , the one of them Moren , then my host and his son , then his maid drest like Queene Fortune with two pots in her hands . King .

What is he ?

Lem.

This is Verones sonne , my liege .

King .

What shall he do ?

Cat

Speak some speach that his father hath made for him

Qu.

Why is he good at speeches ?

Cat.

O he is rare at speaches .

Boy .

Faire ladies most tender , and nobles most slender , and gentles whose wits be scarce .

Ki.

My host , why do you call vs nobles most slender ?

Host.

And it shall please your Grace , to be slender is to be proper , and therfore where my boy saies nobles most slender , it is as much to say , fine and proper nobles .

Le.

Yea , but why do you call vs gentles whose wits are scarce .

Host.

To be scarce , is to be rare : and therefore where as he sayes Gentles whose wits be scarce , is as much as to say , Gentles whose wits be rare .

Lem.

Well , forwards trunchman .

Boy .

Faire ladies most tender , and nobles most slender , and gentles whose wittes bee scarce , Queene Fortune doth come with her trumpe , and her drumme , as it may appeare by my voice .

Lab.

Come hither , are you a schoolemaister , where was Fortune Queene , of what countrey or kingdome ?

Host.

Wy sir , Fortune was Queene ouer all the world .

Lab.

That 's a lie , there 's none that euer conquered all the world , but maister Alisander , I am sure of that .

Lem.

O rare Monsieur Labesha , who would haue thought hee could haue found so rare a fault in the speach .

Host.

I le alter it if it please your grace .

King .

No , t is very well .

Boy .

Father I must begin againe they interrupt me so .

Ho.

I beseech your grace giue the boy leaue to begin again .

King .

With all my heart , t is so good we cannot heare it too oft .

Boy .

Faire ladies most tender , and nobles most slender , and gentles whose wittes are scarce , Queene Fortune doth come with her Fife , and her Drum , as it doth appeare by my voice , here is Fortune good , but il by the rood , and this naught but good shall do you , dealing the lots out of our pots , and so good Fortune to you sir .

Lem.

Looke you my liege , how hee that caries the torch trembles extreamly .

Kin.

I warrant t is with care to carie his torch well .

Lem.

Nay there is something else in the wind : why my host what meanes thy man Iaques to tremble so ?

Host.

Hold still thou knaue , what art thou afraid to looke vpon the goodly presence of a king : hold vp for shame .

Lem.

Alas poore man , he thinks t is Iaques his man : poore lord , how much is he bound to suffer for his wife ?

King

Hearke you mine host , what goodly person is that ? is it Fortune herselfe ?

Host.

I le tell your Maiestie in secrete who it is , it is my maide Iaquena .

King .

I promise you she becomes her state rarely .

Lem.

Well my liege , you were all content that I should make your poses : well here they be euery one : giue Master Verone his fiue crownes .

King .

There 's mine aud the Queenes .

Labesh.

Theirs ours

D�w.

And there is mine and Martias .

Lem.

Come Labesha thy money .

Lab

You must lend me some , for my boy is runne away with my purse .

Le.

Thy boy ? I neuer knew any that thou hadst .

Lab.

Had not I a boy three or foure yeares ago , and he ran away .

Lem.

And neuer since he went thou hadst not a peny , but stand by , I le excuse you . But sirrah Catalian , thou shalt stand on one side and reade the prises , and I will stand on the other and read the Poses .

Cat.

Content Lemot .

Lem.

Come on Queene Fortune , tell eueryman t is posie , this is orderly , the King and Queene are first .

King .

Come let vs see what goodly poses you haue giuen vs .

Lem.

This is your Maiesties , At the fairest , so it bee not Martia .

King .

A plague vpon you , you are still playing the villaines with me .

Le.

This is the Queenes , Obey the Queene : and she speakes it to her husband , or to Fortune , which she will .

Cat.

A prise : your Maiesties is the summe of foure shillings in gold

King .

Why how can that be there is no such coyne .

Host.

Here is the worth of it , if it please your grace .

Quee.

Well , what 's for me ?

Ca.

A heart of gold .

Quee.

A goodly iewell .

Le.

Count Laberuele and Florila .

La.

What 's my posie sir I pray ?

Le. Mary this my Lord , Of all fortunes friends , that hath ioy in this life , He is most happy that puts a sure trust in his wife . La.

A very good one sir , I thanke you for it .

Flo.

What 's mine I pray ?

Le. Mary this Madam , Good fortune be thou my good fortune bringer , And make me amends for my poore bitten finger . La.

Who bit your finger wife ?

Flo.

No body ; t is vaine posie .

Ca.

Blanke for my lord Laberuele , for his wife a posie , a paire of holy beades with a crucifix .

Flo.

O bommination Idole , I le none of them .

Ki.

Keepe them thy self Veron , she will not haue them .

Le.

Dowsecer and Martia I haue fitted your lordship for a posie .

Dow.

Why what is it ?

Le.

Anno omnia vna .

Ma.

And what is mine sir ?

Le.

A serious one I warrant you change : for the better .

Ma.

That 's not amisse .

Ca.

A price : Dowsecer hath a cats eyes or Mercuries rod of gold , set with Iacinths and Emeralds .

Dow

What is for Martia ?

Ca.

Martia hath the two serpents heades set with Diamonds .

Le.

What my host Uerone ?

Ki.

What ? is he in for his owne iewells .

Le.

O what els my liege , t is our bountie , and his posie is To tel you the truth in words plaine and mild , Veron loues his maide , and she is great with child .

Ki.

What Queene fortune with child , shall we haue yong fortunes my host ?

Host.

I am abused , and if it please your Maiestie .

Maid .

I le play no more .

Lem.

No saith you need not now , you haue plaid your bellie full alreadie

Host.

Stand still good Iaquena , they do but ieast .

Maid.

Yea , but I like no such ieasting .

Lem.

Come great Queene Fortune , let see your posies , what madam , alas , your ladiship is one of the last .

Coun.

What is my posie sir I pray ?

Lem.

Marie Madam your posie is made in maner and forme of an Eccho , as if you were seeking your husbande , and fortune should be the Eccho , and this you say : where is my husband his so long vnmaskt , maskt ? sayes the Eccho , but in what place sweete Fortune ? let me heare : heare sayes the Eccho .

King .

There you lie Eccho , for if he were here we must needes see him .

Lem.

Indeed sweete King there me thinkes the Eccho must needes lie , if hee were here wee must needes see him , t is one of the� that caries the torches : no that cannot be neither , and yet by the Masse here 's Iaques , why my host , did not you tell me that Iaques should be a torchbearer : who is this ? Gods my life , my lord .

Mor.

And you be Gentlemen let me go .

Coun.

Nay come your way , you may be well enough ashamed to shew your face that is a periured wretch , did not you sweare , if there were any wenches at the ordinarie , you would straight come home .

King .

Why , who tolde you Madam , there were any there ?

Coun.

He that will stand to it Lemot my liege .

Lem.

who I stand to it , alas , I tolde you in kindnesse , and good will , because I would not haue you companie long from your husband .

Mor.

Why loe you bird , how much you are deceiued .

Co.

Why wherefore were you afraid to be seene ?

Mor.

Who I afraid ? alas I bore a torch to grace this honorable presence , for nothing els sweete bird .

King .

Thanks good Moren , see lady with what wrong you haue pursued your most inamored lord : but come now al are friends , now is this day spent with an hurtfull motiues of delight , and ouer ioyes more my senses at the night : and now for Dowsecer , if all will follow my deuise , his beauteous loue and he shal married be , and here I solemnly inuite you all home to my court , where with feastes wee will crowne this myrthfull day , and vow it to renowne .

FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18419-e100110 Then hee reades . Enter Lemot . Then he offereth to draw . Enter Lemot. Then he sighes . The boy speakes in Foies his ear He spies the creame .

LONDON

Printed by Valentine Simmes .

1599 .

Machine-generated castlist A18419-lemot 209 A18419-labernele 104 A18419-florila 69 A18419-king 56 A18419-catalian 53 A18419-berger 46 A18419-colenet 42 A18419-martia 38 A18419-moren 37 A18419-unassigned 30 A18419-foyes 27 A18419-count 23 A18419-queen 23 A18419-blanvel 22 A18419-verone 19 A18419-dowsecer 18 A18419-jaq 17 A18419-host 16 A18419-rowle 16 A18419-boy 13 A18419-lord 8 A18419-maid 7 A18419-besha 5 A18419-all 3 A18419-labesha 1 A18419-both 1 A18419-foies 1
Textual Notes

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��� her tincture and the soyle of night stickes stil vpon the bosome of the ayre : yet sleepe aceesse this counterfeite , to the which I steale accesse , to work this rare & politike deuice : re�gious wife and yong and delicate , although too religious in the purest sorte , but pure religion f�re make her desperate , thus I write in this faire iewell though it simple be , yet tis mine isatstro�gest longest , when man is at the weakest , god is at str�gest , I hope tis plain , & knowing ou� thus will I sit , as it were , and point out all my humorous companions . ��� Enter Catalian and Blanuel . ��� O good morrow Monseur Lemot , here is the gentleman you desired so much i�alous her company , thogh the olde churle bee so iealous that he will suffer no man to come at her �o Well this Ile do whatsoeuer come on it . � suffer no man to come at her , yet I will find a meanes , that two of vs will haue accesse ��� two of vs will haue accesse to her tho , be fore his face , which shal so heate his ��� ot Monseur Lemot your kindnes in this will bind me much to � I pray you do not say so sir , ��� Kind Monsieur Blanuel . ��� Kind Monsier Lemot . ��� Enter Foyes , and Martia , and Besha . dostnot Why dost not thou say yea , and I the same of you �ather horse that beares double , for your good father meanes you shall indure your single life Asore afore God daughter , thou art not worthy to heare C�linet Enter Colinet . Ma ry Marry thus sir , the Countesse Morene intreats tho�es is full of gallant Gentlemen , dangerous thornes to pricke yong maides I can tell you . prick� gallant Gentlemen , dangerous thornes to pricke yong maides I can tell you . d�ell will draw another quickly so , see how the diuell tempts : but whats here ? iewels ? how should louelv Good morrow louely wife , what hast thou there ? tho� Good morrow louely wife , what hast thou there ? ��� thy holy life , and vsing thy olde husbande louingly or else doe Fairies haunt this holy greene tak� surely I feare I haue much sinned to stoupe take take them vp , bowing my bodie to an idle hi� beene vsed to take a poore soule vp in the his way . pos�es behold your iewels : what me thinks thers posies written on the� . Dispaire not of children wittre is at the strongest . Wonderfull rare and wittie , nay diuine , why this is heauenly co�fort d�ine strongest . Wonderfull rare and wittie , nay diuine , why this is heauenly co�fort for thee �olde this other ? God will reward her a thousand folde that takes what age can , & not what age ��� another mind , and weare these iewels and a veluet hood . du�elish A veluet hood ! O vaine diuelish deuise a toy made with a superfluous flap d�uise A veluet hood ! O vaine diuelish deuise a toy made with a superfluous flap , which plea�e to be a fruitful mother , & therfore if it please you ile vse resort purenesle haue I done ? who woulde haue thought her purenesse would yeeld so soone to courses of temptations touch� A slender thrust sir , where I touche you not . Mon� Why sir , I haue a message to my ladie from Monsieur du Barto . ��� Gods my passion whom do I see , the very imp of desolation , the minio� of our King , �nter minio� of our King , whome no man sees to enter his house but hee lookes vp , his wife , hous� our King , whome no man sees to enter his house but hee lookes vp , his wife , his children ��� Enter Lemot . �ight not in your husbands hearing , thogh in his sight for there is no woman wil shewe shee is L�. Lab. ladi� honorable meanes to proue the puritie of a ladies constancy , kisses are the strongest , I L�. Lem. ��� No kissing Madam � how shall I proue you the� sufficiently � No kissing Madam ? how shall I proue you the� sufficiently pro� No kissing Madam � how shall I proue you the� sufficiently , not vsing the most ��� kissing Madam � how shall I proue you the� sufficiently , not vsing the most sufficient proofe ? mostsufficient proue you the� sufficiently , not vsing the most sufficient proofe ? to flatter your selfe ohast tel me how kissing is the best proofe of chast Ladies . �uery Then thus Madam : euery kisse is made �s the voice is by imagination �s Then thus Madam : euery kisse is made as the voice is by imagination and appetite �re , and as both those are presented to the eare in the voyce , so are they to the silent no� O she dares not , she dares not I am as glad I haue tride your puritie as La�y puritie as may be : you the most constant Lady in France ? I know an hundred Ladies in �uill hundred Ladies in this towne that wil dance , reuill all night amongst gallants , and in the �iumph Nay Madam , triumph not before the victorie , howe can you conquer striu� that , against which you neuer striue , or striue against that which neuer incounters you mufique on rich apparrell , fare daintily , heare musique , reade Sonetes be continually courted , ��� and a cleere body , then are your vertues ipsissima ; then haue you passed the ful test of experiment Abacu� passe to perfection through al temptation , Abacuke the fourth . th�ues cucke me no cuckes , in a doores I saye , theeues , Puritanes , murderers , in a doores I murd�s in a doores I saye , theeues , Puritanes , murderers , in a doores I say . sl�ue Enter Besha hanging vpon Martia sleeue , and the Lord Moren comes to them . �kies blanket ? what do you make a puppie of me , by skies and stones I will go and tell your Lady ��� Enter the Countesse Moren and Besha . wor�e another thus , or are you laying plots to worke my death ? n�ither Why neither sweete bird , what need you moue these questions ��� Nothing by heauen sweete bird I sweare , but to intreat her loue . in�at Nothing by heauen sweete bird I sweare , but to intreat her loue . Bla�l Enter Lemot , Blanuel , and Catalian , and Colinet . Lem� Madam we shall not haue one mot of Monsieur Lemot , but it shal be as it were a mote to drown be�ore what a mote her quick eye can spie in mine , before she lookes in it . �ar. Mar mo� I will sir , moto , motas . he le Nay , birladye hele runne home and tell her father . Labes�a faire charge , faire and manly L. Monsieur Labesha . E�ter Enter the puritane in her best attyre . a�yre Enter the puritane in her best attyre . b� hee my husbande is , but what need I thus be attyred , for that he would be pleased with Ladyesproofe Nowe sir , your cunning in a Ladyes proofe . cou�se Nay , I knowe you will applaude mee in this course , but to let common circumstaunces passe L�m. Lem. handkerch� Lend him my handkercher to wipe his lips of their last disgrace L�b. Lab. r�llings presence , and there with Musicke and quicke reuellings you may reuiue your spirits so long time Th�n Then he sighes . �arewigs scarcrow , full of cobwebs , spiders and earewigs , that sets Iackdawes long tongue in my L�mot Peace Lemot , they say the yong lord Dowseger is rarely Dow�ger Peace Lemot , they say the yong lord Dowseger is rarely learned , and nothing lunatike m�ry you and I , and Count Moren , will be most merry . �nd Enter Laberuele , Labesha , and all the rest . barendri� an il sounding barendrie of my word : but to the purpose , lord Laberuele Lauc� Enter Lauele with a picture , and a paire of large hose codp� picture , and a paire of large hose , and a codpeece � and a sword . � and a paire of large hose , and a codpeice , and a sword . yo�g Say Lauel , where is your friend the young lord Dowsecer ? �ates the sight of them in mind of their braue states that vse them , or that at the least of atleast yet it is very probable in time she may , at least , we shal discerne his humor of the? Qui� Quid Dei potes videri magnum in rebus humanis ��� Qui� Dei potes videri magnum in rebus humanis quae aeterni ��� videri magnum in rebus humanis quae aeterni omnes to thy �sque notas sic omnibus magna tutor ��� earthly things to whom the whole course of eternitie , and the round compasse of the world is ��� compasse of the world is knowne ? a speech diuine , but yet I maruaile much how it should ��� maruaile much how it should spring from thee , Marke Cicero that sold for glory the sweet peece gl�ry spring from thee , Marke Cicero that sold for glory the sweet peece of life , & make a torment natu�s peece of life , & make a torment of rich natures ��� work � wearing thy self by watchful � & make a torment of rich natures ��� work , wearing thy self by watchful candel light selfby rich natures ��� work � wearing thy self by watchful candel light , when all the Smithes ��� thy self by watchful candel light , when all the Smithes & Weauers were at rest , and yet was gallant a�med to haue a troope of clyents at thy gates , armed with religious suplications , such as wold suplicati� clyents at thy gates , armed with religious suplications , such as wold make sterne Minos laugh to vntue on our lawyers billes , not one containes vntrue or honest drifts ; but he cares � he cares � containes vntrue or honest drifts ; but he cares , he cares , he cares ; for acorns now are �or drifts ; but he cares � he cares , he cares ; for acorns now are in request , but the okes aco� but he cares � he cares , he cares ; for acorns now are in request , but the okes poore afrensie Is this a frensie ? �nemie shamelesse world , that dares present her mortall enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity gro�e dares present her mortall enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity yron and steele , ��� present her mortall enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity yron and steele , vncharitable ��� mortall enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity yron and steele , vncharitable stuffe , ��� enemie with these grose ensignes of her lenity yron and steele , vncharitable stuffe , good surfcits natural and casuall accidents , diseases , surfeits , braue carowses , old aquavitae , and too brauc casuall accidents , diseases , surfeits , braue carowses , old aquavitae , and too base in�ites part , take away this , and take away their merites , and their spirites , scarce dare they �n because they haue it too , for they may sing , in written books they find it , what is it codpe�ce and burne the booke , a large house and a codpeice makes a man a codpece , nay indeed but house Il� and sor you come to rest me into fashion , Ile weare you thus , and sit vpon the matter �enne mind : nor would I haue with imitated shapes menne make their natiue land , the land of apes �uing make their natiue land , the land of apes , liuing like strangers when they be at home , and loo�e beare strange hearts to their home , nor loose a snuffe like a piannets taile , for nothing piann�ts to their home , nor loose a snuffe like a piannets taile , for nothing but their tailes and pain� haue small � skill , if they were all of painting twere safer dealing with them , and indeed the� would they vouchsafe it , euen I would ioy in their societie . W� Well sir , now thus must I do sir , ere it come � thus must I do sir , ere it come to women ; now sir a plague vpon it , tis so ridiculous ��� must I do sir , ere it come to women � now sir a plague vpon it , tis so ridiculous I can a�e ridiculous I can no further : what poore asse was it that set this in my way ? now if youare O how You are deceiued , you haue but me , & what decen�d O how You are deceiued , you haue but me , & what a trouble am Cou�t Count sh� Well heark you bird , of my word you shall not go , vnlesse you will sweare to me , g� heark you bird , of my word you shall not go , vnlesse you will sweare to me , you will M�rtia Martia , learne by this when you are a wife . F�y. Foy. whe�e , you shall go with vs to the ordinarie , where you shall meete Gentlemen of so good carriage Ex�nt Exeunt all . ch�unce , may excuse it , or if the meate should chaunce to be tough , be you tender ouer them in th� these bee small faultes , you may beare with the , young Gentlemen and wilde heades will P�rdon Come hither huswife . Pardon mee sweete Iacenan , I must make an angry ��� called me knaue and foole , I thanke you small bones . harlo� Go thy waies for the prowdest harlotrie that euer came in our house . �st No , let the cloth lie , hither theile com first , I am sure of it , then If they will dine R�l Enter Rol . U�. Ue. Yo� Your worship is the first sir . �ited I was inuited by my cosen Colinet , to see your iewells ��� I was inuited by my cosen Colinet , to see your iewells . ��� inuited by my cosen Colinet , to see your iewells . R�. Ro. so� prettie place for an ordinarie , I am very sory I haue not vsed to come to ordinaries . � What are we two the first ? giue's the cardes , here come , this gentleman ��� What are we two the first � giue's the cardes , here come , this gentleman and I wil go ��� are we two the first � giue's the cardes , here come , this gentleman and I wil go to cardes card� here come , this gentleman and I wil go to cardes while dinner be ready . ��� this gentleman and I wil go to cardes while dinner be ready . �uly No truly I cannot play at cardes . p�y No truly I cannot play at cardes . ��� No truly I cannot play at cardes . �ow How ! not play , O for shame say not so , how can a yong gentleman spend his time but ��� play , and in courting his Mistris : come use this , least youth take too much of the V�. Ve. Luci� Why , he was taken learning trickes at old Lucilas house the muster mistris of all the smocktearers Bl�l Good morow Monsieur Blanuel , I am glad of your quicke deliuery . Bl�. Bla. ��� Berger who told you of it ? ��� Gentlemen all , good morrow good Monsieur Rowle � � Gentlemen all , good morrow good Monsieur Rowle . tittle with good iudgement , great shew , and but little cost . Mor�. Moren. ��� Enter Catalian sweating . �ing Enter Catalian sweating . ��� you should haue seene me a beat Monsieur Besan , and I gaue him fifteene and all his faults Lab� Enter Foyes and Labesha . L�mot Nay sweet Lemot be not angry , I did but iest , as I am F�y. Foy. �r I do sir , and I am very glad of it . B� Be , Le�ot And I hope Lemot , you are not angry with me stil . s� I hope Lemot , you are not angry with me stil. . L�. Le. C�. Ca. whata land for your sake , I would I were hanged , what a diuel can you haue more then my poore C�. Ca. h�ousest O the hainousest word in the world . F�y. Foy. �y Lemot , will you play � � Lemot , will you play ? F�y. Foy. L�. Lem. C� Sirrah , Catalian , while they are playing at cardes , thou �hou Catalian , while they are playing at cardes , thou and I will haue some excellent sport : sirrah tho� haue some excellent sport : sirrah , dost thou know that same Gentleman there ? L�. Lem. �ing neat reueller , one thats heire to a great liuing , yet his father keepes him so short , that h� yet his father keepes him so short , that his shirts will scant couer the bottom of his �cant keepes him so short , that his shirts will scant couer the bottom of his belly , for all ga� couer the bottom of his belly , for all his gay outside , but the linings be very foule swea� outside , but the linings be very foule and sweatie , yea and perhappes lowsie , with dispising Ca�. Cat. fo� seruing man of his fathers , that hath gotten four shillings in fiftie years vpon his great ��� shillings in fiftie years vpon his great good husbandrie , he swearing monstrous othes to pay him oth� great good husbandrie , he swearing monstrous othes to pay him againe , and besides to doe him tu�e him againe , and besides to doe him a good turne ( when God shall heare his prayer for his R� God saue sweete Monsieur Rowls , what loose or win , loose or win ? Co�y Theres a prouerbe hit dead in the necke like a Cony , why hearke thee Catalian , I could haue Cata� in the necke like a Cony , why hearke thee Catalian , I could haue told thee before what he L�. Lem. L�. Lem. so� What soere � I say to Labesha , he shall answer me s�y What so � I say to Labesha , he shall answer me , blacke Labe� What so � I say to Labesha , he shall answer me , blacke will bee no �e What so � I say to Labesha , he shall answer me , blacke will bee no other hue , and that b�e Labesha , he shall answer me , blacke will bee no other hue , and that same olde Iustice gr�e other hue , and that same olde Iustice , as greedie of a stale prouerbe , he shall come in the �e of a stale prouerbe , he shall come in the necke of that and say , Blacke is a pearle in L�. Lem. L�sha Looke thee , here comes hither Labesha , Catalian . and I haue beene talking of Cat� Looke thee , here comes hither Labesha , Catalian . and I haue beene talking of thy complexion F�. Foy. �mans O sir blacke is a pearle in a womans eye . L�. Lem. �rrah You say true sir , you say true sir , sirrah Catalian , whatsoere I say to Berger that Cata� say true sir , you say true sir , sirrah Catalian , whatsoere I say to Berger that is so busie �e say to Berger that is so busie at Cardes , he shall answer me , sblood , I do not meane d�d Why Berger , I thought thou hadst beene dead , I haue not heard thee chide all this while L� Why but hearke you Lemot , I hope you cannot �ake this lord answer �ake but hearke you Lemot , I hope you cannot make this lord answer so roundly . �us with an olde Latine Prouerbe , that is , usus promptos facit . pro� an olde Latine Prouerbe , that is , usus promptos facit . facis Latine Prouerbe , that is , usus promptos facit . C�. Cat. O� Once more lets see . L�. Lem. M�r. Mor. vs��ptus O sir , you may see , vsus promptos facit . L�ot Monsieur Lemot , here is a Gentleman and two Gentlewomen �es What are they come ? Yes , conuey them into the inwarde Parlour by I�. Iaq. L�. Lem. �ar The boy speakes in Foies his ear � their comming I protest to your Lordship , and woulde you haue mee turne such faire ��� Ile tell you in secrete , you shall haue no worse company then the Kings . L�. Lem. co�tesse flowers of Paris , I can tell you , faire countesse Florila , and the ladie Martia . Mar�a , faire countesse Florila , and the ladie Martia . Ia�e Enter Iaque . Iaq�s Ile come to them straight : but Iaques come hither I prethee , go to Labesha , hith� Ile come to them straight : but Iaques come hither I prethee , go to Labesha , and tell him �eare , is this all ? Sblood Ile denie it , and feare it too . �e My Lorde , Ile goe and see the roome be neate and fine , and come to you presently . L�. Lord. L�t Yea but hearke you Lemot � I prethee take such order that they be � Yea but hearke you Lemot , I prethee take such order that they be not ��� Yea but hearke you Lemot � I prethee take such order that they be not knowne of any women Lab� Hearke you , Monsieur Labesha , I pray let me speak a worde with you . Candl� to my stake , theres three pence vnder the Candle . ca� indeede it is a shame that your motherly care should be so slightly regarded . accu�st Out on thee strumpet and accurst , and miserable dame . sw�re play false , that would so simply vow , and sweare his faith , and would not let me be displeased strump�t fire , making it burning hot to mark the strumpet , but twill bee colde too ere I can come �will it burning hot to mark the strumpet , but twill bee colde too ere I can come thither , doe F�. Fo. Purit� Enter the Puritane to Lemot. where� you giue me vilain at the first , I wonder wheres this old doter , what doth he thinke we spu�e raile at you , to call you harlot , and to spurne you too , O you'l loue me a great deale ha�ull loue you so dearely as I do , to make you hatefull in his sight , that I might more freely �ung and my mother died both in a day , and I rung mee a peale for them , and they were no �lo. Flo. �or life , you haue discredited your religion for euer . th� practise ; well now wil I go set the Queene vpo� the King , and tell her where he is close with maid�ad Nor I , by my maidenhead . t�e , weele go answere for your house at this time , but if at other times you haue had wenches Exe�t Exeunt al , but my host and the Gentleman . i�ast but I laye my life Lemot hath deuised some ieast , he gaue vs the slip before dinner . Labe�ha Why man , Labesha is grown maruelous malecontent , vpon some mar�elous Why man , Labesha is grown maruelous malecontent , vpon some amorous disposition �is malecontent , vpon some amorous disposition of his mistres , and you know he loues a mease doub� was set in the way of Dowsecer , which I doubt not but will woorke a rare cure vpon his F�lix Felix que� faciunt aliena pericula cantum . O a�iena Felix que� faciunt aliena pericula cantum . O sillie state of things ��� Felix que� faciunt aliena pericula cantum . O sillie state of things , for things spie� He spies the creame . . cre� He spies the creame. . . �im is strongly tempted , the lord strengthen him , see what a vaine he hath . p�ore fortune , and dost thou spit thy spite at my poore life : but O sowre creame what thinkest � spoonefull : bitterer and bitterer still , but O sowre creame , wert thou an Onion , since �ince but � sowre creame , wert thou an Onion , since Fortune set thee for mee , I will eate thee de�our thee for mee , I will eate thee , and I will deuour thee in spite of Fortunes spite , choake e�te I , mistres for thy sake , to end my life eate I this creame and cake . �ares then put poyson in my breath , and burne the eares of my attentiue Queene . Le�. Lem. hono�ed do inioy as faire , & though I loue in al honoured sort , yet Ile not wro�g my wife for al ro�all O pardon me my lord , that I mistake thy royall meaning so . a�e forced her into a priuate roome where now they are . Lem�t who would keep him company but I , O vilde Lemot , my wife and I are bound to curse thee Cat�lian Stay good Catalian . Ex�unt Exeunt both . tra�trous Arrest these faithlesse traitrous gentlemen . Quee�e Queene . iustrument threatned to take away , and if they could the instrument of procreation , and what was that now , �ord I ioy it endes so well , my gracious Lord . �indled The fire of loue which she hath kindled in me being greater then my heate of vanity los� with your lost wittes your loue , though lost � I know youle yeeld , my lord and you her � your lost wittes your loue , though lost ; I know youle yeeld , my lord and you her �ord speake with you , I come to you from the Lord Moren , who would desire you to speake to har�e lottery and it be but for this iest only , harke you my liege , heres the poore man hath ta�e made the rarest deuice , that I know you wil take great pleasure in it , I pray let him present ��� , I pray let him present it before you at Valeros house . �ou Will you all trust me with the making of them ? Wh� Why then Ile go to make the poses and bring �ues done so for him : well , see your Mistresse liues . faid Why thats well said . tben of them Moren , then my host and his son , then his maid drest like Queene Fortune with �hat something else in the wind : why my host what meanes thy man Iaques to tremble so ? �ege Well my liege , you were all content that I should make w�re Well my liege , you were all content that I should make your poses � Thy boy ? I neuer knew any that thou hadst . ��� but stand by , Ile excuse you . But sirrah Catalian , thou shalt stand on one side and reade �is Come on Queene Fortune , tell eueryman tis posie , this is orderly , the King and Queene �ueene This is the Queenes , Obey the Queene : and she speakes it to her husband , or Fort�ne and she speakes it to her husband , or to Fortune , which she will . C�t. Cat. ��� A prise : your Maiesties is the summe of foure shillings in gold th�t Why how can that be there is no such coyne . �e Why how can that be there is no such coyne . ��� Why how can that be there is no such coyne . H�st. Host. ��� Here is the worth of it , if it please your grace . Floril� Count Laberuele and Florila . M�ry Mary this Madam , Good fortune be thou my good Keep� Keepe them thy self Veron , she will not haue An�o Anno omnia vna . Dow�r A price : Dowsecer hath a cats eyes or Mercuries rod of gold Ia�inths eyes or Mercuries rod of gold , set with Iacinths and Emeralds . Do� Dow M�rtia Martia hath the two serpents heades set with Diamonds �s What ? is he in for his owne iewells . �ewells What ? is he in for his owne iewells . po�e els my liege , tis our bountie , and his posie is To tel you the truth in words plaine t�th bountie , and his posie is To tel you the truth in words plaine and mild , Veron loues his Veron� you the truth in words plaine and mild , Veron loues his maide , and she is great with for�e What Queene fortune with child , shall we haue yong fortunes �hall What Queene fortune with child , shall we haue yong fortunes my host ? hau� What Queene fortune with child , shall we haue yong fortunes my host ? Mai�stie I am abused , and if it please your Maiestie . �le Ile play no more . ��� saith you need not now , you haue plaid your bellie full alreadie ��� Stand still good Iaquena , they do but ieast . Ma�a. Maid. h�d , and this you say : where is my husband his so long vnmaskt , maskt ? sayes the Eccho vn�askt you say : where is my husband his so long vnmaskt , maskt ? sayes the Eccho , but in what �ee Eccho , for if he were here we must needes see him . I�e King there me thinkes the Eccho must needes lie , if hee were here wee must needes see him or�narie sweare , if there were any wenches at the ordinarie , you would straight come home . yo�ld there were any wenches at the ordinarie , you would straight come home . l�ge He that will stand to it Lemot my liege . beaut�ous Dowsecer , if all will follow my deuise , his beauteous loue and he shal married be , and here I r�nowne crowne this myrthfull day , and vow it to renowne .
A18425 ---- Caesar and Pompey (The Wars of Caesar and Pompey) Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18425 of text S107722 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4993). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Lydia Zoells This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18425.xml Caesar and Pompey a Roman tragedy, declaring their vvarres. Out of whose euents is euicted this proposition. Only a iust man is a freeman. By George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 37 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2006 June (TCP phase 1) 99843418 STC (2nd ed.) 4993. Greg, II, 444(A1*). 8150 A18425

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Caesar and Pompey a Roman tragedy, declaring their vvarres. Out of whose euents is euicted this proposition. Only a iust man is a freeman. By George Chapman. Tragedy of Cæsar and Pompey. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [76] p. Printed by Thomas Harper, and are to be sold by Godfrey Edmonson, and Thomas Alchorne, London : M.DC.XXXI. [1631] 1605

In verse.

Signatures: A-I4 K2.

The first leaf is blank.

Running title reads: The tragedy of Cæsar and Pompey.

A variant of the edition with title: The warres of Pompey and Caesar (STC 4992).

Reproduction of the original in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library.

Rome -- History -- Civil war, 49-48 B.C. -- Drama. A18425 shc Caesar and Pompey (The Wars of Caesar and Pompey) Chapman, George Melina Yeh Lydia Zoells 1605 play tragedy shc no A18425 S107722 (STC 4993). 22166 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

CAESAR AND POMPEY : A Roman Tragedy , declaring their Warres .

Out of whose euents is euicted this Proposition .

Only a iust man is a freeman .

By GEORGE CHAPMAN .

LONDON : Printed by THOMAS HARPER , and are to be sold by Godfrey Emondson , and Thomas Althorus . M.DC.XXXI .

TO THE RIGHT HONOrable , his exceeding good Lord , the Earle of Middlesex , &c.

THough ( my good Lord ) this martiall History suffer the diuision of Acts and Scenes , both for the more perspicuity and height of the celebration , yet neuer toucht it at the Stage ; or if it had ( though some may perhaps causelesly empaire it ) yet would it , I hope , fall vnder no exception in your Lordships better-iudgeing estimation , since scenicall representation is so farre from giuing iust cause of any least diminution ; that the personall and exact life it giues to any History , or other such delineation of humane actions , ads to them luster , spirit and apprehension , which the only section of Acts and Scenes makes mee stand vpon thus much , since that only in some precisianismes will require a little preuention : And the hasty prose the stile auoides , obtaine to the more temperate and stai'd numerous elocution , some assistance to the acceptation and grace of it . Though ingeniously my gratitude confesseth ( my Lord ) it is not such as hereafter J vow to your honor ; being written so long since ; and had not the timely ripenesse of that age that ( J thank God ) J yet finde no fault withall for any old defects .

Good my Lord vouchsafe your idle minutes may admit some slight glances at this , till some worke of more nouelty and fashion may conferre this the more liking of your honors more worthy deseruings ; To which his bounden affection vowes all seruices .

Euer your Lordships GEO. CHAPMAN .
The Argument .

POmpey and Caesar bring their Armies so neare Rome , that the Senate except against them . Caesar vnduly and ambitiously commanding his forces . Pompey more for feare of Caesars violence to the State , then mou'd with any affectation of his own greatnesse . Their opposite pleadings , out of which admirable narrations are made , which yet not conducing to their ends , warre ends them . In which at first Caesar is forc't to fly , whom Pompey not pursuing with such wings as fitted a speeding Conqueror ; his victory was preuented , and he vnhappily dishonor'd . Whose ill fortune his most louing and learned wife Cornelia trauailde after , with paines solemne and carefull enough ; whom the two Lentuli and others attended , till she miserably found him , and saw him monstrously murthered .

Both the Consuls and Cato are slaughterd with their owne invincible hands ; and Caesar ( in spight of all his fortune ) without his victory , victor .

ONELY A IVST MAN IS A FREE MAN .
Act I. Scene I. Cato , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Cat. NOw will the two Suns of our Romane Heauen ( Pompey & Caesar ) in their Tropicke burning , With their contention , all the clouds assemble That threaten tempests to our peace & Empire , Which we shall shortly see poure down in bloud , Ciuill and naturall , wilde and barbarous turning . Ath.

From whence presage you this ?

Cat. From both their Armies , Now gathered neere our Italie , contending To enter seuerally : Pompeys brought so neere By Romes consent ; for feare of tyranous Caesar , Which Caesar fearing to be done in fauour Of Pompey , and his passage to the Empire , Hath brought on his for interuention . And such a flocke of Puttocks follow Caesar , For fall of his ill-disposed Purse ( That neuer yet spar'd Crosse to Aquiline vertue ) As well may make all ciuill spirits suspicious . Looke how against great raines , a standing Poole Of Paddockes , Todes , and water-Snakes put vp Their speckl'd throates aboue the venemous Lake , Croking and gasping for some fresh falne drops To quench their poisond thirst ; being neere to stifle With clotterd purgings of their owne foule bane ; So still , where Caesar goes , there thrust vp head , Impostors , Flatterers , Fauorites , and Bawdes , Buffons , Intelligencers , select wits ; Close Murtherers , Montibanckes , and decaied Theeues , To gaine their banefull liues reliefes from him . From Britaine , Belgia , France , and Germanie , The scum of either Countrie , ( chus'd by him , To be his blacke Guard , and red Agents here ) Swarming about him . Porc. And all these are said To be suborn'd , in chiefe , against your selfe ; Since Caesar chiefly feares , that you will sit This day his opposite ; in the cause for which Both you were sent for home ; and he hath stolne Accesse so soone here ; Pompey : whole rest raisde To his encounter ; and on both sides , Rome In generall vproare . Stat. Which Sir , if you saw , And knew , how for the danger , all suspect To this your worthiest friend ( for that knowne freedome His spirit will vse this day , 'gainst both the Riuals , His wife and familie mourne , no food , no comfort Allowd them , for his danger ) you would vse Your vtmost powrs to stay him from the Senate , All this daies Session . Cat. Hee 's too wise , Statilius , For all is nothing . Stat. Nothing Sir ? I saw Castor and Pollux Temple , thrust vp full , With all the damn'd crew you haue lately nam'd : The market place and suburbs swarming with them : And where the Senate sit , are Ruffians pointed To keepe from entring the degrees that goe Vp to the Bench ; all other but the Consuls , Caesar and Pompey , and the Senators , And all for no cause , but to keepe out Cato , With any violence , any villanie ; And is this nothing Sir ? Is his One life , On whom all good liues , and their goods depend , In Romes whole Empire ! All the Iustice there That 's free , and simple ; all such virtues too , And all such knowledge ; Nothing , nothing , all ? Cat. Away Statilius ; how long shall thy loue Exceede thy knowledge of me , and the Gods ? Whose rights thou wrongst for my right ? haue not ? Their powers to guard me , in a cause of theirs ? Their iustice , and integrity included , In what I stand for ? he that feares the Gods , For guard of any goodnesse ; all things feares ; Earth , Seas , and Aire ; Heauen , darknesse , broade day-light , Rumor , and Silence , and his very shade : And what an Aspen soule hath such a creature ? How dangerous to his soule is such a feare ? In whose cold fits , is all heauens iustice shaken To his faint thoughts ; and all the goodnesse there Due to all good men , by the gods owne vowes , Nay , by the firmenesse of their endlesse Being , All which shall faile as soone as any one Good to a good man in them : for his goodnesse Proceeds from them , and is a beame of theirs . O neuer more , Statilius , may this feare Taint thy bould bosome , for thy selfe , or friend . More then the gods are fearefull to defend . Athen. Come ; let him goe , Statilius ; and your fright ; This man hath inward guard , past your yong sight . Exeunt Enter Minutius , manet Cato . Cat. Welcome ; come stand by me in what is fit For our poore Cities safety ; nor respect Her proudest foes corruption , or our danger Of what seene face soeuer . Min. I am yours . But what alas , Sir , can the weaknesse doe Against our whole State of vs only two ? You know our Statists spirits are so corrupt And seruile to the greatest ; that what crosseth Them , or their owne particular wealth , or honor , They will not enterprise to saue the Empire . Cat.

I know it ; yet let vs doe like our selues . Exeunt .

Enter some bearing Axes , bundles of rods , bare ; before two Consuls , Caesar and Metellus ; Anthonius , and Marcellus in couples ; Senators , People , Souldiers , &c. following . The Consuls enter the Degrees , with Anthonius , and Marcellus : Caesar staying a while without with Metellus , who hath a paper in his hand . Caes. Moue you for entring only Pompeys army ; Which if you gaine for him ; for me , all iustice Will ioyne with my request of entring mine . Met.

T is like so , and I purpose to enforce it .

Caes. But might we not win Cato to our friendship By honoring speeches , nor perswasiue gifts ? Met.

Not possible .

Caes.

Nor by enforciue vsage ?

Met. Not all the violence that can be vsde , Of power , or set authoitry can stirre him , Much lesse faire words win , or rewards corrupt him ; And therefore all meanes we must vse to keepe him From off the Bench . Caes. Giue you the course for that , And if he offer entry , I haue fellowes Will serue your will on him , at my giuen signall . They ascend . Enter Pompey , Gabinius , Vibius , Demetrius , with papers . Enter the Lists , ascend and sit . After whom enter Cato , Minutius , Athenodorus , Statilius , Porcius . Cat. He is the man that sits so close to Caesar , And holds the law there , whispering ; see the Cowherd Hath guards of arm'd men got , against one naked . I le part their whispering virtue . 1

Hold , keepe out .

2

What ? honor'd Cato ? enter , chuse thy place .

Cat. Come in ; He drawes him in and sits betwixt Caesar and Metelius . Away vnworthy groomes . 3

No more .

Caes.

What should one say to him ?

Met.

He will be Stoicall .

Cat.

Where fit place is not giuen , it must be taken .

4 Doe , take it Cato ; feare no greatest of them ; Thou seek'st the peoples good ; and these their owne . 5 Braue Cato ! what a countenance he puts on ? Let 's giue his noble will , our vtmost power . 6 Be bould in all thy will ; for being iust , Thou maist defie the gods . Cat.

Said like a God .

Met.

We must endure these people .

Caes.

Doe ; begin .

Met. Consuls , and reuerend Fathers ; And ye people , Whose voyces are the voyces of the Gods ; I here haue drawne a law , by good consent , For entring into Italy , the army Of Romes great Pompey : that his forces here , As well as he , great Rome , may rest secure From danger or the yet still smoaking fire , Of Catilines abhorr'd conspiracy : Of which the very chiefe are left aliue , Only chastisde , but with a gentle prison . Cat. Put them to death then , and strike dead our feare , That well you vrge , by their vnfit suruiuall . Rather then keepe it quick ; and two liues giue it , By entertaining Pompeys army too . That giues as great cause of our feare , as they . For their conspiracy , onely was to make One Tyrant ouer all the State of Rome . And Pompeys army , sufferd to be entred , Is , to make him , or giue him meanes to be so . Met.

It followes not .

Cat. In purpose ; clearely Sir , Which I le illustrate , with a cleare example . If it be day , the Sunne 's aboue the earth ; Which followes not ( you le answere ) for 't is day When first the morning breakes ; and yet is then The body of the Sunne beneath the earth ; But he is virtually aboue it too , Because his beames are there , and who then knowes not His golden body will soone after mount . So Pompeys army entred Italy , Yet Pompey 's not in Rome ; but Pompey's beames Who sees not there ? and consequently , he Is in all meanes enthron'd in th' Emperie . Met. Examples proue not , we will haue the army Of Pompey entred . Cato . We ? which we intend you ? Haue you already bought the peoples voices ? Or beare our Consule or our Senate here So small loue to their Country ; that their wills Beyond their Countrys right are so peruerse , To giue a Tyrant here entire command ? Which I haue prou'd as cleare as day , they doe , If either the Conspirators suruiuing Be let to liue ; or Pompeys army entred ; Both which , beat one sole path ; and threat one danger . Caes. Consuls , and honor'd Fathers ; The sole entry Of Pompeys army , I le not yet examine : But for the great Conspirators yet liuing , ( Which Cato will conclude as one selfe danger , To our deare Country ; and deterre all therefore That loue their Country , from their liues defence I see no reason why such danger hangs On their sau'd liues ; being still safe kept in prison ; And since close prison , to a Roman freedome , Ten fold torments more , then directest death , Who can be thought to loue the lesse his Country , That seekes to saue their liues ? And lest my selfe ( Thus speaking for them ) be vniustly toucht With any lesse doubt of my Countryes loue . Why ( reuerend Fathers ) may it be esteem'd Selfe praise in me , to proue my selfe a chiefe Both in my loue of her ; and in desert Of her like loue in me ? For he that does Most honour to his Mistrisse ; well may boast ( Without least question ) that he loues her most . And though things long since done , were long since known , And so may seeme superfluous to repeat ; Yet being forgotten , as things neuer done , Their repetition needfull is , in iustice , T' enflame the shame of that obliuion : For hoping it will seeme no lesse empaire To others acts , to truely tell mine owne ; Put all together ; I haue past them all That by their acts can boast themselues to be Their Countries louers : first in those wilde kingdomes Subdu'd to Rome , by my vnwearied toyles . Which I dissauag'd and made nobly ciuill . Next , in the multitude of those rude Realmes That so I fashiond ; and to Romes yong Empire Of old haue added : Then the battailes numbred This hand hath fought , and wonne for her , with all Those infinites of dreadfull enemies ( I slue in them : Twice fifteene hundred thousand All able Souldiers ) I haue driuen at once Before my forces : and in sundry onsets , A thousand thousand of them , put to sword : Besides , I tooke in lesse then ten yeares time , By strong assault , aboue eight hundred Cities , Three hundred seuerall Nations , in that space , Subduing to my Countrey ; all which seruice , I trust , may interest me in her loue , Publique , and generall enough , to aquit me Of any selfe-loue ; past her common good : For any motion of particular iustice ( By which her generall Empire is maintaind ) That I can make for those accused prisoners , Which is but by the way ; that so the reason Metellus makes for entring Pompeys armie , May not more weighty seeme , then to agree With those imprison'd nobles , vitall safeties . Which granted , or but yeelded fit to be , May well extenuate the necessity Of entring Pompeys armie . Cat. All that need I tooke away before ; and reasons gaue For a necessity to keepe it out Whose entry ( I thinke ) he himselfe affects not . Since I as well thinke he affects not th' Empire , And both those thoughts hold ; since he loues his Country , In my great hopes of him too well to seeke His sole rule of her , when so many soules , So hard a taske approue it ; nor my hopes Of his sincere loue to his Country , build On sandier grounds then Caesars ; since he can As good Cards shew for it as Caesar did , And quit therein the close aspersion Of his ambition , seeking to imploy His army in the breast of Italy . Pomp. Let me not thus ( imperiall Bench and Senate ) Feele myselfe beat about the eares , and tost With others breathes to any coast they please : And not put some stay to my errors in them . The gods can witnesse that not my ambition Hath brought to question th' entry of my army ; And therefore not suspected the effect , Of which that entry is supposde the cause : Which is a will in me , to giue my power The rule of Romes sole Empire ; that most strangely Would put my will in others powers ; and powers ( Vnforfeit by my fault ) in others wills . My selfe-loue , out of which all this must rise : I will not wrong the knowne proofes of my loue To this my natiue Cities publique good , To quit , or thinke of ; nor repeat those proofes Confirm'd in those three triumphs I haue made ; For conquest of the whole inhabited world ; First Affrick , Europe , and then Asia , Which neuer Consull but my selfe could boast . Nor can blinde Fortune vaunt her partiall hand , In any part of all my seruices , Though some haue said , she was the page of Caesar , Both sayling , marching , fighting , and preparing His fights in very order of his battailes : The parts she plaid for him inuerting nature , As giuing calmnesse to th' enraged sea ; Imposing Summers weather on sterne winter ; Winging the slowest foot he did command , And his most Cowherd making fierce of hand . And all this euer when the force of man Was quite exceeded in it all ; and she In th' instant adding her cleare deity . Yet , her for me , I both disclaime and scorne ; And where all fortune is renounc't , no reason Will thinke one man transferd with affectation Of all Pomes Empire ; for he must haue fortune That goes beyond a man ; and where so many Their hand-fulls finde with it ; the one is mad That vndergoes it : and where that is clear'd ; Th' imputed meanes to it , which is my sute For entry of mine army , I confute . Cat.

What rests then , this of all parts being disclaimd ?

Met. My part , Sir , rests , that let great Pompey beare What spirit he lists ; 't is needfull yet for Rome , That this Law be establisht for his army . Caes. T is then as needfull to admit in mine ; Or else let both lay downe our armes ; for else To take my charge off , and leaue Pompey his ; You wrongfully accuse me to intend A tyranny amongst ye ; and shall giue Pompey full meanes to be himselfe a tyrant . Anth.

Can this be answer'd ?

1 Cons. Is it then your wils That Pompey shall cease armes ? Anth.

What else ?

Omnes .

No , no .

2 Cons.

Shall Caesar cease his armes ?

Omn.

I , I .

Anth. For shame Then yeeld to this cleare equity , that both May leaue their armes . Omn.

We indifferent stand .

Met. Read but this law , and you shall see a difference Twixt equity and your indifferency ; All mens obiections answered ; Read it Notary . Cat.

He shall not read it .

Met.

I will read it then .

Min. Nor thou shalt read it , being a thing so vaine , Pretending cause for Pompeys armies entry . That only by thy Complices and thee ; T is forg'd to set the Senate in an vproare Met.

I haue it Sir , in memory , and will speake it .

Cat.

Thou shalt be dumbe as soone .

Caes. Pull downe this Cato , Author of factions , and to prison with him . Gen.

Come downe Sir . He drawes , and all draw .

Pom.

Hence ye mercenary Ruffians .

1 Cons. What outrage shew you ? sheath your insolent swords , Or be proclaim'd your Countreys foes and traytors . Pom. How insolent a part was this in you , To offer the imprisonment of Cato ? When there is right in him ( were forme so answer'd With termes and place ) to send vs both to prison ? If , of our owne ambitions , we should offer Th' entry of our armies ; for who knowes That , of vs both , the best friend to his Country , And freest from his owne particular ends ; ( Being in his power ) would not assume the Empire , And hauing it , could rule the State so well As now 't is gouer'nd , for the common good ? Caes: Accuse your selfe , Sir , ( if your conscience vrge it ) Or of ambition , or corruption , Or insufficiency to rule the Empire , And sound not me with your Lead . Pom. Lead ? t is Gold , And spirit of Gold too ; to the politique drosse With which false Caesar sounds men ; and for which His praise and honour crownes them ; who sounds not The inmost sand of Caesar ? for but sand Is all the rope of your great parts affected . You speake well , and are learn'd ; and golden speech Did Nature neuer giue man ; but to guild A copper soule in him ; and all that learning That heartily is spent in painting speech , Is merely painted , and no solid knowledge . But y 'aue another praise for temperance , Which nought commends your free choice to be temperate· For so you must be ; at least in your meales , Since y 'aue a malady that tyes you to it ; For feare of daily fals in your aspirings . And your disease the gods nere gaue to man ; But such a one , as had a spirit too great For all his bodies passages to serue it , Which notes th' excesse of your ambition . The malady chancing where the pores and passages Through which the spirit of a man is borne , So narrow are , and straight , that oftentimes They intercept it quite , and choake it vp . And yet because the greatnesse of it notes A heat mere fleshly , and of bloods ranck fire , Goates are of all beasts subiect'st to it most . Caes. Your selfe might haue it then , if those faults cause it ; But deales this man ingeniously , to tax Men with a frailty that the gods inflict ? Pomp. The gods inflict on men , diseases neuer , Or other outward maimes ; but to decipher , Correct , and order some rude vice within them : And why decipher they it , but to make Men note , and shun , and tax it to th' extreame ? Nor will I see my Countryes hopes abusde , In any man commanding in her Empire ; If my more tryall of him , makes me see more Into his intricasies ; and my freedome Hath spirit to speake more , then obseruers seruile . Caes. Be free , Sir , of your insight and your speech ; And speak , and see more , then the world besides ; I must remember I haue heard of one , That fame gaue out , could see thorow Oke and stone : And of another set in Sicily , That could discerne the Carthaginian Nauy , And number them distinctly , leauing harbor , Though full a day and nights faile distant thence : But these things ( Reuerend Fathers ) I conceiue , Hardly appeare to you worth graue beliefe : And therefore since such strange things haue beene seene In my so deepe and foule detractions , By only Lyncean Pompey ; who was most Lou'd and beleeu'd of Romes most famous whore , Infamous Flora ; by so fine a man As Galba , or Sarmentus ; any iester Or flatterer may draw through a Ladyes Ring ; By one that all his Souldiers call in scorne Great Agamemnon , or the king of men ; I rest vnmou'd with him ; and yeeld to you To right my wrongs , or his abuse allow . Cat.

My Lords , ye make all Rome amaz'd to heare .

Pom. Away , I le heare no more ; I heare it thunder My Lords ; All you that loue the good of Rome , I charge ye , follow me ; all such as slay , Are friends to Caesar , and their Countreys foes . Caes.

Th' euent will fall out contrary , my Lords .

1 Cons. Goe , thou art a thiefe to Rome , discharge thine army , Or be proclaim'd , forthwith , her open foe . 2 Cons. Pompey , I charge thee , helpe thy iniur'd Country With what powers thou hast arm'd , and leuy more . The Ruffians .

Warre , warre , O Caesar .

Sen. and Peop.

Peace , peace , worthy Pompey .

Act II. Scene I. Enter Fronto all ragg'd , in an ouer growne red Beard , black head , with a Halter in his hand , looking about . WArres , warres , and presses , fly in fire about ; No more can I lurke in my lasie corners , Nor shifting courses : and with honest meanes To rack my miserable life out , more , The rack is not so fearefull ; when dishonest And villanous fashions faile me ; can I hope To liue with virtuous ? or to raise my fortunes By creeping vp in Souldierly degrees ? Since villany varied thorow all his figures , Will put no better case on me then this ; Despaire ! come sease me : I had able meanes ; And spent all in the swinge of lewd affections ; Plung'd in all riot , and the rage of blood ; In full assurance that being knaue enough , Barbarous enough , base , ignorant enough , I needs must haue enough , while this world lasted ; Yet , since I am a poore , and ragged knaue , My rags disgace my knauery so , that none Will thinke I am knaue ; as if good clothes Were knacks to know a knaue ; when all men know He has no liuing ? which knacks since my knauery Can shew no more ; and only shew is all That this world cares for ; I le stop out of all The cares 't is steept in . He offers to hang himselfe . Thunder , and the Gulfe opens , flames issuing ; and Ophioneus ascending , with the face , wings , and taile of a Dragon ; a skin coate all speckled on the throat . Oph. Hold Rascall , hang thy selfe in these dayes ? The only time that euer was for a Rascall to liue in ? Fron.

How chance I cannot liue then ?

Oph. Either th' art not rascall nor villaine enough ; Or else thou dost not pretend honesty And piety enough to disguise it . Fro. That 's certaine , for euery asse does that . What art thou ? Oph.

A villaine worse then thou .

Fro.

And dost breathe ?

Oph. I speake thou hear'st , I moue , my pulse beates Fast as thine . Fro.

And wherefore liu'st thou ?

Oph. The world 's out of frame , a thousand Rulers Wresting it this way , and that , with as many Religions ; when , as heauens vpper Sphere is mou'd Onely by one ; so should the Sphere of earth be , and I le haue it so . Fro.

How canst thou ? what art thou ?

Oph.

My shape may tell thee .

Fro.

No man ?

Oph. Man ? no , spawne of a clot , none of that cursed Crew , damn'd in the masse it selfe ; plagu'd in his birth , Confinde to creepe below , and wrestle with the Elements ; Teach himselfe tortures ; kill himselfe , hang himselfe ; No such gally slaue , but at warre with heauen ; Spurning the power of the gods , command the Elements . Fro.

What maist thou be then ?

Oph.

An endlesse friend of thine ; an immortall deuill .

Fro.

Heauen blesse vs .

Oph. Nay then , forth , goe , hang thy selfe , and thou talk'st Of heauen once . Fro.

I haue done ; what deuill art thou ?

Oph. Read the old stoick Pherecides , that tels thee Me truly , and sayes that I Ophioneus ( for so is My name . ) Fro.

Ophioneus ? what 's that ?

Oph. Deuilish Serpent , by interpretation ; was generall Captaine of that rebellious host of spirits that Wag'd warre with heauen . Fro.

And so were hurl'd downe to hell .

Oph. We were so ; and yet haue the rule of earth ; and cares Any man for the worst of hell then ? Fro.

Why should he ?

Oph.

Well said ; what 's thy name now ?

Fro.

My name is Fronto .

Oph. Fronto ? A good one ; and has Fronto liu'd thus long In Rome ? lost his state at dice ? murther'd his Brother for his meanes ? spent all ? run thorow worse Offices since ? beene a Promoter ? a Purueyor ? a Pander ? A Sumner ? a Sergeant ? an Intelligencer ? and at last Hang thy selfe ? Fro.

How the deuill knowes he all this ?

Oph. Why thou art a most greene Plouer in policy , I Perceiue ; and maist drinke Golte-foote , for all thy Horsemane beard : S'light , what need hast Thou to hang thy selfe ? as if there were a dearth Of hangmen in the land ? Thou liu'st in a good cheape State , a man may be hang'd here for a little , or Nothing . What 's the reason of thy desperation ? Fro. My idle dissolute life , is thrust out of all his corners By this searching tumult now on foot in Rome . Caesar now and Pompey Are both for battaile : Pompey ( in his feare Of Caesars greater force ) is sending hence His wife and children , and he bent to fly . Enter Pompey running ouer the Stage with his wife and children , Gabinius , Demetrius , Vibius , Pages ; other Senators , the Consuls and all following . See , all are on their wings ; and all the City In such an vproare , as if fire and sword Were ransacking , and ruining their houses , No idle person now can lurke neare Rome , All must to armes ; or shake their heeles beneath Her martiall halters ; whose officious pride I le shun , and vse mine owne swinge : I be forc't To helpe my Countrey , when it forceth me To this past-helping pickle ? Oph. Goe to , thou shalt serue me , chuse thy profession ; And what cloth thou wouldst wish to haue thy Coat Cut out on . Fro.

I can name none .

Oph.

Shall I be thy learn'd Counsaile ?

Fro.

None better .

Oph.

Be an Archflamen then , to one of the Gods .

Fro.

Archflamen ? what 's that ?

Oph.

A Priest .

Fro.

A Priest ? that nere was Clerke ?

Oph. No Clerke ? what then ? The greatest Clerks are not the wisest men . Nor skils it for degrees in a knaue , or a fooles preferment , Thou shalt rise by fortune : let desert rise leisurely Enough , and by degrees ; fortune preferres headlong , And comes like riches to a man ; huge riches being Got with little paines ; and little with huge paines . And For discharge of the Priesthood , what thou wantst In learning , thou shalt take out in goodfellowship : Thou shalt equiuocate with the Sophister , prate with The Lawyer , scrape with the Vsurer , drinke with the Dutchman , sweare with the French man , cheat With the English man , brag with the Scot , and Turne all this to Religion , Hoc est regnum Deorum Gentibus . Fro.

All this I can doe to a haire .

Oph. Very good , wilt thou shew thy selfe deepely learn'd too , And to liue licentiously here , care for nothing hereafter ? Fro.

Not for hell ?

Oph. For hell ? soft Sir ; hop'st thou to purchase hell With only dicing or whoring away thy liuing ? Murthering thy brother , and so forth ? No there Remaine works of a higher hand and deeper braine , To obtaine hell . Thinkst thou earths great Potentates haue gotten their places there with Any single act of murther , poysoning , adutery , And the rest ? No ; t is a purchase for all manner Of villany ; especially , that may be priuiledg'd By Authority ; colourd with holinesse , and enioyd With pleasure . Fro.

O this were most honourable and admirable .

Oph. Why such an admirable honorable villane shalt Thou be . Fro.

Is 't possible ?

Oph.

Make no doubt on 't ; I le inspire thee .

Fro.

Sacred and puissant . He kneeles .

Oph. Away ; Companion and friend , giue me thy Hand ; say , dost not loue me ? art not enamourd Of my acquaintance ? Fro.

Protest I am .

Oph. Well said , protest and t is enough . And know for Infallible ; I haue promotion for thee ; both here , and Hereafter ; which not one great one amongst Millions shall euer aspire to . Alexander , nor great Cyrus , retaine those titles in hell , that they did On earth : Fro.

No ?

Oph. No : he that sold Seacoale here , shall be A Baron there ; he that was a cheating Rogue here , shall be a Iustice of peace there ; A knaue here , a knight there . In the meane Space , learne what it is to liue ; and thou shalt Haue Chopines at commandment to any height Of life thou canst wish . Fro.

I feare my fall is too low .

Oph. Too low foole ? hast thou not heard of Vulcans falling Out of heauen ? Light a thy legges , and no matter Though thou halt'st with thy best friend euer after ; t is The more comely and fashionable . Better goe lame In the fashion with Pompey , then neuer so vpright , Quite out of the fashon with Cato . Fro. Yet you cannot change the old fashion ( they say ) And hide your clouen feet . Oph. No ? I can weare Roses that shall spread quite Ouer them . Fro.

For loue of the fashion doe then .

Oph.

Goe to ; I will hereafter .

Fro.

But for the Priesthood you offer me , I affect it not .

Oph.

No ? what saist thou to a rich office then ?

Fro. The only second meanes to raise a rascall In the earth . Oph. Goe to ; I le helpe thee to the best i th earth then : And that 's in Sicilia ; the very storehouse of the Romanes , where the Lord chiefe Censor there Lyes now a dying ; whose soule I will haue ; and Thou shalt haue his office . Fro. Excellent ; was euer great office better supplied ? Exeunt . Nuntius . Now is the mighty Empresse of the earth ( Great Rome ) fast lockt vp in her fancied strength , All broke in vproares ; fearing the iust gods In plagues will drowne her so abused blessings . In which feare , all without her wals , fly in ; By both their iarring Champions rushing out ; And those that were within , as fast fly forth ; The Consuls both are fled without one rite Of sacrifice submitted to the gods , As euer heretofore their custome was When they began the bloody frights of warre . In which our two great Souldiers now encountring , Since both left Rome , oppos'd in bitter skirmish , Pompey ( not willing yet to hazard battaile , By Catos counsaile , vrging good cause ) fled : Which firing Caesars spirit ; he pursu'd So home , and fiercely , that great Pompey skorning The heart he tooke , by his aduised flight , Despisde aduice as much as his pursuite . And as in Lybia , an aged Lion , Vrg'd from his peacefull couert , feares the light With his vnready and diseas'd appearance , Giues way to chace a while , and coldly hunts , Till with the youthfull hunters wanton heat , He all his coole wrath frets into a flame : And then his sides he swinges with his Sterne , To lash his strenth vp , let 's downe all his browes About his burning eyes ; erects his mane , Breakes all his throat in thunders , and to wreake His hunters insolence , his heart euen barking ; He frees his fury , turnes , and rushes back With such a gastly horror , that in heapes , His proud foes fly , and he that station keepes : So Pompeys coole spirits , put to all their heat By Caesars hard pursuit he turnd fresh head , And flew vpon his foe with such a rapture As tooke vp into furies , all friends feares ; Who fir'd with his first turning , all turnd head , And gaue so fierce a charge , their followers fled , Whose instant issue on their both sides , see , And after set out such a tragedy , As all the Princes of the earth may come To take their patternes by the spirits of Rome . Alarme , after which enter Caesar following Crassinius calling to the Souldiers . Crass.

Stay cowherd , fly ye Caesars fortunes ?

Caes. Forbeare foolish Crassinius , we contend in vaine To stay these vapours , and must raise our Campe . Crass. How shall we rise ( my Lord ) but all in vproares , Being still pursude ? Enter Acilius . The pursuit stayes , my Lord , Pompey hath sounded a retreat , resigning His time to you to vse , in instant raysing Your ill-lodg'd army , pitching now where fortune May good amends make for her fault to day . Caes. It was not fortunes fault , but mine Acilius , To giue my foe charge , being so neare the sea , Where well I knew the eminence of his strength , And should haue driuen th' encounter further off ; Bearing before me such a goodly Country , So plentifull , and rich , in all things fit To haue suppli'd my armies want with victuals , And th' able Cities too , to strengthen it , Of Macedon and Thessaly , where now I rather was besieg'd for want of food , Then did assault with fighting force of armes . Enter Anthony , Vibius , with others . Ant.

See , Sir , here 's one friend of your foes recouer'd .

Caes.

Vibius ? In happy houre .

Vib.

For me vnhappy .

Caes.

What ? brought against your will ?

Vib.

Else had not come .

Ant. Sir , hee 's your prisoner , but had made you his , Had all the rest pursu'd the chace like him ; He draue on like a fury ; past all friends , But we that tooke him quick in his engagement . Caes. O Vibius , you deserue to pay a ransome Of infinite rate , for had your Generall ioyn'd In your addression , or knowne how to conquer ; This day had prou'd him the supreame of Caesar . Vib. Knowne how to conquer ? His fiue hundred Conquests Atchieu'd ere this day , make that doubt vnfit For him that flyes him ; for , of issues doubtfull Who can at all times put on for the best ? If I were mad , must hee his army venture In my engagement ? Nor are Generalls euer Their powers disposers , by their proper Angels , But trust against them , oftentimes , their Counsailes , Wherein , I doubt not , Caesars selfe hath err'd Sometimes , as well as Pompey . Caes. Or done worse , In disobeying my Counsaile ( Vibius ) Of which , this dayes abused light is witnesse ; By which I might haue seene a course secure Of this discomfiture . Ant. Amends sits euer Aboue repentance , what 's done , wish not vndone ; But that prepared patience that you know Best fits a souldier charg'd with hardest fortunes ; Asks still your vse , since powers still temperate kept Ope still the clearer eyes by one faults sight To place the next act , in the surer right . Caes. You prompt me nobly Sir , repayring in me Mine owne stayes practice , out of whose repose The strong convulsions of my spirits forc't me Thus farre beyond my temper ; but good Vibius , Be ransom'd with my loue , and haste to Pompey , Entreating him from me , that we may meet , And for that reason which I know this day ( Was giuen by Cato , for his pursutes stay Which was preuention of our Romane blood ) Propose my offer of our hearty peace . That being reconcil'd , and mutuall faith Giuen on our either part , not three dayes light May further shew vs foes , but ( both our armies Disperst in Garisons ) we may returne Within that time to Italy , such friends As in our Countryes loue , containe our splenes Vib. T is offerd , Sir , 'boue the rate of Caesar In other men , but in what I approue Beneath his merits : which I will not faile T' enforce at full to Pompey , nor forget In any time the gratitude of my seruice . Vi. salutes Ant. and the other , & exit . Caes.

Your loue , Sir , and your friendship .

Ant. This prepares a good induction to the change of fortune , In this dayes issue , if the pride it kindles In Pompeys vaines , makes him deny a peace So gently offerd : for her alterd hand Works neuer surer from her ill to good On his side she hath hurt , and on the other With other changes , then when meanes are vsde To keepe her constant , yet retire refusde . Caes. I try no such conclusion , but desire Directly peace . In meane space I le prepare For other issue in my vtmost meanes ; Whose hopes now resting at Brundusium , In that part of my army , with Sabinus , I wonder he so long delaies to bring me , And must in person haste him , if this Euen I heare not from him . Crass. That ( I hope ) flyes farre Your full intent , my Lord , since Pompeys navie , You know , lies houering all alongst those seas , In too much danger , for what ayde soeuer You can procure to passe your person safe . Acil. Which doubt may proue the cause that stayes Sabinus ; And , if with shipping fit to passe your army , He yet straines time to venture , I presume You will not passe your person with such Conuoy Of those poore vessels , as may serue you here . Caes. How shall I helpe it ? shall I suffer this Torment of his delay ? and rack suspitions Worse then assur'd destructions through my thoughts . Anth. Past doubt he will be here ; I left all orderd , And full agreement made with him to make All vtmost haste , no least let once suspected . Caes. Suspected ? what suspection should feare a friend In such assur'd streights from his friends enlargement . If t were his souldiers safeties he so tenders , Were it not better they should sinke by sea , Then wrack their number , King and cause ashore ? Their stay is worth their ruine , should we liue , If they in fault were ? if their leader ! he Sould dye the deaths of all ; in meane space , I That should not , beare all , fly the sight in shame , Thou eye of nature , and abortiue night Fall dead amongst vs : with defects , defects Must serue proportion ; iustice neuer can Be else restor'd , nor right the wrongs of man . Exeunt . Pompey , Cato , Gabinius , Demetrius , Athenodorus , Porcius , Statilius . Pomp. This charge of our fierce foe , the firiendly gods Haue in our stregthen'd spirits beaten back With happy issue , and his forces lessen'd , Of two and thirty Ensignes forc't from him , Two thousand souldiers slaine . Cat. O boast not that , Their losse is yours , my Lord . Pomp. I boast it not , But only name the number . Gab. Which right well You might haue raisde so high , that on their tops Your Throne was offer'd , euer t' ouerlooke Subuerted Caesar , had you beene so blest To giue such honor to your Captaines Counsailes As their alacrities did long to merit With proofefull action . Dem.

O t was ill neglected .

Stat. It was deferr'd with reason , which not yet Th' euent so cleare is to confute . Pom. If t were , Our likeliest then was , not to hazard battaile , Th' aduenture being so casuall ; if compar'd With our more certaine meanes to his subuersion ? For finding now our army amply storde With all things fit to tarry surer time , Reason thought better to extend to length The warre betwixt vs ; that his little strength May by degrees proue none ; which vrged now , ( Consisting of his best and ablest souldiers ) We should haue found at one direct set battaile Of matchlesse valours ; their defects of victuall Not tyring yet enough on their tough nerues , Where , on the other part , to put them still In motion , and remotion , here and there ; Enforcing them to fortifying still Where euer they set downe ; to siege a wall , Keepe watch all night in armour : their most part Can neuer beare it , by their yeares oppression ; Spent heretofore too much in those steele toyles . Cat. I so aduisde , and yet repent it not , But much reioyce in so much saued blood As had beene pour'd out in the stroke of battaile , Whose fury thus preuented , comprehends Your Countreys good , and Empires ; in whose care Let me beseech you that in all this warre , You sack no City , subiect to our Rule , Nor put to sword one Citizen of Rome ; But when the needfull fury of the sword Can make no fit distinction in maine battaile , That you will please still to prolong the stroke Of absolute decision to these iarres , Considering you shall strike it with a man Of much skill and experience , and one That will his Conquest sell at infinite rate , If that must end your difference ; but I doubt There will come humble offer on his part , Of honor'd peace to you , for whose sweet name So cryed out to you in our late-met Senate , Lost no fit offer of that wished treaty . Take pity on your Countreys blood as much As possible may stand without the danger Of hindering her iustice on her foes , Which all the gods to your full wish dispose . Pom. Why will you leaue vs ? whither will you goe To keepe your worthyest person in more safety Then in my army , so deuoted to you ? Cat. My person is the least , my Lord , I value ; I am commanded by our powerfull Senate , To view the Cities , and the kingdomes scituate About your either army , that which side Soeuer conquer , no disordered straglers Puft with the Conquest , or by need impeld , May take their swinge more then the care of one May curb and order in these neighbor confines My chiefe passe yet resolues for Vtica . Pom. Your passe ( my truest friend , and worthy Father ) May all good powers make safe , and alwayes answer Your infinite merits , with their like protection . In which , I make no doubt but we shall meet With mutuall greetings , or for absolute conquest Or peace preuenting that our bloody stroke , Nor let our parting be dishonor'd so , As not to take into our noblest notice Your selfe ( most learned and admired Father ) Whose merits , if I liue , shall lack no honor . Porcius , Statilius , though your spirits with mine Would highly chere me , yet ye shall bestow them In much more worthy conduct ; but loue me , And wish me conquest , for your Countreys sake . Sta. Our liues shall seale our loues , Sir , with worst deaths Aduentur'd in your seruice . Pom. Y' are my friends . Exeunt . Cat. Athen. Por. Sat. These friends thus gone , t is more then time we minded Our lost friend Vibius . Gab. You can want no friends , See , our two Consuls , Sir , betwixt them bringing The worthy Brutus . Enter two Consuls leading Brutus betwixt them . 1 Cons. We attend ( my Lord ) With no meane friend , to spirit your next encounter , Six thousand of our choice Patrician youths Brought in his conduct . 2 Cons , And though neuer yet He hath saluted you with any word Or looke of slendrest loue in his whole life , Since that long time since , of his fathers death By your hand authord ; yet see , at your need He comes to serue you freely for his Country . Pom. His friendly presence , making vp a third With both your persons , I as gladly welcome , As if Iones triple flame had guilt this field , And lightn'd on my right hand , from his shield . Bru. I well assure my selfe , Sir , that no thought In your ingenious construction , touches At the aspersion that my tendred seruice Proceeds from my despaire of elsewhere safety But that my Countreys safety owning iustly My whole liabilities of life and fortunes , And you the ablest fautor of her safty , Her loue , and ( for your loue of her ) your owne Only makes sacred to your vse my offering . Pom. Farre fly all other thought from my construction , And due acceptance of the liberall honor , Your loue hath done me , which the gods are witnesse , I take as stirr'd vp in you by their fauours , Nor lesse esteeme it then an offering holy ; Since , as of all things , man is said the measure , So your full merits measure forth a man . 1 Cons.

See yet , my Lord , more friends .

2 Cons.

Fiue Kings , your seruants .

Enter fiue Kings . Hib. Conquest and all grace crowne the gracious Pompey , To serue whom in the sacred Romane safety , My selfe , Iberias King , present my forces . Thess. And I that hold the tributary Throne Of Grecian Thessaly , submit my homage , To Rome , and Pompey . Cil.

So Cilicia too .

Epir.

And so Epirus .

Thra. Lastly I from Thrace Present the duties of my power and seruice . Pom. Your royall aides deserue of Rome and Pompey Our vtmost honors . O may now our fortune Not ballance her broad breast twixt two light wings , Nor on a slippery globe sustaine her steps , But as the Spartans say , the Paphian Queene ( The flood Eurotas passing ) laid a side Her Glasse , her Ceston , and her amorous graces , And in Lycurgus fauor ; arm'd her beauties With Shield and Iaueline , so may fortune now , The flood of all our enemies forces passing With her faire Ensignes , and arriu'd as ours , Displume her shoulders , cast off her wing'd shooes , Her faithlesse , and still-rowling stone spurne from her , And enter our powers as she may remaine Our firme assistent : that the generall aydes , Fauours , and honors you performe to Rome , May make her build with you her endlesse home . Omn. The gods vouchsafe it ; and our causes right Dem. What suddaine Shade is this ? obserue my Lords , The night , me thinks , comes on before her houre . Thunder and lightning . Gab.

Nor trust me if my thoughts conceiue not so .

Bru. What thin clouds fly the winds , like swiftest shafts Along aires middle region . 1 Cons. They presage Vnusuall tempests . 2 Cons. And t is their repaire , That timelesse darken thus the gloomy ayre . Pom. Let 's force no omen from it , but avoid The vapors furies now by Ioue employd . Thunder continued , and Caesar enters disguisde . The wrathfull tempest of the angry night , Where hell flyes mufl'd vp in clouds of pitch , Mingl'd with Sulphure , and those dreadfull bolts , The Cyclops Ram in Ioues Artillery , Hath rousde the furies , arm'd in all their horrors , Vp to the enuious seas , in spight of Caesar . O night , O ielous night , of all the noblest Beauties , and glories , where the gods haue stroke Their foure digestions , from thy gastly Chaos , Blush thus to drowne them all in this houre sign'd By the necessity of fate for Caesar . I that haue ransackt all the world for worth , To forme in man the image of the gods , Must like them haue the power to check the worst Of all things vnder their celestiall Empire , Stoope it , and burst it , or breake through it all , With vse and safety , till the Crowne be set On all my actions ; that the hand of nature In all her worst works ayming at an end , May in a master-peece of hers be seru'd With tops , and state fit for his virtuous Crowne : Not lift arts thus farre vp in glorious frame , To let them vanish thus in smoke and shame . This riuer Anius ( in whose mouth now lyes A Pynnace I would passe in , to fetch on My armies dull rest from Brundusium ) That is at all times else exceeding calme , ( By reason of a purling winde that flyes Off from the shore each morning , driuing vp The billows farre to sea ) in this night yet , Beares such a terrible gale ; put off from sea , As beats the land wind back , and thrusts the flood Vp in such vproare , that no boat dare stirre And on it is disperst all Pompeys nauy To make my perill yet more enuious . Shall I yet shrinke for all ? were all , yet more ? There is a certaine need that I must giue Way to my passe ; none , knowne , that I must liue . Enter Master of a ship with Sailors Mast. What battaile is there sought now in the ayre . That threats the wrack of nature ? Caes. Master ? come . Shall we thrust through it all ? Mast. What lost man , Art thou in hopes and fortunes , that dar'st make So desperate a motion . Caes. Launch man , and all thy feares fraight disauow , Thou carriest Caesar and his fortunes now .
Act III. Scene I. Pompey , two Consuls , fiue Kings , Brutus , Gabinitis , Demetrius . NOw to Pharsalia , where the smarting strokes Of our resolu'd contention must resound , ( My Lords and friends of Rome ) I giue you all Such welcome as the spirit of all my fortunes , Conquests , and triumphs ( now come for their crowne ) Can crowne your fauours with , and serue the hopes Of my deare Country , to her vtmost wish ; I can but set vp all my being to giue So good an end to my forerunning Acts ; The powers in me that formd them hauing lost No least time since , in gathering skill to better ; But like so many Bees haue brought me home , The sweet of whatsoeuer flowers haue growne In all the meades , and gardens of the world . All which hath growne still , as the time encrease In which t was gather'd , and with which it stemm'd . That what decay soeuer blood inferr'd , Might with my mindes store , be suppli'd , and cher'd , All which , in one fire of this instant fight I le burne , and sacrifice to euery cinder In sacred offering to my Countreys loue , And therefore what euent soeuer sort , As I no praise will looke for , but the good Freely bestow on all ; ( if good succeed ) So if aduerse fate fall , I wish no blame , But th' ill befalne me , made my fortunes shame , Not mine , nor my fault . 1 Cons. We too well loue Pompey , To doe him that iniustice . Bru. Who more thirsts The Conquest , then resolues to beare the foile ? Pom. Said Brutus-like , giue seuerall witnesse all , That you acquit me whatsoeuer fall . 2 Cons. Particular men particular fates must beare , Who feeles his owne wounds lesse , to wound another ? Thess. Leaue him the worst whose best is left vndone , He only conquers whose minde still is one . Epir.

Free mindes , like dice , fall sqare , what ere the cast .

Ibir.

Who on him selfe sole stands , stands solely fast .

Thra.

He 's neuer downe , whose minde fights still aloft .

Cil.

Who cares for vp or downe , when all 's but thought .

Gab.

To things euents doth no mans power extend .

Dem.

Since gods rule all , who any thing would mend .

Pom. Ye sweetly ease my charge , your selues vnburthening . Return'd not yet our trumpet , sent to know Of Vibius certaine state ? Gab.

Not yet , my Lord .

Pomp. Too long protract we all meanes to recouer His person quick or dead , for I still thinke His losse seru'd fate , before we blew retreat ; Though some affirme him seene , soone after fighting . Dem.

Not after , Sir , ( I heard ) but ere it ended .

Gab He bore a great minde to extend our pursuit Much further then it was ; and seru'd that day ( When you had , like the true head of a battaile , Led all the body in that glorious turne ) Vpon a farre-off Squadron that stood fast In conduct of the great Marc Anthony , When all the rest were fled , so past a man That in their tough receipt of him , I saw him Thrice breake thorow all with ease , and passe as faire As he had all beene fire , and they but ayre . Pom.

He stuck at last yet , in their midst , it seem'd .

Gab. So haue I seene a fire drake glide at midnight Before a dying man to point his graue , And in it stick and hide . Dem.

He comes yet safe .

A Trumpet sounds , and enters before Vibius , with others . Pom. O Vibius , welcome , what a prisoner ? With mighty Caesar , and so quickly ransom'd ? Vib. I Sir , my ransome , needed little time , Either to gaine agreement for the value , Or the disbursment , since in Caesars grace We both concluded . Pom.

Was his grace so free·

Vib.

For your respect , Sir .

Pom. Nay , Sir , for his glory . That the maine Conquest he so surely builds on , ( Which euer is forerun with petty fortunes ) Take not effect , by taking any friend From all the most , my poore defence can make , But must be compleat , by his perfect owne . Vib. I know , Sir , you more nobly rate the freedome He freely gaue your friend ; then to peruert it So past his wisdome : that knowes much too well Th' vncertaine state of Conquest ; to raise frames Of such presumption on her fickle wings , And chiefely in a losse so late , and grieuous . Besides , your forces farre exceeding his , His whole powers being but two and twenty thousand : And yours full foure and forty thousand strong : For all which yet , he stood as farre from feare In my enlargement , as the confident glory You please to put on him ; and had this end In my so kinde dismission , that as kindely I might solicite a sure peace betwixt you . Pom.

A peace ? Is 't possible ?

Vib.

Come , doe not shew this wanton incredulity too much .

Pom. Beleeue me I was farre from such a thought In his high stomack : Cato prophecied then . What thinke my Lords our Consuls , and friend Brutus ? Omn.

An offer happy .

Bru.

Were it plaine and hearty .

Pom.

I , there 's the true inspecton to his prospect .

Bru This streight of his perhaps may need a sleight O some hid stratagem , to bring him off . Pom. Deuices of a new fordge to entrap me ? I rest in Caesars shades ? walke his strow'd paths ? Sleepe in his quiet waues ? I le sooner trust Hibernian Boggs , and quicksands ; and hell mouth Take for my sanctuary : in bad parts That no extreames will better , natures finger Hath markt him to me , to take heed of him . What thinks my Brutus ? Bru.

T is your best and safest .

Pom. This offer'd peace of his is sure a snare To make our warre the bloodier , whose fit feare Makes me I dare not now ( in thoughts maturer Then late enclin'de me ) put in vse the Counsaile Your noble father Cato ( parting ) gaue me , Whose much too tender shunning innocent blood , This battaile hazards now , that must cost more . 1 Cons.

It does , and therefore now no more deferre it .

Pom.

Say all men so ?

Omn.

We doe .

Pom. I grieue ye doe , Because I rather wish to erre with Cato Then with the truth goe of the world besides ; But since it shall abide this other stroke . Ye gods that our great Romane Genius Haue made , not giue vs one dayes conquest only , Nor grow in conquests for some little time , As did the Genius of the Macedons ; Nor be by land great only , like Laconians ; Nor yet by sea alone , as was th' Athenians ; Nor slowly stirr'd vp , like the Persian Angell ; Nor rockt asleepe soone , like the Ionian spirit . But made our Romane Genius , fiery , watchfull , And euen from Romes prime , ioynd his youth with hers , Grow as she grew , and firme as earth abide , By her encreasing pomp , at sea , and shore , In peace , in battaile ; against Greece as well As our Barbarian foes ; command yet further Ye firme and iust gods , our assistfull Angell For Rome , and Pompey , who now fights for Rome ; That all these royall Lawes , to vs , and iustice Of common safety , may the selfe-loue drowne Of tyrannous Caesar ; and my care for all Your Altars crown'd with endlesse festiuall . Exeunt . Caesar , Anthony , a Soothsayer , Crassinius , Acilius , with others . Caes. Say ( sacred Southsayer ) and informe the truth , What liking hast thou of our sacrifice ? Sooth. Imperiall Caesar , at your sacred charge , I drew a milke white Oxe into the Temple , And turning there his face into the east , ( Fearefully shaking at the shining light ) Downe fell his horned forehead to his hoofe , When I began to greet him with the stroke , That should prepare him for the holy rites , With hydeous roares he laid out such a throat As made the secret lurkings of the god To answer ecco-like , in threatning sounds : I stroke againe at him , and then he slept , His life-blood boyling out at euery wound In streames as cleare as any liquid Ruby , And there began to alter my presage , The other ill signes shewing th' other fortune , Of your last skirmish , which farre opposite now Proues , ill beginnings good euents foreshew . For now the beast cut vp , and laid on th' Altar , His lims were all lickt vp with instant flames , Not like the Elementall fire that burnes In houshold vses , lamely struggling vp , This way and that way winding as it rises , But ( right and vpright ) reacht his proper sphere Where burnes the fire eternall and sincere . Caes.

And what may that presage ?

Sooth. That euen the spirit Of heauens pure flame flew downe and rauisht vp Your offerings blaze in that religious instant , Which shewes th' alacritie and cheerefull virtue Of heauens free bounty , doing good in time , And with what swiftnesse true deuotions clime . Omn.

The gods be honor'd .

Sooth. O behold with wonder , The sacred blaze is like a torch enlightned , Directly burning iust aboue your campe ! Omn.

Miraculous .

Sooth. Beleeue it , with all thanks : The Romane Genius is alterd now , And armes for Caesar . Caes. Soothsayer be for euer Reuerenc't of Caesar . O Marc Anthony , I thought to raise my camp , and all my tents , Tooke downe for swift remotion to Scotussa . Shall now our purpose hold ? Anth. Against the gods ? They grace in th' instant , and in th' instant we Must adde our parts , and be in th' vse as free . Crass.

See Sir , the scouts returne . Enter two scouts .

Caes.

What newes , my friends ?

1 Scou. Arme , arme , my Lord ; the voward of the foe Is rang'd already : 2 Scou. Answer them , and arme : You cannot set your rest of battell vp In happyer houre ; for I this night beheld A strange confusion in your enemies campe , The souldiers taking armes in all dismay , And hurling them againe as fast to earth . Euery way routing ; as th' alarme were then Giuen to their army . A most causelesse feare Disperst quite through them . Caes. Then t was Ioue himselfe That with his secret finger stirr'd in them . Crass. Other presages of successe ( my Lord ) Haue strangely hapn'd in th' adiacent Cities , To this your army : for in Tralleis , Within a Temple , built to Victory , There stands a statue of your forme and name , Neare whose firme base , euen from the marble pauement , There sprang a Palme tree vp , in this last night , That seemes to crowne your statue with his boughs , Spred in wrapt shadowes round about your browes . Caes. The signe , Crassinius , is most strange and gracefull , Nor could get issue , but by power diuine ; Yet will not that , nor all abodes besides ( Of neuer such kinde promise of successe ) Performe it without tough acts of our owne . No care , no nerue the lesse to be emploid ; No offering to the gods , no vowes , no prayers : Secure and idle spirits neuer thriue When most the gods for their aduancements striue . And therefore tell me what abodes thou buildst on In an spirit to act , enflam'd in thee , Or in our Souldiers seene resolu'd addresses ? Crass. Great and firy virtue . And this day Be sure ( great Caesar ) of effects as great In absolute conquest ; to which are prepar'd Enforcements resolute , from this arm'd hand , Which thou shalt praise me for aliue or dead . Caes. Aliue ( ye gods vouchsafe ) and my true vowes For life in him ( great heauen ) for all my foes ( Being naturall Romans ) so farre ioyntly heare As may not hurt our Conquest ; as with feare Which thou already strangely hast diffusde Through all their army ; which extend to flight Without one bloody stroke of force and fight . Anth.

T is time , my Lord , you put in forme your battell .

Caes. Since we must fight then , and no offerd peace Will take with Pompey : I reioyce to see This long-time lookt for , and most happy day , In which we now shall fight , with men , not hunger , With toyles , not sweats of blood through yeares extended , This one day seruing to decide all iarres Twixt me and Pompey . Hang out of my tent My Crimsine coat of armes , to giue my souldiers That euer-sure signe of resolu'd-for fight . Crass.

These hands shall giue that signe to all their longings .

Exit Crass . Caes. My Lord , my army , I thinke best to order In three full Squadrons : of which let me pray Your selfe would take on you the left wings charge ; My selfe will lead the right wing , and my place Of fight elect in my tenth legion : My battell by Domitius Calvinus Shall take direction . The Cote of Armes is hung out , and the Souldiers shoute within . An. Heark , your souldiers shoute For ioy to see your bloody Cote of Armes Assure their fight this morning . Caes. A blest Euen Bring on them worthy comforts . And ye gods Performe your good presages in euents Of fit crowne for our discipline , and deeds Wrought vp by conquest ; that my vse of it May wipe the hatefull and vnworthy slaine Of Tyrant from my Temples , and exchange it For fautor of my Country , ye haue giuen That title to those poore and fearefull sowles That euery sound puts vp , in frights and cryes ; Euen then , when all Romes powers were weake and heartles , When traiterous fires , and fierce Barbarian swords , Rapines , and soule-expiring slaughters fild Her houses , Temples , all her ayre , and earth . To me then ( whom your bounties haue enform'd With such a spirit as despiseth feare ; Commands in either fortune , knowes , and armes Against the worst of fate ; and therefore can Dispose blest meanes , encourag'd to the best ) Much more vouchsafe that honor ; chiefely now , When Rome wants only this dayes conquest giuen me To make her happy , to confirme the brightnesse That yet she shines in ouer all the world ; In Empire , riches , strife of all the Arts , In gifts of Cities , and of kingdomes sent her ; In Crownes laid at her feet , in euery grace That shores , and seas , floods , Islands , Continents , Groues , fields , hills , mines , and metals can produce ; All which I ( victor ) will encrease , I vow By all my good , acknowledg'd giuen by you .
Act IIII Scene I. Pompey in haste , Brutus , Gabinius , Vibius following . THe poyson steep't in euery vaine of Empire , In all the world , meet now in onely me , Thunder and lighten me to death ; and make My senses feed the flame , my soule the crack . Was euer soueraigne Captaine of so many Armies and Nations , so opprest as I , With one hosts headstrong outrage ? vrging fight , Yet fly about my campe in panick terrors ; No reason vnder heauen suggesting cause . And what is this but euen the gods deterring My iudgement from enforcing fight this morne ? The new-fled night made day with Meteors , Fir'd ouer Caesars campe , and falne in mine , As pointing out the terrible euents Yet in suspence ; but where they threat their fall Speake not these prodigies with fiery tongues , And eloquence that should not moue but rauish All sound mindes , from thus tempting the iust gods , And spitting out their faire premonishing flames With brackish rheumes of ruder and brainsick number , What 's infinitely more , thus wild , thus mad For one poore fortune of a beaten few ; To halfe so many staid , and dreadfull souldiers ? Long train'd , long foughten ? able , nimble , perfect To turne and winde aduantage euery way ? Encrease with little , and enforce with none ? Made bold as Lyons , gaunt as famisht wolues , With still-seru'd slaughters , and continuall toyles . Bru. You should not , Sir , forsake your owne wise Counsell , Your owne experienc't discipline , owne practise , Owne god inspired insight to all changes , Of Protean fortune , and her zany , warre , For hosts , and hels of such ; What man will thinke The best of them , not mad ; to see them range So vp and downe your campe , already suing For offices falne , by Caesars built on fall , Before one stroke be struck ? Domitius , Spinther , Your father Scipio new preparing friends For Caesars place of vniuersall Bishop ? Are you th' obserued rule , and voucht example ; Who euer would commend Physitians , That would not follow the diseas'd desires Of their sick patients ? yet incurre your selfe The faults that you so much abhorre in others . Pom. I cannot , Sir , abide mens open mouthes , Nor be ill spoken of ; nor haue my counsels And circumspections , turnd on me for feares , With mocks and scandals that would make a man Of lead , a lightning ; in the desperat'st onset That euer trampled vnder death , his life . I beare the touch of feare for all their safeties . Or for mine owne ? enlarge with twice as many Selfe-liues , selfe-fortunes ? they shall sinke beneath Their owne credulities , before I crosse them . Come , haste , dispose our battaile . Vib. Good my Lord , Against your Genius warre not for the world . Pom. By all worlds he that moues me next to beare Their scofs and imputations of my feare For any cause , shall beare this sword to hell . Away , to battaile ; good my Lord lead you The whole six thousand of our yong Patricians , Plac't in the left wing to enuiron Caesar . My father Scipio shall lead the battaile ; Domitius the left wing ; I the right Against Marc Anthony . Take now your fils Ye beastly doters on your barbarous wills . Exeunt . Alarme , excursions , of al : The fiue Kings driuen ouer the Stage , Crassinius chiefely pursuing : At the dore enter againe the fiue Kings . The battell continued within . Epir.

Fly , fly , the day was lost before t was fought .

Thess.

The Romans feard their shadowes .

Cil. Were there euer Such monstrous confidences , as last night Their Cups and musique shew'd ? Before the morning Made such amazes ere one stroke was struck ? Iber. It made great Pompey mad , which who could mend ? The gods had hand in it . Tra. It made the Consuls Run on their swords to see 't . The braue Patricians Fled with their spoyled faces , arrowes sticking As shot from heauen at them . Thess. T was the charge That Caesar gaue against them . Epir. Come , away , Leaue all , and wonder at this fatall day . Exeunt . The fight neerer ; and enter , Crassineus , a sword , as thrust through his face ; he fals . To him Pompey and Caesar fighting : Pompey giues way , Caesar follows , and enters at another dore . Caes. Pursue , pursue ; the gods foreshew'd their powers , Which we gaue issue , and the day is ours . Crassineus ? O looke vp : he does , and shewes Death in his broken eyes ; which Caesars hands Shall doe the honor of eternall closure . Too well thou keptst thy word , that thou this day Wouldst doe me seruice to our victory . Which in thy life or death I should behold , And praise thee for ; I doe , and must admire Thy matchles valour ; euer euer rest Thy manly lineaments , which in a tombe Erected to thy noble name and virtues , I le curiosly preserue with balmes , and spices , In eminent place of these Pharsalian fields , Inscrib'd with this true soule of funerall , Epitaphi Crassineus fought for fame , and died for Rome , Whose publique weale springs from this priuate tombe . Enter some taking him off , whom Caesar helps . Enter Pompey , Demetrius , with black robes in their hands , broad hats , &c. Pom. Thus haue the gods their iustice , men their wils , And I , by mens wils rulde ; my selfe renouncing , Am by my Angell and the gods abhorr'd ; Who drew me , like a vapour , vp to heauen To dash me like a tempest 'gainst the earth : O the deserued terrors that attend On humane confidence ! had euer men Such outrage of presumption to be victors Before they arm'd ? To send to Rome before For houses neare the market place , their tents Strowd all with flowers , and nosegayes ; tables couer'd With cups and banquets ; bayes and mirtle garlands , As ready to doe sacrifice for conquest Rather then arme them for fit fight t' enforce it ; Which when I saw , I knew as well th' euent As now I feele it , and because I rag'd In that presage , my Genius shewing me clearely ( As in a mirror ) all this cursed issue ; And therefore vrg'd all meanes to put it off For this day , or from these fields to some other , Or from this ominous confidence , till I saw Their spirits settl'd in some grauer knowledge Of what belong'd to such a deare decision ; They spotted me with feare , with loue of glory , To keepe in my command so many Kings , So great an army ; all the hellish blastings That could be breath'd on me , to strike me blinde Of honor , spirit and soule : And should I then Saue them that would in spight of heauen be ruinde ? And , in their safeties ruine me and mine In euerlasting rage of their detraction . Dem. Your safety and owne honor did deserue Respect past all their values ; O my Lord Would you ? Pom.

Vpbraid me not ; goe to , goe on .

Dem. No ; I le not rub the wound . The misery is , The gods for any error in a man ( Which they might rectify , and should ; because That man maintain'd the right ) should suffer wrong To be thus insolent , thus grac't , thus blest ? Pom. O the strange carriage of their acts , by which Men order theirs ; and their deuotions in them ; Much rather striuing to entangle men In pathlesse error , then with regular right Confirme their reasons , and their pieties light . For now Sir , whatsoeuer was foreshowne By heauen , or prodigy ; ten parts more for vs , Forewarning vs , deterring vs , and all Our blinde and brainlesse frenzies , then for Caesar ; All yet will be ascribde to his regard Giuen by the gods for his good parts , preferring Their glosse ( being starck impostures ) to the iustice , Loue , honor , piety , of our lawes and Countrey . Though I thinke these are arguments enow For my acquitall , that for all these fought . Dem.

Y' are cleare , my Lord .

Pom. Gods helpe me , as I am ; What euer my vntoucht command of millions Through all my eight and fifty yeares , hath woonne , This one day ( in the worlds esteeme ) hath lost . So vile is praise and dispraise by euent . For I am still my selfe in euery worth The world could grace me with , had this dayes Euen In one blaze ioyn'd , with all my other Conquests . And shall my comforts in my well-knowne selfe Faile me for their false fires , Demetrius ? Dem.

O no , my Lord .

Pom. Take griefe for them , as if The rotten-hearted world could steepe my soule In filthy putrifaction of their owne ? Since their applauses faile me ? that are hisses To euery sound acceptance ? I confesse , That till th' affaire was past , my passions flam'd , But now t is helplesse , and no cause in me , Rest in these embers my vnmoued soule , With any outward change , this dystick minding ; No man should more allow his owne losse , woes , ( Being past his fault ) then any stranger does . And for the worlds false loues , and ayry honors , What soule that euer lou'd them most in life , ( Once seuer'd from this breathing sepulchre ) Againe came and appearde in any kind Their kinde admirer still , or did the state Of any best man here , associate ? And euery true soule should be here so seuer'd From loue of such men , as here drowne their soules As all the world does ? Cato sole accepted , To whom I le fly now , and my wife in way ( Poore Lady , and poore children , worse then fatherlesse ) Visit , and comfort . Come Demetrius , They disguise themselues . We now must sute our habites to our fortunes And since these changes euer chance to greatest . Nor desire to be ( Doe fortune , to exceed it , what she can ) A Pompey , or a Caesar , but a man . Exeunt . Enter Caesar , Anthony , Acilius , with souldiers . Caes. O We haue slaine , not conquerd , Roman blood Peruerts th' euent , and desperate blood let out With their owne swords . Did euer men before Enuy their owne liues , since another liu'd Whom they would willfully conceiue their foe , And forge a Tyrant merely in their feares To iustifie their slaughters ? Consuls ? furies . Ant. Be , Sir , their faults their griefes ! The greater number Were only slaues , that left their bloods to ruth , And altogether , but six thousand slaine . Caes. How euer many ; gods and men can witnesse Themselues enforc't it , much against the most I could enforce on Pompey for our peace . Of all slaine , yet , if Brutus only liu'd , I should be comforted , for his life sau'd Would weigh the whole six thousand that are lost . But much I feare his death , because the battell Full stricken now , he yet abides vnfound . Acil. I saw him fighting neare the battels end , But suddainly giue off , as bent to fly . Enter Brutus . Anth.

He comes here , see Sir .

Bru. I submit to Caesar My life and fortunes . Caes. A more welcome fortune Is Brutus , then my conquest . Bru. Sir , I fought Against your conquest , and your selfe ; and merit ( I must acknowledge ) a much sterner welcome . Caes. You fought with me , Sir , for I know your armes Were taken for your Country , not for Pompey : And for my Country I fought , nothing lesse Then he , or both the mighty-stomak't Consuls ; Both whom ( I heare ) haue slaine themselues before They would enioy life in the good of Caesar . But I am nothing worse , how ill soeuer They , and the great authority of Rome Would faine enforce me by their mere suspitions . Lou'd they their Country better then her Brutus ? Or knew what fitted noblesse , and a Romane With freer soules then Brutus . Those that liue Shall see in Caesars iustice . and what euer Might make me worthy both their liues and loues , That I haue lost the one without my merit , And they the other with no Roman spirit . Are you empair'd to liue , and ioy my loue ? Only requite me , Brutus , loue but Caesar , And be in all the powers of Caesar , Caesar . In which free wish , I ioyne your father Cato ; For whom I le haste to Vtica , and pray His loue may strengthen my successe to day . Exeunt . Porcius in haste , Marcillius bare , following . Porcius discouers a bed , and a sword hanging by it , which he takes downe . Mar.

To what vse take you that ( my Lord ? )

Por. Take you No note that I take it , nor let any seruant , Besides your selfe , of all my fathers nearest , Serue any mood he serues , with any knowledge Of this or any other , Caesar comes And giues his army wings to reach this towne . Not for the townes sake , but to saue my father . Whom iustly he suspects to be resolu'd Of any violence to his life , before He will preserue it by a Tyrants fauour . For Pompey hath miscaried , and is fled . Be true to me , and to my fathers life ; And doe not tell him ; nor his fury serue With any other . Mar. I will dye , my Lord , Ere I obserue it . Por.

O my Lord and father .

Cato , Athenodorus , Statilius . Cato with a booke in his hand . Cat. What feares fly here on all sides ? what wilde lookes Are squinted at me from mens mere suspicions That I am wilde my selfe , and would enforce What will be taken from me by the Tyrant . Ath. No : Would you only aske life , he would thinke His owne life giuen more strength in giuing yours Cat.

I aske my life of him ?

Stat. Aske what 's his owne ? Of him he scornes should haue the least drop in it At his disposure . Cat. No , Statilius . Men that haue forfeit liues by breaking lawes , Or haue beene ouercome , may beg their liues , But I haue euer beene in euery iustice Better then Caesar , and was neuer conquer'd , Or made to fly for life , as Caesar was . But haue beene victor euer , to my wish , 'Gainst whomsoeuer euer hath opposde ; Where Caesar now is conquer'd in his Conquest , In the ambition , he till now denide ; Taking vpon him to giue life , when death Is tenfold due to his most tyrannous selfe . No right , no power giuen him to raise an army , Which in despight of Rome he leades about Slaughtering her loyall subiects , like an outlaw , Nor is he better . Tongue , shew , falshood are , To bloodiest deaths his parts so much admir'd , Vaineglory , villany ; and at best you can , Fed with the parings of a worthy man . My fame affirme my life receiu'd from him ? I le rather make a beast my second father . Stat. The gods auert from euery Roman minde The name of slaue to any Tyrants power . Why was man euer iust , but to be free , 'Gainst all iniustice ? and to beare about him As well all meanes to freedome euery houre , As euery houre he should be arm'd for death , Which only is his freedome ? Ath. But Statilius Death is not free for any mans election , Till nature , or the law , impose it on him . Cat. Must a man goe to law then , when he may Enioy his owne in peace ? If I can vse Mine owne my selfe , must I of force , reserue it To serue a Tyrant with it ? All iust men Not only may enlarge their liues , but must , From all rule tyrannous , or liue vniust . Ath.

By death must they enlarge their liues ?

Cat.

By death .

Ath.

A man 's not bound to that .

Cat. I le proue he is . Are not the liues of all men bound to iustice ? Ath.

They are .

Cat. And therefore not to serue iniustice : Iustice it selfe ought euer to be free , And therefore euery iust man being a part Of that free iustice , should be free as it . Ath.

Then wherefore is there law for death ?

Cat. That all That know not what law is , nor freely can Performe the fitting iustice of a man In kingdomes common good , may been forc't . But is not euery iust man to him selfe The perfect'st law ? Ath.

Suppose .

Cat. Then to himselfe Is euery iust mans life subordinate . Againe , Sir ; Is not our free soule infus'd To euery body in her absolute end To rule that body ? in which absolute rule Is she not absolutely Empresse of it ? And being Empresse , may she not dispose It , and the life in it , at her iust pleasure ? Ath.

Not to destroy it .

Cat. No ; she not destroyes it When she disliues it ; that their freedomes may Goe firme together , like their powers and organs , Rather then let it liue a rebell to her , Prophaning that diuine coniunction Twixt her and it ; nay , a disiunction making Betwixt them worse then death ; in killing quick That which in iust death liues : being dead to her If to her rule dead ; and to her aliue , If dying in her iust rule . Ath. The body liues not When death hath rest it . Cat. Yet t is free , and kept Fit for reiunction in mans second life ; Which dying rebell to the soule , is farre Vnfit to ioyne with her in perfect life . Ath.

It shall not ioyne with her againe .

Cat.

It shall .

Ath.

In reason shall it ?

Cat. In apparant reason ; Which I le proue clearely . Stat.

Heare , and iudge it Sir .

Cat. As nature works in all things to an end , So in th' appropriate honor of that end , All things precedent haue their naturall frame ; And therefore is there a proportion Betwixt the ends of those things and their primes : For else there could not be in their creation , Alwayes , or for the most part , that firme forme In their still like existence ; that we see In each full creature . What proportion then Hath an immortall with a mortall substance ? And therefore the mortality to which A man is subiect ; rather is a sleepe , Then bestiall death ; since sleepe and death are call'd The twins of nature . For if absolute death And bestiall sease the body of a man , Then is there no proportion in his parts , His soule being free from death , which otherwise Retaines diuine proportion For as sleepe No disproportion holds with humane soules , But aptly quickens the proportion Twixt them and bodies , making bodies fitter To giue vp formes to soules , which is their end : So death ( twin-borne of sleepe ) resoluing all Mans bodies heauy parts ; in lighter nature Makes a reunion with the spritely soule ; When in a second life their beings giuen , Holds their proportion firme , in highest heauen . Ath. Hold you our bodies shall reuiue , resuming Our soules againe to heauen ? Cat. Past doubt , though others Thinke heauen a world too high for our low reaches . Not knowing the sacred sence of him that sings , Ioue can let downe a golden chaine from heauen , Which tyed to earth , shall fetch vp earth and seas ; And what 's that golden chaine , but our pure soules , A golden beame of him , let downe by him , That gouern'd with his grace , and drawne by him , Can hoist this earthy body vp to him , The sea , and ayre , and all the elements Comprest in it : not while t is thus concret , But fin'd by death , and then giuen heauenly heat . Ath. Your happy exposition of that place ( Whose sacred depth I neuer heard so sounded ) Euicts glad grant from me you hold a truth . Stat.

Is 't not a manly truth , and mere diuine ?

Cat. T is a good chearefull doctrine for good men . But ( sonne and seruants ) this is only argu'd To spend our deare time well , and no life vrgeth To any violence further then his owner And grauer men hold fit . Le ts talke of Caesar , He 's the great subiect of all talke , and he Is hotly hasting on . Is supper ready ? Mar.

It is , my Lord .

Cat. Why then let 's in and eat ; Our coole submission will quench Caesars heat . Sta.

Submission ? here 's for him .

Cat. Statilus , My reasons must not strengthen you in error , Nor learn'd Athenodorus gentle yeelding . Talke with some other deepe Philosophers . Or some diuine Priest of the knowing gods , And heare their reasons ; in meane time come sup . Exeunt . Cato going out arme in arme betwixt Athen. and Statilius .
Act V. Scene I. Enter Ushers , with the two Lentuli , and Septimius before Cornelia ; Cyris , Telesilla , Lelia , Drusus , with others , following . Cornelia ; Septimius and the two Lentuli reading letters . Cor. SO may my comforts for this good newes thriue As I am thankfull for them to the Gods . Ioyes vnexpected , and in desperate plight , Are still most sweet , and proue from whence they come ; When earths still Moonelike confidence , in ioy , Is at her full . True ioy descending farre From past her sphere , and from that highest heauen That moues and is not mou'd : how farre was I From hope of these euents , when fearefull dreames Of Harpies tearing out my heart ? of armies Terribly ioyning ? Cities , kingdomes falling , And all on me ? prou'd sleepe , not twin to death , But to me , death it selfe ? yet making then , These letters ; full of as much chearefull life , I found closde in my hand . O gods how iustly Ye laugh at all things earthly ? at all feares That rise not from your iudgements ? at all ioyes , Not drawne directly from your selues , and in ye , Distrust in man is faith , trust in him ruine . Why write great learned men ? men merely rapt With sacred rage , of confidence , beleefe ? Vndanted spirits ? inexorable fate And all feare treading on ? t is all but ayre , If any comfort be , t is in despaire . 1 Len.

You learned Ladies may hold any thing .

2 Lent. Now madam is your walk from coach come neare The promontory , where you late commanded A Sentinell should stand to see from thence If either with a nauy , brought by sea , Or traine by land ; great Pompey comes to greet you As in your letters , he neare this time promisde . Cor. O may this Isle of Lesbos , compast in With the Aegaean sea , that doth diuide Europe from Asia . ( The sweet literate world From the Barbarian ) from my barbarous dreames Diuide my dearest husband and his fortunes . 2 Len. He 's busied now with ordering offices . By this time , madam , sits your honor'd father He looks in his letter . In Caesars chaire of vniuersall Bishop . Domitius Aenobarbas , is made Consull , Spynther his Consort ; and Phaonius Tribune , or Pretor . Septimius with a letter . Sep. These were only sought Before the battaile , not obtaind ; nor mouing My father but in shadowes . Corn. Why should men Tempt fate with such firme confidence ? seeking places Before the power that should dispose could grant them ? For then the stroke of battaile was not struck . 1 Len. Nay , that was sure enough . Physitians know When sick mens eyes are broken , they must dye . Your letters telling you his victory Lost in the skirmish , which I know hath broken Both the eyes and heart of Caesar : for as men Healthfull through all their liues to grey-hayr'd age , When sicknesse takes them once , they seldom scape : So Caesar victor in his generall fights Till this late skirmish , could no aduerse blow Sustaine without his vtter ouerthrow . 2 Lent.

See , madam , now ; your Sentinell : enquire .

Cor. Seest thou no fleet yet ( Sentinell ) nor traine That may be thought great Pompeys ? Sen.

Not yet , madame .

1 Len. Seest thou no trauellers addrest this way ? In any number on this Lesbian shore ? Sent. I see some not worth note ; a couple comming This way , on foot , that are not now farre hence . 2 Lent.

Come they apace ? like messengers with newes ?

Sent. No , nothing like ( my Lord ) nor are their habites Of any such mens fashions ; being long mantles , And sable hew'd ; their heads all hid in hats Of parching Thessaly , broad brimm'd , high crown'd . Cor.

These serue not our hopes .

Sent. Now I see a ship , A kenning hence ; that strikes into the hauen . Cor.

One onely ship ?

Sen.

One only , madam , yet .

Cor.

That should not be my Lord .

1 Lent.

Your Lord ? no madam .

Sen.

She now lets out arm'd men vpon the land .

2 Lent.

Arm'd men ? with drum and colours ?

Sen. No , my Lord , But bright in armes , yet beare halfe pikes , or beadhookes . 1 Lent.

These can be no plumes in the traine of Pompey .

Cor.

I le see him in his letter , once againe .

Sen.

Now , madam , come the two I saw on foot .

Enter Pompey and Demetrius : Dem. See your Princesse , Sir , come thus farre from the City in her coach , to encounter your promist comming About this time in your last letters . Pom. The world is alterd since Demetrius ; offer to goe by . 1 Lent. See , madam , two Thessalian Augurs it seemes By their habits . Call , and enquire if either by their Skils or trauels , they know no newes of your husband . Cor.

My friends ? a word .

Dem.

With vs , madam ?

Cor.

Yes . Are you of Thessaly ?

Dem.

I , madam , and all the world besides .

Cor.

Your Country is great .

Dem.

And our portions little .

Cor.

Are you Augures ?

Dem. Augures , madam ? yes a kinde of Augures , alias Wizerds , that goe vp and downe the world , teaching How to turne ill to good . Cor.

Can you doe that ?

Dem. I , madam , you haue no worke for vs , haue you ? No ill to turne good , I meane ? Cor.

Yes ; the absence of my husband .

Dem.

What 's he ?

Cor.

Pompey the great .

Dem.

Wherein is he great ?

Cor.

In his command of the world .

Dem. Then he 's great in others . Take him without his Addition ( great ) what is he then ? Cor.

Pompey .

Dem.

Not your husband then ?

Cor.

Nothing the lesse for his greatnesse .

Dem.

Not in his right ; but in your comforts he is .

Cor.

His right is my comfort .

Dem.

What 's his wrong ?

Cor.

My sorrow .

Dem.

And that 's ill .

Cor.

Yes .

Dem. Y' are come to the vse of our Profession , madam , Would you haue that ill turnd good ? that Sorrow turnd comfort ? Cor.

Why is my Lord wrong'd .

Dem. We professe not that knowledge , madam : Supose he were . Cor.

Not I .

Dem.

You le suppose him good .

Cor.

He is so .

Dem. Then must you needs suppose him wrong'd ; for All goodnesse is wrong'd in this world . Cor.

What call you wrong ?

Dem.

Ill fortune , affliction .

Cor.

Thinke you my Lord afflicted ?

Dem. If I thinke him good ( madam ) I must . Vnlesse he Be worldly good , and then , either he is ill , or has ill : Since , as no sugar is without poyson : so is no worldly Good without ill . Euen naturally nourisht in it , like a Houshold thiefe , which is the worst of all theeues . Cor.

Then he is not worldly , but truly good .

Dem. He 's too great to be truly good ; for worldly greatnes Is the chiefe worldly goodnesse ; and all worldly goodnesse ( I prou'd before ) has ill in it : which true good has not . Cor.

If he rule well with his greatnesse , wherein is he ill ?

Dem. But great Rulers are like Carpenters that weare their Rules at their backs still : and therefore to make good your True good in him , y 'ad better suppose him little , or meane . For in the meane only is the true good . Pom. But euery great Lady must haue her husband Great still , or her loue will be little . Cor.

I am none of those great Ladyes .

1 Len. She 's a Philosophresse Augure , and can turne Ill to good as well as you . Pom. I would then , not honor , but adore her : could you Submit your selfe chearefully to your husband , Supposing him falne ? Cor.

If he submit himselfe chearfully to his fortune .

Pom.

T is the greatest greatnes in the world you vndertake .

Cor.

I would be so great , if he were .

Pom.

In supposition .

Cor.

In fact .

Pom Be no woman , but a Goddesse then ; & make good thy greatnesse ; I am chearfully falne ; be chearfull . Cor. I am : and welcome , as the world were closde In these embraces . Pom. Is it possible ? A woman , losing greatnesse , still as good , As at her greatest ? O gods , was I euer Great till this minute ? Amb.

Len. Pompey ?

Pom.

View me better .

Amb.

Len. Conquerd by Caesar ?

Pom. Not I , but mine army . No fault in me , in it : no conquest of me : I tread this low earth as I trod on Caesar . Must I not hold my selfe , though lose the world ? Nor lose I lesse ; a world lost at one clap , T is more then Ioue euer thundred with . What glory is it to haue my hand hurle So vast a volley through the groning ayre ? And is 't not great , to turne griefes thus to ioyes , That breake the hearts of others ? Amb.

Len. O t is Ioue-like .

Pom , It is to imitate Ioue , that from the wounds Of softest clouds , beats vp the terriblest sounds . I now am good , for good men still haue least , That twixt themselues and God might rise their rest . Cor.

O Pompey , Pompey : neuer Great till now .

Pom. O my Cornelia : let vs still be good , And we shall still be great : and greater farre In euery solid grace , then when the tumor And bile of rotten obseruation sweld vs . Griefes for wants outward , are without our cure , Greatnesse , not of it selfe , is neuer sure . Before , we went vpon heauen , rather treading The virtues of it vnderfoot , in making The vicious world our heauen ; then walking there Euen here , as knowing that our home ; contemning All forg'd heauens here raisde ; setting hills on hills . Vulcan from heauen fell , yet on 's feet did light , And stood no lesse a god then at his height ; At lowest things lye fast : we now are like The two Poles propping heauen , on which heauen moues ; And they are fixt , and quiet , being aboue All motion farre ; we rest aboue the heauens . Cor. O , I more ioy , t' embrace my Lord thus fixt , Then he had brought me ten inconstant conquests . 1 Len Miraculous standing in a fall so great , Would Caesar knew , Sir , how you conquerd him In your conuiction . Pom. T is enough for me That Pompey knows it . I will stand no more On others legs : nor build one ioy without me . If euer I be worth a house againe , I le build all inward : not a light shall ope The common outway : no expence , no art , No ornament , no dore will I vse there , But raise all plaine , and rudely , like a rampier , Against the false society of men That still batters All reason peecemeale . And for earthy greatnesse All heauenly comforts ratifies to ayre , I le therefore liue in darke , and all my light , Like ancient Temples , let in at my top . This were to turne ones back to all the world , And only looke at heauen . Empedocles Recur'd a mortall plague through all his Country , With stopping vp the yawning of a hill , From whence the hollow and vnwholsome South Exhald his venomd vapor . And what else Is any King , giuen ouer to his lusts , But euen the poyson'd cleft of that crackt mountaine , That all his kingdome plagues with his example ? Which I haue stopt now , and so cur'd my Country Of such a sensuall pestilence : When therefore our diseas'de affections Harmefull to humane freedome ; and stormelike Inferring darknesse to th' infected minde Oppresse our comforts : t is but letting in The light of reason , and a purer spirit , Take in another way ; like roomes that fight With windowe against the winde , yet let in sight . Amb. Len.

My Lord , we seru'd before , but now adore you .

Sen. My Lord , the arm'd men I discou'rd lately Vnshipt , and landed ; now are trooping neare . Pom.

What arm'd men are they ?

1 Len. Some , my Lord , that lately The Sentinell discouer'd , but not knew . Sen. Now all the sea ( my Lords ) is hid with ships , Another Promontory flanking this , Some furlong hence , is climb'd , and full of people , That easily may see hither ; it seemes looking What these so neare intend : Take heed , they come . Enter Achillas , Septius , Saluius , with souldiers , Ach. Haile to Romes great Commander ; to whom Aegypt ( Not long since seated in his kingdome by thee , And sent to by thee in thy passage by ) Sends vs with answer : which withdraw and heare . Pom

I le kisse my children first .

Sep.

Blesse me , my Lord .

Pom. I will , and Cyris , my poore daughter too . Euen that high hand that hurld me downe thus low , Keepe you from rising high : I heare : now tell me . I thinke ( my friend ) you once seru'd vnder me : Septius only nods with his head . Pom. Nod onely ? not a word daigne ? what are these ? Cornelia ? I am now not worth mens words . Ach.

Please you receiue your ayde , Sir ?

Pom.

I , I come . Exit Pom. They draw and follow .

Cor.

Why draw they ? See , my Lords ; attend them vshers .

Sen.

O they haue slaine great Pompey .

Cor.

O my husband .

Sept. Cyr. Mother , take comfort . Enter Pompey bleeding . O my Lord and father . Pom. See heauens your sufferings , is my Countries loue , The iustice of an Empire ; pietie ; Worth this end in their leader : last yet life , And bring the gods off fairer : after this Who will adore , or serue the deities ? He hides his face with his robe . Enter the Murtherers . Ach.

Helpe hale him off : and take his head for Caesar .

Sep.

Mother ? O saue vs ; Pompey ? O my father .

Enter the two Lentuli and Demetrius bleeding , and kneele about Cornelia . 1 Len. Yet fals not heauen ? Madam , O make good Your late great spirits ; all the world will say , You know not how to beare aduerse euents , If now you languish . Omn. Take her to her coach . They beare her out . Cato with a booke in his hand . O Beastly apprehenders of things manly , And merely heauenly : they with all the reasons I vsde for iust mens liberties , to beare Their liues and deaths vp in their owne free hands ; Feare still my resolution though I seeme To giue it off like them : and now am woonne To thinke my life in lawes rule , not mine owne , When once it comes to death ; as if the law Made for a sort of outlawes , must bound me In their subiection ; as if I could Be rackt out of my vaines , to liue in others ; As so I must , if others rule my life ; And publique power keepe all the right of death , As if men needes must serue the place of iustice ; The forme , and idoll , and renounce it selfe ? Our selues , and all our rights in God and goodnesse ? Our whole contents and freedomes to dispose , All in the ioyes and wayes of arrant rogues ? No stay but their wilde errors , to sustaine vs ? No forges but their throats to vent our breaths ? To forme our liues in , and repose our deaths ? See , they haue got my sword . Who 's there ? Enter Marcillius bare . Mar.

My Lord .

Cat. Who tooke my sword hence ? Dumb ? I doe not aske For any vse or care of it : but hope I may be answered . Goe Sir , let me haue it . Exit Mar. Poore slaues , how terrible this death is to them ? If men would sleepe , they would be wroth with all That interrupt them Physick take to take The golden rest it brings : both pay and pray For good , and soundest naps all friends consenting In those kinde inuocations ; praying all Good rest , the gods vouchsafe you ; put when death ( Sleepes naturall brother ) comes ; ( that 's nothing worse , But better ; being more rich ; and keepes the store ; Sleepe euer fickle , wayward still , and poore ) O how men grudge , and shake , and deare , and fly His sterne approaches ? all their comforts taken In faith , and knowledge of the blisse and beauties That watch their wakings in an endlesse life : Dround in the paines and horrors of their sense Sustainde but for an houre ; be all the earth Rapt with this error , lie pursue my reason , And hold that as my light and fiery pillar , Th' eternall law of heauen and earth no firmer . But while I seeke to conquer conquering Caesar , My soft-splen'd seruants ouerrule and curb me . He knocks , and Brutus enters . Where 's he I sent to fetch and place my sword Where late I left it ? Dumb to ? Come another ! Enter Cleanthes . Where 's my sword hung here ? Cle. My Lord , I know not , Ent. Marcilius . Cat. The rest come in there . Where 's the sword I charg'd you To giue his place againe ? I le breake your lips ope , Spight of my freedome ; all my seruants , friends ; My sonne and all , will needs betray me naked To th' armed malice of a foe so fierce And Beare-like , mankinde of the blood of virtue . O gods , who euer saw me thus contemn'd ? Goe call my sonne in ; tell him , that the lesse He shewes himselfe my sonne , the lesse I le care To liue his father . Enter Athenodorus , Porcius : Porcius kneeling ; Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius by him . Por. I beseech you , Sir , Rest patient of my duty , and my loue ; Your other children think on , our poore mother , Your family , your Country . Cat. If the gods Giue ouer all , I le fly the world with them . Athenodorus , I admire the changes . I note in heauenly prouidence . When Pompey Did all things out of course , past right , past reason , He stood inuincible against the world : Yet , now his cares grew pious , and his powers Set all vp for his Countrey , he is conquered . Ath. The gods wills secret are , nor must we measure Their chast-reserued deepes by our dry shallowes . Sufficeth vs , we are entirely such As twixt them and our consciences we know Their graces , in our virtues , shall present Vnspotted with the earth ; to 'th high throne That ouerlookes vs : for this gyant world Let 's not contend with it , when heauen it selfe Failes to reforme it : why should we affect The least hand ouer it , in that ambition ? A heape t is of digested villany ; Virtue in labor with eternall Chaos Prest to a liuing death , and rackt beneath it . Her throwes vnpitied ; euery worthy man Limb by limb sawne out of her virgine wombe , To liue here peecemeall tortur'd , fly life then ; Your life and death made presidents for men . Exit . Cat. Ye heare ( my masters ) what a life this is , And vse much reason to respect it so . But mine shall serue ye . Yet restore my sword , Lest too much ye presume , and I conceiue Ye front me like my fortunes . Where 's Statilius ? Por. I think Sir , gone with the three hundred Romans In Lucius Caesars charge , to serue the victor . Cat. And would not take his leaue of his poore friend ? Then the Philosophers haue stoop't his spirit , Which I admire , in one so free , and knowing , And such a fiery hater of base life , Besides , being such a vow'd and noted foe To our great Conqueror . But I aduisde him To spare his youth , and liue . Por. My brother Brutus Is gone to Caesar . Cat. Brutus ? Of mine honor ( Although he be my sonne in law ) I must say There went as worthy , and as learned a President As liues in Romes whole rule , for all lifes actions ; And yet your sister Porcia ( his wife ) Would scarce haue done this . But ( for you my sonne ) Howeuer Caesar deales with me ; be counsailde By your experienc't father , not to touch At any action of the publique weale , Nor any rule beare neare her politique sterne : For , to be vpright , and sincere therein Like Catos sonne , the times corruption Will neuer beare it : and , to sooth the time , You shall doe basely , and vnworthy your life ; Which , to the gods I wish , may outweigh mine In euery virtue ; howsoeuer ill You thriue in honor . Por. I , my Lord , shall gladly Obey that counsell . Cat. And what needed you Vrge my kinde care of any charge that nature Imposes on me ? haue I euer showne Loues least defect to you ? or any dues The most indulgent father ( being discreet ) Could doe his dearest blood ? doe you me right In iudgement , and in honor ; and dispence With passionate nature : goe , neglect me not , But send my sword in . Goe , t is I that charge you . Por.

O my Lord , and father , come , aduise me . Exeunt .

Cat. What haue I now to thinke on in this world ? No one thought of the world , I goe each minute Discharg'd of all cares that may fit my freedome . The next world , and my soule , then let me serue With her last vtterance , that my body may With sweetnesse of the passage drowne the sowre That death will mix with it : the Consuls soules That slew themselues so nobly , scorning life Led vnder Tyrants Scepters , mine would see . For we shall know each other ; and past death Retaine those formes of knowledge learn'd in life ; Since , if what here we learne , we there shall lose , Or immortality were not life , but time . And that our soules in reason are immortall , Then naturall and proper obiects proue ; Which immortallity and knowledge are . For to that obiect euer is referr'd The nature of the soule , in which the acts Of her high faculties are still employde . And that true obiect must her powers obtaine To which they are in natures aime directed . Since t were absurd to haue her sit an obiect Which possibly she neuer can aspire . Enter a Page with his sword taken out before . Pag

Your sword , my Lord .

Cat. O is it found ? lay downe Vpon the bed ( my boy ) Exit Pa. Poore men ; a boy Must be presenter ; manhood at no hand Must serue so foule a fact ; for so are calde ( In common mouths ) mens fairest acts of all . Vnsheath ; is 't sharpe ? t is sweet . Now I am safe , Come Caesar , quickly now , or lose your vassall . Now wing thee , deare soule , and receiue her heauen . The earth , the ayre , and seas I know , and all The ioyes , and horrors of their peace and warres , And now will see the gods state , and the starres . He fals vpon his sword , and enter Statilius at another side of the Stage with his sword drawne , Porcius , Brutus , Cleanthes and Marcilius holding his hands . Stat.

Cato ? my Lord ?

Por. I sweare ( Statilius ) He 's forth , and gone to seeke you , charging me To seeke elsewhere , lest you had slaine your selfe ; And by his loue entreated you would liue . Sta.

I sweare by all the gods , I le run his fortunes .

Por. You may , you may ; but shun the victor now , Who neare is , and will make vs all his slaues . Sta

He shall himselfe be mine first , and my slaues . Exit .

Por. Looke , looke in to my father , O ( I feare ) He is no sight for me to beare and liue . Exit . Omn. 3

O ruthfull spectacle !

Cle.

He hath ript his entrals .

Bru.

Search , search ; they may be sound .

Cle. They may , and are . Giue leaue , my Lord , that I may sew them vp Being yet vnperisht . He thrusts him back , & plucks out his entrals . Ca. Stand off ; now they are not . Haue he my curse that my lifes least part saues . Iust men are only free , the rest are slaues . Bru.

Myrror of men .

Mar.

The gods enuied his goodnesse .

Enter Caesar , Anthony , Brutus , Acilius , with Lords and Citizens of Vtica . Caes. Too late , too late ; with all our haste . O Cato , All my late Conquest , and my lifes whole acts , Most crownde , most beautified , are basted all With thy graue lifes expiring in their scorne . Thy life was rule to all liues , and thy death ( Thus forcibly despising life ) the quench Of all liues glories . Ant. Vnreclaimed man ? How censures Brutus his sterne fathers fact ? Bru.

T was not well done .

Caes. O censure not his acts ; Who knew as well what fitted man , as all men . Enter Achilius , Septimius , Salvius , with Pompeys head . All kneeling . Your enemies head great Caesar . Caes. Cursed monsters , Wound not mine eyes with it , nor in my camp Let any dare to view it ; farre as noblesse The den of barbarisme flies , and blisse The bitterest curse of vext and tyrannisde nature , Transferre it from me . Borne the plagues of virtue How durst ye poyson thus my thoughts ? to torture Them with instant rapture . Omn. 3.

Sacred Caesar .

Caes. Away with them ; I vow by all my comforts , Who slack seemes , or not fiery in my charge , Shall suffer with them . All the souldiers . Out base murtherers ; Tortures , tortures for them : bale them out . Omn.

Cruell Caesar .

Caes.

Too milde with any torture .

Bru. Let me craue The ease of my hate on their one curst life . Caes. Good Brutus take it ; O you coole the poyson These villaines flaming pou'rd vpon my spleen To suffer with my lothings . If the blood Of euery common Roman toucht so neare ; Shall I confirme the false brand of my tyranny With being found a fautor of his murther Whom my deare Country chusde to fight for her ? Ant.

Your patience Sir , their tortures well will quit you :

Bru.

Let my slaues vse , Sir , be your president .

Caes. It shall , I sweare : you doe me infinite honor . O Cato , I enuy thy death , since thou Enuiedst my glory to preserue thy life . Why fled his sonne and friend Statilius ? So farre I fly their hurt , that all my good Shall fly to their desires . And ( for himselfe ) My Lords and Citizens of Vtica , His much renowne of you , quit with your most . And by the sea , vpon some eminent rock , Erect his sumptuous tombe ; on which aduance With all fit state his statue ; whose right hand Let hold his sword , where , may to all times rest His bones as honor'd as his soule is blest .
FINIS .
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Pompey● and he hath stolne Accesse so soone here ; Pompey: : whole rest raisde To his encounter ; and all the damn'd crew you haue lately nam'd : The market place and suburbs swarming with Catiline● danger or the yet still smoaking fire , Of Catilines abhorr'd conspiracy : Of which the very Courtry or our Senate here So small loue to their Country ; that their wills Beyond their Countrys Oph▪ Oph. dislolute My idle dissolute life , is thrust out of all his corners bestith Goe to ; Ile helpe thee to the best ith earth then : And that's in Sicilia ; Giues way to chace a while , and coldly hunts , Till with the youthfull hunters wanton heat Pompey● foes fly , and he that station keepes : So Pompeys coole spirits , put to all their heat By to strengthen it , Of Macedon and Thessaly , where now I rather was besieg'd for want vphappy For me vnhappy . ●ye beare all , fly the sight in shame , Thou eye of nature , and abortiue night Fall dead comprehends Your Countreys good , and Empires ; in whose care Let me beseech you that in death ▪ shall seale our loues , Sir , with worst deaths Aduentur'd in your seruice . B●●. Bru. y●ur assure my selfe , Sir , that no thought In your ingenious construction , touches At the Eur●tas Spartans say , the Paphian Queene ( The flood Eurotas passing ) laid a side Her Glasse , her Ceston a● passing With her faire Ensignes , and arriu'd as ours , Displume her shoulders , cast off powers as she may remaine Our firme assistent : that the generall aydes , Fauours , and 〈◊〉 , All which , in one fire of this instant fight Ile burne , and sacrifice to euery cinder fallsqare Free mindes , like dice , fall sqare , what ere the cast . chiefely in a losse so late , and grieuous . Besides , your forces farre exceeding his offe● An offer happy . sti●r'd alone , as was th'Athenians ; Nor slowly stirr'd vp , like the Persian Angell ; Nor rockt to Scotussa . Shall now our purpose hold ? ●●ward Arme , arme , my Lord ; the voward of the foe Is rang'd already : my place Of fight elect in my tenth legion : My battell by Domitius Calvinus Shall take ruderand premonishing flames With brackish rheumes of ruder and brainsick number , What's infinitely more z●ny all changes , Of Protean fortune , and her zany , warre , For hosts , and hels of such ; cred●lities selfe-fortunes ? they shall sinke beneath Their owne credulities , before I crosse them . Come , haste , Crassinous The fight neerer ; and enter , Crassineus , a sword , as thrust through his face ; om●nous these fields to some other , Or from this ominous confidence , till I saw Their spirits settl'd fatherlesse ) Visit , and comfort . Come Demetrius , iust man to him selfe The perfect'st law ? E●●cts Whose sacred depth I neuer heard so sounded ) Euicts glad grant from me you hold a truth . m● heard so sounded ) Euicts glad grant from me you hold a truth . Statilus , My reasons must not strengthen you in error I● If he submit himselfe chearfully to his fortune submit himselfe chearfully to his fortune . con●emning there Euen here , as knowing that our home ; contemning All forg'd heauens here raisde ; setting ●eauens knowing that our home ; contemning All forg'd heauens here raisde ; setting hills on hills . Vulcan at his height ; At lowest things lye fast : we now are like The two Poles propping heauen lately The Sentinell discouer'd , but not knew . am woonne To thinke my life in lawes rule , not mine owne , When once it comes to death ●ake wroth with all That interrupt them Physick take to take The golden rest it brings : both ●eare poore ) O how men grudge , and shake , and deare , and fly His sterne approaches ? all their ●aith approaches ? all their comforts taken In faith , and knowledge of the blisse and beauties Enter Athenodorus , Porcius : Porcius kneeling ; Brutus , Cleanthes and O● what here we learne , we there shall lose , Or immortality were not life , but time . And s●t directed . Since twere absurd to haue her sit an obiect Which possibly she neuer can aspire O ruthfull spectacle ! ●ale bale them out . patience Sir , their tortures well will quit you :
A31672 ---- Revenge for Honor (The Parricide) Glapthorne, Henry This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A31672 of text R21807 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing C1948). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A31672.xml Revenge for honour a tragedie / by George Chapman. 32 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 12260930 Wing C1948. 57887 A31672

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Revenge for honour a tragedie / by George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Glapthorne, Henry. 63 p. [s.n.], London : 1654. 1640

The ascription to Chapman is not generally accepted. Has been identified with "The paraside, or, Revenge for honour", a play registered 1653 as the work of Henry Glapthorne. Cf. Parrott, T.M., ed. Plays and poems of George Chapman, the tragedies, p. 713-720; Thomas, D.L. Modern philology, Apr. 1908, p. 617-636; Cambridge hist. of Engl. lit., v. 6.

Reproduction of original in British Library.

A31672 shc Revenge for Honor Glapthorne, Henry Hannah Bredar 1640 play tragedy shc no A31672 R21807 (Wing C1948). 22009 0 0 0 630028.62C The rate of 28.62 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

REVENGE FOR HONOUR . A TRAGEDIE , BY GEORGE CHAPMAN .

LONDON , Printed in the Yeer 1654 .

The Persons Acting . Almanzor Caliph of Arabia . Abilqualit his eldest Son . Abrahen his Son by a second Wife , Brother to Abilqualit . Tarifa an old General , Conqueror of Spain , Tutor to Abilqualit . Mura a rough Lord , a Souldier , Kinsman by his Mother , to Abrahen . Simanthes a Court-Lord , allyed to Abrahen . Selinthus an honest , merrie Court Lord . Mesithes a Court Eunuch , Attendant on Abilqualit . Osman a Captain to Tarifa . Gaselles another Captain . Caropia Wife to Mura , first beloved of Abrahen , then of Abilqualit . Perilinda her Woman . Souldiers , Guard . Muts , Attendants .
PROLOGUE . Our Author thinks 't is not i' th power of Wit , Invention , Art , nor Industrie , to fit The several phantasies which in this age With a predominant humour rule the Stage . Some men cry out for Satyr , others chuse Meerly to story to confine each Muse ; Most like no Play , but such as gives large birth To that which they judiciously term mirth . Nor wil the best works with their liking crown , Except 't be grac'd with part of foole or clown . Hard and severe the task is then to write , So as may please each various appetite . Our Author hopes wel though , that in this Play , He has endeavour'd so , he justly may Gain liking from you all , unlesse those few Who wil dislike , be 't ne're so good , so new ; The rather Gentlemen , he hopes , cause I Am a main Actor in this Tragedie : You 've grac'd me sometimes in another Sphear , And I do hope you 'l not dislike me here .
REVENGE FOR HONOUR .
ACTUS PRIMUS .
Scena I. Enter Selinthus , Gaselles , and Osman . Sel.

NO murmurings , Noble Captains .

Gas.

Murmurings , Cosen ? this Peace is worse to men of war and action then fasting in the face o' th' fo , or lodging on the cold earth . Give me the Camp , say I , where in the Sutlers palace on pay-day we may the precious liquor quaff , and kisse his buxome wife ; who though she be not clad in Persian Silks , or costly Tyrian Purples , has a clean skin , soft thighes , and wholsome corps , fit for the trayler of the puissant Pike , to sollace in delight with .

Os.

Here in your lewd Citie , the Harlots do avoid us sons o' th' Sword , worse then a severe Officer . Besides , here men o' th' Shop can gorge their mustie maws with the delicious Capon , and fat limbs of Mutton large enough to be held shoulders o' th' Ram anco�ge the 1� Signes , while for pure want your souldier oft dines at the charge o' th' dead , 'mong tombs in the great Mosque .

Sel.

'T is beleev'd Coz , and by the wisest few too , that i' th' Camp you do not feed on pleasant : poults ; a sallad , and without oyl or vinegar , appeases sometimes your guts , although they keep more noise then a large pool ful of ingendring frogs . Then for accoutrements , you wear the Buff , as you believ'd it heresie to change for linnen : Surely most of yours is spent in lint , to make long tents for your green wounds after an onslaught .

Gas

Coz . these are sad truths , incident to fraile mortals !

Sel.

You yet crie out with more eagernesse stil for new wars , then women for new fashions .

Os.

'T is confess'd , Peace is more opposite to my nature , then the running ach in the rich Usurers feet , when he roars out , as if he were in hel before his time . Why , I love mischief , Coz , when one may do 't securely ; to cut throats with a licencious pleasure ; when good men and true o' th Jurie , with their frostie beards shall not have power to give the noble wesand , which has the steele defied , to th' hanging mercy of the ungracious cord .

Sel.

Gentlemen both , and Cozens mine , I do believe 't much pity , to strive to reconvert you from the faith you have been bred in : though your large discourse and praise , wherein you magnifie your Mistriss , Warr , shall scarce drive me from my quiet sheets , to sleep upon a turfe . But pray say , Cozens . How do you like your General , Prince , is he a right Mars ?

Gas.

As if his Nurse had lapt him in swadling clouts of steele ; a very Hector and Alcibiades .

Sel.

It seems he does not relish these boasted sweets of warre : for all his triumphs , he is reported melancholy .

Os.

Want of exercise renders all men of actions , dul as dormise ; your Souldier only can dance to the Drum , and sing a Hymn of joy to the sweet Trumpet : there 's no musick like it .

Enter Abrahen , Mura , and Simanthes . Ab.

I 'll know the cause , he shall deny me hardly else .

Mu.

His melancholy , known whence it rises once , 't may much conduce to help our purpose .

Gas.

Pray Coz . what Lords are these ? they seem as ful of plot , as Generals are in Siege , they 're very serious .

Sel.

That young Stripling is our great Emperors son , by his last wife : that in the rich Imbroidery 's , the Court Hermes ; one that has hatcht more projects , then the ovens in Egypt chickens ; the other , though they cal friends , his meer opposite Planet Mars , one that does put on a reserv'd gravitie , which some call wisdom , the rough Souldier Mura � Governour o' th ' Moroccos .

Os.

Him we 've heard of before : but Cozen , shal that man of trust , thy tailor , furnish us with new accoutrements ? hast thou tane order for them ?

Sel.

Yes , yes , you shal flourish in fresh habiliments ; but you must promise me not to ingage your corporal oathes you wil see 't satisfied at the next press , out of the profits that arise from ransome of those rich yeomans heires , that dare not look the fierce foe in the face .

Gas.

Doubt not our truths , though we be given much to contradictions , we wil not pawn oaths of that nature .

Sel.

Wel then , this note does fetch the garments : meet me Cozens anon at Supper .

Exeunt Gas. Os. Os.

Honourable Coz � we wil come give our thanks .

Enter Abilqualit . Ab.

My gracious brother , make us not such a stranger to your thoughts , to consume all your honors in close retirements ; perhaps since you from Spain return'd a victor , with ( the worlds conqueror ) Alexander , you greive Nature ordain'd no other earths to vanquish ; if 't be so , Princely brother , we 'le bear part in your heroique melancholy .

Abil.

Gentle youth . press me no farther , I stil hold my temper free and unshaken , only some fond thoughts of trivial moment , cal my faculties to private meditations .

Sim.

Howsoe're your Hignesse does please to term them , 't is meer melancholy , which next to sin , is the greatest maladie that can oppress mans soul .

Sel.

They say right : and that your Grace may see what a meer madnesse , a very mid-summer frenzy , 't is to be melancholy , for any man that wants no monie , I ( with your pardon ) wil discusse unto you all sorts , all sizes , persons and conditions , that are infected with it ; and the reasons why it in each arises .

Ab.

Learned Selinthus , Let 's tast of thy Philosophie

Mu.

Pish , 'T is unwelcome to any of judgment , this fond prate � I marvel that our Emperor dos permit fools to abound i th' Court !

Sel.

What makes your grave Lordship in it , I do beseech you ? But Sir , mark me , the kernel of the text enucleated , I shall confute , refute , repel , refel , explode , exterminate , expunge , extinguish like a rush candle , this same heresie , that is shot up like a pernicious Mushroom , to poison true humanitie .

Ab.

You shall stay and hear a lecture read on your disease ; you shal , as I love virtue .

Sel.

First the cause then from whence this flatus Hypocondriacus , this glimmering of the gizard ( for in wild fowl , 't is term'd so by Hypocrates ) arises , is as Averroes and Avicen , with Abenbucar , Baruch and Aboflii , and all the Arabick writers have affirm'd , a meer defect , that is as we interpret � a want of �

Abil.

Of what , Selinthus ?

Sel.

Of wit , and please your Highnesse , That is the cause in gen'ral , for particular and special causes , they are all deriv'd from severall wants ; yet they must be considerd , pondred , perpended , or premeditated .

Sim.

My Lord , y 'ad best be brief , your Patient will be wearie else .

Sel.

I cannot play the fool rightly , I mean � the Physician without I have licence to explacat on the disease . But ( my good Lord ) more briefly , I shall declare to you like a man of wisdom and no Physician , who deal all in simples , why men are melancholy . First , for your Courtier ,

Sim.

It concerns us all to be attentive , Sir .

Sel.

Your sage and serious Courtier , who does walk with a State face , as he had drest himself i th' Emperors glasse , and had his beard turn'd up by the' irons Roial , he will be as pensive as Stallion after Catum , when he wants suits , begging suits , I mean � Me thinks , ( my Lord ) you are grown something solemn on the sudden ; since your Monopolies and Patents , which made your purse swell like a wet spunge , have been reduc'd to th' last gasp . Troth , it is far better to confesse here , then in a worser place . Is it not so indeed ?

Abil.

What ere he does by mine , I 'me sure h 'as hit the cause from whence your grief springs , Lord Simanthes .

Sel.

No Egyptian Soothsayer has truer inspirations , then your small Courtiers from causes and wants manifold ; as when the Emperors count'nance with propitious noise does not cry chink in pocket , no repute is with Mercer , nor with Tailor ; nay sometimes too the humor 's pregnant in him , when repulse is given him by a Beautie : I can speak this though from no Memphian Priest , or sage Caldean , from the best Mistris ( Gentlemen ) an Experience . Last night I had a mind t' a comly Semstress , who did refuse me , and behold , ere since how like an Ass I look .

Enter Tarifa . Tar.

What , at your Counsels , Lords ? the great Almanzor requires your presence , Mura ; has decree'd the Warr for Persia . You ( my gracious Lord ) Prince Abilqualet , are appointed Chief : And you , brave spirited Abrahen , an Assistant to your victorious Brother : You , Lord Mura , destin'd Lieutenant General .

Abil.

And must I march against the foe , without thy company ? I relish not th' imployment .

Tar.

Alas , my Lord , Tarifa's head 's grown white beneath his helmet ; and your good Father thought it charity to spare mine age from travel : though this ease will be more irksome to me then the toil of war in a sharp winter .

Abr.

It arrives just to our wish . My gracious brother , I anon shall wait on you : mean time , valiant Mura , let us attend my Father .

Exeunt Ab. Mura , Sim. Abil.

Good Selinthus , vouchsafe a while your absence , I shall have imployment shortly for your trust .

Sel.

Your Grace shall have as much power to command Selinthus , as his best fanci'd Mistress . I am your creature .

Exit .
Tar.

Now , my Lord , I hope y' are cloath'd with all those resolutions that usher glorious minds to brave atchievements . The happy genius on your youth attendant declares it built for Victories and Triumphs ; and the proud Persian Monarchie , the sole emulous opposer of the Arabique Greatnesse , courts ( like a fair Bride ) your Imperial Arms , waiting t' invest You Soveraigne of her beauties . Why are you dull ( my Lord ? ) Your cheerful looks should with a prosp'rous augury presage a certain Victory : when you droop already , as if the foe had ravish'd from your Crest the noble Palm . For shame ( Sir ) be more sprightly ; your sad appearance , should they thus behold you , would half unsoul your Army ,

Abil.

'T is no matter , Such looks best sute my fortune . Know ( Tarifa ) I 'm undispos'd to manage this great Voiage , and must not undertake it .

Tar.

Must not , Sir ! Is 't possible a love-sick youth , whose hopes are fixt on marriage , on his bridal night should in soft slumbers languish ? that your Arms should rust in ease , now when you hear the charge , and see before you the triumphant Prize destin'd t' adorn your Valour ? You should rather be furnish'd with a power above these passions ; and being invok'd by the mighty charm of Honour , flie to atchieve this war , not undertake it . I 'd rather you had said , Tarifa ly'd , then utter'd such a sound , harsh and unwelcome .

Abil.

I know thou lov'st me truly , and durst I to any born of woman , speak my intentions , the fatal cause which does withdraw my courage from this imployment , which like health I covet , thou shouldst enjoy it fully . But ( Tarifa ) the said discov'ry of it is not fit for me to utter , much lesse for thy vertue to be acquainted with .

Tar.

Why ( my Lord ? ) my loyaltie can merit no suspicion from you of falshood : whatsoere the cause be or good , or wicked , 't meets a trustie silence , and my best care and honest counsel shall indeavour to reclaim , or to assist you if it be good , if ill , from your bad purpose .

Abil.

Why , that I know ( Tarifa . ) 'T is the love thou bear'st to honour , renders thee unapt to be partaker of those resolutions that by compulsion keep me from this Voiage : For they with such inevitable sweetnesse invade my sense , that though in their performance my Fame and Vertue even to death do languish , I must attempt , and bring them unto act , or perish i' th' pursuance .

Tar.

Heaven avert a mischief so prodigious . Though I would not with over-sawcie boldnesse presse your counsels ; yet pardon ( Sir ) my Loialtie , which timorous of your lov'd welfare , must intreat , beseech you with ardent love and reverence , to disclose the hidden cause that can estrange your courage from its own Mars , with-hold you from this Action so much ally'd to honour : Pray reveal it : By all your hopes of what you hold most precious , I do implore it ; for my faith in breeding your youth in warrs great rudiments , relieve Tarifa's fears , that wander into strange unwelcome doubts , left some ambitious frenzy 'gainst your imperial fathers dignitie has late seduc'd your goodness .

Abr.

No , Tarifa , I ne're durst aim at that unholy height in viperous wickednesse ; a sinlesse , harmlesse ( i ft can be truly term'd one ) 't is my soul labours even to dispaire with : t' faine would out , did not my blushes interdict my language : 't is unchast love , Tarifa ; nay , tak 't all , and when thou hast it , pity my misfortunes , to fair Caropia , the chast , vertuous wife to surly Mura .

Tar.

What a fool Desire is ! with Giant strengths it makes us court the knowledg of hidden mysteries , which once reveal'd , far more inconstant then the air , it fleets into new wishes , that the coveted secret had slept still in oblivion .

Abil.

I was certaine 't would fright thy innocence , and look to be besieged with strong disswasions from my purpose : but be assur'd , that I have tir'd my thoughts with all the rules that teach men moral goodnesse , so to reclaime them from this love-sick looseness ; but they ( like wholesome medicines misaplied ) fac'd their best operation , fond and fruitlesse . Though I as wel may hope to kiss the Sun-beams 'cause they shine on me , as from her to gaine one glance of comfort ; yet my mind , that pities it self with constant tendernesse , must needs revolve the cause of its calamity , and melt i' th' pleasure of so sweet a sadness .

Tar.

Then y' are undone for ever ; Sir , undon beyond the help of councel or repentance . 'T is most ignoble , that a mind unshaken by fear , should by a vain desire be broken ; or that those powers no labour e're could vanquish , should be orecome and thral'd by sordid pleasure . Pray ( Sir ) consider , that in glorious war , which makes Ambition ( by base men termed Sin ) a big and gallant Virtue , y 'ave been nurs'd , lull'd ( as it were ) into your infant sleeps by th' surly noise o' th' trumpet , which now summons you to victorious use of your indowments : and shall a Mistrisse stay you ! such a one too , as to attempt , then war it self 's more dangerous !

Abil.

All these perswasions are to as much purpose , as you should strive to reinvest with peace , and all the joyes of health and life , a soul condemn'd to perpetuity of torments . No ( my Tarifa ) though through all disgraces , losse of my honour , fame , nay hope for Empire , I should be forc'd to wade to obtain her love ; those seas of mischief would be pleasing streams , which I would hast to bath in , and passe through them with that delight thou would'st to victory , or slaves long chain'd to 'th oare , to sudden freedom� .

Tar.

Were you not Abilqualit , from this time then our friendships ( like two rivers from one head rising ) should wander a dissever'd course , and never meet againe , unlesse to quarrel . Nay , old and stiffe , now as my iron garments , were you my son , my sword should teach your wildness a swift way to repentance . Y' are my Prince , on whom all hopes depend ; think on your Father , that lively Image of majestick goodness , who never yet wrong'd Matron in his lust , or man in his displeasure . Pray conjecture your Father , Countrie , Army , by my mouth beseech your pietie to an early pittie of your yet unslain Innocence . No attention ! Farwel : my praiers shall wait you , though my Counsels be thus despis'd . Farwel Prince !

Exit .
Abil.

'Las good man , he weeps . Such tears I 've seen fall from his manly eyes once when ye lost a battel . Why should I put off my Reason , Valor , Honour , Virtue , in hopes to gain a Beautie , whose possession renders me more uncapable of peace , then I am now I want it ? Like a sweet , much coveted banquet , 't is no sooner tasted , but it's delicious luxury 's forgotten . Besides , it is unlawful . Idle fool , there is no law , but what 's prescribed by Love , Natures first moving Organ ; nor can ought what Nature dictates to us be held vicious . On then , my soul , and destitute of fears , like an adventrous Mariner , that knows storms must attend him , yet dares court his peril , strive to obtain this happy Port . Methises ( Loves cunning Advocate ) does for me besiege ( with gifts and vows ) her Chastitie . She is compass'd with flesh , that 's not invulnerable , and may by Love's sharp darts be pierc'd . They stand firm , whom no art can bring to Love's command .

Enter Abrahen , Abr.

My gracious brother !

Abil.

Dearest Abrahen , welcome . T is certainly decreed by our dread Father , we must both march against th' insulting foe . How does thy youth , yet uninur'd to travel , relish the Imploiment ?

Abr.

War is sweet to those that never have experienc'd it . My youth cannot desire in that big Art a nobler Tutor then you ( my Brother� ) Like an Eglet following her dam , I shall your honour'd steps trace through all dangers , and be proud to borrow a branch , when your head 's coverd ore with Lawrel , to deck my humbler temples .

Abil.

I do know thee of valiant active soul ; and though a youth , thy forward spirit merits the Command of Chief , rather then Second in an Armie . Would heaven our Roial Father had bestow'd on thee the Charge of General .

Abr.

On me , Sir ! Alas , 't is fit I first should know those Arts that do distinguish Valour from wild rashness . A Gen'ral ( Brother ) must have abler nerves of Judgment , then in my youth can be hop'd for . Your self already like a flourishing Spring teeming with early Victories , the Souldier expects should lead them to new Triumphs , as if you had vanquisht fortune .

Abil.

I am not so ambitious ( Abrahen ) of particular glories , but I would have those whom I love partake them . This Persian war , the last of the whole East left to be managed , if I can perswade the great Almanzor , shall be the trophee of thy yet maiden Valour . I have done enough already to inform Succession , that Abilqualit durst on fiercest foes run to fetch Conquest home , and would have thy name as great as mine in Arms , that Historie might register , our Familie abounded with Heroes , born for Victorie .

Abr.

T is an honour , which , though it be above my powers , committed to my direction , I would seek to manage with care above my yeers , and courage equal to his , that dares the horrid'st face of danger : But 't is your noble courtesie would thrust this masc'line honor ( far above his merits ) on your regardless Brother ; for my Father , he has no thought tending to your intentions ; nor though your goodness should desire , would hardly be won to yeild consent to them .

Abil.

Why , my Abrahen , w' are both his sons , and should be both alike dear to 's affections ; and though birth hath given me the larger hopes and Titles , 't were unnatural , should he not strive t' indow thee with a portion apted to the magnificence of his Off-spring . But thou perhaps art timorous , lest thy first essayes of valour should meet fate disastrous . The bold are Fortunes darlings . If thou hast courage to venture on this great imploiment , doubt not , I shall prevail upon our Father t' ordain thee Chief in this brave hopefull Voiage .

Abr.

You imagine me beyond all thought of gratitude ; and doubt not that I 'll deceive your trust . The glorious Ensignes waving i' th' air once , like so many Comets , shall speak the Persians funerals , on whose ruines we 'l build to Fame and Victorie new temples , which shall like Pyramids preserve our memories , when we are chang'd to ashes .

Abil.

Be sure , continue in this brave minde ; I 'll instantly solicite our Father to confirm thee in the Charge of General , I 'll about it .

Exit .
Abr.

Farewel gracious Brother . This haps above my hopes . 'Las , good dull fool , I see through thy intents , clear , as thy soul were as transparent as thin air or Cristal . He would have me remov'd , march with the Armie , that he mean time might make a sure defeat on our aged fathers life and Empire : 't must be certain as the light . Why should not this with equall heat , be like my thoughts , ambitious ? Be they as harmless as the prai'rs of Virgins , I 'll work his ruine out of his intentions . He like a thick cloud stands 'twixt me and Greatnesse : Greatnesse , the wise mans true felicity , Honour 's direct inheritance . My youth wil quit suspicion of my subtil practice : then have I surly Mura and Simanthes , my allyes by my dead Mothers bloud , my assistants , his Eunuch too Mesithes at my service . Simanthes shall inform the King , the people desire Prince Abilqualit's stay ; and Mura whose blunt demeanour renders him oraculous , make a shrewd inference out of it . He is my half Brother , th' other 's my Father ; names , meer airie titles ! Soveraigntie 's onely sacred , Greatnesse goodnesse , true self-affection Justice , every thing righteous that 's helpfull to create a King .

Enter Mura , Simanthes . Abr.

My trustie friends , y' are welcome : our fate 's above our wishes ; Abilqualit by whatso'ere pow'r mov'd to his own ruine , would fain inforce his charge of General on me , and stay at home .

Sim.

Why , how can this conduce t' advance our purpose ?

Abr.

T is the mainest engine could ever move to ruine him . Simanthes , you shall inform our Father , t is the people out of their tender love desires his stay . You ( Mura ) shall infer my Brothers greatnesse with people ; out of it , how nice it is and dangerous . The air is open here ; come , wee 'll discourse with more secure privacie our purpose . Nothing 's unjust , unsacred , tends to advance us to a Kingdom ; that 's the height of chance .

ACTUS SECUNDUS .
Scena I. Enter Almanzor , Mura , and Simanthes . Al.

HOw ? not go , Simanthes ?

Sim.

My dread Soveraign , I speak but what the well affected people out of their loyal care and pious duty injoyn'd me utter : they do look upon him as on your eldest Son , and next Successor , and would be loth the Persian War should rob their eies of light , their souls of joy and comfort , this flourishing Empire leave as it were widow'd of its lov'd Spouse : They humbly do beseech your Majesty would therefore destine some more fitting General , whose loss ( as heaven avert such a misfortune ) should it happen , might lesse concern the State .

Al.

'T is not the least among the blessings Heaven has showr'd upon us , that we are happie in such loving Subjects , to govern whom , when we in peace are ashes , we leave them a Successor whom they truly reverence : A loving people and a loving Soveraign makes Kingdoms truly fortunate and flourishing . But I beleeve ( Simanthes ) their intents , though we confirm them , will scarce take effect : My Abilqualit ( like a Princely Lion , in view of 's prey ) wil scarcely be orecom to leave the honour of the Persian War , in 's hopes already vanquish'd by his valour � and rest in lazy quiet , while that Triumph is ravish'd by another .

Sim.

With the pardon of your most sacred Majestie , 't is fit then your great commands forbid the Princes Voyage : boldnesse inforces youth to hard atchievements before their time , makes them run forth like Lapwings from their warm nest , part of the shel yet sticking unto their downie heads . Sir , good successe is oft more fatal far then bad ; one winning ��st from a flatt'ring Die tempting a Gamester to hazard his whole fortunes .

Mur.

This is dull , fruitless Philosophy , he that falls nobly winns as much honour by his loss , as conquest .

Sim.

This rule may hold wel among common men , but not 'mong Princes . Such a prince as ours is , who knows as wel to conquer mens affections as he does enemies , should not be expos'd to every new cause , honourable danger . Prince Abilqualit's fair and winning carriage has stolne possession of the peoples hearts , they doate on him since his late Spanish conquest , as new made brides on their much coveted husbands ; and they would pine like melancholy turtles , should they so soone lose the unvalued object both of their love and reverence : Howsoe're , what ere your awful wil ( Sir ) shall determine , as heaven , is by their strict obedience held sacred and religious .

Al.

Good Simanthes , let them receive our thanks for their true care of our dear Abilqualit . Wee 'l consider of their request , say .

Sim.

Your highnesse humblest creature .

Exit .
Mu.

I do not like this .

Al.

Like what ? Valiant Mura , we know thy counsels so supremely wise , and thy true heart so excellently faithful , that whatsoere displeases thy sage Judgment , Almanzor's wisdome must account distastful . What is 't dislikes thee ?

Mu.

Your Majestie knows me a downright Souldier , I affect not words ; but to be brief , I relish not your son should ( as if you were in your tomb already ) ingross so much the giddie peoples favours . 'T is neither fit for him , nor safe for you to suffer it .

Al.

Why , how can they , Mura , Give a more serious testimony of reverence to me , then by conferring their affections , their pious wishes , zealous contemplations on him that sits the nearest to my heart , my Abilqualit , in whose hopeful virtues my age more glorious then in all my conquests ?

Mu.

May you prove fortunate in your pious care of the Prince Abilqualit . But ( my Lord ) Mura is not so prone to idle language ( the Parasits best ornament ) to utter o�ght , but what ( if you 'l please to give him audience hee 'l show you a blunt reason for .

Al.

Come , I see into thy thoughts , good Mura ; too much care of us , informs thy loyal soul with fears the Princes too much popularity may breed our danger : banish those suspicions ; neither dare they who under my long raign have been triumphant in so many blessings , have the least thought may tend to disobedience : or if they had , my Abilqualit's goodnesse would ne're consent with them to become impious .

Mu.

'T is too secure a confidence betrays minds valiant to irreparable dangers . Not that I dare invade with a foule thought the noble Princes loyalty ; but ( my Lord ) when this same many headed beast ( the people ) violent , and so not constant in affections , subject to love of novelty , the sicknesse proper t' all humane specially light natures , do magnifie with too immoderate praises the Princes actions , doate upon his presence , nay chaine their souls to th' shadow of his foot-steps , as all excesses ought to be held dangerous , especially when they do aim at Scepters , their too much dotage speaks , you in their wishes are dead alreadie , that their darling hope the Prince might have the Throne once .

Al.

'T is confess'd , all this a serious truth .

Mu.

Their mad applauses o th' noble Prince , though he be truly virtuous , may force ambition into him , a mischief Seasing the soul with too much craft and sweetness , as pride or lust do's minds unstay'd and wanton : 'tmakes men like poyson'd rats , which when they 'ave swallow'd the pleasing bane , rest not until they drink , and can rest then much lesse , until they burst with 't .

Al.

Thy words are stil oraculous .

Mu.

Pray then think with what an easie toil the haughty Prince , a demy God by th' popular acclamations , nay , the world's Soveraign in the vulgar wishes , had he a resolution to be wicked , might snatch this diadem from your aged temples ? What law so holy , tye of blood so mightie , which for a Crown , minds sanctified and religious have not presum'd to violate ? How much more then may the soul dazling glories of a Scepter work in his youth , whose constitution 's fierie , as overheated air , and has to fan it into a flame , the breath of love and praises blown by strong thought of his own worth and actions .

Al.

No more of this , good Mura .

Mu.

They dare already limit your intentions , demand ( as 't were ) with cunning zeal ( which rightly interpreted , is insolence ) the Princes abode at home . I wil not say it is , but I guess , 't may be their subtle purpose while we abroad fight for new kingdomes purchase depriv'd by that means of our faithful succors , they may deprive you of this crown , inforce upon the prince this Diadem ; which however he may be loth t' accept , being once possessed of 't and tasted the delights of supreme greatness , hee 'l be more loath to part with . To prevent this , not that I think it wil , but that may happen , 't is fit the Prince march . I 'ave observed in him too of late a sullen Melancholly , whence rising I 'le not conjecture ; only I should grieve , Sir , beyond a moderate sorrow , traitorous practise should take that from you which with loyal blood ours and your own victorious arms have purchas'd . and now I have discharg'd my honest conscience censure on 't as you please ; henceforth I 'me silent .

Al.

Would thou hadst been so now , thy loyal fears have made me see how miserable a King is , whose rule depends on the vain people suffrage . Black now and horrid as the face of storms appears al Abilqualits lovely vertues , because to me they only make him dangerous , and with great terror shall behold those actions which with delight before we view'd , and dotage ; like Mariners that bless the peaceful seas , which when suspected to grow up tempestuous , they tremble at . Though he may stil be virtuous , 't is wisdome in us , to him no injustice , to keep a vigilant eie o're his proceedings and the wild peoples purposes .

Enter Abil. Al.

Abilqualit ! come to take your leave , I do conjecture .

Abil.

Rather , Sir , to beg your gracious licence , I may stil at home attend your dread commands , and that you 'd please to nominate my hopeful brother Abrahen ( in lieu of me ) chief of your now raised Forces for th' Persian expedition .

Al.

Dare you ( Sir ) presume to make this suit to us ?

Abil.

Why ? ( my roial Lord ) I hope this cannot pull your anger on your most obedient Son : a true affection to the young Prince my brother , did beget this my request ; I willingly would have his youth adorn'd with glorie of this conquest . No tree bears fruit in Autumn , ' less it blossome first in the Spring ; 't is fit he were acquainted in these soft years with military action , that when grown perfect man , he may grow up too perfect in warlike discipline .

Al.

Hereafter we shall by your appointment guide our Counsels . Why do you not intreat me to resigne my Crown , that you the peoples much lov'd minion may with 't impale your glorious brow ? Sir , henceforth or know your duty better , or your pride shall meet our just wak'd anger . To your Charge , and march with speed , or you shall know what 't is to disobey our pleasure . When y' are King , learn to command your Subjects ; I will mine ( Sir . ) You know your Charge , perform it .

Exit Alm. and Mura . Abil.

I have done . Our hopes ( I see ) resemble much the Sun , that rising and declining cast large shadows ; but when his beams are dress'd in 's midday brightnesse , yeelds none at all : when they are farthest from successe , their guilt reflection does display the largest shows of events fair and prosp'rous . With what a setled confidence did I promise my self , my stay here , Mura's wish'd departure ? when stead of these , I finde my fathers wrath destroying mine intentions . Such a fool is self-compassion , soothing us to faith of what we wish should hap � while vain desire of things we have not , makes us quite forget those w' are possess'd of .

Enter Abrahen . Abr.

Alone the engine works beyond or hope or credit . How I hug with vast delight , beyond that of stoln pleasures forbidden Lovers taste , my darling Mistriss , my active Brain ! If I can be thus subtle while a young Serpent , when grown up a Dragon how glorious shall I be in cunning practise ? My gracious brother !

Abil.

Gentle Abrahen . I am griev'd my power cannot comply my promise : my Father 's so averse from granting my request concerning thee , that with angrie frowns he did express rather a passionate rage , then a refusall civil , or accustom'd to his indulgent disposition .

Abr.

Hee 's our Father , and so the tyrant Custome doth inforce us to yeeld him that which fools call natural , when wise men know 't is more then servile duty , a slavish , blind obedience to his pleasure , be it nor just , nor honourable .

Abil.

O my Abrahen , these sounds are unharmonious , as unlookt for from thy unblemish'd innocence : though he could put off paternal pietie , 't gives no priviledg for us to wander from our filial dutie : though harsh , and to our natures much unwelcom be his decrees , like those of Heaven , we must not presume to question them .

Abr.

Not , if they concern our lives and fortunes ? 'T is not for my self I urge these doubts ; but 't is for you , who are my Brother , and I hope , must be my Soveraigne , my fears grow on me almost to distraction : Our Father's age betrayes him to a dotage , which may be dang'rous to your future safetie ; he does suspect your loyaltie .

Abil.

How , Abrahen ?

Ab.

I knew 't would start your innocence ; but 't is truth , a sad and serious truth ; nay his suspicion almost arriv'd unto a setled faith that y' are ambitious .

Abil.

'T is impossible .

Ab.

The glorious shine of your illustrious vertues are grown too bright and dazling for his eyes to look on as he ought , with admiration ; and he with fear beholds them , as it were , through a perspective , where each brave action of yours survey'd though at remotest distance , appears far greater then it is . In brief , that love which you have purchas'd from the people that sing glad Hymns to your victorious fortunes , betraies you to his hate ; and in this Voiage which he inforces you to undertake , he has set spies upon you .

Abil.

'T is so : afflictions do fal like hailstones , one no sooner drops , but a whole Showre does follow . I observ'd indeeed , my Abrahen , that his looks and language was dress'd in unaccustom'd clouds , but did not imagine they 'd presag'd so fierce a tempest . Ye gods , why do you give us gifts and graces , share your own attributes with men , your virtues , when they betray them to worse hate then vices ? But Abrahen , prithee reconfirm my feares by testimonial how this can be truth ; for yet my innocence with too credulous trust sooths up my soul , our father should not thus put that off which does make him so , his sweetnesse , to feed the irregular flames of false suspicions and soul tormenting jealousies .

Ab.

Why , to me , to me ( my Lord ) he did with strong Injunctions give a solicitous charge to overlook your actions . My Abrahen ( quoth he ) I 'me not so unhappie , that like thy brother thou shouldst be ambitious , who does affect , 'fore thy ag'd Fathers ashes , with greedie lust my Empire . Have a strict and cautious diligence to observe his carriage , 't wil be a pious care . Mov'd with the base indignity , that he on ' me should force the office of a spy ; your spy , my noble and much lov'd brother : my best manhood scarce could keep my angry tears in ; I resolv'd I was in duty bound to give you early intelligence of his unjust intentions , that you in wisedome might prevent all dangers might fall upon you from them , like swift lightning , killing 'cause they invade with sudden fiercenesse

Abil.

In afflicting me , misery is grown witty .

Ab.

Nay besides ( Sir ) the sullen Mura has the self same charge too consign'd and setled on him ; which his blind duty will execute . O brother , your soft passive nature , do's like jet on fire when oyls cast on 't , extinguish : otherwise , this base suspicion would inflame your sufferance , nay make the purest loyalty rebellious . However , though your too religious piety forces you 'ndure this foul disgrace with patience , look to your safety , brother , that dear safety which is not only yours , but your whole Empires : for my part , if a faithfull brothers service may ought avail you , tho against our father , since he can be so unnaturally suspicious , as your own thoughts , command it .

Enter Selinthus and Mesithes . Sel.

Come , I know , although th' ast lost some implements of manhood may make thee gracious in the sight of woman , yet th' ast a little engine , cal'd a tongue , by which thou canst orecome the nicest female , in the behalf of friend . Insooth , you Eunuchs may well be stil'd Pimps-royal , for the skill you have in quaint procurement .

Mes.

Your Lordship 's merry , and would inforce on me what has been your office far oftner than the cunningst Squire belonging to the smock transitory . May 't please your Highnesse .

Abil.

Ha! Mesithes .

Ab.

His countenance varies strangely , some affaire the Eunuch gives him notice of , 't should seem , begets much pleasure in him .

Abil.

Is this truth ? Mes . Else let me taste your anger .

Abil.

My dear Abrahen , wee 'l march to night , prethee give speedie Notice to our Lieutenant Mura , to collect the forces from their several quarters , and draw them into Battalia on the plain behind the Citie , lay a strict command he stir not from the Ensigns til our self arrive in person there . Be speedie , brother , a little hastie business craves our presence . We wil anon be with you , my Methises .

Exeunt Abil. & Mes. Sel.

Can your grace imagine whether his highness goes now ?

Ab.

No , Selinthus ; canst thou conjecture at the Eunuchs business ? what ere it was , his countenance seem'd much altred : I l'd give a talent to have certain knowledg what was Mesithes message .

Sel.

I 'll inform you at a far easier rate . Mesithes businesse certes concern'd a limber petticoate , and the smock soft and slipperie ; on my honour , has been providing for the Prince , some female that he takes his leave of Ladies flesh ere his departure .

Ab.

Not improbable , it may be so .

Sel.

Nay , certain ( Sir ) it is so : and I believe , your little bodie earnes after the same sport . You were once reported a wag would have had business of ingendring with surly Mura's Lady : and men may conjecture y' are no chaster then a vot'rie : yet though she would not solace your desires , there are as handsome Ladies wil be proud to have your Grace inoculate their stocks with your graft-royal .

Ab.

Thou art Selinthus stil , and wilt not change thy humor . I must go and find out Mura ; so farwel Selinthus , thou art not for these warrs , I know .

Exit .
Sel.

No truly , nor yet for any other , ' less 't be on a naked yeilding enemie ; though there may be as hot service upon such a foe as on those clad in steel : the little squadron , we civill men assault body to body , oft carry wild-fire � about them privately , that sindges us i th' service from the crown even to the sole , nay sometimes hair and all off . But these are transitory perills . Enter Gasilles , Osman . Couzens , I thought you had been dancing to the drum . Your General has given order for a march this night , I can assure you .

Gas.

It is Couzen , something of the soonest ; but we are prepar'd at all times for the journey .

Sel.

To morrow morning may serve the turn though . Hark you , Couzens mine ; if in this Persian War you chance to take a handsome she Captive , pray you be not unmindfull of us your friends at home ; I will disburse her ransome , Couzens , for I 've a months mind to try if strange flesh , or that of our own Countrey has the compleater relish .

Os.

We will accomplish thy pleasure , noble Couzen .

Sel.

But pray do not take the first say of her your selves . I do not love to walk after any of my kindred i th' path of copulation .

Gas.

The first fruits shall be thy own , dear Couz . But shall we part ( never perhaps to meet agen ) with dry lips , my right honoured Coz ?

Sel.

By no means , though by the Alcharon wine be forbidden , you Souldiers in that case make 't not your faith . Drink water in the Camp , when you can purchase no other liquor ; here you shall have plenty of wine , old and delicious . I 'le be your leader , and bring you on , let who will bring you off . To the encounter , come let us march , Couzens .

Exeunt Omnes . Song .
Scena Secunda . Enter Abilqualit , Caropia , and Mesithes , Perilinda . Car.

No more , my gracious Lord , where real love is needlesse are all expressions ceremonious : the amorous Turtles , that at first acquaintance strive to expresse in murmuring notes their loves , do when agreed on their affections change their chirps to billing �

Abil.

And in feather'd arms incompasse mutually their gawdy necks .

Mes:

How do you like these love tricks , Perilinda ?

Per.

Very well ; but one may sooner hope from a dead man to receive kindness , than from thee , an Eunuch . � You are the coldest creatures in the bodies , no snow-balls like you .

Mes.

We must needs , who have not that which like fire should warm our constitutions , the instruments of copulation , girle , our toyes to please the Ladies .

Abil.

Caropia , in your well becoming pity of my extream afflictions and stern sufferings , you 've shown that excellent mercy as must render what ever action you can fix on , virtuous . But Lady , I till now have been your tempter , one that desired hearing , the brave resistance you made my brother , when he woo'd your love , only to boast the glory of a conquest which seem'd impossible , now I have gain'd it by being vanquisher , I my self am vanquish'd your everlasting Captive .

Car.

Then the thraldome will be as prosperous as the pleasing bondage of palms , that flourish most when bowd down fastest ; Constraint makes sweet and easie things laborious , when love makes greatest miseries seem pleasures . Yet 't was ambition ( Sir ) join'd with affection that gave me up a spoil to your temptations . I was resolv'd , if ever I did make a breach on matrimonial faith , 't should be with him that was the darling of kind fortune as well as liberall nature ; who possess'd the height of greatnesse to adorn his beauty ; which since they both conspire to make you happy , I thought 't would be a greater sin to suffer your hopefull person , born to sway this Empire , in loves hot flames to languish , by refusal to a consuming feaver � then t' infringe a vow which ne're proceeded from my heart when I unwillingly made it .

Abil.

And may break it with confidence , secure from the least guilt , as if 't had only in an idle dream been by your fancy plighted . Madam , there can be no greater misery in love , than separation from the object which we affect ; and such is our misfortune we must i th' infancy of our desires breath at unwelcome distance ; i th' mean time , le ts make good use of the most precious minuts we have to spend together .

Car.

Else we were unworthy to be titled lovers ; but I fear loath'd Mura may with swift approach disturb our happinesse .

Abil.

By my command hee 's mustring up our forces . Yet Mesithes , go you to Abrahen , and with intimations from us , strengthen our charge . Come my Caropia , love's wars are harmlesse , for who ere do's yeild , gains as much honor as who wins the field .

ACTUS TERTIUS
SCENA I. Enter Abilqualit and Caropia , as rising from bed , Abrahen without , Perilinda . ABr.

Open the door , I must and will have entrance unto the Prince my brother , as you love your life and safety and that Ladies honor , whom you are lodg'd in amorous twines � with , do not deny me entrance to you , I am Abrahen , your loyal brother Abrahen .

Abil.

'T is his voice , and there can be no danger in 't , Caropia , be not dismaid , though w' are to him discover'd . your fame shall taste no blemish by 't . Now brother , 't is something rude in you , thus violently to presse upon our privacies .

Abr.

My affection shall be my Advocate , and plead my care of your lov'd welfare , as you love your honour , haste from this place , or you 'l betray the Lady to ruin most inevitable . Her husband has notice of your being here , and 's comming on wings of jealousie and desperate rage to intercept you in your close delights . In breif , I over heard a trusty Servant of his i th' Camp come and declare your highnesse was private with Caropia : at which tidings the sea with greater haste when vext with tempests , so sudden and boystrous , flies not towards the shore , then he intended homewards . He by this needs must have gain'd the City ; for with all my power I hasted hitherward , that by your absence you might prevent his veiw of you .

Abil.

Why ? the slave dare not invade my person , had he found me in fair Caropias armes : 't would be ignoble , now I have caus'd her danger , should I not defend her from his violence . I 'le stay though he come arm'd with thunder .

Abr.

That will be a certain means to ruin her : To me count that cure , I 'le stand between the Lady , and Mura's fury , when your very sight , giving fresh fire to th' injury , will incense him 'gainst her beyond all patience .

Car.

Nay , besides his violent wrath breaking through his allegiance , may riot on your person . Dear my Lord withdraw your self , there may be some excuse when you are absent thought on , to take off Mura's suspition : by our loves , depart I do beseech you . Hapless I was born to be most miserable .

Abil.

You shall over-rule me � Better it is for him with unhallowed hands to act a sacriledg on our Prophets tom then to profane this purity with the le��� offer of injurie ; be careful Abrahen , to thee I leave my heart . Farwel Caropia , your tears inforce my absence .

Exit . Abil.
Abr.

Pray hast my Lord lest you should meet the inrag'd Mur . now Madam where are the boasted glories of that virtue , which like a faithful Fort withstood my batt'ries ? demolish'd now , and ruin'd they appear ; like a fair building toter'd from its b��� by an unruly whirlewind , and are no instead of love the objects of my pitie

Car.

I 'me bound to thank you Sir yet credit me ; my sin 's so pleasing 't ' cannot meet repentance . Were Mura here , and arm'd with all the horrors �age could invest his powers with ; not forgiven Hermits with greater peace shal hast to death , then I to be the Martyr of this cause , which I so love and reverence .

Abr.

'T is a noble and wel becoming constancie , and merits a lover of those Supreme eminent graces , that do like ful winds swel the glorious Sails of Abilqualit's dignitie and beautie ! yet Madam , let me tel you , though I could not envie my brothers happinesse , if he could have enjoy'd your priceless love with safetie , free from discoverie , I am afflicted beyond a moderate sorrow , that my youth which with as true a zeal , courted your love , should appear so contemptible to receive a killing scorn from you : yet I forgive you , and do so much respect your peace , I wish you had not sin'd so carelessly to be betray'd i th' first fruitions of your wishes to your suspicious husband .

Car.

'T is a fate Sir , which I must stand , though it come dress'd in flames , killing as circular fire , and as prodigious as death presaging Comets : there 's that strength in love , can change the pitchie face of dangers to pleasing formes , make ghastly fears seeme beauteous ; and I 'me resolv'd , since the sweet Prince is free from Mura's anger , which might have been fatal if he should here have found him , unresistless I dare his utmost fury .

Abr.

'T wil bring death with 't sure as stifling dampe ; and 't were much pitie so sweet a beautie should unpitied fall , betrai'd to endlesse infamie ; your husband knowes only that my brother in your chamber was entertained ; the servant that betrayed you , curse on his diligence , could not affirm he saw you twin'd together : yet it is death by the law , you know , for any Ladie at such an hour , and in her husbands absence � to entertain a stranger .

Car.

'T is considered Sir , and since I cannot live to enjoy his love , I 'le meet my death as willingly as I met Abilqualit's dear embraces .

Abr.

That were too severe a crueltie . Live Caropia , til the kind destinies take the loath'd Mura to their eternal Mansions , til he fal either in war a sacrifice to fortune , or else by stratagem take his destruction from angry Abilqualit , whose fair Empresse you were created for : there is a mean yet to save th' opinion of your honour spotlesse , as that of Virgin innocence , nay to preserve , ( though he doth know ( as certainly he must do ) my Brother have injoy'd thee ) thee stil precious in his deluding fancie .

Car.

Let me adore you if you can give effect to your good purpose . But t is impossible .

Abr.

With as secure an ease 't shal be accomplish'd as the blest desires of uncross'd lovers : you shal with one breath dissolve these mists that with contagious darknesse threaten the lights both of your life and honour . Affirm my brother ravish'd you .

Car.

How my Lord ?

Abr.

Obtained by violence entry into your chamber where his big lust seconded by force , despight of yours and your Maids weak resistance surpris'd your honor : when 't shall come to question , my brother cannot so put off the truth , he owes his own affection and your whiteness , but to acknowledg it a rape .

Car.

And so by saving mine , betray his fame and safety , to the lawes danger , and your fathers justice , which with impartial doome will most severely sentence the Prince , although his son .

Abr.

Your fears and too affectionate tendernesse will ruine all that my care has builded . Sure , Mesithes has ( as my charge injoin'd him ) made relation Enter Mura . to him of Abilqualit's action . See your Husband , resolve on 't , or y' are miserable .

Mu.

Furies , where is this lustful Prince , and this lascivious Strumpet ? ha Abrahen , here ?

Abr.

Good� Cozen Mura , be not so passionate , it is your Prince has wrought your injury ; resolve to bear your crosses like a man : the great'st afflictions should have the greatest fortitude in their suff'rings from minds resolv'd and noble . 'Las poor Ladie , 't was not her fault ; his too unruly lust 't is , has destroi'd her puritie .

Mu.

Ha , in tears ! Are these the liverie of your fears and penitence , or of your sorrows ( minion ) for being rob'd so soon of your Adulterer ?

Abr.

Fie , your passion is too unmannerly ; you look upon her with eyes of rage , when you with grief and pitie ought to surveigh her innocence . My Brother , degenerate as he is from worth , and meerly the beast of lust , ( what fiends would fear to violate ) has with rude insolence destroyed her honor , by him inhumane ravished ,

Tar.

Good Sir be so merciful as to set free a wretch from loath'd mortalitie , whose lifes so great and hateful burden now sh 'as lost her honor : 'T wil be a friendly charitie to deliver her from the torment of it .

Mu.

That I could contract the soul of universal rage into this swelling heart , that it might be as ful of poisonous anger as a dragons when in a toile insnar'd . Caropia ravished ! Me thinks the horror of the sound should fright to everlasting ruine , the whole world , start natures Genius .

Abr.

Gentle Madam , pray withdraw your self , your sight , til I have wrought a cure upon his temper , wil but adde to his affliction .

Car.

You 're as my good Angel , I 'll follow your directions .

Exit .
Abr.

Cozen Mura , I thought a person of your masculine temper , in dangers fostred , where perpetual terrors have been your play-fellowes , would not have resented with such effeminate passion a disgrace , though ne're so huge and hideous .

Mu.

I am tame , collected now in all my faculties , which are so much oppress'd with injuries , they 've lost the anguish of them : can you think , Sir , when all the winds fight , the inrag'd billows that use to imprint on the black lips of clouds a thousand brinie kisses , can lie stil , as in a lethargie ? that when baths of oyl are pour'd upon the wild irregular flames in populous Cities , that they 'll then extinguish ? Your mitigations adde but seas to seas , give matter to my fires to increase their burning , and I ere long enlightned by my anger shall be my owne pile , and consume to ashes .

Abr.

Why , then I see indeed your injuries have ravished hence your reason and discourse , and left you the meere prostitute of passion . Can you repaire the ruins you lament so with these exclaimes ? was ever dead man call'd to life again by fruitful sighs ? or can your rage reedifie Caropias honour , slain and betrai'd by his foul lust ? Your manhood , that heretofore has thrown you on all dangers , me thinks should prompt you to a noble vengance , which you may safely prosecute with Justice , to which this crime , although he be a Prince , Renders him liable .

Mu.

Yes , I 'le have justice or I 'le awake the sleepy Deities , or like the ambitious Gyants wage new wars with heaven it self , my wrongs shall steel my courage , and on this vicious Prince like a fierce Sea-breach my just wak'd rage shall riot till it sink in the remorcelesse eddie , sink where time shall never find his name but with disgrace to taint his hatefull memory .

Abr.

This wildnesse neither befit your wisdom nor your courage , which should with setled and collected thoughts walk on to noble vengeance . He before was by our plots proscrib'd to death and ruine to advance me to the Empire ; now with ease we may accomplish our designs

Mu.

Would heaven I nere had given consent , o'recome by love to you to have made a forfeit on my allegiance , t is a just punishment , I by him am wrong'd , whom for your sake I fearlesse sought to ruin .

Abr.

Are you repentant grown , Mura ? this softnese ? ill suits a person of your great resolves , on whom my fortunes have such firm dependance . Come , let Caropia's fate invoke thy vengeance to gain full mastry o're all other passions , leave not a corner in the spacious heart unfurnish'd of a noble rage , which now will be an attribute of glorious justice : the law you know with loss of sight doth punish all rapes , though on mean persons ; and our father is so severe a Justicer , not blood can make a breach upon his faith to justice . Besides , we have already made him dangerous in great Almanzors thoughts , and being delinquent he needs must suffer what the meanest offender merits for such a trespass .

Mu.

I 'me awake now , the lethargy of horror and amaze that did obscure my reason , like those dul and lazy vapors that o'reshade the Sun , vanish , and it resumes its native brightness . And now I would not but this devil Prince had done this act upon Caropia's whiteness , Since 't yeilds you free access unto the Empire , The deprivall of 's sight do's render him incapable of future soveraignty .

Abr.

Thou' rt in the right , and hast put on manly considerations : Caropia ( since shee 's in her will untainted ) ha's not forgon her honor : he dispatch'd once , as we will have him shortly , 't shall go hard else � a tenant to his marble , thou agen� wedded in peace maist be to her pure vertues , and live their happy owner .

Mu.

I 'le repair to great Almanzor instantly , and if his partial piety do descend to pitty , I will awake the Executioner of justice , death , although in sleep more heavy than he can borrow from his natural coldness ; on this good sword I 'le wear my causes justice till he do fall its sacrifice .

Abr.

But be sure you do 't with cunning secresie , perhaps , should he have notice of your just intentions , he would repair to th' Army , from which safegard our best force could not pluck him without danger to the whole Empire .

Mu.

Doubt not but I 'le manage with a discreet severity my vengeance , invoke Almanzors equity with sudden and private haste .

Abr.

Mean time I will go put a new design in practice that may be much conducing to our purpose . Like clocks , one wheele another on must drive , affairs by diligent labor only thrive .

Exeunt .
Scena Secunda . Enter Selinthus , Gaselles , Osman , and Souldiers . Sel

No quarrelling good Couzens , lest it be with the glass , 'cause 't is not of size sufficient to give you a magnificent draught . You will have ��ighting work enough� when you 're i' th' wars , do not fall out among your selves .

Os.

Not pledg my peerlesse Mistresse health ? Souldier , thou' rt mortall , if thou refuse it .

Gas.

Come , come , he shall pledg it , and 't were a Tun . Why , w' are all as dull as dormise in our liquor : Here 's a health to the Prince Abilqualit .

Soul.

Let go round : I 'ld drink 't , were it an Ocean of warm bloud flowing from th' enemie . Pray , good my Lord what news is stirring ?

Sel.

It should seem , Souldier , thou canst not read ; otherwise the learn'd Pamphlets that flie about the streets , would satisfie thy curiositie with news ; they 'r true ones , full of discreet intelligence .

Os.

Cosens , shal 's have a Song ? here is a Souldier in 's time hath sung a dirge unto the foe oft in the field .

Soul.

Captain , I have a new one , the Souldiers Joy 't is call'd .

Sel.

That is an harlot . Preethee be musicall , and let us taste the sweetnesse of thy voice .

A Song . Gas.

Whist , give attention .

Soul.

How does your Lordship like it ?

Sel.

Very well . And so here 's to thee . There 's no drum beats yet , and 't is cleer day ; some hour hence 't will be Enter Abr. Mes. time to break up the Watch . Ha! young Lord Abrahen , and trim Mesithes with him ! what the divel does he make up so early ? He has been a bat-fowling all night after those Birds , those Ladie-birds term'd wagtails ; what strange business can he have here , tro ?

Abr.

'T was wel done , Mesithes ! and trust me , I shal find an apt reward , both for thy care and cunning . Prethee hast to Lord Simanthes , and deliver this note to him with best diligence , my dear Eunuch ; thou' rt halfe the soul of Abrahen :

Mes.

I was borne to be intituled your most humble vassal ; I 'll hast to the Lord Simanthes .

Exit .
Sel.

How he cringes ! These youths that want the instruments of Manhood , are very supple in the hams .

Abr.

Good-morrow to noble Lord Selinthus : what companions have you got here thus early ?

Sel.

Blades of metal , tall men of war , and 't please your Grace , of my own blood and family , men who gather'd a sallad on the enemies ground , and eaten it in bold defiance of him ; and not a Souldier here but 's an Achylles , valiant as stoutest Mirmidon .

Abr.

And they never had juster cause to show their valor ; the Prince my dearest brother , their Lord General 's became a forfeit to the stern laws rigour ; and 't is imagin'd , our impartial father , wil sentence him to lose his eyes .

Gas.

Marry heaven defend , for what , and 't like your Grace !

Abr.

For a fact which the severe law punishes with loss of natures precious lights ; my tears wil scarce permit me utter 't : for a rape committed on the fair wife of Mura .

Os.

Was it for nothing else , and please your Grace ? ere he shal lose an eie for such a trifle , or have a haire diminish'd , we wil lofe our heads ; what , hoodwink men like sullen hawks for doing deeds of nature ! I 'me asham'd the law is such an Ass .

Sel.

Some Eunuch Judg , that could not be acquainted with the sweets due to concupiscencial parts , invented this law , I 'll be hang'd else . 's Life , a Prince , and such a hopeful one , to lose his eyes , for satisfying the hunger of the stomack beneath the wast , is crueltie prodigious , not to be suffer'd in a common-wealth of ought but geldings .

Abr.

'T is vain to sooth our hopes with these delusions , he wil suffer less he be reskued . I would have you therfore if you ow any service to the Prince , my much lamented brother , to attend without least tumult 'bout the Court , and if there be necessity of your ayd , I 'le give you notice when to imploy it .

Sel.

Sweet Prince , wee 'l swim in blood to do thee or thy brother service . Each man provide their weapons .

Abr.

You will win my brothers love for ever , nay my father , though hee 'l seem angry to behold his justice deluded , afterwards when his rage is past , will thank you for your loyalties : Pray be there with all speed possible , by this my brothers commanded 'fore my father , I 'le go learn the truth , and give you notice : pray be secret and firm to your resolves .

Exit .
Sel.

For him that flinches in such a cause , I 'le have no more mercy on him . Here 's Tarifa Enter Tarifa and Mura the Princes sometimes Tutor , Mura with him a walking towards the Court , let 's take no notice of them , lest they discover our intentions by our grim looks . March fair and softly Couzens , wee 'l be at Court before them .

Tar.

You will not do this , Mura !

Mu.

How Tarifa ? will you defend him in an act so impious ? Is 't fit the drum should cease his surly language , when the bold Souldiers marches , or that I should passe o're this affront in quiet silence , which Gods and men invoke to speedy vengeance ? which I will have , or manhood shall be tame as Cowardice .

Tar.

It was a deed so barbarous , that truth it self blushes as well as justice to hear it mention'd : but consider Mura , he is our Prince , the Empires hope , and pillar of great Almanzors age How far a publick regard should be prefer'd before your private desire of vengeance ! which if you do purchace from our impartial Emperors equity , his loss of sight , and so of the succession , will not restore Caropia to the honor he ravish't from her . But so foule the cause is , I rather should lament the Princes folly than plead in his behalf .

Mur.

'T is but vain , there is your warrant , as you are high Marshal , to summon him to make his speedy appearance 'fore the Tribunall of Almanzor ; so pray you execute your office .

Exit .
Tar.

How one vice can like a small cloud when 't breaks forth in showers , black the whole heaven of vertues ! O my Lord , Enter Abilqualit , Muts , whispring , seem to make protestations . Exeunt . that face of yours which once with Angell brightnesse cheer'd my faint sight , like a grim apparition frights it with ghastly terror : you have done a deed that startles vertue till it shakes as it got a palsie . I 'me commanded to summon you before your father , and hope you 'l obey his mandate .

Abil.

Willingly , what 's my offence , Tarifa ?

Tar.

Would you knew not , I did presage your too unruly passions would hurry you to some disast'rous act , but ne're imagin'd you 'd have been so lost to masculine honor , to commit a rape on that unhappy object of your love , whom now y 'ave made the spoil of your foul lust , the much wrong'd wife of Mura .

Abil.

Why , do's Mura charge me with his Caropia's rape ?

Tar.

This warrant sent by your angry father , testifies he means to appeach you of it .

Abil.

'T is my fortune , all natural motions when they approach their end , hast to draw to 't with accustom'd swiftnesse . Rivers with greedier speed run neere their out-falls , than at their springs . But I 'me resolv'd , let what happen that will , I 'le stand it , and defend Carpoia's honor , though mine own I ruin ; Who dares not dye to justifie his love , deserves not to enjoy her . Come , Tarifa , what e're befall , I 'me resolute . He dies glorious , that falls loves innocent sacrifice .

Exeunt .
ACTUS QUARTUS .
Scena I. Enter Almanzor , Abilqualit , Tarifa and Mura . Al.

NO more Tarifa , you 'l provoke our anger , if you appear in this cause so solicitous , the act is too apparent : nor shal you need ( injur'd Mura ) to implore our justice , which with impartial doome shall fal on him more rigorously , then on a strange offender . O Abilqualit , ( for the name of Son , when thou forsookst thy native virtue , left thee ; ) Were all thy blood , thy youth and fortunes glories of no more value , then to be expos'd to ruine for one vice ; at whose name only the furies start , and bashful fronted justice hides her amaz'd head ? But it is now bootless to shew a fathers pitie , in my grief for thy amiss . As I 'me to be thy Judg , be resolute , I 'll take as little notice , thou art my off-spring , as the wandring clouds do of the showers , which when they 've bred to ripenesse , they straight disperse through the vast earth forgotten .

Abil.

I 'me sorrie Sir , that my unhappie chance should draw your anger on me ; my long silence declares I have on that excelling sweetnesse , that unexampled pattern of chast goodnesse ; Caropia acted violence . I confess , I lov'd the Ladie , and when no perswasions serv'd to prevail on her , too stubborn , incenss'd , by force I sought my purpose and obtain'd it ; nor do I yet ( so much I prize the sweetnesse of that unvalued purchase ) find repentance in any abject thought ; what ere fals on me from your sterne rigor in a cause so precious , wil be a pleasing punishment .

Al.

Yon are grown a glorious malefactor , that dare brave thus the awful rod of justice ! Lost young man , for thou' rt no child of mine ; dost not consider to what a state of desperate destruction thy wild lust has betrai'd thee ! What rich blessings ( that I may make thee sensible of thy sins by showing thee thy suffering ) hast thou lost by thy irregular folly ! First my love , which never more must meet thee , scarce in pitie ; the glorie flowing from thy former actions stopt up for ever ; and those lustful eies , by whose deprival ( thou' rt depriv'd of being capable of this Empire ) to the law , which wil exact them , forfeited . Cal in there a Surgeon , and our Mutts to execute this act Enter Surg. Muts . of justice on the unworthie traitor , upon whom my just wak'd wrath shall have no more compassion , then the incens'd flames have on perishing wretches that wilfully leap into them .

Tar.

O my Lord , that which on others would be fitting justice , on him your hopeful though offending son , wil be exemplar crueltie ; his youth Sir , that hath abounded with so many vertues � is an excuse sufficient for one vice : he is not yours only . hee 's your Empires , destin'd by nature and successions priviledg , when you in peace are shrowded in your marble , to weild this Scepter after you . O do not , by putting out his eies , deprive your Subjects of light , and leave them to dul mournful darknesse .

Al.

'T is but in vain , I am inexorable . If those on which his eyes hang , were my heart strings , I 'de cut them out rather then wound my Justice ; nor dos't befit thy vertue intercede for him in this cause horrid and prodigious ; the crime 'gainst me was acted ; 't was a rape upon my honour , more then on her whitenesse ; his was from mine derivative , as each stream is from its spring ; so that he has polluted by his foul fact , my fame , my truth , my goodnesse , strucken through my dignitie by his violence : nay , started in their peaceful urnes , the ashes of all my glorious Ancestors ; defil'd the memorie of their stil descendent vertues ; nay with a killing frost , nipt the fair blossomes , that did presage such goodly fruit arising from his own hopeful youth .

Mur.

I ask but justice ; those eyes that led him to unlawful objects , t is fit should suffer for 't a lasting blindnesse ; the Sun himself , when he darts rayes lascivious , such as ingender by too piercing fervence intemperate and infectious heats , straight wears obscuritie from the clouds his own beams raises . I have been your Souldier Sir , and fought your battails ; for all my services , I beg but justice , which is the Subjects best prerogative , the Princes greatest attribute ; and for a fact , then which , none can be held more black and hideous , which has betrai'd to an eclipse the brightest star in th' heaven of vertues : the just law does for 't ordain a punishment , which I hope you the laws righteous guider , wil according to equitie see executed .

Tar.

Why ! that law was only made for common malefactors , but has no force to extend unto the Prince , to whom the law it self must become subject . This hopeful Prince , look on him , great Almanzor ; and in his eyes , those volumes of all graces , which you like erring Meteors would extinguish � read your own lively figure , the best storie of your youths noblest vigor ; let not wrath ( Sir ) o'recome your pietie , nay your humane pity . 'T is in your brest , my Lord , yet to shew mercie ; that precious attribute of heavens true goodnesse , even to your self , your son ! me thinks that name should have a power to interdict your Justice in its too rigorous progress .

Abil.

Dear Tarifa , I 'me more afflicted at the intercessions , then at the view of my approaching torments , which I wil meet with fortitude and boldness , too base to shake now at one personal danger , when I 've incountred thousand perils fearless ; Nor do I blame my gracious fathers Justice , though it precede his nature . I 'ld not have him ( for my sake ) forfeit that for which hee 's famous , his uncorrupted equitie , nor repine I at my destinie ; my eies have had delights sufficient in Caropia's beauties , to serve my thought� for after contemplations ; nor can I ever covet a new object , since they can ne're hope to incounter any of equal worth and sweetness . Yet hark Tarifa , to thy secresie I wil impart my dearest , inmost counsels ; if I should perish , as 't is probable I may , under the hands of these tormentors ; thou maist unto succession show my innocence ; Caropia yeilded without least constraint , and I injoy'd her freely .

Tar.

How my Lord ?

Abil.

No words on 't , as you respect my honour ! I 'ld not lose the glorie I shall gain by these my sufferings ; come grim fures , and execute your office . I wil stand you , unmov'd as hills at whirlewinds , and amidst the torments you inflict , retain my courage .

Al.

Be speedie villaines .

Tar.

O stay your cruel hands , you dumb ministers of injur'd Justice , and let me speak his innocence ere you further afflict his precious eye-sight .

Al.

What does this mean , Tarifa !

Tar.

O my Lord , the too much braverie of the Princes spirit 't is has undone his fame , and pul'd upon him this fatal punishment ; 't was but to save the Ladies honour , that he has assum'd her rape upon him , when with her consent the deed of shame was acted .

Mur.

T is his fears makes him traduce her innocence : he who did not stick to commit a riot on her person , can make no conscience to destroy her fame by his untrue suggestions .

Al.

'T is a basenesse beyond thy other villanie ( had shee yeilded , ) thus to betraie for transitorie torture , her honour , which thou wert ingag'd to safeguard even with thy life . A son of mine could never show this ignoble cowardize : Proceed to execution , I 'll not hear him speak , he is made up of treacheries and falshoods .

Tar.

Wil you then be to the Prince so tyrannous ? Why , to me just now he did confess his only motive to undergoe this torment , was to save Caropia's honour blameless .

Abil.

I am more troubled � Sir , with his untimely frenzie , then with my punishment ; his too much love to me , has spoild his temperate reason . I confess Caropia yeilded ! Not the light is half so innocent as her spotlesse virtue . 'T was not wel done , Tarifa , to betray the secret of your friend thus : though Shee yeilded , the terror of ten thousand deaths shall never force me to confess it .

Tar.

Agen , my Lord , even now he does confess , she yeilded , and protest� that death shall never make him say shee 's guiltie : the breath scarce pass'd his lips yet .

Abil.

Haplesse man , to run into this lunacie ! Fie Tarifa , so treacherous to your Friend !

Tar.

Agen , agen . Wil no man give me credit ?

Enter Abrahen . Abr.

Where is our roial fathe ? : where our brother ? As you respect your life and Empires safetie , dismiss these tyrannous instruments of death and crueltie unexemplified . O Brother , that I should ever live to enjoy my eie-sight , and see one halfe of your dear lights indanger'd . My Lord , you 've done an act , which my just fears tels me , wil shake your Scepter ! O for heavens sake , look to your future safetie ; the rough Souldier hearing their much lov'd General , My good Brother was by the law betrai'd to some sad danger , have in their pietie beset the pallace ; think on some means to appease them , ere their furie grow to its ful unbridled height ; they threaten your life , great Sir : pray send my brother to them , his sight can only pacifie them .

Al.

Have you your Champions ! We wil prevent their insolence , you shal not boast , you have got the Empire by our ruine . Muts , Strangle him immediately .

Abr.

Avert such a prodigious mischief , heaven . Hark , hark Enter , Enter . they 're entred into th' Court ; desist you monsters , my life shal stand betwixt his and this violence , or I with him wil perish . Faithful Souldiers , hast to defend your Prince , curse on your slowness . Hee 's dead ; my fathers turn is next . O horror , would I might sink into forgetfulnesse � What has your furie urg'd you to ?

Al.

To that which whoso murmurs at , is a faithlesse traitor Enter Simanthes . to our tranquilitie . Now Sir , your business ?

Sim.

My Lord , the Citie is up in arms , in rescue of the Prince ; the whole Court throngs with Souldiers .

Al.

'T was high time to cut this viper off , that would have eat his passage through our very �owels to our Empire . Nay , we wil stand their furies , and with terror of Majestie strike dead these insurrections . Enter Souldiers . Traitors , what means this violence ?

Abr.

O dear Souldiers , your honest love 's in vain ; my Brother 's dead , strangled by great Almanzor's dire command , ere your arrival . I do hope they 'l kill him in their hot zeal .

Al.

Why do you stare so , traitors ? 't was I your Emp'ror that have done this act , which who repines at , treads the self same steps of death that he has done . Withdraw and leave us , wee 'ld be alone . No motion � Are you statues ? Stay you , Tarifa here . For your part , Mura , you cannot now complain but you have justice ; so quit our presence .

Os.

Faces about , Gentlemen .

Exeunt . Abr.

It has happ'ned above our wishes , we shall have no need now to imploy your handkercher . Yet give it me . You 'r sure 't is right , Simanthes .

Al.

Tarifa , I know the love thou bearst Prince Abilqualit makes thy big heart swell as 't had drunk the fome of angry Dragons . Speak thy free intentions , Deserv'd he not this fate ?

Tar.

No : You 're a Tyrant , one that delights to feed on your � own bowels , and were not worthie of a Son so vertuous . Now you have tane his , add to your injustice , and take Tarifa's life , who in his death , should it come flying on the wings of torments , would speak it out as an apparant truth � the Prince to me declar'd his innocence , and that Caropia yeelded .

Al.

Rise Tarifa ; we do command thee , rise : a sudden chilnesse , such as the hand of winter casts on brooks , thrils our ag'd heart . I 'll not have thee ingross sorrow alone for Abilqualit's death : I lov'd the boy well , and though his ambition and popularitie did make him dangerous , I do repent my furie , and will vie with thee in sorrow . How he makes death lovely ! Shall we fix here , and weep till we be statues ?

Tar.

Til we grow stiff as the cold Alabasters must be erected over us � Your rashnesse has rob'd the Empire of the greatest hope it ere shall boast agen . Would I were ashes .

Al.

He breathes ( me thinks : ) the over-hastie soul was too discourteous to forsake so fair a lodging , without taking solemn leave first of the owner . Ha , his handkercher ! Thou' rt lib'ral to thy Father even in death , leav'st him a legacie to drie his tears , which are too slow ; they should create a deluge . O my dear Abilqualit !

Tar.

You exceed now as much in grief as you did then in rage , One drop of this pious paternal softnesse had ransom'd him from ruine . Dear Sir , rise : my grief 's divided , and I know not whether I should lament you living , or him dead . Good Sir , erect your looks . Not stir ! His sorrow makes him insensible . Ha , there 's no motion left in his vital spirits : The excesse of grief has stifled up his pow'rs , and crack'd ( I fear ) his ag'd hearts cordage . Help , the Emperor , he Emperor 's dead ; Help , help .

Abrahen , Simanthes , Mesithes , Muts Abr.

What dismal outcrie 's this ? our royal father dead ! The handkercher has wrought I see .

Tar.

Yes ; his big heart vanquish'd with sorrow , that in 's violent rage , he doom'd his much lov'd son to timeless death , could not endure longer on its weak strings , but crack'd with weight of sorrow . Their two spirits , by this , are met in their delightful passage to the blest shades ; we in our tears are bound to cal you our dread Soveraign .

Omnes .

Long live Abrahen Great Caliph of Arabia .

Abr.

'T is a title we cannot covet , Lords , it comes attended with so great cares and troubles , that our youth start at the thought of them , even in our sorrows which are so mightie on us ; our weak spirits are readie to relinquish the possession they 've of mortalitie , and take swift flight after our roial friends . Simanthes , be it your charge to see all fitting preparation provided for the funerals .

Enter Selinthus . Sel.

Where 's great Almanzor ?

Abr.

O Selinthus , this day is the hour of funerals grief ; for his crueltie to my brother , has translated him to immortalitie .

Sel.

Hee 'll have attendants to wait on him to our great prophets paradise , ere he be readie for his grave . The Souldiers all mad with rage for the Princes slaughter , have vow'd by all oaths Souldiers can invent , ( and that 's no smal store ) with death and destruction , to pursue sullen Mura .

Abr.

Tarifa , use your authoritie to keep their violence in due obedience . We 're so fraught with grief , we have no room for any other passion in our distracted bosome . Take these roial bodies and place them on that couch ; here where they fell , they shal be imbalm'd . Yet put them out of our sight , their views draw fresh drops from our heart . Anon we 'l shew our selves to chear the afflicted Subject .

a Sho�t . Omnes

Long live Abrahen , great Caliph of Arabia .

Exeunt Abr.

And who can say now , Abrahen is a villain ? I am saluted King with acclamations that deaf the Heavens to hear , with as much joy as if I had atchiev'd this Scepter by means fair and vertuous . 'T was this handkercher that did to death Almanzor ; so infected , it s least insensible vapour has full power ; apply'd to th' eye , or any other Organ , can drink its poyson in to vanquish Nature , though nere so strong and youthful . 'T was Simanthes devis'd it for my brother , and my cunning transferr'd it to Almanzor ; 't is no matter , my worst impiety is held now religious . 'Twixt Kings and their inferiors there 's this ods , These are meer men , we men , ye� earthly gods . Exit .

Abil.

'T was well the Muts prov'd faithful , otherwise I 'd lost my breath with as much speed and silence as those who do expire in dreams , their health seeming no whit abated . But 't was wisely consider'd of me , to prepare those sure instruments of destruction : The suspicion I had by Abrahen of my fathers fears of my unthought ambition , did instruct me by making them mine , to secure my safety . Would the inhumane Surgeon had tane these blessed lights from me ; that I had liv'd for ever doom'd to perpetual darkness , rather then Tarifa's fears had so appeach'd her honour . Well , villain Brother , I have found , that by my seeming death , which by my lives best arts I ne're should have had knowledg of . Dear Father , though thou to me wert pitilesse , my heart weeps tears of blood , to see thy age thus like a lofty pine fall , eaten through by th' gin from its own Stock descending : He has agents in his ungracious wickednesse : Simanthes he has discover'd : Were they multitudes as numerous as collected sands , and mighty in force as mischief , they should from my Justice meet their due punishment . Abrahen by this is proclaim'd Caliph , yet my undoubted right � when 't shall appear I 'me living , wil reduce the people to my part ; the armie 's mine , whither I must withdraw unseen : the night wil best secure me . What a strange Chimera of thought possesses my dul brain ! Caropia , thou hast a share in them : Fate , to thy mercie I do commit my self ; who scapes the snare once , has a certain caution to beware . Exit .

Scen. 2. Enter Caropia and Perilinda . Car.

Your Lord is not returned yet !

Per.

No , good Madam : pray do not thus torment your self , the Prince ( I warrant you ) wil have no injurie by saving of your honour ; do you think his father wil be so extreme outragious for such a trifle , as to force a woman with her good liking ?

Car.

My ill boding soul beats with presages ominous . Would heaven I 'd stood the hazard of my incens'd Lords furie , rather then he had run this imminent danger . Could you ne're learn , which of the slaves it was betray'd our close loves to loath'd Mura's notice ?

Per.

No indeed could I not ; but here 's my Lord , pray Madam do not grieve so !

Enter Mura . Mu.

My Caropia , dress up thy looks in their accustom'd beauties , cal back the constant spring into thy cheeks , that droope like lovely Violets , o're charg'd with too much mornings dew ; shoot from thy eies a thousand flames of joy . The lustful Prince , that like a foul thief , rob'd thee of thy honour by his ungracious violence � has met his roial fathers Justice .

Car.

Now my fears carry too sure an augury ! you would fain sooth me , my Lord , out of my floud of sorrows � what reparation can that make my honour , though he have tasted punishment ?

Mu.

His life is faln the off-spring of thy chastitie , which his hot lust polluted : nay , Caropia , to save himself , when he but felt the torment applied to his lascivious eies ; although at first he did with impudence acknowledg thy rape , he did invade thy spotless virtue , protested , only 't was to save thy honor , he took on him thy rape , when with consent and not constrain'd , thou yeildedst to the loosness of his wild vicious flames .

Car.

Could he be so unjust , my Lord ?

Mu.

He was , and he has paid for 't ; the malicious Souldier , while he was a losing his eies , made violent head to bring him reskue , which pul'd his ruine on him . But no more of such a prodigie ; may his black memorie perish even with his ashes . My Caropia , the flourishing trees widow'd by winters violence of their fair ornaments , when 't is expir'd once , put forth again with new and virgin freshness , their bushie beauties ; it should be thy emblem . Display agen those chast immaculate glories � which the harsh winter of his lust had wither'd ; and I 'll agen be wedded to thy vertues , with as much joy , as when thou first inrich'd me with their pure maiden beauties . Thou art dul , and dost not gratulate with happie welcome � the triumphs of thy vengeance .

Car.

Are you sure , my Lord , the Prince is dead ?

Mu.

Pish , I beheld him breathlesse . Take comfort best Caropia , thy disgrace did with his loath'd breath vanish .

Car.

I could wish though , that he had falne by your particular vengance , rather then by th' laws rigor ; you 're a Souldier of glorie , great in war for brave performance : me thinks 't had been far nobler , had you call'd him to personal satisfaction : had I been your husband , you my wife , and ravished by him ; my resolution would have arm'd my courage t o've stroke him thus : The dead Prince sends you that .

Stab him � Mu.

O , I am slain !

Car.

Would it were possible to kil even thy eternitie . Sweet Prince , how shal I satisfie thy unhappie ruins ! Ha , � not yet breathlesse ! To increase thy anguish even to despair , know , Abilqualit was more dear to me , then thy foul selfe was odious , and did enjoy me freely .

Mu.

That I had but breath enough to blast thee .

Car.

'T was his brother ( curse on his art ) seduc'd me to accuse him of my rape . Do you groane , prodigie ! take this as my last bountie .

Stab again . Enter Perilinda . Per.

O Madam , Madam , what shal we do ? the house is round beset with Souldiers ; Madam , they do sweare they 'le tear my Lord , for the sweet Princes death , in pieces .

Car.

This hand has sav'd their furie that just labour : yet I 'le make use of their malice , help to convey him into 's Chamber .

Enter Osman , Gasselles , Souldiers . Gas.

Where is this villain , this traitor Mura ?

Car.

Heaven knowes what violence their furie may assault me with ; be 't death , 't shall be as welcome , as sound healthful sleeps to men oppress'd with sicknesse . What 's the matter ? what means this outrage ?

Os.

Marry , Ladie gay , We 're come to cut your little throat ; pox on you , and all your sex ; you 've caus'd the noble Princes death , wild-fire take you for t , wee l talk with you at better leisure : you must needs be ravished ! and could not like an honest woman , take the curtesie in friendly sort !

Gas.

We trifle : her husband may escape us . Say , where is he ? or you shall die , ere you can pray

Sold �

Here , here I have found the vallain ! what , do you sleep so soundly ? ne're wake more , this for the Prince , you rogue : let 's tear him piecemeale . Do you take your death in silence , dog !

Car.

You appear indow'd with some humanitie , you have tane his life ; let not your hate last after death ; let me embalm his bodie with my tears , or kil me with him .

Os.

Now you 've said the word , we care not if we do .

Enter Tarifa . Tar.

Slaves , unhand the Ladie , who dares offer her least violence , from this hand meets his punishment . Gaselles , Osman , I thought you had been better temper'd , then thus to raise up mutinies . In the name of Abrahen our now Caliph , I command you , desist from these rebellious practises , and quietly retire into the Camp , and there expect his pleasure .

Gas.

Abrahen Caliph ! There is some hopes then , we shall gaine our pardons : Long live great Abrahen . Souldiers , slink away , our vow is consummate .

Car.

O my deare Lord !

Tar.

Be gone .

Os.

Yes , as quietly as if we were in flight before the foe ; the general pardon at the coronation , wil bring us off � I ' me sure .

Tar.

Alas , good Madam ! I 'me sorrie that these miseries have faln with so much rigor on you ; pray take comfort � your husband prosecuted with too much violence Prince Abilqualit's ruine .

Car.

It appeared so ! what worlds of woes have hapless I given life to , and yet survive them !

Tar.

Do not with such furie torment your innocent self . I 'me sure the Emperor Abrahen , wil number 't 'mongst his greatest sorrows , that he has lost your husband . I must give him notice of these proceedings . Best peace keep you , and settle your distractions .

Car.

not until I 'me setled in my peaceful urne . This is yet some comfort to me , ' midst the floods of woes , that do overwhelm me for the Princes death , that I reveng'd it safely ; though I prize my life at no more value then a foolish ignorant Indian does a Diamond , which for a bead of Jet or glass , he changes : Nor would I keep it , were it not with fuller , more noble braverie , to take revenge for my Lord Abilqualit's timelesse slaughter . I must use craft and mysterie . Dissembling is held the natural qualitie of our Sex , nor wil't be hard to practice . This same Abrahen , that by his brothers ruine weilds the Scepter , whether out of his innocence or malice , 't was that perswaded me to accuse him of my rape . The die is cast , I am resolv'd to thee my Abilqualit wil come . A death for love , 's no death but Martyrdom .

Exit
ACTUS QUINTUS .
Scena 1. Enter Abilqualit , Selinthus , Gasselles , Osman , Souldiers , and Muts � Abil.

NO more , good faithful Souldiers ; thank the powers divine , has brought me back to you in safety ; the traitorous practises against our life , and our deare fathers , poison'd by our brother ; we have discoverd , and shall take just vengance on the unnatural paricide : Retire into your tents , and peacefully expect the event of things , you Osman and Gasselles shall into th' Citie with me .

Os.

We wil march through the world with thee , dear Soveraign , great Abilqualit .

Abil.

Selinthus , give you our dear Tarifa speedie notice we are again among the living : pray him to let our loyal Subjects in the Citie , have sure intelligence of our escape ; and dearest friends and fellowes , let not your too loud expressions of your joy , for our unlook'd for welfare , subject to discoverie our unexpected safety .

Sel.

Never fear : they 'r trustie Mirmidons , and wil stick close to you their dear Achilles ; but my Lord , the wisest may imagine it were safer for you to rest here 'mong your armed legions , then to intrust your person in the City , whereas it seems by the pass'd storie , you 'le not know friends from enemies .

Abil.

Selinthus , Thy honest care declares the zealous duty thou ow'st thy Soveraign : but what danger can assault us there , where there is none suspects we are alive ? we 'l go surveigh the state of things , i' th' morning we will seize the Palace , and then proclaim our Right . Come , valiant Captains , you shall be our companions .

Gas.

And we 'l guard you safe , as you were encompass'd with an Army .

Sel.

You guard your own fools heads : Is 't fit his safety , on which our lives and fortunes have dependance , should be expos'd unto your single valour ? Pray once let your friends rule you , that you may rule them hereafter . Your good brother Abrahen has a strong faction , it should seem i' th' Court : and those these Blood-hounds follow'd the sent ho�ly till they had worried Mura He has other allies of no mean consequence ; your Eunuch Mesithes his chief Favourite , and Simanthes .

Abil.

It was that Villain that betray'd my Love to him and slaught'red Mura .

Sel.

Very likely . An arranter , falser Parasite , never was cut like a Colt . Pray Sir , be wife this once , at my intreaties ; and for ever after use your discretion as you please : these night works I do not like ; yet e're the morning I will bring Tarifa to you .

Abil.

You shall o're rule us . Poor Caropia , these thoughts are thy vot'ries ; love thy active fire , ��ames out when present , absent in desire .

Exeunt .
Scen. 2. Enter Abrahen , Simanthes and Mesithes . Abr.

What State and Dignitie 's like that of Scepters ? With what an awful Majesty resembles it the Powers above ? the inhabitants of that Superior world are not more subject to them , then these to us ; they can but tremble when they do speak in thunder ; at our frowns these shake like Lambs at light'ning . Can it be impiety by any means to purchase this earthly Deity � Soveraignty � I did sleep this night with as secure and calme a peace , as in my former innocence . Conscience , thou' rt but a terror , first devis'd by th' fears of Cowardise , a sad and fond remembrance , which men should shun , as Elephants clear springs , lest they behold their own deformities , Enter Mesithes . and start at their grim shadowes . Ha , Mesithes !

Mes.

My Royal Lord !

Abr.

Call me thy Friend , Mesithes , thou equally dost share our heart , best Eunuch ; there is not in the stock of earthly blessings another I could wish to make my state completely fortunate , but one ; and to atcheive possession of that bliss , thy diligence must be the fortunate Instrument .

Mes.

Be it dangerous as the affrights Sea men do fain in Tempests , I 'll undertake it for my gracious Soveraign , and perish , but effect it ,

Abr.

No , there is not the least shew of peril in 't ; 't is the want of fair Caropia's long coveted beauties that doth afflict thy Abrahen . Love , Mesithes , is a most stubborn Malady in a Lady , not cur'd with that felicity , that are other passions , and creeps upon us by those ambushes , that we perceive our selves sooner in love , then we can think upon the way of loving . The old flames break more brightly from th' ashes where they have long layn hid , like the young Phenix that from her spi�le pile revives more glorious . Nor can I now extinguish't ; it has pass'd the limits of my reason , and intend my wil , where like a fixt Star 't settles , never to be removed thence .

Mes.

Cease your fears ; I that could win her for your brother , who could not boast half your masculine Perfections , for you will vanquish her .

Enter Simanthes . Sim.

My Lord , the widow of slaughtered Mura , fair Caropia does humbly intreat access to your dread presence ; Shall we permit her entrance ?

Abr.

With all freedom and best regard . Mesithes , this arrives beyond our wish . I 'll trie my eloquence in my own cause ; and if I fail , thou then shalt be my Advocate .

Mes.

Your humblest vassal .

Abr.

With-draw and leave us , and give strict order none approach our presence till we do call . It is not fit her sorrows Enter Car. should be survey'd by common eie . Caropia , welcom ; and would we could as easily give thee comfort as we allow thee more then mod'rate pitie . In tears those eyes cast forth a greater lustre , then sparkling rocks of Diamonds inclos'd in swelling seas of Pearl .

Car.

Your Majestie is pleas'd to wanton with my miseries , which truly you , if you have nature in you , ought to bear equall part in your deer brothers untimely losse , occasion'd by my falshood , and your improvident counsel : 'T is that calls these hearty sorrows up , I am his Murdresse .

Abr.

'T was his own destinie , not our bad intentions took him away from earth ; he was too heavenly , fit only for th' societie of Angels , 'mongst whom he sings glad hymns to thy perfections , celebrating with such eloquence thy beauties , that those immortal essences forget to love each other by intelligence , and doat on the Idea of thy Sweetnesse .

Car.

These gentle blandishments � and his innocent carriage had I as much of malice as a Tigresse rob'd of her young , would melt me into meeknesse . But I 'll not be a woman .

Abr.

Sing out , Angel , and charm the world ( were it at mortal diff'rence ) to peace with thine inchantments . What soft murmurs are those that steal through those pure rosie organs , like aromatick west-winds , when they flie through fruitful mists of fragrant mornings dew , to get the Spring with child of flowers and spices ? Disperse these clouds , that like the vail of night , with unbecoming darknesse shade thy beauties , and strike a new day from those orient eies , to gild the world with brightnesse .

Car.

Sir , these flatteries neitheir befit the ears of my true sorrows , nor yet the utt'rance of that reall sadnesse should dwel in you . Are these the fun'ral rites you pay the memorie of your roiall Father , and much lamented Brother ?

Abr.

They were mortall , and to lament them , were to shew I envi'd th' immortal joyes of that true happinesse their glorious souls ( disfranchis'd from their flesh ) possess to perpetuitie and fulnesse . Besides , ( Caropia ) I have other griefs more neer my heart , that circle 't with a sicknesse will shortly number me among their fellowship � if speedier remedie be not apply'd to my most desp'rate maladie .

Car.

I shall ( if my hand fail not my determin'd courage ) send you to their societie far sooner then you expect or covet . Why , great Sir , what grief , unlesse your sorrow for their losse , is 't can afflict you , that command all blessings men wittie in ambition of excesse can wish , to please their fancies ?

Abr.

The want only of that which I 've so long desird ; thy love thy love , Caropia , without which my Empire , and all the pleasures flowing from its greatnesse , wil be but burdens , soul-tormenting troubles . There 's not a beam shot from those grief drown'd Comets but ( like the Sun's , when they break forth of showers ) dart flames more hot and piercing . Had I never doated before on thy divine perfections , viewing thy beautie thus adorn'd by sadnesse , my heart , though marble , actuated to softnesse , would burn like sacred incense , it self being the Altar , Priest , and Sacrifice .

Car.

This is as unexpected , as unwelcome , Sir . Howere you 're pleas'd to mock me and my griefs with these impertinent , unmeant discourses , I cannot have so prodigal a faith , to give them the least credit ; and it is unkindly done ; thus to deride my sorrows . the virgin Turtles hate to joyn their pureness with widow'd mates ; my Lord , you are a Prince , and such as much detest to utter falshoods , as Saints do perjuries : why should you strive then to lay a bait to captivate my affections , when your greatnesse conjoin'd with your youths masculine beauties , are to a womans frailtie , strong temptations ? You know the storie too of my misfortunes , that your dead brother , did with vicious loosenesse , corrupt the chast streams of my spotlesse vertues , and left me soiled like a long pluck'd rose , whose leaves dissever'd , have forgon their sweetnesse

Abr.

Thou hast not ( my Caropia ; ) thou to me art for thy sent stil fragrant , and as precious as the prime virgins of the Spring , the violets , when they do first display their early beauties , til all the winds in love , do grow contentious , which from their lips should ravish the first kisses . Caropia , thinkst thou I should fear the Nuptials of this great Empire , 'cause it was my brothers ? As I succeeded him in all his glories , 't is fit I do succeed him in his love . 'T is true , I know thy fame fel by his practise , which had he liv'd , hee 'd have restored by marriage , by it repair'd thy injur'd honors ruines . I 'me bound to do it in religious conscience ; It is a debt his incens'd ghost would quarrel me living for , should I not pay 't with fulnesse .

Car.

Of what frail temper is a womans weaknesse ! words writ in waters , have more lasting Essence , then our determinations .

Abr.

Come , I know , thou must be gentle , I perceive a combat in thy soft heart , by th' intervening blushes that strive to adorn thy cheek with purple beauties , and drive the lovely liverie of thy sorrows , the Ivorie paleness , out of them . Think , Caropia , with what a setled unrevolting truth I have affected thee ; with what heat , what pureness ; and when upon mature considerations , I found I was unworthie to enjoy a treasure of such excellent grace and goodnesse , I did desist , smothering my love in anguish ; anguish ! to which the soul of humane torments , compar'd , were pains not easie , but delicious ; yet stil the secret flames of my affections , like hidden virtues in some bashful man , grew great and ferventer by those suppressions . Thou wert created only for an Empresse ; despise not then thy destinie , now greatnesse , love , Empire , and what ere may be held glorious , courts thy acceptance like obedient Vassals .

Car.

I have consider'd , and my serious thoughts tel me , t is folly to refuse these profers : to put off my mortalitie , the pleasures of life , which like ful streams , do flow from greatnesse , to wander i' th' unpeopled air , to keep societie with ghastly apparitions , where 's neither voice of friends , nor visiting suitors breaths to delight our ears , and all this for the fame of a fell murdress . I have blood enough alreadie on my soul , more then my tears can e're wash off . My roial Lord , if you can be so merciful and gracious , to take a woman laden with afflictions , big with true sorrow , and religious penitence for her amiss , her life and after actions , shal studie to deserve your love . But surely this is not serious .

Abr.

Not the vowes which votries make to the powers above , can be more fraught with binding sanctitie . This holy kiss confirms our mutual vows : never til now was I true Caliph of Arabia .

Enter , Enter , Enter , Abr.

Ha , what tumult 's that ! Be you all furies , and thou the great'st of divels , Abrahen wil stand you all , unmov'd as mountains . This good sword if you be air , shal disinchant you from your borrow'd figures .

Abil.

No , ill-natur'd monster , we 're all corporeal , and survive to take revenge on thy inhumane acts , at name of which , the bashful elements do shake as if they teem'd with prodigies . Dost not tremble at thy inhumane villaines ? Dear Caropia , quit the infectious viper , lest his touch poison thee past recoverie .

Abr.

No , she shall not ; nor you , until this body be one wound . Lay a rude hand upon me ! Abilqualit , how ere thou scapst my practises with life , I am not now to question ; we were both sons to one father , whom , for love of Empire , when I beleev'd thee strangled by those Muts , I sent to his eternal rest ; nor do I repent the fact yet , I have been titled Caliph a day , which is to my ambitious thoughts , honor enough to eternize my big name to all posteritie . I know thou art of valiant noble soul ; let not thy brother fal by ignoble hands , oppress'd by number ; draw thy bright weapon ; as thou art in Empire , thou art my rival in this Ladies love , whom I esteem above all joyes of life : for her and for this Monarchie , let 's trie our strengths and fates : the impartial fates to him , who has the better cause , in justice must needs design the victorie .

Abil.

In this offer , though it proceed from desperatenesse , not valor ; thou showst a masculine courage , and we wil not render our cause so abject as to doubt , but our just arme has strength to punish thy most unheard of treacheries

Tar.

But you shall not be so unjust to us and to your right , to try your causes most undoubted Justice , 'gainst the dispairing ruffian ; Souldiers , pul the Lady from him , and disarm him .

Abil.

Stay ! though he doth merit multitudes of death , we would not murder his eternitie by sudden execution ; yeild your self , and we 'l allow you libertie of life , til by repentance you have purg'd your sin ; and so if possible , redeem your soul from future punishment .

Abr.

Pish , tel fools of souls , and those effeminate cowards that do dreame of those fantastick other worlds : there is not such a thing in nature ; all the soul of man is resolution , which expires never from valiant men , till their last breath , and then with it like to a flame extinguisht'd for want of matter , 't dos not dy , but rather ceases to live . Injoy in peace your Empire , and as a legacy of Abrahens love , take this fair Lady to your Bride .

stab her . Abil.

Inhumane Butcher ! has slain the Lady . Look up , best Caropia , run for our surgeons : I 'le give half my Empire to save her precious life .

Abr.

She has enough , or mine aym fail'd me , to procure her passage to the eternal dwellings : nor is this cruelty in me ; I alone was worthy to have injoy'd her beauties . Make good haste Caropia , or my soul , if I have any , will hover for thee in the clouds . This was the fatal engine which betray'd our father to his untimely death , made by Simanthes for your use , Abilqualit : and who has this about him and would be a slave to your base mercy , deserved death more than by dayly tortures ; and thus I kiss'd my last breath . Blast you all .

dies . Tar.

Damn'd desperate villain .

Abil.

O my dear Caropia , my Empire now will be unpleasing to me since I must lose thy company . This surgeon , where 's this surgeon ?

Sel.

Drunk perhaps .

Car.

'T is but needlesse , no humane help can save me : yet me thinks I feel a kind of pleasing ease in your imbraces . I should utter something , and I have strength enough , I hope , lest yet to effect my purpose . In revenge for your suppos'd death , my lov'd Lord , I slew my husband ,

Abil.

I 'me sorry thou hast that sin to charge thy soul with , 't was rumour'd by the souldiers .

Sel.

Couzens mine , your necks are safe agen now .

Car.

And came hither with an intent to have for your sake slain your brother Abrahen , had not his curtesie and winning carriage alter'd my resolution , with this poniard I 'de struck him here about the heart .

Stabs Abil. Abil.

O I am slain , Caropia , and by thy hand . Heavens , you are just , this is revenge for thy dear honor which I murdred , though thou wer 't consenting to it .

Car.

True , I was so , and not repent it yet , my sole ambition was to have liv'd an Empresse , which since fate would not allow , I was resolv'd no woman after my selfe should ere enjoy that glory , you dear Abilqualit : which since my weak strength has serv'd me to performe , I dye willingly as an infant . O now I faint , life's death to those that keep it by constraint .

dye . Tar.

My dear Lord , is there no hopes of life ? must we be wretched ?

Abil.

Happier , my Tarifa , by my death : but yesterday I playd the part in jest which I now act in earnest My Tarifa , the Empire 's thine , I 'me sure thou 'lt rul 't with justice , and make the subject happy . Thou hast a Son of hopefull growing vertues to succeed thee , commend me to him , and from me intreat him to shun the temptings of lascivious glances .

Sel.

'Las good Prince ! hee le dy indeed . I fear , he is so full of serious thoughts and Counsels .

Abil.

For this slaughtred body , let it have decent burial with slain Muras , but let not Abrahens corps have so much honor to come i th' royal monument : lay mine by my dear fathers : for that trecherous Eunuch , and Lord Simanthes , use them as thy justice tells thee they have merited ; for Lord Selinthus , advance him ( my Tarifa ) hee 's of faithfull and well deserving vertues .

S�l :

So I am , I thought t' would come to me anon : poor Prince , I e'ne could dy with him .

Ab�l.

And for those souldiers , and those our most faithfull Muts , that my life once sav'd , let them be well rewarded ; death and I are almost now at unitie . Farewell .

dyes . Tar.

Sure I shall not survive these sorrows long . Muts , take those Traitors to prison ; we will shortly passe their sentence , which shall be death inevitable . Take up that fatal instrument of poisonous mischief , and see it burn'd , Gaselles . Gentlemen , Fate has made us your King against our wishes .

Sel.

Long live Tarifa , Caliph of Arabia .

Tar.

We have no time now for your acclamations � these are black sorrows Festival . Bear off in state that royal Bodie ; for the other , since t was his will , let them have burial , but in obscuritie . By this it may , as by an ev'dent rule be understood , they 're onely truly great , wh ' are truly good .

Recorders Flourish . Exeunt omnes . FINIS .
EPILOGUE . I 'M much displeas'd the Poet has made me The Epilogue to his sad Tragedie . Would I had dy'd honestly amongst the rest , Rather then live to th' last , now to be prest To death by your hard Censures . Pray you say , What is it you dislike so in this Play , That none applauds ? Beleeve it , I should faint , Did not some smile , and keep me by constraint From the sad qualm . What pow'r is in your breath , That you can save alive , and doom to death , Even whom you please ? thus are your judgments free , Most of the rest are slain , you may save me . But if death be the word , I pray bestow it Where it best fits . Hang up the Poet .
Machine-generated castlist A31672-abilqualit 70 A31672-abrahen 64 A31672-selinthus 42 A31672-tarifa 36 A31672-caropia 35 A31672-mura 29 A31672-almanzo 26 A31672-gaselles 14 A31672-osman 14 A31672-simanthes 10 A31672-messenger 7 A31672-perilinda 4 A31672-soldier 3 A31672-unassigned 3 A31672-omnes 2 A31672-mesithes 1
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Mo�que charge o'th' dead , 'mong tombs in the great Mosque . po�lts i'th' Camp you do not feed on pleasant : poults ; a sallad , and without oyl or vinegar �allad you do not feed on pleasant : poults ; a sallad , and without oyl or vinegar , appeases General� are these ? they seem as ful of plot , as Generals are in Siege , they're very serious . �'th wisdom , the rough Souldier Mura � Governour o'th ' Moroccos . heites arise from ransome of those rich yeomans heires , that dare not look the fierce foe in the Ex�unt Exeunt Gas. Os. Abilqualis Enter Abilqualit . Hyp�crates gizard ( for in wild fowl , 'tis term'd so by Hypocrates ) arises , is as Averroes and Avicen , with expalcat � the Physician without I have licence to explacat on the disease . But ( my good Lord ) more Courties why men are melancholy . First , for your Courtier , �ase spare mine age from travel : though this ease will be more irksome to me then the toil a�chievements resolutions that usher glorious minds to brave atchievements . The happy genius on your youth attendant eourts emulous opposer of the Arabique Greatnesse , courts ( like a fair Bride ) your Imperial Arms �imorous ; yet pardon ( Sir ) my Loialtie , which timorous of your lov'd welfare , must intreat , beseech �each tir'd my thoughts with all the rules that teach men moral goodnesse , so to reclaime them g�ance they shine on me , as from her to gaine one glance of comfort ; yet my mind , that pities it self �in which makes Ambition ( by base men termed Sin ) a big and gallant Virtue , y'ave been n�w by th' surly noise o'th' trumpet , which now summons you to victorious use of your indowments perpe�uity of health and life , a soul condemn'd to perpetuity of torments . No ( my Tarifa ) though through Mesith�s peril , strive to obtain this happy Port . Methises ( Loves cunning Advocate ) does for me besiege mas�'line 'tis your noble courtesie would thrust this masc'line honor ( far above his merits ) on your regardless No�hing's discourse with more secure privacie our purpose . Nothing's unjust , unsacred , tends to advance us Lapwing� before their time , makes them run forth like Lapwings from their warm nest , part of the shel Di� bad ; one winning ��st from a flatt'ring Die tempting a Gamester to hazard his whole Gameste� winning ��st from a flatt'ring Die tempting a Gamester to hazard his whole fortunes . l�te peoples hearts , they doate on him since his late Spanish conquest , as new made brides on pio�s May you prove fortunate in your pious care of the Prince Abilqualit . But ( my audie�ce , but what ( if you'l please to give him audience hee'l show you a blunt reason for . car� into thy thoughts , good Mura ; too much care of us , informs thy loyal soul with fears �'all to love of novelty , the sicknesse proper t'all humane specially light natures , do magnifie tempest�ous peaceful seas , which when suspected to grow up tempestuous , they tremble at . Though he may stil be pett�coate Mesithes businesse certes concern'd a limber petticoate , and the smock soft and slipperie ; on conjectute ingendring with surly Mura's Lady : and men may conjecture y'are no chaster then a vot'rie : yet though desire� vot'rie : yet though she would not solace your desires , there are as handsome Ladies wil be proud stock� proud to have your Grace inoculate their stocks with your graft-royal . �indges carry wild-fire � about them privately , that sindges us ith' service from the crown even to the Dr�nk Souldiers in that case make't not your faith . Drink water in the Camp , when you can purchase �o water in the Camp , when you can purchase no other liquor ; here you shall have plenty �f other liquor ; here you shall have plenty of wine , old and delicious . I'le be your delic�ous here you shall have plenty of wine , old and delicious . I'le be your leader , and bring you on Perili��a , as rising from bed , Abrahen without , Perilinda . �ill Open the door , I must and will have entrance unto the Prince my brother y�� entrance unto the Prince my brother , as you love your life and safety and that Ladies ��nor love your life and safety and that Ladies honor , whom you are lodg'd in amorous twines twi��s Ladies honor , whom you are lodg'd in amorous twines � with , do not deny me entrance to you Abra��n with , do not deny me entrance to you , I am Abrahen , your loyal brother Abrahen . Car��ia Abrahen , to thee I leave my heart . Farwel Caropia , your tears inforce my absence . v��tue Madam where are the boasted glories of that virtue , which like a faithful Fort withstood my m� virtue , which like a faithful Fort withstood my batt'ries ? demolish'd now , and ruin'd bat��ries , which like a faithful Fort withstood my batt'ries ? demolish'd now , and ruin'd they appear app��r batt'ries ? demolish'd now , and ruin'd they appear ; like a fair building toter'd from its �et I'me bound to thank you Sir yet credit me ; my sin's so pleasing't ' cannot re���ntance me ; my sin's so pleasing't ' cannot meet repentance . Were Mura here , and arm'd with all the al� repentance . Were Mura here , and arm'd with all the horrors �age could invest his powers n�t horrors �age could invest his powers with ; not forgiven Hermits with greater peace shal t� forgiven Hermits with greater peace shal hast to death , then I to be the Martyr of this precio�s my Brother have injoy'd thee ) thee stil precious in his deluding fancie . �o his own affection and your whiteness , but to acknowledg it a rape . �fiends worth , and meerly the beast of lust , ( what fiends would fear to violate ) has with rude insolence �y with rude insolence destroyed her honor , by him inhumane ravished , pou�'d a lethargie ? that when baths of oyl are pour'd upon the wild irregular flames in populous in��ke firm dependance . Come , let Caropia's fate invoke thy vengeance to gain full mastry o're all ��nce't done this act upon Caropia's whiteness , Since't yeilds you free access unto the Empire , dispatc'd untainted ) ha's not forgon her honor : he dispatch'd once , as we will have him shortly , 't Exeu�t Exeunt . le�ft No quarrelling good Couzens , lest it be with the glass , 'cause 'tis not of t�e quarrelling good Couzens , lest it be with the glass , 'cause 'tis not of size sufficient gi�e glass , 'cause 'tis not of size sufficient to give you a magnificent draught . You will have n�t work enough� when you're i'th' wars , do not fall out among your selves . thou'�t my peerlesse Mistresse health ? Souldier , thou'rt mortall , if thou refuse it . wag�ails after those Birds , those Ladie-birds term'd wagtails ; what strange business can he have here �allad own blood and family , men who gather'd a sallad on the enemies ground , and eaten it in Mura� Enter Tarifa and Mura tr�th It was a deed so barbarous , that truth it self blushes as well as justice to hear disast'rons too unruly passions would hurry you to some disast'rous act , but ne're imagin'd you'd have been l'me fathers pitie , in my grief for thy amiss . As I'me to be thy Judg , be resolute , I'll take con��der , for thou'rt no child of mine ; dost not consider to what a state of desperate destruction Justic� , I'de cut them out rather then wound my Justice ; nor dos't befit thy vertue intercede for soul its spring ; so that he has polluted by his foul fact , my fame , my truth , my goodnesse ashe� nay , started in their peaceful urnes , the ashes of all my glorious Ancestors ; defil'd the fo�'t unlawful objects , tis fit should suffer for't a lasting blindnesse ; the Sun himself , you� heavens true goodnesse , even to your self , your son ! me thinks that name should have a �ay protest� that death shall never make him say shee's guiltie : the breath scarce pass'd shee'� protest� that death shall never make him say shee's guiltie : the breath scarce pass'd his lips guilti� that death shall never make him say shee's guiltie : the breath scarce pass'd his lips yet in�o Haplesse man , to run into this lunacie ! Fie Tarifa , so treacherous Simanthe� Enter Simanthes . b�siness to our tranquilitie . Now Sir , your business ? �ane worthie of a Son so vertuous . Now you have tane his , add to your injustice , and take Tarifa's d�cla�'d out as an apparant truth � the Prince to me declar'd his innocence , and that Caropia yeelded I�ll casts on brooks , thrils our ag'd heart . I'll not have thee ingross sorrow alone for Abilqualit's Abilqualii's I'll not have thee ingross sorrow alone for Abilqualit's death : I lov'd the boy well , and though Al�bl�sters Til we grow stiff as the cold Alabasters must be erected over us � Your rashnesse th�y to drie his tears , which are too slow ; they should create a deluge . O my dear Abilqualit �rack'd of grief has stifled up his pow'rs , and crack'd ( I fear ) his ag'd hearts cordage . Help ou� our sorrows which are so mightie on us ; our weak spirits are readie to relinquish the �or charge to see all fitting preparation provided for the funerals . inve�t slaughter , have vow'd by all oaths Souldiers can invent , ( and that's no smal store ) with death veiw� imbalm'd . Yet put them out of our sight , their views draw fresh drops from our heart . Anon we'l dea� I am saluted King with acclamations that deaf the Heavens to hear , with as much joy as ver�uous atchiev'd this Scepter by means fair and vertuous . 'Twas this handkercher that did to death fai�hful 'Twas well the Muts prov'd faithful , otherwise I'd lost my breath with as much Abrah�n from my Justice meet their due punishment . Abrahen by this is proclaim'd Caliph , yet my undoubted eie� with too much mornings dew ; shoot from thy eies a thousand flames of joy . The lustful Prince ang�ish , � not yet breathlesse ! To increase thy anguish even to despair , know , Abilqualit was �ane appear indow'd with some humanitie , you have tane his life ; let not your hate last after tear� after death ; let me embalm his bodie with my tears , or kil me with him . su�e such furie torment your innocent self . I'me sure the Emperor Abrahen , wil number 't 'mongst �or fuller , more noble braverie , to take revenge for my Lord Abilqualit's timelesse slaughter b�other , and our deare fathers , poison'd by our brother ; we have discoverd , and shall take just vengan�e ; we have discoverd , and shall take just vengance on the unnatural paricide : Retire into Tarif� Selinthus , give you our dear Tarifa speedie notice we are again among the living �im notice we are again among the living : pray him to let our loyal Subjects in the Citie , M�rmidons Never fear : they'r trustie Mirmidons , and wil stick close to you their dear w�'l And we'l guard you safe , as you were encompass'd E�nuch other allies of no mean consequence ; your Eunuch Mesithes his chief Favourite , and Simanthes �laught'red Villain that betray'd my Love to him and slaught'red Mura . Caropi� You shall o're rule us . Poor Caropia , these thoughts are thy vot'ries ; love light ' ning ; at our frowns these shake like Lambs at light'ning . Can it be impiety by any means to purchase impie�y shake like Lambs at light'ning . Can it be impiety by any means to purchase this earthly Deity thou'�t as in my former innocence . Conscience , thou'rt but a terror , first devis'd by th' fears �elicity stubborn Malady in a Lady , not cur'd with that felicity , that are other passions , and creeps upon Tur�les ; thus to deride my sorrows . the virgin Turtles hate to joyn their pureness with widow'd f�ailtie youths masculine beauties , are to a womans frailtie , strong temptations ? You know the storie contentio�s beauties , til all the winds in love , do grow contentious , which from their lips should ravish the h�s his glories , 'tis fit I do succeed him in his love . 'Tis true , I know thy fame fel by tre�sure considerations , I found I was unworthie to enjoy a treasure of such excellent grace and goodnesse , suppression� bashful man , grew great and ferventer by those suppressions . Thou wert created only for an Empresse glorio�s love , Empire , and what ere may be held glorious , courts thy acceptance like obedient Vassals thought� I have consider'd , and my serious thoughts tel me , tis folly to refuse these profers n�r apparitions , where's neither voice of friends , nor visiting suitors breaths to delight our a�l suitors breaths to delight our ears , and all this for the fame of a fell murdress . I a� teem'd with prodigies . Dost not tremble at thy inhumane villaines ? Dear Caropia , fates� Monarchie , let's trie our strengths and fates : the impartial fates to him , who has the thesoul there is not such a thing in nature ; all the soul of man is resolution , which expires �or lest yet to effect my purpose . In revenge for your suppos'd death , my lov'd Lord , I � O I am slain , Caropia , and by thy hand . Heavens liv�d repent it yet , my sole ambition was to have liv'd an Empresse , which since fate would not �njoy resolv'd no woman after my selfe should ere enjoy that glory , you dear Abilqualit : which Tarif� merited ; for Lord Selinthus , advance him ( my Tarifa ) hee's of faithfull and well deserving ���'s Lord Selinthus , advance him ( my Tarifa ) hee's of faithfull and well deserving vertues ��ince I thought t'would come to me anon : poor Prince , I e'ne could dy with him . judgme�ts death , Even whom you please ? thus are your judgments free , Most of the rest are slain , you
A18421 ---- The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18421 of text S122391 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4989). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Lydia Zoells Heejin Ro This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18421.xml The reuenge of Bussy D'Ambois. A tragedie. As it hath beene often presented at the priuate play-house in the White-Fryers. VVritten by George Chapman, Gentleman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 41 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99857542 STC (2nd ed.) 4989. Greg, I, 307. 23296 A18421

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The reuenge of Bussy D'Ambois. A tragedie. As it hath beene often presented at the priuate play-house in the White-Fryers. VVritten by George Chapman, Gentleman. Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [80] p. Printed by T[homas] S[nodham] and are to be solde by Iohn Helme, at his shop in S. Dunstones Church-yard, in Fleetstreet, London : 1613. 1610

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-K4.

The first leaf is blank except for signature-mark "A".

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

Bussy d'Amboise, -- 1549?-1579 -- Drama -- Early works to 1800. A18421 shc The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois Chapman, George Melina Yeh Lydia Zoells Heejin Ro 1610 play tragedy shc no A18421 S122391 (STC 4989). 25850 3 0 0 12005.8B The rate of 5.8 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE REVENGE OF Bussy D'Ambois . A TRAGEDIE . As it hath beene often presented at the priuate Play-house in the White-Fryers . Written By GEORGE CHAPMAN , Gentleman .

LONDON : Printed by T. S. and are to be solde by IOHN HELME , at his Shop in S. Dunstones Church-yard , in Fleetstreet . 1613 .

TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS , AND truely Noble Knight , Sr. Thomas Howard . &c. Sir ,

SInce VVorkes of this kinde haue beene lately esteemed worthy the Patronage of some of our worthiest Nobles , I haue made no doubt to preferre this of mine to your vndoubted Vertue , and exceeding true Noblesse : as contayning matter no lesse deseruing your reading , and excitation to Heroycall life , then any such late Dedication . Nor haue the greatest Princes of Italie , and other Countries , conceiued it any least diminution to their greatnesse , to haue their Names wing'd with these Tragicke Plumes , and disperst by way of Patronage , through the most Noble Notices of Europe .

Howsoeuer therefore in the Scaenicall presentation , it might meete with some maligners , yet considering , euen therein , it past with approbation of more worthy iudgements ; the Ballance of their side ( especially being held by your impartiall hand ) I hope will to no graine abide the out-weighing . And for the autenticall truth of eyther person or action , who ( worth the respecting ) will expect it in a Poeme , whose subiect is not truth , but things like truth ? Poore enuious soules they are that cauill at truths want in these naturall fictions : materiall instruction , elegant and sententious excitation to Vertue , and deflection from her contrary ; being the soule , lims , and limits of an autenticall Tragedie . But whatsoeuer merit of your full countenance and fauour suffers defect in this , I shall soone supply with some other of more generall account : wherein your right vertuous Name made famous and preserued to posteritie , your future comfort and honour in your present acceptation , and loue of all vertuous and diuine expression ; may be so much past others of your Rancke encreast , as they are short of your Iudiciall Ingenuitie , in their due estimation .

For , howsoeuer those Ignoble and sowrebrow'd VVorldlings are carelesse of whatsoeuer future , or present opinion spreads of them ; yet ( with the most diuine Philosopher , if Scripture did not confirme it ) I make it matter of my Faith ; that we truely retaine an intellectuall feeling of Good or Bad after this life ; proportionably answerable to the loue or neglect we beare here to all Vertue , and truely-humane Instruction : In whose fauour and honour I wish you most eminent ; And rest euer .

Your true Vertues most true obseruer , Geo. Chapman .
The Actors names . HEnry , the King . Monsieur , his Brother . Guise . D. Renel , a Marquesse . Mont sureau , an Earle . Baligny , Lord Lieutenant . Clermont , D' Ambois . Captaines . Maillard . Challon . Aumal . Espernone . Soissone . Perricot . The Guard . Souldiers . Seruants . The ghost of Bussy . Monsieur . Guise . Card Guise . Shattilion . Countesse of Cambray . Tamyra , wife to Mont sureau . Charlotte , wife to Baligny . Rioua , a Seruant .
THE REVENGE OF Bussy D'Ambois . A TRAGEDIE .
Actus primi Scaena prima . Enter Baligny , Renel . Baligny . TO what will this declining Kingdome turne , Swindging in euery license , as in this Stupide permission of braue D' Ambois Murther ? Murther made paralell with Law ? Murther vs'd To serue the Kingdome , giuen by sute to men For their aduancement ? suffered scarcrow-like To fright adulterie ? what will policie At length bring vnder his capacitie ? Rene. All things : for as when the high births of Kings Deliuerances , and Coronations , We celebrate with all the Cities Bels ( Iangling together in vntun'd confusion : ) All order'd Clockes are tyed vp : so when Glory , Flatterie , and smooth applauses of things ill , Vphold th' inordinate swindge of downe-right power , Iustice , and truth , that tell the bounded vse , Vertuous , and well distinguisht formes of Time , Are gag'd and tongue-tide , but wee haue obseru'd Rule in more regular motion : things most lawfull Were once most royall , Kings sought common good Mens manly liberties , though ne'er so meane , And had their owne swindge so : more free , and more , But when pride enter'd them , and Rule by power , All browes that smil'd beneath them , frown'd ; hearts grieu'd , By imitation ; vertue quite was vanisht , And all men studi'd selfe-loue , fraud , and vice , Then no man could be good but he was punisht : Tyrants being still more fearefull of the good Then of the bad ; their subiects vertues euer Manag'd with curbs , and dangers , and esteem'd As shadowes , and detractions to their owne . Bal. Now all is peace , no danger : now what followes ? Idlenesse rusts vs ; since no vertuous labour Ends ought rewarded : Ease , Securitie Now all the Palme weares , wee made warre before So to preuent warre , men with giuing gifts More then receiuing , made our Countrey strong ; Our matchlesse race of Souldiers then would spend In publike warres , not priuate brawles , their spirits ; In daring Enemies , arm'd with meanest armes ; Not courting strumpets , and consuming birth-rights In Apishnesse , and enuy of attire . No labour then was harsh , no way so deepe , No rocke so steepe , but if a Bird could scale it , Vp would our youth flie to . A Foe in armes Stirr'd vp a much more lust of his encounter , Then of a Mistresse neuer so be-painted : Ambition then , was onely scaling walles ; And ouer-topping turrets : Fame was wealth ; Best parts , best deedes , were best Nobilitie ; Honour with worth ; and wealth well got or none . Countries we wonne with as few men as Countries . Vertue subdu'd all . Ren. Iust : and then our Nobles Lou'd vertue so , they prais'd and vs'd it to ; Had rather doe , then say ; their owne deedes hearing By others glorified , then be so barraine , That their parts onely stood in praising others . Bal. Who could not doe , yet prais'd , and enui'd not ; Ciuile behauiour flourisht ; Bountie flow'd , Auarice to vpland Boores , slaues hang-men banisht . Ren. T is now quite otherwise ; but to note the cause Of all these foule digressions , and reuolts From our first natures , this t is in a word : Since good Arts faile , crafts and deceits are vs'd : Men ignorant are idle ; idle men Most practise what they most may doe with ease , Fashion , and fauour ; all their studies ayming At getting money , which no wise man euer Fed his desires with . Bal. Yet now none are wise That thinke not heauens true foolish , weigh'd with that . Well thou most worthy to be greatest Guise , Make with thy greatnesse a new world arise . Such deprest Nobles ( followers of his ) As you , my selfe , my Lord will finde a time When to reuenge your wrongs . Ren. I make no doubt : In meane time , I could wish , the wrong were righted Of your slaine Brother in law , braue Bussy D' Ambois . Bal. That one accident was made my charge . My Brother Bussy's Sister ( now my wife ) By no suite would consent to satisfie My loue of her , with marriage , till I vow'd , To vse my vtmost to reuenge my Brother : But Clermont D' Ambois ( Bussy's second Brother ) Had ( since ) his apparition , and excitement , To suffer none but his hand in his wreake , Which hee hath vow'd , and so will needes acquite Me of my vow , made to my wife , his Sister , And vndertake himselfe Bussy's reuenge ; Yet loathing any way to giue it act , But in the noblest and most manly course . ( If th' Earle dares take it ) he resolues to send A Challenge to him , and my selfe must beare it , To which deliuerie I can vse no meanes ; He is so barricado'd in his house , And arm'd with guard still . Ren. That meanes lay on mee , Which I can strangely make . My last lands sale , By his great suite , stands now on price with him , And hee ( as you know ) passing couetous , ( With that blinde greedinesse that followes gaine ) Will cast no danger , where her sweet feete tread . Besides , you know , his Lady by his suite , ( Wooing as freshly , as when first loue shot His faultlesse arrowes from her rosie eyes ) Now liues with him againe , and shee , I know , Will ioyne with all helps , in her friends reuenge . Bal. No doubt ( my Lord ) and therefore let me pray you To vse all speede ; for so on needels points My wifes heart stands with haste of the reuenge : Being ( as you know ) full of her brothers fire , That shee imagines I neglect my vow ; Keepes off her kinde embraces , and still askes ; When , when , will this reuenge come ? when perform'd Will this dull vow be ? And I vow to Heauen So sternely , and so past her sexe she vrges My vowes performance ; that I almost feare To see her , when I haue a while beene absent , Not showing her before I speake , the bloud She so much thirsts for , freckling hands and face , Ren. Get you the Challenge writ , and looke from me , To heare your passage clear'd no long time after . Exit Ren. Bal. All restitution to your worthiest Lordship , Whose errand I must carrie to the King , As hauing sworne my seruice in the search Of all such Malecontents , and their designes , By seeming one affected with their faction , And discontented humours gainst the state : Nor doth my brother Clermont scape my counsaile Giuen to the King , about his Guisean greatnesse , Which ( as I spice it ) hath possest the King ( Knowing his daring spirit ) of much danger : Charg'd in it to his person : though my conscience Dare sweare him cleare of any power to be Infected with the least dishonestie : Yet that sinceritie , wee Politicians Must say , growes out of enuie , since it cannot Aspire to policies greatnesse : and the more We worke on all respects of kinde , and vertue , The more our seruice to the King seemes great , In sparing no good that seemes bad to him : And the more bad , we make the most of good , The more our policie searcheth ; and our seruice Is wonder'd at for wisedome and sincerenesse . T is easie to make good suspected still , Where good , and God , are made but cloakes for ill . Enter Henry , Monsieur , Guise , Clerm Espernone , Foisson , Monsieur taking leaue of the King . See Monsieur taking now his leaue for Brabant , The Guise , & his deare Minion , Clermont D'Ambois , Whispering together , not of state affaires I durst lay wagers , ( though the Guise be now In chiefe heate of his faction ) but of some thing , Sauouring of that which all men else despise , How to be truely noble , truely wise . Mors. See how hee hangs vpon the eare of Guise , Like to his Iewell . Esper. Hee 's now whisp'ring in Some doctrine of stabilitie , and freedome , Contempt of outward greatnesse , and the guises That vulgar great ones make their pride and zeale , Being onely seruile traines , and sumptuous houses , High places , offices . Mons. Contempt of these Does he read to the Guise ? T is passing needfull , And hee , I thinke , makes show t' affect his doctrine . Esp. Commends , admires it . Mons. And pursues another , T is fine hypocrisie , and cheape , and vulgar , Knowne for a couert practise , yet beleeu'd ( By those abus'd soules , that they teach and gouerne ) No more then Wiues adulteries , by their Husbands , They bearing it with so vnmou'd aspects , Hot comming from it ; as t were not all , Or made by custome nothing . This same D'Ambois Hath gotten such opinion of his vertues , ( Holding all learning but an Art to liue well , ) And showing hee hath learn'd it , in his life , Being thereby strong in his perswading others ; That this ambitious Guise , embracing him , Is thought t' mbrace his vertues . Esp. Yet in some His vertues are held false for th' others vices : For t is more cunning held , and much more common , To suspect truth then falshood : and of both , Truth still fares worse ; as hardly being beleeu'd , As t is vnvsuall , and rarely knowne . Mons. I le part engendring vertue . Men affirme Though this same Clermont hath a D'Ambois spirit , And breathes his brothers valour ; yet his temper Is so much past his , that you cannot moue him : I le try that temper in him , Come , you two Deuoure each other with your vertues zeale , And leaue for other friends , no fragment of yee : I wonder Guise , you will thus rauish him Out of my bosome , that first gaue the life His manhood breathes , spirit , and meanes and luster . What doe men thinke of me , I pray thee Clermont ? Once giue me leaue ( for tryall of that loue That from thy brother Bussy thou inherit'st ) T' vnclaspe thy bosome . Cler. As how sir ? Mons. Be a true glasse to mee , in which I may Behold what thoughts the many headed-beast , And thou thy selfe breathes out concerning me , My ends , and new vpstarted state in Brabant , For which I now am bound , my higher aymes , Imagin'd here in France : speake man , and let Thy words be borne as naked as thy thoughts : O were braue Bussy liuing ! Cler. Liuing my Lord ? Mons. T is true , thou art his brother , but durst thou Haue brau'd the Guise : mauger his presence , courted His wedded Lady ; emptied euen the dregs Of his worst thoughts of mee , euen to my teeth ; Discern'd not me his rising soueraigne From any common groome : but let me heare My grossest faults , as grosse-full as they were . Durst thou doe this ? Cler. I cannot tell : A man Does neuer know the goodnesse of his stomacke Till hee sees meate before him . Were I dar'd , Perhaps as he was , I durst doe like him . Mons. Dare then to poure out here thy freest soule , Of what I am . Cler. T is stale , he tolde you it . Mons. He onely iested , spake of splene and enuie ; Thy soule more learn'd , is more ingenuous , Searching , iudiciall ; let me then from thee Heare what I am . Cler. What but the sole support , And most expectant hope of all our France , The toward victor of the whole low Countryes ? Mons. Tush , thou wilt sing Encomions of my praise , Is this like D'Ambois ? I must vexe the Guise , Or neuer looke to heare free truth ; tell me , For Bussy liues not : hee durst anger mee , Yet for my loue , would not haue fear'd to anger The King himselfe . Thou vnderstand'st me , dost not ? Cler. I shall my Lord , with studie . Mons. Dost vnderstand thy selfe ? I pray thee tell me , Dost neuer search thy thoughts , what my designe Might be to entertaine thee and thy brother ? What turne I meant to serue with you ? Cler. Euen what you please to thinke . Mons. But what thinkst thou ? Had I no end in 't think'st ? Cler. I thinke you had Mons. When I tooke in such two as you two were , A ragged couple of decaid Commanders , When a French-crowne would plentifully serue To buy you both to any thing i' th' earth . Cler. So it would you : Mons. Nay bought you both out-right , You and your Trunkes : I feare me , I offend thee . Cler. No not a iot . Mons. The most renowmed Souldier Epaminondas ( as good Authors say ) Had no more suites then backes , but you two shar'd But one suite twixt you both , when both your studies Were not what meate to dine with ; if your Partridge , Your Snipe , your Wood-cocke , Larke , or your red Hering , But where to begge it , whether at my house , Or at the Guises ( for you know you were Ambitious beggars , ) or at some Cookes-shop , T' eternize the Cookes trust , and score it vp . Dost not offend thee ? Cler. No sir . Pray proceede . Mons. As for thy Gentry , I dare boldly take Thy honourable othe : and yet some say Thou and thy most renowmed noble Brother , Came to the Court first in a Keele of Sea-coale ; Dost not offend thee ? Cler. Neuer doubt it , sir . Mons. Why doe I loue thee then ? why haue I rak'd thee Out of the dung-hill ? cast my cast Ward-robe on thee ? Brought thee to Court to , as I did thy Brother ? Made yee my sawcy bon companions ? Taught yee to call our greatest Noble men By the corruption of their names ; Iack , Tom ? Haue I blowne both for nothing to this bubble ? Though thou art learn'd ; t hast no enchanting wit � Or were thy wit good , am I therefore bound To keepe thee for my Table ? Cler. Well Sir , 't were A good Knights place . Many a proud dubb'd Gallant Seekes out a poore Knights liuing from such Emrods . Or what vse else should I designe thee to ? Perhaps you 'll answere me , to be my Pander . Cler. Perhaps I shall . Mons. Or did the slie Guise put thee Into my bosome , t' vndermine my proiects ? I feare thee not ; for though I be not sure I haue thy heart , I know thy braine-pan yet To be as emptie a dull piece of wainscot As euer arm'd the scalpe of any Courtier ; A fellow onely that consists of sinewes ; Meere Swisser , apt for any execution . Cler. But killing of the King . Mon. Right : now I see Thou vnderstand'st thy selfe . Cler. I , and you better . You are a Kings sonne borne . Mons. Right . Cler. And a Kings brother . Mons. True . Cler. And might not any foole haue beene so too , As well as you ? Mons. A poxe vpon you . Cler. You did no Princely deedes Ere you 're borne ( I take it ) to deserue it ; Nor did you any since that I haue heard ; Nor will doe euer any , as all thinke . Mons. The Diuell take him . I le no more of him . Guise . Nay : stay my Lord and heare him answere you . Mons. No more I sweare . Farewell . Ex. Mons. Guise . No more : Ill fortune . Esper . Soiss . I , would haue giuen a million to haue heard His scoffes retorted : and the insolence Of his high birth and greatnesse ( which were neuer Effects of his deserts , but of his fortune ) Made show to his dull eyes , beneath the worth That men aspire to by their knowing vertues , Without which Greatnesse is a shade , a bubble . Cler. But what one great man dreames of that , but you ? All take their births and birth-rights left to them ( Acquir'd by others ) for their owne worths purchase , When many a foole in both , is great as they : And who would thinke they could winne with their worths Wealthy possessions , when wonne to their hands , They neyther can iudge iustly of their value , Nor know their vse ; and therefore they are puft With such proud tumours as this Monsieur is : Enabled onely by the goods they haue , To scorne all goodnesse : none great , fill their fortunes , But as those men that make their houses greater , Their housholds being lesse , so Fortune raises Huge heapes of out-side in these mightie men , And giues them nothing in them . Guise . True as truth : And therefore they had rather drowne their substance In superfluities of brickes and stones ; ( Like Sysiphus , aduancing of them euer , And euer pulling downe ) then lay the cost Of any sluttish corner , on a man , Built with Gods finger , and enstil'd his Temple . Bal. T is nobly said , my Lord . Guise . I would haue these things Brought vpon Stages , to let mightie Misers See all their graue and serious miseries , plaid , As once they were in Athens , and olde Rome . Cler. Nay , we must now haue nothing brought on Stages , But puppetry , and pide ridiculous Antickes : Men thither come , to laugh , and feede foole-fat , Checke at all goodnesse there , as being prophan'd : When wheresoeuer goodnesse comes , shee makes The place still sacred ; though with other feete Neuer so much t is scandal'd , and polluted . Let me learne any thing that fits a man , In any Stables showne , as well as Stages . Bal. Why ? is not all the world esteem'd a Stage ? Cler. Yes : and right worthily : and Stages too Haue a respect due to them : if but onely , For what the good Greeke Moralists sayes of them ; Is a man proud of greatnesse , or of riches ? Giue me an expert Actor ; I le shew all , That can within his greatest glory fall . Is a man fraid with pouertie and lownesse ? Giue me an Actor , I le shew euery eye What hee laments so , and so much doth flye , The best and worst of both : if but for this then , To make the proudest out-side that most swels , With things without him , and aboue his worth , See how small cause hee has to be so blowne vp ; And the most poore man , to be grieu'd with poorenesse , Both being so easily borne by expert Actors . The Stage and Actors are not so contemptfull , As euery innouating Puritane , And ignorant sweater out of zealous enuie , Would haue the world imagine . And besides , That all things haue beene likened to the mirth , Vs'd vpon Stages , and for Stages fitted . The splenatiue Philosopher that euer Laught at them all , were worthy the enstaging : All obiects , were they ne'er so full of teares , He so conceited , that he could distill thence Matter that still fed his ridiculous humour . Heard he a Lawyer , neuer so vehement pleading , Hee stood and laught . Heard hee a Trades-man swearing Neuer so thriftily ( selling of his wares ; ) Hee stood and laught . Heard hee an holy brother , For hollow ostentation at his prayers Ne'er so impetuously ; hee stood and laught . Saw hee a great man neuer so insulting , Seuerely inflicting , grauely giuing lawes , Not for their good , but his ; hee stood and laught . Saw hee a youthfull widow Neuer so weeping , wringing of her hands , For her lost Lord , still the Philosopher laught : Now whether hee suppos'd all these presentments , Were onely maskeries , and wore false faces : Or else were simply vaine , I take no care , But still hee laught , how graue soere they were . Guise . And might right well ( my Clermont ) and for this Vertuous digression , wee vvill thanke the scoffes Of vicious Monsieur . But now for the maine point Of your late resolution for reuenge Of your slaine friend . Cler. I haue here my Challenge , Which I will pray my Brother Baligny To beare the murtherous Earle . Bal. I haue prepar'd Meanes for accesse to him , through all his Guard . Guise . About it then , my worthy Baligny , And bring vs the successe . Bal. I will my Lord . Exeunt . Tamyra sola . Tamy. Reuenge , that euer red sitt'st in the eyes Of iniur'd Ladies , till we crowne thy browes With bloudy Lawrell ; and receiue from thee Iustice for all our humors iniurie , Whose wings none flye , that Wrath or Tyrannie Haue ruthlesse made , and bloudy . Enter here , Enter , O enter : and , though length of time Neuer le ts any scape thy constant iustice , Yet now preuent that length . Flye , flye , and here Fixe thy steele foot-steps : Here , O here , where still Earth ( mou'd with pittie ) yeelded and embrac'd My Loues faire figure , drawne in his deare bloud , And mark'd the place , to show thee where was done The cruell'st murther that ere fled the Sunne . O Earth ! why keep'st thou not as well his spirit , To giue his forme life ? No , that was not earthly : That ( rarefying the thinne and yeelding ayre ) Flew sparkling vp into the Sphaere of fire , Whence endlesse flames it sheds in my desire : Here be my daily pallet , here all nights That can be wrested from thy riuals armes ; ( O my deare Bussy ) I will lye , and kisse Spirit into thy bloud , or breathe out mine In sighes , and kisses , and sad tunes to thine . She sings . Enter Mont sur . Mont. Still on this hant ? Still shall adulterous bloud Affect thy spirits ? Thinke , for shame , but this , This bloud that Cockatrice-like thus thou brood'st To dry is to breede any quench to thine . And therefore now ( if onely for thy lust A little couer'd with a vaile of shame ) Looke out for fresh life , rather then witch-like , Learne to kisse horror , and with death engender . Strange crosse in nature , purest virgine shame Lies in the bloud , as lust lyes ; and together Many times mixe too : and in none more shamefull Then in the shamefac't . Who can then distinguish Twixt their affections ; or tell when hee meetes With one not common ? Yet , as worthiest Poets Shunne common and plebeian formes of speech , Euery illiberall and affected phrase To clothe their matter : and together tye Matter and forme , with Art and decencie . So worthiest women should shunne vulgar guises , And though they cannot but flye out for change , Yet modestie , the matter of their liues , Be it adulterate , should be painted true With modest out-parts ; what they should doe still Grac'd with good show , though deedes be ne'er so ill . Tamy. That is so farre from all yee seeke of vs , That ( though your selues be common as the ayre ) We must not take the ayre , wee must not fit Our actions to our owne affectons : But as Geometricians ( you still say ) Teach that no lines , nor superficies , Doe moue themselues , but still accompanie The motions of their bodies ; so poore wiues Must not pursue , nor haue their owne affections , But to their husbands earnests , and their iests , To their austerities of lookes , and laughters , ( Though ne'er so foolish and iniurious ) Like Parasites and slaues , fit their disposures . Mont. I vsde thee as my soule , to moue and rule me . Tamy. So said you , when you woo'd . So Souldiers tortur'd With tedious sieges of some wel-wall'd Towne , Propound conditions of most large contents , Freedome of Lawes , all former gouernment ; But hauing once set foote within the Wals , And got the reynes of power into their hands , Then doe they tyrannize at their owne rude swindges , Seaze all their goods , their liberties , and liues , And make aduantage , and their lusts , their lawes . Mons. But loue me , and performe a Wifes part yet , ( With all my loue before ) I sweare forgiuenesse . Tamy. Forgiuenesse ! that grace you should seeke of mee : These tortur'd fingers , and these stab'd-through armes Keepe that law in their vvounds yet , vnobseru'd , And euer shall . Mons. Remember their deserts . Tam. Those vvith faire warnings might haue beene reform'd , Not these vnmanly rages . You haue heard The fiction of the North winde and the Sunne , Both vvorking on a Traueller , and contending Which had most power to take his cloake from him : Which when the Winde attempted , hee roar'd out Outragious blasts at him to force it off , That vvrapt it closer on . When the calme Sunne ( The Winde once leauing ) charg'd him vvith still beames , Quiet , and feruent , and therein was constant , Which made him cast off both his cloake and coate : Like vvhom should men doe . If yee vvish your Wiues Should leaue dislik'd things , seeke it not vvith rage ; For that enrages : vvhat yee giue , yee haue : But vse calme warnings , and kinde manly meanes , And that in Wiues most prostitute will winne Not onely sure amends ; but make vs Wiues Better then those that ne'er led faultie liues . Enter a Souldier . Sould. My Lord . Mons. How now ; vvould any speake with me ? Soul. I , Sir . Mons. Peruerse , and traiterous miscreant : Where are your other fellowes of my Guard ? Haue I not told you , I will speake with none , But Lord Renel ? Sould. And t is hee that stayes you . Mons. O , is it he ? T is well : attend him in . I must be vigilant : the Furies haunt mee . Doe you heare dame ? Enter Renel , with the Souldier . Ren. Be true now , for your Ladies iniur'd sake , Whose bountie you haue so much cause to honour : For her respect is chiefe in this designe , And therefore serue it , call out of the vvay All your confederate fellowes of his Guard , Till Monsieur Baligny be enter'd here . Sould. Vpon your honour , my Lord shall be free From any hurt you say . Ren. Free as my selfe . Watch then , and cleare his entrie . Sould. I will not faile , my Lord . Exit Souldier . Ren. God saue your Lordship . Mons. My noblest Lord Renel ! past all men welcome . Wife , vvelcome his Lordship . Osculatur . Ren. I much ioy in your returne here . Tamy. You doe more then I . Mons. Shee 's passionate still , to thinke we euer parted , By my too sterne iniurious Ielousie . Ren. T is well your Lordship will confesse your errour In so good time yet . Enter Baligny with a Challenge . Mons. Death ! Who haue wee here ? Ho! Guard ! Villaines ! Bal. Why exclaime you so . Mons. Negligent Trayters ! Murther , murther , murther . Bal. Ye' are mad . Had mine entent beene so , like yours , It had beene done ere this . Ren. Sir , your intent , And action too , was rude to enter thus . Bal. Y' are a decaid Lord to tell me of rudenesse , As much decaid in manners as in meanes . Ren. You talke of manners , that thus rudely thrust Vpon a man that 's busie with his Wife . Bal. And kept your Lordship then the dore . Ren. The dore ? Mont. Sweet Lord forbeare . Show , show your purpose sir . To moue such bold feete into others roofes . Bal. This is my purpose sir , from Clermont D'Ambois I bring this Challenge . Mon. Challenge ! I le touch none . Bal I le leaue it here then . Ren. Thou shalt leaue thy life first . Mont. Murther , murther ! Ren. Retire my Lord ; get off . Hold , or thy death shall hold thee . Hence my Lord . Bal. There lye the Chalenge . They all fight and Bal . driues in Mont . Ren. Was not this well handled ? Exit Mont. Bal. Nobly my Lord . All thankes . Exit Bal. Tamy I le make him reade it . Exit Tamy. Ren. This was a sleight well-maskt . O what is man , Vnlesse he be a Politician ! Exit . Finis Actus primi .
Actus secundi Scaena prima . Henry , Baligny . Hen. COme Baligny , we now are priuate : Say , What seruice bring'st thou ? make it short ; the Guise ( Whose friend thou seem'st ) is now in Court , and neare , And may obserue vs . Bal. This sir , then in short . The faction of the Guise ( with which my policie , For seruice to your Highnesse seemes to ioyne ) Growes ripe , and must be gather'd into hold ; Of which my Brother Clermont being a part Exceeding capitall , deserues to haue A capitall eye on him . And ( as you may With best aduantage , and your speediest charge , ) Command his apprehension : which ( because The Court , you know , is strong in his defence ) Wee must aske Country swindge and open fields . And therefore I haue wrought him to goe downe To Cambray with me ( of which Gouernment Your Highnesse bountie made mee your Lieutenant ) Where when I haue him , I will leaue my house , And faine some seruice out about the confines , When in the meane time , if you please to giue Command to my Lieutenant , by your Letters , To traine him to some muster , where he may ( Much to his honour ) see for him , your forces Put into Battaile ; when hee comes , hee may With some close stratageme be apprehended : For otherwise your whole powers there will faile To worke his apprehension : and with that My hand needes neuer be discern'd therein . Hen. Thankes honest Baligny . Bal. Your Highnesse knowes I will be honest ; and betray for you Brother and Father : for , I know ( my Lord ) Treacherie for Kings is truest Loyaltie ; Nor is to beare the name of Treacherie , But graue , deepe Policie . All acts that seeme Ill in particular respects , are good As they respect your vniuersall Rule . As in the maine sway of the vniuerse The supreame Rectors generall decrees , To guard the mightie Globes of Earth and Heauen , Since they make good that guard to preseruation Of both those in their order and first end , No mans particular ( as hee thinkes ) wrong Must hold him wrong'd : no , not though all mens reasons , All Law , all conscience , concludes it wrong . Nor is comparison a flatterer To liken you here to the King of kings ; Nor any mans particular offence Against the worlds sway ; to offence at yours In any subiect ; who as little may Grudge at their particular wrong ; if so it seeme For th' vniuersall right of your estate . As ( being a Subiect of the Worlds whole sway As well as yours ; and being a righteous man To whom Heauen promises defence , and blessing , Brought to decay , disgrace , and quite defencelesse ) Hee may complaine of Heauen for wrong to him . Hen. T is true : the Simile at all parts holds , As all good Subiects hold , that loue our fauour . Bal. Which is our Heauen here ; and a miserie Incomparable , and most truely Hellish To liue depriu'd of our Kings grace and countenance , Without which best conditions are most cursed : Life of that nature , howsoeuer short , Is a most lingering , and tedious life ; Or rather no life , but a languishing , And an abuse of life . Hen. T is well conceited . Bal. I thought it not amisse to yeeld your Highnesse A reason of my speeches ; lest perhaps You might conceiue I flatter'd : which ( I know ) Of all ils vnder heauen you most abhorre . Hen. Still thou art right , my vertuous Baligny , For which I thanke and loue thee . Thy aduise I le not forget : Haste to thy Gouernment , And carry D'Ambois with thee . So farewell . Exit . Bal. Your Maiestie fare euer like it selfe . Enter Guise . Guise . My sure Friend Baligny ! Bal. Noblest of Princes ! Guise . How stands the State of Cambray ? Bal. Strong , my Lord , And fit for seruice : for whose readinesse Your creature Clermont D'Ambois , and my selfe Ride shortly downe . Guise . That Clermont is my loue ; France neuer bred a nobler Gentleman For all parts : he exceedes his Brother Bussy . Bal. I , my Lord ? Guise . Farre : because ( besides his valour ) Hee hath the crowne of man , and all his parts , Which Learning is ; and that so true and vertuous , That it giues power to doe , as well as say What euer fits a most accomplisht man ; Which Bussy , for his valours season , lackt ; And so was rapt with outrage oftentimes Beyond Decorum ; where this absolute Clermont , Though ( onely for his naturall zeale to right ) Hee will be fiery , when hee sees it crost ; And in defence of it ; yet when he lists Hee can containe that fire , as hid in Embers . Bal. No question , hee 's a true , learn'd , Gentleman . Guise . He is as true as Tides , or any Starre Is in his motion : And for his rare learning , Hee is not ( as all else are that seeke knowledge ) Of taste so much deprau'd , that they had rather Delight , and satisfie themselues to drinke Of the streame troubled , wandring ne'er so farre From the cleare fount , then of the fount it selfe . In all ; Romes Brutus is reuiu'd in him , Whom hee of industry doth imitate . Or rather , as great Troys Euphorbus was After Pithagoras ; so is Brutus , Clermont . And ( were not Brutus a Conspirator ) Bal. Conspirator , my Lord ? Doth that empaire him ? Caesar beganne to tyrannize ; and when vertue , Nor the religion of the Gods could serue To curbe the insolence of his proud Lawes , Brutus would be the Gods iust instrument . What said the Princesse ( sweet Antigone ) In the graue Greeke Tragedian , when the question Twixt her and Creon is , for lawes of Kings ? Which when he vrges , shee replies on him ; Though his Lawes were a Kings , they were not Gods ; Nor would shee value Creons written Lawes With Gods vnwrit Edicts : since they last not This day and the next , but euery day and euer ; Where Kings Lawes alter euery day and houre , And in that change imply a bounded power . Guise . Well , let vs leaue these vaine disputings what Is to be done , and fall to doing something . When are you for your Gouernment in Cambray ? Bal. When you command , my Lord . Guise . Nay , that 's not fit . Continue your designements with the King , With all your seruice ; onely if I send Respect me as your friend , and loue my Clermont . Bal. Your Highnesse knowes my vowes . Guise . I , t is enough . Exit Guise . Manet Bal. Bal. Thus must wee play on both sides , and thus harten In any ill those men whose good wee hate . Kings may doe what they list : and for Kings , Subiects , Eyther exempt from censure or exception : For , as no mans worth can be iustly iudg'd But when he shines in some authoritie ; So no authoritie should suffer censure But by a man of more authoritie . Great vessels into lesse are emptied neuer , There 's a redoundance past their continent euer . These virtuosi are the poorest creatures ; For looke how Spinners weaue out of themselues Webs , whose strange matter none before can see ; So these , out of an vnseene good in vertue , Make arguments of right , and comfort , in her , That clothe them like the poore web of a Spinner . Enter Clermont . Cler. Now , to my Challenge . What 's the place , the weapon ? Bal. Soft sir : let first your Challenge be receiued . Hee would not touch , nor see it . Cler. Possible ! How did you then ? Bal. Left it , in his despight . But when hee saw mee enter so expectlesse , To heare his base exclaimes of murther , murther , Made me thinke Noblesse lost , in him quicke buried . Cler. They are the breathing Sepulchres of Noblesse : No trulier noble men , then Lions pictures Hung vp for signes , are Lions . Who knowes not , That Lyons the more soft kept , are more seruile ? And looke how Lyons close kept , fed by hand , Lose quite th' innatiue fire of spirit and greatnesse That Lyons free breathe , forraging for prey ; And grow so grosse , that mastifes , curs , and mungrils Haue spirit to cow them : So our soft French Nobles Chain'd vp in ease and numbd securitie , Their spirits shrunke vp like their couetous fists , And neuer opened but Domitian-like , And all his base obsequious minions When they were catching , though it were but flyes . Besotted with their pezzants loue of gaine , Rusting at home , and on each other preying , Are for their greatnesse but the greater slaues , And none is noble but who scrapes and saues . Bal. T is base , t is base ; and yet they thinke them high . Cler. So Children mounted on their hobby-horse , Thinke they are riding , when with wanton toile They beare what should beare them . A man may well Compare them to those foolish great-spleen'd Cammels , That to their high heads , beg'd of Ioue hornes higher ; Whose most vncomely , and ridiculous pride When hee had satisfied , they could not vse , But where they went vpright before , they stoopt , And bore their heads much lower for their hornes . As these high men doe , low in all true grace , Their height being priuiledge to all things base . And as the foolish Poet that still writ All his most selfe-lou'd verse in paper royall , Or Partchment rul'd with Lead , smooth'd with the Pumice ; Bound richly vp , and strung with Crimson strings ; Neuer so blest as when hee writ and read The Ape-lou'd issue of his braine ; and neuer But ioying in himselfe ; admiring euer : Yet in his workes behold him , and hee show'd Like to a ditcher . So these painted men , All set on out-side , looke vpon within , And not a pezzants entrailes you shall finde More foule and mezel'd , nor more steru'd of minde . Bal. That makes their bodies fat . I faine would know How many millions of our other Nobles Would make one Guise . There is a true tenth Worthy , Who ( did not one act onely blemish him . ) Cler. One act ? what one ? Bal. One , that ( though yeeres past done ) Stickes by him still , and will distaine him euer . Cler. Good Heauen ! wherein ? what one act can you name Suppos'd his staine , that I le not proue his luster ? Bal. To satisfie you , t was the Massacre . Cler. The Massacre ? I thought t was some such blemish . Bal. O it was hainous . Cler. To a brutish sense , But not a manly reason . Wee so tender The vile part in vs , that the part diuine We see in hell , and shrinke not . Who was first Head of that Massacre ? Bal. The Guise . Cler. T is nothing so . Who was in fault for all the slaughters made In Ilion , and about it ? Were the Greekes ? Was it not Paris rauishing the Queene Of Lacaedemon ? Breach of shame and faith ? And all the lawes of Hospitalitie ? This is the Beastly slaughter made of men , When Truth is ouer-throwne , his Lawes corrupted ; When soules are smother'd in the flatter'd flesh , Slaine bodies are no more then Oxen slaine . Bal. Differ not men from Oxen ? Cler. Who sayes so ? But see wherein ; In the vnderstanding rules Of their opinions , liues , and actions ; In their communities of faith and reason . Was not the Wolfe that nourisht Romulus More humane then the men that did expose him ? Bal. That makes against you . Cler. Not sir , if you note That by that deede , the actions difference make Twixt men and beasts , and not their names nor formes . Had faith , nor shame , all hospitable rights Beene broke by Troy , Greece had not made that slaughter . Had that beene sau'd ( sayes a Philosopher ) The Iliads and Odysses had beene lost , Had Faith and true Religion beene prefer'd , Religious Guise had neuer massacerd , Bal. Well sir , I cannot when I meete with you But thus digresse a little , for my learning , From any other businesse I entend . But now the voyage , we resolu'd for Cambray , I told the Guise beginnes ; and wee must haste . And till the Lord Renel hath found some meane ( Conspiring with the Countesse ) to make sure Your sworne wreake on her Husband ( though this fail'd ) In my so braue Command , wee 'll spend the time , Sometimes in training out in Skirmishes , And Battailes , all our Troopes and Companies ; And sometimes breathe your braue Scotch running horse , That great Guise gaue you , that all th' horse in France Farre ouer-runnes at euery race and hunting Both of the Hare and Deere . You shall be honor'd Like the great Guise himselfe , aboue the King . And ( can you but appease your great-spleen'd Sister , For our delaid wreake of your Brothers slaughter ) At all parts you 'll be welcom'd to your wonder . Cler. I le see my Lord the Guise againe before Wee take our iourney . Bal. O sir , by all meanes , You cannot be too carefull of his loue , That euer takes occasion to be raising Your virtues , past the reaches of this age , And rankes you with the best of th' ancient Romanes . Cler. That praise at no part moues mee , but the worth Of all hee can giue others spher'd in him . Bal. Hee yet is thought to entertaine strange aymes . Cler. He may be well ; yet not as you thinke strange , His strange Aymes are to crosse the common Custome Of Seruile Nobles ; in which hee 's so rauisht , That quite the Earth he leaues , and vp hee leapes , On Atlas shoulders , and from thence lookes downe , Viewing how farre off other high ones creepe : Rich , poore of reason , wander ; All pale looking , And trembling but to thinke of their sure deaths , Their liues so base are , and so rancke their breaths . Which I teach Guise to heighten , and make sweet With lifes deare odors , a good minde and name ; For which , hee onely loues me , and deserues My loue and life , which through all deaths I vow : Resoluing this , ( what euer change can be ) Thou hast created , thou hast ruinde mee . Exit . Finis Actus secundi .
Actus tertij Scaena prima . A march of Captaines ouer the Stage . Maillard , Chalon , Aumall following with Souldiers . Mail. THese Troopes and companies come in with wings : So many men , so arm'd , so gallant Horse , I thinke no other Gouernment in France So soone could bring together . With such men Me thinkes a man might passe th' insulting Pillars Of Bacchus and Alcides . Chal. I much wonder Our Lord Lieutenant brought his brother downe To feast and honour him , and yet now leaues him At such an instance . Mail. T was the Kings Command : For whom he must leaue Brother , Wife , friend , all things . Aum. The confines of his Gouernment , whose view Is the pretext of his Command , hath neede Of no such sodaine expedition . Mail. Wee must not argue that . The Kings Command Is neede and right enough : and that he serues , ( As all true Subiects should ) without disputing . Chal. But knowes not hee of your Command to take His Brother Clermont ? Mail. No : the Kings will is Expressely to conceale his apprehension From my Lord Gouernour . Obseru'd yee not ? Againe peruse the Letters . Both you are Made my assistants , and haue right and trust In all the waightie secrets like my selfe . Aum. T is strange a man that had , through his life past , So sure a foote in vertue and true knowledge , As Clermont D'Ambois , should be now found tripping , And taken vp thus , so to make his fall More steepe and head-long . Mail. It is Vertues fortune , To keepe her low , and in her proper place . Height hath no roome for her : But as a man That hath a fruitfull wife , and euery yeere A childe by her , hath euery yeere a month , To breathe himselfe : where hee that gets no childe Hath not a nights rest ( if he will doe well . ) So , let one marry this same barraine Vertue , She neuer lets him rest : where fruitfull vice Spares her rich drudge , giues him in labour breath ; Feedes him with bane , and makes him fat with death , Chal. I see that good liues neuer can secure Men from bad liuers . Worst men will haue best As ill as they , or heauen to hell they 'll wrest . Aum. There was a merit for this , in the fault That Bussy made , for which he ( doing pennance ) Proues that these foule adulterous guilts will runne Through the whole bloud , which not the cleare can shunne . Mail. I le therefore take heede of the bastarding Whole innocent races ; t is a fearefull thing . And as I am true Batcheler , I sweare , To touch no woman ( to the coupling ends ) Vnlesse it be mine owne wife or my friends . I may make bold with him . Aum. T is safe and common . The more your friend dares trust , the more deceiue him . And as through dewie vapors the Sunnes forme Makes the gay Rainebow , girdle to a storme , So in hearts hollow , Friendship ( euen the Sunne To all good growing in societie ) Makes his so glorious and diuine name hold Collours for all the ill that can be told . Mail. Harke , our last Troopes are come . Trumpets within . Chal. Harke , our last foote . Drums beate . Mail. Come , let vs put all quickly into battaile , And send for Clermont , in whose honour , all This martiall preparation wee pretend . Chal. Wee must bethinke vs ere wee apprehend him , ( Besides our maine strength ) of some stratageme To make good our seuere Command on him ; As well to saue bloud , as to make him sure : For if hee come on his Scotch horse , all France Put at the heeles of him , will faile to take him . Mail. What thinke you if wee should disguise a brace Of our best Souldiers in faire Lackies coates , And send them for him , running by his side , Till they haue brought him in some ambuscado We close may lodge for him ; and sodainely Lay sure hand on him , plucking him from horse . Aum. It must be sure and strong hand : for if once Hee feeles the touch of such a stratageme , T is not the choisest brace of all our Bands Can manacle , or quench his fiery hands . Mail. When they haue seaz'd him , the ambush shal make in . Aum. Doe as you please ; his blamelesse spirit deserues ( I dare engage my life ) of all this , nothing . Chal. Why should all this stirre be then ? Aum. Who knowes not The bumbast politie thrusts into his Gyant , To make his wisedome seeme of size as huge , And all for sleight encounter of a shade , So hee be toucht , hee would haue hainous made ? Mail. It may be once so ; but so euer , neuer ; Ambition is abroad , on foote , on horse ; Faction chokes euery corner , streete , the Court , Whose faction t is you know : and who is held The fautors right hand : how high his aymes reach , Nought but a Crowne can measure . This must fall Past shadowes waights ; and is most capitall . Chal. No question ; for since hee is come to Cambray The malecontent , decaid Marquesse Renel , Is come , and new arriu'd ; and made partaker Of all the entertaining Showes and Feasts That welcom'd Clermont to the braue Virago His manly Sister . Such wee are esteem'd As are our conforts . Marquesse malecontent Comes where hee knowes his vaine hath safest vent . Mail. Let him come at his will , and goe as free , Let vs ply Clermont , our whole charge is hee . Exit . Enter a Gentleman Vsher before Clermont : Renel , Charlotte , with two women attendants , with others : Shewes hauing past within . Char. This for your Lordships welcome into Cambray . Ren. Noblest of Ladies , t is beyond all power ( Were my estate at first full ) in my meanes To quit or merit . Cler. You come something latter From Court my Lord then I : And since newes there Is euery day encreasing with th' affaires , Must I not aske now , what the newes is there ? Where the Court lyes ? what stirre ? change ? what auise From England , Italie . Ren. You must doe so , If you 'll be cald a Gentleman well quallified , And weare your time and wits in those discourses . Cler. The Locrian Princes therefore were braue Rubers ; For whosoeuer there came new from Countrie , And in the Citie askt , what newes ? was punisht : Since commonly such braines are most delighted With innouations , Gossips tales , and mischiefes : But as of Lyons it is said and Eagles , That when they goe , they draw their seeres and tallons Close vp , to shunne rebating of their sharpnesse : So our wits sharpnesse , which wee should employ In noblest knowledge , wee should neuer waste In vile and vulgar admirations . Ren. T is right : but who , saue onely you , performes it , And your great brother ? Madame , where is he ? Char. Gone a day since , into the Countries confines , To see their strength , and readinesse for seruice . Ren. T is well : his fauour with the King hath made him Most worthily great , and liue right royally . Cler. I : Would hee would not doe so . Honour neuer Should be esteem'd with wise men , as the price And value of their virtuous Seruices , But as their signe or Badge : for that bewrayes More glory in the outward grace of goodnesse , Then in the good it selfe ; and then t is said : Who more ioy takes , that men his good aduance , Then in the good it selfe , does it by chance . Char. My brother speakes all principle ; what man Is mou'd with your soule ? or hath such a thought In any rate of goodnesse ? Cher. T is their fault . We haue examples of it , cleare and many . Demetrius Phalerius , an Orator , And ( which not oft meete ) a Philosopher , So great in Athens grew , that he erected Three hundred Statues of him ; of all which , No rust , nor length of time corrupted one ; But in his life time , all were ouerthrowne . And Demades ( that past Demosthenes For all extemporall Orations ) Erected many Statues , which ( he liuing ) Were broke , and melted into Chamber-pots . Many such ends haue fallen on such proud honours , No more because the men on whom they fell Grew insolent , and left their vertues state ; Then for their hugenesse , that procur'd their hate : And therefore little pompe in men most great , Makes mightily and strongly to the guard Of what they winne by chance , or iust reward . Great and immodest braueries againe , Like Statues , much too high made for their bases , Are ouerturn'd as soone , as giuen their places . Enter a Messenger with a Letter . Messen. Here is a Letter sir deliuer'd mee , Now at the fore-gate by a Gentleman . Cler. What Gentleman ? Mess. Hee would not tell his name ; Hee said , hee had not time enough to tell it , And say the little rest hee had to say . Cler. That was a merry saying ; he tooke measure Of his deare time like a most thriftie husband . Char. What newes ? Cler. Strange ones , and fit for a Nouation ; Waightie , vnheard of , mischieuous enough . Ren. Heauen shield : what are they ? Cler. Read them , good my Lord . Ren. You are betraid into this Countrie . Monstrous ! Char. How 's that ? Cler. Read on . Ren.

Maillard . you brothers Leiutenant , that yesterday inuited you to see his Musters ; hath Letters and strickt Charge from the King to apprehend you .

Char. To apprehend him ? Ren. Your Brother absents himselfe of purpose . Cler. That 's a sound one . Char. That 's a lye . Ren.

Get on your Scotch horse , and retire to your strength ; you know where it is , and there it expects you : Beleeue this as your best friend had sworne it . Fare-well if you will . Anonymos . What 's that ?

Cler. Without a name . Charl. And all his notice too , without all truth . Cler. So I conceiue it Sister : I le not wrong My well knowne Brother for Anonymos , Charl. Some foole hath put this tricke on you , yet more T' vncouer your defect of spirit and valour . First showne in lingring my deare Brothers wreake . See what it is to giue the enuious World Aduantage to diminish eminent virtue . Send him a Challenge ? Take a noble course To wreake a murther , done so like a villaine ? Cler. Shall we reuenge a villanie with villanie ? Char. Is it not equall ? Cler. Shall wee equall be With villaines ? Is that your reason ? Char. Cowardise euermore Flyes to the shield of Reason . Cler. Nought that is Approu'd by Reason , can be Cowardise . Charl. Dispute when you should fight . Wrong wreaklesse Makes men dye honorlesse : One borne , another ( sleeping , Leapes on our shoulders . Cler. Wee must wreake our wrongs So , as wee take not more . Char. One wreakt in time Preuents all other . Then shines vertue most When time is found for facts ; and found , not lost . Cler. No time occurres to Kings , much lesse to Vertue ; Not can we call it Vertue that proceedes From vicious Fury . I repent that euer ( By any instigation in th' appearance My Brothers spirit made , as I imagin'd ) That e'er I yeelded to reuenge his murther . All worthy men should euer bring their bloud To beare all ill , not to be wreakt with good : Doe ill for no ill : Neuer priuate cause Should take on it the part of publike Lawes . Char. A D'Ambois beare in wrong so tame a spirit ! Ren. Madame , be sure there will be time enough For all the vengeance your great spirit can wish . The course yet taken is allow'd by all , Which being noble , and refus'd by th' Earle , Now makes him worthy of your worst aduantage : And I haue cast a proiect with the Countesse To watch a time when all his wariest Guards Shall not exempt him . Therefore giue him breath ; Sure Death delaid is a redoubled Death . Cler. Good Sister trouble not your selfe with this : Take other Ladyes care ; practise your face . There 's the chaste Matron , Madame Perigot , Dwels not farre hence , I le ride and send her to you , Shee did liue by retailing mayden-heads In her minoritie : but now shee deales In whole-sale altogether for the Court . I tell you , shee 's the onely fashion-monger , For your complexion , poudring of your haire , Shadowes , Rebatoes , Wires , Tyres , and such trickes , That Cambray , or I thinke , the Court affords : She shall attend you Sister , and with these Womanly practises emply your spirit ; This other suites you not , nor fits the fashion . Though shee be deare , lay 't on , spare for no cost , Ladies in these haue all their bounties lost . Ren. Madame , you see , his spirit will not checke At any single danger ; when it stands Thus merrily firme against an host of men , threaten'd to be armes for his surprise . Char. That 's a meere Bugge-beare , an impossible mocke , If hee , and him I bound by nuptiall faith Had not beene dull and drossie in performing Wreake of the deare bloud of my matchlesse Brother , What Prince ? what King ? which of the desperat'st Ruffings , Outlawes in Acden , durst haue tempted thus One of our bloud and name , be 't true or false . Cler. This is not caus'd by that : t will be as sure As yet it is not , though this should be true . Char. True ? t is past thought false . Cler. I suppose the worst , Which farre I am from thinking ; and despise The Armie now in battaile that should act it . Cler. I would not let my bloud vp to that thought , But it should cost the dearest bloud in France . Cler. Sweet Sister , [ osculatur ] farre be both off as the fact Of my fain'd apprehension . Char. I would once Strip off my shame with my attire , and trie If a poore woman , votist of reuenge Would not performe it , with a president To all you bungling foggy-spirited men ; But for our birth-rights honour , doe not mention One syllable of any word may goe To the begetting of an act so tender , And full of sulphure as this Letters truth : It comprehends so blacke a circumstance Not to be nam'd ; that but to forme one thought , It is , or can be so ; would make me mad : Come my Lord , you and I will fight this dreame Out at the Chesse . Ren. Most gladly , worthiest Ladie . Exit Char . and Ren. Enter a Messenger . Mess. Sir , my Lord Gouernours Lieutenant prayes Accesse to you . Cler. Himselfe alone ? Mess. Alone , sir . Cler. Attend him in . [ Exit Mess. ] Now comes this plot to tryall , I shall descerne ( if it be true as rare ) Some sparkes will flye from his dissembling eyes . I le sound his depth . Enter Maillard with the Messenger . Maill. Honour , and all things noble . Cler. As much to you good Captaine . What 's th' affaire . Mail. Sir , the poore honour we can adde to all Your studyed welcome to this martiall place , In presentation of what strength consists My Lord your Brothers Gouernment is readie . I haue made all his Troopes and Companies Aduance , and put themselues randg'd in Battailia , That you may see , both how well arm'd they are ; How strong is euery Troope and Companie ; How ready , and how well prepar'd for seruice , Cler. And must they take mee ? Mail. Take you , sir ? O Heauen ! Mess Beleeue it sir , his count'nance chang'd in turning . Mail. What doe you meane sir ? Cler. If you haue charg'd them , You being charg'd your selfe , to apprehend mee , Turne not your face : throw not your lookes about so . Mail. Pardon me sir . You amaze me to conceiue From whence our wils to honour you , should turne To such dishonour of my Lord your Brother . Dare I , without him , vndertake your taking ? Cler. Why not ? by your direct charge from the King ? Mail. By my charge from the King ? would he so much Disgrace my Lord , his owne Lieutenant here , To giue me his Command without his forfaite ? Cler. Acts that are done by Kings , are not askt why . I le not dispute the case , but I will search you . Mail. Search mee ? for what ? Cler. For Letters . Mail. I beseech you , Doe not admit one thought of such a shame To a Commander . Cler. Goe to : I must doo 't . Stand and be searcht ; you know mee . Mail. You forget What t is to be a Captaine , and your selfe . Cler. Stand , or I vow to heauen , I le make you lie Neuer to rise more . Mail. If a man be mad Reason must beare him . Cler. So coy to be searcht ? Mail. Sdeath sir , vse a Captaine like a Carrier . Cler. Come , be not furious ; when I haue done You shall make such a Carrier of me If 't be your pleasure : you 're my friend I know , And so am bold with you . Mail. You 'll nothing finde Where nothing is . Cler. Sweare you haue nothing . Mail. Nothing you seeke , I sweare , I beseech you , Know I desir'd this out of great affection , To th' end my Lord may know out of your witnesse , His Forces are not in so bad estate As hee esteem'd them lately in your hearing : For which he would not trust me with the Confines ; But went himselfe to witnesse their estate . Cler. I heard him make that reason , and am sorie I had no thought of it before I made Thus bold with you ; since t is such Ruberb to you . I le therefore search no more . If you are charg'd ( By Letters from the King , or otherwise ) To apprehend me ; neuer spice it more With forc'd tearmes of your loue , but say : I yeeld ; Holde ; take my sword ; here ; I forgiue thee freely ; Take ; doe thine office . Mail. Sfoote , you make m' a hang-man : By all my faith to you , there 's no such thing . Cler. Your faith to mee ? Mail. My faith to God : All 's one , Who hath no faith to men , to God hath none . Cler. In that sense I accept your othe , and thanke you . I gaue my word to goe , and I will goe . Exit Cler. Mail. I le watch you whither . Exit Mail. Mess. If hee goes , hee proues How vaine are mens fore knowledges of things , When heauen strikes blinde their powers of note and vse ; And makes their way to ruine seeme more right , Then that which safetie opens to their sight . Cassandra's prophecie had no more profit With Troyes blinde Citizens , when shee fore-tolde Troyes ruine : which succeeding , made her vse This sacred Inclamation ; God ( said shee ) Would haue me vtter things vncredited : For which now they approue what I presag'd ; They count me wise , that said before I rag'd . Enter Challon with two Souldiers . Chal. Come Souldiers : you are downe-wards fit for lackies ; Giue me your Pieces , and take you these Coates , To make you compleate foot-men : in whose formes You must be compleate Souldiers : you two onely Stand for our Armie . 1 That were much . Chal. T is true , You two must doe , or enter , what our Armie Is now in field for . 2 I see then our guerdon Must be the deede it selfe , t will be such honour : Chal. What fight Souldiers most for ? 1 Honour onely . Chal. Yet here are crownes beside . Ambo. We thanke you Captaine . 2 Now sir , how show wee ? Chal. As you should at all parts . Goe now to Clermont D'Ambois , and informe him , Two Battailes are set ready in his honour , And stay his presence onely for their signall , When they shall ioyne : and that t' attend him hither , Like one wee so much honour , wee haue sent him 1 Vs two in person . Chal. Well sir , say it so . And hauing brought him to the field , when I Fall in with him , saluting , get you both Of one side of his horse , and plucke him downe , And I with th' ambush laid , will second you . 1 Nay , we shall lay on hands of too much strength To neede your secondings . 2 I hope , we shall . Two are enough to encounter Hercules . Chal. T is well said worthy Souldiers : hast , and hast him . Enter Clermont , Maillard close following him . Cler. My Scotch horse to their Armie . Mail. Please you sir ? Cler. Sdeath you 're passing diligent . Mail. Of my soule T is onely in my loue to honour you With what would grace the King : but since I see You still sustaine a iealous eye on mee , I le goe before . Cler. T is well ; I le come ; my hand . Mail. Your hand sir ? Come , your word , your choise be vs'd . Exit . Clermont solus . Cler. I had an auersation to this voyage , When first my Brother mou'd it ; and haue found That natiue power in me was neuer vaine ; Yet now neglected it . I wonder much At my inconstancie in these decrees , I euery houre set downe to guide my life . When Homer made Achilles passionate , Wrathfull , reuengefull , and insatiate In his affections ; what man will denie , He did compose it all of industrie , To let men see , that men of most renowne , Strong'st , noblest , fairest , if they set not downe Decrees within them , for disposing these , Of Iudgement , Resolution , Vprightnesse , And certaine knowledge , of their vse and ends Mishap and miserie no lesse extends To their destruction ; with all that they pris'd , Then to the poorest , and the most despis'd . Enter Renel . Ren. Why , how now friend ? retir'd ? take heede you proue not Dismaid with this strange fortune : all obserue you . Your gouernment 's as much markt as the Kings . What said a friend to Pompey ? Cler. What ? Ren. The people Will neuer know , vnlesse in death thou trie , That thou know'st how to beare aduersitie . Cler. I shall approue how vile I value feare Of death at all times : but to be too rash , Without both will and care to shunne the worst , ( It being in power to doe , well and with cheere ) Is stupid negligence , and worse then feare . Ren. Suppose this true now . Cler. No , I cannot doo 't . My sister truely said ; there hung a taile Of circumstance so blacke on that supposure , That to sustaine it thus , abhorr'd our mettall . And I can shunne it too , in spight of all : Not going to field : and there to , being so mounted As I will , since I goe . Ren. You will then goe ? Cler. I am engag'd both in my word , and hand ; But this is it , that makes me thus retir'd , To call my selfe t' account , how this affaire Is to be manag'd if the worst should chance : With which I note , how dangerous it is , For any man to prease beyond the place , To which his birth , or meanes , or knowledge ties him ; For my part , though of noble birth my birth-right Had little left it , and I know t is better To liue with little ; and to keepe within A mans owne strength still , and in mans true end , Then runne a mixt course . Good and bad hold neuer Any thing common : you can neuer finde Things outward care , but you neglect your minde . God hath the whole world perfect made and free ; His parts to th' vse of th'all ; men then that are Parts of that all , must as the generall sway Of that importeth , willingly obay In euery thing without their power to change . Hee that vnpleas'd , to hold his place , will range , Can in no other be contain'd that 's fit , And so resisting th'All , is crusht with it . But he that knowing how diuine a Frame The whole world is : and of it all , can name ( Without selfe-flatterie ) no part so diuine , As hee himselfe ; and therefore will confine Freely , his whole powers , in his proper part , Goes on most God-like . Hee that striues t' inuert The Vniuersals course with his poore way , Not onely dust-like shiuers with the sway , But crossing God in his great worke ; all earth Beares not so cursed , and so damn'd a birth . Ren. Goe , on ; I le take no care what comes of you ; Heauen will not see it ill , how ere it show : But the pretext to see these Battailes rang'd Is much your honour . Cler. As the world esteemes it . But to decide that ; you make me remember An accident of high and noble note , And fits the subiect of my late discourse , Of holding on our free and proper way . I ouer-tooke , comming from Italie , In Germanie , a great and famous Earle Of England ; the most goodly fashion'd man I euer saw : from head to foote in forme Rare , and most absolute ; hee had a face Like one of the most ancient honour'd Romanes , From whence his noblest Familie was deriu'd ; He was beside of spirit passing great , Valiant , and learn'd , and liberall as the Sunne , Spoke and writ sweetly , or of learned subiects , Or of the discipline of publike weales ; And t' was the Earle of Oxford : and being offer'd At that time , by Duke Cassimere , the view Of his right royall Armie then in field ; Refus'd it , and no foote was mou'd , to stirre Out of his owne free fore-determin'd course : I wondring at it , askt for it his reason , It being an offer so much for his honour . Hee , all acknowledging , said , t' was not fit To take those honours that one cannot quit . Ren. T was answer'd like the man you haue describ'd . Cler. And yet he cast it onely in the way , To stay and serue the world . Nor did it fit His owne true estimate how much it waigh'd , For hee despis'd it ; and esteem'd it freer To keepe his owne way straight , and swore that hee Had rather make away his whole estate In things that crost the vulgar , then he would Be frozen vp , stiffe , like a sir Iohn Smith ( His Countrey-man ) in common Nobles fashions ; Affecting , as the end of Noblesse were Those seruile obseruations . Ren. It was strange . Cler. O t is a vexing sight to see a man Out of his way , stalke , proud as hee were in ; Out of his way to be officious , Obseruant , wary , serious , and graue , Fearefull , and passionate , insulting , raging , Labour with iron Flailes , to thresh downe feathers Flitting in ayre . Ren. What one considers this , Of all that are thus out ? or once endeuours , Erring to enter , on mans Right-hand path ? Cler. These are too graue for braue wits : giue them toyes , Labour bestow'd on these is harsh and thriftlesse . If you would Consull be ( sayes one ) of Rome , You must be watching , starting out of sleepes ; Euery way whisking ; gloryfying Plebeians , Kissing Patricians hands , Rot at their dores ; Speake and doe basely ; euery day bestow Gifts and obseruance vpon one or other : And what 's th' euent of all ? Twelue Rods before thee , Three or foure times sit for the whole Tribunall . Exhibite Circean Games ; make publike feasts , And for these idle outward things ( sayes he ) Would'st thou lay on such cost , toile , spend thy spirits . And to be voide of perturbation For constancie : sleepe when thou would'st haue sleepe , Wake when thou would'st wake , feare nought , vexe for nought , No paines wilt thou bestow ? no cost ? no thought ? Ren. What should I say ? as good consort with you , As with an Angell : I could heare you euer . Cler. Well ; in , my Lord , and spend time with my Sister ; And keepe her from the Field with all endeauour ; The Souldiers loue her so ; and shee so madly Would take my apprehension , if it chance , That bloud would flow in riuers . Ren. Heauen forbid ; And all with honour your arriuall speede . Exit . Enter Messenger with two Souldiers like Lackies . Mess. Here are two Lackies sir , haue message to you . Cler. What is your message ? and from whom , my friends ? 1 From the Lieutenant Colonell , and the Captaines , Who sent vs to informe you , that the Battailes Stand ready rang'd , expecting but your presence , To be their honor'd signall when to ioyne , And we are charg'd to runne by , and attend you . Cler. I come . I pray you see my running horse Brought to the backe-gate to mee . Mess. Instantly . Exit Mess. Cler. Chance what can chance mee ; well or ill is equall In my acceptance , since I ioy in neyther ; But goe with sway of all the world together . In all successes , Fortune and the day To mee alike are ; I am fixt , be shee Neuer so fickle ; and will there repose , Farre past the reach of any Dye she throwes . Ex. cum Pediss . Finis Actus tertij .
Actus quarti Scaena prima . Alarum within : Excursions ouer thee Stage . The Lackies running , Maillard following them . Mail. VIllaines , not hold him when ye had him downe . 1 Who can hold lightning ? Sdeath a man as well Might catch a Canon Bullet in his mouth , And spit it in your hands , as take and hold him . Mail. Pursue ; enclose him ; stand , or fall on him , And yee may take him . Sdeath , they make him guards . Exit . Alarum still , and enter Chalon . Chal. Stand Cowards , stand , strike , send your bullets at him . 1 Wee came to entertaine him sir , for honour . 2 Did ye not say so ? Chal. Slaues , hee is a traitor ; Command the horse troopes to ouer-runne the traitor . Exit . Showts within . Alarum still . and Chambers shot off . Then enter Aumall . Aum. What spirit breathes thus , in this more then man , Turnes flesh to ayre possest , and in a storme , Teares men about the field like Autumne leaues ? He turnd wilde lightning in the Lackies hands , Who , though their sodaine violent twitch vnhorst him , Yet when he bore himselfe , their saucie fingers Flew as too hot off , as hee had beene fire . The ambush then made in , through all whose force , Hee draue as if a fierce and fire giuen Canon Had spit his iron vomit out amongst them . The Battailes then , in two halfe-moones enclos'd him , In which he shew'd , as if he were the light , And they but earth , who wondring what hee was ; Shruncke their steele hornes , and gaue him glorious passe , And as a great shot from a towne besieg'd , At foes before it , flyes forth blacke and roring , But they too farre , and that with waight opprest , ( As if disdaining earth ) doth onely grasse , Strike earth , and vp againe into the ayre ; Againe sinkes to it , and againe doth rise , And keepes such strength that when it softliest moues , It piece-meale shiuers any let it proues : So flew braue Clermont forth , till breath forsooke him , Then fell to earth , and yet ( sweet man ) euen then His spirits conuulsions made him bound againe , Past all their reaches ; till all motion spent , His fixt eyes cast a blaze of such disdaine , All stood and star'd , and vntouch'd let him lie , As something sacred fallen out of the skie . A cry within . O now some rude hand hath laid hold on him ! Enter Maillard , Chalon leading Clermont , Captaines and Souldiers following . See , prisoner led , with his bands honour'd more , Then all the freedome he enioy'd before . Mail. At length wee haue you sir . Cler. You haue much ioy too , I made you sport yet , but I pray you tell mee , Are not you periur'd ? Mail. No : I swore for the King . Cler. Yet periurie I hope is periurie . Mail. But thus forswearing is not periurie ; You are no Politician : not a fault , How foule soeuer , done for priuate ends , Is fault in vs sworne to the publike good : Wee neuer can be of the damned crew , Wee may impolitique our selues ( as t' were ) Into the Kingdomes body politique , Whereof indeede we' are members : you misse terme's . Cler. The things are yet the same . Mail. T is nothing so : the propertie is alter'd : Y' are no Lawyer . Or say that othe and othe Are still the same in number , yet their species Differ extreamely , as for flat example , When politique widowes trye men for their turne , Before they wed them , they are harlots then , But when they wed them , they are honest women : So , priuate men , when they forsweare , betray , Are periur'd treachers , but being publique once , That is , sworne-married to the publique good . Cler. Are married women publique ? Mail. Publique good , For marriage makes them , being the publique good , And could not be without them . So I say Men publique , that is , being sworne-married To the good publique , being one body made With the Realmes body politique , are no more Priuate , nor can be periur'd , though forsworne , More then a widow married , for the act Of generation is for that an harlot , Because for that shee was so , being vnmarried : An argument a paribus . Chal. T is a shrow'd one . Cler. Who hath no faith to men , to God hath none : Retaine you that Sir ? who said so ? Mail. T was I . Cler. Thy owne tongue damne thy infidelitie . But Captaines all you know me nobly borne , Vse yee t' assault such men as I with Lackyes . Chal. They are no Lackyes sir , but Souldiers , Disguis'd in Lackyes coates . 1 Sir , wee haue seene the enemie . Cler. Auant yee Rascols , hence . Mail. Now leaue your coates . Cler. Let me not see them more . Aum. I grieue that vertue liues so vndistinguisht From vice in any ill , and though the crowne Of Soueraigne Law ; shee should be yet her foot-stoole , Subiect to censure , all the shame and paine Of all her rigor . Cler. Yet false policie Would couer all , being like offenders hid , That ( after notice taken where they hide ) The more they crouch and stirre , the more are spide . Aum. I vvonder how this chanc'd you . Cler. Some informer , Bloud hound to mischiefe , vsher to the Hangman , Thirstie of honour for some huge state act , Perceiuing me great vvith the vvorthy Guise : And he ( I know not vvhy ) held dangerous , Made me the desperate organe of his danger , Onely vvith that poore colour : t is the common And more then vvhore-like tricke of treacherie , And vermine bred to rapine , and to ruine : For vvhich this fault is still to be accus'd , Since good acts faile , crafts and deceits are vs'd . If it be other neuer pittie mee . Aum. Sir , vve are glad , beleeue it , and haue hope The King vvill so conceit it . Cler. At his pleasure . In meane time , vvhat 's your vvill Lord Lieutenant ? Mail. To leaue your owne horse , and to mount the trumpets . Cler. It shall be done : this heauily preuents My purpos'd recreation in these parts ; Which now I thinke on : let mee begge you sir , To lend me some one Captaine of your Troopes , To beare the message of my haplesse seruice , And miserie , to my most noble mistresse , Countesse of Cambray : to whose house this night I promist my repaire , and know most truely , With all the ceremonies of her fauour , She sure expects mee . Mail. Thinke you now on that ? Cler. On that , sir ? I , and that so worthily , That if the King , in spight of your great seruice , Would send me instant promise of enlargement , Condition I would set this message by , I would not take it , but had rather die . Aum. Your message shall be done sir : I my selfe Will be for you a messenger of ill . Cler. I thanke you sir , and doubt not yet to liue To quite your kindnesse . Aum. Meane space vse your spirit And knowledge for the chearfull patience Of this so strange and sodaine consequence . Cler. Good sir , beleeue that no perticular torture Can force me from my glad obedience To any thing the high and generall cause , To match with his whole Fabricke , hath ordainde , And know yee all ( though farre from all your aymes , Yet worth them all , and all mens endlesse studies ) That in this one thing , all the discipline Of manners , and of manhood is contain'd ; A man to ioyne himselfe with th' Vniuerse , In his maine sway , and make ( in all things fit ) One with that all , and goe on , round as it ; Not plucking from the whole his wretched part , And into straites , or into nought reuert , Wishing the compleate Vniuerse might be Subiect to such a ragge of it as hee : But to consider great necessitie All things as well refract , as voluntarie Reduceth to the prime celestiall cause , Which he that yeelds to with a mans applause , And cheeke , by cheeke , goes ; crossing it , no breath , But like Gods Image , followes to the death , That man is truely wise , and euery thing , ( Each cause , and euery part distinguishing ) In Nature , with enough Art vnderstands , And that full glory merits at all hands , That doth the whole world at all parts adorne , And appertaines to one celestiall borne . Exeunt omnes , Enter Baligny , Renel . Bal. So foule a scandall neuer man sustain'd , Which caus'd by 'th King , is rude and tyrannous : Giue me a place , and my Lieutenant make The filler of it . Ren. I should neuer looke For better of him ; neuer trust a man , For any Iustice , that is rapt with pleasure : To order armes well , that makes smockes his ensignes , And his whole Gouernments sayles : you heard of late , Hee had the foure and twenty wayes of Venerie Done all before him . Bal. T was abhorr'd and beastly . Ren. T is more then natures mightie hand can doe To make one humane and a Letcher too . Looke how a Wolfe doth like a Dogge appeare , So , like a friend is an Adulterer , Voluptuaries , and these belly-gods ; No more true men are , then so many Toads . A good man happy , is a common good ; Vile men aduanc'd liue of the common bloud . Bal. Giue and then take like children . Ren. Bounties are As soone repented as they happen rare . Bal. What should Kings doe , and men of eminent places ; But as they gather , sow gifts to the graces , And where they haue giuen , rather giue againe , ( Being giuen for vertue ) then like Babes and fooles , Take and repent Gifts ; why are wealth and power ? Ren. Power and wealth moue to tyranny , not bountie ; The Merchant for his wealth is swolne in minde , When yet the chiefe Lord of it is the Winde . Bal. That may so chance to our State-Merchants too : Something performed , that hath not farre to goe . Ren. That 's the maine point , my Lord ; insist on that . Bal. But doth this fire rage further ? hath it taken The tender tynder of my wifes sere bloud ? Is shee so passionate ? Ren. So wilde , so mad , Shee cannot liue , and this vnwreakt sustaine . The woes are bloudy that in women raigne . The Sicile gulfe keepes feare in lesse degree ; There is no Tyger , not more tame then shee . Bal. There is no looking home then ? Ren. Home ? Medea With all her hearbs , charmes , thunders , lightning , Made not her presence , and blacke hants more dreadfull . Bal. Come , to the King , if he reforme not all , Marke the euent , none stand where that must fall . Exeunt . Enter Countesse , Rioua , and an Vsher Vsh. Madame , a Captaine come from Clermont D'Ambois Desires accesse to you . Count. And not himselfe ? Vsh. No , Madame . Coun. That 's not vvell . Attend him in . Exit Vsh. The last houre of his promise now runne out And hee breake , some brack in the frame of nature That forceth his breach . Enter Vsher and Aumal . Aum. Saue your Ladiship . Coun. All welcome . Come you from my worthy seruant ? Aum. I , Madame , and conferre such newes from him . Coun. Such newes ? vvhat newes ? Aum. Newes that I wish some other had had the charge of . Coun. O vvhat charge ? vvhat newes ? Aum. Your Ladiship must vse some patience Or else I cannot doe him that desire , He vrg'd vvith such affection to your Graces . Coun. Doe it ; for heauens loue doe it , if you serue His kinde desires , I vvill haue patience . Is hee in health ? Aum. He is . Count. Why , that 's the ground Of all the good estate wee hold in earth ; All our ill built vpon that , is no more Then wee may beare , and should expresse it all . Aum. Madame , t is onely this ; his libertie . Coun. His libertie ! Without that health is nothing . Why liue I , but to aske in doubt of that , Is that bereft him ? Aum. You 'll againe preuent me . Coun. No more , I sweare , I must heare , and together Come all my miserie . I le hold though I burst . Aum. Then madame , thus it fares ; he was enuited By vvay of honour to him , to take view Of all the Powers his brother Baligny Hath in his gouernment ; vvhich rang'd in battailes , Maillard , Lieutenant to the Gouernour , Hauing receiu'd strickt Letters from the King , To traine him to the musters , and betray him , To their supprise , which , with Chalon in chiefe , And other Captaines ( all the field put hard By his incredible valour for his scape ) They haplesly and guiltlesly perform'd , And to Bastile hee 's now led prisoner . Coun. What change is here ? how are my hopes preuented ? O my most faithfull seruant ; thou betraid ? Will Kings make treason lawfull ? Is Societie ( To keepe which onely Kings vvere first ordain'd ) Lesse broke in breaking faith twixt friend and friend , Then twixt the King and Subiect ? let them feare , Kings Presidents in licence lacke no danger . Kings are compar'd to Gods , and should be like them , Full in all right , in nought superfluous ; Nor nothing straining past right , for their right : Raigne iustly , and raigne safely . Policie Is but a Guard corrupted , and a way Venter'd in Desarts , vvithout guide or path . Kings punish Subiects errors vvith their owne . Kings are like Archers , and their Subiects , shafts : For as when Archers let their arrowes flye , They call to them , and bid them flye or fall , As if t were in the free power of the shaft To flye or fall , when onely t is the strength , Straight shooting , compasse giuen it by the Archer , That makes it hit or misse ; and doing eyther , Hee 's to be prais'd or blam'd , and not the shaft : So Kings to Subiects crying , doe , doe not this ; Must to them by their owne examples strength , The straightnesse of their acts , and equall compasse , Giue Subiects power t' obey them in the like ; Not shoote them forth with faultie ayme and strength , And lay the fault in them for flying amisse , Aum. But for your seruant , I dare sweare him guiltlesse . Count. Hee would not for his Kingdome traitor be ; His Lawes are not so true to him , as he . O knew I how to free him , by way forc'd Through all their armie , I would flye , and doe it : And had I , of my courage and resolue , But tenne such more , they should not all retaine him ; But I will neuer die , before I giue Maillard an hundred slashes with a sword , Chalon an hundred breaches with a Pistoll . They could not all haue taken Clermont D'Ambois , Without their treacherie ; he had bought his bands out With their slaue blouds : but he was credulous ; Hee would beleeue , since he would be beleeu'd ; Your noblest natures are most credulous . Who giues no trust , all trust is apt to breake ; Hate like hell mouth , who thinke not what they speake . Aum. Well , Madame , I must tender my attendance On him againe . Will 't please you to returne No seruice to him by me ? Count. Fetch me straight My little Cabinet . [ Exit Ancil . ] T is little tell him , And much too little for his matchlesse loue : But as in him the worths of many men Are close contracted ; [ Intr. Ancil . ] so in this are Iewels Worth many Cabinets . Here , with this ( good sir ) Commend my kindest seruice to my seruant , Thanke him , with all my comforts ; and , in them With all my life for them : all sent from him In his remembrance of mee , and true loue : And looke you tell him , tell him how I lye She kneeles downe at his feete . Prostrate at feet of his accurst misfortune , Pouring my teares out , which shall euer fall , Till I haue pour'd for him out eyes and all . Aum. O Madame , this will kill him : comfort you With full assurance of his quicke acquitall ; Be not so passionate : rise , cease your teares . Coun. Then must my life cease . Teares are all the vent My life hath to scape death : Teares please me better , Then all lifes comforts , being the naturall seede Of heartie sorrow . As a tree fruit beares , Hee raises her , and leades her out . Exe. So doth an vndissembled sorrow , teares . Vsh. This might haue beene before , and sau'd much charge . Exit . Enter Henry , Guise , Baligny , Esp. Soisson . Pericot with pen , inke , and paper . Guise . Now sir , I hope you 're much abus'd Eyes see In my word for my Clermont , what a villaine Hee was that whisper'd in your iealous eare His owne blacke treason in suggesting Clermonts : Colour'd with nothing but being great with mee , Signe then this writ for his deliuerie , Your hand was neuer vrg'd with worthier boldnesse : Come , pray sir , signe it : why should Kings be praid To acts of Iustice ? t is a reuerence Makes them despis'd , and showes they sticke and tyre In what their free powers should be hot as fire . Hen. Well , take your will sir , I le haue mine ere long . But wherein is this Clermont such a rare one ? Guise . In his most gentle , and vnwearied minde , Rightly to vertue fram'd ; in very nature ; In his most firme inexorable spirit , To be remou'd from any thing hee chuseth For worthinesse ; or beare the lest perswasion To what is base , or fitteth not his obiect ; In his contempt of riches and of greatnesse ; In estimation of th' Idolatrous vulgar ; His scorne of all things seruile and ignoble , Though they could gaine him neuer such aduancement ; His liberall kinde of speaking what is truth , In spight of temporising ; the great rising , and learning of his soule , so much the more Against ill fortune , as shee set her selfe Sharpe against him , or would present most hard , To shunne the malice of her deadliest charge ; His detestation of his speciall friends , When he perceiu'd their tyrannous will to doe , Or their abiection basely to sustaine Any iniustice that they could reuenge ; The flexibilitie of his most anger , Euen in the maine careere and fury of it , When any obiect of desertfull pittie Offers it selfe to him ; his sweet disposure As much abhorring to behold , as doe Any vnnaturall and bloudy action ; His iust contempt of Iesters , Parasites , Seruile obseruers , and polluted tongues : In short , this Senecall man is found in him , Hee may with heauens immortall powers compare , To whom the day and fortune equall are , Come faire or foule , what euer chance can fall , Fixt in himselfe , hee still is one to all . Hen. Showes he to others thus ? Omnes . To all that know him . Hen. And apprehend I this man for a traitor ? Guise . These are your Macheuilian Villaines , Your bastard Teucers , that their mischiefes done , Runne to your shield for shelter : Caucusses , That cut their too large murtherous theueries , To their dens length still : woe be to that state Where treacherie guards , and ruine makes men great . Hen. Goe , take my Letters for him , and release him . Om. Thankes to your Highnesse , euer liue your Highnesse . Exeunt . Bal. Better a man were buried quicke , then liue A propertie for state , and spoile , to thriue . Exit . Enter Clermont , Mail. Chal. with Souldiers . Mail. Wee ioy you take a chance so ill , so well . Cler. Who euer saw me differ in acceptance Of eyther fortune ? Chal. What , loue bad , like good ? How should one learne that ? Cler. To loue nothing outward , Or not within our owne powers to command ; And so being sure of euery thing we loue , Who cares to lose the rest : if any man Would neyther liue nor dye in his free choise , But as hee sees necessitie will haue it , ( Which if hee would resist , hee striues in vaine ) What can come neere him , that hee doth not well , And if in worst euents , his will be done ; How can the best be better ? all is one . Mail. Me thinkes t is prettie . Cler. Put no difference If you haue this , or not this ; but as children Playing at coites , euer regard their game , And care not for their coites ; so let a man The things themselues that touch him not esteeme , But his free power in well disposing them . Chal. Prettie from toyes . Cler. Me thinkes this double disticke Seemes prettily too , to stay superfluous longings : Not to haue want , what riches doth exceede ? Not to be subiect , what superiour thing ? He that to nought aspires , doth nothing neede ; Who breakes no Law is subiect to no King . Mail. This goes to mine eare well I promise you . Chal. O , but t is passing hard to stay one thus . Cler. T is so ; rancke custome raps men so beyond it , And as t is hard , so well mens dores to barre To keepe the cat out , and th' adulterer ; So t is as hard to curbe affections so , Wee let in nought to make them ouer-flow . And as of Homers verses , many Critickes On those stand , of which times old moth hath eaten , The first or last feete , and the perfect parts , of his vnmatched Poeme sinke beneath , With vpright gasping , and sloath dull as death : So the vnprofitable things of life , And those we cannot compasse , we affect ; All that doth profit , and wee haue , neglect , Like couetous , and basely getting men , That gathering much , vse neuer vvhat they keepe ; But for the least they loose , extreamely vveepe , Mail. This prettie talking and our horses walking Downe this steepe hill , spends time with equall profit . Cler. T is well bestow'd on ye , meate and men sicke Agree like this , and you ; and yet euen this Is th' end of all skill , power , wealth , all that is . Chal. I long to heare sir , how your Mistresse takes this . Enter Aumal with a Cabinet . Mail. Wee soone shall know it : see Aumall return'd . Aum. Ease to your bands sir . Cler. Welcome worthy friend . Chal. How tooke his noblest Mistresse your sad message ? Aum. As great rich men take sodaine pouertie , I neuer witness'd a more noble loue , Nor a more ruthfull sorrow : I well wisht Some other had beene master of my message . Mail. Y' are happy sir , in all things , but this one , Of your vnhappy apprehension . Cler. This is to mee , compar'd with her much mone , As one teare is to her whole passion . Aum. Sir , shee commends her kindest seruice to you , And this rich Cabinet . Chal. O happy man . This may enough hold to redeeme your bands . Cler. These clouds I doubt not , will be soone blowne ouer . Enter Baligny with his discharge : Renel , and others . Aum. Your hope is iust and happy , see sir both In both the looks of these . Bal. Here 's a discharge For this your prisoner , my good Lord Lieutenant . Mail Alas , sir , I vsurpe that stile enforc't , And hope you know it was not my aspiring . Bal. Well sir , my wrong aspir'd past all mens hopes . Mail. I sorrow for it sir . Ren. You see sir there Your prisoners discharge autenticall . Mail. It is sir , and I yeeld it him with gladnesse . Bal. Brother , I brought you downe to much good purpose . Cler. Repeate not that sir : the amends makes all : Ren. I ioy in it , my best and worthiest friend , O y'haue a princely fautor of the Guise . Bal. I thinke I did my part to . Ren. Well , sir ; all Is in the issue vvell : and ( vvorthiest Friend ) Here 's from your friend the Guise ; here from the Countesse , Your Brothers Mistresse , the contents vvhereof I know , and must prepare you now to please Th' vnrested spirit of your slaughtered brother , If it be true , as you imagin'd once , His apparition show'd it ; the complot Is now laid sure betwixt vs ; therefore haste Both to your great friend ( vvho hath some vse vvaightie For your repaire to him ) and to the Countesse , Whose satisfaction is no lesse important . Cler. I see all , and vvill haste as it importeth . And good friend , since I must delay a little My wisht attendance on my noblest Mistresse , Excuse me to her , with returne of this , And endlesse protestation of my seruice ; And now become as glad a messenger , As you vvere late a vvofull . Aum. Happy change , I euer vvill salute thee with my seruice Exit . Bal. Yet more newes Brother ; the late iesting Monsieur Makes now your Brothers dying prophesie equall At all parts , being dead as he presag'd . Ren. Heauen shield the Guise from seconding that truth , With what he likewise prophesied on him . Cler. It hath enough , t was grac'd with truth in one , To 'th other falshood and confusion . Leade to 'th Court sir . Bal. You I le leade no more , It was to ominous and foule before . Exeunt . Finis Actus quarti .
Actus quinti Scaena prima . Ascendit Vmbra Bussi . Vmb. VP from the Chaos of eternall night , ( To vvhich the whole digestion of the world Is now returning ) once more I ascend , And bide the cold dampe of this piercing ayre . To vrge the iustice , whose almightie word Measures the bloudy acts of impious men , With equall pennance , who in th' act it selfe Includes th' infliction , which like chained shot Batter together still ; though ( as the thunder Seemes , by mens duller hearing then their sight , To breake a great time after lightning forth , Yet both at one time teare the labouring cloud , ) So men thinke pennance of their ils is slow , Though th' ill and pennance still together goe . Reforme yee ignorant men , your manlesse liues Whose lawes yee thinke are nothing but your lusts ; When leauing but for supposition sake , The body of felicitie ( Religion ) Set in the midst of Christendome , and her head Cleft to her bosome ; one halfe one vvay swaying Another th' other : all the Christian world And all her lawes , vvhose obseruation , Stands vpon faith , aboue the power of reason : Leauing ( I say ) all these , this might suffice , To fray yee from your vicious swindge in ill , And set you more on fire to doe more good : That since the vvorld ( as vvhich of you denies ) Stands by proportion , all may thence conclude , That all the ioynts and nerues sustaining nature , As well may breake , and yet the vvorld abide , As any one good vnrewarded die , Or any one ill scape his penaltie . The Ghost stands close . Enter Guise , Clermont . Gui. Thus ( friend ) thou seest how all good men would thriue , Did not the good thou prompt'st me with preuent , The iealous ill pursuing them in others . But now thy dangers are dispatcht , note mine : Hast thou not heard of that admired voyce , That at the Barricadoes spake to mee , ( No person seene ) Let 's leade ( my Lord ) to Reimes ? Cler. Nor could you learne the person ? Guise . By no meanes . Cler. T was but your fancie then a waking dreame : For as in sleepe , which bindes both th' outward senses , And the sense common to ; th' imagining power ( Stird vp by formes hid in the memories store , Or by the vapours of o'er-flowing humours In bodies full and foule ; and mixt vvith spirits , ) Faines many strange , miraculous images , In which act , it so painfully applyes It selfe to those formes , that the common sense It actuates with his motion ; and thereby Those fictions true seeme , and haue reall act : So , in the strength of our conceits , awake , The cause alike , doth of like fictions make . Guise . Be what it vvill , t was a presage of something Waightie and secret , vvhich th' aduertisements I haue receiu'd from all parts , both vvithout , And in this Kingdome , as from Rome and Spaine Soccaine and Sauoye , giues me cause to thinke , All vvriting that our plots Catastrophe , For propagation of the Catholique cause , Will bloudy proue , dissoluing all our counsailes ? Cler. Retyre then from them all . Guise . I must not doe so . The Arch-Bishop of Lyons tels me plaine I shall be said then to abandon France In so important an occasion : And that mine enemies ( their profit making Of my faint absence ) soone would let that fall , That all my paines did to this height exhale . Cler. Let all fall that would rise vnlawfully : Make not your forward spirit in vertues right , A property for vice , by thrusting on Further then all your powers can fetch you off . It is enough , your will is infinite To all things vertuous and religious , Which within limits kept , may without danger , Let vertue some good from your Graces gather , Auarice of all is euer nothings father . Vmb. Danger ( the spurre of all great mindes ) is euer The curbe to your tame spirits ; you respect not ( With all your holinesse of life and learning ) More then the present , like illiterate vulgars , Your minde ( you say ) kept in your fleshes bounds , Showes that mans will must rul'd be by his power : When ( by true doctrine ) you are taught to liue Rather without the body , then within ; And rather to your God still then your selfe : To liue to him , is to doe all things fitting His Image , in which , like himselfe we liue ; To be his Image , is to doe those things , That make vs deathlesse , which by death is onely ; Doing those deedes that fit eternitie , And those deedes are the perfecting that Iustice , That makes the world last , which proportion is Of punishment and wreake for euery wrong , As well as for right a reward as strong : Away then , vse the meanes thou hast to right The wrong I suffer'd . What corrupted Law Leaues vnperform'd in Kings , doe thou supply , And be aboue them all in dignitie . Exit . Guise . Why stand'st thou still thus , and applyest thine eares , And eyes to nothing ? Cler. Saw you nothing here ? Guise . Thou dream'st , awake now ; what was here to see ? Cler. My Brothers spirit , vrging his reuenge . Guise . Thy Brothers spirit ! pray thee mocke me not . Cler. No , by my loue and seruice . Guise . Would he rise , And not be thundring threates against the Guise ? Cler. You make amends for enmitie to him , With tenne parts more loue , and desert of mee ; And as you make your hate to him , no let Of any loue to mee ; no more beares hee ( Since you to me supply it ) hate to you , Which reason and which Iustice is perform'd In Spirits tenne parts more then fleshy men . To whose fore-sights our acts and thoughts lie open : And therefore since hee saw the treacherie Late practis'd by my brother Baligny , Hee would not honor his hand with the iustice ( As hee esteemes it ) of his blouds reuenge , To which my Sister needes would haue him sworne , Before she would consent to marry him . Guise . O Baligny , who would beleeue there were A man , that ( onely since his lookes are rais'd Vpwards , and haue but sacred heauen in sight ) Could beare a minde so more then diuellish ? As for the painted glory of the countenance , Flitting in Kings , doth good for nought esteeme , And the more ill hee does , the better seeme . Cler. Wee easily may beleeue it , since we see In this worlds practise few men better be . Iustice to liue doth nought but Iustice neede , But Policie must still on mischiefe feede . Vntruth for all his ends , truths name doth sue in ; None safely liue , but those that study ruine . A good man happy , is a common good ; Ill men aduanc'd liue of the common bloud . Guise . But this thy brothers spirit startles mee , These spirits seld or neuer hanting men , But some mishap ensues . Cler. Ensue what can : Tyrants may kill , but neuer hurt a man ; All to his good makes , spight of death and hell . Enter Aumall . Aum. All the desert of good , renowne your Highnesse . Guise . Welcome Aumall . Cler. My good friend , friendly welcome . How tooke my noblest mistresse the chang'd newes ? Aum. It came too late sir , for those loueliest eyes ( Through which a soule look't so diuinely louing , Teares nothing vttering her distresse enough ) She wept quite out , and like two falling Starres Their dearest sights quite vanisht with her teares . Cler. All good forbid it . Guise . What euents are these ? Cler. All must be borne my Lord : and yet this chance Would willingly enforce a man to cast off All power to beare with comfort , since hee sees In this , our comforts made our miseries . Guise . How strangely thou art lou'd of both the sexes ; Yet thou lou'st neyther , but the good of both . Cler. In loue of women , my affection first Takes fire out of the fraile parts of my bloud ; Which till I haue enioy'd , is passionate , Like other louers : but fruition past , I then loue out of iudgement ; the desert Of her I loue , still sticking in my heart , Though the desire , and the delight be gone , Which must chance still , since the comparison Made vpon tryall twixt what reason loues , And what affection , makes in mee the best Euer preferd ; what most loue , valuing lest . Guise . Thy loue being iudgement then , and of the minde , Marry thy worthiest mistresse now being blinde . Cler. If there were loue in mariage so I would ; But I denie that any man doth loue , Affecting vviues , maides , widowes , any women : For neither Flyes loue milke , although they drowne In greedy search thereof ; nor doth the Bee Loue honey , though the labour of her life Is spent in gathering it ; nor those that fat Or beasts , or fowles , doe any thing therein For any loue : for as when onely nature Moues men to meate , as farre as her power rules , Shee doth it with a temperate appetite , The too much men deuoure , abhorring nature ; And in our most health , is our most disease : So , when humanitie rules men and vvomen . T is for societie confinde in reason . But what excites the beds desire in bloud , By no meanes iustly can be construed loue ; For when loue kindles any knowing spirit , It ends in vertue and effects diuine ; And is in friendship chaste , and masculine . Guise . Thou shalt my Mistresse be ; me thinkes my bloud Is taken vp to all loue vvith thy vertues . And howsoeuer other men despise These Paradoxes strange , and too precise , Since they hold on the right way of our reason , I could attend them euer . Come , away ; Performe thy brothers thus importun'd wreake ; And I will see what great affaires the King Hath to employ my counsell , which he seemes Much to desire , and more and more esteemes . Exit . Enter Henry , Baligny , with sixe of the guard . Hen. Saw you his sawcie forcing of my hand To D'Ambois freedome ? Bal. Saw , and through mine eyes Let fire into my heart , that burn'd to beare An insolence so Giantly austere . Hen. The more Kings beare at Subiects hands , the more Their lingring Iustice gathers ; that resembles The waightie , and the goodly-bodied Eagle , Who ( being on earth ) before her shady wings Can raise her into ayre , a mightie way Close by the ground she runnes ; but being aloft , All shee commands , she flyes at ; and the more Death in her Seres beares , the more time shee stayes Her thundry stoope from that on which shee preyes . Bal. You must be then more secret in the waight Of these your shadie counsels , who will else Beare ( where such sparkes flye as the Guise and D'Ambois ) Pouder about them . Counsels ( as your entrailes ) Should be vnpierst and sound kept ; for not those , Whom you discouer , you neglect ; but ope A ruinous passage to your owne best hope . Hen. Wee haue Spies set on vs , as we on others ; And therefore they that serue vs must excuse vs , If what wee most hold in our hearts , take winde , Deceit hath eyes that see into the minde . But this plot shall be quicker then their twinckling , On whose lids Fate , with her dead waight shall lie , And Confidence that lightens ere she die . Friends of my Guard , as yee gaue othe to be True to your Soueraigne , keepe it manfully : Your eyes haue witnest oft th' Ambition That neuer made accesse to me in Guise But Treason euer sparkled in his eyes : Which if you free vs of , our safetie shall You not our Subiects , but our Patrons call . Omnes . Our duties binde vs , hee is now but dead . Hen. Wee trust in it , and thanke ye . Baligny , Goe lodge their ambush , and thou God that art Fautor of Princes , thunder from the skies , Beneath his hill of pride this Gyant Guise . Exeunt . Enter Tamyra with a Letter , Charlotte in mans attire . Tam. I see y' are Seruant , sir , to my deare sister , The Lady of her lou'd Baligny . Char. Madame I am bound to her vertuous bounties , For that life which I offer in her vertuous seruice , To the reuenge of her renowned brother . Tam. She writes to mee as much , and much desires , That you may be the man , whose spirit shee knowes Will cut short off these long and dull delayes , Hitherto to bribing the eternall Iustice : Which I beleeue , since her vnmatched spirit Can iudge of spirits , that haue her sulphure in them ; But I must tell you , that I make no doubt , Her liuing brother will reuenge her dead , On whom the dead impos'd the taske , and hee , I know , will come t' effect it instantly . Char. They are but words in him ; beleeue them not . Tam. See ; this is the vault , where he must enter : Where now I thinke hee is . Enter Renel at the vault , with the Countesse being blinde . Ren. God saue you Lady . What Gentleman is this , with whom you trust The deadly waightie secret of this houre ? Tam. One that your selfe will say , I well may trust . Ren. Then come vp Madame . He helps the Countesse vp . See here honour'd Lady , A Countesse that in loues mishap doth equall At all parts , your wrong'd selfe ; and is the mistresse Of your slaine seruants brother ; in whose loue For his late treachrous apprehension , She wept her faire eyes from her luory browes , And would haue wept her soule out , had not I Promist to bring her to this mortall quarrie , That by her lost eyes for her seruants loue , She might coniure him from this sterne attempt , In which , ( by a most ominous dreame shee had ) Shee knowes his death fixt , and that neuer more Out of this place the Sunne shall see him liue . Char. I am prouided then to take his place , And vndertaking on me . Ren. You sir , why ? Char. Since I am charg'd so by my mistresse , His mournfull sister . Tam. See her Letter sir . Hee reades . Good Madame , I rue your fate , more then mine , And know not how to order these affaires , They stand on such occurrents . Ren. This indeede , I know to be your Lady mistresse hand , And know besides , his brother will , and must Indure no hand in this reuenge but his . Enter Vmbr. Bussy . Vmb. Away , dispute no more ; get vp , and see , Clermont must author this iust Tragedie . Coun. Who 's that ? Ren. The spirit of Bussy . Tam. O my seruant ! let vs embrace . Vmb. Forbeare . The ayre , in which My figures liknesse is imprest , will blast , Let my reuenge for all loues satisfie , In vvhich ( dame ) feare not , Clermont shall not dye : No word dispute more , vp , and see th' euent . Exeunt Ladyes . Make the Guard sure Renel ; and then the doores Command to make fast , when the Earle is in . Exit Ren. The blacke soft-footed houre is now on wing , Which for my iust wreake , Ghosts shall celebrate , With dances dire , and of infernall state . Exit . Enter Guise . Guise . Who sayes that death is naturall , vvhen nature Is with the onely thought of it , dismaid ? I haue had Lotteries set vp for my death , And I haue drawne beneath my trencher one , Knit in my hand-kerchiefe another lot , The word being ; Y' are a dead man if you enter , And these words , this imperfect bloud and flesh , Shrincke at in spight of me ; their solidst part Melting like snow within mee , with colde fire : I hate my selfe , that seeking to rule Kings , I cannot curbe my slaue . Would any spirit Free , manly , Princely , wish to liue to be Commanded by this masse of slauerie , Since Reason , Iudgement , Resolution , And scorne of what we feare , will yeeld to feare ? While this same sincke of sensualitie swels , Who would liue sinking in it ? and not spring Vp to the Starres , and leaue this carrion here , For Wolfes , and Vultures , and for Dogges to teare ? O Clermont D'Ambois , wert thou here to chide This softnesse from my flesh , farre as my reason , Farre as my resolution , not to stirre One foote out of the way , for death and hell . Let my false man by falshood perish here , There 's no way else to set my true man cleere . Enter Messenger . Mess. The King desires your Grace to come to Councill . Guise . I come . It cannot be : hee will not dare To touch me with a treacherie so prophane . Would Clermont now were here , to try how hee Would lay about him , if this plot should be : Here would be tossing soules into the skie . Who euer knew bloud sau'd by treacherie ? Well , I must on , and will ; what should I feare ? Not against two , Alcides ? against two And Hercules to friend , the Guise will goe . He takes vp the Arras , and the Guard enters vpon him : hee drawes . Guise . Holde murtherers . They strike him downe . So then , this is confidence In greatnes , not in goodnes : wher is the king ? The king comes in sight with Es. Sois . & others . Let him appeare to iustifie his deede . In spight of my betrai'd wounds ; ere my soule Take her flight through them , and my tongue hath strength To vrge his tyrannie . Hen. See sir , I am come To iustifie it before men , and God , Who knowes with what wounds in my heart for woe Of your so wounded faith , I made these wounds , Forc't to it by an insolence of force To stirre a stone , nor is a rocke oppos'd To all the billowes of the churlish sea , More beate , and eaten with them , then was I With your ambitious mad Idolatrie ; And this bloud I shed , is to saue the bloud Of many thousands . Guise . That 's your white pretext , But you will finde one drop of bloud shed lawlesse , Will be the fountaine to a purple sea : The present lust , and shift made for Kings liues Against the pure forme , and iust power of Law , Will thriue like shifters purchases ; there hangs A blacke Starre in the skies , to which the Sunne Giues yet no light , will raine a poyson'd shower Into your entrailes , that will make you feele How little safetie lies in treacherous steele . Hen. Well sir , I le beare it ; y'haue a Brother to , Bursts with like threates , the skarlet Cardinall : Seeke , and lay hands on him ; and take this hence , Their blouds , for all you , on my conscience . Exit . Guise . So sir , your full swindge take ; mine , death hath curb'd . Clermont , farewell : O didst thou see but this : But it is better , see by this the Ice Broke to thine owne bloud , which thou wilt despise , When thou hear'st mine shed . Is there no friend here Will beare my loue to him ? Aum. I will , my Lord . Guise . Thankes with my last breath : recommend me then To the most worthy of the race of men . Dyes . Exeunt . Enter Monts . and Tamyra . Mont. Who haue you let into my house ? Tam. I , none . Mont. T is false , I sauour the rancke bloud of foes In euery corner . Tam. That you may doe well , It is the bloud you lately shed , you smell . Mont. Sdeath the vault opes . The gulfe opens . Tam. What vault ? hold your sword . Clermont ascends . Cler. No , let him vse it . Mont. Treason , murther , murther . Cler. Exclaime not ; t is in vaine , and base in you , Being one , to onely one . Mont. O bloudy strumpet ! Cler. With what bloud charge you her ? it may be mine As well as yours ; there shall not any else Enter or touch you : I conferre no guards , Nor imitate the murtherous course you tooke ; But single here , will haue my former challenge , Now answer'd single , not a minute more My brothers bloud shall stay for his reuenge , If I can act it ; if not , mine shall adde A double conquest to you , that alone Put it to fortune now , and vse no ods . Storme not , nor beate your selfe thus gainst the dores , Like to a sauage vermine in a trap : All dores are sure made , and you cannot scape , But by your valour , Mont. No , no , come and kill mee . Cler. If you will die so like a beast , you shall , But when the spirit of a man may saue you , Doe not so shame man , and a Noble man . Mont. I doe not show this basenesse , that I feare thee , But to preuent and shame thy victory , Which of one base is base , and so I le die . Cler. Here then . Mon. Stay , hold , one thought hath harden'd me , He starts vp . And since I must afford thee victorie , It shall be great and braue , if one request Thou wilt admit mee . Cler. What 's that ? Mont. Giue me leaue To fetch and vse the sword thy Brother gaue mee When he was brauely giuing vp his life . Cler. No , I le not fight against my brothers sword , Not that I feare it , but since t is a tricke , For you to show your backe . Mont. By all truth , no : Take but my honourable othe , I will not . Cler. Your honourable othe , plaine truth no place has Where othes are honourable . Tam. Trust not his othe . Hee will lie like a Lapwing , when shee flyes Farre from her sought nest , still here t is shee cryes . Mont. Out on thee damme of Diuels , I will quite Disgrace thy braues conquest , die , not fight . Lyes downe . Tam. Out on my fortune to wed such an abiect . Now is the peoples voyce , the voyce of God ; Hee that to wound a vvoman vants so much , ( As hee did mee ) a man dares neuer touch . Cler. Reuenge your wounds now madame , I resigne him Vp to your full vvill , since hee will not fight . First you shall torture him ( as hee did you , And Iustice wils ) and then pay I my vow . Here , take this Ponyard . Mont. Sinke Earth , open Heauen , And let fall vengeance . Tam. Come sir , good sir hold him . Mont. O shame of women , whither art thou fled ! Cler. Why ( good my Lord ) is it a greater shame For her then you ? come , I will be the bands You vs'd to her , prophaning her faire hands . Mont. No sir , I le fight now , and the terror be Of all you Champions to such as shee . I did but thus farre dally : now obserue , O all you aking fore-heads that haue rob'd , Your hands of weapons , and your hearts of valour , Ioyne in mee all your rages , and rebutters , And into dust ram this same race of Furies , In this one relicke of the Ambois gall , In his one purple soule shed , drowne it all . Fight . Mont. Now giue me breath a while . Cler. Receiue it freely . Mont. What thinke y'a this now ? Cler. It is very noble . Had it beene free ( at least ) and of your selfe , And thus wee see ( where valour most doth vant ) What t is to make a coward valiant . Mont. Now I shall grace your conquest . Cler. That you shall . Mont. If you obtaine it . Cler. True sir , t is in fortune . Mont. If you were not a D'Ambois , I would scarce Change liues with you , I feele so great a change In my tall spirits breath'd , I thinke , with the breath A D'Ambois breathes here , and necessitie ( With whose point now prickt on , and so , vvhose helpe My hands may challenge , that doth all men conquer , If shee except not you , of all men onely ) May change the case here . Cler. True as you are chang'd , Her power in me vrg'd , makes y'another man , Then yet you euer were . Mont. Well , I must on . Cler. Your Lordship must by all meanes . Mont. Then at all . Fights , and D'Ambois hurts him . Charlotte aboue . Char. Death of my father : what a shame is this , Sticke in his hands thus ? Ren. Gentle sir forbeare . Coun. Is he not slaine yet ? She gets downe . Ren. No Madame , but hurt in diuers parts of him . Mont. Y'haue giuen it me , And yet I feele life for another vennie , Enter Charlotte . Cler. What would you sir ? Char. I would performe this Combat . Cler. Against which of vs ? Char. I care not much if t were Against thy selfe : thy sister would haue sham'd , To haue thy Brothers wreake with any man ( In single combat ) sticke so in her fingers . Cler. My Sister ? know you her ? Tam. I sir , shee sent him , With this kinde Letter , to performe the vvreake Of my deare Seruant . Cler. Now alas good sir , Thinke you you could doe more ? Char. Alas ? I doe , And wer 't not , I , fresh , sound , should charge a man Weary , and vvounded , I would long ere this , Haue prou'd what I presume on . Cler. Y'haue a minde Like to my Sister , but haue patience now , If next charge speede not , I le resigne to you . Mont. Pray thee let him decide it . Cler. No , my Lord , I am the man in fate , and since so brauely Your Lordship stands mee , scape but one more charge , And on my life , I le set your life at large . Mont. Said like a D'Ambois , and if now I die , Sit ioy and all good on thy victorie . Fights , and fals downe . Mon. Farewell , I hartily forgiue thee . Wife , And thee , let penitence spend thy rest of life . Hee giues his hand to Cler. and his Wife . Cler. Noble and Christian . Tam. O it breakes my heart . Cler. And should , for all faults found in him before , These words , this end , makes full amends and more . Rest worthy soule , and vvith it the deare spirit Of my lou'd Brother , rest in endlesse peace : Soft lie thy bones Heauen be your soules abode , And to your ashes be the earth no lode . Musicke , and the Ghost of Bussy enters , leading the Ghost of the Guise ; Monsieur , Cardinall Guise , and Shattilion , they dance about the dead body , and Exeunt . Cler. How strange is this ? the Guise amongst these spirits , And his great Brother Cardinall , both yet liuing , And that the rest vvith them , vvith ioy thus celebrate This our reuenge ? This certainely presages Some instant death both to the Guise and Cardinall . That the Shattilians Ghost to should thus ioyne In celebration of this iust reuenge , With Guise , that bore a chiefe stroke in his death , It seemes that now he doth approue the act , And these true shadowes of the Guise and Cardinall , Fore-running thus their bodies , may approue That all things to be done , as here wee liue , Are done before all times in th' other life . That Spirits should rise in these times yet are fables ; Though learnedst men hold that our sensiue spirits A little time abide about the graues Of their deceased bodies ; and can take In colde condenc't ayre , the same formes they had , When they were shut vp in this bodies shade . Enter Aumall . Aum. O Sir , the Guise is slaine . Cler. Auert it Heauen . Aum. Sent for to Councill , by the King , an ambush ( Lodg'd for the purpose ) rusht on him , and tooke His Princely life ; who sent ( in dying then ) His loue to you , as to the best of men . Cler. The worst , and most accurst of things creeping On earths sad bosome . Let me pray yee all A little to forbeare , and let me vse Freely mine owne minde in lamenting him . I le call yee straight againe . Aum. We will forbeare , and leaue you free sir . Exeunt . Cler. Shall I liue , and hee Dead , that alone gaue meanes of life to me ? There 's no disputing with the acts of Kings , Reuenge is impious on their sacred persons : And could I play the worldling ( no man louing Longer then gaine is reapt , or grace from him ) I should suruiue , and shall be wondred at , ( Though in mine owne hands being ) I end with him : But Friendship is the Sement of two mindes , As of one man the soule and body is , Of which one cannot seuer , but the other Suffers a needfull separation . Descend Ren. & Coun. Ren. I feare your seruant , Madame : let 's descend . Cler. Since I could skill of man , I neuer liu'd To please men worldly , and shall I in death , Respect their pleasures , making such a iarre Betwixt my death and life , when death should make The consort sweetest ; th' end being proofe and crowne To all the skill and worth wee truely owne ? Guise , O my Lord , how shall I cast from me The bands and couerts hindring me from thee ? The garment or the couer of the minde , The humane soule is ; of the soule , the spirit The proper robe is ; of the spirit , the bloud ; And of the bloud , the body is the shrowd . With that must I beginne then to vnclothe , And come at th' other . Now then as a ship , Touching at strange , and farre remoued shores ; Her men a shore goe , for their seuerall ends , Fresh water , victuals , precious stones , and pearle , All yet intentiue when ( the master cals , The Ship to put off ready ) to leaue all Their greediest labours , lest they there be left , To theeues , or beasts , or be the Countries slaues : So , now my master cals , my ship , my venture All in one bottome put , all quite put off , Gone vnder saile , and I left negligent , To all the horrors of the vicious time , The farre remou'd shores to all vertuous aimes ; None fauouring goodnesse ; none but he respecting Pietie or man-hood . Shall I here suruiue , Not cast me after him into the sea , Rather then here liue , readie euery houre To feede theeues , beasts , and be the slaue of power ? I come my Lord , Clermont thy creature comes . Hee Kils himselfe . Enter Aumal , Tamyra , Charlotte . Aum. What ? lye and languish , Clermont ? Cursed man To leaue him here thus : hee hath slaine himselfe . Tam. Misery on misery ! O me wretched Dame Of all that breath , all heauen turne all his eyes , In harty enuie , thus on one poore dame . Char. Well done my Brother : I did loue thee euer , But now adore thee : losse of such a friend None should suruiue , of such a Brother ; With my false husband liue , and both these slaine : Ere I returne to him , I le turne to earth . Enter Renel leading the Countesse . Ren. Horror of humane eyes , O Clermont D'Ambois ! Madame , wee staid too long , your seruant 's slaine . Coun. It must be so , he liu'd but in the Guise , As I in him . O follow life mine eyes . Tam. Hide , hide thy snakie head , to Cloisters flie , In pennance pine , too easie t is to die . Cler. It is . In Cloisters then let 's all suruiue . Madame , since wrath nor griefe can helpe these fortunes , Let vs forsake the world , in which they raigne , And for their wisht amends to God complaine . Count. T is fit and onely needfull : leade me on , In heauens course comfort seeke , in earth is none . Exeunt . Enter Henry , Espernone , Soissone , and others . Hen. Wee came indeede too late , which much I rue , And would haue kept this Clermont as my crowne . Take in the dead , and make this fatall roome ( The house shut vp ) the famous D'Ambois Tombe . Exeunt . FINIS .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18421-e107570 {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} , �c . ��possibile est ��n cognoscere ��entem ac vo��nt atem , pri��quam in Ma��stratibus appa��t ��pho Antig. Quo molliu� gunt eoscr� Exit . Simil .
Machine-generated castlist A18421-clermont 163 A18421-baligny 62 A18421-renel 60 A18421-maillard 51 A18421-guise 38 A18421-aumale 36 A18421-monsieur 34 A18421-montsurry 27 A18421-charlotte 26 A18421-chalon 24 A18421-tamyra 23 A18421-countess 17 A18421-henry 16 A18421-messenger 9 A18421-xxxx_1 8 A18421-soldier 5 A18421-umbra 4 A18421-xxxx_2 4 A18421-usher 3 A18421-espernon 3 A18421-omnes 3 A18421-ambois 1 A18421-unassigned 1
Textual Notes

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matt�r and exceeding true Noblesse : as contayning matter no lesse deseruing your reading , and excitation expe�t action , who ( worth the respecting ) will expect it in a Poeme , whose subiect is not truth th'�ordinate and smooth applauses of things ill , Vphold th'inordinate swindge of downe-right power , Iustice , th� downe-right power , Iustice , and truth , that tell the bounded vse , Vertuous , and well distinguisht � so meane , And had their owne swindge so : more free , and more , But when pride enter'd stud�'d ; vertue quite was vanisht , And all men studi'd selfe-loue , fraud , and vice , Then no oug�t rusts vs ; since no vertuous labour Ends ought rewarded : Ease , Securitie Now all the S�e Not showing her before I speake , the bloud She so much thirsts for , freckling hands and Mon�sieur Enter Henry , Monsieur , Guise , Clerm Espernone , Foisson , Monsieur te�th Of his worst thoughts of mee , euen to my teeth ; Discern'd not me his rising soueraigne ha� I thinke you had S�ipe meate to dine with ; if your Partridge , Your Snipe , your Wood-cocke , Larke , or your red s�ie Or did the slie Guise put thee Into my bosome , t'vndermine � I , and you better . You are a Kings sonne borne f��tune No more : Ill fortune . � I , would haue giuen a million to haue heard � Wealthy possessions , when wonne to their hands , They neyther can iudge iustly of their value �ing foole-fat , Checke at all goodnesse there , as being prophan'd : When wheresoeuer goodnesse comes o�tentation . Heard hee an holy brother , For hollow ostentation at his prayers Ne'er so impetuously ; hee �itt'st Reuenge , that euer red sitt'st in the eyes Of iniur'd Ladies , till we Withtedious , when you woo'd . So Souldiers tortur'd With tedious sieges of some wel-wall'd Towne � Sir , your intent , And action too , was rude to enter thus . � They all fight and Bal . driues in Mont . M�nt They all fight and Bal � driues in Mont . T�my. Tamy Exi� Exit Tamy. well�maskt This was a sleight well-maskt . O what is man , Vnlesse he be a Politician molii�� Quo molliu� gunt ��� ��� Quo molii�� gunt eoscr� E�i�t Exit . Simi� Simil . � for their hornes . As these high men doe , low in all true grace , Their height being � one Guise . There is a true tenth Worthy , Who ( did not one act onely blemish him Be�ne faith , nor shame , all hospitable rights Beene broke by Troy , Greece had not made that B�l. Bal. Cl�r.. Cler. mart�all for Clermont , in whose honour , all This martiall preparation wee pretend . M�il.. Mail. A�m.. Aum. H�e must be sure and strong hand : for if once Hee feeles the touch of such a stratageme , ma�acle not the choisest brace of all our Bands Can manacle , or quench his fiery hands . �ery all our Bands Can manacle , or quench his fiery hands . M��l. Mail. Sh�wes with two women attendants , with others : Shewes hauing past within . � You must doe so , If you'll be cald a Gentleman well quallified Dem�trius We haue examples of it , cleare and many . Demetrius Phalerius , an Orator , And ( which not o�t Demetrius Phalerius , an Orator , And ( which not oft meete ) a Philosopher , So great in Athens er�cted Philosopher , So great in Athens grew , that he erected Three hundred Statues of him ; of all which � hundred Statues of him ; of all which , No rust , nor length of time corrupted one ; But in � Maillard . you brothers Leiutenant , that yesterday inu�ted you brothers Leiutenant , that yesterday inuited you to see his Musters ; hath Letters and Cl�r. Cler. besure Madame , be sure there will be time enough For all the Threate�'d Thus merrily firme against an host of men , threaten'd to be armes for his surprise . �twill This is not caus'd by that : twill be as sure As yet it is not , though this fa�re farre be both off as the fact Of my fain'd apprehension � Exit Char . and Ren. vendertake Lord your Brother . Dare I , without him , vndertake your taking ? sham� you , Doe not admit one thought of such a shame To a Commander . Cl�r. Cler. Ma�l. Mail. Cl�r. Cler. Sd�ath Sdeath you're passing diligent . M�il. Mail. M�il. Mail. Y�t That natiue power in me was neuer vaine ; Yet now neglected it . I wonder much At my inconstancie eu�ry much At my inconstancie in these decrees , I euery houre set downe to guide my life . When � Achilles passionate , Wrathfull , reuengefull , and insatiate In his affections ; what man � compose it all of industrie , To let men see , that men of most renowne , Strong'st , noblest � Why , how now friend ? retir'd ? take heede you re�isting no other be contain'd that's fit , And so resisting th'All , is crusht with it . But he that �aw England ; the most goodly fashion'd man I euer saw : from head to foote in forme Rare , and � Noblesse were Those seruile obseruations . K�ssing Euery way whisking ; gloryfying Plebeians , Kissing Patricians hands , Rot at their dores ; th'�uent obseruance vpon one or other : And what's th'euent of all ? Twelue Rods before thee , Three cou�d consort with you , As with an Angell : I could heare you euer . Cl�r. Cler. W�ll Well ; in , my Lord , and spend time with my M�ss. Mess. Cl�r. Cler. B�t my acceptance , since I ioy in neyther ; But goe with sway of all the world together � stand , strike , send your bullets at him . � Showts within . Alarum still . and Chambers shot off . fire� whose force , Hee draue as if a fierce and fire giuen Canon Had spit his iron vomit out terme� Whereof indeede we'are members : you misse terme's � indeede we'are members : you misse terme . � when they wed them , they are honest women : So , priuate men , when they forsweare , � Thirstie of honour for some huge state act , Perceiuing me great vvith the vvorthy Guise M�il. Mail. mis�rie the message of my haplesse seruice , And miserie , to my most noble mistresse , Countesse � , and that so worthily , That if the King , in spight of your great seruice , Would appe�taines the whole world at all parts adorne , And appertaines to one celestiall borne . Giu� caus'd by'th King , is rude and tyrannous : Giue me a place , and my Lieutenant make The do� Tis more then natures mightie hand can doe To make one humane and a Letcher too . Looke � Come , to the King , if he reforme not all , Marke the euent libertie� His libertie! ! Without that health is nothing . Why liue bere�t , but to aske in doubt of that , Is that bereft him ? C�un. Coun. gou�rnment the Powers his brother Baligny Hath in his gouernment ; vvhich rang'd in battailes , Maillard Mail�ard gouernment ; vvhich rang'd in battailes , Maillard , Lieutenant to the Gouernour , Hauing receiu'd re��iu'd Maillard , Lieutenant to the Gouernour , Hauing receiu'd strickt Letters from the King , To traine tr�ine receiu'd strickt Letters from the King , To traine him to the musters , and betray him , To s��pe put hard By his incredible valour for his scape ) They haplesly and guiltlesly perform'd F�ll compar'd to Gods , and should be like them , Full in all right , in nought superfluous ; Nor Hee�s makes it hit or misse ; and doing eyther , Hee's to be prais'd or blam'd , and not the shaft �n all my life for them : all sent from him In his remembrance of mee , and true loue : � quicke acquitall ; Be not so passionate : rise , cease your teares . inck� Baligny , Esp. Soisson . Pericot with pen , inke , and paper . Guis� Guise . sho�� Seruile obseruers , and polluted tongues : In short , this Senecall man is found in him , Hee ��� may with heauens immortall powers compare , To whom the day and fortune equall are , Come faire Fix� faire or foule , what euer chance can fall , Fixt ��� himselfe , hee still is one to all . ��� foule , what euer chance can fall , Fixt in himselfe , hee still is one to all . Om�es Omnes . grea� Where treacherie guards , and ruine makes men great . Exeuent Exeunt . Ma�l. Mail. � imagin'd once , His apparition show'd it ; the complot Is now laid sure betwixt vs A�m. Aum. �uer Happy change , I euer vvill salute thee with my seruice � lawes yee thinke are nothing but your lusts ; When leauing but for supposition sake , the�ce you denies ) Stands by proportion , all may thence conclude , That all the ioynts and nerues G�i.. Gui. dispatc�t them in others . But now thy dangers are dispatcht , note mine : Hast thou not heard of that Cl�r. Cler. � passionate , Like other louers : but fruition past , I then loue out of iudgement ; the desert Fly�s maides , widowes , any women : For neither Flyes loue milke , although they drowne In greedy � gathering it ; nor those that fat Or beasts , or fowles , doe any thing therein For any Le��ire Saw , and through mine eyes Let fire into my heart , that burn'd to beare en��ailes ) Pouder about them . Counsels ( as your entrailes ) Should be vnpierst and sound kept ; for � dead , On whom the dead impos'd the taske , and hee , I know , will come t'effect it R�n. Ren. � in loues mishap doth equall At all parts , your wrong'd selfe ; and is the mistresse auchthor no more ; get vp , and see , Clermont must author this iust Tragedie . natur� Who sayes that death is naturall , vvhen nature Is with the onely thought of it , dismaid F�ee cannot curbe my slaue . Would any spirit Free , manly , Princely , wish to liue to be �alse of the way , for death and hell . Let my false man by falshood perish here , There's no � See sir , I am come To iustifie it before men , and E�eunt Dyes. Exeunt . ha� Your honourable othe , plaine truth no place has Where othes are honourable . be�ne It is very noble . Had it beene free ( at least ) and of your selfe , And challege prickt on , and so , vvhose helpe My hands may challenge , that doth all men conquer , If shee except Sha�tilion Guise ; Monsieur , Cardinall Guise , and Shattilion , they dance about the dead body , and Exeunt A�m. Aum. rusht�on King , an ambush ( Lodg'd for the purpose ) rusht on him , and tooke His Princely life ; who �etwixt Respect their pleasures , making such a iarre Betwixt my death and life , when death should make ey�s Horror of humane eyes , O Clermont D'Ambois ! Madame , wee staid �ue Wee came indeede too late , which much I rue , And would haue kept this Clermont as my
A18407 ---- Eastward Ho Chapman, George; Jonson, Ben; Marston, John This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18407 of text S107691 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4971). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn Yixin Xiao This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18407.xml Eastward hoe. As it was playd in the Black-friers. By the Children of her Maiesties Reuels. Made by George Chapman. Ben: Ionson. Ioh: Marston. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 36 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2007 January (TCP phase 1) 99843387 STC (2nd ed.) 4971. Greg, I, 217(aII). 8117 A18407

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Eastward hoe. As it was playd in the Black-friers. By the Children of her Maiesties Reuels. Made by George Chapman. Ben: Ionson. Ioh: Marston. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Jonson, Ben, 1573?-1637. Marston, John, 1575?-1634. [72] p. Printed [by George Eld] for William Aspley, At London : 1605. 1605

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-I4 (||-E3,4).

A later state of STC 4970, with leaves E3,4 cancels; E3v catchword reads: rously.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18407 shc Eastward Ho Chapman, George Jonson, Ben Marston, John Nayoon Ahn Yixin Xiao 1605 play comedy shc no A18407 S107691 (STC 4971). 31007 0 0 0 203290.9F The rate of 290.9 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

EASTVVARD HOE . As It was playd in the Black-friers . By The Children of her Maiesties Reuels

Made by GEO : CHAPMAN . BEN : IONSON . ION : MARSTON .

AT LONDON Printed for William Aspley . 1605 .

PROLOGVS . NOt out of Envy , for ther 's no effect Where there 's no cause ; nor out of Imitation For we haue euermore bin Imitated ; Nor out of our contention to doe better Then that which is opposde to ours in Title , For that was good ; and better cannot be : And for the Title if it seeme affected We might as well haue calde it , God you good Even : Onely that East-ward ; west-wards still exceedes , Honour the Sunnes faire rising , not his setting ; Nor is our Title vtterly enforste , As by the points we touch at , you shall see ; Beare with our willing paines , if dull or witty , We onely dedicate it to the Citty .
EAST-WARD HOE .
Actus primi , Scena prima . Enter Maister Touch-stone , and Quick-siluer at Seuerall dores , Quick-siluer with his hat , pumps , short sword and dagger , and a Racket trussed vp vnder his cloake . At the middle dore , Enter Golding discouering a Gold-smiths shoppe , and walking short turns before it . Touch-stone .

AND whether with you now ? what loose action are you bound for ? come what comrades are you to meete withall ? wher 's the supper ? wher 's the supper ? wher 's the randeuous ?

Quick.

Indeed , and in very good sober truth , Sir .

Touch.

Indeed , and in very good sober truth Sir ? Behinde my backe thou wilt sweare faster then a french foot boy , and talke more bawdily then a common midwife , and now indeede and in very good sober truth Sir : but if a priuie search should be made , with what furniture are you riggd now ? Sirrah I tell thee , I am thy maister William Tutchstone Goldsmith : and thou my Prentise Francis Quick-siluer : and will see whether you are running . Worke vpon that now .

Quick.

Why Sir I hope a man may vse his recreation with his maisters profit .

Touch.

Prentises recreations are seldome with their maisters profit . Worke vpon that now . You shall giue vp your cloake tho you be no Alderman . Heyday , Ruffins hall . Sword , pumps , heer 's a Racket indeed . Touch . vncloakes Quick .

Quick.

Worke vpon that now .

Touch.

Thou shamlesse Varlet dost thou iest at thy lawfull maister contrary to thy Indentures ?

Quick.

Why zbloud sir , my mother 's a Gentlewoman : and my father a Iustice of Peace , and of Quorum , and tho I am a yonger brother and a prentise yet I hope I am my fathers sonne : and by Gods lidde , t is for your worship and for your commoditie that I keepe companie . I am intertaind among gallants , true : They call me coozen Franke , right ; I lend them monnies , good ; they spend it , well . But when they are spent , must not they striue to get more ? must not their land flye ? and to whom ? shall not your worship ha , the refusall ? well , I am a good member of the Citty if I were well considered . How would Morchants thriue , if Gentlemen would not be vnthriftes ? How could Gentlemen be vnthrists if their humours were not fed ? How should their humours be fedde but by whit meate , and cunning secondings ? well , the Cittie might consider vs . I am going to an Ordinary now ; the gallants fall to play , I carry light golde with me : the gallants call coozen Francke some golde for siluer , I change , gaine by it , the gallants loose the gold ; and then call coozen Francke lend me some siluer . Why �

Tou.

Why ? I cannot tell , seue� score pound art thou out in the cash , but looke to it , I will not be gallanted out of my monies . And as for my rising by other mens fall ; God shield me . Did I gaine my wealth by Ordinaries ? no : by exchanging of gold ? no : by keeping of gallants company ? no . I hired me a little shop , fought low , tooke small gaine , kept no debt booke , garnished my shop for want of Plate , with good wholsome thriftie sentences ; As , Touchstone , keepe thy shopp , and thy shoppe will keepe thee . Light gaines makes heauy purses . T is good to be merry and wise : And when I was wiu'd , hauing something to stick too , I had the horne of Suretiship euer before my eyes : You all know the deuise of the Horne , where the young fellow slippes in at the Butte end , and comes squesd out at the Buckall : and I grew vp , and I praise prouidence , I beare my browes now as high as the best of my neighbours : but thou-well looke to the accounts , your fathers bond lyes for you : seuen score pound is yet in the reere .

Quick.

Why Slid sir , I haue as good , as proper gallants wordes for it as any are in London , Gentlemen of good phrase , perfect language , passingly behau'd , Gallants that weare socks and cleane linnen , and call me kinde coozen Francke , good coozen Francke , for they know my Father ; and by god ; lidde shall not I trust hem ? not trust ?

Enter a Page as inquiring for Touch-stones Shoppe . Golding .

What doe yee lacke Sir ? What i st you 'le buye Sir ?

Touch-stone .

I marry Sir , there 's a youth of another peece . There 's thy fellowe-Prentise , as good a Gentleman borne as thou art : nay , and better mean'd . But dos he pumpe it , or Racket it ? Well , if he thriue not , if he out-last not a hundred such crackling Bauins as thou art , God and men neglect industrie .

Gold.

It is his Shop , and here my M. walkes . To the Page .

Touch.

With me Boy ?

Page .

My Maister , Sir Petronel Flash , recommends his loue to you , and will instantly visite you ,

Touch.

To make vp the match with my eldest daughter , my wiues Dilling , whom she longs to call Maddam . He shall finde me vnwillingly readie Boy . Exit Page .

Ther 's another afliction too . As I haue two Prentises : the one of a boundlesse prodigalitie , the other of a most hopefull Industrie . So haue I onely two daughters : the eldest , of a proud ambition and nice wantonnesse : the other of a modest humilitie and comely sobernesse . The one must bee Ladyfied forsooth : and be attir'd just to the Court-cut , and long tayle . So farre is she ill naturde to the place and meanes of my preferment and fortune , that shee throwes all the contempt and dispight , hatred it selfe can cast vpon it . Well , a peece of Land she has , t' was her Grandmothers gift : let her , and her Sir Petronel , flash out that . But as for my substance , shee that skornes mee , as I am a Citizen and Trades-man , shall neuer pamper her pride with my industrie : shall neuer vse me as men doe Foxes ; keepe themselues warme in the skinne , and throwe the body that bare it to the dung-hill . I must goe intertaine this Sir Petronell . Goulding , My vtmost care 's for thee , and onely trust in thee , looke to the shoppe , as for you , Maister Quick-siluer , thinke of huskes , for thy course is running directly to the prodigaills hogs trough . huskes Sra. Works vpon that now .

Exit . Tuch . Quick.

Mary sough goodman flat-cap : Sfoot tho I am a prentise I can giue armes , and my father 's a iustice a peace by discent : and zbloud �

Goul.

Fye how you sweare .

Qui.

Sfoot man I am a Gentleman , and may sweare by my pedegree , God 's my life . Sirrah Goulding , wilt be ruled by a foole ? turne good fellow , turne swaggering gallant , and let the Welkin roare , and Erebus also : Looke not Westward to the fall of Don Phoebus , but to the East ; Eastward Hoe , " Where radiant beames of lusty Sol appeare , " And bright Eovs makes the welkin cleare . We are both Gentlemen , and therefore should be no coxcombes : le ts be no longer fooles to this flat-cap Touchstone . Eastward Bully : this Sattin belly , & Canuas backt Touchstone ; Slife man his father was a Malt-man , and his mother sould Ginger-bread in Christ-church .

Goul.

What would yee ha me doe ?

Quick.

Why do nothing , be like a gentleman , be idle the cursse of man is labour . Wipe thy bum with testones , & make Duckes and Drakes with shillings : What Eastward hoe . Wilt thou crie , what i st yee lack ? stand with a bare pate , and a dropping nose , vnder a wodden pent-house , and art a gentleman ? wilt thou beare Tankards , and maist beare Aimes ? be rul'd , turne gallant , Eastward hoe , ta lyre , lyre , ro . , Who calls Ieronimo ? speake here I am : gods so , how like a sheepe thou lookst , a my conscience some cowheard begot thee , thou Goulding of Goulding-hall , ha boy ?

Gou.

Goe , yee are a prodigall coxcombe , I a cowheards sonne , because I turne not a drunke� whore-hunting rake-hell like thy selfe ? Offers to draw , & Goulding trips vp his heeles and holds him .

Quick.

Rakehell ? rakehell ?

Goul.

Pish , in soft termes yee are a cowardly bragging boy . I le ha you whipt .

Quic.

Whipt , that 's good ifaith , vntrusse me ?

Goul.

No , thou wilt vndoe thy selfe . Alas I behold thee with pitty , not with anger ; thou common shot-clog , gull of all companies : mee thinkes I see thee already walking in Moore fields without a Cloake , with halfe a Hatte , without a band , a Doublet with three Buttons , without a girdle , a hose with one point and no Garter , with a cudgell vnder thine arme borrowing and begging three pence .

Quic.

Nay Slife , take this and take all : as I am a Gentleman borne , I le be drunke , grow valiant , and beate thee . Exit .

Goul.

Goe thou most madly vaine , whom nothing can recouer but that which reclaimes Athiests , and makes great persons sometimes religious : Calamitie . As for my place and life thus I haue read :

What ere some vainer youth may terme disgrace , The gaine of honest paines is neuer base : From trades from artes , from valor honor springs , These three are founts of gentry , yea of Kings .
Enter Girtred , Mildrid , Bettrice , and Poldauy a Taylor , Poldauy with a faire gowne , Scotch Varthing all , and French fall in his armes , girted in a French head attire , & Cittizens gowne ; Mildred sowing , & Bettrice leading a Monkey after her . Gir.

For the passion of patience , looke if sir Petronell approach ; that sweet , that fine , that delicate , that � for loues sake tell me if he come . O sister Mill , though my father be a low capt tradsman , yet I must be a Lady : and I praise God my mother must call me Medam , ( does he come ? ) off with this gowne for shames sakes , off with this gowne : let not my Knight take me in the Citty cut in any hand : tear 't , pax on t ( does he come ) tear 't of . Thus whilst shee sleepes I sorrow , for her sake , &c.

Mil.

Lord sister , with what an immodest impaciencie and disgracefull scorne , doe you put off your Citty tier : I am sorrie to thinke you imagin to right your selfe , in wronging that which hath made both you and vs .

Gir.

I tell you I cannot indure it , I must be a Lady : do you weare your Quoiffe with a London licket ; your Stammell petticoate with two guardes , the Buffin gowne with the Tuftaffitic cape , and the Veluet lace . I must be a Lady , and I will be a Lady . I like some humors of the Cittie Dames well , to eate Cherries onely at an Angell a pound , good ; to dye rich Scarlet black , pretty : to line a Grogaram gowne cleane thorough with veluet , tollerable ; their pure linnen , their smocks of 3. li. a smock are to be borne withall . But your minsing niceryes , taffata pipkins , durance petticotes , & siluer bodkins : � Gods my life , as I shall be a Lady I cannot indure it . Is hee come yet ? Lord what a long knight t is ! And euer shee cride shoute home , and yet I knew one longer , and euer she cryde shoute home , fa , la , ly , re , lo , la .

Mil.

Well Sister , those that scorne their nest , oft flye with a sicke wing .

Gir.

Boe-bell .

Mil.

Where Titles presume to thrust before fit meanes to second them , Wealth and respect often growe sullen and will not follow . For sure in this , I would for your sake I spake not truth . Where ambition of place goes before fitnesse of birth , contempt and disgrace follow . I heard a Scholler once say , that Ulisses when he counterfeited himselfe madde , yoakt cattes , and foxes , and dogges togither to draw his plowe , whilst he followed and sowed salt : But sure I judge them truely madde , that yoake citizens and courtiers , trades men and souldiers , a gold-smiths daughter and a knight : well sister , pray God my father sowe not salt too .

Gir.

Alas , poore Mil . when I am a Lady , I le pray for thee yet I faith : Nay , and I le vouchsafe to call thee sister Mil still , for though thou art not like to be a Lady as I am , yet sure thou art a creature of Gods making ; and mayest paraduenture to bee sau'd as soone as I , ( dos he come ? ) And euer and anon she doubled in her song .

Now ( Ladyes my comfort ) What a prophane Ape 's here ! Tailer , Poldavis , prethee fit it fit it : is this a right Scot ? Does it clip close ? and beare vp round ?
Pold.

Fine and stifly i faith , t will keepe your thighes so coole and make your waste so small : here was a fault in your bodie , but I haue supplyed the defect , with the effect of my steele instrument which , though it haue but one eye , can see to rectifie the imperfection of the proportion .

Gir.

Most aedefying Tailer ! I protest you Tailers are most sanctified members , and make many crooked thing goe vpright . How must I beare my hands ? light ? light ?

Pold.

O I , now you are in the Lady-fashion , you must doe all things light . Tread light , light . I and fall so : that 's the court-Amble . She trips about the stage .

Gir.

Has the Court nere a trot ?

Pold.

No , but a false gallop , Ladie .

Gir.

And if she will not goe to bed Cantat .

Bett.

The knights come forsooth .

Enter Sir Petronell , M. Touch-stone , and Mistris Touchstone . Gir.

Is my knight come ? O the Lord . my band ? Sister doo my cheekes looke well ? giue me a little boxe a the eare that I may see me to blush : now , now . So , there , there , there ! here he is : O my dearest delight , Lord , Lord , and how doe my Knight ?

Touch:

Fye , with more modestie .

Gir.

Modestie ! why I am no cittizen now , modestie ? am I not to bee married ? y' are best to keepe me modest now I am to be a Ladie .

Sir Petro.

Boldnes is good fashion and courtlike .

Gir.

I , in a countrie Ladie I hope it is : as I shall be . And how chaunce ye came no sooner knight ?

Sir Petro.

Faith , I was so intertaind in the Progresse with one Count Epernoum a welch knight : wee had a match at Baloone too , with my Lord Whachum , for foure crownes .

Gir.

At Baboone ? Iesu ! you and I will play at Baboone in the countrey ? Knight .

Sir Pet.

O sweet Lady : t is a strong play with the arme .

Gir.

With arme , or legge , or any other member , if it bee a court-sport . And when shal 's be married my Knight ?

Sir Pet.

I come now to consumate it ; and your father may call a poore Knight , Sonne in Law .

M. Touch.

Sir , ye are come , what is not mine to keepe , I must not be sorry to forgoe : A 100. li. Land her Grandmother left her , t is yours , her selfe ( as her mothers gift ) is yours . But if you expect ought from me , know , my hand and mine eyes open together ; I doe not giue blindly : Worke vpon that now .

Sir Pet.

Sir , you mistrust not my meanes ? I am a Knight .

Touch.

Sir , Sir ; What I know not , you will giue me leaue to say , I am ignorant of .

Mistris Touch.

Yes , that he is a Knight ; I know where he had money to pay the Gentlemen Vshers , and Heralds their Fees . I , that he is a Knight : and so might you haue beene too , if you had beene ought else then an Asse , aswell as some of your neighbours . And I thought you would not ha beene Knighted , ( as I am an honest woman ) I would ha dub'd you my self , I praise God I haue wherewithall . But as for you daughter . �

Gir.

I mother , I must bee a Ladie to morrow : and by your leaue mother ( I speake it not without my dutie , but onely in the right of my husband ) I must take place of you , Mother .

Mistris Touch.

That you shall Lady-daughter , and haue a Coach as well as I too .

Cir.

Yes mother . But by your leaue mother , ( I speake it not without my dutie but onely in my husbands right ) my Coach-horses must take the wall of your Coach-horses .

Touch-stone .

Come , come , the day growes low : t is supper time ; vse my house the wedding solemnitie is at my wifes cost ; thanke mee for nothing but my willing blessing : for ( I cannot faine ) my hopes are faint . And Sir , respect my daughter , shee has refus'd for you wealthy and honest matches , knowne good men , well monied , better traded , best reputed .

Gir.

Boddy a truth , Chittizens , Chittizens . Sweet Knight , as soone as euer wee are married , take mee to to thy mercie out of this miserable Chittie , presently , carry me out of the sent of New-castle Coale , and the hearing of Boe-bell , I beseech thee downe with me for God sake .

Touch.

Well daughter , I haue read , that olde wit sings :

The greatest riuers flow from little springs . Though thou art full , skorne not thy meanes at first , He that 's most drunke may soonest be a thirst . Worke vpon that now . All but Touch-stone , Mildred , and Goulding depart .

No , no ; yon'd stand my hopes .

Milared ,

Come hither daughter . And how approue you your sisters fashion ? how doe you phantsie her cho yee ? what dost thou thinke ?

Mil

I hope as a sister , well .

Touch.

Nay but , nay but how dost thou like her behauiour and humour ? speake freely .

Mil.

I am loath to speake ill : and yet I am sorry of this , I cannot speake well .

Touch.

Well : very good , as I would wish : A modest answere � Goulding , come hither : hither Golding . How dost thou like the Knight . Sir Flash ? dos he not looke bigge ? how likst thou the Elephant ? he sayes he has a castle in the Countrey .

Gould .

Pray heauen , the Elephant carry not his Castle on his backe .

Touch.

Fore heauen , very well : But seriously , how dost repute him ?

Gould .

The best I can say of him is , I know him not .

Touch.

Ha Gulding ? I commend thee , I approoue thee , and will make it appeare my affection is strong to thee . My wife has her humour , and I will ha , mine . Dost thou see my daughter here ? shee is not faire , well-fauoured or so , indifferent , which modest measure of beautie , shall not make it thy onely worke to watch her , nor sufficient mischaunce , to suspect her . Thou art towardly , shee is modest , thou art prouident , shee is carefull . Shee 's nowe mine : giue me thy hand , shee 's now thine . Worke vpon that now .

Gould .

Sir , as your sonne , I honour you ; and as your seruant obey you .

Touch.

Sayest thou so , come hither Mildred . Doe you see yon'd fellow ? he is a gentleman ( tho my Prentise ) & has somewhat to take too : a Youth of good hope ; well friended , wel parted . Are you mine ? You are his . Worke ( you ) vpon that now .

Mil.

Sir , I am all yours : your body gaue mee life , your care and loue hapinesse of life : let your vertue still direct it , for to your wisedome I wholy dispose my selfe .

Touch.

Sayst thou so ? be you two better acquainted . Lip her , Lip her knaue . So shut vp shop : in � We must make holiday .

This match shal on , for I intend to prooue Ex. Gol. & Mil. Which thriues the best , the meane or loftie loue . Whether fit Wedlock vowd twixt like and like . Or prouder hopes , which daringly ore strike Their place and meanes : t is honest Times expence . When seeming lightnesse beares a moral sense .

Worke vpon that now . Exit .

Actus secundi . Scena Prima . Touchstone , Quickesiluer , Goulding and Mildred , sitting on eyther side of the stall . Touch.

Quickesiluer , maister Frances Quickesiluer , maister Quickesiluer ? Enter Quickesiluer .

Qui.

Here sir ; ( vmp . )

Touch.

So sir ; nothing but flat Maister Quickesiluer ( without any familiar addition ) will fetch you : will you trusse my points sir ?

Quick.

I forsooth : ( vmp . )

Touch.

How now sir ? the druncken hyckop , so soone this morning ?

Quick.

T is but the coldnesse of my stomack forsooth .

Touch.

What ? haue you the cause naturall for it ? y' are a very learned drunckerd : I beleeue I shall misse some of my siluer spoones with your learning . The nuptiall night will not moisten your throate sufficiently , but the morning likewise must raine her dews into your gluttonous wesand .

Quick.

An 't please you sir , we did but drinke ( vmp , ) to the comming off , of the Knightly Bridegrome .

Touch.

To the comming off an'him ?

Quick.

I forsooth : we druncke to his comming on ( vmp , ) when we went to bed ; and now we are vp , we must drinke to his comming off : for that 's the chiefe honour of a Souldier sir , and therfore we must drinke so much the more to it , forsooth . ( vmp . )

Touch.

A very capitall reason . So that you goe to bed late , and rise early to commit drunkennesse ? you fullfill the Scripture very sufficient wickedly forsooth .

Quick.

The Knights men forsooth be still a their knees at it , ( vmp ) & because t is for your credit sir , I wold be loth to flinch .

Touch.

I pray sir , een to 'hem againe then ; y' are one of the seperated crew , one of my wiues faction , & my young Ladies , with who� & with their great match , I wil haue nothing to do .

Quick.

So sir , now I will go keepe my ( vmp ) credit with 'hem an 't please you sir .

Touch.

In any case Sir , lay one cup of Sack more alyour cold stomack , I beseech you .

Quick.

Yes forsooth . Exit . Quick .

Touch.

This is for my credit Seruants euer maintaine drunkennesse in their maisters house , for their maisters credit ; a good idle Seruing-mans reason : I thanke Time , the night is past ; I nere wakt to such cost ; I thinke we haue stowd more sorts of flesh in our bellies , then euer Noahs Arke receiued : and for Wine , why my house turnes giddie with it , and more noise in it then at a Conduict ; Aye me , euen beasts condemne our gluttonie . Well , 't is our Citties fault , which because we commit seldome , we commit the more sinfully , wee lose no time in our sensualitie , but we make amends for it ; O that we would do so in vertue , and religious negligences ; But see here are all the sober parcels my house can showe , I le cauesdrop , heare what thoughts they vtter this morning .

Enter Goulding . Goul.

But is it possible , that you seeing your sister preferd to the bed of a Knight , should containe your affections in the armes of a Prentice ?

Myl.

I had rather make vp the garment of my affections in some of the same peece , then like a foole weare gownes of two coulours , or mix Sackcloth with Sattin .

Goul.

And doe the costly garments ; the title and fame of a Lady the fashion ; obseruation , and reuerence proper to such preferment , no more enflame you , then such conuenience as my poore meanes and industrie can offer to your vertues ?

Mil.

I haue obseru'd that the bridle giuen to those violent flatteries of fortune , is seldome recouer'd ; they beare one headlong in desire from one noueltie to another : and where those ranging appetites raigne , there is euer more passion then reasons no staye , and so no happinesse . These hastie aduancements are not naturall ; Nature hath giuen vs legges , to goe to our obiects ; not wings to flie to them .

Goul.

How deare an obiect you are to my desires I cannot expresse , whose fruition would my maisters absolute consent and yours vouchsafe me , I should be absolutely happy . And though it were a grace so farre beyond my merit , that I should blush with vnworthinesse to receiue it , yet thus farre both my loue & my meanes shall assure your requitall ; you shall want nothing fit for your birth and education ; what encrease of wealth and aduancement the honest and orderly industrie & skill of our trade will affoorde in any , I doubt not will be aspirde by me ; I will euer make your contenment the end of my endeuours ; I will loue you aboue all ; and onely your griefe shall be my miserie ; and your delight , my felicitie .

Touch.

Worke vpon that now . By my hopes , he woes honestly and orderly ; he shal be Anchor of my hopes . Looke , see the ill yoakt monster his fellow .

Enter Quickesiluer vnlac'd , a towell about his necke , in his flat Cap , drunke . Quick.

Eastward Hoe ; Holla ye pampered Iades of Asia .

Touch.

Drunke now downe right , a , my fidelitie .

Quic.

( Vmp ) pulldo , Pulldo ; showse quoth the Caliuer .

Goul.

Fie fellow Quickesiluer , what a pickle are you in ?

Quic.

Pickle ? pickle in thy throate ; zounes pickle ? wa ha ho , good morow knight Petronell : morow lady Gouldsmith . come of , Knight , with a counterbuff , for the honor of knighthood .

Goul.

Why how now sir ? doe yee know where you are ?

Quic.

Where I am ? why sbloud you loulthead where I am ?

Goul.

Go to , go to , for shame go to bed , and sleepe out this immodestie : thou sham'st both my maister and his house .

Quick.

Shame ? what shame ? I thought , thou wouldst show thy bringing vp : and thou wert a Gentleman as I am , thou wouldst thinke it no shame to be drunke . Lend me some money , saue my credit , I must dine with the Seruing men and their wiues ; and their wiues sirha .

Gou.

E'ene who you will , I le not lend thee three pence .

Quic.

Sfoote lend me some money , hast thou not Hyren here ?

Touch.

Why how now sirha ? what vain 's this , hah ?

Quic.

Who cries on murther ? lady was it you ? how does our maister ? pray thee crie Eastward ho ?

Touch.

Sirha , sirrha , y' are past your hickvp now , I see y' are drunke .

Quic.

T is for your credit maister .

Touch.

And heare you keepe a whore in towne .

Quic.

T is for your credit Maister .

Touch.

And what you are out in Cashe , I know .

Quick.

So do I . my fathers a Gentleman , Worke vpon that now ; Eastward hoe .

Touch.

Sir , Eastward hoe , will make you go Westward ho ; I will no longer dishonest my house , nor endanger my stocke with your licence ; There sir , there 's your Indenture , all your apparell ( that I must know ) is on your back ; and from this time my doore is shut to you : from me be free ; but for other freedome , and the moneys you haue wasted ; Eastward ho , shall not serue you .

Quic.

Am I free a , my fetters ? Rense ; Flye with a Duck in thy mouth : and now I tell thee Touchstone �

Touch.

Good sir .

Quic.

When this eternall substance of my soule ,

Touch.

Well said , chandge your gould ends for your play ends .

Quick.

Did liue imprison'd in my wanton flesh .

Touch.

What then sir ?

Quic.

I was a Courtier in the Spanish court , and Don Andrea was my name .

Touch.

Good maister Don Andrea will you marche ?

Quic.

Sweete Touchstone , will you lend me two shillings ?

Touch.

Not a penny .

Quic.

Not a penny ? I haue friends , & I haue acquaintance , I will pisse at thy shop posts , and throw rotten Egges at thy signe : Worke vpon that now . Exit , staggering .

Touch.

Now sirha , you ? heare you ? you shall serue me no more neither ; not an houre longer .

Goul.

What meane you sir ?

Touch.

I meane to giue thee thy freedome ; & with thy freedome my daughter : & with my daughter a fathers loue . And with all these such a portion , as shall make Knight Petronell himselfe enuie thee : y' are both agreed ? are yee not ?

Ambo.

With all submission , both of thanks and dutie .

Tou.

Well then , the great powre of heaue� blesse & confirme you . And , Goulding , that my loue to thee may not showe lesse then my wiues loue to my eldest daughter ; thy mariage feast shall equall the Knights and hers .

Goul.

Let me beseech you , no Sir , the superfluitie and colde meate left at their Nuptialls , will with bountie furnish ours . The grossest prodigallitie is superfluous cost of the Bellye : nor would I wish any invitement of States or friendes , onely your reuerent presence and witnesse shall sufficiently grace and confirme vs .

Touch.

Sonne to mine owne bosome , take her and my blessing : The nice fondling , my Lady sir-reuerence , that I must not nowe presume to call daughter , is so rauish't with desire to hansell her new Coche , and see her knights Eastward Castle , that the next morning will sweate with her busie setting foorth , awaye will she and her mother , and while their preparation is making , our selues with some two or three other friends will consumate the humble matche , we haue in Gods name concluded .

T is to my wish ; for I haue often read , Fit birth , fit age , keepes long a quiet bed . T is to my wish ; For Tradesmen ( well t is knowne ) Get with more ease , then Gentrie keepes his owne . Exit .
Securitie solus . Secu.

My priuie Guest , lustie Quickesiluer , has drunke too deepe of the Bride-boule , but with a little sleepe he is much recouered ; And I thinke is making himselfe readie , to bee drunke in a gallanter likenes : My house is as t' were the Caue , where the yong Out-lawe hoords the stolne vayles of his occupation ; And here when he will reuell it in his prodigall similitude , he retires to his Trunks , and ( I may say softly ) his Punks : he dares trust me with the keeping of both : for I am Securitie it selfe , my name is Securitie , the famous Vsurer .

Enter Quickesiluer in his Prentises Cote and Cap his gallant Breeches and Stockings , gartering himselfe . Securitie following . Quic.

Come old Securitie , thou father of destruction : th' indented Sheepeskinne is burn'd wherein I was wrapt , and I am now loose , to get more children of perdition into thy vsurous Bonds . Thou feed'st my Lecherie , and I thy Couetousnes : Thou art Pandar to me for my wench , and I to thee for thy coosenages : K. mee , K. thee , runnes through Court and Countrey .

Secu.

Well said my subtle Quickesiluer , These K's ope the dores to all this worldes felicitie : the dullest forehead sees it . Let not mast . Courtier thinke hee carries all the knauery on his shoulders : I haue poore Hob in the countrie , that has worne hob-nayles on 's shoes , haue as much villanie in 's head , as he that weares gold bottons in 's cap .

Quic.

Why man , t is the London high-way to thrift , if vertue bee vsde ; t is but as a scrappe to the nette of villanie . They that vse it simplie , thriue simplie I warrant : Waight and fashion makes Goldsmiths Cockolds .

Enter Syndefie , with Quicke-siluers doublet , Cloake , Rapier , and Dagger . Synd.

Here sir , put of the other halfe of your Prentiship .

Quick. Well sayd sweet Syn : bring forth my brauerie . Now let my Truncks shoote foor their silkes concealde , I now am free ; and now will iustifie My Trunkes and Punkes : Auant dull Flat-cap then , Via , the curtaine that shaddowed Borgia ; There lie thou huske of my envassail'd State . I Sampson now , haue burst the Philistins Bands , And in thy lappe my louely Dalida , I le lie and snore out my enfranchisde state . When Sampson was a tall yong man His power and strength increased than , He sould no more , nor cup , nor can , But did them all dispise . Old Touchstone , now wright to thy friends , For one to sell thy base gold ends Quickesiluer , now no more attends Thee Touchstone .

But Dad , hast thou seene my running Gelding drest to day ?

Secu.

That I haue Franck , the Ostler a' th Cocke , drest him for a Breakefast .

Quick.

What did he eate him ?

Secu.

No , but he eate his breakefast for dressing him : and so drest him for breakfast . Quicksiluer . O wittie Age , where age is young in witte , And al youths words haue gray beards full of it !

Hyn.

But ah-las Francke , how will all this bee maintain'd now ?

Your place maintain'd it before .

Quickesiluer .

Why and I maintainde my place . I le to the Court , another manner of place for maintenance I hope then the silly Cittie . I heard my father say , I heard my mother sing an olde Song and a true : Tou art a shee foole , and know'st not what belongs to our male wisedome . I shall bee a Marchaunt for-sooth : trust my estate in a wooden Troughe as hee does ? What are these Shippes , but Tennis Balles for the windes to play withall ? Tost from one waue to another ; Nowe vnder-line ; Nowe ouer the house ; Sometimes Bricke-wal'd against a Rocke , so that the guttes flye out againe : sometimes strooke vnder the wide Hazzard , and farewell Mast . Marchant .

Synnedefie .

Well Francke , well ; the Seas you say are vncertaine : But hee that sayles in your Court Seas , shall finde 'hem tenne times fuller of hazzard ; wherein to see what is to bee seene , is torment more then a free Spirite can indure ; But when you come to suffer , howe many Iniuries swallowe you ? What care and deuotion must you vse , to humour an imperious Lord ? proportion your lookes to his lookes ? smiles to his smiles ? fit your sayles to the winde of his breath ?

Quick.

Tush hee 's no Iourney-man in his craft , that can not doe that .

Sinnedefie .

But hee 's worse then a Prentise that does it , not onely humouring the Lorde , but euery Trencherbearer , euery Groome that by indulgence and intelligence crept into his fauour , and by Pandatisme into his Chamber ; He rules the roste : And when my honourable Lorde sayes it shall bee thus , my worshipfull Rascall ( the Groome of his close stoole ) sayes it shall not bee thus , claps the doore after him , and who dares enter ? A Prentise , quoth you ? t is but to learne to liue , and does that disgrace a man ? hee that rises hardly , stands firmely : but hee that rises with ease , Alas , falles as easily .

Quickesiluer .

A pox on you , who taught you this morrallitie ?

Securitie .

T is long of this wittie Age , Maister Francis . But indeede , Mistris Synnedefie , all Trades complaine of inconuenience , and therefore t is best to haue none . The Marchaunt hee complaines , and sayes , Trafficke is subiect to much vncertaintie and losse : let 'hem keepe their goods on dry land with a vengeaunce , and not expose other mens substances to the mercie of the windes , vnder protection of a woodden wall ( as Maister Francis sayes ) and all for greedie desire , to enrich themselues with vnconscionable gaine , two for one , or so : where I , and such other honest men as liue by lending money , are content with moderate profite ; Thirtie , or Fortie i' th' hundred : so wee may haue it with quietnesse , and out of perill of winde and weather , rather then runne those daungerous courses of trading , as they doe .

Quick.

I Dad thou mayst well bee called Securitie , for thou takest the safest course .

Securitie .

Faith the quieter , and the more contented ; and , out of doubt , the more godly . For Marchants in their courses are neuer pleas'd , but euer repining against Heauen : One prayes for a Westerly winde to carry his shippe foorth ; another for an Easterly to bring his shippe home ; and at euery shaking of a lease , hee falles into an agonie , to thinke what daunger his Shippe is in on such a Coast , and so foorth . The Farmer hee is euer at oddes with the Weather , sometimes the clowdes haue beene too barren ; Sometimes the Heauens forgette themselues , their Haruests answere not their hopes ; Sometimes the Season falles out too fruitefull , Corne will beare no price , and so foorth . Th' Artificer , hee 's all for a stirring worlde , if his Trade bee too full and fall short of his expectation , then falles he out of ioynt . Where we that trade nothing but money , are free from all this , wee are pleas'd with all weathers : let it raine or hold vp , bee calme or windy , let the season be whatsoeuer , let Trade goe how it will , wee take all in good part ; een what please the heauens to send vs ; so the Sunne stand not still ; and the Moone keepe her vsuall returnes ; and make vp dayes , moneths , and yeares .

Quick.

And you haue good securitie ?

Secu.

I mary Francke , that 's the speciall point .

Quick.

And yet forsooth wee must haue Trades to liue withall ; For wee cannot stand without legges , nor flye without wings ; and a number of such skurvie phrases . No , I say still ; hee that has wit , let him liue by his wit : hee that has none , let him be a Trades-man .

Secu.

Witty Maister Francis !

T is pittie any Trade should dull that quicke braine of yours . Doe but bring Knight Petronell into my Parchment Toyles once , and you shall neuer neede to toyle in any trade , a my credit ! You know his wiues Land ?

Quickesiluer .

Euen to a foote Sir , I haue beene often there : a pretie fine Seate , good Land , all intire within it selfe .

Secu.

Well wooded ?

Quick.

Two hundered pounds woorth of wood readye to fell . And a fine sweete house that stands iust in the midst an 't , like a Pricke in the midst of a Circle ; would I were your Farmer , for a hundred pound a yeere .

Secu.

Excellent M. Francis ; how I do long to doe thee good : How I doe hunger , and thirst to haue the honour to inrich thee ? I , euen to die , that thou mightest inherite my liuing : euen hunger and thirst , for a my Religion , M. Francis . And so tell Knight Petrouell I doe it to doe him a pleasure .

Quickesiluer .

Marry Dad , his horses are now comming vp , to beare downe his Ladie , wilt thou lend him thy stable to set 'hem in ?

Secur.

Faith M. Francis , I would be lothe to lend my Stable out of dores , in a greater matter I will pleasure him , but not in this .

Quick.

A pox of your hunger and thirst . Well Dad , let him haue money : All he could any way get , is bestowed on a Ship , now bound for Virginia : the frame of which voiage is so closely conuaide , that his new Ladie nor any of her friendes know it . Notwithstanding , as soone as his Ladyes hand is gotten to the sale of her inheritance , and you haue furnisht him with money , he will instantly hoyst Saile , and away .

Secur.

Now a Franck gale of winde goe with him , Maister Franke , we haue too few such knight aduenturers : who would not sell away competent certainties , to purchase ( with any danger ) excellent vncertainties ? your true knight venturer euer does it . Let his wife seale to day , he shall haue his money to day .

Qui.

To morrow she shall , Dad , before she goes into the cou�try , to worke her to which actio , with the more engines , I purpose presently to preferre my sweete Sinne here , to the place of her Gentlewoman ; whom you ( for the more credit ) shall present as your friends daughter , a Gentlewoman of the countrie , new come vp with a will for a while to learne fashions for-sooth , and be toward some Ladie ; and she shall buzz prettie deuises into her Ladies eare ; feeding her humors so seruiceablie ( as the manner of such as she is you know . )

Secur.

True good Maister Fraunces .

Enter Sindefie . Quic.

That she shall keepe her Port open to any thing she commends to her .

Secur.

A' my religion , a most fashionable proiect ; as good she spoile the Lady , as the Lady spoile her ; for t is three to one of one side : sweete mistresse Sinne , how are you bound to maister Frances ! I doe not doubt to see you shortly wedde one of the head men of our cittie .

Sinne.

But sweete Franke , when shall my father Securitie present me ?

Quic.

With all festination ; I haue broken the Ice to it already ; and will presently to the Knights house , whether , my good old Dad , let me pray thee with all formallitie to man her .

Secur.

Commaund me Maister Frances ; I doe hunger and thirst to doe thee seruice . Come sweete Mistresse Sinne , take leaue of my Wynnifride , and we will instantly meete francke Maister Frances at your Ladies .

Enter Winnifride aboue . Win.

Where is my Cu there ? Cu ?

Secur.

I Winnie .

Win.

Wilt thou come in , sweete Cu ?

Secur.

I Wynney , presently . Exeunt .

Quic.

I Wynney , quod he ? that 's all he can doe poore man ; he may well cut off her name at Wynney . O t is an egregious Pandare ! what will not an vsurous knaue be , so he may bee riche ? O 't is a notable lewes trump ! I hope to liue to see dogs meate made of the old Vsurers flesh ; Dice of his bones ; and Indentures of his skinne : and yet his skinne is too thicke to make Parchment , 't would make good Bootes for a Peeter man to catch Salmon in . Your onely smooth skinne to make fine Vellam is your Puritanes skinne ; they be the smoothest and slickest knaues in a countrie .

Enter Sir Tetronell in Bootes with a riding wan . Petr.

I le out of this wicked towne as fast as my horse can trot : Here 's now no good action for a man to spend his time in . Tauerns growe dead ; Ordinaries are blowne vp ; Playes are at a stand ; Howses of Hospitallitie at a fall ; not a Feather wauing , nor a Spurre gingling any where : I le away instantlie .

Qui.

Y 'ad best take some crownes in your purse Knight , or else your Eastward Castle will smoake but miserably .

Petr.

O Francke ! my castle ? Alas all the Castles I haue , are built with ayre , thou know'st .

Quic.

I know it Knight , and therefore wonder whether your Lady is going .

Pet.

Faith to seeke her Fortune I thinke . I said I had a castle and land Eastward , and Eastward she will without contradiction ; her coach , and the coach of the Sunne must meete full butt : And the Sunne being out shined with her Lady-ships glorie , she feares hee goes Westward to hange himselfe .

Quic.

And I feare , when her enchanted Castle becomes inuisible , her Ladyship will returne and follow his example .

Petr.

O that she would haue the grace , for I shall neuer be able to pacific her , when she sees her selfe deceiued so .

Quic.

As easely as can be . Tell her she mistooke your directions , and that shortly , your selfe will downe with her to approoue it ; and then , cloath but her croupper in a new Gowne , and you may driue her any way you list : for these wome� Sir , are like Essex Calues , you must wriggle 'hem on by the tayle still , or they will neuer driue orderly .

Petr.

But alas sweet Francke , thou know'st my habilitie will not furnish her bloud with those costly humors .

Quic.

Cast that cost on me Sir , I haue spoken to my olde Pandare Securitie , for money or commoditie ; and commoditie ( if you will ) I know he will procure you .

Petr.

Commoditie ! Alas what commoditie ?

Qui.

Why Sir ? what say you to Figges , and Raysons ?

Petr.

A plague of Figges and Raysons , and all such fraile commodities , we shall make nothing of 'hem .

Quic.

Why then Sir , what say you to Fortie pound in rosted Beefe ?

Petr.

Out vpon 't , I haue lesse stomacke to that , then to the Figges and Raysons : I le out of Towne , though I soiourne with a friend of mine , for staye here I must not ; my creditors haue laide to arrest me , and I haue no friend vnder heauen but my Sword to baile me .

Qui.

Gods me Knight , put 'hem in sufficient sureties , rather then let your Sworde bayle you ; Let 'hem take their choice , eyther the Kings Benche , or the Fleete , or which of the two Counters they like best , for by the Lord I like none of 'hem .

Petr.

Well Francke there is no iesting with my earnest necessitie ; thou know'st if I make not present money to further my voyage begun all 's lost , and all I haue laid out about it .

Qui.

Why then Sir in earnest , if you can get your wise Lady to set her hand to the sale of her Inheritance , the bloud hound Securitie will smell out ready money for you instantly .

Petro.

There spake an Angell . To bring her to which conformitie , I must faine my selfe extreamly amorous ; and alledging vrgent excuses for my stay , behinde , part with her as passionately , as she would from her foysting hound .

Qui.

You haue the Sowe by the right eare Sir : I warrant there was neuer Childe longd more to ride a Cock horse , or weare his new coate , the� she longs to ride in her new Coache : She would long for euery thing when she was a maide ; and now she will runne mad for 'hem : I laye my life she will haue euery yeare foure children ; and what charge and change of humour you must endure while she is with childe ; and how she will tie you to your tackling till she be with child , a Dog would not endure : Nay , there is no Turne-spit Dog bound to his wheele more seruily , then you shall be to her wheele ; For as that Dogge can neuer climbe the top of his wheele , but when the toppe comes vnder him : so shall you neuer clime the top of her contentment , but when she is vnder you .

Petr.

Slight how thou terrifiest me ?

Quic.

Nay harke you sir ; what Nurses , what Midwiues , what Fooles , what Phisitions , what cunning women must be sought for ( fearing sometimes she is bewitcht , some times in a consumption ) to tell her tales , to talke bawdy to her , to make her laughe , to giue her glisters , to let her bloud vnder the tongue , and betwixt the toes ; how she will reuile and kisse you ; spit in your face , and lick it off againe ; how she will vaunt you are her Creature ; shee made you of nothing ; how shee could haue had thousand marke ioyntures ; she could haue bin made a Lady by a Scotche Knight ; & neuer ha' married him : Shee could haue had Poynados in her bed euery morning ; how she set you vp , and how she will pull you downe : you le neuer be able to stand of your legges to endure it .

Petr.

Out of my fortune , what a death is my life bound face to face too ? The best is , a large Time-fitted conscience is bound to nothing : Marriage is but a forme in the Schoole of Policie , to which Schollers sit fastned onely with painted chaines , old Securities young wife is nere the further of with me .

Quic.

Thereby lyes a tale sir . The old vsurer will be here instantly , with my Puncke Syndefie , whome you know your Lady has promist mee to entertaine for her Gentlewoman : and he ( with a purpose to feede on you ) inuites you most solemnly by me to supper .

Petr.

It falls out excellently fitly : I see desire of gaine makes Iealousie venturous : Enter Gyrt :

See Francke here comes my Lady ; Lord how she viewes thee , she knowes thee not I thinke in this brauerie .

Gyr.

How now ? who be you I pray ?

Quic.

One maister Frances Quickesiluer , an 't please your Ladiship .

Gyr.

Gods my dignitie ! as I am a Lady , if he did not make me blush so that mine eyes stood awater , would I were vnmaried againe : Enter Securitie and Sindefie .

Where 's my woman I pray ?

Qui.

See Madam , she now comes to attend you .

Secur.

God saue my honourable Knight , and his worshipfull Lady .

Gyr.

Y' are very welcome ! you must not put on your Hat yet .

Secur.

No Madam ; till I know your Ladiships further pleasure , I will not presume .

Gyr.

And is this a Gentlemans daughter new come out of the countrie ?

Secur.

She is Madam ; & one that her Father hath a speciall care to bestowe in some honourable Ladies seruice , to put her out of her honest humours forsooth , for she had a great desire to be a Nun , an 't please you .

Gyr.

A Nun ? what Nun ? a Nun Substantiue ? or a Nun Adiectiue ?

Secur.

A Nun Substantiue Madam I hope , if a Nun be a Noune . But I meane , Lady , a vowd maide of that order .

Gyr.

I le teach her to be a maide of the order I warrant you : and can you doe any worke belongs to a Ladyes Chamber ?

Synde.

What I cannot doe , Madam , I would bee glad to learne .

Gyr.

Well said , hold vp then ; hold vp your head I say , come hether a little .

Synd.

I thanke your Ladiship .

Gyr.

And harke you ; Good man , you may put on your Hatt now , I doe not looke on you : I must haue you of my faction now ; not of my Knights , maide .

Synd.

No forsooth Madam of yours .

Gyr.

And draw all my seruants in my Bowe , and keepe my counsell , and tell me tales , and put me Riddles and reade on a booke sometimes when I am busie , and laugh at countrie Gentlewomen , and command any thing in the house for my reteiners , and care not what you spend , for it is all mine ; and in any case , be still a Maide what soeuer you doe , or whatsoeuer any man can doe vnto you .

Secur.

I warrant your Ladiship for that .

Gyr.

Very well , you shall ride in my coach with me into the country to morrow morning ; Come Knight , pray thee le ts make a short supper , and to bed presently .

Secur.

Nay good Madam , this night I haue a short Supper at home , waites on his worships acceptation .

Gyr.

By my faith but he shall not goe Sir ; I shall swoune and he sup from me .

Petr.

Pray thee forbeare ; shall he lose his prouision ?

Gyr.

I by Lady Sir , rather then I lose my longing ; come in I say : as I am a Lady you shall not goe .

Quic.

I told him what a Burre he had gotten .

Secur.

If you will not sup from your Knight Madam , let me entreate your Ladiship to sup at my house with him .

Gyr.

No by my faith Sir , then we cannot be a bed soone enough , after supper .

Petr.

What a Medcine is this ? well Maister Securitie , you are new married as well as I ; I hope you are bound as well : we must honour our young wiues you know .

Quic.

In pollicie Dad , till to morrow she has seald .

Secur.

I hope in the morning yet your Knight-hood will breake-fast with me .

Petr.

As early as you will Sir .

Secur.

Thanke your good worship ; I do hunger and thirst to do you good Sir .

Gyr.

Come sweete Knight come , I do hunger and thyrst to be a bed with thee . Exeunt .

Actus Tertii . Scaena Prima . Enter Petronell , Quicksiluer , Securitie , Bramble , and Wynnifrid . Petr.

Thankes for our feastlike Breakefast good Maister Securitie , I am sory , ( by reason of my instant haste to so long a voyage as Virginia , ) I am without meanes , by any kinde amends to show how affectionatly I take your kindnesse , and to confirme by some worthy ceremonie a perpetuall league of friendship betwixt vs .

Secur.

Excellent Knight ; let this be a token betwixt vs of inuiolable friendship : I am new marryed to this fayre Gentlewoman you know ; & ( by my hope to make her fruitefull though I be something in yeares ) I vowe faithfully vnto you , to make you Godfather ( though in your absence ) to the first childe I am blest withall ; and henceforth call me Gossip I beseech you , if you please to accept it .

Petr.

In the highest degree of gratitude , my most worthy Gossip ; for confirmation of which friendly title , let me entreate my faire Gossip your Wife here , to accept this Diamond , and keepe it as my gift to her first Childe , wheresoeuer my Fortune in euent of my Voyage shall bestowe me .

Secur.

How now my coye wedlock ! make you strange of so Noble a fauour ? take it I charge you , with all affection , and ( by way of taking your leaue ) present boldly your lips to our honourable Gossip .

Quick.

How ventrous he is to him , and how iealous to others !

Pet.

Long may this kinde touch of our lippes Print in our hearts al the formes of affection . And now my good Gossip , if the writings be ready to which my wife should seale , let them be brought this morning , before she takes Coache into the countrie , and my kindnesse shall worke her to dispatche it .

Secur.

The writings are ready Sir . My learned counsell here , Maister Bramble , the Lawyer hath perusde them ; and within this houre , I will bring the Scriuenour with them to your worshipfull Lady .

Petr.

Good Maister Bramble , I will here take my leaue of you then ; God send you fortunate Pleas sir , and contentious Clients .

Bram.

And you foreright windes Sir , and a fortunate voyage . Exit . Enter a Messenger .

Mess.

Sir Petronell , here are three or foure Gentlemen desire to speake with you .

Pet.

What are they ?

Qui.

They are your followers in this voyage Knight , Captaine Seagull and his associates , I met them this morning , and told them you would be here .

Pet.

Let them enter I pray you , I know they long to bee gone , for their stay is dangerous .

Enter Seagull , Scapethrift , and Spendall . Sea.

God saue my honourable Collonell .

Pet.

Welcome good Captaine Seagull , and worthy Gentlemen , if you will meete my friend Francke here , and me , at the blew Anchor Tauerne by Billinsgate this Euening , we will there drinke to our happy voyage , be merry , and take Boate to our Ship with all expedition .

Spoyl .

Deferre it no longer I beseech you Sir , but as your voyage is hetherto carried closely , and in another Knights name , so for your owne safetie and ours , let it be continued , our meeting and speedy purpose of departing knowne to as few as is possible , least your Ship and goods be attacht .

Qui.

Well aduisd Captaine our Collonell shall haue money this morning to dispatch all our departures , bring those Gentlemen at night to the place appointed , and with our skinnes full of vintage , wee le take occasion by the vantage , and away .

Spoyl .

We will not faile but be there sir .

Pet.

Good morrow good Captaine , and my worthy associates . Health and all Soueraigntie to my beautifull gossip , for you sir , we shall see you presently with the writings .

Secur.

With writings and crownes to my honorable gossip : I do hunger and thirst to doe you good sir . Exeunt .

Actus tertii . Scena Secunda . Enter a Coachman in hast in 's frock feeding . Coach.

Heer 's a stirre when Cittizens ride out of Towne indeed , as if all the house were a fire ; Slight they will not giue a man leaue , to eat 's breakfast afore he rises .

Enter Hamlet a footeman in haste . Ham.

What Coachman ? my Ladyes Coach for shame ; her ladiship 's ready to come downe ;

Enter Potkinn , a Tankerd bearer . Pot.

Sfoote Hamlet ; are you madde ? whether run you now you should brushe vp my olde Mistresse ?

Enter Syndefye . Synd.

What Potkinn ? you must put off your Tankerd , and put on your blew cote and waite vpon Mistrisse Toochstone into the country . Exit .

Pot.

I will forsooth presently . Exit .

Enter Mistresse Fond , and Mistresse Gazer . Fond.

Come sweete Mistresse Gazer , le ts watch here , and see my Lady Flashe take coach .

Gaz.

A my word heer 's a most fine place to stand in , did you see the new Ship lancht last day Mistresse Fond .

Fond.

O God , and we cittizens should loose such a sight ?

Gaz.

I warrant , here will be double as many people to see her take coach , as there were to see it take water .

Fond.

O shee 's married to a most fine Castle ' i th' countrey they say ?

Gaz.

But there are no Gyants in the Castle , are there ?

Fond.

O no , they say her Knight kild 'hem all and therefore he was knighted .

Gaz.

Would to God her Ladiship would come away .

Enter Gyr. Mistris Tooch . Synd. Ham . Por. Fond.

She comes , she comes , she comes .

Gaz.

Fond . Pray heauen blesse your Ladiship .

Gyr.

Thanke you good people ; my coach for the loue of Heauen , my coach ? in good truth I shall swoune else .

Ham.

Coach ? coach my Ladies coach . Exit .

Gir.

As I am a Lady , I thinke I am with child already , I long for a coach so ; may one be with childe afore they are married Mother ?

Mist. Touch.

I by 'r ladie Madam , a little thing does that ; I haue seene a little prick no bigger then a pins head , swell bigger and bigger , til it has come to an Ancome ; & eene so t is in these cases .

Enter Ham. Ham.

Your Coach is comming , Madam .

Gyr.

That 's well said ; Now heauen ! me thinks , I am eene vp to the knees in preferment ; But a little higher , but a little higher , but a little higher , There , there , there lyes Cupids fire .

Mist. Touch.

But must this young man , an 't please you Madam , run by your coach all the way a foote ?

Gyr.

I by my faith I warrant him , he giues no other milke , as I haue an other seruant does .

Mist. Touch.

Ahlas ! t is eene pittie me thinks ; for Gods sake Madam buy him but a Hobbie horse , let the poore youth haue something betwixt his legges to ease 'hem ; Ahlas ! we must do as we would be done too ;

Gir.

Goe too , hold your peace dame , you talke like an olde foole I tell you .

Enter Petr. and Quicksiluer . Pet.

Wilt thou be gone , sweete Honny suckle , before I can goe with thee ?

Gyr.

I pray thee sweete Knight let me ; I do so long to dresse vp thy castle afore thou com'st : But I marle howe my modest Sister occupies her selfe this morning , that shee can not waite on me to my Coach , as well as her mother !

Quick.

Mary Madam , shee 's married by this time to Prentise Goulding ; your Father , and some one more , stole to Church with 'hem , in all the haste , that the cold meat lest at your wedding , might serue to furnish their Nuptiall table .

Gyr.

There 's no base fellowe , my Father , nowe : but hee 's eene fit to Father such a Daughter : he must call me daughter no more now ; but Madam ; and please you Madam : and please your worship Madam , indeede ; out vpon him , marry his daughter to a base Prentise ?

Mist. Touch.

What should one doe ? is there no lawe for one that marries a womans daughter against her will ? howe shall we punish him Madam .

Gyr.

As I am a Lady an 't would snowe , wee 'd so peble 'hem with snowe bals as they come from Church ; but sirra , Franck Quicksiluer .

Quick.

I Madam .

Gir.

Dost remember since thou and I clapt what d'ye clats ' in the Garrat ?

Quick.

I know not what you meane Madam .

Gyr. His head as white as mylke , All flaxen was his haire : But now he is dead , And laid in his Bedd , And neuer will come againe .

God be at your labour .

Enter Touch . Gould . Mild. with Rosemary . Pet.

Was there euer such a Lady ?

Quic.

See Madam , the Bride and Bridegrome :

Gyr.

Gods my precious ! God giue you ioy Mistrisse What lacke you . Now out vpon thee Baggage : my sister married in a Taffeta Hat ? Mary hang you ; Westward with a wanio� te' yee , Nay I haue done we ye Minion the? y'faith , neuer looke to haue my countnance any more : nor any thing I can do for thee . Thou ride in my Coach ? or come downe to my Castle ? fie vpon thee : I charge thee in my Ladiships name , call me Sister no more .

Touch.

An 't please your worship , this is not your Sister : This is my daughter , and she call me Father , and so does not your Ladiship an 't please your worship Madam .

Mist. Touch.

No nor she must not call thee Father by Heraldrie , because thou mak'st thy Prentise thy Sonne as well as she ; Ah thou misproude Prentise , dar'st thou presume to marry a Ladies Sister ?

Gou.

It pleas'd my Master forsooth to embolden me with his fauour : And though I confesse my selfe farre vnworthie so worthy a wife ( beeing in part , her seruant , as I am your Prentise ) yet ( since I may say it without boasting ) I am borne a Gentleman , and by the Trade I haue learn'd of my Master ( which I trust taints not my blood ) able with mine owne Industrie and portion to maintaine your daughter , my hope is , heauen will so blese our humble beginning , that in the end I shal be no disgrace to the grace with which my Master hath bound me his double Prentise .

Touch.

Master me nomore Sonne if thou think'st me worthy to be thy father .

Gry.

Sunne ? Now good Lord how he shines and you marke him ! hee 's a gentleman .

Gon.

I indeede Madam , a Gentleman borne .

Pet.

Neuer stand a' your Gentrye M. Bridgegrome : if your legges be no better then your Armes , you 'le be able to stand vpon neither shortly .

Touch.

An 't please your good worshippe Sir , there are two sorts of Gentlemen .

Pet.

What meane you Sir ?

Touch.

Bold to put off my hat to your worshippe .

Pet.

Nay pray forbeare Sir , and then foorth with your two sorts of Gentlemen .

Touch.

If your worship will haue it so ? I saye there are two sorts of Gentlemen . There is a Gentleman Artificiall , and a gentleman Naturall ; Now , though your worship be a Gentleman Naturall : Worke vpon that now .

Quick.

Well said olde Touchstone , I am proude to heare thee enter a set speech yfaith , forth I beseech thee .

Touch.

Cry you mercie Sir , your worship 's a Gentleman , I doe not know ? if you bee one of my acquaintance y' are very much disguisde Sir .

Quick.

Go too old Quipper : forth with thy speech I say .

Touch.

What Sir , my speeches were euer in vaine to your gratious worship : And therefore till I speake to you gallantry in deed , I will saue my breath for my broth anon . Come my poore sonne and daughter ; Let vs hide our selues in our poore humilitie and liue safe : Ambition consumes it selfe , with the very show . Worke vpon that now .

Gyr.

Let him goe , let him goe for Gods sake : let him make his Prentise , his sonne for Gods sake : giue away his daughter for Gods sake : and when they come a begging to vs for Gods sake , let 's laugh at their good husbandry for Gods sake . Fare-well sweet Knight , pray thee make haste after .

Pet.

What shall I say ? I would not haue thee goe ,

Quick. Now , O now , I must depart ; Parting though it absence moue , This Dittie knight , doe I see in thy lookes in Capitall Letters . What a grief 't is to depart , and leaue the slower that has my hart ? My sweete Ladie , and alacke for wee , why should we part so ?

Tell truth Knight , and shame all dissembling Louers ; does not your paine lye on that side ?

Pet.

If it doe , canst thou tell me how I may cure it ?

Quick.

Excellent easily ; diuide your selfe in two halfes , iust by the girdlestead ; send one halfe with your Lady , and keepe the tother your selfe : or else doe as all true Louers doe , part with your heart and leaue your bodie behinde : I haue seen 't done a hundred times : T is as easie a matter for a Louer to part without a heart from his sweete heart , and he nere the worse : as for a Mouse to get from a Trappe and leaue her taile behinde him . See here comes the Writings .

Enter Securitie with a Scriuener . Secu.

Good morrow to my worshipfull Ladie . I present your Ladishippe with this writing ; to which if you please to set your hand , with your Knights , a veluet Gowne shall attend your iourney a' my credite .

Gir.

What Writing is it Knight ?

Petrenell .

The sale ( sweete heart ) of the poore Tenement I tolde thee off , onely to make a little money to sende thee downe furniture for my Castle , to which my hand shall lead thee .

Gyr.

Very well : Now giue me your Pen I pray .

Qui.

It goes downe without chewing y'faith .

Scriue.

Your worships deliuer this as your deede ?

Ambo.

Wee doe .

Gyr.

So now Knight farewell till I see thee .

Pet.

All farewell to my sweet heart .

Mistris Touch.

God-boye , sonne Knight .

Pet.

Farewell my good Mother .

Gyr.

Farewell Francke , I would faine take thee downe if I could .

Quickesiluer .

I thanke your good Ladiship ; Farewell Mistrie Syndifie . Exeunt .

Pet.

O tedious Voyage , where of there is no ende ! What will they thinke of me ?

Quick.

Thinke what they list ; They long'd for a vagarie into the Countrie , and now they are fitted : So a woman marry to ride in a Coach , she cares not if she ride to her Ruine ; T is the great ende of many of their mariages : This is not first time a Lady has ridde a false iournie in her Coach I hope .

Pet.

Nay , t is no Matter , I care little what they thinke ; hee that wayes mens thoughts , has his handes full of nothing : A man in the course of this worlde should bee like a Surgeons instrument , worke in the woundes of others , and feele nothing himselfe . The sharper , and subtler , the better .

Quickesiluer .

As it falles out nowe Knight , you shall not neede to deuise excuses , or endure her out cryes , when shee returnes ; wee shall now bee gone before , where they can not reache vs .

Petronell .

Well my kinde Compere , you haue now Th' assurance we both can make you ; let mee now entreate you , the money wee agree'd on may bee brought to the Blewe Ancor , nere to Billings-gate , by Six a Clocke : where I and my cheife friends , bound for this voyage , will with Feastes attend you .

Secu.

The money my most honorable Compere , shall without fayle obserue your appointed howre .

Pet. Thankes my deare Gossip . I must now impart To your approued loue , a louing secret : As one on whome my life doth more relie In friendly trust , then any man aliue . Nor shall you be the chosen Secretarie Of my affections , for affection onely ; For I protest , ( if God blesse my returne , ) To make you Partner , in my actions gaine As deepely , as if you had ventur'd with me Halfe my expences . Know then , honest Gossip , I haue inioyed with such diuine contentment , A Gentle womans Bedde , whome you well knowe , That I shall nere enioy this tedious Voiage , Nor liue the lest part of the time it asketh , Without her presence ; So I thirst and hunger To taste the deare feast of her companie . And if the hunger and the thirst you vow ( As my sworne Gossip ) to my wished good Be ( as I knowe it is ) vnfainde and firme , Doe mee an easie fauour in your Power . Secur. Bee sure braue Gossip , all that I can doe To my best Nerue , is wholly at your seruice : Who is the woman ( first ) that is your friend ? Pet. The woman is your learned Counsailes wife , The Lawyer Maister Bramble : whome would you , Bring out this Euen , in honest Neighbour-hood To take his leaue with you , of me your Gossip . I , in the meane time , will send this my friende Home to his house , to bring his wife disguis'd Before his face , into our companie : For Loue hath made her looke for such a wile , To free her from his tyranous Ielosie . And I would take this course before another : In stealing her away to make vs sport , And gull his circumspection the more grosely . And I am sure that no man like your selfe , Hath credite with him to entice his Ielosie , To so long staye abrode , as may giue time To her enlardgment , in such safe disguise . Secu. A pretie , pithie , and most pleasant proiect ! Who would not straine a point of Neigh-bourhood , For such a point , de-vice ? that as the shippe Of famous Draco , went about the world , Will wind about the Lawyer , compassing , The world him selfe , he hath it in his armes : And that 's enough , for him , without his wife . A Lawyer is Ambitious , and his head , Can not bee prais'de , nor rais'de too high , With any Forcke , of highest knauerye . I le goe fetche her straight . Exit Securitie . Per. So , so , Now Franke goe thou home to his house , Stead of his Lawyers , and bring his wife hether : Who iust like to the Lawyers wife , is prison'd , With his sterne vsurous Ielosie ; which could neuer Be ouer reacht-thus , but with ouer-reaching . Enter Securitie . Secu. And M. Francis , watch you th' instant time To Enter with his Exit : t'wilbe rare , Two fine horn'd Beastes A Cammell and a Lawyer ! Quickesiluer . How the olde villaine ioyes in villany ? Enter Secur . And harke you Gossip , when you haue her here , Haue your Bote ready , shippe her to your Ship With vtmost haste , lest Maister Bramble stay you , To o're reach that head that outreacheth all heads ? T is a trick Rampant ; T is a very Quiblyn ; I hope this haruest , to pitch cart with Lawyers ; Their heads wil be so forked ; This slie tooche Will get Apes to inuent a number such . Exit . Quick.

Was euer Rascall , honied so with poyson ? He that delights in slauish Auarice . Is apt to ioy in euery sort of vice .

Wel , I le goe fetch his wife , whilst he the Lawyers .

Pet.

But stay Franck , le ts thinke how we may disguise her vpon this sodaine .

Quick.

Gods me there 's the mischiefe ; but harke you , here 's an excellent deuice ; fore God a Rare one : I will carry her a Saylers gowne and cap and couer her ; & a players beard ;

Pet.

And what vpon her head ?

Quick.

I tell you a Sailers Cap : slight God forgiue mee , what kind of figent memory haue you ?

Pet. Nay then , what kinde of figent wit hast thou ? A Saylers cap ? how shall she put it off When thou presentst her to our companie ? Quick.

Tush man , for that , make her a sawcie sayler .

Pet.

Tush tush t is no fit sawce for such sweete mutton ; I know not what t' aduise .

Enter Secur with his wiues gowne . Secur.

Knight , knight a rare deuise .

Pet.

Sownes yet againe .

Quick.

What stratagem haue you now ?

Secur.

The best that euer . You talkt of disguising ?

Pet.

I may Gossip that 's our present care .

Secur. Cast care a way then , here 's the best deuice For plaine Security ( for I am no better ) I think that euer liu'd : here 's my wiues gowne Which you may put vpon the Lawyers wife , And which I brought you sir for two great reasons ; One is , that Maister Bramble may take hold Of some suspition that it is my wife , And gird me so perhaps with his law wit , The other ( which is pollicie indeede ) Is , that my wife may now be tyed at home , Hauing no more but her old gowne abroade , And not showe me a quirck , while I fyrke others . Is not this rare ? Ambo.

The best that euer shas .

Secur.

Am I not borne to furnish Gentlemen ?

Pet.

O my deare Gossip !

Secur.

Well hold Maister Francis , watch when the Lawyer 's out , and put it in ; and now � I will go fetch him . Exit .

Quick.

O my Dad ! he goes as t were the Deuill to fetch the Lawyer ; and deuill shall he be if hornes wil make him .

Pet.

why how now Gossip , why stay you there musing ?

Secur.

A toye , a toy runns in my head yfaith .

Quick.

A pox of that head , is there more toyes yet ?

Pet.

What is it pray thee Gossip ?

Secur.

Why Sir ? what if you should slip away now with my wiues best gowne . I hauing no securitie for it ?

Quick.

For that I hope Dad you will take our words .

Secu. I by th' masse your word that 's a proper staffe For wise Security to leane vpon ; But t is no matter , once I le trust my Name , On your crackt credits , let it take no shame , Fetch the wench Franck . Exit . Quick. I le wait vpon you sir . And fetch you ouer , you were nere so fetcht : Go , to the Tauerne Knight , your followers Dare not be drunke I thinke , before their Captaine . Exit . Pet. Would I might lead them to no hotter seruise , Till our Virginian gould were in our purses Exit . Enter Seagull Spendall and Scapthrift in the Tauerne with a Drawer . Sca.

Come Drawer , pierce your neatest Hogsheades , & le ts haue cheare , not fit for your Billingsgate Tauerne ; but for our Virginian Colonel ; he wil be here instantly .

Draw.

You shall haue all things fit sir ; please you haue any more Wine .

Spend,

More wine Slaue ? whether we drinke it or no , spill it , and drawe more .

Scap.

Fill all the pottes in your house with all sorts of licour , and let 'hem waite on vs here like Souldiers in their Pewter , coates ; And though we doe not employe them now , yet wee will maintaine 'hem , till we doe .

Draw.

Said like an honourable Captaine ; you shall haue all you can command Sir . Exit Drawer .

Sea.

Come boyes , Virginia longs till we share the rest of her Maiden-head ,

Spend.

Why is she inhabited already with any English ?

Sea.

A whole Country of English is there man , bred of those that were left there in 79. They haue married with the Indians , and make 'hem bring forth as beautifull faces as any we haue in England : and therefore the Indians are so in loue with 'hem , that all the treasure they haue , they lay at their feete .

Scap.

But is there such treasure there Captaine , as I haue heard ?

Sea.

I tell thee , Golde is more plentifull there then Copper is with vs : and for as much redde Copper as I can bring , I le haue thrice the waight in Golde . Why man all their dripping Pans and their Chamber pottes are pure Gold ; and all the Chaines , with which they chaine vp their streetes , are massie Golde ; all the Prisoners they take , are fetterd in Gold : and for Rubies and Diamonds , they goe forth on holydayes and gather 'hem by the Sea-shore , to hang on their childrens Coates , and sticke in their Capps , as commonly as our children weare Saffron guilt Brooches , and groates with hoales in 'hem .

Scap.

And is it a pleasant Countrie withall ?

Sea.

As euer the Sunne shinde on : temperate and full of all sorts of excellent viands ; wilde Boare is as common there , as our tamest Bacon is here : Venison , as Mutton . And then you shall liue freely there , without Sargeants , or Courtiers , or Lawyers , or Intelligencers . Then for your meanes to aduancement , there , it is simple , and not preposterously mixt : You may be an Alderman there , and neuer be Scauinger ; you may be any other officer , and neuer be a Slaue . You may come to preferment enough , and neuer be a

Pandar .

To Riches , and Fortune inough and haue neuer the more Villany , nor the lesse wit . Besides , there , we shall haue no more Law then Conscience , and not too much of either ; serue God inough , eate and drinke inough , and inough is as good as a Feast .

Spend.

Gods me ! and how farre is it thether ?

Sea.

Some six weekes sayle , no more , with any indifferent good winde : And If I get to any part of the coaste of Affrica , I le saile thether with any winde . Or when I come to Cape Finister , ther 's a foreright winde continuall wasts vs till we come at Virginia . See , our Collonell 's come .

Enter Sir Petronell with his Followers . Petr.

Well mette good Captaine Seagull , and my Noble Gentlemen ! Nowe the sweete houre of our freedome is at hand .

Come Drawer . Fill vs some carowses ; and prepare vs for the mirth , that will be occasioned presently : Here will be a prety wenche Gentlemen , that will beare vs company all our voyage .

Sea.

Whatsoeuer she be ; here 's to her health Noble Colonell , both with Cap and Knee .

Petr.

Thankes kinde Captaine Seagull . Shee 's one I loue dearely ; and must not bee knowne till we bee free from all that knowe vs : And so Gentlemen , heer 's to her health .

Ambo.

Let it come worthy Collonell , Wee doe hunger and thirst for it ,

Petr.

Afore heauen , you haue hitte the phrase of one that her presence will touch , from the foote to the forehead , if ye knew it .

Spend.

Why then we wil ioyne his forehead , with her health , sir : and Captaine Scapethrift , here 's to 'hem both ,

Enter Securitie and Bramble . Secu.

See , see , Maister Bramble ; fore heauen their voyage cannot but prosper , they are o' their knees for successe to it .

Bram.

And they pray to God Bacchus .

Secu.

God saue my braue Colonell with all his tall Captaines and Corporalls ; see sir , my worshipfull learned Counsaile , M. Bramble , is come to take his leaue of you .

Pet.

Worshipfull M. Bramble , how farre doe you drawe vs into the sweete bryer of your kindnesse ? come Captain Seagull , another health to this rare Bramble , that hath neuer a pricke about him .

Sea.

I pledge his most smooth disposition sir : come maister Securitie , bend your supporters , and pleadge this notorious health here .

Secu.

Bend you yours likewise , M. Bramble , for it is you shal pleadge me .

Sea.

Not so , M. Securitie , hee must not pleadge his owne health .

Secu.

No Maister Captaine ? Enter Quickesiluer with Winny disguis'd .

Why then here 's one is fitly come to doe him that honour .

Quick.

Here 's the Gentlewoman your cosin sir , whom with much entreatie I haue brought to take her leaue of you in a Tauerne ; asham'd whereof , you must pardon her if she put not off her Maske .

Pet.

Pardon mee sweete Cosen , my kinde desire to see you before I went , made mee so importunate to entreat your presence here .

Secu.

How now M. Frances ? haue you honour'd this presence with a faire Gentlewoman ?

Quick.

Pray sir , take you no notice of her , for she will not be knowne to you .

Secu.

But my learn'd Counsaile , M. Bramble here , I hope may know her .

Quick.

No more then you sir , at this time , his learning must pardon her .

Secu.

Well , God pardon her for my part , and I doe I le bee sworne ; and so Maister Francis , here 's to all that are going Eastward to night , towardes Cuckolds hauen ; and so to the health of Maister Bramble .

Quick.

I pledge it Sir , hath it gone rounde , Captaines ?

Sea.

It has sweet Franck , and the rounde closes with thee .

Quic.

Wel Sir , here 's to al Eastward & toward Cuckolds , & so to famouse Cuckolds hauen so fatally remembred . Surgit .

Pet.

Nay pray thee Cuz weepe not ; Gossip Securitie ?

Secu.

I my braue Gossip .

Pet.

A word I beseech you Sir ; our friende , Mistresse Bramble here , is so dissolu'd in teares , that shee drownes the whole mirth of our meeting : sweete Gossip , take her aside and comfort her .

Secu.

Pittie of all true loue , Mistresse Bramble , what weepe you to enioy your loue ? what 's the cause Ladie ? i st because your husband is so neere , and your heart earnes , to haue a litle abus'd him ? Ahlas , Ahlas , the offence is too common to be respected ; So great a grace , hath seldome chanc'd to so vnthankfull a woman ; to be rid of an old ielous Dotard ; to enioy the armes , of a louing young Knight ; that when your prick-lesse Bramble is withered with griefe of your losse , will make you floorish a fresh in the Bed of a Ladie .

Enter Drawer . Draw.

Sir Petronell , here 's one of your water men come to tell you , it wil be flood these three houres ; and that t' will bee dangerous going against the Tyde : for the skie is ouer cast , & there was a Porcpisce , euen now seene at Londo� bridge , which is alwaies the messenger of tempests , he sayes .

Pet.

A Porcpisce ? what 's that to th' purpose ? charge him if he loue his life to attend vs : can we not reach Blacke wall ( where my ship lyes ) against the tide , and in spight of Tempests ? Captaines and Gentlemen , wee 'll begin a new ceremony at the beginning of our voyage , which I beleeue will be followd of all future aduenturers .

Sea.

What 's that good Colonell ?

Pet.

This , Captaine Seagull ; wee 'll haue our prouided Supper brought a bord Sir Francis Drakes Ship , that hath compast the world : where with full Cupps , and Banquets we wil doe sacrifice for a prosperous voyage . My minde giues me that some good Spirits of the waters should haunt the desart ribs of her ; and be auspicious to all that honour her memorie , and will with like Orgies , enter their voyages .

Sea.

Rarely conceipted ; one health more to this motion , & aboard to performe it . He that wil not this night be drunke , may he neuer be Sober . They compasse in Wynnifrid , daunce the dronken round , and drinke carowses .

Bram.

Sir Petronell and his honourable Captaines in these young seruices , we olde Seruitors may bee spard : We onely came to take our leaues , and with one health to you all , I le be bold to do so . Here neighbour Securitie , to the health of Sir Petronell , and all his Captaines .

Secu.

You must bend then Maister Bramble ; So , now I am for you : I haue one corner of my braine , I hope , fit to beare one carouse more . Here Lady , to you that are encompast there , & are asham'd of our company . Ha , ha , ha , by my troth , ( my learn'd counsaile Maister Bramble ) my minde runnes so of Cuckolds hauen to night , that my Head runnes ouer with admiration .

Bram.

But is not that your wife , Neighbour ?

Secu.

No by my troth Maister Bramble ; ha , ha , ha , a Pox of all Cuckolds-hauens I say .

Bram.

A' my faith , her garments are exceeding like your wiues .

Secu.

Cucullus non facit Monachum , my learn'd Counsaile ; all are not Cuckolds that seeme so , nor all seeme not that are so . Giue me your hand , my learn'd Counsaile , you and I will Supp some where else , then at Sir Frances Drakes Shipp to night . Adue my Noble Gossip .

Bram.

Good Fortune braue Captaines ; faire skies God send yee .

Omnes .

Farewell my harts , farewell .

Pet.

Gossip , laugh no more at Cuckolds-hauen Gossip .

Secu.

I haue done , I haue done Sir , will you leade Maister Bramble ? ha , ha , ha .

Pet.

Captaine Seagull , charge a boate .

Omnes .

A Boate , a boate , a boate . Exeunt .

Draw.

Y' are in a proper taking indeed to take a Boate , especially at this time of night , and against Tide and Tempest ; They say yet , drunken men neuer take harme ; this night will trie the truth of that Prouerbe . Exit .

Enter Securitie . Secu.

What Winnie ? Wife , I say ? out of dores at this time ! where should I seeke the Gad-flye ? Billingsgate , Billingsgate ,

Billingsgate .

Shee 's gone with the Knight , shee 's gone with the Knight ; woe be to thee Billingsgate . A boate , a boate , a boate , a full hunderd Markes for a boate . Exit .

Actus Quartus . Scena Prima . Enter Slitgut , with a paire of Oxe hornes , discouering Cuckolds-Hauen aboue . Slit.

All haile , faire Hauen of married men onely , for there are none but married men Cuckolds . For my part , I presume not to arriue here , but in my Maisters behalfe , ( a poore Butcher of East-cheape ) who sends me to set vp ( in honour of Saint Luke ) these necessarie Ensignes of his homage : And vp I got this morning , thus early , to get vp to the toppe of this famous Tree , that is all fruite and no leaues , to aduance this Crest of my Maisters occupation . Vp then , Heauen and Saint Luke blesse me , that I be not blowne into the Thames as I clime , with this furious Tempest ; Slight , I thinke the Deuill be abroade , in likenesse of a storme , to rob me of my Hornes : Harke how he roares . Lord ! what a coyle the Thames keepes ! she beares some vniust burthen I beleeue , that she kicks and curuets thus to cast it : Heauen blesse all honest passengers , that are vpon her back now , for the Bitte is out of her mouth I see , and shee will runne away with 'hem . So , so , I thinke I haue made it looke the right way , it runnes against London-Bridge ( as it were ) euen full butt . And now , let mee discouer from this loftie prospect , what pranckes the rude Thames playes in her desperate lunacie . O me , here 's a Boate has beene cast away hard by . Alas , alas , See one of her passengers , labouring for his life , to land at this Hauen here ; pray heauen he may recouer it : His next land is eue� iust vnder me ; hold out yet a little : whatsoeuer thou art , pray , and take a good heart to thee . T is a man , take a mans heart to thee ; yet a little further , get vp a thy legges man : now , t is snallowe enough . So , so , so ! Alas , hee 's downe againe ; hold thy winde Father : t is a man in a Night-cappe . So ! now hee 's got vp againe : now hee 's past the worst : yet thankes be to heauen ; he comes toward me pretie and strongly .

Enter Securitie without his hat , in an Night-cap , wett , band , &c. Secu.

Heauen , I beseech thee , how haue I offended thee ! where am I cast a shore nowe , that I may goe a righter way home by land ? Let me see . O I am scarce able to looke about me ! where is there any Sea-marke that I am acquainted withall ?

Slit.

Looke vp Father , are you acquainted with this Marke ?

Secu.

What! landed at Cuckolds hauen ? Hell and damnation . I will runne backe and drowne my selfe . He falles downe .

Slit.

Poore man how weake hee is ! the weake water ha's washt away his strength .

See.

Landed at Cuckolds hauen ? if it had not bin to die twentie times a liue , I should neuer haue scapt death : I will neuer arise more : I will grouell here , and eate durt till I be choak't : I will make the gentle earth doe that , which the cruell water ha's denied me .

Slit.

Alas good father , be not so desperate ; Rise man : if you will , I le come presently and lead you home .

Secu.

Home ? shall I make any know my Home , that has knowne me thus abrode ? how I owe shall I crouch away , that no eye may see mee ? I will creepe on the earth while I liue , and neuer looke heauen in the face more . Exit creep .

Slit.

What yong Planet raignes now troe , that olde men are so foolish ? What desperate yong Swaggerer would haue bin abroad such a wether as this , vpon the water ? Ay me , see a nother remnant of this vnfortunate ship-wrack ! or some other . A woman ! yfaith , a woman , though it be almost at S. Kath'rins , I discerne it to be a woman for al her bodie is aboue the water , & her clothes swim about her most handsomely . O they beare her vp most brauely ! has not a woman reason to loue the taking vp of her cloathes the better while she liues , for this ? Alas , how busie the rude Thames is about her ? A pox a'th at waue . It wil drowne her , yfaith , t will drowne her . Crye God mercie , shee has scapt it ! I thanke heauen she has scapt it . O , how she swimmes like a Mermaide ! some vigilant body looke out , and saue her . That 's well said , iust where the Priest fell in , there 's one sets downe a Ladder , and goes to take her vp : Gods blessing a thy heart boy , now take her vp in thy armes and to bedde with her . Shee 's vp , shee 's vp ! Shee 's a beautifull woman I warrant her , the Billowes durst not deuoure her .

Enter the Drawer in the Tauerne before with Wynnyfrid . Draw.

How fare you now Lady ?

Wynn.

Much better , my good friende then I wishe : as one desperate of her Fame , now my Life is preseru'd .

Draw.

Comfort your selfe ; That power that preserued you from death : can likewise defend you from infamie , howsoeuer you deserue it . Were not you one that tooke Bote , late this night , with a Knight , and other Gentlemen at Billings-gate ?

Wynn.

Vnhappy that I am , I was .

Draw.

I am glad it was my good happe to come downe thus farre after you , to a house of my friends heere in S. Kath'rines , since I am now happily made a meane to your rescue , from the ruthlesse tempest ; which ( when you tooke Bote ) was so extreame , and the Gentleman that brought you forth , so desperate and vnsober , that I fear'd long ere this I should heare of your ship-wracke , and therefore ( with little other reason ) made thus farre this way : And this I must tell you , since perhappes you may make vse of it , there was left behinde you at our Tauerne , brought by a Porter ( hyr'd by the yong Gentleman that brought you ) a Gentle womans Gowne , Hat , Stockings , and Shooes ; which if they be yours , and you please to shift you , taking a hard bed here , in this house of my friend , I will presently goe fetch you .

Wynn.

Thanks my good friend , for your more then good newes . The Gowne with all things bounde with it are myne ; which if you please to fetch as you haue promist , I will bouldly receiue the kinde fauour you haue offered , till your returne : intreating you , by all the good you haue done in preseruing me hitherto , to let none take knowledge of what fauour you doe me , or where such a one as I am bestowed , lest you incurre mee much more damage in my fame , then you haue done me pleasure in preseruing my life .

Draw.

Come in Lady , and shift your selfe ; resolue , that nothing , but your owne pleasure , shall bee vsde in your discouery .

Wynn.

Thanke you good friende : the time may come , I shall requite you . Exeunt .

Slit.

See , see , see ! I hold my life , there 's some other a taking vp at Wapping , now ! Looke , what a sort of people cluster about the Gallows there ! in good troth it is so . O me ! a fine yong Gentleman ! What ? and taken vp at the Gallowes ? Heauen graunt he be not one day taken downe there : A , my life it is ominous . Well , hee is deliuered for the time , I see the people haue all left him ; yet will I keepe my prospect a while , to see if any more haue bin shipwrackt . Enter Quick , bareheade .

Quick. Accur'st , that euer I was sau'd , or borne . How fatall is my sad ariuall here ? As if the Starres , and Prouidence spake to mee , And sayd , the drift of all vnlawfull courses , ( What euer ende they dare propose themselues , In frame of their licentious policyes . ) In the firme order of iust Destinie , They are the ready high wayes to our Ruines . I know not what to doe , my wicked hopes Are , with this Tempest , torne vp by the rootes . O , which way shall I bend my desperate steppes , In which vnsufferable Shame and Miserie Will not attend them ? I will walke this Banck , And see if I can meete the other reliques Of our poore ship-wrackt Crew , or heare of them . The Knight ( alas ) was so farre gone with wine , And th' other three , that I refus de their Boate , And tooke the haplesse Woman in another , Who cannot but be suncke , what euer Fortune Hath wrought vpon the others desperate liues . Enter Petronel , and Seagul , bareheaded . Pet.

Zounds Captaine , I tell thee , we are cast vp o' the Coast of France , Sfoote , I am not drunke still , ( I hope ? ) Dost remember where we were last Night ?

Sea.

No by my troth Knight , not I . but me thinkes wee haue bin a horrible while vpon the water , and in the water .

Pet.

Aye me we are vndone for euer : hast any money about thee ?

Sea.

Not a pennie by heauen .

Pet.

Not a pennie betwixt vs , and cast a shore in France ?

Sea.

Faith I cannot tell that ; my braines , nor mine eyes are not mine owne , yet .

Enter 2. Gentlemen Pet.

Sfoote wilt not beleeue me ? I know 't by th' eleuation of the Pole ; and by the altitude and latitude of the Climate . See! hers comes a coople of French Gentlemen ; I knew we were in France : dost thou think our Englishmen are so Frenchyfied , that a man knowes not whether he be in France , or in England , whe� he sees 'hem ? What shal we doe ? we must cene to 'hem , and intreat some reliefe of hem : Life is sweete , and we haue no other meanes to relieue our liues now , but their Charities ;

Sea.

Pray you , do you beg on 'hem the� , you can speak French .

Pet.

Monsieur , plaist il d'auoir pitie de nostre grand infortunes ? Iesuis vn poure Cheualier D'Angloterre qui a souffris infortune de Naufrage .

1. Gent.

Vn poure Cheualier D'Angliterre ?

Pet.

Oui Monsieur , il est trop vraye ; mais vovs scaves bien nous somes toutes subiect a fortune .

2. Gent.

A poore Knight of England ? a poore Knight of Windsore , are you not ? Why speake you this broken French , when y' are a whole English man ? on what coaste are you , thinke you ?

Pet.

on the coast of France , sir .

1. Gen.

On the cost of Doggs Sir : Y' are i th' I le a Doggs I tell you . I see y 'aue bene washt in the Thames here , & I beleeue ye were drownd in a Tauerne before , or els you would neuer haue tooke boate in such a dawning as this was . Farewel , farewel , we wil not know you for shaming of you . I ken the man wee l , hee 's one of my thirty pound Knights .

2. Gen.

No no , this is he that stole his knighthood o' the grand day , for foure pound giuing to a Page , all the money in 's purse I wot well . Exeunt .

Sea.

Death , Collonell , I knew you were ouer shot .

Pet.

Sure I thinke now indeede , Captaine Seagull , we were something ouershot . Enter Quicksiluer .

What ! my sweete Franck Quicksiluer ! dost thou surviue to reioyce me ? But what ? no bodie at thy heels , Franck ? Ay me , what is become of poore Mistresse Securitie .

Quick.

Faith gone quite from her Name , as she is from her Fame I thinke ; I left her to the mercie of the water .

Sea.

Let her goe , let her goe : let vs go to our ship at Blackwall and shift vs .

Pet.

Nay by my troth , let our clothes rotte vpon vs . and let vs rotte in them : twentie to one our Ship is attacht by this time ? if we set her not vnder Saile this last Tide , I neuer lookt for any other . Woe , woe is me , what shall become of vs ? the last money we could make , the greedy Thams has deuourde ; and if our Ship be attach't , there is no hope can relieue vs .

Quic.

Sfoote Knight , what an vn-knightly faintnesse transports thee ? let our Ship sinck , and all the world that 's without vs be taken from vs , I hope I haue some tricks , in this braine of mine , shall not let vs perish .

Sea.

Well said Francke faith . O my nimble-spirited Quick-siluer , Foregod , would thou hadst beene our Colonell .

Petr.

I like his spirit rarely , but I see no meanes he has to support that spirit .

Quic.

Go to Knight , I haue more meanes then thou art aware off : I haue not liu'd amongst Gould-smiths and Gouldmakers all this while , but I haue learned something worthy of my time with 'hem . And , not to let thee stinck where thou standst , Knight , I le let thee know some of my skill presently .

Sea.

Doe good Francke I beseech thee .

Quic.

I will blanche Copper so cunningly , that it shall endure all proofes , but the Test : it shall endure malleation , it shal haue the ponderositie of Luna , and the tenacitie of Luna , by no meanes friable .

Petr.

Slight , where learn'st thou these tearmes , tro ?

Quic.

Tush Knight , the tearmes of this Arte , euery ignorant Quack-saluer is perfect in : but I le tell you how your selfe shal blanche Copper thus cunningly . Take Arsnicke , otherwise called Realga , ( which indeede is plaine Ratsbane ) Sublime 'hem three or foure times , then take the Sublimate of this Realga , and put 'hem into a Glasse , into Chymia , & let 'hem haue a conuenient decoction Naturall , foure and twentie houres , & he will become perfectly fixt : Then take this fixed powder , & proiect him vpon wel-purgd Copper , et habebis Magistriu� .

Ambo.

Excellent Francke , let vs hugge thee .

Quick.

Nay this I will do besides ; I le take you off twelue pence from euery Angell , with a kind of Aquafortis , and neuer deface any part of the Image .

Pet.

But then it will want weight ?

Quic.

You shall restore that thus : Take your sal Achyme prepar'd , and your distild Vrine ; and let your Angels lie in it but foure and twenty howres , and they shall haue their perfect weight againe : come on now I hope this is enough to put some spirit into the liuers of you , I le infuse more an other time . We haue saluted the proud Ayre long enough with our bare skonces , now will I haue you to a wenches house of mine at London , there make shift to shift vs , and after such fortunes as the stars shal assigne vs .

Ambo.

Notable Franck ! we will euer adore thee . Exeunt .

Enter Drawer with Wynifrid , new attird . Wyn.

Nowe sweete friende you haue brought me nere enough your Tauerne , which I desired that I might with some colour be seene neare , enquiring for my husband ; who I must tel you stale thither last with my wet gowne we haue left at your friends : which , to continue your former honest kindnes , let me pray you to keepe close from the knowledge of any ; and so , with all vow of your requitall , let me now entreate you to leaue me to my womans wit , and fortune .

Draw.

All shall be done you desire ; and so , all the fortune you can wish for , attend you . Exit Draw .

Enter Securitie . Secu.

I wil once more to this vnhappy Tauerne before I shift one ragge of me more , that I may there know what is left behind , and what newes of their passengers . I haue bought me a Hat and band with the little money I had about me , and made the streets a litle leaue staring at my night-cap .

Win.

O my deare husband ! where haue you bin to night ? al night abroade at Tauernes ? rob me of my garments ? and fare as one run away from me ? Ahlas ! is this seemely for a man of your credit ? of your age ? and affection to your wife ?

Secu.

What should I say ? how miraculously sorts this ? was not I at home , and cald thee last night ?

Win.

Yes Sir , the harmelesse sleepe you broke , and my answer to you would haue witnest it , if you had had the patience to haue staid and answered me ; but your so sodaine retreate , made me imagine you were gone to Maister Brambles , and so rested patient , and hopefull of your comming againe , till this your unbeleeued absence brought me abroade with no lesse then wonder , to seeke you , where the false Knight had carried you .

Secu.

Villaine , and Monster that I was , howe haue I abus'd thee , I was sodainly gone indeede ! for my sodaine ielousie transferred me . I will say no more but this deare wife I suspected thee .

Win.

Did you suspect me ?

Secu.

Talke not of it I beseech thee , I am ashamed to imagine it ; I will home , I will home , and euery morning on my knees aske thee hartely forgiuenes . Exeunt . Nowe will I descend my honourable Prospect ; the farthiest seeing Sea marke of the World : Noe maruaile then if I could see two miles about me . I hope the redde Tempests anger be nowe ouer blowne , which sure I thinke Heauen sent as a punishment , for prophaning holy Saint Lukes memorie , with so ridiculous a custome . Thou dishonest Satyre , farewel to honest married Men ; Farewel , to all sorts , and degrees of thee . Farewel thou horne of hu�ger that calst th' Inns a court to their Manger ; Farewel thou horne of abounda�ce , that adornest the headsmen of the Common-wealth ; Farewell thou home of Direction , that is the Cittie Lanthorne ; Farewell thou Horne of Pleasure , the Ensigne of the huntsman ; Farewell thou Horne of Destinie , the signe of the married man ; Farewell thou Horne Tree that bearest nothing but Stone fruite Exit .

Enter Touchstone . Touch.

Ha Sirah ! Thinkes my Knight Aduenturer we can no point of our compasse ? Doe wee not knowe North-north-east ? North-east and by East ? East and by North ! nor plaine Eastward ? Ha ? haue we neuer heard of Virginia ? nor the Cauallaria ? not the Colonoria ? Can we discouer no discoueries ? well , mine errant Sir Flash , and my runnagate Quicksiluer , you may drinke dronke , crack cannes , hurle away a browne dozen of Monmouth Capps or so , in sea-ceremonie to your boon voyage but for reaching any Coast saue the coast of Kent ; or Essex , with this Tide , or with this fleete , I le be your warrant for a Grauesend Tost : There 's that gone afore , wil stay your Admiral and Vice-admirall , and Rere-admirall , were they al ( as they are ) but one Pinnace , and vnder saile , as wel as a Remora , doubt it not ; and from this Sconce , without eyther pouder or shot , worke vpon that now . Nay , and you 'll shew trickes , wee 'l vie with you , a little . My Daughter , his Lady , was sent Eastward , by land , to a Castle of his , i' the ayre ( in what region I knowe not ) and ( as I heare ) was glad to take vp her lodging in her Coach , she and her two waiting women , her maide , and her mother , like three Snailes in a shall , and the Coachman a top on 'hem , I thinke . Since they haue all found the way back againe by weeping Crosse . But I le not see them . And for two on 'hem , Madam , and her Malkm , they are like to bite o the bridle for William , as the poore horses haue done al this while that hurried 'hem , or else go graze o' the co�mon : So should my Dame Touchstone too , but she has bene my Crosse these thirty yeares , and I le now keepe her , to fright away sprights ; Ifaith . I wonder I heare no news of my sonne Goulding ! He was sent for to the Guild-hall , this Morning betimes , and I maruaile at the matter , if I had not layd vp Comfort , & hope in him , I should grow desperate of al . See , He is come I' my thought ! How now Sonne ? what newes at the Court of Aldermen ?

Enter Goulding . Gould .

Troth Sir , an Accident somewhat strange , els it hath litle in it worth the reporting .

Touch.

What ? It is not borrowing of money then ?

Gold.

No sir it hath pleasd the worshipful Commoners of the citty , to take me one i' their number at presentation of the inquest

Touch.

Ha!

Gould .

And the Alderman of the warde wherein Idwel , to appoint me his Deputy �

Touch.

Howe !

Gold.

In which place , I haue had an oath ministred me , since I went .

Touch.

Now my deare , & happy Sonnellet we kisse thy new worship , & a litle boast mine own happines in thee : What a fortune was it ( or rather my iudgment indeed ) for me , first to see that in his disposition , which a whole Citty so conspires to second ? Tane into the Liuory of his copany , the first day of his freedo�e ? now ( not a weeke maried ) chosen Commoner ? and Aldermans Deputie in a day ? note but the reward of a thrifty course . The wo�der of his Time ! Wel , I wil honour M. Alderman , for this act , ( as becomes me ) & shall think the better of the cômon Councels wisdo�e , & worship , while I liue , for thus meeting , or but co�ming after me in the opinion of his desert . Forward , my sufficient Sonne , and as this is the first , so esteeme it the least step , to that high and prime honour that expects thee .

Goul.

Sir , as I was not ambitious of this , so I couet no higher place ; it hath dignity enough , if it will but saue me from contempt : and I had rather my bearing , in this , or any other office , should adde worth to it ; then the Place giue the least opinion to me .

Touch.

Excellently spoken : This modest Answer of thine blushes , as if it said , I will weare Scarlet shortly . Worshipfull Sonne ! I cannot containe my selfe , I must tell thee , I hope to see thee one o' the Monuments of our Citty , and reckon'd among her worthies , to be remembred the same day with the Lady Ramsey , and graue Gresham : when the famous fable of Whittington , and his Pusse , shall be forgotten , and thou and thy Actes become the Posies for Hospitals , when thy name shall be written vpon Conduits , and thy deeds plaid i' thy life time , by the best companies of Actors , and be call'd their Get-peny . This I diuine . This I Prophecie .

Gold.

Sir , engage not your expectation farder , then my abilities will answer : I that know mine owne strengths , feare 'hem ; and there is so seldome a losse in promising the least , that commonly it brings with it a welcome deceipt . I haue other newes for you Sir .

Touch.

None more welcome , I am sure ?

Gould .

They haue their degree of welcome , I dare affirme . The Colonell , and all his company , this morning putting forth drunke from Belinsgate , had like to haue been cast away o'th is side Greenwich : and ( as I haue intelligence , by a false Brother , ) are come dropping to towne , like so many Masterlesse men , i' their doublets and hose , without Hatte , or Cloake , or any other �

Touch.

A miracle ! the Iustice of Heauen ! where are they ? le ts goe presently and lay for 'hem .

Goul.

I haue done that already Sir , both by Constables , and other officers , who shall take 'hem at their old Anchor ; and with lesse tumult , or suspition , then if your selfe were seene in 't : vnder coulour of a great Presse , that is now abroad , and they shall here be brought afore me .

Touch.

Prudent , & politique sonne ! Disgrace 'hem all that euer thou canst ; their Ship I haue already arrested . How to my wish it falls out , that thou hast the place of a Iusticer vpon 'hem ! I am partly glad of the iniury done to me , that thou maist punish it . Be seuere i' thy place , like a new officer o' the first quarter , vnreflected : you heare how our Lady is come back with her traine , from the inuisible Castle ?

Gould .

No , where is she ?

Touch.

Within , but I ha' not seene her yet , not her mother ; who now begins to wish her daughter vndub'd , they say , and that she had walkd a foot-pase with her sister . Here they come , stand back .

Touchstone , Mistresse Touchstone , Gyrtrude , Goulding , Mildred , Syndefie .

God saue your Ladiship ; 'saue your good Ladiship : your Ladiship is welcome from your inchanted Castell ; so are your beautious Retinew . I heare your Knight errant is trauayld on strange aduentures : Surely in my minde , your Ladiship hath fish'd faire , and caught a Frog , as the saying is .

Mist. Tou.

Speake to your Father , Madam , & kneele downe .

Gyrt.

Kneele ? I hope I am not brought so low yet : though my Knight be run away , & has sold my land , I am a Lady , stil .

Touch.

Your Ladiship says true , Madam , & it is fitter , and a greater decorum , that I should curtsie to you that are a knights wife , and a Lady , then you be brought a' your knees to me , who am a poore Cullion , and your Father .

Gyr.

Law ! my Father knowes his duty .

Mist. Tou.

O child !

Touch.

And therefore I doe desire your Ladiship , my good Lady Flash in all humility , to depart my obscure Cottage , and returne in quest of your bright , and most transparent Castell , how euer presently conceald to mortall eyes . And as for one poore woman of your traine here , I will take that order , she shall no longer be a charge vnto you , nor helpe to spend your Ladiship ; she shall stay at home with me , and not goe abroad , not put you to the pawning of an odde Coach-horse , or three wheeles , but take part with the Touchstone : If we lacke , we wil not complaine to your Ladiship . And so good Madam , with your Damoselle here , please you to let vs see your straight backs , in equipage ; for truly , here is no roust for such Chickens as you are , or birds o' your feather , if it like your Ladiship .

Gyrt.

Mary , fyste o' your kindnesse . I thought as much . Come away Sinne , we shall assoone get a fart from a dead man , as a farthing of court'sie here .

Mild.

O , good Sister !

Gyrt.

Sister , sir reuerence ? come away , I say , Hunger drops out at his nose .

Goul.

O Madam , Faire words neuer hurt the tongue .

Gyrt.

How say you by that ? you come out with your golde ends now !

Mi. Tou.

Stay Lady-daughter : good husband .

Touch.

Wife , no man loues his fetters , be they made of gold : I list not ha' my head fastned vnder my childs girdle ; as she has brew'd , so let her drinke , a Gods name : she went witlesse to wedding , now she may goe wisely a begging . It 's but hony-Moone yet with her Ladiship ; she has Coach horses , Apparell , Iewels yet left , she needs care for no friends , nor take knowledge of Father , Mother , Brother , Sister , or any body : When those are pawn'd , or spent , perhaps we shall returne into the list of her acquaintance .

Gyrt.

I scorne it ifaith . Come Sinne . ( Exit Gyrt .

Mi. Tou.

O Madam , why do you prouoke your Father , thus ?

Touch.

Nay , nay , eene let Pride goe afore , Shame wil follow after , I warrant you . Come , why doost thou weepe now ? thou art not the first good Cow hast had an ill Calfe , I trust . What 's the newes , with that fellow ? Enter Constable .

Goul.

Sir , the Knight , and your man Quickesiluer are without , will you ha 'hem brought in ?

Touch.

O by any meanes . And Sonne , here 's a Chaire ; appeare terrible vnto 'hem , on the first enter view . Let them behold the melancholy of a Magistrate , and taste the fury of a Citizen in office .

Goul.

Why Sir , I can do nothing to 'hem , except you charge 'hem with somwhat .

Touch.

I will charge 'hem , and recharge 'hem , rather then Authority should want foyle to set it of .

Gould .

No good Sir , I will not .

Touch.

Sonne , it is your place ; by any meanes .

Goul.

Beleeue it , I will not Sir .

Enter Knight Petronell , Quickesiluer , Constable , Officers . Pet.

How Misfortune pursues vs still in our misery !

Quic.

Would it had beene my fortune , to haue beene trust vp at Wapping , rather then euer ha' come here .

Pet.

Or mine , to haue famisht in the Iland .

Quic.

Must Goulding sit vpon vs ?

Consta.

You might carry an M. vnder your girdle to Maister Deputis worship .

Gould .

What are those , maister Constable ?

Const.

And 't please your worship , a couple of Maisterlesse men , I prest for the Low-countries , Sir .

Goul.

Why do you not cary 'hem to Bridewell , according to your order , they may be shipt away ?

Const.

An 't please your Worship , one of 'hem sayes he is a Knight ; and we thought good to shew him to your worship , for our discharge .

Goul.

Which is he ?

Const.

This Sir .

Goul.

And what 's the other ?

Const.

A Knights Fellow Sir , an 't please you .

Goul.

What ? a Knight , and his Fellow thus accoutred ? Where are their Hattes and Feathers , their Rapiers , and their Cloakes ?

Quic.

O they mock vs .

Const.

Nay truely sir , they had cast both their Feathers , and Hattes too , before wee see 'hem . Here 's all their furniture , an 't please you , that we found . They say , Knights are now to be knowne without Feathers , like Cockrels by their Spurres , Sir .

Goul.

What are their names , say they ?

Touch.

Very well this . He should not take knowledge of 'hem in his place , indeeed .

Con.

This is Sir Petronell Flash .

Touch.

How !

Con.

And this Francis Quickesiluer .

Touch.

Is 't possible ? I thought your Worship had beene gone for Virginia , Sir . You are welcome home sir . Your Worship has made a quick returne , it seemes and no doubt a good voyage . Nay pray you be couer'd Sir . How did your Bisquet hold out Sir ? Me thought , I had seene this Gentlemen afore ; good Maister Quickesiluer ! How a degree to the Southward has chang'd you .

Gould .

Doe you know 'hem Father ? Forbeare your offers a litle , you shall be heard anon .

Touch.

Yes , Maister Deputy : I had a small venture with them in the voyage , a Thing , cald a Sonne in Lawe , or so . Officers , you may let 'hem stand alone , they will not runne away , I le giue my word for them . A couple of very honest Gentlemen . One of 'hem was my Prentise , M. Quicksiluer , here , & whe� he had 2. yeare to serue , kept his whore , & his hunting Nag , would play his 100. pound at Gresco , or Primero , as familiarly ( & al a' my purse ) as any bright peice of Crimson on 'hem all , had his changable trunks of Apparel , standing at liuery , with his Mare , his Chest of perfumd linnen , and his Bathing Tubbs , which whe� I told him off , why he � he was a Gentleman , and I a poore Cheapeside Groome . The remedie was , we must part . Since when he hath had the gift of gathering vp some small parcels of mine , to the value of 500. pound disperst among my customers to furnish this his Virginian ve�ture ; wherin this knight was the chiefe , sir Flash : one that married a daughter of mine , Ladefied her , turn'd two thousand poundes worth of good land of hers , into Cash , within the first weeke , bought her a new Gowne , & a Coach , sent her to seeke her fortune by land , whilst himselfe prepared for his fortune by sea , tooke in fresh flesh at Belingsgate , for his owne diet , to serue him the whole voyage , the wife of a certaine vsurer , cald Securitie , who hath bene the broker for 'hem in all this businesse : Please Maister Deputy , Worke vpon that now .

Goul.

If my worshipfull Father haue ended .

Touch.

I haue , it shall please M. Deputy .

Goul.

Well then , vnder correction . �

Touch.

Now sonne , come ouer 'hem with some fine guird , as thus , Knight you shall be encountred , that is , had to the Counter ; or Quicksiluer , I will put you in a crucible or so .

Gould .

Sir Petronell Flash , I am sory to see such flashes as these proceede from a Gentleman of your Quality , & Rancke ; For mine own part , I could wish , I could say , I could not see the� : but such is the misery of Magistrates , and men in Place , that they must not winke at Offenders . Take him aside , I wil heare you anone sir .

Tou.

I like this wel yet : there 's some grace i' the knight , left , He cries .

Goul.

Francis Quick-siluer , would God thou hadst turnd Quack-saluer , rather then run into these dissolute , & lewd courses ; It is great pitty , thou art a proper yong man , of an honest and cleane face , somewhat neere a good one , ( God hath done his part in thee ) but , thou haste made too much , and beene to proud of that face , with the rest of thy body ; for maintenance of which in neate and garish attire , ( onely to be look'd vpon by some light houswifes ) thou hast prodigally consumed much of thy Masters estate : and being by him gently admonish'd , at seueral times , hast returnd thy selfe haughty , and rebellious , in thine answers , thundring out vnciuill comparisons , requiting al his kindnes with a course and harsh behauiour , neuer returning thanks for any one benefit , but receiuing all , as if they had bin Debts to thee , & no Courtesies . I must tel thee Francis , these are manifest signes of an ill nature ; and God doth often punish such pride , and outrecuidance , with scorne and infamy , which is the worst of misfortune . My worshipfull father , what do you please to charge them withall ? from the presse I wil free 'hem Maister Constable .

Const.

Then I le leaue your worship , Sir .

Gold.

No , you may stay , there will be other matters against 'hem .

Touch.

Sir I do charge this Gallant , Maister Quicksiluer , on suspicion of Felony ; and the Knight as being accessary , in the receipt of my goods .

Quick.

O God Sir !

Touch.

Hold thy peace , impude�t varlot , hold thy peace . With what forehead or face , dost thou offer to choppe Logick with me , hauing run such a race of Riot , as thou hast done ? Do's not the sight of this worshipful mans fortune & temper , confound thee , that was thy yonger fellow in houshold , and now come to haue the place of a Iudge vpon thee ? Dost not obserue this ? Which of al thy Gallants , & Gasters , thy Swearers & thy Swaggerers , will come now to mone thy misfortune , or pitty thy penurie ? They le looke out at a window , as thou rid'st in triumph to Tiborne , and crye , yonder goes honest Franck , mad Quicksiluer ; He was a free boone companion , when hee had money , sayes one ; Hang him foole , saies another , he could not keepe it when he had it ; A pox o' the Cullio� his Mr. ( sais a third ) he has brought him to this : when their Pox of pleasure , & their piles of perdition , would haue bene better bestowed vpon thee , that hast ventred for 'hem with the best , and by the clew of thy knauery , brought thy selfe weeping , to the Cart of Calamity .

Quic.

Worshipfull Maister .

Touch.

Offer not to speake , Crocodile , I will not heare a sound come from thee . Thou hast learnt to whine at the Play yonder . Maister Deputy , pray yon commit 'hem both to safe custody , till I be able farther to charge 'hem .

Quic.

O me , what an infortunate thing am I !

Pet.

Will you not take security Sir .

Touch.

Yes mary will I sir Flash , if I can find him , & charge him as deepe as the best on you . He has beene the plotter of all this : he is your Inginer , I heare . Maister Deputy , you 'll dispose of these ? In the meane time , I le to my Lo. Mayor , & get his warrant , to seize that Serpent Securitie into my hands , & seale vp both house , and goods , to the Kings vse , or my satisfaction .

Goul.

Officers take 'hem to the Counter .

Qui. & Pet.

O God .

Touch.

Nay on , on : you see the issue of your Sloth . Of Sloth commeth Pleasure , of Pleasure commeth Riot , of Ryot comes Whoring , of Whoring comes Spending , of Spending comes Want , of Want comes Theft , of Theft comes Hanging ; and there is my Quickesiluer fixt . Exeunt .

Actus Quintus . Scena Prima . Gyrtrude . Sindefie . Gyr.

Ah Sinne ! hast thou euer read i' the Chronicle of any Lady , and her waiting-woman , driuen to that extremity , that we are , Sinne ?

Syn.

Not I truely , Madam , and if I had , it were but colde comfort , should come out of bookes , now .

Gyr.

Why , good faith Sinne , I could dine with a lamentable storie , now . O hone , hone , o no nera , &c. Canst thou tell nere a one , Synne ?

Sin.

None , but mine owne , Madam , which is lamentable inough ; first to be stolne from my Friends , which were worshipfull , and of good accompt , by a Prentile , in the habite and disguise of a Gentleman , and here brought vp to London , and promis'd mariage , and now likely to be forsaken ( for he is in possibility to be hangd . )

Gyr.

Nay weepe not good Sinne . My Petronell , is in as good possibilitie as he . Thy miseries , are nothing to mine , Sinne : I was more then promis'd marriage , Sinne , I had it Sinne : & was made a Lady ; and by a Knight , Sin : which is now as good as no Knight , Sin : And I was borne in London , which is more then brought vp , Sin : and already forsaken ; which is past likelihood , Sin : and in stead of Land i' the Countrey , all my Knights Liuing lies i' the Counter , Syn . there 's his Castle now ?

Syn.

Which hee cannot be forc't out off , Madam .

Gyr.

Yes , if he would liue hungry a weeke , or two . Hunger they say breakes stone wals . But he is eene wel inough seru'd , Sin , that so soone as euer he had got my hand to the sale of my inheritance run away from me , and I had bene his Punke , God blesse vs . Would the Knight o' the Sunne , or Palmerin of England , haue vsd their Ladies so , Syn ? or sir Lancelot ? or sir Tristram ?

Syn.

I doe not know , Madam .

Gry,

Then thou know'st nothing , Syn . Thou art a Foole , Syn . The Knighthood now a daies , are nothing like the Knighthood of old time . They rid a horseback Ours goe afoote . They were attended by their Squires . Our by their Lacquaies . They went buckled in their Armor , Ours muffled in their Cloaks . They trauaild wildernesses ; & desarts , Ours dare scarce walke the streets . They were stil prest to engage their Honour , Ours stil ready to paune their cloaths . They would gallop on at sight of a Mo�ster , Ours run away at sight of a Serieant . They would helpe poore Ladies , Ours make poore Ladies .

Syn.

I Madam , they were Knights of the Round-Table at Winchester , that sought Adue�tures , but these of the Square Table at Ordinaries , that sit at Hazard .

Gyr.

True Syn , let him vanish And tel me , what shal we pawne next

Syn.

I mary , Mada� , a timely consideration , for our Hostes ( prophane woman ) has sworne by bread , & salt , she will not trust vs another meale .

Gyr.

Let it stinke in her hand the� : I le not be beholding to her . Let me see , my Iewels begone , & my Gownes , & my red veluet Petticote , that I was maried in , & my wedding silke stockings , & al thy best apparel , poore Syn . Good faith , rather the� thou shouldest pawne a ragge more , I l'd lay my Ladiship in lauender , if I knew where .

Syn.

Alas , Madam , your Ladiship ?

Gir.

I , why ? you do not scorne my Ladiship , though it is in a Wastcoate ? Gods my life , you are a Peate indeed ! do I offer to morgage my Ladiship , for you , and for your auaile , and do you turne the Lip , and the Alas to my Ladiship ?

Syn.

No Madam , but I make question , who will lend any thing vpon it ?

Gyr.

Who ? marry inow , I warrant you , if you 'le seeke 'hem out . I 'm sure I remember the time , when I would ha' giuen a thousand pound , ( if I had had it ) to haue bin a Ladie ; and I hope I was not bred and borne with that appetite alone : some other gentle-borne o' the Citie , haue the same longing I trust . And for my part , I would afford 'hem a peny'rth , my Ladiship is little the worse , for the wearing , and yet I would bate a good deale of the summe . I would lend it ( let me see ) for 40 li. in hand , Syn , that would apparrell vs ; and ten pound a yeare : that would keepe me , and you , Syn , ( with our needles ) and wee should neuer need to be beholding to our sciruy Parents ? Good Lord , that there are no Fayries now adayes , Syn .

Syn.

Why Madame ?

Gyr.

To doe Miracles , and bring Ladyes money . Sure , if we lay in a cleanly house , they would haunt it , Synne ? I le trie . I le sweepe the Chamber soone at night , & set a dish of water o' the Hearth . A Fayrie may come , and bring a Pearle , or a Diamonde Wee do not know Syn ? Or , there may be a pot of Gold hid o' the backe-side , if we had tooles to digge for 't ? why may not wee two rise earely i' the morning ( Syn ) afore any body is vp , and find a Iewell , i' the streets , worth a 100. li. ? May not some great Court-Lady , as she comes from Reuels at midnight , looke out of her Coach , as 't is running , and loose such a Iewell , and wee finde it ? Ha ?

Syn.

They are prettie waking dreames ; these .

Gyr.

Or may not some olde Vsurer bee drunke ouer-night , with a Bagge of money , and leaue it behinde him on a Stall ? for God-sake , Syn , let 's rise to morrow by breake of day , and see . I protest law , If I had as much money as an Alderman , I would seatter some on 't , i' th' streetes for poore Ladyes to finde , when their Knights were layd vp . And , nowe I remember my Song o' the Golden showre , why may not I haue such a fortune ?

I le sing it , and try what luck I shall haue after it .

Fond Fables tell of olde , How loue in Danaes lappe Fell in a showre of Gold , By which shee caught a clappe ; O , had it beene my hap , ( How ere the blow doth threaten ) So well I like the play , That I could wish all day And night to be so beaten . Enter Mistris Touchstone .

O , heer 's my Mother ! good lucke , I hope . Ha' you brought any money , Mother ? Pray you Mother , your Blessing . Nay , sweet Mother , doe not weepe .

Mistris Touch.

God blesse you ; I would I were in my Graue .

Gyr.

Nay , deare Mother , can you steale no more money from my father ? dry your eyes , & comfort me . Alas , it is my Knights fault , and not mine , that I am in a Wast-coate , and attyred thus simply .

Mistris Touch.

Simply ? T is better then thou deseru'st . Neuer whimper for the matter . Thou shouldst haue look'd , before thou hadst leap't . Thou wert a fire to be a Lady , and now your Ladishippe and you may both blowe at the Cole , for ought I know . Selfe doe , selfe haue . The hastie person neuer wants woe , they say .

Gyr.

Nay then Mother , you should ha look'd to it ; A bodie would thinke you were the older : I did but my kinde , l. He was a Knight , and I was fit to be a Lady . T is not lacke of liking , but lacke of liuing , that seuers vs . And you talke like your selfe and a Cittiner in this , yfaith . You shew what Husband you come on Iwys . You smell the Touch-stone . He that will doe more for his daughter , that he has marryed a sciruie Gold-end man , and his Prentise , then he will for his t'other Daughter , that has wedded a Knight , and his Customer . By this light , I thinke hee is not my legittimate Father .

Syn.

O good Madam , doe not take vp your mother so .

Mistris . Touch.

Nay , nay , let her cene alone . Let her Ladishippe grieue me still , with her bitter taunts and termes . I haue not dole inough to see her in this miserable case , l ? without her Veluet gownes , without Ribbands , without Iewels , without French-wires , or Cheat bread , or Quailes , or a little Dog , or a Genttleman Vsher , or any thing indeed , that 's fit for a Lady . �

Syn.

Except her tongue .

Mistris Touch.

And I not able to releiue her neither , being kept so short , by my husband . Well , God knowes my heart . I did little thinke , that euer shee should haue had need of her sister Golding .

Gyr.

Why Mother , I ha not yet . Alas , good Mother , bee not intoxicate for mee , I am well inough . I would not change husbands with my Sister , I . The legge of a Larke is better then the body of a Kight .

Mistris Touch.

I know that . But �

Gyr.

What sweete Mother , What ?

Mistris Touchstone .

It 's but ill food , when nothing's left but the Claw .

Gyr.

That 's true Mother ; Aye me .

Mistris Touchstone .

Nay , sweete Lady-bird , sigh not . Child , Madame . Why doe you weepe thus ? Bee of good cheere . I shall die , if you crye , and marre your complexion , thus ?

Gyr.

Alas Mother , what should I doe ,

Mistris Touch.

Goe to thy Sister's Childe , Shee 'le be proude , thy Lady-ship will come vnder her roofe . Shee 'le winne thy Father to release thy Knight , and redeeme thy Gownes , and thy Coach , and thy Horses , and set thee vp againe .

Gyr.

But will shee get him to set my Knight vp , too ?

Mistris Touchstone .

That shee will , or any thing else thou'lt aske her .

Gyr.

I will begin to loue her , if I thought she would doe this .

Mistris . Touch.

Try her good Chucke , I warrant thee .

Gyr.

Doost thou thinke shee 'le doo 't ?

Syn.

I Madame , and be glad you will receiue it .

Mistris . Touch.

That 's a good Mayden , shee tells you trew . Come , I le take order for your debts i the Ale-house .

Gyr.

Goe , Syn , and pray for thy Franck , as I will , for my Pet .

Enter Touchstone , Goulding , Woolfe . Touch.

I will receiue no Letters , M Woolf , you shal pardon me .

Gould .

Good Father let me entreat you .

Touch.

Sonne Goulding , I will not be tempted , I finde mine owne easie nature , and I know not what a well-pend subtile Letter may worke vpon it : There may be Tricks , Packing , doe you see ? Returne with your Packet , Sir .

Woolfe .

Beleeue it Sir , you need feare no packing here . These are but Letters of Submission , all .

Touch.

Sir , I doe looke for no Submission . I will beare my selfe in this like Blinde Iustice , Worke vpon that now . When the Sessions come , they shall heare from me .

Gould .

From whom come your Letters , M. Woolfe ?

Woolfe .

And 't please you Sir . One from Sir Petronell . Another from Francis Quickesiluer . And a third , from old Securitie , who is almost madde in Prison . There are two , to your worship : One from M. Francis , Sir . Another from the Knight .

Touch.

I doe wonder , M. Woolfe , why you should trauaile thus , in a businesse so contrarie to kinde , or the nature o' your Place ! that you beeing the Keeper of a Prison , should labour the release of your Prisoners ! Whereas mee thinkes , it were farre more Naturall , & Kindely in you , to be ranging about for more , & not let these scape you haue alreadie vnder the Tooth . But they say , you Wolues , when you ha' suck't the blood once , that they are drie , you ha' done .

Woolfe .

Sir , your Worship may descant as you please o' my name , but I protest , I was neuer so mortified with any mens discourse , or behauiour in Prison ; yet I haue had of all sorts of men i' the Kingdome , vnder my Keyes , & almost of all Religions i' the land , as Papist , Protestant , Puritane , Brownist , Anabaptist , Millenary , Family o' Loue , Iewe , Turke , Infidell , Atheist , Good Fellow , &c.

Gould .

And which of all these ( thinkes M. Woolfe ) was the best Religion ?

Woolfe .

Troth , M. Deputie , they that pay Fees best : we neuer examine their consciences farder .

Gould .

I beleeue you M. Woolfe . Good faith , Sir , Here 's a great deale of humilitie i'these Letters .

Woolfe .

Humilitie , Sir ? I , were your Worshippe an Eye-witnesse of it , you would say so . The Knight will i' the Knights-Ward , doe what wee can Sir , and Maister Quickesiluer , would be i' the Hole , if we would let him . I neuer knew , or saw Prisoners more penitent , or more deuout . They will sit you vp all night singing of Psalmes , and aedifying the whole Prison onely , Securitie sings a note to high , sometimes , because he lyes i' the Two-penny ward . farre of , and can not take his tune . The Neighbours can not rest for him , but come euery Morning to aske , what godly Prisoners we haue .

Touch.

Which on 'hem is 't is so deuout , the Knight , or the to'ther ?

Woolfe .

Both Sir . But the young Man especially ! I neuer heard his like ! He has cut his hayre too . He is so well giuen , and has such good gifts ! Hee can tell you , almost all the Stories of the Booke of Martyrs , and speake you all the Sicke-mans Salue without Booke .

Touch

I , if he had had grace , he was brought vp where it grew , I wis . On Maister Wolfe .

Wolfe .

And he has conuerted one Fangs a Sarieant , a fellow could neither write , nor read , he was call'd the Bandog o' the Counter : and he has brought him already to pare his nailes , and say his prayers , and 't is hop'd , he will sell his place shortly , and become an Intelligencer .

Touch.

No more , I am comming all ready . If I should giue any farder eare , I were take� . Adue good Maister Wolfe . Sonne , I doe feele mine owne weaknesses , do not importune me . Pity is a Rheume , that I am subiect too , but I will resist it . Maister Wolfe , Fish is cast away , that is cast in drye Pooles : Tell Hipocrisie , it will not do , I haue touchd , and tried too often ; I am yet proofe , and I will remaine so : when the Sessions come , they shall heare from me . In the meane time , to all suites , to all intreaties , to all letters , to all trickes , I will be deafe as an Adder , and blind as a Beetle , lay mine care to the ground , and lock mine eyes i' my hand , against all temptations . Exit .

Gold.

You see , maister Wolfe , how inexorable he is . There is no hope to recouer him Pray you commend me to my brother Knight , and to my fellow Francis , present 'hem with this small token of my loue ; tell 'hem , I wish I could do 'hem any worthier office , but in this , 't is desperate : yet I will not faile to trie the vttermost of my power for 'hem . And sir , as farre as I haue any credit with you pray you let 'hem want nothing : though I am not ambitious , they should know so much .

Wolse.

Sir , both your actions , and words speake you to be a true Gentleman . They shall know onely what is fit , and no more . Exeunt .

Holdfast . Bramble . Security . Hold.

Who would you speake with , Sir ?

Bra�.

I would speake with one Securitie , that is prisoner here .

Hold.

You' are welcome Sir . Stay there I le call him to you . Maister Securitie .

Secu.

Who call's ?

Hold.

Here 's a Gentleman would speake with you .

Secu.

What is he ? Is 't one that grafts my forehead now I am in prison , and comes to see how the Hornes shoote vp , and prosper .

Hold.

You must pardon him Sir : The old man is a little craz'd with his imprisonment .

Secu.

What say you to me , Sir ? Looke you here . My learned Counsaile , M. Bramble ! Crye you mercie , Sir : when sawe you my wife ?

Bram.

Shee is now at my house , Sir , and desir'd mee that I would come to Visite you and inquire of you your Case , that we might worke some meanes to get you foorth .

Secur.

My Case , M. Bramble , is stone walles , and yron grates ; you see it , this is the weakest part on 't . And , for getting me forth , no meanes but hang my selfe , and so to be carryed foorth , from which they haue here bound me , in intollerable bands .

Bram.

Why but what is 't you are in for , Sir ?

Secu.

For my Sinnes , for my Sinnes Sir , whereof Mariage , is the greatest . O , had I neuer marryed , I had neuer knowne this Purgatorie , to which Hell is a kinde of coole Bathe in respect : My wiues confederacie Sir , with olde Touchstone , that shee might keepe her Iubilaee , and the Feast of her New-Moone . Doe you vnderstand me Sir ? Enter Quickesiluer .

Quick.

Good Sir , goe in and talke with him . The Light dos him harme , and his example will bee hurtfull to the weake Prisoneis . Fit , Father Securitie , that you 'le bee still so prophane , will nothing humble you ? Enter two Prisoners , with a Friend .

Friend .

What 's he ?

Pri. 1.

O hee is a rare yong man . Doe you not know him ?

Frien.

Not I . I neuer saw him . I can remember .

Pri. 2.

Why , it is he that was the gallant Prentise of London , M. Touchstones man .

Frien.

Who Quickesiluer ?

Pri. 1.

I , this is hee .

Frien.

Is this hee ? They say , he has beene a Gallant indeede .

Pris.

O , the royall est fellow , that euer was bred vp i' the Citie . He would play you his thousand pound , a night at Dice ; keepe Knights and Lords Companie ; go with them to baudie houses ; had his fixe men in a Liuerie ; kept a stable of Hunting horses ; and his Wench in her veluet Gowne , and her Cloth of siluer . Here 's one Knight with him here in Prison .

Frien.

And how miserably he is chaung'd !

Pris. 1.

O , that 's voluntary in him ; he gaue away all his rich clothes , assoone as euer hee came in here , among the Prisoners : and will eate o' the Basket , for humilitie .

Friend .

Why will he doe so ?

Pris. 2.

Alas hee has no hope of life . Hee mortifies himselfe . He dos but linger on , till the Sessions .

Pris. 2.

O , he has pen'd the best thing , that hee calles his Repentance , or his Last Fare-well , that euer you heard : Hee is a pretie Poet , and for Prose � You would wonder how many Prisoners he has help't out , with penning Petitions for 'hem , and not take a penny . Looke , this is the Knight , in the rugge Gowne . Standby .

Enter Petronel , Bramble , Quickesiluer , Woolfe . Bram.

Sir , for Securities Case , I haue told him ; Say he should be condemned to be carted , or whipt , for a Bawde , or so , why I le lay an Execution on him o'two hundred pound , let him acknowledge a Iudgement , he shal do it in halfe an howre , they shal not all fetch him out , without paying the Execution , o' my word .

Pet.

But can we not be bay'ld M. Bramble ?

Bram.

Hardly , there are none of the Iudges in Towne , else you should remoue your selfe ( in spight of him ) with a Habeas Corpus : But if you haue a Friend to deliuer your tale sensibly to some Iustice o' the Towne , that hee may haue feeling of it , ( doe you see ) you may be bayl'd . For as I vnderstand the Case , t is onely done , In Terrorem , and you shall haue an Action of false Imprisonment against him , when you come out : and perhaps a thousand pound Costes . Enter M. Woolfe .

Quick.

How now , M , Woolfe ? What newes ? what returne ?

Woolfe .

Faith , bad all : yonder will bee no Letters receiued . He sayes the Sessions shall determine it . Onely , M. Deputie Golding commends him to you , and with this token , wishes he could doe you other good .

Quick.

I thanke him . Good M. Bramble , trouble our quiet no more ; doe not molest vs in Prison thus , with your winding deuises : Pray you depart . For my pat , I my cause to him that can succour mee , let God worke his will . M. Woolfe , I pray you let this be distributed , among the Prisoners , and desire 'hem to pray for vs .

Woolfe .

It shall bee done , M. Francis .

Pris. 1.

An excellent temper !

Pris. 2.

Nowe God send him good-lucke . Exeunt .

Pet.

But what said my Father in Lawe , M. Woolfe ?

Enter Hold . Hold.

Here 's one would speake with you , Sir .

Woolfe .

I le tell you anon Sir Petronell . who is 't ?

Hold.

A Gentleman , Sir , that will not be seene . Enter Gold .

Woolfe .

Where is he ? M. Deputie ! your wor: is wel-come . �

Gold.

Peace !

Woolfe .

Away , Srah .

Gold.

Good faith , M. Woolfe , the estate of these Gentlemen , for whome you were so late and willing a Sutor , doth much affect mee : and because I am desirous to doe them some faire office , and find there is no meanes to make my Father relent , so likely , as to bring him to be a Spectator of their Miseries ; I haue ventur'd on a deuice , which is , to make make my selfe your Prisoner : entreating , you will presently goe report it to my Father , and ( fayning , an Action , at sute of some third person ) pray him by this Token , that he will presently , and with all secrecie , come hether for my Bayle ; which trayne , ( if any ) I know will bring him abroad ; and then , hauing him here , I doubt not but we shall be all fortunate , in the Euent .

Woolf.

Sir , I wil put on my best speede , to effect it . Please you come in .

Gold.

Yes ; And let me rest conceal'd , I pray you .

VVoolfe .

See , here a Benefit , truely done ; when it is done timely , freely , and to no Ambition . Exit .

Enter Touchstone , VVife , Daughters , Syn , VVinyfred . Touch-stone .

I will sayle by you , and not heare you , like the wise Vlisses .

Mild.

Deare Father .

Mistris Touch.

Husband .

Gyr.

Father .

VVin. & Syn.

M. Touchstone .

Touc.

away syrens , I will inmure my selfe , against your cryes ; and locke my selfe vpto our Lamentations .

Mistris Touch.

Gentle Husband , heare me .

Gyr.

Father , It is I Father ; my Lady Flash : my sister and I am Friends .

Mil.

Good Father .

VVyn.

Be not hardned , good M. Touchstone .

Syn.

I pray you , Sir , be mercifull .

Touch.

I am dease , I doe not heare you ; I haue stopt mine eares , with Shoomakers waxe , and drunke Lethe , and Mandragora to forget you : All you speake to mee , I commit to the Ayre . Enter VVoolfe .

Mil.

How now , M. VVoolfe ?

VVoolfe .

Where 's M. Touchstone ? I must speake with him presently : I haue lost my breath for hast .

Mild.

What 's the matter Sir ? pray all be well .

Wolfe .

Maister Deputy Goulding is arrested vpon an execution , and desires him presently to come to him , forthwith .

Mild.

Aye me ; doe you heare Father ?

Touch.

Tricks , tricks , confederacie , tricks , I haue 'hem in my nose , I sent 'hem .

Wol.

Who 's that ? maister Touchstone ?

Mi. Tou.

Why it is M. Wolfe himselfe , husband .

Mil.

Father .

Touch.

I am dease still , I say : I will neither yeeld to the song of the Syren , nor the voice of the Hyena , the teares of the Crocodile , nor the howling o' the Wolfe : auoid my habitatio mo�sters ,

Wolfe .

Why you are not mad Sir ? I pray you looke forth , and see the token I haue brought you , Sir .

Touch.

Ha! what token is it ?

Wolf.

Do you know it Sir ?

Tou.

My sonne Gouldings ring ! Are you in earnest Mai Wolfe ?

Wolf.

I by my faith sir . He is in prison , and requir'd me to vse all speed , and secrecie to you .

Touch.

My Cloake there ( pray you be patient ) I am plagu'd for my Austeritie ; my Cloake : at whose suite maister Wolfe ?

Wolfe .

I le tell you as we goe sir . Exeunt .

Enter Friend . Prisoners . Frie.

Why , but is his offence such as he cannot hope of life ?

Pri. 1.

Troth it should seeme so : and 't is great pity ; for he is exceeding penitent .

Fri.

They say he is charg'd but on suspicion of Felony , yet .

Pri. 2.

I but his maister is a shrewd fellow , Hee le proue great matter against him .

Fri.

I 'de as liue as any thing , I could see his Farewell .

Pri. 1.

O t is rarely written : why Tobis may get him to sing it to you , hee 's not curious to any body .

Pri. 1.

O no . He would that all the world should take knowledge of his Repentance , and thinkes he merits in 't , the more shame he suffers .

Pri. 1.

Pray thee try , what thou canst doe .

Pri. 2.

I warrant you , he will not deny it ; if he be not hoarce with the often repeating of it . Exit .

Pri. 1.

You neuer saw a more courteous creature , then he is ; and the Knight too : the poorest Prisoner of the house may command 'hem . You shall heare a thing , admirably pend .

Fri.

Is the Knight any , Scholler too ?

Pris. 1.

No , but he will speake verie well , and discourse admirably of running Horses , and White-Friers , and against Baudes ; and of Cocks ; and talke as loude as a Hunter , but is none .

Enter Wolfe and Touchstone . Wolf.

Please you stay here sir , I le cal his worship downe to you .

Pris. 1.

See , he has brought him , and the Knight too . Salute him I pray , Sir , this Gentleman , vpon our report , is very desirous to heare some piece of your Repentance . Enter Quick . Pet. &c.

Quic.

Sir , with all my heart , & as I told M. Tobie , I shall be glad to haue any man a witnesse of it . And the more openly I prosesse it , I hope it will appeare the hartier and the more vnfained .

Touch.

Who is this ? my man Francis ? and my sonne in Lawe ?

Quick.

Sir , it is all the Testmonie I shall leaue behind me to the World , and my Master , that I haue so offended .

Friend .

Good Sir

Qui.

I writ it , whe� my spirits were opprest .

Pet.

I , I le be sworne for you Francis .

Quick.

It is in imitation of Maningtons ; he that was hangd at Cambridge , that cut of the Horses head at a blow .

Frie.

So sir .

Quick.

To the tune of I waile in woe , I plunge in paine .

Pet.

An excellent Ditty it is , and worthy of a new tune .

Qui. In Cheapside famous for Gold & Plate , Quicksiluer I did dwel of late : I had a Master good , and kind , That vvould haue vvrought me to his mind . He bad me still , VVorke vpon that , But alas I vvrought I knevv not vvhat . He vvas a Touchstone black , but true : And told me still , vvhat vvould ensue , Yet , vvoe is me , I vvould not learne , I savv , alas , but could not discerne . Frien.

Excellent , excellent well .

Gould .

O let him alone , Hee is taken already .

Quic. I cast my Coat , and Cap avvay , I vvent in silkci , and saitens gay , False Mettall of good manners , I Did dayly coint valavvsully . I scornd my Master , being drunke . I kept my Golding , and my Punke , And vvith a knight , sir Flash , by name , ( VVho novv is sory for the same ) Pet.

I thanke you Francis .

I thought by sea to runne , But Thames , and Tempest did me stay .

Touch.

This cannot be fained sure . Heauen pardon my seucrity . The Ragged Colt , may prooue a good Horse .

Gould .

How he listens ! and is transported ? He has forgot me .

Quic. Still Eastward hoe vvas all my word : But VVestward I had no regard . Nor neuer thought , vvhat vvould coine after As did alas his youngest Daughter , At last the black Oxe trode o' my foote , And I savv then vvhat longd vntoo 't , Novv try I , Touchstone , touch me stil , And make me currant by thy skill . Touch.

And I will do it , Francis .

Wolfe .

Stay him M. Deputie , now is the time , we shall loose the song else .

Frie.

I protest it is the best that euer I heard .

Quick.

How like you it Gentlemen ?

All .

O admirable , sir !

Quic.

This Stanze now following , alludes to the story of Mannington from whence I tooke my proiect for my inuention .

Frin.

Pray you goe on sir .

Quic. O Manington thy stories shevv , Thou cutst a Horse-head off at a blovv But I confesse , I haue not the force For to cut off the head of a horse , Yet I desire this grace to vvinne , That I may cut off the Horse-head of Sin . And leaue his body in the dust Of sinnes high vvay and bogges of Lust , VVherby I may take Vertues purse , And liue vvith her for better , for vvorse . Frin.

Admirable sir , & excellently conceited .

Quic.

Alas sir .

Touch.

Sonne Goulding & M. Wolfe , I thank you : the deceipt is welcome , especially from thee whose charitable soule in this hath shewne a high point of wisedome and honesty . Listen . I am rauished with his Repentance , and could stand here a whole prentiship to heare him ,

Frien.

Forth good sir .

Quick.

This is the last , and the Farewell .

Farevvel Cheapside , farewell svveet trade Of Goldsmithes all , that neuer shall fade Farevvell deare fellovv Prentises all And be you vvarned by my sall : Shun Vsurers , Bauds , and dice , and drabs . Auoide them as you vvould French scabs Seeke not to goe beyond your Tether , But cut your Thongs vnto your Lether So shall you thriue by little and little , Scape Tiborne , Cou�ters , & the Spitle
Touch.

And scape them shalt thou my penitent , & deare Frances .

Quick.

Master !

Pet.

Father !

Touch.

I can no longer forbeare to doe your humility right : Arise , and let me honour your Repentance , with the hearty and ioyfull embraces , of a Father , and Friends loue . Quicksiluer , thou hast eate into my breast , Quicksiluer , with the dropps of thy sorrow , and kild the desperate opinion I had of thy reclaime :

Quick.

O sir , I am not worthy to see your worshipfull face .

Pet.

Forgiue me Father .

Touch.

Speake no more , all former passages , are forgotten , and here my word shall release you . Thanke this worthy Brother & kind friend , Francis . � M. Wolfe . I am their Bayle ;

A shoute in the Prison . Secu.

Maister Touchstone ? Maister Touchstone ?

Touch.

Who 's that ?

Wolfe .

Securitie , Sir .

Secu.

Pray you Sir , if you le be wonne with a Song , heare my lamentable tune , too :

SONG . O Maister Touchstone , My heart is full of vvoe ; Alasse , I am a Cuckold : And , vvhy should it be so ? Because I vvas a Usurer , And Bavvd , as all you knovv , For vvhich , againe I tell you , My heart is full of vvot .
Touch.

Bring him forth , Maister Wolfe , and release his bands . This day shal be sacred to Mercy , & the mirth of this Encounter , in the Counter . � See , we are encountred with more Suters .

Enter Mist. Touchst. Gyr. Mil. Synd. Winnif . &c.

Saue your Breath , saue your Breath ; All things haue succeeded to your wishes : & we are heartely satisfied in their euents .

Gyr.

Ah Runaway , Runaway ! haue I caught you ? And , how has my poore Knight done all this while ?

Pet.

Deare Lady-wife ; forgiue me .

Gert.

As heartely , as I would be forgiuen , Knight . Deare Father , giue me your blessing , and forgiue me too ; I ha' bene proud , and lasciuious , Father ; and a Foole , Father ; and being raisd to the state of a wanton coy thing , calld a Lady , Father ; haue scorn'd you , Father ; and my Sister ; & my Sisters Veluet Cap , too ; and would make a mouth at the Citty , as I ridde through it ; and stop mine eares at Bow-bell : I haue said your Beard was a Base one , Father ; and that you look'd like Twierpipe , the Taberer ; and that my Mother was but my Midwife .

Mi. Tou.

Now God forgi' you , Child Madame .

Touch.

No more Repetitions . What is else wanting , to make our Harmony full ?

Gould

Only this , sir . That my fellow Francis make amends to mistresse Sindefie , with mariage .

Quic.

With all my heart .

Gould .

And Security giue her a dower , which shall be all the

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Ilend true : They call me coozen Franke , right ; I lend them monnies , good ; they spend it wiit pedegree , Gods my life . Sirrah Goulding , wilt be ruled by a foole ? turne good fellow Eous beames of lusty Sol appeare , " And bright Eovs makes the welkin cleare . We are both Gentlemen a�t dropping nose , vnder a wodden pent-house , and art a gentleman ? wilt thou beare Tankards , G ulding Ha Gulding ? I commend thee , I approoue thee , and wise appeare my affection is strong to thee . My wife has her humour , and I will ha , mine . mis�baunce onely worke to watch her , nor sufficient mischaunce , to suspect her . Thou art towardly , shee veriue care and loue hapinesse of life : let your vertue still direct it , for to your wisedome I l�st Which thriues the best , the meane or loftie loue . Whether fit morrallsence expence . When seeming lightnesse beares a morall sense . pickell Pickle ? pickle in thy throate ; zounes pickle ? wa ha ho , good morow knight Petronell ferters Am I free a , my fetters ? Rense ; Flye with a Duck in thy mouth soorth forth my brauerie . Now let my Truncks shoote foor their silkes concealde , I now am free ; mor rallitie A pox on you , who taught you this morrallitie ? sether earnest , if you can get your wise Lady to set her hand to the sale of her Inheritance hexr his new coate , the� she longs to ride in her new Coache : She would long for euery thing desne honest humours forsooth , for she had a great desire to be a Nun , an't please you . by ' rladie I by'r ladie Madam , a little thing does that ; rladie I by'r ladie Madam , a little thing does that ; I haue how thy castle afore thou com'st : But I marle howe my modest Sister occupies her selfe this emy castle afore thou com'st : But I marle howe my modest Sister occupies her selfe this morning blesle your daughter , my hope is , heauen will so blese our humble beginning , that in the end I grieftis in thy lookes in Capitall Letters . What a grief 'tis to depart , and leaue the slower that cother one halfe with your Lady , and keepe the tother your selfe : or else doe as all true Louers reachevs now bee gone before , where they can not reache vs . sigentmemorie Cap : slight God forgiue mee , what kind of figent memory haue you ? Imary I may Gossip thats our present care . Seaguli This , Captaine Seagull ; wee'll haue our prouided Supper brought espepecially a proper taking indeed to take a Boate , especially at this time of night , and against Tide Iowe Home , that has knowne me thus abrode ? how I owe shall I crouch away , that no eye may vousscaues Oui Monsieur , il est trop vraye ; mais vovs scaves bien nous somes toutes subiect a fortune thensigne huntsman ; Farewell thou Horne of Destinie , the signe of the married man ; Farewell thou asore for a Grauesend Tost : There's that gone afore , wil stay your Admiral and Ʋice-admirall co���� no doubt a good voyage . Nay pray you be couer'd Sir . How did your Bisquet hold out Sir Beling sgate fortune by sea , tooke in fresh flesh at Belingsgate , for his owne diet , to serue him the whole butrecuidance and God doth often punish such pride , and outrecuidance , with scorne and infamy , which is the keeepe him foole , saies another , he could not keepe it when he had it ; A pox o'the Cullio� li� summe . I would lend it ( let me see ) for 40 li. in hand , Syn , that would apparrell vs loook'd Nay then Mother , you should ha look'd to it ; A bodie would thinke you were the Paritane Religions i'the land , as Papist , Protestant , Puritane , Brownist , Anabaptist , Millenary , Family Fam�ly Paritane , Brownist , Anabaptist , Millenary , Family o' Loue , Iewe , Turke , Infidell , Atheist o'Loue Brownist , Anabaptist , Millenary , Family o' Loue , Iewe , Turke , Infidell , Atheist Priso� singing of Psalmes , and aedifying the whole Prison onely , Securitie sings a note to high , Excunt Exeunt . wor Where is he ? M. Deputie ! your wor: is wel-come . � sayning presently goe report it to my Father , and ( fayning , an Action , at sute of some third person withall Sir , with all my heart , & as I told M. Tobie , I shall vnsained it will appeare the hartier and the more vnfained . aster . Nor neuer thought , vvhat vvould coine after As did alas his youngest Daughter , At last sinneshigh of Sin . And leaue his body in the dust Of sinnes high vvay and bogges of Lust , VVherby I sarevvel Farevvel Cheapside , farewell svveet trade Of Goldsmithes all , that neuer Fatherl Father! ! shable Wolfe , and release his bands . This day shalbe sacred to Mercy , & the mirth of this Encounter forgi'you Now God forgi' you , Child Madame . do And Security giue her a dower wer , which shall be all the
A18427 ---- The Ball Shirley, James This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18427 of text S107725 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4995). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Hannah Bredar Lydia Zoells This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18427.xml The ball. A comedy, as it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants, at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by George Chapman, and Iames Shirly. Shirley, James, 1596-1666. 37 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2005 March (TCP phase 1) 99843421 STC (2nd ed.) 4995. Greg, II, 549. 8153 A18427

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The ball. A comedy, as it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants, at the private House in Drury Lane. Written by George Chapman, and Iames Shirly. Shirley, James, 1596-1666. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [72] p. Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Andrew Crooke, and William Cooke, London : 1639. 1632

In fact probably by James Shirley alone.

In verse.

The authors' names are bracketed together on the title page.

Signatures: A-I4.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18427 shc The Ball Shirley, James Hannah Bredar Lydia Zoells 1632 play comedy shc no A18427 S107725 (STC 4995). 23283 0 0 0 3001.29B The rate of 1.29 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE BALL .

A COMEDY , As it vvas presented by her Majesties Servants , at the private House in Drury Lane .

Written by George Chapman , and James Shirly .

LONDON , Printed by Tho. Cotes , for Andrew Crooke , and William Cooke . 1639 .

The Persons of the Comedy . LOrd Rainebow . Sir Ambrose Lamount . Sir Marmaduke Travers . Coronell Winfield . Mr. Bostocke . Mr. Freshwater . Mr. Barker . Mounsieur Le Friske . Gudgin . Solomon . Confectioner . Servants . Lady Lucina . Lady Rosamond . Lady Honoria . Mistresse Scutilla . Venus . Diana .
THE BALL .
Actus Primus . Enter Sr. Marmaduke Travers , and Mr. Bostocke . Bos.

WHether so fast Sr. Marmaduke , a word .

Mar. My honorable blood ? wod I could stay To give thee twentie , I am now engag'd To meete a noble Gentleman . Bos. Or rather A Gentlewoman , let her alone , and goe With me . Ma.

Whether .

Bo.

I le shew thee a Lady of fire .

Ma.

A Lady of the Lake were not so dangerous .

Bo. I meane a spirit in few words , because I love thee , I le be open . I am going To see my Mistresse . Ma. I le dispence with my Occasion to see a hansome Lady , I know you 'le chuse a rare one . Bo. She is a creature Worth admiration , such a beauty , wit , And an estate besides , thou canst not chuse But know her name , the Lady Lucina . Ma.

Is she your Mistresse ?

Bo. Mine , whose but mine ? Am I not nobly borne , does not my blood Deserve her ? Ma. To tell you truth , I was now going thither , Though I pretended an excuse , and with A Complement from one that is your rivall . Bo.

Does she love any body else ?

Ma. I know not , But shee has halfe a score upon my knowledge Are sutors for her favour . Bo. Name but one , And if he cannot shew as many coates . Ma. He thinkes he has good cards for her , and likes His game well . Bo. Be an understanding Knight , And take my meaning , if he cannot shew As much in Heraldry . Ma. I doe not know how rich he is in fields , But he is a gentleman . Bo. Is he a branch of the Nobilitie , How many Lords can he call cozen ? else He must be taught to know he has presum'd To stand in competition with me . Ma.

You wonot kill him .

Bo. You shall pardon me , I have that within me must not be provok'd , There be some living now that ha beene kill'd For lesser matters . Ma.

Some living that ha beene kill'd !

Bo. I meane some living that ha seene examples , Not to confront Nobilitie , and I Am sensible of my honour . Ma. His name is Sr. Ambrose . Bo. Lamount a Knight of yesterday , And he shall die to morrow , name another . Ma.

Not so fast Sir . you must take some breath .

Bo. I care no more for killing halfe a dozen Knights of the lower house , I meane that are not Descended from Nobilitie , then I doe To kicke any footeman , and Sr. Ambrose were Knight of the Sunne , King Oberon should not save him , Nor his Queene Mab . Enter Sr. Ambrose Lamount . Ma.

Vnluckily hee s her'e sir .

Bo. Sr. Ambrose How does thy Knighthood ? ha . Am.

My Nimph of honour well , I joy to see thee .

Bo. Sr. Marmaduke tells me thou art sutor to Lady Lucina . Am. I have ambition To be her servant . Bos. Hast , thar' t a brave Knight , and I commend Thy judgement . Am.

Sr Marmaduke himselfe leanes that way too .

Bo. Why didst conceale it , come , the more the merrier , But I could never see you there . Ma. I hope Sir we may live . Bo. I le tell you Gentlemen , Cupid has given us all one Livery , I serve that Lady too , you understand me , But who shall carry her , the fates determine , I could be knighted too . Am. That would be no addition to Your blood . Bo. I thinke it would not , so my Lord told me , Thou know'st my Lord , not the Earle , my tother Cozen , there 's a sparke his predecessors Have match'd into the blood , you understand He put me upon this Lady , I proclaime No hopes , pray le ts together Gentlemen ; If she be wise , I say no more , shee shanot Cost me a sigh , nor shall her love engage me To draw a sword , I ha vow'd that . Ma.

You did but jest before .

Am. T were pitty that one drop Of your Heroicke blood should fall toth ' ground , Who knowes but all your cozen Lords may die . Ma.

As I beleeve them not immortall sir .

Am. Then you are gulfe of honour swallow all , May marry some Queene your selfe , and get Princes To furnish the barren parts of Christendome . Enter a servant Solomon . Sol. Sir Marmaduke in private ? my Lady wod Speake with you . Am. T is her servant , what 's the matter ? Bo.

I hope he is not sent for .

Sol. But come alone , I shall be troubled With their inquiries , but I le answer 'em . Am.

Solomon ?

Sol.

My Lady would speake with you sir .

Am.

Mee ?

Sol.

Not too loude , I was troubled with Sr. Marmaduke .

Mar.

This is good newes .

Bo.

I doe not like this whispering ,

Sol.

Forget not the time , and to come alone .

Am.

This is excellent .

Bo.

Solomon , dost not know me ?

Sol. My businesse is to you sir , these Kept me off , my Lady Lucina Has a great minde to speake with you , Little doe these imagine how she honours me . Bo. If I faile , may the Surgeon When he opens the next veine , let out all my honorable blood , There 's for thy paines , what thou shalt be hereafter Time shall declare , but this must be conceal'd . Exit . Am.

You looke pleasant .

Ma.

No , no I have no cause , you smile Sr. Ambrose .

Am.

Who I ? the Coronell .

Enter the Coronell . Ma.

But of our file , another of her suitors .

Am.

Noble Coronell .

Co.

My honored Knights , and men of lustie kindred .

Bo.

Good morrow .

Co. Morrow to all Gentlemen , I le tell you Who is return'd ? Am.

From whence .

Co.

A friend of ours that went to travell .

Ma.

Who , who ?

Co. I saw him within these three minuts , and know not how I Lost him agen , he 's not farre off , d ee keepe a Catalogue Of your debts . Bo.

What debts ?

Co. Such dulnesse in your memory , there was About sixe moneths ago a Gentleman That was perswaded to sell all his land , And to put the money out most wisely , To have for one at his returne from Venice , The shotten Herring , is hard by . Am.

Iacke Freshwater , I le not see him yet .

Bo.

Must we pay him ?

Co. It will be for your honour , marry wee Without much staine , may happily compound , And pay him nothing . Enter Freshwater , and Mounsieur Le Friske . Here comes the thing With what formalitie he treades , and talkes , And manageth a toothpicke like a Statesman . Am.

How hee 's transform'd ?

Ma.

Is not his soule Italian ?

Bo.

I le not bid him welcome home .

Am.

Nor I .

Ma.

What 's the tother Rat that 's with him ?

Co.

d ee not know him , t is the Court dancing Weesill .

Ma.

A Dancer , and so gay .

Co. A meere French footeman Sir , does he not looke Like a thing come off o th' Saltsellar . Ma. A Dancer ? I would allow him gay about the legges , But why his body should exceede decorum , Is a sinne o th' state . Fre. That 's all . I can informe you of their dance in Italy , Marry that very morning I left Venice , I had intelligence of a new device . Mon.

For the dance Mounsieur .

Fre. Si Signior , I know not What countryman invented , but they say There be Chopinoes made with such rare art , That worne by a Lady when she meanes to dance , Shall with their very motion sound forth musicke , And by a secret sympathy with their tread Strike any tune that without other instrument , Their feete both dance and play . Mon. Your lodging Mounsieur , That when I have leasure I may dare Present an humble servitor . Fre. I do ly At the signe of Dona Margaretta de Pia In the Strand . Gud.

At the Magget a Pie in the Strand sir .

Mon.

At de Magdepie boon adieu serviteur . Exit .

Am.

He wonot know us .

Gud.

d ee see those Gentlemen .

Fre.

Thou Platalone be silent .

Co. I le speake to him , Y are welcome home sir . Fre.

Signior . Exit .

Co. He wonot know me , this is excellent , He shall be acquainted better , ere I part With any sommes . Am.

Next time wee le not know him .

Bo.

Would all my creditors had this blessed ignorance .

Ma.

Now Coronell I 'le take my leave .

Bo.

I am enga'd too . Exeunt .

Co.

Well .

Bo. I shall meete you anon , I am to waite upon a cosin of mine . Co.

A Countesse .

Bo.

My Lord ? Enter Lord Rainebow and Barker .

Lor.

Cosin .

Bo.

Your Lordship honours me in this acknowledgement .

Lo.

Coronell .

Bo.

d ee not know me sir ?

Ba. Y are not a proclamation that every man is bound to take notice on , And I cannot tell who you are by instinct . Lo.

A kinsman of mine Franke ?

Co.

Good morrow to your Lordship .

Lo.

Coronell ? your humble servant , harke you Franke .

Bo. You are acquainted with my Lord then , Is he not a compleate Gentleman ? his family Came in with the Conqueror . Co.

You had not else beene kinne to him .

Bo.

A poore slip , a syens from that honourable tree .

Co. He is the Ladies Idoll , they ha not leasure To say their prayers for him , a great advancer Of the new Ball . Bo.

Nay hee 's right , right as my legge Coronell .

Co.

But tother Gentleman you doe not know his inside .

Bo.

I ha seene him , he lookes philosophicall .

Co. Who ! hee 's the wit , whom your Nobilitie Are much oblig'd to for his company , He has a railing genious , and they cherish it , Fling dirt in every face when hee 's i th' humour , And they must laugh , and thanke him , he is dead else . Bo.

Will the Lords suffer him .

Co. Or lose their mirth , hee 's knowne in every science , And can abuse em all , some ha suppos'd He has a worme in s braine , which at some time o th' Moone doth ravish him into perfect madnesse , And then he prophesies , and will depose The Emperor , and set up Bethalem Gabre . Bo.

Hee 's dead , I hope he wonot conjure for him .

Co. His father shanot scape him nor his ghost , Nor heaven , nor hell , his jest must ha free passage , Hee 's gone , and I lose time to talke on him , Farewell , Your Countesse May expect too long , Farewell Coronell . Exeunt . Enter Lady Rosomond , and Lady Honoria . Ros.

Why doe you so commend him ?

Hon. Does he not Deserve it ? name a gentleman in the Kingdome , So affable , so moving in his language , So pleasant , witty , indeede every thing A Lady can desire . Ros. Sure thou dost love him , I le tell his Lordshippe when I see him agen , How zealous you are in his commendation . Hon. If I be not mistaken , I have heard Your tongue reach higher in his praises Madam , How ere you now seeme cold , but if you tell him My opinion , as you shall doe him no pleasure , You can doe me no injury , I know His Lordship has the constitution Of other Courtiers , they can endure To be commended . Ros. But I prethee tell me , Is not love whence this proceeds , I have I must confesse discourst of his good parts , Desir'd his company . Ho.

And had it ?

Ros.

Yes , and had it .

Ho.

All night .

Ros. You are not I hope jealous , If I should say all night I neede not blush , It was but at a Ball , but what of this ? Ho.

Ene what you will

Ros. I hope you ha no patent To dance alone with him , if he ha priviledge To kisse another Lady , she may say He does salute her , and returne a cursie To shew her breeding , but I le now be playner , Although you love this Lord , it may possible He may dispose his thoughts another way . Ho.

He may so .

Ros. Who can helpe it , he has eyes To looke on more than one , and understand Perhaps to guide , and place his love upon The most deserving object . Ho. Most deserving , This language is not levill with that friendship , You have profest , this touches a comparison . Ros. Why doe you thinke all excellence is throng'd Within your beauty . Ho. You are angry Lady , How much does this concerne you to be thus Officious in his cause , if you be not Engag'd by more than ordinary affection . I must interpret this no kinde respect To me . Ros.

Angry , ha , ha .

Ho.

You then transgresse against civilitie .

Ros. Good Madam why ? because , I thinke , and tell you that another Lady May be as hansome in some mans opinion , Admit I lov'd him too , may not I hold Proportion with you , on some entreaty . Enter Lord . Lor.

They 're loude , I le not be seene yet .

Ros. What is it that exalts you above all Comparison ? my father was as good A gentleman , and my mother has as great A spirit . Ho.

Then you love him too .

Ros. T will appeare No greater miracle in me I take it , Yet difference will be , perhaps I may Affect him with a better consequence . Ho. Your consequence perhaps may be denied too , Why there are no such wonders in your eye Which other composition doe not boast of , My Lord no doubt hath in his travells clapt As modest cheekes , and kist as melting lippes . Ro.

And yet mine are not pale .

Ho.

It may be they blush for the teeth behinde them .

Ro. I have read No sonnets on the sweetnesse of your breath . Ho.

T is not perfum'd .

Ro. But I have heard of your tongue exalted much , Highly commended . Ho. Not above your forehead , When you have brush'd away the hairie pentehrush , And made it visible . Lo. I le now interrupt 'em . They le fall by the eares else presently . Ho.

My Lord .

Lo.

What in contention Ladies ?

Ro.

Oh my Lord you 'r welcome .

Lo. Expresse it in discoverie of that Made you so earnest , I am confident You were not practising a Dialogue To entertaine me . Ho.

Yet it did concerne you .

Ro.

Do not you blush , fie Madam .

Lo. Nay and you come to blush once , and fie Madam , I le know the secret , by this kisse I will , And this . Ho. You were kis'd first , discover now At your discretion . Ro.

My Lord we were in jest .

Ho. It might ha turn'd to earnest , if your Lordship Had not interpos'd . Lo.

Come out with it .

Ro.

We had a difference .

Lo

Well said .

Ro.

About a man i th' world , you are best name him .

Ho.

You have the better gift at telling secrets .

Lo. Yet agen , come I le helpe it out , there is A gentleman i th' world , some call a Lord . Ro.

Did your Lordship over-heare us ?

Lo. Nay nay , you must stand too 't , One , whom you Love , it will appeare no greater miracle In you I take it , one no doubt that hath Travel'd , and clapt as modest cheekes , and kis'd As melting lippes , thus farre i me right , but what Name this most happy man doth answer too , Is not within my circle . Ho.

Yet you know him .

Ro. Not to retaine your Lordship i th' darke , Confident you 'le not accuse my modesty For giving you a truth , you shall not travell Beyond your selfe to find his name , but doe not Triumph my Lord . Lo. Am I so fortunate , Then love I doe forgive thee , and will cherish The flame I did suspect would ruine me , You two divide my love , onely you two , Be gentle in your Empire heavenly Ladies , No enemy abroad can threaten you , Be carefull then , that you maintaine at home No civill warres . Ho.

How d ee meane my Lord ?

Lo. You are pleas'd to smile upon me gentle Lady , And I have tooke it in my heart more than Imaginary blessings with what pleasure Could I behold this beautie , and consume My understanding to know nothing else , My memory to preserve no other figure . Ro.

My Lord , I am not worth your flatterie .

Lo. I flatter you ? Venus her selfe be judge , To whom you are so like in all that 's faire , T were sinne but to be modest . Ro.

How my Lord ?

Lo. Do not mistake me , t were A sinne but to be modest in your praises , Here 's a hand , nature shew me such another , A brow , a cheeke , a lip , and every thing , Happy am I that Cupids blinde . Ro.

Why happy ?

Lo. If he could see , he would forsake his Mistresse To be my rivall , and for thy embraces Be banish'd heaven . Ho.

My Lord I le take my leave .

Lo. If you did know how great a part of me , Will whither in your absence , you would have More charitie , one accent of unkinde Language from you , doth wound me more than all The mallice of my destinies , oh deare Madam , You say you 'le take your leave of your poore servant ; Say rather , you will dwell for ever here , And let me stay and gaze upon Your heavenly forme . Ho. I can be patient To heare your Lordship mocke me , these are but A course reward for my good thoughts . Lo. This t is to use plaine dealing , and betray the inside Of our hearts to women , did you thinke well of me So late , and am I forfeited already , Am I a Christian ? Ho.

Yes I hope my Lord .

Lo. Make me not miserable then , deare Madam , With your suspition , I dissemble with you , But you know too well what command your beauty Has upon me . Ho. Give me leave My Lord to wonder you can love me , With such a flame you have exprest yet shee , Your mistresse ? Lo.

You are both my Mistresses .

Ro.

I like not this so well .

Lo.

There is no way but one to make me happy .

Ho. I wish my Lord I had the art to effect What you desire . Ro.

Or I .

Lo. It is within Your powers . Ho.

Speake it my Lord .

Lo. Since it is so That I me not able to determine which My heart , so equall unto both , would chuse , My suite is to your vertues , to agree Betweene your selves , whose creature I shall be , You can judge better of your worths than I , My allegiance shall be ready if you can Conclude which shall ha the supremacie ; Take pitty on your servant gentle Ladies , And reconcile a heart too much divided , So with the promise of my obedience To her that shall be fairest , wisest , sweetest Of you two , when I next present a lover , I take distracted leave . Exit . Ho.

Why , this is worse than all the rest .

Ro. Hee 's gone , And has referr'd himselfe to us . Ho. This will Aske counsell . Ro. And some time I would be loth To yeeld . Ho.

And I , Cupid instruct us both . Exeunt .

Actus Secundus . Enter Barker , Freshwater , and Gudgine . Bar. ANd what made you to undertake this voyage , Sweete Signior Freshwater . Fr. An affection I had to be acquainted with some countries . Gud.

Give him good words .

Ba. And you returne fraught home with the rich devices , Fashions of steeples , and the situations Of galouses , and wit no doubt a bushell , What price are Oates in Venice ? Fr. Signior I kept no horses there , my man , and I Ba.

Were Asses .

Fr.

How Signior ?

Gud.

Give him good words , a Poxe take him .

Ba.

Had not you land once ?

Fr.

I had some durrie acres .

Gud.

I am his witnesse .

Fr. Which I reduc'd into a narrow compasse , Some call it selling . Gud.

He would sell bargaines of a childe .

Fr.

And t was a thriving pollicie .

Ba.

As how ?

Fr. It was but two hundred pound Per annum sir , A loane revenew . Ba.

And did you sell it all ?

Fr. I did not leave an acre , rod , or perch , That had beene no discretion , when I was selling I would sell to purpose , doe you see this roll , I have good securitie for my money sir , Not an egge here but has five chickens in 't , I did most pollitickely disburse my summes , To have five for one at my returne from Venice , And now I thanke my starres I am at home . Ba. And so by consequence in three moneths your estate Will be five times as much or quintupled . Fr. Yes Signior quintupled , I wonot purchase yet I meane to use This tricke seaven yeares together , first I le still put out , and quintuplie as you call 't , And when I can in my Exchequer tell Two , or three Millions , I will fall a purchasing . Ba.

Kingdomes I warrant .

Fr. I have a minde to buy Constantinople from the Turke , and give it The Emperour . Ba. What thinke you of Ierusalem ? If you would purchase that , and bring it nearer , The Christian Pilgrimes would be much oblig'd to yee , When did you wash your sockes ? Fr.

I weare none Signior .

Ba. Then t is your breath , to your lodging , and perfume it , You 'le tell the sweeter lies to them that will Lose so much time to aske about your travell , You wonot sell your debts ? Fr.

Sell 'em , no Signior .

Ba. Have you as much left in ready cash as will Keepe you and this old troule a fortnight longer , Die , and forgive the world , thou maist be buried , And ha the Church-cloth , if you can put in Securitie , the Parish shall be put To no more charge , dost thou hope to have a penny Of thy owne money backe , is this an age Of five for one , die ere the towne takes notice , There is a hidious woman carries ballets , And has a singing in her head , take heed And hang thy selfe , thou maist not heare the time , You remember Coriate . Fr.

Honest Tom Odcombe .

Ba. Wee 'le ha more verses o' thy travells Coxcombe , Bookes shall be sold in bushells in Cheape side , And come in like the Pescods , waine loads full Of thee , and thy man Apple Iohn that lookes As he had beene a senight in the straw A ripening for the market , farewell Rusiting , Thou art not worth my spleene , doe not forget My counsell , hang thy selfe , and thou go'st off Without a Sessions . Exit . Fr.

Fine , I me glad hee 's gone , Gudgine , what dost thou thinke .

Gud.

I thinke y' are well rid of railing Madcap .

Fr. Nay , nay hee 'le not spare a Lord But were not I best call in my moneyes Gudgin , My estate wonot hold out , I must be more Familiar with my gentlemen . Enter Lord . Lo.

Iacke Freshwater wellcome from Venice .

Fr.

I thanke your honour .

Lo.

Was it not Franke Barker that parted from you ?

Fr.

Yes my Lord .

Lo.

What 's the matter ?

Fr.

There is a summe , my Lord .

Lo.

Where is it Signior ?

Fr. There was a summe my Lord delivered From your poore servant Freshwater . Lo. I remember , But I have businesse now , come , home to me , The monie 's safe , you were to give me five For one at your returne . Fr.

I five ? Your Lordship has forgot the Cinquepace .

Lo. Something it is , but when I am at leasure We will discourse of that , and of your travell , Farewell Signior . Exit . Fr. I st come to this ? if Lords play fast and loose , What shall poore Knights , and gentlemen ? Hum , t is he . Enter Coronell . Co.

A Poxe upon him , what makes he in my way .

Fr.

Noble Coronell .

Co.

Que dite vous mounsieur .

Fr.

Que dite vous ?

Co. A wy , Ie ne pa parlee Anglois , There were five English peeces . Co. Ie ne parle Anglois , me speake no word English , Votre seviteur . Exit . Fr. Adiew five peeces , Gudgin gape , i st not he ? They wonot use me o'th is fashion , Did he not speake to me i th' morning ? Gud.

Yes sir .

Fr. I thinke so , But then you would not know him in Italian , And now he will not know you in French . Fr. Call you this selling of land , and putting out money To multiply estate ? Gud.

To quintuply five for one , large interest .

Fr.

Five for one , t is tenne to one if I get my principall .

Gud.

Your roll is not at the bottome , yet try the rest .

Fr.

I ha , Signior farewell . Exeunt .

Enter Scutilla and Solomon . Scu.

Didst speake with the Coronell ?

Sol. I met him opportunely after all the rest , And told him how much it would concerne His livelihood to make haste . Scu. He must not be seene yet , you know where To attend for him , give him accesse by The garden to my chamber , and bring Me nimbly knowledge when he is there . Sol.

I shall forsooth . Exit .

Enter the Dancer , Lady Rosomond , Lady Lucina , and Lady Honoria . Dan. Very well an dat be skirvy you run trot , trot , trot , Pisha , follow me , fout Madame , can you not tell So often learning � Madam you foot it now Pla it ill . Another Lady dances . Excellent , better den excellent pishaw � you be laughed When you come to do Ball ; I teach tree hundred , never Forgot so much , me sweat taking paine , and fidling Ladies . Luc.

Fidling Ladies , you Molecatcher .

Dan. Purquoy for telling you Dance not well , you commit fat , and beate me for my Dilligence becar you dance your pleasure . Ho. No Mounsieure Le Friske put not up your pipe , my Lady Was but in jest , and you must take it for a favour . Dan. I veare no favours in dat place , should any gentleman Of England give me blow , diable me teach him French Passage . Ro. Nay you shanot be so angry , I must have a Coronte , Pray Madam be reconcil'd . Luc.

Come Mounsieur I am sorry .

Dan. Sorre , tat is too much par ma foy , I kisse tat white hand , Give me one two tree buffets , aller , aller looke up your Countenance , your English man spoile you , he no teach You looke up , pishaw , carry your body in the swimming Fashion , and deu allei moy moselle ha , ha , ha , So for boon excellent becar . Dance . Luc. Nay a Country dance Scutilla , you are idle , You know we must be at the Ball anon , come . Dan.

Where is the Ball this night .

Luc.

At my Lord Rainebowes .

Dan. Oh he dance finely becar , he deserve the Ball of de world , Fine , fine gentleman , your oder men dance lop , lop with De lame legge as they want crushes begore , and looke for Argent in the ground pishaw , They dance a new Country Dance . Hah , hah , for boone . Ro.

Now Madame we take our leave .

Luc.

I le recompence this kind visite : does your coach stay ?

Ho. Yes Madam , Your Ladiship will be too much troubled . Luc.

I owe more service .

Scu.

Mounsieur you 'le begone too .

Dan.

I have more Ladie , my Schollers .

Sciu.

Is that the way of your instrument .

Dan. All a murdu France , fit , fit adiew Madam votre serviteur , Adiew demy Mounsieur . Exeunt . Enter Solomon and Coronell . Scu.

Sir , you are welcome .

Co.

I thanke you Ladie .

Scu. The tim 's too narrow to discourse at large , But I intend you a service , You have deserv'd it In your owne noblenesse to one I call a kinsman , Whose life without your charitie had beene Forfeit to his generalls anger , t was not Without his cause you after quit your regiment . Co.

He was my friend , forget it .

Scu. You were sent for By the Lady Lucina . Co.

Whose command I waite .

Scu. T was my desire to prepare you for The entertainement , be but pleas'd to obscure Your selfe behind these hangings a few minuts , I heare her , you may trust me . Co.

Without dispute , I obey you Lady .

Enter Lady Lucina . Luc. Now Scutilla we are ripe , and ready To entertaine my Gamesters , my man said They promised all to come , I was afraid These Ladies in their kinde departure wo'd not Bequeath me opportunitie , and the mirth Doth in the imagination so ticle me , I wo'd not willingly ha lost it for a Jewell Of some valew . Scu.

Then your purchase holds .

Luc. If they hold their affections , and keepe touch , Wee le ha some sport . Enter Solomon . Sol.

Sr. Marmaduke Travers .

Luc. Away Scutilla , and Laugh not loud betweene our acts , wee le meete Agen like musicke , and make our selves merry . Scin.

I waite nere you .

Enter Sr. Marmaduke . Luc. Sr. Markmaduke I thought I should have had Your visite without a summonds . Ma. Lady you gave One feather to the wings I had before , Can there be at last a service to imploy Your creature ? Luc.

Something hath pleaded for you in your absence .

Ma. Oh let me dwell upon your hand , my starres Have then remembred me agen . Luc. How doe the Fennes ? Goes the draning forward , and your Iron Mills ? Mar.

Draning , and Iron Mills ? I know not Madam .

Luc. Come , you conceale your industry , and care To thrive , you neede not be so close to me . Ma.

By this hand Lady , have I any Iron Mills ?

Luc. I am abus'd else , nay I doe love One that has Wind-mills in his head . Ma.

How Madam ?

Lu. Projects , and Proclamations , did not you Travell to Yarmouth to learne how to cast Brasse buttons , nay I like it , it is an age For men to looke about 'em , shall I trust My estate to one that has no thrift , a fellow But with one face ? my husband shall be a Ianus , He cannot looke too many wayes , and is Your patent for making Vineger confirm'd : What a face you put upon 't nay , nere dissemble , Come I know all , you 'le thanke that friend of yours , That satisfied my inquirie of your worth With such a welcome character , but why Doe I betray my selfe so fast ? beshrow His commendations . Ma. How is this ? some body That meant me well , and knew her appetite To wealth hath told this of me , I le make use on t ; Well Madam , I desir'd these things more private Till something worth a mine , which I am now Promoving had beene perfect to salute you , But I perceive you hold intelligence In my affaires , which I interpret love , And I le requite it , will you be content Be a countesse for the present . Luc. I shall want No honour in your love . Ma.

When shall we marry ?

Luc.

Something must be prepar'd .

Ma. A licence , and say no more , How blest am I , doe not blush , I wonot kisse your lip , till I ha brought it . Exit Luc.

Ha , ha , Scutilla .

Scu.

Be secret still .

Luc.

Canst thou not laugh ?

Scu. Yes Madam you have kept your word , The Knights transported , gone To prepare things for the wedding . Luc.

How didst thou like the Iron Mills .

Scu. And the Brasse buttons rarely , have you devices To jeere the rest . Luc.

All the regiment on 'em , or I le breake my bowstrings .

Sol.

Sr. Ambrose Lamount .

Luc.

Away , and let the Swallow enter .

Enter Sr. Ambrose , and Solomon . Luc. Why Sirra , did I command you give accesse to none ? But Sr. Ambrose Lamount ? Whom you know I sent for , Audacious Groome . Sol.

It is Sir , Madam .

Luc. It is Sr. Ambrose Coxcombe , is it not , Cry mercy noble sir , I tooke you muffled For one that every day sollicites me To bestow my little dogge upon him , but you 'r welcome , I thinke I sent for you . Am. It is my happinesse To waite your service Lady . Luc. I heare say you have vow'd to die a Batchellor , I hope it is not true sir . Am.

I die a Batchellor ?

Luc.

And that you 'le turne religious Knight .

Am.

I turne religious Knight , who has abus'd me ?

Luc. I would onely know the truth , it were great pittie , For my owne part I ever wish'd you well , Although in modesty I have beene silent , Pray what 's a clocke ? Am.

Howe 's this ?

Luc. I had a dreame last night , me thought I saw you Dance so exceedingly rarely , that I fell In love . Am.

In love with me .

Luc.

With your legges sir .

Am.

My legge is at your service to come over .

Luc. I wondred at my selfe , but I considered , That many have beene caught with hansome faces , So my love grew . Am.

Vpwards .

Luc. What followed in my dreame I ha forgot . Am.

Leave that to finish waking !

Luc. Since the morning I finde some alteration , you know I have told you twenty times I would not love you , But whether t were your wisedome or your fate You would not be satisfied , now I know not If something were procur'd , what I should answer . Am.

A licence , say no more .

Luc.

Would were my estate were doubled .

Am.

For my sake .

Luc.

You have not Purchas'd since you fell in love ?

Am.

Not much land .

Luc. Revells have beene some charge to you , you were ever A friend to Ladies , pitty but he should rise By one , has fallen with so many , had you not A head once ? Am.

A head ? I have one still .

Luc. Of haire I meane , Favours ha glean'd too much , pray pardon me If it were mine , they should goe looke their bracelets , Or stay till the next crop , but I blush sir To hold you in this discourse , you will perhaps Conster me in a wrong sence ; but you may use Your owne discretion till you know me better , Which is my soules ambitions . Am.

I am blest .

Cor. Cunning Gipsie shee 'le use me thus too When I come too 't ? Am.

Lady I know your mind , when I see you next . Exit .

Luc.

You le see me agen , ha ha ha , Scutilla .

Scu. Here Madam almost dead with stifling my laughter , Why hee 's gone for a Licence , you did injoyne him no Silence . Luc. I wou'd have 'em all meete and brag o' their severall Hopes they wonot else be sensible , and quit me o' their Tedious visitation , who 's next ? I would the Coronell were come , I long to have about with him . Sol.

Mr. Bostocke Madam .

Luc.

Retire , and give the lay admittance .

Enter Bostocke . Bo.

Madam , I kisse your faire hand .

Luc.

Oh Mr. Bostocke ,

Bo.

The humblest of your servants .

Luc. Two not become your birth , and blood to stoope To such a title . Bo. I must confesse deare Lady , I carry in my veines more precious honour Then other men , blood of a deeper crimson , But you shall call me any thing . Luc. Not I sir , It would not become me to change your title , Although I must confesse I could desire You were lesse honourable . Bo. Why I prethee , I st a fault to spring from the Nobilitie ? There be some men have sold well favour'd Lordships , To be ill favoured Noblemen , and though I weare no title of the state , I can Adorne a Lady . Luc. That is my misfortune , I would you could not sir . Bo. Are you the worse For that ? consider Lady . Luc. I have considered , And I could wish with all my heart you were Not halfe so noble , nay indeede no Gentlman . Bo.

How Lady ?

Luc. Nay , if you give me leave to speake my thoughts , I would you were a fellow of two degrees Beneath a foote man , one that had no kindred , But Knights o th' post , nay worse , pardon me sir , In the humour I am in , I wish , and heartily , You were a sonne o th' people rather then . Bo.

Good Madam give me your reason .

Luc.

Because I love you .

Bo.

Few women wish so ill to whom they love .

Luc.

They doe not love like me then .

Bo.

Say you so .

Luc. My wealths a begger , nay the title of A Lady which my husband left , is a shadow Compar'd to what you bring to innoble me , And all the children you will get , but I Out of my love desire you such a one , That I might adde to you , that you might be Created by my wealth , made great by me , Then should my love appeare , but as you are , I must receive addition from you . Bo. No body heares , why harke you Lady , could You love me , if I were lesse honourable ? Luc. Honourable ? why you cannot be so base As I would have you , that the world might say My marriage gave you somewhat . Bo. Say you so , Vnder the Rose , if that will doe you a pleasure , The Lords doe call me cosin , but I am . Luc.

What ?

Bo.

Suspected .

Luc.

How ?

Bo. Not to be lawfull , I came in at the Wicket , Some call it the Window . Luc.

Can you prove it .

Bo.

Say no more .

Luc. Then I preferre you before all my suiters , Sr. Ambrose Lamount , and Sr. Marmaduke Travers are all Mountibankes . Bo.

What say to the Coronell .

Luc. A Lanse pre sado , how my joy transports me , But shall I trust to this , doe not you flatter ? Will not you fly from that , and be legitimate , When we are married , you men are too cunning With simple Ladies . Bo. Doe but marry me , I le bring the Midwife . Luc. Say no more , provide What you thinke necessary , and all shall be Dispatch'd . Bo. I guesse your meaning , and thus seale My best devotion . Exit . Scu.

Away now and present your selfe .

Luc. Oh Scutilla , hold me , I shall fall In peeces else , ha ha , ha . Scu. Beshrow me Madam , but I wonder At you , you woond him rarely up . Luc. Have not I choise of precious husbands ? now and The Coronell were here , the taske Were over . Scu. Then you might goe play , Madam the Coronell . Enter Coronell . Lue.

Is he come once more ? withdraw , bid him march hither .

Co. Now is my turne Madam . Luc. Y are welcome sir , I thought you would have gone , And not grac'd me so much as with a poore Salute at parting . Co.

Gone whither ?

Luc.

To the warres .

Co. She jeares me already , no Lady I 'me already Engag'd to a siege at home , and till that service Be over , I enquire no new employments . Luc.

For honours sake what siege ?

Co. A Cittadell , That severall forces are set downe before , And all is entrench'd . Luc.

What Cittadell ?

Co.

A woman .

Luc.

She cannot hold out long .

Co. Ostend was sooner taken then her for t Is like to be for any thing I perceive . Luc.

Is she so well provided ?

Co. Her provision May faile her , but she is devilish obstinate , She feares nor fire nor famine . Luc.

What 's her name ?

Co.

Lucina .

Luc. Ha ha ha , alas poore Coronell ; If you le take my advice remove your siege , A province will be sooner wonne in the Low countries , ha ha ha . Co.

Lady , you sent for me .

Luc. T was but to tell you my opinion in this businesse , You 'le sooner circumcise the Turkes dominions , Then take this toy you talke off , I doe know it , Farewell good Souldier , ha ha ha , and yet t is pittie , Is there no stratagem , no tricke , no undermine ; If she be given so desperate , your body Had neede to be well victuall'd , there 's a citie And suburbes in your belly , and you must Lay in betimes to prevent mutinie Among the small guts , which with winde of venge else Will breake your guarde of buttons , ha ha ha Come wee le laugh , and lie downe in the next roome Scutilla . Exit . Co. So so , I did expect no good , Why did not I strike her , but I le doe something , And be with you to bring before you thinke out , Mallice and Mercurie assist me . Exit .
Actus Tertius . Enter Lord and Barker . Ba.

SO so , yau'e a precious time on 't .

Lor. Who can helpe it Franke , if Ladies will Be wilde , repentance tame 'em , for my part I court not them , till they provoke me toote . Ba.

And doe they both affect you .

Lo. So they say , And did justifie it to my face . Ba.

And you did praise their modesty .

Lo. I confesse I prais'd 'em Both when I saw no remedy . Ba.

You did , and they beleev'd .

Lo.

Religiously ?

Ba. Do not Doe not beleeve it my young Lord , they le make Fooles of a thousand such , they doe not love you . Lo.

Why , and shall please your wisedome ?

Ba. They are women , That 's a reason , and may satisfie you , They cannot love a man . Lo.

What then ?

Ba. Themselves , And all little enough , they have a tricke To conjure with their eyes , and perhaps raise A masculine spirit , but lay none . Lo. Good Cato Be not over-wise now , what 's the reason That women are not sainted in your Calender , You have no frosty constitution ? Ba.

Would you were halfe so honest .

Lo. Why a woman May love thee one day . Ba. Yes when I make legges And faces like such fellowes as you are . Lo.

Mounsieur La Friske . Enter Mounsieur La Friske .

Moun.

Serviteur .

Lo.

Nay Franke thou shat not goe .

Ba.

I le come agen when you ha done your Iygge .

Moun.

A Mounsieur .

Lo.

Come you shall sit downe , this fellow will make thee laugh .

Ba.

I shall laugh at you both , and I stay .

Lo. Harke you Mounsieur , this gentleman has a great Minde to learne to dance . Moun. He command my service , Please your Lordship beginne tat he may See your profit alkey � hah . Lo.

How like you this Franke ?

Ba. Well enough for the dogge-dayes , but have You no other dancing for the Winter , a man May freeze and walke thus . Moun. It be all your grace Mounsieur , your Dance be horseplay begar for de stable not De chamber , your ground passage hah Never hurt de backe Mounsieur , nor trouble De legge mush , hah plait ill you learne Mounsieur . Lo.

For mirth sake , and thou lovest me .

Moun. Begar I teach you presently , dance with all de Grace of de body for your good , and my profit . Ba.

Pardon me my Lord .

Moun.

Oh not pardonne moy .

Lo.

Doe but observe his methode

Ba.

I shall never endure it , pox upon him .

Mo. T is but dis in de beginning , one , two , tree , foure , five , the Cinquepace , alley Mounsieur , stand upright an begar . Lo.

Let him set you in toth posture .

Mo. My broder my Lord know wel for de litle kit he fiddle And me for de posture of de body , begar de King has no too Sush subjects hah , dere be one foote , two foote , have You tree foote , begar you have more den I have den . Ba.

I shall breake his fiddle .

Lo.

Thou art so humerous .

Moun. One , beene two hah , you goe to fast , you be at Dover Begar , and me be at Greenwish , tree toder legge pishaw . Ba.

A poxe upon your legges , I le no more .

Moun.

Purquoy .

Lo. Ha ha ha , I wod some Ladies were here to laugh At thee now , you wonot be so rude to meddle with The Mounsieur in my lodging . Ba.

I le kicke him to death , and bury him in a Base-violl Iackalent .

Mo. Iackalent , begar you be Iackenape , if I had my weapon You durst no affront me , I be as good gentleman , an for All my fiddle as you , call me a Iacke a de lent . Lo.

Raile upon him Mounsieur , I le secure thee , ha ha ha .

Moun. Because your leg have de poc , or someting dat make Em no vell , and friske , you make a foole of a Mounsieur . My Lord use me like Gentleman , an I care no rush for You , be desperate , kill me , and me complaine to de King , and teach new dance , galliarde to de gibbet , you Be hang'd in English fashion . Exit Ba.

Goe , yar'e an impertinent Lord , and I will be reveng'd

Lo. Ha , ha , good Diogenes , come Mounsieur , You and I wonot part yet . Moun. My Lord , if you had not beene here , me wod hav Broken his head with my fiddle . Lo.

You might sooner have broke your fiddle , but strike up .

Moun.

Allei hah boone . They Dance in .

Enter Bostocke . Bo. I spie Sir Marmaduke comming after me , This way I le take to avoide his tedious questions , Hee le interrupt me , and I ha not finish'd Things fit for my designe . Enter Sr. Ambrose . Am. T is Mr Bostocke , little does he thinke What I am going upon , I feare I shanot Containe my joyes . Bo.

Good fortune to Sr. Ambrose .

Am. Sir you must pardon , I cannot waite Vpon you now , I ha businesse of much consequence . Bo. I thought to have made the same excuse to you , For at this present I am so engag'd . Am.

We shall meete shortly .

Both .

Ha ha ha .

Bo.

Poore Gentleman how is he beguil'd .

Am. Your nose is wip'd , hum , t is Sr. Marmaduke , Enter Sr. Marmaduke . I must salute him . Bo.

The Coronell ? there 's no going backe .

Ma. What misfortun 's this ? but t is no matter , Noble sir how i st ? Am.

As you see sir .

Co.

As I could wish noble Mr. Bostocke ,

Bo.

Your humble servant Coronell .

Co.

Nay nay a word .

Ma. I shannot forbeare jeering these poore things , They shall be mirth . Co. What all met so happily ? and how my Sparkes of honour ? Am. Things so ticle me , I shall breake out . Co.

When saw , you our Mistresse Lady Lucina .

Am. My suite is cold there , Mr. Bostocke carries The Lady cleane before him . Bo.

No no not , it is Sr. Marmaduke .

Ma.

I gleane by smiles after Sr. Ambrose .

Co. None of you see her to day ? I may as soone marry the Moone , and get Children on her , I see her not this three dayes , T is very strange , I was to present my service This morning . Ma.

You le march away with all .

Co. I cannot tell , but there 's small signe of victory , And yet me thinkes you should not be neglected , If the Fennes goe forward , and your Iron Mills . Ma.

Has she betraid me ?

Co. Some are industrious , And have the excellent skill to cast brasse buttons . Ma.

Coronell softly .

Co. How will you sell your vineger a pint , The Patent something sawcie . Am.

The Coronell jeeres him .

Bo.

Excellent , ha ha .

Co. Had not you a head once , Of haire I meane , favours ha glean'd too much , If Ladies will ha bracelets , let 'em stay Till the next croppe . Am.

Hum , the very language she us'd to me .

Bo.

Does he jeere him too , nay nay , prethee spare him . ha , ha .

Co. You may doe much , and yet I could desire You were lesse honourable , for though you have Blood of a deeper crimson , the good Lady Out of her love could wish you were a thing Beneath a foote man , and that you had no kindred But Knights o th' post . Bo.

Good Coronell .

Co. Nay pardon me , In the humour I am in , I wish , and heartily , You were a sonne o th' people . Bo. Coronell , How the devill came he by this ? Co. Vnder the Rose there was a gentleman Came in at the Wicker , these are tales of which The Greekes have store , faire hopes Gentlemen . Mar.

How came you by this intelligence .

Co. Nay I le no whispering , what I say to one Will concerne every man , shee has made You coxcombes . Am.

It does appeare .

Co. And more then does appeares yet I had my share . Bo.

That 's some comfort , I was afraid .

Co. But you shall pardon me , I le conceale The particulars of her bountifull abuses To me , let it suffice I know we are all Ieer'd most abominably , I stood behinde The hangings when shee sign'd your severall passes , And had my owne at last worse than the Constables , That this is true , you shall have more than oath , I le joyne wee in revenge , and if you wonot , I will doe 't alone . Ma.

She is a devill .

Am. Damme her then , till we thinke on something else , Le ts all goe backe , and raile upon her . Bo.

Agreed , a poxe upon her .

Ma.

We cannot be to bitter , shee s a hell Cat .

Am. d ee heare , listen to me our shames are equall , Yet if we all discharge at once upon her , We shall but make confusion , and perhaps Give her more cause to laugh , let us chuse one , To curse her for us all . Co. T is the best way , and if you love me gentlemen , Engage me , I deserve this favour for my Discovery , I le sweare her into hell . Ma.

Troth I ha no good veine , I me content .

Bo. Gentlemen , noble Coronell as you respect A wounded branch of the Nobilitie , Make it my office , she abus'd me most , and if The devill doe not furnish me with language , I le say he has no malice . Co.

If they consent .

Mar. Am.

With all our hearts .

Bo.

I thanke you gentlemen .

Co. But le ts us all together , I le not be barr'd , Now and then to enterpose an oath , As I shall finde occasion . Bo. You le releeve me When I take breath , then you may helpe , or you , Or any to confound her . Co.

Let away .

Bo.

Never was witch so tortur'd . Exeunt

Enter Freshwater , Gudgin , and Solomon . Sol.

Noble Mr. Freshwater welcome from travell .

Fr,

Where be the Ladies ?

So. In the next roome sir ; My Lady Rosomond is sitting for her picture , I presume you will be welcome . Fr.

An English Painter ?

So.

Yes sir .

Fr.

Prethee let me see him .

He gives Freshwater accesse to the Chamber and returnes . Sol, This way , Honest Gudgin , How , and the matters abroad , a touch of Thy travell , what newes . Gud. First , let me understand the state of things At home . So. We have little alteration since thou went'st , The same newes are in fashion , Onely gentlemen are faine to ramble , and stumble For their flesh since the breach o th' banke side . Gud.

Is my aunt defunct .

So. Yet the Viragoes ha not lost their spirit , some on 'Em have challeng'd the field , every day where Gentlemen have met 'em , oh the dogge-dayes bit Shreudly , t was a vilanous dead vacation . Gud.

Is Pauls alive still ?

Sol. Yes , yes , a little sicke o th' stone , she voides some Every day , but she is now in phisicke , And may in time recover . Gud.

The Exchange stands ?

Sol. Longer than a Church , There is no feare while the Merchants have faith ; A little of thy travells , for the time is precious , what Things have you seene or done since you left England ? Gud. I have not leasure to discourse of particulars , but first My Mr. and I have runne France through , and through . So.

Through and through , how is that man ?

Gud. Why once forward , and once backward , that 's through And through . Sol. T was but a cowardly part to runne a Kingdome Through backeward . Gud.

Not with our horses Solomon , not with our horses .

Enter Freshwater and Lady Rosomond . Fr. Madam , I did not thinke your Ladiship Had so little judgement So.

As how Signiour ?

Fr. As to let an English man draw Your Picture , and such rare Mounsieurs in towne . Ro.

Why not English ?

Fr. Oh by no meanes Madam , They ha not active Pensiles . Ros.

Thinke you so .

Fre. You must incourage strangers while you live , It is the Character of our nation , We are famous for dejecting our owne countrymen . Ros.

Is that a principle .

Fre.

Who teaches you to dance ?

Ros.

A Frenchman Signior .

Fre. Why so , t is necessary , Trust while you live the Frenchman with your legges , Your faces with the Dutch , if you mislike Your faces , I meane if it be not sufficiently Painted , let me commend upon my credit A pretious workeman to your Ladyship . Ros.

What is he .

Fre. Not an English man I warrant you , One that can please the Ladies every way , You shannot sit with him all day for shaddowes , He has Regallias , and can present you with Suckets of foureteene pence a pound , Canary , Prunellas , Venice glasses , Parmisan , Sugars , Bologuia , Sausages all from Antwerpe ; But he will make Ollepodredos most incomparably . Ros. I have heard of him by a noble Lady Told me the tother day , that sitting for Her picture , shee was stifled with a strange Perfume of hornes . Fre.

A Butcher told me of 'em , very likely .

Ros. When I have neede Of this rare Artist I will trouble you For my directions , leaving this discourse , How thrives your Catalogue of debtors Signior . Fre.

All have payd me , but ;

Ros. You shannot name me in the list of any That are behind , beside my debt a purse For clearing the account . Fre. You are just Madam , And bountifull , though I came hither with Simple intention to present my service It shall be crost . Gudgin remember too , Her Ladiships name . Sol. My Cosin has the Same provision for you . Enter Barker , and Lady Honoria . Gud.

Sir , Master Barker .

Fre. Madam I le take my leave , I le finde another Time to attend my Lady , there 's no light , I cannot abide this fellow . Exit with Gud. Hon. Madam , Master Barker hath some designe Which he pretends concernes us both . Ros.

Hee 's welcome , what i st ?

Bar.

My Lord commends him to yee .

Ros.

Which Lord Sir ?

Bar. The Lord , the fine , the wanton dancing Lord , The Lord that playes upon the Gitterne , and sings , Leapes upon tables , and does pretty things , Would have himselfe commended . Ros.

So Sir .

Bar. He loves you both , he told me so , And laughs behind a visard at your frailtie , He cannot love that way you imagine , And Ladies of the game are now no miracles . Hon. Although he use to raile thus , yet we have Some argument to suspect his Lordships tongue Has beene to liberall . Ros. I finde it too , and blush within to thinke How much we are deceived , I may be even With this May-Lord . Exit . Hon. But does his Lordship thinke We were so taken with his person . Bar.

You wod not , and you knew as much as I .

Hon.

How Sir ?

Bar. I ha beene acquainted with his body Ha knowne his baths and phisicke . Hon. I st possible , I am sorry now at heart . I had a good thought on him , hee shall see 't , For I will love some other in revenge , And presently if any gentleman Ha but the grace to smile , and court me up too 't . Ba.

Hum ?

Ho. A buble of Nobilitie , a giddy Phantasticke Lord , I want none of his titles , Now in my imaginations he appeares Ill favoured , and not any part about him Worth halfe a commendation , wod he were here . Co.

You l make more on him .

Ho. That I might examine , And doe my judgement right betweene you two now � How much he would come short , you have an eye Worth fortie of his , nose of another making ; I saw your teeth ene now compar'd to which , His are of the complexion of his combe , I meane his boxe , and will in time be yellower , And aske more making cleane , you have a shew Of something on your upper lippe , a Witch Has a Philosophers beard to him , his chinne Has just as many hounds as haires that ever My eyes distinguish'd yet , you have a body And unpromising in his slashes , one May see through him , and for his legges they both Would but make stuffing for one hansome stocking , Th' are a Lords I will be sworne , I dote upon him , I could wish somewhat , but I me sworry sir To trouble you so much , all happie thoughts Possesse you . Exit Ba. How is this , if I have wit To apprehend , this Lady does not hate me ? I have profest a cinicke openly , This language melts , I le visite her againe . Enter Honoria . Ho.

Sir , I have a small request to you .

Ba.

Lady command .

Ho. If you thinke I have power Or will to deserve from you any courtesie , Pray learne to dance . Ba.

To dance ?

Ho. At my entreatie sir to dance , It was the first thing tooke me with his Lordship , You know not what may follow , fare you well . Exit . Ba. What pretends this to dance , there 's something in 't , I 've reveng'd my selfe already upon my Lord , Yet deeper with my Lady is the sweeter , Something must be resolv'd . Exit . Enter Lady Lucina and Scutilla . Luc. Enough enough of conscience , le ts reserve Part of the mirth to another time , I shall Meete some other hot worships at the Ball ; Vnlesse their appehension prompt 'em , Earlier to know their folly in pursuing me . Enter Solomon . Sol. Madam , the Gentlemen that were here this morning In single visits are come all together , And pray to speake with you . Luc.

They 've met already give 'em accesse .

Scu.

I wonder what they 'le say .

Enter Bostocke , Lamount , Coronell , and Travers . Co.

Be confident she shall endure it .

Bo. So so , How d ee Gentlemen , yar'e very wellcome . Am. T is no matter for that we doe not come to be Welcome , neither will we be welcome , speake Mr. Bostocke . Bo.

We come to mortifie you .

Luc.

You will use no violence .

Bo. But of our tongues , and in the names of these Abused gentlemen , and my selfe I spit Defiance , stand further off , and be attentive , Weepe or doe worse , repentance wet thy linnen , And leave no veine for the Doctor . Luc.

They 're mad .

Scu. There is no danger Madam , let us heare 'em , If they scold we two shall be hard enough for 'em , And they were twenty . Bo.

Thou Basiliske .

Luc.

At first sight ?

Bo. Whose eyes shat fire , and poyson , Malicious as a Witch , and much more cunning , Thou that dost ride men . Luc.

I ride men ?

Bo. Worse than the night Mare , let thy tongue be silent . And take our scourges patiently , thou hast In thy owne selfe all the ingredients Of wickednesse in thy sexe , able to furnish Hell if it were insufficiently provided With falshood , and shee feind of thy owne making Circe that charm'd men into swine , was not So much a Jew as thou art , thou hast made Vs Asses , dost thou heare ? Am.

He speakes for us all .

Bo. But it is better we be all made such , Than any one of us be monstred worse To be an Oxe thy husband . Scu.

Luc . Ha ha ha .

Bo.

Dost thou laugh Crocadile ?

Co.

That was well said .

Bo. Spirit of flesh and blood I le conjure thee , And let the devill lay thee on thy backe I care not . Ma.

Admirable Bostocke .

Co.

That spirit of flesh and blood was well inforc'd .

Bo. You thought us animales insensible Of all your juglings did you Prorsepnie ? Am.

I come to that .

Bo. And that we lov'd , lov'd with a poxe your phisnomie , Know we but tried thee Beldam , and thou art Thy selfe a sonne o th' earth . Am.

How , shee a sonne ?

Bo. T was a mistake , but she knowes my meaning , I beginne to be a wearie gentlemen , I le breath a while . Co. T is time , and that you may Not want encouragement take that . Bo.

Gentlemen Coronell , what d ee meane .

Co. You shall know presently , dare but lift thy voyce To fright this Lady , or but aske thy pardon , My sword shall rip thy body for thy part , And naile it on her threshold , or if you , The proudest offer but in lookes to justifie The basenesse of this wretch your soules shall answer 't . Ma.

Howe 's this ?

Co. Oh impudence unheard , pardon Madam My tedious silence , the affront grew up So fast I durst not trust my understanding That any gentleman could attempt so much Dishonour to a Lady of your goodnesse ; Was this your project to make me appeare Guilty of that I hate beyond all sacriledge , Was it for this you pray'd my company , You todpoles ? t is your presence charmes my sword , Or they shall quickly pay their forfeit lives , No Altar could protect 'em . Am.

We are betray'd .

Ma.

Was it not his plot to have us raile ?

Co.

Say , shall I yet be active ?

Luc. By no meanes , This is no place for blood , nor shall any cause Engage to such a danger . Co. Live to be Your owne vexations then till you be mad , And then remove your selfe with your owne garters . You shannot goe before I know from whose Braine this proceeded , you are the mirth , Was ever civill Lady so abus'd In her owne house by ingratefull horseleeches ? Could your corrupted natures finde no way But this to recompence her noble favours , Her courteous entertainements , would any Heathens done like to you ? admit she was So just to say she could see nothing in you Worthy her deerer thoughts as to say truth , How could a creature of her wit and judgement Not see how poore and miserable things You are at best ? must you impudent In such a loud , and peremptory manner , Disturbe the quiet of her thoughts and dwelling Gentlemen rather hinds scarce fit to mixe , Vnlesse you mend her manners with her drudges . Luc.

This shewes a noblenesse , dost not Scutilla ?

Bo.

Why sir , did not you tell us ?

Co.

What did I tell you ?

Bo.

Nothing .

Co.

Be gone , least I forget my selfe .

Bo. I have a token to remember you A palsie upon your fingers noble Coronell . Ma.

Was this his stratagem ? we must be gone . Exit .

Luc. Sir I must thanke yee , and desire your pardon , For what has past to your particular . Co. Ya 've more than satisfied my service in Th' acknowledgement : disdaine cannot provoke Me to be so insolent . Luc.

Againe I thanke you .

Co. I can forget your last neglect , if you Thinke me not too unworthy to expect Some favour from you . Luc.

How d ee meane .

Co. Why as As a servant should that is ambitious ? To call you Mistresse , till the happier title Of wife crowne his desires . Luc. I must confesse , This has wone much upon me : but two words To such a bargaine , y' are a gentleman , I me confident would adventure for me . Co.

As farre as a poore life could speake my service .

Luc. That 's faire and farre enough , I make not any Exception to your person . Co. Body enough I hope to please a Lady Luc.

But .

Co.

To my fortune .

Luc.

To that the least , I have estate for both .

Co. Though if hold no comparison with youre , It keepes me like a gentleman . Luc.

I have a scruple .

Co. You honour me in this , There 's hope , if I can take a way that care , You may be mine . Luc. Sir can you put me in securitie That you have beene honest ? Co.

Honest , how d ee meane ?

Luc. Beene honest of your body , you are gentlemen , Out of the warres live lazie , and feede high , Drinke the rich grape , and in Canary may Doe strange things , when the wine has wash'd away Discretion . Co.

What is your meaning Lady ?

Luc. I doe not urge you for the time to come . Pray understand , have you beene honest hitherto And yet because you shannot trouble friends To be compurgators , I le be satisfied ; If you will take your owne oath that you are . Co.

Honest of my body ?

Luc. Yes sir , it will become me to be carefull Of my health , I le take your owne assurance , If you can cleare your body by an oath , I le marry none but you , before this gentlewoman . Co.

Your reason why you use me thus ?

Luc. I wonder you will aske , doe not I heare How desperate some ha beene , what paine , what phisicke . Co.

This is a tale of a tubbe Lady .

Luc. You rid no match without a shirt , to shew The complexion of your body , I ha done sir When you resolue to sweare y' are honest , I Vow to he yours , your wife : I am not hastie , Thinke on 't , and tell me when we meete againe Anon , to night , to morrow , when you please ; So farewell noble Coronell , come Scutilla . Exeunt . Co. I st come to this ? I am jeer'd agen , i st possible To be honest at these yeeres , a man of my Complexion , and acquaintance ? was ever A gentleman put to this oath before a this fashion ? If I ha the grace now to forsweare my selfe , Something may be done , and yet t is doubtfull Shee le have more trickes , if widdowes be thus coltish , The devill will have a taske that goes a woing . Exit .
Actus Quartus . Enter Lord and Bostocke . Bo. SVch an affront my Lord , I was asham'd on 't , A meere conspiracie to betray our fames , But had you seene how poorely they behav'd Themselves , such carven Knights , a paire of Drone-Bees i th' midst o' my vexation , if I could Forbeare to laugh , I ha no blood in me , They were so farre from striking that they stood Like Images , things without life and motion , Feare could not make so much as their tongue tremble , Left all to me . Lo.

So so , what then did you .

Bo. The Lady laugh'd too , and the Coronell Increas'd his noise , to see how she derided The poore Knights . Lo. Leave their Character and proceede To what you did . Bo. You shall pardon me my Lord , I am not willing to report my selfe , They and the Lady , and the Coronell Can witnesse I came on . Lo.

But how came you off cosin ? that must commend you .

Bo, I ha my limbes my Lord , no signe of losse Of blood you see , but this was fortune , how The Coronell came of t 's uncertaine . Lo.

Doe not you know ?

Bo.

No , I left him , I thinke t is time .

Lo.

You did not kill him ?

Bo. Vpon my faith my Lord I meant it not , But wounds fall out some time when the swords in , These are poore things to bragge on , I ha sav'd my Selfe you see . Lo. If it be so I le call you cosin still , my satinist Enter Barker . Harke you shall beate this fellow . Bo.

Shall I my Lord without cause ?

Lo. He shall give you cause presently , how now Gum'd taffata . Ba. I pay for what I weare My sattaine Lord ? your Wardrobe does not keepe Me warme , I doe not runne o th' ticket with The Mercers wife , and leacher out my debts At country houses . Lor.

There 's something else you doe not .

Ba. I doe not use to flatter such as you are , Whose bodies are so rotten , they le scarce keepe Their soules from breaking out , I write no odes Vpon your Mistresse to commend her postures , And tumbling in a coach towards Padington , Whether you hurry her to see the Phesants , And try what operation the egges have At your returne , I am not taken with Your mightie nonsence , glean'd from Heathenish playes , Which leave a curse upon the Author for 'em , Though I have studied to redeeme you from The infection of such bookes , which martyr sence Worse than an Almanacke . Lo. Excellent Satire , But lash not on , stop here , or I shall kicke Your learned worship . Ba.

But doe not , I advise you doe not .

Lo.

Why doe not ?

Ba. It will fall heavy o'some body , if your Lordship Kicke me , I shall not spare your cosin there . Lo.

On that condition what doe you thinke o'th at ?

Ba.

What doe you thinke ?

Bo. Excellently well followed by my troth la , Hee le pitch the barre well , I warrant , he does So follow his kicke . Ba.

Let it goe round .

Bo.

Good , right as my legge againe .

Lo.

Your legge , t was hee that kickt you .

Bo.

d ee thinke I doe not feele it ?

Lo.

Why d ee not use your toes then ?

Bo. What for a merry touch , A tricke , a turne upon the toe , d ee heare sir Y are good company , but if thou lovest me . Ba. Love you ? why d ee heare sir , I , I , What a poxe should any man see in you , Once to thinke on you ? love a squirte ? Shall I tell thee what thou art good for ? Bo.

I .

Ba.

For nothing .

Bo.

Good againe , my Lord observe him , for nothing .

Ba. Yes thou wot stop a breach in a mudde wall , Or serve for a Priapus in the garden to Fright away crowes , and keepe the corne , beane shatter , Thou wot . Bo.

Ha ha ha .

Ba. Or thou wot serve at shrove tide to ha thy legges Broken with penny trounchens in the streete , T is pitty any Cocke should stand the pelting , And such a Capon unpreferr'd . Bo.

Ha ha ha .

Ba. Cry mercy y' are a kinsman to the Lord , A Gentleman of high and mighty blood . Lo.

But cold enough , wonot all this provoke him ?

Ba. Dost heare ? for all this I will undertake To thrash a better man out of a wench . That travells with her butter milke to market Betweene two dorsers , any day o th' weeke , My twice sod taile of greene fish , I will do 't Or loose , my inheritance , tell me , and doe not stammer , When wert thou cudgell'd last ? what woman beate thee ? Bo.

Excellent Barker .

Ba. Thou art the towne top , A boy will set thee up , and make thee spinne Home with an Eeleskinne , do not marry , doe not , Thy wife will coddle thee , and serve thee up In plates with Sugar and Rose water to Him that had the grace to cuckold thee ; And if Pythagoras transmigration Of soules were true , thy spirit should be tenant To a horse . Bo.

Why to a horse ?

Ba. A switch and spurre would doe some good upon you , Why dost thou enterfare , get the grincomes , goe , And straddle like a gentleman that wod Not shame his kindred , but what doe I Lose time with such a puppie ? Bo. Well , goe thy wayes I le justifie thy wit At my owne perill . Ba. I would speake with you , Be not too busie with your Lordships legges , I le tell you somewhat . Lo.

Speake toth ' purpose then .

Ba. I bestow'd A visite on the Ladies which you wot on , They have their wits still , and resolve to keepe 'em , They wonot hang themselves for a young Lord , Nor grow into consumption , other men Have eyes , and nose , and lippes , and hansome legges too : So fare you well Lord , my I left your kicke With your cosin buy buy otter . Exit . Lo. Very well . But harke you cosin Bostocke , you have a minde And modest constitution , I expected You wod have lifted up your legge . Bo. To kicke him , Why , and you wod ha given a thousand pound , I could not do 't for laughing , beside , He was your friend my Lord . Lo. Did you spare him For that consideration ? Bo. Howsoever , What honour had it beene for me to quarrell ? Or wit indeede , if every man should take All the abuses that are meant , great men Would be laughed at , some fooles must ha their jests , Had he beene any man of blood or valour , One that profes'd the sword , such as the Coronell , Lesse provocation would ha made me active . Enter Sr. Ambrose , and Sr. Marmaduke . Lo. The Eagles takes no Flies , is that it , how now Sir Ambrose , and my honor'd friend Sr. Marmaduke ? You are strangers . Ma.

Your Lordships pardon , Mr. Bostocke .

Bo.

Now shall I be put too 't , this taking will undoe me ?

Lo.

Prethee tell me ? is the Coronell alive still ?

Am.

Alive my Lord , yes yes , hee 's alive .

Bo.

Did your Lordship thinke absolutely he was dead ?

Lo.

But he is shrewdly wounded .

Am. No my Lord , He is very well , but t was your kinsemans fortune . Bo.

Prethee nere speake on 't .

Lo.

What ?

Ma.

To have a blow , a boxe o th' eare .

Lo.

How ?

Ma.

With his fist , and an indifferent round one .

Bo. Yes , yes he did strike me , I could ha told you that , But wherefore did he strike , aske 'em that . Ma. If you would know my Lord , he was our orator To raile upon the Lady for abusing us , Which I confesse he did with lung and spirit , Which in the conclusion , the Coronell Stroke him toth ' ground . Bo.

He did so t is a truth .

Lo.

And did you take it ?

Bo. Take it : he gave it me my Lord , I asked not for it . But t is not yet reveng'd . Am.

T is truth we suffer'd

A little , but the place protected him .
Bo.

It was no place indeed .

Ma. Now since you had the greatest burden in The affront . Bo.

The blow ?

Ma. Right , wo wod know whether your resolution Be first , to question him , for our cause appeares Subordinate , and may take breath till you Ha call'd him to account . Bo. I proclaime nothing , And make no doubt the Coronell will give me Satisfaction like a Gentleman . Am.

We are answer'd , and take our leave my Lord .

Lo.

We shall meete at the Ball anon gentlemen .

Ma.

Your Lordships servants : now to our designe . Exeunt .

Bo.

My Lord I take my leave too .

Lo.

Not yet cosin , you and I ha not done .

Bo.

What you please cosin .

Lo.

You have cosen'd me too much .

Bo.

I my good Lord ?

Lo. Thou most unheard of coward , How dare you bost relation to me ? Be so impudent as to name , or thinke upon me , Thou staine to honour , honour ? th' art beneath All the degrees of basenesse : quit thy father , Thy suppos'd one , and with sufficient testimony , Some Servingman leapt thy mother , or some Iuggler That conjures with old bones , some womans tailor , When he brought home her petticoate , and tooke measure Of her lose body , or I le cullice thee With a bottome . Bo.

Good my Lord .

Lo. Be so baffoul'd ? In presence of your Mistresse , t is enough To make the blood of all thou knowest suspected , And I le ha satisfaction . Bo.

My Lord .

Lo. For using of my name in Ordinaries , i th' list of other whom you make your priviledge , To dominere , and winne applause sometimes With Tapsters , and thread-beare Tobacco Merchants , That worship your gold lace , and ignorance Stand bare , and bend their hammes , when you belch out My Lord , and tother cosin in a Baudihouse , Whom with a noyse you curse by Iacke and Tom , For failing you at Fishstreete , or the Still-yard . Bo.

My very good Lord .

Lo.

Will you not draw ?

Bo.

Not against your honour , but you shall see .

Lo. And vexe my eyes to looke on such a Land-rat , Were all these shames forgotten , how shall I Be safe in honour with that noble Lady , To whom I sinne fully commended thee , Though t were not much , enough to make her thinke I am as base as thou art , and the Coronell , And all that have but heard thee call me cosin , What cure for this you Malt-worme ? oh my soule How it does blush to know thee , bragging puppie , d ee heare me thunder , and lightning , what Nobilitie my predecessors bosted , Or any man from honours stocke descended ; How many Marquesses and Earles are numbred In their great family ? what coates they quarter , How many battells our forefathers fought ? T is poore , and not becomming perfect gentry To build their glories at their fathers cost , But at their owne expense of blood or vertue , To raise them living monuments , our birth Is not our owne act , honour upon trust , Our ill deedes forfeit , and the wealthy summes Purchas'st by others fame or sweate , will be Our staine , for we inherit nothing truely But what our actions make us worthy of ; And are you not a precious gentleman , Thou art not worth my steele , redeeme this love Some generous way of undertaking , or Thou shalt be given up to boyes , and ballets , The scorne of footeman , a disgrace more blacke Than bastard , goe to the Coronell . Bo.

I will my Lord .

Lo. But now I thinke on t t will be necessarie , That first you right my honour with the Lady , You shall carry a letter , you will do 't ? Bo.

I le carry any thing .

Lo.

Expect it presently . Exit

Bo. Such another conjuring will make me Beleeve I am illigitimate indeede , This came first keeping company with the blades , From whom I learnt to roare and runne away : I know t is a base thing to be a coward , But every man is not borne to be a Hercules , Some must be beate that others may be valiant . Exit . Enter Rosomond , and Honoria whispering , Sr. Marmaduke , and Sr. Ambrose following . Ro.

Let it be so , they will else be troublesome .

Ma. This cannot I hope displease you Lady , t is No new affection I protest , although This be the first occasion I tooke To expresse it . Ro. You did ill in the impression , Although your bashfulnesse would not permit you To speake in your owne cause , you might have sent Your meaning , I can make a shift to read A scurvie hand , but I shall tell you sir . Ma.

Prethee doe .

Ho. I st possible your heart hath beene tormented In loves flame , and I the cause . Am. Your beauty hath the power To melt a Cithians bosome , those divine Beames would make soft the earth , when rugged Winter Hath seal'd the cranies up with frost , your eye Will make the frigid region temperate , Should you but smile upon 't : account it then No wonder if it turne my brest to ashes . Ro. I see you are in love by your mention , And cause I pitty a gentleman should lose His passion I le acquaint you with a secret . Ma.

The Lady Honoria ?

Ro. What misfortune t was You did not first apply your selfe to her That can reward your love , and hath a heart Spacious to entertaine you ; she does love you Vpon my knowledge strangely , and so Commends you in your absence . Ma. Say you so Lady ? Pardon I beseech you the affection I profest to your Ladiship , t was but A complement , I am sorry I protest . Ro. Oh t is excus'd sir , but I must tell you , Perhaps you wonot finde her now so tractable Vpon the apprehension she was slighted ; But to prescribe you confidence were to Suspect your art , and bold discretion . Ho. T is as I tell you sir , no Lady in The world can speake more praises of your body ? Shee knowes not yet your minde . Am.

I st possible ?

Ho. And yet because she saw your complements Directed so unhappily to me , I know not how you le finde her on the sudden , But t is not halfe an houre since you possest The first place in her thoughts . Am. Shall I presume , You will excuse the love I did present Your Ladiship ? it was not from my heart , I hope you will conceive so . Ho.

A slight error .

Am.

I am a sham'd on 't .

Ho. T is sufficient That you recant no more neglect . Ro.

You are pleasant .

Am. Be you so too ; I le justifie thou shalt Have cause . Ro.

To wonder at you , what 's your meaning sir ?

Am. Sweete Lady , What thoughts make sad your brow ? I have observ'd Your eyes shoote clearer light . Ro. You are deceiv'd , I am not melancholy . Am. Be for ever banish'd The imagination of what can happen To cloud so rare a beautie , y' are in love . Ro.

In love , who told you so ?

Am. But that 's no wonder , We all may love , but you have onely power To conquer where you place affection , and triumph ore your wishes . Ho. I love you , y' are strangely sir mistaken , Put your devices on some other Lady , I ha beene so farre from my affection to you , That I ha laboured I confesse to unsettle The opinion of my Lady Rosomond , Who I confesse loves you , and that extreamely . Mar.

How ? she love me ? then I ha made fine worke .

Ho. What cunning shee is mistresse of to hide Her strange affections , or what power she has , She does flie into your armes I know not . Ro. Are you so dull ? Why , this was but to try your constancie , I have heard her sweare you are the proprest Knight , The very Adonis : why , she has got your picture And made it the onely saint within her closet , I blush at your credulitie . Am. I st e'ne so ? I have undone my selfe with her already , Pardon me gentle Madam , I must leave you . Ro.

With all my heart .

Ho. We are reliev'd , Enter Mounsieur . Mounsieur Le Friske . Moun. Tres humbla serviter Madam , Me sweate with de hast to waite upon your Ladiships ; I pray give me do leve dispatch presently , For I must figaries to be done . Ro. Gentlemen let your passions breath a while , A little musicke may correct the errour , And you may finde your selves . Moun.

Aller .

Am. With all my heart Sr. Marmaduke le ts helpe To exercise the Ladies . Ma.

A good motion .

Moun. And begar noting in de world mor profet Your body den de motion all a more de France . Ma.

I am for any friske .

Moun. Ha de friske you jumpe upon my name , and Begar you have my nature to de right , hey , and All de world is but friske . Ho.

A Country dance then .

Moun. Hah , Mounsieur Madam aller , They Dance . Forboone , tres excellent begar , so I crave your patience Madam , gentlemen , you be at de Ball , mofoy you See dat was never in dis world . Ro.

What Mounsieur ?

Moun. What doe you thinke dat is , me tell you , begar You see me play de part of de Cupid . Ho.

A French Cupid .

Moun. Begar French Cupid , why ? dere is no love like De French love , dat is Cupid , love is hot , and de French is hot Ro.

How comes it to passe that you are to play Cupid Moun .

Mo. My Lord give me co�mand me have device , & de masque For de Ladies , and me no trust little Iacknape to play Young Cupid but my selfe . Ho.

Cupid is a childe , you have a beard Mounsieur .

Mo. Me care not de haire for dat , begar de little god may have De little beard , Venus his moder have de mole , and Cupid Her shild may have the blacke mussell . Ho. But Mounsieur , we read Cupid was faire , and You are blacke , how will that agree ? Mo. Cupid is faire , and Mounsieur is blacke , why Mounsieur Is blacke den , and Cupid is faire , what is dat ? a faire Lady love de servant of the blacke Complexion de ban eur , the colour is not de mush , Vulcan was de blacke Smith , and Cupid may be de Blacke gentleman his sonne legitimate . Am.

T is de way to make Cupid the boy no bastard .

Mo. But doe you no publish this invention , me meete you At de Ball armed with quiver , and de bow . Ho.

You wonot shoote us , I hope you le spare our hearts .

Mo. Begar me shit you if me can , and your arts shall Bleed one , two , tree , gallowne adieu Madame Serviter gentlemen tresemble . Am. Adieu Mounsieur , now Madam with your favour , I must renew my suite . Ho. Yad better buy a new one , Nay then we shall be troubled . Exit . Am. You le withdraw , I le follow you . Ma.

Come , come I know you love me .

Ro. You may enlarge your folly my deare knight , But I have pardoned you for love already . Ma. This shannot serve your turne , I came hither Not to be jeered , and one of you shall love me . Exit . Enter Bostocke , Lady Lucina and Scutilla . Luc.

Oh impudence dares he returne .

Scu.

It seemes so .

Bo. Most gracious Madam , my cosin your Lord Loveall Commends himselfe in blacke and white . Luc.

To me ?

Bo.

d ee thinke t is from my selfe .

Scu. You might ha dont in blacke and blew . Bo. Scutilla how does thy poore soule , thou Hast no husband nor children to commend me to . Scu. The poore soule 's well , I hope your body is Recover'd , dos not your left cheeke burne still , We ha so talkt on you ? Luc. I am sorry any gentleman that has relation to me should Be so forgetfull of your honor , & his own , but though he have Forfited opinion , let me continue innocent in your thoughts ? I have sent you a small jewell to expiate my offence for Commending him , I expect your Ladiship at the Ball , Where you shall make many happie to kisse your hand , And in their number the true admirer of your vertue , My Lord is honourable . Bo.

A slight jewell Madam . Loveall .

Luc.

I am his servant .

Bo. Nay faith my Lord is right , I ha not met The Coronell since you know when . Sc.

You ha more reason to remember .

Bo.

I would be so bold to aske you a question .

Luc. In the meane time give me leave , we are none But friends , I know y' are valliant . Bo.

No , no , you doe not know 't , but I know my selfe .

Scu.

That 's more .

Luc.

But will you answer me ? why did not you strike him agen ?

Scu.

That might ha caus'd blood .

Bo.

Y' are i th right .

Luc.

You did not feare him .

Bo. But blood are not a like , termes were not even , If I had kill'd him there had beene an end . Luc.

Of him .

Bo. Right Madam , but if he had wounded me , He might ha kill'd , heaven knowes how many . Scu.

Strange ?

Bo. D' ee not conceive it ? so many drops of mine , So many gentlemen , nay more , who knowes Which of these might ha beene a Knight , a Lord . Luc.

Perhaps a Prince .

Bo. Princes came from the blood , And should I hazard such a severation Against a single life , t is not I feare To fight with him by these hills , but what wise gamester Will venture a hundred pound to a flaw'd sixe pence ? Scu.

Madam , the Coronell .

Bo. And he were ten Coronells , I le not endure his company , Sweete Lady , you and I le retire . Scu.

And were lesse honourable .

Bo.

He should not seeke me then .

Sc.

He should rather hardly find you , I me your servant . exit

Enter Coronell . Luc. I was wishing for you sir , Your judgement of these Diamonds . Co.

The stones are pretty .

Luc. They were a Lords , sent me for a token , You cannot chuse but know him , the Lord Loveall . Co.

So , so , so , I am like to speede .

Luc.

Is not he a pretty gentleman ?

Co.

And you are sure hee 's honest ?

Luc. As Lords goe now adayes that are In fashion ; But cry you mercy , you ha put me in minde , I did propound a businesse to you sir . Co.

And I came prepar'd to answer you .

Luc.

T is very well , I le call one to be a witnesse .

Co. That was not I remember in our Covenant , You shannot neede . Luc.

I le fetch you a booke to sware by �

Co. Let it be Venus and Adonis then , Or Ovids wanton Elieges , Aristotles Problemes , Guy of Warwicke , or Sr. Beavis , Or if there be a Play Booke you Love better , I le take my oath upon your Epilogue . Luc.

Y' are very merry , well , sweare how you please .

Co. In good time , You doe expect now I should sweare I me honest ? Luc. Yes sir , and t is no hard condition , If you reflect upon my promise . Co.

What ?

Luc. To marry you , which act must make you Lord Of me and my estate , a round possession , Some men have gone to hell for a lesse matter . Co. But I wonot be damn'd for twenty thousand Such as you are , and every one a million , And I the authoritie of a Parliament To marry wo'yee all , I wod not buy This flesh now I ha sworne . Luc. I thinke so Coronell , Blesse me ? twenty thousand wives , t wo'd nere Come to my turne , and you 'd not live to give The tithe benevolence . Co.

They would finde Pages , fooles , or Gentlemen-Vshers .

Luc. Then upon the matter , You being not willing sir to take your oath , I may be confident you are not honest . Co. Why looke upon me Lady , and consider With some discretion what part about me Does looke so tame you should suspect me honest , How old d ee thinke I am ? Luc.

I guesse at thirty .

Co. Some i th' world doubted me not so much , At thirteene I was ever plumpe and forward , My drie Nurse swore at seven , I kist like one Of five and twenty , setting that a side , What 's my profession ? Luc.

A Souldier

Co. So examine a whole army , and finde one Souldier that hates a hansome woman , we cannot march Without our bagge and baggages , and is it possible , When we come home where womens pride , and all Temptation to wantonesse abounds We should lose our activitie ? Lu.

You souldiers are brave fellowes .

Co. When we have our pay , We vow no chastitie till we marry , Lady T is out of fashion indeede with gentlemen To be honest , and of age together t is sufficient , We can provide to take our pleasures too , Without infection , a sound body is A treasure I can tell you , yet if that Would satisfy you , I should make no scruple To sweare , but otherwise you must pardon us As we must pardon you . Luc.

Vs sir .

Co. Yes you , as if you Ladies had not your fagaries , And martiall discipline , as well as we , Your outworkes , and redoubts , your court of guard , Your centries , and perdues , sallies , retreates , Pasties , and stratagems , women are all honest , Yes , yes , exceeding honest ; let me aske you One question , I le not put you to your oath , I doe allow you Hide-Parke , and Spring-Garden , You have a recreation called the Ball , A device transported hither by some Ladies That affect Tenice , what d ee play a set ? There 's a foule racket kept under the line , Strange words are bandied , and strange revells Madam . Luc.

The world imagines so .

Co.

Nay , y' are all talk'd of .

Luc. But if men had no more wit , and honesty , They wod let fall their stings on something else , This is discours'd , but when Corantaes faile , Or newes at ordinaries , when the phlegmaticke Dutch Ha tane no Fisher-boates , or our Cole-ships land Safe at New-Castle , y' are fine gentlemen , But to conclude of that we met for your honesty , Not justified by an oath , as I expected , Is now suspended , will you sweare yet . Co. Why , I thought you had beene a Christian ? widdow Have I not told you enough , you may meete one Will forfeit his conscience , and please you better , Some Silke-worme o th' Cittie , or the Court , There be enough will sweare away their soule For your estate , but I have no such purpose , The warres will last I hope . Luc. So so , Scutilla . Enter Scutilla . You were present when I promis'd the Coronell , To be his wife upon condition . He could secure my opinion by his oath , That he was honest , I am bound in honour Not to goe backe , y ave done it , I am yours sir , Be you a witnesse to this solemne contract . Co.

Are you in earnest Lady , I ha not sworne .

Luc. You have given better truth , He that can make this conscience of an oath Assures his honesty . Co.

In minde .

Luc. What 's past I question not , if for the time to come Your love be vertuous to me . Co. Most religious , Or let me live the Souldiers dishonour , And die the scorne of gentlemen , I ha not Space enough in my heart to entertaine thee . Luc.

Is not this better than swearing ?

Co.

I confesse it .

Luc.

Now I may call you husband ?

Co.

No title can more honour me .

Luc.

If please you I le shew you then my children .

Co.

How , your children ?

Luc.

I ha sixe that call me mother .

Co.

Hast , faith ?

Luc. The elder may want softnesse to acknowledge you , But some are young enough , and may be counsell'd To aske your blessing , does this trouble you ? Co. Trouble me ? no , but it is the first newes Lady Of any children . Luc. Nay , they are not like To be a burden to us , they must trust To their owne portions left 'em by their father . Co.

Where .

Luc. But of my estate , I cannot keepe Any thing from 'em , and I know you are So honest , you 'd not wish me wrong the Orphans , T is but sixe thousand pound in money Coronell Among them all , beside some trifling plate And jewels worth a thousand more . Co.

No more ?

Luc. My Ioynture will be firme to us , two hundred Per annum . Co. Is it so ? and that will keepe A Country house , some halfe a dozen Cowes , We shall ha cheese and butter-milke , one horse Will serve me , and your man to ride to markets . Luc.

Canst be content to live i th' country Coronell ?

Co. And watch the Pease , looke to the Hay , and talke Of Oates and Stubble , I ha beene brought up too 't , And for a need can thrash . Luc.

That will save somewhat .

Co. i th yeere , beside my skill in farrowing pigs , Oh t is a holsome thing to hold the plough , And wade up to the calfe i th' dirty furrowes , Worse than sleeping in a trench , or quagmire , You ha not heard me whistle yet . Luc.

No indeede .

Co. Why ? there 's it , shee does counterfeit , well Lady , Be you in jeast or earnest , this is my Resolution I le marry you , and y 'ad forty children , And not a foote of land to your Ioynture , heaven Will provide for , and we doe our endeavours , Where be the children , come how many boyes . Luc.

As many as can get sir .

Co.

How ?

Luc. No more . Since y' are so noble , know I tried your patience , And now I am confirm'd , my estate is yours Without the weight of children or of debts , Love me , and I repent not . Co. Saist thou so ? I wod we had a Priest here . Luc.

There remaines to take away one scruple .

Co.

Another gincracke .

Luc. I have none , t is your doubt sir , And ere we marry you shall be convinc'd Some mallice has corrupted your opinion Of that we call the Ball . Co.

Your dancing businesse .

Luc. I will intreate your company to night , Where your owne eyes shall leade you to accuse Or vindicate our fames . Co.

With all my heart .

Scu. Madam , Mr. Bostocke Expects within . Luc.

You shall be reconcil'd to him .

Co. With Bostocke willingly , then toth Ball , Which for your sake I dare not now suspect , Where union of hearts such Empire brings , Subjects methings are crown'd as we as Kings . Exeunt .
Actus Quintus . Enter Mounsieur and servants with perfume . Moun. BOne for bone here a little , dere a little more , my Lord hire dis house of the citie Merchent , begar It smell musty , and he will have all sweete for de Ladies , perfume , perfume every corner presently For dere is purpose to make all smoke anon Begar ; Enter Lady Rosomond and Honoria . Treshumble serviter Madam . Ho.

Where is my Lord ?

Moun.

Hee waite on you presently Mounsieur de Freshwater .

Fr. Mounsieur Le Friske these Ladies were pleas'd To command my attendance hither . Moun. Welcome to de Ball , par ma foy You pardon Mounsieur , I have much trouble In my little head , I can no stay to Complement , a vostre service . Exit . Fre. In all my travells , I have not seene a more Convenient Structure . Ro. Now you talke of your travells Signior , till my Lord Come you shall doe us a speciall favour to Discourse what passages you ha seene abroad . Ho.

Were you ever abroad before Signior .

Fre. I hardly ever was at home , and yet All countries lost wiseman are his owne ? Did you never travell Ladies , Ro. We are no Ladies errant , t is enough For such as you , that looke for State employment . Fre. Yet there be Ladies ha your languages , And married to great men prove the better Statesmen . Ro.

We have heard talke of many countries .

Fre. And you may heare talke , but give me the man That has measur'd 'em , talkes but talke . Ho.

Have you seene a fairer Citie than London ?

Fre.

London is nothing .

Ro.

How nothing ?

Fre.

To what it will be a hundred yeares hence .

Ro.

I have heard much talke of Paris .

Ho.

You have beene there I me sure . Enter Lord .

Fre. I tell you Madame , I tooke shipping at Gravesend , and had no sooner past The Cantons , and Grissons , making some stay In the Valtoline , but I came to Paris a pretty Hamlet , and much in the scituation like Dunstable , T is in the Province of Alcontora , some three leagues Distant from Civill , from whence we have our Oringes . Lo.

Is the fellow mad ?

Ro.

I have heard Civill is in Spaine .

Fre. You may heare many things , The people are ciuill that live in Spaine , or there May be one towne like another , but if Civill Be not in France , I was never at Civill in my life . Ho.

Proceede Sir .

Fre. Doe not I know Paris , it was built by the yongest Son Of King Priam , and was call'd by his name , yet some Call it Lutetia , because the gentlewomen there Play so well upon the Lute . Lo.

What a Rascall is this ?

Fr. Here I observ'd many remarkeable buildings , as the Vniversitie , which some call the Loure , where the Students made very much of me , and carried me To the Beare-garden , where I saw a play on the Banke-side , a very pretty Comedy call'd Martheme , In London . Ro.

I st possible ?

Fre. But there be no such Comedians as we have here , Yet the women are the best Actors , they play Their owne parts , a thing much desir'd in England By some Ladies , Innes a Court Gentlemen , and others , But that by the way . Ho.

See Sir .

Fre. I had staid longer there , but I was offended with a Villanous sent of Onions , which the winde brought from St. Omers . Ro.

Onions wod make you sleepe well .

Fre. But the sent t is not to be endured , I smelt On 'em when I came to Rome , and hardly scap'd the Inquisition for t . Ho.

Were you at Rome too Signior .

Fre. T is in my way to Venice , I le tell you Madam I was very Loth to leave their country . Ro.

Which Country ?

Fre.

Where was I last ?

Ho.

In France .

Fre. Right , for I had a very good Inne , where mine Host Was a notable good fellow , and a Cardinall . Ro.

How a Cardinall , oh impudence .

Fr. Oh the catches we sang , and his wife a pretty woman , And one that warmes a bed one o th' best in Europe . Ho.

Did you ever heare the like .

Ro.

I did before suspect him .

Fr.

But mine Host .

Ho.

The Cardinall .

Fr. Right , had a shrew'd pate , and his eares were something O' th longest , for one upon the oath of a w � Walloune that � from Spaine to the Low - Countries , and the other from Lapland into Germany . Ro.

Say you so ?

Fr. A parlous head , and yet loving to his guests , As mine host Bankes , as red in the gills , and as merry A � but anger him , and hee sets all Christendome Together by the eares , well shortly after I left France , and sayling along the Alpes , I came to Lombardy , where I left my cloke , for it was very Hot travelling , and went a Pilgrim to Rome Where I saw the Tombs , and a Play in Pompeys Theater , here I was kindely entertain'd by an anchorite , In whose chamber I lay , and drinke Cider . Lo.

Nay , now he is desperate .

Ho.

Doe not interrupt him .

Fre. What should I trouble you with many stories ? from hence I went to Naples , a soft kinde of people , and cloth'd In silke , from thence I went to Florence from whence we Have the art of working custards , which we call Florentines , Millan a rich state of Haberdashers , Permount , where I had excellent Venison , And Padua , famous for the pads , or easie saddles Which our physitions ride upon , and first brought from Thence when they commenst Doctor . Ro.

Very good .

Fr. I see little in Mantua , beside dancing upon the ropes , Onely their strong beere , better than any I Ever drunke at the Trumpet , but Venice of all The Champion Countries , do not mistake they are the Valiantest gentlemen under the Sunne . Ro.

Is that it ?

Fr.

O the Catazaners we turn'd there .

Ho.

Who was wee yee ?

Fr. Two or three magnifico's grandees of the State , We tickled 'em in the very Pialto , by the same Token two or three English spies told us they had laine Leger three moneths to steale away the Piatzo , and ship It for Covent . Garden , a pretty fabricke and building Vpon the � but I was compell'd to make Short stay here by reason of the Dukes Concubines Fell in love wee me , gave me a ring of his , out of A solide Diamonde , which afterwards I lost washing my Hands in the salt water . Ho. You should ha fish'd for t , and as good lucke as She that found her wedding ring in the Haddocks belly . Fr. No , there was no staying , I tooke post presently For Genoa , and from thence to Madrill , and so to The Netherlands . Ro.

And how sped you among the Dutch ?

Fr. Why , we were drunk every day together , they get their Living by it . Ho.

By drinking ?

Fr. And making bargaines in their tippling , The Iewes are innocent , nay the devill himselfe Is but a Dunce to 'em , of whose trade they are . Ho.

What 's that ?

Fr. They fish , they fish still , who can helpe it , they Have nets enough , and may catch the Province In time then let the Kingdomes looke about 'em , They can't be idle , and they have one advantage Of all the world , they le ha no conscience to trouble 'Em , I heard in whispered they want butter , they have A Designe to charme the Indies , and remove their Darie , but that as a secret , shall goe no further ; I caught a surfet of Bore in Holland , upon my Recovery I went to Flushing , where I met with a hansome Froe , with whom I went to Middleborough , by the � And lest her drunke at Roterdam , there I tooke Shipping againe for France , from thence to Dover , From Dover to Gravesend , from Gravesend to Queene - Hive , and from thence to what I am come to . Lo.

And noble Signior you are very welcome .

Fr.

I hope he did not over-heare me .

Lo.

I am much honor'd Ladies in your presence .

Fr. Absence had beene a sinne my Lord where you Were pleas'd to invite . Enter Mounsieur . Moun.

Fie , fie , my Lord give me one eare .

He whispers with my Lord . Lo.

Interrupt me no more good Moursieur .

Fr. Mounsieur La Friske , a word , a word , I beseech you , No excuser moy . Exit Fresh . and Moun. Lo. Have you thought Ladies of your absent servant ? Within whose heart the civill warre of love , Ro.

May end in a soft peace .

Lo.

Excellent , Lady .

Ho.

We had armies too my Lord , of wounded thoughts .

Lo. And are you agreed to which I must devote My loving service , and which is wisest , fairest , Is it concluded yet ? Ho. You did propound A hard Province , and we could not Determine as you expected , but if Your flame be not extinct , we have devis'd Another way . Lo. You make my ambition happy , And indeede I was thinking t was impossible That two such beauties should give place to either , And I am still that humble notary To both your loves . Ro. Then this we have made lots , That what we cannot , fate may soone divide , And we are fixt to obey our destinie , There is but two , one and your wishes guide you . Lo.

And will you satisfie my chance .

Ho. We should Be else unjust . Lo.

What method shall we use ?

Ro. Your hat my Lord , If you vouchsafe the favour ? Ho.

Dare you expose your head to the ayre so long ?

Lo.

Most willingly put in .

Ro.

There is Fortune �

Ho.

That draw which quickly tell how much I love you .

Lo. So , so now let me see , I commend your device , Since I am uncapable of both , This is a way indeede , but your favour . Ro.

Le ts have faire play my Lord .

Lo. What foole is he ? That having the choise of Mistresses will be Confinde to one , and rob himselfe , I am yet The favorite of both these , is no policy , I could make shift with both abed . Ro.

You are merry ?

Lo. In troth , and so I am , and in the minde I am in , will give my selfe no cause toth ' contrary , d ee see ? I le draw you both . Ho. How ? both . You cannot otherwise be reconcil'd , I le be content to marry one , and doe Service to th' others peticote , I must tell you , I am not without president . Ho.

There you triumph .

Lo. Within the name of Venus , � ha a blanke , By this light nothing , neither name nor marke . Both .

Ha , ha , ha .

Lo.

This is a riddle yet .

Ro. T is quickly solv'd , Your Lordship was too confident , We never were at such a losse my Lord , As with the hazard of our wit or honour To court you with so desperate affection . Ho. By our example know , some Ladies may Commend , nay love a gentleman , and yet Be safe in their owne thoughts , and see as farre As modesty , and honour will allow us , We are still servants to your Lordship , Lo. Say so ? why looke you Ladies that you may perceive , How I can be temperate too ; first , I thanke you Heartily , and to recompence your wit ; Present another Lottery , you shannot Suspect I have a thought that will betray Your innocence to scandall , let me intreate You take your chance too , this for you Madam , And this is left your fortune , doe me honour To weare these paire of Iewells for my sake , So with a confidence of your happy pardon , To what is past hereafter I shall pay To your true vertues , better service then So unnecessary trialls . Ro. And to shew We are not coy my Lord , wee le weare your Iewell . Lo. And be their ornament . Enter Rainebow , Coronell , Bostoke . Co. All happinesse to your Lordship , Your cruells are not full set noble Ladies . Lo. Your presence will so ne make us active , Madam I was bold . Bo.

She has your Diamond my Lord .

Lo.

And can you pardon ?

Ro. Nay , nay , we are friends , are We not Madam ? Luc.

I were else unmercifull .

Bo.

The Coronell too has given me satisfaction .

Co.

I thinke you had enough .

Bo. As much as I desir'd , and here 's my hand , While I can draw a sword command me . Co.

What ?

Bo. To put it up agen , all friends , all friends , A poxe a quarrelling . Co.

I kisse your hand sir .

Bo.

Kisse my hand , kisse my � noble Ladies here .

Co. Why is Musicke silent all this while ? Has it no voyce to bid these Ladies welcome ? A golden Ball descends , Enter Venus and Cupid . Ve. Come Boy now draw thy powerfull Bow , Here are Ladies hearts enough To be transfixt , this meeting is To ruffle Ladies , and to kisse , These are my Orgies , from each eye , A thousand wanton glances flie ; Lords , and Ladies of the Game , Each brest be full of my owne flame : Why shootes not Cupid ? these are all , Met in honour of my Ball , Which Paris gave to Ida hill , I le maintaine these revells still : Why stayes Cupid all this while . Dia.

Venus doth her selfe beguile .

Ven.

Diana here goe backe againe .

Dia. These are none of Venus traine , No sparke of this Lacivious fire , Dwells in their bosomes , no desire , But what doth fill Diana's breast , In their modest thoughts doe rest . Venus this new festivall , Shall be still Diana's Ball : A chaste meeting ever here , Seeke thy votaries other where . Ven. You 're chast indeede , doe not we know , You to your sweete-heart nightly goe , Envying one is not kist , no you On his face but let fall dew ; Some may wonder what doth ayle , Your lippes but kisses made them pale Me thinkes the Moone should blush , Dia. I doe Some times , but t is for such as you : Then hide my selfe within a mist , For shame to see thee clipt and kist . Ven. Draw Cupid , shall thy mother be Brand by a Huntresse , let me see I want one shaft . Cu. Moder not so , You may quickly breake my bow , Here Diana doth command , My Bow is frozen to my hand , Beside , the Ladies breasts are here , Such proofes against my shafts I feare , Each arrow would to our disgrace , Breake , or rebound in my owne face ; Moder , flie hence or you will be , If you le stay , made as chaste as she . Ve. Can her Magicke charme them so , Then t is time that Venus goe To seek her owne more choice delight , Against my will , enjoy this night . Dia. Cupid if you meane to stay , Throw your licensious shafts away , Then you are Love , then be embrac't , Love is welcome while he 's chast ; Now some other straine to show , What pleasures to this night we owe . A Dance . Enter Barker , like a Satyre Dancing . Fre. My Lord , my Ladies , will you see a Monster , I have not met such another in all my travailes . Luc.

What have we here a Satyre .

Bo.

No , t is a dancing Beare .

Lo.

What is the deviso .

Bar. Wonder that a Satyre can Put off wildnesse and turne man , Love , such miracles can doe , But this owes it selfe to you Bright Lady . Ro.

Keepe the goblin from me Gentlemen .

Ba.

You le know me . Omnes , Barker .

Ba. No more , the Cynicke , I protest You have converted me . Ro.

Your meaning Sir .

Ba. I am the man you did incourage Madam To learne to dance , I shall doe better shortly , Your love will perfect me , and make me soft , And smooth as any Reveller . Ro. Ha , ha , ha , my Love , I am not mad to love a Satyre , For that 's thy best condition , judgement all , How scurvily this civility shewes in him . Faith raile , and keepe your humour , still it shewes excellent , Does he not become the beast , The Lords allow you pension . Omnes ,

Ha , ha , ha .

Ba. You are a Witch , I le justifie it , and there is not One honest thought among the whole Sex of you , d ee laugh , loose witted Ladies , there are not In hell such furies , that 's a comfort yet To him that shall goe thither , he shall have Lesse torment after death then he findes here . Lo.

Why Barker ?

Ba. Your wit has got the squirte too , I le traduce Your Ball for this , and if there be a post , That dares write mischiefe , looke to be worse Then executed . Exit . Lo. He will come to himselfe agen , when he hath purg'd Freshwater . Enter Sir Stephen , and Sir Lionell . Ste.

Madam your servants begge this favour from you .

Ro.

What i st ?

Ste. That since your resolutions will admit No change of hearts you will not publish how We ha beene jeer'd . Ro.

Not jeer'd , but you came on so desperate .

Ho. We love our owne when we preserve , Gentlemens honour . Co.

Then le ts tosse the Ball .

Lo.

Signior Freshwater ,

Fr.

Mercy and silence as you are honourable .

Lo.

May it concerne these gentlemen .

Fr. Why if I must gentlemen , you imagine I ha beene At Venice , but I staid at Gravesend All this Summer expecting a winde , and finding it So uncertaine , will deferre the voyage till the Spring , I am not the first whom the windes , and seas have crost . Ste.

Then you have crost no Sea ?

Fr. If you please , I le require But my principall , and for your good company , I le stay at home for good , and all to be merry . Lo. Nay , nay , you shall goe your voyage , We wod not have you lose the benefit Of travell , when you come home , you may summon Your debters by a drumme , and shewing your bagge Of certificates . Bo. Receive your money when you can get it , and be Knighted . Fr. I thanke you gentlemen , I am in a way now , I have sold my land , and put out my mony To live I see my heart wonot dance to night , I may to Gravesend in the morning , I can be but pickled in salt water , and I le Venture one drowning to be reveng'd Agen , agen , set , set . A Dance . Luc.

What thinke you of all this ?

Co.

To my wishes , an innocent , and generous recreation .

Lo. Ladies and Gentlemen , now a banquet waites you , Be pleas'd to accept , t will give you breath and then , Renew our Revells , and toth ' Ball agen . Exeunt Omnes .
FINIS .
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� conceale it , come , the more the merrier , But I could never see you there . Empeorr then he prophesies , and will depose The Emperor , and set up Bethalem Gabre . � possible He may dispose his thoughts another way . � , You two divide my love , onely you two , Be gentle in your Empire heavenly Ladies � you'le take your leave of your poore servant ; Say rather , you will dwell for ever here � Betweene your selves , whose creature I shall be , You can judge better of your worths than � ANd what made you to undertake this voyage , Sweete Signior Freshwater . � returne fraught home with the rich devices , Fashions of steeples , and the situations � Then tis your breath , to your lodging , and perfume it , You'le tell the sweeter � , did I command you give accesse to none ? But Sr. Ambrose Lamount ? Whom you know � Enter Mounsieur La Friske . � him too , nay nay , prethee spare him . ha , ha . deoper honourable , for though you have Blood of a deeper crimson , the good Lady Out of her love canfusion discharge at once upon her , We shall but make confusion , and perhaps Give her more cause to laugh vilard both , he told me so , And laughs behind a visard at your frailtie , He cannot love that way � Enter Lady Lucina and Scutilla . � , A meere conspiracie to betray our fames , But had you seene how poorely they behav'd oft's this was fortune , how The Coronell came of t's uncertaine . � oder god may have De little beard , Venus his moder have de mole , and Cupid Her shild may have bettter Beavis , Or if there be a Play Booke you Love better , Ile take my oath upon your Epilogue . Gentlemen-Vshens They would finde Pages , fooles , or Gentlemen-Vshers . � wade up to the calfe ith' dirty furrowes , Worse than sleeping in a trench , or quagmire gintracke Another gincracke . corruted marry you shall be convinc'd Some mallice has corrupted your opinion Of that we call the Ball . forbone BOne for bone here a little , dere a little more � Excellent , Lady . � Within the name of Venus , � ha a blanke , By this light nothing , neither name nor � you Heartily , and to recompence your wit ; Present another Lottery , you shannot Suspect � kisse , These are my Orgies , from each eye , A thousand wanton glances flie ; Lords , � kist , no you On his face but let fall dew ; Some may wonder what doth ayle , Your lippes
A69093 ---- Monsieur D'Olive Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A69093 of text S107709 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4983). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A69093.xml Monsieur D'Oliue A comedie, as it vvas sundrie times acted by her Maiesties children at the Blacke-Friers. By George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2006 February (TCP phase 1) AUB6287 STC (2nd ed.) 4983 Greg, I, 236(A*Ûp1ÛsÛp2Ûs ) 8136 A69093

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Monsieur D'Oliue A comedie, as it vvas sundrie times acted by her Maiesties children at the Blacke-Friers. By George Chapman. Monsieur D'Olive Monsieur D'Olive. Monseuer D'Oliue. Monsever D'Olive. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [64] p. Printed by T[homas] C[reede] for William Holmes, and are to be sold at his shop in Saint Dun-stons Church-yard in Fleete-streete, London : 1606. 1605

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-HÛp4Ûs.

With a final leaf listing the actors.

Some running titles read: Monseuer D'Oliue.

One of two variants (the other being STC 4984), this one with line 4 of title page: comedie, as it vvas.

Variant: title page has "Chapmon"; imprint has "Dun-Stons".

Reproductions of the originals in the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign Campus). Library. and the Henry Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A69093 shc Monsieur D'Olive Chapman, George Melina Yeh Hannah Bredar 1605 play comedy shc no A69093 S107709 (STC 4983). 21819 2 0 0 1001.37B The rate of 1.37 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

MONSIEVR D'OLIVE A Comedie , as it vvas sundrie times acted by her Maiesties children at the Blacke-Friers .

By Geo. Chapmon .

VERITAS VIRESSIT VULNERE

LONDON Printed by T. C. for William Holmes , and are to be sold at his Shop in Saint Dun-Stons Church-yard in Fleete streete , 1606 .

MONSIEVR D'OLIVE .
ACTVS PRIMI .
Scaena Prima . VANDOME with seruants and saylors laden , VAVMONT , another way walking . Vand. COnuey your carriage to my brother in Lawes , Th' Earle of Saint Anne , to whome and to my Sister , Commend my humble seruice , tell them both Of my arriuall , and intent t' attend them : When in my way , I haue performd fit duties , To Count Vaumont , and his most honoured Countesse . Ser.

We will Syr , this way , follow honest Saylors .

Exeunt Seruants .
Uand. Our first obseruance , after any absence Must be presented euer to our Mistresse : As at our parting she should still be last , Hinc Amor vt circulus , from hence t is said That loue is like a circle , being th' efficient And end of all our actions ; which excited By no worse abiect then my matchlesse mistresse Were worthy to employ vs to that likenesse ; And be the onely Ring our powers should beate , Noble she is by birth , made good by vertue , Exceeding faire , and her behauiour to it , Is like a singular Musitian To a sweete Instrument , or else as doctrine Is to the soule , that puts it into Act , And prints it full of admirable formes Without which t were an emptie , idle flame Her eminent iudgement to dispose these parts , Sits on her browe and holds a siluer Scepter , with which she keepes time to the seuerall musiques , Plac't in the sacred consort of her beauties : Loues compleat armorie is manadgd in her . To stirre affection , and the discipline To checke and to affright it from attempting Any attaint might disproportion her Or make her graces lesse then circular ; Yet her euen carriage , is as farre from coynesse As from Immodestie , in play , in dancing In suffering court-ship : in requiting kindnesse . In vse of places , houres , and companies Free as the Sunne , and nothing more corrupted , As circumspect as Cynthia , in her vowes , And constant as the Center to obserue them , Ruthfull , and bountious neuer fierce nor dull , In all her courses euer at the full These three yeares , I haue trauaild , and so long Have beene in trauaile with her dearest sight , Which now shall beautifie the enamour'd light . This is her house , what ? the gates shut and cleere Of all attendants ? Why , the house was wont To hold the vsuall concourse of a Court , And see , me thinks through the encourtaind windowes ( In this high time of day ) I see light Tapers , This is exceeding strange . Behold the Farle Walking in as strange sort before the dore , I le know this wonder sure : My honoured Lord ? Vau.

Keepe of Sir and beware whom you embrace ,

Uand.

Why flyes your Lordship back ?

Uau. You should be sure To knowe a man your friend ere you embrac't him . Uand. I hope my knowledge cannot be more sure Then of your Lordships friendship . Uau. No mans knowledge , Can make him sure of any thing without him Or not within his power to keepe , or order . Vand. I comprehend not this ; and wonder much To see my most lou'd Lord so much estrang'd . Vau. The truth is , I haue done your knowne deserts More wrong , then with your right should let you greet me And in your absence , which makes worse the wrong , And in your honour , which still makes it worse . Vand. If this be all my Lord , the discontent You seeme to entertaine , is meerly causlesse : Your free confession , and the manner of it , Doth liberally excuse what wrong soeuer , Your mis-conceit could make you lay on me , And therefore , good my Lord discouer it , That we may take the spleene , and corsey from it . Vau. Then heare a strange report and reason , why I did you this repented iniurie . You know my wife is by the rights of courtship , Your chosen Mistresse , and she not disposde ( As other Ladies are ) to entertaine Peculiar termes , with common acts of kindnesse : But ( knowing in her , more then womens iudgement , That she should nothing wrong her husbands right , To vse a friend onely for vertue , chosen With all the right ; of friendship ) tooke such care After the solemne parting to your trauaile , And spake of you with such exceeding passion , That I grew iealous , and with rage excepted Against her kindnesse , vtterly forgetting I should haue waied so rare a womans words , As duties of a free and friendly iustice : Not as the head-strong and incontinent vapors Of other Ladies bloods , enflamed with lust , Wherein I iniured both your innocencies , Which I approue , not out of flexible dotage , By any cunning flatteries of my wife , But in impartiall equitie , made apparant Both by mine owne well-waid comparison Of all her other manifest perfections , With this one onely doubtfull leuitie , And likewise by her violent apprehension Of her deepe wrong and yours , for she hath vowde , Neuer to let the common Pandresse light , ( Or any doome as vulgar ) censure her In any action she leaues subiect to them , Neuer to fit the day with her attire , Nor grace it with her presence ; Nourish in it , ( Vnlesse with sleepe ) nor stir out of her chamber : And so hath muffled and mewd vp her beauties In neuer-ceasing darkenesse , Neuer sleeping , But in the day transform'd by her to night : With all Sunne banisht from her smootherd graces : And thus my deare and most vnmatched wife , That was a comfort and a grace to me , In euery iudgement , euery companie , I , by false Iealousie , haue no lesse then lost , Murtherd her liuing , and emtoomd her quicke . Vand. Conceit it not so deepely , good my Lord , Your wrong to me or her , was no fit ground To beare so waightie and resolu'd a vowe , From her incensed and abused vertues . Uau. There could not be a more important cause , To fill her with a ceaslesse hate of light , To see it grace grose lightnesse with full beames , And frowne on continence with her oblique glances . As nothing equalls , right to vertue done , So is her wrong past all comparison . Vand. Vertue is not malitious , wrong done her Is righted euer when men grant they Erre , But doth my princely mistresse so contemne The glorie of her beauties , and the applause Giuen to the worth of her societie , To let a voluntarie vowe obscure them ; Uau. See all her windowes , and her doores made fast , And in her Chamber lights for night enflam'd , Now others rise , she takes her to her bed . Uand. This newes is strange , heauen grant I be encounterd With better tyding ; of my other friendes , Let me be bold my Lord t' enquire the state Of my deare sister , in whose selfe and me , Surviues the whole hope of our familie , Together with her deare and princely husband Th' Earle of Saint Anne . Uau. Vnhappie that I am , I would to heauen your most welcome steppes Had brought you first vpon some other friend , To be the sad Relator of the changes Chanc't your three yeares most lamented absence , Your worthy sister , worthier farre of heauen Then this vnworthy hell of passionate Earth , Is taken vp amongst her fellow Starres . Uand. Vnhappie man that euer I returnd And perisht not ere these newes pierst mine eares . Vau. Nay be not you that teach men comfort , grieued ; I know your iudgement will set willing shoulders To the knowne burthens of necessitie : And teach your wilfull brother patience , Who striues with death , and from his caues of rest Retaines his wiues dead Corse amongst the liuing , For with the rich sweetes of restoring Balmes , He keepes her lookes as fresh as if she liu'd , And in his chamber ( as in life attirde ) She in a Chaire sits leaning on her arme , As if she onely slept : and at her feete He like a mortified hermit clad , Sits weeping out his life , as hauing lost All his lifes comfort : And that she being dead ( Who was his greatest part ) he must consume , As in an Apoplexy strooke with death . Nor can the Duke nor Dutchesse comfort him , Nor messagers with consolatory letters , From the kinde King of France , who is allyed To her and you . But to lift all his thoughts Vp to another world , where she expects him , He feedes his eares with soule-exciting musicke . Solemne and Tragicall , and so Resolues In those sadde accents to exhale his soule , Uan. O what a second , Ruthles Sea of woes Wracks mee within my Hauen ; and on the Shore ? What shall I doe ? mourne , mourne , with them that mourne , And make my greater woes their lesse expell , This day I le consecrate to sighes and teares And this Next Euen , which is my mistresse morning I le greete her , wondring at her wilfull humours , And with rebukes , breaking out of my Loue , And duetie to her honour , make her see How much her too much curious vertue wrongs her Van. Sayd like the man the world hath euer held you , Welcome , as new lines to vs , our good Now Shall wholly be ascrib'de and trust to you . Exeunt . Enter Rhoderique and Mugeron . Mug.

See , see , the vertuous Countesse hath bidden our day Good night , her starres are now visible : when was any Lady seene to be so constant in her vow , and able to forbeare the society of men so sinceerely ?

Rho.

Neuer in this world , at least exceeding seldome . What shame it is for men to see women so farre surpasse them : for when was any man knowne ( out of iudgement ) to performe so staied an abstinēce , from the society of women .

Mug.

Neuer in this world .

Rhoderique .

What an excellent Creature an honest woman is ? I warrant you the Countesse , and her Virgine sister , spend all their times in Contemplation , watching to see the sacred Spectacles of the night , when other Ladies lye drownd in sleepe or sensualitie , I st not so think'st ?

Mug.

No question .

Rhoderic.

Come , come , le ts forget we are Courtiers , and talke like honest men , tell truth , and shame all trauaylers and tradesmen : Thou beleeu'st all 's naturall beautie that shewes faire , though the Painter enforce it , and sufferst in soule I know for the honorable Ladie .

Mug.

Can any heart of Adamant not yeeld in compassion to see spotlesse Innocencie suffer such bitter pennance ?

Rhoder.

A very fitte stocke to graffe on : Tush man thinke what she is , thinke where she liues , thinke on the villanous cunning of these times , Indeed did we liue now in old Saturnes time : when women had no other art , than what Nature taught am ( and yet there needes little Art I wisse to teach a woman to dissemble ) when Luxurie was vnborne , at least vntaught , the art to steale from a forbidden tree : when Coaches , when Perwigges , and painting , when Maskes , and Masking : in a word when Court and Courting was vnknowne , an easie mist might then perhappes haue wrought vpon my sence as it does now on the poore Countesse and thine .

Mug.

O world !

Rho.

O flesh !

Mug.

O Diuell !

Rhod.

I tell thee Mugeron , the Flesh is growne so great with the Diuell , as there 's but a little Honestie left i th world . That , that is , is in Lawyers , they ingrosse all : S'foote what gaue the first fire to the Counts Iealousie ?

Mug.

What but his misconstruction of her honourable affection to Uandome .

Rho.

Honourable affection ? first shee s an ill huswife of her honour , that puts it vpon construction : but the presumption was violent against her , no speeche but of Vandome , no thought but of his memorie , no myrth but in his companie , besides the free entercourse of Letters , Fauours , and other entertainments , too too manifest signes that her heart went hand in hand with her tongue .

Mug.

Why , was shee not his mistresse ?

Rhod.

I , I , a Court tearme , for I wotte what , slight Vandome the Stallion of the Court , her deuoted Seruant , and forsoothe loues her honourablie : Tush , hee s a foole that beleeues it : for my part I loue to offende in the better part still , and that is , to iudge charitable : But now forsoothe to redeeme her Honour , shee must by a laborious and violent kinde of Purgation , Rubbe off the Skinne , to wash out the spotte , Turne her Chamber to a Cell , the Sunne into a Taper , And ( as if shee liu'd in another worlde amongst the Antipodes , ) make our night her day , and our day her night , that vnder this curtaine , shee may laye his iealousie a sleepe , whiles shee turnes poore Argus to Acteon , and makes his Sheets common to her Seruaunt Vandome .

Mug.

Uandome ? Why hee was mette i' th streete but euen now , newly arriv'd after three yeares trauaile .

Rhod.

Newely arriv'd ? hee has beene arriv'd this twelue-month , and has euer since lyne close in his mistresse cunning darkenesse , at her seruice .

Mug.

Fye a the Deuill , who will not enuie slaunder ? O the miserable condition of her Sexe : borne to liue vnder all construction . If shee be courteous , shee s thought to be wanton : if shee be kinde , shee s too willing : if coye , too wilfull : if shee be modest : shee s a clowne , if shee bee honest , shee s a foole : And so is hee .

Enter D'oliue .
Rhod.

What Monsieur D'oliue , the onely admyrer of wit and good words .

D'ol.

Morrowe wits , morrowe good wits : my little parcell of wit , I haue Roddes in pisse for you ; how doest Iacke , may I call thee Syr Iack yet ?

Mug.

You may Syr : Syrs as commendable an addition as Iacke , for ought I knowe .

D'ol.

I know it Iacke , and as common too .

Rho.

Go too , you may couer ; wee haue taken notice of your embroydered Beuer :

D'ol.

Looke you : by Heauen tha' art one of the maddest bitter slaues in Europe , I doe but wonder how I made shifte to loue thee all this while .

Rho.

Go too what might such a parcell guilt couer be worth ?

Mug.

Perhappes more then the whole peece besides .

D'ol.

Good yfaith , but bytter , O you madde slaues , I thinke you had Satyres , to your syres , yet I must loue you , I must take pleasure in you , and yfaith tell mee , how i st ? liue I see you doe , but how ? but how ? witts ?

Rho.

Faith as you see , like poore younger Brothers .

D'ol.

By your wittes ?

Mug.

Nay not turnd Poets neither .

D'ol.

Good soothe : but indeede to say truth , Time was when the sonnes of the Muses had the priuiledge to liue onlie by their wits , but times are altered , Monopolies are nowe calld in , & wits become a free trade for all sorts to liue by , Lawyers liue by wit and they liue worshipfully : Souldiers liue by wit , and they liue honourably : Panders liue by wit , and they liue honestlie . In a word there are fewe trades but liue by wit , onely bawdes and Midwifes liue by Womens labours , as Fooles and Fidlers do by making myrth , Pages and Parasits by making legges : Paynters and Players by making mouthes and faces : ha doest well wits ?

Rho.

Faith thou followest a figure in thy iests , as countrey Gentlemen followe fashions when they bee worne threed-bare .

D'ol.

Well , well , le ts leaue these wit skirmishes , and say when shall we meete ?

Mug.

How thinke you , are we not met now ?

D'ol.

Tush man , I meane at my chamber , where we may take free vse of our selues , that is , drinke Sacke , and talke Satyre , and let our wits runne the wilde Goose chase ouer Court and Countrey ; I will haue my chamber the Rende-vous of all good wits , the shoppe of good wordes , the Mint of good Iestes , an Ordinary of fine discourse , Critickes , Essayists , Linguists , Poets , and other professors of that facultie of wit , shall at certaine houres i th day resort thither , it shall be a second Sorbonne , where all doubts or differences of Learning , Honour , Duellisme , Criticisme , and Poetrie shall be disputed : and how wits , do ye follow the Court still ?

Rhod.

Close at heeles sir , and I can tell you , you haue much to aunswere for your starres , that you doe not so too .

D'ol.

As why wits ? as why ?

Rhod.

VVhy sir , the Court 's as t were the stage : and they that haue a good suite of parts and qualities , ought to presse thither to grace them , and receiue their due merite .

Dol.

Tush , let the Court follow me : he that soares too neare the sunne , melts his wings many times : as I am , I possesse my selfe , I enjoy my libertie , my learning , my wit , as for wealth and honor let am go , I le not loose my learning to be a Lord , nor my wit to be an Alderman .

Mug.

Admirable D'oliue .

Dol.

And what ! you stand gazing at this Comet here , and admire it , I dare say .

Rhod.

And do not you ?

D'ol.

Not I , I admire nothing but wit .

Rhod.

But I wonder how she entertaines time in that solitarie Cell : does she not take Tabacco thinke you ?

D'ol.

She does , she does : others make it their Physicke , she makes it her foode : her sister and she take it my turne , first one , then the other , and Vandome ministers to them both .

Mug.

How sayest thou by that Helene of Greece , the Countesses sister , there were a Paragon Monsieur D'oliue , to admire and marrie too .

D'ol.

Not for me .

Rhod.

No , what acceptions lies against the choise .

D'ol.

Tush , tell me not of choise , if I stood affected that way , I would chuse my wife as men do Valentines , blindfold , or draw cuts for them , for so I shall be sure not to be deceiued in choosing : for take this of me , there 's ten times more deceipt in women then in Horse-flesh : and I say still , that a prettie well pac'd Chambermaid is the only fashion , if she grow full or ful some , giue her but six pence to buy her a handbasket , and send her the way of all flesh , there 's no more but so .

Mug.

Indeed that 's the sauingst way .

D'ol.

O me ! what a hell t is for a man to be tied to the continuall charge of a Coach , with the appurtenances , horse , men , and so forth ; and then to haue a mans house pestered with a whole countrey of Guests , Groomes , Panders , wayting maides ? &c. I carefull to please my wife , she carelesse to displease me , shrewish if she be honest , intolerable if shee be wise , imperious as an Emperesse , all she does must be law , all shee sayes Gospell : O what a pennance t is to endure her , I glad to forbeare still , all to keepe her loyall , and yet perhappes when all 's done , my heyre shall be like my Horse-keeper : Fie on 't , the very thought of marriage were able to coole the hottest liuer in France .

Rhod.

VVell , I durst venture twice the price of your guilt Connies wooll , we shall haue you change your coppy ere a twelue moneths day .

Mug.

We must haue you dubd at h order ther 's no remedie , you that haue vnmarryed , done such honourable seruice in the common-wealth , must needes receyue the honour due t'oot in marriage .

Rho.

That hee may doe , and neuer marrie .

D'ol.

As how wits , yfaith as how ?

Rho.

For if hee can prooue his father was free at h order , and that hee was his fathers sonne , then by the laudable custome of the Cittie , hee may bee a cuckold by his fathers coppie , and neuer serue for t .

D'ol.

Euer good yfaith :

Mug.

Nay howe can hee pleade that , when it t' is as well knowne his father dyed a batcheler .

D'ol.

Bitter , in verity , bitter . But good still in it kinde .

Rho.

Goe too , we must haue you follow the lanthorne of your forefathers .

Mug.

His forefathers ? S'body had hee more fathers then one .

D'ol.

Why this is right : heer 's wit canuast out ans coate , into 's Iacket : the string sounds euer well , that rubs not too much at h frets : I must loue your Wits , I must take pleasure in you . Farewell good wits , you know my lodging , make an Errand thether now and than , and saue your ordinarie , doe wits , doe .

Mug.

Wee shall be troublesome too .

D'ol.

O God Syr , you wrong mee , to thinke I can , bee troubled with wit , I loue a good wit , as I loue my selfe , if you neede a brace or two of Crownes at any time Addresse but your Sonnet , it shall bee as sufficient as your bonde at all times , I carrie halfe a score byrdes in a cage , shall euer remaine at your call : Farewell wits , farewell good wits .

Exits .
Rho.

Farewell the true mappe of a gull : by Heauen hee shall too'th Court : t' is the perfect model of an impudent vpstart : the compound of a Poet , and a Lawyer , hee shall sure too'th Court .

Mug.

Naye for Gods sake , let ts haue no fooles at Court .

Rho.

Hee shall too 't that 's certaine , the Duke had a purpose to dispatch some one or other to the French King , to entreat him to send for the bodie of his Neece , which the melancoly Earle of Saint Anne , her husband hath kept so long vnburied , as meaning one graue should entombe himselfe and her together .

Mug.

A very worthy subiect for an Ambassage , as D'oliue is for an Ambassador Agent , and t' is as sutable to his braine , as his parcell guilt Beuer to his fooles head .

Rho.

Well it shall goe hard but hee shall bee employd , O t is a most accomplisht asse , the mugrill of a Gull , and a villaine , the very essence of his soule is pure villany : The substance of his braine-foolery : one that beleeues nothing from the starres vpward . A Pagan in beleefe , an Epicure beyond beleefe , Prodigious in lust , Prodigall in wastfull expence , in necessary most penurious , his wit is to admire and imitate , his grace is to censure , and detract ; he shall to 'th Court , yfaith hee shall thither , I will shape such employement for him , as that hee himselfe shall haue no lesse contentment , in making myrth to the whole Court , then the Duke and the whole Court shall haue pleasure in enioying his presence . A knaue if hee be riche , is fit to make an Officer , As a Foole if hee bee a knaue is fit to make an Intelligencer .

Exeunt .
Actus secundi
Scena prima . Enter Digue , Licette , with Tapers . Dig.

What an order is this ? Eleuen a clooke at night is our Ladies morning , and her houre to rise at , as in the morning it is other Ladies houre : these Tapers are our Sunnes , with which we call her from her bed . But I pray thee Licette what makes the virgin Ladie , my Ladies sister , breake wind so continually , and sigh so tempestuously , I beleeue shee s in loue ?

Lycet.

With whom , can you tell ?

Dig.

Not very well , but certes that 's her disease , a man may cast her water in her face : The truth is , t' is no matter what she is , for there is little goodnesse in her , I could neuer yet finger one Cardicue of her bountie : And indeed all bountie now adayes is dead amongst Ladies . This same Bonitas is quite put downe amongst am . But see , Now we shall discouer the heauinesse of this virgine Ladie , I le eauesdroppe , and if it be possible , heare who is her Louer : For when this same amorous spirit possesses these young people , they haue no other subiect to talke of .

Enter Marcellina and Euryone .
Eur.

O sister , would that matchlesse Earle euer haue wrongd his wife with iealousie ?

Mar.

Neuer .

Eury.

Good Lord what difference is in men ? but such a man as this was euer seen to loue his wife , euen after death so dearely , to liue with her in death ? To leaue the world and all his pleasures : all his friends and honours , as all were nothing , now his wife is gone , is it not strange ?

MAR.

Exceeding strange .

EVRY :

But sister should not the noble man be Chronicled if he had right , I pray you sister , should he not ?

Mar :

Yes , yes he should .

EVRY :

But did you euer heare of such a Noble gentleman : did you sister ?

MAR :

I tell you no :

EVRY:

And doe not you delight to heare him spoken of ? and prais'd , and honord ?

Doe you not Madame ?

MAR.

What should I say ? I doe ;

EVRY:

Why very well and should not euery woman that loues the Soueraigne honour of her Sexe , delight to heare him praisd as well as wee ?

Good Maddam answere hartely ?

MAR :

Yet againe who euer heard one talke so ?

EVRY : Talk so ? Why should not euery Lady talke so ? You thinke belike I loue the Noble man : Heauen is my iudge if I indeede his loue And honour to his Wife so after death : Would make a Fayry loue him , yet nor loue . But thinke the better of him , and sometimes , Talke of his loue or so ; But you know Maddam : I cald her sister , and if I loue him , It is but as my Brother I protest . An other within . VAND

Let me come in ; Sir you myst not enter :

MAR.

What rude disordred none is that within ?

LYCIT

I know not Maddam ,

DIQ.

How now ;

SIC :

Wher 's my Lady ?

MAR

What hast with you ?

SIC :

Maddame ther 's one at doore that askes to speake with you , admittes no answere but will enforce his passage to your honor .

MAR.

what insolent guest is that ?

EVRY. Who should he be ; That is so ignorant of your worth and custome : Enter an other Seruant . 2 LEC.

Maddam her sone hath drawne his rapier on vs and will come in he sayes .

MAR. T is is strange Rudenes , What is his name , doe you not know the man ? SIG.

No Maddam , t is too darke .

MAR. Then take a light , See if you know him , if not raise the streetes Exit LYCITTE walkes with a candle . EVRY.

And keepe the doore safe : what night-walker ' this , that hath not light enough to see his rudenes .

Enter LYCITTE in hast .
LYCYT. O Maddame t is the Noble gentleman , Monsieur VANDOME your Seruant . EVRY :

Is it he ? is he returnd ?

MAR :

Hast commend me to him tel him I may not nor will not see him : for I haue vowd the contrary to all .

LYCIT.

Maddam , we told him so a hundred times yet he will enter :

[ within ]

Within : Hold , hold , keepe him back there :

MAR:

What rudenes what strange insolence is this :

Enter VANDOME .
VAND : What hower is this ? what fashion ? what sad life : What superstition of vnholy vow ? What place is this ? O shall it ere be said Such perfect Iudgement should be drownd in Humor ? Such beauty consecrate to Batts and Owles : Here lyes the weapon that enforst my passage , Sought in my loue , sought in regard of you : For whom I will indure a thousand deaths , Rather then suffer you to perish thus And be the fable of the scornefull world ; Yf I offend you Lady kill me now , MAR: What shall I say ? Ahlas my worthy Seruant , I would to God I had not liu'd to be A fable to the worlde , a shame to thee . VAND

Deare mistris hear me & forbeare these humors .

MAR

Forbeare your vaine disswasions

VAND.

shall your iudgement ?

MAR.

I will not heare a word .

EXIT MARD EXIT MARC .
VAND : Strange will in women ; What sayes my honorable virgin sister ? How is it you can brooke , this Batt-like life ? And sit as one withovt life ? EVRY : Would I were , If any man would kill me , I 'de forgiue him , VAN. O true fit of a maiden Melancholy ? Whence comes it , louely sister ? EVR: In my minde : Yourselfe hath small occasion to be meny : That are arriud on such a haples Shore : As beares the dead waight of so deare a Sister : For whose decease being my deare Sister vow'd . I shall for euer leade this desolate life . VAN. Now heauen forbid ; women in Loue with women ; Loues fire shines with too mutuall a refraction , And both wayes weakens his colde beames too much : To pierce so deeply t is not for her I know that you are thus impassiond . EVR:

For her I would be sworne and for her husband ,

VAN: I mary Sir , a quick man may doe much , In theise kinde of impressions . EVR: See how Idely . You vnderstand me ? theise same travallers , That can liue any where , make iests of any thing : And cast so farre from home , for nothing else : But to learne how they may cast of their friends , She had a husband does not cast her of so : O t is a rare , a Noble gentleman . Well well , there is some other Humor stirring , In your young bloud then a dead womans Loue : EVRY:

No , I le be sworne

VAND : Why is it possible ? That you , whose frolicke brest was euer filde , With all the spirits of a mirthfull Lady : Shovld be with such a sorrow so transform'd Your most sweet hand in touch of Instruments : Turnd to pick strawes , and fumble vpon Rushes ; Your heauenly voice , turnd into heauy sighes , And your rare wit to in a manner tainted . This cannot be , I know some other cause , Fashions this strange effect , and that my selfe : Am borne to find it out and be your cure : In any wound it forceth whatsoeuer , But if you wil not , tell me at your perill . EVRY :

Brother .

VAND.

Did you call ?

EVRY:

No 't is no matter .

VAND :

So then :

EVRY : Doe you heare ? Assur'd you are my kind and honor'd Brother , I le tell you all : VAND :

O will you doe so then ?

EVRY.

you will be secret ?

VAND :

Secret ? i st a secret ?

EVRY : No t is a triffle that torments one thus : Did euer man aske such a question , When he had brought a woman to this passe ? VAND :

What t is no Treason is it ?

EVRY :

Treason quoth he ?

VAND : Well if it be I will engage my quarters : With a faire Ladies ouen , tell the secret . EVRY : Attending oftentimes the Duke & Dutchesse , To visit the most passionate Earle your Brother : That Noble Gentleman . VAND :

Well said put in that ,

EVRY Put it in ? why ? y faith y' are such a man , I le tell no further , you are changed indeede . A trauaile quoth you ? VAND : Why what meanes this ? Come Lady fourth , I would not loose the thankes The credit and the honor I shall haue : For that most happy Good I know in Fate , I am to furnish thy desires withall : For all this house in Gold , EVRY Thanke you good Brother : Attending ( as I say ) the Duke and Dutchesse To the sad Earle . VAND :

That noble gentleman ?

EVRY :

Why I he not ?

VAND : Be shrew my hart else , The Earle quoth you , he cast not of his Wife . EVRY :

Nay looke you now ,

VAND :

Why does he pray ?

EVRY :

Why no :

VAN.

Foorth then I pray , you louers are so captious

EVRY: When I obseru'd his constance in Loue : His honor of his deere wiues memory , His woe for her , his life with her in death : I grew in loue , euen with his very mind . VAND :

O with his mind ?

EVR:

I by my soule no more ,

VAND : A good mind certainly is a good thing : And a good thing you know . EVR. That is the chiefe : The body without that , Ahlas is nothing : And this his mind cast such a fier into me : That it hath halfe consum'd me , since it lov'd His Wife so dearely that was deere to me And euer I am saying to my selfe : {non-Roman} {non-Roman} then happy should that woman be : That had her honord place in his true loue But as for me I know I haue no reason . To hope for such a honor at his hands . VAND : What at the Earles hands : I thinke so indeede , Heauen I beseech thee was your loue so simple : T' nflame itselfe with him ? why hee 's a husband : For any Princesse any Queene or Empresse : The Ladies of this land would teare him peece-meale : ( As did the drunken Froes , the THRATIAN HARPER ) To mary but a lymbe , a looke of him , Heauens my sweet comfort : Set your thoughts on him ? EVR. O cruell man , dissembling trauailer , Euen now you took vpon you to be sure It was in you to satisfie my longings , And whatsoeuer t' were , you would procure it , O you were borne to doe me good , you know . You would not loose the credit and the honor . You should haue by my satistaction ? For all this house in Gold the very Fates , And you were all one in your power to help me . And now to come and wonder at my folly . Mocke me ? and make my Loue impossible Wretch that I was , I did not keepe it in , VAN. Alas poore sister ; when a greefe is growne . Full home , and to the deepest then it breakes . And ioy ( Sunn like ] out of a black cloude shineth . But couldst thou thinke yfaith I was in earnest : To esteeme any man without the reach Of thy far-shooting beauties any name ? Too Good to subscribe to EVRIONE : Here is my hand , if euer I were thought A gentleman or would be still esteemd so I will so vertuously solicite for thee : And with such cunning wind into his heart , That I sustaine no doubt I shall dissolue His setled Melancholy be it nere so grounded . On rationall loue , and graue Philosophy , I know my sight will cheere him at the heart : In whom a quick forme of my deare deade Sister Will fire his heauy spirrits . And all this May worke that change in him , that nothing else Hath hope to ioy in , and so farewel Sister Some few dayes hence , I le tell thee how I speed . EVR, Thankes honord Brother : but you shall not goe before you dine with your best loued Mistris . Come in sweet Brother : VAND : In to dinner now ? Midnight would blush , at that farewell , farewell : EVR: Deere Brother doe but drinke or tast a Banquet y-faith I haue most excellent conserues You shall come in , in earnest , stay a little Or will you drinke some Cordial stilld waters , After your trauel , pray thee worthy brother Vpon my loue you shall stay ? sweet now enter . VAND : Not for the world , commend my humble seruice , And vse all meanes to bring abroad my Mistris . EVR:

I will in sadnes ; farewell happy brother .

Exeunt . ENTER PHILLIP . GVEAQ . IERONNIME . & MVGERON . GVEAQ . & IERO sit down to worke
PHIL. Come MVGERON , where is this worthy states man , That you and Rhoderique would perswade : To be our worthy Agent into France , The couller we shal lay on it t' inter , The body of the long deceased Countesse , The French Kings neece , whom her kind husband keepes With such great cost , and care from buriall : Will shew as probable as can be thought . Thinke you he can be gotten to performe it MVG : Feare not my Lo : The wizzard is as forward , To vsurpe greatnes , as all greatnes is : To abuse vertue , or as riches honor . You cannot loade the Asse with too much honor . He shall be yours my Lord Rhoderique and I , Will giue him to your highnes for your foote-cloth : PHIL:

How happens it , he liud conceald so long ,

MVG: It is his humor sir , for he sayes still , His iocund mind loues pleasure aboue honor , His swindge of liberty aboue his life , It is not safe ( sayes he ] to build his nest So neere the Eagle , his mind is his Kingdome His chamber is a Court of all good witts , And many such rare sparkes of Resolution , He blesseth his most loued selfe withall , As presently , your excellence shall heare . But this is one thing I had halfe forgotten . With which your highnes needs must be prepar'd , I haue discourst with him about the office : Of an Ambassador , and he stands on this . That when he once hath kist your Highnes hand , And taken his dispatch he then presents : Your Highnes parson hath your place and power , Must put his hat on , vse you , as you him : That you may see before he goes how well , He can assume your presence and your greatnes PHIL.

And will he practise his new state before vs ?

MVG: I and vpon you too , and kisse your Dutchesse , As you vse at your parting . PHIL:

Out vpon him , she will not let him kisse her

MVG:

He will kisse her to doe your parson right ,

PHIL: It will be excellent : She shall not know this till he offer it : MVG:

See see , he comes ,

Enter Rhod Mons : Doliue & Pa que .
RHO. Heere is the gentleman Your highnes doth desire to doe you honor In the presenting of your princely parson And going Lord Ambassador to 'th French King , PHIL: Is this the gentleman whose worth so highly You recommend to our election ? AMBO :

This is the man my Lord

PHIL: Wee vnderstand Sir : We haue beene wrongd , by being kept so long From notice of your honorable parts Wherein your country claimes a deeper intrest Then your meere priuate selfe ; what makes wise Nature Fashion in men thiese excellent perfections Of haughty courage , great wit , wisedome incredible , DOLI :

It pleaseth your good excellence to say so

PHI: But that she aymes therein at publique good And you in duty thereto of your selfe Ought to haue made vs render of your parts And nor entombe them tirant-like aliue RHO: We for our parts , my Lord are not in fault , For we haue spurnd him forward euermore Letting him know how fit an instrument He was to play vpon in stately Musique , MVG, And if he had bin ought else but an Asse Your Grace ere this time long had made him great Did not we tell you this ? DOLI : Often times , But sure my honord Lord the times before Were not as now they be thankes to our fortune That we inioy so sweet and wise a prince As is your gratious selfe ; for then it was pollicie To keepe all with of hope still vnder hatches Farre from the Court least their exceeding parts Should ouer shine those that were then in place And t' was our happines , that we might liue so For in that freely choos'd obscuritie Wee found our safetie , which men most of Note Many times lost , and I ahlas for my part , Shrunk my despised head in my poore shell For your learn'd excellence , I ●o●ow knows well Qui bene saturi , bene vixit , still . PHI, T was much you could containe your selfe , that had So great meanes to haue liu'd in greater place : DOL: Faith Sir I had a poore roofe or a paint house To shade me from the Sunne , and three or foure tyles To shrow'd me from the Rayne , and thought my selfe As private as I had King Giris Ring And could haue gone invisible , yet saw all That past our states rough be a born neere and farre , There saw I our great Galeasses tost Vpon the wallowing waues , vp with one billow And then downe with another : Our great men Like to a Masse of clowds that now seeme like An Elephant , and straight wayes like an Oxe And then a Mouse , or like those changeable creatures That liue in the Burdello , now in Satten Tomorrow next in Stammell . When I sate all this while in my poore cell Secure of lightning , or the sodaine Thunder Conuerst with the poore Muses gaue a scholler Forty or fiftie crownes a yeare to teach me And prate to me about the predicables When indeede my thoughts flew a higher pitch Then Genus and Species as by this tast I hope your highnes happyly perceiues And shall hereafter more at large approue If any worthy oportunitie Make but her fore topp subiect to my hold And so I leaue your Grace to the tuition Of him that made you . RHO: Soft good Sir I pray : What sayes your Excellence to this gentleman ? Haue I not made my word good to your highnes ? PHI: Well Sir , how euer Enuious policie Hath rob'd ? my predicessors of your seruice You must not scape my hands , that haue design'd present employment for you ; and t is this T' is not vnknowne vnto you ; with what griefe Wee take the sorrow of the Earle Saint Anne For his deceased wife ; with whose dead sight Hee feeds his passion , keeping her from right Of christian buriall , to make his eyes Doe pennance by their euerlasting teares For loosing the deare sight of her quick bewties DOL: Well spoke y-faith , your grace must giue me leaue To praise your witt , for faith t is rarely spoken PHIL: The better for your good commendation But Sir your Ambassy to the French King Shall be to this effect ; thus you shall say DOL: Not so your Excellence shall pardon me I will not haue my tale put in my mouth If you 'le deliuer me your mind in grose Why so I shall expresse it as I can I warrant you t'wilbe sufficient . PHIL: T' is very good , then Sir my will in grose Is that in pitty of the sad Countes case The King would aske the body of his Neece To giue it Funerall fitting her high blood , Which ( as your selfe requires and reason wills ) I leaue to be enforst and amplyfied With all the Ornaments of Arte and Nature Which flowes I see in your sharp intellect DOL: Ahlas you cannot see 't in this short time Bur there be , some not far hence that haue seene And heard me too ere now : I could haue wisht Your highnes presence in a priuat Conuenticle At what time the high point of state was handled ? PHIL:

What was the point ?

DOL: It was my happ to make a number there My selfe ( as euery other Gentleman ) Beeing interested in that graue affayre Where I deliner'd my opinion : how well ? DOL: What was the matter pray The matter , Sir . Was of an antient subiect , and yet newly Cald into question ; And t' was this in breefe We sate as I remember all in rowe , All sorts of men together , A Squier and a Carpenter , a Lawier and a Sawier . A Marchant and a Broker , a Iustice and a peasant and so forth without all difference PHIL:

But what was the matter ?

DOL. Faith a stale argument though newly handled And I am fearefull I shall shame my selfe The subiect is so thred bare PHIL:

T is no matter be as it wil go to y point I pray ,

DOL: Then thus it is : the question of estate ( Or the state of the question ) was in briefe whether in an Aristocrasie Or in a Democriticall estate Tobacco might be brought to lawfull vse But had you heard the excellent speches there Touching this part : MVG: RHO:

Pray thee to the point

DOL: First to the point then , Vpstart a weauer , blowne vp b' inspiration That had borne office in the congregation A little fellow and yet great in spirit I neuer shall forget him ; for he was A most hot liuer'd enemie to Tobacco His face was like the ten of Diamonds Pointed each where with pushes , and his Nose Was like the Ase of clubs ( which I must tell you

Was it that set him , and Tobacco first at such hot Enmitie for that nose of his ( according to the Puritannick cut ] hauing a narrow bridge , and this Tobacco : being in drink durst not passe by and finding stopt his narrow passage fled backe as it came and went away in Pett .

MVG:

Iust cause of quarrell

PHI:

But pray thee briefely say what said the weauer

DOL: The weauer Sir much like a virginal iack Start nimbly vp ; the culler of his beard I scarse remember ; but purblind he was With the GENEVA print , and wore one eare Shorter then tother for a difference PHI:

A man of very open note it seemes

DOL: He was so Sir , and hotly he envaid Against Tobacco ( with a most strong breath For he had eaten garlicke the same morning As t' was his vse partly against ill ayres Partly to make his speeches sauorie Said t' was a pagan plant , a prophane weede And a most sinful smoke , that had no warrant Out of the word ; inuented sure by Sathan In theise our latter dayes , to cast a mist Before mens eyes , that they might not behold The grosenes of olde superstition Which is as t' were deriu'd into the church From the fowle sincke of Romish popery And that it was a iudgement on our land That the svbstantiall commodities . And mighty blessings of this Realme of France Bells , Rattles , hobby horses and such like Which had brought so much wealth into the Land Should now be changd into the smoke of vanitie The smoke of superstition ; for his owne part He held a Garlick cloue being sanctifyed Did edifie more the body of a man Then a whole tin of this prophane Tobacco Being tane without thankes-giuing ; in a word He said it was a ragge of Popery ? And none that were truely regenerate would Prophane his Nosthrils with the smoke thereof And speaking of your grace behind your back , He chargd and coniur'd you to see the vse , Of vaine Tobacco banisht from the land For feare least for the great abuse thereof Or candle were put out ; and there with all Taking his handker-chiefe to wipe his mouth As he had told a lie , he tun'd his noise To the olde straine as if he were preparing For a new exercise , But I my selfe [ Angry to heare this generous Tabacco The Gentlemans Saint and the souldiers idoll So ignorantly poluted ] stood me vp Tooke some Tabacco for a complement Brake fleame some twice or thrice , then shooke mine eares And lickt my lipps , as if I begg'd attention and so directing me to your sweet Grace Thus I replyed , RHO:

MVG : Rome for a speach there . Silence

DOL.

I am amused , or I am in a quandarie gentlemen [ for in good faith I remember not well whether of them was my words ]

PHI:

T is no matter either of them will serue the turne

DOL:

Whether I should ( as the Poet sayes ) eloquar , an siliam ? whether by answering a foole I should my selfe seeme no lesse ; or by giving way to his winde ( for words are but winde ) I might betray the cause ; to the maintaynance whereof , all true Troyans ( from whose race we claime our decent ] owe all their patrimonies ; and if neede be their dearest blood , and their sweetest breath . I would not be tedious to your highnes :

PHI:

You are not Sir : Proceede :

DOL:

TABACCO that excellent plant , the vse whereof [ as of fift Element ] the world cannot want , is that little shop of Nature , wherein her whole workeman-ship is abridg'd , where you may see Earth-kindled into fier , the fire breath out an exhalation , which entring in at the mouth walkes through the Regions of a mans brayne , driues out all ill Vapours but it selfe , downe all bad Humors by the mouth which in time might breed a Scabbe ouer the whole body if already they haue not ; a plant of singular vse , for on the one side , Nature being an Enemie to Vacuitie and emptines , and on the other , there beeing so many empty braines in the World as there are , how shall Natures course be continued ? How shall thiese empty braines be filled , but with ayre Natures immediate instrument to that purpose ? If with ayre , what so proper as your fume : what fume so healthfull as your perfume ? what perfume so soueraigne as Tabacco ? Besides the excellent edge it giues a mans wit , [ as they can best iudge that haue beene present at a feast of Tobacco where commonly all good witts are consorted ] what varietie of discourse it begetts ? What sparkes of wit it yeelds , it is a world to heare as likewise to the courage of a man , for if it be true , that Iohannes de sauo et sauo et writes , that hee that drinkes Veriuice pisseth vinegere , Then it must needs follow to be as true , that hoe that eates smoke , farts fire ; for Garlicke I will not say because it is a plant of our owne country ? but it may cure the diseases of the country , but for the diseases of the Court , they are out of the Element of Garlick to medicine ; to conclude as there is no enemy to Tabacco but Garlick , so there is no friend to Garlick , but a sheeps head and so I conclude .

PHIL: Well Sir , Yf this be but your Naturall vaine I must confesse I knew you not indeede When I made offer to instruct your brayne For the Ambassage , and will trust you now If t' were to send you foorth to the great Turke With an Ambassage DOL: But Sir in conclusion T' was orderd for my speach , that since Tobacco Had so long bin in vse , it should thence foorth Be brought to lawfull vse ; but limitted thus That none should dare to take it but a gentleman Or he that had some gentlemanly humor The Murr , the Head-ach , the Cattar , the bone ach Or other branches of the sharpe salt Rhewme Fitting a gentleman . RHO: Your grace has made choise Of a most simple Lo : Ambassador PHI: Well Sir you neede not looke for a commission My hand shall well dispatch you for this busines Take now the place and state of an Ambassador Present our parson and performe our charge And so farewell good Lord Ambassador DOL:

Farewell good Duke and GVEAQVIN to thee

GVE :

How now you foole ? out you presumptious gull

D'OL: How now you baggage ? Sfoote are you so coy To the Dukes parson , to his second selfe ? are you to good dame to enlarge yourselfe Vnto your proper obiect ? slight t were a good deede GVE :

What meanes your grace to suffer me abus'd thus

PHI: Sweet Loue be pleas'd ; you do not know this Lord Giue me thy hand my Lord : DOL:

And giue me thine

PHIL:

Farewell againe

D'OL:

Farewell againe to thee

PHI:

Now go thy ways for an ambassador

Exiunt PHIL Gueaque Iero :
DOL:

Now goe thy wayes for a Duke

MVG: RHO:

Most excellent Lord ,

RHO. Why this was well performd and like a Duke Whose parson you most naturally present D'OL: I told you I would doo 't , now I le begin To make the world take notice I am noble The first thing I will doe I le sweare to pay No debts vpon my honor . MVG:

A good cheape proofe of your Nobilitie

D'ol. But if I knew where I might pawne mine honor , For some odd thousand Crownes , it shal be layd : I le pay 't againe when I haue done withall : Then t will be expected I shal be of some Religion , I must thinke of some for fashion , or for faction sake , As it becomes great personages to doe : I le thinke vpon 't betwixt this and the day . Rho.

Well sayd my Lord ; this Lordship of yours wil worke a mighty alteration in you : do you not feele it begins to worke alreadie ?

D'ol.

Fayth onely in this ; it makes mee thinke , how they that were my Companions before , shall now be my fauorites : They that were my Friends before , shall now be my followers : They that were my Seruants before , shall now be my knaues : But they that were my Creditors before , shall remaine my Creditors still .

Mug.

Excellent Lord : Come , will you shew your Lordship in the Presence now ?

D'ol.

Faith I do not care , if I go and make a face or two there , or a few gracefull legges ; speake a little Italian , and away ; there 's all a Presence doth require .

FINIS ACTVS SECVNDI .
ACTVS TERTII .
Saena prima . Enter Uandome . and St. Anne . St. Anne . YOu haue enclinde me more to leaue this life , Then I supposde it possible for an Angell ; Nor is your iudgement to suppresse your passion : For so deare lou'd a Sister ( being as well Your blood and flesh , as mine ) the least enforcement Of your disswasiue arguments . And besides , Your true resemblance of her , much supplies Her want in my affections ; with all which , I feele in these deepe griefes , to which I yeeld A kind of falce sluggish ( and rotting sweetnes , ) Mixt with an humour where all things in life , Lie drownd in sower , wretched , and horred thoughts : The way to cowardly desperation opened , And whatsoeuer vrgeth soules accurst : To their destruction , and sometimes their plague , So violently gripes me , that I lie Whole dayes and nightes bound at his tirranous feete : So that my dayes are not like life or light , But bitterest death , and a continuall night . Uand. The ground of all is vnsuffised Loue , Which would be best casd with some other obiect : The generall rule of Naso being autentique Quod successore nouo vincitur omnis Amor : For the affections of the minde drawne foorth In many currents , are not so impulsiue In anie one ; And so the Persian King Made the great Riuer Ganges runn distinctly In an innumerable sort of Channels ; By which meanes , of a fierce and dangerous Flood , He turnd it into many pleasing Riuers : So likewise is an Armie disarayd , Made penetrable for the assaulting foe : So huge Fiers being deffused , grow asswadgd : Lastly , as all force being vnite , increaseth ; So being dispearst , it growes lesse sharpe , and ceaseth . S. Anne . Ahlas , I know I cannot loue another , My hart accustomd to loue onely her , My eyes accustomd to view onely her , Will tell me whatsoeuer is not her , is foule and hatefull . Uand. Yet forbeare to keepe her Still in your sight : force not her breathles body Thus against Nature to suruiue , being dead : Let it consume , that it may reassume A forme incorruptible ; and refraine The places where you vsde to ioy in her : Heu fuge dilectas terras , fuge littus Amatum : For how can you be euer sound or safe , Where in so many red steps of your wounds , Gaspe in your eyes ? with change of place be sure , Like sicke men mending , you shall find recure . Enter the Duke , D'oliue , Gueaquin , Ieronime , Muge , Rhod. to see the dead Countesse that is kept in her attire vnburied . D'ol.

Fayth Madam , my companie may well be spard at so mournefull a visitation : For , by my soule , to see Pigmalion dote vpon a Marble Picture , a senceles Statue , I should laugh and spoyle the Tragedie .

Gur.

Oh , t is an obiect full of pittie my Lord .

D'ol.

T is pittie in deed , that any man should loue a woman so constantly .

Duke .

Bitterly turnd my Lord : we must still admire you .

D'ol.

Tush my Lord , true Manhood can neither mourne nor admire : It 's fitt for Women , they can weepe at pleasure , euen to admiration .

Gur.

But men vse to admire rare things , my Lord ,

D'ol.

But this is nothing rare ; T is a vertue common for men to loue their Wiues after death : The value of a good Wife ( as all good things else ) are better knowne by their want , then by their fruition : for no man loues his Wife so well while she lines , but he loues her ten times better when shee 's dead .

Rho.

This is sound Philosophie , my Lord .

D'ol.

Faith , my Lord , I speake my thoughts ; and for mine owne part , I should so ill indure the losse of a Wife ( alwayes prouided , I lou'd her ) that if I lost her this weeke , I 'de haue another by the beginning a' th next : And thus resolu'd , I leaue your Highnes to deale with Atropos , for cutting my Ladyes threed : I am for France ; all my care is for Followers to Imp out my Traine : I feare I must come to your Grace for a Presse ; for I will be followd as becomes an honorable Lord : and that is , like an honest Squire : for with our great Lords , followers abrod , and Hospitalitie at home , are out of date : The world 's now growne thriftie : He that fils a whole Page in folio , with his Stile ; thinkes it veriest Noble , to be mand with one bare Page and a Pandare ; and yet Pandare in auntient time , was the name of an honest Courtier ; what t is now , Viderit vtilitas : Come Witts , let 's to my Chamber .

Exeunt . Manent Vando . S. An.
Uando. Well now my Lord , remember all the reasons And arguments I vsde at first to you , To draw you from your hurtfull passions : And there withall , admit one further cause , Drawne from my loue , and all the powers I haue ; Euryone , vow'd sister to my sister , Whose vertues , beauties , and perfections , Adorne our Countrie , and do neerest match With her rich graces , that your loue adores , Hath wounded my affections ; and to her I would intreat your Lordships gracefull word : S. Anne . But is it true ? Loues my deare brother now ? It much delights me , for your choyce is Noble : Yet need you not vrge me to come abrode , Your owne worth will suffize for your wisht speed . Uand. I know my Lord , no man aliue can winn Her resolu'd iudgment from virginitie , Vnlesse you speake for him , whose word of all Dames Is held most sweet , and worthie to perswade them . S. Anne . The world will thinke mee too phantasticall , To ope so sodenly my vow'd obscurenes . Uand. My Lord , my loue is suddaine , and requires A suddaine remedie : If I be delayed , Consider Loues delay breedes desperation , By waighing how strongly Loue workes in your selfe . S. Anne . Deare Brother , nothing vnderneath the Starres , Makes mee so willing to pertake the ayre , And vndergo the burden of the world , As your most worthy selfe , and your wisht good : And glad I am that by this meanes I may See your descent continued , and therein Behold some new borne Image of my wife : Deare life , take knowledge that thy Brothers loue , Makes me dispaire with my true zeale to thee : And if for his sake I admit the Earth To hide this treasure of thy pretious beauties ; And that thy part suruiuing , be not pleasd , Let it appeare to mee ye iust assisters Of all intentions bent to soueraigne iustice ; And I will follow it into the Graue , Or dying with it ; or preserue it thus , As long as any life is left betwixt vs . Exeunt . Enter Monseuer , D'oliue , Rhoderique . D'ol.

But didst note what a presence I came of with-all ?

Rho. Sfoot , you drew the eyes of the whole presence vpon you : There was one Ladie a man might see her hart Readie to start out of her eyes to follow you . D'ol. But Monseuer Mustapha there kept state , When I accosted him ; s'light the Brasen head lookt to be Worshipt I thinke : No I le commit no Idolatrie for the proudest Image of 'am all , I . Rho.

Your Lordship has the right garbe of an excellent Courtier , respects a Clowne , supple ioynted , courtesies a verie peagoose ; t is stiffe ham'd audacity that carries it ; get once within their distance , and you are in their bosoms instantly .

D'ol.

S'hart doe they looke ? I should stande aloofe , like a Scholares , & make leggs at their greatnes : No I le none of that ; come vp close to him , giue him a clap a' th shoulder shall make him crie oh againe : it 's a tender place to deale withal , and say , Well encounterd noble Brutus .

Rho.

That 's the onely way indeed to be familiar .

D'ol.

S'foot I le make leggs to none , vnlesse it be to a Iustice of peace when he speakes in 's Chaire , or to a Cunstable when he leanes on 's Staffe , that 's flat : softnes and modestie sauors of the Cart , t is boldnes boldnes does the deed in the Court : and as your Camelion varries all cullours a' th Rainebow both white and red , so must your true Courtier be able to varrie his countenance through all humors ; State , Strangnes , Scorne , Mirth , Melanchollie , Flatterie , and so foorth : some cullours likewise his face may change vpon occasion , Blacke or Blew it may , Tawnie it may ; but Redd and White at no hand , auoyde that like a Sergeant : keepe your cullour stiffe , vnguiltie of passion or disgrace , not changing White at sight of your Mercer , nor Red at sight of your Surgeon : aboue all sinnes , heauen sheild mee from the sinne of blushing ; it does ill in a young Waighting-woman , but monstrous monstrous , in an old Courtier .

Rho.

Well , all this while your Lordship forgets your Ambassage ; you haue giuen out , you will be gone within this moneth , and yet nothing is readie .

D'ol.

It s no matter , let the Moone keepe her course : and yet to say trueth , t' were more then time I were gone , for by heauen I am so haunted with Followers , euerie day new offers of Followers : But heauen shield me from any more Followers .

How now , what 's the newes ?

Enter Muge , and two others .
Mug.

My Lord , heere 's two of my speciall Friends , whom I would gladly commend to follow you in the honorable action .

D'ol.

S'foote , my eares are double lockt against Followers , you know my number 's full , all places vnder mee are bestowde : I le out of towne this night tha't 's infallible ; I le no more Followers , a mine honour .

Mug.

S'light Lord , you must entertaine them , they haue paid me their income , and I haue vndertaken your Lordshippe shall grace them .

D'ol.

Well my Maisters , you might haue come at a time when your entertainement would haue proou'd better then now it is like : but such as it is , vpon the commendation of my Steward here

Mug.

A pox a your Lor . Steward ?

D'ol.

Y' are welcome in a word : deserue and spie out .

Ambo.

Wee humbly thanke your Lordship .

D'ol.

Mugeron , let 'am be enterd .

Mug.

In what rancke my Lord , Gentlemen or Yomen ?

D'ol.

Gentlemen , Their bearing berayes no lesse , it goes not alwayes by apparrell : I do alow you to suite your selues anew in my Cullours at your owne charges .

Amb.

Thanke your good Lordship .

D'ol.

Thy name first , I pray thee ?

Cor.

Cornelius , My Lord .

D'ol.

What profession ?

Cor.

A Surgeon an 't please your Lordship .

D'ol.

I had rather th'hadst been a Barber , for I thinke there wil be little blood-shed amongst my Followers , vnlesse it be of thy letting : I le see their nailes parde before they goe . And yet now I bethinke my selfe , our Ambassage is into Fraunce , there may be employment for thee : hast thou a Tubbe ?

Cor.

I would be loth , my Lord , to be dislocated or vnfurnisht of any of my properties .

D'ol.

Thou speak'st like thy selfe Cornelius : booke him downe Gentleman .

Mug.

Verie well Sir .

D'ol.

Now your profession , I pray ?

Frip.

Fripperie , my Lord , or as some tearme it , Petty Prokery .

D'ol.

An honest man I le warrant thee , I neuer knew other of thy trade .

Frip. Trulie a richer your Lordship might haue , An honester I hope not . D'ol.

I beleeue thee Pettie Broker : canst burne Gold-lace ?

Frip.

I can do anie thing , my Lord , belonging to my trade .

D'ol.

Booke him downe Gentleman , hee le do good vpon the voyage I warrant him : prouide thee a Nagge Pettie Broker , thou 'l finde employment for him doubt not : keepe thy selfe an honest man , and by our returne I doe not doubt but to see thee a rich Knaue : Farewel Pettie Broker , prepare your selues against the day ; this Gentleman shall acquaint you with my Cullours : Farewell Fripper , Farewell Pettie Broker : Deserue and spie out is my Motto .

Exeunt .
Amb.

God continue your Lordship .

Rho. A verie seasonable praier , For vnknowne to him , it lies now vpon his death-bedd . D'ol.

And how like you my Chamber good Witts ?

Rho.

Excellent well Sir .

D'ol.

Nay beleeue it , it shall do well ( as you will say ) when you see 't set foorth sutable to my proiect :

Here shall stand my Court Cupbord , with it furniture of Plate : Heere shall runne a Wind Instrument : Heere shall hang my base Viall : Heere my Theorbo : and heere will I hang my selfe .

Amb.

T will do admirable well .

D'ol. But how will I hange my selfe good witts ? Not in person , but in Picture ; I will be drawne . Rho.

What hangd and drawne too ?

D'ol.

Good againe : I say I wil be drawne , all in compleat Satten of some Courtly cullour , like a Knight of Cupids band ; On this side shal be ranckt Chaires and Stooles , and other such complements of a Chamber : This corner will be a conuenient roome for my Close stoole : I acquaint you with all my priuities , you see .

Mug.

I Sir , we smell your meaning .

D'ol.

Heere shal be a Peartch for my Parrat , while I remaine vnmarried , I shall haue the lesse misse of my Wife : Heere a Hoope for my Munckie when I am married , my wife will haue the lesse misse of mee : Heere will I haue the statue of some excellent Poet , and I will haue his Nose goe with a Vice ( as I haue seene the experience ) And that ( as if t 'had taken cold i' th head , )

Rho.

For want of a guilt Nightcap .

D'ol.

Bitter still , shall like a Spout runne pure Witt all day long ; and it shal be fedd with a Pipe brought at my charge , from Helicon , ouer the Alpes , and vnder the Sea by the braine of some great Enginer ; and I thinke t will do excellent .

Mug.

No question of that , my Lord .

D'ol.

Well , now Witts about your seueral charges touching my Ambassage : Rhoderique , is my Speach put out to making ?

Rho.

It s almost done .

D'ol.

T is well , tell him he shall haue fourtie Crownes ; promisse , promisse ; want for no promising : And well remembred , haue I ere a Gentleman Vsher yet ; a strange thing , amongst all my followers , not one has witt enough to be a Gentleman Vsher , I must haue one ther 's no remedie ; Fare-well : haue a care of my Followers , all but my pettie Broker , hee le shift for him selfe .

Rho.

Well , let vs alone for your followers .

Exeunt . Manet D'oliue .
D'ol.

Well said , deserue and spie out

Amb.

Me thanke your Lordship .

D'ol.

Heauen I beseech thee , what an abhominable sort of Followers haue I put vpon mee : These Courtiers feed on 'am with my countenaunce : I can not looke into the Cittie , but one or other makes tender of his good partes to me , either his Language , his Trauaile , his Intelligence , or something : Gentlemen send me their younger Sonnes furnisht in compleat , to learne fashions for-sooth ; as if the riding of fiue hundred miles , & spending 1000 . Crownes would make 'am wiser then God meant to make 'am . Others with-child with the trauailing humor , as if an Asse for going to Paris , could come home a Courser of Naples : Others are possest with the humor of Gallantrie , fancie it to be the onelie happinesse in this world , to be enabled by such a coolor to carrie a Feather in his Crest , weare Gold-lace , guilt Spurs , & so sets his fortunes on t : Turnes two or three Tenements into Trunckes , and creepes home againe with lesse then a Snayle , not a House to hide his head in : Three hundred of these Gold-finches I haue entertained for my Followers ; I can go in no corner , but I meete with some of my Wifflers in their accoutraments ; you may heare 'am halfe a mile ere they come at you , and smell 'am halfe an hower after they are past you ; sixe or seauen make a perfect Morrice-daunce ; they need no Bells , their Spurs serue their turne : I am ashamd to traine 'am abroade , they le say I carrie a whole Forrest of Feathers with mee , and I should plod afore 'am in plaine stuffe , like a writing Schole-maister before his Boyes when they goe a feasting : I am afraid of nothing but I shall be Ballated , I and all my Wifflers : But it s no matter , I le fashion 'am , I le shew 'am fashions : By heauen I le giue three parts of 'am the slipp , let 'am looke sort : and yet to say trueth , I shall not need , for if I can but linger my Iorney another moneth , I am sure I shall mute halfe my Feathers ; I feele 'am begin to weare thinne alreadie : There 's not tenne Crownes in twentie a their purses : And by this light , I was told at Court , that my greasie Host of the Porcupine last Holiday , was got vp to the eares in one of my Followers Satten suites ; And Uandome went so farre , that he swore he saw two of them hangd : My selfe indeed passing yesterday by the Fripperie , spide two of them hang out at a stall with a gambrell thrust from shoulder to shoulder , like a Sheepe that were new flead : T is not for nothing that this Pettie Broker followes me ; The Vulture smels a pray ; not the Carcases , but the Cases of some of my deceassed Followers ; S'light , I thinke it were my wisest course , to put tenne poundes in stocke with him , and turne pettie Broker ; certainelie there 's good to be done upon 't ; if we be but a day or two out of towne heele be able to load euerie day a fresh Horse with Satten suites , and send them backe hither : indeed t is like to be hot trauaile , and therefore t'wilbe an case to my Followers to haue their cloathes at home afore 'am ; They le on , get off how they can : Little know they what Pikes their Feathers must passe : Before they goe the Sergeants , when they come home the Surgeons : but chuse them , I le wash my hands on 'am .

Exit .
FINIS ACTVS TERTII .
ACTVS QVARTI .
Saena prima . Uandome solus . MY Sisters Exequies are now performed VVith such pompe as exprest the excellence Of her Lords loue to her : And firde the enuie Of our great Duke , who would haue no man equall The honour he does t' his adored wife : And now the Earle ( as he hath promist mee ) Is in this sad Cell of my honord Mistresse , Vrging my loue to faire Euryone , VVhich I framde , onely to bring him abrode , And ( if it might succeed ) make his affectes VVith change of obiectes , change his helples sorrow To helpfull loue . I stood where I obserud Their wordes and lookes , and all that past betwixt them : And shee hath with such cunning borne her selfe , In fitting his affection , with pretending Her mortified desires : her onely loue To Vertue and her louers : and , in briefe , Hath figurd with such life my deare dead Sister , Enchasing all this , with her heightned Beautie , That I beleeue she hath entangld him , And wonn successe to our industrious plot . If he be toucht , I know it greiues his soule , That hauing vndertane to speake for mee , ( Imagining my loue was as I fainde ) His owne loue to her , should enforce his tongue To court her for himselfe , and deceaue mee : By this time , we haue tried his passionate blood : If he be caught ( as heauen vouchsafe he be ) I le play a little with his Phantasie . Enter St. Anne . S. Anne . Am I alone ? Is there no Eye nor Eare That doth obserue mee ? Heauen how haue I graspt , My Spirrits in my hart , that would haue burst To giue wisht issue to any violent loue ? Dead Wife excuse me , since I loue thee still , That liu'st in her , whom I must loue for thee : For he that is not mou'd with strongest passion In viewing her ; that man did ne're know thee : Shee 's thy suruiuing Image : But woo's mee ; Why am I thus transported past my selfe ? Uan. Oh , are your dull vxorious spirrits raisd ? One madnesse doth be another still . St. Anne . But stay , Aduise mee Soule ; why didst thou light me ouer this threshold ? was 't to wrong my Brother ? To wrong my Wife , in wronging of my Brother ? I le die a miserable man : No villane : Yet in this case of loue , who is my Brother ? Who is my Father ? Who is any kinn ? I care not , I am nearest to my selfe : I will pursue my Passion ; I will haue her . Uan. Traytor , I heere arrest thee in the names Of Heauen , and Earth , and deepest Acheron : Loues traytor , Brothers ; traytor to thy Wife . S. Anne . O Brother , stood you so neare my dishonour ? Had you forborne awhile , all had been changd : You know the variable thoughts of Loue , You know the vse of Honour , that will euer Retire into it selfe ; and my iust blood Shall rather flow with Honour then with Loue : Be you a happie Louer , I a friend , For I will die for loue of her and thee . Uand. My Lord and brother , I le not challenge more , In loue and kindnes then my loue deserues , That you haue found one whom your hart can like : And that One , whom we all sought to preferre , To make you happie in a life renewde : It is a heauen to mee , by how much more My hart imbrac't you for my Sisters loue : T is true , I did dissemble loue t'Euryone . To make you happie in her deare affection , Who more dotes on you , then you can on her : Enioy Euryone , shee is your owne , The same that euer my deare Sister was : And heauen blesse both your loues as I release All my faind loue , and interest to you . S. Anne . How Noblie hath your loue deluded mee ? How iustlie haue you beene vniust to mee ? Let mee embrace the Oracle of my good , The Aucthor and the Patron of my life . Uand. Tush , betwixt vs my Lord , what need these tearmes ? As if we knew not one another yet ? Make speed my Lord , and make your Nuptials short , As they are sodaine blest in your desires . S Anne .

Oh I wish nothing more then lightning hast .

Uan. Stay , one word first my Lord ; You are a sweet brother To put in trust , and woo loue for another ? S. Anne .

Pray thee no more of that .

Vand.

Well then be gone , my Lord , her brother comes .

Exit S. Anne . Enter Vaum.
Vaum. Most happie Friend , How hath our plot succeeded ? Uand. Hee 's our owne . His blood was framde for euerie shade of vertue , To rauish into true inamourate fire : The Funerall of my Sister must be held With all solemnitie , and then his Nuptialls , With no lesse speed and pompe be celebrate . Vaum. What wonders hath your fortunate spirrite & vertues Wrought to our comforts ? Could you crowne th' enchantments Of your diuine Witte with another Spell , Of powre to bring my Wife out of her Cell , You should be our quicke Hermes , our Alcides . Uand. That 's my next lobour : come my Lord , your selfe Shall stand vnseene , and see by next morns light ( Which is her Beddtime ) how my Braines-bould valoure Will rouse her from her vowes seueritie : No Will , nor Powre , can withstand Pollicie . Exit . Enter D'oliue , Pacque , Dique . D'ol. Welcome little Witts , are you hee my Page Pacque here Makes choice of , to be his fellow Coch-horse ? Diq.

I am my Lord .

D'ol.

What Countrie man ?

Diq.

Borne i' th Cittie .

Pac.

But begot i' th Court : I can tell your Lordship , he hath had as good Court breeding , as anie Impe in a Countrie : If your Lordship please to examine him in anie part of the Court Accidence , from a Noune to an Interiection , I le vndertake you shall finde him sufficient .

D'ol.

Saist thou so little Witt : Why then Sir , How manie Pronounes be there ?

Diq.

Faith my Lord there are more , but I haue learned but three sorts ; the Goade , the Fulham , and the Stop-kater-tre ; which are all demonstratiues , for heere they be : There are Relatiues too , but they are nothing without their Antecedents .

D'ol.

Well said , little Witt I'faith , How manie Antecedents are there ?

Diq.

Faith my Lord , their number is vncertaine ; but they that are , are either Squires , or Gentlemen vshers .

D'ol.

Verie well said : when all is done , the Court is the onely Schoole of good education ; especially for Pages and Waighting women ; Paris , or Padua , or the famous Schoole of England called Winchester , famous ( I meane ) for the Goose , Where Schollers weare Petticoates so long , till their Penn and Inckhorns knocke against their knees : All these I say , are but Belfries to the Bodie or Schoole of the Court : Hee that would haue his Sonne proceed Doctor in three dayes , let him sende him thither ; there 's the Porge to fashion all the parts of them : There they shall learne the true vse of their good Partes indeed .

Pac.

Well my Lord , you haue said well for the Court , What sayes your Lordshippe now to vs Courtiers , Shall we goe the voyage ?

D'ol.

My little Hermophrodites , I entertaine you heere into my Chamber ; and if need be , nearer : your seruice you know . I will not promise Mountaines , nor assure you Annuities of fourtie or fiftie Crownes ; in a word , I will promise nothing : but I will be your good Lord , do you not doubt .

Diq.

We do not my Lord , but are sure you will shew your selfe Noble : and as you promise vs nothing , so you will Honorably keepe promise with vs , and giue vs nothing .

D'ol.

Prettie little Witt , y'faith , Can he verse ?

Pac.

I and sett too , my Lord ; Hee 's both a Setter and a Verser .

D'ol.

Prettie in faith ; but I meane , has he a vaine Naturall ?

Pac.

O my Lord , it comes from him as easelie ,

Diq.

As Suites from a Courtier , without money : or money from a Cittizen without securitie , my Lord .

D'o.

Wel , I perceiue nature has suited your Witts ; & I le suite you in Guarded coates , answerable to your Witts : for Witt 's as sutable to guarded Coates , as Wisedome is to welted Gownes . My other Followers Horse themselues ; my selfe will horse you . And now tell me ( for I will take you into my bosome ) What 's the opinion of the many headed Best touching my new adition of Honour ?

Diq.

Some thinke , my Lord , it hath giuen you adition of pride , and outer euidance .

D'ol.

They are deceaued that thinke so : I must confesse , it would make a Foole proude ; but for me , I am semper idem .

Pac.

We beleeue your Lordship .

D'ol.

I finde no alteration in my selfe in the world , for I am sure I am no wiser then I was , when I was no Lord , nor no more bountifull , nor no more honest ; onely in respect of my state , I assume a kinde of State ; to receiue Suters now , with the Nodd of Nobilitie ; not ( as before ) with the Cappe of courtesie ; the knee of Knighthood : And why knee of Knighthood , little Witte ? there 's another Question for your Court Accidence .

Diq.

Because Gentlemen , or Yoemen , or Pessantes , or so , receiue Knighthood on their knees .

Pac.

The signification of the Knee of Knighthood in Heraldie an 't please your Lordship , is , that Knights are tyed in honour to fight vp to the knees in blood , for the defence of faire Ladyes .

D'ol.

Verie good : but if it be so , what honour doe they deserue , that purchase their Knighthood ?

Diq.

Purchase their Knighthood my Lord ? Mary I thinke they come truely by 't , for they pay well for 't .

D'ol.

You cut mee off by the knees , little Witte : but I say , ( if you will heare mee ) that if they deserue to be Knighted , that purchase their Knighthood with fighting vp to the knee , What doe they deserue , that purchase their Knighthood with fighting aboue the knee ?

Pac.

Mary my Lord , I say the purchase is good , if the conueyance will hold water .

D'ol.

VVhy this is excellent : by heauen twentie poundes annuitie shal not purchase you from my heeles . But foorth now : VVhat is the opinion of the world touching this new Honour of mine ? Doe not Fooles enuie it ?

Diq.

No my Lord , but wise men wonder at it : you hauing so buried your wisedome heretofore in Tauerns , and Vaultinghouses , that the world could neuer discouer you to be capable of Honour .

D'ol.

As though Achilles could hide himselfe vnder a Womans clothes : was he not discouered at first ? This Honor is like a Woman , or a Crocadile ( chuse you whether ) it flies them that follow it ; and followes them that flie it : For my selfe , how euer my worth , for the time kept his bedd ; yet did I euer prophecie to my selfe that it would rise , before the Sun-set of my dayes : I did euer dreame , that this head was borne to beare a breadth , this shoulder to support a State , this face to looke bigg , this bodie to beare a presence , these feete were borne to be reuellers , and these Calues were borne to be Courtiers : In a word , I was borne Noble , and I will die Noblie : neither shall my Nobilitie perish with death ; after ages shall resounde the memorie thereof , while the Sunne sets in the East , or the Moone in the West .

Pac.

Or the Seuen Starres in the North .

D'ol.

The Siege of Bullaine shall be no more a landmarke for Times : Agencourt Battaile , S. Iames his Fielde , the losse of Calice , & the winning of Cales , shal grow out of vse : Men shal reckon their yeares , Women their mariages , from the day of our Ambassage : As , I was borne , or married two , three , or foure yeares before the great Ambassage . Farmers shall count their Leases from this day , Gentlemen their Morgages from this day : Saint Dennis shall be rac't out of the Kallender , and the day of our Enstalment enterd in redd letters : And as St. Ualentines day is fortunate to choose Louers , St. Lukes to choose Husbandes ; So shall this day be to the choosing of Lordes : It shall be a Critticall day , a day of Note : In that day it shall be good to quarrell , but not to sight : They that Marrie on that day , shall not repent ; marie the morrow after perhappes they may : It shall be holsome to beat a Sergeant on that day : Hee that eates Garlicke on that morning , shall be a rancke Knaue till night .

Diq.

What a day will this be , if it hold ?

D'ol.

Hold ? S'foote it shall hold , and shall be helde sacred to immortalitie : let all the Chroniclers , Ballet makers , and Almanackmungers , do what they dare .

Enter Rhoderique .
Rhod.

S'foote ( my Lord ) al 's dasht , your voyage is ouerthrowne .

D'ol.

What ayles the franticke Tro ?

Rhod.

The Lady is entoombde , that was the Subiect of your Ambassage : and your Ambassage is beraid .

Pac.

Dido is dead , and wrapt in lead .

Di.

O heauy herse !

Pac.

Your Lordships honor must waite vpon her .

Dig.

O scuruy verse ! Your Lordship 's welcome home : pray let 's walke your horse my Lord .

D'ol.

A prettie gullery . Why my little wits , doe you beleeue this to be true ?

Pac.

For my part my Lord , I am of opinion you are guld .

Dig.

And I am of opinion that I am partly guiltie of the same .

Enter Muge.
Muge.

Where 's this Lord foole here ? S'light you haue made a prettie peece of seruice an 't : raised vp all the countrey in gold lace and feathers ; and now with your long stay , there 's no employment for them .

D'ol.

Good still .

Mug.

S'light I euer tooke thee to be a hammer of the right feather : but I durst haue layed my life , no man could euer haue cramd such a Gudgeon as this downe the throate of thee : To create thee a Christmas Lord , and make thee laughter for the whole Court : I am ashamde of my selfe that euer I chusde such a Grosseblocke to whet my wits on .

D'ol.

Good wit yfaith .

I know all this is but a gullery now : But since you haue presumde to go thus farre with me , come what can come to the State , sincke or swimme , I le be no more a father to it , nor the Duke ; nor for the world wade one halfe steppe further in the action .

Pac.

But now your Lordship is gone , what shall become of your followers ?

D'ol.

Followers ? let them follow the Court as I haue done : there let them raise their fortunes : if not , they know the way to the pettie Brokers , there let them shift and hang . Exit cum suit .

Rhod.

Here we may strike the Plaudite to our Play , my Lord foole 's gone : all our audience will forsake vs .

Mug.

Page , after , and call him againe .

Rho.

Let him go : I le take vp some other foole for the Duke to employ : euery Ordinary affoords fooles enow : and didst not see a paire of Gallants sit not far hence like a couple of Bough-pots to make the roome smell ?

Mug.

Yes , they are gone : But what of them ?

Rhod.

I le presse them to the Court : or if neede be , our Muse is not so barren , but she is able to deuise one tricke or other to retire D'oliue to Court againe .

Mug.

Indeed thou toldst me how gloriously he apprehended the fauour of a great Lady i th Presence , whose hart ( he said ) stood a tipto in her eye to looke at him .

Rhod.

T is well remembred .

Mug.

O , a Loue-letter from that Ladie would retriue him as sure as death .

Rhod.

It would of mine honor : Wee le faine one from her instantly : Page , fetch pen and inke here .

Exit Pag.
Mug.

Now do you & your Muse engender : my barren skonce shall prompt something .

Rhod.

Soft then : The Lady Ieronime , who I said viewed him so in the Presence , is the Venus that must enamour him : Wee le go no further for that . But in what likenesse must he come to the Court to her now ? As a Lord he may not : in any other shape he will not .

Mug.

Then let him come in his owne shape like a gull .

Rhod.

Well , disguisde he shall be : That shall be his mistrisses direction : this shall be my Helicon : and from this quiuer will I draw the shaft that shall wound him .

Mug.

Come on : how wilt thou begin ?

Rhod.

Faith thus : Dearely Beloued .

Mug.

Ware ho , that 's prophane .

Rhod.

Go to then : Diuine D'oliue : I am sure that 's not prophane .

Mug.

Well , forward :

Rhod.

I see in the powre of thy beauties .

Mug.

Breake of your period , and say , T was with a sigh .

Rhod.

Content : here 's a full pricke stands for a teare too .

Mug.

So , now take my braine .

Rhod.

Poure it on .

Mug.

I talke like a foole , but alas thou art wise and silent .

Rhod.

Excellent : And the more wise , the more silent .

Mug.

That 's something common .

Rhod.

So should his mistris be .

Mug.

That 's true indeed : Who breakes way next ?

Rhod.

That will I sir : But alas , why art not thou noble , that thou mightst match me in Blood ?

Mug.

I le answer that for her .

Rhod.

Come on .

Mug.

But thou art noble , though not by birth , yet by creation .

Rhod.

That 's not amisse : forth now : Thy wit proues thee to be a Lord , thy presence showes it : O that word Presence , has cost me deare .

Mug.

Well said , because she saw him i th Presence .

Rhod.

O do but say thou lou'st me .

Mug.

Soft , there 's too many Os

Rhod.

Not a whit : O's but the next doore to P. And his mistris may vse her O with with modestie : or if thou wilt , I le stop it with another brachish teare .

Mug.

No , no , let it runne on .

Rhod.

O do but say thou lou'st me , and yet do not neither , and yet do .

Mug.

Well said , let that last stand , let him doe in any case : now say thus , do not appeare at Court .

Rhod.

So .

Mug.

At least in my companie .

Rhod.

Well .

Mug.

At lest before folkes .

Rhod.

Why so ?

Mug.

For the flame will breake forth .

Rhod.

Go on : thou doest well .

Mug.

Where there is fire i th harth :

Rhod.

What then ?

Mug.

There will be smoke i th chimney .

Rhod.

Forth .

Mug.

Warme , but burne me not : there 's reason in all things .

Rhod.

Well said , now doe I vie it : Come to my chamber betwixt two and three .

Mug.

A very good number .

Rho.

But walk not vnder my window : if thou doest , come disguisde : in any case we are not thy tuft taffeta cloke : if thou doest , thou killest me .

Mug.

Well said , now to the L'envoye .

Rhod.

Thine , if I were worth ought ; and yet such , as it skils not whose I am if I be thine ; Ieronime : Now for a fit Pandar to transport it , and haue at him .

Exeunt .
Finis Actus quarti .
ACTVS QVINTI
Scaena prima . Enter Vaumont , and Vandome . Vand. COme my good Lord , now will I trie my Braine , If it can forge another golden chaine , To draw the poore Recluse , my honord mistris From her darke Cell , and superstitious vow . I oft haue heard there is a kind of cure To fright a lingring Feuer from a man By an imaginous feare , which may be true , For one heate ( all know ) doth driue out another , One passion doth expell another still , And therefore I will vse a fainde deuice To kindle furie in her frozen Breast , That rage may fire out griefe , and so restore her To her most sociable selfe againe . Uau. Iuno Lucina fer opem , And ease my labouring house of such a care . Vand. Marke but my Midwifery : the day is now Some three houres old , and now her night begins : Stand close my Lord , if she and her sad meany Be toward sleepe , or sleeping , I will wake them With orderly alarmes ; Page ? Boy ? sister ? All toong-tied ? all asleepe ? page ? sister ? Uau. Alas Vandome , do not disturbe their rest For pittie sake , t is yong night yet with them . Uand. My Lord , your onely way to deale with women And Parrets , is to keepe them waking still . Page ? who 's aboue ? are you all dead here ? Dig.

S'light is hell broke loose ? who 's there ?

He looks out with a light .
Vand.

A friend .

Dig. Then know this Castle is the house of wo , Here harbor none but two distressed Ladies Condemn'd to darknesse , and this is their iayle , And I the Giant set to guard the same : My name is Dildo . Retrahitse . Vand.

Sirra leaue your rogerie , and hearken to me : what Page , I say .

Dig.

Tempt not disasters : take thy life : Be gone .

Redit cum lumine .
Uau.

An excellent villanie .

Vand.

Sirra ? I haue businesse of waight to impart to your Ladie .

Dig.

If your businesse be of waight , let it waite till the after noone , for by that time my Ladie will be deliuered of her first sleepe : Be gone , for feare of watery meteors .

Vand.

Go to sir , leaue your villany , and dispatch this newes to your Ladie .

Dig.

Is your businesse from your selfe , or from some body besides ?

Vand.

From no body besides my selfe .

Dig.

Very good ; then I le tel her , here 's one besides himselfe has businesse to her from no body .

Retrahitse .
Vau.

A perfect yong hempstring .

Van.

Peace least he ouer heare you .

Redit Dig.
Dig.

You are not the Constable sir , are you ?

Vand.

Will you dispatch sir ? you know me well enough , I am Vandome .

Eury.

What 's the matter ? who 's there ? Brother Vandome .

Vand.

Sister ?

Eury.

What tempest driues you hither at such an hower ?

Vand.

VVhy I hope you are not going to bed , I see you are not yet vnready : if euer you will deserue my loue , let it be now , by calling forth my mistris , I haue newes for her , that touch her nearely .

Eur.

VVhat i st good brother ?

Van.

The worst of ils : would any tongue but mine had bene the messenger .

Mar.

VVhat 's that seruant ?

Van.

O Mistris come downe with all speed possible , and leaue that mournfull cell of yours , I le shew you another place worthy of your mourning .

Mar.

Speake man , my heart is armed with a mourning habit of such proofe , that there is none greater without it , to pierce it .

Vand.

If you please to come downe , I le impart what I know : if not , I le leaue you .

Eury. VVhy stand you so at gaze sister ? go downe to him . Stay bother , she comes to you . Vand. T will take I doubt not , though her selse be ice , There 's one with her all fire , and to her spirit I must apply my counterfeit deuice : Stand close my Lord . Uau.

I warrant you , proceed .

Vand. Come silly mistris , where 's your worthy Lord ? I know you know not , but too well I know . Mar.

Now heauen graunt all be well .

Vand. How can it be ? VVhile you poore Turtle sit and mourne at home , Mewd in your cage , your mate he flies abroade , O heauens who would haue thought him such a man ? Eury.

Why what man brother ? I beleeue my speeches will proue true of him .

Uand.

To wrong such a beautie , to prophane such vertue , and to proue disloyall .

Eury.

Disloyall ? nay nero gilde him ore with fine termes , Brother , he is a filthy Lord , and euer was , I did euer say so , I neuer knew any good at h haire , I do but wonder how you made shift to loue him , or what you saw in him to entertaine but so much as a peece of a good thought on him .

Mar.

Good sister forbeare .

Eury.

Tush sister , bid me not forbeare : a woman may beare , and beare , and be neuer the better thought on neither : I would you had neuer seene the eyes of him , for I know he neuer lou'd you in 's life .

Mar. You wrong him sister , I am sure he lou'd me As I lou'd him , and happie I had bene Had I then dide , and shund this haplesse life . Eury.

Nay let him die , and all such as as he is , he lay a catter-walling not long since : O if it had bene the will of heauen , what a deare blessing had the world had in his riddance ?

Vand. But had the lecher none to single out For obiect of his light lasciuious blood , But my poore cosin that attends the Dutchesse , Lady Ieronime ? Eury.

What , that blaberlipt blouse ?

Uand. Nay no blouse , sister , though I must confesse She comes farre short of your perfection . Eury.

Yes by my troth , if she were your cosin a thousand times , shee s but a sallow freckld face peece when she is at the best .

Uand. Yet spare my cosin , sister , for my sake , She merits milder censure at your hands . And euer held your worth in noblest termes . Eury.

Faith the Gentlewoman is a sweete Gentlewoman of her selfe , I must needs giue her her due .

Vand. But for my Lord your husband , honor'd mistris , He made your beauties and your vertues too , But foyles to grace my cosins , had you seene His amorous letters ,

But my cosin presently will tell you all , for she reiects his sute , yet I aduisde her to make a shew she did not . But point to meet him when you might surprise him , and this is iust the houre .

Eury.

Gods my life sister , loose not this aduantage , it wil be a good Trumpe to lay in his way vpon any quarrell : Come , you shall got S'bodie will you suffer him to disgrace you in this sort ? dispraise your beautie ? And I do not think too , but he has bin as bold with your Honor , which aboue all earthly things should be dearest to a woman .

Uand.

Next to her Beautie .

Eury.

True , next to her beautie : and I doe not thinke sister , but hee deuiseth slaunders against you , euen in that high kinde .

Vand.

Infinite , infinite .

Eury.

And I beleeue I take part with her too : would I knew that yfaith .

Vand.

Make your account , your share 's as deepe as hers : when you see my cosin , shee le tell you all : wee le to her presently .

Eury.

Has she told you , she would tell vs ?

Vand.

Assurde me , on her oath .

Eury.

S'light I would but know what he can saye I pray you brother tell me .

Vand.

To what end ? t will but stirre your patience .

Eury.

No I protest : when I know my cariage to be such , as no staine can obscure , his slaunders shall neuer moue me , yet would I faine know what he faines .

Uan.

It fits not me to play the gossips parte : to my cosin , shee le relate all .

Eury.

S'light what can she say ? pray let 's haue a taste an 't onward .

Vand.

What can he not say , who being drunke with lust , and surfetting with desire of change , regards not what he sayes : and briefly I will tell you thus much now ; Let my melancholy Lady ( sayes he ) hold on this course till she waste her selfe , and consume my reuenew in Tapers , yet this is certaine , that as long as she has that sister of hers at her elbow .

Eury.

Me ? why me ? I bid defiance to his foule throate .

Vaum.

Hold there Vandome , now it begins to take .

Eury.

What can his yellow iealousie surmise against me ? if you loue me , let me heare it : I protest it shall not moue me .

Vand.

Marry forsooth , you are the shooing horne , he sayes , to draw on , to draw on sister .

Eury.

The shooing horne with a vengeance ? what 's his meaning in that ?

Vand.

Nay I haue done , my cosin shall tell the rest : come shal we go ?

Eury.

Go ? by heauen you bid me to a banquet : sister , resolue your selfe , for you shall go ; loose no more time , for you shall abroade on my life : his licorice chaps are walking by this time : but for heauens sweete hope what meanes he by that shooing horne ? As I liue it shall not moue me .

Vand.

Tell me but this , did you euer breake betwixt my mistris and your sister here , and a certaine Lord i th Court ?

Eury.

How ? breake ?

Vand.

Go to , you vnderstand me : haue not you a Petrarch in Italian ?

Eury.

Petrarch ? yes , what of that ?

Van.

Well , he sayes you can your good , you may be waiting womā to any dame in Europe : that Petrarch does good offices .

Eury.

Marry hang him , good offices ? Sfoot how vnderstands he that ?

Vand.

As when any Lady is in priuate courtship with this or that gallant , your Petrarch helpes to entertaine time : you vnderstand his meaning ?

Eury.

Sister if you resolue to go , so it is : for by heauen your stay shall be no barre to me , I le go , that 's infallible ; it had bene as good he had slandered the diuell : shooing horne ? O that I were a man for 's sake .

Vand.

But to abuse your person and your beautie too : a grace wherein this part of the world is happie : but I shall offend too much .

Eury.

Not me , it shall neuer moue me .

Uand.

But to say , ye had a dull eye , a sharpe nose ( the visible markes of a shrow ) a drie hand , which is a signe of a bad liuer , as he said you were , being toward a husband too : this was intolerable .

Uaum.

This strikes it vp to the head .

Uand.

Indeed he said you drest your head in a pretie strange fashion : but you would dresse your husbands head in a far stranger ; meaning the Count of saint Anne I thinke .

Eury.

Gods precious , did he touch mine honor with him ?

Vand.

Faith nothing but that he weares blacke , and sayes t is his mistris colours : and yet he protests that in his eye your face shewes well enough by candle light , for the Count neuer saw it otherwise , vnlesse t were vnder a maske , which indeed he sayes becomes you aboue all things .

Eury. Come Page , go along with me , I le stay for no body : T is at your cosins chamber , is it not ? Uand.

Marry is it , there you shall find him at it .

Eury.

That 's enough : let my sister go waste his reuenew in tapers , t will be her owne another day .

Mar.

Good sister , seruant , if euer there were any loue or respect to me in you both .

Eury.

Sister ? there is no loue , nor respect , nor any coniuration , shall stay me : and yet by my part in heauen , I le not be moued a whit with him : you may retire your selfe to your old coll , and there waste your eyes in teares , your heart in sighes , I le away certaine .

Uan.

But soft , let 's agree first what course we shal take when we take him .

Eury.

Marry euen raise the streetes on him , and bring him forth with a flocke of boyes about him , to whoote at him .

Vand.

No , that were too great a dishonor : I le put him out on 's paine presently .

Stringit ensem .
Pag.

Nay good sir spare his life , cut of the offending part , and saue the Count .

Mar. Is there no remedie ? must I breake my vow ? Stay I le abroad , though with another aime Not to procure , but to preuent his shame . Uan. Go Page , march on , you know my cosins chamber , My company may wrong you , I will crosse The nearer way , and set the house afore you : But sister see you be not mou'd for Gods sake . Eury. Not I by heauen : Come sister , be not moued , But if you spare him , may heauen nere spare you . Exeunt . man . Van. & Vau. Vand.

So now the solemne votary is reuiu'd .

Uaum. Pray heauen you haue not gone a step too farre , And raisde more sprites , then you can coniure downe . Vand. No my Lord , no , t'Herculean labor 's past , The vow is broke , which was the end we sweat for , The reconcilement will meet of it selfe : Come le ts to Court , and watch the Ladies chamber , Where they are gone with hopefull spleene to see you . Enter Roderique , Mugeron , D'oliue in disguise towards the Ladies chamber . Rhod.

See Mugeron , our counterfait letter hath taken : who 's yonder think'st ?

Mug.

T is not Doliue :

Rhod. I ft be not he , I am sure hee 's not farre off : Those be his tressels that support the motion . Mug.

T is he by heauen , wrapt in his carelesse cloke : See the Duke enters : Let him enioy the benefite of the inchanted Ring , and stand a while inuisible : at our best oportunitie wee le discouer him to the Duke .

Enter Duke , Dutchesse , Saint Anne , Vaumont , Uandome , to them Digue , whispering Vandome in the care , and speakes as on the other side .
Dig.

Monsieur Vandome , yonder 's no Lord to be found : my Ladie stayes at hand and craues your speech .

Vand.

Tell her she mistook the place , and conduct her hither : How will she looke when she findes her expectation mockt now ?

Exit . Dig.
Vaum.

What 's that , Uandome ?

Uand.

Your wife and sister are comming hither , hoping to take you and my cosin together .

Uau.

Alas , how shall we appease them , when they see themselues so deluded ?

Van.

Let me alone , and stand you off my Lord :

Enter Mar : and Eurione .

Madame , y' are welcome to the Court : doe you see your Lord yonder ? I haue made him happie by training you forth : In a word , all I said was but a traine to draw you from your vow : Nay , there 's no going backe : Come forward and keepe your temper . Sister , cloud not you your forhead : yonder 's a Sunne will cleare your beauties I am sure . Now you see the shooing-horne is expounded : all was but a shooing-horne to draw you hither : now shew your selues women , and say nothing .

Phil.

Let him alone awhile Uandome : who 's there ? what whisper you ?

Uand. Y 'aue done ? come forward : See here my Lord , my honorable mistris , And her faire sister , whom your Highnesse knowes Could neuer be importunde from their vowes By prayer , or th' earnest sutes of any friends , Now hearing false report that your faire Dutchesse Was dangerously sicke , to visit her Did that which no friend else could winne her to , And brake her long kept vow with her repaire . Duke . Madam you do me an exceeding honor , In shewing this true kindnesse to my Dutchesse , Which she with all her kindnesse will require . Vand. Now my good Lord , the motion you haue made , To S. An. With such kind importunitie by your selfe , And seconded with all perswasions On my poore part , for mariage of this Ladie , Her selfe now comes to tell you she embraces , And ( with that promise made me ) I present her . Eury.

Sister , we must forgiue him .

S. An. Matchlesse Ladie , Your beauties and your vertues haue atchieu'd An action that I thought impossible , For all the sweete attractions of your sex , In your conditions , so to life resembling The grace and fashion of my other wife : You haue reuiu'd her to my louing thoughts , And all the honors I haue done to her , Shall be continude ( with increase ) to you . Mug.

Now let 's discouer our Ambassador , my Lord .

Duke .

Do so .

Exiturus D'oliue .
Mug.

My Lord ? my Lord Ambassador ?

D'ol.

My Lord foole , am I not ?

Mug.

Go to , you are he : you cannot cloke your Lordshippe from our knowledge .

Rho.

Come come : could Achilles hide himselfe vnder a womans clothes ? Greatnesse will shine through clouds of any disguise .

Phil.

Who 's that Rhoderique ?

Rho.

Monsieur D'oliue , my Lord , stolne hither disguisde , with what minde we know not .

Mug.

Neuer striue to be gone sir : my Lord , his habite expounds his heart : t were good he were searcht .

D'oliue .

Well rookes wel , I le be no longer a blocke to whet your dull wits on : My Lord , my Lord , you wrong not your selfe onely , but your whole state , to suffer such vlcers as these to gather head in your Court ; neuer looke to haue any action sort to your honor , when you suffer such earewigs to creepe into your eares thus .

Phil.

What 's the matter Rhoderique ?

Rho.

Alas my Lord , only the lightnesse of his braine , because his hopes are lost .

Mug.

For our parts , we haue bene trustie and secret to him in the whole manage of his ambassage .

D'ol.

Trustie ? a plague on you both , there 's as much trust in a common whore as in one of you : and as for secrecy , there 's no more in you then in a profest Scriuener .

Vand.

Why a Scriuener , Monsiour D'oliue ?

D'ol.

Marry sir a man cannot trust him with borrowing so much as poore fortie shillings , but he will haue it Knowne to all men by these presents .

Vand.

That 's true indeed , but you employed these gentlemen very safely .

D'oliue .

Employed ? I mary sir , they were the men that first kindled this humor of employment in me : a pox of employment I say : it has cost me , but what it has cost me , it skils not : they haue thrust vpon me a crew of thredbare , vnbutton'd fellowes , to be my followers : Taylers , Frippers , Brokers , casheerd Clarks , Pettifoggers , and I know not who I : S'light I thinke they haue swept all the bowling allies i th citie for them : and a crew of these , rakt like old ragges out of dunghils by candle light , haue they presented to me in very good fashion , to be gentlemen of my traine , and solde them hope of raising their fortunes by me : A plague on that phrase , Raising of fortunes , it has vndone more men when ten dicing houses ? Raise their fortunes with a vengeance ? And a man will play the foole and be a Lord , or be a foole and play the Lord , he shall be sure to want no followers , so there be hope to raise their fortunes . A burning feuer light on you , and all such followers . S'foote they say followers are but shadowes , that follow their Lords no longer then the sunshines on them : but I finde it not so : the sunne is set vpon my employment , and yet I cannot shake off my shadowes ; my followers grow to my heeles like kibes , I cannot stir out of doores for am . And your grace haue any employment for followers , pray entertaine my companie : they le spend their bloud in your seruice , for they haue little else to spend , you may soone raise their fortunes .

Phil. Well Monsieur D'oliue , your forwardnesse In this intended seruice , shall well know What acceptation it hath wonne it selfe In our kind thoughts : nor let this sodaine change Discourage the designements you haue laid For our States good : reserue your selfe I pray , Till fitter times : meane time will I secure you From all your followers : follow vs to Court . And good my Lords , and you my honor'd Ladies , Be all made happie in the worthy knowledge Of this our worthy friend Monsieur D'oliue . Omnes .

Good Monsieur D'oliue .

Exeunt .
Finis Actus quinti & vltimi .
ACTORS . Monsieur D'oliue . Philip the Duke . S. Anne Count . Vaumont Count . Vandome . Rhodoricke . Mugeron . Pacque , two pages . Dicque , two pages . Gueaquin the Dutchesse . Hieronime Ladie . Marcellina Countesse . Eurione her sister .
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honestmen forget we are Courtiers , and talke like honest men , tell truth , and shame all trauaylers charitablie better part still , and that is , to iudge charitable : But now forsoothe to redeeme her Honour wanton : if shee be kinde , shees too willing : if coye , too wilfull : if shee be modest ●a and Players by making mouthes and faces : ha doest well wits ? thyiests Faith thou followest a figure in thy iests , as countrey Gentlemen followe fashions counttey thou followest a figure in thy iests , as countrey Gentlemen followe fashions when they bee lestes shoppe of good wordes , the Mint of good Iestes , an Ordinary of fine discourse , Critickes ●th facultie of wit , shall at certaine houres ith day resort thither , it shall be a second ●oot common-wealth , must needes receyue the honour due t'oot in marriage . is Nay howe can hee pleade that , when it ▪ t'is as well knowne his father dyed a batcheler S▪ body His forefathers ? S'body had hee more fathers then one . too much ath frets : I must loue your Wits , I must take pleasure in you . Farewell good O God Syr , you wrong mee , to thinke I can , bee troubled me● O God Syr ▪ you wrong mee , to thinke I can , bee troubled with wit ●age times , I carrie halfe a score byrdes in a cage , shall euer remaine at your call : Farewell Eu●●● Exits . accomplish● but hee shall bee employd , O tis a most accomplisht asse , the mugrill of a Gull , and a villaine imitate , his grace is to censure , and detract ; he shall to'th Court , yfaith hee shall cauesdroppe the heauinesse of this virgine Ladie , Ile eauesdroppe , and if it be possible , heare who is her ●e But sister should not the noble man be Chronicled if he had right , I pray you pra●●'d you delight to heare him spoken of ? and prais'd , and honord ? pr●isd honour of her Sexe , delight to heare him praisd as well as wee ? is I loue the Noble man : Heauen is my iudge if l● indeede his loue And honour to his Wife l● loue the Noble man : Heauen is my iudge is I indeede his loue And honour to his Wife indeed● the Noble man : Heauen is my iudge is l● indeede his loue And honour to his Wife so after thinke the better of him , and sometimes , Talke of his loue or so ; But you know Maddam dooresafe And keepe the doore safe : what night-walker ' this , that hath no● Hast commend me to him tel him I may not nor will not see him : for I haue vowd the contrary ●● And be the fable of the scornefull world ; Yf I offend you Lady kill me now , ●u'd worthy Seruant , I would to God I had not liu'd to be A fable to the worlde , a shame to heareme Deare mistris hear me & forbeare these humors . Id●ly See how Idely . You vnderstand me ? theise same travallers travail●rs how Idely . You vnderstand me ? theise same travallers , That can liue any where , make iests of o● friends , She had a husband does not cast her of so : O tis a rare , a Noble gentleman . Humb● gentleman . Well well , there is some other Humor stirring , In your young bloud then a dead swome No , ile be sworne 〈…〉 Instruments : Turnd to pick strawes , and f fumble le vpon Rushes ; Your heauenly voice , turnd ●ainted sighes , And your rare wit to in a manner tainted . This cannot be , I know some other cause what o●●er and be your cure : In any wound it forceth whatsoeuer , But if you wil not , tell me at your perill Brother . Did you call ? No 'tis no matter . al●● my kind and honor'd Brother , Ile tell you all 〈…〉 〈…〉 kind and honor'd Brother , Ile tell you all : d●e O will you doe so then ▪ O will you doe so then ? thus : Did euer man aske such a question , When he had brought a woman to this passe quorh Treason quoth he ? Attending oftentimes the Duke & Dutchesse , To visit the most passionate Earle your Put it in ? why ? y saith y'are such a man , Ile tell no further saith Put it in ? why ▪ y faith y'are such a man , Ile tell no further , thankes The credit and the honor I shall haue : For that most happy Good I know in Fate obser●d When I obseru'd his constance in Loue : His honor of his constan●● When I obseru'd his constance in Loue : His honor of his deere wiues memory EVR▪ EVR. 〈…〉 into me : That it hath halfe consum'd me , s since ●● lov'd His Wife so dearely that was deere ●● : That it hath halfe consum'd me , s 〈…〉 it lov'd His Wife so dearely that was deere 〈◊〉 How 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more 〈◊〉 T'n flame I beseech thee was your loue so simple : T'nflame itselfe with him ? why hee's a husband : alymbe Froes , the THRATIAN HARPER ) To mary but a lymbe , a looke of him , Heauens my sweet subscube far-shooting beauties any name ? Too Good to subscribe to EVRIONE : Here is my hand , if euer I sovertu●●sly gentleman or would be still esteemd so I will so vertuously solicite for thee : And with withsuch will so vertuously solicite for thee : And with such cunning wind into his heart , That ●ight He will kisse her to doe your parson right , ay●es But that she aymes therein at publique good And you in duty ●ender thereto of your selfe Ought to haue made vs render of your parts And nor entombe them tirant-like spnrnd , my Lord are not in fault , For we haue spurnd him forward euermore Letting him know how er●● had bin ought else but an Asse Your Grace ere this time long had made him great Did not his bin ought else but an Asse Your Grace ere this time long had made him great Did not we the● a prince As is your gratious selfe ; for then it was pollicie To keepe all with of hope 〈◊〉 that freely choos'd obscuritie Wee found our safetie , which 〈…〉 most of Note Many times lost 〈…〉 choos'd obscuritie Wee found our 〈◊〉 , which men most of Note Many times lost , and I ahlas knowe shell For your learn'd excellence , I ●o●ow knows well Qui bene saturi , bene vixit , still 〈◊〉 excellence , I ●o●ow knowe well Qui bene saturi , bene vixit , still . 〈…〉 your selfe , that had So great meanes to haue liu'd in greater place : 〈…〉 Faith Sir I had a poore roofe or a paint house To shade me from the Sunne G●ils thought my selfe As private as I had King Giris Ring And could haue gone invisible , yet defign'd seruice You must not scape my hands , that haue design'd present employment for you ; and tis this bew●ies For loosing the deare sight of her quick bewties y-saith Well spoke y-faith , your grace must giue me leaue To praise ●ow● this in breefe We sate as I remember all in rowe , All sorts of men together , A Squier and men together , A Squier and a Carpenter , a I awiet and a Sawier . A Marchant and a awiet together , A Squier and a Carpenter , ● I Lawier and a Sawier . A Marchant and a Broker , DOL▪ DOL. Then thus it is : the question of estate ( Or the state of Aristocratie the question ) was in briefe whether in an Aristocrasie Or in a Democriticall estate Tobacco might excellent speches there Touching this part : As● where with pushes , and his Nose Was like the Ase of clubs ( which I must tell you Enmitle that set him , and Tobacco first at such hot Enmitie for that nose of his ( according to the virginalliack The weauer Sir much like a virginal iack Start nimbly vp ; the culler of his to ●her GENEVA print , and wore one eare Shorter then tother for a difference ho●ly He was so Sir , and hotly he envaid Against Tobacco ( with a most gro●enes mens eyes , that they might not behold The grosenes of olde superstition Which is as t'were clo●e superstition ; for his owne part He held a Garlick cloue being sanctifyed Did edifie more the body t●n edifie more the body of a man Then a whole tin of this prophane Tobacco Being tane without t●ne whole tin of this prophane Tobacco Being tane without thankes-giuing ; in a word He said gre●● banisht from the land For feare least for the great abuse thereof Or candle were put out ; and li●kt twice or thrice , then shooke mine eares And lickt my lipps , as if I begg'd attention and DOL▪ DOL. qua●dari● I am amused , or I am in a quandarie gentlemen [ for in good faith I remember Troya●s ; to the maintaynance whereof , all true Troyans ( from whose race we claime our decent ] 〈…〉 , driues out all ill Vapours but it selfe , owne all bad Humors by the mouth which in owne driues out all ill Vapours but it selfe 〈…〉 downe all bad Humors by the mouth which in time 〈◊〉 owne all bad Humors by the mouth which in time might breed a Scabbe ouer the whole body plant of singular vse , for ▪ on the one side , Nature being an Enemie to Vacuitie and emptines Va●uitie the one side ▪ Nature being an Enemie to Vacuitie and emptines , and on the other , there emp●●●es ▪ Nature being an Enemie to Vacuitie and emptines , and on the other , there beeing so many ●yre immediate instrument to that purpose ? If with ayre , what so proper as your sume ▪ what sume sume purpose ? If with ayre , what so proper as your fume ▪ what sume so healthfull as your perfume If with ayre , what so proper as your fume : what fume so healthfull as your perfume sume ayre , what so proper as your sume ▪ what fume so healthfull as your perfume ? what perfume heare● sparkes of wit it yeelds , it is a world to heare as likewise to the courage of a man , for Veri●ice et sauo et writes , that hee that drinkes Veriuice pisseth vinegere , Then it must needs follow out of the Element of Garlick to medicine ; to conclude as there is no enemy to Tabacco I● For the Ambassage , and will trust you now If t'were to send you foorth to the great Turke ●i● my speach , that since Tobacco Had so long bin in vse , it should thence foorth Be brought Ca●tar gentlemanly humor The Murr , the Head-ach , the Cattar , the bone ach Or other branches of the Anbassador busines Take now the place and state of an Ambassador Present our parson and performe our charge ●ull How now you foole ? out you presumptious gull ●foote How now you baggage ? Sfoote are you so coy To the Dukes parson , to ●oy How now you baggage ? Sfoote are you so coy To the Dukes parson , to his second selfe PH●L Exiunt PHIL Gueaque Iero : sake , As it becomes great personages to doe : Ile thinke vpon't betwixt this and the day knau●s were my Seruants before , shall now be my knaues : But they that were my Creditors before your iudgement to suppresse your passion : For so deare lou'd a Sister ( being as well disswasi●e , as mine ) the least enforcement Of your disswasiue arguments ▪ And besides , Your true resemblance enforcement Of your disswasiue arguments . And besides , Your true resemblance of her opened , And whatsoeuer vrgeth soules accurst : To their destruction , and sometimes their and nightes bound at his tirranous feete : So that my dayes are not like life or light forbeare to keepe her Still in your sight : force not her breathles body Thus against Amatu● Heu fuge dilectas terras , fuge littus Amatum : Icronime Enter the Duke , D'oliue , Gueaquin , Ieronime , Muge , Rhod. to see the dead Countesse time , was the name of an honest Courtier ; what tis now , Viderit vtilitas : Come Witts S S. ▪ Anne . hide this treasure of thy pretious beauties ; And that thy part suruiuing , be not pleasd drew the eyes of the whole presence vpon you : There was one Ladie a man might see her har● ▪ There was one Ladie a man might see her hart Readie to start out of her eyes to follow ●●at Cunstable when he leanes on's Staffe , thats flat : softnes and modestie sauors of the Cart Corneliur Thou speak'st like thy selfe Cornelius : booke him downe Gentleman . Vi●ll Wind Instrument : Heere shall hang my base Viall : Heere my Theorbo : and heere will I hang Gourtly wilbe drawne , all in compleat Satten of some Courtly cullour , like a Knight of Cupids band ; Hel●con fedd with a Pipe brought at my charge , from Helicon , ouer the Alpes , and vnder the Sea by Methanke Me thanke your Lordship . abhorninable Heauen I beseech thee , what an abhominable sort of Followers haue I put vpon mee : I●e and all my Wifflers : But its no matter , Ile fashion'am , Ile shew'am fashions : By heauen vpon'● Broker ; certainelie there's good to be done upon't ; if we be but a day or two out of towne is●ue hart , that would haue burst To giue wisht issue to any violent loue ? Dead Wife excuse me Brother , stood you so neare my dishonour ? Had you forborne awhile , all had been changd desernes challenge more , In loue and kindnes then my loue deserues , That you haue found one whom your hart c●ates suited your Witts ; & Ile suite you in Guarded coates , answerable to your Witts : for Witt's Goates Witts : for Witt's as sutable to guarded Coates , as Wisedome is to welted Gownes ▪ My other Goates , as Wisedome is to welted Gownes . My other Followers Horse themselues ▪ my selfe Gownes ▪ My other Followers Horse themselues ; my selfe will horse you . And now tell me Hold ? S'foote it shall hold , and shall be helde Almanackmunger● all the Chroniclers , Ballet makers , and Almanackmungers , do what they dare . scur●y O scuruy verse ! Your Lordship's welcome home : pray wityfaith Good wit yfaith . sui● there let them shift and hang . Exit cum suit . ●e Ile presse them to the Court : or if neede be , our Muse is not so barren , but she is i●h he apprehended the fauour of a great Lady ith Presence , whose hart ( he said ) stood I●ronime Soft then : The Lady Ieronime , who I said viewed him so in the Presence OOs. Soft , there's too many Os chimn●y There will be smoke ith chimney . do● Well said , now doe I vie it : Come to my chamber betwixt two tu●t come disguisde : in any case we are not thy tuft taffeta cloke : if thou doest , thou killest taffe●a disguisde : in any case we are not thy tuft taffeta cloke : if thou doest , thou killest me ●loke : in any case we are not thy tuft taffeta cloke : if thou doest , thou killest me . i● Ieronime : Now for a fit Pandar to transport it , and haue at him . Ua●mont Enter Vaumont , and Vandome . Loft her darke Cell , and superstitious vow . I oft haue heard there is a kind of ●●●re To fright ●●●re vow . I oft haue heard there is a kind of cure To fright a lingring Feuer from a man By deui●e still , And therefore I will vse a fainde deuice To kindle furie in her frozen Breast , That ●urie therefore I will vse a fainde deuice To kindle furie in her frozen Breast , That rage may fire ●umine Redit cum lumine . villani● An excellent villanie . is● VVhat ist good brother ? ofils The worst of ils : would any tongue but mine had bene ●lies at home , Mewd in your cage , your mate he flies abroade , O heauens who would haue thought beautle To wrong such a beautie , to prophane such vertue , and to proue b●d Tush sister , bid me not forbeare : a woman may beare , and Forobiect But had the lecher none to single out For obiect of his light lasciuious blood , But part● It fits not me to play the gossips parte w●●l to my cosin , sheele relate all . w●●l It fits not me to play the gossips parte : to my cosin , sheele relate all . S foot Marry hang him , good offices ? Sfoot how vnderstands he that ? signe of a bad liuer , as he said you were , being toward a husband too : this was intolerable fashion● said you drest your head in a pretie strange fashion▪ ▪ but you would dresse your husbands head drest your head in a pretie strange fashion : but you would dresse your husbands head his carelesse cloke : See the Duke enters : Let him enioy the benefite of the inchanted archieu'd Ladie , Your beauties and your vertues haue atchieu'd An action that I thought impossible , For re●●●'d grace and fashion of my other wife : You haue reuiu'd her to my louing thoughts , And all the ●loke Go to , you are he : you cannot cloke your Lordshippe from our knowledge . v●cers onely , but your whole state , to suffer such vlcers as these to gather head in your Court ▪ vlcers as these to gather head in your Court ; neuer looke to haue any action sort to your trust in a common whore as in one of you : and as for secrecy , there's no more in sortie trust him with borrowing so much as poore fortie shillings , but he will haue it Knowne to Petrifoggers , Frippers , Brokers , casheerd Clarks , Pettifoggers , and I know not who I : S'light I thinke ra●t ith citie for them : and a crew of these , rakt like old ragges out of dunghils by candle
A18413 ---- The Gentleman Usher Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18413 of text S107952 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4978). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Melina Yeh Kate Needham This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18413.xml The gentleman vsher. By George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 38 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843644 STC (2nd ed.) 4978. Greg, I, 226. 8390 A18413

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The gentleman vsher. By George Chapman. Gentleman usher Gentleman usher. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [76] p. Printed by V[alentine] S[immes] for Thomas Thorppe, At London : 1606. 1602

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: A-I4 K2.

First word of title is xylographic.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18413 shc The Gentleman Usher Chapman, George Melina Yeh Kate Needham 1602 play comedy shc no A18413 S107952 (STC 4978). 27363 0 0 0 153016.45C The rate of 16.45 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE GENTLEMAN USHER . By GEORGE CHAPMAN .

AT LONDON Printed by V. S. for Thomas Thorppe . 1606 .

THE GENTLEMAN VSHER .
ACTVS PRIMVS , SCAENA PRIMA . Enter Strozza , Cynanche , and Pogio. Strozza .

HAste nephew , what , a sluggard ? Fie for shame , Shal he that was our morning Cock , turn Owle , And locke out day light from his drowsie eies ?

Pog.

Pray pardon mee for once , lord vnkle , for I le bee sworne , I had such a dreame this morning : me thought one came with a commission to take a Sorrell curtoll , that was stolne from him , wheresoeuer hee could find him . And because I feared he would lay claime to my sorrell curtoll in my stable I ran to the Smith to haue him set on his mane againe , and his taile presently , that the Commission-man might not thinke him a curtoll . And when the Smith would not doe it , I fell a beating of him , so that I could not wake for my life til I was reuenged on him .

Cyn.

This is your old valure nephew , that will fight sleeping as well as waking .

Pog.

Slud Aunt , what if my dreame had beene true ( as it might haue beene for any thing I knew ) there 's neuer a smith in Italie , shall make an Asse of me in my sleepe , if I can chuse .

Stroz. Well said , my furious nephew : but I see You quite forget that we must rowse to day The sharp-tuskt Bore : and blaze our huntsmanship before the duke . Pog.

Forget Lord vncle ? I hope not ; you thinke belike my wittes are as brittle as a Beetle , or as skittish as your Barbarie Mare : one cannot crie weh� , but straight shee cries tihi .

Stro.

Well ghest coosen Hysteron Proteron .

Pog.

But which way will the dukes grace hunt to day ?

Stro.

Toward Count Lassos house his Grace will hunt , Where he will visit his late honourd mistresse .

Pog.

Who Ladie Margaret , that deare yong dame ? Will his antiquitie , neuer leane his iniquitie ?

Cyn.

Why how now nephew ? turnd Parnassus lately ?

Pog.

Nassus ? I know not : but I would I had all the dukes liuing for her sake , I de make him a poore duke ifaith .

Stro.

No doubt of that , if thou hadst all his liuing .

Pog.

I would not stand dreaming of the matter as I do now .

Cyn.

Why how doe you dreame nephew ?

Pog.

Mary all last night me thought I was tying her shoo-string .

Stro.

What all night tying her shoostring ?

Pog.

I that I was , and yet I tied it not neither ; for as I was tying it , the string broke me thought , and then me thought , hauing but one poynt at my hose , me thought , I gaue her that to tie her shoo with all .

Cyn.

A poynt of much kindnesse I assure you .

Pog.

Whervpon , in the verie nicke me thought the Count came rushing in , and I ranne rushing out , with my heeles about my hose for haste .

Stro.

So , will you leaue your dreaming , and dispatch ?

Pog.

Mum , not a worde more , I le goe before , and ouertake you presently .

Exit .
Cyn. My Lord I fancie not these hunting sports , When the bold game you follow turnes againe , And stares you in the face : let me behold A cast of Faulcons on their merry wings , Daring the stooped prey , that shifting flies : Or let me view the fearefull Hare or Hinde , To�t like a musicke point with harmonie Of well mouthed hounds . This is a sport for Princes , The other rude Boares yeeld fit game for Boores . Stro. Thy timorous spirit blinds thy iudgement , wife , Those are most royall sports that most approue The huntsmans prowesse , and his hardie minde . Cyn. My Lord , I know too well your vertuous spirit , Take heede for Gods loue if you rowse the Bore , You come not neere him , but discharge aloofe Your wounding Pistoll , or well aymed Dart . Stro. I Mary wife this counsaile rightly flowes Out of thy bosome , pray thee take lesse care , Let Ladies at their tables iudge of Bores , Lords in the field : And so farewell sweete loue ; Faile not to meete me at Earle Lassos house . Cyn.

Pray pardon me for that : you know I loue not These solemne meetings .

Stro. You must needes , for once Constraine your disposition ; and indeede I would acquaint you more with Ladie Margaret , For speciall reason . Cyn.

Very good , my Lord . Then I must needes go fit me for that presence .

Stro.

I pray thee doe , farewell .

Exit Cyn.

Here comes my friend .

Enter Uincentio . Good day my Lord ; why does your grace confront So cleare a morning with so clowdie lookes ?
Vin. Ask'st thou my griefes , that knowst my desprate loue Curbd by my fathers sterne realitie : Must not I mourne that know not whether yet I shall enioy a stepdame or a wife ? Stro. A wife prince , neuer doubt it ; your deserts And youthfull graces haue engag'd so farre , The beauteous Margaret , that she is your owne . Vin. O but the eie of watchfull iealousie Robs my desires of meanest inioy her fauour . Stro. Despaire not : there are meanes enow for you , Suborne some seruant of some good respect , That 's neere your choice , who though she needs no wooing , May yet imagine you are to begin , Your strange yong loue sute , and so speake for you , Beare your kind letters , and get safe accesse . All which when he shall do ; you neede not feare His trustie secrecie , because he dares not Reueale escapes , where of himselfe is Author , Whom you may best attempt , she must reueale ; For if she loues you , she already knowes , And in an instant can resolue you that . Vin. And so she will , I doubt not : would to heauen I had fit time , euen now to know her minde : This counsaile feedes my heart with much sweet hope . Stro. Pursue it then ; t' will not be hard t' effect : The Duke haz none for him , but Medice That fustian Lord , who in his buckram face , Bewraies , in my conceit , a map of basenesse . Vin. I , there 's a parcell of vnconstrued stuffe , That vnknowne Minion raisde to honours height , Without the helpe of Vertue , or of Art , Or ( to say true ) nay of honest part : O how she shames my father ! he goes like A Princes foote-man , in old fashioned silkes , And most times , in his hose and dublet onely , So miserable , that his owne few men Doe beg by vertue of his liuerie ; For he giues none for any seruice done him , Or any honour , any least reward . Stro. T is pittie such should liue about a Prince : I would haue such a noble counterfet , nailde Vpon the Pillory , and after , whipt For his adultery with nobilitie , Vin. Faith I would faine disgrace him by all meanes , As enemy to his base-bred ignorance , That being a great Lord , cannot write nor reade . Stro. For that , weel le follow the blinde side of him , And make it sometimes subiect of our mirth . Enter Pogioposte . Vin.

See , what newes with your Nephew Pogio ?

Stro.

None good I warrant you .

Pog.

Where should I finde my Lord Vnckle ?

Stro.

What 's the huge haste with you ?

Pog.

O ho , you will hunt to day .

Stro.

I hope I will .

Pog.

But you may hap to hop without your hope : for the truth is , Kilbucke is runne mad .

Stro.

What 's this ?

Pog.

Nay , t' is true sir : and Kilbucke being runne mad , bit Ringwood so by the left buttocke , you might haue turnd your nose in it .

Vin.

Out Asse .

Pog.

By heauen you might my Lord : d' ee thinke I he ?

Vin.

Zwoundes , might I ? le ts blanket him my Lord : a blanket heere .

Pog.

Nay , good my Lord Vincentio , by this rush I tell you for good will : and Venus your brache there , runnes so prowd , that your Hunts man cannot take her downe for his life .

Stro.

Take her vp foole , thou wouldst say .

Pog.

Why sir , he would soone take her down and he could take her vp I warrant her .

Uin.

Well said , ham mer , hammer .

Po.

Nay , good now le ts alone , and there 's your horse , Gray Strozza too haz the staggers , and haz strooke bay . Bettrice , your Barbary mare so , that shee goes halting a this fashion , most filthily .

Stro. What poison blisters thy vnhappy tongue Euermore braying forth vnhappy newes , Our hunting sport is at the best my Lord : How shall I satisfie the Duke your father , Defrauding him of his expected sport ? See , see , he comes . Enter Alphonso , Medice , Sarpego , with attendants . Alph.

Is this the copie of the speech you wrote , Signieur Sarpego ?

Sar. It is a blaze of wit pocticall , Reade it , braue Duke , with eyes pathetical . Alp. We will peruse it strait : well met Vincentio , And good Lord Strozza , we commend you both For your attendance : but you must conceiue , T is no true hunting we intend to day , But an inducement to a certaine shew , Wherewith we will present our beateous loue , And therein we bespeake your company . Vin.

We both are ready to attend your Highnesse .

Alp. See then , heere is a Poeme that requires Your worthy censures ; offerd if it like To furnish our intended amorous shew : Reade it Uincentio . Vin.

Pardon me my Lord , Lord Medices reading , will expresse it better ,

Med. My patience can digest your scoffes my Lord . I care not to proclaime it to the world : I can nor write , nor reade ; and what of that ? I can both see and heare , as well as you . Alp.

Still are your wits at warre : heere , read this poeme .

Vin. The red fac'd Sunne hath firkt the flundering shades , And cast bright ammell on Auroraes brow . Alp. High words and strange : Reade on Vincentio . Vin.

The busky groues that gag-tooth'd boares do shrowd With cringle crangle hornes do ring alowd .

Pog.

My Lord , my Lord , I haue a speech heere worth ten of this , and yet I le mend it too .

Alp.

How likes Vincentio ?

Vin. It is strangely good , No inkehorne euer did bring forth the like , Could these braue prancing words with Actions spurre , Be ridden throughly , and managed right , T' would fright the audience , and perhaps delight . Sarp.

Doubt you of action sir ?

Vin.

I , for such stuffe .

Sarp. Then know my Lord , I can both act and teach To any words ; when I in Padua schoolde it , I plaid in one of Plautus Comedies , Namely , Curculto , where his part I acted , Proiecting from the poore summe of foure lines , Forty faire actions . Alp.

Le ts see that I pray .

Sarp. Your Highnesse shall commaund , But pardon me , if in my actions heate Entering in post post haste I chaunce to take vp Some of your honord heels ; Po.

Y 'ad best leaue out that action for a thing that I know sir .

Sarp.

Then shal you see what I can do without it .

Alp.

See see , he hath his furniture and all .

Sarp. You must imagine , Lords , I bring good newes , Whereof being princely prowd I scowre the streete And ouer-tumble euery man I meete . Exit Sarp. Pog.

Beshrew my heart if he take vp my heeles .

Enter Sarp.
Sarp. Date viam mihi Noti , atque Ignoti . Dum ego , hîc , officium meum facio . Fugite omnes atque abite , & de via secedite , ne quem in cursu ; aut capite , aut cubito , aut pectore offendam , aut genu . Alp. Thankes good Seigneur Sarpego . How like you Lords , this stirring action ? Stro. In a cold morning it were good my Lord . But something harshe vpon repletion . Sarp. Sir I haue ventred , being enioynde to eate Three schollers commons , and yet drewe it neate . Pogio.

Come sir , you meddle in too many matters ; let vs I pray tend on our owne shew at my lord Lassos .

Sarp. Doing obeisance then to euery lord I now consorte you sir euen toto corde . Exit . Sarp. & Pog. Med. My lord , away with these scholastique wits , Lay the inuention of your speech on me , And the performance too ; I le play my parte , that you shall say , Nature yeelds more then Art . Alp. Bee 't so resolu'd ; vnartificiall truth An vnfaind passion can descipher best . Vin.

But t' wil be hard my lord , for one vnlearnd .

Med.

Vnlearnd ? I cry you mercie sir ; vnlearnd ?

Vin. I meane , vntaught my lord , to make a speech , As a pretended Actor , without close , More gratious then your doublet and your hose . Alph. What , think you sonne we meane t' expresse a speech Of speciall weight without a like attire ? Vin.

Excuse me then my lord ; so stands it well .

Stro.

Haz brought them rarely in , to pageant him .

Med. What ; thinke you lord ; we thinke not of attire ? Can we not make vs ready at this age ? Stro.

Alas my lord , your wit must pardon his .

Vin.

I hope it will , his wit is pittyfull .

Stro.

I pray stand by my Lord ; y' are troublesome .

Vin.

To none but you ; am I to you my Lord ?

Med.

Not vnto mee .

Vin.

Why then you wrong me Strozza .

Med.

Nay , fall not out my Lords .

Stro. May I not know What your speech is my Liege ? Alp.

None but my selfe , and the Lord Medice .

Med. No , pray my Lord Let none partake with vs . Alp. No be assur'd , But for another cause ; a word Lord Strozza , I tell you true , I feare Lord Medice Will scarce discharge the speach effectually : As we goe therefore , I le explaine to you My whole intent ; that you may second him If neede and his debilitie require . Stro.

Thanks for this grace my Liege .

Vincentio ouerheares .
Med.

My Lord ; your sonne .

Alp. Why how now sonne ? forbeare ; yet t is no matter Wee talke of other businesse Medice And come , we will prepare vs to our shew . Exeunt . Stro. Vin.

Which as we can , wee le cast to ouerthrow .

Enter Lasso , Corteza , Margaret , Bassiolo , Sarpego , two Pages , Bassiolo bare before .
Bas.

Stand by there , make place .

Lass. Saie now Bassiolo ; you on whom relies The generall disposition of my house , In this our preparation , for the Duke Are all our officers at large instructed , For fit discharge of their peculiar places ? Bass.

At large my lord instructed .

Lass.

Are all our chambers hung ? Thinke you our house amplie capacious to lodge all the traine ?

Bass. Amply capacious : I am passing glad . And now then to our mirth and musicall shew , Which after supper we intend t' indure , Welcomes cheefe dainties : for choice cates at home , Euer attend on Princes ; mirth abroad , Are all parts perfect . Sarp.

One I know there is .

Lass.

And that is yours .

Sarp. Well guest in earnest Lord , I neede not erubescere , to take So much vpon me : That my backe will beare . Bass. Nay , he will be perfection it selfe , For wording well , and dexterous action too . Lass.

And will these waggish pages , hit their songs ?

2 Pag.

Remi fa solla ?

Lass. O they are practising ; good boyes , well done ; But where is Pogio ? there y' are ouershot . To lay a capitall part vpon his braine , Whose absence tells me plainely hee 'le neglect him . Bass. O no my Lord , he dreames of nothing else , And giues it out in wagers , hee 'le excell ; And see , ( I told your Lo : ) he is come . Enter Pogio. Pog.

How now my Lord , haue you borrowed a Snite for me : Seigneur Bassiolo , can all say , are all things ready ? the Duke is hard by , and little thinks that I le be an Actor ifaith , I keepe all close my Lord .

Lass. O , t is well done , call all the Ladies in , Sister and daughter , come , for Gods sake come , Prepare your courtliest carriage for the Duke . Enter Corte , Margarite , and maide . Corte And Neece , in any case remember this , Praise the old man , and when you see him first , Looke me on none but him , smiling and louingly : And then , when he comes neere , make beisance low , With both your hands thus mouing , which not onely Is as t' were courtly , and most comely too , But speakes ( as who should say ) come hither Duke ; And yet saies nothing , but you may denie . Lass.

Well taught sister .

Mar. I , and to much end : I am exceeding fond to humour him . Lass.

Harke , does he come with musicke ? what , and bound ?

An amorous deuice : daughter , obserue .

Enter Enchanter , with spirits singing ; after them ; Medice , like Syluanus , next the Duke bound , Vincentio , Strozza , with other .
Vin. Now le ts gull Medice , I doe not doubt , But this attire put on , will put him out . Stro.

Wee le doe our best to that end , therefore marke .

Ench. Lady , or Princesse , both your choice commands . These spirits and I , all seruants of your beautie , Present this royall captiue to your mercie . Mar.

Captiue to mee a subiect .

Vin. I , faire Nimph ; And how the worthy mystery befell Syluanus heere , this woodden god can tell . Alp.

Now my Lord .

Vin.

Now is the time man , speake .

Med.

Peace .

Alp.

Peace Vincentio .

Vin. Swonds my Lord , Shall I stand by and suffer him to shame you ? My Lord Medice ? Stro.

Will you not speake my Lord ?

Med.

How can I ?

Vin. But you must speake in earnest : Would not your Highnesse haue him speake my Lord ? Med. Yes , and I will speake , and perhaps speake so , As you shall neuer mend : I can I know . Vin.

Doe then my good Lord .

Alp.

Medice , forth .

Med.

Goddesse , faire goddesse , for no lesse , no lesse .

Alp.

No . lesse , no lesse ? no more , no more : speake you .

Med.

Swounds they haue put me out .

Vin. Laugh your faire goddesse , This nobleman disdaines to be your foole . Alp.

Vincentio , peace .

Vin. Swounds my Lord , it is as good a shew : Pray speake Lord Strozza . Stroz.

Honourable dame .

Vin.

Take heede you be not out I pray my Lord .

Stro. I pray forbeare my Lord Vincentio : How this destressed Prince came thus inthralde , I must relate with words of height and wonder : His Grace this morning visiting the woods , And straying farre , to finde game for the Chase , At last , out of a mirtle groue he rowsde A vast and dreadfull Boare , so sterne and fierce , As if the Feend fell Crueltie her selfe Had come to fright the woods in that strange shape . Alp.

Excellent good .

Vin.

Too good a plague on him .

Stro. The princely Sauage being thus on foote , Tearing the earth vp with his thundering hoofe , And with th e'nragde Aetna of his breath . Firing the ayre , and scorching all the woods , Horror held all vs Huntsmen from pursuit , Onely the Duke incenst with our cold feare , Incouragde like a second Hercules . Vin.

Zwounds , too good man .

Stro. Pray thee let me alone : And like the English signe of great Saint George . Vin.

Plague of that Simile .

Stro. Gaue valorous example , and like fire , Hunted the monster close , and chargde so fierce , That he inforc'd him ( as our sence conceiu'd ) To leape for soile into a cristall spring , Where on the suddaine strangely vanishing , Nimph-like for him , out of the waues arose Your sacred figure like Diana armde , And ( as in purpose of the beasts reuenge ) Dischargde an arrow through his Highnesse breast , Whence yet no wound or any blood appearde : With which , the angry shadow left the light : And this Enchanter with his power of spirits , Brake from a caue , scattering enchanted sounds , That strooke vs sencelesse , while in these strange bands , These cruell spirits thus inchainde his armes , And led him captiue to your heauenly eyes , Th' intent whereof on their report relies . En. Bright Nimph , that Boare figur'd your crueltie , Chared by loue , defended by your beautie . This amorous Huntsman heere , we thus inthral'd , As the attendants on your Graces charmes , And brought him hither by your bounteous hands . To be releast , or liue in endlesse bands . Lass. Daughter , release the Duke : alas my Liege . What meant your Highnesse to indure this wrong ? Co.

Enlarge him Neece , come dame , it must be so .

Mar.

What Madam , shall I arrogate so much ?

Lass.

His Highnesse pleasure is to grace you so .

Alp. Performe it then sweete loue , it is a deede Worthy the office of your honor'd hand . Mar. Too worthie I confesse my Lord for me , If it were serious : but it is in sport , And women are fit Actors for such pageants . Alp. Thanks gracious loue ; why made you strange of this ? I rest no lesse your captiue then before , For me vntying , you haue tied me more . Thanks Strozza for your speech , no thanks to you . Med.

No , thanke your sonne my Lord .

Lass. T' was very well , Exceeding well performed on euery part , How say you Bassiolo ? Bass.

Rare I protest my Lord .

Cor. O , my Lord Medice became it rarely , Me thought I likde his manlie being out ; It becomes Noblemen to doe nothing well . Lass. Now then wil 't please your Grace to grace our house , And still vouchsafe our seruice further honour . Al.

Leade vs my Lord , we will your daughter leade .

Exit .
Vin.

You do not leade , but drag her leaden steps .

Stro.

How did you like my speech ?

Vin.

O fie vpon 't , your Rhetoricke was too fine .

Stro. Nothing at all : I hope saint Georges signe was grosse enough : But ( to be serious ) as these warnings passe , Watch you your father , I le watch Medice , That in your loue-suit , we may shun suspect : To which end , with your next occasion , vrge Your loue to name the person she will choose , By whose meanes you may safely write or meete . Vin.

That 's our cheefe businesse : and see , heere she comes .

Enter Margaret in haste .
Mar. My Lord , I onely come to say , y' are welcome , And so must say , farewell . Uin.

One word I pray .

Mar.

What 's that ?

Vin. You needes must presently deuise , What person trusted chiefely with your guard , You thinke is aptest for me to corrupt , In making him a meane for our safe meeting ? Mar. My fathers Vsher , none so fit , If you can worke him well : and so farewell , With thanks my good Lord Strozza for your speech . Exit . Stro.

I thanke you for your patience , mocking Lady .

Vin. O what a fellow haz she pickt vs out ? One that I would haue choosde past all the rest , For his close stockings onely . Stro. And why not ? For the most constant fashion of his hat ? Vin. Nay then , if nothing must be left vnspoke , For his strict forme , thus still to weare his cloke . Stro. Well sir , he is your owne , I make no doubt : For to these outward figures of his minde , He hath two inward swallowing properties Of any gudgeons ; seruile Auarice , And ouerweening thought of his owne worth , Ready to snatch at euery shade of glory : And therefore , till you can directlie boord him , Waft him aloofe with hats , and other fauours , Still as you meete him . Vin. Well , let me alone , He that is one mans slaue , is free from none . Exit . Finis Actus Primi .
ACTVS SECVNDVS SCAENA PRIMA . Enter Medice , Corteza a Page with a cuppe of Sacke , Strozza following close . Med: Come Lady , sit you heere : Page , fill some Sacke , I am to worke vpon this aged Dame , To gleane from her , if there be any cause ( In louing others ) of her Neeces coines To the most gratious loue suite of the Duke : Heere noble Lady , this is healthfull drinke After our supper . Corteza O , t is that my Lorde , That of all drinkes keeps life and soule in me . Med. Heere , fill it Page , for this my worthy loue : O how I could imbrace this good olde widdow . Cort. Now lord , when you do thus , you make me thinke Of my sweete husband ; for he was as like you ; Eene the same words , and fashion : the same eies , Manly , and cholerike , eene as you are iust , And eene as kinde as you for all the world . Med.

O my sweete widdow , thou dost make me prowd .

Cort:

Nay , I am too old for you .

Med: Too old , that 's nothing , Come pledge me wench , for I am drie againe , And strait will charge your widdowhood fresh ifaith : Why that 's well done . Cort:

Now fie on 't , heere 's a draught .

Med: O , it will warme your blood : if you should sip , T would make you heart burnd . Cort: Faith and so they say : Yet I must tell you , since I plide this geere , I haue beene hanted with a horson paine heere , And euery moone almost with a shrewd feuer , And yet I cannot leaue it : for thanke God , I neuer was more sound of winde and limbe . Enter Strozza . A great bumbasted legge . Looke you , I warrant you I haue a leg , Holds out as hansomly . Med. Beshrew my life , But t is a legge indeed , a goodly limbe . Stro.

This is most excellent .

Med. O that your Neece Were of as milde a spirit as your selfe . Cort. Alas Lord Medice , would you haue a girle . As well seene in behauiour as I ? Ah shee s a fond yong thing , and growne so prowde , The wind must blow at west stil , or shee le be angry . Med. Masse so me thinke ; how coy shee s to the duke ? I lay my life she haz some yonger loue . Cort.

Faith like enough .

Med.

Gods me , who should it bee ?

Cort. If it be any ; Page , a little Sacke . If it be any : harke now ; if it be , I know not , by this Sacke , but if it be , Marke what I say , my Lord ; I drinke tee first . Med. Well said good widdow , much good do thy heart , So ; now what if it be ? Cort. Well , if it be ; To come to that I said , for so I said , If it be any , T is the Shrewde yong Prince , For eies can speake , and eies can vnderstand , And I haue markt her eies ; yet by this cup , Which I will onely kisse . Stro. O noble Crone , Now such a huddle and kettle neuer was . Cort. I neuer yet haue seene ; not yet I say , But I will marke her after for your sake . Med. And doe I pray ; for it is passing like ; And there is Strozza , a slie Counsailor To the yong boy : O I would giue a limbe , To haue their knauerie limm'd and painted out . They stand vpon their wits and paper learning : Giue me a fellow with a naturall wit , That can make wit of no wit ; and wade through Great things with nothing , when their wits sticke fast , O they be scuruie Lords . Cort. Faith so they be , Your Lordship still is of my mind in all , And eene so was my husband . Mid. Gods my life , Strozza hath Euesdropt here , and ouer-heard vs . Stro. They haue descried me ; what Lord Medice Courting the lustie widow ? Med. I , and why not ? Perhaps one does as much for you at home . Stro.

What , cholericke man ? and toward wedlocke too ?

Cort.

And if he be my Lord ; he may do woorse .

Stro.

If he be not ; madame he may do better .

Enter Bassiolo with seruants with Rushes , and a Carpet .
Bass. My Lords , and Madame , the Dukes grace intreates you T' attend his new-made Dutchesse for this night , Into his presence . Stro.

We are readie sir .

Exeunt .
Bass. Come strew this roome afresh ; spread here this carpet , Nay quickly man , I pray thee ; this way foole , Lay me it smoothe , and Euen ; looke if he will ; This way a little more : a little there . Hast thou no forecast ? �lood me thinks a man Should not of meere necessitie be an Asse . Looke how he strowes here too : Come sir Giles Goosecap , I must do all my selfe , lay me vm thus : In fine smoothe threaues , looke you sir , thus in threaues . Perhaps some tender Ladie will squat here , And if some standing Rush should chance to pricke her , Shee 'd squeak & spoile the songs that must be sung . Stro. See where he is ; now to him , and prepare Your familiaritie . Enter Vin. and Stroz. Vin. Saue you master Bassiolo , I pray a word sir ; but I feare I let you . Bass.

No my good Lord , no let .

Vin. I thanke you sir . Nay pray be couerd ; O I crie you mercie , You must be bare . Bass.

Euer to you my Lord ,

Vin. Nay , not to me sir , But to the faire right of your worshipfull place . Stro.

A shame of both your worships .

Bass.

What means your Lordship ?

Vin. Onely to doe you right sir , and my selfe ease . And what sir , will there be some shew to night ? Bass. A slender presentation of some musick And some thing else my Lord . Vin. T' is passing good sir , I le not be ouer bold t' aske the particulars . Bass.

Yes , if your Lordship please .

Vin. O no good sir , But I did wonder much ; for as me thought I saw your hands at work . Bass. Or else my Lord Our busines would be but badly done . Vin. How vertuous is a worthy mans example ? Who is this throne for pray ? Bass. For my Lords daughter , Whom the duke makes to represent his dutches . Vin. T' will be exceeding fit ; and all this roome Is passing wel preparde ; a man would sweare , That all presentments in it would be rare . Bass.

Nay , see if thou canst lay vm thus in threaues .

Vin.

In threaues d ee call it ?

Bass.

I my Lord in threaues .

Vin A pretty terme : Well sir I thanke you highly for this kindnesse , And pray you alwayes make as bold with me For kindnesse more then this , if more may bee . Bass.

O my Lord this is nothing .

Vin. Sir , t is much . And now I le leaue you sir ; I know y' are busie . Bass.

Faith sir alittle .

Vin.

I commend me tee Sir .

Exit Vin.
Bass. A courteous prince beleeue it ; I am sory I was no bolder with him ; what a phrase He vsde at parting � I commend me tee . I le h�ate yfaith ; Enter Sarpego halfe drest ? Sarp. Good master Vsher , will you dictate to me , Which is the part precedent of this night-cap , And which posterior ? I do ignorare How I should weare it . Bass. Why sir ; this I take it Is the precedent part ; I , so it is . Sarp.

And is all well sir thinke you ?

Bass.

Passing well .

Enter Pogio , and Fungus .
Pog. Why sir come on ; the Vsher shal be iudge : See master Vsher : this same Fungus here , Your Lords retainer , whom I hope you rule , Would weare this better Ierkin for the Rush-man , When I doe play the Broome-man ; and speake first . Fun.

Why sir , I borrowed it , and I will weare it .

Pog.

What sir , in spite of your Lords gentleman , Vsher :

Fun. No spite sir , but you haue changde twice already , And now woulde ha 't againe . Pog. Why that 's all one sir , Gentillitie must be fantasticall . Bass.

I pray thee Fungus let master Pogio weare it .

Fun.

And what shall I weare then ?

Pog.

Why here is one , that was a Rush-mans Ierkin , and I pray , wer 't not absurd then ; a Broome-man should weare it ?

Fun.

Foe , there 's a reason , I will keepe it sir .

Pog. Will sir ; then do your office maister Vsher , Make him put off his Ierkin ; you may plucke His coate ouer his cares , much more his Ierkin . Bass.

Fungus y 'ad best be rulde .

Fun.

Best sir ! I care not .

Pog. No sir ? I hope you are my Lords retainer . I neede not care a pudding for your Lord : But spare not , keepe it , for perhaps I le play My part as well in this , as you in that , Bass.

Well said , master Pogio ; my Lord shall know it .

Enter Corteza , with the Broom-wench , & Rush-wench in their petticotes , clokes ouer them , with hats ouer their head-tyres .
Cort. Looke master Vsher , are these wags wel drest ? I haue beene so in labour with-vm truly . Bass. Y 'aue had a verie good deliuerance , Ladie : How I did take her at her labour there , I vse to gird these Ladies so sometimes . Enter Lasso , with Syluan and a Nymph , a man Bugge , and a woman .

1 I pray my Lord , must not I weare this haire ?

Lass. I pray thee aske my Vsher ; Come , dispatch , The duke is readie : are you readie there ? 2 See master Vsher ; must he weare this haire ? 1. Bug. Pray master Vsher , where must I come in ? 2 Am not I well for a Bug , master Vsher ? Bass. What stirre is with these boyes here , God forgiue me , If t' were not for the credite on 't , I 'de see Your apish trash attire , ere I 'de indure this . 1 But pray good master Vsher . Bass. Hence ye Brats , You stand vpon your tyre ; but for your action Which you must vse in singing of your songs , Exceeding dexterously and full of life , I hope you le then stand like a sort of blocks , Without due motion of your hands , and heads , And wresting your whole bodies to your words , Looke too 't , y' are best ; and in ; Go ; All go in : Pog.

Come in my masters ; le ts be out anon .

Exeunt. .
Lass.

What , are all furnish well ?

Bass.

All well my Lord .

Lass.

More lights then here , and let lowd musicke sound .

Bass.

Sound Musicke .

Exeunt . Enter Vincentio , Strozzabare , Margaret , Corteza , and Cynanche bearing her traine . After her the duke whispering with Medice , Lasso with Bassiolo , &c.
Alp. Aduaunce your selfe , faire Dutchesse to this Throne , As we haue long since raisde you to our heart , Better decorum neuer was beheld , Then twixt this state and you : And as all eyes Now fixt on your bright Graces thinke it fit , So frame your fauour to continue it . Mar. My Lord ; but to obey your earnest will , And not make serious scruple of a ioy , I scarce durst haue presumde this minuts height . Lass.

Vsher , cause other musicke ; begin your shew .

Bass.

Sound Consort ; warne the Pedant to be readie .

Cor.

Madam , I thinke you 'le see a prettie shew .

Cyn.

I can expect no lesse in such a presence .

Alp. Lo what attention and state beautie breedes , Whose moning silence no shrill herauld needes . Enter Sarpego . Sar. Lords of high degree , And Ladies of low courtesie , I the Pedant here , Whom some call schoolmaistere , Because I can speake best , Approch before the rest . Vin.

A verie good reason .

Sar. But there are others comming , Without maske or mumming : For they are not ashamed , If need be , to be named , Nor will they hide their faces , In any place or places ; For though they seeme to come , Loded with Rush , and Broome : The Broomeman you must know , Is seigneur Pogio , Nephew , as shall appeare , To my Lord Strozza here . Stro. O Lord , I thanke you sir , you grace me much . And to this noble dame , Whome I with finger name . Vin.

A plague of that fooles finger .

Sar. And women will ensue , Which I must tell you true , No women are indeed , But Pages made for need , To fill vp womens places . By vertue of their faces , And other hidden graces . A hall , a hall ; whist , stil , be mum , For now with siluer song they come . Enter Pogio , Fungus , with the song Broome-maid , and Rush-maid . After which , Pogio. Pog. Heroes , and Heroines , of gallant straine , Let not these Broomes , motes in your eies remaine , For in the Moone , there 's one beares with'red bushes : But we ( deare wights ) do beare greene broomes , green rushes , Where of these verdant herbals cleeped Broome , Do pierce and enter euerie Ladies roome , And to proue them high borne , and no base trash , Water with which your phisnomies you wash , Is but a Broome . And more truth to deliuer , Grim Hercules swept a stable with a riuer , The wind that sweepes fowle clowds out of the ayre , And for you Ladies makes the Welken faire , Is but a Broome : and O Dan Titan bright , Most clearkly calld the Scauenger of night , What art thou , but a verie broome of gold ? For all this world not to be cride nor sold ; Philosophy , that passion sweepes from thought , Is the soules Broome , and by all braue wits sought , Now if Philosophers but Broomemen are , Each Broomeman then is a Philosopher . And so we come ( gracing your gratious Graces ) To sweepe Cares cobwebs from your cleanly faces . Alp.

Thanks good master Broomeman ,

Fun. For me Rushman then , To make Rush ruffle in a verse of ten , A Rush which now your heeles doe lie on here . Vin.

Crie mercie sir .

Fun. Was whilome vsed for a pungent speare , In that odde battaile , neuer fought but twice ( As Homer sings ) betwixt the frogs and mice , Rushes make True-loue know ; Rushes make rings , Your Rush maugre the beard of whiter springs : And when with gentle , amorous , laysie lims , Each Lord with his faire Ladie sweetly swims On these coole Rushes ; they may with these bables , Cradles for children make ; children for cradles , And lest some Momus here might now crie push , Saying our pageant is not woorth a Rush , Bundles of Rushes , lo , we bring along , To picke his teeth that bites them with his tongue . Stro.

See , see , that 's Lord Medice .

Vin. Gods me , my Lord , Haz hee pickt you out , picking of your teeth ? Med.

What picke you out of that ?

Stro. Not such stale stuffe As you picke from your teeth . Alp.

Leaue this warre with Rushes ,

Good master pedant ; pray forth with your shew .

Sar. Lo thus farre then ( braue duke ) you see Meere entertainement ; Now our glee Shall march forth in Moralitie : And this queint Dutchesse here shall see The fault of virgine Nicetie , First wooed with Rurall courtesie , disburthen them ; praunce on this ground , And make your exit with your Round . Exeunt Well haue they daunc'd as it is meet , Both with their nimble heades and feet . Now , as our country girls held off , And rudely did their louers scoff ; Our Nymph likewise shall onely glaunce By your faire eies , and looke askaunce Vpon her female friend that wooes her . Who is in plaine field forc'd to loose her . And after them , to conclude all , The p�rlue of our Pastorall . A female bug , and eke her friend , Shall onely come and sing , and end Bugs song . This Lady and Dutchesse we conclude , Faire Virgins must not be too rude : For though the rurall wilde and �ntike , Abusde their loues as they were franuke ; Yet take you in your Iuory clutches , This noble Duke , and be his Dutches . Thus thanking all for their tacete , I void the roome , and cry valete . Exit . Alp.

Generally well , and pleasingly performed .

Mar. Now I resigne this borrowed maiesty , Which sate vnseemely on my worthlesse head , With humble seruice to your Highnesse hands . Alp. Well you became it Lady , and I know All heere could wish it might be euer so . Stro.

Heere 's one saies nay to that .

Vin.

Plague on you , peace .

Lass. Now let it please your Highnesse to accept A homely banquet , to close these rude sports . Alp.

I thanke your Lordship much .

Bass.

Bring lights , make place .

Enter Pogio in his cloke and broome-mans attire .
Pog.

How d ee my Lord ?

Alp.

O master broomeman , you did passing well .

Vin.

A you mad slaue you ! you are a tickling Actor .

Pog. I was not out like my Lord Medice . How did you like me Aunt ? Cyn.

O rarely , rarely .

Stro. O thou hast done a worke of memory , And raisde our house vp higher by a story . Vin.

Friend , how conceit you my young mother heere ?

Cyn.

Fitter for you my Lord , than for your father .

Vin.

No more of that sweete friend , those are bugs words .

Exeunt .
Finis Actus secundi .
ACTVS TERTII SCAENA PRIMA . Medice after the song , whispers alone with his seruant . Med. Thou art my trusty seruant and thou knowst , I haue beene euer bountifull Lord to thee , As still I will be : be thou thankfull then , And doe me now a seruice of import . Ser.

Any my Lord in compasse of my life .

Med. To morrow then the Duke intends to hunt , Where Strozza my despightfull enemie , Will giue attendance busie in the chase , Wherein ( as if by chance , when others shoote At the wilde Boare ) do thou discharge at him , And with an arrow , cleaue his canckerd heart . Ser.

I will not faile my Lord .

Med. Be secret then . And thou to me shalt be the dear'st of men . Exeunt . Enter Vincentio , and Bassiolo . Vin. Now Vanitie and Policie inrich me With some ridiculous fortune on this Vsher . Where 's Master Vsher ? Bass.

Now I come my Lord .

Vin.

Besides , good sir , your shew did shew so well ,

Bass.

Did it in deede my Lord ?

Vin. O sir , beleeue it ; T was the best fashiond and well orderd thing That euer eye beheld : and there withall , The fit attendance by the seruants vsde , The gentle guise in seruing euery guest , In other entertainements ; euery thing About your house so sortfully disposde , That euen as in a turne-spit calld a Iacke , One vice assists another ; the great wheeles Turning but softly , make the lesse to whirre About their businesse ; euery different part Concurring to one commendable end : So , and in such conformance , with rare grace , Were all things orderd in your good lordes house . Bass.

The most fit simile that euer was .

Vin. But shall I tell you plainely my conceit , Touching the man that I thinke causde this order ? Bass.

I good my Lord .

Vin.

You note my simile .

Bass.

Drawne from the turne-spit .

Uin. I see you haue me , Euen as in that queint engine you haue seene , A little man in shreds stand at the winder , And seemes to put all things in act about him , Lifting and pulling with a mightie stirre , Yet addes no force to it , nor nothing does : So , ( though your Lord be a braue Gentleman ) And seemes to do this busines , He does nothing ; Some man about him was the festiuall robe , That made him shew so glorious and diuine . Bass.

I cannot tell my Lord , yet I should know if any such there were .

Vin. Should know quoth you ; I warrant you know : well , some there be Shall haue the fortune to haue such rare men , ( Like braue beasts to their Armes ) support their state , When others of as high a worth and breede , Are made the wastefull food of them they feede : What state hath your Lord made you for your seruice ? Bass. He haz beene my good Lord , for I can spend Some fifteene hundred crownes in lands a yeare , Which I haue gotten since I seru'd him first . Vin.

No more then fifteene hundred crownes a yeare ?

Bass. It is so much as makes me like my Lord , Like a poore Gentleman . Vin. Nay , t is prettie well : But certainely my nature does esteeme Nothing enough for vertue ; and had I The Duke my fathers meanes , all should be spent , To keepe braue men about me : but good sir , Accept this simple iewell at my hands , Till I can worke perswasion of my friendship , With worthier arguments . Bass. No good my Lord , I can by no meanes merite the free bounties You haue bestowed besides . Vin. Nay , be not strange , But doe your selfe right , and be all one man In all your actions , doe not thinke but some Haue extraordinarie spirits like your selfe , And wil not stand in their societie , On birth and riches : but on worth and vertue , With whom there is no nicenesse , nor respect Of others common friendship ; be he poore Or basely borne , so he be rich in soule , And noble in degrees of qualities , He shall be my friend sooner then a King . Bass.

To a most kingly iudgement in your lordship ,

Vin.

Faith sir I know not , but t is my vaine humour .

Bass.

O , t is an honour in a Nobleman .

Vin. Y 'aue some lords now so politike and prowd , They skorne to giue good lookes to worthy men . Bass. O fie vpon vm ; by that light my lord , I am but seruant to a Nobleman , But if I would not skorne such puppet lords , Would I weare breathlesse . Vin. You sir ? so you may , For they will cogge so when they wish to vse men , With , pray be couerd sir , I beseech you sit , Whoe 's there ? waite of Master Vsher to the doore . O , these be godly gudgeons : where 's the deedes ? The perfect Nobleman ? Bass.

O good my Lord .

Vin. Away , away , ere I would flatter so , I would eate rushes like lord Medici . Bass.

Well , wel my Lord , would there were more such Princes .

Vin. Alas , t were pitty sir , they would be gulld Out of their very skinnes . Bass.

Why how are you my lord ?

Uin. Who I , I care not : If I be where I professe plaine loue , T' will be their faults you know . Bass.

O t' were their shames .

Vin. Well , take my iewell , you shall not be strange , I loue not manie words . Bass.

My lord , I thanke you , I am of few words too .

Vin. T is friendlie said , You proue your selfe a friend , and I would haue you Aduance your thoughts , and lay about for state , Worthy your vertues : be the Mineon Of some great King or Duke : there 's Medici , The Minion of my Father : O the Father ! What difference is there ? but I cannot flatter A word to wise men . Bass.

I perceiue your Lordship .

Vin. Your Lordship ? talke you now like a friend ? Is this plaine kindnesse ? Bass.

Is it not my Lord ?

Vin. A palpable flattring figure for men common : A my word I should thinke , if t were another , He meant to gull mee . Bass.

Why t is but your due .

Vin. T is but my due : if you le be still a stranger : But as I wish to choose you for my friend , As I intend when God shall call my father , To doe I can tell what : but let that passe , Thus t is not fit ; let my friend be familiar , Vse not me Lordship , nor yet call me Lord , Nor my whole name Vincentio ; but vince , As they call Iacke or Will , t is now in vse , Twixt men of no equallity or kindnesse . Bass.

I shall be quickely bold enough my Lord .

Vin. Nay , see how still you vse that coy terme , Lord What argues this , but that you shunne my friendship ? Bass.

Nay , pray say not so .

Vin. Who should not say so ? Will you afford me now no name at all ? Bass.

What should I call you ?

Vin. Nay , then t is no matter . But I told you Vince . Bass.

Why then my sweete Vince .

Vin. Whie so then ; and yet still there is a fault , In vsing these kind words , without kinde deedes : Pray thee imbrace me too . Bass.

Why then sweete Vince .

Vin. Why now I thank you , sblood shall friends be strange ? Where there is plainenesse , there is euer truth : And I will still be plaine since I am true : Come let vs lie a little , I am wearie . Bass.

And so am I , I sweare since yesterday .

Vin. You may sir by my faith ; and sirra , hark thee , What lordship wouldst thou wish to haue ifaith , When my old father dies ? Bass.

Who I ? alas .

Vin. O not you , well sir , you shall haue none , You are as coy a peece as your Lords daughter . Bass.

Who , my mistris ?

Vin.

Indeede , is she your Mistris ?

Bass.

I faith sweet Vince , since she was three yeare old .

Vin.

And are not wee too friends ?

Bass.

Who doubts of that ?

Vin.

And are not two friends one ?

Basis.

Euen man and wife .

Vin.

Then what to you she is , to me she should be .

Bass.

Why Vince , thou wouldst not haue her ?

Vin.

O not I : I doe not fancie any thing like you .

Bass.

Nay but I pray thee tell me .

Vi.

You do not meane to marry her your self ?

Bass.

Not I by heauen .

Vin.

Take heede now , do not gull me .

Bass.

No by that candle .

Vin. Then will I be plaine . Thinke you she dotes not too much on my father ? Bass.

O yes , no doubt on 't .

Van.

Nay , I pray you speake .

Bass.

You seely man you , she cannot abide him .

Vin.

Why sweete friend pardon me , alas I knew not .

Bass. But I doe note you are in some things simple , And wrong your selfe too much . Vin. Thanke you good friend , For your playne dealing , I doe meane so well . Bass. But who saw euer summer mixt with winter ? There must be equall yeares where firme loue is . Could we two loue so well so soddainely Were we not some thing equaller in yeares . Than he and shee are ? Vi. I cry ye mercy sir , I know we could not , but yet be not too bitter , Considering loue is fearefull . And sweete friend , I haue a letter t' intreate her kindnesse . Which if you would conuay . Bass.

I , if I would sir ?

Vin.

Why fayth , deare friend , I would not die requitelesse .

Bass. Would you not so sir ? By heauen a little thing would make me boxe you , Which if you would convaie ? why not I pray ? Which ( friend ) thou shalt conuaie . Vin.

Which friend , you shall then .

Bass.

Well friend , and I will then .

Vin.

And vse some kinde perswasiue wordes for me ?

Bass.

The best I sweare that my poore toung can forge .

Vin. I , wel said , poore toung : O t is rich in meekenesle ; You are not knowne to speake well ? You haue wonne Direction of the Earle and all his house , The fauour of his daughter , and all Dames That euer I sawe , come within your sight , With a poore tongue ? A plague a your sweete lippes . Bass. Well , we will doe our best : And faith my Uince , She shall haue an vnweldie and dull soule , If she be nothing moou'd with my poore tongue , Call it no better ; Be it what it will . Vin. Well said ifaith ; Now if I doe not thinke T is possible , besides her bare receipt Of that my Letter , with thy friendly tongue . To get an answere of it , neuer trust me . Bass.

An answer man ? Sbloud make no doubt of that .

Vin. By heauen I thinke so ; now a plague of Nature , That she giues all to some , and none to others . Bass. How I endeare him to me ! Come Vince , rise , Next time I see her , I will giue her this : Which when she sees , shee le thinke it wondrous strange Loue should goe by descent , and make the sonne Follow the father in his amorous steppes . Vin. Shee needes must thinke it strange , that neuer yet saw I durst speake to her , or had scarce hir sight . Bass.

Well Vince , I sweare thou shalt both see and kisse her .

Uin.

Sweares my deere friend ? by what ?

Bass.

Euen by our friendship .

Vin.

O sacred oath ! which , how long will you keepe ?

Bass. While there be bees in Hybla , or white swannes In bright Meander ; while the banks of Po Shall beare braue lillies ; or Italian dames Be called the Bone robes of the world . Vin. T is elegantly said : and when I faile , Let there be found in Hybla hiues no bees ; Let no swannes swimme in bright Meander streame , Nor lillies spring vpon the banks of Po , Nor let one fat Italian dame be found , But leane and brawn-falne ; I , and scarsly sound . Bass.

It is enough , but le ts imbrace with all .

Exit .
Vin.

With all my hart .

Bass.

So , now farewell sweet Vince .

Vin.

Farewell my worthie friend , I thinke I haue him .

Enter Bassiolo .
Bass.

I had forgot the parting phrase he taught me , I commend me t' ee sir .

Exit instant .
Vin. At your wisht seruice sir : O fine friend , he had forgot the phrase : How serious apish soules are in vaine forme : Well , he is mine , and he being trusted most With my deare ioue , may often worke our meeting , And being thus ingagde , dare not reueale . Enter Pogio in haste , Strozza following . Po.

Horse , horse , horse , my lord , horse , your father is going a hunting .

Vit.

My Lord horse ? you asse you d' ee call my Lord horse ?

Stro.

Nay , he speakes huddles still , le ts slit his tongue .

Po.

Nay good vnkle now , sbloud , what captious , marchants you be ; so the Duke tooke me vp euen now : my lord vnckle heere , and my old lord Lasso , by heauen y' are all too witty for me , I am the veriest foole on you all , I le be sworne .

Vin.

Therein thou art worth vs all , for thou knowst thy selfe .

Str.

But your wisedom was in a pretty taking last night ; was it not I pray ?

Pog.

O , for taking my drink a little ? faith my Lord , for that you shall haue the best sport presently with Madam Corteza , that euer was ; I haue made her so drunke , that she does nothing but kisse my Lord Medice .

See shee comes riding the Duke , shee s passing well mounted , beleeue it .

Enter Alphonso , Corteza , Cynanche Bassiolo first , two women attendants , and hunts-men , Lasso .
Alp.

Good wench forbeare .

Cort.

My Lord , you must put forth your selfe among Ladies , I warrant you haue much in you , if you would shew it ; see , a cheeke a twentie ; the bodie of a George , a good legge still ; still a good calfe , and not slabby , nor hanging I warrant you ; a brawne of a thumb here , and t' were a pulld partridge ; Neece Meg , thou shalt haue the sweetest bedfellow on him , that euer call'd Ladie husband ; trie him you shamefac'd bable you , trie him .

Mar.

Good Madame be rulde .

Cort.

What a nice thing it is , my Lord , you must set foorth this g�re , and kisse her ; yfaith you must ; get you together and be naughts awhile , get you together .

Alp.

Now what a merrie harmlesse dame it is !

Cort.

My Lord Medice , you are a right noble man , & wil do a woman right in a wrong matter and neede be ; prav do you giue the duke ensample vpon me ; you come a wooing to me now ; I accept it .

Lass.

What meane you sister ?

Cort.

Pray my Lord away ; consider me as I am , a woman .

Pog.

Lord , how I haue wh�d her ?

Cort.

You come a wooing to me now ; pray thee Duke marke my Lord Medice ; and do you marke me virgin ; Stand you aside , my Lord , all , and you ; giue place ; now my Lord Medice , put case I be strange a little , yet you like a man put me to it . Come kisse me my Lord , be not ashamde .

Med.

Not I Madame , I come not a wooing to you .

Cort.

.

Lass.

Fie sister , y' are too blame ; pray will you goe to your chamber

Cort.

.

Lass.

What 's the matter ?

Cort.

d ee thinke I am drunke ?

Lass.

I thinke so truly .

Cort.

But are you sure I am drunke ?

Lass.

Else I would not thinke so .

Cort.

But , I would be glad to be sure on 't .

Lass.

I assure you then .

Cort.

Why then say nothing ; & I le begone God bwy lord , duke

I le come againe anone .

Exit .
Lass. I hope your Grace will pardon her my liege , For t is most strange ; shee s as discreete a dame As any in these countries , and as sober , But for this onely humour of the cup Alp. T is good my Lord sometimes : Come , to our hunting ; now t is time I thinke . Omn The verie best time of the day , my Lord . Alp. Then my Lord , I will take my leaue till night , Reseruing thanks for all my entertainment , Till I returne ; in meane time , louely dame , Remember the high state you last presented , Vin. & St. haue all this while talked togither a prettie way . And thinke it was not a mere festiuall shew , But an essentiall type of that you are In full consent of all my faculties And harke you good my Lord . Vin. See now , they whisper Some priuate order , ( I dare lay my life ) For a forc'd marriage t'wixt my loue and father , I therefore must make sure : and noble friends , I le leaue you all , when I haue brought you forth , And seene you in the chase ; meane-while obserue In all the time this solemne hunting lasts , My father and his minion Medice , And note , if you can gather any signe , That they haue mist me , and suspect my being , If which fall out , send home my Page before . Stro.

I will not faile my Lord .

Medice whispers with I. Huntsman all this while .
Med.

Now take thy time .

Hunt.

I warrant you my Lord , he shall not scape me .

Alp.

Now my deere Mistresse , till our sports intended end with my absence , I will take my leaue .

Lass.

Bassiolo , attend you on my daughter .

Exeunt
Bass.

I will my Lord .

Vin.

Now will the sport beginne ; I think my loue Will handle him , as well as I haue doone .

Exit .
Cyn.

Madam , I take my leaue , and humblie thanke you .

Mar.

Welcome good madam ; mayds wait on my Lady .

Exit
Bass.

So mistris , this is fit .

Mar.

Fit sir , why so ?

Bass.

Why so ? I haue most fortunate newes for you .

Mar.

For me sir ? I beseech you what are they ?

Bass. Merit and Fortune , for you both agree ; Merit what you haue , and haue what you merit . Mar.

Lord with what Rhetorike you prepare your newes !

Bass. I need not ; for the plaine contents they beare Vttred in any words , deserue their welcome , And yet I hope the words will serue the turne . Ma�.

What , in a letter ?

Bass.

Why not ?

Mar.

Whence is it ?

Bass.

From one that will not shame it with his name . And that is Lord Vincentio .

Mar. King of heauen ! Is the man madde ? Bass.

Mad Madam , why ?

Mar. O heauen , I muse a man of your importance , Will offer to bring me a letter thus ? Bass. Why , why good Mistresse , are you hurt in that ? Your answer may be what you will your selfe . Mar. I , but you should not doe it : Gods my life , You shall answer it . Bass.

Nay , you must answer it .

Mar. I answer it ! are you the man I trusted ? And will betray me to a stranger thus ? Bass.

That 's nothing , dame , all friends were strangers first .

Mar. Now was there euer woman ouerseene so , In a wise mans discretion ? Bass.

Your braine is shallow , come , receiue this letter .

Mar. How dare you say so ? when you know so well How much I am engaged to the duke ? Bass. The duke ? a proper match : a graue olde gentman : Haz beard at will ; and would , in my conceyt , Make a most excellent patterne , for a potter To haue his picture stampt on a Iugge . To keepe ale-knights in memorie of sobrietie . Heere gentle madam , take it . Mar. Take it sir ? Am I common taker of loue letters ? Bass.

Common ? why when receiu'd you one before ?

Mar. Come , t is no matter ; I had thought your care Of my bestowing , would not tempt me thus To one I know not ; but it is because You know I dote so much on your direction . Bass.

On my direction ?

Mar.

No sir , Not on yours .

Bass. Well mistris , if you will take my aduice At any time , then take this letter now . Mar. T is strange , I woonder the coy gentleman , That seeing mee so oft , would neuer speake , Is on the sodaine so far wrapt to write . Bass. It shewd his iudgement , that he would not speake Knowing with what a strict and iealous eie He should be noted ; holde , if you loue yourselfe ; Now will you take this letter ? pray be rulde . Mar. Come , you haue such another plaguie toung , And yet yfayth I will not . Bass. Lord of heauen , What , did it burne your hands ? holde , hold , I pray , And let the words within it fire your heart . Mar. I woonder how the deuill , he found you our To be his spokesman , � O the duke would thanke you , If he knew how you vrgde me for his sonne . Bass. The duke ? I haue fretted her , Euen to the liuer , and had much adoe To make her take it , but I knew t' was sure ; For he that cannot turne and winde a woman Like silke about his finger , is no man , I le make her answer 't too . Mar. O here 's good stuffe . Hold , pray take it for your paines to bring it . Bass. Ladie you erre in my reward a little , Which must be a kind answere to this letter . Mar. Nay then yfaith , t' were best you brought a Priest ; And then your client ; and then keepe the doore . God me I neuer knew so rude a man . Bass.

Wel , you shall answer ; I le fetch pen and paper .

Exit
Mar. Poore Vsher , how wert thou wrought to this brake ? Men worke on one another for we women , Nay each man on himselfe ; and all in one Say ; No man is content that lies alone . Here comes our gulled Squire . Bass.

Here Mistresse , write .

Mar.

What should I write ?

Bass.

An answer to this letter .

Mar. Why sir , I see no cause of answer in it , But if you needs will shew how much you rule me , Sit downe ; and answer it , as you please your selfe , Here is your paper , lay it faire afore you . Bass.

Lady , content , I le be your Secretorie .

Mar. I fit him in this taske ; he thinkes his penne The Shaft of Cupid , in an amorous letter . Bass. Is heere no great worth of your answer say you ? Beleeue it , t is exceedingly well writ . Mar. So much the more vnfit for me to answere , And therefore let your Stile and it contend . Bassi. Well , you shall see I will not be farre short , Although ( indeede ) I cannot write so well When one is by , as when I am alone . Mar.

O , a good Scribe must write , though twenty talke , and he talke to them too .

Bass.

Well , you shall see .

Mar. A proper peece of Scribeship there 's no doubt ; Some words , pickt out of Proclamations , Or great mens Speeches ; or well selling Pamphlets : See how he rubbes his temples ��� I beleeue His Muse lies in the backe - ��� of his braine , Which thicke and grosse , is hard to be brought forward , What ? is it loath to come ? Bass. No , not a whit : Pray hold your peace a little . Mar. He sweates , with bringing on his heauie stile , I le plie him still , till he sweate all his wit out , What man , not yet ? Bass. Swoons , yow le not extort it from a man , How do you like the worde Endeare ? Mar.

O fie vpon 't .

Bass.

Nay , then I see your iudgement : what say you to condole ?

Mar.

Worse and worse .

Bass.

O braue ! I should make a sweete answer , if I should vse no words but of your admittance .

Mar.

Well sir , write what you please .

Bass.

Is modell a good word with you ?

Mar.

Put them togither I pray .

Bass.

So I will I warrant you .

Mar.

See , see , see , now it comes powring downe .

Bass.

I hope you le take no exceptions to beleeue it .

Mar.

Out vpon 't , that phrase is so runne out of breath in trifles , that we shall haue no beleefe at all in earnest shortly . Beleeue it t is a prettie feather ; beleeue it a daintie Rush ; beleeue it an excellent Cocks-combe .

Bass.

So , so , so , your exceptions sort very collaterally .

M�r.

Collaterally ? there 's a fine word now ; wrest in that if you can by any meanes .

Bass.

I thought she would like the very worst of them all , how thinke you ? do not I write , and heare , and talke too now ?

Mar.

By my soule , if you can tell what you write now , you write verie readily .

Bass.

That you shall see straight .

Mar.

But do you not write that you speake now ?

Bass.

O yes , doe you not see how I write it ? I can not write when any bodie is by me , I .

Mar.

Gods my life , stay man ; you le make it too long .

Bass.

Nay , if I can not tell what belongs to the length of a Ladies deuice yfaith .

Mar.

But I will not haue it so long .

Bass.

If I cannot fit you ?

Mar.

O me ; how it comes vpon him ? pre thee be short .

Bass.

Wel , now I haue done , & now I wil reade it ; your Lordships motiue acco�modating my thoughts , with the very model of my hearts mature consideration : it shall not be out of my Element to negotiate with you in this amorous duello ; wherein I will condole with you , that our proiect cannot be fo collaterally made , as our endeared hearts may verie well seeme to insinuate .

Mar.

No more : no more ; fie vpon this .

Bass.

Fie vpon this ? hee s accurst that haz to doe with these vnsound women , of iudgement : if this be not good yfaith .

Mar.

But t is so good , t' will not be thought to come from a womans braine .

Bass.

That 's another matter

Mar.

Come , I will write my selfe .

Bass.

A Gods name Lady : and yet I will not loose this I warrant you ; I know for what Ladie this will serue as fit ; now we shall haue a sweete peece of inditement .

Mar.

How spell you foolish ?

Bass.

F , oo , l , i. sh ; she will presume t' endite that cannot spel :

Mar.

How spell you Vsher ?

Bas.

Sblood , you put not in those words togither , do you ?

Mar.

No , not togither .

Bas.

What is betwixt I pray ?

Mar.

Asse the .

Bas. Asse the ? betwixt foolish , and Vsher , God 's my life , foolish Asse the Vsher ? Mar.

Nay then you are so iealous of your wit : now reade all I haue written I pray .

Bas.

I am not so foolish as the Vsher would make me : O so foolish as the Vsher would make me ? Wherein would I make you foolish ?

Mar.

Why sir , in willing me to beleeue he lou'd me so wel , being so meere a stranger .

Bass.

O , is 't so ? you may say so indeed .

Mar.

Cry mercie sir , and I will write so too , & yet my hand is so vile , Pray thee sit thee downe and write as I bid thee .

Bass.

With all my heart Lady , what shall I write now ?

Mar.

You shall write this sir , I am not so foolish to thinke you loue me , being so meere a stranger .

Bass.

So meere a stranger !

Mar.

And yet I know , loue works strangely .

Bass.

Loue workes strangely .

Mar.

And therefore take heed , by whom you speake for loue .

Bass.

Speake for loue .

Mar.

For he may speake for himselfe .

Bass.

May speake for himselfe .

Mar.

Not that I desire it ,

Bass

Desire it .

Mar.

But if he do ; you may speede , I confesse .

Basse.

Speede I confesse .

Mar.

But let that passe , I do not loue to discourage any bodie .

Bass.

Discourage any bodie .

Mar.

Do you or he �icke out what you can ; & so farewell .

Bass.

And so fare well . Is this all ?

Mar.

I , and he may thanke your Syrens tongue that it is so much .

Bass.

A proper Letter if you marke it .

Mar.

Well sir , though it be not so proper as the writer ; yet t is as proper as the inditer ; Euerie woman cannot be a gentleman Vsher ; they that cannot go before , must come behind .

Bass.

Well Ladie , this I will carrie instantly , I commend me tee Ladie .

Exit .
Mar. Pittifull Vsher , what a prettie sleight , Goes to the working vp of euerie thing ? What sweet varietie serues a womans wit ? We make men sue to vs for that we wish . Poore men ; hold out a while ; and do not sue , And spite of Custome we will sue to you . Exit . Finis Actus tertij .
ACTVS QVARTI , SCAENA PRIMA . Enter Pogio running in and knocking at Cynanches doore . Pog.

O God , how wearie I am ? Aunt , Madam . Cynanche , Aunt ?

Cyn.

How now ?

Pog.

O God , Aunt : O God Aunt : O God .

Cyn.

What bad newes brings this man ? where is my Lord ?

Pog.

O Aunt , my Vnkle , hee s shot .

Cyn. Shot , ay me ! How is he shot ? Pog. Why with a forked shaft As he was hunting , full in his left side . Cyn.

O me accurst , where is hee ? bring me , where ?

Pog. Comming with Doctor Beniuemus , I le leaue you , and goe tell my Lord Vincentio . Exit . Enter Beniuemus with others , bringing in Strozza with an arrow in his side . Cyn. See the sad sight , I dare not yeeld to griefe , But force faind patience to recomfort him : My Lord , what chance is this ? how fares your lordship ? Stro.

Wounded , and faint with anguish , let me rest .

Ben.

A chaire .

Cyn.

O Doctor , i st a deadly hurt ?

Ben.

I hope not Madam , though not free from danger .

Cyn.

Why plucke you not the arrow from his side ?

Ben. We cannot Lady , the forckt head so fast Stickes in the bottome of his sollide ribbe . Stro.

No meane then Doctor rests there to educe it ?

Ben. This onely , my good Lord , to giue your wound A greater orifice , and in sunder break The pierced ribbe ; which being so neere the midriffe , And opening to the region of the heart , Will be exceeding dangerous to your life . Stro. I will not see my bosome mangled so , Nor sternely be anatomizde aliue , I le rather perish with it sticking still . Cyn.

O no ; sweete doctor thinke vpon some help .

Ben. I tolde you all that can be thought in Arte , Which since your Lordship will not yeelde to vse , Our last hope rests in Natures secret aide , Whose power at length may happily expell it . Stro. Must we attend at deaths abhorred doore , The torturing delaies of slauish Nature ? My life is in mine owne powers to dissolue : And why not then the paines that plague my life ? Rise furies , and this furie of my bane , Assaile and conquer ; what men madnesse calle ( That hath no eye to sense , but frees the foule , Exempt of hope , and feare with instant fate ) Is manliest reason ; manliest reason then , Resolue and rid me of this brutish life , Hasten the cowardly protracted cure Of all diseases : King of Phisitians , death , I le dig thee from this Mine of miserie . Cyn. O hold my Lord , this is no christian part , Nor yet skarce manly , when your mankinde foe , Imperious death shall make your grones his trumpets To summon resignation of lifes Fort , To flie without resistance ; you must force A countermine of Fortitude , more deepe Than this poore Mine of paines , to blow him vp , And spight of him liue victor , though subdu'd : Patience in torment , is a valure more Than euer crownd Th' Alcmenean Conquerour . Stro.

Rage is the vent of torment , let me rise .

Cyn. Men doe but crie , that rage in miseries , And scarcely beaten children , become cries : Paines are like womens clamors , which the lesse They find mens patience stirred , the more they cease . Of this t is said , afflictions bring to God , Because they make vs like him , drinking vp Ioyes that deforme vs with the lusts of sense , And turne our generall being into soule , Whose actions simply formed and applied , Draw all our bodies frailties from respect . Stro. Away with this vnmedcinable balme Of worded breath ; for beare friends , let me rest , I sweare I will be bands vnto my selfe . Ben.

That will become your lordship best indeed .

Stro. I le breake away , and leape into the Sea . Or from some Turret cast me hedlong downe , To shiuer this fraile carkasse into dust . Cyn. O my deare Lord , what vnlike words are these , To the late fruits of your religious Noblesse ? Stro.

Leaue me fond woman .

Cyn. I le be hewne from hence Before I leaue you ; helpe me gentle Doctor . Ben.

Haue patience good my Lord .

Stro. Then leade me in , Cut off the timber of this cursed Shaft , And let the fork'd pile canker to my heart . Cyn.

Deare Lord , resolue on humble sufferance .

Str.

I will not heare thee , woman , be content .

Cyn. O neuer shall my counsailes cease to knocke At thy impatient eares , till they flie in And salue with Christian patience , Pagan sinne . Exeunt . Enter Vincentio with a letter in his hand , Bassiolo . Bass. This is her letter sir , you now shall see How seely a thing t is in respect of mine , And what a simple woman she haz prou'd , To refuse mine for hers ; I pray looke heere . Vin. Soft sir , I know not , I being her sworn seruant , If I may put vp these disgracefull words , Giuen of my Mistris , without touch of honour . Bas. Disgracefull words ; I protest I speake not To disgrace her , but to grace my selfe . Vin. Nay then sir , if it be to grace your selfe , I am content ; but otherwise you know , I was to take exceptions to a King . Bas.

Nay , y' are i th right for that ; but reade I pray , if there be not more choice words in that letter , than in any three of Gueuaras golden epistles , I am a very asse . How thinke you Vince ?

Vin.

By heauen no lesse sir , it is the best thing ;

he rends it ,

Gods what a beast am I .

Bas. Is is no matter , I can set it together againe . Vin.

Pardon me sir , I protest I was rauisht : but was it possible she should preferre hers before this ?

Bass.

O sir , she cride fie vpon this .

Vin.

Well , I must say nothing , loue is blind you know , and can finde no fault in his beloued .

Bass.

Nay , that 's most certaine .

Vin.

Gee 't me : I le haue this letter .

Bass.

No good Vince , t is not worth it .

Vin.

I le ha 't ifaith , heere 's enough in it to serue for my letters as long as I liue ; I le keepe it to breede on as t were :

But I much wonder you could make her write .

Bass.

Indeede there were some words belongd to that .

Vin. How strong an influence works in well plac'd words , And yet there must be a prepared loue , To giue those words so mighty a command , Or t were impossible they should moue so much : And will you tell me true ? Bass.

In any thing .

Vin.

Does not this Lady loue you ?

Bass.

Loue me ? why yes ; I thinke she does not hate me .

Vin.

Nay but ifaith , does she not loue you dearely ?

Bass.

No I protest .

Vin.

Nor haue you neuer kist her ?

Bass.

Kist her , that 's nothing .

Vin. But you know my meaning : Haue you not beene , as one would say , afore me ? Bass.

Not I , I sweare .

Vin.

O , y' are too true to tell .

Bass. Nay be my troth , she haz , I must confesse , Vsde me with good respect , and nobly still , But for such matters . Vin. Verie little more , Would make him take her maidenhead vpon him : Well friend , I rest yet in a little doubt , This was not hers . Bass. T' was by that light that shines , And I le goe fetch her to you to confirme it . Vin.

O passing friend .

Bass. But when she comes , in any case be bold , And come vpon her with some pleasing thing , To shew y' are pleasde : how euer she behaues her , As for example ; if she turne her backe , Vse you that action you would doe before , And court her thus ; Lady , your backe part is as faire to me , as is your fore part . Vin.

T' will be most pleasing .

Bass. I , for if you loue One part aboue another , t is a signe You like not all alike , and the worst part About your Mistris , you must thinke as faire , As sweete , and daintie , as the very best , So much , for so much , and considering too , Each seuerall limbe and member in his kinde . Vin.

As a man should .

Bass.

True , will you thinke of this ?

Uin.

I hope I shall .

Bass. But if she chance to laugh , You must not lose your countenance , but deuise Some speech to shew you pleasde , euen being laugh'd at . Vin.

I , but what speech ?

Bass. Gods pretious man ! do something of your selfe ? But I le deuise a speech . he studies . Vin.

Inspire him folly .

Bass. Or t is no matter , be but bold enough , And laugh when she laughs , and it is enough : I le fetch her to you . Exit . Vin. Now was there euer such a demilance , To beare a man so cleare through thicke and thinne ? Enter Bassiolo . Bass. Or harke you sir , if she should steale a laughter Vnder her fanne , thus you may say , sweete Lady , If you will laugh and lie downe , I am pleasde . Vin.

And so I were by heauen ; how know you that ?

Bass.

Slid man , I le hit your very thoughts in these things .

Vin.

Fetch her sweete friend , I le hit your words I warrant ,

Bass. Be bold then Vince , and presse her to it hard , A shamefac'd man , is of all women barr'd . Exit . Vin. How easly worthlesse men take worth vpon them , And being ouer credulous of their owne worths , Doe vnderprize as much the worth of others . The foole is rich , and absurd riches thinks All merit is rung out , where his purse chinks . Enter Bassiolo and Margaret . Bas. My Lord , with much intreaty heere 's my Lady . Nay Maddam , looke not backe : why Vince I say ? Mar.

Vince ? O monstrous ieast !

Bas.

To her for shame .

Vin. Lady , your backe part is as sweete to me As all your fore part . Bas. He miss'd alittle : he said her back part was sweet , when He should haue said faire ; but see , she laughs most fitly , To bring in the tother : Vince , to her againe , she laughs . Vin. Laugh you faire Dame ? If you will laugh and lie downe , I am pleasde . Mar.

What villanous stuffe is heere ?

Bas. Sweete Mistris , of meere grace imbolden now The kind young Prince heere , it is onely loue Vpon my protestation , that thus daunts His most Heroicke spirit : so a while I le leaue you close together ; Vince , I say � Exit . Mar.

O horrible hearing , does he call you Vince ?

Vin. O I , what else ? and I made him imbrace me , Knitting a most familiar league of friendship . Mar.

But wherefore did you court me so absurdly ?

Vin.

Gods me , he taught me , I spake out of him .

Mar. O fie vpon 't , could you for pitty make him Such a poore creature ? t was abuse enough To make him take on him such sawcie friendship ; And yet his place is great ; for hee s not onely My fathers Vsher , but the worlds beside , Because he goes before it all in folly . Vin. Well , in these homely wiles , must our loues maske , Since power denies him his apparant right , Mar. But is there no meane to dissolue that power , And to preuent all further wrong to vs , Which it may worke , by forcing Mariage rites , Betwixt me and the Duke ? Vin. No meane but one , And that is closely to be maried first , Which I perceiue not how we can performe : For at my fathers comming backe from hunting , I feare your father and himselfe resolue , To barre my interest with his present nuptialls . Mar. That shall they neuer doe ; may not we now Our contract make , and marie before heauen ? Are not the lawes of God and Nature , more Than formall lawes of men ? are outward rites , More vertuous then the very substance is Of holy nuptialls solemnizde within ? Or shall lawes made to curbe the common world , That would not be contain'd in forme without them , Hurt them that Are a law vnto themselues ? My princely loue , t is not a Priest shall let vs : But since th' eternall acts of our pure soules , Knit vs with God , the soule of all the world , He shall be Priest to vs ; and with such rites As we can heere deuise , we will expresse , And strongely ratifie our hearts true vowes , Which no externall violence shall dissolue . Vin. This is our onely meane t' enioy each other : And , my deare life , I will deuise a forme To execute the substance of our mindes , In honor'd nuptialls . First then hide your face With this your spotlesse white and virgin vaile : Now this my skarfe I le knit about your arme , As you shall knit this other end on mine , And as I knit it , heere I vow by Heauen , By the most sweete imaginarie ioyes , Of vntride nuptialls ; by loues vshering fire , Fore-melting beautie , and loues flame it selfe . As this is soft and pliant to your arme In a circumferent flexure , so will I Be tender of your welfare and your will , As of mine owne , as of my life and soule , In all things , and for euer ; onelie you Shall haue this care in fulnesse , onely you Of all dames shall be mine , and onely you I le court , commend and ioy in , till I die . Mar. With like conceit only our arme this I tie , And heere in sight of heauen , by it I sweare , By my loue to you , which commands my life , By the deare price of such a constant husband , As you haue vowed to be : and by the ioy I shall imbrace by all meanes to requite you : I le be as apt to gouerne as this silke , As priuate as my face is to this vaile , And as farre from offence , as this from blacknesse . I will be courted of no man but you , In , and for you shall be my ioyes and woes : If you be sicke , I will be sicke , though well : If you be well , I will be well , though sicke : Your selfe alone my compleat world shall be , Euen from this houre , to all eternity . Vin.

It is inough , and binds as much as marriage .

Enter Bassiolo .
Bass. I le see in what plight my poore louer stands , Gods me ! a beckons me to haue me gone , It seemes hee s entred into some good vaine : I le hence , loue cureth when he vents his paine . Exit . Vin. Now my sweet life , we both remember well What we haue vow'd shall all be kept entire Maugre our fathers wraths , danger and death : And to confirme this , shall we spend our breath ? Be well aduisde , for yet your choice shall be In all things as before , as large and free . Mar.

What I haue vow'd , I le keepe euen past my death .

Vin. And I : and now in token I dissolue Your virgin state , I take this snowie vaile , From your much fairer face , and claime the dues Of sacred nuptialls : and now fairest heauen , As thou art infinitely raisde from earth , Diffrent and opposite , so blesse this match , As farre remou'd from Customes popular sects , And as vnstaind with her abhorr'd respects . Enter Bassiolo . Bass. Mistris , away , Pogio runnes vp and downe , Calling for Lord Vincentio ; come away , For hitherward he bends his clamorous haste . Mar.

Remember loue .

Exit Mar. and Bassiolo .
Vin. Or else forget me heauen . Why am I sought for by this Pogio ? The Asse is great with child of some ill newes , His mouth is neuer fill'd with other sound . Enter Pogio. Pog.

Where is my Lord Vincentio , where is my Lord ?

Vin.

Here he is Asse , what an exclaiming keep'st thou ?

Pog.

Slood , my Lord , I haue followed you vp and downe like a Tantalus pig , till I haue worne out my hose here abouts , I le be sworne , and yet you call me Asse still ; But I can tell you passing ill newes my Lord .

Uin.

I know that well sir , thou neuer bringst other ; what 's your newes now , I pray �

Pog.

O Lord , my Lord vncle is shot in the side with an arrow .

Vin.

Plagues take thy tongue , is he in any danger ?

Pog. O danger ; I , he haz lien speechlesse this two houres , And talkes so idlely . Vin.

Accursed newes , where is he , bring me to him .

Pog.

Yes , do you lead , and I le guide you to him .

Exeunt . Enter Strozza ; brought in a Chaire , Cynanche , Benenemus , with others .
Cyn.

How fares it now with my deare Lord and husband ?

Stro. Come neere me wife , I fare the better farre For the sweete foode of thy diuine aduice , Let no man value at a little price . A vertuous womans counsaile , her wing'd spirit , Is featherd herd oftentimes with heauenly words ; And ( like her beautie ) rauishing , and pure . The weaker bodie , still the stronger soule , When good endeuours do her powers applie , Her loue drawes neerest mans felicitie , O what a treasure is a vertuous wife , Discreet and louing , Not one gift on earth , Makes a mans life so highly bound to heauen ; She giues him double forces , to endure And to enioy ; by being one with him , Feeling his Ioies and Griefes with equall sence ; And like the twins Hypocrates reports : If he fetch sighes , she drawes her breath as short : If he lament , she melts her selfe in teares : If he be glad , she triumphs ; if he stirre , She moou's his way ; in all things his sweete Ape : And is in alterations passing strange . Himselfe diuinely varied without change : Gold is right pretious ; but his price infects With pride and auarice ; Aucthority lifts Hats from mens heades ; and bowes the strongest knees , Yet cannot bend in rule the weakest hearts ; Musicke delights but one sence ; Nor choice meats One quickly fades , the other stirre to sinne ; But a true wife , both sence and soule delights , And mixeth not her good with any ill ; Her vertues ( ruling hearts ) all powres command ; All Store without her , leaues a man but poore ; And with her , Pouertie is exceeding Store ; No time is tedious with her , her true woorth Makes a true husband thinke , his armes enfold ; ( With her alone ) a compleate worlde of gold . Cyn. I wish ( deare loue ) I coulde deserue as much , As your most kinde conceipt hath well exprest : But when my best is done , I see you wounded ; And neither can recure nor ease your pains . Stro. Cynanche , thy aduise hath made me well ; My free submission to the hand of heauen Makes it redeeme me from the rage of paine . For though I know the malice of my wound Shootes still the same distemper through my vaines , Yet the Iudiciall patience I embrace , ( In which my minde spreads her impassiue powres Through all my suffring parts ; ) expels their frailetie ; And rendering vp their whole life to my soule , Leaues me nought else but soule ; and so like her , Free from the passions of my fuming blood . Cyn. Would God you were so ; and that too much payne . Were not the reason , you felt sence of none . Stro. Thinkst thou me mad Cynanche ? for mad men , By paynes vngouernd , haue no sence of payne . But I , I tell you am quite contrary , Easde with well gouerning my submitted payne . Be cheerd then wife ; and looke not for , in mee , The manners of a common wounded man . Humilitie hath raisde me to the starres ; In which ( as in a sort of Cristall Globes ) I sit and see things hidde from humane sight . I , euen the very accidents to come Are present with my knowledge ; the seuenth day The arrow head will fall out of my side . The seauenth day wife , the forked head will out . Cyn.

Would God it would my Lord , and leaue you wel

Stro. Yes , the seuenth day , I am assurd it will : And I shall liue , I know it ; I thanke heauen , I knowe it well ; and I le teach my phisition , To build his cares heereafter vpon heauen More then on earthly medcines ; for I knowe Many things showne me from the op'ned skies , That passe all arts . Now my phisition Is comming to me , he makes friendly haste ; And I will well requite his care of mee . Cyn.

How knowe you he is comming ?

Stro.

Passing well ; and that my deare friend lord Vincentio Will presently come see me too ; I le stay ( My good phisition ) till my true friend come .

Cyn. Ay me , his talke is idle ; and I feare , Foretells his reasonable Soule now leaues him . Stro.

Bring my Physition in , hee 's at the doore .

Cyn.

Alas , there 's no Physition .

Stro. But I know it ; See , he is come . Enter Benouemius . Ben.

How fares my worthy Lord ?

Stro. Good Doctor , I endure no paine at all , And the seauenth day , the arrowes head will out . Ben.

Why should it fall out the seuenth day my Lord ?

Stro.

I know it ; the seuenth day it will not faile .

Ben.

I wish it may , my Lord .

S�ro. Yes , t' will be so , You come with purpose to take present leaue , But you shall stay a while ; my Lord Vincentio Would see you faine and now is comming hither : Ben.

How knowes your Lordship ? haue you sent for him ?

Stro. No but t' is very true ; hee 's now hard by , And will not hinder your affaires a whit . Ben. How want of rest distempers his light braine ? Brings my Lord any traine ? Stro. None but himselfe . My nephew Pogio now hath left his Grace . Good Doctor go , and bring him by his hand , ( Which he will giue you ) to my longing eyes , Ben.

T is strange , if this be true .

Exit .
Cyn. The Prince I thinke , Yet knowes not of your hurt . Enter Vincentio holding the Doctors hand . Stro. Yes wife , too well , See he is come ; welcome my princely friend : I haue beene shot my Lord ; but the seventh day The arrowes head will fall out of my side , And I shall hue . Vin. I doe not feare your life , But , Doctor , is it your opinion , That the seuenth day the arrow head will out ? Stro. No , t' is not his opinion , t' is my knowledge : For I doe know it well ; and I do wish Euen for your onely sake , my noble Lord , This were the seuenth day ; and I now were well , That I might be some strength to your hard state , For you haue many perils to endure : Great is your danger ; great ; vour vniust ill Is passing foule and mortall ; would to God My wound were something well , I might be with you , Nay do not whisper , I know what I say , Too well for you , my Lord ; I wonder heauen Will let such violence threat an innocent life . Vin. What ere it be , deare friend , so you be well , I will endure it all ; your wounded state Is all the daunger I feare towards me . Stro. Nay , mine is nothing ; For the seuenth day This arrow head will out , and I shall liue , And so shall you , I thinke ; but verie hardly . It will be hardly , you will scape indeed . Vin. Be as will be ; pray heauen your prophecie Be happily accomplished in your selfe , And nothing then can come amisse to me . Stro.

What sayes my Doctor ? thinks he I say true ?

Ben. If your good Lordship could but rest a while , I would hope well . Stro. Yes , I shall rest I know , If that will helpe your indgement . Ben. Yes , it will , And good my Lord , le ts helpe you in to trie . Stro.

You please me much , I shall sleepe instantly .

Exeunt , Enter Alphonso , and Medice .
Alp. Why should the humorous boy forsake the chace ? As if he tooke aduantage of my absence , To some act that my presence would offend . Med. I warrant you my Lord , t' is to that end : And I beleeue he wrongs you in your loue . Children presuming on their parents kindnesse , Care not what vnkind actions they commit Against their quiet : And were I as you , I would affright my sonne from these bold parts , And father him as I found his deserts . Alp. I sweare I will : and can I proue he aymes At any interruption in my loue , I le interrupt his life . Med. We soone shall see , For I haue made Madam Corteza search With pick-locks , all the Ladies Cabynets About Earle Lassos house ; and if there be Traffique of loue , twixt any one of them , And your suspected sonne ; t' will soone appeare , In some signe of their amorous marchandise ; See where she comes , loded with Iems & papers . Enter . Cort. Cor. See here , my Lord , I haue rob'd all their Caskets , Know you this Ring ? this Carquanet ? this Chaine ? Will any of these letters serue your turne ? Alp. I know not these things ; but come : let me reade some of these letters . Madam , in this deed You deserue highly of my Lord the Duke . Cor. Nay my Lord Medice , I thinke I told you I could do prettie well in these affaires : O these yong Girles engrosse vp all the loue From vs , ( poore Beldams ; ) but I hold my hand , I le ferret all the Cunni-holes of their kindnesse Ere I haue done with them . Alp. Passion of death ! See , see , Lord Medice , my trait'rous sonne , Hath long ioyde in the fauours of my loue : Woe to the wombe that bore him : and my care To bring him vp to this accursed houre , In which all cares possesse my wretched life . Med. What father , would beleeue he had a sonne So full of trecherie to his innocent state ? And yet my Lord , this letter shewes no meeting , But a desire to meete . Cort. Yes , yes , my Lord , I doe suspect they meete ; and I beleeue I know well where too ; I beleeue I doe ; And therefore tell me ; does no creature know , That you haue left the chase thus suddenly ? And are come hither ? haue you not beene seene By any of these Louers ? Alp.

Not by any .

Cor. Come then , come follow me ; I am perswaded I shall go neare to shew you their kind hands . Their confidence , that you are still a hunting , Will make your amorous sonne that stole from thence , Bold in his loue-sports ; Come , come , a fresh chace , I hold this pickelocke , you shall hunt at view . What , do they thinke to seape ? An old wiues eye Is a blew Cristall full of sorcerie . Alp.

If this be true , the traitrous boy shall die .

Exeunt . Enter Lasso , Margaret , Bassiolo going before .
Lass. Tell me I pray you , what strange hopes they are That feed your coy conceits against the Duke , And are prefer'd before th' assured greatnes His highness graciously would make your fortunes ? Mar. I haue small hopes , my Lord ; but a desire To make my nuptiall choice of one I loue , And as I would be loath t' impaire my state ; So I , affect not honours that exceed it . Lass. O you are verie temp'rate in your choice , Pleading a iudgement past your sexe , and yeares . But I beleeue some fancie ' will be found , The forge of these gay Gloses : if it be , I shall descipher what close traitor t is That is your Agent in your secret plots . Bass.

Swoones .

Lass. And him for whom you plot ; and on you all I will reuenge thy disobedieuce , With such seuere correction , as shall fright All such deluders from the like attempts : But chiefly he shall smart that is your factor . Bass.

O me , accurst !

Lass. Meane time I le cut Your poore craft short yfaith . Mar. Poore craft indeede , That I , or any others vse , forme . Lass. Well Dame , if it be nothing but the iarre Of your vnfiued fancie ; that procures Your wilfull coynesse to my Lord the Duke , No doubt but Time , and Iudgement will conforme it To such obedience , as so great desert Proposde to your acceptance doth require . To which end doe you counsaile her Bassiolo . And let me see Maid gainst the Duks returne , Another tincture set vpon your lookes Then heretofore ; For be assur'd at last Thou shalt consent , or else incurre my curse : Aduise her , you Bassiolo . Exit . Bass. I , my good Lord ; Gods pittie , what an errant Asse was I , To entertaine the Princes craftie friendship ? Slood , I halfe suspect , the villaine guld me ; Mar.

Our Squire I thinke is staru'd .

Bass. Nay Ladie it is true , And you must frame your fancie to the Duke , For I protest I will not be corrupted , For all the friends and fortunes in the world , To gull my Lord that trusts me . Mar. O sir , now , Y' are true too late . Bass. No Ladie , not a whit , Slood , and you thinke to make an Asse of me , May chance to rise betimes ; I know 't , I know . Mar. Out seruile coward , shall a light suspect , That hath no slendrest proofe of what we do , Infringe the weightie faith that thou hast sworne , To thy deare friend the Prince that dotes on thee ; And will in peeces cut thee for thy falshood ; Bass. I care not ; I le not hazard my estate , For any Prince on earth : and I le disclose The complot to your father , if you yeeld not To his obedience . Mar. Doe if thou dar'st , Euen for thy scrapt vp liuing , and thy life , I le tell my father then , how thou didst wooe me To loue the yong Prince ; and didst force me too , To take his Letters ; I was well enclin'd , I will be sworne . before , to loue the Duke , But thy vile railing at him , made me hate him . Bass.

I raile at him ?

Mar. I marie did you sir , And said he was a patterne for a Potter , Fit t' haue his picture stampt on a stone Iugge , To keepe Ale-knights in memorie of Sobriety . Bass.

Sh 'as a plaguie memory .

Mar. I could haue lou'd him else ; nay , I did loue him , Though I dissembled it , to bring him on , And I by this time might haue beene a Dutchesse : And now I thinke on 't better : for reuenge , I le haue the Duke , and he shall haue thy head , For thy false wit within it , to his loue . Now goe and tell my Father , pray be gone . Bass.

Why and I will goe .

Mar.

Goe , for Gods sake goe , are you heere yet ?

Bass.

Well , now I am resolu'd .

Ma. T is brauely done , farewell : but do you heare sir ? Take this with you besides ; the young Prince keepes A certaine letter you had writ for me , ( Endearing , and Condoling , and Mature ) And if you should denie things , that I hope Will stop your impudent mouth : but goe your waies , If you can answer all this , why t is well . Bass. Well Lady , if you will assure me heere , You will refraine to meete with the young Prince , I will say nothing . Mar. Good sir , say your worst , For I will meete him , and that presently . Bass. Then be content I pray , and leaue me out , And meete heereafter as you can your selues . Mar. No , no sir , no , t is you must fetch him to me , And you shal fetch him , or I le do your arrand . Bas. Swounds what a spight is this , I will resolue T' endure the worst ; t is but my foolish feare , The plot will be discouerd : O the gods ! T is the best sport to play with these young dames ; I haue dissembl'd , Mistris , all this while Haue I not made you in a pretty taking ? Mar. O t is most good ; thus you may play on me ; You cannot be content to make me loue A man I hated till you spake for him , With such enchanting speeches , as no friend Could possibly resist : but you must vse Your villanous wit , to driue me from my wits : A plague of that bewitching tongue of yours ; Wou'd I had neuer heard your scuruie words . Ba. Pardon deare Dame , I le make amends ifaith , Thinke you that I le play false with my deare Vincentio I swore that sooner Hybla should want bees , And Italy bone robes , then I ; faith And so they shall . Come , you shall meete , and double meete , in spight Of all your foes , and Dukes that dare maintaine them , A plague of all old doters , I disdaine them : Exeunt . Mar.

Said like a friend ; O let me combe the cokscombe .

Fiuis Actus Quarti .
ACTVS QVINTI SCAENA PRIMA . Enter Alphonso , Medice , Lasso , Cortezza aboue . Cor. Heere is the place will doe the deede ifaith ; This Duke will shew thee how youth puts downe age , I and perhaps how youth does put downe youth . Alp. If I shall see my loue in any sort Preuented , or abusde , th' abuser dies . Lass. I hope there is no such intent my Liege , For sad as death should I be to behold it . Med. You must not be too confident my Lord , Or in your daughter or in them that guard her . The Prince is politike , and enuies his Father : And though not for himselfe , nor any good Intended to your daughter , yet because He knowes t' would kill his father , he would seeke her . Cor.

Whist whist whist , they come .

Enter Bassiolo , Vincentio , and Margaret .
Bass. Come , meete me boldly , come , And let them come from hunting when they dare . Vin.

Haz the best spirit .

Bass. Spirit ? what a plague , Shall a man feare Capriches ? you forsooth Must haue your loue come t' ee , and when he comes , Then you grow shamefac'd , and he must not touch you : But fie , my Father comes , and foe , my Aunt , O t' is a wittie hearing , i st not thinke you ? Vin.

Nay , pray thee doe not mocke her gentle friend .

Bass. Nay , you are euen as wise a wooer too , If she turne from you you euen let her turne , And say ; you doe not loue to force a Lady . T' is too much rudenesse ; gosh hat , what 's a Lady ? Must she not be touch'd ? what . is she copper thinke you ? And will not bide the touch stone ? kisse her Vince , And thou doost loue me , kisse her . Vin. Lady , now I were too simple if I should not offer . Mar.

O God sir , pray away , this man talks idlely .

Bass. How shay by that ; now by that candle there , Were I as Vince is , I would handle you In ruftie tuftie wise , in your right kinde . Mar.

O , you haue made him a sweete beagle , ha'y not ?

Vin. T' is the most true beleeuer in himselfe : Of all that sect of follie faith 's his fault . Bass. So to her Vince , I giue thee leaue my lad , Sweete were the words my mistris spake , when teares fell from He lies down her eyes . by them . Thus , as the Lyon lies before his den , Guarding his whelps , and streakes his carelesse limbs , And when the Panther , Foxe , or Wolfe comes neere He neuer daines to rise , to fright them hence , But onely puts forth one of his sterne pawes , And keepes his deare whelps safe , as in a hutch , So I present his person , and keepe mine . Foxes , goe by I put my terror forth , Cant , Let all the world say what they can , Her bargaine best she makes , That hath the wit to choose a man , To pay for that he takes . Belle Piu . &c. iterum cant . Dispatch sweete whelps the bug , the Duke comes strait : O t is a graue old louer that same Duke , And chooses Minions rarely , if you marke him . The noble Medice , that man , that Bobbadilla , That foolish knaue , that hose and dublet stinckard . Med.

Swounds my Lord , rise , le ts indure no more .

Alp. A little , pray my Lord , for I beleeue We shall discouer very notable knavery . Lass.

Alas how I am greeu'd and sham'd in this .

Cor.

Neuer care you Lord brother , there 's no harme done .

Bass. But that sweet Creature , my good Lords sister , Madam Cortezza , she , the noblest Dame That euer any veine of honour bled ; There were a wise now , for my Lord the Duke Had he the grace to choose her , but in deede , To speake her true praise , I must vse some study . Cor. Now truly brother , I did euer thinke This man the honestest man that ere you kept . Lass.

So sister , so , because he praises you .

Cor.

Nay sit , but you shall heare him further yet .

Bass. Were not her head sometimes a little light , And so vnapt for matter of much weight , She were the fittest , and the worthiest Dame To leape a window , and to breake her necke , That euer was . Cor. Gods pitty , arrant knaue , I euer thought him a dissembling varlot . Bass. Well , now my hearts be warie , for by this , I feare the Duke is comming ; I le go watch , And giue you warning : I commend me t' ee . Exit . Vin.

O fine phrase ,

Mar.

And very timely vsde .

Vin. What now sweete life , shall we resolue vpon ? We neuer shall inioy each other heere . Mar. Direct you then my Lord , what we shall doe , For I am at your will , and will indure With you , the cruellst absence , from the state We both were borne too , that can be supposde . Vin. That would extreamely greeue me , could my selfe Onely indure the ill , our hardest fates , May lay on both of vs ; I would not care , But to behold thy sufferance , I should die . Mar. How can your Lordship wrong my loue so much , To thinke the more woe I sustaine for you , Breedes not the more my comfort ? I alas Haue no meane else , to make my merit euen In any measure , with your eminent worth . Enter Bassiolo . Bas. Now must I exercise my timorous louers , Like fresh arm'd souldiers , with some false alarms , To make them yare and warie of their foe The boistrous bearded Duke : I le rush vpon them With a most hideous cry , the Duke , the Duke , the Duke . Ha , ha , ha , wo ho , come againe I say , The Duke 's not come ifaith . Vin. Gods precious man , What did you meane to put vs in this feare ? Bass O sir , to make you looke about the more ; Nay , we must teach you more of this I tell you : What , can you be too safe sir ? what I say , Must you be pamperd in your vanities ? Ah , I do domineere and rule the rost . Exit . Mar. Was euer such an Ingle ? would to God , ( If t were not for our selues ) my father saw him . Las. Minion , you haue your praier , and my curse , For your good Huswiferie . Med. What saies your Highnesse ? Can you indure these iniuries any more ? Alp. No more , no more , aduise me what is best , To be the penance of my gracelesse sonne ? Med. My Lord , no meane but death or banishment , Can be fit penance for him : if you meane T' inioy the pleasure of your loue your selfe . Cor.

Giue him plaine death my Lord , and then y' are sure

Alp. Death or his banishment , he shall indure , For wreake of that ioyes exile I sustaine . Come , call our Gard , and apprehend him strait . Exeunt . Vin. I haue some Iewells then my dearest life , Which with what euer we can get beside , Shall be our meanes , and we will make escape . Enter Bassiolo running . Bas. Sblood , the Duke and all come now in earnest ; The Duke , by heauen , the Duke . Vin. Nay , then ifaith Your ieast is too too stale . Bass. Gods pretious , By these ten bones , and by this hat and heart , The Duke and all comes , see , we are cast away . Exeunt . Enter Alphonso , Medice , Lasso , Cortezza , and Iulio . Alp.

Lay hands vpon them all , pursue , pursue .

Lass.

Stay thou vngracious girle .

Alp. Lord Medice , Leade you our Guard , and see you apprehend The treacherous boy , nor let him scape with life , Vnlesse he yeilde to his externall exile . Med.

T' is princely said my Lord �

Exit .
Lass.

And take my Vsher .

Mar. Let me goe into exile with my Lord , I will not liue , if I be left behinde . Lass.

Impudent Damzell , wouldst thou follow him ?

Mar.

He is my husband , whom else should I follow ?

Lass.

Wretch , thou speakest treason to my Lord the Duke .

Alp.

Yet loue me Lady , and I pardon all .

Mar.

I haue a husband , and must loue none else .

Alp. Dispightfull Dame , I le dis inherit him , And thy good Father heere shall cast off thee , And both shall feede on ayre , or starue , and die . Mar. If this be iustice , let it be our doomes : If free and spotlesse loue in equall yeares , With honours vnimpaired deserue such ends , Let vs approue what iustice is in friends . Lass. You shall I sweare : sister , take you her close Into your chamber , locke her fast alone , And let her stirre nor speake with any one . Cor.

She shall not brother : come Necce , come with me .

Mar.

Heauen saue my loue , and I will suffer gladly .

Exeunt Cor. Mar.
Alp. Haste Iulio , follow thou my sons pursuit , And will Lord Medice not to hurt nor touch him , But either banish him , or bring him backe : Charge him to vse no violence to his life . Iulio

I will my Lord .

Exit Iulio .
Alp. O Nature ! how alas Art thou and Reason thy true guide opposde ? More bane thou tak'st , to guide Sense , led amisse , Then being guided , Reason giues thee blisse . Exeunt . Enter Cynanche , Beneuenius , Ancilla , Strozza hauing the Arrow head . Stro. Now see good Doctor , t' was no frantike fancie , That made my tongue presage this head should fall Out of my wounded side the seuenth day ; But an inspired rapture of my minde , Submitted and conioynde in patience , To my Creator , in whom I fore-saw ( Like to an Angell ) this diuine euent . Ben. So is it plaine , and happily approu'd , In a right christian president , confirming What a most sacred medcine Patience is , That with the high thirst of our soules , cleare fire Exhausts corpore ill humour ; and all paine , Casting our flesh off , while we it retaine . Cy. Make some religious vow then my deare Lord , And keepe it in the proper memorie , Of so Celestiall and free a grace . Str Sweete wife , thou restest my good Angell still , Suggesting by all meanes , these ghostly counsailes . Thou weariest not thy husbands patient eares , With motions for new fashions in attire , For change of Iewells , pastimes , and nice cates , Nor studiest eminence , and the higher place Amongst thy consorts , like all other Dames : But knowing more worthy obiects appertaine To euery woman that desires t' inioy A blessed life in mariage : thou contemn'st Those common pleasures , and pursu'st the rare , Vsing thy husband in those vertuous gifts : For which , thou first didst choose him , and thereby Cloy'st not with him , but lou'st him endlesly . In reuerence of thy motion then , and zeale To that most soueraigne power , that was my cure . I make a vow to goe on soote to Rome , And offer humbly in S. Peters Temple , This fatall Arrow head : which work , let none iudge A superstitious Rite , but a right vse , Proper to this peculiar instrument , Which visiblie resignde to memorie , Through euery eye that sees , will stirre the soule To Gratitude and Progresse , in the vse Of my tried patience which in my powers ending , Would shut th' example out of future liues . No act is superstitious , that applies All power to God , deuoting hearts , through eyes . Ben. Spoke with the true tongue of a Nobleman : But now are all these excitations toyes , And Honor fats his braine with other ioyes . I know your true friend , Prince Vincentio Will triumph in this excellent effect Of your late prophecie . Stro. O , my deare friends name Presents my thoughts , with a most mortall danger , To his right innocent life : a monstrous fact Is now effected on him . Cyn.

Where ? or how ?

Stro. I doe not well those circumstances know , But am assur'd , the substance is too true . Come reuerend Doctor , let vs harken out Where the young Prince remaines , and beare with you Medcines t' allay his danger : if by wounds , Beare pretious Balsome , or some soueraigne iuyce ; If by fell poison , some choice Antidote , If by blacke witchcraft , our good spirits and prayers Shall exorcise the diuelish wrath of hell , Out of his princely bosome . Enter Pogio running . Pog.

Where ? where ? where ? where 's my Lord vncle , my Lord my vncle ?

Stro.

Here 's the ill tydings-bringer ; what newes now , with thy vnhappie presence ?

Po.

O my Lord my Lord Vincentio , is almost kild by my Lord Medice .

Stro. See Doctor , see , if my presage be true . And well I know if he haue hurt the Prince , T' is trecherously done , or with much helpe . Pog.

Nay sure he had no helpe , but all the Dukes Guard ; and they set vpon him indeed ; and after he had defended himselfe , d ee see ? he drew , & hauing as good as wounded the Lord Medice almost , he strake at him , and missd him , d ee marke ?

Stro.

What tale is here ? where is this mischiefe done ?

Pog.

At Monks well , my Lord , I le guide you to him presently

Str. I doubt it not ; fooles are best guides to ill , And mischiefes readie way lies open still . Lead sir I pray . Exeunt . Enter Corteza , and Margaret aboue . Cort. Quiet your selfe , Nece ; though your loue be slaine , You haue another that 's woorth two of him . Mar. It is not possible ; it cannot be That heauen should suffer such impi tie . Cort.

T is true , I sweare neece .

Ma. O most vniust truth ! I le cast my selfe downe headlong from this Tower , And force an instant passage for my soule , To seeke the wandring spirit of my Lord . Cort. Will you do so Neece ? That I hope you will not , And yet there was a Maid in Saint Marks streete , For such a matter did so ; and her clothes Flew vp about her so as she had no harme : And grace of God your clothes may flie vp too , And saue you harmelesse ; for your cause and hers Are ene as like as can be . Mar. I would not scape ; And certainly I thinke the death is easie . Cort. O t' is the easiest death that euer was , Looke Nece , it is so farre hence to the ground . You shoulde bee quite dead , long before you felt it . Yet do not leape Nece . Mar. I will kill my selfe With running on some sworde ; or drinke strong poison ; Which death is easiest I would faine endure . Cor. Sure Cleopatra was of the same minde , And did so ; she was honord euer since , Yet do not you so Neece . Mar. Wretch that I am ; my heart is softe and faint ; And trembles at the verie thought of death , Though thoughts ten-folde more greiuous do torment it ; I le feele death by degrees ; and first deforme This my accursed face with vglie wounds , That was the first cause of my deare loues death . Cor. That were a cruell deed ; yet Adelasia ; In Pettis Pallace of Petit pleasure , For all the worlde , with such a knife as this Cut off her cheeks , and nose , and was commended More then all Dames that kept their faces whole ; O do not cut it . Mar. Fie on my faint heart , It will not giue my hand the wished strength ; Beholde the iust plague of a sensuall life , That to preserue it selfe in Reasons spight , And shunne deaths horror , feels it ten times more . Vnworthy women , why doe men adore Our fading Beauties , when their worthiest liues , Being lost for vs , we dare not die for them ? Hence haplesse Ornaments that adorn'd this head : Disorder euer these entring carles And leaue my beautie like a wildernesse , That neuer mans eie more may dare t' inuade . Cor. I le tell you Nece ; and yet I will not tell you , A thing that I desire to haue you doe . But I will tell you onely what you might doe , Cause I would pleasure you in all I cud . I haue an Ointment here , which we Dames vse , To take off haire when it does growe too lowe Vpon our foreheads , and that for a neede , If you should rub it hard vpon your face , Would blister it , and make it looke most vildely . Mar.

O Giue me that Aunt .

Cor. Giue it you virgin ? that were well indeede : Shall I be thought to tempt you to such matters ? Mar. None ( of my faith ) shall know it : gentle Aunt , Bestow it on me , and I le euer loue you . Cor.

Gods pitty , but you shall not spoile your face .

Mar.

I will not then indeede .

Cor. Why then Neece take it : But you shall sweare you will not . Mar.

No , I sweare .

Cor. What , doe you force it from me ? Gods my deare , Will you mis-vse your face so ? what , all ouer ? Nay , if you be so desp'rate , I le be gone � Exit . Mar. Fade haplesse beautie , turne the vgliest face Th� euer Aethiop , or affrightfull fiend Shew'd in th' amaz'd eye of prophan'd light : See pretious Loue , if thou be it in ayre , And canst breake darknesse , and the strongest Towres , With thy dissolued intellectuall powers , See a worse torment suffered for thy death , Then if it had extended his blacke force , In seuen-fold horror to my hated life . Smart pretious ointment . smart . and to my braine Sweate thy enuenom'd furie , make my eyes Burne with thy sulphre , like the lakes of hell , That feare of me may shiuer him to dust , That eate his owne childe with the jawes of lust � Exit . Enter Alphonso , Lasso , and others . Alp. I wonder how farre they pursu'd my Sonne , That no returne of him or them appears , I feare some haplesse accident is chanc'd , That makes the newes so loath to pierce mine eares . Lass. High heauen vouchsafe no such effect succeede Those wretched causes that from my house flow , But that in harmelesse loue all acts may end . Enter Cortezza . Cort. What shall I do ? Alas I cannot rule My desparate Neece , all her sweete face is spoylde , And I dare keepe her prisoner no more : See , see , she comes frantike and all vndrest . Enter Marg. Mar. Tyrant ! behold how thou hast vsde thy loue , See , theefe to Nature , thou hast kil'd and rob'd , Kil'd what my selfe kill'd , rob'd what makes thee poore . Beautie ( a Louers treasure ) thou hast lost Where none can find it ; all a poore Maides dowrie Thou hast forc'd from me : all my ioy and hope . No man will loue me more ; all Dames excell me , This ougly thing is now no more a face , Nor any vile forme in all Earth resembled , But thy fowle tyrannie ; for which all the paines Two faithfull Louers feele , that thus are parted , All ioyes they might haue felt , turne all to paines ; All a yong virgin thinks she does endure , To loose her loue and beautie ; on thy heart Be heapt and prest downe till thy soule depart . Enter Iulio . Iul. Haste Liege , your sonne is daungerously hurt . Lord Medice contemning your commaund , By me deliuered , as your Highnesse will'd , Set on him with your Guard ; who strooke him downe ; And then the coward Lord , with mortall wounds , And slauish insolencie , plow'd vp his soft breast ; Which barbarous fact in part is laid on you , For first enioyning it , and fowle exclaimes In pittie of your sonne , your subiects breathe Gainst your vnnaturall furie ; amongst whom The good Lord Strozza desp'rately raues , And vengeance for his friends iniustice craues . See where he comes burning in zeale of friendship . Enter Srozza , Vincentio , brought in a chaire , Benevenius , Pogio , Cynanch with a guard , Strozza before & Medice . Stro. Where is the tyrant ? let me strike his eyes Into his braine , with horror of an obiect . See Pagan Nero ; see how thou hast ript Thy better bosome ; rooted vp that flowre , From whence thy now spent life should spring anew , And in him kild ( that would haue bred thee fresh ) Thy mother and thy father . Vin.

Good friend cease .

Stro. What hag with child of Monster , would haue nurst Such a prodigous longing ? But a father Would rather eate the brawne out of his armes Then glut the mad worme of his wilde desires With his deare issues entrailes . Vin. Honourd friend ; He is my father , and he is my Prince , In both whose rights he may commaund my life . Stro. What is a father ? turne his entrailes gulfs To swallow children , when they haue begot them ? And what 's a Prince ? Had all beene vertuous men , There neuer had beene Prince vpon the earth , And so no subiect ; all men had beene Princes : A vertuous man is subiect to no Prince , But to his soule and honour ; which are lawes , That carrie Fire and Sword within themselues Neuer corrupted neuer out of rule ; What is there in a Prince ? That his least lusts Are valued at the liues of other men , When common faults in him should prodigies be , And his grosse dotage rather loath'd then sooth'd . Alp. How thicke and heauily my plagues descend ! Not giuing my mazde powres a time to speake : Poure more rebuke vpon me worthie Lord , For I haue guilt and patience for them all : Yet know , deare sonne , I did forbid thy harme : This Gentleman can witnes , whom I sent With all command of haste to interdict This forward man in mischiefe ; not to touch thee : Did I not Iulio ? vtter nought but truth . Iul. All your guard heard , my Lord , I gaue your charge , With lowd and violent itterations . After all which , Lord Medice cowardly hurt him . The Guard . He did my Princely Lord . Alp. Beleeue then sonne , And know me pierst as deeply with thy wounds : And pardon vertuous Ladie that haue lost The dearest treasure proper to your sexe . Ay me , it seemes by my vnhappie meanes ! O would to God , I could with present cure Of these vnnaturall wounds ; and moning right Of this abused beautie , ioyne you both , ( As last I left you ) in eternall nuptials . Vin. My Lord , I know the malice of this man , Not your vnkinde consent hath vsde vs thus . And since I make no doubt I shall suruiue These fatall dangers ; and your grace is pleasde , To giue free course to my vnwounded loue ; T' is not this outward beauties ruthfull losse , Can any thought discourage my desires : And therefore , deare life , doe not wrong me so , To thinke my loue the shadow of your beautie , I wooe your vertues , which as I am sure No accident can alter or empaire ; So , be you certaine nought can change my loue . Mar. I know your honourable minde my Lord , And will not do it that vnworthie wrong , To let it spend her forces in contending ( Spite of your sence ) to loue me thus deformed : Loue must haue outward obiects to delight him , Else his content will be too graue and sowre . It is inough for me my Lord , you loue , And that my beauties sacrifice redeemde My sad feare of your slaughter . You first lou'd me Closely for beautie ; which being with'red thus , Your loue must fade ; when the most needfull rights Of Fate , and Nature , haue dissolu'd your life , And that your loue must needs be all in soule , Then will we meete againe : and then ( deare Loue ) Loue me againe ; for then will beautie be Of no respect with loues eternitie . Vin. Nor is it now ; I wooed your beautie first But as a louer : now as a deare husband , That title and your vertues binde me euer . Mar. Alas , that title is of little force To stirre vp mens affections : when wiues want Outward excitements , husbands loues grow skant . Ben. Assist me Heauen , and Art , giue me your Maske , Open thou little store-house of great Nature , Vse an Elixar drawne through seuen yeares fire , That like Medeas Cauldron , can repaire The vgliest losse of liuing temp'rature : And for this princely paire of vertuous Turtles , Be lauish of thy pretious influence Lady , t' attone your honourable strife , And take all let from your loues tender eyes . Let me for euer hide this staine of Beauty , With this recureful Maske ; heere be it fix'd With painelesse operation ; of it selfe , ( Your beauty hauing brook'd three daies eclips ) Like a dissolued clowd it shall fall off , And your faire lookes regaine their freshest raies : So shall your Princely friend , ( if heauen consent ) In twice your sufferd date renue recure , Let me then haue the honor to conioyne Your hands , conformed to your constant hearts . Alp. Graue Beneuenius , honorable Doctor , On whose most soueraigne Aesculapian hand , Fame with her richest miracles attends , Be fortunate , as euer heeretofore , That we may quite thee both with gold and honour , And by thy happy meanes , haue powre to make My Sonne , and his much iniur'd loue amends , Whose well proportion'd choice we now applaud , And blesse all those that euer further'd it . Where is your discreete Vsher my good Lord , The speciall furtherer of this equall match ? Iulio

Brought after by a couple of your Guard .

Alp.

Let him be fetch'd , that we may doe him grace .

Po.

I le fetch him my Lord : away , you must not go : O here

He comes ; O master Vsher , I am sorie for you , you must presently be chopt in peeces .

Bass.

Wo to that wicked Prince that ere I saw him .

Pog.

Come , come , I gull you master Vsher , you are like to be the Dukes Minion man ; d ee thinke I would haue beene seene in your companie , and you had beene out of fauour ? Here 's my friend maister Vsher , my Lord .

Alp. Giue me your hand friend , pardon vs I pray , We much haue wrong'd your worth , as one that knew the fitnesse of this match aboue our selues . Bass. Sir , I did all thing for the best , I sweare , And you must thinke I would not haue beene gul'd , I know what 's fit sir ; as I hope you know now : Sweete Vince , how far'st thou , be of honourd cheere . Lass. Vince does he call him ? O Foole , dost thou call The Prince Vince , like his equall ? Bass. O my Lord , Ahlas You know not what haz past twixt vs two ; Here in thy bosome I will be sweete Vince , And die if thou die , I protest by heauen . Lass.

I know not what this meanes .

Alp. Nor I my Lord : But sure he saw the fitnes of the match , With freer and more noble eyes then we . Pog.

Why I saw that as well as he my Lord ; I knew t' was a foolish match betwixt you two ; did not you thinke so my Lord Vincentio ? Lord vncle , did not I say at first of the Duke ; will his Antiquitie neuer leaue his Iniquitie ?

Stro. Go to , too much of this ; but aske this Lord , If he did like it . Pog.

Who , my Lord Medice ?

Stro.

Lord Stinkard Man , his name is ; aske him Lord Stinkard , did you like the match ? say .

Pog.

My Lord Stinkard , did you like the match betwixt the Duke , and my Ladie Margaret ?

Med.

Presumptuous Sicophant , I will haue thy life .

Alp. Vnworthie Lord , put vp : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy life is fitt'st to be call'd in question , For thy most murthrous cowardise on my sonne ; Thy forwardnesse to euery cruelty Calls thy pretended Noblesse in suspect . Stro. Noblesse my Lord ? set by your princely fauour , That gaue the lustre to his painted state , Who euer view'd him but with deepe contempt , As reading vilenesse in his very lookes ? And if he proue not sonne of some base drudge , Trim'd vp by Fortune , being dispos'd to ieast And dally with your state , then that good Angell , That by diuine relation spake in me , Fore-telling these foule dangers to your sonne , And without notice brought this reuerend man To rescue him from death : now failes my tongue , And I le confesse , I doe him open wrong . Med. And so thou doost ; and I returne all note Of infamy or basenesse on thy throte : Damne me my Lord , if I be not a Lord . Stro. My Liege , with all desert , euen now you said His life was duely forfet , for the death Which in these barbarous wounds he sought your sonne ; Vouchsafe me then his life , in my friends right , For many waies I know he merits death ; Which , ( if you grant ) will instantly appeare , And that I feele with some rare miracle . Alp.

His life is thine Lord Strozza , Giue him death .

Med. What my Lord , Will your grace cast away an innocent life ? Stro. Villaine thou liest , thou guiltie art of death A hundred waies , which now I le execute . Med.

Recall your word my Lord .

Alp.

Not for the world .

Stro. O my deare Liege , but that my spirit prophetike Hath inward feeling of such sinnes in him , As aske the forfait of his life and soule , I would , before I tooke his life , giue leaue To his confession , and his penitence : O , he would tell you most notorious wonders , Of his most impious state ; but life and soule Must suffer for it in him , and my hand Forbidden is from heauen to let him liue , Till by confession he may haue forgiuenesse . Die therefore monster . Vin. O be not so vncharitable sweete friend , Let him confesse his sinnes , and aske heauen pardon . Stro. He must not Princely friend , it is heauens iustice To plague his life and soule , and heer 's heauens iustice . Me.

O saue my life my Lord .

Las. Hold good Lord Strozza , Let him confesse the sinnes that heauen hath told you , And aske forgiuenesse . Med. Let me good my Lord , And I le confesse what you accuse me of ; Wonders indeede , and full of damn'd deserts . Stro. I know it , and I must not let thee liue To aske forgiuenesse . Alp. But you shall my Lord , Or I will take his life out of your hand . Stro. A little then I am content my Liege : Is thy name Medice ? Med. No my Noble Lord , My true name is Mendice . Stro. Mendice ? see , At first a Mighty scandall done to Honour . Of what countrie art thou ? Med. Of no Country , I , But borne vpon the Seas , my mother passing Twixt Zant and Uenice . Stro.

Where wert thou christned ?

Med. I was neuer christned , But being brought vp with beggars , call'd Mendice . Alp.

Strange , and vnspeakeable .

Stro. How cam'st thou then To beare that port thou didst , entring this Court ? Med. My lord when I was young , being able limb'd , A Captaine of the Gipsies entertain'd me , And many yeares I liu'd a loose life with them : At last I was so fauor'd , that they made me The King of Gipsies ; and being told my fortune By an old Sorceresse , that I should be great In some great Princes loue , I tooke the treasure Which all our company of Gipsies had In many yeares , by seuerall stealths collected , And leauing them in warres , I liu'd abroad , With no lesse shew then now : and my last wrong I did to Noblesse , was in this high Court . Alp.

Neuer was heard so strange a counterfet .

Stro.

Didst thou not cause me to be shot in hunting ?

Med.

I did my Lord , for which , for heauens loue pardon .

Stro. Now let him liue my Lord , his bloods least drop Would staine your Court , more then the Sea could cleanse : His soule 's too foule to expiate with death . Alp. Hence then , be euer banish'd from my rule , And liue a monster , loath'd of all the world . Pog.

I le get boyes and baite him out a' th Court my Lord .

Alp.

Doe so I pray thee , rid me of his sight .

Pog.

Come on my Lord Stinckerd , I le play Fox , Fox , come out of thy hole with you ifaith .

Med.

I le runne and hide me from the sight of heauen .

Pog. Fox , Fox , goe out of thy hole ; a two leg'd Fox , A two leg'd Fox . Exit with Pages beating Medice . Beue.

Neuer was such an accident disclosde .

Alp. Let vs forget it honourable friends , And satisfie all wrongs with my sonnes right , In solemne mariage of his loue and him . Vin. I humbly thanke your Highnesse honor'd Doctor , The Balsome you infusde into my wounds , Hath easde me much , and giuen me sodaine strength Enough t' assure all danger is exempt , That any way may let the generall ioy , My Princely Father speakes of in our nuptialls . Alp. Which my deere Sonne shall with thy full recure Be celebrate in greater Maiesty , Than euer grac'd our greatest Ancestrie . Then take thy loue , which heauen with all ioyes blesse , And make yee both mirrors of happinesse . FINIS .
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stol�e commission to take a Sorrell curtoll , that was stolne from him , ��� hee could find him . And ��� Sorrell curtoll , that was stolne from him , wheresoeuer hee could find him . And because I feared woul��ay could find him . And because I feared he would lay claime to my sorrell curtoll in my stable Mar�arot Who Ladie Margaret , that deare yong dame ? Will his antiquitie dear� Who Ladie Mar�arot , that deare yong dame ? Will his antiquitie , neuer �adst No doubt of that , if thou hadst all his liuing . �ying What all night tying her shoostring ? ti�d I that I was , and yet I tied it not neither ; for as I was tying it , v�rie Whervpon , in the verie nicke me thought the Count came rushing m�re Mum , not a worde more , Ile goe before , and ouertake you presently facel follow turnes againe , And stares you in the face : let me behold A cast of Faulcons on their et turnes againe , And stares you in the face : let me behold A cast of Faulcons on their merry Ear�e farewell sweete loue ; Faile not to meete me at Earle Lassos house . fri�nd Here comes my friend . r�alitie desprate loue Curbd by my fathers sterne realitie : Must not I mourne that know not whether en�oy mourne that know not whether yet I shall enioy a stepdame or a wife ? counterset about a Prince : I would haue such a noble counterfet , nailde Vpon the Pillory , and after , Ki�bucke Nay , t'is true sir : and Kilbucke being runne mad , bit Ringwood so by the te�l , good my Lord Vincentio , by this rush I tell you for good will : and Venus your brache Vine�tio We will peruse it strait : well met Vincentio , And good Lord Strozza , we commend you � Medices reading , will expresse it better , A�raes flundering shades , And cast bright ammell on Auroraes brow . lik� good , No inkehorne euer did bring forth the like , Could these braue prancing words with Curc�o plaid in one of Plautus Comedies , Namely , Curculto , where his part I acted , Proiecting from �t Then shal you see what I can do without it . �arp Enter Sarp. a�t capite , aut cubito , aut pectore offendam , aut genu . � , you meddle in too many matters ; let vs I pray tend on our owne shew at my lord Lassos tot� to euery lord I now consorte you sir euen toto corde . Po� Exit . Sarp. & Pog. ��� None but my selfe , and the Lord Medice . �hanks Thanks for this grace my Liege . busi�esse forbeare ; yet tis no matter Wee talke of other businesse Medice And come , we will prepare vs to Bass� Saie now Bassiolo ; you on whom relies The generall disposition er ubescere Well guest in earnest Lord , I neede not erubescere , to take So much vpon me : That my backe �o in earnest Lord , I neede not erubescere , to take So much vpon me : That my backe will C�rte Enter Corte , Margarite , and maide . maid� Enter Corte , Margarite , and maide . S�anus spirits singing ; after them ; Medice , like Syluanus , next the Duke bound , Vincentio , Strozza let� Now lets gull Medi� , I doe not doubt , But this Medi� Now lets gull Medice , I doe not doubt , But this attire put a�ire lets gull Medi� , I doe not doubt , But this attire put on , will put him out . ��� Nimph ; And how the worthy mystery befell Syluanus heere , this woodden god can tell . No� Now is the time man , speake . Pea Peace Vincentio . h� speake in earnest : Would not your Highnesse haue him speake my Lord ? godde� Goddesse , faire goddesse , for no lesse , no lesse . � No . lesse , no lesse ? no more , no more : speake you . V�entio Vincentio , peace . i� Swounds my Lord , it is as good a shew : Pray speake Lord Strozza fier� vast and dreadfull Boare , so sterne and fierce � As if the Feend fell Crueltie her selfe � and dreadfull Boare , so sterne and fierce , As if the Feend fell Crueltie her selfe Georg� And like the English signe of great Saint George . ex�mple Gaue valorous example , and like fire , Hunted the monster close conc�'d fierce , That he inforc'd him ( as our sence conceiu'd ) To leape for soile into a cristall spring � Dischargde an arrow through his Highnesse breast , Whence yet no wound or any blood appearde � Whence yet no wound or any blood appearde : With which , the angry shadow left the light � And led him captiue to your heauenly eyes , Th'intent whereof on their report relies �ueltie Bright Nimph , that Boare figur'd your crueltie , Chared by loue , defended by your beautie bo�ous charmes , And brought him hither by your bounteous hands . To be releast , or liue in endlesse �hat Daughter , release the Duke : alas my Liege . What meant your Highnesse to indure this wrong � Enlarge him Neece , come dame , it must be so . wor�hie Too worthie I confesse my Lord for me , If it were serious �onne No , thanke your sonne my Lord . Bass�alo well performed on euery part , How say you Bassiolo ? do� manlie being out ; It becomes Noblemen to doe nothing well . Rhe�oricke O fie vpon't , your Rhetoricke was too fine . ��� passe , Watch you your father , Ile watch Medice , That in your loue-suit , we may shun suspect � Lord , I onely come to say , y'are welcome , And so must say , farewell . W�ll Well sir , he is your owne , I make no doubt Ofany He hath two inward swallowing properties Of any gudgeons ; seruile Auarice , And ouerweening no� He that is one mans slaue , is free from none . Ex� Exit . Fini� Finis Actus Primi . S�cke Enter Medice , Corteza a Page with a cuppe of Sacke , Strozza following close . � , fill it Page , for this my worthy loue : O how I could imbrace this good olde widdow Na� Nay , I am too old for you . T would will warme your blood : if you should sip , Twould make you heart burnd . � a fond yong thing , and growne so prowde , The wind must blow at west stil , or sheele � said good widdow , much good do thy heart , So ; now what if it be ? � eies can speake , and eies can vnderstand , And I haue markt her eies ; yet by this �ene Lordship still is of my mind in all , And eene so was my husband . familia�itie where he is ; now to him , and prepare Your familiaritie . �ee I commend me tee Sir . � phrase He vsde at parting � I commend me tee . Be h�ate yfaith ; Be phrase He vsde at parting � I commend me tee � Ile h�ate yfaith ; Sar�. Sarp. Vs�r sir , in spite of your Lords gentleman , Vsher : �ir No spite sir , but you haue changde twice already , And fa�asticall Why thats all one sir , Gentillitie must be fantasticall . �ir Foe , theres a reason , I will keepe it sir . M�ke sir ; then do your office maister Vsher , Make him put off his Ierkin ; you may plucke �ir Best sir ! I care not . re�ainer No sir ? I hope you are my Lords retainer . I neede not care a pudding for your Lord ��� petticotes , clokes ouer them , with hats ouer their head-tyres . deliueran�e Y'aue had a verie good deliuerance , Ladie : How I did take her at her labour Syl� Enter Lasso , with Syluan and a Nymph , a man Bugge , and a woman a�re credite on't , I'de see Your apish trash attire , ere I'de indure this . 1 But pray good ��� Exeunt. . furnish� What , are all furnish well ? Stro�bare Enter Vincentio , Strozzabare , Margaret , Corteza , and Cynanche bearing h�r Margaret , Corteza , and Cynanche bearing her traine . After her the duke whispering with ��� duke whispering with Medice , Lasso with Bassiolo , &c. � your selfe , faire Dutchesse to this Throne , As we haue long since raisde you to our �oy will , And not make serious scruple of a ioy , I scarce durst haue pres�de this minut� pres�de serious scruple of a ioy , I scarce durst haue presumde this minut� height . minut� a ioy , I scarce durst haue pres�de this minuts height . m�sicke Vsher , cause other musicke ; begin your shew . Approc� schoolmaistere , Because I can speake best , Approch before the rest . Vi�. Vin. wi�l And women will ensue , Which I must tell you true , No v�pse me Rushman then , To make Rush ruffle in a verse of ten , A Rush which now your heeles doe �ere , A Rush which now your heeles doe lie on here . �ir Crie mercie sir . Homer�ings odde battaile , neuer fought but twice ( As Homer sings ) betwixt the frogs and mice , Rushes make kno� the frogs and mice , Rushes make True-loue know ; Rushes make rings , Your Rush maugre the ��� mice , Rushes make True-loue know ; Rushes make rings , Your Rush maugre the beard of whiter ��� make rings , Your Rush maugre the beard of whiter springs : And when with gentle , amorous ��� rings , Your Rush maugre the beard of whiter springs : And when with gentle , amorous , �ay laysie ��� springs : And when with gentle , amorous , �ay laysie lims , Each Lord with his faire Ladie sw�tly ��� And when with gentle , amorous , �ay laysie lims , Each Lord with his faire Ladie sw�tly sw�tly laysie lims , Each Lord with his faire Ladie sweetly swims On these coole Rushes ; they may with �rie cradles , And lest some Momus here might now crie push , Saying our pageant is not woorth bi�es we bring along , To picke his teeth that bites them with his tongue . M�dice See , see , thats Lord Medice . pi�ing Gods me , my Lord , Haz hee pickt you out , picking of your t�h ? yo�r Lord , Haz hee pickt you out , pi�ing of your t�h ? t�h , Haz hee pickt you out , pi�ing of your teeth ? ou� What picke you out of that ? sta�e Not such stale stu� As you picke from your teeth . stu� Not such stale stuffe As you picke from your teeth . th�n Lo thus farre then ( braue duke ) you see Meere entertainement gl� ) you see Meere entertainement ; Now our glee Shall march forth in ��� : And this queint ��� entertainement ; Now our gl� Shall march forth in Moralitie : And this queint Dutchesse here shall see q�eint our gl� Shall march forth in ��� : And this queint Dutchesse here shall see The fault of virgine courtes�e virgine Nicetie , First wooed with Rurall courtesie , disburthen them ; praunce on this ground Disb�rthen Nicetie , First wooed with Rurall courtesie , disburthen them ; praunce on this ground , And make �xit ; praunce on this ground , And make your exit with your Round . Ex�unt Exeunt de�nc'd Well haue they daunc'd as it is meet , Both with their nimble heades �imble they daunc'd as it is meet , Both with their nimble heades and feet . Now , as our country girls �eet meet , Both with their nimble heades and feet . Now , as our country girls held off , cou�ry their nimble heades and feet . Now , as our country girls held off , And rudely did their louers ��� rudely did their louers scoff ; Our Nymph likewise shall onely glaunce By your faire eies , �hall did their louers scoff ; Our Nymph likewise shall onely glaunce By your faire eies , and looke on�ly their louers scoff ; Our Nymph likewise shall onely glaunce By your faire eies , and looke askaunce ��� ��� onely glaunce By your faire eies , and looke askaunce Vpon her female friend that wo�es her . h�r your faire eies , and looke askaunce Vpon her female friend that wo�es her . Who is in wo�es looke askaunce Vpon her female friend that wooes her . Who is in plaine field forc'd to loose ��� friend that wo�es her . Who is in plaine field forc'd to loose her . And after them , to ��� friend that wo�es her . Who is in plaine field forc'd to loose her . And after them , to conclude Pa�orall them , to conclude all , The p�rlue of our Pastorall . A female bug , and eke her friend , Shall a�d bug , and eke her friend , Shall onely come and sing , and end ��� Bugs ��� . ��� ��� song . Ye� Abusde their loues as they were franuke ; Yet take you in your Iuory clutches , This noble D�tches Iuory clutches , This noble Duke , and be his Dutches . Thus thanking all for their tacete , I vo� . Thus thanking all for their tacete , I void the roome , and cry valete . �ate Now I resigne this borrowed maiesty , Which sate vnseemely on my worthlesse head , With humble ��� Heeres one saies nay to that . Pogi� Enter Pogio in his cloke and broome-mans attire . A�p. Alp. sl�ue A you mad slaue you ! you are a tickling Actor . d�ne O thou hast done a worke of memory , And raisde our house ��� Fitter for you my Lord , than for your father . swee�e No more of that sweete friend , those are bugs words . alon� Medice after the song , whispers alone with his seruant . hi��eruant Medice after the song , whispers alone with his seruant . s�ruant Thou art my trusty seruant and thou knowst , I haue beene euer bountifull �nd Thou art my trusty seruant and thou knowst , I haue beene euer bountifull k�owst Thou art my trusty seruant and thou knowst , I haue beene euer bountifull Lord to thee rid�culous Now Vanitie and Policie inrich me With some ridiculous fortune on this Vsher . Wheres Master Vsher eu�ry seruants vsde , The gentle guise in seruing euery guest , In other entertainements ; euery e�en About your house so sortfully disposde , That euen as in a turne-spit calld a Iacke , One vice glori�us the festiuall robe , That made him shew so glorious and diuine . canspend He haz beene my good Lord , for I can spend Some fifteene hundred crownes in lands li�e It is so much as makes me like my Lord , Like a poore Gentleman . �erite No good my Lord , I can by no meanes merite the free bounties You haue bestowed besides think� all one man In all your actions , doe not thinke but some Haue extraordinarie spirits like comm�n there is no nicenesse , nor respect Of others common friendship ; be he poore Or basely borne baselv others common friendship ; be he poore Or basely borne , so he be rich in soule , And noble f�iend in degrees of qualities , He shall be my friend sooner then a King . T� To a most kingly iudgement in your lordship i�dgement To a most kingly iudgement in your lordship , va�ne Faith sir I know not , but tis my vaine humour . ti� O , tis an honour in a Nobleman . Nobl�man that light my lord , I am but seruant to a Nobleman , But if I would not skorne such puppet sko�ne seruant to a Nobleman , But if I would not skorne such puppet lords , Would I weare breathlesse wo�ld Away , away , ere I would flatter so , I would eate rushes like lord Medici . P�inces wel my Lord , would there were more such Princes . O�t Alas , twere pitty sir , they would be gulld Out of their very skinnes . wh�re Who I , I care not : If I be guild where I professe plaine loue , T'will be their man�e iewell , you shall not be strange , I loue not manie words . offew My lord , I thanke you , I am of few words too . Ti��riendlie Tis friendlie said , You proue your selfe a friend , and V�e tis not fit ; let my friend be familiar , Vse not me Lordship , nor yet call me Lord , co� Nay , see how still you vse that coy terme , Lord What argues this , but that � Nay , pray say not so . �hould Who should not say so ? Will you afford me now no name �fford Who should not say so ? Will you afford me now no name at all ? Wh�e Whie so then ; and yet �ull there is a fault �ull Wh�e so then ; and yet still there is a fault , In vsing these kind words �ee kind words , without kinde deedes : Pray thee imbrace me too . imbra�e words , without kinde deedes : Pray thee imbrace me too . plamenesse shall friends be strange ? Where there is plainenesse , there is euer truth : And I will still An� there is plainenesse , there is euer truth : And I will still be plaine since I am true : plame there is euer truth : And I will still be plaine since I am true : Come let vs lie a little haueifaith thee , What lordship wouldst thou wish to haue ifaith , When my old father dies ? �our Indeede , is she your Mistris ? � not I : I doe not fancie any thing like you . me�ne friend , For your playne dealing , I doe meane so well . e�er But who saw euer summer mixt with winter ? There must be �oo sir , I know we could not , but yet be not too bitter , Considering loue is fearefull . s�arce neuer yet saw I durst speake to her , or had scarce hir sight . the�e While there be bees in Hybla , or white swannes In bright � swannes swimme in bright Meander streame , Nor lillies spring vpon the banks of Po ban�s Meander streame � Nor lillies spring vpon the banks of Po , Nor let one fat Italian dame be so�nd But leane and brawn-falne ; I , and scarsly sound . swe�t So , now farewell sweet Vince . wo�thie Farewell my worthie friend , I thinke I haue him . wish� At your wisht seruice sir : O fine friend , he had forgot ruice At your wish� seruice sir : O fine friend , he had forgot the re�eale meeting , And being thus ingagde , dare not reueale . P�gio Enter Pogio in haste , Strozza following . ��� My Lord horse ? you asse you d'e� call my Lord horse ? d'e� My Lord horse ? you asse you d'ee call my Lord horse ? sl� Nay , he speakes huddles still , lets slit h� tongue . h� Nay , he speakes huddles still , lets sl� his tongue . cap� Nay good vnkle now , sbloud , what captious , marchants you be ; so the Duke tooke me ��� , and my old lord Lasso , by heauen y'are all too witty for me , I am the veriest foole �e me , I am the veriest foole on you all , Ile be sworne . w�edom But your wisedom was in a pretty t�g last night ; was it t�g But your w�edom was in a pretty taking last night ; was it not I pray ? l�st But your w�edom was in a pretty t�g last night ; was it not I pray ? p�ntly , for that you shall haue the best sport presently with Mad�Cor� , that euer was ; I haue made Mad�Cor� you shall haue the best sport p�ntly with Madam Corteza , that euer was ; I haue made her so drunke e�er the best sport p�ntly with Mad�Cor� , that euer was ; I haue made her so drunke , that she b� made her so drunke , that she does nothing but kisse my Lord Medice . � riding the Duke , shees passing well mounted , beleeue it . attendant� Corteza , Cynanche Bassiolo first , two women attendants , and hunts-men , Lasso . � , a good legge still ; still a good calfe , and not slabby , nor hanging I warrant you n�t good legge still ; still a good calfe � and not slabby , nor hanging I warrant you ; a brawne warr�nt good calfe � and not slabby , nor hanging I warrant you ; a brawne of a thumb here , and t'were braw�e not slabby , nor hanging I warrant you ; a brawne of a thumb here , and t'were a p�d p� ; p�d ; a brawne of a thumb here , and t'were a pulld p� ; Neece Meg�ou shalt haue the sweetest p� brawne of a thumb here , and t'were a p�d partridge ; Neece Meg�ou shalt haue the sweetest bedfellow Meg�ou thumb here , and t'were a p�d p� ; Neece Meg, thou shalt haue the sweetest bedfellow on him call�d the sweetest bedfellow on him , that euer call'd Ladie husband ; trie him you shamefac'd ��� husband ; trie him you shamefac'd bable you , trie him . � , my Lord , you must set foorth this g�re , and k�e her ; yfaith you must ; get you k�e Lord , you must set foorth this g�re � and kisse her ; yfaith you must ; get you together tog�her � and k�e her ; yfaith you must ; get you together and be naugh� awhile , get you together naugh� yfaith you must ; get you together and be naughts awhile , get you together . �ane What meane you sister ? Lo�d Pray my Lord away ; consider me as I am , a woman . woo�ng You come a wooing to me now ; �ay �ee Duke marke my Lord Medi� �ay You come a wooing to me now ; pray �ee Duke marke my Lord Medi� ; and do you �ee You come a wooing to me now ; �ay thee Duke marke my Lord Medi� ; and do you mar�e Medi� a wooing to me now ; �ay �ee Duke marke my Lord Medice ; and do you mar�e me virgin � ; Stand you mar�e �ee Duke marke my Lord Medi� ; and do you marke me virgin � ; Stand you aside , my Lord ��� marke my Lord Medi� ; and do you mar�e me virgin� � ; Stand you aside , my Lord � all , and m� you mar�e me virgin � ; Stand you aside , my Lord � all , and you ; g� pl� ; now �y L��edice � mar�e me virgin � ; Stand you aside , my Lord , all , and you ; g� pl� ; now �y L��edice ��� me virgin � ; Stand you aside , my Lord � all , and you ; g� pl� ; now �y L��edice , �ut g� Stand you aside , my Lord � all , and you ; giue pl� ; now �y L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge pl� you aside , my Lord � all , and you ; g� place ; now �y L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge �y , my Lord � all , and you ; g� pl� ; now my L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet L��edice my Lord � all , and you ; g� pl� ; now �y Medice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like �ut all , and you ; g� pl� ; now �y L��edice , put case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� b� you ; g� pl� ; now �y L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� to it . st�ge g� pl� ; now �y L��edice , �ut case I be strange a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come �e ��� ; now �y L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a little, yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my y�t now �y L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my L�d y� L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet you like ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my L�d , lik� L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my L�d , be not ��� L��edice , �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like a man ��� to it . Come �e me my L�d , be not ashamde ��� �ut case I be st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� put me to it . Come �e me my L�d , be not ashamde �e st�ge a ��� yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come kisse me my L�d , be not ashamde . L�d yet y� like ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my Lord , be not ashamde . ��� ��� ��� to it . Come �e me my L�d , be not ashamde . Mad� Not I Madame , I come no� a �ng to �ou . ��� Not I Mad� , I come no� a �ng to �ou . no� Not I Mad� , I come not a �ng to �ou . ��� Not I Mad� , I come no� a �ng to �ou . �ng Not I Mad� , I come no� a wooing to �ou . ��� Not I Mad� , I come no� a �ng to �ou . �ou Not I Mad� , I come no� a �ng to you . ��� Fie sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you fister Fie sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to v ' are Fie sister , y' are ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your ��� Fie sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber ��� Fie sister , y' are too blame ; pray will you goe to your chamber ��� Fie sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber goet sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber ��� sister , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber ��� , y ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber ��� ' are too ��� ; pray will you goe to your chamber C�t. Cort. drun�e Dee thinke I am drunke ? O�n Omn � forc'd marriage t'wixt my loue and father , I therefore must make sure : and noble friends I� Medice whispers with I. Huntsman all this while . B�lo Bassiolo , attend you on my daughter . � with what Rhetorike you prepare your newes ! � one that will not shame it with his name . And that is Lord Vincentio . strange�s Thats nothing , dame , all friends were strangers first . � braine is shallow , come , receiue this letter . be�rd proper match : a graue olde gentman : Haz beard at will ; and would , in my conceyt , Make M�ke beard at will ; and would , in my conceyt , Make a most excellent patterne , for a potter ex�ellent ; and would , in my conceyt , Make a most excellent patterne , for a potter To haue his picture pictu�e excellent patterne , for a potter To haue his picture stampt on a Iugge . To keepe ale-knights ale-�nights his picture stampt on a Iugge . To keepe ale-knights in memorie of sobrietie . Heere gentle madam gentl� ale-knights in memorie of sobrietie . Heere gentle madam , take it . m�dam ale-knights in memorie of sobrietie . Heere gentle madam , take it . si� Take it sir ? Am I common taker of loue letters ? A� Take it sir ? Am I common taker of loue letters ? lo�e Take it sir ? Am I common taker of loue letters ? �ome Come , tis no matter ; I had thought your care y�ur it is because You know I dote so much on your direction . a�y Well mistris , if you will take my aduice At any time , then take this letter now . ��� mee so oft , would neuer speake , Is on the sodaine so far wrapt to write . Lo�d Lord of heauen , What , did it burne your hands bu�ne Lord of heauen , What , did it burne your hands ? holde , hold , I pray , And ou� I woonder how the deuill , he found you our To be his spokesman , � O the duke would Fuen The duke ? I haue fretted her , Euen to the liuer , and had much adoe To make �ake Euen to the liuer , and had much adoe To make her take it , but I knew t'was sure ; For w�nde t'was sure ; For he that cannot turne and winde a woman Like silke about his finger , is thiukes I fit him in this taske ; he thinkes his penne The Shaft of Cupid , in an amorous �hem write , though twenty talke , and he talke to them too . B�ss. Bass. doub� A proper peece of Scribeship theres no doubt ; Some words , pickt out of Proclamations pic�t Scribeship theres no doubt ; Some words , pickt out of Proclamations , Or great mens Speeches Procl�mations theres no doubt ; Some words , pickt out of Proclamations , Or great mens Speeches ; or well selling s�lling Proclamations , Or great mens Speeches ; or well selling Pamphlets : See how he rubbes his temples �emples selling Pamphlets : See how he rubbes his temples ��� ��� His Muse lies in the backe - ��� ��� Pamphlets : See how he rubbes his temples ��� I beleeue His Muse lies in the backe - ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� His Muse lies in the backe - ��� of ��� , Which thicke and grosse , is hard ��� ��� His Muse lies in the backe - ��� ��� his braine , Which thicke and grosse , is hard to be whi� No , not a whit : Pray hold your peace a little . braue� O braue! I should make a sweete answer , if I should i� Wel , now I haue done , & now I wil reade it ; your Lordships motiue acco�modating my � F , oo , l , i. sh ; she will presume t'endite that cannot spel cannotspel , i. sh � she will presume t'endite that cannot spel : �oolish betwixt foolish , and Vsher , Gods my life , foolish Asse the Vsher ? �ady With all my heart Lady , what shall I write now ? wri�e You shall write this sir , I am not so foolish to thinke B�ss Bass � But if he do ; you may speede , I confesse . conf�sse Speede I confesse . p�sse But let that passe , I do not loue to discourage any bodie �y Discourage any bodie . �diter as the writer ; yet tis as proper as the inditer ; Euerie woman cannot be a gentleman Vsher wo�an yet tis as proper as the �diter ; Euerie woman cannot be a gentleman Vsher ; they that g�ntleman as the �diter ; Euerie woman cannot be a gentleman Vsher ; they that cannot go before , must be�ore be a gentleman Vsher ; they that cannot go before , must come behind . sle�ght Pittifull Vsher , what a prettie sleight , Goes to the working vp of euerie thing work�ng Vsher , what a prettie sleight , Goes to the working vp of euerie thing ? What sweet varietie swe�t to the working vp of euerie thing ? What sweet varietie serues a womans wit ? We make men se�ues vp of euerie thing ? What sweet varietie serues a womans wit ? We make men sue to vs for W� What sweet varietie serues a womans wit ? We make men sue to vs for that we wish . Poore fue varietie serues a womans wit ? We make men sue to vs for that we wish . Poore men ; hold wi�h womans wit ? We make men sue to vs for that we wish . Poore men ; hold out a while ; and do o�t to vs for that we wish . Poore men ; hold out a while ; and do not sue , And spite of s�e t��ou . do not sue , And spite of Custome we will sue to you . t��ou not sue , And spite of Custome we will see to you . ter� Finis Actus tertij . Pogi� Enter Pogio running in and knocking at ��� doore . runnin� Enter Pogi� running in and knocking at ��� doore . knocki� Enter Pogi� running in and knocking at ��� doore . ��� Enter Pogi� running in and knocking at Cynanches doore . ��� Enter Pogi� running in and knocking at ��� doore . Go� O God , how wearie I am ? Aunt , Madam . Cynanche M�dam O Go� , how wearie I am ? Aunt , Madam . Cynanche , Aunt ? wher� What bad newes brings this man ? where is my Lord ? � hope not Madam , though not free from danger . mid�iffe pierced ribbe ; which being so neere the midriffe , And opening to the region of the heart ��� Rise furies , and this furie of my bane , Assaile and conquer ; what men madnesse calle ( Th�t Assaile and conquer ; what men madnesse calle ( That hath no eye to sense , but frees the foule m�nliest of hope , and feare with instant fate ) Is manliest reason ; manliest reason then , Resolue Hast�n Resolue and rid me of this brutish life , Hasten the cowardly protracted cure Of all diseases mise�ie , death , Ile dig thee from this Mine of miserie . Pat�ence spight of him liue victor , though subdu'd : Patience in torment , is a valure more Than euer e�er Patience in torment , is a valure more Than euer crownd Th' Alcmenean Conquerour . T� ' torment , is a valure more Than euer crownd Th' Alcmenean Conquerour . �ro. Stro. � deare Lord , what vnlike words are these , To the late fruits of your religious Noblesse � Before I leaue you ; helpe me gentle Doctor . fl�e knocke At thy impatient eares , till they flie in And salue with Christian patience , Pagan Mist�is vp these disgracefull words , Giuen of my Mistris , without touch of honour . � y'are ith right for that ; but reade I pray , if there be not more choice words in that thr�e choice words in that letter , than in any three of G�euaras golden epistles , I am a very G�euaras words in that letter , than in any three of Gueuaras golden epistles , I am a very asse . How ��� epistles , I am a very asse . How thinke you Vince ? ��� O sir , she cride fie vpon this . ��� Vin. . ��� Vin. . ��� Gee't me : Ile haue this letter . ��� Ile ha't ifaith , heeres enough in it to serue for my letters ��� Ile ha't ifaith , heeres enough in it to serue for my letters as long as I liue ; ��� Ile ha't ifaith , heeres enough in it to serue for my letters as long as I liue ; Ile keepe ��� serue for my letters as long as I liue ; Ile keepe it to breede on as twere : ��� How strong an influence works in well plac'd words , And yet there must be a prepared ��� Loue me ? why yes ; I thinke she does not hate me . ��� Vin. . ��� Nor haue you neuer kist her ? ��� Kist her , thats nothing . ��� Vin. . ��� shew y'are pleasde : how euer she behaues her , As for example ; if she turne her backe ��� Or tis no matter , be but bold enough , And laugh ��� Enter Bassiolo . � Slid man , Ile hit your very thoughts in these things forc backe part is as sweete to me As all your fore part . ��� O horrible hearing , does he call you Vince ? ��� , what else ? and I made him imbrace me , Knitting a most familiar league of friendship . ��� for pitty make him Such a poore creature ? twas abuse enough To make him take on him such ��� loues maske , Since power denies him his apparant right , area contain'd in forme without them , Hurt them that Are a law vnto themselues ? My princely loue , ��� princely loue , tis not a Priest shall let vs : But since th'eternall acts of our pure soules ��� we will expresse , And strongely ratifie our hearts true vowes , Which no externall violence ��� the substance of our mindes , In honor'd nuptialls . First then hide your face With this your co�end shall be mine , and onely you Ile court , commend and ioy in , till I die . W�th With like conceit only our arme this I tie , �e shall imbrace by all meanes to requite you : Ile be as apt to gouerne as this silke , As �en Your selfe alone my compleat world shall be , Euen from this houre , to all eternity . me�a what plight my poore louer stands , Gods me! a beckons me to haue me gone , It seemes hees � What I haue vow'd , Ile keepe euen past my death . ��� What I haue vow'd � Ile keepe euen past my death . �uen What I haue vow'd � Ile keepe euen past my death . abho�'d popular sects , And as vnstaind with her abhorr'd respects . Vin� Pogio runnes vp and downe , Calling for Lord Vincentio ; come away , For hitherward he bends his � till I haue worne out my hose here abouts , Ile be sworne , and yet you call me Asse pra� bringst other ; whats your newes now , I pray � Pl�gues Plagues take thy tongue , is he in any danger ? � Accursed newes , where is he , bring me to him . Strozz� Enter Strozza ; brought in a Chaire , Cynanche , Benenemus fe� womans counsaile , her wing'd spirit , Is featherd herd oftentimes with heauenly words ; And beauti� oftentimes with heauenly words ; And ( like her beautie ) rauishing , and p�re . The weaker bodie p�re And ( like her beautie ) rauishing , and pure . The weaker bodie , still the stronger heau� earth , Makes a mans life so highly bound to heauen � She giues him double forces , to endure � Makes a mans life so highly bound to heauen ; She giues him double forces , to endure do�ble so highly bound to heauen � She giues him double forces , to endure And to enioy ; by being senc� Feeling his Ioies and Griefes with equall sence ; And like the twins Hyp�ates reports : Hyp�ates Griefes with equall sence ; And like the twins Hypocrates reports : If he fetch sighes , she drawes st�e teares : If he be glad , she triumphs ; if he stirre , She moou's his way ; in all things his Ap� moou's his way ; in all things his sweete Ape : And is in alterations passing strange alteratious in all things his sweete Ape : And is in alterations passing strange . Himselfe diuinely varied d�ely in alterations passing strange . Himselfe diuinely varied without change : Gold is right pretious l� infects With pride and auarice ; Aucthority lifts Hats from mens heades ; and bowes the strongest � mens heades ; and bowes the strongest knees , Yet cannot bend in rule the weakest hearts hea�ts knees � Yet cannot bend in rule the weakest hearts ; Musicke delights but one sence ; No� choice No� hearts ; Musicke delights but one sence ; Nor choice meats One quickly fades , the other � quickly fades , the other stirre to sinne ; But a true wife , both sence and soule delights B�t quickly fades , the other stirre to sinne � But a true wife , both sence and soule delights b� command ; All Store without her , leaues a man but poore ; And with her , Pouertie is exceeding � wish ( deare loue ) I coulde deserue as much , As your most kinde conceipt hath well exprest � Makes it redeeme me from the rage of paine . For though I know the malice of my wound vain� Shootes still the same distemper through my vaines , Yet the Iudiciall patience I embrace , frail� Through all my suffring parts ; ) expels their frailetie ; And rendering vp their whole life to my �ing so like her , Free from the passions of my fuming blood . � Easde with well gouerning my submitted payne . Be cheerd then wife ; and looke not for we� Would God it would my Lord , and leaue you wel �o Yes , t'will be so , You come with purpose to take present Vincen�o leaue , But you shall stay a while ; my Lord Vincentio Would see you faine and now is comming hither �euenth friend : I haue beene shot my Lord ; but the seventh day The arrowes head will fall out of my �ard well , That I might be some strength to your hard state , For you haue many perils to endure grea� perils to endure : Great is your danger ; great ; vour vniust ill Is passing foule and mortall vniustill endure : Great is your danger ; great ; vour vniust ill Is passing foule and mortall ; would we�l mortall ; would to God My wound were something well , I might be with you , Nay do not whisper Lor� I know what I say , Too well for you , my Lord � I wonder heauen Will let such violence � know what I say , Too well for you , my Lor� ; I wonder heauen Will let such violence threat a�row mine is nothing ; For the seuenth day This arrow head will out , and I shall liue , And so p�ease You please me much , I shall sleepe instantly . m�ch You please me much , I shall sleepe instantly . Exeun� Exeunt , pre�ence aduantage of my absence , To some act that my presence would offend . ��� aymes At any interruption in my loue , Ile interrupt his life . �f Ladies Cabynets About Earle Lassos house ; and if there be Traffique of loue , twixt any one �here Cabynets About Earle Lassos house ; and if there be Traffique of loue , twixt any one of you�r Traffique of loue , twixt any one of them , And your suspected sonne ; t'will soone appeare , ��� marchandise ; See where she comes , loded with Iems & paper� . paper� ; See where she comes , loded with ��� & papers . �or. Cor. �hewes innocent state ? And yet my Lord , this letter shewes no meeting , But a desire to meete . a� you haue left the chase thus suddenly ? And are come hither ? haue you not beene seene By th'aslured against the Duke , And are prefer'd before th'assured greatnes His highness graciously would make highness� are prefer'd before th'assured greatnes His highness graciously would make your for�nes ? for�nes greatnes His highness graciously would make your fortunes ? f�om correction , as shall fright All such deluders from the like attempts : But chiefly he shall � chiefly he shall smart that is your factor . Iudge�nt my Lord the Duke , No doubt but Time , and Iudgement will conforme it To such obedience , as co�saile acceptance doth require . To which end doe you counsaile her Bassio l� . And let me see Maid gainst Bassio l� require . To which end doe you consaile her Bassiolo . And let me see Maid gainst the Duks here�ofore Another tincture set vpon your lookes Then heretofore ; For be assur'd at last Thou shalt consent con�nt heretofore ; For be assur'd at last Thou shalt consent , or else incurre my curse : Aduise her star�'d Our Squire I thinke is staru'd . �ancie Ladie it is true , And you must frame your fancie to the Duke , For I protest I will not be weigh�e slendrest proofe of what we do , Infringe the weightie faith that thou hast sworne , To thy deare ��� tell my father then , how thou didst wooe me To loue the yong Prince ; and didst force Letter� Prince ; and didst force me too , To take his Letters ; I was well enclin'd , I will be sworne W�ll Well , now I am resolu'd . Ta�e done , farewell : but do you heare sir ? Take this with you besides ; the young Prince i�pudent denie things , that I hope Will stop your impudent mouth : but goe your waies , If you can he�re Well Lady , if you will assure me heere , You will refraine to meete with the young ��� loue A man I hated till you spake for him , With such enchanting speeches , as no friend �nchanting hated till you spake for him , With such enchanting speeches , as no friend Could possibly resist possi�ly enchanting speeches , as no friend Could possibly resist : but you must vse Your villanous Vince� Thinke you that Ile play false with my deare Vincentio I swore that sooner Hybla should want bees ��� play false with my deare Vincentio I swore that sooner Hybla should want bees , And Italy bon� sooner Hybla should want bees , And Italy bone robes , then I ; faith And so they shall sh�ll I ; faith And so they shall . Come , you shall meete , and double meete , in spight Of O� shall meete , and double meete , in spight Of all your foes , and Dukes that dare maintaine D�kes meete , in spight Of all your foes , and Dukes that dare maintaine them , A plague of all a�l Dukes that dare maintaine them , A plague of all old doters , I disdaine them : disd aine maintaine them , A plague of all old doters , I disdaine them : S�d Said like a friend ; O let me combe the cokscombe Alphon�o Enter Alphonso , Medice , Lasso , Cortezza aboue . pol�ike or in them that guard her . The Prince is politike , and enuies his Father : And though �t �t pol�ike , and enuies his Father : And though not for himselfe , nor any good Intended to � Whist whist wh�st , they come . ��� , my Father comes , and foe , my Aunt , O t'is a wittie hearing , ist not thinke you ? ��� Father comes , and foe , my Aunt , O t'is a wittie hearing , ist not thinke you ? M�r. Mar. h�nce He neuer daines to rise , to fright them hence , But onely puts forth one of his sterne ��� puts forth one of his sterne pawes , And keepes his deare whelps safe , as in a hutch , wh�lps of his sterne pawes , And keepes his deare whelps safe , as in a hutch , So I present his pr�sent deare whelps safe , as in a hutch , So I present his person , and keepe mine . Fox �s , goe Fox �s So I present his person , and keepe mine . Foxes , goe by I put my terror forth , ��� Let all the world say what they can , Her bargaine best she makes gra�e the bug , the Duke comes strait : O tis a graue old louer that same Duke , And chooses Minions lo�er the Duke comes strait : O tis a graue old louer that same Duke , And chooses Minions rarely � noble Medice , that man , that Bobbadilla , That foolish knaue , that hose and dublet kn�ue that man , that Bobbadilla � That foolish knaue , that hose and dublet �inckard . d�blet Bobbadilla � That foolish knaue , that hose and dublet �inckard . �inckard That foolish knaue , that hose and dublet stinckard . pr�y A little , pray my Lord , for I beleeue We shall discouer b�leeue A little , pray my Lord , for I beleeue We shall discouer very notable knavery . knaue�y I beleeue We shall discouer very notable knavery . L�ss. Lass. Al�s Alas how I am gre�'d and sham'd in this . gre�'d Alas how I am greeu'd and sham'd in this . th�t But that sweet Creature � my good Lords sister , � But that sweet Creature , my good Lords sister , Madam Cortezza , Du�e ; There were a wise now , for my Lord the Duke Had he the grace to choose her , but in �eede Duke Had he the grace to choose her , but in deede , To speake her true praise , I must vse spe�ke the grace to choose her , but in deede , To speake her true praise , I must vse some study tru� choose her , but in deede , To speake her true praise , I must vse some study . prais� choose her , but in deede , To speake her true praise , I must vse some study . s�udy speake her true praise , I must vse some study . e�er Now truly brother , I did euer thinke This man the honestest man that ere k�pt thinke This man the honestest man that ere you kept . siste� So sister , so , because he praises you . he�re Nay sit , but you shall heare him further yet . li�tle Were not her head sometimes a little light , And so vnapt for matter of much mat�er sometimes a little light , And so vnapt for matter of much weight , She were the fittest , a�d matter of much weight , She were the fittest , and the worthiest Dame To leape a window , and wort�est much weight , She were the fittest , and the worthiest Dame To leape a window , and to breake her ar�ant Gods pitty , arrant knaue , I euer thought him a dissembling kna�e Gods pitty , arrant knaue , I euer thought him a dissembling varlot �ee watch , And giue you warning : I commend me t'ee . yo� much , To thinke the more woe I sustaine for you , Breedes not the more my comfort ? I alas eniment my merit euen In any measure , with your eminent worth . �assiolo Enter Bassiolo . �st Now must I exercise my timorous louers , Like fresh ma�e arm'd souldiers , with some false alarms , To make them yare and warie of their foe The boistrous yo� Nay , we must teach you more of this I tell you : What , can you be too safe sir ? what s�me I haue some Iewells then my dearest life , Which with Bassio�o Enter Bassiolo running . p�etious Gods pretious , By these ten bones , and by this hat and A�phonso Enter Alphonso , Medice , Lasso , Cortezza , and Iulio Iu�io Alphonso , Medice , Lasso , Cortezza , and Iulio . app�ehend Medice , Leade you our Guard , and see you apprehend The treacherous boy � nor let him scape � and see you apprehend The treacherous boy , nor let him scape with life , Vnlesse he ye�lde nor let him scape with life , Vnlesse he yeilde to his externall exile . �lse He is my husband , whom else should I follow ? p�rdon Yet loue me Lady , and I pardon all . Dis�ightfull Dispightfull Dame , Ile dis inherit him , And thy good staru� thee , And both shall feede on ayre , or starue , and die . Natu�e O Nature ! how alas Art thou and Reason thy true Anci�a Enter Cynanche , Beneuenius , Ancilla , Strozza hauing the Arrow head . ��� our soules , cleare fire Exhausts corpore ill humour ; and all paine , Casting our flesh Stt. Str reuerenc� not with him , but lou'st him endlesly . In reuerence of thy motion then , and zeal� To that most zeal� endlesly . In reuerence of thy motion then , and zeale To that most soueraigne power , that was snperstitious Arrow head : which work , let none iudge A superstitious Rite , but a right vse , Proper to this th� Through euery eye that sees , will stirre the soule To Gratitude and Progresse , in the noware with the true tongue of a Nobleman : But now are all these excitations toyes , And Hono� Hono� now are all these excitations toyes , And Honor fa�s his braine with other ioyes . I know fa�s are all these excitations toyes , And Hono� fats his braine with other ioyes . I know your f�iend braine with other ioyes . I know your true friend , Prince Vincentio Will triumph in this ��� triumph in this excellent effect Of your late prophecie . fr�ds O , my deare friends name Presents my thoughts , with a most inno�nt with a most mortall danger , To his right innocent life : a monstrous fact Is now effected monst�s mortall danger , To his right innocent life : a monstrous fact Is now effected on him . t�e know , But am assur'd , the substance is too true . Come reuerend Doctor , let vs harken out ��� remaines , and beare with you Medcines t'allay his danger : if by wounds , Beare pretious Balsome s�e if by wounds , Beare pretious Balsome , or some s�gne iuyce ; If by fell poison , some choice s�gne wounds , Beare pretious Balsome , or s�e soueraigne iuyce ; If by fell poison , some choice A�te s�gne iuyce ; If by fell poison , some choice Antidote , If by blacke witch� , our good s�ts and witch� poison , some choice Antidote , If by blacke witchcraft , our good s�ts and prayers Shall exorcise s�ts Antidote , If by blacke witch� , our good spirits and prayers Shall exorcise the diuelish vnche Where ? where ? where ? where's my Lord vncle , my Lord my vncle ? presen� tydings-bringer ; what newes now , with thy vnhappie presence ? Med� Lord Vincentio , is almost kild by my Lord Medice . pr�ge See Doctor , see , if my presage be true . And well I know if he haue hurt ind�d all the Dukes Guard ; and they set vpon him indeed ; and after he had defended himselfe , dee � had defended himselfe , dee see ? he drew , & hauing as good as wounded the Lord Medice a� wounded the Lord Medice almost , he strake at him , and �d h� , dee marke ? �d Lord Medice almost , he strake at him , and missd h� , dee marke ? h� Medice almost , he strake at him , and �d him , dee marke ? g�de At Monks well , my Lord , Ile guide you to him presently presen�y Monks well , my Lord , Ile g�de you to him presently no� I doubt it not ; fooles are best guides to ill , And mischiefes g�des I doubt it not ; fooles are best guides to ill , And mischiefes readie way lies l�s guides to ill , And mischiefes readie way lies open still . Lead sir I pray . Cortez� Enter Corteza , and Margaret aboue . M�rgaret Enter Corteza , and Margaret aboue . ab�e Enter Corteza , and Margaret aboue . Quie� Quiet your selfe , Nece ; though your loue be T is Tis true , I sweare neece . � O most vniust truth ! Ile cast my selfe downe headlong from this inst� downe headlong from this Tower , And force an instant passage for my soule , To seeke the wandring pass�ge headlong from this Tower , And force an instant passage for my soule , To seeke the wandring spirit clo�hes streete , For such a matter did so ; and her clothes Flew vp about her so as she had no harme �e harme : And grace of God your clothes may flie vp too , And saue you harmelesse ; for your s�ape I would not scape ; And certainly I thinke the death is easie Ot'is O t'is the easiest death that euer was , Looke eafiest O t'is the easiest death that euer was , Looke Nece , it is N�e t'is the easiest death that euer was , Looke Nece , it is so farre hence to the ground . You N�e long before you felt it . Yet do not leape Nece . d�h sworde ; or drinke strong poison ; Which death is e�est I would faine endure . e�est or drinke strong poison ; Which death is easiest I would faine endure . �de Sure Cleopatra was of the same minde , And did so ; she was honord euer since veri��hought is softe and faint ; And trembles at the verie thought of death , Though thoughts ten-folde more gre�uous of death , Though thoughts ten-folde more greiuous do torment it ; Ile feele death by degrees f�le ten-folde more greiuous do torment it ; Ile feele death by degrees ; and first deforme This p�asure yet Adelasia ; In Pettis Pallace of Petit pleasure , For all the worlde , with such a knife hear� Fie on my faint heart , It will not giue my hand the wished strength th�ir doe men adore Our fading Beauties , when their worthiest liues , Being lost for vs , we ��� beautie like a wildernesse , That neuer mans eie mo�e may dare t'inuade . mo�e like a wildernesse , That neuer mans eie more may dare t'inuade . N�ce Ile tell you Nece ; and yet I will not tell you , A thing h�re pleasure you in all I cud . I haue an Ointment here , which we Dames vse , To take off hair��hen hair��hen Ointment here , which we Dames vse , To take off haire when it does growe too lowe � Vpon our foreheads G�e O Giue me that Aunt . virg� Giue it you virgin ? that were well indeede : Shall I be thought swe�re No , I sweare . y from me ? Gods my deare , Will you mis-vse your face so ? what , all ouer ? Nay , if you ��� Fade � plesse beautie , turne the vgliest face plesse ��� � haplesse beautie , turne the vgliest face Th� euer b�autie ��� � plesse beautie , turne the vgliest face Th� euer Aethiop wo�e thy dissolued intellectuall powers , See a worse torment suffered for thy death , Then if tormen� dissolued intellectuall powers , See a worse torment suffered for thy death , Then if it had s�ffered intellectuall powers , See a worse torment suffered for thy death , Then if it had extended ifit worse torment suffered for thy death , Then if it had extended his blacke force , In seuen-fold enu�nom'd ointment . smart . and to my braine Sweate thy enuenom'd furie , make my eyes Burne with thy sulphre � furie , make my eyes Burne with thy sulphre , like the lakes of hell , That feare of me sh�er the lakes of hell , That feare of me may shiuer him to dust , That eate his owne childe Ex� Exit . Son� I wonder how farre they pursu'd my Sonne , That no returne of him or them appears eff�ct High heauen vouchsafe no such effect succeede Those wretched causes that from ca�es vouchsafe no such effect succeede Those wretched causes that from my house flow , But that in h�elesse h�elesse causes that from my house flow , But that in harmelesse loue all acts may end . Cort� Enter Cortezza . Ala� What shall I do ? Alas I cannot rule My desparate Neece , all her desp�rate What shall I do ? Alas I cannot rule My desparate Neece , all her sweete face is spoylde , beho�d Tyrant ! behold how thou hast vsde thy loue , See , theefe N�ure thou hast vsde thy loue , See , theefe to Nature , thou hast kil'd and rob'd , Kil'd what � my selfe kill'd , rob'd what makes thee poore . Beautie ( a Louers treasure ) thou hast dow� Where none can find it ; all a poore Maides dowrie Thou hast forc'd from me : all my ioy and Ent�r Enter Iulio . ��� , your sonne is daungerously hurt . Lord Medice contemning your commaund , By me deliuered �rooke will'd , Set on him with your Guard ; who strooke him downe ; And then the coward Lord , with th�n with your Guard ; who �rooke him downe ; And then the coward Lord , with mortall wounds , ��� the coward Lord , with mortall wounds , And slauish insolencie , plow'd vp his soft breast ; f�ct plow'd vp his soft breast ; Which barbarous fact in part is laid on you , For first enioyning �owle laid on you , For first enioyning it , and fowle exclai�mes In pittie of your sonne , your exclai�mes you , For first enioyning it , and �owle exclaimes In pittie of your sonne , your subiects Suozza Benevenius , Pogio , Cynanch with a guard , Strozza before & Medice . Med��c , Cynanch with a guard , Strozza before & Medice . stri�e Where is the tyrant ? let me strike his eyes Into his braine , with horror of ri� obiect . See Pagan Nero ; see how thou hast ript Thy better bosome ; rooted vp that flowre ��� See Pagan Nero ; see how thou hast ri� Thy better bosome ; rooted vp that flowre , From whence ma� he is my Prince , In both whose rights he may commaund my life . �urne What is a father ? turne his entrailes gulfs To swallow children wh�n his entrailes gulfs To swallow children , when they haue begot them ? And whats a Prince �an ; all men had beene Princes : A vertuous man is subiect to no Prince , But to his soule �o beene Princes : A vertuous man is subiect to no Prince , But to his soule and honour ; which lu�te What is there in a Prince ? That his least lusts Are valued at the liues of other men , When r�ther should prodigies be , And his grosse dotage rather loath'd then sooth'd . ��� prodigies be , And his grosse dotage rather loath'd then sooth'd . A�p. Alp. ��� How thicke and heauily my plagues descend � Not giuing my mazde � How thicke and ��� my plagues descend ! Not giuing my mazde powres a time to speake m� thicke and ��� my plagues descend � Not giuing my mazde powres a time to speake : Poure more mo�e my mazde powres a time to speake : Poure more rebuke vpon me worthie Lord , For I haue comm�nd Gentleman can witnes , whom I sent With all command of haste to �terdict This forward man in �terdict whom I sent With all command of haste to interdict This forward man in mischiefe ; not to touch Iu�io mischiefe ; not to touch thee : Did I not Iulio ? vtter nought but truth . �erations gaue your charge , With lowd and violent itterations . After all which , Lord Medice cowardly Guara which , Lord Medice cowardly hurt him . The Guard . He did my Princely Lord . nupt�als both , ( As last I left you ) in eternall nuptials . Al�s Alas , that title is of little force To stirre affectious title is of little force To stirre vp mens affections : when wiues want Outward excitements , � take all let from your loues tender eyes . Let me for euer hide this staine of Beauty Be�uenius Graue Beneuenius , honorable Doctor , On whose most soueraigne q�ite fortunate , as euer heeretofore , That we may quite thee both with gold and honour , And by eq�all good Lord , The speciall furtherer of this equall match ? Iu�io Iulio Al�. Alp. �orie He comes ; O master Vsher , I am sorie for you , you must presently be chopt in b�ene beene seene in your companie , and you had beene out of fauour ? Here's my friend maister fa�'st I hope you know now : Sweete Vince , how far'st thou , be of honourd cheere . Lo�d O my Lord , Ahlas You know not what haz past twixt �e twixt vs two ; Here in thy bosome I will be sweete Vince , And die if thou die , I protest s�w Why I saw that as well as he my Lord ; I knew t'was no� t'was a foolish match betwixt you two ; did not you thinke so my Lord Vincentio ? Lord vncle fi�st Vincentio ? Lord vncle , did not I say at first of the Duke � will his Antiquitie neuer � vncle , did not I say at first of the Duke ; will his Antiquitie neuer leaue his Iniquitie Imqu�tie Duke � will his Antiquitie neuer leaue his Iniquitie ? � Lord Stinkard Man , his name is ; aske him Lord Stinkard � did you like the ��� Lord Stinkard Man , his name is � aske him Lord Stinkard � did you like the match � Man , his name is � aske him Lord Stinkard , did you like the match ? say . Stinkar� My Lord Stinkard , did you like the match betwixt the Duke ��� Presumptuous Sicophant , I will haue thy life . l�fe Presumptuous Sicophant , I will haue thy life . Lo�d Vnworthie Lord , put vp : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy �hirst'st Vnworthie Lord , put vp : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy life is �tt'st to �ou Vnworthie Lord , put vp : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy life is �tt'st to be call'd T�y Lord , put vp : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy life is �tt'st to be call'd in question �tt'st : thirst'st thou more blood ? Thy life is fitt'st to be call'd in question , For thy most � thy most murthrous cowardise on my sonne ; Thy forwardnesse to euery cruelty Calls � Fore-telling these foule dangers to your sonne , And without notice brought this reuerend b�rbarous duely forfet , for the death Which in these barbarous wounds he sought your sonne ; Vouchsafe hi� prophetike Hath inward feeling of such sinnes in him , As aske the forfait of his life and soule wonder� penitence : O , he would tell you most notorious wonders , Of his most impious state ; but life and forg uenesse him liue , Till by confession he may haue forgiuenesse . Die therefore monster . L�s.. Las. Se�s Of no Country , I , But borne vpon the Seas , my mother passing Twixt Za�t and Uenice Za�t borne vpon the Se�s , my mother passing Twixt Zant and Uenice . � christned , But being brought vp with beggars , call'd Mendice . lea�ing yeares , by seuerall stealths collected , And leauing them in warres , I liu'd abroad , With no fo� I did my Lord , for which , for heauens loue pardon . � Hence then , be euer banish'd from my rule , And liue a monster , loath'd of all the co�e my Lord Stinckerd , Ile play Fox , Fox , come out of thy hole with you ifaith . � Exit with Pages beating Medice . � humbly thanke your Highnesse honor'd Doctor , The Balsome you infusde into my wounds , re�re Which my deere Sonne shall with thy full recure Be celebrate in greater Maiesty , Than euer ble�e take thy loue , which heauen with all ioyes blesse , And make yee both mirrors of happinesse
A18415 ---- May Day Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18415 of text S107953 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4980). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn Lydia Zoells This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18415.xml May-day. A vvitty comedie, diuers times acted at the Blacke Fryers. VVritten by George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 42 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843645 STC (2nd ed.) 4980. Greg, I, 297. 8391 A18415

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May-day. A vvitty comedie, diuers times acted at the Blacke Fryers. VVritten by George Chapman. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 80 p. Printed [by William Stansby] for Iohn Browne; dwelling in Fleetstreete in Saint Dunstones Church-yard, London : 1611. 1602

Printer's name from STC.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18415 shc May Day Chapman, George Nayoon Ahn Lydia Zoells 1602 play comedy shc no A18415 S107953 (STC 4980). 29400 0 0 0 1000.34B The rate of 0.34 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

MAY-DAY . A vvitty Comedie , diuers times acted at the Blacke Fryers .

Written by GEORGE CHAPMAN .

LONDON . Printed for Iohn Browne ; dwelling in Fleetstreete in Saint Dunstones Church-yard . 1611 .

MAY-DAY .
Actus prima ,
Scaena prima . Chorus Iuuenum cantantes & saltantes . Exeunt saltan . Interim , Intrat Lorenzo , Papers in his hand . Lor.

WEll done my lusty bloods , Well done . Fit , fit obseruance for this May-morning ; Not the May-Moneth alone , they take when it comes ; Nor the first weeke of that Moneth ; Nor the first day ; but the first minute of the first houre , of the first day . Loose no time bloods , loose no time ; though the Sunne goe to bedde neuer so much before you , yet be you vp before him ; call the golden sluggard from the siluer armes of his Lady , to light you into yours , when your old father Ianuary here in one of his last dayes , thrusts his fore-head into the depth of Mayes fragrant bosome : What may you Aprilles performe then ? O what may you doe ? Well yet will I say thus much for my selfe , wheresoeuer the affections of youth are , there must needs be the instruments , and where the instruments are , there must of necessity be the faculties ; What am I short of them then ? A sound old man , ably constituted , holsomly dyeted , that tooke his May temperately at their ages , and continued his owne ; why should he not continue their ages in his owne ? By the Masse I feele nothing that stands against it , and therefore sweet May I salute thee with the yongest : I haue loue to employ thee in , as well as the prowdest yong princock , and so haue at you Mistris Frances China : haue at you Mistris Franke : I 'le sprede my nets for you yfaith , though they be my very purse nets , wherein what heart will not willingly lye panting ? ( Enter Angelo . )

Ang.

How now ? Gods my life , I wonder what made this May-morning so cold , and now I see 't is this Ianuary that intrudes into it ; what paper is that he holds in hand trow we ?

Lor.

Here haue I put her face in rime , but I feare my old vaine will not stretch to her contentment . O haire , no haire but beames stolne from the Sunne .

Ang.

Out vpon her , if it be shee that I thinke , shee has a Fox red cranion ;

Lor.

A fore-head that disdaines the name of faire .

Ang.

And reason , for 't is a folwe one .

Lor.

A matchlesse eye .

Ang.

True , her eyes be not matches .

Lor.

A cheeke , vermillion red .

Ang.

Painted I warrant you .

Lor.

A farre commanding mouth .

Ang.

It stretches to her eares in deede .

Lor.

A nose made out of waxe .

Ang.

A red nose , in sincerity .

Lor.

This could I send , but person , person does it : A good presence , to beare out a good wit ; a good face , a prety Court legge , and a deft dapper personage , no superfluous dimensions , but fluent in competence ; for it is not Hector but Paris , not the full armefull , but the sweet handfull that Ladies delight in .

Ang.

O notable old whyniard .

Lor.

Such a size of humanity now , and braine enough in it , it is not in the strength of a woman to withstand ; well shee may hold out a parlee or two , for 't is a weake fort that obeyes at the first or second summons , if shee resist the third shee is discharg'd , though shee yeeld in future : for then it appeares it was no fault of hers : but the man that would take no deniall . What rests now ? meanes for accesse : True . O an honest Baude were worth gold now .

Ang.

A plague vpon him , I had thought to haue appear'd to him , but now if I doe , he will take me for the man he talks on : I will therefore post by his dull eye-sight , as in hast of businesse .

Lor.

What Signior Angelo ? soft I command you .

Ang.

Gods precious , what meane you Sir ?

Lor.

I would be loth to be out-runne I assure you Sir : was I able to stay you ?

Ang.

Your ability stood too stiffe Sir , beshrow me else .

Lor.

O most offencelesse fault , I would thou would'st blaze my imperfection to one thou know'st , yfaith .

Ang.

Well Sir another time , tell me where shee is , and I le doe so much for you gratis . Good morrow Sir .

Lor.

Nay stay good Angelo .

Ang.

My businesse sayes nay Sir , you haue made me stay to my paine Sir , I thanke you .

Lor.

Not a whit man I warrant thee .

Ang.

Goe to then , briefly , to whom shall I commend your imperfections , will you tell me if I name her ?

Lor.

That I will , yfaith Boy .

Ang.

Is not her haire , no haire , but beames stolne from the Sunne ?

Lor.

Blacke , blacke as an Ouzell .

Ang.

A fore-head that disdaines the name of faire .

Lor.

Away Witch , away :

Ang.

A matchlesse eye .

Lor.

Nay fie , fie , fie . I see th' art a very Deuill Angelo . And in earnest , I iested , when I said my desire of thy friendship touch'd my selfe , for it concernes a friend of mine iust of my standing .

Ang.

To whom then would he be remembred that I can sollicite ?

Lor.

To sweet Mistris Franciscina : with whom I heare thou art ready to lye downe , thou art so great with her .

Ang.

I am as great as a neare Kinseman may be with her Sir , not otherwise :

Lor.

A good consanguinity : and good Angelo , to her with thou deliuer from my friend , in all secrecy , these poore brace of bracelets ?

Ang.

Perhaps I will Sir , when I know what the Gentleman and his intent is .

Lor.

Neuer examine that man ; I would not trouble you with carrying too much at once to her , only tell her , such a man will resolue her , naming me : and I doe not greatly care , if I take the paines to come to her , so I stay not long , and be let in priuily : and so without making many wordes : here they be , put them vp closely I beseech thee , and deliuer them as closely .

Ang.

Well Sir , I loue no contention with friends , and therefore pocket many things , that otherwise I would not : but I pray Sir licence me a question . Doe not I know this Gentleman that offers my Cozen this kindnesse ?

Lor.

Neuer saw'st him in thy life , at least neuer knew'st him ; but for his bounty sake to all his well willers , if this message be friendly discharged , I may chance put a deare friend of him into your bosome : Sir , and make you profitably acquainted .

Ang.

But I pray you Sir , is he not a well elderly Gentleman ?

Lor.

Wide , wide ; as yong as day , I protest to thee .

Ang.

I know he is yong too , but that is in ability of body , but is he not a prety little squat Gentleman , as you shall see amongst a thousand ?

Lor.

Still from the cushion , still , tall and high , like a Cedar .

Ang.

I know he is tall also , but it is in his minde Sir , and it is not Hector but Paris , not thy full armefull , but the sweet handfull that a Lady delights to dandle .

Lor.

Now the good Deuill take thee , if there be any such in hell , hell I beseech thee .

Ang.

Well , well Signior Lorenzo , yfaith the litle Squire is thought to be as parlesse a peece of flesh , for a peece of flesh , as any hunts the hole pale of Venus I protest t' ee .

Lor.

I cannot containe my selfe , yfaith Boy , if the Wenches come in my walke , I giue 'em that they come for , I dally not with hem .

Ang.

I know you doe not Sir , his dallying dayes be done .

Lor.

It is my infirmity , and I cannot doe withall , to die for 't .

Ang.

I beleeue you Sir .

Lor.

There are certaine enuious old fellowes , my neighbours , that say , I am one vnwieldly and stiffe : Angelo , didst euer heare any wench complaine of my stiffenesse ?

Ang.

Neuer in my life : your old neighbours measure you by themselues .

Lor.

Why ther 's the matter then ?

Ang.

But yfaith Sir : doe you euer hope to winne your purpose at my losing hands , knowing her ( as all the world does ) a woman of that approued lowlynesse of life , and so generally tryed ?

Lor.

As for that take thou no care , shee 's a woman , is shee not ?

Ang.

Sure I doe take her to haue the flesh and blood of a woman .

Lor.

Then good enough , or then bad enough , this token shall be my Gentleman Vsher to prepare my accesse , and then let me alone with her .

Ang.

I marry Sir , I thinke you would be alone with her ; Well Sir , I will doe my best , but if your Gentleman Vsher should not get entrance for you now , it would be a griefe to me . ( Enter Gasparo an old Clowne . )

Lor.

Feare it not man : Gifts and gold , take the strong'st hold ; Away , here comes a snudge that must be my sonne in law : I would be loth he should suspect these tricks of youth in me , for feare he feare my daughter will trot after me .

Ang.

Fare you well Sir . Exit .

Gasp.

Godge you God morrow Sir , godge you God morrow .

Lor.

God morrow neighbour Gasparo : I haue talk't with my daughter , whom I doe yet finde a greene yong plant , and therefore vnapt to beare such ripe fruit , I thinke I might haue said rotten , as your selfe : But shee is at my disposition , and shall be at yours in the end , here 's my hand , and with my hand take hers .

Gasp.

Nay by my faith Sir , you must giue me leaue to shake her portion by the hand first .

Lor.

It is ready told for you Sir , come home when you will and receiue it , ( Enter Aemilia . ) and see , yonder shee comes ; away , shee cannot yet abide you , because shee feares shee can abide you too well .

Gasp.

Well , I will come for her potion Sir , and till then , God take you to his mercy . Exit .

Lor.

Adiew my good sonne in law , I le not interrupt her , let her meditate a my late motion . Exit .

Aemi. 'T is strange to see the impiety of parents , Both priuiledgd by custome , and profest , The holy institution of heauen ; Ordeyning marriage for proportiond minds , For our chiefe humane comforts ; and t' encrease The loued images of God in men : Is now peruerted to th' increase of wealth ; We must bring riches forth , and like the Cuckoe Hatch others egges ; Ioyne house to house , in choices Fit timber-logs and stones , not men and women : ( Enter Aurelio . ) Ay me , here 's one I must shunne , woude embrace . Exit . Aur.

O stay and heare me speake or see me dye . ( Enter Lodouico and Giacono . )

Lod.

How now ? what haue we here ? what a loathsome creature man is being drunke : Is it not pitty to see a man of good hope , a toward Scholler , writes a theame well , scannes a verse very well , and likely in time to make a proper man , a good legge , specially in a boote , valiant , well spoken , and in a word , what not ? and yet all this ouerthrowne as you see , drownd , quite drownd in a quarte pott .

Giac.

O these same wicked healths , breede monstrous diseases .

Lod.

Aurelio , speake man , Aurelio ?

Giac.

Pray heauen all be well .

Lod. O speake , if any sparke of speech remaine . It is thy deare Aemilia that calles . Aur.

Well , well , it becomes not a friend to touch the deadly wounds of his friend with a smiling countenance .

Lod.

Touch thee ? sblood I could finde in my heart to beate thee ; vp in a fooles name , vp : what a Scene of foppery haue we here ?

Aur.

Prethee haue done .

Lod.

Vp Cuckoe Cupids bird , or by this light I le fetch thy father to thee .

Aur.

Good Lodouico , if thou lou'st me , leaue me ; thou com'st to consaile me from that , which is ioynd with my soule in eternity : I must and will doe what I doe .

Lod.

Doe so then , and I protest thou shalt neuer licke thy lips after my Kinsewoman , while thou liu'st : I had thought to haue spoken for thee , if thou hadst taken a manly course with her : but to fold vp thy selfe like an Vrchine , and lye a caluing to bring forth a husband : I am asham'd to thinke on 't : sblood I haue heard of wenches that haue been wonne with singing and dancing , and some with riding , but neuer heard of any that was wonne with tumbling in my life .

Aur.

If thou knew'st how vaine thou seem'st .

Lod.

I doe it of purpose , to shew how vaine I hold thy disease , S'hart art thou the first that has shot at a wenches heart and mist it ? must that shot that mist her wound thee ? let her shake her heeles in a shrowes name : were shee my Cozen a thousand times , and if I were as thee , I would make her shake her heeles too , afore I would shake mine thus .

Aur.

O vanity , vanity .

Lod.

S'death , if any wench should offer to keepe possession of my heart against my will , I 'de fire her out with Sacke and Sugar , or smoke her out with Tobacko , like a hornet , or purge for her , for loue is but a humor : one way or other I would vent her , that 's infallible .

Aur.

For shame hold thy tongue , me thinks thy wit should feele how stale are these loue stormes , and with what generall priuiledge loue pierses the worthiest . Seeke to help thy friend , not mocke him .

Lod.

Marry , seeke to helpe thy selfe then , in a halters name , doe not lie in a ditch , and say God helpe me , vse the lawfull tooles he hath lent thee . Vp I say I will bring thee to her .

Aur.

Shee 'll not endure me :

Lod.

Shee shall endure thee doe the worst thou canst to her , I and endure thee till thou canst not endure her ; But then thou must vse thy selfe like a man , and a wise man , how deepe soeuer shee is in thy thoughts , carry not the prints of it in thy lookes ; be bold and carelesse , and stand not sautring a farre of , as I haue seene you , like a Dogge in a firmetypot , that licks his chops and wags his taile , and faine would lay his lips to it , but he feares t is too hot for him : that 's the only way to make her too hot for thee . He that holds religious and sacred thought of a woman , he that beares so reuerend a respect to her , that he will not touch her but with a kist hand and a timorous heart ; he that adores her like his Goddesse : Let him be sure shee will shunne him like her slaue . Alas good soules , women of themselues are tractable and tactable enough , and would returne Quid for Quod still , but we are they that spoile 'em , and we shall answere for 't another day . We are they that put a kind of wanton Melancholie into 'em , that makes 'em thinke their noses bigger then their faces , greater then the Sunne in brightnesse ; and where as Nature made 'em but halfe fooles , we make 'em all foole . And this is our palpable flattery of them , where they had rather haue plaine dealing Well , in conclusion , I le to her instantly , and if I doe not bring her to thee , or at the least some speciall fauour from her , as a feather from her fanne , or a string from her shoo , to weare in thy hat , and so forth , then neuer trust my skill in poultry whilst thou liu'st againe . Exit .

Enter Quintiliano , Innocentio , Fransischina , Angelo , and Fannio . Fran.

THou shalt not to the warres , or if thou do'st I le beare thee company , deare Quint . doe not offer to forsake me .

Quint.

Hands off wife , hang not vpon me thus ; how can I maintaine thee but by vsing my valour ? and how can I vse that , but in action and employment ? goe in , play at cardes with your Cozen Angelo here , and let it suffise I loue thee .

Ang.

Come sweet Cozen , doe not cloy your husband with your loue so , especially to hinder his preferment ; who shall the Duke haue to employ in these Marshall necessities if not Captaine Quintiliano , he beares an honorable minde , and t is pitty but he should haue employment . Let him get a company now , and he will be able to maintaine you like a Duches hereafter .

Innoc.

Well said Signior Angelo , gossaue me you speake like a true Cozen indeede , does he not Quint ?

Quint.

He does so , and I thanke him ; yet see how the foole puts finger i th' eye still .

Ang.

I le cheere her vp , I warrant you Captaine ; come Cuze , le ts in to tables .

Innoc.

Farewell sweet Mistris .

Fran.

Farewell my good seruant .

Ang.

Now take away thy hand , and show thou didst laugh all this while ; good Lord who would not marry to haue so kinde a wife make much on him ? Exit .

Quint.

After Boy , giue your attendance .

Fann.

Could you not spare me money for mine hostesse , where you put me to boarde ? y' are a whole fortnight arrerages .

Quint.

Attend I say , the hostes of the Lyon has a legge like a Gyant , want for nothing Boy , so shee score truly .

Fann.

Faith Sir , shee has chaulk't vp twenty shillings already , and sweares shee will chaulke no more .

Quint.

Then let her choke , and choke thou with her : S'blood hobby horse , and she had chaulkt vp twenty pounds , I hope the world knowes I am able to pay it with a wet finger .

Fann.

Alas Sir , I thinke y' are able , but the world does not know it .

Quint.

Then the worlds an ignorant Sir , and you are an innocent , vanish Boy , away .

Fann.

I hope he will foist some money for my score , out of this gull here . Exit .

Innoc.

'T is a plaguy good wagge Quint . i st not ?

Quint.

I le make him a good one ' ere I ha done with him ; but this same louing foole my wife now , will neuer leaue weeping , till I make her beleeue I will not haue a company . Who would be combred with these soft hearted creatures , that are euer in extreames , either too kinde , or too vnkind ?

Innoc.

Saue me , 't is true , 't is a hard thing must please 'em in sadnesse .

Quint.

Damne me , if I doe not pitty her with my heart ; plague on her kindnesse , she has halfe perswaded me to take no company .

Innoc.

Nay sweet Quint : then how shall I be a Lieftenant ?

Quint.

Well , and my promise were not past to thee , I am a villaine if all the world should part Franke and me ; thinke I loue thee therefore , and will doe thee credit : It will cost me a great deale a this same foolish money to buy me drum and ensigne , and furnish me throughly , but the best is I know my credit .

Innoc.

Sfut Quint , wee 'll want no money man , I le make my row of houses flie first .

Quint.

Let 'em walke , let 'em walke ; Candle rents : if the warres hold , or a plague come to the towne , thei ll be worth nothing .

Innoc.

True , or while I am beyond Sea , some sleepy wench may set fire i th bed-straw .

Quint.

Right , or there may come an earthquake , and ouerturne 'em .

Innoc.

Iust , or there may be coniuring , and the winde may downe with 'em .

Quint.

Or some crafty petty-fogger may finde a hole in the title , a thousand casualties belongs to 'em .

Innoc.

Nay , they shall walke , that 's certaine , I le turne 'em into money .

Quint.

That 's thy most husbandly course yfaith Boy , thou maist haue twenty i th' hundred for thy life , I le be thy man for two hundred .

Innoc.

Wil't yfaith Quint ? gossaue me t is done .

Quint.

For your life , not otherwise .

Innoc.

Well , I desire no more , so you 'll remember me for my Lieftenantship .

Quint.

Remember thee ? 't is thine owne already Boy , a hundred pounds shall not buy it from thee ; giue me thy hand . I doe here create thee Lieftenant Innocentio .

Innoc.

If you haue a company Captaine .

Quint.

If I haue : damne me if such another word doe not make me put thee out ath ' place againe ; if I haue a company , Sfut , let the Duke deny me one , I would t were come to that once , that employment should goe with the vndeseruer , while men of seruice sit at home , and feede their anger with the blood of red lattices . Let the Duke denie me to day , I le renounce him to morrow . I le to the enimy point blanke , I 'me a villaine else :

Innoc.

And I by heauen I sweare .

Quint.

Well if that day come , it will proue a hot day with some body .

Innoc.

But Captaine , did not you say that you would enter me at an Ordinary , that I might learne to conuerse ?

Quint.

When thou wilt Lieftenant ; No better time then now , for now th' art in good clothes , which is the most materiall point for thy entrance there .

Innoc.

I but how should I behaue my selfe ?

Quint.

Marry Sir , when you come first in , you shall see a crew of Gallants of all sorts :

Innoc.

Nay Captaine if I come first in I shall see no body .

Quint.

Tush man , you must not doe so , if you haue good clothes and will be noted let am all come in afore you , and then as I said shall you see a lusty crew of Gallants , some Gentlemen , some none ; but that 's all one : he that beares himselfe like a Gentleman , is worthy to haue beene borne a Gentleman : some aged haue beards , and some haue none , some haue money , and some haue none , yet all must haue meate : Now will all these I say at your first entrance wonder at you , as at some strange Owle : Examine your person , and obserue your bearing for a time . Doe you then ath ' tother side seeme to neglect their obseruance as fast , let your countenance be proofe against all eyes , not yeelding or confessing in it any inward defect . In a word be impudent enough , for that 's your chiefe vertue of society .

Innoc.

Is that ? faith and I neede not learne that , I haue that by nature I thanke God .

Quint.

So much the better , for nature is farre aboue Art , or iudgement . Now for your behauiour ; let it be free and negligent , not clogg'd with ceremony or obseruance , giue no man honour , but vpon equall termes ; for looke how much thou giu'st any man aboue that , so much thou tak'st from thy selfe : he that will once giue the wall , shall quickly be thrust into the kennell : measure not thy carriage by any mans eye , thy speech by no mans eare , but be resolute and confident in doing and saying , and this is the grace of a right Gentleman as thou art .

Innoc.

Sfut , that I am I hope , I am sure my father has beene twise Warden on 's company .

Quint.

That 's not a peare matter man , ther 's no prescription for Gentility , but good clothes and impudence : for your place , take it as it fals , but so as you thinke no place to good for you ; fall too with ceremony whatsoeuer the company be : and as neere as you can , when they are in their Mutton , be thou in thy Wood-cocke , it showes resolution . Talke any thing , thou car'st not what , so it be without offence , and as neere as thou canst without sence .

Innoc.

Let me alone for that Captaine I warrant you .

Quint.

If you chance to tell a lye , you must binde it with some oath , as by this bread , for breads a binder you know .

Innoc.

True .

Quint.

And yet take heede you sweare by no mans bread but your owne , for that may breede a quarrell : aboue all things you must carry no coales .

Innoc.

By heauen not I , I le freeze to death first .

Quint.

Well Sir , one point more I must remember you of . After dinner there will be play , and if you would be counted compleate , you must venture amongst them ; for otherwise , thei ll take you for a Scholler or a Poet , and so fall into contempt of you : for there is no vertue can scape the accompt of basenesse if it get money , but gaming and law ; yet must you not loose much money at once , for that argues little wit at all times .

Innoc.

As gossaue me , and that 's my fault ; for if I be in once , I shall loose all I haue about me .

Quint.

Is true , Lieftenant ? birlady Sir I le be your moderator , therefore let me see how much money haue you about you ?

Innoc.

Not much , some twenty marke or twenty pound in gold .

Quint.

'T is too much to loose by my faith , Lieftenant ; giue me your purse Sir , hold yee , heer 's two brace of Angels , you shall venture that for fashion sake , I le keepe the rest for you , till you haue done play .

Innoc.

That will be all one , for when that 's lost I shall neuer leaue till I get the rest from you : for I know thou wilt let me haue it if I aske it .

Quint.

Not a penny by this gold .

Innoc.

Prethee doe not then , as gossaue me and you do :

Quint.

And I doe , hang me ; Come le ts to the Duke .

Exeunt .
Finis Actus Primi .
Actus Secundi ,
Scaena prima . Enter Lucretia and Temperance , seuerall wayes . Tem.

NAy Mistris , pray eene goe in againe , for I haue some inward newes for you .

Lucr.

What are those pray .

Tem.

T is no matter Mistris till you come in , but make much a time in the meane time , good fortune thrusts her selfe vpon you in the likenesse of a fine yong Gentleman , hold vp your apron and receiue him while you may , a Gods name .

Lucr.

How say by that ? y' are a very wise counsailer .

Tem.

Well Mistris , when I was a Maide , and that 's a good while agoe I can tell you .

Lucr.

I thinke very well .

Tem.

You were but a little one then I wisse .

Lucr.

Nor you neither I beleeue .

Tem.

Faith it 's one of the furthest things I can remember .

Lucr.

But what when you were a Maide ?

Tem.

Marry Mistris I tooke my time , I warrant you . And ther 's Signior Leonoro now , the very flower of Venice , and one that loues you deerely I ensure you .

Lucr.

God forgiue him if he doe , for I le be sworne I neuer deseru'd his loue , nor neuer will while I liue .

Tem.

Why then , what say to Signior Collatine ! ther 's a dainty peece of Venzon for you , and a feruent louer indeed .

Lucr.

He ? I dare say , he knowes not what wood loues shafts are made of , his Signiory woud think it the deepest disparagement could be done to him , to say that euer he spent sigh for any Dame in Italy .

Tem.

Well , you haue a whole browne dozen a suters at least , I am sure ; take your choice amongst 'em all , if you loue not all , yet you may loue three or foure on 'em to be doing withall .

Lucr.

To be doing withall ? loue three or foure ?

Tem.

Why not , so you loue 'em moderately . What must that strange made peece Theagines that you cry out vpon so often , haue all from other , and yet know not where he is ?

Lucr.

O my Theagine , not Theagines , thy loue hath turn'd me woman like thy selfe , shall thy sight neuer turne me man againe . Come le ts to the Minster , God heare my prayers as I intend to stop mine eares against all my suters .

Tem.

Well Mistris , yet peraduenture , they may make you open afore the Priest haue a penny for you ,

Exeunt . Enter Lodouico and Aemilia . Lodo.

HEer 's a coyle to make wit and women friends : come hither wench , let me haue thee single ; now sit thee downe , and heare good counsaile next thy heart , and God giue thee grace to lay it to thy heart .

Aem.

Fie Cozen , will this wilde tongue of yours neuer receiue the bridle ?

Lod.

Yes , thou shalt now see me stroke my beard , and speake sententiously : thou tellest me thy little father is in hand with a great rich marriage for thee , and would haue thee commit matrimony with old Gasparo , art thou willing with it ?

Aem.

I rather wish my selfe marryed to a thousand deaths .

Lod.

Then I perceiue thou know'st him not ; did he neuer wooe thee ?

Aem.

I protest , I neuer chang'd three words with him in my life ; he hath once or twice woo'de my father for me , but neuer me .

Lod.

Why that 's the reason thou lou'st him not , because thou tak'st in none of his valiant breath to enflame thee , nor vouchsaf'st his knowledge ; I le tell thee what he is , an old saplesse trunke , fit to make touch-wood of hollow , and bald like a blasted Oke , on whose top Rauens sit and croke the portents of funerals ; one that noints his nose with clowced creame , and Pomatum . His breath smels like the butt end of a shoo-makers horne . A leprous scaly hide like an Elephant . The sonne of a Sow-gelder , that came to towne ( as I haue heard thy father himselfe say ) in a tottred russet cote , high shooes , and yet his hose torne aboue 'em ; A long pike-staffe in his necke ( and a tord in his teeth ) and a wallet on his right shoulder , and now the cullion hath with Nouerint vniuersi eaten vp some hundred Gentlemen : he must needs rise a Gentleman as 't were out of their Ashes , or disparage a Gentlewoman , to make himselfe a Gentleman , at least by the wiues side .

Aem.

The wurse my fortune to be entangled with such a winding bramble .

Lod.

Entangl'd ? Nay if I thought t would euer come to that , I 'de hire some shag-ragge or other for halfe a chickeene to cut 's throat , only to saue thy hands from doing it ; for I know thou wouldst poison him within one moneth ; loue thee he will neuer , and that must be thy happinesse : for if he doe , looke to be coop't vp like a prisoner , condemn'd to execution , scarce suffred to take the aire , so much as at a window , or waited on continually by an old beldame : not to keepe thee company , but to keepe thee from company : thy pocket searcht , thy cabinets ransackt for letters : euer in opposition , vnlesse ( like the Moone ) once a Moneth in coniunction ; wealth thou maist haue indeede , but enioy it as in a dreame , for when thou wak'st thou shalt finde nothing in thy hand ; ( Enter Gasparo ) and ( to keepe my tale in goodnesse ) see how all the ill that can be spoken of him is exprest in his presence .

Aem.

O ougly , and monstrous spectacle .

Lod.

Now tell me whether thou wouldst make choice of him or a yong gallant in prime of his choicenesse ; one that for birth , person , and good parts , might meritoriously marry a Countesse ; and one to whom his soule is not so deere as thy selfe . ( Enter Aurelio ) For all the world such another as he that comes here now : marke him well , see whether Gasparo and he be not a little different . Exit Aemilia . How now ? Sownds Aurelio ? stay beast , wilt thou make such a blest opportunity curse thee ? I le fetch her out to thee . Exit Lod.

Aure.

Wretch that I am , how shee lothes me ? if I abide her , I shall consume in the lightnings of her anger . ( Enter Lodouico with Aemilia . )

Exit Aure. Lod.

Here 's a life indeede ; what 's he gone ? passion of death , what a babe 't is ? I could finde in my heart to ierke him , but temper me friendship , no remedy now ; now wit turne his defects to perfection . Why Cuze hee 's quite out of sight . By my life I commend him ; why this is done like thy selfe Aurelia , were shee the Queene of loue and woude runne from thee , flie thou from her ; why now I loue thee , for I see th' art worthy of my loue , thou carriest a respect to thine owne worth , and wilt expresse it with spirit ; I dare say , thou look'st to haue had him fall on his knees , and ador'd thee , or begge his life at thy hands : or else turn'd Queene Dido , and pierce his tender heart with sword full sharpe ; no faith wench , the case is altered , loue made Hercules spin , but it made him rage after : there must goe time to the bridling of euery passion ; I hope my friend will not loue a wench against her will , if shee woude haue met his kindnesse halfe way , so : if shee skit and recoile , he shootes her off warily , and away he goes : I marry Sir , this was a Gentlemanly part indeede . Farewell Cuze , be thou free in thy choice too , and take a better and thou canst a Gods name . Exiturus .

Aem.

Nay deere Cuze , a word .

Lod.

A word ? what 's the matter ? I must needs after him , and clap him ath ' backe , this spirit must be cherisht .

Aem.

Alas what would you wish me to doe ?

Lod.

Why , nothing .

Aem.

Would you counsaile me to marry him against my fathers will ?

Lod.

Not for the world , leaue him , leaue him , leaue him : you see hee 's resolu'd , hee 'll take no harme an you , neuer feare to embrew your hands with his liuer I warrant you .

Aem.

Come you are such an other .

Lod.

This same riches with a husband , is the only thing in the world , I protest ; good Gasparo , I am sorry I haue abused thee yfaith , for my Cozens sake ; how prettily the wretch came crawling by with his crooked knees euen now : I haue seene a yong Gentlewoman , liue as merry a life with an old man , as with the proudest yong vpstart on 'em all : farewell Cuze , I am glad th' art so wise yfaith .

Aem.

If you goe , I die : fie on this affection , it rageth with suppression . Good Cuze , I am no longer able to continue it , I loue , Aurelio better then it is possible for him to loue me .

Lod.

Away , away , and could not this haue beene done at first , without all these superfluous disgracings ? O this same vnhearty nicenesse of women , is good for nothing but to keepe their huswife hands still occupied in this warp of dissembling .

Well wench redeeme thy fault , and write a kinde letter to him presently , before this resolution of his take too deept roote in him .

Aem.

Nay sweet Cuze , make me not so immodest , to write so sodainly , let me haue a little time to thinke vpon 't .

Lod.

Thinke me on nothing till you write : thinke as you write , and then you shall be sure to write as you thinke . Women doe best when they least thinke on 't .

Aem.

But rather then write I will meete him at your pleasure .

Lod.

Meete him ? dost thou thinke that I shall euer draw him againe to meete thee , that rush't from thee euen now with so iust a displeasure ?

Aem.

Nay good Cuze , vrge not my offence so bitterly , our next meeting shall pay the forfeit of all faults .

Lod.

Well th' art my pretty Cuze , and I le doe my best to bring him to thee againe , if I cannot , I shall be sorry yfaith , thou wr't so iniuriously strange to him . But where shall this interview be now .

Aem.

There is the mischiefe , and we shall hardly auoide it , my father plies my haunts so closely : and vses meanes by our maide to entrap vs , so that this Tarrasse at our backe gate is the only place we may safely meete at : from whence I can stand and talke to you . But sweet Cuze you shall sweare , to keepe this my kindnesse from Aurelio , and not intimate by any meanes that I am any thing acquainted with his comming .

Lod.

Slife , do'st thinke I am an Asse ? to what end should I tell him ? hee and I le come wandring that way to take the aire , or so , and I le discouer thee .

Aem.

By meere chance as t' were .

Lod.

By chance , by chance , and you shall at no hand see him at first , when I bring him for all this kindnesse you beare him .

Aem.

By no meanes Cuze .

Lod.

Very good : And if you endure any conference with him , let it be very little ; and as neere as you can , turne to your former strangenesse in any case .

Aem.

If doe not Cuze , trust me not .

Lod.

Or if you thinke good , you may flirt away againe as soone as you see him , and neuer let your late fault be any warning t' ee .

Aem.

I will doe all this , I warrant thee Cuze .

Lod.

Will you so Cozen foole ? canst thou be brought to that silly humour againe by any perswasions ? by Gods Lord , and you be strange againe , more then needs must , for a temperat modesty , I le break 's necke downe from thee , but he shall doe as he did to thee .

Aem.

Now , fie vpon you Cuze , what a foole doe you make me ?

Lod.

Well Dame , leaue your superfluous nicety in earnest , and within this houre I will bring him to this Tarrasse .

Aem.

But good Cuze if you chance to see my chamber window open , that is vpon the Tarrasse , doe not let him come in at it in any case .

Lod.

Sblood how can he ? can he come ouer the wall think'st ?

Aem.

O Sir , you men haue not deuices with ladders of topes to scale such walles at your pleasure , and abuse vs poore wenches .

Lod.

Now a plague of your simplicity , would you discourage him with prompting him ? well Dame , I le prouide for you .

Aem.

As you loue me Cuze , no wordes of my kindnesse from me to him .

Lod.

Goe to , no more adoe . Exit Lodouico and Aemilia .

Enter Leonoro Lionell and Temperance . Tem.

GOd yee God morrow Sir , truly I haue not heard a sweeter breath then your Page has .

Leo.

I am glad you like him Mistris Temperance .

Tem.

And how d ee Sir ?

Leo.

That I must know of you Lady , my welfare depends wholly vpon your good speede .

Tem.

How say Sir ? and by my soule I was comming to you in the morning when your yong man came to me ; I pray let him put on , vnlesse it be for your pleasure .

Leo.

He is yong , and can endure the cold well enough bare-headed .

Tem.

A pretty sweet child 't is I promise you .

Leo.

But what good newes Mistris Temperance , will your Mistris be wonne to our kinde meeting ?

Tem.

Faith I le tell you Sir , I tooke her in a good moode this morning , and broke with her againe about you , and shee was very pleasant as shee will be many times .

Leo.

Very well , and is there any hope of speede ?

Tem.

No by my troth Gentleman , none in the world , an obstacle yong thing it is , as euer I broke with all in my life : I haue broke with a hundred in my dayes , tho I say it , yet neuer met her comparison .

Leo.

Are all my hopes come to this Mistris Temperance ?

Tem.

Nay 't is no matter Sir , this is the first time that euer I spake to any in these matters , and It shall be the last God willing .

Leo.

And euen now shee had broke with a hundred and a hundred .

Tem.

But doe you loue her Sir indeede ?

Leo.

Do'st thou make a question of that ?

Tem.

Pardon me I pray Sir , I meane d ee loue her as a Gentleman ought to doe , that is , to consummate matrimony with her as they say ?

Leo.

That 's no matter to you Mistris Temperance , doe you procure our meeting , and let my fauour be at her hands as I can enforce it .

Tem.

You say like an honest Gentleman ; a woman can haue no more : and faith Sir I wish you well , and euery day ter dinner my Mistris vses to go to her chaire or else lie down vpon her bedde , to take a nappe or so , to auoide idlenesse as many good huswifes do , you know , and then doe I sit by her and sew , or so : and when I see her fast a-sleepe , Lord doe I thinke to my selfe , ( as you know we waiting women haue many light thoughts in our heads ) Now if I were a man , and should beare my Mistris an ill will , what might I doe to her now .

Leo.

Indeede then you haue very good opportunity .

Tem.

The best that may be , for shee sleepes like a sucking Pigge , you may jogge her a hundred times , and shee 'll stirre no more then one of your stones , here .

Leo.

And could you put a friend in your place thinke you ?

Tem.

Nay birlady Sir , backe with that legge , for if any thing come on 't but well , all the burthen will lye vpon me .

Leo.

Why what can come of it ? only that by this meanes I may solicite her loue my selfe .

Tem.

I but who knowes if the Deuill ( God blesse vs ) should be great wee ' , how you would vse her ?

Leo.

What do'st thou take me for a beast , to force her that I would make my wife ?

Tem.

Beast Sir ; Nay ther 's no beastlinesse in it neither , for a man will shew like a man in those cases : and besides , you may marre the bedde , which euery body will see that comes in ; and that I would not for the best gowne I shall weare this twelue Moneth .

Leo.

Well , to put thee out of that feare , it shall be worth such a gowne to thee .

Tem.

I thanke you for that Sir , but that 's all one , and thus Sir , my old Master Honorio , at two a clocke will be at Tilting , and then will his sonne Signior Aurelio , and his man Angelo , be abroad ; at which houre if you will be at the backe gate , and muffle your selfe handsomely , you may linger there till I call you .

Leo.

I marry Sir , so I may be there long enough .

Tem.

Nay , but two a clocke , now , now is my houre Sir .

Leo.

Very well , and till then farewell .

Tem.

Boye to you hartily .

Leo.

Boy to him indeede if he knew all . Exeunt .

Enter Lodouico and Aurelio . Lod.

I Haue prouided thee a ladder of ropes , therefore resolue to meete her , goe wash thy face , and prepare thy selfe to die , I le goe make ready the ladder .

Aur.

But when is the happy houre of our meeting ?

Lod.

Marry Sir , that 's something vncertaine , for it depends wholly vpon her fathers absence , and when that will be God knowes : but I doubt not it will happen once within this twelue-Moneth .

Aur.

Sownds a twelue-Moneth .

Lod.

Nay harke you , you are all vpon the spurre now , but how many louers haue seru'd seauen twelue-Moneths prenticeships , for the freedome of their Mistris fauours ? notwithstanding to shorten your torments , your man Angelo must be the meane , to draw the lap wing her father from his nest , by this deuice that I tell you . Enter Angelo .

Ang.

I did euer dreame that once in my life good fortune would warme her cold hand in my naked bosome . And that once is now come , I le lay hold vpon 't , yfaith ; I haue you my little squire , I haue you vpon mine Anueill , vpon which I will mallet you and worke you ; coyning crownes , chickins , bracelets , and what not out of you ; for procuring you the deere gullage of my sweete heart mistresse Francischina .

Aure.

I am glad it rests in my kinde seruant Angelo . Angelo , well met , it lies in thee now , make me no more thy master , but thy friend , and for euer happy in thy friendship .

Ang.

In what part of me does that lie Sir , that I may pull it out , for you presently ?

Aure.

My friend Lodouico heere hath told me , what thou reuealedst to him to day , touching his vncle Lorenzo , and his louesute to Francischina .

Ang.

Slight I told it him in secret sir .

Lod.

And so did I tell it him Angelo , I am a Iew else .

Ang.

It may well be sir , but what of that ?

Lod.

This Angelo , he would haue thee procure my olde vnckles absence from home this afternoone , by making him meete or pretending his meeting with his mistresse , and thy sweete heart Francischina .

Aure.

Which if thou do'st Angelo , be sure of reward to thy wishes .

Ang.

What talke you of reward sir ? to the louing and dutifull seruant , 't is a greater encouragement to his seruice to heare his master say , God a mercy Angelo , spie out Angelo , I le thinke of thy paines one day Angelo , then all your base rewards and preferments : yet not to hinder your hand sir , I will extend mine to his seruice presently , and get your old vncle ( Signior Lorenzo ) out of the waies long enough I warrant you .

Lod.

T is honestly said , which when thou hast performed , enforce vs Exeunt .

Ang.

I will not faile sir , I was resolu'd to make him away afore they spake to me , in procuring his accesse to Francischina , for what is his presence at her house , but his absence at his ownes ? and thus shall I with one trewell daube two walles , ( Enter Francisc. ) see how fitly shee meetes me . I will stand close heere as if it were in my shop of good fortune , & in respect of all orname�ts I can help her to , I will out of the fulnesse of my ioy , put her out of her studie and encounter her thus ; D' ee lacke gentlewoman , d' ee lacke : very fayre new gownes , kirtles , petticots , wrought smocks , bracelets , d' ee lacke gentlewoman , d' ee lacke ?

Fran.

What means my loue by these strange salutations ?

Ang.

Pre thee aske me no questions ; hold take these bracelets , put vp this purse of gold quickly , and if thou wilt haue any of these things , I haue cried to thee , speake and t is performed .

Fran.

From whose treasury comes all this , I pre thee ?

Ang.

Lorenzo , Lorenzo , a gentleman of much antiquitie , and one that for his loue hath burn'd hundreds of hearts to powder ; yet now it fals out , that his tree of life is scorch't and blasted with the flames of thy beauty , readie to wither eternally , vnlesse it be speedily comforted with the sweete drops of thy nose .

Fran.

Gods my life , is that old squire so amorous ?

Ang.

You wrong him to terme him old , he can draw his bow , ride his horse , vse his sword , and traile his pike vnder Loues colours , as well as euer he did .

Fran.

I beleeue that easily .

Ang.

Well , go thy waies in and prepare to entertaine him now thy husband is from home , only with good words , and best kindnesses , making him put all into deeds till his treasury be deedlesse .

Fran.

You speake as if I had nothing to respect but his entertainment , when you know how close and timely it must be put in execution , considering with what enuious eyes my neighbours suruey mee .

Ang.

Think'st thou , I consider not all this ? he shall come in disguis'd , wench , and do thou deuise for our mirth , what ridiculous disguise he shall come in , and he shall assume it .

Fran.

What a magnifico of the Citie , and one of the Senate , thinkest thou he will not see into that inconuenience ?

Ang.

No more then no Senator , for in this case , my assurance is that Cupid will take the scarfe from his owne eyes , and hoodwinke the old buzzard , while two other true turtles enioy their happinesse : get thee in I beseech thee loue , tell thy gold , and say thy prayers . ( Enter Lorenzo . ) Now for a farre fetch 't deuice to fetch ouer my loue-squire . Exit

Fran.

I see him within eare-shot ; well may beauty inflame others , riches may tempt others ; but for mee , mine eares and mine eyes , are proofe against all the Syrens , and Venusses , in all the seas of the world ; beauty is a whore , riches a baud , and I le trust none an you .

Lor.

What ailes poore Angelo ?

Ang.

Nay mistresse Franke , if you proue disloyall once , farewell all constancy in women .

Lor.

How now man ? what 's the matter ?

Ang.

O Sir are you so neare ? I shall trust your experience in women the better while I liue .

Lor.

I pre thee why so ?

Ang.

Say true Sir , did you neuer sollicite your loue-sute to fayre mistresse Francischina ?

Lor.

Neuer I protest Angelo .

Ang.

Vpon my life 't is a strange thing ; I would haue sworne all Italy , could not so sodainly haue fastned a fauour vpon her , I look't for a siege of Troy at least , to surprize the turrets of her continence ; but to yeeld at the first sight of her assaylants colours , and before any Cannon was mounted afore her , 't is one of the loosest parts of a modest woman that euer I heard of .

Lor.

How saist thou ? did not I tell thee as much ? beware of an old colt while you liue , he can tell when to strike I warrant you .

Ang.

Women and fethers ? now fie on that affinity .

Lor.

Alas Angelo , a feeble generation , soone ouercome God knowes , the honester minde , the sooner ouercome .

Ang.

Gods my life , what light huswife would yeeld at first to a stranger , and yet does this whirligig stand vpon termes of honour forsooth ? tenders her reputation as the Apple of her eye ; she has a ielous and a cutting husband , enuious neighbours , and will die many deathes rather then by any friends open accesse to her , be whip't naked with the tongues of scandall and slander ; and a whole sanctuary of such ceremonies .

Lor.

O she does worthily in that Angelo , and like a woman of honour , thou hast painted her perfection in her faults thou find'st , and tickil'st me with her appetite .

Ang.

And to auoid all sight of your entrance , you must needs come in some disguise she sayes ; so much she tenders your high credit in the Citie , and her owne reputation , forsooth .

Lor.

How , come in some disguise ?

Ang

A toy , a very toy which runnes in her head with such curious feete Sir , because if there be any resemblances of your person seene to enter her house , your whole substantiall selfe will be called in question ; any other man she saies , might better aduenture with the least thing chang'd about 'em then you with all ; as if you were the onely noted mutton-monger in all the Citie .

Ang.

Well Angelo , heauen forgiue vs the sinnes of our youth .

Ang.

That 's true Sir , but for a paltry disguise , being a magnifico , she shall goe snicke vp .

Lor.

Soft good Angelo , soft , let 's think on 't a little : what disguise would serue the turne saies shee ?

Ang.

Faith , I know not what disguise shee would haue for you : shee would haue you come like a Calfe with a white face , I thinke , shee talkes of Tinkers , pedlers , porters , chimney-sweepers , fooles and Physitians , such as haue free egresse and regresse into mens houses without suspicion .

Lor.

Out vpon 'em , would she haue me vndergoe the shame and hazard of one of those abiects ?

Ang.

Yfaith I told her so , a squire of that worship , one of the Senate , a graue Iusticer , a man of wealth , a magnifico ?

Lor.

And yet by my troth , for the safegard of her honour , I would doe much ; me thinks a Friers weede were nothing .

Ang.

Out vppon 't , that disguise is worne thread bare vpon euery stage , and so much villany committed vnder that habit ; that 't is growne as supicious as the vilest . If you will hearken to any , take such a transformance , as you may be sure will keepe you from discouery : for though it be the stale refuge of miserable Poets , by change of a hat or a cloake , to alter the whole state of a Comedie , so as the father must not know his owne child forsooth , nor the wife her husband , yet you must not thinke they doe it earnest to carry it away so : for say you were stuffed into a motley coate , crowded in the case of a base Violl , or buttond vp in a cloak-bag , euen to your chinne , yet if I see your face , I am able to say this is signior Lorenzo , and therefore vnlesse your disguise be such that your face may beare as great a part in it as the rest , the rest is nothing .

Lor.

Good reason , in faith Angelo ; and what , shall I then smurch my face like a chimney sweeper , & weare the rest of his smokinesse ?

Ang.

I le tell you sir , if you be so mad to condescend to the humour of a foolish woman , by consideration that Ioue for his loue tooke on him the shape of a Bull , which is farre worse then a chimney sweeper , I can fit you rarely .

Lor.

As how I pre thee ?

Ang.

There is one little snaile you know , an old chimney sweeper .

Lor.

What , hee that sings , Maids in your smocks , hold open your locks , fluds .

Ang.

The very same sir , whose person ( I borrowing his words ) you will so liuely resemble , that himselfe in person cannot detect you .

Lor.

But is that a fit resemblance to please a louer Angelo ?

Ang.

For that sir , she is prouided : for you shall no sooner enter but off goes your rustie skabberd , sweete water is readie to scoure your filthy face , milk , & a bath of fernebraks for your fustie bodie , a chamber perfum'd , a wrought shirt , night cap , and her husbands gowne , a banquet of Oysters pyes , Potatoes , Skirret rootes , Eringes , and diuers other whetstones of venery .

Lor.

O let me hugge thee Angelo .

Ang.

A bed as soft as her hayre , sheets as delicate as her skinne , and as sweete as her breath , pillowes imitating her breasts , and her breasts to boote , Hypocras in her cups , and Nectar in her lips , Ah , the gods haue bene beasts for lesse felicitie .

Lor.

No more good Angelo , no more , how shall I requite the happinesse thou wilt bring me too ? haste any mind of marriage ?

Ang.

Not much sir , but an extraordinary wife might tempt me .

Lor.

By my troth and she were not promist , thou shouldest haue my daughter : but come le ts to our disguise , in which I long to be singing .

Ang.

I le folow you presently . Exit . Signior Lodouico .

( Enter Lodouico and Giouenelle . ) Lod.

How now Angelo ?

Ang.

Why sir , I am prouiding meanes to leade your old vncle out ath ' way , as you will'd me , by drawing him into the way of Quintilianoes wife , my sweet heart , and so make roome for him by Quintilianoes roome : you that lead him any way , must needes seeke him out and employ him to some tauerne .

Lod.

He will be with me presently Angelo , and here 's a freshman come from Padua , whom I will powder with his acquaintance , and so make him an excellent morsell to rellish his carouses .

Ang.

Goe to Sir , by this light you 'll be complain'd on , there cannot be a foole within twenty mile of your head , but you engrosse him for your owne mirth : Noble-mens tables cannot be seru'd for you .

Lod.

Stut , I le complaine of them man , they hunt me out and hang vpon me , so that I cannot be ridde on 'em , but they shall get some body else to laugh at , or I le turne 'em ouer to our Poets , and make all the world laugh at 'em .

Ang.

Well Sir , here comes your man , make him sure from his wife , and I 'le make the tother sure with her . Exit .

Enter Quintiliano , Innocentio , Fannio , Taylor , Taylors sonne , he Reades a bill . Lod.

SEe Signior Gionanelle , here comes the famous Captaine you would so faine bee acquainted withall ; be acquainted with him at your perill : I le defend you from his swaggering humor , but take heede of his cheating .

Gio.

I warrant you Sir , I haue not beene matriculated at the Vniuersity , to be meretriculated by him : salted there to be colted here .

Lod.

Very well Sir , le ts heare him .

Quin.

I haue examin'd the particulars of your bill Master Taylor , and I finde them true Orthographie , thy payment shall be correspondent : marry I will set no day , because I am loth to breake .

Tailor .

Alas Sir , pray let this be the day : consider my charge . I haue many children , and this my poore child here whom I haue brought vp at schoole , must loose all I haue bestowed on him hitherto , if I pay not his Master presently the quartridge I owe him .

Quint.

Foole do'st thou delight to heare thy sonne begge in Latin , pose him Lieftenant .

Innoc.

How make you this in Latin boy ? My father is an honest Taylor .

Boy .

That will hardly be done in true Latin Sir .

Innoc.

No ? why so Sir ?

Boy .

Because it is false English sir .

Quint.

An excellent Boy .

Innoc.

Why is it false English ?

Boy .

Marry sir , as bona Mulier is said to be false Latin , because though bona be good , Mulier is naught ; so to say my father is an honest Taylor , is false English ; for though my father be honest , yet the Taylor is a theefe .

Quint.

Beleeue it a rare shred , not of home-spunne cloth vpon my life : Taylor , goe , send the schoole-master to me at night and I le pay him .

Tay.

Thanke you good Captaine , and if you doe not pay him , at night my wife will come to you her selfe , that 's certaine , and you know what a tongue shee has .

Quint.

Like the sting of a Scorpion , shee nailes mine eares to the pillory with it , in the shame and torment shee does me . Goe I will voide this Bill and auoide her .

Tay.

I thanke you sir . Exit cum filio .

Quint.

Lieftenant , is not this a braue gullery ? The slaue has a pretty wife , and shee will neuer haue me pay him , because shee may euer come to my chamber , as shee sayes , to raile at me , and then shee goes home and tels her husband shee has tickled me yfaith .

Innoc.

By my life , a rare jest .

Quint.

Thou maist see this Boy is no shred of a Taylor , is he not right of my looke and spirit ?

Innoc.

Right as a line , yfaith .

Lod.

And will agree in the halter . � Saue you Captaine Quintiliano .

Quint.

And do'st thou liue my noble Lodouico ? Boy , take my cloake , when shal s haue a rouse , ha ? my Lieftenant and I were drunke last night , with drinking health on our knees to thee .

Giou.

Why , would not your legs beare you Sir ?

Quint.

How many miles to midsommer ? S'blood , whose foole are you ? are not you the tassell of a Gander ?

Giou.

No indeede not I Sir : I am your poore friend Sir glad to see you in health .

Quint.

Health ? S'fut , how meane you that ? d ee thinke I came lately out ath ' powdering Tubbe ?

Giou.

Gossaue mee Sir 't was the furthest part of my thought .

Quint.

Why y' are not angry , are you ?

Lod.

No , nor you shall not be .

Quint.

S'blood , I hope I may and I will .

Lod.

Be and you dare Sir .

Quint.

Dare ?

Lod.

I , dare .

Quint.

Plague on thee , th' art the mad'st Lodouico in the world , s'fut doe thou stabbe me , and th' ast a minde too 't , or bid me stabbe my selfe , is this thy friend ? do'st thou loue Lodouico ?

Giou.

With my heart I protest Sir .

Quint.

S'heart , a lyes in 's throate that does not ; and whence com'st thou wagge , ha ?

Giou.

Euen new arriued from Padua Sir to see fashions .

Quint.

Giue me thy hand , th' art welcome ; and for thy fashions , thou shalt first drinke and wench it : to which end we will carouse a little , some sixe or seauen miles hence , and euery man carry his wench .

Innoc.

But where shall we haue them Captaine ?

Quint.

Haue 'em Lieftenant ? if we haue 'em not , my Valentine shall be one , and shee shall take a neighbour or two with her to see their nurst childes or so ; wee 'll want for no wenches I warrant thee , ( Enter Cuthbert Barber . )

Lod.

But who comes here ?

Quint.

O t is my Barber .

Lod.

S'blood how thy trades men haunt thee .

Quint.

Alas they that liue by men , must haunt 'em ,

Cut.

God saue you Sir .

Quint.

How now Cutberd , what newes out of Barbary ?

Cut.

Sir , I would borrow a word with you in priuate .

Quint.

Be briefe then Cutbeard , thou look'st leane me thinks , I thinke th' art newly marryed .

Cut.

I am indeede Sir .

Quint.

I thought so , keepe on thy hat man , t will be the lesse perceiu'd , what , is not my Taylor and you friends yet ? I will haue you friends that 's certaine , I le maintaine you both else .

Cut.

I know no enmity betwixt vs Sir , you know Captaine I come about another matter .

Quint.

Why but Cutbeard , are not you neighbours ? your trades Cosen german , the Taylor and the Barber ? does not the Taylor sow ? doest not thou Barber reape ? and doe they not both band themselues against the common enemy of mankinde , the louse ? are you not both honest men alike ? is not he an arrant knaue ? you next dore to a knaue , because next dore to him ?

Cut.

Alas Sir , all this is to no purpose , there are certaine odde crownes betwixt vs you know .

Quint.

True Cutbeard , wilt thou lend me as many moe to make 'em euen Boy ?

Cut.

Faith Sir , they haue hung long enough a conscience .

Quint.

Cut 'em downe then Cutbeard , it belongs to thy profession if they hang too long .

Cut.

Well Sir if this be all , I le come by 'em as I can , and you had any honesty .

Giou.

S'blood honesty you knaue ? doe you taxe any Gentleman in this company for his honesty ?

Cut.

Blame me not sir , I am vndone by him , and yet I am still of as good credit in my Parish as he too .

Quint.

S'blood Rascall , as good credit as I ?

Lod.

Nay pre thee Captaine forbeare .

Innoc.

Good Captaine be gone .

Quint.

Let me alone ; I le not strike him by this hand , why hearke yee Rogue : put your credit in ballance with mine ? do'st thou keepe this company ? here 's Signior Lodouico , one of the Clarissimi , a man of worship : here 's a Gentleman of Padua , a man of rare parts , an excellent scholler , a fine Ciceronian .

Cut.

Well sir .

Quint.

And here 's my Lieftenant , I hope thou know'st the Worshipfull man his father with the blew beard , and all these are my companions ; and dare you a barbarous slaue , a squirting companion , compare with me ? but here 's the point ; now behold and see : Signior Giouenelle , lend me foure or fiue pounds , let it be fiue pounds , if you haue so much about you .

Giou.

Here 's my purse sir , I thinke there be iust so much in 't .

Quint.

Very good , now Cutbeard , are you a slanderous cut-throat or no ? will thy credit doe this now ? without scrip or scrowle . But thou wilt thinke this is done for a colour now ; doe you not lend it me simply ?

Giou.

What a question 's that ?

Quint.

For how long ?

Giou.

At your pleasure Captaine .

Quint.

Why so , here you poling Rascall , here 's two crownes out of this money : now I hope wilt beleeue 't is mine , now the property is altered .

Cut.

Why you might a done this before then .

Quint.

No Cutbeard , I haue beene burnd i th' hand for that , I le pay n'ere a knaue an yee all money , but in the presence of such honest Gentleman that can witnesse it ; of my conscience I haue paid it thee halfe a dozen times ; goe to sir be gone .

Cut.

Fare yee well sir .

Quint.

Thanke you Signior Giouenelle ; though y' are sure of this money againe at my hands , yet take heede how this same Lodouico get it from you , he 's a great sharker ; but th' ast no more money about thee hast thou ?

Giou.

Not a doit , by this candle .

Quint.

All the better , for hee 'd cheat thee on 't , if thou had'st euer so much , therefore when thou com'st to Padua , ply thy booke and take good courses , and 't is not this againe shall serue thy turne at my handes , I sweare to thee .

Giou.

Thanke you good Captaine .

Quint.

Signior Lodouico , adiew .

Lod.

Not so sir , we will not part yet , a carouse or two me thinks is very necessary betwixt vs .

Quint.

With all my heart Boy , into the Emperours head here .

Lod.

Content .

Exeunt ,
Actus secundi Finis .
Actus Tertius . Lodouico , Angelo . Ang.

Say Sir , haue you plaid the man and hous'd the Captaine ?

Lod.

I haue hous'd and lodg'd him in the Emperours head Tauerne , and there I haue left him glorified with his two guls , so that presume of what thou wilt at his house , for he is out of the way by this time both waies .

Ang.

T' is very well handled sir , and presume you & your friend my master Aurelio of what may satisfie you at your vncles , for he is now going out of the way , and out of himselfe also : I haue so besmeard him with a chimney sweepers resemblance , as neuer was poore Snaile , whose counterfaite he triumphes in , neuer thinking I haue daubd his face sufficient , but is at his glasse as curiously busied to beautifie his face ( for as of Moo'rs so of chimney sweepers ) the blackest is most beautifull as any Lady to paint her lips .

Lod.

Thou art a notable villaine .

Ang.

I am the fitter for your imployment Sir : stand close I beseech you , & when I bring him into the streets , encounter and bayte him in stead of Snayle , but in any case let none else know it .

Lod.

Not for the world .

Ang.

If you should tell it to one , so you charge him to say nothing , 't were nothing , and so if one by one to it play holy water frog with twentie , you know any secret is kept sufficiently ; and in this , we shall haue the better sport at a Beare baiting , fare ye well Sir .

Enter Honorio and Gasparo . Hon.

SIgnior Lodouico good euen to you .

Lod.

The like to Signior Honorio , and harke you Sir , I must be bound with my vncle Lorenzo , and tell you a pleasant secrete of him , so in no sort you will vtter it .

Hon.

In no sort as I am a Gentleman .

Lod.

Why Sir hee is to walke the streets presently in the likenesse of Snayle the chimney sweeper , and with his crie .

Hon.

What is hee Sir ? to what end I beseech you Sir wil hee disfigure himselfe so ?

Lod.

Yfaith Sir I take it for some matter of pollicy , that concernes towne gouernment .

Hon.

Towne-bull gouernment , do you not meane so Sir ?

Lon.

O no Sir , but for the generall businesse of the Citie I take it .

Hon.

Well sir well we will not examine it too farre , but gesse at it .

Lod.

So sir when he comes forth do you take one corner to encounter him as I will doe another , and taking him for Snayle , imagine hee went about stealing of Citie venison , ( though he do not , ) and make what sport you thinke good with him , alwaies prouided it be cleanly , and that he may still thinke he goes inuisible .

Hon.

I warraut yee Signior Lodouico , and thanke you hartily for this good cause of our honest recreation .

Lod.

Scarce honest neither sir , but much good do it you , as it is ,

Hon.

O that my sonne , your friend Aurelio , were heere to helpe to candy this ieast a little .

Lod.

Alas sir , his sicke stomacke can abide no sweete meates , hee 's all for aye me , wee 'll make the Ieast rellish well enough I warrant you : Lorenzo my vncle an old Senator , one that has read Marcus Aurelius , Gesta Romanorum , the Mirror of Magistrates , &c. to be led by the nose like a blind Beare that has read nothing . Let my man reade how hee deserues to be bayted .

Hon.

'T is a pretty wonder yfaith Signior Lodouico .

Lod.

Slife , 't were a good deed , to get boyes to pinne cards at his backe , hang squibs at his tayle , ring him through the towne with basons , besnowball him with rotten egges , and make him asham'de of the Commission before hee scale it .

Gasp.

What saies Signior Lodouico , I beseech you sir ? me thinkes his pleasant disposition should intend some waggerie .

Hon.

I will tell you Signior Gasparo , but in any case you must say nothing .

Gasp.

In no case will I say any thing sir .

Hon.

Then this is the case : Signior Lorenzo ( your probable father in law ) in the case of Snayle the chimney sweeper , will straight tread the streets for his pleasure .

Gasp

For his pleasure ?

Hon.

For his pleasure sir , say it be so , wonder not , but ieast at it , consider what pleasure the world sayes he is most giuen to , and helpe baite him hereafter , but in any case cleanly , and say nothing .

Gasp.

O monstrous , I conceiue you , my father in law , will his daughter haue his tricks thinke you ?

Hon.

Faith for that you must euen take fortune de la pace , kisse the Paxe , and be patient like your other neighbours . So , here stand I , chose you another place .

Gasp.

O me , what if a man should call him to sweepe a chimney in earnest , what would he doe ? I le put him too 't a my credit , and here will I stand . ( Enter Lorenzo with his glasse in his hand , and Angelo with a pot of painting . )

Ang.

How now sir , are you well yet thinke you ?

Lor.

A little more here good Angelo .

Ang.

Very well sir , you shall haue enough .

Lor.

It will be the most perfect disguise that euer was imitated .

Ang.

I le warrant you that yfaith sir ; ya 're fitted beyonde the forehead for a right counterfaite ; It is well now sir ?

Lor.

Yet a little more heere Angelo , and then master Painter let Michael Angelo himselfe amend thee .

Ang.

For a perfect naturall face , I care not if all the world explaine it .

Lor.

So now take this glasse , and giue me my furniture , and haue at your smoaky chimney .

Ang.

Haue at your smoakie chimney Mistresse Franke : heere sir take vp your occupation , and downe with Snayle for a chimney sweeper .

Lor.

Away , see if the coast be cleare .

Ang.

I will sir .

Lor.

Take good view , looke about to the doores and windowes .

Ang.

Not a dogge at a doore , not a cat at a window . Appeare in your likenesse , and not with your quality .

Lor.

Chimney sweepe ; worke for chimney sweepe , wilt do sirha ?

Ang.

Admirably .

Lor.

Does my sute become me ?

Ang.

Become you sir ? would to heauen mistresse Franke could bring you to the wearing of it alwaies .

Lor.

I le forth yfaith then ; Maids in your smocks , set open your locks , Downe , downe , downe : Let Chimney sweeper in : And he will sweepe your chimneys cleane , Hey derry , derry , downe . How do'st like my crie , ha ?

Ang.

Out of all crie , I forbid Snayle himselfe to creepe beyond you .

Lor.

As God helpe , I begin to be proud on 't : Chimney sweepe .

Ang.

Gods pitty , who comes yonder ?

Lor.

My nephew Lodowicke ; Gods me , I le start backe againe .

Ang.

Nay ther 's no starting now , hee 'll see you go into your house then ; fall into your note ; stand to Snayles person and I warrant you . ( Enter Lodouico . ) Exit Ang.

Lor.

Chimney sweepe .

Lod.

How now Snayle , how do'st thou ?

Lor.

Thanke your good worship .

Lod.

Me thinkes thy song is more hearty then 't was wont to be , and thou look'st much better .

Lor.

Thanke God and good friends sir ; and a merry heart that prolongs life . Chimney sweepe .

Lod.

Nay good Snayle , le ts talke a little , you know Rose mine vncle Lorensoes maide Snayle !

Lor.

That I do well sir .

Lod.

She complaines of you Snayle , and sayes , y' are the bawdiest old knaue in venery .

Lor.

Alas sir , she wrongs me : I am not fedde thereafter , let her looke for that commendation in her richer customers .

Lod.

Who are they Snayle ? I hope you doe not meane mine vncle her Master ; hee 's mine vncle and I loue him well , and I know the old lickspiggot will be nibling a little when he can come too 't : but I must needs say he will do no hurt , hee 's as gentle as an Adder that has his teeth taken out .

Lor.

Y' are a merry Gentleman sir ; and I haue hastie labour in hand , I must craue pardon . ( Enter Honorio . ) Chimney sweepe .

Hono.

What old Snayle ? how do'st thou and thy chimneyes ?

Lod.

Marry sir I was asking him questions about one of them .

Hono.

What Signior Lodouico ? what one is that I pray ?

Lod.

Mine vncle Lorenzos maide Rose sir , and hee will needs perswade me , her old master keepes her for his owne saddle .

Hono.

Her old master ? I dare sweare they wrong him that say so ; his very age would make him asham'd to be ouertaken with those goatish licences .

Lod.

True sir , and his great authority in the Citie , that should whippe such vnseasonable letchers about the wals of it .

Hono.

Why , y' are i th' right sir , and now you talke of your vncle , I heard say Captaine Quintiliano cheated him yesterday of fiue pounds , as hee did a yong Gentleman of Padua this morning of as much more .

Lod.

Faith sir he drew such a kinde of tooth from him indeede .

Hono.

Is it possible he should be so wrought vpon by him ? Now certaine I haue euer held him a most wise Gentleman .

Lod.

An arrant Rooke by this light ; a capable cheating stocke ; a man may carry him vp and downe by the eares like a pipkin .

Hono.

But do you thinke he will let the Captaine passe so ?

Lod.

Why alas , what should he doe to him sir ? the pasture is so bare with him , that a goose cannot graze vpon 't .

Hono.

Marry sir then would I watch him a time when he were abroad , and take out my penniworthes of his wife , if hee drew a tooth from me , I would draw another from her .

Lod.

Well , God be with your worships : chimney sweeper , I thought I should neuer haue bene ridde of them , ( Enter Gasparo ) Chimney sweepe .

Gasp.

What old Snayle , do'st thou crie chimney sweepe still ? why they say thou art turnd mightie rich of late .

Lor.

I would they said true sir ?

Gasp.

Yes by the masse , by the same token , that those riches make thy old name for venery encrease vpon thee .

Lor.

Foolish tales sir , foolish tales .

Gasp.

Yes by the masse , Snayle , but they be told for such certaine tales , that if thou hast a daughter to marrie with tenne thousand crownes , I would see her pithole , afore I would deale with her , for feare she should trot through her fathers trumperies .

Lor.

Alas sir your worship knowes , I haue neither daughter nor riches , Idle talke sir , Idle talke : chimney sweepe .

Gasp.

Nay stay Snayle , and come into my house , thou shalt earne some money of mee , I haue a chimney to sweepe for thee .

Lor.

I thanke your worship , I will waite vpon you next morning early sir : but now I haue promi'st to sweepe another mans chimney in truth .

Gasp.

But good Snayle take mine in the way .

Lod.

What does he crie chimney sweepe , and refuse to sweepe 'em ?

Lor.

No master , alas you know I liue by it , and now I crie as I go to worke that I haue promi'st , that I may get more against other times : what would ye haue me do thee ?

Hono.

Alas poore Snayle ; farewell good Snayle , farewell .

Lor.

Lord keepe your good worship . � And a very vengeance , I beseech the blacke father of vengeance .

Lod.

Poore vncle , he begins to be melancholy , has lost his song among 's

Gasp.

Was neuer such man touch't with such ouersight ?

Hon:

Beare with age , Signior Gasparo , beare with age , and let vs all tender his credite as we haue vow'd , and be silent ; he little thought to haue beene thus betrayed as he is ; and where secrecy is assur'd , it beares with many bad actions in the very best I can tell you , and so good Signior Lodouico adew , and I heartily thanke you .

Lod.

Adue good Signior Honorio .

Gasp.

Adue to you likewise sir . Exeunt Gasparo & Honorio .

Lod.

Likewise to you sir . Alas poore vncle , I haue monstrously abused him ; and yet maruellous worthie , for he disparageth the whole bloud of vs ; and I wish all such old sheepebiters might alwaies dippe their fingers in such sauce to their mutton ; but thus will he presently bee safe ; for by this hee is neere his sweete hearts house , where he is like to be entertain'd with worse cheere then we made him . Quintilliano is now carousing in the Emperours head , while his owne head buddes hornes to carouse in ; and in the meane time will my amorous friend and I , make both their absences shooing hornes to draw on the presence of Aemilia . Exit .

Enter Lorenzo and Angelo . ( Francisco aboue . ) Ang.

VVHat sayes your worship now ? Do you not walke inuisible , all your ancient acquaintance , your owne nephew to talke with you and neuer discouer you ?

Lor.

But Angelo , a villanous feare shooke me the whiles I sweare , for still I was afraid my tongue would haue likt away the soote of my face , and bewrayed me ; but Snayle , hitherto thy rustie shell has protected me : perseuer till I haue yonder house a my head , hold in thy hornes , till they looke out of Quintillianoes forehead : for an old man to make a yong man cuckold , is one of Hercules labours .

Ang.

That was the cleansing of other mens stables .

Lor.

To make youth rampant in age , and age passant in youth , to take a man downe at his owne weapon ; to call backe time in one , and thrust him headlong vpon another .

Ang.

Now your worship is Oracle to your owne miracles ; how you shine in this smoaky cloud ? which you make the golden net to embrace Venus , y 'aue past the pikes yfaith and all the Iayles of the loue-god swarme in yonder house , to salute your recouery .

Lor.

Wel Angelo , I tell thee , now we are past the danger , I would not for 40 crowns but haue heard , what I haue heard .

Ang.

True sir , now you know what the world thinks on you , 't is not possible for a great man , that shines alwaies in his greatnesse , to know himselfe ; but O twice yong Leander , see where your Hero stands with torch of her beauty to direct you to her tower , aduance your sweet note , & vpon her .

Lor.

Chimney sweepe , worke for chimney sweepe .

Fran.

Come in chimney sweeper .

Lor.

O Angelo .

Ang.

Why now sir thine Angelo is your good Angell ; enter and prosper , and when you are in the mid'st of your happinesse , thinke of him that prefer'd you . Exit Lorenzo .

Fran.

Angelo , giue him not too much time with me , for feare of the worst , but goe presently to the backe gate , and vse my husbands knocke , then will I presently thrust him into my cole-house : and there shall the old flesh-monger fast for his iniquity . Exit .

Ang.

Well said mine owne Franke yfaith , we shall trim him betwixt vs , I for the most slouenly case in the towne ; shee , for the most sluttish place in the house : Neuer was old horse-man so notoriously ridden ; well , I will presently knocke him into the cole-house , and then haste to Lodouico , to know when he shall be releast . Exit .

Enter Lodouico with a ladder of ropes , Aurelio , ( Aemilia aboue . ) Lod.

HEre 's thy ladder , and ther 's thy gallowes , thy Mistris is thy hangman , and must take thee downe : This is the Tarrasse where thy sweet heart tarries ; what wouldst thou call it in Rime ?

Aur.

Celestiall spheare , wherein more beauty shines .

Lod.

Roome for a passion .

Aur. Then on Dardanian Ida , where the pride Of heauens selected beauties striu'd for prize . Lod.

Nay you shall know , we haue watred our houses in Helicon . I cannot abide this talking and vndoing Poetry , leaue your mellifluous numbers : yonder 's a sight will steale all reason from your rime I can tell you ; downe of your knees you slaue , adore . Now le ts heare you inuocate , O the saple hammes of a louer , goe to , doe not , stand vp close , for she must not see you yet , though she know you are here .

Aem.

Cozen Lodowicke ?

Lod.

Who cals Lodowicke ?

Aem.

What tempest hath cast you on this sollitary shore ? Is the party come ?

Lod.

The party ? now a plague of your modesty , are your lips too nice to name Aurelio ?

Aem.

Well , is he come then ?

Lod.

He , which he ? s'fut name your man with a mischiefe to you , I vnderstand you not .

Aem.

Was there euer such a wild-braine ? Aurelio .

Lod.

Aurelio ? Lord how loth you are to let any sound of him come out an you , you hold him so deare within , I le present her with a sight , will startle her nicety a little better ; hold you , fasten the end of this ladder I pray .

Aem.

Now Iesus blesse vs , why cosen , are you mad ?

Lod.

Goe to you spirit of a feather , be not so soft hearted , leaue your nicety , or by this hemp I le so hamper thy affections in the halter of thy louers absence , making it vp in a gordian knot of forgetfulnesse , that no Alexander of thy allurements , with all the swordes of thy sweet words , shall euer cut in peeces .

Aem.

Lord , how you roule in your rope-ripe termes .

Lod.

Goe to , tell me , will you fasten the ladder or no ?

Aem.

I know not what I should say t' ee : I will fasten it , so only your selfe will come vp .

Lod.

Only my selfe will come vp then .

Aem.

Nay sweet Cuze , sweare it .

Lod.

If I should sweare thou wouldst curse me : take my word in a halters name , and make the ladder as fast to the Tarrasse , as thou would'st be to Aurelio .

Aem.

Nay see if he doe not make me giue ouer againe ?

Lod.

Was there euer such a blew kitling ? fasten it now , or by heauen thou do'st loose me for euer .

Aem.

Well sir , remember your word ; I will fasten it , but yfaith Cuze , is not the Gentleman , and his parting choller parted yet ?

Lod.

Yfaith with much adoe :

Aem.

Nay , nay , choose him ; I shall liue , if they be not : and if I liue till his choller kill me , I shall liue till he leaue louing me , and that will be a good while first .

Lod.

Lord , Lord , who has enform'd you of such amorous feruency in him : are you so confident in his kindnesse ?

Aem.

Nay by my troth , t is but a carelesse confidency neither , which alwaies last longer then that which is timorous : well Cuze , here I haue fastned it for your pleasure ; but alas , the feare of my fathers comming does so distract me that I scarce know what I doe or say .

Lod.

Your father ? do'st thinke we would venture all this preparation , and not make him safe ?

Aem.

But are you sure he is safe ?

Lod.

Am I sure this is Aurelio ? looke vpon him wench , is it not thy loue ? thy life ? come sir , mount .

Aem.

O cosen Lodwicke , doe you thus cosen and betray me ?

Lod.

Cuze , Cuze , thou hast acted thy dissembling part long enough , in the most modest iudgement , and passing naturally : giue ouer with thy credit then , vnmaske thy loue , let her appeere in her natiue simplicity , striue to conceale her no longer from thy loue , for I must needs tell thee he knowes all .

Aem.

What does he know ?

Lod.

Why all that thou told'st me , that thou lou'st him more then he can loue thee , that thou hast set vp thy resolution , in despight of friends or foes , weales or woes , to let him possesse thee wholly , and that thou didst wooe me to bring him hither to thee : All this he knowes ; that it was thy deuice to prepare this ladder , and in a word , all the speech that past betwixt thee and me he knowes , I told him euery word truly and faithfully God 's my Iudge .

Aem.

Now was there euer such an immodest creature ?

Lod.

Via , with all vaine modesty , leaue this colouring , and strip thy loue starke naked , this time is too precious to spend vainly ; mount I say .

Aur.

Modell of heauenly beauty .

Lod.

Sownds , wilt thou melt into rime a the tother side ? shall we haue lines ? change thy stile for a ladder , this will bring thee to Parnassus , vp I say .

Aur.

Vnworthy I t' approach the furthest step to that felicity that shines in her .

Lod.

O spurblinde affection , I haue seene a fellow , to a worse end ascend a ladder with a better will , and yet this is in the way of marriage , and they say , marriage and hanging haue both one constellation . To approue the which old saying , see if a new ladder make 'em not agree .

Aem.

Peace , some bodie comes .

Lod.

That you heard , was but a mouse , so boy I warrant thee .

Aur. O sacred goddesse , what soe're thou art That in meere pitty to preserue a soule From vndeseru'd destruction , hast vouchsaf't To take Aemiliaes shape . Lod.

What a poeticall sheepe is this ? S'life , will you stand riming there vpon a stage , to be an eye-marke to all that passe ? is there not a chamber by ? withdraw I say for shame , haue you no shame in you ? heere will come some bodie presently I lay my life on 't .

Aur. Deare mistresse , to auoid that likely danger , Vouchsafe me onely priuate conference , And 't is the fulnes of my present hopes . Exeunt . Lod.

Aurelio , Occasion is bald , take her by the forelock ; so , so . In Hymens name get you together , heere will I stand Sentinell . This is the backe gate to Honorios house , which shall be Aurelios , if God giue him grace to weepe for his fathers death in time . And in this garden , if I could see the chaste Lucresse , or the affable mistresse Temperance , I might ( thus wrapt in my cloake ) steale a little courtship through the chinke of a pale . But indeed I thinke it safer to sit closer , and so to cloud the summe of my visnomy , that no eye discerne it . ( He sits downe , and muffles himselfe in his cloake . ) So be it , that 's my resolution . Now to my contemplation , this is no Pandarisme , is it ? No , for there is neither money nor credit propos'd or expected , and besides there is no vnlawfull act intended , no not this same lasciua actio animi : I thinke for his part , much lesse hers : go to , let me do my kinswoman , and her sex right , sit at rest with me then reputation , and conscience , fall asleepe with the world , but this same idle attendance is the spite of it , Idlenesse is accounted with other men a sinne , to me 't is a penance , I was begot in a stirring season , for now hath my soule a thousand fancies in an instant , as what wench dreams on when she lies on her backe , when one hen layes an egge and another sits it , whether that hen shall mother that chicken ? If my bull leape your cow , is not the calfe yours ? yes no doubt , for Aedificium cedit solo saies the Lawyer : and then to close all comes in a sentence , Non omnia possumus omnes : for some are borne to riches , others to verses , some to be bachelers , others to be cuckolds , some to get crownes , and others to spend 'm , some to get children , and others to keepe 'em : and all this is but idlenesse , would to God I had some scuruy poeme about me to laugh at , ( Enter Temperance . ) but marke , yonder 's a motion to be seene .

Temp.

Yonder he sits yfaith , well done true loue , good Signior Leonoro , he keepes promise the best , he does not see me yet .

Lod.

'T is the stai'd Madam Temperance , a pretty pinnace she has bene in her daies , and in her nights too , for her burthen , and reasonable good vnder sayle , and see she hath discouered a sayle , see , see , she hales him in , ha ? t is this way to the rewards , slight 't is this way : I hope the baud knowes not me , and yet I know not , she may be a witch , for a whore she was before I knew her , a baud I haue knowne her any time this dozen years , the next step to honour then is a witch , because of Nature , for where the whore ends , the baud begins , and the corruption of a baud , is the generation of a witch . And Pythagoras holds opinion , that a witch turnes to a wild Cat , as an old Ostler turnes to an ambling nagge . Enter Leonoro muffled in his cloake with Lyonell .

Leo.

This is the backe gate , where Temperance should meete me at this howre .

Lyon.

I wonder she fayles , for I see her not .

Leo.

Why sits that fellow there troe ? come let 's houer here abouts 't will not be long er'e we encounter . Exit .

Lod.

So , now this riddle is expounded , this baud tooke me for this aduenturer whom ( twentie to one ) she attended , to waft him into Lucretias chamber , what a beast was I , not to apprehend this aduantage , thus muffled as I am , she could not haue perceiued mee till I had been in , And I might safely haue staid a while without endangering my louers : ( Enter Temperance stealing along the stage . ) S'light she takes me still for her first man .

Tem.

Come , come , gingerly for Gods sake , gingerly .

Exeunt . Enter Leonoro and Lyonell . Leo.

See Lyonell , yet she is not come , and the priuy attendant is gone .

Lyo.

I wonder what it was .

Leo.

I feare me some other clyent of hers , whom she preferres before me , come , we must not linger here too long together , wee 'll enter on this backside , to the Emperours head , where we will stay a little , and then make the last triall of this bauds honesty . ( Enter Quintiliano , Giouenelli , and Fannio in their doublet and hose . )

Quint.

Come Ancient , le ts leaue our company a little , and ayre our selues in this backside . � Who goes there ?

Leo.

A friend .

Quint.

The word .

Leo.

God saue you Captaine Quintiliano .

Quint.

Shote him Ancient , a spie , the word 's the Emperours head , and thither you shall go sir .

Leo.

Pardon me good Captaine .

Gio.

Come , be not retrograde to our desires .

Leo.

I attend a friend of mine .

Quint.

Th' ast attended him already , I am witnesse too 't , deni 't and he dare , whatsoe're he bee , and he shall attend thee another while , and he will : Th' art as good a man as he , and he be the Duke himselfe , for a Clarissimo ; entertaine him Ancient , bid the Clarissimo , welcome , I le call a drawer , and wee 'll haue some wine in this Arbor . Exit .

Gio.

Y' are very welcome Signior Clarissimo , desire you more acquaintance sir .

Leo.

My name is Leonoro sir , & indeed I scarce know you .

Gio.

No sir , and you know me , you must know as much as I know , for Scientia and Scientificus is all one ; but that 's all one , in truth sir , you shall not spend a penny here , I had money , I thanke God euen now , and peraduenture shall haue againe e're we part , I haue sent to a friend of mine .

( Enter Quintilliano and a drawer with a cup of wine & a towell . ) Quint.

Here honourable Clarissimo , I drinke to thee .

Leo.

Thanke you good Captaine .

Quint.

S'fut , winesucker , what haue you fild vs heere , baldredash ? taste Leonoro .

Leo.

Me thinks 't is sacke .

Geo.

Let vs taste sir , 't is claret , but it has beene fetch 't againe with Aqua vitae .

Quint.

S'light me thinks t 'as taken salt water , who drew this wine you rogue ?

Draw.

My fellow Sam drew it sir , the wine 's a good neat wine , but you loue a pleasanter grape , I 'le fit your pallate sir . ( He stands close . )

Quint.

Is this thy boy Leonoro ?

Leo.

For fault of a better sir .

Quint.

Afore heauen 't is a sweete fac't child , me thinks he should show well in womans attire : and hee tooke her by the lilly white hand , and he laid her vpon a bed . I le helpe thee to three crownes a weeke for him , and she can act well . Ha'st euer practis'd my pretty Ganimede ?

Lyo.

No , nor neuer meane sir .

Gio.

Meane sir ? No marry Captaine , there will neuer be meane in his practise I warrant him .

Quint.

O finely taken ; Sirha , Clarissimo , this fellow was an arrant Asse this fore-noone , afore he came to be an Antient .

Leo.

But where 's your Lieftenant Captaine ?

Quint.

Sownds man , hee 's turnd swaggerer .

Leo.

I st possible ?

Quint.

Swaggerer by this light he ; and is in the next roome writing a challenge to this tall Gentleman my Antient here .

Leo.

What , mutinous in your owne company ?

Quint.

S'fut man , who can bridle the asses valour ?

Giou.

S'blood and any man thinke to bridle me .

Leo.

But what was the quarrell ?

Quint.

Why sir , because I entertaind this Gentleman for my Antient , ( being my deare friend and an excellent scholler ) he takes pepper i th' nose and sneeses it out vpon my Antient ; now sir ( he being of an vncole-carrying spirit ) fals foule on him , cals him gull openly ; and euer since I am faine to drinke with 'em in two roomes , dare not let 'em come together for my life , but with pen and inke-hornes , and so my Lieftenant is in the next chamber casting cold Inke vpon the ( Enter Innocentio . ) flame of his courage , to keepe him from the blot of cowardise , see where he comes with his challenge : good Clarissimo hold my Antient .

Leo.

Good Antient , forbeare in a Tauerne .

Quint.

Reuenge noble Lieftenant , hast thou done it ?

Innoc.

S'light I thinke I haue pepperd him , but t was his owne seeking you know .

Quint.

That 's certaine .

Giou.

Sownds my seeking sir ?

Quint.

Hold him Leonoro ; and if it be possible , perswade him to heare the challenge from the enemies owne mouth .

Leo.

I le vndertake he shall Captaine : Good Antient let me entreate you .

Giou.

Well sir , because y' are a stranger to me , you shall doe more with me .

Leo.

Thanke you good ancient .

Quint.

Reade fiery Lieftenant , reade boy , legibly .

Innoc.

Here it is sir : Signior Giouenelli , it is not ignorant vnto you , that euen now you crost me ouer the cocks-comb .

Giou.

I did so sir : I will not denie it I warrant you .

Leo.

Good Ancient peace .

Innoc.

And that openly , or else it would neuer haue greeu'd me .

Quint.

That openly was all indeede .

Innoc.

And moreouer , very vnreuerendly to call me gull , and asse to my face : And therefore , though I held it good discretion in me to winke at the blow , not seeing to take notice of it .

Leo.

Good discretion in deede .

Innoc.

Yet know that I will haue satisfaction from you .

Giou.

Well sir , and you shall .

Quint.

Nay good Ancient heare him .

Innoc.

And desire you to send me word , whether you will maintaine it or no , hoping that you will not offer that discourtesie to doe me wrong , and stand to it when you haue done .

Leo.

That were foule indeede .

Innoc.

And as for the words , in that you call'd me gull , and Asse to my face , resolue me by letter ( for I do not thinke fit we should meete ) first whether you spake any such words or no : and secondly by whom you meant 'em . And it by me ( as I thinke you durst not ) confesse you are sorry for 'hem : and if I haue offended you , I heartily aske you forgiuenesse . And so farewell .

Quint.

Afore heauen Ancient , this would haue tickled you , but good Leonoro , and thou bee'st a right Clarissimo , le ts make 'em friends , and drinke to one another : S'fut , we haue no wine here me thinks , where 's this Aperner ?

Drawer .

Here Sir .

Quint.

Haue you mended your hand sir .

Draw.

I Captaine , and if this please not your taste , either you or I cannot tast a cup of wine .

Quint.

Sounds y' are very saucy sir , here Lieftenant , drink to thy Ancient , and voide mutinies with your officer , marshall law is dangerous .

Innoc.

Is he content I should drinke to him ?

Leo.

He is I warrant thee .

Innoc.

Why then Ancient good lucke t' ee .

Giou.

Let come Lieftenant , I pledge you .

Quint.

Why so , now my company is cur'de againe , afore 't was wounded . Come honorable Clarissimo , le ts retire to our strength , taste a fresh carouse or two , and then march home with Musicke . Tapster , call vs in some Musicke .

Draw.

I will sir .

Finis Actus Tertij .
Actus Quartus . Enter Quintiliano , Leonoro , Innocentio , Lionello , Fannio , with Musicke . Quint.

Strike vp Scrapers , honorable Clarissimo , and thy sweet Adonis , adieu , remember our deuice at the show soone .

Leo.

I will not faile Captaine , farewell t' ee both : come Lionel , now let vs trie the truth of Madam Temperance , and see if shee attend vs .

Innoc.

I hope by this time shee remembers her promise sir . Exeunt Leo . and Lio.

Quint.

How now Lieftenant , where 's my Ancient ?

Innoc.

Marry Captaine y 'aue left him casting the reckoning i th' chimney .

Quint.

Why then his purse and his stomacke wil be empty together , and so I cashier him ; let the scholler report at Padua , that Venice has other manner of learning belongs to it : what does his Continuum & Contiguum here ? let 'em goe to the Inke pot and beware of the wine pot . Fill red cheek't Bacchus , let the Burdeux grape Skip like la voltos in their swelling vaines . Te dan , dan tidle , te dan de dan tidle didle , &c.

Innoc.

O God Captaine that I could dance so .

Quint.

He tooke her by ( strike vp fidlers ) the lilly white hand and he laid her vpon the bedde . Oh what a spirit haue I now ? I long to meete a Sergeant in this humor , I would but haue one whiffe at one of these same peuter button'd shoulder-clappers , to trie whether this chopping knife or their pestels were the better weapons . Here 's a blade Boy , it was the old Dukes first predecessors ; I le tell thee what Lieftenant , this sword has dubd more Knights then thy knife has opened Oysters .

Innoc.

I st possible Captaine , and me thinks it stands a little .

Quint.

No matter for that , your best mettald blades will stand soonest : so , now we haue attaind our Mansion house . At which I le sing a verse shall breake the dores . O noble Hercules , let no Stygian lake . Te dan dan tidle , te dan de dan tidle didle , &c. Farewell scrapers , your reward now shall be that I will not cut your strings nor breake your fidles , via , away .

Innoc.

Come Captaine , le ts enter , I long to see my Mistris , I warrant shee 's a heauy Gentlewoman for your absence .

Quint.

S'fut she 's an Asse , honour wooes me , preferment cals me , and I must lye pampred in a wenches lap , because shee dotes on me . Honour saies no , Lieftenant , Pugna pro patria , we must too 't yfaith and seeke our portion amongst the scratcht faces .

Lorenzo

within . Mistris , Mistris , is he gone ?

Quint.

Whoe 's that cals there ?

Innoc.

I heard no body .

Quint.

No ? there was one cald Mistris : I say who cald Mistris , s'blood I hope I am not drunke .

Fann.

In truth sir I heard no body .

Quint.

I tell thee I smelt a voice here in my entry , s'fut I le make it smell worse and' cheare it againe .

Innoc.

O me , hee 'll draw vpon his owne shaddow in this humour , if it take the wall of him . Follow him Fannio , looke he doe no harme for God sake .

Lor.

Helpe , helpe , helpe .

Innoc.

Name of God , what 's there to doe ? ( Enter Quintil. and Lorenzo . )

Lor.

Good Captaine doe not hurt me .

Quint.

Sounds is hell broke loose ? why Snaile , though you can sing songs and doe things Snaile , I must not allow yee to creepe into my wiues cole-house , what Snaile into my withdrawing chamber ?

Lor.

I beseech your Worship heare me speake .

Quint.

O Snaile , this is a hard case ; no roome serue your turne , but my wiues cole-house , and her other house of office annext to it ? a priuy place for her selfe , and me sometimes , and will you vse it being a stranger ? s'light how comes this about ? vp sirha and call your Mistris .

Lor.

A plague of all disguises . Exit Fannio .

Innoc.

Alas poore Snaile , what didst thou make here ?

Lor.

I protest sir for no harme , my Mistris cald me in to sweepe her chimney , and because I did it not to her minde , shee made me doe pennance in her cole-house .

Innoc.

Search him Captaine and see , if he haue stolen nothing .

Lor.

Kill me , hang me , if I haue .

Quint.

Yes Snaile , and besides I heare complaints of you , y' are an old luxurious hummerer about wenches Snaile , does this become your grauity sir ? Lieftenant , fetch me a cole-sacke , I le put him in it and hang him vp for a signe .

Lor.

I beseech your Worship be good to me .

Innoc.

Good Captaine pardon him , since he has done nothing but swept your chimney worse then my Mistris would haue it swept , he will doe it better another time .

Quint.

Well Snaile , at this Gentlemans request , ( to whom I can denie nothing ) I release you for this once , but let me take you no more thus I aduise you .

Lor.

Not while I liue good Captaine .

Quint.

Hence , trudge you drudge , goe away .

Lor.

A plague of all disguises . Exit Lorenzo .

( Enter Fannio . ) Fann.

I haue look't about all the house for my Mistris sir , but I cannot finde her .

Quint.

Goe then , looke all about the towne for her too ; come in Lieftenant , le ts repose a little after our liquor .

Exeunt . Enter Aurelio and Aemilia , aboue . Aur. DEare life , be resolute , that no respect Heighted aboue the compasse of your loue , Depresse the equall comforts it retaines ; For since it finds a firme consent in both , And both our births and yeares agree so well , If both our aged parents should refuse , For any common obiect of the world , To giue their hands to ours , let vs resolue To liue together like our liues and soules . Aem. I am resolu'd my loue ; and yet alas , So much affection to my fathers will Consorts the true desires I beare to you , That I would haue no sparke of our loue seene , Till his consent be ask'd , and so your fathers . Aur. So runnes the mutuall current of my wish , And with such staid and circumspect respects , We may so serue and gouerne our desires , That till fit obseruation of our fathers , Preferre the motion to them ; we may loue Without their knowledge and the skill of any , Saue only of my true friend Lodowicke . Aem. I wonder where he is . Aur. Not farre I know , For in some place , he watcheth to preuent The feared danger of your fathers presence . Enter Lorenzo and Angelo running . Ang.

SOunds stay for the loue of your honour sir .

Lor.

A plague of all disguises Angelo .

Ang.

What reason haue you to curse them ? has not one of them kept you safe from the shame of the world , as much as a poore disguise might doe ; but when your ridiculous feares will cast it off , euen while it is on , so running through the streets , that they rise all in an vprore after you ; alas what is the poore disguise to blame sir ?

Lor.

Well then fortune is to blame , or some thing ; come as thou didst helpe to dawbe me , helpe to cleanse me , I prethee .

Ang.

Let alone a while sir for Gods sake , I le goe see whether the Captaine be gone from home or no .

Lor.

Out vpon that course Angelo ; I am frighted out of it , come enter my house , enter .

Ang.

What , will you enter your house sir afore you know who is in it : keepe your selfe close , and let me first enter and discouer .

Lor.

I know there is no body .

Ang.

You cannot know it sir , I heard euen now that diuers of the Senate were determin'd to come and sit in Counsell there .

Lor.

A tale , a very tale Angelo , enter for the loue of heauen , enter and vnsmother me . Exit .

Ang.

What shall I doe ? my poore Master is berai'd , O that same faithlesse Lodowicke , that could drowne the swaggering Captaine no better in his drunkennesse ; alas how should I salue this ? Exit .

( Enter Lorenzo and after him Angelo . ) Lor.

How now ? whom doe I see ? my daughter and a yonker together ? passion of death , hell and damnation , what lecherous capricorne raignes this vnhappy day ? old and yong in a predicament ? O fie of filthy sinne and concupiscence , I will conceale my rage a while that it may breake forth in fury ; I le shift me presently Angelo , and goe fetch the Prouost .

Ang.

O vnspeakable madnesse , will you for euer dishonour your daughter , and in her your selfe sir ?

Lor.

Talke not to me , out vpon this abhominable concupiscence , the pride of the flesh , this witchcraft of the Diuell : talke not to me , iustice cries out an 't in the streets , and I will see it punish't , come good Angelo to helpe to shift me .

Ang.

I le follow you Sir instantly ; Master , Master .

Aur.

Angelo ? what newes ?

Ang.

Miserable Master , cast downe your ladder , and come downe instantly .

Aem.

Alas , why , Angelo is my father comming .

Ang.

Let vs not talke but come downe I say .

Aur. Deere life , farewell , wee 'll shortly meete againe , So parts the dying body from the soule ; As I depart from my Aemilia . Aem. So enter frighted soules to the low world , As my poore spirit vpon this soddaine doubt , What may succeede this danger . Ang.

Come away , you 'll be whipt anone for your amourosity , hast for shame hast , &c.

Aem.

Once more and euer , fare my deere life well .

Exit Aemil . Ang.

Leaue your amorous congeis & get you in Dame ; sir you and I will talke as 't were betwixt the pales , now , get you and shift you of this sute presently .

Aur.

Shift me Angelo ? why man ?

Ang.

Aske me no questions , but goe home and shift you presently , and when I haue done a little businesse here within , I le come and tell you my deuice : there hath more chanc't then you are aware of , and then I can stand to tell you ; away therefore presently goe home and shift you .

Aur.

Very good sir , I will be ruld by you , and after learne the misteries . Exit Aurel.

Ang.

Now will I let the little squire shift and cleanse himselfe without me , that he may be longer about fetching the Prouost , and in the meane time will I take my Masters sute ( of which the little squire tooke note ) and put it on my sweet heart Francischina , who shall presently come and supply my Masters place , with his Mistris ; for the little squire amaz'd with his late affrights and this suddaine offencefull spectacle of his daughter , tooke no certaine note who it was that accosted her ; for if he had , he would haue blam'd me for my Master , only the colour of his garment sticks in his fancie , which when he shall still see where he left it , he will still imagine the same person weares it , and thus shall his daughters honour and my Masters be preseru'd with the finest sugar of inuention . And when the little squire discouers my sweet heart , shee shall sweare , shee so disguised her selfe , to follow him , for her loue to him ; ha , ha ha , O the wit of man when it has the winde of a woman . Exit .

Enter Lodouico and Lucretia , with Rapiers fighting . Lod. HOld , hold , I pre thee hold ; I yeeld my rapier , Let my submission , my presumption salue . Lucr. Ignoble Lodwicke , should I take thy life , It were amends too little for the wrong . Lod. O the precious heauens : How was I gul'd ? haud , hide thy selfe for shame . And henceforth haue an eye before thy fingers . Lucr. Well do not ieast it out , for I protest If this disguise , which my inhumane fate Puts on my proper sexe , be by thy meanes Seene through , by any other then thy selfe , The quarrell twixt vs shall be more then mortall . And thy dishonour to a friendlesse stranger ( Exild his natiue countrey , to remaine Thrall to the mercy of such vnknowne maids As fortune makes the rulers of my life ) Shall spread it selfe beyond my misery , Lod. Nay , mixe not cause of mirth with passion , Do me the grace t' vnfold thy name and state , And tell me what my whole estate may doe , To salue this wrong vnwittingly I did thee ? And set the plantife thoughts of thy hard fate In such peace , as my friendship may procure : And if I faile thee , let Ioue fayle my soule , When most this earth makes it need help of heaue� . Lucr. In the more then temper my late rage And show your vertues perfectly deriu'd From the Venetian noblesse ; for my name It is Lucretio , which to fit this habit I turn'd Lucretia : the rest that rests To be related of my true estate , I le tell some other time : least now your presence Might dumbly tell it ( if it should be seene ) To all the world , or else make it suspect My femall life of lightnesse : then with thanks And vow of all true friendship , for th' amends Your kindnesse makes me , take your sword againe , And with it while I liue the power of mine In any honor'd vse shall commaund . Then till we meete , and may laugh at this error , I le once more trie the free peace of my chamber . Exit . Lod. Do so sweet friend : a plague of Gingerly ? Where is that stale and fulsome Gingerly , She brought me to a fury , I le be sworne Rather then man or woman : a flat beating : I found her suppos'd mistresse fast asleepe , Put her to the touchstone , and she prou' a man . He wak't , and with a more then manly spirit Flew in my face , and gaue me such a dash In steed of kissing , of these licorish lips That still my teeth within them bled I sweare He spits . Gengerly , Gingerly , a plague a you . He spits againe . But now how does my louers on the Tarrasse ? Enter Aurelio with Angelo , shifting his Apparell . Aur.

HOld , take my dublet too , my hat and all , and quickly hie thee to thy sweete .

Ang.

S'ounds , see sir see , your proper Sentinell , that when you needed him , gaue you a slip .

Anr.

Friend Lodouico , by my life , well welcome to this my fathers backeside .

Lod.

Well sir , well , I would I had kist almost your fathers backeside so I had neuer knowne it .

Ang.

A my life he faints extremely , he left you euen now to purchase him the amorous enteruiew of your fayre cuze Lucretia that lies heere .

Aur.

Gods me , sweete friend , would'st thou vse such a slight to any one that lay within my walke ? who was thy meane to her ?

Ang.

I lay my life , tame madam Temperance , the notorious Pandar .

Aur.

S'fut friend , wat a notorious ouersight was that ? and what a violent iniury vnto thy friend ?

Lod.

A plague vpon you both , you scuruy hinde , haue you no gull but me to whet your wit vpon ?

Aur. My friend a priuie louer ? I 'de haue sworne Loue might spend all his shafts at butterflies As well as at his bosome . Ang. 'T was your fault then , For I haue noted a most faithfull league Betwixt him and his barber now of late , And all the world may see , he does not leaue One haire on his smooth chinn , as who should say , His haplesse loue was gone against the hayre . Lod. S'bloud & these rogues knew how I was deceiu'd , They'd stout me into motley , by this light . Ang. Well sir , I euer thought y 'ad the best wit Of any man in Venice next mine owne , But now I le lay the bucklers at your feete , Lod. A poxe vpon thee , tame your bald hewed tongue , Or by the Lord of heauen I le pull it out . Aur. O my sweet friend , come I le know more of this , And tell thee all our fortune , hence good Angelo . Ang. O , if this man had patience to his braine , A man might load him till he smart againe . Exit Ang. Lod.

Patience worthy friend , hee knowes you loue him for his knauish wit . Exeunt .

Enter Leonoro , Temperance and Lyonell . Leo.

THou shalt not stay sweet Temperance , tell vs the manner of our warre and wee 'll leaue thee presently .

Temp.

Why that perl's man Lodowicke , according to your appointment was iumpe at three with mee , iust , beene full at your hower ; Muffled as I wild you , ee'ne your fashion and your very leg for all the earth , and followed me in so gingerly , that by my troth I must needs say , he was worthy the pleasuring ; but in what a taking was I when I perceiued his voyce ? & when I saw my mistresse & he together by the eares ?

Leo.

What did thy mistesse fight with him ?

Temp.

O king a heauen , she ranne vpon his naked weapon the most finely that euer liu'd , and I ran away in a swoone for feare .

Leo.

Has she a good courage ?

Lio.

It seemes she is too honest for our companies , a little more good Temperance .

Temp.

And when he saw me , he call'd me punke , and pandor , and doxie , & the vilest nicknames as if I had ben an arrand naughty-packe .

Leo.

'T is no matter Temperance , hee 's knowne and thou art knowne .

Temp.

I thanke heauen for it , and ther 's all indeed , I can stay no longer . Exit .

Leo.

Farewell honest Temperance : how was it possible , Lodouico should fit all these circumstances without the confederacy and trechery of this beldam ? well Lodouico must satisfie this doubt when I see him .

Lio.

That will be at the May night shew at Signior Honorios .

Leo.

I would not meet him there , I shall offend him , but there I must needs be , and haue thee disguis'd like a woman .

Lio.

Me sir ?

Leo.

No remedy , the Captain Quintilliano and I haue deuis'd it to gull his Lieutenant : for thou shalt dance with him , we will thrust him vpon thee , and then for his courting and gifts , which we will tell him he must win thee withall , I hope thou wilt haue wit enough to receiue the tone , and pay him againe with the tother , come Lionell let me see how naturally thou canst play the woman . Exit .

Lio.

Better then you thinke for .

Enter Quintiliano and Innocentio . Quint.

COme Lieutenant , this nap has set a nap of sobriety vpon our braines , now le ts sit heere & consult , what course were best for vs to take in this dangerous mansion of mans life .

Inno.

I am for you yfaith Captaine & you go to consult once .

Quint.

I know it Lieutenant , say then what think'st thou ? we talk't of employme�t , of action , of honor , of a co�pany & so forth .

Inno.

Did we so Captaine ?

Quint.

Did we so Asse ? S'fut , wert thou drunke afore thou went'st to the tauerne , that thou hast now forgotten it ?

Inno.

Crie you mercy good Captaine , I remember I am your Lieutenant .

Quint.

Well sir , and so thou shalt be called stil , and I Captaine , though we neuer leade other company then a sort of quart pots .

Inno.

Shall we Captaine , by th masse then le ts neuer haue other company in deed .

Quint.

Why now th' art wise , and hast a minde transform'd with maine right , and to confirme thee , I will compare the noble seruice of a feast with the honourable seruice of the field , and then put on thy hand to which thou wilt .

Inno.

Thanke you good Captaine , but do you thinke that warre is naught sir ?

Quint.

Exceeding naught .

Inno.

Why then sir take heede what you say , for 't is dangerous speaking against any thing that is naught , I can tell you .

Quint.

Thou saist wisely Lieutenant , I will not then vse the word naught , nor speake ill of eyther , but compare them both , and choose the better .

Inno.

Take heede then good Captaine , there be some prickear'd intelligencers conuaid into some wall or other about vs .

Quint.

If there were I care not , for to say true , the first modell of a battell was taken from a banquet . And first touching the offices of both : for the generall of the field , there is the master of the feast , for the Lieutenant Generall , the mistresse , for the Sergeant Maior , the Steward , for the Gentleman vsher , the Marshall , for master o th' Ordinance the Sewer , and all other officers .

Inno.

Yet y' are reasonable well Captaine .

Quint.

Then for the preparation , as in a field is all kinde of artillery , your Cannon , your Demicannon , Culuerings , falkons , Sacres , minions , & such goodly ornaments of a field , I speake no hurt of em thou seest , I le haue nothing to do do with ' am .

Inno.

Hold you still there Captaine .

Quint.

Besides other munition of powder and shot , and so for the feast , you haue your Court , cubbords planted with flagons , cannes , cups , beakers , bowles , goblets , basens and ewers : And more glorious shew I wisse then the tother , and yet I speake no hurt of the other .

Inno.

No I le be sworne Captaine .

Quint.

Besides your munition of manchet , napery plats , spoons , glasses and so forth ; Then for your kitchen artillerie , there shall you see all your brasse peeces mounted in order , as your beefe-pots , your chaldrons , your kettles , chafingdishes , ladies , spits , a more edifying spectacle then your Cannon & Culuering , and yet I speake no hurt of them neither .

Inno.

No Captaine , thus farre , I goe wee .

Quint.

Then sir , as in the field the drumme , so to the feast the dresser giues the Alarme , Ran tan tara , tan tan tantara tan .

Inno.

O how it stirres my stomacke ?

Quint.

First then sets forward a wing of light horse , as sallads , brothes , sauces , flew'd meats , and other kickshores , and they giue a charge , then do the battell ioyne Captaine Capon in white-brith , Lieutenant calues head .

Inno.

That 's my place .

Quint.

Ancient Surloigne , a man of a goodly presence , and full of expectation , as you ancient ought to bee , then haue you Sergeant Piemeat , Corporall Conny , Lanceprizado Larke , Gentlemen , Panbakex , & all the species of a company .

Inno.

Would we might fall to the fight once .

Quint.

Why now growes the fight hot man , now shall you see many a tall piece of beefe , many a tough capon go downe , and hee'r 's the triall of a mans stomacke , all the while the Artillery playes on both hands , the Canons lay about them , the flagons go off , thicke and threefold , and many a tall man goes halting off , some quite ouerthrowne both horse and foote .

Inno.

O my heart bleeds .

Quint.

That is , thy teeth water . In conclusion , as the remnant of the feast , ( I meane such dishes as scap't the fury of the fight ) if they be seruiceable , are reseru'd to furnish out another day if they be maim'd or spoyld , they are sent abroad to relieue prisons and hospitals . So the remainder of the fight , if they be seruiceable , they are reseru'd to supply a second field , for the fragments of the fight , viz. the maimd soldiers , they are sent likewise to furnish prisons and hospitals , how sayest thou now Lieutenant , shall we to the feast , or to the fight ?

Inn.

No fighting good Captain , to the feast for Gods sake .

Quint.

Tha' rt a my mind right , and so will we presently march on to the sacke of the Emperours head , then to the May-night feast , and shew at Signior Honorios , and there will be a wench there boy , a delicate yong morsell , a kinswoman of Signior Honorios , and her fathers only child , he a mighty rich Clarissimo , and her shalt thou court , winne her and weare her , thou hast wit at will .

Inno.

But shall that wench be her fathers sonne and heire Captaine ?

Quint.

Shee shall be his heire , a mine honesty .

Innoc.

But shall not my Mistris your wife bee at that show ?

Quint.

Shee shall , and we could finde her ; Fannio has beene abroade this houre to seeke her : the Asse is stept into some corner or other mourning for my absence . ( Enter Angelo and Francischina in disguise . ) See who comes here ?

Ang.

Come Cuze , march faire , me thinks thou becom'st a Page excellent naturally , cheere vp thy heart wench . Kisse her .

Franc.

Fie for shame kisse in the streets ?

Ang.

Why not ? truth seekes no corners , and 't was a true loues kisse , and so is this .

Quint.

Ware riot , do'st thou marke Lieftenant ?

Franc.

Gods pitty , my husband . Exeunt Franc. Ang.

Innoc.

What were these Captaine ?

Quint.

Vpon my life the hindermost of them , is a wench in mans attire , didst thou not marke besides his slabbering about her , her bigge thighs and her splay feete .

Innoc.

By the meskin me thought they were so indeede .

Quint.

S'life , the hungry knaue her squire , could not hold in the open streets .

Innoc.

What should shee be ?

Quint.

The Doxie was muffeld in her cloake , I had but a glimpse of her ; but s'light I will know her , shee passes not so , come wee 'll follow . I le beate the Rogue and take away 's whore from him . Exeunt .

Enter Angelo and Francischina . Ang.

COme courage Cuze , wee haue sail'd the man of Warre out of sight , and here wee must put into harbour . Hist , hawe Amila ?

Amil.

O welcome good Angelo .

Ang.

Here take in , goe , get vp lightly , away , take heed you slip not Cuze , remember y' are short heel'd .

Franc.

Hold fast for Gods sake .

Ang.

Nay hold you fast , you 'll shame vs all else ; so Ioue receiue thy soule : I take away the ladder : Now till you haue deceiued the Prouost , farewell , remember your lesson Cuze . Exit .

Franc.

I warrant you . ( Enter Quintil. and Innocentio )

Quint.

How vnhappily did we misse 'em ? they slipt into some vaulting house , I hold my life .

Innoc.

Faith it 's good we mist 'em , she was some stale punke I warrant her .

Quint.

Twenty to one shee is some honest mans wife of the Parish that steales abroade for a trimming , while he sits secure at home , little knowing , God knowes , what hangs ouer his head ; the poore Cuckold esteeming her the most vertuous wife in the world . And shoude one tell him , he had seene her drest like a Page following a knaue thus , I le lay my life he would not beleeue it .

Innoc.

Why no Captaine , wiues take all the faith from their husbands . And that makes 'em doe so many good workes as they doe .

Quint.

Mercy for that yfaith Lieftenant , stand close . ( Enter Fannio and Giacono )

Fann.

My Mistris in mans apparell saist thou ?

Giac.

Thy Mistris in mans apparell I assure thee , and attended by Angelo .

Fann.

Would to heauen I had seene her , canst tell whither shee went .

Giac.

Full butt into Lorenzoes house , and if thou knewst him , thou know'st wherefore , an ill-fauourd trimming is her errand .

Fann.

'T is very well , shee trims my Captaine prettily , in the meane time his head paies for all , and yet alas poore hornestocke , he thinks her to haue no fault , but her too much dotage vpon him , well my conscience will not let me keepe her counsaile , he shall know on 't .

Giac.

Why man if both of vs should tell him her fault he will not beleeue vs .

Fann.

No , nor if he had seene it with his owne owne eyes I thinke , I shal neuer forget how the profound Cockatrice hung on his sleeue to day , and he shoude not from her sight , shee 'd follow him into the warres , one day should make an end of both their loues and liues , and then to see him the wittall , my Captaine began to stroote , and batle the pride of his merits that so heightned her affection .

Giac.

True , and how the foppasty his Lieftenant , stept in to perswade with her , to take it patiently , for friends must part , we came not all together , and we must not goe all together .

Fann.

Well , 't will not be for any man to follow him , if this were knowne once .

Giac.

Lord how all the boyes in the towne would flocke about him as he walks the streets , as 't were about a bagge-pipe , and hoote the poore Cuckold out of his hornecase .

Fann.

Well , and I were worthy to giue him counsaile , he should e'ne faire and well hang himselfe .

Giac.

No , no , keepe it from him , and say thou found'st her at a womans labour .

Fann.

A plague of her labour , the Captaines browes sweate while shee labours .

Giac.

If I were in thy case , I should laugh out right when I saw him .

Fann.

That dare not I doe , but as often as he turnes his backe to me , I shall be here V with him that 's certaine : or when I follow him and his cheating stocke Innocentio , in the streets , I shall imagine still I am driuing an Oxe and an Asse before me , and cry phtroh , ho , ptrough .

Innoc.

S'light Captaine take this and take all .

Quint.

Not a word for the world , for if we should take notice of his words the slaue would denie all , leaue it to me to sift it in priuate . Now sir , what newes with you ? where 's your Mistris , that you range thus at your pleasure ?

Fann.

In health sir I trust .

Quint.

Come forward you rogue you : come forward , whither creepe you behinde so ? where 's your Mistris sir ?

Fann

At a poore womans labour sir .

Quint.

Very well sir , come Lieftenant , goe you afore , and doe you follow him sir .

Fann.

What afore my Captaine sir : you shall pardon me .

Quint.

Afore you rogue , afore . Exeunt

Finis Actus Quarti .
Actus Quintus . Enter Honorio , Lorenzo , Gasparo and Angelo . Hon.

SIgnior Lorenzo , and Gasparo , y' are very welcome , we shall haue good company and sport to entertaine you ere long I hope , shall we not Angelo ?

Ang.

Yes sir , I haue enuited all you commanded me .

Lor.

This is the honest man indeede , that tooke the paines to come for me .

Gasp.

And for me also .

Ang.

No paines but pleasure sir , I was glad I had such good meanes to be knowne to your Worship .

Lor.

Nay , I haue knowne you before , to be the seruant of Signior Honorio here , I take it .

Hon.

Not my seruant Signior Lorenzo , but my sonnes .

Lor.

O , your sonne Aurelios seruant ? beleeue me you or your sonne ( in mine opinion , though I say it before him ) made good choice of him : for he hath a good honest face , and to a man of iudgement ( I tell you ) that 's as good as a good surety for him . I will be better acquainted with you sir , pray you giue me your hand .

Ang.

Both my hand and heart sir , shall be euer at your seruice .

Lor.

Thanks my good friend , I le make thee laugh anone Angelo .

Ang.

I thanke your Worship , you haue done so often .

Hon.

A notable wagge Signior Gasparo .

Gasp.

How curiously Lorenzo thinks he carries the matter ?

Lor.

How now Gentlemen , i st a merry secret , that you smile so ?

Hon.

No secret Signior Lorenzo , but a merry conceipt we were thinking on , to furnish our show anone , if it had beene thought on in time .

Lor.

What was that I pray ?

Hon.

Marry sir , we had good sport to day with Snayle the chimney-sweeper .

Lor.

Had you so sir ?

Gasp.

That euer was .

Lor.

Lord that I had beene amongst you , but what more of him sir ?

Hon.

Marry sir , we were thinking how we might merrily deceaue our company that is to come , if we could haue gotten him some magnificoes sute of the Citty , whom for his little stature and leane face he might resemble , that in that habit he might haue stolen some kinde fauours from the Ladies , to make him amends and please him for the anger we put him in .

Lor.

It would haue made excellent merriment .

Ang.

You are his best Master sir , and if it please you to send me for him by some token , I le goe for him ; otherwise he will not come to these Gentlemen .

Lor.

Shall he come Gentlemen ?

Amb.

If you please sir .

Lor.

Why then hearke thee Angelo ; not for the world .

Ang.

Thinke you me such an Asse sir ?

Lor.

Shall he haue one of my little brothers suites , and come in amongst the Dames for him ?

Hon.

If you could , it would fit him exceedingly .

Lor.

Much ; now laugh Angelo : what Gentleman was that I spi'd aloft with my daughter think'st thou ?

Ang.

I know not sir ; I beseech your Worship who was it ?

Lor.

Franke , in mans apparell Angelo .

Ang.

O wonderfull .

Lor.

We cannot inuent a token , for my loue Angelo .

Ang.

O excellent .

Lor.

We will hit it anone Gentlemen .

Amb.

At your leasure sir .

Lor.

The swaggerer her husband , had note of it by his Page , and yet the same Page hath perswaded him , since that 't was but a gullery .

Ang.

'T is a notable cracke ; and his Master hath such a pure beleefe in his wife , that hee 's apt to beleeue any good of her .

Lor.

True Angelo , enough for this time ; thou shalt make as if thou went'st for Snaile , and returne without him , saying thou canst not finde him .

Ang.

Agreed sir .

Lor.

Now Gentlemen , we haue deuis'd a wile to bring Snaile amongst vs , and I haue giuen Angelo order for a sute for him , that is my little brothers , and him he shall counterfeit ; goe Angelo seeke him out .

Ang.

I will sir . Exit Ang.

Hon.

Thanke you for this good Signior Lorenzo .

Gasp.

It will quicken the company well . Enter Aemilia , Lionell , Francischina and another woman .

Lor.

For their sakes and yours , I haue done it Gentlemen ; and see the faire flocke come vpon vs .

Hon.

Welcome faire Ladies , but especially you Lady , that are so meere a stranger , Signior Lorenzo you know yong Leonoro ?

Lor.

Very well sir , a gallant sparke .

Gasp.

And I thinke you know his father .

Lor.

Know him ? I faith sir there was a reueller , I shall neuer see man doe his lofty tricks like him while I liue .

Hon.

This Gentlewoman is his Neice sir .

Lor.

His Neice ? shee shall doe her selfe wrong not to be acquainted with her deere vnkles companion : Kisse her .

Gasp.

You know not this Gentlewoman sir ?

Lor.

Not very well sir indeede , but entertainement must be giuen , mercy Franke for thy mans apparell , a plague of all swaggering husbands . Nay I must forth yfaith , Signior Honorio , this is for your sake , am I not a kinde helpe to your entertainement ?

Hon.

An exceeding kinde one sir , and I exceedingly thanke you . ( Enter Messenger . )

Mess.

The maskers are come sir .

Hon.

Doe you and your fellowes attend them in .

Mess.

We will sir . Exit Mess.

Hon.

Sit ge�tle Ladies till the maskers raise you to dance .

Enter Aurelio , Leonoro , Quintiliano , and Innocentio , in a maske dancing . Hon.

WElcome Gallants , O the roome 's too scant , a hall Gentlemen .

Leo.

See how womanly my Boy lookes Quintiliano .

Quint.

'T will be rare sport ; Lieftenant , that sweet wench in the brancht gowne is the heire I told thee of .

Innoc.

Gods me , I le to her and kisse her .

Quint.

O no , you must not vnmaske .

Innoc.

No , no , I le kisse her with my maske and all .

Leo.

No Lieftenant , take her and court her first , and then kisse her .

Omnes .

To her slaue .

Aur.

There 's thy wife too , Quintiliano .

Quint.

True , little knowes shee I am so neere her ; I le single her out , and trie what entertainement a stranger may finde with her .

Aur.

Doe so , and wee 'll take vp the tother . ( Enter Angelo . )

They dance . Ang.

I can by no meanes finde Snaile sir .

Hon.

The worse lucke , but what remedy ?

Lor.

Gramercy Angelo ; but Signior Lorenzo , mee thinks I misse one flower in this femall garland .

Hon.

VVhos 's that ?

Lor.

Your Neice Lucretia ,

Hon.

By my soule 't is true ; what 's the reason Angelo Lucretia is not here ?

Ang.

I know no reason but her owne will sir .

Gasp.

Ther 's somewhat in it certaine . They dance againe .

Inno.

Did you see the play to day I pray ?

Lio.

No , but I see the foole in it here .

Inno.

Doe you so forsooth ? where is he pray ?

Lio.

Not farre from you sir , but we must not point at any body here .

Inno.

That 's true indeede , cry mercy forsooth , doe you know me through my maske ?

Lio.

Not I sir , shee must haue better skill in bak't meats then I , that can discerne a woodcocke through the crust .

Inno.

That 's true indeede , but yet I thought I 'de try you . ( Enter Lodouico . ) They dance .

Lor.

VVhat Nephew Lodwicke , I thought you had beene one of the maskers .

Lod.

I vse no masking sir with my friends .

Hon.

No signior Lodowick , but y' are a very truant in your schoole of friendship , that come so late to your friends .

Gasp.

Somewhat has crost him sure .

Leo.

Somewhat shall crosse him ; Lodouico let me speake with you .

Lod.

VVith me sir ?

Leo.

You are the man sir , I can scarse say the Gentleman , for you haue done a wrong the credit of a Gentleman cannot answere .

Lod.

VVould I might see his face , that durst say so much .

Lod.

Obserue him well , he shoes his face that will proue it when thou dar'st .

Aur.

How now Leonoro , you forget your selfe too much , to grow outragious in this company .

Leo.

Aurelio , doe not wrong me , and your selfe , I vndertake your quarrell , this man hath dishonord your Kinswoman Lucretia , whom ( if I might ) I intended to marry .

Aur.

Some error makes you mistake Leonoro , I assure my selfe .

Hon.

VVhat interruption of our sport is this gentlemen ?

Lor.

Are not my Nephew and Leonoro friends ?

Lod.

He charges me with dishonoring his mistris Lucretia .

Hon.

Birlady Lodouico , the charge touches you deeply , you must answere it .

Lod.

I only desire I may sir , and then will referre me to your censures .

Lor.

VVell Nephew , well ; will you neuer leaue this your haunt of fornication ? I schoole him , and doe all I can , but all is lost .

Lod.

Good Vnkle giue me leaue to answere my other accuser , and then I le descend , and speake of your fornication , as the last branch of my diuision .

Lor.

Very well , be briefe .

Lod.

I will sir ; The ground vpon which this man builds his false imagination , is his sight of me at Honorios backe gate , since dinner , where muffled in my cloke , kinde Madam Temperance , the attendant of Lucretia , from the Tarrasse , wafted me to her with her hand ; taking me ( as now I vnderstand ) for this honest Gentleman , I not knowing what vse shee had to put me to , obaid the attraction of her signall , as gingerly as shee bad me . ( A plague vpon her gingerly ) till shee lockt me into Lucretias chamber , where Lucretia lying asleepe on her bed , I thought it rudenesse to wake her ; and ( imagining when shee wak't shee had something to say to me ) attended her leasure at my ease , and lay downe softly by her ; when ( hauing chaster and simpler thoughts then Leonoro imagines ) because he measures my wast by his owne ) in the very coldnesse and dulnesse of my spirit , I fell sodainly a-sleepe . In which my fancy presented me with the strangest dreame , that euer yet possest me .

Lor.

Pray God you did but dreame Nephew .

Lod.

You shall know that by knowing the euent of it .

Hon.

Goe to , pray let vs heare it .

Lod.

Me thought Lucretia and I were at mawe , a game Vnkle that you can well skill of .

Lor.

Well sir I can so .

Lod.

You will the more muse at my fortune ; or my ouersights . For my game stood , me thought , vpon my last two tricks , when I made sure of the set , and yet lost it , hauing the varlet and the fiue finger to make two tricks .

Lor.

How had that beene possible ?

Hon.

That had beene no misfortune sure but plaine ouersight .

Gasp.

But what was the reason you thought you lost it sir ?

Lod.

You shall heare ; shee had in her hand the Ace of Hearts , me thought , and a Coate-carde , shee led the bord with her coate , I plaid the varlet , and tooke vp her coate , and meaning to lay my fiue finger vpon her Ace of hearts , vp start a quite contrary card ; vp shee rises withall , takes me a dash a the mouth , drew a rapier he had lay by him , and out of dores we went together by the eares .

Hon.

A rapier he had lay by him ?

Lor.

What a shee turned to a he ? do'st thou not dreame all this while Nephew .

Lod.

No nor that time neither , though I pretended it ; let him be fetcht , I warrant you he will show as good cards as the best on you , to proue him an heir Male , if he be the eldest child of his father .

Hon.

This is exceeding strange : goe Angelo , fetch her and her hand-maide .

Ang.

I will sir , if her valure be not too hot for my fingers . Exit .

Hon.

Could such a disguise be made good all this while without my knowledge ? to say truth , shee was a stranger to me , her father being a Sicilian : fled thence for a disausterous act , and comming hither grew kindly acquainted with me , and called me brother . At his death committing his supposed daughter to my care and protection , till she were restor'd to her estate in her natiue Country .

Lor.

VVas he in hope of it ?

Hon.

He was , and in neere possibility of it himselfe , had he liu'd but little longer . ( Enter Angelo and Lucretia . )

Ang.

Here 's the Gentlewoman you talkt of sir , nay you must come forward too graue Mistris Temperance .

Lod.

How now sir ? who wants gentility now I beseech you ?

Leo.

VVho haue we here ?

Lucr.

Stand not amaz'd , nor disparage him : you see sir , this habit truly doth sute my sexe , howsoeuer my hard fortunes haue made me a while reiect it .

Hon.

VVhat hard fortunes ?

Lucr.

Those you know of my father sir : who feard my following of him in my natiue likenesse , to the hauen , where he by stealth embarqu't vs , and would haue discouer'd him , his offence being the slaughter of a Gentleman , that would haue slaine him .

Hono.

But did you not tell me you were betroth'd before this misfortune hapned , to a yong Gentleman of Sicily , call'd Theagines ?

Lucr.

I told you I was betroth'd to one Theagine , not Theagines , who indeed was a woman ,

Lio.

And yet whosoeuer had seene that Theagine since might haue taken him for a man .

Lucr.

Do you know her Gentlewoman ?

L�o.

It seemes you will not know her .

Leo.

Hearke how my boy plaies the knaue with her .

Quint.

A noble rogue , S'fut Lieutenant , wilt thou suffer thy nose to be wipt of this great heire ?

Inno.

S'light sir you are no handkercher are you ?

Lucr.

Pre thee forbeare , more happy then vnlookt for Is this deere accident : adopted and noble father , this is the Gentlewoman to whom I told you I was betroth'd , the happy newes she had to relate to me , made her a traueller , the more search of her passage made her a Page , and her good fortune obtaind her � this honest Gentleman to her Master , who I thanke him , being ( as he supposed me ) lou'd me , accept vs both for your children .

Hono.

Most gladly and with no lesse care , then mine owne protect you .

Quint.

S'fut , how now Leonora ? new fireworkes ?

Lod.

New sir , who wants gentility ? this is a gentlemanly part of you to keepe a wench in a Pages furniture ?

Leo.

It was more then I knew Sir , but this shall be a warning to me while I liue , how I iudge of the instrument by the case againe .

Lucr.

Nay it is you friend Lodouico that are most to blame , that holding the whole feminine sexe in such contempt , would yet play the pickpurse , and steale a poore maids maidenhead out of her pocket sleeping .

Leo.

'T was but to cousen mee .

Aur.

And to be before me in loue .

Lor.

And to laugh at me .

Lod.

Nay , ieast not at me sweete Gentles , I v'sd plaine and mannerly dealing , I neither v'sd the brokage of any , as you know who did Leonoro , nor the help of a ladder to creep in at a wenches chamber window ( as you know who did Aurelio . ) Nor did I case my selfe in buckrame , and crie chimney sweepe ( where are you vncle ? ) but I was train'd to it by this honest matron here .

Temp.

Meddle not with me sir .

Lucr.

I am beholding to her , she was loth to haue me leade apes in hell .

Quint.

Looke that you keepe promise with me Ladie , when will thy husband be from home ?

Fran.

Not so soone as I would wish him , but whensoeuer you shall be welcome .

Quint.

I very kindly thanke you Lady .

Fran.

Gods me , I tooke you for Signior Placentia .

Quint.

S'fut , thou liest in thy throte , thou knewst me as well as my selfe .

Hono.

What , Signior Quintilian , and friend Innocentio ? I look't not for you here , & y' are much the better welcome .

Quin.

Thanks dad Honorio , and liues my little squire ? when shall I see thee at my house lad ?

Lor.

A plague a your house , I was there too lately .

Lod.

See Lordings , her 's two will not let go till they haue your consents to be made surer .

Lor.

By my soule , and because old Gasparo heere has bene so cold in his loue sute , if she be better pleas'd with Aurelio , and his father with her , heauen giue abundance of good with him .

Hono.

So you stand not too much vpon goods , I say , Amen .

Lor.

Faith vse him as your sonne and heire , and I desire no more .

Hono.

So will I of mine honour , are you agreed youths ?

Ambo.

And most humbly gratulate your high fauors .

Gasp.

Faith & Ioue giue 'em ioy together for my part .

Lod.

Yet is heere another nayle to be driuen , heer 's a vertuous Matron , Madam Temperance , that is able to doe much good in a commonwealth , a woman of good parts , sels complexionn helpes maids to seruices , restores maidenheads , brings women to bed , and men to their bedsides .

Temp.

By my faith , but saue votre grace sir .

Lod.

Hath drinks for loue , and giues the diet .

Temp.

Birladie , and that 's not amisse for you sir .

Lod.

For me , with a plague tee ?

Temp.

No nor for any man that 's not sound I meane sir .

Lod.

S'fut masters these be good parts in the old wench , wilt thou haue her Lieutenant ? shee le be a good stay to the rest of thy liuing , the gallants will all honour thee at thy house I warrant thee .

Inno.

Fore God Captaine I care not if I haue .

Temp.

Well yong Gentleman , perhaps it should not be the worst for you .

Quint.

Why law , thy vertues haue own her at first sight , shee shall not come to thee emptie , for I le promise thee that I le make her able to bid any Gentleman welcome to a peece of mutton and rabbet at all times .

Lor.

Birladie , a good Ordinarie .

Quint.

Thow 't visit sometimes Dad .

Lor

That I will yfaith boy in authority wise .

Quint. Why then strike hands , and if the rest be pleas'd , Let all hands strike as these haue strucke afore , And with round Ecchoes make the welken rore . Exeunt . Finis Actus Quinti & vltimi .
Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
Notes for div A18415-e100080 A purse of twenty pound in gold . Hold vp the bracelets .
Machine-generated castlist A18415-quintiliano 146 A18415-lorenzo 140 A18415-lodovico 137 A18415-angelo 134 A18415-innocentio 84 A18415-leonoro 58 A18415-honorio 53 A18415-aemilia 46 A18415-temperance 38 A18415-aurelio 37 A18415-gasparo 25 A18415-giovanello 22 A18415-lucretia 19 A18415-fannio 17 A18415-francischina 17 A18415-cutbeard 11 A18415-giacono 9 A18415-lionello 7 A18415-drawer 4 A18415-lyon 3 A18415-tailor 3 A18415-boy 3 A18415-ambo 3 A18415-messenger 1 A18415-unassigned 1 A18415-omnes 1 A18415-nessenger 1
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I'�e Frances China : haue at you Mistris Franke : I'le sprede my nets for you yfaith , though they � without making many wordes : here they be , put them vp closely I beseech thee , and flaue him be sure shee will shunne him like her slaue . Alas good soules , women of themselues D�ke to hinder his preferment ; who shall the Duke haue to employ in these Marshall necessities arr�rages put me to boarde ? y'are a whole fortnight arrerages . Cyant the hostes of the Lyon has a legge like a Gyant , want for nothing Boy , so shee score truly wil� haue none , yet all must haue meate : Now will all these I say at your first entrance wonder you� haue meate : Now will all these I say at your first entrance wonder at you , as at some nomans And yet take heede you sweare by no mans bread but your owne , for that may Collatin� Why then , what say to Signior Collatine ! ther's a dainty peece of Venzon for you tell�st my beard , and speake sententiously : thou tellest me thy little father is in hand with a great clow�ed funerals ; one that noints his nose with clowced creame , and Pomatum . His breath smels �uffer heard thy father himselfe say ) in a tottred russet cote , high shooes , and yet his hose torne wa�et his necke ( and a tord in his teeth ) and a wallet on his right shoulder , and now the cullion m�ritoriously for birth , person , and good parts , might meritoriously marry a Countesse ; and one to whom his el�e thee , or begge his life at thy hands : or else turn'd Queene Dido , and pierce his tender Wel� Well wench redeeme thy fault , and write a kinde � leaue your superfluous nicety in earnest , and within this houre I will bring him to wenche� walles at your pleasure , and abuse vs poore wenches . consumi�ate as a Gentleman ought to doe , that is , to consummate matrimony with her as they say ? �ew you know , and then doe I sit by her and sew , or so : and when I see her fast a-sleepe P�gge may be , for shee sleepes like a sucking Pigge , you may jogge her a hundred times , and Augelo will his sonne Signior Aurelio , and his man Angelo , be abroad ; at which houre if you will sost A bed as soft as her hayre , sheets as delicate as her presen��y on him hitherto , if I pay not his Master presently the quartridge I owe him . � Giue me thy hand , th'art welcome ; and for thy fashions , thou shalt first �n Gentleman of Padua , a man of rare parts , an excellent scholler , a fine Ciceronian . Lodonico SIgnior Lodouico good euen to you . G�sp. Gasp H�n. Hon. ��� smoakie chimney Mistresse Franke : heere sir take vp your occupation , and downe with A�ay Away , see if the coast be cleare . haslie Y'are a merry Gentleman sir ; and I haue hastie labour in hand , I must craue pardon . foo�ish Foolish tales sir , foolish tales . goodd But good Snayle take mine in the way . me��ifluous this talking and vndoing Poetry , leaue your mellifluous numbers : yonder's a sight will steale all sl�ue I can tell you ; downe of your knees you slaue , adore . Now lets heare you inuocate , t�mpest What tempest hath cast you on this sollitary shore ? �ord Aurelio ? Lord how loth you are to let any sound of him le� Aurelio ? Lord how loth you are to let any sound of him come out an you , you hold �ight so deare within , Ile present her with a sight , will startle her nicety a little better now� there euer such a blew kitling ? fasten it now, , or by heauen thou do'st loose me for euer not� , choose him ; I shall liue , if they be not: : and if I liue till his choller kill me prepa��tion ? do'st thinke we would venture all this preparation , and not make him safe ? E�t�r Enter Leonoro and Lyonell . L�o. Leo. atte�dant Lyonell , yet she is not come , and the priuy attendant is gone . �eare I feare me some other clyent of hers , whom she pr�fe�res feare me some other clyent of hers , whom she preferres before me , come , we must not linger here vncol�-carrying vpon my Antient ; now sir ( he being of an vncole-carrying spirit ) fals foule on him , cals him gull S�ygian breake the dores . O noble Hercules , let no Stygian lake . Te dan dan tidle , te dan de dan sidles will not cut your strings nor breake your fidles , via , away . cais Whoe's that cals there ? and'cheare my entry , s'fut Ile make it smell worse and' cheare it againe . d�udge Hence , trudge you drudge , goe away . � that they rise all in an vprore after you ; alas what is the poore disguise to blame � Leaue your amorous congeis & get you in Dame ; sir you and I will talke as 'twere betwixt remnine stranger ( Exild his natiue countrey , to remaine Thrall to the mercy of such vnknowne maids miads remaine Thrall to the mercy of such vnknowne maids As fortune makes the rulers of my life ) Lucr�tio the Venetian noblesse ; for my name It is Lucretio , which to fit this habit I turn'd Lucretia ne�er kist almost your fathers backeside so I had neuer knowne it . S'�ut S'fut friend , wat a notorious ouersight was that Lientenant COme Lieutenant , this nap has set a nap of sobriety vpon in elligencers good Captaine , there be some prickecar'd intelligencers conuaid into some wall or other about vs artilieri� glasses and so forth ; Then for your kitchen artillerie , there shall you see all your brasse peeces � sauces , flew'd meats , and other kickshores , and they giue a charge , then do the battell F�anc. Franc. you'�l Nay hold you fast , you'll shame vs all else ; so Ioue receiue thy soule� you'll shame vs all else ; so Ioue receiue thy soule: : I take away the ladder : Now till you d�ceiued take away the ladder : Now till you haue deceiued the Prouost , farewell , remember your lesson l�s�on deceiued the Prouost , farewell , remember your lesson Cuze . ho� and an Asse before me , and cry phtroh , ho, ptrough . sif� slaue would denie all , leaue it to me to sift it in priuate . Now sir , what newes with priua�e denie all , leaue it to me to sift it in priuate . Now sir , what newes with you ? where's Qu�nt.. Quint. m�rrily Marry sir , we were thinking how we might merrily deceaue our company that is to come , if M�gn�ficoes to come , if we could haue gotten him some magnificoes sute of the Citty , whom for his little �lease If you please sir . heark� Why then hearke thee Angelo ; not for the world . � Nay I must forth yfaith , Signior Honorio , this is for your sake , am I not a kinde M�ss. Mess. � There's thy wife too , Quintiliano . Do� Doe so , and wee'll take vp the tother . luc�� The worse lucke , but what remedy ? � Gramercy Angelo ; but Signior Lorenzo , mee thinks I misse � Your Neice Lucretia , � Not I sir , shee must haue better skill in bak't meats Lodo�ico ( Enter Lodouico . ) N�phew VVhat Nephew Lodwicke , I thought you had beene one of mask�rs Lodwicke , I thought you had beene one of the maskers . frien�ship but y'are a very truant in your schoole of friendship � that come so late to your friends . � very truant in your schoole of friendship , that come so late to your friends . Leonor� Some error makes you mistake Leonoro , I assure my selfe . Lu�retia He charges me with dishonoring his mistris Lucretia . wa�ted attendant of Lucretia , from the Tarrasse , wafted me to her with her hand ; taking me ( as tapier A rapier he had lay by him ? L�o. Lio. pla�es Hearke how my boy plaies the knaue with her . heir� suffer thy nose to be wipt of this great heire ? S'�ight S'light sir you are no handkercher are you ? ��� thee forbeare , more happy then vnlookt for Is this deere accident : adopted and noble wou�d the whole feminine sexe in such contempt , would yet play the pickpurse , and steale a poore cous�n 'Twas but to cousen mee . � dealing , I neither v'sd the brokage of any , as you know who did Leonoro , nor the help Le�noro the brokage of any � as you know who did Leonoro , nor the help of a ladder to creep in at Fr�n. Fran. � friend Innocentio ? I look't not for you here , & y'are much the better welcome . � I of mine honour , are you agreed youths ? fa��rs And most humbly gratulate your high fauors . ma�ters S'fut masters these be good parts in the old wench , wilt
A31675 ---- Alphonsus, Emperor of Germany anon. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A31675 of text R19355 in the English Short Title Catalog (Wing C1952). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn Hannah Bredar This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A31675.xml The tragedy of Alphonsus, Emperour of Germany as it hath been [v]ery often a[cte]d (with great appl[ause]) at the privat house in Black-Friers by His Maiesties servants / by George Chapman, Gent. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 39 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2004 March (TCP phase 1) 12043046 Wing C1952. 53017 A31675

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The tragedy of Alphonsus, Emperour of Germany as it hath been [v]ery often a[cte]d (with great appl[ause]) at the privat house in Black-Friers by His Maiesties servants / by George Chapman, Gent. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. Peele, George, 1556-1596. [4], 17 [i.e. 71] p. Printed for Humphrey Moseley ..., London : 1654. 1594

Caption and running title: Alphonsus, Emperour of Germany.

Ascribed variously to George Chapman and George Peele. Cf. Camb. hist., v. 6, p. 40; DNB., etc.

Reproduction of original in British Library.

Imperfect: t.p. badly mutilated, some letters missing.

A31675 shc Alphonsus, Emperor of Germany Anon. Nayoon Ahn Hannah Bredar 1594 play tragedy shc no A31675 R19355 (Wing C1952). 25904 0 0 0 0000AThis text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE TRAGEDY OF ALPHONSUS EMPEROUR OF GERMANY As it hath been very often acted ( with great applause ) at the Private house in BLACK-FRIERS by his MAIESTIES Servants .

By George Chapman Gent .

LONDON , Printed for HUMPHREY MOSELEY , and are to be sold at his Shopp at the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard 1614 .

To the Reader

I Shall not need to bespeak thee Courteous , if thou hast seen this Piece presented with all the Elegance of Life and Action on the Black-Friers Stage ; But if it be a Stranger to thee , give me leave to prepare thy acceptation , by telling thee , it was receiv'd with general applause , and thy judgement ( I doubt not ) will be satisfied in the reading .

I will not raise thy Expectation further , nor delay thy Entertainment by a tedious Preface . The Design is high , the Contrivement subtle , and will deserve thy grave Attention in the perusall .

Farewell .
Dramatis Personae . ALphonsus Emperour of Germany The seven Electors of the German Empire . King of Bohemia . Bishop of Mentz . Bishop of Collen . Bishop of Tryer . Pallatine of the Rhein . Duke of Saxon . Marquess of Brandenburgh . Prince Edward of England . Richard Duke of Cornwall : Lorenzo de Cipres , Secretary to the Emperour . Alexander his Son , the Emperours Page . Isabella the Empress . Hedewick Daughter to the Duke of Saxon . Captain of the Guard . Souldiers . Jaylor . Two Boores .
ALPHONSUS Emperour of Germany . Enter Alphonsus the Emperour in his night-gown , and his shirt , and a torch in his hand , Alexander de Tripes his Page following him . Al. BOy , give me the Master Key of all the doors . To Bed again , and leave me to my self . [ Exit Alexder . Is Richard come ? have four Electors sworn To make him Keisar in despite of me ? Why then Alphonsus it is time to wake . No Englishman , thou art too hot at hand , Too shallow braind to undermine my throne ; The Spanish Sun hath purifi'd my wit , And dry'd up all gross humours in my head , That I am sighted as the King of Birds , And can discern thy deepest Stratagems . I am the lawful German Emperour , Chosen , enstall'd , by general consent ; And they may tearm me Tyrant as they please , I will be King , and Tyrant if I please ; For what is Empire but a Tyrannie ? And none but children use it otherwise . Of seven Electors , four are falln away , The other three I dare not greatly trust ; My Wife is Sister to mine enemy , And therefore wisely to be dealt withall ; But why do I except in special , When this position must be general , That no man living must be credited , Further than tends unto thy proper good . But to the purpose of my silent walk ; Within this Chamber lyes my Secretary , Lorenzo de Cipres , in whose learned brain Is all the compass of the world containd ; And as the ignorant and simple age Of our forefathers , blinded in their zeal , Receiv'd dark answers from Appollo's shrine , And honour'd him as Patron of their bliss ; So I , not muffled in simplicitie , Zealous indeed of nothing but my good , Hast to the Augur of my happiness , To lay the ground of my ensuing Wars . He learns his wisdom , not by flight of Birds , By prying into sacrificed beasts , By Hares that cross the way , by howling Wolves , By gazing on the Starry Element , Or vain imaginary calculations ; But from a setled wisdom in it self Which teacheth to be void of passion . To be Religious as the ravenous Wolf , Who loves the Lamb for hunger , and for prey ; To threaten our inferiors with our looks ; To flatter our Superiors at our need ; To be an outward Saint , an inward Devill ; These are the lectures that my Master reads . This Key commands all Chambers in the Court ; Now on a sudain will I try his wit , I know my comming is unlook'd for . He opens the door and finds Lorenzo sleep a loft . Nay sleep , Lorenzo , I will walk a while . As nature in the framing of the world , Ordain'd there should be nihil vacuum ; Even so me thinks his wisdom should contrive , That all his Study should be full of wit , And every corner stuft with sentences ? What 's this ? Plato ? Aristotle ? tush these are ordinary , It seems this is a note but newly written . [ He reads a note which he finds among his Books .

Una arbusta non alit duos Erithicos ; which being granted , the Roman Empire will not suffice Alphonsus King of Castile , and Richard Earl of Cornwall his competitor ; thy wisdom teacheth thee to cleave to the strongest ; Alphonsus is in possession , and therefore the strongest , but he is in hatred with the Electors , and men rather honour the Sunrising than the Sun going down . I marry this is argued like himself , and now me thinks he wakes .

Lorenzo Riseth , and snatches at his sword which hung by his Bed side . ] Loren. What are there thieves within the Emperour's Court ? Villain thou dy'st ; what mak'st thou in my Chamber ? Alphon. How now Lorenzo , wilt thou slay thy Lord ? Loren. I do beseech your sacred Majesty to pardon me , I did not know your grace . Alphon. Ly down Lorenzo , I will sit by thee , The ayr is sharp and piercing ; tremble not , Had it been any other but our self , He must have been a villain and a thief . Loren. Alas my Lord ! what means your excellence , To walk by night in these so dangerous times ? Alphon. Have I not reason now to walk and watch , When I am compast with so many foes ? They ward , they watch , they cast , and they conspire , To win confederate Princes to their aid , And batter down the Eagle from my creast . O , my Lorenzo , if thou help me not , Th' Imperial Crown is shaken from my head , And giv'n from me unto an English Earl . Thou knowest how all things stand as well as we , Who are our enemies , and who our friends , Who must be threatned , and who dallyed with , Who won by words , and who by force of arms ; For all the honour I have done to thee . Now speak , and speak to purpose in the cause ; Nay rest thy body , labour with thy brain , And of thy words my self will be the scribe . Loren. Why then my Lord , take Paper , Pen and Ink , Write first this maxim , it shall do you good .

1. A Prince must be of the nature of the Lion and the Fox ; but not the one without the other .

Alphon. The Fox is subtil , but he wanteth force ; The Lion strong , but scorneth policie ; I 'l imitate Lysander in this point , And where the Lion's hide is thin and scant , I 'l firmly patch it with the Foxes fell . Let it suffice I can be both in one . Loren.

2. A Prince above all things must seem devout ; but there is nothing so dangerous to his state , as to regard his promise or his oath .

Alphon. Tush , fear not me , my promise ; are sound , But he that trusts them shall be sure to fail . Loren. Nay my good Lord , but that I know your Majesty , To be a ready quickwitted Scholar , I would bestow a comment on the text .

3. Trust not a reconciled friend ; for good turns cannot blot out old grudges .

Alphon. Then must I watch the Palatine of the Rhein , I caus'd his Father to be put to death . Loren. Your Highness hath as little cause to trust The dangerous mighty Duke of Saxony ; You know , you sought to banish him the Land ; And as for Cullen , was not he the first That sent for Richard into Germany ? Alphon. What 's thy opinion of the other four ? Alphon. That Bohemie neither cares for one nor other , But hopes this deadly strife between you twain , Will cast th' Imperial Crown upon his head . For Trier and Brandenberg , I think of them As simple men that wish the common good ; And as for Mentz I need not censure him , Richard hath chain'd him in a golden bond , And sav'd his life from ignominious death . Alphon. Let it suffice , Lorenzo , that I know , When Churfurst Mentz was taken Prisoner , By young victorious Otho Duke of Brunschweige That Richard Earl of Cornwall did disburse The ransome of a King , a million , To save his life , and rid him out of bands , That sum of gold did fill the Brunschweige bags ; But since my self have rain'd a golden shower . Of bright Hungarian Ducates and Crusadoes , Into the private Coffers of the Bishop , The English Angels took their wings and fled ; My crosses bless his Coffers , and plead for me , His Voice is mine , bought with ten tun of Gold , And at the meeting of the seven Electors , His Princely double-dealing holiness Will spoyl the English Emperour of hope . But I refer these matter to the sequel . Proceed Lorenzo forward to the next . Loren. I 'm glad your grace hath dealt so cunningly ,

With that victorious fickle minded Prelate ; for in election his voice is first but to the next .

4. 'T is more safety for a Prince to be feared than loved .
Alphon. Love is an humour pleaseth him that loves ; Let me be hated , so I please my self . Love is an humour mild and changeable ; But fear er graves a reverence in the heart . Loren.

5. To keep an usurped Crown , a Prince must swear , forswear , poyson , murder , and commit all kind of villanies , provided it be cunningly kept from the eye of the world .

Alphon. But my Lorenzo that 's the hardest point , It is not for a Prince to execute , Physicians and Apothecaries must know , And service fear or Counsel-breaking bribes , Will from a Peasant in an hour extort Enough to overthrow a Monarchy . Loren. Therefore my Lord set down this sixt and last Article . 6. Be alwaies jealous of him that knows your secrets , And therefore it behooves you credit few ; And when you grow into the least suspect . With silent cunning must you cut them off . As for example , Iulio Lentulus , A most renowned Neapolitan , Gave me this Box of poyson , t' was not long But therewithall I sent him to his grave . Alphon. And what 's the special vertue of the same ? Loren. That it is twenty days before it works . Alphon. But what is this ? Loren. This an infection that kils suddainly ; This but a toy to cast a man asleep . Alphon. How ? bing drunk ? Loren. No , being smelt unto . Alphon. Then smell Lorenzo , I did break thy sleep ; And , for this time , this lecture shall suffice . Loraen. What have you done my Lord ? y 'ave made me safe , For stirring hence these four and twenty hours . Alphon. I see this charms his senses sudainly . How now Lorenzo , half asleep already ? Aeneas Pilot by the God of dreams , Was never lull'd into a sounder trance ; And now Alphonsus over-read thy notes . [ He reads . These are already at my fingers ends , And lest the world should find this little Schedule , Thus will I rend the text , and after this , On my behaviour set so fair a gloss , That men shall take me for a Convertite ; But some may think , I should forget my part , And have been over rash in renting it , To put them out of doubt I study sure , I 'le make a backward repetition , In being jealous of my Counsel keepers , This is the poyson that kils sudainly , So didst thou unto Iulius Lentulus , And blood with blood must be requited thus . Now am I safe , and no man knows my Counsels , Churfurst of Mentz , if now thou play thy part , Erning thy gold with cunning workmanship , Upon the Bemish Kings ambition , Richard shall shamefully fail of his hope , And I with triumph keep my Emperie . Exit . Enter the King of Bohemia , the Bishops of Mentz , Collen , Trier , the Pallatine of the Rhein , The Duke of Saxon , The Marquess of Brandenburg . Bohe. Churfursts and Princes of the Election , Since by the adverse fortune of our age , The sacred and Imperial Majesty Hath been usurp'd by open Tyranny , We the seven Pillars of the German Empire , To whom successively it doth belong To make election of our Emperours , Are here assembled to unite a new Unto her former strength and glorious type , Our half declining Roman Monarchy , And in that hope , I Henry King of Bohem , Churfurst and Sewer to the Emperour , Do take my seat next to the sacred throne . Mentz . Next seat belongs to Iulius Florius Archbishop of Mentz , Chancelor of Germany , By birth the Duke of fruitful Pomerland . Pal. The next place in election longs to me , George Cassimirus Palsgrave of the Rhein , His Highness Taster , and upon my knee I vow a pure sincere innated zeal Unto my Country , and no wrested hate , Or private love shall blind mine intellect . Collen . Brave Duke of Saxon , Dutchlands greatest hope , Stir now or never , let the Spanish tyrant , That hath dishonoured us , murder'd our Friends , And stain'd this seat with blood of innocents , At last be chastis'd with the Saxon sword , And may Albertus Archbishop of Collen , Chancelor of Gallia and the fourth Elector ; Be thought unworthy of his place and birth , But he assist thee to his utmost power . Sax. Wisdom , not words , must be the soveraign salve , To search and heal these grievous festred wounds , And in that hope Augustus Duke of Saxon , Arch-Marshall to the Emperour take my place . Trier . The like doth Frederick Arch-Bishop of Trier , Duke of Lorrain , Chancelour of Italie . Bran. The seventh and last is Ioachim Carolus , Marquess of Brandenburg , overworn with age , Whose Office is to be the Treasurer ; But Wars have made the Coffers like the Chair . Peace bringeth plenty , Wars bring poverty ; Grant Heauens , this meeting may be to effect , Establish Peace , and cut off Tyrannie . Enter the Empress Isabella King John's Daughter , Empress . Pardon my bold intrusion mighty Churfursts , And let my words pierce deeply in your hearts . O! I beseech you on my bended Knees , I the poor miserable Empress , A stranger in this Land , unus'd to broyls , Wife to the one , and Sister to the other That are Competitors for Soveraignty ; All that I pray , is , make a quiet end ; Make Peace between my Husband and my Brother . O think how grief doth stand on either side , If either party chance to be miss ; My Husband is my Husband ; but my Brother , My heart doth melt to think he should miscarry . My Brother is my Brother ; but my Husband , O how my joynts do shake fearing his wrong ! If both should dye in these uncertain broyls . O me , why do I live to think upon 't ! Bear with my interrupted speeches Lords , Tears stop my voice , your wisdoms know my meaning . Alas I know my Brother Richard's heart Affects not Empire , he would rather choose To make return again to Palestine , And be a scourge unto the Infidels ; As for my Lord , he is impatient , The more my grief , the lesser is my hope , Yet Princes thus he sends you word by me , He will submit himself to your award , And labour to amend what is amiss . All I have said , or can device to say , Is few words of great worth , Make unity , Bohe. Madam , that we have suffer'd you to kneel so long , Agrees not with your dignity nor ours ; Thus we excuse it , when we once are set , In solemn Councel of Election , We may not rise till somewhat be concluded . So much for that ; touching your earnest sure , Your Majestie doth know how it concerns us , Comfort your self , as we do hope the best ; But tell us , Madam , wher 's your Husband now ? Empress . I left him at his prayers , good my Lord . Saxon. At prayers ? Madam , that 's a miracle . Pall. Vndoubtedly your Highness did mistake ; 'T was sure some Book of Conjuration ; I think he never said pray'r in his life . Empress . Ah me , my fear , I fear , will take effect ; Your hate to him , and love unto my Brother , Will break my heart , and spoil th' Imperial peace . Mentz . My Lord of Saxon , and Prince Pallatine , This hard opinion yet is more than needs ; But , gracious Madam , leave us to our selves . Empress . I go , and Heav'n that holds the Hearts of Kings , Direct your Counsels unto unity . Exit . Bohe. Now to the depth of that we have in hand ; This is the question , whether the King of Spain Shall still continue in the Royal throne , Or yield it up unto Plantagenet , Or we proceed unto a third Eelection . Saxon. E're such a viperous blood-thirsty Spaniard Shall suck the hearts of our Nobility , Th' Imperial Sword which Saxony doth bear , Shall be unsheath'd to War against the world . Pall. My hate is more than words can testifie , Slave as he is he murdered my Father . Coll. Prince Richard is the Champion of the world , Learned , and mild , fit for the Government . Bohe. And what have we to do with Englishmen ? They are divided from our Continent . But now that we may orderly proceed To our high Office of Election , To you my Lord of Mentz it doth belong , Having first voice in this Imperial Synod , To name a worthy man for Emperour . Mentz . It may be thought , most grave and reverend Princes , That in respect of divers sums of gold , Which Richard of meer charitable love , Not as a bribe , but as a deed of Alms , Disburs'd for me unto the Duke of Brunschweige , That I dare name no other man but he , Or should I nominate an other Prince , Upon the contrary I may be thought A most ingrateful wretch unto my Friend ; But private cause must yield to publick good ; Therefore me thinks it were the fittest course , To choose the worthiest upon this Bench . Bohem. We are all Germans , why should we be yoak'd Either by Englishmen or Spaniards ? Saxo. The Earl of Cornwall by a full consent Was sent for out of England . Mentz . Though he were , Our later thoughts are purer than our first , And to conclude , I think this end were best , Since we have once chosen him Emperour , That some great Prince of wisdom and of power , Whose countenance may overbear his pride , Be joynd in equal Government with Alphonsus . Bohem. Your Holiness hath soundly in few words Set down a mean to quiet all these broyls . Trier . So may we hope for peace if he amend ; But shall Prince Richard then be joynd with him ? Pal. Why should your Highness ask that question ? As if a Prince of so high Kingly Birth , Would live in couples with so base a Cur ? Bohe. Prince Pallatine , such words do ill become thee . Saxon. He said but right , and call'd Dog a Dog . Bohe. His Birth is Princely . Saxo. His manners villanous , And vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak . Bohe. My Lord of Saxon , give me leave to tell you , Ambition blinds your judgement in this case ; You hope , if by your means Richard be Emperour , He , in requital of so great advancement , Will make the long-desired Marriage up Between the Prince of England and your Sister , And to that end Edward the Prince of Wales , Hath born his Uncle Company to Germany . Saxo. Why King of Bohem i' st unknown to thee , How oft the Saxons Sons have marryed Queens , And Daughters Kings , yea mightiest Emperours ? If Edward like her beauty and behaviour , He 'l make no question of her Princely Birth ; But let that pass , I say , as erst I said , That vertuous Richard scorns so base a yoak . Mentz . If Richard scorn , some one upon this Bench , Whose power may overbear Alphonsus pride , Is to be named . What think you my Lords ? Saxon. I think it was a mighty mass of Gold , That made your grace of this opinion . Mentz . My Lord of Saxony , you wrong me much , And know I highly scorn to take a bribe . Pal. I think you scorn indeed to have it known : But to the purpose , if it must be so , Who is the fittest man to joyn with him ? Collen . First with an Oxe to plough will I be yok'd . Mentz . The fittest is your grace in mine opinion . Bohem. I am content , to stay these mutinies , To take upon me what you do impose . Saxon. Why here 's a tempest quickly overblown . God give you joy my Lord of half the Empire ; For me I will not meddle in the matter , But warn your Majestie to have a care , And vigilant respect unto your person , I 'l hie me home to fortifie my Towns , Not to offend , but to defend my self . Pals. Ha' with you Cosin , and adieu my Lords , I am afraid this suddain knitted Peace , Will turn unto a tedious lasting War ; Only thus much we do request you all , Deal honourably with the Earl of Cornwall , And so adieu . Exeunt . Saxon. and Pals . Brand. I like not this strange Farewel of the Dukes . Bohem. In all elections some are malcontent . It doth concern us now with speed to know , How the Competitors will like of this , And therefore you my Lord Archbishop of Trier , Impart this order of arbitrament Unto the Emperour , bid him be content , To stand content with half , or lose the whole . My Lord of Mentz go you unto Prince Richard , And tell him flatly here 's no Crown , nor Empire For English Islanders ; tell him , 't were his best , To hie him home to help the King his Brother , Against the Earl of Leicester and the Barons . Collen . My Lord of Mentz , sweet words will qualifie , When bitter tearms will adde unto his rage . 'T is no small hope that hath deceiv'd the Duke ; Therefore be mild ; I know an Englishman , Being flattered , is a Lamb , threatned , a Lion ; Tell him his charges what so e're they are Shal be repaid with treble vantages ; Do this ; we will expect their resolutions . Mentz . Brother of Collen , I entreat your grace To take this charge upon you in my stead ; For why I shame to look him in the face . Collen . Your Holiness shall pardon me in this , Had I the profit I would take the pains ; With shame enough your Grace may bring the message . Mentz . Thus am I wrong'd , God knows , unguiltily . Brand. Then arm your countenance with innocency , And boldly do the message to the Prince ; For no man else will be the messenger . Mentz . Why then I must , since ther 's no remedy . [ Exit . Mentz Brand. If Heav'n that guides the hearts of mighty men , Do calm the Winds of these great Potentates , And make them like of this Arbitrament , Sweet Peace will tryumph thorough Christendom , And Germany shall bless this happy day . Enter Alexander de Toledo the Page . Alexand. O me most miserable O my dear Father ! Bohem. What means this passionate accent ? what art thou That sounds these acclamations in our ears ? Alex. Pardon me Princes , I have lost a Father , O me , the name of Father kils my heart . O! I shall never see my Father more , H 'as tane his leave of me for age and age . Collen . What was thy Father ? Alex. Ah me I what was a not ? Noble , Rich , valiant , well-belov'd of all , The glory and the wisdom of his age , Chief Secretary to the Emperour . Collen . Lorenzo de Toledo , is he dead ? Alex. Dead , ay me dead , ay me my life is dead , Strangely this night bereft of breath and sense , And I , poor I , am comforted in nothing , But that the Emperour laments with me , As I exclame , so he , he rings his hands , And makes me mad to see his Majesty Excruciate himself with endless sorrow . Collen . The happiest news that ever I did hear ; Thy Father was a villain murderer , Witty , not wise , lov'd like a Scorpion , Grown rich by the impoverishing of others , The chiefest cause of all these mutinies , And Caesar's tutor to all villanie . Alex. None but an open lyar terms him so . Col. What Boy , so malepert ? Bohem. Good Collen bear with him , it was his Father , Dutch-land is blessed in Lorenzo's Death . Brand. Did never live a viler minded man . Exeunt . Manet Alex. Alex. Nor King , nor Churfurst should be privileg'd To call me Boy , and rayl upon my Father , Were I wehrsafflig ; but in Germany , A man must be a Boy at 40. years , And dares not draw his weapon at a Dog , Till being soundly box'd about the ears , His Lord and Master gird him with a sword ; The time will come I shall be made a man , Till then I 'l pine with thought of dire revenge , And live in Hell untill I take revenge .
ACT. II. Enter Alphonsus , Richard Earl of Cornwall , Mentz , Trier , Prince Edward , Bohemia , Collen , Brandenburge , Attendants , and Pages with a sword . Bohem. Behold here come the Princes hand in hand , Pleas'd highly with the sentence as it seems . Alphon. Princes and Pillars of the Monarchy , We do admire your wisdoms in this cause , And do accept the King of Bohemia , As worthy partner in the Government . Alas my Lords , I flatly now confess , I was alone too weak to underprop So great a burden as the Roman Empire , And hope to make you all admire the course That we intend in this conjunction . Richard . That I was call'd from England with consent Of all the seven Electors to this place , Your selves best know , who wrote for me to come . 'T was no ambition mov'd me to the journey , But pitty of your half declining State ; Which being likely now to be repayr'd , By the united force of these two Kings , I rest content to see you satisfied . Mentz . Brave Earl , wonder of Princely patience , I hope your grace will not mis-think of me , Who for your good , and for the Empires best , Bethought this means to set the world at Peace . Edward . No doubt this means might have been thought upon , Although your Holiness had dy'd in Prison . Mentz . Peace , peace young Prince , you want experience ; Your Unckle knows what cares accompany , And wait upon the Crowns of mightiest Kings , And glad he is that he hath shak'd it off . Edward . Heark in your ear my Lord , hear me one word , Although it were more than a million , Which these two Kings bestow'd upon your grace , Mine Unckle Richards million sav'd your life . Mentz . Your were best to say , your Vnckle brib'd me then . Edward . I do but say mine Vnckle sav'd your life , You know Count Mansfield your fellow Prisoner , Was by the Duke of Brunschwig put to death . Mentz . You are a Child my Lord , your words are wind . Edward . You are a Fox my Lord , and past a Child . Bohem. My Lord of Cornwall , your great forwardness , Crossing the Seas with aid of Englishmen , Is more than we can any way requite ; But this your admirable patience , In being pleas'd with our election , Deserves far more than thanks can satisfie , In any thing command the Emperours , Who live to honour Richard Earl of Cornwall . Alpho. Our deeds shall make our Protestations good , Mean while , brave Princes , let us leave this place , And solace us with joy of this accord . Enter Isabella the Empress , Hedewick the Duke of Saxon's Daughter , apparelled like Fortune , drawn on a Globe , with a Cup in her hand , wherein are Bay leaves , whereupon are written the lots . A train of Ladies following with Musick . Empress . To gratulate this unexpected Peace , This glorious league confirm'd against all hope , Joyful Isabella doth present this shew , Of Fortunes triumph , as the custom is At Coronation of our Emperours ; If therefore every party be well pleas'd , And stand content with this arbitriment , Then daign to do as your Progenitors , And draw in sequence Lots for Offices . Alphon. This is an order here in Germany , For Princes to disport themselves with all , In sign their hearts so firmly are conjoyn'd , That they will bear all fortunes equally , And that the world may know I scorn no state , Or course of life to do the Empire good , I take my chance : My Fortune is to be the Forrester , Emp. If we want Venson either red or fallow , Wild bore or bear , you must be fin'd my Lord . Bohem. The Emperour's Taster I . Emp. Your Majesty hath been tasted to so oft , That you have need of small instructions . Richard . I am the bowr , Sister what is my charge ? Emp. Tyr'd like a Carter , and a Clownish Bowr , To bring a load of Wood into the Kitchin . Now for my self , Faith I am Chamber Maid , I know my charge ; proceed unto the next . Alphon. Prince Edward standeth melancholy still , Please it your Grace , my Lord , to draw your lot . Emp. Nephew you must be solemn with the sad , And given to myrth in sportful Company , The German Princes when they will be lusty , Shake of all cares , and Clowns and they are Fellows . Edward . Sweet Aunt , I do not know the Country guise , Yet would be glad to learn all fashions . Since I am next , good Fortune be my guide . Brand. A most ingenuous countenance hath this Prince , Worthy to be the King of England's Heir . Edward . Be it no disparagement to you my Lords , I am your Emperour . Alphon. Sound trumpets , God save the Emperour . Collen . The world could never worse have fitted me , I am not old enough to be the Cook . Empress . If you be Cook , there is no remedy But you must dress one Mess of meat you self . Branden. I am Physician . Trier . I am Secretary . Mentz . I am the Jester . Edward . O excellent ! is your Holiness the Vice ? Fortune hath fitted you y'faith my Lord , You 'l play the Ambodexter cunningly . Mentz . Your Highness is to bitter in your Jests . Alphon. Come hither Alexander , to comfort thee , After the death of thy beloved Father , Whose life was deer unto his Emperour , Thou shalt make one in this solemnity , Yet e're thou draw , my self will honour thee , And as the custom is make thee a man . Stand stiff Sir Boy , now com'st thou to thy tryal ; Take this , and that , and therewithall this Sword ; [ He gives Alexander a Box on the ear or two . If while thou live , thou ever take the like , Of me , or any man , I here pronounce Thou art a schelm , otherwise a man . Now draw thy lot , and Fortune be thy speed . Edward . Vnckle I pray why did be box the fellow ? Foul lubber as he is , to take such blows . Richard . Thus do the Princes make their Pages men . Edward . But that is strange to make a man with blows . We say in England that he is a man , That like a man dare meet his enemy , And in my judgement 't is the sounder tryal . Alex. Fortune hath made me Marshall of the tryumphs . Alphon. Now what remains ? Emperess . That Fortune draw her lot . She opens it , and gives it to the Emperess to read . Empress . Sound trumpets , Fortune is your Emperess . Alphon. This happens right : for Fortune will be Queen . Now Emperour you must unmask her face , And tell us how you like your Emperess , In my opinion England breeds no fairer . Bohe. Fair Hedewick the Duke of Saxons daughter , Young Prince of England , you are bravely match'd . Edward . Tell me sweet Aunt , is that this Saxon Princess , Whose beauties fame made Edward cross the Seas ? Emperess . Nephew , it is ; hath fame been prodigal , Or over sparing in the Princess praise ? Edward . Fame I accuse thee , thou did'st niggardize , And faintly sound my loves perfections . Great Lady Fortune , and fair Emperess , Whom chance this day hath thrown into my arms , More welcome than the Roman Emperess . [ Edward kisses her . Hede. See doch , dass ist hier kein gebrauch , Mein Got ist dass dir Englisch manier , dass dich . Edward . What meaneth this ? why chafes my Emperess ? Alphon. Now by my troth , I did expect this jest , Prince Edward us'd his Country fashion . Edward . I am an Englishman , why should I not ? Emp. Fy Nephew Edward , here in Germany To kiss a Maid , a fault intollerable . Edward .

Why should not German Maids be kist aswell as others ?

Richard . Nephew , because you did not know the fashion , And want the language to excuse your self , I 'l be your spokes-man to your Emperess . Edward . Excuse it thus : I like the first so well , That tell her , she shall chide me twice as much For such an other ; nay tell her more than so , I 'l double kiss on kiss , and give her leave To chide and braul , and cry ten thousand dass dich , And make her weary of her fretting humour , E're I be weary of my kissing vein , Dass dich a Iungfraw angry for a kiss . Empress . Nephew , she thinks you mock her in her mirth . Edward . I think the Princes make a scorn of me . If any do , I 'l prove it with my Sword , That English Courtship leaves it from the world . Bohem. The pleasant'st accident that I have seen . Bran. Me thinks the Prince is chaf'd as well as she . Rich. Gnediges frawlin . Hede.

Dass dich , mast ich arme kindt zu schanden gemacht werden .

Edward . Dass dich I have kist as good as you , Pray Unckle tell her ; if she mislike the kiss , I 'l take it off agen with such an other . Rich. Ey Lirbes frawlin nim es all fur gutti Es i st die Englisch manier Und gebrauche . Hede.

Ewer gnaden weissts woll es ist mir ein grosse schande .

Edward . Good Aunt teach me so much Dutch to ask her pardon . Empress . Say so : Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirs , ich wills nimmermehr thuen , Then kiss your hand three times upsy Dutch . Edward . Ich wills nimmermehr thuen , if I understand it , right , That 's as much to say , as I 'l do so no more . Empr. True Nephew . Edward .

Nay Aunt pardon me I pray , I hope to kiss her many thousand times ,

And shall I go to her like a great Boy , and say I 'l do so no more .

Empress . I pray Cosin say as I tell you . Edward .

Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirss ich wills nimmermehr thuen .

Alphon. For wahr kein schandt . Hedew. Gnediger hochgeborner Furst vndt herr Wan ich konte so vil englisch sprechen ich wolt ewer Gnaden . Fur wahr ein filtz geben , ich hoffe aber ich soll etnmahl So viel lernen dass Die mich verstrhen soll . Edward . What says she ? Alphon. O excellent young Prince look to your self , She swears she 'l learn some English for your sake , To make you understand her when she chides . Edward . I 'l teach her English , she shall teach me Dutch , Gnediges frawlin , &c. Bohem. It is great pitty that the Duke of Saxon , Is absent at this joyful accident , I see no reason if his Grace were here , But that the Marriage might be solemniz'd , I think the Prince of Wales were well content . Edward . I left sweet England to none other end ; And though the Prince her Father be not here , This Royal presence knows his mind in this . Emp. Since you do come so roundly to the purpose , 'T is time for me to speak , the Maid is mine , Giv'n freely by her Father unto me , And to the end these broyls may have an end , I give the Father's interest and mine own , Unto my Nephew Edward Prince of Wales . Edward . A Jewel of incomparable price , Your Majesty hath here bestowed on me , How shall I ask her if she be content ? Empr. Say thus , i st ewer gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden . Edward . I st ewer Gnaden woll hiemit zufrieden . Hede. Wass ihr durleichtigkeit dass will dass will mein vattter vndt Wass mein vatter will darmit muss ich zufrieden sein . Alphon. It is enough , she doth confirm the match ; We will dispatch a Post unto her Father , On Sunday shall the Revels and the Wedding , Be both solemnized with mutual joy . Sound trumpets , each one look unto his charge , For preparation of the Festivals . Exeunt . Manent Alphonsus and Alexander . Alphon. Come hither Alexander , thy Fathers joy . If tears and sighs , and deep-fetcht deadly groans , Could serve t' evert inexorable fate , Divine Lorenzo , whom in life my heart , In death my soul and better part adores , Had to thy comfort and his Prince's honour , Surviv'd , and drawn this day this breath of life . Alexan. Dread Caesar , prostrate on my bended Knee , I thank your Majesty for all favours shewn To my deceased Father and my self . I must confess , I spend but bootless tears , Yet cannot bridle nature , I must weep , Or heart will break with burden of my thoughts , Nor am I yet so young or fond withall , Causless to spend my gall , and fret my heart , 'T is not that he is dead , for all must dye ; But that I live to hear his lives reproach . O sacred Emperour , these ears have heard , What no Sons ears can unrevenged hear , The Princes all of them , but specially , The Prince Elector Archbishop of Collen , Revil'd him by the names of murderer , Arch villain , robber of the Empires fame , And Caesars tutor in all wickedness , And with a general voice applaus'd his death , As for a special good to Christendome . Alphon. Have they not reason to applaud the deed Which they themselves have plotted ? ah my Boy , Thou art too young to dive into their drifts . Alex. Yet old enough I hope to be reveng'd . Alphon. What wilt thou do , or whither wilt thou run ? Alex. Headlong to bring them death , then dye my self . Alphon. First hear the reason why I do mistrust them . Alex. They had no reason for my Father's death , And I scorn reason till they all be dead . Alphon. Thou wilt not scorn my Counsel in revenge ? Alex. My rage admits no Counsel but revenge . Alphon. First let me tell thee whom I do mistrust . Alex. Your Highness said you did mistrust them all . Alpho. Yea Alexander , all of them , and more than all , My most especiall neerest dearest friends . Alex. All 's one to me , for know thou Emperour , Were it thy Father , Brother , or thine Empress , Yea were 't thy self , that did'st conspire his death , This fatal hand should take away thy life . Alphon. Spoke like a Son , worthy so dear a Father . Be still and hearken , I will tell thee all , The Duke of Saxon � Alex. O , I thought no less . Alphon. Suppress thy choler , hearken to the rest . Saxon I say so wrought with flattering Mentz , Mentz with Bohemia , Trier , and Brandenburg , For Collen and the Palsgrave of the Rhein Were principals with Saxon in the Plot , That in a general meeting to that purpose , The seven selected Emperours electors , Most hainously concluded of the murder ; The reason why they doom'd him unto death , Was his deep wisdom and sound policy ; Knowing while he did live my state was firm , He being dead my hope must dye with him . Now Alexander will we be reveng'd Upon this wicked whore of Babylon , This hideous monster with the seven-fold head : We must with cunning level at the heart , With pierc'd and perisht all the body dyes : Or strike we off her heads by one and one , Behooveth us to use dexterity , Lest she do trample us under her feet , And tryumph in our honours overthrow . Alex. Mad and amazd to hear this tragicke doom , I do subscribe unto your sound advice . Alphon. Then hear the rest ; these seven gave but she sentence , A neerer hand put it in execution , And but I lov'd Lorenzo as my life , I never would betray my dearest Wife . Alex. What ? what the Empress accessary to ? Alphon. What cannot kindred do ? her Brother Richard , Hoping thereby to be an Emperour , Gave her a dram that sent him to his grave . Alex. O my poor Father , wert thou such an eye-sore , That 9. the greatest Princes of the earth Must be confederate in thy tragedy ? But why do I respect their mightiness , Who did not once respect my Fathers life ? Your Majesty may take it as you please , I 'l be reveng'd upon your Emperess , On English Richard , Saxon , and the Palsgrave , On Bohem , Collen , Mentz , Trier , and Brandenburg , If that the Pope of Rome himself were one In this confederacy , undaunted I . Amidst the College of his Cardinals , Would press , and stab him in St. Peters chair , Though clad in all his Pontificalibus . Alphon. Why Alexander ? do'st thou speak to me As if thou didst mistrust my forwardness ? No , thou shalt know my love to him was such , And in my heart I have proscrib'd them all , That had to do in this conspiracy . The bands of Wedlock shall not serve her turn , Her fatal lot is cast among the rest , And to conclude , my soul doth live in Hell Till I have set my foot upon their necks , That gave this spur of sorrow to my heart ; But with advice it must be managed , Not with a head-long rage as thou intend'st , Nor in a moment can it be perform'd , This work requires long time , dissembling looks , Commixt with undermining actions , Watching advantages to execute . Our foes are mighty , and their number great , It therefore follows that our Strangems Must branch forth into manifold deceits , Endless devices , bottomless conclusions . Alexan. What by your Majesty is prescrib'd to me , That will I execute or dye the death . I am content to suck my sorrows up , And with dull patience will attend the time , Gaping for every opportunity That may present the least occasion ; Although each minute multiply mine anguish , And to my view present a thousand forms Of senseless bodies in my Fathers shape , Yelling with open throat for just revenge . Alphon. Content thy self , he shall not cry in vain , I have already plotted Richards death . Alex. That hath my Fathers sacred Ghost inspir'd , O tell me , shall I stab him suddainly ? The time seems long , till I be set a work . Alphon. Thou knowest in griping at our lots to day , It was Prince Richard's hap to be the bowr ; So that his Office is to drive the Cart , And bring a load of Wood into the Kitchin . Alex. O excellent , your Grace being Forester , As in the thicket he doth load the Cart , May shoot him dead , as if he were a Deer . Alphon. No Alexander , that device were shallow , Thus it must be , there are two very howrs Appointed for to help him in the Wood , These must be brib'd or cunningly seduc'd , Instead of helping him to murder him . Ale. Verbum satis sapienti , it is enough , Fortune hath made me Marshal of the sports I hope to Marshal them to th' Devils Feast . Plot you the rest , this will I execute , Dutch bowrs as towsandt schelms and gold to tempt them . Alphon. 'T is right , about it then , but cunningly . Alex. Else let me lose that good opinion Which by your Highness I desire to hold , By Letters which I 'l strew within the Wood , I 'l undermine the bowrs to murder him , Nor shall they know who set them so a work , Like a familiar will I fly about , And nimbly haunt their Ghosts in every nook . Exit . Manet Alphonsus . Alphon. This one nayl helps to drive the other out , I slew the Father , and bewitch the Son , With power of words to be the instrument To rid my foes with danger of his life . How easily can subtil age intice , Such credulous young novices to their death ? Huge wonders will Alphonsus bring to pass , By the mad mind of this enraged Boy ; Even they which think themselves my greatest friends , Shall fall by this deceit , yea my Arch-enemies Shall turn to be my chief confederates . My sollitary walks may breed suspect , I 'le therefore give my self to Companie , As I intended nothing out these sports , Yet hope to send most actors in this Pageant , To Revel it with Rhadamant in Hell . Exit . Enter Richard Earl of Cornwall like a Clown . Richard . How far is Richard now unlike the man The crost the Seas to win an Emperie ? But as I plod it like a plumper Bowr , To fetch in Fewel for the Kitchin fire , So every one in his vocation , Labours to make the pastimes plausible ; My Nephew Edward jets it through the Court , With Princess Hedewick Empress of his Fortune , The demy Caesar in his hunters suit , Makes all the Court to Ring with Horns and Hounds , Collen the Cook bestirs him in the Kitchin ; But that which joyes me most in all these sports , Is Mentz , to see how he is made an Ass ? The common scorn and by-word of the Court ; And every one to be the same he seems , Seems to forget to be the same he is . Yet to my roabs I cannot suit my mind , Nor with my habit shake dishonour off , The seven Electors promis'd me the Empire , The perjur'd Bishop Mentz did swear no less , Yet I have seen it shar'd before my face , While my best friends do hide their heads for shame ; I bear a shew of outward full content , But grief thereof hath almost kill'd my heart . Here rest thee Richard , think upon a mean , To end thy life , or to repair thine honour , And vow never to see fair Englands bounds , Till thou in Aix be Crowned Emperour . Enter two Bowrs . Holla , me thinks there cometh Company , The Bowrs I troe that come to hew the Wood , Which I must carry to the Kitchen Fire , I 'le lye a while and listen to their talk . Enter Hans and Jerick two Dutch Bowrs . Je.

Kom hier hans wore bist dow , warumb bist dow so trawrick ? biss frolick kan wel gelt verdienen , wir will ihn bey potts tawsandt todt schlagen .

Hans .

Lat mich die brieffe sehen .

Rich.

Me thinks they talk of murdering some body , I 'l listen more .

Reads the Letter .

Hans vnd Ierick , mein liebe freinde , ich bitte lasset es bey euch bleiben in geheim , vnd schlaget den Engellander zu todt .

Rich.

What 's that ? Hans vnd Ierick my good friend , I pray be secret and murder the Englishman .

Jerick reads .

Hear weiter , den er ist kein bowre nicht , er ist ein Iuncker , vnd hatt viel gelt vnd kleinothen bey sich .

Rich.

For he is no Bowre but a Gentleman , and hath store of Gold and Jewels by him .

Jeric. .

Noch weiter : ihr solt solche gelegenheit nicht versahmen , vnd wan ihr gethan habet , ich will euch sagen , was ich fur ein guter Rarl bin der euch raht gegeben habe .

Rich.

Skip not this opportunity , and when you have done , I will discover who gave you the Counsel .

Jerick.

Wat sagst dow wilt dow es thun ?

Hans .

Wat will ich nich fur gelt thun ? see potts tausendt , dar i st er .

Jerick.

Ia , bey potts tausends slapperment , er ists , holla guter morgen , gluck zu Iuncker .

Hans .

Iuncker , der divell he is ein bowre !

Rich.

Dow bist ein schelm , weich von mir .

Jerick.

Holla , holla , bist dow so hoffertick ? Iuncker bowre , kompt hier , oder dieser vnd jenner selleuch holen .

Rich.

Ich bien ein Furst , bried mich nicht ihr schelms , ihr verrahters .

Bath .

Sla to , fla to , wir will yow furstlick tractieren .

Richard having nothing in his hand but his whip , defends himself a while , and then fall's down , as if he were dead :

Rich.

O Got , nimb meine seele in deine hande .

Jerick.

O excellent , hurtick he is todt , he is todt .

Lat vns see wat he hat for gelt bey sich , holla hier is all enough all satt , dor is for dich , and dor is for mich , vnd ditt will ich darto haben :

Ierick puts the chain about his neck . Hans .

How so Hans Narhals , geue mir die kette hier .

Jerick.

Ia ein dreck , dit kett stehet hupsch vmb mein hals , ditt will ich tragen .

Hans .

Dat dich potts velten leiden , dat soltu nimmermehr thun dow schelm .

Jerick.

Wat solt dow mich schelm heiten nimb dat .

Hans .

Dat dich hundert tonnen divells , harr ich will dich lernen .

Jerick.

Wiltud hawen oder stechen ?

Hans .

Ich will redlich hawen ;

Jerick.

Nun wollan , dor i st mein ruck , sla to .

They must have axes made for the nonst to fight withall , and while one strikes , the other holds his back without defence . Hans .

Nimb dow das , vnd dar hast mein ruck .

Jerick. .

Nach amahl : O excellent , ligst dow dar , nun will ich alles haben , gelt vnd kett , vnd alle mit einander , O hurtig , frisch-vp lustig , nun bin ich ein hurtig Iuncker .

Richard rises up again and snatcheth up the fellows hatchet that was slain . Rich.

Nè Hercules contra duos , yet pollicy hath gone beyond them both .

Du hudler schelm , morder , kehre dich , feestu mich ? gebe mir die kett vnd gelt wieder ;

Jerick.

Wat bistu wieder labendig worden , so mus ich meren , wat wiltu stechen oder hawen ?

Richard .

So will ich machen du schelm .

Jerick.

Harr , harr , bistu ein redlich karle , so fight redlich , O ich sterb , ich sterb , lat mich leben !

Richard .

Sagt mir dan wer hatt die brieffe geschrieben ?

Lie nicht sondern sagt die warheit :

Jerick.

O mein fromer , guter , edler , gestrenger Iuncker , dar i st dat gelt vnd kett wieder , yow soll alles haben , aber wer hatt die brieffe geschrieben , dat wet ich bey meiner seele nicht .

Rich. Lig dor still , still ich sag. The villain swears , and deeply doth protest He knows not who incited them to this , And as it seems the scrowl imports no less . So sterb du mir schelm . Jerick.

O ich sterb , awe , awe , awe dat dich der divell hole !

As Richard kils the Bowr . Enter Saxon and the Palsgrave . Saxon.

Fy dich an loser schelm , hastu dein gesellen todt geschlagen ?

Palsgr.

Last vs den schelmen angreiffen .

Richard . Call you me shelme how dare you then Being Princes offer to lay hands on me ? That is the Hangmans Office here in Dutch-land . Saxon. But this is strange , our Bours can speak no English , What bistum more than a damn'd murderer ? That thou art so much we are witnesses . Rich. Can then this habit alter me so much , That I am call'd a villain by my friends ? Or shall I dare once to suspect your graces , That for you could not make me Emperour , Pittying my sorrow through mine honour lost , You set these slaves to rid me of my life , Yet far be such a thought from Richard's heart . Pals. How now ? what do I hear Prince Richard speak ? Rich. The same : but wonder that he lives to speak . And had not policy helpt above strength , These sturdy swains had rid me of my life . Sax. Far be it from your Grace for to suspect vs . Rich. Alas , I know not whom I should suspect ; But yet my heart cannot misdoubt your Graces ? Saxon. How came your Highness into this apparrel ? Rich. We as the manner is drew lots for Offices , My hap was hardest to be made a Carter , And by this letter which some villain wrote , I was betray'd , here to be murdered ; But Heav'n which doth defend the Innocent , Arm'd me with strength and policy together , That I escap'd out of their treacherous snare . Pals. Were it well sounded , I dare lay my life , The Spanish tyrant knew of this conspiracie ; Therefore the better to dive into the depth Of this most devillish murderous complot , As also secretly to be beholders , Of the long-wisht for wedding of your daughter , We will disrobe these bowrs of their apparrel , Clapping their rustick cases on our backs , And help your Highness for to drive the Cart . T' may be the traytor that did write these lines , Mistaking us for them will shew himself . Richard . Prince Palatine this plot doth please me well , I make no doubt if we deal cunningly , But we shall find the writer of this seroul . Saxon. And in that hope I will disrobe this slave . Come Princes in the neighbouring thicket here , We may disguise our selves , and talk at pleasure ; Fye on him heavy lubber how he weighs . Richard . The sin of murder hangs upon his soul , It is no mervail then if he be heavy . Exeunt .
ACT. III . Enter to the Revels . Edward with an Imperial Crown . Hedewig the Empress . Bohemia the Taster . Alphonsus the Forrester . Mentz the Gester . Empress the Chambermaid . Brandenburg Physician . Tryer Secretarie . Alexander the Marshal , with his Marshals staff , and all the rest in their proper apparrel , and Attendants and Pages . Alex.

Princes and Princes Superiors , Lords and Lords fellows , Gentlemen and Gentlemens Masters , and all the rest of the States here assembled , as well Masculine as Feminine , be it known unto you by these presence , that I Alexander de Toledo , Fortunes chief Marshal , do will and command you , by the authority of my said Office , to take your places in manner and form following , First the Emperour and the Empress , then the Taster , the Secretary , the Forrester , the Physician , as for the Chambermaid and my self , we will take our places at the neither end , the Jester is to wait up , and live by the crums that fall from the Emperours trencher , But now I have Marshal'd you to the table , what remains ?

Mentz .

Every fool can tell that , when men are set to dinner they commonly expect meat .

Edward .

That 's the best Jest the fool made since he came into his Office . Marshal walk into the Kitchin , and see how the Churfurst of Collen bestirs himself .

Exit . Alex. Mentz .

Shall I go with him too ? I love to be imploy'd in the Kitchin .

Edward .

I prethee go , that we may be rid of thy wicked Jests .

Mentz .

Have with thee Marshal , the fool rides thee ?

Exit . on Alex. back . Alphon.

Now by mine honour , my Lord of Mentz plays the fool the worst that ever I saw .

Edward .

He do's all by contraries ; for I am sure he playd the wiseman like a fool , and now he plays the fool wisely .

Alphon. Princes and Churfursts let us frolick now , This is a joyful day to Christendome , When Christian Princes joyn in amity , Schinck bowls of Reinfal and the purest Wine , We 'l spend this evening lustie upsie Dutch , In honour of this unexpected league . Empres. Nay gentle Forrester , there you range amiss , His looks are fitly suited to his thoughts . His glorious Empress makes his heart tryumph , And hearts tryumphing makes his countenance stai'd , In contemplation of his lives delight . Edward . Good Aunt let me excuse my self in this , I and an Emperour but for a day , She Empress of my heart while life doth last ; Then give me leave to use Imperial looks . Nay if I be an Emperour I 'l take leave , And here I do pronounce it openly , What I have lately whisper'd in her ears , I love mine Empress more than Empery , I love her looks above my fortunes hope . Alphon. Saving your looks dread Emperour es gelt a bowl , Unto the health of your fair Bride and Empress . Edward .

Sain Got es soll mir en liebe drunk sein , so much Dutch have I learnt since I came into Germany .

Bran. When you have drunk a dozen of these bowls , So can your Majesty with a full mouth , Trowl out high Dutch , till then it sounds not right , Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat . Edward . Sain Got lass lauffen . Bohem. My Lord of Brandenburg spoken like a good Dutch Brother ; But most unlike a good Physician , You should consider what he has to do , His Bride will give you little thanks to night . Alphon. Ha , ha my Lord , now give me leave to laugh , He need not therefore shun one Beaker full . In Saxon Land you know it is the use , That the first night the Bridegroom spares the Bride . Bohem. 'T is true indeed , that had I quite forgotten . Edward . How understand I that ? Alphon. That the first night , The Bride and Bridegroom never sleep together . Edward . That may well be , perchance they wake together . Bohem. Nay without fallace they have several Beds . Edward . I in one Chamber , that is most Princely . Alphon. Not onely several Beds , but several Chambers , Lockt soundly too , with Iron Bolts and Bars . Empr. Beleeve me Nephew , that 's the custom here . Edward . O my good Aunt , the world is now grown new , Old customs are but superstitions . I 'm sure this day , this presence all can witness , The high and mighty Prince th' Archbishop of Collen , Who now is busie in the skullery , Joyn'd us together in St. Peters Church , And he that would disjoyn us two to night , 'Twixt jest and earnest be it proudly spoken , Shall eat a piece of ill-digesting Iron . Bride wilt dow dis nicht ben mee schlapen . Hede.

Da behute mich Gott fur , Ich hoffe Eure maiestat wills von mir mitt , begeran .

Edward . What says she behuie mich Got fur ? Alphon. She says God bless her from such a deed . Edward . Tush Empress , clap thy hands upon thy head , And God will bless thee , I have a Iacobs staff , Shall take the Elevation of the Pole ; For I have heard it sayd , the Dutch North star , Is a degree or two higher than ours . Bohem. Nay though we talk le ts drink , and Emperour , I 'l tell you plainly what you must trust unto , Can they deceive you of your Bride to night , They 'll surely do 't , therefore look to your self . Edward . If she deceive me not , let all do their worst . Alphon. Assure you Emperour she 'l do her best . Edward . I think the Maids in Germany are mad , E're they be marryed they will not kiss , And being marryed will not go to Bed . We drink about , let 's talk no more of this , Well warn'd half arm'd our English proverb say Alphon. Holla Marshal , what says the Cook ? Enter Alexander . Belike he thinks we have fed so well already , That we disdain his simple Cookery . Alex.

Faith the Gook says so , that his Office was to dress a mess of meat with that Wood which the English Prince should bring in , but he hath neither seen Dutch Wood nor English prince , therefore he desires you hold him excus'd .

Alphon. I wonder where Prince Richard stays so long . Alex. An 't , please your Majesty , he 's come at length , And with him has he brought a crew of Bowrs , A hipse bowr maikins fresh as Flow'rs in May , With whom they mean to dance a Saxon round , In honour of the Bridegroom and his Bride . Edward . So has he made amends for his long tarrying . I prethee Marshall them into the presence . Alphon.

Lives Richard then ? I had thought th' hadst made him sure .

Alex. O , I could tear my flesh to think upon 't , He lives and secretly hath brought with him , The Palsgrave and the Duke of Saxonie , Clad like two Bowrs , even in the same apparrel That Hans and Ierick wore when they went out to murder him , It now behooves us to be circumspect . Alphon. It likes me not ; Away Marshal bring them . Exit . Alexander . I long to see this sports conclusion . Bohem. I' st not a lovely sight to see this couple Sit sweetly billing like two Turtle Doves . Alphon. I promise you it sets my Teeth an Edge , That I must take mine Empress in mine arms . Come hither Isabel , though thy roabs be homely , Thy face and countenance holds colour still . Enter Alexander , Collen , Mentz , Richard , Saxony , Palsgrave , Collen Cook , with a gamon of raw bacon , and links or puddings in a platter , Richard , Palsgrave , Saxon , Mentz , like Clowns with each of them a Miter with Corances on their heads . Collen . Dread Emperour and Emperess for to day , I Your appointed Cook untill to morrow , Have by the Marshal sent my just excuse , And hope your Highness is therewith content , Our Carter here for whom I now do speak , Says that his Axletree broke by the way , That is his answer , and for you shall not famish , He and his fellow bowrs of the next dorp , Have brought a schinkel of good raw Bacon , And that 's a common meat with us , unsod , Desiring you , you would not scorn the fare , 'T wil make a cup of Wine taste nippitate . Edward .

Welcome good fellows , we thank you for your present .

Richard . So spell fresh up and let us rommer daunsen . Alex. Please it your Highness to dance with your Bride ? Edward . Alas I cannot dance your German dances . Bohem. I do beseech your Highness mock us not , We Germans have no changes in our dances , An Almain and an upspring that is all , So dance the Princes , Burgers , and the Bowrs . Brand. So daunc'd our Auncestors for thousand years . Edward . It is a sign the Dutch are not new fangled . I 'le follow in the measure ; Marshal lead . Alexander and Mentz have the fore dance with each of them a glass of Wine in their hands , then Edward and Hedewick , Palsgrave and Empress , and two other couple , after Drum and Trumpet . The Palsgrave whispers with the Empress . Alphon. I think the Bowr is amorous of my Empress . Fort bowr and leffel morgen , when thou com'st to house . Collen . Now is your Graces time to steal away , Look to 't or else you 'l lie alone to night . Edward steals away the Bride . Alex. ( Drinketh to the Palsgrave . ) Skelt bowre . Palsgrave . Sain Gott . The Palsgrave requests the Empress . Ey Iungfraw helpe mich doch ein Iungfraw drunck Es gelt guter fcenudt ein frolecken drink . Alphon. Sam Gott mein frundt ich will gern bescheidt thun ( Alphonsus takes the Cup of the Palsgrave , and drinks to the King of Bohemia , and after he hath drunk puts poyson into the Beaker . ) Half this I drink unto your Highness health , It is the first since we were joynd in Office . Bohem. I thank your Majesty , I 'le pledge you half . ( As Bohem is a drinking , e're he hath drunk it all out , Alphonsus pulls the Beaker from his mouth . ) Alphon. Hold , hold , your Majesty , drink not too much . Bohem. What means your Highness . Alphon. Methinks that something grates between my teeth , Pray God there be not poyson in the bowl . Bohem. Marry God forbid . Alex. So were I pepper'd . Alphon. I highly do mistrust this schelmish bowr , Lay hands on him I le make him drink the rest . Whas ist whas ist wat will you nut mee machen Alphon. Drink out , drink out oder der divell soll dich holen . Pals. Ey geb you to frieden ich will gein drink . Saxon. Drink not Prince Pallatine , throw it on the ground , It is not good to trust his Spanish flies . Bohem. Saxon and Palsgrave , this cannot be good . Alphon. 'T was not for nought my mind misgave me so ; This hath Prince Richard done t' entrap our lives . Richard . No Alphonsus , I disdain to be a traytor . Empress .

O sheath your swords , forbear these needless broyls .

Alphon. Away , I do mistrust thee as the rest . Bohem. Lord's hear me speak , to pacify these broyls ; For my part I feel no distemperature , How do you feel your self ? Alphon.

I cannot tell , not ill , and yet methinks I am not well .

Bohem. Were it a poyson 't would begin to work . Alphon. Not so , all poysons do not work alike . Pals. If there were poyson in , which God forbid , The Empress and my self and Alexander , Have cause to fear as well as any other . Alphon. Why didst thou throw the Wine upon the earth ? Hadst thou but drunk , thou hadst satisfied our minds . Pals. I will not be enforc't by Spanish hands . Alphon. If all be well with us that schuce shall serve , If not , the Spaniards blood will be reveng'd . Rich. Your Majesty is more afraid than hurt . Bohem. For me I do not fear my self a whit , Let all be friends , and forward with our mirth . Enter Edward in his night-gown and his shirt . Richard . Nephew , how now ? is all well with you ? Bohem. I lay my life the Prince has lost his bride . Edward . I hope not so , she is but stray'd a little . Alphon. Your Grace must not be angry though we laugh . Edward . If it had hapned by default of mine , You might have worthily laught me to scorn ; But to be so deceiv'd , so over reach'd , Even as I meant to clasp her in mine arms , The grief is intollerable , not to be guest , Or comprehended by the thought of any , But by a man that hath been so deceiv'd , And that 's by no man living but my self . Saxon. My Princely Son-in-Law God give you joy . Edward . Of what my Princely Father ? Saxon. O' my Daughter . Your new betroathed Wife and Bed-fellow . Edward . I thank you Father , indeed I must confess She is my Wife , but not my Bed-fellow . Saxon. How so young Prince ? I saw you steal her hence , And as me thought she went full willingly . Edward . 'T is true , I stole her finely from amongst you , And by the Arch-Bishop of Collens help , Got her alone into the Bride-Chamber , Where having lockt the Door , thought all was well . I could not speak but pointed to the Bed , She answered Ia and gan for to unlace her ; I seeing that suspected no deceit , But straight untrust my points , uncas'd my self , And in a moment slipt between the Sheets ; There lying in deep contemplation , The Princess of her self drew neer to me , Gave me her hand , spake prettily in Dutch I know not what , and kist me lovingly , And as I shrank out of my luke warm place To make her room , she clapt thrice with her feet , And through a trap-door sunck out of my sight ; Knew I but her Confederates in the deed � I say no more . Empress . Tush Cosin , be content ; So many Lands , so many fashions , It is the German use , be not impatient , She will be so much welcomer to morrow . Rich. Come Nephew , we 'l be Bed-fellows to night . Edward . Nay if I find her not , I 'le lye alone , I have good hope to ferret out her Bed , And so good night sweet Princess all at once . Alphon. Godnight to all ; Marshal discharge the train . Alex. To Bed , to Bed the Marshal crys 't is time . Exeunt . Flourish Cornets , Manent Saxon , Richard , Palsgrave , Collen , Empress . Saxon. Now Princes it is time that we advise , Now we are all fast in the Fowlers gin , Not to escape his subtle snares alive , Unless by force we break the Nets asunder . When he begins to cavil and pick quarrels , I will not trust him in the least degree . Empress . It may beseem me evill to mistrust My Lord and Emperour of so foul a fact ; But love unto his honour and your lives , Makes me with tears intreat your Excellencies To fly with speed out of his dangerous reach , His cloudy brow foretells a suddain storm Of blood not natural but prodigious . Rich. The Castle gates are shut , how should we fly ; But were they open , I would lose my life , E're I would leave my Nephew to the slaughter ; He and his Bride were sure to bear the brunt . Saxon. Could I get out of doors , I 'ld venture that , And yet I hold their persons dear enough , I would not doubt , but e're the morning Sun Should half way run his course into the South , To compass and begirt him in his Fort , With Saxon lansknights and brunt-bearing Switzers , Who lye in Ambuscado not far hence , That he should come to Composition , And with safe conduct bring into our tents , Both Bride and Bridegroom , and all other friends . Empress . My Chamber Window stands upon the Wall , And thence with ease you may escape away . Saxon. Prince Richard , you will bear me Company ? Richard . I will my Lord . Saxon. And you Prince Pallatine ? Pals. The Spanish Tyrant hath me in suspect Of poysoning him , I 'l therefore stay it out , To fly upon 't were to accuse my self . Empress . If need require , I 'le hide the Pallatine , Untill to morrow , if you stay no longer . Saxon. If God be with us , e're to morrow noon , We 'll be with Ensigns spread before the Walls , We leave dear pledges of our quick return . Emp. May the Heavens prosper your just intents . Exeunt . Enter Alphonsus . Alphon. This dangerous plot was happily overheard , Here didst thou listen in a blessed howr . Alexander , where do'st thou hide thy self ? I 've sought thee in each Corner of the Court , And now or never must thou play the man . Alex. And now or never must your Highness stir , Treason hath round encompassed your life . Alphon. I have no leasure now to hear thy talk . Seest thou this Key ? Alex.

Intends your Majesty that I should steal into the Princes Chambers ,

And sleeping stab them in their Beds to night ? That cannot be .
Alphon. Wilt thou not hear me speak ? Alex. The Prince of England , Saxon , and of Collen , Are in the Empress Chamber privily . Alphon. All this is nothing , they would murder me , I come not there to night ; seest thou this Key ? Alex. They mean to fly out at the Chamber Window , And raise an Army to beseege your Grace , Now may your Highness take them with the deed . Alphon. The Prince of Wales I hope is none of them . Alex. Him and his Bride by force they will recover . Alphon. What makes the cursed Palsgrave of the Rhein ? Alex. Him hath the Empress taken to her charge , And in her Closet means to hide him safe . Alphon. To hide him in her Closet ? of bold deeds , The dearest charge that e're she undertook , Well let them bring their Complots to an end , I 'le undermine to meet them in their works , Alex. Will not your Grace surprize them e're they fly ? Alphon. No , let them bring their purpose to effect , I 'le fall upon them at my best advantage , Seest thou this Key ? there take it Alexander ; Yet take it not unless thou be resolv'd ; Tush I am fond to make a doubt of thee ; Take it I say , it doth command all Doors , And will make open way to dire revenge . Alex. I know not what your Majesty doth mean . Alphon. Hie thee with speed into the inner Chamber , Next to the Chappe , and there shalt thou find The danty trembling Bride coutcht in her Bed , Having beguil'd her Bridegroom of his hopes , Taking her farewel of Virginity , Which she to morrow night expects to lose , By night all Cats are gray , and in the dark , She will imbrace thee for the Prince of Wales , Thinking that he hath found her Chamber out , Fall to thy business and make few words , And having pleas'd thy senses with delight , And fild thy beating vains with stealing joy , Make thence agen before the break of day , What strange events will follow this device , We need not study on , our foes shall find . How now ? how standst thou ? hast thou not the heart ? Alex. Should I not have the heart to do this deed , I were a Bastard villain and no man ; Her sweetness , and the sweetness of revenge , Tickles my senses in a double sense , And so I wish your Majesty good night . Alphon. God night , sweet Venus prosper thy attempt . Alex. Sweet Venus and grim Ate I implore , Stand both of you to me auspicious . Exit . Alexander . Alphon. It had been pitty of his Fathers life , Whose death hath made him such a perfect villain . What murder , wrack , and causeless enmity , 'Twixt dearest friends that are my strongest foes , Will follow suddainly upon this rape , I hope to live to see , and laugh thereat , And yet this peece of practice is not all . The King of Bohem though he little feel it , Because in twenty hours it will not work , Hath from my Knives point suck'd his deadly bane , Whereof I will be least of all suspected ; For I will feign my self as sick as he , And blind mine enemies eyes with deadly groans ; Upon the Palsgrave and mine Emperess , Heavy suspect shall light to bruze their bones ; Though Saxon would not suffer him to taste , The deadly potion provided for him , He cannot save him from the Sword of Iustice , When all the world shall think that like a villain , He hath poyson'd two great Emperours with one draught ; That deed is done , and by this time I hope , The other is a doing , Alexander I doubt it not will do it thorowly . While these things are a brewing I 'l not sleep , But sudainly break ope the Chamber doors , And rush upon my Empress and the Palsgrave , Holla wher 's the Captain of the Guard ? Enter Captain , and Souldiers . Cap. What would your Majesty ? Alphon. Take six travants well arm'd and followe , They break with violence into the Chamber , and Alphonsu trayls the Empress by the hair . Enter Alphonsus , Empress , Souldiers , &c. Alphon. Come forth thou damned Witch , adulteror Whore , Foul scandal to thy name , thy sex , thy blood . Emp. O Emperour , gentle Husband , pitty me . Alphon. Canst thou deny thou wert confederate , With my arch enemies that sought my blood ? And like a Strumpet through thy Chamber Window , Hast with thine own hands helpt to let them down , With an intent that they should gather arms , Besiege my Court , and take away my life ? Emp. Ah my Alphonsus . Alphon. Thy Alphonsus Whore ? Emp. O pierce my heart , trail me not by my hair ; What I have done , I did it for the best . Alphon. So for the best advantage of thy lust , Hast thou in secret Clytemnestra like , Hid thy Aegestus thy adulterous love . Emp. Heav'n be the record 'twixt my Lord and me , How pure and sacred I do hold thy Bed . Alphon. Art thou so impudent to bely the deed , Is not the Palsgrave hidden in thy Chamber ? Empe. That I have hid the Palsgrave I confess ; But to no ill intent your conscience knows . Alphon. Thy treasons , murders , incests , sorceries , Are all committed to a good intent ; Thou know'st he was my deadly enemy . Emp. By this device I hop'd to make your friends . Alphon. Then bring him forth , we 'l reconcile our selves . Emp. Should I betray so great a Prince's life ? Alphon. Thou holdst his life far dearer than thy Lords , This very night hast thou betrayd my blood , But thus , and thus , will I revenge my self , And but thou speedily deliver him , I 'le trail thee through the Kennels of the Street , And cut the Nose from thy bewitching face , And into England send thee like a Strumpet . Emp. Pull every hair from off my head , Drag me at Horses tayls , cut off my nose My Princely tongue shall not betray a Prince . Alphon. That will I try . Emp. O Heav'n revenge my shame . Enter Palsgrave . Pal. Is Caesar now become a torturer , A Hangman of his Wife , turn'd murderer ? Here is the Pallatine , what wouldst thou more ? Alphon. Upon him Souldiers , strike him to the ground . Emp. Ah Souldiers , spare the Princely Pallatine . Alphon. Down with the damn'd adulterous murderer , Kill him I say , his blood be on my head . They kill the Pallatine . Run to the Tow'r , and Ring the Larum Bell , That fore the world I may excuse my self , And tell the reason of this bloody deed . Enter Edward in his night gown and shirt . Edw. How now ? what means this sudain strange Allarm ? What wretched dame is this with blubbered cheeks , And rent dishevel'd hair ? Emp. O my dear Nephew , Fly , fly the Shambles , for thy turn is next . Edward . What , my Imperial Aunt ? then break my heart . Alphon. Brave Prince be still ; as I am nobly born , There is no ill intended to thy person . Enter Mentz , Tryer , Branden . Bohem. Mentz . Where is my Page ? bring me my two hand Sword . Tryer. What is the matter ? is the Court a fire Bran. Whos 's that ? the Emperour with his weapon drawn ? Bohem. Though deadly sick yet am I forc'd to rise , To know the reason of this hurley burley . Alphon. Princes be silent , I will tell the cause , Though sudainly a grining at my heart Forbids my tongue his wanted course of speech . See you this Harlot , traytress to my life , See you this murderer , stain to mine honour , These twain I found together in my Bed , Shamefully committing lewd Adultery , And hainously conspiring all your deaths , I mean your deaths , that are not dead already ; As for the King of Boheme and my self , We are not of this world , we have our transports Giv'n in the bowl by this adulterous Prince , And least the poyson work too strong with me , Before that I have warnd you of your harms , I will be brief in the relation . That he hath staind my Bed , these eyes have seen , That he hath murder'd two Imperial Kings , Our speedy deaths will be too sudain proof ; That he and she have bought and sold your lives , To Saxon , Collen , and the English Prince , Their Ensigns spread before the Walls to morrow Will all too sudainly bid you defiance . Now tell me Princes have I not just cause , To slay the murderer of so many souls ? And have not all cause to applaud the deed ? More would I utter , but the poysons force Forbids my speech , you can conceive the rest . Bohem. Your Majesty reach me your dying hand , With thousand thanks for this so just revenge . O , how the poysons force begins to work ! Mentz . The world may pitty and applaud the deed . Brand. Did never age bring forth such hainous acts . Edward . My senses are confounded and amaz'd . Emp. The God of Heav'n knows my unguiltiness . Enter Messenger . Mes. Arm , arm my Lords , we have descry'd a far , An Army of ten thousand men at arms . Alphon. Some run unto the Walls , some draw up the Sluce , Some speedily let the Purculless down . Mentz . Now may we see the Emperours words are true . To prison with the wicked murderous Whore . Exeunt .
ACT. IV. Enter Saxon and Richard with Souldiers . Saxon. My Lord of Cornwall , let us march before , To speedy rescue of our dearest friends , The rereward with the armed Legions , Committed to the Prince of Collen's charge , Cannot so lightly pass the mountain tops . Richard . Let 's summon sudainly unto a Parly , I do not doubt but e're we need their helps , Collen with all his forces will be here . Enter Collen with Drums and an Army . Richard . Your Holiness hath made good hast to day , And like a beaten Souldier lead your troops . Collen . In time of peace I am an Arch-Bishop , And like a Church-man can both sing and say ; But when the innocent do suffer wrong , I cast my rocket off upon the Altar , And like a Prince betake my self to arms . Enter above Mentz , Tryer , and Brandeburg . Mentz . Great Prince of Saxonie , what mean these arms ? Richard of Cornwall , what may this intend ? Brother of Collen no more Churchman now , Instead of Miter , and a Crossier Staff , Have you betane you to your Helm and Targe ? Were you so merry yesterday as friends , Cloaking your treason in your Clowns attire ? Saxon. Mentz , we return the traytor in thy face . To save our lives , and to release our friends , Out of the Spaniards deadly trapping Snares , Without intent of ill , this power is rais'd ; Therefore grave Prince Marquess of Brandenburg , My loving Cosin , as indifferent Judge , To you an aged Peace-maker we speak , Deliver with safe conduct in our tents , Prince Edward and his Bride , the Pallatine , With every one of high or low degree , That are suspicious of the King of Spain , So shall you see that in the self same howr We marched to the Walls with colours spread , We will cashier our troups , and part good friends . Brand. Alas my Lord , crave you the Pallatine ? Rich. If craving will not serve , we will command . Brand. Ah me , since your departure , good my Lords , Strange accidents of bloud and death are hapned . Saxon. My mind misgave a massacre this night . Rich. How do's Prince Edward then ? Sax. How do's my Daughter ? Collen . How goes it with the Palsgrave of the Rhein ? Brand. Prince Edward and his Bridle do live in health , And shall be brought unto you when you please . Saxon. Let them be presently deliver'd ? Coll. Lives not the Palsgrave too ? Mentz .

In Heaven or Hell he lives , and reaps the merrit of his deeds .

Coll. What damned hand hath butchered the Prince ? Saxon. O that demand is needless , who but he , That seeks to be the Butcher of us all ; But vengeance and revenge shall light on him . Bran. Be patient noble Princes , hear the rest . The two great Kings of Bohem and Castile , God comfort them , lie now at point of death , Both poyson'd by the Palsgrave yesterday . Rich. How is that possible ? so must my Sister , The Pallatine himself , and Alexander , Who drunk out of the bowl , be poysoned too . Mentz . Nor is that hainous deed alone the cause , Though cause enough to ruin Monarchies ; He hath defil'd with lust th' Imperial Bed , And by the Emperour in the fact was slain . Collen . O worthy guiltless Prince , O had he fled . Rich. But say where is the Empress , where 's my Sister . Mentz . Not burnt to ashes yet , but shall be shortly . Rich. I hope her Majesty will live to see A hundred thousand flattering turncoat slaves , Such as your Holiness , dye a shameful death . Brand. She is in prison , and attends her tryal . Saxon. O strange heart-breaking mischievous intents , Give me my children if you love your lives , No safety is in this enchanted Fort . O see in happy hour there comes my Daughter , And loving son , scapt from the Massacre . Enter Edward and Hedewick . Edward . My body lives , although my heart be slain , O Princes this hath been the dismall'st night , That ever eye of sorrow did behold , Here lay the Palsgrave weltring in his bloud , Dying Alphonsus standing over him , Upon the other hand the King of Bohem , Still looking when his poyson'd bulk would break ; But that which pierc'd my soul with natures touch Was my tormented Aunt with blubberd cheeks , Torn bloody Garments , and disheveld ' hair , Waiting for death ; deservedly or no , That knows the searcher of all humane thoughts ; For these devices are beyond my reach . Saxon. Sast dorh liches doister , who wart dow dicselbirmafl . Hede. Ais who who solt ich sem ich war in bette . Saxon. Wert dow allrin so wart dow gar vorschrocken . Hede.

Ich ha mist audes gememt dam das ich wolt allrin geschlaffne haben , abur vmb mitternaist kam meiner bridegroom , bundt si flaffet bey mir , bis wir mit dem getunnuel erwacht waren .

Edward . What says she ? came her Bridegroom to her at midnight ? Rich. Nephew , I see you were not over-reach'd ; Although she slipt out of your arms at first , You ceiz'd her surely , e're you left the chace . Saxon. But left your Grace , your Bride alone in Bed ? Or did she run together in the Larum ? Edward . Alas my Lords , this is no time to jest ; I lay full sadly in my Bed alone , Not able for my life to sleep a wink , Till that the Larum Bell began to Ring , And then I starred from my weary couch . Saxon. How now ? this rimes not with my daughters speech , She says you found her Bed , and lay with her . Edward . Not I , your Highness did mistake her words . Collen . Deny it not Prince Edward , 't is an honour . Edward . My Lords I know no reason to deny it ; T' have found her Bed , I would have given a million . Saxon. Hedswick der Furst sagt er satt mist be dir schlafin . Hede.

Es gefelt ihm also zum sagun aber ich habes woll gerfralet .

Rich. She say's you are dispos'd to jest with her ; But yesternight she felt it in good earnest . Edward . Unckle these jests are too unsavorie , Ill suited to these times , and please me not , Lab ich bin you geshlapen yesternight . Hede. I leff , warum snlt ihrs fragen . Saxon. Edward , I tell thee 't is no jesting matter , Say plainly , wa'st thou by her I or no ? Edward . As I am Prince , true heir to Englands Crown , I never toucht her body in a Bed . Hede. Das haste gethan order holle mich der divell . Richard . Nephew , take heed , you hear the Princess words . Edward . It is not she , nor you , nor all the world , Shall make me say I did anothers deed . Saxon. Anothers deed ? what think'st thou her a whore ? Saxon strikes Edward . Edward . She may be Whore , and thou a villain too . Strook me the Emperour I will strike again . Collen . Content you Princes , buffet not like boys . Richard . Hold you the one , and I will hold the other . Hede. O her got , help , help , oich arms kindt . Saxon. Souldiers lay hands upon the Prince of Wales , Convey him speedily unto a prison , And load his Legs with grievous bolts of Iron ; Some bring the Whore my Daughter from my fight ; And thou smooth Englishman to thee I speak , My hate extends to all thy Nation , Pack thee out of my sight , and that with speed Your English practises have all to long , Muffled our German eyes , pack , pack I say . Richard . Although your Grace have reason for your rage , Yet be not like a madman to your friends . Saxon. My friends ? I scorn the friendship of such mates , That seek my Daughters spoil , and my dishonour ; But I will teach the Boy another lesson , His head shall pay the ransom of his fault . Richard . His head ? Saxon. And thy head too , O how my heart doth swell ! Was there no other Prince to mock but me ? First woo , then marry her , then lye with her , And having had the pleasure of her Bed , Call her a Whore in open audience , None but a villain and a slave would do it , My Lords of Mentz , of Tryer , and Brandenburg , Make ope the Gates , receive me as a friend , I 'le be a scourge unto the English Nation . Mentz . Your Grace shall be the welcom'st guest alive , Collen . None but a madman would do such a deed . Saxon. Then Collen count me mad , for I will do it . I 'le set my life and Land upon the hazard , But I will thoroughly found this deceit . What will your Grace leave me or follow me ? Collen . No Saxon know I will not follow thee , And leave Prince Richard in so great extreams . Saxon. Then I defy you both , and so farwell . Rich. Yet Saxon hear me speak before thou go , Look to the Princes life as to thine own , Each perisht hair that falleth from his head By thy default , shall cost a Saxon City , Henry of England will not lose his heir , And so farwel and think upon my words . Saxon. Away , I do disdain to answer thee . Pack thee with shame again into thy Countrie , I 'le have a Cock-boat at my proper charge , And send th' Imperial Crown which thou hast won , To England by Prince Edward after thee . Exeunt . Man. Rich . and Coll. Collen . Answer him not Prince Richard , he is mad , Choler and grief have rob'd him of his senses . Like accident to this was never heard . Rich. Break heart and dye , flie hence my troubled spirit , I am not able for to underbear The weight of sorrow which doth bruze my soul , O Edward , O sweet Edward , O my life . O noble Collen last of all my hopes , The only friend in my extremities , If thou doest love me , as I know thou doest , Unsheath thy sword , and rid me of this sorrow . Collen . Away with abject thoughts , fie Princely Richard , Rowze up thy self , and call thy senses home , Shake of this base pusillanimitie , And cast about to remedie these wrongs . Richard . Alas I see no means of remedie . Collen . The hearken to my Counsel and advice , We will Intrench our selves not far from hence , With those small pow'rs we have , and send for more , If they do make assault , we will defend ; If violence be offer'd to the Prince , We 'l rescue him with venture of our lives ; Let us with patience attend advantage , Time may reveal the author of these treasons , For why undoubtedly the sweet young Princess , Fowly beguild by night with cunning shew , Hath to some villain lost her Maiden-head . Rich. O that I knew the foul incestuous wretch , Thus would I tear him with my teeth and nails . Had Saxon sense he would conceave so much , And not revenge on guiltless Edwards life . Collen . Perswade your self he will be twice advis'd . Before he offer wrong unto the Prince . Rich. In that good hope I will have patience . Come gentle Prince whose pitty to a stranger Is rare and admirable , not to be spoken . England cannot requite this gentleness . Collen . Tush talk not of requital , let us go , To fortifie our selves within our trench . Exeunt . Enter Alphonso ( carried in the Couch ) Saxony , Mentz , Tryer , Brandenburg , Alexander . Alphon. O most excessive pain , O raging Fire ! Is burning Cancer or the Scorpion , Descended from the Heavenly Zodiack , To parch mine Entrals with a quenchless flame ? Drink , drink I say , give drink or I shall dye . Fill a thousand bowls of Wine , Water I say Water from forth the cold Tartarian hils . I feel th' ascending flame lick up my blood , Mine Entrals shrink together like a scrowl Of burning parchment , and my Marrow fries , Bring hugie Cakes of Ice , and Flakes of Snow , That I may drink of them being dissolved . Saxon. We do beseech your Majestie have patience , Alphon. Had I but drunk an ordinary poyson , The sight of thee great Duke of Saxony , My friend in death , in life my greatest foe , Might both allay the venom and the torment ; But that adulterous Palsgrave and my Wife , Upon whose life and soul I vengeance cry , Gave me a mineral not to be digested , Which burning eats , and eating burns my heart . My Lord of Tryer , run to the King of Bohem , Commend me to him , ask him how he fares , None but my self can rightly pitty him ; For none but we have sympathie of pains . Tell him when he is dead , my time 's not long , And when I dye bid him prepare to follow . Exit . Tryer . Now , now it works a fresh ; are you my friends ? Then throw me on the cold swift running Rhyn , And let me bath there for an hour or two , I cannot bear this pain . Mentz . O would th' unpartial fates afflict on me , These deadly pains , and ease my Emperour , How willing would I bear them for his sake . Alphon. O Mentz , I would not wish unto a Dog , The least of thousand torments that afflict me , Much less unto your Princely holiness . See , see my Lord of Mentz , he points at you . Mentz . It is your fantasie and nothing else ; But were death here , I would dispute with him , And tell him to his teeth he doth unjustice , To take your Majesty in the prime of youth ; Such wither'd rotten branches as my self , Should first be lopt , had he not partial hands ; And here I do protest upon my Knee , I would as willingly now leave my life , To save my King and Emperour alive , As erst my Mother brought me to the world . Brand. My Lord of Mentz , this flattery is too gross , A Prince of your experience and calling , Should not so fondly call the Heavens to witness . Mentz . Think you my Lord , I would not hold my word ? Brand. You know my Lord , death is a bitter guest . Mentz . To ease his pain and save my Emperour , I sweetly would embrace that bitterness . Alex. If I were death , I knew what I would do . Mentz . But see , his Majesty is faln a sleep , Ah me , I fear it is a dying slumber . Alphon. My Lord of Saxonie do you hear this jest . Saxon. What should I hear my Lord ? Alphon. Do you not hear How loudly death proclames it in mine ears , Swearing by trophies , Tombs and deadmens Graves , If I have any friend so dear to me , That to excuse my life will lose his own , I shall be presently restor'd to health . Enter Tryer . Mentz . I would he durst make good his promises . Alphon. My Lord of Tryer , how fares my fellow Emperour ? Tryer. His Majesty is eas'd of all his pains . Alphon. O happy news , now have I hope of health . Mentz . My joyful heart doth spring within my bodie , To hear those words , Comfort your Majestie I will excuse you , Or at the least will bear you Company . Alphon. My hope is vain , now , now my heart will break , My Lord of Tryer you did but flatter me , Tell me the truth , how fares his Majestie . Tryer. I told your Highness , eas'd of all his pain . Alphon. I understand thee now , he 's eas'd by death , And now I feel an alteration ; Farewel sweet Lords , farewel my Lord of Mentz , The truest friend that ever earth did bear , Live long in happiness to revenge my death , Upon my Wife and all the English brood . My Lord of Saxonie your Grace hath cause . Mentz . I dare thee death to take away my life . Some charitable hand that loves his Prince , And hath the heart , draw forth his Sword and rid me of my life . Alex. I love my Prince , and have the heart to do it . Mentz . O stay a while . Alex. Nay now it is to late . Bran. Villain what hast thou done ? th' ast slain a Prince . Alex. I did no more than he intreated me , Alphon. How now , what make I in my Couch so late ? Princes why stand you so gazing about me ? Or who is that lies slain before my face ? O I have wrong , my soul was half in Heaven , His holiness did know the joys above , And therefore is ascended in my stead . Come Princes let us bear the body hence ; I 'le spend a Million to embalm the same . Let all the Bels within the Empire Ring , Let Mass be said in every Church and Chappel , And that I may perform my latest vow , I will procure so much by Gold or friends , That my sweet Mentz shall be Canonized , And numbred in the Bed-role of the Saints , I hope the Pope will not deny it me , I 'le build a Church in honour of thy name , Within the antient famous Citie Mentz , Fairer than any one in Germany , There shalt thou be interrd with Kingly Pomp , Over thy Tomb shall hang a sacred Lamp , Which till the day of doom shall ever burn , Yea after ages shall speak of thy renown , And go a Pilgrimage to thy sacred Tomb . Grief stops my voice , who loves his Emperour , Lay to his helping hand and bear him hence , Sweet Father and redeemer of my life . Exeunt . Manet Alexander . Alex. Now is my Lord sole Emperour of Rome , And three Conspirators of my Fathers death , Are cunningly sent unto Heaven or Hell ; Like subtilty to this was never seen . Alas poor Mentz ! I pittying thy prayers , Could do no less than lend a helping hand , Thou wert a famous flatterer in thy life , And now hast reapt the fruits thereof in death ; But thou shalt be rewarded like a Saint , With Masses , Bels , dirges and burning Lamps ; 'T is good , I envie not thy happiness : But ah the sweet remembrance of that night , That night I mean of sweetness and of stealth , When for a Prince , a Princess did imbrace me , Paying the first fruits of her Marriage Bed , Makes me forget all other accidents . O Saxon I would willingly forgive , The deadly trespass of my Fathers death , So I might have thy Daughter to my Wife , And to be plain , I have best right unto her , And love her best , and have deserv'd her best ; But thou art fond to think on such a match ; Thou must imagin nothing but revenge , And if my computation fail me not , Ere long I shall be thorowly reveng'd . Exit . Enter the Duke of Saxon , and Hedewick with the Child . Saxon. Come forth thou perfect map of miserie , Desolate Daughter and distressed Mother , In whom the Father and the Son are curst ; Thus once again we will assay the Prince . 'T may be the sight of his own flesh and blood Will now at last pierce his obdurate heart . Jailor how fares it with thy prisoner ? Let him appear upon the battlements . Hede.

O mein deere vatter , ich habe in dis lang lang 30. weeken , welche mich duncket sein 40. iahr gewesen , ein litte Englisch gelernet , vnd ich hope , he will me verstohn , vnd shew me a little pittie .

Enter Edward on the Walls and Iailor . Saxon. Good morrow to your grace Edward of Wales , Son and immediate Heir to Henry the third , King of England and Lord of Ireland , Thy Fathers comfort , and the peoples hope ; 'T is not in mockage nor at unawares , That I am ceremonious to repeat Thy high descent ioynd with thy Kingly might ; But therewithall to intimate unto thee What God expecteth from the higher powers , Justice , and mercie , truth , sobrietie , Relenting hearts , hands innocent of blood . Princes are Gods chief substitutes on earth , And should be Lamps unto the common sort . But you will say I am become a Preacher , No , Prince , I am an humble suppliant , And to prepare thine ears make this exordium , To pierce thine eyes and heart , behold this spectacle , Three Generations of the Saxon blood , Descended lineallie from forth my Loyns , Kneeling and crying to thy mightiness ; First look on me , and think what I have been , For now I think my self of no account , Next Caesar , greatest man in Germanie , Neerly a lyed , and ever friend to England ; But Womens sighs move more in manly hearts , O see the hands she elevates to Heaven ; Behold those eyes that whilome were thy joyes , Uttering domb eloquence in Christal tears ; If these exclames and sights be ordinarie , Then look with pittie on thy other self , This is thy flesh , and blood , bone of thy bone , A goodly Boy the Image of his sire . Turn'st thou away ? O were thy Father here , He would , as I do , take him in his arms , And sweetly kiss his Grand-child in the face . O Edward too young in experience , That canst not look into the grievous wrack , Ensuing this thy obstinate deniall ; O Edward too young in experience , That canst not see into the future good , Ensuing thy most just acknowledgement ; Hear me thy truest friend , I will repeat them ; For good thou hast an Heir indubitate , Whose eyes already sparckle Majesty , Born in true Wedlock of a Princely Mother , And all the German Princes to thy friends ; Where on the contrary thine eyes shall see , The speedy Tragedie of thee and thine ; Like Athamas first will I ceize upon Thy young unchristened and despised Son , And with his guiltless brains bepaint the Stones ; Then like Virginius will I kill my Child , Unto thine eyes a pleasing spectacle ; Yet shall it be a momentarie pleasure , Henry of England shall mourn with me ; For thou thy self Edward shall make the third , And be an actor in this bloody Scean . Hede.

Ah myne seete Edouart , mein herzkin , myne scherzkin , mein herziges , einiges herz , mein allerleivest husband , I preedee mein leefe see me friendlich one , good feete harte tell de trut : and at lest to me , and dyne allerleefest schild shew pitty ! dan ich bin dyne , vnd dow bist myne , dow hast me geven ein kindelein ; O Edouart , feete , Edouart erbarmet sein !

Edw. O Hedewick peace , thy speeches pierce my soul . Hede.

Hedewick doe yow excellencie hight me Hedewick seete Edouart yow weete ich bin yowr allerlieueste wife .

Edward . The Priest I must confess made thee my Wife , Curst be the damned villanous adulterer , That with so fowl a blot divorc'd our love . Hede.

O mein allerleevester , hieborne Furst vnd Herr , dinck dat unser Herr Gott sitts in himmells trone , and sees dat hart vnd will my cause woll recken :

Saxon. Edward hold me not up with long delays ; But quickly say , wilt thou confess the truth ? Edward . As true as I am born of Kingly Linage , And am the best Plantagenet next my Father , I never carnallie did touch her body . Saxon. Edward this answer had we long ago , Seest thou this brat ? speak quickly or he dyes . Edward . His death will be more piercing to thine eyes , Than unto mine , he is not of my kin . Hede.

O Father , O myne Uatter spare myne kindt O Edouart O Prince Edouart spreak now oder nimmermehr die kindt ist mein , it soll nicht sterben :

Saxon. Have I dishonoured my self so much , To bow my Knee to thee , which never bow'd But to my God , and am I thus rewarded ? Is he not thine ? speak murderous-minded Prince . Edward . O Saxon , Saxon mitigate thy rage . First thy exceeding great humilitie , When to thy captive prisoner thou didst kneel , Had almost made my lying tongue confess , The deed which I protest I never did ; But thy not causeless furious madding humour , Together with thy Daughters pitious cryes , Whom as my life and soul I dearly love , Had thorowly almost perswaded me , To save her honour and belie my self , And were I not a Prince of so high blood , And Bastards have no scepter-bearing hands , I would in silence smother up this blot , And in compassion of thy Daughters wrong , Be counted Father to an others Child ; For why my soul knows her unguiltiness . Saxon. Smooth words in bitter sense ; is thine answer ? Hede. Ey vatter geue mir mein kindt , die kind i st mein . Saxon.

Das weis ich woll , er sagt esist nicht sein ; therefore it dyes .

He dashes out the Childs brains . Hede. O Got in seinem trone , O mein kindt mein kindt . Saxon. There murderer take his head , and breathless lymbs , Ther 's flesh enough , bury it in thy bowels , Eat that , or dye for hunger , I protest , Thou getst no other food till that be spent . And now to thee lewd Whore , dishonour'd strumpet , Thy turn is next , therefore prepare to dye . Edward . O mighty Duke of Saxon , spare thy Child . Sax. She is thy Wife Edward , and thou shouldst spare her . One Gracious word of thine will save her life . Edward . I do confess Saxon she is mine own , As I have marryed her , I will live with her , Comfort thy self sweet Hedewick and sweet Wife . Hede.

Ach , ach vnd wehe , warumb sagt your Excellence nicht so before , now i st to late , vnser arme kindt ist kilt .

Edward . Though thou be mine , and I do pittie thee , I would not Nurse a Bastard for a Son . Hede.

O Edouard now ich mark your mening ich sholdt be your whore , mein Uatter ich begehr upon meine knee , last mich lieber sterben , ade falce Edouart , falce Prince , ich begehrs nicht .

Saxon. Unprincely thoughts do hammer in thy head , I' st not enough that thou hast sham'd her once , And seen the Bastard torn before thy face ; But thou wouldst get more brats for Butcherie ? No Hedewick thou shalt not live the day . Hede. O Herr Gott , nimb meine feele in deiner henden . Saxon. It is thy hand that gives this deadly stroak . Hede.

O Herr Sabote , das mein vnschuldt an tag kommen mocht .

Edward . Her blood be on that wretched villains head , That is the cause of all this misery . Saxon. Now murderous-minded Prince , hast thou beheld Vpon my Child , and Childs Child , thy desire , Swear to thy self , that here I firmly swear , That thou shall surely follow her to morrow . In Company of thy adulterous Aunt , Jaylor convey him to his Dungeon , If he be hungrie , I have thrown him meat , If thirstie let him suck the newly born lymbs . Edward . O Heavens and Heavenly powers , if you be just , Reward the author of this wickedness . Exit . Edw. & Iaoler . Enter Alexander . Alex. To arms great Duke of Saxonie , to arms , My Lord of Collen , and the Earl of Cornwall , In rescue of Prince Edward and the Empress , Have levy'd fresh supplies , and presently Will bid you battail in the open Field . Sax. They never could have come in fitter time ; Thirst they for blood ? and they shall quench their thirst . Alex. O piteous spectacle ! poor Princess Hedewick . Sax. Stand not to pittie , lend a helping hand . Alex. What slave hath murdered this guiltless Child ? Sax. What ? dar'st thou call me slave unto my face ? I tell thee villain , I have done this deed , And seeing the Father and the Grand-sires heart , Can give consent and execute their own , Wherefore should such a rascal as thy self Presume to pittie them , whom we have slain ? Alex. Pardon me , if it be presumption To pittie them , I will presume no more . Sax. Then help , I long to be amidst my foes . Exeunt .
ACT. V. Alarum and Retreat . Enter Richard and Collen with Drums and Souldiers . Richard . What means your Excellence to sound retreat ? This is the day of doom unto our Friends ; Before Sun set , my Sister , and my Nephew , Vnless we rescue them , must lose their lives ; The cause admits no dalliance nor delay . He that so tyrant-like hath slain his own , Will take no pittie on a strangers blood . Collen . At my entreaty e're we strike the battail , Let 's summon out our enemies to a parle . Words spoken in time , have vertue , power , and price , And mildness may prevail and take effect , When dynt of Sword perhaps will aggravate . Rich. Then sound a Parly to fulfill your mind , Although I know no good can follow it . A Parley . Enter Alphonso , Empress , Saxon , Edward prisoner , Tryer , Brandenburg , Alexander and Souldiers . Alphon. Why how now Emperour that should have been , Are these the English Generals bravado's ? Make you assault so hotly at the first , And in the self same moment sound retreat ? To let you know , that neither War nor words , Have power for to divert their fatall doom , Thus are we both resolv'd ; if we tryumph , And by the right and justice of our cause Obtain the victorie , as I doubt it not , Then both of you shall bear them Company , And e're Sun set we will perform our oaths , With just effusion of their guilty bloods ; If you be Conquerours , and we overcome , Carry not that conceit to rescue them , My self will be the Executioner , And with these Ponyards frustrate all your hopes , Making you tryumph in a bloodie Field . Saxon. To put you out of doubt that we intend it , Please it your Majesty to take your Seate , And make a demonstration of your meaning . Alphon. First on my right hand bind the English Whore , That venemous Serpent nurst within my breast To suck the vitall bloud out of my veins , My Empress must have some preheminence , Especially at such a bloodie Banquet , Her State , and love to me deserves no less . Saxon. That to Prince Edward I may shew my love , And do the latest honour to his State , These hands of mine that never chained any , Shall fasten him in fetters to the Chair . Now Princes are you ready for the battail ? Collen . Now art thou right the picture of thy self , Seated in height of all thy Tyrannie ; But tell us what intends this spectacle . Alphon. To make the certaintie of their deaths more plain , And Cancel all your hopes to save their lives , While Saxon leads the troups into the Field , Thus will I vex their souls , with sight of death , Loudly exclaming in their half dead ears ; That if we win they shall have companie , Viz. The English Emperour , And you my Lord Archbishop of Collen , If we be vanquisht , then they must expect Speedy dispatch from these two Daggers points . Collen . What canst thou tyrant then expect but death ? Alphon. Tush hear me out , that hand which shed their blood , Can do the like to rid me out of bonds . Rich. But that 's a damned resolution . Alphon. So must this desperate disease be cur'd . Rich. O Saxon I 'le yield my self and all my power , To save my Nephew , though my Sister dye . Sax. Thy Brothers Kingdom shall not save his life . Edward . Uncle , you see these savage minded men Will have no other ransom but my blood , England hath Heirs , though I be never King , And hearts and hands to scourge this tyrannie , And so farewel . Emp. A thousand times farewel , Sweet Brother Richard and brave Prince of Collen . Sax. What Richard , hath this object pierc'd thy heart ? By this imagine how it went with me , When yesterday I slew my Children . Rich. O Saxon I entreat thee on my Knees . Sax. Thou shalt obtain like mercy with thy kneeling , As lately I obtaind at Edward's hands . Rich. Pitty the tears I powr before thy feet . Sax. Pitty those tears ? why I shed bloudie tears . Rich. I 'le do the like to save Prince Edwards life . Sax. Then like a Warrior spill it in the Field , My griefull anger cannot be appeaz'd , By sacrifice of any but himself , Thou hast dishonour'd me , and thou shalt dye ; Therefore alarum , alarum to the fight , That thousands more may bear thee company . Rich. Nephew and Sister now farewell for ever . Ed. Heaven and the Right prevail , and let me die ; Uncle farewell . Emp. Brother farewell untill wee meet in Heaven . Exeunt . Manent Alphon. Edw. Emp. Alex. Alphon. Here 's farewell Brother , Nephew , Vncle , Aunt , As if in thousand years you should not meet ; Good Nephew , and good Aunt content your selves , The Sword of Saxon and these Daggers-points , Before the Evening-Star doth shew it self , Will take sufficient order for your meeting . But Alexander , my trustie Alexander , Run to the Watch-Tow'r as I pointed thee , And by thy life I charge thee look unto it Thou be the first to bring me certain word I we be Conquerors , or Conquered . Alex. With carefull speed I will perform this charge . Exit . Alphon Now have I leasure yet to talk with you . Fair Isabell , the Palsgrave's Paramour , Wherein was he a better man than I ? Or wherfore should thy love to him , effect Such deadly hate unto thy Emperour ? Yet welfare wenches that can love Good fellows , And not mix Murder with Adulterie . Emp. Great Emperor , I dare not call you Husband , Your Conscience knows my hearts unguiltiness . Alpho. Didst thou not poison , or consent to poison us ? Emp. Should any but your Highness tell me so , I should forget my patience at my death , And call him Villain , Liar , Murderer . Alphon. She that doth so miscall me at her end , Edward I prethee speak thy Conscience , Thinkst thou not that in her prosperitie Sh' hath vext my Soul with bitter Words and Deeds ? O Prince of England I do count thee wise That thou wilt not be cumber'd with a wife , When thou hadst stoln her daintie rose Corance , And pluck'd the flow'r of her virginitie . Edw. Tyrant of Spain thou liest in thy threat . Alpho. Good words , thou seest thy life is in our hands . Edw. I see thou art become a common Hangman , An Office farre more fitting to thy mind Than princelie to the Imperiall dignitie . Alphon. I do not exercise on common persons , Your Highness is a Prince , and she an Empress , I therefore count not of a dignitie . Hark Edward how they labour all in vain , With loss of many a valiant Soldiers life , To rescue them whom Heaven and we have doom'd ; Dost thou not tremble when thou think'st upon 't ? Edw. Let guiltie minds tremble at sight of Death , My heart is of the nature of the Palm , Not to be broken , till the highest Bud Be bent and ti'd unto the lowest Root ; I rather wonder that thy Tyrants heart Can give consent that those thy Butcherous hands Should offer violence to thy Flesh and Blood . See how her guiltless innocence doth plead In silent Oratorie of her chastest tears . Alphon. Those tears proceed from Fury and curst heart . I know the stomach of your English Dames . Emp. No Emperour , these tears proceed from grief . Alphon. Grief that thou canst not be reveng'd of Vs . Emp. Grief that your Highness is so ill advis'd , To offer violence to my Nephew Edward ; Since then there must be sacrifice of Blood , Let my heart-blood save both your bloods unspilt , For of his death , thy Heart must pay the guilt . Edw. No Auut , I will not buy my life so dear : Therefore Alphonso if thou beest a man Shed manly blood . and let me end this strife . Alphon. Here 's straining curtesie at a bitter Feast . Content thee Empress for thou art my Wife , Thou shalt obtain thy Boon and die the death , And for it were unprinceby to deny So slight request unto so great a Lord , Edward shall bear thee company in Death . A Retreat . But hark the heat of battail hath an end ; One side or other hath the victory , Enter Alexander . And see where Alexander sweating comes ; Speak man , what newes , speak , shall I die or live ? Shall I stab sure , or els prolong their lives To grievous Torments ? speak , am I Conquerour ? What , hath thy hast bereft thee of thy speech ? Hast thou not breath to speak one siliable ? O speak , thy dalliance kills me , wonn or lost ? Amaz'd lets fall the Daggers . Alex. Lost . Alphon. Ah me my Senses fail ! my sight is gon . Alex. Will not your Grace dispatch the Strumpet Queen ? Shall she then live , and we be doom'd to death ? Is your Heart faint , or is your Hand too weak ? Shall servill fear break your so sacred Oaths ? Me thinks an Emperour should hold his word ; Give me the Weapons , I will soon dispatch them , My Fathers yelling Ghost cries for revenge , His Blood within my Veins boyls for revenge ; O give me leave Cesar to take revenge . Alphon. Vpon condition that thou wilt protest To take revenge upon the Murtherers , Without respect of dignity , or State , Afflicted , speedy , pittiless Revenge , I will commit this Dagger to thy trust , And give thee leave to execute thy Will . Alex. What need I here reiterate the Deeds Which deadly sorrow made me perpetrate ? How neer did I entrap Prince Richard's life ? How sure set I the Knife to Mentz his heart ? How cunninglie was Palsgrave doom'd to death ? How subtilly was Bohem poisoned ? How slily did I satisfie my lust Commixing dulcet Love with deadly Hate , When Princesse Hedwick lost her Maidenhead , Sweetly embracing me for Englands Heir ? Edw. O execrable deeds ! Emp. O salvage mind ! Alex. Edward , I give thee leave to hear of this , But will forbid the blabbing of your tongue . Now gratious Lord and sacred Emperour , Your highness knowing these and many more , Which fearles pregnancie hath wrought in me , You do me wrong to doubt that I will dive Into their hearts that have not spar'd their betters , Be therefore suddain lest we die our selves . I know the Conquerour hasts to rescue them . Alphon. Thy Reasons are effectuall , take this Dagger ; Yet pawse a while . Emp. Sweet Nephew now farewell . Alphon. They are most dear to me whom thou must kill . Edward . Hark Aunt he now begins to pittie you . Alex. But they consented to my Fathers death . Alphon. More then consented , they did execute . Emp. I will not make his Majestie a Lyar , I kill'd thy Father , therefore let me die , But save the life of this unguilty Prince . Edward . I kill'd thy Father , therefore let me die , But save the life of this unguiltie Empress . Alphon Hark thou to me , and think their words as wind . I kill'd thy Father , therfore let me die , And save the lives of these two guiltless Princes . Art thou amaz'd to hear what I have said ? There , take the weapon , now revenge at full Thy Fathers death , and those my dire deceits That made thee murtherer of so many Souls . Alex. O Emperour , how cunningly wouldst thou entrap My simple youth to credit Fictions ? Thou kill my Father , no , no Emperour , Caesar did love Lorentzo all to dearly : Seeing thy Forces now are vanquished , Frustrate thy hopes , thy Highness like to fall Into the cruel and revengefull hands Of merciless incensed Enemies , Like Caius Cassius wearie of thy life , Now wouldst thou make thy Page an instrument By suddain stroak to rid thee of thy bonds . Alphon. Hast thou forgotten how that very night Thy Father dy'd , I took the Master-Key , And with a lighted Torch walk'd through the Court . Alex. I must remember that , for to my death . I never shall forget the slightest deed , Which on that dismall Night or Day I did . Alphon. Thou wast no sooner in thy restfull Bed , But I disturb'd thy Father of his rest , And to be short , not that I hated him , But for he knew my deepest Secrets , With cunning Poison I did end his life : Art thou his Son ? express it with a Stabb , And make account if I had prospered , Thy date was out , thou wast already doom'd , Thou knewst too much of me to live with me . Alex. What wonders do I hear great Emperour ? Not that I do stedfastlie believe That thou didst murder my beloved Father ; But in meer pittie of thy vanquish'd state I undertake this execution : Yet , for I fear the sparkling Majestie . Which issues from thy most Imperial , eyes May strike relenting Passion to my heart , And after wound receiv'd from fainting hand , Thou fall halfe dead among thine Enemies , I crave thy Highness leave to bind thee first . Alphon. Then bind me quickly , use me as thou please Emp. O Villain , wilt thou kill thy Sovereign ? Alex. Your Highness sees that I am forc'd unto it . Alphon. Fair Empress . I shame to ask thee pardon , Whom I have wrong'd so many thousand waies . Emp. Dread Lord and Husband , leave these desperat thoughts , Doubt not the Princes may be reconcil'd . Alex. 'T may be the Princes will be reconciled , But what is that to me ? all Potentates on Earth Can never reconcile my grieved Soul . Thou slew'st my Father , thou didst make this hand Mad with Revenge to murther Innocents , Now hear , how in the height of all thy pride The rightfull Gods hove powr'd their justfull wrath Upon thy Tyrants head , Devill as thou art . And sav'd by miracle these Princes lives ; For know , thy side hath got the Victory ; Saxon triumphs over his dearest friends ; Richard and Collen , both are Prisoners , And every thing hath sorted to thy wish ; Only hath Heaven put it in my mind ( for he alone directed then my thoughts Although my meaning was most mischievous ) To tell thee thou hadst lost , in certain hope That suddainly thou wouldst have stain them both , For if the Princes came to talk about it , I greatly feard their lives might be prolong'd . Art thou not mad to think on this deceit ? I le make thee madder , with tormenting thee . I tell thee Arch-Thief , Villain , Murtherer , Thy Forces have obtaind the Victory , Victory leads thy Foes in captive bands ; This Victory hath crown'd thee Emperour , Only my self have vanquisht Victory , And triumph in the Victors overthrow . Alphon. O Alexander spare thy Princes life . Alex. Even now thou didst entreat the contrary . Alphon. Think what I am that begg my life of thee . Alex. Think what he was whom thou hast doom'd to death . But least the Princes do surprize us here Before I have perform'd my strange revenge , I will be suddain in the execution . Alphon. I will accept any condition . Alex. Then in the presence of the Emperess , The captive Prince of England , and my self , Forswear the joyes of Heaven , the sight of God , Thy Souls salvation , and thy Saviour Christ , Damning thy Soul to endless pains of Hell . Do this or die upon my Rapiers point . Emp. Sweet Lord and Husband , spit in 's face . Die like a man , and live not like a Devill . Alex. What ? wilt thou save thy life , and damn thy Soul ? Alph. O hold thy hand , Alphonsus doth renounce . Edward . Aunt stop your years , hear not this Blasphemy . Empr. Sweet Husband think that Christ did dy for thee . Alphon. Alphonsus doth renounce the joyes of Heaven , The sight of Angells and his Saviours blood , And gives his Soul unto the Devills power . Alex. Thus will I make delivery of the Deed , Die and be damn'd , now am I satisfied . Edward . O damned Miscreant , what hast thou done ? Alex. When I have leasure I will answer thee : Mean while I 'le take my heels and save my self . If I be ever call'd in question , I hope your Majesties will save my life , You have so happily preserved yours ; Did I not think it , both of you should die . Exit Alex. Enter Saxon , Branden . Tryer , ( Richard and Collen as prisoners ) and Soldiers . Saxon. Bring forth these daring Champions to the Block , Comfort your selves you shall have company . Great Emperor where is his Majestie ? What bloody spectacle do I behold ? Emp. Revenge , revenge , O Saxon , Brandenburg , My Lord is slain , Caesar is doom'd to death . Edward . Princes make haste , follow the murtherer . Saxon. Is Caesar slain ? Edward . Follow the Murtherer . Emp. Why stand you gasing on an other thus ? Follow the Murtherer . Saxon. What Murtherer ? Edward . The villain Alexander hath slain his Lord , Make after him with speed , so shall you hear Such villanie as you have never heard . Brand. My Lord of Tryer , we both with our light Horse Will scoure the Coasts and quickly bring him in . Saxon. That can your Excellence alone perform , Stay you my Lord , and guard the Prisoners , While I , alas , unhappiest Prince alive , Over his Trunk consume my self in Tears . Hath Alexander done this damned deed ? That cannot be why should he slay his Lord ? O cruel Fate , O miserable me ! Me thinks I now present Mark Antony , Folding dead Iulius Caesar in mine arms . No , no , I rather will present Achilles , And on Patroclus Tomb do sacrifise . Let me be spurn'd and hated as a Dogg , But I perform more direfull bloody Rites Than Thetis Son for Menctiades . Edward . Leave mourning for thy Foes , pitty thy Friends . Sax. Friends have I none , and that which grieves my Soul , Is want of Foes to work my wreak upon ; But were you Traitors 4 , four hundred thousand , Then might I satisfie my self with Blood . Enter Brandenb . Alexand. and Soldiers . Saxon. See Alexander where Caesar lieth slain , The guilt whereof the Traitors cast on thee ; Speak , canst thou tell who slew thy Soveraign ? Alexan. Why who but I ? how should I curse my self If any but my self had done this deed ? This happy hand , blest be my hand therefore , Reveng'd my Fathers death upon his Soul : And Saxon thou hast cause to curse and bann That he is dead , before thou didst inflict Torments on him that so hath torn thy heart . Saxon. What Mysteries are these ? Bran. Princes , can you inform us of the Truth ? Edward . The Deed 's so heinous that my faltering tongue Abhorres the utterance . Yet I must tell it . Alex. Your Highness shall not need to take the pains , What you abhorr to tell , I joy to tell , Therefore be silent and give audience . You mighty men , and Rulers of the Earth , Prepare your Ears , to hear of Stratagems Whose dire effects have gaul'd your princely hearts , Confounded your conceits , muffled your eyes : First to begin this villanous Fiend of Hell Murther'd my Father , sleeping in his Chair , The reason why , because he only knew All Plotts , and complots of his villanie ; His death was made the Basis and the Ground Of every mischief that hath troubled you . Saxon. If thou , thy Father and thy Progenie Were hang'd and burnt , and broken on the Wheel , How could their deaths heap mischief on our heads ? Alex. And if you will not hear the Reason chuse . I tell thee I have slain an Emperour , And thereby think my self as good a man As thou , or any man in Christendom , Thou shalt entreat me ere I tell thee more . Brand. Proceed . Alex. Not I . Saxon. I prethe now proceed . Alex. Since you intreat me then , I will proceed . This murtherous Devill having slain my Father , Buz'd cunningly into my credulous ears , That by a General Councell of the States , And as it were by Act of Parlement , The seven Electors had set down his death , And made the Empress Executioner , Transferring all the guilt from him to you . This I believ'd , and first did set upon The life of Princely Richard , by the Boors , But how my purpose faild in that , his Grace best knows ; Next , by a double intricate deceit , Midst all his Mirth was Bohem poysoned , And good old Mentz to save Alphonso's life , ( Who at that instant was in perfect health ) Twixt jest and earnest was made a Sacrifice ; As for the Palatine , your Graces knew His Highness and the Queens unguiltines ; But now my Lord of Saxon hark to me , Father of Saxon should I rather call you , T was I that made your Grace a Grandfather : Prince Edward plow'd the ground , I sow'd the Seed , Poor Hedewick bore the most unhappy fruit , Created in a most unluckie hour , To a most violent and untimely death . Sax. O loathsome Villain , O detested deeds , O guiltless Prince , O me most miserable . Brand. But tell us who reveal'd to thee at last This shamefull guilt , and our unguiltiness ? Alex. Why that 's the wonder Lords , and thus it was When like a tyrant he had tane his seat , And that the furie of the Fight began , Upon the highest Watch-Tow'r of the Fort , It was my office to behold alofft The Warres event , and having seen the end , I saw how Victory with equal wings Hang hovering 'twixt the Battails here and there , Till at the last , the English Lyons fled , And Saxon's side obtain'd the Victory ; Which seen , I posted from the turrets top , More furiously than ere Laocoon ran , When Trojan hands drew in Troy's overthrow , But yet as fatally as he or any . The tyrant seeing me , star'd in my face , And suddainly demanded what 's the newes , I , as the Fates would have it , hoping that he Even in a twinkling would have slain 'em both , For so he swore before the Fight began , Cri'd bitterly that he had lost the day , The sound whereof did kill his dastard heart , And made the Villain desperatly confess The murther of my Father , praying me , With dire revenge , to ridd him of his life ; Short tale to make , I bound him cunningly , Told him of the deceit , triumphing over him , And lastly with my Rapier slew him dead . Sax. O Heavens ! justly have you tane revenge . But thou , thou murtherous adulterous slave , What Bull of Phalaris , what strange device , Shall we invent to take away thy life ? Alex. If Edward and the Empress , whom I sav'd , Will not requite it now , and save my life , Then let me die , contentedly I die , Having at last reveng'd my Fathers death . Sax. Villain , not all the world shall save thy life . Edw. Hadst thou not been Author of my Hedewicks death , I would have certainly sav'd thee from death ; But if my Sentence now may take effect , I would adjudge the Villain to be hang'd As here the Jewes are hang'd in Germany . Sax. Young Prince it shall be so ; go dragg the Slave Unto the place of execution : There let the Iudas , on a Jewish Gallowes , Hang by the heels between two English Mastives , There feed on Doggs , let Doggs there feed on thee , And by all means prolong his miserie . Alex. O might thy self and all these English Currs , Instead of Mastive-Doggs hang by my side , How sweetly would I tugg upon your Flesh . Exit Alex. Sax. Away with him , suffer him not to speak . And now my lords , Collen , Tryer , and Barndenburg , Whose Hearts are bruz'd to think upon these woes , Though no man hast such reason as my self , We of the seven Electors that remain , After so many bloody Massacres , Kneeling upon our Knees , humbly intreat Your Excellence to be our Emperour . The Royalties of the Coronation Shall be , at Aix , shortly solemnized . Cullen . Brave Princely Richard now refuse it not , Though the Election be made in Tears , Joy shall attend thy Coronation . Richard . It stands not with mine Honour to deny it , Yet by mine Honour , fain I would refuse it . Edward . Uncle , the weight of all these Miseries Maketh my heart as heavy as your own , But an Imperial Crown would lighten it , Let this one reason make you take the Crown . Richard . What 's that sweet nephew ? Edward . Sweet Uncle , this it is , Was never Englishman yet Emperour , Therefore to honour England and your self , Let private sorrow yield to publike Fame , That once an Englishman bare Caesar's name . Richard . Nephew , thou hast prevail'd ; Princes stand up , We humbly do accept your sacred offer . Cullen . Then sound the Trumpets , and cry Vivat Caesar . All . Vivat Caesar . Cullen .

Richardus Dei gratia Romanorum Imperator , semper Augustus , Comes Cornubiae .

Richard . Sweet Sister now let Caesar comfort you , And all the rest that yet are comfortless ; Let them expect from English Caesar's hands Peace , and abundance of all earthly Joy .
FINIS
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� in BLACK-FRIERS by his MAIESTIES Servants . � By George Chapman Gent . 16�4 the Princes Arms in St. Pauls Church-yard 1614 . � Marquess of Brandenburgh . Strat� gems King of Birds , And can discern thy deepest Stratagems . I am the lawful German Emperour , Chosen su�fice being granted , the Roman Empire will not suffice Alphonsus King of Castile , and Richard ��� Ly down Lorenzo , I will sit by thee , The ayr is sharp and piercing ; tremble not , Had pi�rcing Lorenzo , I will sit by thee , ��� is sharp and piercing ; tremble not , Had it been any other but othe� piercing ; tremble not , Had it been any other but our self , He must have been a villain war� When I am compast with so many foes ? They ward , they watch , they cast , and they conspire � they watch , they cast , and they conspire , To win confederate Princes to their aid � Why then my Lord , take Paper , Pen and Ink , Write first this maxim , it shall do you � , but he wanteth force ; The Lion strong , but scorneth policie ; I'l imitate Lysander devou� 2. A Prince above all things must seem devout ; but there is nothing so dangerous to his g�od Nay my good Lord , but that I know your Majesty , To ��u�ckwitted that I know your Majesty , To be a ready quickwitted Scholar , I would bestow a comment on the b�tween nor other , But hopes this deadly strife between you twain , Will cast th' Imperial Crown su� his life , and rid him out of bands , That sum of gold did fill the Brunschweige bags ; �right my self have rain'd a golden shower . Of bright Hungarian ��� and Crusadoes , Into the private Hungar�an my self have rain'd a golden shower . Of bright Hungarian ��� and Crusadoes , Into the private Coffers ��� rain'd a golden shower . Of bright Hungarian Ducates and Crusadoes , Into the private Coffers Cru�adoes golden shower . Of bright Hungarian ��� and Crusadoes , Into the private Coffers of the Bishop t�e bright Hungarian ��� and Crusadoes , Into the private Coffers of the Bishop , The English A�gel� private Coffers of the Bishop , The English Angels ��� their ��� and ��� ; My crosses bless ��� Coffers of the Bishop , The English Angel took their ��� and ��� ; My crosses bless his th�ir Coffers of the Bishop , The English Angel ��� their ��� and ��� ; My crosses bless his Coffers ��� the Bishop , The English Angel ��� their wings and ��� ; My crosses bless his Coffers � ��� Bishop , The English Angel ��� their ��� and fled ; My crosses bless his Coffers � and plead b�ess Angel ��� their ��� and ��� ; My crosses bless his Coffers � and plead for me , ��� Voice � ��� and ��� ; My crosses bless his Coffers , and plead for me , ��� Voice is mine , bought p�ead ��� ; My crosses bless his Coffers � and plead for me , ��� Voice is mine , bought with ��� crosses bless his Coffers � and plead for me , His Voice is mine , bought with ten tun of Gold �un me , ��� Voice is mine , bought with ten tun of Gold , And at the meeting of the seven o� with ten tun of Gold , And at the meeting of the seven Electors , His Princely double-dealing E�ectors of Gold , And at the meeting of the seven Electors , His Princely double-dealing holiness Will doub�e-dealing meeting of the seven Electors , His Princely double-dealing holiness Will spoyl the English Emperour Emper�u� double-dealing holiness Will spoyl the English Emperour of hope . But I refer these matter to the �ope holiness Will spoyl the English Emperour of hope . But I refer these matter to the sequel r�fer spoyl the English Emperour of hope . But I refer these matter to the sequel . Proceed Lorenzo f�ckle With that victorious fickle minded Prelate ; for in election his voice mi�ded With that victorious fickle minded Prelate ; for in election his voice is first Prela�e With that victorious fickle minded Prelate ; for in election his voice is first but saf�ty 4. 'Tis more safety for a Prince to be feared than loved . hum�ur Love is an humour pleaseth him that loves ; Let me be hated ex�cute hardest point , It is not for a Prince to execute , Physicians and Apothecaries must know Apot�ecaries for a Prince to execute , Physicians and Apothecaries must know , And service fear or Counsel-breaking servi�e Physicians and Apothecaries must know , And service fear or Counsel-breaking bribes , Will from f�ar and Apothecaries must know , And service fear or Counsel-breaking bribes , Will from a Counsel-�reaking Apothecaries must know , And service fear or Counsel-breaking bribes , Will from a Peasant in an hour W��l service fear or Counsel-breaking bribes , Will from a Peasant in an hour extort Enough y�u therefore it behooves you credit few ; And when you grow into the least suspect . With silent d�ys That it is twenty days before it works . ca�t infection that kils suddainly ; This but a toy to cast a man asleep . sme�t No , being smelt unto . � smell Lorenzo , I did break thy sleep ; And , for this time , this lecture shall suffice �afe What have you done my Lord ? y'ave made me safe , For stirring hence these four and twenty lul�'d Aeneas Pilot by the God of dreams , Was never lull'd into a sounder trance ; And now Alphonsus sounde� the God of dreams , Was never lull'd into a sounder trance ; And now Alphonsus over-read thy tra�ce dreams , Was never lull'd into a sounder trance ; And now Alphonsus over-read thy notes � little Schedule , Thus will I rend the text , and after this , On my behaviour set so pnt And have been over rash in renting it , To put them out of doubt I study sure , I'le make �afe with blood must be requited thus . Now am I safe , and no man knows my Counsels , Churfurst E�ning Churfurst of Mentz , if now thou play thy part , Erning thy gold with cunning workmanship , Upon Impetial adverse fortune of our age , The sacred and Imperial Majesty Hath been usurp'd by open Tyranny S�ir Duke of Saxon , Dutchlands greatest hope , Stir now or never , let the Spanish tyrant , Chanc�lor , And may Albertus Archbishop of Collen , Chancelor of Gallia and the fourth Elector ; Be thought � Wisdom , not words , must be the soveraign salve word� Wisdom � not words , must be the soveraign salve , To search Hea�ens bringeth plenty , Wars bring poverty ; Grant Heauens , this meeting may be to effect , Establish Chur�ursts Pardon my bold intrusion mighty Churfursts , And let my words pierce deeply in your be�ded deeply in your hearts . O! I beseech you on my bended Knees , I the poor miserable Empress , A unu�'d miserable Empress , A stranger in this Land , unus'd to broyls , Wife to the one , and Sister Compet�tors the one , and Sister to the other That are Competitors for Soveraignty ; All that I pray , is , b�tween pray , is , make a quiet end ; Make Peace between my Husband and my Brother . O think how Hu�band make a quiet end ; Make Peace between my Husband and my Brother . O think how grief doth mi�carry Brother , My heart doth melt to think he should miscarry . My Brother is my Brother ; but my Husband jo�nts is my Brother ; but my Husband , O how my joynts do shake fearing his wrong ! If both should fea�ing but my Husband , O how my joynts do shake fearing his wrong ! If both should dye in these � stop my voice , your wisdoms know my meaning . Alas I know my Brother Richard's heart Affects h�ve And labour to amend what is amiss . All I have said , or can device to say , Is few words � Is few words of great worth , Make unity , Bohe� Bohe. suffe�'d Madam , that we have suffer'd you to kneel so long , Agrees not with your � somewhat be concluded . So much for that ; touching your earnest sure , Your Majestie �ouching somewhat be concluded . So much for that � touching your earnest sure , Your Majestie doth know concern� earnest sure , Your Majestie doth know how it concerns us , Comfort your self , as we do hope the �ate my fear , I fear , will take effect ; Your hate to him , and love unto my Brother , Will � Lord of Saxon , give me leave to tell you , Ambition blinds your judgement in this case o�fend hie me home to fortifie my Towns , Not to offend , but to defend my self . � this order of arbitrament Unto the Emperour , bid him be content , To stand content with � Heav'n that guides the hearts of mighty men , Do calm the Winds of these great Potentates �O O me most miserable O my dear Father ! villa�ie these mutinies , And Caesar's tutor to all villanie . Youwere Your were best to say , your Vnckle brib'd me Progenito�s this arbitriment , Then daign to do as your Progenitors , And draw in sequence Lots for Offices ma�ch'd Young Prince of England , you are bravely match'd . prodiga� Nephew , it is ; hath fame been prodigal , Or over sparing in the Princess praise prai�e prodigal , Or over sparing in the Princess praise ? k��ses [ Edward kisses her . dodh See doch , dass ist hier kein gebranch , Mein G�t gebranch See dodh , dass ist hier kein gebrauch , Mein G�t ist dass dir Englisch manier G�t dodh , dass ist hier kein gebranch , Mein Got ist dass dir Englisch manier , dass dich you� fashion , And want the language to excuse your self , I'l be your spokes-man to your Emperess �rawlin Gnediges frawlin . m�stich Dass dich , mast ich arme kindt �n schanden ��� werden . �n Dass dich , m�stich arme kindt zu schanden ��� werden . ��� Dass dich , m�stich arme kindt �n schanden gemacht werden . gutt� Ey Lirbes frawlin nim es all fur gutti Es ist die Englisch manier Und gebrauche �k��ermehr Gnediges frawlin vergebet mirs , ich wills nimmermehr thuen , Then kiss your hand three times �psy nimmermehr thuen , Then kiss your hand three times upsy Dutch . ��� Ich wills nimmermehr thuen , if I understand it , right , That's e��mahl ein filtz geben , ich hoffe aber ich soll etnmahl So viel lernen dass Die mich verstrhen soll wi�l cannot bridle nature , I must weep , Or heart will break with burden of my thoughts , Nor am app�aud Have they not reason to applaud the deed Which they themselves have plotted p�otted applaud the deed Which they themselves have plotted ? ah my Boy , Thou art too young to dive Alph�n. Alphon. ��� Alexander , all of them , and more than all , My most especiall neerest dearest friends . ama�ld Mad and amazd to hear this tragicke doom , I do subscribe tragick�doom Mad and amazd to hear this tragicke doom , I do subscribe unto your sound advice �even Then hear the rest ; these seven dave but ��� ten A neerer hand put it in dave Then hear the rest ; these seven gave but ��� ten A neerer hand put it in execution ��� Then hear the rest ; these seven dave but she ten A neerer hand put it in execution , ten hear the rest ; these seven dave but ��� sentence, A neerer hand put it in execution , And be�ray lov'd Lorenzo as my life , I never would betray my dearest Wife . con�ederate the greatest Princes of the earth Must be confederate in thy tragedy ? But why do I respect their ylea�e Fathers life ? Your Majesty may take it as you please , I'l be reveng'd upon your Emperess , On pros�rib'd to him was such , And in my heart I have proscrib'd them all , That had to do in this conspiracy �owrs shallow , Thus it must be , there are two very howrs Appointed for to help him in the Wood , sapient� Verbum satis sapienti , it is enough , Fortune hath made me Marshal �end intended nothing out these sports , Yet hope to send most actors in this Pageant , To Revel it � mind , Nor with my habit shake dishonour off , The seven Electors promis'd me the Empire trawr�ck hier hans wore bist dow , warumb bist dow so trawrick ? biss frolick kan wel gelt verdienen , wil� biss frolick kan wel gelt verdienen , wir will ihn bey potts tawsandt todt schlagen . J�wels a Gentleman , and hath store of Gold and Jewels by him . �eric Jeric. . � ihr solt solche gelegenheit nicht versahmen , vnd ��� ihr gethan habet , ich will euch ��� solche gelegenheit nicht versahmen � vnd wan ihr gethan habet , ich will euch sagen , S�ip Skip not this opportunity , and when you have fu� Wat will ich nich fur gelt thun ? see potts tausendt , dar ist �enner Iuncker bowre , kompt hier , oder dieser vnd jenner selleuch holen . � defends himself a while , and then fall's down , as if he were dead : ��� for dich , and dor is for mich , vnd ditt will ich darto haben : nimmer���r Dat dich potts velten leiden , dat soltu nimmermehr thu� dow schelm . thu� potts velten leiden , dat soltu nimmermehr thun dow schelm . heit�n Wat solt dow mich schelm heiten nimb dat . �imb Wat solt dow mich schelm heiten nimb dat . �ich Dat dich hundert tonnen divells , harr ich will dich ��� hundert tonnen divells , harr ich will dich lernen . J�rick Jerick. . �un Nach amahl : O excellent , ligst dow dar , nun will ich alles haben , gelt vnd kett , vnd �ill amahl : O excellent , ligst dow dar , nun will ich alles haben , gelt vnd kett , vnd alle R�chard Richard rises up again and ��� up the fellows hatchet ��� Richard rises up again and snatcheth up the fellows hatchet that was slain . �ehre Du hudler schelm , morder , kehre dich , feestu mich ? gebe mir die kett vnd � So will ich machen du schelm . red��ch Harr , harr , bistu ein redlich karle , so fight redlich , O ich sterb , katle Harr , harr , bistu ein redlich karle , so fight redlich , O ich sterb , ich sterb ��ght Harr , harr , bistu ein redlich karle , so fight redlich , O ich sterb , ich sterb , lat I��cker mein fromer , guter , edler , gestrenger Iuncker , dar ist dat gelt vnd kett wieder , yow meine� die brieffe geschrieben , dat wet ich bey meiner seele nicht . seel� brieffe geschrieben , dat wet ich bey meiner seele nicht . �ivell ich sterb , awe , awe , awe dat dich der divell hole ! wi�nesses damn'd murderer ? That thou art so much we are witnesses . he�pt that he lives to speak . And had not policy helpt above strength , These sturdy swains had J�st That's the best Jest the fool made since he came into his Office f�olick Princes and Churfursts let us frolick now , This is a joyful day to Christendome lu��ie the purest Wine , We'l spend this evening lustie upsie Dutch , In honour of this unexpected up�ie purest Wine , We'l spend this evening lustie upsie Dutch , In honour of this unexpected league Du�ch Wine , We'l spend this evening lustie upsie Dutch , In honour of this unexpected league . glo�ious looks are fitly suited to his thoughts . His glorious Empress makes his heart tryumph , And hearts � hearts tryumphing makes his countenance stai'd , In contemplation of his lives delight . mi� Sain Got es soll mir en liebe drunk sein , so much Dutch have � high Dutch , till then it sounds not right , Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat . Dr�uff high Dutch , till then it sounds not right � Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat . e�ns it sounds not right � Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat . Maie��at not right � Darauff es gelt noch eins thr Maiestat . Bed� Nay without fallace they have several Beds . A�d Joyn'd us together in St. Peters Church , And he that would disjoyn us two to night , Sha�l 'Twixt jest and earnest be it proudly spoken , Shall eat a piece of ill-digesting Iron . Bride ��� Da behute mich Gott fur , Ich hoffe Eure maiestat wills von mir mi�t , begeran . mi�t Gott fur , Ich hoffe Eure ��� wills von mir mitt , begeran . G�t What says she behuie mich Got fur ? ��� like Clowns with each of them a Miter with Corances on their ��� . ��� with each of them a Miter with ��� on their heads . D�ead Dread Emperour and Emperess for to day , I Your Empere�s Dread Emperour and Emperess for to day , I Your appointed Cook untill daun�e� So spell fresh up and let us rommer daunsen . � in their hands , then Edward and Hedewick , Palsgrave and Empress , and two other couple Emp�ess The Palsgrave requests the Empress . ��� Iungfraw helpe mich doch ein Iungfraw drunck Es gelt guter fcenudt ein frolecken drink . G��t Sam Gott mein frundt ich will gern bescheidt thun sati�fied earth ? Hadst thou but drunk , thou hadst satisfied our ��� . ��� thou but drunk , thou hadst satisfied our minds . be�roathed O' my Daughter . Your new betroathed Wife and Bed-fellow . fa�t mistrust My Lord and Emperour of so foul a fact ; But love unto his honour and your lives bea� slaughter ; He and his Bride were sure to bear the brunt . So�� Sun Should half way run his course into the South � To compass and begirt him in his Fort � Should half way run his course into the South , To compass and begirt him in his Fort , e�cape upon the Wall , And thence with ease you may escape away . Compan� Prince Richard , you will bear me Company ? Heaven� May the Heavens prosper your just intents . ��� this is nothing , they would murder me , I come not there to night ; seest thou this Key � , And raise an Army to beseege your Grace , Now may your Highness take them with the � ; Yet take it not unless thou be resolv'd ; Tush I am fond to make a doubt of thee ; �ay fond to make a doubt of thee ; Take it I say , it doth command all Doors , And will make Maj�sty I know not what your Majesty doth mean � � I know not what your Majesty doth mean . � taste , The deadly potion provided for him , He cannot save him from the Sword of Iustice ��� They break with violence into the Chamber , and Alphonsu trayls the Empress ��yls hair from off my head , Drag me at Horses tayls , cut off my nose My Princely tongue shall bl�bbered Allarm ? What wretched dame is this with blubbered cheeks , And rent dishevel'd hair ? w�nted grining at my heart Forbids my tongue his wanted course of speech . See you this Harlot , ��� Some run unto the Walls , some draw up the Sluce , Some speedily let the Purculless down Ex��nt Exeunt . Brandenb�rg Enter above Mentz , Tryer , and Brandeburg . � Prince of Saxonie , what mean these arms ? Richard of Cornwall , what may this intend W�th Prince Edward and his Bride , the Pallatine , With every one of high or low degree , That are � craving will not serve , we will command . lic�es Sast dorh liches doister , who wart dow dicselbirma�� . dicselbirma�� Sast dorh lic�es doister , who wart dow dicselbirmafl . �is Ais who who solt ich sem ich war in bette . gest flaffne mist audes gememt dam das ich wolt allrin geschlaffne haben , abur vmb mitternaist kam mriner flaffne haben , abur vmb mitternaist kam meiner bridegroom , bundt si flaffet bey mir , � How now ? this �imes not with my daughters speech �imes How now � this rimes not with my daughters speech , She says s�gt Hedswick der Furst sagt er ��tt mi�t be dir schlafin . ��tt Hedswick der Furst s�gt er satt mi�t be dir schlafin . mi�t Hedswick der Furst s�gt er ��tt mist be dir schlafin . d�vell Das haste gethan order holle mich der divell . tho� She may be Whore , and thou a villain too . Strook me the Emperour I �ind� O her got , help , help , oich arms kindt . ��� from my fight ; And thou smooth Englishman to thee I speak , My hate extends to all thy f�lleth as to thine own , Each perisht hair that falleth from his head By thy default , shall cost disd�in Away , I do disdain to answer thee � Pack thee with shame again �nswer Away , I do disdain to answer thee � Pack thee with shame again into thy � Away , I do disdain to answer thee . Pack thee with shame again into thy Countrie � Man. Rich . and Coll. Ro�ze abject thoughts , fie Princely Richard , Rowze up thy self , and call thy senses home , our felves my Counsel and advice , We will Intrench our selves not far from hence , With those small pa�ience him with venture of our lives ; Let us with patience attend advantage , Time may reveal the author � Perswade your self he will be twice advis'd . Before he offer wrong unto the Prince . � Tush talk not of requital , let us go , To fortifie our selves within S�orpion O raging Fire ! Is burning Cancer or the Scorpion , Descended from the Heavenly Zodiack , ��� It is your fantasie and nothing else ; But were death here , dead�ens mine ears , Swearing by trophies , Tombs and deadmens Graves , If I have any friend so dear to � Graves , If I have any friend so dear to me , That to excuse my life will lose his own h��r joyful heart doth spring within my bodie , To hear those words , Comfort your Majestie I will ��� will break , My Lord of Tryer you did but flatter me , Tell me the truth , how fares his Majestie num�red That my sweet Mentz shall be Canonized , And numbred in the Bed-role of the Saints , I hope the ��� , There shalt thou be interrd with Kingly Pomp, Over thy Tomb shall hang a sacred Lamp , � to this was never seen . Alas poor Mentz ! I pittying thy prayers , Could do no less reap� famous flatterer in thy life , And now hast reapt the fruits thereof in death ; But thou shalt � revenge , And if my computation fail me not , Ere long I shall be thorowly reveng'd . l�tte mich duncket sein 40. iahr gewesen , ein litte Englisch gelernet , vnd ich hope , he will litte hope , he will me verstohn , vnd shew me a little pittie . � to prepare thine ears make this exordium , To pierce thine eyes and heart , behold �ire thy bone , A goodly Boy the Image of his sire . Turn'st thou away ? O were thy Father ��� . O Edward too young in experience , That canst not look into the grievous wrack , Ensuing grievou��rack in experience , That ��� not look into the grievous wrack , Ensuing this thy obstinate deniall a�ready thou hast an Heir indubitate , Whose eyes already sparckle Majesty , Born in true Wedlock bepain� despised Son , And with his guiltless brains bepaint the Stones ; Then like Virginius will I S�ones And with his guiltless brains bepaint the Stones ; Then like Virginius will I kill my Child Sc�an the third , And be an actor in this bloody Scean . seet� Ah myne seete Edouart , mein herzkin , myne scherzkin sch�rzkin myne seete Edouart , mein herzkin , myne scherzkin , mein herziges , einiges herz , mein allerleivest � einiges herz , mein allerleivest husband , I preedee mein leefe see me friendlich one seete preedee mein leefe see me friendlich one , good feete harte tell de trut : and at lest to me , �rut friendlich one , good seete harte tell de trut : and at lest to me , and dyne allerleefest allerlee�est tell de trut : and at lest to me , and dyne allerleefest schild shew pitty ! dan ich bin dyne , vnd Edoua�t myne , dow hast me geven ein kindelein ; O Edouart , seete , Edouart erbarmet sein ! seete hast me geven ein kindelein ; O Edouart , feete , Edouart erbarmet sein ! wi�e Edouart yow weete ich bin yowr allerlieueste wife . allerl�evester O mein allerleevester , hieborne Furst vnd Herr , dinck dat unser Her� mein allerleevester , hieborne Furst vnd Herr , dinck dat unser Herr Gott sitts in himmells �rone dinck dat unser Herr Gott sitts in himmells trone , and sees dat hart vnd will my cause woll nim�er�mehr Edouart O Prince Edouart spreak now oder nimmermehr die kindt ist mein , it soll nicht sterben � thy not causeless furious madding humour , Together with thy Daughters pitious cryes m�� Ey vatter geue mir mein kindt , die kind ist mein . � Das weis ich woll , er sagt esist nicht sein ; therefore it � She is thy Wife Edward , and thou shouldst spare her . One Gracious ��lce mich lieber sterben , ade falce Edouart , falce Prince , ich begehrs nicht . bat�ail fresh supplies , and presently Will bid you battail in the open Field . vi�lain call me slave unto my face ? I tell thee villain , I have done this deed , And seeing the Grand�sires this deed , And seeing the Father and the Grand-sires heart , Can give consent and execute their � the certaintie of their deaths more plain , And Cancel all your hopes to save their ran�ome these savage minded men Will have no other ransom but my blood , England hath Heirs , though sh�l� Thou shalt obtain like mercy with thy kneeling , As ob�aind like mercy with thy kneeling , As lately I obtaind at Edward's hands . ��� it in the Field , My griefull anger cannot be appeaz'd , By sacrifice of any but himself Si�ter Nephew and Sister now farewell for ever . Dagger�-points your selves , The Sword of Saxon and these Daggers-points , Before the Evening-Star doth shew it self nore become a common Hangman , An Office farre more fitting to thy mind Than princelie to the c�rst Those tears proceed from Fury and curst heart . I know the stomach of your English � Alphonso if thou beest a man Shed manly blood . and let me end this strife . curt�sie Here's straining curtesie at a bitter Feast . Content thee Empress � Alexander sweating comes ; Speak man , what newes , speak � shall I die or live ? Shall I stab � sweating comes ; Speak man , what newes � speak , shall I die or live ? Shall I stab sure l�ves Shall I stab sure , or els prolong their lives To grievous Torments ? speak , am I Conquerour disturb�d wast no sooner in thy restfull Bed , But I disturb'd thy Father of his rest , And to be short tha� Father of his rest , And to be short , not that � I hated him , But for he knew my deepest de�pest not that � I hated him , But for he knew my deepest Secrets , With cunning Poison I did end St�bb life : Art thou his Son ? express it with a Stabb , And make account if I had prospered , alre�dy prospered , Thy date was out , thou wast already doom'd , Thou knewst too much of me to live stedfast�ie do I hear great Emperour ? Not that I do stedfastlie believe That thou didst murder my beloved beli�ve great Emperour ? Not that I do stedfastlie believe That thou didst murder my beloved Father � That thou didst murder my beloved Father ; But in meer pittie of thy vanquish'd state � vanquish'd state I undertake this execution : Yet , for I fear the sparkling Majestie spa�kling undertake this execution � Yet , for I fear the sparkling Majestie . Which issues from thy most Imperial reconcil�d 'T may be the Princes will be reconciled , But what is that to me ? all Potentates �ow Revenge to murther Innocents , Now hear , how in the height of all thy pride The rightfull �hee captive bands ; This Victory hath crown'd thee Emperour , Only my self have vanquisht Victory slai� revenge , O Saxon , Brandenburg , My Lord is slain , ��� is doom'd to death . ��� Saxon , Brandenburg , My Lord is slain , Caesar is doom'd to death . fo�low Princes make haste , follow the murtherer . thu� Why stand you gasing on an other thus ? Follow the Murtherer . P�ince the Prisoners , While I , alas , unhappiest Prince alive , Over his Trunk consume my self in � Tears . Hath Alexander done this damned deed ? That cannot be why should he slay his Lord F�te be why should he slay his Lord ? O cruel Fate � O miserable me ! Me thinks I now present � why should he slay his Lord ? O cruel Fate , O miserable me ! Me thinks I now present Bas�s of his villanie ; His death was made the Basis and the Ground Of every mischief that hath hang�d If thou , thy Father and thy Progenie Were hang'd and burnt , and broken on the Wheel , How � Since you intreat me then , I will proceed . This murtherous Devill having slain my Father Pa�lement of the States , And as it were by Act of Parlement , The seven Electors had set down his death � The seven Electors had set down his death , And made the Empress Executioner , Transferring Trans�erring death � And made the Empress Executioner , Transferring all the guilt from him to you . This I believ'd de�ested O loathsome Villain , O detested deeds , O guiltless Prince , O me most miserable � wonder Lords , and thus it was When like a ��� he had tane his seat , And that the ��� wonder Lords , and thus it was When like � tyrant he had tane his seat , And that the furie �eat thus it was When like � ��� he had tane his seat , And that the furie of the Fight began Watch-Tow'� furie of the Fight began , Upon the highest Watch-Tow'r of the Fort , It was my office to behold ��� of the Fort , It was my office to behold alofft The Warres ��� , and having seen the end ��� It was my office to behold ��� The Warres event , and having seen the end , I saw how Victory hove�i�g , I saw how Victory with equal wings Hang hovering ��� the Battails here and there , Till at ��� how Victory with equal wings Hang hovering 'twixt the Battails here and there , Till at the � When Trojan hands drew in Troy's overthrow , But yet as fatally as he or any . The tyrant di�e murther of my Father , praying me , With dire revenge , to ridd him of his life � Short � With dire revenge , to ridd him of his life ; Short tale to make , I bound him cunningly bo�nd him of his life � Short tale to make , I bound him cunningly , Told him of the deceit , � O Heavens ! justly have you tane revenge . But thou , thou murtherous adulterous slave ��� If Edward and the Empress , whom I sav'd , Will not requite it now , and save my reveng�d die , contentedly I die , Having at last reveng'd my Fathers death � � Having at last reveng'd my Fathers death . no� Hadst thou not been Author of my Hedewicks death , I would Hedewick� Hadst thou not been Author of my Hedewicks death , I would have certainly sav'd thee ��� Prince it shall be so ; go dragg the Slave Unto the place of execution : There let the Iudas � There let the Iudas , on a Jewish Gallowes , Hang by the heels between two English Mastives mean� let Doggs there feed on thee , And by all means prolong his miserie . �pon After so many bloody Massacres , Kneeling upon our Knees � humbly intreat Your Excellence � bloody Massacres , Kneeling upon our Knees , humbly intreat Your Excellence to be our Honou� with mine Honour to deny it , Yet by mine Honour , fain I would refuse it . C�llen Cullen . ��� Romanorum Imperator , semper Augustus , Comes Cornubiae . comfortles� comfort you , And all the rest that yet are comfortless ; Let them expect from English Caesar's
A18426 ---- The Widow's Tears Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18426 of text S107724 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4994). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Nayoon Ahn Keren Yi This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18426.xml The vviddovves teares a comedie. As it was often presented in the blacke and white Friers. Written by Geor. Chap. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. 40 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843420 STC (2nd ed.) 4994. Greg, I, 301. 8152 A18426

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The vviddovves teares a comedie. As it was often presented in the blacke and white Friers. Written by Geor. Chap. Widdowes teares Widdowes teares. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [80] p. Printed [by William Stansby] for Iohn Browne, and are to be sold at his shop in Fleet-street in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard, London : 1612. 1604

Printer's name from STC.

Signatures: [A]2 B-K4 L2.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18426 shc The Widow's Tears Chapman, George Nayoon Ahn Keren Yi 1604 play comedy shc no A18426 S107724 (STC 4994). 27668 0 0 0 001108.43F The rate of 108.43 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

THE Widdovves Teares A Comedie .

As it was often presented in the blacke and white Friers .

Written by GEOR. CHAP.

LONDON , Printed for Iohn Browne , and are to be sold at his shop in Fleet-street in Saint Dunstanes Church-yard . 1612 .

To the right Vertuous and truly noble Gentleman , Mr IO. REED of Mitton , in the Countie of Glocester Esquire .

SIR , if any worke of this nature be worth the presenting to Friends Worthie , and Noble ; I presume this , will not want much of that value . Other Countrie men haue thought the like worthie of Dukes and Princes acceptations ; Iniusti sdegnij ; Il Pentamento Amorose ; Calisthe , Pastorfido , &c. ( all being but plaies ) were all dedicate to Princes of Italie . And therefore only discourse to shew my loue to your right vertuous and noble disposition ; This poor Comedie ( of many desired to see printed ) I thought not vtterly vnworthie that affectionate designe in me : Well knowing that your free iudgement weighs nothing by the Name , or Forme ; or any vaine estimation of the vulgar ; but will accept acceptable matter , as well in Plaies ; as in many lesse materialls , masking in more serious Titles . And so , till some worke more worthie I can select , and perfect , out of my other Studies , that may better expresse me ; and more fit the grauitie of your ripe inclination , I rest .

Yours at all parts most truly affected . GEO. CHAPMAN .
The Actors . Tharsalio the wooer . Lysander his brother . Thir . Gouernour of Cyprus . Lycas ser . to the widdow Countesse . Argus , Gent. Vsher . 3. Lords suiters to Eudora the widdow Countesse . Hyl. Nephew to Tharsalio , and Sonne to Lysander . Captaine of the watch . 2. Souldiers . Eudora the widdow Countesse . Cynthia , wife to Lysander . Sthenio . Ianthe Gent. attending on Eudora . Ero , waiting woman to Cynthia .
The VViddowes Teares . A COMEDIE .
Actus Primi .
Scoena Prima . THARSALIO Solus , with a Glasse in his hand making readie . THow blinde imperfect Goddesse , that delights ( Like a deepe-reaching Statesman ) to conuerse Only with Fooles : Iealous of knowing spirits ; For feare their piersing Iudgements might discouer Thy inward weaknesse , and despise thy power ; Contemne thee for a Goddesse ; Thou that lad'st Th' vnworthy Asse with gold ; while worth and merit Serue thee for nought ; ( weake Fortune ) I renounce Thy vaine dependance , and conuert my dutie And sacrifices of my sweetest thoughts , To a more Noble Deitie . Sole friend to worth , And Patronesse of all good Spirits , Confidence . Shee be my Guide , and hers the praise of these My worthie vndertakings . Enter Lysander with a Glasse in his hand , Cynthia , Hylus , Ero. Lysand.

MOrrow Brother ; Not readie yet ?

Thar.

No ; I haue somewhat of the Brother in me ; I dare say , your Wife is many times readie , and you not vp . Saue you sister ; how , are you enamoured of my presence ? how like you my aspect ?

Cynth.

Faith no worse then I did last weeke , the weather has nothing chang'd the graine of your complexion .

Thar.

A firme proofe , 't is in graine , and so are not all complexions .

A good Souldiers face Sister .

Cynth.

Made to be worne vnder a Beuer .

Thar.

I , and 't would shew well enough vnder a maske too .

Lysand.

So much for the face .

Thar.

But is there no obiect in this suite to whet your tongue vpon ?

Lysand.

None , but Fortune send you well to weare it : for shee best knowes how you got it .

Thar.

Faith , 't is the portion shee bestowes vpon yonger Brothers , valour , and good clothes : Marry , if you aske how we come by this new suite , I must take time to answere it : for as the Ballad saies , in written Bookes I find it . Brother these are the blossomes of spirit : and I will haue it said for my Fathers honour , that some of his children were truly begotten .

Lysand.

Not all ?

Thar.

Shall I tell you brother that I know will reioyce you ? my former suites haue been all spenders , this shall be a speeder .

Lysand.

A thing to bee heartily wisht ; but brother , take heede you be not gull'd , be not too forward .

Thar.

'T had beene well for me , if you had follow'd that counsaile : You were too forward when you stept into the world before me , and gull'd me of the Land , that my spirits and parts were indeede borne too .

Cynth.

May we not haue the blessing to know the aime of your fortunes , what coast , for heauens loue ?

Thar.

Nay , t is a proiect of State : you may see the preparation ; but the designe lies hidden in the brests of the wise .

Lysand.

May we not know 't ?

Thar.

Not vnlesse you 'le promise mee to laugh at it , for without your applause , I le none .

Lysand.

The qualitie of it may bee such as a laugh will not be ill bestow'd vpon 't ; pray heauen I call not Arsace sister .

Cynth.

What ? the Pandresse ?

Thar.

Know you ( as who knowes not ) the exquisite Ladie of the Palace ? The late Gouernours admired Widdow ? The rich and haughtie Countesse Eudora ? Were not shee a Iewell worth the wearing , if a man knew how to win her ?

Lysand.

How 's that ? how 's that ?

Thar.

Brother , there is a certaine Goddesse called Confidence , that carries a maine stroke in honourable preferments . Fortune waits vpon her ; Cupid is at her becke ; shee sends them both of errands . This Deitie doth promise me much assistance in this businesse .

Lysand.

But if this Deitie should draw you vp in a basket to your Countesses window , and there let you hang for all the wits in the Towne to shoot at : how then ?

Thar.

If shee doe , let them shoote their bolts and spare not : I haue a little Bird in a Cage here that sings me better comfort . What should be the barre ? you 'le say , I was Page to the Count her husband . What of that ? I haue there by one foote in her fauour alreadie ; Shee has taken note of my spirit , and suruaid my good parts , and the picture of them liues in her eie : which sleepe , I know , can not close , till shee haue embrac't the substance .

Lysand.

All this sauors of the blind Goddesse you speake of .

Thar.

Why should I despaire , but that Cupid hath one dart in store for her great Ladiship , as well as for any other huge Ladie , whom she hath made stoope Gallant , to kisse their worthie followers . In a word , I am assured of my speede . Such faire attempts led by a braue resolue , are euermore seconded by Fortune .

Cynth.

But brother ? haue I not heard you say , your own eares haue been witnesse to her vowes , made solemnely to your late Lord ; in memorie of him , to preserue till death , the vnstain'd honour of a Widdowes bed . If nothing else , yet that might coole your confidence .

Thar.

Tush sister , suppose you should protest with solemne oath ( as perhaps you haue done , if euer Heauen heares your praiers , that you may liue to see my Brother nobly interred ) to feede only vpon fish , and not endure the touch of flesh , during the wretched Lent of your miserable life ; would you beleeue it Brother ?

Lysand.

I am therein most confident .

Thar.

Indeed , you had better beleeue it then trie it : but pray Sister tell me , you are a woman : doe not you wiues nod your heads , and smile one vpon an other when yee meete abroade ?

Cynth.

Smile ? why so ?

Thar.

As who should say , are not we mad Wenches , that can lead our blind husbands thus by the noses ? do you not brag amongst your selues how grosly you abuse their honest credulities ? how they adore you for Saints : and you beleeue it ? while you adhorne their temples , and they beleeue it not ? how you vow Widdow-hood in their life time , and they beleeue you , when euen in the sight of their breathlesse corse , ere they be fully cold , you ioine embraces with his Groome , or his Phisition , and perhaps his poisoner ; or at least by the next Moone ( if you can expect so long ) solemnely plight new Hymineall bonds , with a wild , confident , vntamed Ruffine ?

Lysand.

As for example .

Thar.

And make him the top of his house , and soueraign Lord of the Palace , as for example . Looke you Brother , this glasse is mine .

Lysand.

What of that ?

Thar.

While I am with it , it takes impression from my face ; but can I make it so mine , that it shall bee of no vse to any other ? will it not doe his office to you or you : and as well to my Groome as to my selfe ? Brother , Monopolies are cryed downe . Is it not madnes for me to beleeue , when I haue conquer'd that Fort of chastitie the great Countesse ; that if another man of my making , and mettall , shall assault her : her eies and eares should lose their function , her other parts their vse , as if Nature had made her all in vaine , vnlesse I only had stumbl'd into her quarters .

Cynth.

Brother : I feare mee in your trauaile , you haue drunck too much of that Italian aire , that hath infected the whole masse of your ingenuous Nature ; dried vp in you all sap of generous disposition , poisond the very Essence of your soule , and so polluted your senses , that whatsoeuer enters there , takes from them contagion , and is to your fancie represented as foule and tainted , which in it selfe perhaps is spotlesse .

Thar.

No sister , it hath refin'd my senses , and made mee see with cleare eies , and to iudge of obiects , as they truly are , not as they seeme , and through their maske to discerne the true face of thinges . It tells me how short liu'd Widdowes teares are , that their weeping is in truth but laughing vnder a Maske , that they mourne in their Gownes , and laugh in their Sleeues , all which I beleeue as a Delphian Oracle : and am resolu'd to burne in that faith . And in that resolution doe I march to the great Ladie .

Lysand.

You lose time Brother in discourse , by this had you bore vp with the Ladie and clapt her aboord , for I knowe your confidence will not dwell long in the seruice .

Thar.

No , I will performe it in the Conquerours stile . Your way is , not to winne Penelope by suite , but by surprise . The Castle 's carried by a sodaine assault , that would perhaps sit out a twelue-moneths siege . It would bee a good breeding to my yong Nephew here , if hee could procure a stand at the Palace , to see with what alacritie I le a-coast her Countesship , in what garbe I will woo her , with what facilitie I will winne her .

Lysand.

It shall goe hard but wee le heare your entertainement for your confidence sake .

Thar. And hauing wonne her Nephew ; This sweet face Which all the Citie saies , is so like me , Like me shall be preferr'd , for I will wed thee To my great widdowes Daughter and sole Heire , The louely sparke , the bright Laodice . Lysand. A good pleasant dreame . Thar. In this eie I see That fire that shall in me inflame the Mother , And that in this shall set on fire the Daughter . It goes Sir in a bloud ; beleeue me brother , These destinies goe euer in a bloud . Lysand. These diseases doe , brother , take heede of them : Fare you well ; Take heede you be not baffeld . Exeunt . Lys. Cynth. Hyl. Ero. manet Thars . Thar. Now thou that art the third blind Deitie That gouernes earth in all her happinesse , The life of all endowments , Confidence ; Direct and prosper my intention . Command thy seruant Deities , Loue and Fortune To second my attempts for this great Ladie , Whose Page I lately was ; That shee , whose bord I might not sit at , I may boord a bed And vnder bring , who bore so high her head . Exit . Lysander , Lycus . Lyc.

'T Is miraculous that you tell me Sir : he come to woo our Ladie Mistris for his wife ?

Lys.

'T is a phrensie he is possest with , and wil not be cur'd but by some violent remedie . And you shall fauour me so much to make me a spectator of the Scene . But is shee ( say you ) alreadie accessible for Suiters ? I thought shee would haue stood so stifly on her Widdow vow , that shee would not endure the sight of a Suiter .

Lyc.

Faith Sir , Penelope could not barre her gates against her woers , but shee will still be Mistris of her selfe . It is as you know , a certaine Itch in femall bloud , they loue to be su'd to : but shee le hearken to no Suiters .

Lys.

But by your leaue Lycus , Penelope is not so wise as her husband Vlysses , for he fearing the iawes of the Syren , stopt his eares with waxe against her voice . They that feare the Adders sting , will not come neare her hissing . Is any Suiter with her now ?

Lyc.

A Spartan Lord , dating himselfe our great Viceroies Kinsman , and two or three other of his Countrie Lords , as spots in his train . He comes armed with his Altitudes letters in grace of his person , with promise to make her a Duchesse if shee embrace the match . This is no meane attraction to her high thoughts ; but yet shee disdaines him .

Lys.

And how then shall my brother presume of acceptance ? yet I hold it much more vnder her contentment , to marrie such a Nastie braggart , then vnder her honour to wed my brother : A Gentleman ( though I sai 't ) more honourably descended than that Lord : who perhaps , for all his Ancestrie would bee much troubled to name you the place where his Father was borne .

Lyc.

Nay , I hold no comparison betwixt your brother & him . And the Venerean disease , to which they say , he has beene long wedded , shall I hope first rot him , ere shee endure the sauour of his Sulphurous breath . Well , her Ladiship is at hand ; y' are best take you to your stand .

Lys.

Thankes good friend Lycus . Exit .

Enter Argus barehead , with whome another Vsher Lycus ioynes , going ouer the Stage . Hiarbas , and Psorabeus next , Robus single before Eudora , Laodice , Sthenio bearing her traine , Ianthe following . Peb.

I Admire Madame , you can not loue whome the Viceroy loues .

Hiar.

And one whose veines swell so with his bloud , Madam , as they doe in his Lordship .

Pso.

A neare and deare Kinsman his Lordship is to his Altitude , the Viceroy ; In care of whose good speede here . I know his Altitude hath not slept a sound sleepe since his departure .

Eud.

I thanke Venus I haue , euer since he came .

Reb.

You sleepe away your Honour , Madam , if you neglect me .

Hiar.

Neglect your Lordship ? that were a negligence no lesse than disloialtie .

Eud.

I much doubt that Sir , It were rather a presumption to take him , being of the bloud Viceroiall .

Reb.

Not at all , being offered Madame .

Eud.

But offered ware is not so sweet you know . They are the graces of the Viceroy that woo me , not your Lordships , and I conceiue it should be neither Honor nor Pleasure to you , to be taken in for an other mans fauours .

Reb.

Taken in Madam ? you speake as I had no house to hide my head in .

Eud.

I haue heard so indeed , my Lord , vnlesse it be another mans .

Reb.

You haue heard vntruth then ; These Lords can well witnesse I can want no houses .

Hiar.

Nor Palaces neither my Lord .

Pso.

Nor Courts neither .

Eud.

Nor Temples I thinke neither ; I beleeue wee shall haue a God of him .

Enter Tharsalio . Arg.

SEe the bold fellow ; whether will you Sir ?

Thar.

Away way , all honour to you Madam ?

Eud.

How now base companion ?

Thar.

Base Madame : hee s not base that fights as high as your lips .

Eud.

And does that beseeme my seruant ?

Thar.

Your Court-seruant Madam .

Eud.

One that waited on my boord ?

Thar.

That was only a preparation to my weight on your bed Madam .

Eud.

How dar'st thou come to me with such a thought ?

Thar.

Come to you Madam ? I dare come to you at midnight , and bid defiance to the proudest spirit that haunts these your loued shadowes ; and would any way make terrible the accesse of my loue to you .

Eud.

Loue me ? loue my dogge .

Thar.

I am bound to that by the prouerb Madam .

Eud.

Kennell without with him , intrude not here . What is it thou presum'st on ?

Thar.

On your iudgement Madam , to choose a Man , and not a By but , as these are that come with Titles , and Authoritie , as they would conquer , or rauish you . But I come to you with the liberall and ingenuous Graces , Loue , Youth , and Gentrie ; which ( in no more deform'd a person then my selfe ) deserue any Princesse .

Eud.

In your sawcie opinion Sir , and sirha too ; get gone ; and let this malipert humour returne thee no more , for afore heauen I le haue thee tost in blanquets .

Thar.

In blanquets Madam , you must adde your sheetes , and you must be the Toffer .

Reb.

Nay then Sir y' are as grosse as you are sawcie .

Thar.

And all one Sir , for I am neither .

Reb.

Thou art both .

Thar.

Thou liest ; keepe vp your smiter Lord Rebus .

Hiar.

Vsest thou thus his Altitudes Cosen ?

Reb.

The place thou know'st protects thee .

Thar.

Tie vp your valour then till an other place turne me loose to you , you are the Lord ( I take it ) that wooed my great Mistris here with letters from his Altitude ; which while she was reading , your Lordship ( to entertaine time ) strodl'd and skal'd your fingers ; as you would shew what an itching desire you had to get betwixt her sheetes .

Hiar.

Slight , why does your Lordship endure him ?

Reb.

The place , the place my Lord .

Thar.

Be you his Attorney Sir .

Hiar.

What would you doe Sir ?

Thar.

Make thee leape out at window , at which thou cam'st in : Whores-sonne bag-pipe Lords .

Eud.

What rudenesse is this ?

Thar.

What tamenesse is it in you Madam , to sticke at the discarding of such a suiter ? A leane Lord , dub'd with the lard of others ? A diseased Lord too , that opening certaine Magick Characters in an vnlawfull booke , vp-start as many aches in 's bones , as there are ouches in 's skinne . Send him ( Mistris ) to the Widdow your Tennant ; the vertuous Pandresse Arsace . I perceiue he has crownes in 's Purse , that make him proud of a string ; let her pluck the Goose therefore , and her maides dresse him .

Pso.

Still my Lord suffer him ?

Reb.

The place Sir , beleeue it the place .

Thar.

O good Lord Rebus ; The place is neuer like to be yours that you neede respect it so much .

Eud.

Thou wrong'st the noble Gentleman .

Thar.

Noble Gentleman ? A tumor , an impostume hee is Madam ; a very hault-boy , a bag-pipe ; in whom there is nothing but winde , and that none of the sweetest neither .

Eud.

Quitt the House of him by 'thead and Soulders .

Thar.

Thankes to your Honour Madame , and my Lord Cosen the Viceroy shall thanke you .

Reb.

So shall he indeede sir .

Lye. Arg.

Will you be gone sir ?

Thar.

Away poore Fellowes .

Eud. What is he made of ? or what Deuill sees your childish , and effeminate spirits in him , that thus yee shun him ? Free vs of thy sight ; Be gone , or I protest thy life shall goe . Thar. Yet shall my Ghost stay still ; and haunt those beauties , and glories , that haue renderd it immortall . But since I see your bloud runnes ( for the time ) High , in that contradiction that fore-runs Truest agreements ( like the Elements Fighting before they generate ; ) and that Time Must be attended most , in thinges most worth ; I leaue your Honour freely ; and commend That life you threaten , when you please , to be Aduentur'd in your seruice ; so your Honour Require it likewise . Eud. Doe not come againe . Thar. I le come againe , beleeue it , and againe . Exit . Eud.

If he shall dare to come againe , I charge you shut dores vpon him .

Arg. You must shut them ( Madam ) To all men else then , if it please your Honour , For it that any enter , he le be one . Eud. I hope , wise Sir , a Guard will keepe him out . Arg.

Afore Heauen , not a Guard ( an t please your Honour . )

Eud. Thou liest base Asse ; One man enforce a Guard ? I le turne yee all away ( by our Iles Goddesse ) If he but set a foote within my Gates . Lurd. Your Honour shall doe well to haue him poison'd . Hiar. Or begg'd of your Cosen the Viceroy . Exit . Lysander from his stand . Lysand.

This brauing wooer , hath the successe expected ; The fauour I obtain'd , made me witnesse to the sport ; And let his Confidence bee sure , I le giue it him home . The newes by this , is blowne through the foure quarters of the Cittie . Alas good Confidence : but the happinesse is he has a forehead of proofe ; the staine shall neuer stick there whatsoeuer his reproch be .

Enter Tharsalio . Lysand. WHat ? in discourse ? Thar. Hell and the Furies take this vile encounter . Who would imagine this Saturnian Peacock Could be so barbarous to vse a spirit Of my direction , with such loued respect ? Fore heauen it cuts my gall ; but I le dissemble it . Lysand. What ? my noble Lord ? Thar. Well Sir , that may be yet , and meanes to be . Lysand.

What meanes your Lordship then to hang that head that hath beene so erected ; it knocks Sir at your bosome to come in and hide it selfe .

Thar.

Not a iot .

Lysand.

I hope by this time it needes feare no hornes .

Thar.

Well Sir , but yet that blessing runs not alwaies in a bloud .

Lysand.

What blanqueted ? O the Gods ! spurn'd out by Groomes like a base Bisogno ? thrust out by 'th head and shoulders ?

Thar.

You doe well Sir to take your pleasure of me , ( I may turne tables with you ere long . )

Lysand.

What has thy wits fine engine taken cold ? art stuff't int h head ? canst answere nothing ?

Thar.

Truth is , I tooke my entertainment the better that 't was no better .

Lysand.

Now the Gods forbid that this opinion should run in a bloud .

Thar.

Haue not you heard this principle , All thinges by strife engender .

Lysand.

Dogges and Cats doe .

Thar.

And men and women too .

Lysand.

Well Brother , in earnest , you haue now set your confidence to schoole , from whence I hope 't has brought home such a lesson as will instruct his master neuer after to begin such attempts as end in laughter .

Thar.

What Sir , you lesson my Confidence still ; I pray heauens your confidence haue not more shallow ground ( for that I know ) then mine you reprehend so .

Lysand.

My confidence ? in what ?

Thar.

May be you trust too much .

Lysand.

Wherein ?

Thar.

In humane frailtie .

Lysand.

Why brother know you ought that may impeach my confidence , as this successe may yours ? hath your obseruation discouered any such frailtie in my wife ( for that is your aime I know ) then let me know it .

Thar.

Good , good . Nay Brother , I write no bookes of Obseruations , let your confidence beare out it selfe , as mine shall me .

Lysand.

That 's scarce a Brothers speech . If there be ought wherein your Brothers good might any way be question'd can you conceale it from his bosome ?

Thar.

So , so . Nay my saying was but generall . I glanc't at no particular .

Lysand.

Then must I presse you further . You spake ( as to your selfe , but yet I ouer-heard ) as if you knew some disposition of weaknesse where I most had fixt my trust . I challenge you to let me know what t' was .

Thar.

Brother ? are you wise ?

Lysand.

Why ?

Thar.

Be ignorant . Did you neuer heare of Actaeon ?

Lysand.

What then ?

Thar.

Curiositie was his death . He could not be content to adore Diana in her Temple , but he must needes dogge her to her retir'd pleasures , and see her in her nakednesse . Doe you enioy the sole priuiledge of your wiues bed ? haue you no pretie Paris for your Page ? No mysticall Adonis to front you there ?

Lysand.

I thinke none : I know not .

Thar.

Know not still Brother . Ignorance and credulitie are your sole meanes to obtaine that blessing . You see your greatest Clerkes , your wisest Politicians , are not that way fortunate , your learned Lawyers would lose a dozen poore mens causes to gaine a lease an t , but for a Terme . Your Phisition is ielous of his . Your Sages in generall , by seeing too much ouersee that happinesse . Only your block-headly Tradesman ; your honest meaning Cittizen ; your not-headed Countrie Gentleman ; your vnapprehending Stinckerd is blest with the sole prerogatiue of his Wiues chamber . For which he is yet beholding , not to his starres , but to his ignorance . For if he be wise , Brother , I must tell you the case alters .

How doe you relish these thinges Brother ?

Lysand.

Passing ill .

Thar.

So do sick men solid meates : hearke you brother , are you not ielous ?

Lysand.

No : doe you know cause to make me ?

Thar.

Hold you there ; did your wife neuer spice your broth with a dramme of sublimate ? hath shee not yeelded vp the Fort of her Honour to a staring Soldado ? and ( taking courage from her guilt ) plaid open banckrout of all shame , and runne the Countrie with him ? Then blesse your Starres , bow your knees to Iuno . Looke where shee appeares .

Enter Cynthia , Hylus . Cynth.

We haue sought you long Sir , there 's a Messenger within , hath brought you letters from the Court , and desires your speech .

Lysand.

I can discouer nothing in her lookes . Goe , I le not be long .

Cynth.

Sir , it is of weight the bearer saies : and besides , much hastens his departure . Honourable Brother ! crie mercie ! what , in a Conquerours stile ? but come and ouercome ?

Thar.

A fresh course .

Cynth.

Alas you see of how sleight mettall Widdowes vowes are made .

Thar.

And that shall you proue too ere long .

Cynth.

Yet for the honour of our sexe , boast not abroade this your easie conquest ; another might perhaps haue staid longer below staires , but vpon your confidence , that surpris'd her loue .

Hyl.

My vncle hath instructed me how to accoast an honorable Ladie ; to win her , not by suite , but by surprise .

Thar.

The Whelp and all .

Hyl.

Good Vncle let not your neare Honours change your manners , bee not forgetfull of your promise to mee , touching your Ladies daughter Laodice . My fancie runns so vpon 't , that I dreame euery night of her .

Thar.

A good chicken , goe thy waies , thou hast done well ; eate bread with thy meate .

Cynth.

Come Sir , will you in ?

Lysand.

I le follow you .

Cynth.

I le not stirre a foot without you . I can not satisfie the messengers impatience .

Lys.

He takes Thar. aside . Wil you not resolue me brother ?

Thar.

Of what ? Lysander stamps and goes out vext with Cynth. Hyl. Ero. So , there 's venie for venie , I haue giuen 't him 'i th place speeding for all his confidence . Well out of this perhaps there may bee moulded matter of more mirth , then my baffling . It shall goe hard but I le make my constant sister act as famous a Scene as Virgil did his Mistris ; who caus'd all the Fire in Rome to faile so ; that none could light a torch but at her nose . Now forth : At this house dwells a vertuous Dame , sometimes of worthy Fame , now like a decai'd Merchant turn'd Broker , and retailes refuse commodities for vnthriftie Gallants . Her wit I must imploy vpon this businesse to prepare my next encounter , but in such a fashion as shall make all split . Ho ? Madam Arsace ? pray heauen the Oister-wiues haue not brought the newes of my woing hether amongst their stale Pilcherds .

Enter Arsace , Tomasin . Ars.

WHat ? my Lord of the Palace ?

Thar.

Looke you .

Ars.

Why , this was done like a beaten Souldier .

Thar.

Hearke , I must speake with you . I haue a share for you in this riche aduenture . You must bee the Asse chardg'd with Crownes to make way to the Fort , and I the Conquerour to follow , and seise it . Seest thou this iewell ?

Ars.

Is 't come to that ? why Tomasin .

Tom.

Madam .

Ars.

Did not one of the Countesses Seruing-men tell vs that this Gentleman was sped ?

Tom.

That he did , and how her honour grac't and entertained him in very familiar manner .

Ars.

And brought him downe staires her selfe .

Tom.

I forsooth , and commanded her men to beare him out of dores .

Thar.

Slight , pelted with rotten egges ?

Ars.

Nay more , that he had alreadie possest her sheetes .

Tom.

No indeede Mistris , t was her blanquets .

Thar.

Out you yong hedge-sparrow , learne to tread afore you be fledge . He kicks her out :

Well haue you done now Ladie .
Ars. O my sweet kilbuck . Thar.

You now , in your shallow pate , thinke this a disgrace to mee , such a disgrace as is a batterd helmet on a souldiers head , it doubles his resolution . Say , shall I vse thee ?

Ars.

Vse me ?

Thar.

O holy reformation ! how art thou fallen downe from the vpper-bodies of the Church to the skirts of the Citie ! honestie is stript out of his true substance into verball nicetie . Common sinners startle at common termes , and they that by whole mountaines swallow downe the deedes of darknesse ; A poore mote of a familiar word , makes them turne vp the white o' th eie . Thou art the Ladies Tennant .

Ars.

For terme Sir .

Thar.

A good induction , be successefull for me , make me Lord of the Palace , and thou shalt hold thy Tenement to thee and thine eares for euer , in free smockage , as of the manner of Panderage , prouided alwaies .

Arsa.

Nay if you take me vnprouided .

Thar.

Prouided I say , that thou mak'st thy repaire to her presently with a plot I will instruct thee in ; and for thy surer accesse to her greatnesse , thou shalt present her , as from thy selfe with this iewell .

Arsa.

So her old grudge , stand not betwixt her and me .

Thar. Feare not that . Presents are present cures for femall grudges , Make bad , seeme-good ; alter the case with Iudges . Exit . Finis Actus Primi .
Actus Secundi .
Scoena Prima . Lysander , Tharsalio . Lysand.

SO now we are our selues . Brother , that ill relisht speech you let slip from your tongue , hath taken so deepe hold of my thoughts , that they will neuer giue me rest , till I be resolu'd what 't was you said , you know , touching my wife .

Thars.

Tush : I am wearie of this subiect , I said not so .

Lysand.

By truth it selfe you did : I ouer-heard you . Come , it shall nothing moue me , whatsoeuer it be ; pray thee vnfold briefly what you know .

Thars.

Why briefly Brother . I know my sister to be the wonder of the Earth ; and the Enuie of the Heauens . Vertuous , Loiall , and what not . Briefly , I know shee hath vow'd , that till death and after death , shee le hold inuiolate her bonds to you , & that her black shal take no other hew ; all which I firmely beleeue . In briefe Brother , I know her to be a woman . But you know brother , I haue other yrons on th' anuile . Exiturus .

Lysand.

You shall not leaue mee so vnsatisfied ; tell mee what t is you know .

Thar.

Why Brother ; if you be sure of your wiues loialtie for terme of life : why should you be curious to search the Almanacks for after-times : whether some wandring Aeneas should enioy your reuersion ; or whether your true Turtle would sit mourning on a wither'd branch , till Atropos cut her throat : Beware of curiositie , for who can resolue you ? you le say perhaps her vow .

Lysand.

Perhaps I shall .

Thar.

Tush , her selfe knowes not what shee shall doe , when shee is transform'd into a Widdow . You are now a sober and staid Gentleman . But if Diana for your curiositie should translate you into a monckey ; doe you know what gambolds you should play ? your only way to bee resolu'd is to die and make triall of her .

Lysand.

A deare experiment , then I must rise againe to bee resolu'd .

Thar.

You shall not neede . I can send you speedier aduertisement of her constancie , by the next Ripier that rides that way with Mackerell . And so I leaue you .

Exit . Thar. Lysand. All the Furies in hell attend thee ; has giuen me a Bone to tire on with a pestilence ; slight know ? What can he know ? what can his eie obserue More then mine owne , or the most piersing sight That euer viewed her ? by this light I thinke Her priuat'st thought may dare the eie of heauen , And challenge th' enuious world to witnesse it . I know him for a wild corrupted youth , Whom prophane Ruffins , Squires to Bawds , & Strumpets , Drunkards , speud out of Tauerns , into 'th sinkes Of Tap-houses , and Stewes , Reuolts from manhood ; Debaucht perdu's , haue by their companies Turn'd Deuill like themselues , and stuft his soule With damn'd opinions , and vnhallowed thoughts Of womanhood , of all humanitie , Nay Deitie it selfe . Enter Lycus . Lys.

WElcome friend Lycus .

Lyc.

Haue you met with your capricious brother ?

Lys.

He parted hence but now .

Lyc.

And has he yet resolu'd you of that point you brake with me about ?

Lys.

Yes , he bids me die for further triall of her constancie .

Lyc.

That were a strange Phisicke for a iealous patient ; to cure his thirst with a draught of poison . Faith Sir , discharge your thoughts an 't ; thinke 't was but a Buzz deuis'd by him to set your braines a work , and diuert your eie from his disgrace . The world hath written your wife in highest lines of honour'd Fame : her vertues so admir'd in this I le , as the report thereof sounds in forraigne eares ; and strangers oft arriuing here , ( as some rare sight ) desire to view her presence , thereby to compare the Picture with the originall . Nor thinke he can turne so farre rebell to his bloud ,

Or to the Truth it selfe to misconceiue Her spotlesse loue and loialtie ; perhaps Oft hauing heard you hold her faith so sacred As you being dead , no man might stirre a sparke Of vertuous loue , in way of second bonds ; As if you at your death should carrie with you Both branch and roote of all affection . T' may be , in that point hee 's an Infidell , And thinkes your confidence may ouer-weene .
Lys. So thinke not I . Lyc. Nor I : if euer any made it good . I am resolu'd of all , shee le proue no changling . Lys. Well , I must yet be further satisfied ; And vent this humour by some straine of wit , Somewhat I le doe ; but what , I know not yet . Exeunt . Enter Sthenio , Ianthe . Sthe.

PAssion of Virginitie , Ianthe , how shall we quit our selues of this Pandresse , that is so importunate to speake with vs ? Is shee knowne to be a Pandresse ?

Ian.

I , as well as we are knowne to be waiting women .

Sthe.

A shrew take your comparison .

Sthe.

Le ts cal out Argus that bold Asse that neuer weighs what he does or saies ; but walkes and talkes like one in a sleepe ; to relate her attendance to my Ladie , and present her .

Ian. Who ? an t please your Honour ? None so fit to set on any dangerous exploit . Ho ? Argus ? Enter Argus bare . Arg.

WHat 's the matter Wenches ?

Sthe.

You must tell my Ladie here 's a Gentle-woman call'd Arsace , her Honours Tennant , attends her , to impart important businesse to her .

Arg.

I will presently . Exit . Arg.

Iant.

Well , shee has a welcome present , to beare out her vnwelcome presence : and I neuer knew but a good gift would welcome a bad person to the purest . Arsace ?

Enter Arsace . Ars.

I Mistris .

Sthe.

Giue me your Present ; I le doe all I can , to make way both for it and your selfe .

Ars.

You shall binde me to your seruice Ladie .

Sthe.

Stand vnseene .

Enter Lyc , Eudora , Laodice , Reb , Hiar Psor. comming after , Argus comming to Eudora . Arg. HEre 's a Gentle-woman ( an t Please your Honour ) one of your Tennants Desires accesse to you . Eud. What Tennant ? what 's her name ? Arg. Arsace , shee saies Madam . Eud. Arsace ? what the Bawde ? Arg.

The Bawd Madam ? shee strikes , that 's without my priuitie .

Eud.

Out Asse , know'st not thou the Pandresse Arsace ?

Sth.

Shee present your Honour with this Iewell ?

Eud. This iewell ? how came shee by such a iewell ? Shee has had great Customers . Arg. Shee had neede Madam , shee sits at a great Rent . Eud.

Alas for your great Rent : I le keepe her iewell , and keepe you her out , yee were best : speake to me for a Pandresse ?

Arg.

What shall we doe ?

Sthe.

Goe to ; Let vs alone . Arsace ?

Ars.

I Ladie .

Sthe.

You must pardon vs , we can not obtaine your accesse .

Ars.

Mistris Sthenio , tell her Honour , if I get not accesse to her , and that instantly shee 's vndone .

Sthe.

This is some-thing of importance . Madam , shee sweares your Honour is vndone if she speake not with you instantly .

Eud.

Vndone ?

Ars.

Pray her for her Honours sake to giue mee instant accesse to her .

Sthe.

Shee makes her businesse your Honour Madame , and entreates for the good of that , her instant speech with you .

Eud.

How comes my Honour in question ? Bring her to mee .

Enter Arsace . Ars.

OVr Cypriane Goddesse saue your good Honor .

Eud.

Stand you off I pray : How dare you Mistris importune accesse to me thus , considering the last warning I gaue for your absence ?

Ars.

Because , Madam , I haue been mou'd by your Honours last most chast admonition , to leaue the offensiue life . I led before .

Eud.

I ? haue you left it then ?

Ars.

I , I assure your Honour , vnlesse it be for the pleasure of two or three poore Ladies , that haue prodigall Knights to their husbands .

Eud.

Out on thee Impudent .

Ars.

Alas Madam , wee would all bee glad to liue in our callings .

Eud.

Is this the reform'd life thou talk'st on ?

Ars.

I beseech your good Honour mistake me not , I boast of nothing but my charitie , that 's the worst .

Eud.

You get these iewels with charitie , no doubt . But what 's the point in which my Honour stands endanger'd I pray ?

Ars.

In care of that Madam , I haue presum'd to offend your chast eies with my presence . Hearing it reported for truth and generally , that your Honor will take to husband a yong Gentleman of this Citie called Tharsalio .

Eud.

I take him to husband ?

Ars.

If your Honour does , you are vtterly vndone , for hee 's the most incontinent , and insatiate Man of Women that euer VENVS blest with abilitie to please them .

Eud.

Let him be the Deuill ; I abhorre his thought , and could I be inform'd particularly of any of these slanderers of mine Honour , he should as dearely dare it , as any thing wherein his life were endanger'd .

Ars.

Madam , the report of it is so strongly confident , that I feare the strong destinie of marriage is at worke in it . But if it bee Madam : Let your Honours knowne vertue resist and defie it for him : for not a hundred will serue his one turne . I protest to your Honour , When ( VENVS pardon mee ) I winckt at my vnmaidenly exercise . I haue knowne nine in a Night made mad with his loue .

Eud.

What tell'st thou mee of his loue ? I tell thee I abhorre him ; and destinie must haue an other mould for my thoughts , then Nature or mine Honour , and a Witchcraft aboue both , to transforme mee to another shape , as soone as to an other conceipt of him .

Ars.

Then is your good Honour iust as I pray for you , and good Madam , euen for your vertues sake , and comfort of all your Dignities , and Possessions ; fixe your whole Woman-hood against him . Hee will so inchant you , as neuer man did woman : Nay a Goddesse ( say his light huswiues ) is not worthie of his sweetnesse .

Eud.

Goe to , be gone .

Ars.

Deare Madam , your Honours most perfect admonitions haue brought mee to such a hate of these imperfections , that I could not but attend you with my dutie , and vrge his vnreasonable manhood to the fill .

Eud.

Man-hood , quoth you ?

Ars.

Nay Beastly-hood , I might say , indeede Madam , but for sauing your Honour ; Nine in a night said I ?

Eud.

Goe to , no more .

Ars.

No more Madame ? that 's enough one would thinke .

Eud.

Well be gone I bid thee .

Ars.

Alas Madam , your Honour is the chiefe of our Citie , and to whom shall I complaine of these inchastities , ( being your Ladiships reform'd Tennant ) but to you that are chastest ?

Eud.

I pray thee goe thy waies , and let me see this reformation you pretend continued .

Ars.

I humbly thanke your good Honour , that was first cause of it .

Eud.

Here 's a complaint as strange as my Suiter .

Ars.

I beseech your good Honour thinke vpon him , make him an example .

Eud.

Yet againe ?

Ars.

All my dutie to your Excellence . Exit . Ars.

Eud.

These sorts of licentious persons , when they are once reclaim'd , are most vehement against licence . But it is the course of the world to dispraise faults & vse them ; that so we may vse them the safer . What might a wise Widdow resolue vpon this point now ? Contentment is the end of all wordly beings : Beshrow her ; would shee had spared her newes . Exit .

Reb.

See if shee take not a contrarie way to free her selfe of vs .

Hiar.

You must complaine to his Altitude .

Psor. All this for triall is ; you must indure That will haue wiues , nought else , with them is sure . Exit . Tharsalio , Arsace . Thar.

HAst thou beene admitted then ?

Ars.

Admitted ? I , into her heart , I le able it ; neuer was man so prais'd with a dispraise ; nor so spoken for in being rail'd on . I le giue you my word ; I haue set her hart vpon as tickle a pin as the needle of a Diall ; that will neuer let it rest , till it be in the right position .

Thar,

Why dost thou imagine this ?

Ars.

Because I saw Cupid shoot in my wordes , and open his wounds in her lookes . Her bloud went and came of errands betwixt her face and her heart ; and these changes I can tell you are shrewd tell-tales .

Thar.

Thou speak'st like a Doctrisse in thy facultie ; but howsoeuer , for all this foile , I le retriue the game once againe , hee 's a shallow gamster that for one displeasing cast giues vp so faire a game for lost .

Ars.

Well , 't was a villanous inuention of thine , and had a swift operation , it tooke like sulphure . And yet this vertuous Countesse hath to my eare spun out many a tedious lecture of pure sisters thred against concupiscence . But euer with such an affected zeale , as my minde gaue me , shee had a kinde of secret titillation to grace my poore house sometimes ; but that shee fear'd a spice of the Sciatica , which as you know euer runs in the bloud .

Thar.

And as you know , sokes into the bones . But to say truth , these angrie heates that breake out at the lips of these streight lac't Ladies , are but as symptoms of a lustfull feuer that boiles within them . For wherefore rage wiues at their husbands so , when they flie out , for zeale against the sinne ?

Ars.

No , but because they did not purge that sinne .

Thar.

Th' art a notable Syren , and I sweare to thee , if I prosper , not only to giue thee thy mannor-house gratis , but to marrie thee to some one Knight or other , and burie thy trade in thy Ladiship : Goe be gone . Exit . Ars.

Enter Lycus . Thar.

WHat newes Lycus ? where 's the Ladie ?

Lyc.

Retir'd into her Orchard .

Thar.

A pregnant badge of loue , shee 's melancholy .

Lyc.

'T is with the sight of her Spartane wooer . But howsoeuer t is with her , you haue practis'd strangely vpon your Brother .

Thar.

Why so ?

Lyc.

You had almost lifted his wit off the hinges . That sparke ielousie falling into his drie melancholy braines , had well neare set the whole house on fire .

Thar.

No matter , let it worke ; I did but pay him in 's owne coine ; Sfoot hee plied me with such a volley of vnseason'd scoffs , as would haue made Patience it selfe turne Ruffine , attiring it selfe in wounds and bloud : but is his humour better qualified then ?

Lyc.

Yes , but with a medicine ten parts more dangerous then the sicknesse : how know you strange his dotage euer was on his wife ; taking speciall glorie to haue her loue and loialtie to him so renowm'd abrode . To whom shee oftentimes hath vow'd constancie after life , till her owne death had brought forsooth , her widdow-troth to bed . This he ioi'd in strangely , and was therein of infallible beliefe , till your surmise began to shake it ; which hath loos'd it so , as now there 's nought can settle it , but a triall , which hee 's resolu'd vpon .

Thar.

As how man ? as how ?

Lyc.

Hee is resolu'd to follow your aduise , to die , and make triall of her stablenesse , and you must lend your hand to it .

Thar.

What to cut 's throat ?

Lyc.

To forge a rumour of his death , to vphold it by circumstance , maintaine a publike face of mourning , and all thinges appertaining .

Thar.

I , but the meanes man : what time ? what probabilitie .

Lyc.

Nay , I thinke he has not lickt his Whelpe into full shape yet , but you shall shortly heare an t .

Thar.

And when shall this strange conception see light ?

Lyc.

Forthwith : there 's nothing staies him , but some odde businesse of import , which hee must winde vp ; least perhaps his absence by occasion of his intended triall bee prolonged aboue his aimes .

Thar.

Thankes for this newes i' faith . This may perhaps proue happie to my Nephew . Truth is I loue my sister well and must acknowledge her more then ordinarie vertues . But shee hath so possest my brothers heart with vowes , and disauowings , seal'd with oathes of second nuptialls ; as in that confidence , hee hath inuested her in all his state , the ancient inheritance of our Familie : and left my Nephew and the rest to hang vpon her pure deuotion ; so as he dead , and shee matching ( as I am resolu'd shee will ) with some yong Prodigall ; what must ensue , but her post-issue beggerd , and our house alreadie sinking , buried quick in ruin . But this triall may remoue it , and since t is come to this ; marke but the issue Lycus , for all these solemne vowes , if I doe not make her proue in the handling as weake as a wafer ; say I lost my time in trauaile . This resolution then has set his wits in ioynt againe , hee 's quiet .

Lyc.

Yes , and talkes of you againe in the fairest manner , listens after your speede .

Thar.

Nay hee 's passing kinde , but I am glad of this triall for all that .

Lyc.

Which he thinkes to be a flight beyond your wing .

Thar.

But hee will change that thought ere long . My Bird you saw euen now , sings me good newes , and makes hopefull signes to me .

Lyc.

Somewhat can I say too , since your messengers departure , her Ladiship hath beene something alter'd , more pensiue then before , and tooke occasion to question of you , what your addictions were ? of what tast your humor was ? of what cut you wore your wit , and all this in a kind of disdainefull scorne .

Thar.

Good Callenders Lycus . Well I le pawne this iewell with thee , my next encounter shall quite alter my brothers iudgement . Come le ts in , he shall commend it for a discreet and honourable attempt . Mens iudgments sway on that side fortune leanes , Thy wishes shall assist me :

Lyc.

And my meanes . Exeunt .

Argus , Clinias , Sthenio , Ianthe . Arg.

I Must confesse I was ignorant , what 't was to court a Ladie till now .

Sthe.

And I pray you what is it now ?

Arg.

To court her I perceiue , is to woo her with letters from Court , for so this Spartane Lords Court discipline teacheth .

Sth.

His Lordship hath procur'd a new Pacquet from his Altitude .

Clin.

If he bring no better ware then letters in 's pacquet , I shall greatly doubt of his good speede .

Ian.

If his Lordship did but know how gracious his Aspect is to my Ladie in this solitarie humour .

Clin.

Well these retir'd walkes of hers are not vsuall ; and bode some alteration in her thoughts . What may bee the cause Sthenio .

Sthe.

Nay t would trouble Argus with his hundred eies to descrie the cause .

Ian.

Venus keepe her vpright , that shee fall not from the state of her honour ; my feare is that some of these Serpentine suiters will tempt her from her constant vow of widdow-hood . If they doe , good night to our good daies .

Sthe.

'T were a sinne to suspect her ; I haue been witnesse to so many of her fearfull protestations to our late Lord against that course , to her infinite oathes imprinted on his lips , and seal'd in his heart with such imprecations to her bed , if euer it should receiue a second impression , to her open and often detestations of that incestuous life ( as shee term'd it ) of widdowes marriages , as being but a kinde of lawfull adulterie ; like vsurie permitted by the law , not approu'd . That to wed a second , was no better then to cuckold the first : That women should entertaine wedlock as one bodie , as one life , beyond which there were no desire , no thought , no repentance from it , no restitution to it . So as if the conscience of her vowes should not restraine her , yet the worlds shame to breake such a constant resolution , should represse any such motion in her .

Arg.

Well , for her vowes , they are gone to heauen with her husband , they binde not vpon earth : And as for Womens resolutions , I must tell you , The Planets , & ( as Ptolomie saies ) the windes haue a great stroke in them . Trust not my learning if her late strangenesse , and exorbitant solitude , be not hatching some new Monster .

Ian.

Well applied Argus ; Make you husbands Monsters ?

Arg.

I spoke of no husbands , but you Wenches haue the pregnant wits , to turne Monsters into husbands , as you turne husbands into monsters .

Sthe.

Well Ianthe , 't were high time we made in , to part our Ladie and her Spartane wooer .

Ian.

We shall appeare to her like the two fortunate Stars in a tempest , to saue the shipwrack of her patience .

Sthe.

I , and to him to , I beleeue ; For by this time he hath spent the last dramme of his newes .

Arg.

That is , of his wit .

Sth.

Iust good wittals .

Ian.

If not , that my Ladie be not . too deep in her new dumps , we shall heare from his Lordship ; what such a Lord said of his wife the first night hee embrac't her : To what Gentleman such a Count was beholding for his fiue children . What yong Ladie , such an old Count should marrie ; what Reuells : what presentments are towards ; and who penn'd the Pegmas ; and so forth : and yet for all this , I know her harsh Suiter hath tir'd her to the vttermost scruple of her forbearances , and will doe more , vnlesse we two , like a paire of Sheres , cut a-sunder the thred of his discourse .

Sthe.

Well then , le ts in ; But my masters , waite you on your charge at your perils , See that you guard her approch from any more intruders .

Ian.

Excepting yong Tharsalio .

Sthe.

True , excepting him indeede , for a guard of men is not able to keepe him out an t please your Honour .

Arg.

O Wenches , that 's the propertie of true valour , to promise like Pigmey , and performe like a Giant . If hee come , I le bee sworne I le doe my Ladies commandement vpon him .

Ian.

What ? beate him out ?

Sthe.

If hee should , Tharsalio would not take it ill at his handes , for he does but his Ladies commandement .

Enter Tharsalio . Arg.

WEll , by Hercules he comes not here .

Sthe.

By Venus but hee does : or else shee hath heard my Ladies praiers , and sent some gracious spirit in his likenesse to fright away that Spartane wooer , that hants her .

Thar.

There stand her Sentinells .

Arg.

Slight the Ghost appeares againe .

Thar.

Saue yee my quondam fellowes in Armes ; saue yee ; my women .

Sthe.

Your Women Sir ?

Thar.

'T will be so . What no courtesies ? No preparation of grace ? obserue me I aduise you for your owne sakes .

Ian.

For your owne sake , I aduise you to pack hence , lest your impudent valour cost you dearer then you thinke .

Clin.

What senselesse boldnesse is this Tharsalio ?

Arg.

Well said Clinias , talke to him .

Clin.

I wonder that notwithstanding the shame of your last entertainment , and threatnings of worse ; you would yet presume to trouble this place againe .

Thar.

Come y' are a widgine ; Off with your hat Sir , acknowledge : forecast is better then labour . Are you squint ey'd ? can you not see afore you . A little foresight I can tell you might sted you much as the Starres shine now .

Clin.

'T is well sir , t is not for nothing your brother is asham'd on you . But Sir , you must know , wee are chardg'd to barre your entrance .

Thar.

But Wifler , know you , that who so shall dare to execute that charge , I le be his Executioner .

Arg.

By Ioue , Clinias , me thinks , the Gentleman speakes very honourably .

Thar.

Well I see this house needes reformation , here 's a fellow stands behind now , of a forwarder insight then yee all . What place hast thou ?

Arg.

What place you please Sir .

Thar.

Law you Sir . Here 's a fellow to make a Gentleman Vsher Sir , I discharge you of the place , and doe here inuest thee into his roome , Make much of thy haire , thy wit will suit it rarely . And for the full possession of thine office ; Come , Vsher me to thy Ladie : and to keep thy hand supple , take this from me .

Arg.

No bribes Sir , an t please your Worship .

Thar.

Goe to , thou dost well ; but pocket it for all that ; it 's no impaire to thee : the greatest doo 't .

Arg.

Sir , t is your loue only that I respect , but since out of your loue you please to bestow it vpon me , It were want of Courtship in mee to refuse it ; I le acquaint my Ladie with your comming . Exit . Arg.

Thar.

How say by this ? haue not I made a fit choise , that hath so soone attain'd the deepest mysterie of his profession : Good sooth Wenches , a few courtsies had not beene cast away vpon your new Lord .

Sthe.

Wee le beleeue that , when our Ladie has a new Sonne of your getting .

Enter Argus , Eudora , Rebus , Hiar . Psor. Eud.

WHat 's the matter ? whos 's that , you say , is come ?

Arg.

The bold Gentleman , an t please your Honour .

Eud.

Why thou flering Asse thou .

Arg.

An t please your Honour .

Eud.

Did not I forbid his approch by all the charge and dutie of thy seruice ?

Thar.

Madam , this fellow only is intelligent ; for he truly vnderstood your command according to the stile of the Court of Venus ; that is , by contraries : when you forbid you bid .

Eud.

By heauen I le discharge my house of yee all .

Thar.

You shall not neede Madame , for I haue alreadie casheer'd your officious Vsher here , and chos'd this for his Successor .

Eud.

O incredible boldnesse !

Thar.

Madam , I come not to command your loue with enforst letters , nor to woo you with tedious stories of my Pedigree , as hee who drawes the thred of his descent from Ledas Distaffe ; when 't is well knowne his Grandsire cried Coniskins in Sparta .

Reb.

Whom meane you Sir ?

Thar.

Sir , I name none , but him who first shall name himselfe .

Reb.

The place Sir , I tell you still ; and this Goddesses faire presence , or else my reply should take a farre other forme vpon 't .

Thar.

If it should Sir , I would make your Lordship an anser .

Arg.

Anser's Latine for a Goose , an t please your honor .

Eud.

Well noted Gander ; and what of that ?

Arg.

Nothing , an t please your Honor , but that he said he would make his Lordship an answere .

Eud.

Thus euery foole mocks my poore Suiter . Tell mee thou most frontlesse of all me , did'st thou ( when thou had'st meanes to note me best ) euer obserue so base a temper in mee , as to giue any glance at stooping to my Vassall ?

Thar.

Your drudge Madam , to doe your drudgerie .

Eud.

Or am I now so skant of worthie Suiters , that may aduance mine honour ; aduance my estate ; strengthen my alliance ( if I list to wed ) that I must stoop to make my foot my head .

Thar.

No but your side , to keepe you warme a bed . But Madame vouchsafe me your patience to that points serious answere . Though I confesse to get higher place in your graces , I could wish my fortunes more honourable ; my person more gratious ; my minde more adorn'd with Noble and Heroicall vertues , yet Madame ( that you thinke not your bloud disparadg'd by mixture with mine ) daine to know this : howsoeuer I once , only for your loue , disguis'd my selfe in the seruice of your late Lord and mine , yet my descent is as honourable as the proudest of your Spartane attempters ; who by vnknown quills or conduits vnder ground , drawes his Pedigree from Lycurgus his great Toe , to the Viceroies little finger , and from thence to his owne elbow , where it will neuer leaue itching .

Reb.

T is well Sir , presume still of the place .

Thar.

Sfoot Madame , am I the first great personage that hath stoopt to disguises for loue ? what thinke you of our Countrie-man Hercules ; that for loue put on Omphales Apron , and sate spinning amongst her Wenches , while his Mistris wore his Lyons skin and Lamb-skin'd him , if he did not his businesse .

Eud.

Most fitly thou resembl'st thy selfe to that violent Atlas , that claim'd all other mens possessions as his owne by his meere valour . For what lesse hast thou done ? Come into my house , beate away these Honourable persons ?

Thar.

That I will Madam . Hence yee Sparta Veluet .

Psor.

Hold , shee did not meane so .

Thar.

Away I say , or leaue your liues I protest here .

Hiar.

Well Sir , his Altitude shall know you .

Reb.

I le doe your errand Sir . Exeunt .

Thar.

Doe good Cosen Altitude ; and beg the reuersion of the next Ladie : for Dido has betrotht her loue to me . By this faire hand Madam , a faire riddance of this Calidonian Bore .

Eud.

O most prodigious audaciousnesse !

Thar.

True Madam ; O fie vpon am , they are intollerable . And I can not but admire your singular vertue of patience , not common in your sexe ; and must therefore carrie with it some rare indowment of other Masculine and Heroicall vertues . To heare á rude Spartane court so ingenuous a Ladie , with dull newes from Athens , or the Vicerois court ; how many dogs were spoil'd at the last Bull-baiting ; what Ladies dub'd their husbands Knights , and so forth .

Eud.

But hast thou no shame ? No sense of what disdain I shew'd thee in my last entertainment ? chacing thee from my presence , and charging thy dutie , not to attempt the like intrusion for thy life ; and dar'st thou yet approch mee in this vnmannerly manner ? No question this desperate boldnesse can not choose but goe accompanied with other infinite rudenesses .

Thar.

Good Madam , giue not the Child an vnfit name , terme it not boldnes , which the Sages call true confidence , founded on the most infallible Rocke of a womans constancie .

Eud.

If shame can not restraine thee , tell mee yet if any brainlesse foole would haue tempted the danger attending thy approch .

Thar.

No Madam , that proues I am no Foole : Then had I been here a Foole , and a base low-sprited Spartan , if for a Ladies froune , or a Lords threates , or for a Guard of Groomes , I should haue shrunke in the wetting , and suffer'd such a delicious flower to perish in the stalke , or to be sauadgely pluckt by a prophane finger . No Madam : First let me be made a Subiect for disgrace ; let your remorselesse Guard seaze on my despised bodie , bind me hand and foot , and hurle me into your Ladiships bed .

Eud.

O Gods : I protest thou dost more and more make me admire thee .

Thar.

Madam , ignorance is the mother of admiration : know me better , and you le admire me lesse .

Eud.

What would'st thou haue mee know ? what seekes thy comming ? why dost thou hant me thus ?

Thar.

Only Madam , that the Aetna of my sighes , and Nilus of my teares , pour'd forth in your presence , might witnesse to your Honor the hot and moist affection of my hart , and worke me some measure of fauour , from your sweete tongue , or your sweeter lips , or what else your good Ladiship shall esteeme more conducible , to your diuine contentment .

Eud.

Pen and Inck-horne I thanke thee . This you learn'd when you were a Seruing-man .

Thar.

Madam , I am still the same creature ; and I will so tie my whole fortunes to that stile , as were it my happinesse ( as I know it will be ) to mount into my Lords succession , yet vow I neuer to assume other Title , or State , then your seruants : Not approching your boord , but bidden : Not pressing to your bed , but your pleasure shall be first known if you will command me any seruice .

Eud.

Thy vowes are as vaine as a Ruffins othes ; as common as the aire ; and as cheape as the dust . How many of the light huswiues , thy Muses , hath thy loue promist this seruice besides , I pray thee ?

Thar.

Compare shadowes to bodies , Madam ; Pictures to the life ; and such are they to you , in my valuation .

Eud.

I see wordes will neuer free me of thy boldnesse , and will therefore now vse blowes ; and those of the mortallest enforcement . Let it suffice Sir , that all this time , and to this place , you enioy your safetie ; keepe backe : No one foote follow mee further ; for I protest to thee , the next threshold past , le ts passe a prepar'd Ambush to thy latest breath . Exit . Eud.

Thar.

This for your Ambush , He drawes . Dare my loue with death ?

Clin.

Slight ; follow an t please your Honour .

Arg.

Not I by this light .

Clin.

I hope Gentle-women you will .

Sthe.

Not we Sir , we are no parters of fraies .

Clin.

Faith nor I le be any breaker of customes . Exeunt .

Finis Actus Secundi .
Actus Tertij .
Scoena Prima . Enter Lysander and Lycus booted . Lyc.

WOuld any heart of Adamant , for satisfaction of an vngrounded humour , racke a poore Ladies innocencie as you intend to doe . It was a strange curiositie in that Emperour , that ript his Mothers wombe to see the place he lay in .

Lys.

Come do not lode me with volumes of perswasion ; I am resolu'd , if shee be gold shee may abide the tast , le ts away , I wonder where this wild brother is .

Enter Cynthia , Hylus , and Ero. Cynth.

SIr .

Lysand.

I pray thee wife shew but thy selfe a woman ; and be silent : question no more the reason of my iourney , which our great Viceroies charge vrg'd in this letter doth enforce me to .

Cynth.

Let me but see that letter , there is somthing in this presaging bloud of mine , tells me this sodaine iourney can portend no good , resolue me sweet , haue not I giuen you cause of discontent , by some misprision , or want of fit obseruance , let mee know that I may wreake my selfe vpon my selfe .

of art to couer your buske points ; which a blunt and resolute encounter , taken vnder a fortunate aspect , easily disarmes you off ; and then alas what are you ? poore naked sinners , God wot : weake paper walls thrust downe with a finger ; this is the way on 't , boile their appetites to a full height of lust ; and then take them downe in the nicke .

Cynth.

Is there probabilitie in this ; that a Ladie so great , so vertuous , standing on so high termes of honour , should so soone stoope ?

Thar.

You would not wonder sister , if you knew the lure shee stoo'pt at : greatnesse ? thinke you that can curb affection ; no , it whets it more ; they haue the full streame of bloud , to beare them : the sweet gale of their sublim'd spirits to driue them : the calme of ease to prepare them : the sun-shine of fortune to allure them : Greatnesse to waft them safe through all Rocks of infamie : when youth , wit , and person come aboord once , tell me sister , can you chuse but hoise saile , and put forward to the maine ?

Lysand.

But let me wonder at this frailtie yet ; would shee in so short time weare out his memorie , so soon wipe from her eies , nay , from her heart , whom I my selfe , and this whole I le besides , still remember with griefe , the impression of his losse taking worthily such roote in vs ; howe thinke you Wife ?

Cynth. I am asham'd ant , and abhorre to thinke , So great and vow'd a patterne of our sexe , Should take into her thoughts , nay to her bed , ( O staine to woman-hood ) a second loue . Lyc.

In so short time .

Cynth.

In any time .

Lysand.

No wife .

Cynth.

By Iuno no ; sooner a lothsom Tode .

Thar.

High words beleeue me , and I thinke shee le keep them ; next turne is yours Nephew ; you shall now marrie my noblest Ladie-Daughter ; the first marriage in Paphos ; next my nuptialls shall be yours ; these are strange occurrents brother , but pretie and patheticall : if you see mee in my chaire of Honour ; and my Countesse in mine armes ; you will then beleeue , I hope , I am Lord of the Palace , then shall you trie my great Ladies entertainement ; see your handes free'd of mee , and mine taking you to aduancement .

Lysand.

Well , all this rids not my businesse ; wife you shall bee there to partake the vnexpected honour of our House . Lycus , and I will make it our recreation by the way , to thinke of your Reuells and Nuptiall sports ; Brother my stay hath beene for you ; Wife pray thee bee gone , and soone prepare for the solemnitie , a Moneth returnes mee .

Cynth.

Heauens guide your iourney .

Lysand.

Fare-will .

Thar.

Fare-well Nephew ; prosper virilitie , but doe you heare ; keepe your hand from your voice , I haue a part for you in our Hymencall shew .

Hyl.

You speake too late for my voice , but I le discharge the part . Exit . Cyn. Hyl.

Lysand.

Occurrents call yee them ; soule shame confound them all ; that impregnable Fort of chastitie and loyaltie , that amazement of the world ; O yee Deities could nothing restraine her ? I tooke her spirit to bee too haughtie for such a depression .

Thar.

But who commonly more short heeld ; then they that are high 'i th in-step .

Lysand.

Mee thinkes yet shame should haue controul'd so sodaine an appetite .

Thar. Tush , shame doth extinguish lust as oile doth fire , The bloud once hot , shame doth enflame the more , What they before , by art dissembled most They act more freely ; shame once found is lost ;

And to say truth Brother ; what shame is due to 't ? or what congruence doth it carrie , that a yong Ladie , Gallant , Vigorous , full of Spirit , and Complexion ; her appetite newe whetted with Nuptiall delights ; to be confind to the speculation of a deaths head , or for the losse of a husband , the world affording flesh enough , make the noone-tide of her yeares , the sunne-set of her pleasures .

Lyc.

And yet there haue been such women .

Thar.

Of the first stamp perhaps , when the mettal was purer then in these degenerate daies ; of later yeares , much of that coine hath beene counterfait , and besides so crackt and worne with vse , that they are growne light , and indeede fit for nothing , but to be turn'd ouer in play .

Lysand.

Not all brother .

Thar.

My matchlesse sister only excepted : for shee , you know is made of an other mettall , then that shee borrow'd of her mother . But doe you brother sadly intend the pursuite of this triall ?

Lysand

Irreuocably .

Thar.

It s a high proiect : if it be once rais'd , the earth is too weake to beate so waightie an accident , it cannot bee coniur'd downe againe , without an earth-quake , therefore beleeue shee will be constant .

Lysand.

No , I will not .

Thar.

Then beleeue shee will not be constant .

Lysand.

Neither , I will beleeue nothing but what triall enforces ; will you hold your promise for the gouerning of this proiect with skill , and secrecie ?

Thar.

If it must needes bee so . But hearke you brother ; haue you no other Capricions in your head to intrap my sister in her frailtie , but to proue the firmenesse of her widdow vowes after your suppos'd death .

Lysand.

None in the world .

Thar.

Then here 's my hand , I le be as close , as my Ladies shoe to her foote that pinches and pleases her , and will beare on with the plot , till the vessell split againe .

Lysand.

Forge any death , so you can force beliefe . Say I was poison'd , drown'd .

Thar.

Hang'd .

Lysand.

Any thing , so you assist it with likely circumstance , I neede not instruct you : that must bee your imploiment Lycus .

Lyc.

Well Sir .

Thar.

But brother you must set in to ; to countenance truth out , a herse there must be too ; It s strange to thinke how much the eie preuailes in such impressions ; I haue marckt a Widdow , that iust before was seene pleasant enough , follow an emptie herse , and weepe deuoutly .

Lyc.

All those thinges leaue to me .

Lysan.

But brother for the bestowing of this herse in the monument of our Familie , and the marshalling of a Funerall .

Thar.

Leaue that to my care , and if I doe not doe the mourner , as liuely as your Heire , and weepe as lustily as your Widdow , say there 's no vertue in Onions ; that being done , I le come to visit the distrest widdow ; apply old ends of comfort to her griefe , but the burden of my song shall be to tell her wordes are but dead comforts ; and therefore counsaile her to take a liuing comfort ; that might Ferrit out the thought of her dead husband , and will come prepar'd with choise of suiters ; either my Spartane Lord for grace at the Viceroies Court , or some great Lawyer that may soder vp her crackt estate , and so forth . But what would you say brother , if you should finde her married at your arriuall .

Lysand.

By this hand split her Wezand .

Thar.

Well , forget not your wager , a stately chariot with foure braue Horses of the Thracian breede , with all appurtenances . I le prepare the like for you , if you proue Victor ; but well remembred , where will you lurke the whiles ?

Lysand.

Mewd vp close , some short daies iourney hence , Lycus shall know the place , write still how all things passe , brother adiew ; all ioy attend you .

Thar.

Will you not stay our nuptiall now so neare .

Lysand.

I should be like a man that heares a tale And heedes it not ; one absent from himselfe , my wife shall attend the Countesse , and my Sonne .

Thar.

Whom you shal here at your returne call me father , adiew : Ioue be your speede .

My Nuptialls done , your Funeralls succeed . Exeunt .

Enter Argus barehead Arg.

A Hall , a hall : who 's without there ? Enter two or three with cushions . Come on , y' are proper Groomes , are yee not ? Slight I thinke y' are all Bridegroomes , yee take your pleasures so . A companie of dormice . Their Honours are vpon comming , and the roome not readie . Rushes and seates instantly .

Thar.

Now , alas fellow Argus , how thou art comberd with an office ?

Arg.

Perfume sirrha , the roome 's dampish .

Thar.

Nay you may leaue that office to the Ladies , they le perfume it sufficiently .

Arg.

Cry mercie Sir , here 's a whole Chorus of Syluans at hand , cornetting , & tripping ath ' toe , as the ground they troad on were too hot for their feete . The deuice is rare ; and there 's your yong Nephew too , he hangs in the clouds Deified with Hymens shape .

Thar.

Is he perfect in 's part ? has not his tongue learn'd of the Syluans to trip ath ' Toe ?

Arg.

Sir , beleeue it , he does it pretiously for accent and action , as if hee felt the part he plaid : hee rauishes all the yong Wenches in the Palace : Pray Venus my yong Ladie Laodice haue not some little prick of Cupid in her , shee 's so diligent at 's rehearsalls .

Thar.

No force , so my next vowes be heard , that if Cupid haue prickt her , Hymen my cure her .

Arg.

You meane your Nephew Sir that presents Hymen .

Thar.

Why so , I can speake nothing but thou art with in me : fie of this wit of thine , 't will be thy destruction . But howsoeuer you please to vnderstand , Hymen send the boy no worse fortune : And where 's my Ladies honour ?

Arg.

At hand Sir , with your vnparagond sister , please you take your chaire of Honour Sir ?

Thar.

Most seruiceable Argus , the Gods reward they seruice ; for I will not .

Enter Eudora , leading Cynthia , Laodice , Sthenio , Ianthe , Ero , with others following . Eud. COme sister , now we must exchange that name For stranger Titles , let 's dispose our selues To entertaine these Syluane Reuellers . That come to grace our loued Nuptialls , I feare me we must all turne Nymphs to night , To side those sprightly wood-Gods in their dances ; Can you doo 't nimbly sister ? slight what aile you , are you not well ? Cynth. Yes Madam . Eud.

But your lookes , mee thinkes , are cloudie ; suiting all the Sunne-shine of this cleare honour to your husbands house .

Is there ought here that sorts not with your liking ?

Thar. Blame her not Mistris , if her lookes shew care . Excuse the Merchants sadnesse that hath made A doubtfull venture of his whole estate ; His liuelyhood , his hopes , in one poore bottome , To all encounters of the Sea and stormes . Had you a husband that you lou'd as well , Would you not take his absent plight as ill ? Cauill at euery fancie ? Not an obiect That could present it selfe , but it would forge Some vaine obiection , that did doubt his safetie ; True loue is euer full of iealousie . Eud. Iealous ? of what ? of euery little iourney ? Meere fancie then is wanton ; and doth cast At those sleight dangers there , too doting glances ; Misgiuing mindes euer prouoke mischances : Shines not the Sunne in his way bright as here ? Is not the aire as good ? what hazard doubt you ? Arg. His horse may stumble if it please your Honour ; The raine may wet , the winde may blow on him ; Many shrewd hazards watch poore trauailers . Eud. True , and the shrewdest thou hast reckend vs . Good sister , these cares fit yong married wiues . Cynth. Wiues should be stil yong in their husbands loues . Time beares no Sythe should bear down them before him . Our liues he may cut short , but not our loues . Thar. Sister be wise , and ship not in one Barke , All your abilitie : if he miscarrie , Your well tried wisedome should looke on t for new . Cynth. I wish them happie windes that runne that course , From me t is farre ; One Temple seal'd our troth . One Tomb , one houre shall end , and shroud vs both . Thar. Well , y' are a Phoenix , there be that your cheere Loue , with your husband be , your wisedome here . Hearke , our sports challenge it ; Sit dearest Mistris . Eud. Take your place worthiest seruant . Thar. Serue me heauen . Musique . As I my heauenly Mistris , Sit rare sister . Musique : Hymen descends ; and sixe Syluanes enter beneath , with Torches . Arg. A hall , a hall : let no more Citizens in there . Laod. O , Not my Cosen see ; but Hymens selfe . Sthe. He does become it most enflamingly . Hym. Haile honor'd Bridegroom , and his Princely bride With the most fam'd for vertue , Cynthia ; And this yong Ladie , bright Laodice , One rich hope of this noblest Familie . Sthe. Hearke how he courts : he is enamour'd too . Laod. O grant it Venus , and be euer honour'd . Hym. In grace and loue of you , I Hymen searcht The groues and thickets that embrace this Palace With this clear-flam'd , and good aboding Torch For summons of these fresh and flowrie Syluans , To this faire presence ; with their winding Haies , Actiue and Antique dances to delight Your frolick eies , and helpe to celebrate These noblest nuptialls ; which great Destinie , Ordain'd past custome and all vulgar obiect To be the readuancement of a house , Noble and Princely , and restore this Palace To that name , that sixe hunderd Summers since Was in possession of this Bridegroomes Ancetors , The ancient and most vertue-fam'd Lysandri . Syluans ! the Courtships you make to your Dryads , Vse to this great Bride , and these other Dames , And heighten with your sports , my nuptiall flames . Laod. O would himselfe descend , and me command . Sthe. Dance ; and his heart catch in an others hand . Syluans , take out the Bride and the rest : They dance , after which , and all set in their places . Hymen . Hym. Now , what the Power and my Torches influence Hath in the blessings of your Nuptiall ioyes ( Great Bride and Bridegroome ) you shall amply part Betwixt your free loues , and forgoe it neuer . Omn. Thankes to great Hymen , and faire Syluanes euer . Exeunt .
Finis Actus Teriij .
Actus Quarti .
Scoena Prima . Tharsalio , Lycus , with his Arme in a skarfe , a night-cap on 's head . Lyc.

I Hope Sir by this time .

Thar.

Put on man , by our selues .

Lyc.

The edge of your confidence is well taken off ; would you not bee content to with-draw your wager ?

Thar.

Faith fellow Lycus , if my wager were weakely built , this vnexpected accident might stagger it , For the truth is , this strain is extraordinarie , to follow her husbands bodie into the Tombe , and there for his companie to burie her selfe quick : it 's new and stirring , but for all this , I le not despaire of my wager .

Lyc.

Why Sir , can you thinke such a passion dissembl'd ?

Thar.

All 's one for that , What I thinke I thinke ; In the meane time forget not to write to my Brother , how the plot hath succeeded , that the newes of his death hath taken ; a funerall solemnitie perform'd , his suppos'd Corse bestow'd in the monument of our Familie , thou and I horrible mourners : But aboue all that his intollerable vertuous Widow , for his loue ; ( and for her loue ) Ero her hand-maid , are discended with his Corse into the vault ; There wipe their eies time out of minde , drinke nothing but their own teares , and by this time are almost dead with famine . There 's a point will sting it ( for you say t is true ) where left you him ?

Lyc.

At Dipolis Sir , some twentie miles hence .

Thar.

He keepes close .

Lyc.

I sir , by all meanes ; skulks vnknowne vnder the name of a strange Knight .

Thar.

That may carrie him without discrying , for there 's a number of strange Knights abroad . You left him well .

Lyc.

Well Sir , but for this iealous humour that hants him .

Thar.

Well , this newes will absolutely purge that humor . Write all , forget not to describe her passion at thy discouerie of his slaughter : did shee performe it well for her husbands wager ?

Lyc.

Performe it , call you it ? you may iest ; men hunt Hares to death for their sports , but the poore beasts die in earnest : you wager of her passions for your pleasure , but shee takes little pleasure in those earnest passions . I neuer saw such an extasie of sorrow , since I knew the name of sorrow . Her hands flew vp to her head like Furies , hid all her beauties in her discheuel'd haire , & wept as she would turne fountaine . I would you and her husband had beene behind the Arras but to haue heard her . I assure you Sir , I was so transported with the spectacle , that in despight of my discretion , I was forc't to turne woman , and beare a part with her . Humanitie broke loose from my heart , and stream'd through mine eies .

Thar.

In prose , thou weptst . So haue I seen many a moist Auditor doe at a play ; when the storie was but a meere fiction : And didst act the Nuntius well , would I had heard it : could'st thou dresse thy lookes in a mournefull habite ?

Lyc.

Not without preparation Sir ; no more then my speech , t was a plaine acting of an enterlude to me , to pronounce the part .

Thar.

As how for heauens sake ?

Lyc. Phoebus addrest his chariot towards the West To change his wearied Coursers , and so forth . Thar. Nay on , and thou lou'st me . Lyc. Lysander and my selfe beguild the way With enterchang'd discourse , but our chiefe Theame , Was of your dearest selfe , his honour'd wife ; Your loue , your vertue ; wondrous constancie . Thar. Then was her Cu to whimper ; on . Lyc. When sodainly appear'd as far as sight A troope of horse , arm'd as we might descerne , With Iauelines , Speares , and such accoutrements . He doubted nought ( As Innocencie euer Is free from doubting ill . ) Thar. There dropt a teare . Lyc. My minde misgaue me . They might be mountaners . At their approch They vs'd no other language but their weapons , To tell vs what they were ; Lysander drew , And bore himselfe Achilles like in fight , And as a Mower sweepes off t'heads of Bents , So did Lysanders sword shaue off the points Of their assaulting lances . His horse at last , sore hurt , fell vnder him ; I seeing I could not rescue , vs'd my spurres To flie away . Thar. What from thy friend ? Lyc. I in a good quarrell , why not ? Thar. Good ; I am answer'd . Lyc. A lance pursued me , brought me back againe ; And with these wounds left me t' accompanie Dying Lysander : Then they rifl'd vs , And left vs . They gone ; my breath not yet gone , gan to striue And reuiue sense : I with my feeble ioynts Crawl'd to Lysander , stirr'd him , and withall He gaspt ; cried Cynthia ! and breath'd no more . Thar. O then shee howl'd out right . Lyc. Passengers came and in a Chariot brought vs Streight to a Neighbour Towne ; where I forthwith Coffind my friend in leade ; and so conuaid him To this sad place . Thar. 'T was well ; and could not show but strangely . Lyc.

Well Sir , This tale pronounc't with terrour , suited with action clothed with such likely circumstance ; My wounds in shew , her husbands herse in sight , thinke what effect it wrought : And if you doubt , let the sad consequence of her retreat to his Tombe , bee your wofull instructer .

Thar. For all this , I le not despaire of my wager : These Grieues that sound so lowd , proue alwaies light , True sorrow euermore keepes out of sight . This straine of mourning with Sepulcher , like an ouer-doing Actor , affects grosly , and is indeede so farre forc't from the life , that it bewraies it selfe to be altogether artificiall . To set open a shop of mourning ! T is palpable . Truth , the substance , hunts not after the shadow of popular Fame . Her officious ostentation of sorrow condemnes her sinceritie . When did euer woman mourne so vnmeasurably , but shee did dissemble ? Lyc.

O Gods ! a passion thus borne ; thus apparell'd with teares , sighes , swownings , and all the badges of true sorrow , to be dissembl'd ! by Venus I am sorrie I euer set foot in 't . Could shee , if shee dissembl'd , thus dally with hunger , be deafe to the barking of her appetite , not hauing these foure daies relieu'd nature with one dramme of sustenance .

Thar.

For this does shee looke to bee Deified , to haue Hymnes made of her , nay to her : The Tomb where she is to be no more reputed the ancient monument of our Familie the Lysandri ; but the new erected Altar of Cynthia : To which all the Paphian widdowes shall after their husbands Funeralls , offer their wet muckinders , for monuments of the danger they haue past , as Sea-men doe their wet garments at Neptunes Temple after a ship wracke .

Lyc.

Well , I le apprehend you , at your pleasure : I for my part will say ; that if her faith bee as constant as her loue is heartie , and vnaffected , her vertues may iustly challenge a Deitie to enshrine them .

Thar.

I , there 's an other point too . But one of those vertues is enough at once . All natures are not capable of all gifts . If the braine of the West , were in the heads of the learned ; then might Parish-Clerkes be common counsaile men , and Poets Aldermens deputies . My sister may turne Niobe for loue ; but till Niobe bee turn'd to a Marble , I le not despaire but shee may proue a woman . Let the triall runne on , if shee doe not out-runne it , I le say Poets are no Prophets , Prognosticators are but Mountibankes , & none tell true but wood-mongers . Exit .

Lyc.

A sweet Gentleman you are . I meruaile what man ? what woman ? what name ? what action doth his tongue glide ouer , but it leaues a slime vpon 't . Well , I le presently to Dipolis , where Lysander staies ; and will not say but shee may proue fraile : But this I le say , If she should chance to breake , Her teares are true , though womens truths are weake . Exit .

Enter Lysander like a Souldier disguisde at all parts , a halfe Pike , gorget , &c. be discouers the Tombe , lookes in and wonders , &c. O Miracle of nature ! womens glorie ; Mens shame ; and enuie of the Deities ! Yet must these matchlesse creatures be suspected ; Accus'd ; condemn'd ! Now by th' immortall Gods , They rather merit Altars , Sacrifice , Then loue and courtship . Yet see the Queene of these lies here interred ; Tearing her haire ; and drowned in her teares . Which Ioue should turne to Christall ; and a Mirrour Make of them ; wherein men may see and wonder At womens vertues . Shall shee famish then ? Will men ( without disswasions ) suffer thus So bright an Ornament to earth , tomb'd quick . In Earths darke bosome : Ho! Who 's in the Tombe there ? Ero. Who calls ? whence are you ? Lys. I am a Souldier of the watch and must enter . Ero. Amongst the dead ? Lys. Doe the dead speake ? ope or I le force it open . Ero. What violence is this ? what seeke you here Where nought but death and her attendants dwell . Lys. What wretched soules are you that thus by night lurke here amongst the dead ? Ero.

Good Souldier doe not stirre her , Shee 's weake , and quickly seiz'd with swowning and passions , and with much trouble shall we both recall her fainting spirits .

Fiue daies thus hath shee wasted ; and not once season'd her Pallate with the tast of meate ; her powers of life are spent ; and what remaines of her famisht spirit , serues not to breath but sigh .

Shee hath exil'd her eies from steepe , or sight , and giuen them wholly vp to ceaselesse teares ouer that ruthfull herse of her deare Spouse , slaine by Bantditos , Nobly borne Lysander .

Lysand.

And hopes shee with these heauie notes and cries to call him from the dead ? in these fiue daies hath shee but made him stirre a finger or fetch one gasp of that forsaken life shee mournes ?

Come , honour'd Mistris ; I admire your vertues ; But must reproue this vaine excesse of mone ; Rowse your selfe Ladie , and looke vp from death , Well said , t is well ; stay by my hand and rise . This Face hath beene maintain'd with better huswiferie .
Cyn. What are you ? Lys. Ladie , I am Sentinell , Set in this hallowed place , to watch and guard On forfait of my life , these monuments From Rape , and spoil'd of sacrilegious handes , And saue the bodies , that without you see Of crucified offenders ; that no friends May beare them hence , to honour'd buriall . Cyn. Thou seem'st an honest Souldier ; pray thee then Be as thou seem'st ; betake thee to thy charge And leaue this place ; adde not affliction To the afflicted . Lys. You misname the children . For what you terme affliction now , in you Is but selfe-humour ; voluntarie Penance Impos'd vpon your selfe : and you lament As did the Satyre once , that ran affrighted From that hornes sound that he himselfe had winded . Which humor to abate , my counsaile tending your term'd affliction , What I for Phisicke giue , you take for poison . I tell you honour'd Mistris , these ingredients Are wholesome , though perhaps they seeme vntoothsome . Ero. This Souldier sure , is some decai'd pothecarie . Lys. Deere Ghost be wise , and pittie your faire selfe Thus , by your selfe vnnaturally afflicted : Chide back , heart-breaking grones , clear vp those lamps , Restore them to their first creation : Windowes for light ; not sluces made for teares . Beate not the senselesse aire with needlesse cries , Banefull to life , and bootlesse to the dead . This is the Inne , where all Deucalions race Sooner or later , must take vp their lodging ; No priuiledge can free vs from this prison ; No teares , no praiers , can redeeme from hence A captiu'd soule ; Make vse of what you see : Let this affrighting spectacle of death Teach you to nourish life . Ero. Good heare him : this is a rare Souldier . Lysan.

Say that with abstinence you should vnlose the knot of life : Suppose that in this Tombe for your deare Spouse , you should entomb your selfe a liuing Corse ; Say that before your houre without due Summons from the Fates , you send your hastie soule to hell : can your deare Spouse take notice of your faith and constancie ? Shall your deare Spouse reuiue to giue you thankes ?

Cynth. Idle discourser . Lysan. No , your moanes are idle . Goe to I say , be counsail'd ; raise your selfe : Enioy the fruits of life , there 's viands for you , Now , liue for a better husband . No ? will you none ? Ero. For loue of courtesie , good Mistris , eate , Doe not reiect so kinde and sweet an offer , Who knowes but this may be some Mercurie Disguis'de , and sent from Iuno to relieue vs ? Did euer any lend vnwilling eares To those that came with messages of life ? Cynth. I pray thee leaue thy Rhetorique . Ero.

By my soule ; to speake plaine truth , I could rather wish t' employ my teeth then my tongue , so your example would be my warrant .

Cynth. Thou hast my warrant . Lysand. Well then , eate my wench , Let obstinacie starue . Fall to . Ero. Perswade my Mistris first . Lysand. Slight tell me Ladie , Are you resolu'd to die ? If that be so , Choose not ( for shame ) a base , and beggars death : Die not for hunger , like a Spartane Ladie ; Fall valiantly vpon a sword , or drinke Noble death , expell your griefe with poison . There 't is , seize it . � Tush you dare not die . Come Wench thou hast not lost a husband ; Thou shalt eate , th' art now within The place where I command . Ero. I protest sir . Lys. Well said ; eate , and protest , or I le protest And doe thou eate ; thou eat'st against thy will , That 's it thou would'st say . Ero. It is . Lys. And vnder such a protestation Thou lost ' thy Maiden-head . For your owne sake good Ladie forget this husband , Come you are now become a happy Widdow , A blessednesse that many would be glad of . That and your husbands Inuentorie together , Will raise you vp husbands enow . What thinke you of me ? Cynth. Trifler , pursue this wanton Theame no further ; Lest ( which I would be loth ) your speech prouoke Vnciuill language from me ; I must tell you , One ioynt of him I lost , was much more worth Then the rackt valew of thy entire bodie . Ero. O know what ioynt shee meanes . Lys. Well , I haue done . And well done frailtie ; proface , how lik'st thou it . Ero. Very toothsome Ingrediens surely sir , Want but some lycor to incorporate them . Lys. There t is , carouse . Ero. I humbly thanke you Sir . Lys. Hold pledge me now . Ero. T is the poison Sir , That preserues life , I take it . bibit Ancill . Lys. Doe so , take it . Ero. Sighing has made me somthing short-winded . I le pledge y'at twice . Lys. T is well done ; doe me right . Ero. I pray sir , haue you beene a Pothecarie ? Lys. Marrie haue I wench ; A womans Pothecarie . Ero. Haue you good Ingredients ? I like your Bottle well . Good Mistris tast it . Trie but the operation , t will fetch vp The Roses in your cheekes againe . Doctor Verolles bottles are not like it ; There 's no Guaicum here , I can assure you . Lys. This will doe well anone . Ero. Now fie vpon 't . O I haue lost my tongue in this same lymbo . The spring ants , spoil'd me thinkes ; it goes not off With the old twange . Lys. Well said wench , oile it well ; t will make it slide well . Ero. Aristotle saies sir , in his Posterionds . Lys. This wench is learned ; And what sales he ? Ero. That when a man dies , the last thing that moues is his heart , in a woman her tongue . Lys. Right ; and addes further , that you women are a kind of spinners ; if their legs be pluckt off , yet still they 'le wag them ; so will you your tongues . With what an easie change does this same weaknesse Of women , slip from one extreame t' another ? All these attractions take no hold of her ; No not to take refection ; 'T must not be thus . Well said wench ; Tickle that Helicon . But shall we quit the field with this disgrace Giuen to our Oratorie ? Both not gaine So much ground of her as to make her eate ? Ero. Faith the truth is sir ; you are no fit Organe For this businesse ; T is quite out of your Element : Let vs alone , shee le eate I haue no feare ; A womans tongue best fits a womans eare . Ioue neuer did employ Mercurie , But Iris for his Messenger to Iuno . Lys. Come , let me kisse thee wench ; wilt vndertake To make thy Mistris eate ? Ero It shall goe hard Sir But I will make her turne flesh and bloud , And learne to liue as other mortalls doe . Lys. Well said : the morning hasts ; next night expect me . Ero.

With more prouision good Sir .

Lys. Very good . Exiturus . Ero. And bring more wine . Shee shuts vp the Tomb . Lys. What else ; shalt haue enough : O Cynthia , heire of her bright puritie , Whose name thou dost inherit ; Thow disdainst ( Seuer'd from all concretion ) to feede Vpon the base foode of grosse Elements . Thou all art soule ; All immortalitie . Thou fasts for Nectar and Ambrosia , Which till thou find'st , and eat'st aboue the starres , To all foode here thou bidd'st celestiall warrs . Exit . Cynthia , Ero , the Tomb opening . Ero.

So ; le ts aire our dampish spirits , almost stifl'd in this grose muddie Element .

Cyn.

How sweet a breath the calmnesse of the night inspires the aire withall ?

Ero.

Well said ; Now y' are your selfe : did not I tell you how sweet an operation the Souldiers bottle had ? And if there be such vertue in the bottle ; what is there in the Souldier ? know , and acknowledge his worth when hee comes in any case Mistris .

Cyn.

So Maide ,

Ero.

Gods my patience ? did you looke forsooth that Iuno should haue sent you meate from her owne Trencher , in reward of your widdowes teares ? you might sit and sigh first till your heart-strings broke , I le able 't .

Cyn.

I feare me thy lips haue gone so oft to the bottle , that thy tongue-strings are come broken home .

Ero.

Faith the truth is , my tongue hath beene so long tied vp , that t is couer'd with rust , & I rub it against my pallat as wee doe suspected coines , to trie whether it bee currant or no . But now Mistris for an vpshot of this bottle ; let 's haue one carouse to the good speede of my old Master , and the good speede of my new .

Cyn.

So Damzell .

Ero.

You must pledge it , here 's to it . Doe me right I pray .

Cyn.

You say I must .

Ero.

Must ? what else ?

Cyn.

How excellent ill this humour suites our habite ?

Ero.

Go to Mistris , do not thinke but you and I shall haue good sport with this iest , when we are in priuate at home . I would to Venus we had some honest shift or other to get off withall ; for I le no more an t ; I le not turne Salt-peeter in this vault for neuer a mans companie liuing ; much lesse for a womans . Sure I am the wonder 's ouer , and 't was only for that , that I endur'd this ; and so a my conscience did you . Neuer denie it .

Cyn.

Nay pray thee take it to thee .

Enter Lysander . Cyn.

HEarke I heare some footing neare vs .

Ero.

Gods me 't is the Souldier Mistris , by Venus if you fall to your late black Santus againe , I le discouer you .

Lys.

What 's here ? The maid hath certainly preuail'd with her ; mee thinkes those cloudes that last night couer'd her lookes are now disperst : I le trie this further . Saue you Lady .

Ero.

Honorable Souldier ? y' are welcome ; please you step in sir ?

Lys.

With all my heart sweet heart ; by your patience Ladie ; why this beares some shape of life yet . Damzell , th' ast performd a seruice of high reckoning , which cannot perish vnrewarded .

Ero.

Faith Sir , you are in the way to doe it once , if you haue the heart to hold on .

Cyn.

Your bottle has poisond this wench sir .

Lys.

A wholsome poison it is Ladie , if I may be iudge ; of which sort here is one better bottle more . Wine is ordaind to raise such hearts as sinke , Whom wofull starres distemper ; let him drinke . I am most glad I haue beene some meane to this part of your recouerie , and will drinke to the rest of it .

Ero.

Goe to Mistris , pray simper no more ; pledge the man of Warre here .

Cyn.

Come y' are too rude .

Ero.

Good .

Lys.

Good sooth Ladie y' are honour'd in her seruice ; I would haue you liue , and shee would haue you liue freely ; without which life is but death . To liue freely is to feast our appetites freely ; without which humanes are stones ; to the satisfaction whereof I drinke Ladie .

Cyn.

I le pledge you Sir .

Ero.

Said like a Mistris ; and the Mistris of your selfe ; pledge him in loue too : I see hee loues you ; Shee 's silent , shee consents sir .

Lys.

O happy starres . And now pardon Ladie ; me thinks these are all of a peece .

Ero.

Nay if you kisse all of a peece wee shall n'ere haue done : Well t was well offer'd , and as well taken .

Cyn.

If the world should see this .

Lys.

The world ! should one so rare as your selfe , respect the vulgar world ?

Cyn.

The praise I haue had , I would continue .

Lys.

What of the vulgar ? Who hates not the vulgar , deserues not loue of the vertuous . And to affect praise of that we despise , how ridiculous it is ?

Ero. Comfortable doctrine Mistris , edifie , edifie . Me thinkes euen thus it was when Dido And Aeneas met in the Caue ; And hearke Me thinks I heare some of the hunters . She shuts the tomb .
Finis Actus Quarti .
Actus Quinti .
Scoena Prima : Enter Tharsalio , Lycus . Lyc. T Is such an obstinacie in you Sir , As neuer was conceipted , to runne on With an opinion against all the world , And what your eies may witnes ; to adue�ture The famishment for griefe of such a woman As all mens merits met in any one , Could not deserue . Thar. I must confesse it Lycus , Wee le therefore now preuent it if we may , And that our curious triall hath not dwelt Too long on this vnnecessarie hant : Griefe , and all want of foode ; not hauing wrought : Too mortally on her diuine disposure . Lyc. I feare they haue , and shee is past our cure . Thar. I must confesse with feare and shame as much . Lyc. And that shee will not trust in any thing What you perswade her to . Thar. Then thou shalt hast And call my brother from his secret shroude , Where he appointed thee to come and tell him . How all thinges haue succeeded . Lyc. This is well . If ( as I say ) the ill be not so growne , That-all help is denied her . But I feare The matchlesse Deme is famisht . Thar. looks into the tomb . Thar. Slight , whos 's here ? A Souldier with my sister ? wipe , wipe , see Kissing by Ioue ; shee , as I lay t is shee . Lyc. What ? is shee well Sir ? Thar. O no , shee is famisht ; Shee 's past our comfort , shee lies drawing on . Lyc. The Gods forbid . Thar. Looke thou , shee 's drawing on . How saist thou ? Lyc. Drawing on ? Illustrious witchcrafts . Thar. Lies shee not drawing on ? Lyc. Shee drawes on fairely . Our sister Sir ? This shee ? can this be shee ? Thar. She , she , she , and none but she . He dances & sings . Shee only Queene of loue , and chastitie , O chastitie ; This women be . Lyc. Slight t is prodigious . Thar. Horse , horse , horse , Foure Chariot Horses of the Thracian breede , Come , bring me brother . O the happiest euening , That euer drew her vaile before the Sunne . Who is 't canst tell ? Lyc. The Souldier Sir that watches The bodies crucified in this hallow'd place . Of which to lose one , it is death to him , And yet the lustfull knaue is at his Venerie , While one might steale one . Thar. What a slaue was I That held not out my windes strength constantly , That shee would proue thus ? O incredible ? A poore eight-pennie Souldier ? Shee that lately Was at such height of interiection , Stoope now to such a base coniunction ? By heauen I wonder now I see 't in act , My braine could euer dreame of such a thought . And yet , t is true : Rare , pereles , is 't not Lycus ? Lyc. I know not what it is ; Nor what to say . Thar. O had I held out ( villaine that I was , ) My blessed confidence but one minute longer , I should haue beene eternis'd . Gods my fortune , What an vnspeakable sweet sight it is ? O eies I le sacrifice to your deare sense . And consecrate a Phane to Confidence . Lyc. But this you must at no hand tell your brother . T will make him mad : For he that was before So scurg'd but only with bare iealousie . What would he be , if he should come to know it ? Thar. He would be lesse mad : for your only way To cleare his iealousie , is to let him know it . When knowledge comes suspicion vanishes . The Sunne-beames breaking forth swallow the mists . But as for you Sir Gallant ; howsoeuer Your banquet seemes sweet in your lycorous pallat , It shall be sure to turne gall in your maw . Thy hand a little Lycus here without . Lyc. To what ? Thar. No bootie serue you sir Soldado But my poore sister ? Come , lend me thy shoulder , I le climbe the crosse ; it will be such a cooler To my Venerean Gentlemans hot liuer , When he shall finde one of his crucified bodies Stolne downe , and he to be forthwith made fast In place thereof , for the signe Of the lost Sentinell . Come glorifie Firme Confidence in great Inconstancie . And this beleeue ( for all prou'd knowledge sweares ) He that beleeues in errour , neuer errs . Exeunt . The Tomb opens , Lysander , Cynthia , Ero. Lys. T is late ; I must away . Cyn. Not yet sweet loue . Lys.

Tempt not my stay , t is dangerous . The law is strict , and not to bee dispenst with . If any Sentinell be too late in 's watch , or that by his neglect one of the crucified bodies should be stollen from the crosse , his life buyes it .

Cyn. A little stay will not endanger them . The daies proclaimer has not yet giuen warning . The Cock yet has not beate his third alarme . Lys. What ? shall we euer dwell here amongst th' Antipodes ? Shall I not enioy the honour of my fortune in publique ? sit in Lysanders chaire ? Raigne in his wealth ? Cyn. Thou shalt , thou shalt ; though my loue to thee Hath prou'd thus sodaine and for hast lept ouer The complement of wooing , Yet only for the worlds opinion . Lys. Marke that againe . Cyn. I must maintaine a forme in parting hence . Lys.

Out vpon 't , Opinion the blind Goddesse of Fooles , Foe to the vertuous ; and only friend to vndeseruing persons , contemne it . Thou know'st thou hast done vertuously ; thou hast strangly sorrow'd for thy husband , follow'd him to death ; further thou could'st not , thou hast buried thy selfe quick . ( O that 't were true ) spent more teares ouer his carcase , then would serue a whole Citie of saddest widdowes in a plague time ; besides sighings , and swownings , not to be credited .

Cyn.

True ; but those complements might haue their time for fashion sake .

Lys.

Right , Opinion and Fashion . Sfoot what call you time ? t' hast wept these foure whole daies .

Ero.

Nay berladie almost fiue .

Lys.

Looke you there ; nere vpon fiue whole daies .

Cyn.

Well goe and see ; Returne , wee le goe home .

Lys.

Hell be thy home , Huge Monsters damne yee , and your whole creation , O yee Gods ; in the height of her mourning in a Tomb , within sight of so many deaths ! her husbands beleeu'd bodie in her eie . He dead , a few daies before ; this mirrour of Nuptiall chastitie ; this Votresse of widdow-constancie : to change her faith ; exchange kisses , embraces , with a stranger ; and but my shame with-stood , to giue the vtmost earnest of her loue , to an eight-pennie Sentinell : in effect , to prostitute her selfe vpon her husbands Coffin ! Lust , impietie , hell , womanhood it selfe , adde if you can one step to this .

Enter Captaine with two or three Souldiers . Cap.

ONe of the crucified bodies taken downe !

Lys.

Enough . ( slincks away . )

Cap.

And the Sentinell not to be heard off ?

1.

No sir .

Cap.

Make out ; hast , search about for him ; does none of you know him ? nor his name ?

2.

Hee 's but a stranger here of some foure daies standing ; and we neuer set eie on him , but at setting the watch .

Cap.

For whom serues he ? you looke well to your watch masters .

1.

For Seigneur Stratio , and whence he is , t is ignorant to vs ; we are not correspondent for any , but our owne places .

Cap.

Y' are eloquent . Abroad I say , let me haue him . Exeunt . This negligence will by the Gouernour be wholly cast on me , he hereby will suggest to the Viceroy , that the Citie guards are very carelesly attended . He loues mee not I know ; because of late I knew him but of meane condition ; but now by fortunes injudicious hand , guided by bribing Courtiers , hee is rais'd to this high seate of honour . Nor blushes he , to see him selfe aduanc't ouer the heads of ten times higher worths ; but takes it all forsooth , to his merits ; and lookes ( as all vpstarts doe ) for most huge obseruance . Well , my mind must stoope to his high place , and learne within it selfe to seuer him from that , and to adore Authoritie the Goddesse , how euer borne by an vnworthie beast ; and let the Beasts dull apprehension take the honour done to Isis , done to himselfe . I must sit fast , and bee sure to giue no hold to these fault-hunting enemies . Exit .

Tomb opens , and Lysander within lies along , Cynthia and Ero. Lys.

Pray thee disturbe me not ; put out the lights .

Ero.

Faith I le take a nap againe .

Cyn. Thou shalt not rest before I be resolu'd What happy winde hath driuen thee back to harbour ? Was it my loue ? Lys. No . Cyn.

Yet say so ( sweet ) that with the thought thereof I may enioy all that I wish in earth .

Lys.

I am sought for . A crucified body is stolne while I loiter'd here ; and I must die for 't ,

Cyn.

Die ? All the Gods forbid ; O this affright torments me ten parts more then the sad losse of my deare husband .

Lys.

( Damnation ) I beleeue thee .

Cyn. Yet heare a womans wit . Take counsaile of Necessitie and it . I haue a bodie here which once I lou'd And honour'd aboue all ; but that time 's past . Lys. It is , reuenge it heauen . Cyn. That shall supply at so extrem a need the vacant Gibbet . Lys. Canero . What ? thy husbands bodie ? Cyn. What hurt is 't , being dead it saue the liuing ? Lys. O heart hold in , check thy rebellious motion . Cyn. Vexe not thy selfe deare loue , nor vse delay . Tempt not this danger , set thy handes to worke . Lys. I can not doo 't ; my heart will not permit My handes to execute a second murther . The truth is I am he that slew thy husband . Cyn. The Gods forbid . Lys. It was this hand that bath'd my reeking sword In his life bloud , while he cried out for mercie , But I remorslesse , panch't him , cut his throat , He with his last breath crying , Cynthia . Cyn. O thou hast told me newes that cleaues my heart ; Would I had neuer seene thee , or heard sooner This bloudie storie ; yet see , note my truth Yet I must loue thee . Lys. Out vpon the Monster . Goe , tell the Gouernour ; Let me be brought To die for that most famous villanie ; Not for this miching base transgression Of tenant negligence . Cyn. I can not doo 't . Loue must salue any murther : I le be iudge Of thee deare loue , and these shall be thy paines In steede of yron , to suffer these soft chaines . Lys. O I am infinitely oblig'd . Cyn. Arise I say , thou sauer of my life . Doe not with vaine-affrighting conscience Betray a life , that is not thine but mine : Rise and preserue it . Lys. Ha ? thy husbands bodie ? Hang 't vp you say , in steede of that that 's stolne ; Yet I his murtherer , is that your meaning ? Cyn. It is my Loue . Lys. Thy loue amazes me , The point is yet how we shall get it thither , Ha ? Tie a halter about 's necke , and dragge him to the Gallowes : shall I my loue ? Cyn. So you may doe indeede , Or if your owne strength will not serue , wee 'le aide Our handes to yours , and beare him to the place . For heauens loue come , the night goes off apace . Lys. All the infernall plagues dwell in thy soule ; I le fetch a crow of yron to breake the coffin . Cyn. Doe loue , be speedie . Lys. As I wish thy damnation . Shut the Tomb .

O I could teare my selfe into Atomes ; off with this Antick , the shirt that Hercules wore for his wife , was not more banefull . Is 't possible there should be such a latitude in the Sphere of this sexe , to entertaine such an extention of mischiefe , and not turne Deuill . What is a woman ? what are the worst when the best are so past naming ? As men like this let them trie their wiues againe . Put women to the test ; discouer them ; paint them , paint them ten parts more then they doe themselues , rather then looke on them as they are ; Their wits are but painted that dislike their painting . Thou foolish thirster after idle secrets , And ill 's abrode ; looke home , and store & choke thee ; There sticks an Achelons horne of all , Copie enough .

As much as Alizon of streames receiues , Or loftie Ilea showes of shadie leaues . Enter Tharsalio . Who 's that ?
Thar.

I wonder Lycus failes me . Nor can I heare what 's become of him . Hee would not certaine ride to Dipolis to call my brother back , without my knowledge .

Lys.

My brothers voice ; what makes he here abouts so vntimely ? I le slip him . Exiturus .

Thar.

Who goes there ?

Lys.

A friend .

Thar.

Deare friend , le ts know you . A friend least look't for but most welcome , and with many a long looke expected here . What sir vnbooted ? haue you beene long arriu'd ?

Lys.

Not long , some two houres before night .

Thar.

Well brother , y'haue the most rare , admirable , vnmatchable wife , that euer suffer'd for the sinne of a husband . I cannot blame your confidence indeede now : 't is built on such infallible ground ; Lycus I thinke be gone to call you to the rescue of her life ; why shee ! O incomprehensible !

Lysan.

I haue heard all related since my arriuall , wee le meet to morrow .

Thar.

What hast brother ? But was it related with what vntollerable paines , I and my Mistris , her other friends , Matrones and Magistrates , labour'd her diuersion from that course ?

Lys.

Yes , yes .

Thar.

What streams of teares she powr'd out ; what tresses of her haire she tore ! and offer'd on your suppos'd herse !

Lys.

I haue heard all .

Thar.

But aboue all ; how since that time , her eies neuer harbour'd winck of slumber , these sixe daies ; no nor tasted the least dramme of any sustenance .

Lys.

How is that assurd ?

Thar.

Not a scruple .

Lys.

Are you sure there came no Souldier to her nor brought her victualls ?

Thar.

Souldier ? what Souldier ?

Lys.

Why some Souldier of the watch , that attends the executed bodies : well brother I am in hast ; to morrow shall supply this nights defect of conference ; Adieu . Exit . Lys.

Thar.

A Souldier ? of the watch ? bring her victualls ? Goe to brother I haue you in the winde ; hee 's vnharnest of all his trauailing accoutrements . I came directly from 's house , no word of him there ; he knowes the whole relation ; hee 's passionate : All collections speake he was the Souldier . What should be the riddle of this ? that he is stolne hether into a Souldiers disguise ? he should haue staid at Dipolis to receiue news from vs . Whether he suspected our relation ; or had not patience to expect it , or whether that furious , frantique capricious Deuill iealousie hath tost him hether on his hornes , I can not coniecture . But the case is cleare , hee 's the Souldier . Sister , looke to your fame , your chastetie 's vncouer'd . Are they here still ? here beleeue it both most wofully weeping ouer the bottle . He knocks .

Ero.

Who 's there .

Thar.

Tharsalio , open .

Ero.

Alas Sir , t is no boote to vexe your sister , and your selfe , she is desperate , & will not heare perswasion , she 's very weak .

Thar.

Here 's a true-bred chamber-maid . Alas , I am sorrie for 't ; I haue brought her meat and Candian wine to strengthen her .

Ero.

O the very naming an 't , will driue her into a swowne ; good Sir forbeare .

Thar.

Yet open sweet , that I may blesse mine eies with sight of her faire shrine ; and of thy sweetest selfe ( her famous Pandresse ) open I say . Sister ? you heare me well , paint not your Tomb without ; wee know too well what rotten carcases are lodg'd within ; open I say . Ero opens , and hee sees her head layd on the coffin , &c. Sister I haue brought you tidings to wake you out of this sleeping mummerie .

Ero.

Alas shee 's faint , and speech is painefull to her .

Thar.

Well said frubber , was there no Souldier here lately ?

Ero.

A Souldier ? when ?

Thar.

This night , last night , tother night ; and I know not how many nights and daies .

Cyn.

Whos 's there ?

Ero.

Your brother Mistris , that asks if there were not a souldier here .

Cyn.

Here was no souldier .

Ero.

Yes Mistris I thinke here was such a one though you tooke no heede of him .

Thar.

Goe to sister ; did not you ioyne kisses , embraces , and plight indeede with him , the vtmost pledge of Nuptiall loue with him . Deni 't , deni 't ; but first heare me a short storie . The Souldier was your disguis'd husband , dispute it not . That you see yonder , is but a shadow , an emptie chest containing nothing but aire . Stand not to gaze at it , t is true . This was a proiect of his owne contriuing to put your loialtie & constant vowes to the test ; y' are warnd , be arm'd . Exit .

Ero.

O fie a these perils .

Cyn.

O Ero ! we are vndone .

Ero.

Nay , you 'd nere be warn'd ; I euer wisht you to withstand the push of that Souldiers pike , and not enter him too deep into your bosom , but to keep sacred your widowes vowes made to Lysander .

Cyn.

Thou did'st , thou did'st .

Ero.

Now you may see th' euent . Well our safetie lies in our speed : hee le doe vs mischiefe , if we preuent not his comming . Le ts to your Mothers : and there cal out your mightiest friends to guard you from his furie . Let them begin the quarrell with him for practising this villanie on your sexe to intrappe your frailties .

Cyn.

Nay I resolue to sit out one brunt more ; to trie to what aime hee le enforce his proiect : were he some other man , vnknowne to me , his violence might awe me ; but knowing him as I doe , I feare him not . Do thou but second me , thy strength and mine shall master his best force , if he should proue outragious . Despaire they say makes cowardes turne couragious . Shut vp the Tomb . Shut the Tomb .

Enter one of the Souldiers sent out before to seeke the Sentinell . 1.

All paines are lost in hunting out this Souldier ; his fear ( adding wings to his heeles ) out-goes vs as farre as the fresh Hare the tir'd hounds . Who goes there ? Ent. 2. souldier another way

2.

A friend .

1.

O , your successe and mine touching this Sentinell , tells , I suppose , one tale ; hee 's farre enough I vndertake by this time .

2.

I blame him not : the law 's seuere ( though iust and can not be dispenc'd . )

1.

Why should the lawes of Paphos , with more rigour , then other Citie lawes pursue offenders ? that not appeas'd with their liues forfait , exact a iustice of them after death ? And if a Souldier in his watch forsooth lose one of the dead bodies , he must die for 't : It seems the State needed no souldiers when that was made a law .

2.

So we may chide the fire for burning vs ; or say the Bee 's not good because she stings ; T is not the body the law respects , but the souldiers neglect ; when the watch ( the guard and safetie of the Citie ) is left abandon'd to all hazards . But let him goe ; and tell me if your newes sort with mine , for Lycus ; apprehended they say , about Lysanders murther .

1.

T is true ; hee 's at the Captaines lodge vnder guard , and t is my charge in the morning to vnclose the leaden coffin , and discouer the bodie ; The Captaine will assay an old conclusion often approu'd ; that at the murtherers sight the bloud reuiues againe , and boiles a fresh ; and euery wound has a condemning voice to crie out guiltie gainst the murtherer .

2.

O world , if this be true ; his dearest friend , his bed companion , whom of all his friends he cull'd out for his bosome !

1.

Tush man , in this topsie turuy world , friendship and bosom kindnes , are but made couers for mischief , meanes to compasse il . Near-allied trust , is but a bridge for treson . The presumptions crie loud against him ; his answeres found disiointed ; crosselegd tripping vp one another . He names a Town whether he brought Lysander murther'd by Mountainers , that 's false , some of the dwellers haue been here , and all disclaim it . Besides , the wounds he bears in show , are such as shrews closely giue their husbands , that neuer bleede , and finde to be counterfait .

2. O that iade falshood is neuer sound of all ; but halts of one legge still . Truth pace is all vpright ; sound euery where . And like a die , sets euer on a square . And how is Lycus his bearing in this condition ? 1.

Faith ( as the manner of such desperate offenders is till it come to the point ) carelesse , & confident , laughing at all that seeme to pittie him . But leaue it to th' euent . Night fellow Souldier , you le not meet me in the morning at the Tomb , and lend me your hand to the vnrigging of Lysanders herse .

2. I care not if I do , to view heauens power in this vnbottomd seller . Bloud , though it sleep a time , yet neuer dies . The Gods on murtherers fixe reuengefull eies . Exeunt Lysander solus with a crow of yron , and a halter which he laies downe and puts on his disguise againe . COme my borrow'd disguise , let me once more Be reconcild to thee , my trustiest friend ; Thou that in truest shape hast let me see That which my truer selfe hath hid from me , Helpe me to take reuenge on a disguise , Ten times more false and counterfait then thou . Thou , false in show , hast been most true to me ; The seeming true ; hath prou'd more false then her . Assist me to behold this act of lust , Note with a Scene of strange impietie . Her husbands murtherd corse ! O more then horror ! I le not beleeue 't vntri'd ; If shee but lift A hand to act it ; by the fates her braines flie out , Since shee has madded me ; let her beware my hornes . For though by goring her , no hope be showne To cure my selfe , yet I le not bleede alone . He knocks . Ero. Who knocks ? Lys The souldier ; open . she ope�s & he enters See sweet , here are the engines that must doo 't , Which with much feare of my discouerie I haue at last procur'd . Shall we about this worke ? I feare the morne Will ouer-take 's ; my stay hath been prolong'd With hunting obscure nookes for these emploiments , The night prepares away ; Come , art resolu'd . Cyn. I , you shall finde me constant . Lys. I , so I haue , most prodigiously constant , Here 's a rare halter to hugge him with . Ero. Better you and I ioyne our handes and beare him thether , you take his head . Cyn. I , for that was alwaies heauier then 's whole bodie besides Lys. You can tell best that loded it . Ero. I le be at the feet ; I am able to beare against you I warrant you . Lys. Hast thou prepar'd weake nature to digest A sight so much distastfull ; hast ser'd thy heart I bleede not at the bloudie spectacle ? Hast arm'd thy fearefull eies against th' affront Of such a direfull obiect ? Thy murther'd husband ghastly staring on thee ; His wounds gaping to affright thee ; his bodie soild with Gore ? fore heauen my heart shruggs at it . Cyn. So does not mine , Loue 's resolute ; and stands not to consult With pettie terrour ; but in full carrier Runnes blind-fold through an Armie of misdoubts , And interposing feares ; perhaps I le weepe Or so , make a forc't face and laugh againe . Lys. O most valiant loue ! I was thinking with my selfe as I came ; how if this Brake to light ; his bodie knowne ; ( As many notes might make it ) would it not fixe Vpon thy fame , an vnremoued Brand Of shame , and hate ; they that in former times Ador'd thy vertue ; would they not abhorre Thy lothest memorie ? Cyn. All this I know . But yet my loue to thee Swallowes all this ; or whatsoeuer doubts Can come against it . Shame 's but a feather ballanc't with thy loue . Lys. Neither feare nor shame ? you are steele toth ' Proofe ( but I shall yron you ) : Come then le ts to worke . Alas poore Corps how many martyrdomes Must thou endure ? mangl'd by me a villaine , And now expos'd to foule shame of the Gibbet ? Fore , pietie , there is somewhat in me striues Against the deede , my very arme relents To strike a stroke so inhumane , To wound a hallow'd herse ? suppose t were mine , Would not my Ghost start vp and flie vpon thee ? Cyn. No , I 'de mall it down againe with this . She snatches vp the crow . Lys. How now ? He catches at her throat . Cyn. Nay , then I le assay my strength ; a Souldier and a arraid a dead man ? A soft-r'ode milk-sop ? come I le do ot my selfe . Lys. And I looke on ? giue me the yron . Cyn. No , I le not lose the glorie an t . This hand , &c. Lys. Pray thee sweet , let it not bee said the sauage act was thine ; deliuer me the engine . Cyn. Content your selfe , t is in a fitter hand . Lys. Wilt thou first ? art not thou the most . Cyn. Ill-destin'd wife of a transform'd monster ; Who to assure him selfe of what he knew , Hath lost the shape of man . Lys. Ha ? crosse-capers ? Cyn. Poore Souldiers case ; doe not we know you Sir ? But I haue giuen thee what thou cam'st to seeke . Goe Satyre , runne affrighted with the noise Of that harsh sounding horne thy selfe hast blowne , Farewell ; I leaue thee there my Husbands Corps , Make much of that . Exit . cum Er. Lys. What haue I done ? O let me lie and grieue , and speake no more . Captaine , Lycus with a guard of three or foure Souldiers . Cap.

BRing him away ; you must haue patience Sir : If you can say ought to quit you of those presumptions that lie heauie on you , you shall be heard . If not , t is not your braues , nor your affecting lookes can carrie it . We must acquite our duties .

Lyc.

Y' are Captaine a th' watch Sir .

Cap.

You take me right .

Lyc.

So were you best doe mee ; see your presumptions bee strong ; or be assured that shall proue a deare presumption , to brand me with the murther of my friend . But you haue beene suborn'd by some close villaine to defame me .

Cap.

T will not be so put off friend Lycus , I could wish your soule as free from taint of this foule fact ; as mine from any such vnworthy practise .

Lyc.

Conduct mee to the Gouernour him selfe ; to confront before him your shallow accusations .

Cap.

First Sir , I le beare you to Lysanders Tombe , to confront the murther'd body ; and see what euidence the wounds will yeeld against you .

Lyc.

Y' are wise Captaine . But if the bodie should chance not to speake ; If the wounds should bee tongue-tied Captaine ; where 's then your euidence Captaine ? will you not be laught at for an officious Captaine ?

Cap.

Y' are gallant Sir .

Lyc.

Your Captainship commands my seruice no further .

Cap.

Well Sir , perhaps I may , if this conclusion take not ; wee le trie what operation lies in torture , to pull confession from you .

Lyc.

Say you so Captaine ? but hearke you Captaine , Might it not concurre with the qualitie of your office , ere this matter grow to the height of a more threatning danger ; to winck a little at a by slip , or so ?

Cap.

How 's that ?

Lyc.

To send a man abroad vnder guard of one of your silliest shack-rags ; that be may beate the knaue , and run's way . I meane this on good termes Captaine ; I le be thankfull .

Cap.

I le thinke on t hereafter . Meane time I haue other emploiment for you .

Lyc.

Your place is worthily replenisht Captaine . My dutie Sir ; Hearke Captaine , there 's a mutinie in your Armie ; I le go raise the Gouernour . Exiturus .

Cap.

No hast Sir ; hee le soone be here without your summons .

Souldiers thrust vp Lysander from the Tomb . 1.

Bring forth the Knight ath ' Tomb ; haue we meet with you Sir ?

Lys.

Pray thee souldier vse thine office with better temper .

2.

Come conuay him to the Lord Gouernour , First afore the Captaine Sir . Haue the heauens nought else to doe , but to stand still , and turne all their malignant Aspects vpon one man ?

2.

Captaine here 's the Sentinell wee sought for ; hee 's some new prest Souldier , for none of vs know him .

Cap.

Where found you him ?

1.

My truant was mich't Sir into a blind corner of the Tomb .

Cap.

Well said , guard him safe , bur for the Corps .

1.

For the Corps Sir ? bare misprision , there 's no bodie , nothing . A meere blandation ; a deceptio visus . Vnlesse this souldier for hunger haue eate vp Lysanders bodie .

Lyc.

Why , I could haue told you this before Captaine ; The body was borne away peece-meale by deuout Ladies of Venus order , for the man died one of Venus Martys . And yet I heard since 't was seene whole ath ' other side the downes vppon a Colestafe betwixt two huntsmen , to feede their dogges withall . Which was a miracle Captaine .

Cap.

Mischiefe in this act hath a deepe bottom ; and requires more time to sound it . But you Sir , it seemes , are a Souldier of the newest stamp . Know you what t is to forsake your stand ? There 's one of the bodies in your charge stolne away ; how answere you that ? See here comes the Gouernour .

Enter a Guard bare after the Gouernour : Tharsalio , Argus , Clinias , before Eudora , Cynthia , Laodice , Sthenio , Ianthe , Ero , &c. Guard .

STand aside there .

Cap.

Roome for a strange Gouernour . The perfect draught of a most brainelesse , imperious vpstart . O desert ! where wert thou , when this woodden dagger was guilded ouer with the Title of Gouernour ?

Guard .

Peace Masters ; heare my Lord .

Thar.

All wisedome be silent ; Now speakes Authoritie .

Gouer.

I am come in person to discharge Iustice .

Thar.

Of his office .

Gouer.

The cause you shall know hereafter ; and it is this . A villaine , whose very sight I abhorre ; where is he ? Let mee see him .

Cap.

Is 't Lycus you meane my Lord ?

Gouer.

Goe to sirrha y' are too malipert ; I haue heard of your Sentinells escape ; looke too 't .

Cap.

My Lord , this is the Sentinell you speake of .

Gouer.

How now Sir ? what time a day i st ?

Arg.

I can not shew you precisely , an t please your Honour .

Gouer.

What ? shall we haue replications ? Reioinders ?

Thar.

Such a creature , Foole is , when hee bestrides the back of Authoritie .

Gouer.

Sirrha , stand you forth . It is supposed thou hast committed a most inconuenient murther vpon the body of Lysander .

Lyc.

My good Lord , I haue not .

Gouer.

Peace varlet ; dost chop with me ? I say it is imagined thou hast murther'd Lysander . How it will be prou'd I know not . Thou shalt therefore presently bee had to execution , as iustice in such cases requireth . Souldiers take him away : bring forth the Sentinell .

Lyc.

Your Lordship will first let my defence be heard .

Gouer.

Sirrha ; I le no fending nor prouing . For my part I am satisfied , it is so : that 's enough for thee . I had euer a Sympathy in my minde against him .

Let him be had away .

Thar.

A most excellent apprehension . Hee 's able yee see to iudge of a cause at first sight , and heare but two parties . Here 's a second Solon .

Eud. Heare him my Lord ; presumptions oftentimes , ( Though likely grounded ) reach not to the truth . And Truth is oft abus'd by likelyhood . Let him be heard my Lord . Gouer.

Madam , content your selfe . I will doe iustice ; I will not heare him . Your late Lord , was my Honourable Predecessour : But your Ladiship must pardon me . In matters of iustice I am blinde .

Thar.

That 's true .

Gouer.

I know no persons . If a Court fauourite write to mee in a case of iustice : I will pocket his letter , and proceede . If a Suiter in a case of iustice thrusts a bribe into my hand , I will pocket his bribe , and proceede . Therefore Madam , set your heart at rest : I am seated in the Throne of iustice ; and I will doe iustice ; I will not heare him .

Eud.

Not heare him my Lord ?

Gouer.

No my Ladie : and moreouer put you in mind , in whose presence you stand ; if you Parrat to me long ; goe to .

Thar.

Nay the Vice must snap his Authoritie at all he meetes , how shalt else be knowne what part he plaies ?

Gouer.

Your husband was a Noble Gentleman , but Alas hee came short , hee was no Statesman . Hee has left a foule Citie behinde him .

Thar.

I , and I can tell you t will trouble his Lordship and all his Honorable assistants of Seauingers to sweepe it cleane .

Gouer.

It 's full of vices , and great ones too .

Thar.

And thou none of the meanest .

Gouer.

But I le turne all topsie turuie ; and set vp a new discipline amongst you . I le cut of all perisht members .

Thar.

That 's the Surgeons office .

Gouer.

Cast out these rotten stinking carcases for infecting the whole Citie .

Arg.

Rotten they may be , but their wenches vse to pepper them ; and their Surgeons to perboile them ; and that preserues them from stinking , an t please your Honour .

Gouer.

Peace Sirrha , peace ; and yet t is well said too . A good pregnant fellow yfaith . But to proceede . I will spew drunkennesse out ath ' Citie .

Thar.

In to th' Countrie .

Gouer.

Shifters shall cheate and sterue ; And no man shall doe good but where there is no neede . Braggarts shall liue at the head ; and the tumult that hant Tauernes . Asses shall beare good qualities , and wise men shall vse them . I will whip lecherie out ath ' Citie , there shall be no more Cuckolds . They that heretofore were errand Cornutos , shall now bee honest shop-keepers , and iustice shall take place . I will hunt ielousie out of my Dominion .

Thar.

Doe heare Brother ?

Gouer.

It shall be the only note of loue to the husband , to loue the wife : And none shall be more kindly welcome to him then he that cuckolds him .

Thar.

Beleeue it a wholsome reformation .

Gouer.

I le haue no more Beggers . Fooles shall haue wealth , and the learned shall liue by their wits . I le haue no more Banckrouts . They that owe money shall pay it at their best leisure : And the rest shall make a vertue of imprisonment ; and their wiues shall helpe to pay their debts . I le haue all yong widdowes spaded for marrying againe . For the old and wither'd , they shall be confiscate to vnthriftie Gallants , and decai'd Knights . If they bee poore they shall bee burnt to make sope ashes , or giuen to Surgeons Hall , to bee stampt to salue for the French mesells . To conclude , I will Cart pride out ath ' Towne .

Arg.

An t please your Honour Pride an t be nere so beggarly will looke for a Coch .

Gouer.

Well said a mine Honour . A good significant fellow yfaith : What is he ? he talkes much ; does he follow your Ladiship ?

Arg.

No an t please your Honour , I goe before her .

Gouer,

A good vndertaking presence ; A well-promising fore head , your Gentleman Vsher Madam ?

Eud.

Yours if you please my Lord .

Gouer.

Borne i th' Citie ?

Arg.

I an t please your Honour , but begot i th' Court .

Gouer.

Tressellegg'd ?

Arg.

I , an t please your Honour .

Gouer.

The better , it beares a bredth ; makes roome a both sides . Might I not see his pace ? Argus stalkes .

Arg.

Yes an t please your Honour .

Gouer.

T is well , t is very well . Giue me thy hand : Madame I will accept this propertie at your hand , and wil weare it thred-bare for your sake . Fall in there , sirrha . And for the matter of Lycus Madam , I must tell you , you are shallow : there 's a State point in 't ? hearke you : The Viceroy has giuen him , and wee must vphold correspondence . Hee must walke ; say one man goes wrongfully out ath ' world , there are hundreds to one come wrongfully into th' world .

Eud.

Your Lordship will giue me but a word in priuate .

Thar.

Come brother ; we know you well : what meanes this habite ? why staid you not at Dipolis as you resolu'd , to take aduertisement for vs of your wiues bearing ?

Lys.

O brother , this iealous phrensie has borne mee headlong to ruine .

Thar.

Go to , be comforted ; vncase your selfe ; and discharge your friend .

Gouer.

Is that Lysander say you ? And is all his storie true ? Berladie Madam this iealousie will cost him deare : he vndertooke the person of a Souldier ; and as a Souldier must haue iustice . Madam , his Altitude in this case can not dispence . Lycus , this Souldier hath acquited you .

Thar.

And that acquitall I le for him requite ; the body lost , is by this time restor'd to his place .

Soul.

It is my Lord .

Thar.

These are State points , in which your Lordships time has not yet train'd your Lordship ; please your Lordships graces Nuptiall we haue now in hand .

Hylus and Laodice stand together . Twixt this yong Ladie and this Gentleman . Your Lordship there shall care the ample storie . And how the Asse wrapt in a Lyons skin Fearefully rord , but his large eares appeard And made him laught at , that before was feard .
Gouer. I le goe with you . For my part , I am at a non plus . Eudora whispers with Cynthia ! Thar. Come brother ; Thanke the Countesse : shee hath suet to make your peace . Sister give me your hand . So ; Brother let your lips compound the strife , And thinke you haue the only constant Wife . Exeunt .
FINIS .
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Nowforth none could light a torch but at her nose . Now forth : At this house dwells a vertuous Dame , chasteies that Madam , I haue presum'd to offend your chast eies with my presence . Hearing it reported iniudicious of meane condition ; but now by fortunes injudicious hand , guided by bribing Courtiers , hee hastser'd nature to digest A sight so much distastfull ; hast ser'd thy heart I bleede not at the bloudie lechefie and wise men shall vse them . I will whip lecherie out ath' Citie , there shall be no more
A03515 ---- Homer's Odysses. Translated according to ye Greeke by. Geo: Chapman Odyssey. Book 1-24. English. Chapman Homer. 1615 Approx. 972 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 195 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2005-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A03515 STC 13637 ESTC S118235 99853443 99853443 18826 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A03515) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 18826) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 840:01) Homer's Odysses. Translated according to ye Greeke by. Geo: Chapman Odyssey. Book 1-24. English. Chapman Homer. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [10], 194, [2], 195-376, [2] p. By Rich: Field [and W. Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, Imprinted at London : [1615?] Another issue, adding books 13-24, of the 1614 edition which includes only books 1-12. In verse. Printer's name supplied and publication date conjectured by STC. The title page is engraved. A cancel letterpress title page is occasionally found, but properly belongs with STC 13624.5.--STC. Imperfect; lacks leaf R8. Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Greek poetry -- Translations into English -- Early works to 1800. 2002-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-10 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-11 Mona Logarbo Sampled and proofread 2003-05 Aptara Rekeyed and resubmitted 2004-10 Ben Griffin Sampled and proofread 2004-10 Ben Griffin Text and markup reviewed and edited 2005-01 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion HOMER'S ODYSSES. Translated according to the Greeke By Geo : Chapman At mihi q d Viuo detraxerit Jnuida Turba Post obitum duplici foenore reddet Honos . Imprinted at London by Rich : Field , for Nathaniell Butter . TO THE MOST WORTHILY HONORED ▪ MY SINGVLAR GOOD LORD , ROBERT , Earle of SOMERSET , Lord Chamberlaine , &c. I Haue aduentured ( Right Noble Earle ) out of my vtmost , and euer-vowed seruice to your Vertues , to entitle their Merits to the Patronage of Homers English life : whose wisht naturall life , the great Macedon would haue protected , as the spirit of his Empire , That he to his vnmeasur'd mightie Acts , Might adde a Fame as vast ; and their extracts , In fires as bright , and endlesse as the starres , His breast might breathe ; and thunder out his warres . But that great Monarks loue of fame and praise , Receiues an enuious Cloud in our foule daies : For since our Great ones , ceasse themselues to do Deeds worth their praise ; they hold it folly too , To feed their praise in others . But what can ( Of all the gifts that are ) be giuen to man , More precious then Eternitie and Glorie , Singing their praises , in vnsilenc't storie ? Which No blacke Day , No Nation , nor no Age ; No change of Time or Fortune , Force , nor Rage , Shall euer race ? All which , the Monarch knew , Where Homer liu'd entitl'd , would ensew : — Cuius de gurgite viuo Combibit arcanos vatum 〈◊〉 turba furores , &c. From whose deepe Fount of life , the thirstie rout Of Thespian Prophets , haue lien sucking out Their sacred rages . And as th'influent stone Of Father Ioues great and laborious Sonne , Lifts high the heauie Iron ; and farre implies The wide Orbs ; that the Needle rectifies , In vertuous guide of euery sea-driuen course , To all aspiring , his one boundlesse force : So from one Homer , all the holy fire , That euer did the hidden heate inspire In each true Muse , came cleerly sparkling downe , And must for him , compose one flaming Crowne . He , at Ioues Table set , fils out to vs , Cups that repaire Age , sad and minous ; And giues it Built , of an eternall stand , With his all-sinewie Odyssaean hand . Shifts Time , and Fate ; puts Death in Lifes free state ; And Life doth into Ages propagate . He doth in Men , the Gods affects inflame ; His fuell Vertue , blowne by Praise and Fame : And with the high soules , first impulsions driuen , Breakes through rude Chaos , Earth , the Seas , and Heauen . The Nerues of all things hid in Nature , lie Naked before him ; all their Harmonie Tun'd to his Accents ; that in Beasts breathe Minds . What Fowles , what Floods , what Earth , what Aire , what Winds , What fires Aethereall , what the Gods conclude In all their Counsels , his Muse makes indude With varied voices , that e●en rockes haue mou'd . And yet for all this , ( naked Vertue lou'd ) Honors without her , he , as abiect , prises ; And foolish Fame , deriu'd from thence , despises . When from the vulgar , taking glorious bound , Vp to the Mountaine , where the Muse is crownd ; He sits and laughs , to see the iaded Rabble , Toile to his hard heights , t' all accesse vnable . &c. And that your Lordship may in his Face , take view of his Mind : the first word of his Iliads , is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wrath : the first word of his Odysses , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Man : contracting in either word , his each workes Proposition . In one , Predominant Perturbation ; in the other , ouer-ruling Wisedome : in one , the Bodies feruour and fashion of outward Fortitude , to all possible height of Heroicall Action ; in the other , the Minds inward , constant , and vnconquerd Empire ; vnbroken , vnalterd , with any most insolent , and tyrannous infliction . To many most souer aigne praises is this Poeme entitled ; but to that Grace in chiefe , which sets on the Crowne , both of Poets and Orators ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : that is , Parua magnè dicere ; peruulgata nouè ; ieiuna plenè : To speake things litle , greatly ; things commune , rarely ; things barren and emptie , fruitfully and fully . The returne of a man into his Countrie , is his whole scope and obiect ; which , in it selfe , your Lordship may well say , is ieiune and fruitlesse enough ; affoording nothing feastfull , nothing magnificent . And yet euen this , doth the diuine inspiration , render vast , illustrous , and of miraculous composure . And for this ( my Lord ) is this Poeme preferred to his Iliads : for therein much magnificence , both of person and action , giues great aide to his industrie ; but in this , are these helpes , exceeding sparing , or nothing ; and yet is the Structure so elaborate , and pompous , that the poore plaine Groundworke ( considered together ) may seeme the naturally rich wombe to it , and produce it needfully . Much wonderd at therefore , is the Censure of Dionysius Longimus ( a man otherwise affirmed , graue , and of elegant iudgement ) comparing Homer in his Iliads , to the Sunne rising ; in his Odysses , to his descent or setting . Or to the Ocean robd of his aesture ; many tributorie flouds and riuers of excellent ornament , withheld from their obseruance . When this his worke so farre exceeds the Ocean , with all his Court and concourse ; that all his Sea , is onely a seruiceable streame to it . Nor can it be compared to any One power to be named in nature ; being an entirely wel-sorted and digested Confluence of all . Where the most solide and graue , is made as nimble and fl●ent , as the most airie and firie ; the nimble and fluent , as firme and well bounded as the most graue and solid . And ( taking all together ) of so tender impression , and of such Command to the voice of the Muse ; that they knocke heauen with her breath , and discouer their foundations as low as hell . Nor is this all-comprising Poesie , phantastique , or meere fictiue ; but the most material , and doctrinall illations of Truth ; both for all manly information of Manners in the yong ; all prescription of Iustice , and euen Christian pietie , in the most graue and high-gouernd . To illustrate both which , in both kinds , with all height of expression , the Poet creates both a Bodie and a Soule in them . Wherein , if the Bodie ( being the letter , or historie ) seemes fictiue , and beyond Possibilitie to bring into Act : the sence then and Allegorie ( which is the Soule ) is to be sought : which intends a more eminent express●re of Vertue , for her louelinesse ; and of Vice for her vglinesse , in their seuer all effects ; going beyond the life , then any Art within life , can possibly delineate . Why then is Fiction , to this end , so hatefull to our true Ignorants ? Or why should a poore Chronicler of a Lord Maiors naked Truth , ( that peraduenture will last his yeare ) include more worth with our ●oderne wizerds , then Homer for his naked Vlysses , clad in eternall Fiction ? But this Prozer Dionysius , and the rest of these graue , and reputatiuely learned , ( that dare vndertake for their grauities , the headstrong censure of all things ; and challenge the vnderstanding of these Toyes in their childhoods : when euen these childish vanities , retaine deepe and most necessarie learning enough in them , to make them children in their ages , and teach them while they liue ) are not in these absolutely di●ine Infusions , allowd either voice or relish : for , Qui Poeticas ad fores accedit , &c. ( sayes the Diuine Philosopher ) he that knocks at the Gates of the Muses ; sine Musarum furore ; is neither to be admitted entrie , nor a touch at their Thresholds : his opinion of entrie , ridiculous , and his presumption impious . Nor must Poets themselues ( might I a litle insist on these contempts ▪ not tempting too farre your Lordships Vlyssean patience ) presume to these doores , without the truly genuine , and peculiar induction ▪ There being in Poesie a twofold rapture , ( or alienation of soule , as the abouesaid Te●cher termes it ) one Insania , a disease of the mind , and a meere madnesse , by which the infected is thrust beneath all the degrees of humanitie : & ex homine , Brutum quodammodo redditur : ( for which , poore Poesie , in this diseasd and impostorous age , is so barbarously vilified ) the other is , Diuinus furor ; by which the sound and 〈◊〉 healthfull , supra hominis naturam erigitur , & in Deum transit . One a perfection directly infused from God : the other an infection , obliquely and degenerately proceeding from man. Of the diuine Furie ( my Lord ) your Homer hath euer bene , both first and last Instance ; being pronounced absolutely , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the most wise and most diuine Poet. Against whom , whosoeuer shall open his prophane mouth , may worthily receiue answer , with this of his diuine defender ; ( Empedocles , Heraclitus , Protagoras , Epichar : &c. being of Homers part ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. who against such an Armie , and the Generall Homer dares attempt the assault , but he must be reputed ridiculous ? And yet against this hoast , and this inuincible Commander , shall we haue euery Besogne and foole a Leader . The common herd ( I assure my self ) readie to receiue it on their hornes . Their infected Leaders , Such men , as sideling ride the ambling Muse ; Whose saddle is as frequent as the stuse . Whose Raptures are in euery Pageant seene ; In euery Wassall rime , and Dancing greene : When he that writes by any beame of Truth , Must diue as deepe as he ; past shallow youth . Truth dwels in Gulphs , whose Deepes hide shades so rich , That Night sits muffl'd there , in clouds of pitch : More Darke then Nature made her ; and requires ( To cleare her tough mists ) Heauens great fire of fires ; To whom , the Sunne it selfe is but a Beame . For sicke soules then ( but rapt in foolish Dreame ) To wrestle with these Heau'n-strong mysteries ; What madnesse is it ? when their light , serues eies That are not worldly , in their least aspect ; But truly pure ; and aime at Heauen , direct . Yet these , none like ; but what the brazen head Blatters abroad ; no sooner borne , but dead . Holding then in eternal contempt ( my Lord ) those short-liued Bubbles ; eternize your vertue and iudgement with the Grecian Monark ; esteeming , not as the least of your New-yeares Presents , Homer ( three thousand yeares dead ) now reuiu'd , Euen from that dull Death , that in life he liu'd ; When none conceited him ; none vnderstood , That so much life , in so much death as blood Conueys about it , could mixe . But when Death Drunke vp the bloudie Mist , that humane breath Pour'd round about him ( Pouertie and Spight , Thickning the haplesse vapor ) then Truths light Glimmerd about his Poeme : the pincht soule , ( Amidst the Mysteries it did enroule ) Brake powrefully abroad . And as we see The Sunne all hid in clouds , at length , got free , Through some forc't couert , ouer all the wayes , Neare and beneath him , shootes his vented rayes Farre off , and stickes them in some litle Glade ; All woods , fields , riuers , left besides in shade : So your Apollo , from that world of light , Closde in his Poems bodie ; shot to sight Some few forc't Beames ; which neare him , were not seene , ( As in his life or countrie ) Fate and Spleene , Clouding their radiance ; which when Death had clear'd ; To farre off Regions , his free beames appear'd : In which , all stood and wonderd ; striuing which , His Birth and Rapture , should in right enrich . Twelue Labours of your Thespian Hercules , I now present your Lordship : Do but please To lend Life meanes , till th' other Twelue receaue Equall atchieuement ; and let Death then reaue My life now lost in our Patrician Loues , That knocke heads with the herd : in whom there moues One blood , one soule : both drownd in one set height Of stupid Enuie , and meere popular Spight . Whose loues , with no good , did my least veine fill ; And from their hates , ● I feare as little ill . Their Boun●●es nourish not , when most they feed , But where there is no Merit , or no Need : Raine into riuers still ; and are such showres , As bubbles spring , and ouerflow the flowres . Their worse parts , and worst men , their Best subornes , Like winter Cowes , whose milke runnes to their hornes . And as litigious Clients bookes of Law , Cost infinitely ; taste of all the Awe , Bencht in our kingdomes Policie , Pietie , State ; Earne all their deepe explorings ; satiate All sorts there thrust together by the heart , With thirst of wisedome , spent on either part : Horrid examples made of Life and Death , From their fine stuffe wouen : yet when once the breath Of sentence leaues them , all their worth is drawne As drie as dust ; and weares like Cobweb Lawne : So these men set a price vpon their worth , That no man giues , but those that trot it forth , Through Needs foule wayes ; feed Humors , with all cost , Though Iudgement sterues in them : Rout : State engrost ( At all Tabacco benches , solemne Tables , Where all that crosse their Enuies , are their fables ) In their ranke faction : Shame , and Death approu'd Fit Penance for their Opposites : none lou'd But those that rub them : not a Reason heard , That doth not sooth and glorifie their preferd Bitter Opinions . When , would Truth resume The cause to his hands ; all would flie in fume Before his sentence ; since the innocent mind , Iust God makes good ; to whom their worst is wind . For , that I freely all my Thoughts expresse , My Conscience is my Thousand witnesses : And to this stay , my constant Comforts vow ; You for the world I haue , or God for you . Certaine ancient Greeke Epigrammes T●anslated . 〈◊〉 starres are 〈◊〉 vp by the firie S●nne ; And in so much a flame , lies 〈◊〉 the Moone : : 〈…〉 Name , all 〈…〉 Death ; 〈…〉 Another . Heau'ns fires 〈…〉 〈◊〉 his Sphere ; Graue Night , the light ●eed of the Day shall 〈◊〉 : Fresh streames shall chace the 〈…〉 shall teare Her fishie bottomes : Men , in long date dead , Shall rise , and 〈…〉 Another . The great Maeonides doth onely write ; And to him dictates , the great God of Light. Another . Seuen kingdomes str●●e , in which should swell the wombe That bore great Homer ; whom Fame freed from Tombe : Argos , Chius , Pylos , Smyrna , Colophone ; The learn'd Athenian , and Vlyssean Throne . Another . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 THE FIRST BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Gods in counsaile sit , to call Vlysses from Calypso's thrall ; And order their high pleasures , thus ; Gray Pallas , to Telemachus ( In Ithaca ) her way addrest ; And did her heauenly lims inuest In Menta's likenesse ; that did raigne King of the Taphians ( in the Maine , Whose rough waues neare Leucadia runne ) Aduising wise Vlysses sonne To seeke his father ; and addresse His course to yong Tantalides That gouern'd Sparta . Thus much said , She shewd she was Hea●'ns martiall Maid , And vanisht from him . Next to this , The Banquet of the wooers is . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The Deities sit ; The Man retir'd ▪ Th'Vlyssean wit , By Pallas fir'd . THe Man ( O Muse ) informe , that many a way , Wound with his wisedome to his wished stay . That wanderd wondrous farre , when , He , the towne Of sacred Troy , had sackt , and shiuerd downe . The cities of a world of nations , With all their manners , mindes , and fashions He saw and knew . At Sea felt many woes ; Much care sustaind , to saue from ouerthrowes Himselfe , and friends , in their retreate for home . But so , their fates , he could not ouercome , Though much he thirsted it . O men vnwise , They perisht by their owne impieties , That in their hungers rapine would not shunne The Oxen of the loftie-going Sunne : Who therefore from their eyes , the day bereft Of safe returne . These acts in some part left , Tell vs , as others , deified seed of Ioue . Now all the rest that austere Death out-stroue At Troys long siege , at home safe anchor'd are , Free from the malice both of sea and warre ; Onely Vlysses is denide accesse To wife and home . The Grace of Goddesses The reuerend Nymph C●lypso did detaine Him in her Ca●●es : past all the race of men , Enflam'd to make him her lou'd Lord and Spouse . And when the Gods had destin'd that his house , Which Ithaca on her rough bosome beares , ( The point of time wrought out by ambient yeares ) Should be his hauen ; Contention still extends Her enuie to him , euen amongst his friends . All Gods tooke pitie on him : onely he That girds Earth in the cincture of the sea , Diuine Vlysses euer did enuie , And made the fixt port of his birth to flie . But he himselfe solemniz'd a retreate To th'Aethiops , farre dissunderd in their seate ; ( In two parts parted ; at the Sunnes descent , And vnderneath his golden Orient , The first and last of men ) t' enioy their feast Of buls and lambes , in Hecatombs addrest : At which he sat , giuen ouer to Delight . The other Gods , in heauens supreamest height Were all in Councell met : To whom began The mightie Father , both of God and man , Discourse , inducing matter , that inclin'd To wise Vlysses ; calling to his mind a Faultfull Aegisthus , who to death was done , By yong Orestes , Agamemnons sonne . His memorie to the Immortals then , Mou'd Ioue thus deeply : O how falsly , men Accuse vs Gods , as authors of their ill , When , by the bane their owne bad liues instill , They suffer all the miseries of their states , Past our inflictions , and beyond their fates . As now Aegisthus , past his fate , did wed The wife of Agamemnon ; and ( in dread To suffer death himselfe ) to shunne his ill , Incurr'd it by the loose bent of his will , In slaughtering Atrides in retreate . Which , we foretold him , would so hardly set To his murtherous purpose ; sending Mercurie ( That slaughterd Argus ) our considerate spie , To giue him this charge : Do not wed his wife , Nor murther him ; for thou shalt buy his life , With ransome of thine owne ; imposde on thee By his Orestes ; when , in him shall be Atrides selfe renewd ; and but the prime Of youths spring put abroad ; in thirst to clime His haughtie Fathers throne , by his high acts . These words of Hermes , wrought not into facts Aegisthus powres ; good counsell he despisde , And to that Good , his ill is sacrifisde . Pall●s ( whose eyes did sparkle like the skies ) Answerd : O Sire ! supreame of Deities ; Aegisthus past his Fate , and had desert To warrant our infliction ; and conuert May all the paines , such impious men inflict On innocent sufferers ; to reuenge as strict , Their owne hearts eating . But , that Ithacus ( Thus neuer meriting ) should suffer thus ; I deeply suffer . His more pious mind Diuides him from these fortunes . Though vnkind Is Pietie to him , giuing him a fate , More suffering then the most infortunate ; So long kept friendlesse , in a sea-girt soile , Where the seas nauile is a syluane I le , In which the Goddesse dwels , that doth deriue Her birth from Atlas ; who , of all aliue , The motion and the fashion doth command , With his b wise mind , whose forces vnderstand The inmost deepes and gulfes of all the seas : Who ( for his skill of things superiour ) stayes The two steepe Columnes that ●rop earth and heauen . His daughter t is , who holds this c homelesse-driuen , Still mourning with her . Euermore profuse Of soft and winning speeches ; that abuse And make so d languishingly , and possest With so remisse a mind ; her loued guest Manage the action of his way for home . Where he ( though in affection ouercome ) In iudgement yet ; more longs to shew his hopes , His countries smoke leape from her chimney tops , And death askes in her armes . Yet neuer shall Thy lou'd heart be conuerted on his thrall , ( Austere Oly 〈◊〉 : ) did not euer he , In ample Troy , thy altars gratifie ? And Grecians Fleete make in thy offerings swim ? O 〈◊〉 , why still then burnes thy wrath to him ? The Cloud-assembler answerd : What words flie ( Bold daughter ) from thy Pale of e Ivorie ? As if I euer could cast from my care Diuine Vlysses , who exceeds so farre All men in wisedome ? and so oft hath giuen To all th'Immortals thron'd in ample heauen , So great and sacred gifts ? But his decrees , That holds the earth in with his nimble knees , Stand to Vlysses longings so extreme , For taking from the God-foe Polyphe●e His onely eye ; a Cyclop , that excell'd All other Cyclops : with whose burthen swell'd The Nymph Th●osa ; the diuine increase Of Phorcis seed , a great God of the seas . She mixt with Neptune in his hollow caues , And bore this Cyclop to that God of waues . For whose lost eye , th'Earth-shaker did not kill Erring Vlysses ; but reserues him still In life for more death . But vse we our powres , And round about vs cast these cares of ours , All to discouer how we may preferre His wisht retreate ; and Nept●ne make forbeare His sterne eye to him : since no one God can In spite of all , preuaile , but gainst a man. To this , this answer made the gray-eyd Maide : Supreame of rulers , since so well apaide The blessed Gods are all then , now , in thee To limit wise Vlysses miserie ; And that you speake , as you referd to me Prescription for the meanes ; in this sort be Their sacred order : let vs now addresse With vtmost speed , our swift Argicides , To tell the Nymph that beares the golden Tres●e In th'ile Ogygia , that t is our will She should not stay our lou'd Vlysses still ; But suffer his returne : and then will I To Ithaca , to make his sonne apply His Sires inquest the more ; infusing force Into his soule , to summon the concourse Of curld-head Greekes to counsaile : and deterre Each wooer that hath bene the slaughterer Of his fat sheepe and crooked-headed beeues , From more wrong to his mother ; and their leaues Take in such termes , as fit deserts so great . To Sparta then , and Pylos , where doth beate Bright Amathus , the flood and epithete To all that kingdome ; my aduice shall send The spirit-aduanc'd Prince , to the pious end Of seeking his lost father ; if he may Receiue report from Fame , where rests his stay ; And make , besides , his owne successiue worth , Knowne to the world ; and set in action forth . This said , her wingd shooes to her feete she tied , Formd all of gold , and all eternified ; That on the round earth , or the sea , sustaind Her rauisht substance , swift as gusts of wind . Then tooke she her strong Lance , with steele made keene , Great , massie , actiue , that whole hoasts of men ( Though all Heroes ) conquers ; if her ire Their wrongs inflame , backt by so great a Sire . Downe from Olympus tops , she headlong diu'd ; And swift as thought , in Ithaca arriu'd , Close at Vlysses gates ; in whose first court , She made her stand ; and for her breasts support , Leand on her iron Lance : her forme imprest With Mentas likenesse , come , as being a guest . There found she those proud wooers , that were then Set on those Oxe-hides that themselues had slaine , Before the gates ; and all at dice were playing . To them the heralds , and the rest obaying , Fill'd wine and water ; some , still as they plaid ; And some , for solemne suppers stare , puruaid ; With porous sponges , clensing tables , seru'd With much rich feast ; of which to all they keru'd . God-like Telemachus , amongst them sat , Grieu'd much in mind ; and in his heart begat All representment of his absent Sire ; How ( come from far-off parts ) his spirits would fire With those proud wooers sight , with slaughter parting Their bold concourse ; and to himselfe conuerting The honors they vsurpt , his owne commanding . In this discourse , he , first , saw Pallas standing Vnbidden entrie : vp rose , and addrest His pace right to her ; angrie that a guest Should stand so long at gate : and coming neare , Her right hand tooke ; tooke in his owne , her speare ; And thus saluted : Grace to your repaire , ( Faire guest ) your welcome shall be likewise faire . Enter , and ( chear'd with feast ) disclose th' intent That causde your coming . This said ; first he went , And Pallas followd . To a roome they came , Steepe , and of state ; the Iauelin of the Dame , He set against a pillar , vast and hie , Amidst a large and bright-kept Armorie , Which was , besides , with woods of Lances grac'd , Of his graue fathers . In a throne , he plac'd The man-turnd Goddesse ; vnder which was spred A Carpet , rich , and of deuicefull thred ; A footstoole staying her feete ; and by her chaire , Another seate ( all garnisht wondrous faire , To rest , or sleepe on in the day ) he set Farre from the prease of wooers ; lest at meate The noise they still made , might offend his guest , Disturbing him at banquet or at rest , Euen to his combat , with that pride of theirs , That kept no noble forme in their affaires . And these he set farre from them , much the rather To question freely of his absent father . A Table fairely polisht then , was spread , On which a reuerend officer set bread ; And other seruitors , all sorts of meate , ( Salads , and flesh , such as their haste could get ) Seru'd with obseruance in . And then the S●wre , Prowr'd water from a great and golden Ewre , That from their hands , t' a siluer Caldron ran ; Both washt , and seated close ; the voicefull man Fetcht cups of gold , and set by them ; and round Those cups with wine , with all endeuour crownd . Then rusht in the rude wooers ; themselues plac't ; The heralds water gaue ; the maids in haste Seru'd bread from baskets . When , of all prepar'd , And set before them ; the bold wooers shar'd ; Their Pages plying their cups , past the rest . But lustie wooers must do more then feast ; For now ( their hungers and their thirsts allaid ) They call'd for songs , and Dances . Those , they said , Were th' ornaments of feast . The herald strait A Harpe , caru'd full of artificiall sleight , Thrust into Phemius ( a learnd singers ) hand , Who , till he much was vrg'd , on termes did stand ; But after , plaid and sung with all his art . Telemachus , to Pallas then ( apart , His eare inclining close , that none might heare ) In this sort said : My Guest , exceeding deare , Will you not sit incenst , with what I say ? These are the cares these men take ; feast and play : Which easly they may vse , because they eate , Free , and vnpunisht , of anothers meate . And of a mans , whose white bones wasting lie In some farre region , with th'incessancie Of showres powr'd downe vpon them ; lying ashore ; Or in the seas washt nak'd . Who , if he wore Those bones with flesh , and life , and industrie ; And these , might here in Ithaca , set eye On him returnd ; they all would wish to be , Either past other , in celeritie Of feete and knees ; and not contend t' exceed In golden garments . But his vertues feed The fate of ill death : nor is left to me The least hope of his lifes recouerie ; No not , if any of the mortall race Should tell me his returne ; the chearfull face Of his returnd day , neuer will appeare . But tell me ; and let Truth , your witnesse beare ; Who ? and from whence you are ? what cities birth ? What parents ? In what vessell set you forth ? And with what mariners arriu'd you here ? I cannot thinke you a foote passenger . Recount then to me all ; to teach me well , Fit vsage for your worth . And if it fell In chance now first that you thus see vs here , Or that in former passages you were My fathers guest ? For many men haue bene Guests to my father . Studious of men , His sociable nature euer was . On him againe , the grey-eyd Maide did passe This kind reply ; I le answer passing true , All thou hast askt : My birth , his honour drew From wise Anchialus . The name I beare , Is Mentas , the commanding Ilander Of all the Taphians , studious in the art Of Nauigation . Hauing toucht this part With ship and men ; of purpose to maintaine Course through the darke seas , t'other languag'd men . And Temesis sustaines the cities name , For which my ship is bound ; made knowne by fame , For rich in brasse ; which my occasions need ; And therefore bring I shining steele in steed , Which their vse wants ; yet makes my vessels freight ; That neare a plowd field , rides at anchors weight , Apart this citie , in the harbor calld Rethrus , whose waues , with Neius woods are walld . Thy Sire and I , were euer mutuall guests , At eithers house , still interchanging feasts . I glorie in it . Aske , when thou shalt see Laertes , th' old Her●e , these of mee , From the beginning . He , men say , no more Visits the Citie ; but will needs deplore His sonnes beleeu'd losse , in a priuate field ; One old maide onely , at his hands to yeeld Foode to his life , as oft as labour makes His old limbs faint ; which though he creepes , he takes Along a fruitfull plaine , set all with vines , Which , husbandman-like ( though a King ) he proines . But now I come to be thy fathers guest ; I heare he wanders , while these wooers feast . And ( as th'Immortals prompt me at this houre ) I le tell thee , out of a prophetique powre , ( Not as profest a Prophet , nor cleare seene At all times , what shall after chance to men ) What I conceiue , for this time , will be true : The Gods inflictions keepe your Sire from you . Diuine Vlysses , yet , abides not dead Aboue earth , nor beneath ; nor buried In any seas , ( as you did late conceiue ) But , with the broad sea sieg'd , is kept aliue Within an I le , by rude and vp-land men , That in his spite , his passage home detaine . Yet long it shall not be , before he tred His countries deare earth ; though solicited , And held from his returne , with iron chaines . For he hath wit to forge a world of traines , And will , of all , be sure to make good one , For his returne , so much relide vpon . But tell me , and be true : Art thou indeed So much f a sonne , as to be said the seed Of Ithacus himselfe ? Exceeding much Thy forehead and faire eyes , at his forme touch : For oftentimes we met , as you and I Meete at this houre ; before he did apply His powres for Troy. When other Grecian States , In hollow ships were his associates . But since that time , mine eyes could neuer see Renowmd Vlysses ; nor met his with me . The wise Telemachus againe replide : You shall withall I know , be satisfide . My mother , certaine , sayes I am his sonne : I know not ; nor was euer simply knowne By any child , the sure truth of his Sire . But would my veines had tooke in liuing fire From some man happie , rather then one wise , Whom age might see seizd , of what youth made prise . But he , whoeuer of the mortall race Is most vnblest , he holds my fathers place . This , since you aske , I answer . She , againe : The Gods sure did not make the future straine Both of thy race and dayes , obscure to thee , Since thou wert borne so of Penelope . The stile may by thy after acts be wonne , Of so great Sire , the high vndoubted sonne . Say truth in this then : what 's this feasting here ? What all this rout ? Is all this nuptiall cheare ? Or else some friendly banquet made by thee ? For here no shots are , where all sharers be . Past measure contumeliously , this crew Fare through thy house ; which should th' ingenuous view Of any good or wise man come and find , ( Impietie seeing playd in euery kind ) He could not but through euery veine be mou'd . Againe Telemachus : My guest much lou'd , Since you demand and sift these sights so farre ; I grant t were fit , a house so regular , Rich , and so faultlesse , once in gouernment , Should still , at all parts , the same forme present , That gaue it glorie , while her Lord was here . But now the Gods , that vs displeasure beare , Haue otherwise appointed ; and disgrace My father most , of all the mortall race . For whom I could not mourne so , were he dead , Amongst his fellow Captaines slaughtered By common enemies ; or in the hands Of his kind friends , had ended his commands ; After he had egregiously bestow'd His powre and order in a warre so vow'd ; And to his tombe , all Greekes their grace had done ; That to all ages he might leaue his sonne Immortall honor : but now Harpies haue Digg'd in their gorges his abhorred graue . Obscure , inglorious , Death hath made his end ; And me ( for glories ) to all griefes contend . Nor shall I any more mourne him alone ; The Gods haue giuen me other cause of mone . For looke how many Optimates remaine In Samos , or the shoares Dulichian , Shadie Zacynthus ; or how many beare Rule in the rough browes of this Iland here ▪ So many now , my mother and this house , At all parts make defam'd and ruinous . And she , her hatefull nuptials , nor denies , Nor will dispatch their importunities : Though she beholds them spoile still , as they feast , All my free house yeelds : and the little rest Of my dead Sire in me , perhaps intend To bring , ere long , to some vntimely end . This Pallas sigh'd , and answerd : O ( said she ) Absent Vlysses is much mist by thee : That on these shamelesse suiters he might lay His wreakfull hands . Should he now come , and stay In thy Courts first gates , armd with helme and shield , And two such darts as I haue seene him wield , When first I saw him in our Taphian Court , Feasting , and doing his deserts disport ; When from Ephyrus he returnd by vs From Il●s , sonne to Centa●re Mer●●rus ; To whom he traueld through the watrie dreads , For bane to poison his sharpe arrowes heads , That death , but toucht , causde ; which he would not giue , Because he fear'd , the Gods that euer liue , Would plague such death with death ; and yet their feare Was to my fathers bosome not so deare As was thy fathers loue ; ( for what he sought , My louing father found him , to a thought . ) If such as then , Vlysses might but meete With these proud wooers ; all were at his feete But instant dead men ; and their nuptials Would proue as bitter as their dying galls . But these things in the Gods knees are reposde , If his returne shall see with wreake inclosde , These in his house , or he returne no more . And therefore I aduise thee to explore All waies thy selfe , to set these wooers gone ; To which end giue me fit attention ; To morrow into solemne councell call The Greeke Heroes ; and declare to all ( The Gods being witnesse ) what thy pleasure is : Command to townes of their natiuities , These frontlesse wooers . If thy mothers mind , Stands to her second nuptials , so enclinde ; Returne she to her royall fathers towers , Where th' one of these may wed her , and her dowers Make rich , and such as may consort with grace , So deare a daughter , of so great a race . And thee I warne as well , ( if thou as well Wilt heare and follow ) take thy best built saile , With twentie owers mann'd , and haste t' enquire Where the abode is of thy absent Sire ; If any can informe thee , or thine eare From Io●e the fame of his retreate may heare ; ( For chiefly Ioue giues all that honours men ) . To Pylos first be thy addression then To god-like Nestor . Thence , to Sparta , haste To gold-lockt Menelaus , who was last Of all the brasse-armd Greekes that saild from Troy. And trie from both these , if thou canst enioy Newes of thy Sires returnd life , any where , Though sad thou sufferst in his search , a yeare . If of his death thou hear'st , returne thou home ; And to his memorie erect a tombe : Performing parent-rites , of feast and game , Pompous , and such as best may fit his fame : And then thy mother a fit husband giue . These past , consider how thou maist depriue Of worthlesse life , these wooers in thy house ; By open force , or proiects enginous . Things childish fit not thee ; th' art so no more : Hast thou not heard , how all men did adore Diuine Orestes , after he had slaine Aegisthus , murthering by a trecherous traine His famous father ? Be then ( my most lou'd ) Valiant and manly ; euery way approu'd As great as he . I see thy person fit ▪ Noble thy mind , and excellent thy wit ; All giuen thee , so to vse and manage here , That euen past death they may their memories beare . In meane time I le descend to ship and men , That much expect me . Be obseruant then Of my aduice , and carefull to maintaine In equall acts thy royall fathers raigne . Telemachus replide : You ope ( faire Guest ) A friends heart , in your speech ; as well exprest , As might a father serue t' informe his sonne : All which ▪ sure place haue in my memorie wonne . Abide yet , though your voyage calls away ; That hauing bath'd ; and dignifide your stay With some more honour ; you may yet beside , Delight your mind , by being gratifide your stay With some rich Present , taken in your way ; That , as a Iewell , your respect may lay Vp in your treasurie ; bestowd by me , As free friends vse to guests of such degree . Detaine me not ( said she ) so much inclinde To haste my voyage . What thy loued minde Commands to giue ; at my returne this way , Bestow on me ; that I directly may Conuey it home ; which ( more of price to mee ) The more it askes my recompence to thee . This said , away gray-eyd Minerua flew , Like to a mounting Larke ; and did endue His mind with strength and boldnesse ; and much more Made him , his father long for , then before . And weighing better who his guest might be , He stood amaz'd , and thought a Deitie Was there descended : to whose will he fram'd His powres at all parts ; and went , so inflam'd Amongst the wooers ; who were silent set , To heare a Poet sing the sad retreat The Greekes performd from Tr●y : which was from thence Proclaimd by Pallas , paine of her offence . When which diuine song , was perceiu'd to beare That mournfull subiect , by the listning eare Of wi●e Penelope ( Icari●● seed , Who from an vpper roome had giu'n it heed ) Downe she descended by a winding staire ; Not solel● ; but the State , in her repaire , Two Maides of Honour made . And when this Queene Of women , stoopt so low , she might be seene By all her wooers . In the doore , aloofe ( Entring the Hall , grac'd with a goodly roofe ) She stood , in shade of gracefull vailes implide About her beauties : on her either 〈◊〉 , Her honor'd women . When , ( to 〈◊〉 mo●'d ) thus She chid the sacred Singer : 〈◊〉 , You know a number more of these gre●● deeds , Of Gods and men ( that are the sacred 〈◊〉 And proper subiects of a Poets song , And those due pleasures that to men belong ) Besides these facts that furnish Tr●is retreate , Sing one of those to these , that round your ●eate They may with silence sit , and taste their wine : But cea●●e this song , that through these eares of mine , Conuey deseru'd occasion to my heart Of endlesse sorrowes ; of which , the desert In me , vnmeasur'd is , past all these men ; So endlesse is the memorie I retaine ; And so desertfull is that memorie Of such a man , as hath a dignitie So broad , it spreds it selfe through all the pride Of Greece , and Argos . To the Queene , replide Inspir'd Telemachus : Why thus enuies My mother , him that fits g societies With so much harmonie , to let him please His owne mind , in his will to honor these ▪ For these h ingenuous , and first sort of men , That do immediatly from Io●e retaine Their singing raptures ; are by Ioue as well Inspir'd with choice , of what their songs impell . Ioues will is free in it ; and therefore theirs ; Nor is this man to blame , that the repaires The Greekes make homeward , sings : for his fresh Muse , Men still most celebrate , that sings most newes . And therefore in his note , your eares employ : For , not Vlysses onely lost in Troy The day of his returne ; but numbers more , The deadly ruines of his fortunes bore . Go you then , In ; and take your worke in hand ; Your web , and distaffe , and your maids command To plie their fit worke . Words , to men are due , And those reprouing counsels you pursue ; And most , to me , of all men ; since I beare The rule of all things , that are manag'd here . She went amazd away ; and in her heart , Laid vp the wisedome Pallas did impart To her lou'd sonne so lately ; turnd againe Vp to her chamber ; and no more would raigne In manly counsels . To her women , she Applied her sway ; and to the wooers , he Began new orders ; other spirits bewraid Then those , in spite of which , the wooers swaid . And ( whiles his mothers teares , still washt her eies , Till gray Minerua did those teares surprise With timely sleepe ; and that her woo'rs did rouse Rude Tumult vp , through all the shadie house , Disposde to sleepe because their widow was ) Telemachus , this new-giuen spirit did passe On their old insolence : Ho! you that are My mothers wooers ! much too high ye beare Your petulant spirits : sit ; and while ye may Enioy me in your banquets : see ye lay These loud notes downe ; nor do this man the wrong , ( Because my mother hath dislikt his song ) To grace her interruption : t is a thing Honest , and honourd too , to heare one sing Numbers so like the Gods in elegance , As this man flowes in . By the mornes i first light , I le call ye all before me , in a Court , That I may cleerly banish your resort With all your rudenesse , from these roofes of mine . Away ; and elsewhere in your feasts combine : Consume your owne goods , and make mutuall feast At eithers house . Or if ye still hold best , And for your humors more suffised fill , To feed , to spoile ( because vnpunisht still ) On other findings : spoile ; but here I call Th' eternall Gods to witnesse , if it fall In my wisht reach once , to be dealing wreakes , ( By Ioues high bountie ) these your present checks , To what I giue in charge , shall adde mo●e reines To my reuenge hereafter ; and the paines Ye then must suffer , shall passe all your pride , Euer to see redrest , or qualifide . At this , all bit their lips ; and did admire His words sent from him , with such phrase , and fire : Which so much mou'd them ; that 〈◊〉 ( Eupytheus sonne ) cried out : Te●●●achus ! The Gods , I thinke , haue rapt thee to this height Of elocution ; and this great conceit Of selfe-abilitie . We all may pray , That I●●e inuest not in this kingdomes sway , Thy forward forces ; which I see put forth A hote ambition in thee , for thy birth . Be not offended , ( he replide ) if I Shall say , I would assume this emperie , If Ioue gaue leaue . You are not he that sings , The rule of kingd●●es is the worst of things . Nor is it ill , at all , to sway a throne : A man may quic●●y gaine possession Of mightie riches ; make a wondrous prise Set of his vertues ; but the dignities That decke a King , there are enough beside In this circumfluous I le , that want no pride To thinke them worthy of ; as yong as I , And old as you are . An ascent so hie , My thoughts affect not : dead is he that held Desert of vertue to haue so exceld . But of these turrets , I will take on me To be the absolute King ; and reigne as free As did my father , ouer all , his hand Left here , in this house , slaues to my command . Eurymachus , the sonne of Polyb●● , To this , made this reply : Tele●achus ! The Girlond of this kingdome , let the knees Of deitie runne for : but the faculties , This house is seasd of , and the turrets here , Thou shalt be Lord of ; nor shall any beare The least part of , of all thou doest possesse , As long as this land is no wildernesse , Nor rul'd by out-lawes ) . But giue these their passe , And tell me ( best of Prince ) who he was That guested here so late ? from whence ? and what In any region bosted he his state ? His race ? his countrie ? Brought he any newes Of thy returning Father ? Or for dues Of moneys to him , made he fit repaire ? How sodainly he rusht into the aire ? Nor would sustaine to stay , and make him knowne ? His Port shewd no debaucht companion . He answerd : Thereturne of my lou'd Sire , Is past all hope ; and should rude Fame inspire From any place , a flattring messenger , With newes of his suruiuall ; he should beare No least beliefe off , from my desperate loue . Which if a sacred Prophet should approue , ( Calld by my mother for her cares vnrest ) It should not moue me . For my late faire guest , He was of old my Fathers : touching here From Sea-girt Taphos ; and for name doth beare Mentas ; the sonne of wise Anchialus ; And gouernes all the Taphians , studious Of Nauigation . This he said : but knew It was a Goddesse . These againe withdrew To dances , and attraction of the song . And while their pleasures did the time prolong , The sable Euen descended ; and did steepe The lids of all men in desire of sleepe . Telemachus , into a roome built hie , Of his illustrous Court ; and to the eie Of circular prospect ; to his bed ascended ; And in his mind , much weightie thought contended . Before him , Euryclaea ( that well knew All the obseruance of a handmaids due , Daughter to Opis Pysenorides ) Bore two bright torches . Who did so much please Laërtes in her prime ; that for the price Of twentie Oxen , he made merchandize Of her rare beauties ; and Loues equall flame To her he felt , as to his nuptiall Dame. Yet neuer durst he mixe with her in bed ; So much the anger of his wife he fled . She , now growne old , to yong Telemach●s Two torches bore ; and was obsequious , Past all his other maids ; and did apply Her seruice to him , from his infancie . His wel-built chamber , reacht ; she op't the dore ; He , on his bed sat . The soft weeds he wore , Put off ; and to the diligent old maid Gaue all ; who fitly all in thicke folds laid , And hung them on a beame-pin neare the bed ; That round about was rich embrodered . Then made she haste forth from him ; and did bring The doore together with a siluer ring ; And by a string , a barre to it did pull . He , laid , and couerd well with cu●led wooll , Wouen in silke quilts : all night emploid his minde About the taske that Pallas had design'd . Finis libri primi H●m . Odyss . THE SECOND BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . TElemachus to Court doth call ▪ The wooers ; and commands them all To leaue his house ▪ and , taking then From wise Minerua , ship and men ; And all things fit for him beside , That Euryclaea could prouide For sea-rites , till he found his Sire ; He hoists saile , when heauen stoopes his fire . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The old Maids store The voyage cheres ; The ship leaues shore , Minerua steres . NOw when with rosie fingers , th' early borne , And , throwne through all the aire , appear'd the mo●e ; Vlysses lou'd sonne from his bed appeard ; His weeds put on ; and did about him gird His sword , that thwart his shoulders hung ; and tied To his faire feete , faire shooes ; and all parts plied For speedie readinesse ; who when he trod The open earth , to men , shewd like a God. The Heralds then , he strait charg'd to consort The curld-head Greekes , with lowd calls to a Court. They summon'd ; th' other came , in vtmost haste ; Who , all assembld , and in one heape plac't ; He likewse came to councell ; and did beare In his fai●e hand , his iron-headed speare : Nor came alone ; nor with men troopes prepar'd ; But two fleete dogs , made , both his traine , and Guard. Pallas supplied with her high wisedomes grace , ( That all mens wants supplies ) States painted face . His entring presence , all men did admire ; Who tooke seate in the high throne of his Sire ; To which the graue Peeres gaue him reuerend way . Amongst whom , an Aegyptian Heroe , ( Crooked with age , and full of skill ) begun The speech to all . Who had a loued sonne , That with diuine Vlysses did ascend His hollow fleete to Troy : to serue which end , He kept faire horse , and was a man at Armes ; And in the cruell Cyclops sterne alarmes , His life lost by him , in his hollow caue ; Whose entrailes open'd his abhorred graue ; And made of him ( of all Vlysses traine ) His latest supper , being latest slaine . His name was Antip●us . And this old man , This crooked growne ; this wise Aegyptian , Had three sonnes more ; of which , one riotous , A wooer was , and calld 〈◊〉 ; The other two , tooke both , his owne wisht course . Yet , both the best fates , weighd not downe the worse ; But left the old man mindfull still of mone ; Who , weeping , thus bespake the Session : Heare , Ithacensia●s , all I fitly say ; Since our diuine Vlysses parting day Neuer was councell calld , nor session ; And now , by whom is this thus vndergone ? Whom did Necessitie so much compell , Of yong or old ? Hath any one heard tell Of any coming armie ; that he thus now May openly take boldnesse to a●ow ? First hauing heard it . Or will any here Some motion for the publicke good preferre ? Some worth of note there is in this command ; And , me thinkes , it must be some good mans hand That 's put to it : that either hath direct Meanes to assist ; or , for his good affect , Hopes to be happie in the proofe he makes ; And that , Ioue grant , what ere he vndertakes . Telemachus ( reioycing much to heare The good hope , and opinion men did beare Of his young actions ) no longer ●at ; But longd t' approue , what this man pointed at ; And make his first proofe , in a cause so good : And in the Councels chiefe place , vp he stood ; When strait , Pysenor ( Herald to his Sire , And learnd in counsels ) felt his heart on fire , To heare him speake ; and put into his hand The Scepter that his Father did command ; Then ( to the old Aegyptian turnd ) he spoke : Father , not farre he is , that vndertooke To call this councell ; whom you soone shall know . My selfe , whose wrongs , my griefes will ma●e me show , Am he that author'd this assembly here ; Nor haue I heard of any armie neare ; Of which , being first told , I might iterate ; Nor for the publicke good , can aught , rela●● ▪ Onely mine owne affaires all this procure , That in my house a double ill endure ; One , hauing lost a Father so renownd , Whose kind rule once , with your command was crownd : The other is , what much more doth augment His weightie losse , the ruine imminent Of all , my house by it , my goods all spent . And of all this , the wooers , that are sonnes To our chiefe Peeres , are the Confusions : Importuning my Mothers mariage Against her will ; nor dares their blouds bold rage Go to Icarius , her fathers Court , That , his will askt , in kind and comely sort , He may endow his daughter with a dowre ; And , she consenting , at his pleasures powre , Dispose her to a man , that ( thus behau'd ) May haue fit grace ; and see her honor sau'd ; But these , in none but my house , all their liues Resolue to spend ; slaughtring my sheepe and beeues ; And with my fattest goates , lay feast on feast ; My generous wine , consuming as they list . A world of things they spoile ; here wanting one , That like Vlysses , quickly , could set gone These peace-plagues from his house , that spoile like warre . Whom my powres are vnfit , to vrge so farre , My selfe immartiall . But had I the powre , My will should serue me , to exempt this houre From out my life time . For past patience , Base deeds are done here , that exceed defence Of any honor . Falling is my house , Which you should shame to see so ruinous . Reuerence the censures , that all good men giue , That dwell about you ; and for feare to liue Exposde to heauens wrath ( that doth euer pay Paines , for ioyes forfait ) euen by Ioue I pray Or Themis ; both which , powres haue to restraine Or gather Councels ; that ye will abstaine From further spoile ; and let me onely waste In that most wretched griefe I haue embrac't For my lost Father . And though I am free From meriting your outrage ; yet , if he ( Good man ) hath euer , with a hostile heart Done ill to any Greeke ; on me conuert Your like hostilitie ; and vengeance take Of his ill , on my life ; and all these , make Ioyne in that iustice ; but to see abusde Those goods that do none ill , but being ill vsde , Exceeds all right . Yet better t is for me , My whole possessions , and my rents to see Consum'd by you ; then lose my life and all ; For on your rapine a reuenge may fall , While I liue ; and so long I may complaine About the Citie ; till my goods againe ( Oft askt ) may be with all amends repaid . But in the meane space , your mis-rule hath laid Griefes on my bosome , that can onely speake , And are denied the instant powre of wreake . This said ; his Scepter gainst the ground he threw , And teares still'd from him ; which mou'd all the crew : The Court strooke silent ; not a man did dare To giue a word , that might offend his ●are . Antinous onely , in this sort replied : High-spoken , and of spirit vnpacified ; How haue you sham'd vs , in this speech of yours ? Will you brand vs , for an offence not ours ? Your mother ( first in craft ) is first in cause . Three yeares are past , and neare , the fourth now drawes , Since first she mocked the Peeres Achaian . All , she made hope , and promist euery man : Sent for vs euer ; left loues shew in nought ; But in her heart , conceald another thought . Besides , ( as curious in her craft ) her loo●e She with a web charg'd , hard to ouercome ; And thus bespake vs : Youths that seeke my bed ; Since my diuine Spouse rests among the dead , Hold on your suites , but till I end , at most This funerall weed ; lest what is done , be lost . Besides , I purpose , that when th'austere fate Of bitter death , shall take into his state , Lae●tes the Heroe ; it shall decke His royall corse ; since I should suffer checke In ill report , of euery common dame , If one so rich , should shew in death his shame . This speech she vsde ; and this did soone perswade Our gentle mindes . But this , a worke she made So hugely long ; vndoing still in night ( By torches ) all , she did by dayes broade light ; That three yeares her deceit , diu'd past our view ; And made vs thinke , that all she faind , was true . But when the fourth yeare came ; and those ●lie houres , That still surprise at length , Dames craftiest powres ; One of her women , that knew all , disclosde The secret to vs ; that she still vnlosde Her whole daies faire affaire , in depth of night . And then , no further she could force her sleight , But , of necessitie , her worke gaue end . And thus , by me , doth euery other friend , Professing loue to her , reply to thee ; That euen thy selfe , and all Greeks else may see , That we offend not in our stay , but shee . To free thy house then , send her to her Sire ; Commanding that her choice be left entire To his election , and one settl'd will. Nor let her vexe with her illusions still , Her friends that woo her ; standing on her wit ; Because wise Pallas hath giuen wiles to it , So full of Art ; and made her vnderstand All workes , in faire skill of a Ladies hand . But ( for her working mind ) we reade of none Of all the old world ; in which Greece hath showne Her rarest peeces , that could equall her : Tyro , Alcmena , and Mycena were To hold comparison in no degree ( For solide braine ) with wise Penelope . And yet in her delayes of vs , she showes No profits skill , with all the wit she owes ; For all this time , thy goods and victuals go To vtter ruine ; and shall euer so While thus the Gods , her glorious mind dispose . Glorie , her selfe may gaine ; but thou shalt lose Thy longings euen for necessary food ; For we will neuer go , where lies our good ; Nor any other where ; till this delay She puts on all , she quits with th'endlesse stay Of some one of vs ; that to all the rest May giue free farewell with his nuptiall feast . The wise yong Prince replide : Antinous ! I may by no meanes turne out of my house , Her that hath brought me forth , and nourisht me . Besides : if quicke or dead my Father be In any region , yet abides in doubt . And t will go hard , ( my meanes being so runne out ) To tender to Icarius againe ( If he againe , my mother must maintaine In her retreate ) the dowre she brought with her . And then , a double ill it will conferre , Both from my Father , and from God , on me ; When ( thrust out of her house ) on her bent knee , My Mother shall the horrid Furies raise With imprecations : and all men dispraise My part in her exposure . Neuer then Will I performe this counsell . If your splene Swell at my courses ; once more I command Your absence from my house . Some others hand Charge with your banquets . On your owne goods ●ate ; And either other mutually intreate , At either of your houses , with your feast . But if ye still esteeme more sweete and best , Anothers spoile ; so you still wreaklesse liue : Gnaw ( vermine-like ) things ●acred : no lawes giue To your deuouring ; it remaines that I Inuoke each euer-liuing Deitie ; And vow if Ioue shall daigne in any date , Powre of like paines , for pleasures so past rate ; From thenceforth looke , where ye haue reueld so , Vnwreakt , your ruines , all shall vndergo . Thus spake Telemachus , t' assure whose threat , Farre-seeing Ioue , vpon their pinions set Two Eagles from the high browes of a hill ; That , mounted on the winds , together still Their strokes extended . But arriuing now Amidst the Councell ; ouer euery brow , Shooke their thicke wings ; and ( threatning deaths cold feares ) Their neckes and cheekes tore with their eager Seres . Then , on the Courts right-hand away they flew , Aboue both Court and Citie : with whose view And studie what euents they might fore●ell , The Councell into admiration fell . The old Her●e , Halitherses then , The sonne of Nestor ; that of all old men ( His Peeres in that Court ) onely could foresee By flight of fowles , mans fixed destinie ; Twixt them and their amaze , this interposde : Heare ( Ithacensians ) all your doubts disclosde ; The wooers most are toucht in this ostent , To whom are dangers great and imminent . For now , not long more shall Vlysses beare Lacke of his most lou'd ; but fils some place neare , Addressing to these wooers , Fa●e and Death . And many more , this mischiefe menaceth Of vs inhabiting this famous I le . Let vs consult yet , in this long forewhile , How to our selues we may preuent this ill . Let these men rest secure , and reuell still : Though they might find it safer , if with vs They would in time preuent what threats them thus : Since not without sure triall , I foretell These coming stormes ; but know their issue well . For to Vlysses , all things haue euent , As I foretold him ; when for Ili●n went The whole Greeke fleete together ; and with them , Th' abundant in all counsels , tooke the streame . I told him , that when much ill he had past , And all his men were lost ; he should at last , The twentith yeare turne home ; to all vnknowne ; All which effects are to perfection growne . Eurymachus , the sonne of Polybus , Opposde this mans presage , and answerd thus : Hence , Great in yeares ; go , prophecie at home ; Thy children teach to shun their ils to come . In these , superiour farre to thee , am I. A world of fowles beneath the Sunne-beames flie , That are not fit t' enforme a prophecie . Besides , Vlysses perisht long ago , And would thy fates to thee had destin'd so ; Since so , thy so much prophecie had spar'd Thy wronging of our rights ; which for reward Expected , home with thee , hath summon'd vs Within the anger of Telemachus . But this will I presage , which shall be true , If any sparke of anger , chance t' ensue Thy much old art , in these deepe Auguries , In this yong man incensed by thy lies ; Euen to himselfe , his anger shall conferre The greater anguish ; and thine owne ends erre From all their obiects : and besides , thine age Shall feele a paine , to make thee curse presage , With worthy cause , for it shall touch thee neare . But I will soone giue end to all our feare , Preuenting whatsoeuer chance can fall , In my suite to the yong Prince , for vs all To send his mother to her fathers house , That he may sort her out a worthy spouse ; And such a dowre bestow , as may befit One lou'd , to leaue her friends , and follow it . Before which course be , I beleeue that none Of all the Greekes will cease th' ambition Of such a match . For , chance what can to vs , We , no man feare ; no not Telemachus , Though ne're so greatly spoken . Nor care we For any threats of austere prophecie Which thou ( old dotard ) vantst of so in vaine . And thus shalt thou in much more hate remaine ; For still the Gods shall beare their ill expence ; Nor euer be disposde by competence , Till with her nuptials , she dismisse our suites . Our whole liues dayes shall sow hopes for such fruites . Her vertues we contend to ; nor will go To any other , be she neuer so Worthy of vs , and all the worth we owe. He answerd him : Eurymach●s ! and all Ye generous wooers , now , in generall ; I see your braue resolues ; and will no more Make speech of these points ; and much lesse , implore . It is enough , that all the Grecians here , And all the Gods besides , iust witnesse beare , What friendly premonitions haue bene spent On your forbearance ; and their vaine euent . Yet with my other friends , let loue preuaile To fit me with a vessell , free of saile ; And twentie men ; that may diuide to me My readie passage through the yeelding sea . For Sparta , and Amathoon Pylos shore I now am bound ; in purpose to explore My long lackt Father ; and to trie if Fame ( Or Ioue , most author of mans honourd name ) With his returne and life , may glad mine eare ; Though toild in that proofe , I sustaine a yeare . If dead , I heare him , nor of more state ; here ( Retir'd to my lou'd count●ie ) I will rere A Sepulcher to him , and celebrate Such royall parent-rites , as fits his state . And then , my mother to a Spouse dispose . This said , he sat ; and to the rest , arose Mentor , that was Vlysses chosen friend ; To whom , when he set forth , he did commend His compleate family ; and whom he willd To see the mind of his old Sire fulfild ; All things conseruing safe , till his retreate ; Who ( tender of his charge ; and seeing so set In sleight care of their King , his subiects there ; Suffering his sonne , so much contempt to beare ) Thus grauely , and with zeale to him began : No more , let any Scepter-bea●ing man , Beneuolent , or milde , or humane be ; Nor in his minde , forme acts of pietie , But euer feed on blood ; and facts vniust Commit , euen to the full swinge of his lust ; Since of diuine Vlysses , no man now Of all his subiects , any thought doth show . All whom , he gouernd ; and became to them ( Rather then one that wore a diadem ) A most indulgent father . But ( for all That can touch me ) within no enuie fall These insolent wooers ; that in violent kind , Commit things foule , by th' ill wit of the mind ; And with the hazard of their heads , deuoure Vlysses house ; since his returning houre , They hold past hope . But it affects me much , ( Ye dull plebeians ) that all this doth touch Your free States nothing ; who ( strooke dumbe ) afford These wooers , not so much wreake as a word ; Though few , and you , with onely number might Extinguish to them , the prophaned light . Euenors sonne ( Liocritus ) replide ; Mentor ! the railer , made a foole with pride ; What language giu'st thou ? that would quiet vs , With putting vs in storme ? exciting thus The rout against vs ? who , though more then we , Should find it is no easie victorie To driue men , habited in feast , from feasts ; No not if Ithacus himselfe , such guests Should come and find so furnishing his Court , And hope to force them from so sweete a fort . His wife should little ioy in his arriue , Though much she wants him : for , where she , aliue Would hers enioy ; there Death should claime his rights : He must be conquerd , that with many fights . Tho● speakst vnfit things . To their labours then Disperse these people ; and let these two men ( Mentor and Halitherses ) that so boast , From the beginning to haue gouernd most In friendship of the Father ; to the sonne Confirme the course , he now affects to runne . But my mind sayes , that if he would but vse A little patience ; he should here heare newes Of all things that his wish would vnderstand ; But no good hope for , of the course in hand . This said ; the Councell rose ; when euery Peere And all the people , in dispersion were To houses of their owne ; the wooers yet Made to Vlysses house their old retreat . Telemachus , apart from all the prease , Prepar'd to shore ; and ( in the aged seas , His faire hands washt ) did thus to Pallas pray : Heare me ( O Goddesse ) that but yesterday Didst daigne accesse to me at home ; and lay Graue charge on me , to take ship , and enquire Along the darke seas for mine absent Sire ; Which all the Greekes oppose ; amongst whom , most Those that are proud still at anothers cost , Past measure , and the ciuill rights of men , ( My mothers wooers ) my repulse maintaine . Thus spake he praying ; when close to him came Pallas , resembling Mentor , both in frame Of voice and person ; and aduisde him thus : Those wooers well might know ; Telemachus ▪ Thou wilt not euer weake and childish be ; If to thee be instilld the facultie Of mind and bodie , that thy Father grac't . And if ( like him ) there be in thee enchac't Vertue to giue words works , and works their end ; This voyage , that to them thou didst commend Shall not so quickly , as they idly weene , Be vaine , or giuen vp , for their opposite spleene . But if Vlysses , nor Penelope Were thy true parents ; I then hope in thee Of no more vrging thy attempt in hand ; For few , that rightly bred on both sides stand , Are like their parents ; many that are worse ; And most-few , better . Those then that the nurse , Or mother call true borne ; yet are not so ; Like worthy Sires , much lesse are like to grow . But thou shewst now , that in thee fades not quite Thy Fathers wisedome ; and that future light Shall therefore shew thee farre from being vnwise , Or toucht with staine of bastard cowardize . Hope therefore sayes , that thou wilt to the end Pursue the braue act , thou didst erst intend . But for the foolish wooers , they bewray They neither counsell haue , nor so●le ; since they Are neither wise nor iust ; and so must needs Rest ignorant , how blacke aboue their heads Fate houers , holding Death ; that one sole day Will make enough to make them all away . For thee ; the way thou wishest , shall no more Flie thee a step ; I that haue bene before Thy Fathers friend ; thine likewise now will be ; Prouide thy ship my selfe , and follow thee . Go thou then home , and sooth each woo●rs vaine ; But vnder hand , fit all things for the Maine ; Wine , in as strong and sweete casks as you can ; And meale , the very marrow of a man ; Which put in good sure lether sacks ; and see That with sweete foode , sweete vessels still agree . I , from the people , straite will presse for you Free voluntaries ; and ( for ships ) ●now Sea-circl'd Ithaca containes , both new And old built ; all which , I le exactly view , And chuse what one soeuer most doth please ; Which riggd , wee 'l strait lanch , and assay the seas . This spake I●●es daughter , Pallas ; whose voice heard ; No more Telemachus her charge deferd ; But hasted home ; and , sad at heart , did see Amidst his Hall , th' insulting wooers flea Goates , and rost swine . Mo●gst whom , Antinous Carelesse , ( discouering in Telemachus His grudge to see them ) laught ; met ; tooke his hand , And said ; High spoken ! with the mind so mannd ; Come , do as we do ; put not vp your spirits With these low trifles ; nor our louing merits , In gall of any hatefull purpose , sleepe ; But eate egregiously , and drinke as deepe . The things thou thinkst on , all , at full shall be By th' Achiues thought on , and performd to thee : Ship , and choise Oares , that in a trice will land Thy hastie Fleete , on heau'nly Pylos sand ; And at the fame of thy illustrous Sire . He answerd : Men whom Pride doth so inspire , Are no fit consorts for an humble guest ; Nor are constraind men , merrie at their fea●t . Is 't not enough , that all this time ye haue Op't in your entrailes , my chiefe goods a graue ? And while I was a child , made me partake ? My now more growth , more grown my mind doth make : And ( hearing speake , more iudging men then you ) Perceiue how much I was misgouernd now . I now will trie , if I can bring ye home An ill Fate to consort you ; if it come From Pylos , or amongst the people , here . But thither I resolue ; and know that there I shall not touch in vaine . Nor will I stay , Though in a merchants ship I ●tere my way : Which shewes in your sights best ▪ since me ye know Incapable of ship , or men to row . This said ; his hand he coily snatcht away From forth Antinous hand . The rest , the day Spent through the house with banquets ; ●ome with iests , And some with railings , dignifying the●● feasts . To whom , a iest-proud youth , the wit began : Telemachus will kill vs euery man. From Sparta , or the very Pyltan sand , He will raise aides to his impetuous hand . O he affects it strangely ! Or he meanes To search Ephyras fat shores ; and from thence Bring deathfull poisons ; which amongst our bow'ls Will make a generall shipwracke of our soules . Another said : Alas who knowes , but he Once gone ; and erring like his Sire at sea , May perish like him , farre from aide of friends ? And so he makes vs worke ; for all the ends Left of his goods here , we shall share ; the house Left to his mother , and her chosen 〈◊〉 . Thus they . While he a roome ascended , hie And large , built by his Father ; where did lie Gold and brasse heapt vp ; and in coffers were Rich robes ; great store of 〈…〉 ; and there Stood Tuns of sweete old wines , along the wall ; Neate and diuine drinke , kept ●o cheare withall Vlysses old heart , if he turnd againe From labors fatall to him to sustaine . The doores of Planke were ; their close exquisite , Kept with a double key ; and day and night A woman lockt within ; and that was she , Who all trust had for her sufficiencie . Old Euryclea , ( one of Opis●ace ●ace , Sonne to Pise●●r , and in passing grace With gray Miner●● : ) her , the Prince did call ; And said , Nurse ! draw me the most sweete of all The wine thou keepst ; next that , which for my Sire , Thy care reserues , in hope he shall retire . Twelue vessels fill me forth , and stop them well . Then into well-sewd sacks , of fine ground meale , Powre twentie measures . No● to any one But thou thy selfe , let this desig●e be knowne . All this see got together ; I , it all In night will fetch off , when my mother shall Ascend her high roome , and for ●●eepe prepare . Sparta and Pylos , I must see , in care To find my Father . Out Euryclea cried , And askt with teares : Why is your mind applied ( Deare sonne ) to this course ? whither will you go ? So farre off leaue vs ? and beloued so ? So onely ? and the sole hope of your race ? Royall Vlysses , farre from the embrace Of his kind countrie ; in a land vnknowne Is dead ; and you ( from your lou'd countrie go●e ) The wooers will with some deceit assay To your destruction ; making then their prey Of all your goods . Where , in your owne y'●re strong , Make sure abode . It fits 〈◊〉 you so yong , To suffer so much by the aged feas , And erre in such a waylesse wildernesse . Be chear'd ( lou'd nurse , said he ) for not witho●t The will of God , go my attempts about . Sweare therefore , not to wound my mothers eares With word of this ; before from heauen appeares Th'ele●enth or twelfth light ; or her selfe shall please To aske of me ; or heares me put to seas ; Lest her faire bodie , with her woe ●e wore . To this , the great oath of the Gods , she swore ; Which , hauing sworne ; and of it , euery due Performd to full : to vessels , wine she drew ; And into well-sewd sacks powr'd foodie meale ; In meane time he ( with cunning to conceale All thought of this from others ) himselfe bore In broade house , with the wooers , as before . Then grey-eyd Pallas , other thoughts did owne ; And ( like Telemachus ) trod through the Towne ; Commanding all his men , in th'euen to be Aboord his ship . Againe then question'd she Normon ( fam'd for aged Phronius sonne ) About his ship ; who , all things to be done , Assur'd her freely should . The Sunne then set , And sable shadowes slid through euery streete , When forth they lancht ; and soone aboord did bring All Armes , and choice of euery needfull thing , That fits a well-riggd ship . The Goddesse then Stood in the Ports extreame part ; where , her men ( Nobly appointed ) thicke about her came , Whos 's euery breast , she did with spirit enflame . Yet still fresh proiects , laid the grey-eyd Dame. Strait , to the house she hasted ; and sweete sleepe Powr'd on each wooer ; which so laid in steepe Their drowsie temples , that each brow did nod , As all were drinking ; and each hand his lode ( The cup ) let fall . All start vp , and to bed ; Nor more would watch , when sleepe so surfeted Their leaden ey-lids . Then did Pallas call Telemachus , ( in bodie , voice , and all Resembling Mentor ) from his natiue nest : And said , that all his arm'd men were addrest To vse their Oares ; and all expected now He should the spirit of a souldier show . Come then ( said she ) no more let vs deferre Our honor'd action . Then she tooke on her A rauisht spirit , and led as she did leape ; And he her most haste , tooke out , step by step . Arriu'd at sea , and ship ; they found ashore The souldiers , that their fashiond long haire wore ; To whom , the Prince said : Come , my friends ; let 's bring Our voyages prouision : euery thing Is heapt together in our Court ; and none ( No not my mother , nor her maids ) but one Knowes our intention . This exprest ; he led ; The souldiers close together followed ; And all together brought aboord their store . Aboord the Prince went ; Pallas still before Sat at the Sterne : he close to her ; the men Vp , hasted after . He , and Pallas then , Put from the shore . His souldiers then he ●ad See all their Armes fit ; which they heard ; and had . A beechen Mast then , in the hollow base They put , and hoisted ; fixt it in his place With cables ; and with well-wreath'd halsers hoise Their white sailes ; which gray Pallas now employes With full and fore-gales , through the darke deep maine . The purple waues ( so swift cut ) roar'd againe Against the ship sides , that now ranne , and plowd The rugged seas vp . Then the men bestowd Their Armes about the ship ; and sacrifice With crownd wine cups , to th'endlesse Deities , They offerd vp ▪ Of all yet thron'd aboue , They most obseru'd the grey-eyd seed of Ioue : Who from the euening , till the morning rose , And all day long , their voyage did dispose . Finis libri secundi Ho● . Odyss . THE THIRD BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . TElemachus , and heau'ns * wise Dame , That neuer husband had , now came To Nestor ; who , his either guest Receiu'd at the religious feast He made to Neptune , on his shore . And there told , what was done before The Troian turrets ; and the state Of all the Greekes , since Ilions fate . This booke , these * three of greatest place , Doth serue with many a varied grace . ( Which past ) ; Minerua takes her leaue . Whose state , when Nestor doth perceiue ; With sacrifice he makes it knowne , Where many a pleasing rite is showne . Which done , Telemachus had gaind A chariot of him ; who ordaind Pisistratus , his sonne , his guide To Sparta ; and when starrie eyd The ample heau'n began to be ; All house-rites to affoord them free ( In Pheris ) Diocles did please ; His sirname Ortilochides . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vlysses sonne With Nestor lies ; To Sparta gone , Thence Pallas flies . THe Sunne now left the great and goodly Lake , And to the firme heau'n , bright ascent did make , To shine as well vpon the mortall birth , Inhabiting the plowd life-giuing earth , As on the euer tredders vpon Death . And now to Pylos , that so garnisheth Her selfe with buildings ; old Neleus towne , The Prince and Goddesse come ; had strange sights showne ; For on the Marine shore , the people there To Neptune , that the Azure ●ockes doth weare ; Be●ues that were wholy blacke , gaue holy flame . Nine seates of State they made to his high name ; And euery Seate set with fiue hundred men ; And each fiue hundred , was to furnish then With nine blacke Oxen , euery sacred Seate . These , of the entrailes onely , pleasd to eate ; And to the God enflam'd the fleshie thies . By this time Pallas , with the sparkling eies , And he she led , within the ha●en bore : Strooke saile , cast anchor , and trod both the shore . She fi●st ; he after . Then said Pallas : Now No more befits thee the least bashfull brow ; Tembolde● which , this act is put on thee To seeke thy Father , both at shore , and sea : And learne in what Clime , he abides so close ; Or in the powre of what Fate doth repose . Come then ; go right to Nest●r ; let vs see , If in his bosome any counsell be , That may informe vs. Pray him not to trace The common courtship ; and to speake in grace Of the Demander ; but to tell the truth : Which will delight him ; and commend thy youth For such preuention ; for he loues no lies ; Nor will report them , being truly wise . He answerd : Me●t●r ! how alas shall I Present my selfe ? how greete his grauitie ? My youth by no meanes that ripe forme affords , That can digest my minds instinct , in words Wise , and beseeming th' eares of one so sage . Youth of most hope , blush to vse words with Age. She said : Thy mind will some conceit impresse , And something God will prompt thy towardnesse . For I suppose , thy birth and breeding too , Were not in spite of what the Gods could do . This said , she swiftly went before , and he Her steps made guides , and followd instantly . When soone they reacht the Pyli●● throngs and seates , Where Nestor with his sonnes sate ; and the meates That for the feast seru'd ; round about them were Adherents dressing all their sacred cheare , Being rost and boyld meates . When the Pylia●s saw These strangers come : in thrust did all men draw About their entrie . Tooke their hands , and praid They both would sit . Their entrie first assaid By Nestors sonne , Pisistratus . In grace Of whose repaire , he gaue them honor'd place Betwixt his Si●e , and brother Thrasi●●d , Who sate at feast , on soft Fels that were spred Along the sea sands . Keru'd , and reacht to them Parts of the inwards ; and did make a streame Of spritely wine , into a golden boule ; Which to Minerua , with a gentle soule He gaue , and thus spake : Ere you eate , faire guest , Inuoke the Seas King ; of whose sacred feast , Your trauell hither , makes ye partners now : When ( sacrificing , ●s becomes ) bestow This boule of sweete wine on your friend , that he May likewise vse these rites of pietie : For I suppose , his youth doth prayers vse , Since all men need the Gods. But you I chuse First in this cups disposure ; since his yeares Seeme short of yours ; who more like me appeares . Thus gaue he her the cup of pleasant wine ; And since a wise and iust man did designe The golden boule first to her free receit ; Euen to the Goddesse it did adde delight . Who thus inuokt : Heare thou whose vast embrace Enspheres the whole earth ; nor disdaine thy grace To vs that aske it , in performing this : To Nestor first , and these faire sonnes of his , Vo●chsafe all honor : and next them , bestow On all these Pylia●s , that haue offer'd now This most renowmed Hecatomb to thee , Remuneration fit for them , and free ; And lastly daigne Telemachus , and me , ( The worke performd , for whose effect we came ) Our safe returne , both with our ship and fame . Thus praid she ; and her selfe , her selfe obaid ; In th' end performing all for which she praid . And now to pray , and do as she had done ; She gaue the faire round boule t' Vlysses sonne . The meate then drest , and drawne , and seru'd t' each guest ; They celebrated a most sumptuous feast . When ( appetite to wine and food allaid ) Horse-taming Nestor then began , and said : Now lifes desire is seru'd , as farre as fare ; Time fits me to enquire , what guests these are . Faire guests , what are ye ? and for what Coast tries Your ship the moist deepes ? For fit merchandize , Or rudely coast ye , like our men of prize ? The rough seas tempting ; desperatly erring The ill of others , in their good conferring ? The wise Prince , now his boldnesse did begin ; For Pallas selfe had hardned him within ; By this deuice of trauell to explore His absent Father ; which two Girlonds wore ; His good , by manage of his spirits ; and then To gaine him high grace , in th' accounts of men . O Nestor ! still in whom 〈◊〉 liues ! And all the glorie of the Greeks ●uruiues ; You aske , from whence we are ; and I relate : From Ithaca ( whose seate is sit●ate Where Neius the renowmed Mountaine reares His haughtie forehead ; and the honor beares To be our Sea-marke ) wea●●aid the waues ; The businesse I must tell ; our owne good 〈◊〉 , And not the publicke . I am come t' enquire , If in the fame that best men doth inspire , Of my most-suffering Father , I may heare Some truth of his estate 〈…〉 The name ( being ioynd in fight with you alone ) To euen with earth the height of 〈◊〉 ▪ Of all men else , that any name did ●eare , And fought for Troy , the seuerall ends we heare ; But his death , Ioue keepes from the world vnknowne ; The certaine fame thereof , being told by none . If on the Continent , by enemies slaine ; Or with the waues eat , of the rauenous Maine . For his loue t is , that to your knees I sue ; That you would please , out of your owne cleare view , T' assure his sad end ; or say , if your eare Hath heard of the vnhappie wanderer , To too much sorrow , whom his mother bore . You then , by all your bounties I implore , ( If euer to you , deed or word hath stood , By my good Father promist , renderd good Amongst the Troians ; where ye both haue tried The Grecian sufferance ) that , in nought applied To my respect or pitie , you will glose , But vnclothd Truth , to my desi●es disclose . O my much lou'd , ( said he ) since you renew Remembrance of the miseries that grew Vpon our still-in-strength-opposing Gr●ece , Amongst Troys people ; I must touch a p●●ce Of all our woes there ; either in the m●n Achilles brought by sea , and led to gaine About the Country ; or in vs that fought About the Citie , where to death were b●ought All our chiefe men , as many as were th●●e . There Mars-like Aiax lies ; Achilles there ; There the-in-counsell-like-the Gods ; his * ●riend ; There my deare sonne Antilochus 〈…〉 ; Past measure swift of foote , and staid in fight . A number more , that ils felt infinite : Of which to reckon all , what mortall man ( If fiue or sixe yeares you should stay here ) can Serue such enquirie ? You would backe againe , Affected with vnsufferable paine , Before you heard it . Nine yeares siegd we them , With all the depth and sleight of stratagem That could be thought . Ill knit to ill , past end : Yet still they toild vs : nor would yet Ioue send Rest to our labors : nor will scarcely yet . But no man liu'd , that would in publicke set His wisedome , by Vlysses policie , ( As thought his equall ) so excessiuely He stood superiour all wayes . If you be His sonne indeed ; mine eyes euen rauish me To admiration . And in all consent , Your speech puts on his speeches ornament . Nor would one say , that one so yong could vse ( Vnlesse his sonne ) a Rhetorique so profuse . And while we liu'd together ; he and I Neuer in speech maintaind diuersitie : Nor set in counsell : but ( by one soule led ) With spirit and prudent counsell furnished The Greeks at all houres : that with fairest course , What best became them , they might put in force . But when Troys high Towres , we had leueld thus ; We put to sea ; and God diuided vs. And then did Ioue , our sad retreat deuise ; For all the Greeks were neither iust nor wise ; And therefore many felt so sharpe a-fate ; Sent from Mineruas most pernicious hate ; Whose mightie Father can do fearfull things . By whose helpe she , betwixt the brother Kings Let fall Contention : who in councell met In vaine , and timelesse ; when the Sunne was set ; And all the Greeks calld ; that came chargd with wine . Yet then the Kings would vtter their designe ; And why they summond . Menelaus , he Put all in mind of home ; and cried , To sea . But Agam●mnon stood on contraries ; Whose will was , they should stay and sacrifise Whole Hecatombs to Pallas ; to forgo Her high wrath to them . Foole , that did not know She would not so be wonne : for not with ease Th' eternall Gods are turnd from what they please . So they ( diuided ) on foule language stood . The Greekes , in huge rout rose : their wine-heate bloud , Two wayes affecting . And that nights sleepe too , We turnd to studying either others wo. When Ioue besides , made readie woes enow . Mone came , we lancht ; and in our ships did stow Our goods , and faire-girt women . Halfe our men The peoples guide ( Atrides ) did containe ; And halfe ( being now aboord ) put forth to ●ea . A most free gale gaue all ships prosperous way . God settld then the huge whale-bearing lake ; And Tenedos we reacht ; where , for times sake , We did diuine rites to the Gods : but I●ue ( Inexorable still ) bore yet no ●oue To our returne ; but did againe excite A second sad Contention , that turnd quite A great part of vs backe to sea againe ; Which were , th' abundant in all counsels men , ( Your matchlesse Father ) who , ( to gratifie The great Atrides ) backe to him did flie . But I fled all , with all that followd me ; Because I knew , God studied miserie , To hurle amongst vs. With me likewise fled Martiall Tidides . I , the men he led , Gat to go with him . Winds our fleete did bring To Lesbos , where the yellow-headed King ( Though late , yet ) found vs : as we put to choise A tedious voyage ; if we saile should hoise● Aboue rough Chi●s ( left on our left hand ) To th'Ile of Psiria ; or that rugged land Saile vnder ; and for windie 〈◊〉 stere . We askt of God , that some oftent might cleare Our cloudie businesse : who gaue vs ●igne , And charge , that all should ( in a middle line ) The sea cut , for Eub●ea ; that with speed , Our long-sustaind infortune might be freed . Then did a whistling wind begin to rise , And swiftly flew we through the fishie skies , Till to Ger●●stus we , in night were brought ; Where ( through the broad sea , since we safe had wrought ) At Neptunes altars , many solid Thies Of slaughterd buls , we burnd for sacrifise . The fourth day came , when Tyd●●● sonne did greete The hauen of Arg●s , with his complete Fleete . But I , for Pyl●s strait ster'd on my course , Nor euer left the wind his fore right force , Since God fore-sent it first . And thus I came ( Deare sonne ) to Pyols , vninformd by fame ; Nor know one sau'd by Fate , or ouercome . Whom I haue heard of since ( set here 〈◊〉 home ) As fits , thou shalt be taught , nought left vnshowne . The expert speare-men ; euery My●midon , ( Led by the braue heire of the mightie sould Vnpeerd Achilles ) safe of home got hold . Safe Philoctetes , Paeans famous seed : And safe Idomen●eus ; his men led To his home , ( Crete ; ) who fled the armed field ; Of whom , yet none , the sea from him withheld . Atrides ( you haue both heard , though ye be His farre off dwellers ) what an end had he , Done by Aegisthus , to a bitter death ; Who miserably paid for forced breath ; Atrides leauing a good sonne , that dide In bloud of that deceitfull parricide His wreakfull sword . And thou my friend ( as he For this hath his fame ) the like spirit in thee Assume at all parts . Faire , and great I see Thou art , in all hope ; make it good to th' end ; That after-times , as much may thee commend . He answerd : O thou greate●t grace of Greece ; Orestes made that wreake , his master peece ; And him the Greeks will giue , a master praise ; Ve●se finding him , to last all after daies . And would to God , the Gods would fauour me With his performance ; that my iniurie , Done by my mothers wooers , ( being so foule ) I might reuenge vpon their euery soule . Who ( pressing me with contumelies ) dare Such things as past the powre of vtt●rance are . But heauens great Powres , haue grac'● my destinie With no such honor . Both my Sire and I , Are borne to suffer euerlastingly . Because you name those wooers ( Friend , said he ) Report sayes , many such , in spite of thee , ( Wooing thy mother ) in thy house commit The ils thou nam'st . But say ; proceedeth it From will in thee , to beare so foule a foile ; Or from thy subiects hate , that wish thy spoile ? And will not aide thee , since their spirits relie ( Against thy rule ) on some graue Augurie ? What know they , but at length thy Father may Come ; and with violence , their violence pay ? Or he alone ; or all the Greeks with him ? But if Minerua now did so esteeme Thee , as thy Father , in times past ; whom , past All measure , she , with glorious fauours grac't Amongst the Troi●ns , where we suffered so ; ( O! I did neuer see , in such cleare show , The Gods so grace a man , as she to him , To all our eyes , appeard in all her t●im ) If so , I say , she would be pleasd to loue , And that her minds care , thou so much couldst mo●e , As did thy Father ; euery man of these , Would lose in death their seeking mariages . O Father , ( answerd he ) you make amaze Seise me throughout . Beyond the height of phrase You raise expression ; but t will neuer be ▪ That I shall moue , in any Deitie , So blest an honour . Not by any meanes , If Hope should prompt me , o● blind Confidence , ( The God of Fooles ) , or euery Deitie Should will it ; for , t is past my destinie . The burning-eyd Dame answerd : What a speech Hath past the teeth-guard , Nature gaue to teach Fit question of thy words before they flie ? God easily can ( when to a mortall eie Hee 's furthest off ) a mortall satisfie : And does , the more still . For thy car'd for Sire ; I rather wish , that I might home retire , After my sufferance of a world of woes ; Farre off ; and then my glad eyes might disclose The day of my returne ; then strait retire , And perish standing by my houshold fire . As Agamemnon did ; that lost his life , By false Aegisthus , and his falser wife . For Death to come at length , t is due to all ; Nor can the Gods themselues , when Fate shall call Their most lou'd man , extend his vitall breath Beyond the fixt bounds of abhorred Death . Mentor ! ( said he ) let 's dwell no more on this , Although in vs , the sorrow pious is . No such returne , as we wish , Fates bequeath My erring Father ; whom a present death , The deathlesse haue decreed . I le now vse speech That tends to other purpose ; and beseech Instruction of graue Nestor ; since he flowes Past shore , in all experience ; and knowes The sleights and wisedomes ; to whose heights aspire Others , as well as my commended Sire ; Whom Fame reports to haue commanded three Ages of men : and doth in sight to me Shew like th'Immortals . Nestor ! the renowne Of old Neleius ; make the cleare truth knowne , How the most great in Empire , Atreus sonne , Sustaind the act of his destruction . Where then was Menelaus ? how was it , That false Aegisthus , being so farre vnfit A match for him , could his death so enforce ? Was he not then in Argos ? or his course With men so left , to let a coward breathe Spirit enough , to dare his brothers death ? I le tell thee truth in all ( faire sonne ) said he : Right well was this euent conceiu'd by thee . If Menelaus in his brothers house , Had found the idle liuer with his spouse , ( Arriu'd from Troy ) he had not liu'd ; nor dead Had the diggd heape powrd on his lustfull head : But fowles and dogs had torne him in the fields , Farre off of Argos . Not a Dame it yeelds ; Had giuen him any teare ; so foule his fact Shewd euen to women . Vs Troys warres had rackt To euery sinewes sufferance ; while * he In Argos vplands liu'd ; from those workes free . And Agamemnons wife , with force of word Flatterd and softn'd ; who , at first abhord A fact so infamous . The heau'nly Dame , A good mind had ; but was in blood too blame . There was a * Poet , to whose care , the King His Queene committed ; and in euery thing ( When he for Troy went ) charg'd him to apply Himselfe in all guard to her dignitie . But when strong Fate , so wrapt-in her affects , That she resolu'd to leaue her fit respects ; Into a desart I le , her Guardian led , ( There left ) the rapine of the Vultures fed . Then brought he willing home his wills wonne prize ; On sacred Altars offerd many Thies ▪ Hung in the Gods Phanes many ornaments ; Garments and gold ; that he the vast euents Of such a labor , to his wish had brought , As neither fell into his hope , nor thought . At last , from Troy saild Spartas king and I , Both , holding her vntoucht . And ( that his eie Might see no worse of her ) when both were blowne To sacred Sunius ( of Mineruas towne The goodly Promontorie ) with his shafts seuere Augur Apollo slue him that did stere Atrides ship , as he the sterne did guide , And she the full speed of her saile applide . He was a man , that nations of men Exceld in safe guide of a vessell ; when A tempest rusht in on the ruffld seas : His name was Phrontis Onetorides . And thus was Menelaus held from home , Whose way he thirsted so to ouercome ; To giue his friend the earth , being his pursuite , And all his exequies to execute . But sailing still the * wind-hewd seas , to reach Some shore for fit perform●●ce ; he did fetch The steepe Mount of the Mali●●s ; and there With open voice , offended I●piter , Proclaimd the voyage , his repugnant mind ; And powr'd the puffes out of a shreeking wind , That nourisht billowes , heightned like to hils . And with the Fleets diuision , fulfils His hate proclaimd ; vpon a part of Cr●●te Casting the Nauie ; where the ●ea-wa●●es meete Rough I●rdanus ; and where the Cyd●●s liue . There is a Rocke , on which the Sea doth driue ; Bare , and all broken ; on the confines set Of ●ortys ; that the darke seas likewise fret ; And hither sent the South , a horrid drift Of wanes against the top , that was the left Of that torne cliffe ; as farre as Phast●● Sttand . A litle stone , the great ●eas rage did stand . The men here driuen , scapt hard the ships so●e shocks ; The ships themselues being wrackt against the rocks ; Saue onely fiue , that blue fore-castles bo●e , Which wind and water cast on Aegyp●s shore . When he ( there victling well , and store of gold Aboord his ships brought ) his wilde way did ●old , And t'other languag'd men , was forc't to rome . Meane space Aegisthus made sad worke at home ; And slue his brother ; forcing to his sway , Atrides subiects ; and did seuen yeares lay His yoke vpon the rich Myce●●●● State. But in the eight , ( to his affrighting fat● ) Diuine Orest●s home from Athe●s came ; And what his royall Father felt , the same He made the false Aegisthus grone beneath : Death euermore is the reward of Death . Thus hauing slaine him ; a sepulchrall feast He made the Argiues , for his lustfull guest , And for his mother , whom he did de●est . The selfe-same day , vpon him stole the King , ( Good at a martiall shout ) and goods did bring ▪ As many as his freighted Fleete could beare . But thou ( my sonne ) too long , by no meanes erre , Thy goods left free for many a spoilfull guest ; Lest they consume some , and diuide the rest ; And thou ( perhaps besides ) thy voyage lose . To Menelaus yet thy course dispose , I wish and charge thee ; who but late arriu'd , From such a shore , and men ; as to haue liu'd In a returne from them ; he neuer thought ; And whom , blacke whirlwinds violently brought Within a sea so vast , that in a yeare Not any fowle could passe it any where , So huge and horrid was it . But go thou With ship and men ( or if thou pleasest now To passe by land , there shall be brought for thee Both horse and chariot ; and thy guides shall be My sonnes themselues ) to Sparta , the diuine , And to the King , whose locks like ▪ Ambe● shine . Intreate the truth of him ; nor loues he lies ; Wisedome in truth is ; and hee 's passing wise . This said , the Sunne went downe , and vp rose Night , When Pallas spake ; O Father , all good right Beare thy directions . But diuide we now The sacrifises tongues ; mixe wine ; and vow To Neptune , and the other euer blest ; That hauing sacrifisd , we may to rest . The fit houre runnes now ; light diues ou● of date ; At sacred feasts , we must not sit too late . She said : They heard ; the Herald water gaue ; The youths crownd cups with wine ; and let all haue Their equall shares ; beginning from the cup , Their parting banquet . All the Tongues cut vp ; The fire they gaue them ; sacrifisde , and rose ; Wine , and diuine rites , vsde to each dispose ; Minerua and Telemachus desirde They might to ship be , with his leaue , retirde . He ( mou'd with that ) prouokt thus their abodes : Now Ioue forbid , and all the long-liu'd Gods , Your leauing me , to sleepe aboord a ship : As I had drunke of poore Penias whip , Euen to my nakednesse ; and had nor sheete , Nor couering in my house ; that warme nor swe●●e . A guest , nor I my selfe , had meanes to sleepe ; Where I , both weeds and wealthy couerings keepe For all my guests : nor shall Fame euer say , The deare sonne of the man Vlysses , lay All night a ship boord here ; while my dayes shine ; Or in my Court , whiles any sonne of mine Enioyes suruiuall : who shall guests receiue , Whom euer , my house hath a nooke to leaue . My much lou'd Father , ( said Minerua ) well All this becomes thee . But perswade to dwell This night with thee thy sonne Telemachus ; For more conuenient is the cou●se for vs , That he may follow to thy house , and rest . And I may boord our blacke saile ; that addrest At all parts I may make our men ; and cheare All with my presence ; since of all men there I boast my selfe the senior ; th'o●hers are Youths , that attend in free and friendly care , Great-sould Telem●chus ; and are his peeres , In fresh similitude of forme and yeeres . For their confirmance , I will therefore now Sleepe in our blacke Barke . But when Light shall shew Her siluer forehead ; I intend my way Amongst the Cauco●s ; men that are to pay ▪ A debt to me , nor small , nor new . For this , Take you him home ; whom in the morne dismisse , With chariot and your sonnes ; and giue him ho●se Ablest in strength , and of the speediest course . This said ; away she flew ; formd like the fowle Men call the Os●ifrage ; when euery soule Amaze inuaded : euen th' old man admir'd ; The youths hand tooke , and said : O most desir'd ; My hope sayes , thy proofe will no coward show , Nor one vnskild in warre ; when Deities now So yong attend thee , and become thy guides : Nor any of the heauen-housde States besides ; But Tritogenias selfe ; the seed of Ioue ; The great in prey ; that did in honor moue ▪ So much about thy Father ; amongst all The Grecian armie . Fairest Queene , let fall On me like fauours : giue me good renowne ; Which , as on me ; on my lou'd wife , let downe , And all my children . I will burne to thee An Oxe right bred , brode headed , and yoke-free , To no mans hand yet humbled . Him will I ( His hornes in gold hid ) giue thy Deitie . Thus praid he ; and she heard ; and home he led His sonnes , and all his heap●s of kindered ; Who entring his Court royall ; euery one He marshald in his seuerall seate and throne . And euery one , so kindly come , he gaue His sweet-wine cup ; which none was let to haue Before this leuenth yeare , landed him from Troy ; Which now the Butleresse had leaue t' employ . Who therefore pierst it , and did giue it vent . Of this , the old Duke did a cup present To euery guest : made his maid many a praire That weares the Shield fring'd with his nurses haire ; And gaue her sacrifise . With this rich wine And food suffisde , Sleepe , all eyes did decline . And all for home went : but his Court alone , Telemachus , diuine Vlysses sonne , Must make his lodging , or not please his heart . A bed , all chequerd with elaborate Art , Within a Portico , that rung like brasse , He brought his guest to ; and his bedfere was Pisistratus , the martiall guide of men , That liu'd , of all his sonnes , vnwed till then . Himselfe lay in a by-roome , farre aboue , His bed made by his barren wife , his loue . The rosie-fingerd morne , no sooner shone , But vp he rose , tooke aire , and sat vpon A seate of white , and goodly polisht stone , That such a glosse as richest ointments wore Before his high gates ; where the Counsellor That matcht the Gods ( his Father ) vsde to sit : Who now ( by Fate forc't ) stoopt as low as it . And here sate Nestor , holding in his hand A Scepter ; and about him round did stand ( As early vp ) his sonnes troope ; Perseus , The God-like Thrasimed , and 〈◊〉 , Ec●ephron , Stratius ; the sixt and last Pisistratus ; and by him ( halfe emb●ac't Still as they came ) diuine Telemachus ; To these spake Nestor , old Gerenius : Haste ( loued sonnes ) and do me a desire , That ( first of all the Gods ) I may aspire To Pallas fauour ; who vouchsaft to me , At Neptunes feast , her sight so openly . Let one to field go ; and an Oxe with speed Cause hither brought ; which , let the Heardsman leade ; Another to my deare guests vessell go , And all his souldiers bring , saue onely two . A third , the Smith that works in gold , command ( Laertius ) to attend ; and lend his hand , To plate the both hornes round about with gold ▪ The rest remaine here close . But first , see told The maids within , that they prepare a feast ; Set ●eates through all the Court : see strait addrest The purest water ; and get fuell feld . This said ; not one , but in the seruice held Officious hand . The Oxe came led from field ; The Souldiers troopt from ship ; the Smith he came , And those tooles brought , that seru'd the actuall frame , His Art conceiu'd ; brought Anvile , hammers brought , Faire tongs , and all , with which the gold was wrought . Minerua likewise came , to set the Crowne On that kind sacrifice , and mak 't her owne . Then th' old Knight Nestor gaue the Smith the gold , With which he strait did both the hornes infold ; And trimm'd the Offering so , the Goddesse ioyd . About which , thus were Nestors sonnes employd : Diuine Echephron , and faire Stratius , Held both the hornes : the water odorous , In which they washt , what to the rites was vowd , Aretus ( in a caldron , all bestrowd With herbes and flowres ) seru'd in from th' holy roome Where all were drest ; and whence the rites must come . And after him , a hallowd virgin came , That brought the barley cake , and blew the flame . The axe , with which the Oxe should both be feld And cut forth , Thrasimed stood by ▪ and held . Perseus the ves●ell held , that should retaine The purple licour of the offering slaine . Then washt , the pious Father : then the Cake ( Of barley , salt , and oile made ) tooke , and brake . Askt many a boone of Pallas ; and the state Of all the offering , did initiate . In three parts cutting off the haire , and cast Amidst the flame . All th'inuocation past , And all the Cake broke ; manly Thr●simed Stood neare , and sure ; and such a blow he laid Aloft the offring ; that to earth he sunke , His neck-nerues sunderd , and his spirits shrunke . Ou●●●●iekt the daughters , daughter in lawes , and wife Of three-ag'd Nestor , ( who had eldest life Of Clymens daughters ) chast Eurydice . The Oxe on broad earth , then layd laterally , They held , while Duke Pisi●tr●tus , the throte Dissolu'd and set , the sable blood afflo●e ; And then the life the bones left . Instantly They cut him vp ; apart flew either Thie ; That with the fat they dubd , with art alone ; The throte-briske , and the sweet-bread pricking on . Then Nestor broild them on the cole-turnd wood , Powr'd blacke wine on ; and by him yong men stood , That spits fine-pointed held , on which ( when burnd The solid Thies were ) they transfixt , and turnd The inwards , cut in cantles : which ( the meate Vowd to the Gods , consum'd ) they rost and eate . In meane space , Polycaste ( calld the faire , Nestors yongst daughter ) bath'd Vlysses heire ; Whom , hauing cleansd , and with rich balmes bespred ; She cast a white shirt quickly o're his head , And then his weeds put on ; when , forth he went , And did the person of a God present . Came , and by Nestor tooke his honourd seate , This pastor of the people . Then , the meate Of all the spare parts rosted ; off they drew ; Sate , and fell to . But soone the temperate few , Rose , and in golden bolles , filld others wine . Till , when the rest felt thirst of feast decline ; Nestor his sonnes bad , fetch his high-man'd horse , And them in chariot ioyne , to runne the course The Prince resolu'd . Obaid , as soone as heard Was Nestor by his sonnes ; who strait prepar'd Both horse and chariot . She that kept the store , Both bread and wine , and all such viands more , As should the feast of Ioue-fed Kings compose ; Pouruaid the voyage . To the rich Coach , rose Vlysses sonne ; and close to him ascended The Duke Pisistratus ; the reines intended , And scourg'd , to force to field , who freely flew ; And left the Towne , that farre her splendor threw . Both holding yoke , and shooke it all the day ; But now the Sunne set , darkning euery way , When they to Pheris came ; and in the house Of Diocles ( the sonne t' Ortiloc●us , Whom flood Alpheus got ) slept all that night : Who gaue them each due hospitable rite . But when the rosie-fingerd morne arose , They went to Coach , and did their horse inclose ; Draue forth the fore-court , and the porch that yeelds Each breath a sound ; and to the fruitfull fields Rode scourging still their willing flying Steeds ; Who strenuously performd their wonted speeds . Their iourney ending iust when Sunne went downe ; And shadowes all wayes through the earth were throwne . Finis libri tertij Hom. Odyss . THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . REceiu'd now , in the Spart●● Court Telemachus , preferres report To Menelaus , of the throng Of wo●ers with 〈◊〉 , and their wrong . Atrides tels the Greekes retre●te , And doth a Prophecie repeate , That Protens●ade ●ade ; by which he knew His brothers death ; and then d●th shew How wish Calypso li●'d the fire Of his yong guest . The woo'rs c●●spire Their Princes death : wh●se trechery knowne , Penelope in teares doth dr●wne . Whom Pallas by a 〈…〉 , And in 〈◊〉 appeare Of faire Iphthima , 〈◊〉 to be The sister of Penelope . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Here , of the Sire The 〈◊〉 d●th heare : The woo'rs conspire ; The mothers feare . IN Laced●●● now , the nurse of Whales , These two arriu'd , and found at festiuals ( With mightie concourse ) the renowmed King , His sonne and daughter , ioyntly marrying . Alectors daughter , he did giue his sonne Strong 〈◊〉 ; who his life begunne By Menelaus bo●dmaid ; whom he knew In yeares . When Hellen could no more renew In issue like diuine 〈◊〉 ; Who held in all faire forme , as high degree As golden Venus . Her he married now To great Achilles sonne ; who was by vow Betrothd to her at Tr●y . And thus the Gods To constant loues , giue nuptiall periods . Whose state here past , the Myrmid●ns rich towne ( Of which she shar'd in the Imperiall Crowne ) With horse and chariots he resign'd her to . Meane space , the high huge house , with feast did flow Of friends and neighbours , ioying with the King. Amongst whom , did a heauenly Poet sing , And touch his Harpe . Amongst whom likewise danc't Two ; who in that dumbe motion aduanc't , Would prompt * the Singer , what to sing and play . All this time , in the vtter Court did stay , With horse and chariot , Telemachus , And Nestors noble sonne , Pisistratus . Whom Eteoneus coming forth , descried , And , being a seruant to the King , most tried In care , and his respect ; he ranne and cried : Guests ! Ioue-kept Menelaus ! two such men , As are for forme , of high Saturnius straine . Informe your pleasure , if we shall vnclose Their horse from coach ; or say , they must dispose Their way to some such house , as may embrace Their knowne arriuall , with more welcome grace ? He ( angry ) answerd , Thou didst neuer show Thy selfe a foole ( Beotides ) till now ; But now ( as if turnd child ) a childish speech Vents thy vaine spirits . We our selues now reach Our home , by much spent hospitalitie Of other men ; nor know , if Ioue will trie , With other after wants , our state againe : And therefore , from our feast , no more detaine Those welcome guests ; but take their Steeds from Coach , And with attendance guide in their approach . This said , he rusht abroad , and calld some more Tried in such seruice ; that together bore Vp to the guests : and tooke their Steeds that swet Beneath their yokes , from Coach. At mangers set , Wheate and white barley gaue them mixt ; and plac't Their Chariot by a wall so cleare , it cast A light quite thorough it . And then they led Their guests to the diuine house ; which so fed Their eyes at all parts with illustrous sights , That Admiration seisd them . Like the lights The Sunne and Moone gaue ; all the Pallace threw A luster through it . Satiate with whose view , Downe to the Kings most bright-kept Baths , they went ; Where handmaids did their seruices present : Bath'd , balmd them ; shirts , and well-napt weeds put on , And by Atrides side , set each his throne . Then did the handmaid royall , water bring , And to a Lauer , rich and glittering , Of massie gold , powr'd : which she plac't vpon A siluer Caldron ; into which , might runne The water as they washt . Then set she neare A polisht table ; on which , all the cheare The present could affoord ; a reuerend Dame That kept the Larder , set . A Cooke then came , And diuers dishes , borne thence , seru'd againe ; Furnisht the boord with bolles of gold ; and then ( His right hand giuen the guests ) Atrides said , Eate , and be chearfull ; appetite allaid , I long to aske , of what stocke ye descend ; For not from parents , whose race namelesse end , We must deriue your ofspring . Men obscure , Could get none such as you . The pourtraiture Of Ioue-sustaind , and Scepter-bearing Kings , Your either person , in his presence brings . An Oxes fat chine , then they vp did lift , And set before the guests ; which was a gift , Sent as an honor , to the Kings owne tast . They saw yet , t was but to be eaten plac't , And fell to it . But food and wines care past , Telemachus thus prompted Nestors sonne ; ( His eare close laying , to be heard of none ) Consider ( thou whom most my mind esteemes ) The brasse-worke here , how rich it is in beames ; And how besides , it makes the whole house sound ? What gold , and amber , siluer , ivorie , round Is wrought about it . Our of doubt , the Hall Of Iupiter Olympius , hath of all This state , the like . How many infinites , Take vp to admiration , all mens sights ? Atrides ouer-heard ; and said ; Lou'd sonne , No mortall must affect contention With Ioue , whose dwellings are of endlesse date . Perhaps ( of men ) some one may emulate , ( Or none ) my house , or me . For I am one , That many a graue extreme haue vndergone . Much error felt by sea ; and till th● eight yeare , Had neuer stay ; but wanderd farre and neare , Cyprus , Phoenicia , and Syd●nia ; And fetcht the farre off Aethiopia : Reacht the Erembi of Arabia ; And Lybia , where , with hornes , Ewes yeane their Lambs : Where euery full yeare , Ewes are three times dams . Where neither King , nor shepheard ; want comes neare Of cheese , or flesh , or sweete milke . All the yeare They euer milke their Ewes . And here while I Errd , gathering meanes to liue : one , murtherously , Vnwares , vnseene , bereft my brothers life ; Chiefly betraid by his abhorred wife . So , hold I , ( not enioying ) what you see . And of your Fathers ( if they liuing be ) You must haue heard this : since my suffrings were So great and famous . From this Pallace here , ( So rarely-well-built ; furnished so well ; And substanced with such a precio●s deale Of well-got treasure ) banisht by the doome Of Fate ; and erring as I had no home . And now I haue , and vse it ; not to take Th' entire delight it offers ; but to make Continuall wishes , that a triple part Of all it holds , were wanting ; so my heart Were easde of sorrowes ( taken for their deaths That fell at Troy ) by their reuiued breaths . And thus sit I here , weeping , mourning still Each least man lost ; and sometimes make mine ill ( In paying iust teares for their losse ) my ioy . Sometimes I breathe my woes ; for in annoy ▪ The pleasure soone admits satietie . But all these mens wants , wet not so mine eie , ( Though much they moue me ) as one sole mans misse ; For which , my sleepe and meate euen lothsome is , In his renewd thought ; since no Greeke hath wonne Grace , for such labours , as * La●rtes sonne Hath wrought and sufferd : to himselfe , nought else But future sorrowes forging : to me , hels For his long absence ; since I cannot know If life or death detaine him : since such woe For his loue , old Laertes , his wise wife , And poore yong sonne sustaines ; whom new with life , He left as sirelesse . This speech ; griefe to teares ( Powrd from the sonnes lids on the earth ) his eares ( Told of the Father ) did excite ; who kept His cheekes drie with his red weed , as he wept : His both hands vsde therein . Atrides then Began to know him ; and did 〈◊〉 retaine , If he should let , himselfe confesse his Sire , Or with all fitting circumstance , enquire . While this , his thoughts disputed ; forth did shine , ( Like to the golden * distaffe-deckt diuine ) From her beds high and odoriferous roome , Hellen. To whom ( of an elaborate loome ) Adresta set a chaire : Alcyppe brought A peece of Tapestrie , of fine wooll wrought . Philo , a siluer Cabinet conferd : ( Giuen by Alcandra , Nuptially endeard To Lord Polybius ; whose abode in Thebes , Th'Aegyptian citie was ; ) where wealth in heapes , His famous house held : out of which did go In gift t' Atrides , siluer bath-tubs two ; Two Tripods ; and of fine gold , talents ten . His wife did likewise send to Hellen then , Faire gifts ; a Distaffe that of gold was wrought ; And that rich Cabinet that Phyl● brought ; Round , and with gold ribd ; now of fine thred , full : On which extended ( crownd with finest wooll , Of violet glosse ) the golden Distaffe lay . She tooke her State-chaire ; and a foot-stoo●●s stay Had for her feete : and of her husband , thus Askt to know all things : Is it knowne to vs , ( King Menelaus ) whom these men commend Themselues for ; that our Court , now takes to friend ? I must affirme , ( be I deceiu'd or no ) I neuer yet saw man nor woman so Like one another , as this man is like Vlysses sonne . With admiration str●ke His lookes , my thoughts ; that they should carrie now Powre to perswade me thus ; who did but know , When newly he was borne , the forme they bore . But t is his Fathers grace ; whom more and more His grace resembles ; that makes meretaine Thought , that he now , is like Telemachus then : Left by his Sire , when Greece did vndertake Troys bold warre , for my impudencies sake . He answerd : Now wife , what you thinke , I know , The true cast of his Fathers eye , doth show In his eyes order . Both his head and haire , His hands and feete , his very fathers are . Of whom ( so well rememberd ) I should now Acknowledge for me , his continuall flow Of cares and perils : yet still patient . But I should too much moue him , that doth vent Such bitter teares for that which hath bene spoke ; Which ( shunning soft shew ) see how he would cloke ; And with his purple weed , his weepings hide . Then Nestors sonne , Pisistratus replide : Great Pastor of the people , kept of God! He is Vlysses sonne ; but his abode Not made before here ; and he modest too ; He holds it an indignitie to do A deed so vaine , to vse the boast of words , Where your words are on wing ; whose voice affords Delight to vs , as if a God did breake The aire amongst vs , and vouchsafe to speake . But me , my father ( old Duke Nestor ) sent To be his consort hither ; his content , Not to be height●●d so , as with your sight . In hope that therewith words and actions might Informe his comforts from you ; since he is Extrernely grieu'd and iniu●'d , by the misse Of his great Father ; suffering euen at home . And few friends found , to helpe him ouercome His too weake sufferance , now his Sire is gone . Amongst the people , not affoorded one To checke the miseries , that mate him thus ; And this the state is of Telemachus . O Gods ( said he ) how certaine , now , I see My house enioyes that friends sonne , that for me Hath vndergone so many willing fights ? Whom I resolu'd , past all the Grecian Knights , To hold in loue ; if our returne by seas , The farre-off Thunderer did euer please To grant our wishes . And to his respect , A Pallace and a Citie to erect , My vow had bound me . Whither bringing then His riches , and his sonne , and all his men From barren Ithaca , ( some one sole Towne Inhabited about him , batterd downe ) All should in Argos liue . And there would I Ease him of rule ; and take the Emperie Of all on me . And often here would we ( Delighting , louing eithers companie ) Meete and conuerse ; whom nothing should diuide , Till deaths blacke veile did each all ouer hide . But this perhaps had ben● a meane to take Euen God himselfe with enuie ; who did make Vlysses therefore onely the vnblest , That should not reach his loued countries rest . These woes made euery one with woe in loue ; Euen Argiue Hellen wept , ( the seed of Ioue ) Vlysses sonne wept ; Atreus * sonne did weepe ; And Nestors sonne , his eyes in teares did steepe . But his teares fell not from the present cloud , That from Vlysses was exhal'd ; but flowd From braue Antilochus rememberd due , Whom the renowmd * Sonne of the Morning slue . Which yet he thus excusde : O Atreus sonne ! Old Nestor sayes , There liues not such a one Amongst all mortals , as Atrides is , For deathlesse wisedome . T is a praise of his , Still giuen in your remembrance ; when at home Our speech concernes you . Since then ouercome You please to be , with sorrow euen to teares , That are in wisedome so exempt from peres ; Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse , ( If it be lawfull ) I affect no vse Of teares thus , after meales ; at least , at night : But when the morne brings forth , with teares , her light , It shall not then empaire me to bestow My teares on any worthies ouerthrow . It is the onely right , that wretched men Can do dead friends ; to cut haire , and complaine . But Death my brother tooke ; whom none could call The Grecian coward ; you best knew of all . I was not there , nor saw ; but men report , Antilochus exceld the common sort , For footmanship , or for the Chariot race ; Or in the fight , for hardie hold of place . O friend ( said he ) since thou hast spoken so , At all parts , as one wise should say and do ; And like one , farre beyond thy selfe in yeares ; Thy words shall bounds be , to our former teares . O he is questionlesse a right borne sonne , That of his Father hath not onely wonne The person , but the wisedome ; and that Sire ; ( Complete himselfe ) that hath a sonne entire , Ioue did not onely his full Fate adorne , When he was wedded ; but when he was borne . As now Saturnius , through his lifes whole date , Hath Nestors blisse raisd to as steepe a state : Both in his age to keepe in peace his house ; And to haue children wise and valorous . But let vs not forget our rere Feast thus ; Let some giue water here . Telemachus ! The morning shall yeeld time to you and me , To do what fits ; and reason mutually . This said ; the carefull seruant of the King ; ( Asphalion ) powr'd on , th' issue of the Spring ; And all to readie feast , set readie hand . But Hellen now , on new deuice did stand ; Infusing strait a medcine to their wine , That ( drowning Cares and Anger 's ) did decline All thought of ill . Who drunke her cup , could shed All that day , not a teare ; no not if dead That day his father or his mother were ; Not if his brother , child , or chiefest deare , He should see murtherd then before his face . Such vsefull medcines ( onely borne in grace , Of what was good ) would Hellen euer haue . And this Iuyce to her , Polydamma gaue The wife of Thoon ; an Aegyptian borne ; Whose rich earth , herbes of medicine do adorne In great abundance . Many healthfull are , And many banefull . Euery man is there A good Physition , out of natures grace ; For all the nation sprung of Paeons race . When Hellen then her medicine had infusde , She bad powre wine to it , and this speech vsde : Atrides , and these good mens sonnes ; great Ioue Makes good and ill , one after other moue In all things earthly : for he can do all . The woes past therefore , he so late let fall ; The comforts he affoords vs , let vs take ; Feast , and with fit discourses , merrie make . Nor will I other vse . As then our blood Grieu'd for Vlysses , since he was so good ; Since he was good , let vs delight to heare How good he was , and what his suffrings were . Though euery fight , and euery suffring deed , Patient Vlysses vnderwent ; exceed My womans powre to number , or to name . But what he did , and sufferd , when he came Amongst the Troians , ( where ye Grecians all Tooke part with sufferance ) I in part can call To your kind memories . How with ghastly wounds Himselfe he mangl'd ; and the Troian bounds ( Thrust thicke with enemies ) aduentured on : His royall shoulders , hauing cast vpon Base abiect weeds , and enterd like a slaue . Then ( begger-like ) he did of all men craue ; And such a wretch was , as the whole Greeke fleete Brought not besides . And thus through euery streete He crept discouering : of no one man knowne . And yet through all this difference , I alone Smok't his true person . Talkt with him . But he Fled me with wiles still . Nor could we agree , Till I disclaimd him quite . And so ( as mou'd With womanly remorse , of one that prou'd So wretched an estate , what ere he were ) Wonne him to take my house . And yet euen there ; Till freely I ( to make him doubtlesse ) swore A powrefull oath , to let him reach the shore Of ships and tents , before Troy vnderstood ; I could not force on him his proper good . But then I bath'd and sooth'd him , and he then Confest , and told me all . And ( hauing slaine A number of the Troian guards ) retirde , And reacht the Fleete ; for slight and force admirde . Their husbands deaths by him , the Troian wiues Shrickt for ; but I made triumphs for their liues . For then my heart conceiu'd , that once againe I should reach home ; and yet did still retaine Woe for the slaughters , Venus made for me : When both my husband , my Hermio●e , And bridall roome , she robd of so much right ; And drew me from my countrie , with her sleight . Though nothing vnder heauen , I here did need , That could my Fancie , or my Beautie feed . Her husband said : Wife ! what you please to tell , Is true at all parts , and becomes you well . And I my selfe , that now may say , haue seene The minds and manners of a world of men : And great Heroes , measuring many a ground , Haue neuer ( by these eyes that light me ) found One , with a bosome , so to be belou'd , As that in which , th'accomplisht spirit , mou'd Of patient Vlysses . What ( braue man ) He both did act , and suffer , when we wan The towne of Ilion , in the braue-built horse , When all we chiefe States of the Grecian force , Were housde together ; bringing Death and Fate Amongst the Troians ; you ( wife ) may relate . For you , at last , came to vs ; God that would The Troians glorie giue ; gaue charge you should Approch the engine ; and Deipho●us ( The god-like ) followd . Thrice ye cir●'d vs , With full suruay of it ; and often tried The hollow crafts , that in it were implied . When all the voices of their wiues in it You tooke on you ; with voice so like , and fit ; And euery man by name , so visited ; That I , Vlysses , and King Diomed , ( Set in the midst , and hearing how you calld ) Tydides , and my selfe , ( as halfe appalld With your remorcefull plaints ) would , passing faine Haue broke our silence ; rather then againe Endure , respectlesse , their so mouing cries . But , Ithacus , our strongest fantasies Containd within vs , from the slendrest noise , And euery man there , sat without a voice . Anticlus onely , would haue answerd thee : But , his speech , Ithacus incessantly With strong hand held in : till ( Mineruas call , Charging thee off ) Vlysses sau'd vs all . Telemachus replide : Much greater is My griefe , for hearing this high praise of his . For all this doth not his sad death diuert ; Nor can , though in him swelld an iron heart . Prepare , and leade then ( if you please ) to rest : Sleepe ( that we heare not ) will content vs best . Then Argiue Hellen made he handmaid go , And put faire bedding in the Portico ; Lay purple blankets on , Rugs warme and soft ; And cast and Arras couerlet aloft . They torches tooke ; made haste , and made the bed , When both the guests were to their lodgings led , Within a Portico , without the house . Atrides , and his large-traine-wearing Spouse , ( The excellent of women ) for the way , In a retir'd receit , together lay . The morne arose ; the King rose , and put on His royall weeds ; his sharpe sword hung vpon His ample shoulders ; forth his chamber went , And did the person of a God present . Telemachus accosts him ; who begun Speech of his iourneys proposition . And what ( my yong Vlyssean Heroe ) Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea , To visit Lacedaemon the Diuine ? Speake truth ; Some publicke● or onely thine ? I come ( said he ) to heare , if any fame Breath'd of my Father ; to thy notice came . My house is sackt ; my fat workes of the field , Are all destroid : my house doth nothing yeeld But enemies ; that kill my harmlesse sheepe , And sinewie Oxen : nor will euer keepe Their steeles without them . And these men are they , That wooe my Mother ; most inhumanely Committing iniurie on iniurie . To thy knees therefore I am come , t' attend Relation of the sad and wretched end , My erring Father felt : if witnest by Your owne eyes ; or the certaine newes that flie From others knowledges . For , more then is The vsuall heape of humane miseries , His Mother bore him to . Vouchsafe me then ( Without all ruth of what I can sustaine ) The plaine and simple truth of all you know . Let me beseech so much . If euer vow Was made , and put in good effect to you At Troy ( where suffrance bred you so much smart ) Vpon my Father , good Vlysses part ; And quit it now to me ( himselfe in youth ) Vnfolding onely the vnclosed truth . He ( deeply sighing ) answerd him : O shame That such poore vassals should affect the fame , To share the ioyes of such a Worthies Bed ! As when a Hinde ( her calues late farrowed To giue sucke ) enters the bold lions den : He , rootes of hils , and herbie vallies then For food ( there feeding ) hunting : but at length Returning to his Cauerne ; giues his strength The liues of both the mother and her brood , In deaths indecent ; so the 〈…〉 Must pay Vlysses powres , as sharpe an end . O would to Ioue , Apollo , and thy friend , ( The wise Minerua ) that thy Father were As once he was , when he his spirits did rere Against Philomelides , in a fight Performd in well-built Lesbos ; where , downe-right He strooke the earth with him ; and gat a shout Of all the Grecians . O , if now , full out He were as then ; and with the wooers cop't , Short-liu'd they all were ; and their nuptials , hop't Would proue as desperate . But for thy demand , Enforc't with prayrs ; I le let thee vnderstand The truth directly ; nor decline a thought ; Much lesse deceiue , or sooth thy search in ought . But what the old , and still-true-spoken God , That from the sea breathes oracles 〈◊〉 , Disclosde to me ; to thee I le all impart , Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart . I was in Aegypt ; where a mightie time , The Gods detaind me : though my naturall clime , I neuer so desir'd ; because their homes I did not greete , with perfect Hecatomes . For they will put men euermore in mind , How much their masterly commandments bind . There is ( besides ) a certaine Iland , calld Ph●ros , that with the high-wau'd sea is walld ; Iust against Aegypt ; and so much remote , As in a whole day , with a fore-gale 〈◊〉 , A hollow ship can saile . And this I le beares A Port , most portly ; where sea-passengers Put in still for fresh water , and away To sea againe . Yet here the Gods did stay My Fleete , full twentie dayes : the winds ( that are Masters at sea ) no prosprous puffe would spare , To put vs off : and all my victles here . Had quite corrupted ; as my mens minds were ; Had not a certaine Goddesse giuen regard , And pittide me in an estate so hard : And t was Edothea , honourd Proteus seed , That old sea-farer . Her mind I made bleed With my compassion , when ( walkt all alone , From all my souldiers , that were euer gone About the I le on fishing , with hookes bent ; Hunger , their bellies , on her errand sent ) She came close to me ; spake ; and thus began : Of all men , thou art the most foolish man , Or slacke in businesse ; or stayst here of choice ; And doest in all thy suffrances reioyce ; That thus long liu'st detaind here ; and no end Canst giue thy tarriance . Thou doest much offend The minds of all thy fellowes . I replied : Who euer thouart of the Deified , I must affirme , that no way with my will , I make abode here : but , it seemes , some ill The Gods , inhabiting broad heauen , sustaine Against my getting off . Informe me then , ( For Godheads all things know ) what God is he That stayes my passage , from the fishie sea ? Stranger ( said she ) I le tell thee true : there liues An old Sea-farer in these seas , that giues A true solution of all secrets here . Who , deathlesse Proteus is , th' Aegyptian Peere : Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire ; Who Neptunes Priest is ; and ( they say ) the Sire That did beger me . Him , if any way Thou couldst inveagle , he would cleare display Thy course from hence ; and how farre off doth lie Thy voyages whole scope through Neptunes skie . Informing thee ( O Godpreseru'd ) beside ( If thy desires would so be satisfide ) What euer good or ill hath got euent , In all the time , thy long and hard course spent , Since thy departure from thy house . This said ; Againe I answerd : Make the sleights displaid , Thy Father vseth ; lest his foresight see , Or his foreknowledge taking note of me , He flies the ●ixt place of his vsde abode ; T is hard for man to countermine with God. She strait replide : I le vtter truth in all ; When heauens supremest height , the Sunne doth skall ; The old Sea-tell-truth leaues the deepes , and hides Amidst a blacke storme , when the West wind chides ; In caues still sleeping . Round about him sleepe ( With short feete swimming forth the fomie deepe ) The Sea-calues ( louely Halosydnes calld ) From whom a noisome odour is exhalld , Got from the whirle-pooles , on whose earth they lie . Here , when the morne illustrates all the skie , I le guide , and seate thee , in the fittest place , For the performance thou hast now in chace . In meane time , reach thy Fleete ; and chuse out three Of best exploit , to go as aides to thee . But now I le shew thee all the old Gods sleights ; He first will number , and take all the sights Of those , his guard , that on the shore arriues . When hauing viewd , and told them forth by fiues ; He takes place in their midst , and there doth sleepe , Like to a shepheard midst his flocke of sheepe . In his first sleepe , call vp your hardiest cheare , Vigor and violence , and hold him there , In spite of all his striuings to be gone . He then will turne himselfe to euery one Of all things that in earth creepe and respire , In water swim , or shine in heauenly fire . Yet still hold you him firme ; and much the more Presse him from passing . But when , as before ( When sleepe first bound his powres ) his forme ye see , Then ceasse your force , and th' old Heroe free ; And then demand , which heauen-borne it may bee That so afflicts you , hindring your retreate , And free sea-passage to your natiue seate . This said , she diu'd into the wauie seas ; And I my course did to my ships addresse , That on the sands stucke ; where arriu'd , we made Our supper readie . Then th'Ambrosian shade Of night fell on vs ; and to sleepe we fell . Rosie Aurora rose ; we rose as well ; And three of them , on whom I most relied , For firme at euery force ; I chusde , and hied Strait to the many-riuer-serued seas . And all assistance , askt the Deities . Meane time Ed●thea , the seas broad brest Embrac't ; and brought for me , and all my rest , Foure of the sea-calues skins , but newly flead , To worke a wile , which she had fashioned Vpon her Father . Then ( within the sand A couert digging ) when these Calues should land , She sate expecting . We came close to her : She plac't vs orderly ; and made vs weare Each one his Calues skin . But we then must passe A huge exploit . The sea-calues sauour was So passing sowre ( they still being bred at seas ) It much afflicted vs : for who can please To lie by one of these same sea-bred whales ? But she preserues vs ; and to memorie calls A rare commoditie : she fetcht to vs Ambrosia , that an aire most odorous Beares still about it ; which she nointed round Our either nosthrils ; and in it quite drownd The nastie whale-smell . Then the great euent , The whole mornes date , with spirits patient We lay expecting . When bright Noone did flame Forth from the sea , in Sholes the sea-calues came , And orderly , at last , lay downe and slept Along the sands . And then th' old sea-god crept From forth the deepes ; and found his sat calues there : Suruaid , and numberd ; and came neuer neare The craft we vsde ; but told vs fiue for calues . His temples then diseasd , with sleepe he salues ; And in rusht we , with an abhorred crie : Cast all our hands about him manfully , And then th' old Forger , all his formes began : First was a Lion , with a mightie mane ; Then next a Dragon ; a pide Panther then ; A vast Boare next ; and sodainly did straine All into water . Last , he was a tree , Curld all at top , and shot vp to the skie . We , with resolu'd hearts , held him firmly still , When th' old one ( held to streight for all his skill , To extricate ) gaue words , and questiond me : Which of the Gods , O Atreus sonne , ( said he ) Aduisde and taught thy fortitude this sleight , To take and hold me thus , in my despight ? What asks thy wish now ? I replide : Thou knowst : Why doest thou aske ? What wiles are these thou showst I haue within this I le , bene held for winde A wondrous time ; and ca● by no meanes find An end to my retention . It hath spent The very heart in me . Giue thou then vent To doubts thus bound in me , ( ye Gods know all ) Which of the Godheads , doth so fowly fall On my addression home , to stay me here ? Auert me from my way ? The fishie cleare , Barr'd to my passage ? He replide : Of force ( If to thy home , thou wishest free recourse ) To Ioue , and all the other Deities , Thou must exhibite solemne sacrifice ; And then the blacke sea for thee shall be cleare , Till thy lou'd countries settl'd reach . But where Aske these rites thy performance ? ●Tis a fate To thee and thy affaires appropriate , That thou shalt neuer see thy friends , nor tred Thy Countries earth ; nor see inhabited Thy so magnificent house ; till thou make good Thy voyage backe to the Aegyptian flood , Whose waters fell from I●●e : and there hast gi●en To Ioue , and all Gods , housd in ample heauen , Deuoted Hecatombs ; and then free wayes Shall open to thee ; cleard of all delayes . This told he ; and me thought , he b●●ke my heart , In such a long and hard cou●se to diuert My hope for home ; and charge my backe retreat , As farre as Aegypt . I made answer yet : Father , thy charge I le perfect ; but before , Resolue me truly , if their naturall ●hore , All those Greeks , and their ships , do safe enioy , That Nestor and my selfe left , when from Troy We first raisde saile ? Or whether any died At sea a death vnwisht ? Or ( satisfied ) When warre was past , by friends embrac't , in peace Resign'd their spirits ? He made answer : Cease To aske so farre ; it fits thee not to be So cunning in thine owne calamitie . Nor seeke to learne ; what learnd , thou shouldst forget ; Mens knowledges haue proper limits set , And should not prease into the mind of God. But t will not long be ( as my thoughts abode ) Before thou buy this curious skill with tea●es . Many of those , whose states so tempt thine eares , Are stoopt by Death ; and many left aliue : One chiefe of which , in strong hold doth surui●e , Amidst the broad sea . Two , in their retreate , Are done to death . I list not to repeate , Who fell at Troy ; thy selfe was there in fight . But in returne , swift Aiax lost the light , In his long-oard ship . Neptune yet a while , Saft him vnwrackt : to the Gyr●an I le , A mightie Rocke ●emo●ing from his way . And surely he had scapt the fatall day , In spite of Pallas , if to that foule deed , He in her Phane did , ( when he raui●hed The Troian Prophetesse ) he had not here Adioynd an impious boast : that he would beare ( Despite the Gods ) his ship safe through the waues Then raisde against him . These his impious b●aues , When Neptune heard ; in his strong hand he tooke His massie Trident ; and so soundly strooke The rocke Gyraean , that in two it cleft : Of which , one fragment on the land he left ; The other fell into the troubld seas ; At which , first rusht Aiax Oileades , And split his ship : and then himselfe aflote Swum on the rough waues of the worlds va●t mo●e ; Till hauing drunke a salt cup for his sinne , There perisht he . Thy brother yet did winne The wreath from Death , while in the waues they stroue , Afflicted by the reuerend wife of Ioue . But when the steepe Mount of the Malean shore , He seemd to reach ; a most tempestuous blore , Farre to the fishie world , that sighes so sore , Strait rauisht him againe ; as farre away , As to th' extreme bounds where the Agrians stay ; Where first Thiestes dwelt : but then his sonne Aegisthus Thiestiades liu'd . This done , When his returne vntoucht appeard againe ; Backe turnd the Gods the wind ; and set him then Hard by his house . Then , full of ioy , he left His ship ; and close t' his countrie earth he cleft ; Kist it , and wept for ioy : powrd teare on teare , To set so wishedly his footing there . But see : a Sentinell that all the yeare , Craftie Aegisthus , in a watchtowre set To spie his landing ; for reward as great As two gold talents ; all his powres did call To strict remembrance of his charge ; and all Discharg'd at first sight ; which at first he cast On Agamemnon ; and with all his hast , Informd Aeg●sthus . He , an instant traine Laid for his slaughter : Twentie chosen men Of his Plebeians , he in ambush laid . His other men , he charg'd to see puruaid A Feast : and forth , with horse and chariots grac't , He rode t'inui●e him : but in heart embrac't Horrible welcomes : and to death did bring , With trecherous slaughter , the vnwary King. Receiu'd him at a Feast ; and ( like an Oxe Slaine at his manger ) gaue him bits and knocks . No one left of Atrides traine ; nor one Sau'd to Aegisthus ; but himselfe alone : All strowd together there , the bloudie Court. This said : my soule he sunke with his report : Flat on the sands I fell : teares spent their store ; I , light abhord : my heart would liue no more . When drie of teares ; and tir'd with tumbling there ; Th' old Tel-truth thus my danted spirits did cheare : No more spend teares nor time , ô Atreus sonne ; With ceaslesse weeping , neuer wish was wonne . Vse vttermost assay to reach thy home , And all vnwares vpon the murtherer come , ( For torture ) taking him thy selfe , aliue ; Orw let Orestes , that should farre out-striue Thee in fit vengeance , quickly quit the light Of such a darke soule : and do thou the right Of buriall to him , with a Funerall feast . With these last words , I fortifide my breast ; In which againe , a generous spring began , Of fitting comfort , as I was a man ; But , as a brother , I must euer mourne . Yet forth I went ; and told him the returne Of these I knew : but he had nam'd a third , Held on the broad sea ; still with life inspir'd ; Whom I besought to know , though likewise dead , And I must mourne alike . He answered : He is Laertes sonne ; whom I beheld In Nymph Calypsos Pallace ; who compeld His stay with her : and since he could not see His countrie earth , he mournd incessantly . For he had neither ship , instruct with oares , Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores . Where , leaue we him ; and to thy selfe descend ; Whom , not in Argos , Fate nor Death shall end ; But the immortall ends of all the earth , So rul'd by them , that order death by birth , ( The fields Elisian ) Fate to thee will giue : Where Rhadamanthus rules ; and where men liue A neuer-troubld life : where snow , nor showres , Nor irksome Winter spends his fruitlesse powres ; But from the Ocean , Zephyre still resumes A constant breath , that all the fields perfumes . Which , since thou marriedst Hellen , are thy hire ; And Ioue himselfe , is by her side thy Sire . This said ; he diu'd the d●epsome watrie heapes ; I , and my tried men , tooke vs to our ships ; And worlds of thoughts , I varied with my steps . Arriu'd and shipt , the silent solemne Night , And Sleepe bereft vs of our visuall light . At morne , masts , sailes reard , we sate ; left the shores , And beate the fomie Ocean with our oares . Againe then we , the Ioue-falne flood did fetch , As farre as Aegypt : where we did beseech The Gods with Hecatombs ; whose angers ceast ; I toomb'd my brother , that I might be blest . All rites performd ; all haste I made for home ; And all the prosprous winds about were come ; I had the Pasport now of euery God , And here closde all these labours period . Here stay then , till th' eleuenth or twelfth daies light ; And I le dismisse thee well ; gifts exquisite Preparing for thee : Chariot , horses three ; A Cup of curious frame to serue for thee , To serue th' immortall Gods with sacrifice ; Mindfull of me , while all Sunnes light thy skies . He answe●d : Stay me not too long time here ; Though I could sit , attending all the yeare : Nor should my house , nor parents , with desire , Take my affections from you ; so on fire With loue to heare you , are my thoughts : but so ; My Pylian friends , I shall afflict with wo , Who mourne euen this stay . Whatsoeuer be The gifts your Grace is to bestow on me ; Vouchsafe them such , as I may beare and saue , For your sake euer . Horse , I list not haue , To keepe in Ithaca : but leaue them here , To your soiles dainties ; where the broad fields beare Sweet Cypers grasse ; where men-fed Lote doth flow ; Where wheate-like Spelt ; and wheate it selfe doth grow ; Where Barley , white , and spreading like a tree : But Ithaca , hath neither ground to be ( For any length it comprehends ) a race To trie a horses speed : nor any place To make him fat in : fitter farre to feed A Cliffe-bred Goate , then raise ▪ or please a Steed . Of all Iles , Ithaca doth least prouide , Or meades to feed a horse , or wayes ●o ride . He , smiling said : Of good bloud art thou ( sonne ) : What speech , so●yong ? what obseruation Hast thou made of the world ? I well am pleasde To change my gifts to thee ; as being confessd Vnfit indeed : my store is such , I may . Of all my house-gifts then , that vp I lay For treasure there , I will bestow on thee The fairest , and of greatest price to me . I will bestow on thee a rich caru'd Cup Of siluer all : but all the brims wrought vp With finest gold : it was the onely thing That the Heroicall Sydonian King Presented to me , when we were to part At his receit of me ; and t was the Art Of that great Artist , that of heauen is free ; And yet euen this , will I bestow on thee . This speech thus ended ; guests came , and did bring Muttons ( for Presents ) to the God-like King : And spirit-prompting wine , that strenuous makes . Their Riband-wreathed wiues , brought fruit and cakes . Thus , in this house , did these their Feast apply : And in Vlysses house , Actiuitie The wooers practisde : Tossing of the Speare ; The Stone , and hurling : thus delighted , where They exercisde such insolence before : Euen in the Court , that wealthy 〈◊〉 wo●e . Antinous did still their strifes decide ; And he that was in person dei●ide Eury●ach●● ; both ring leaders of all ; For in their vertues they were principall . These , by Noem●n ( sonne to 〈◊〉 ) Were sided now ; who made the question thus : Antinous ! does any friend here know , When this Telemachus returnes ? or no , From sandie Pylos ? He made bold to take My ship with him : of which , I now should make Fit vse my selfe ; and saile in her as fa●e As spacious Elis ; where , of mine , there are Twelue delicate Mares ; and vnder their sides , go Laborious Mules , that yet did neuer know The yoke , nor labour : some of which should beare The taming now , if I could fetch them there . This speech , the rest admir'd ; nor dreamd that he Neleian Pyles , euer thought to see ; But was at field about his flocks suruay : Or thought , his heardsmen ●eld him so away . Enpitheus sonne , Antino●s , then replied : When went he ? or with what Traine dignified Of his selected Ithacensi●● youth ? Prest men , or Bond men were they ? Tell the truth . Could he effect this ? let me truly know : To gaine thy vessell , did he violence show , And vsde her gainst thy will ? or had her free , When fitting question , he had made with thee ? Noemon answerd : I did freely giue My vessell to him ; who deserues to liue , That would do other ? when such men as he , Did in distresse aske ? he should churlish be , That would denie him : Of our youth , the best Amongst the people ; to the interest His charge did challenge in them ; giuing way , With all the tribute , all their powres could pay . Their Captaine ( as he tooke the ship ) I knew ; Who Mentor was , or God. A deities shew , Maskt in his likenesse . But to thinke t was he , I much admire ; for I did clearly see , But yester morning , God like Mentor here ; Yet , th' other euening , he tooke shipping there , And went for Pylos . Thus went he for home , And left the rest , with enuie ouercome : Who sate ; and pastime left . Enpitheus sonne ( Sad , and with rage , his entrailes ouerrunne ) His eyes like flames ; thus interposde his speech . Strange thing ; an action of how proud a reach , Is here committed by Telemachus ? A boy , a child ; and we , a sort of vs , Vowd gainst his voyage ; yet admit it thus , With ship , and choise youth of our people too ? But let him on ; and all his mischiefe do ; Ioue shall conuert vpon himselfe his powres , Before their ill presum'd , he brings on ours . Prouide me then a ship , and twentie men To giue her manage ; that against again He turnes for home ; on th' Ithacensian seas , Or Cliffie Samian ; I may interprease ; Way-lay , and take him ; and make all his craft , Saile with his ruine , for his Father saf't . This , all applauded ; and gaue charge to do ; Rose , and to greete Vlysses house , did go . But long time past not , ere Penelope Had notice of their far-fetcht trecherie . Medon the Herald told her ; who had heard Without the Hall , how they within conferd : And hasted strait , to tell it to the Queene : Who from the entrie , hauing Medon seene Preuents him thus : Now Herald ; what affaire Intend the famous woo'rs , in your repaire ? To tell Vlysses maids , that they must ceasse From doing our worke , and their banquets dresse ? I would to heauen , that ( leauing wooing me , Nor euer troubling other companie ) Here might the last Feast be , and most extreme , That euer any shall addresse for them . They neuer meete , but to consent in spoile , And reape the free fruites of anothers toile . O did they neuer , when they children were , What to their Fathers , was Vlysses , heare ? Who neuer did gainst any one proceed , With vniust vsage , or in word or deed ? T is yet with other Kings , another right , One to pursue with loue , another spight ; He still yet iust ; nor would , though might deuoure ; Nor to the worst , did euer taste of powre . But their vnruld acts , shew their minds estate : Good turnes receiu'd once , thanks grow our of date . Medon , the learn'd in wisedome , answerd her : I wish ( O Queene ) that their ingratitudes were Their worst ill towards you : but worse by farre , And much more deadly their endeuours are ; Which loue will faile them in . 〈◊〉 Their purpose is ( as he returnes to vs ) To giue their sharpe steeles in a cruell death : Who now is gone to learne , if Fame can breathe Newes of his Sire ; and will the ●ylian shore , And sacred Sparta , in his search explore . This newes dissolu'd to her both knees and heart , Long silence held her , ere one word would part : Her eyes stood full of teares ; her small soft voice , All late vse lost ; that yet at last had choice Of won●ed words ; which briefly thus she vsde : Why left my sonne his mother ? why refusde His wit the solid shore , to trie the seas , And put in ships the trust of his distresse ? That are at sea to men vnbridld horse , And tunne , past rule , their farre-engaged course , Amidst a moisture , past all meane vnstaid ? No need compeld this : did he it , afraid To liue and leaue posteritie his name ? I know not ( he replide ) if th'humor came From current of his owne instinct , or flowd From others instigations ; but he vowd Attempt to Pylos ; or to see descried His Sires returne , or know what death he died . This said ; he tooke him to Vlysse● house After the wooers ; the Vlyssean Spouse ( Runne through with woes ) let Tort●●e seise her mind , Nor , in her choice of state-chaires , stood enclin'd To take her seate ; but th'abiect threshold chose Of her faire chamber , for her loth'd repose ; And mournd most wretch-like . Round about her fell Her handmaids , ioynd in a continuate yell . From euery corner of the Pallace , all Of all degrees , tun'd to her comforts fall Their owne deiections : to whom , her complaint She thus enforc't : The Gods beyond constraint Of any measure , vrge these teares on me ; Nor was there euer Dame of my degree , So past degree grieu'd . First , a Lord , so good , That had such hardie spirits in his blood . That all the vertues was adornd withall ; That all the Greeks did their Superiour call , To part with thus , and lose . And now a sonne So worthily belou'd , a course to runne Beyond my knowledge ; whom rude tempests haue Made farre from home , his most inglorious graue . Vnhappie wenches , that no one of all , ( Though in the reach of euery one , must fall His taking ship ) sustaind the carefull mind , To call me from my bed ; who , this designd , And most vowd course in him , had either staid , ( How much soeuer hasted ) or dead laid He should haue left me . Many a man I haue , That would haue calld old Dolius my slaue , ( That keepes my Orchard , whom my Father gaue At my departure ) to haue runne , and told Laertes this ; to trie if he could hold From running through the people ; and from teares , In telling them of these vowd murtherers ; That both diuine Vlysses hope , and his , Resolue to end in their conspiracies . His Nurse then , Euryclaea made reply : Deare Soueraigne , let me with your owne hands die ; Or cast me off here ; I le not keepe from thee ▪ One word of what I know : He trusted me With all his purpose ; and I gaue him all The bread and wine , for which he pleasd to call . But then a mightie oath he made me sweare , Not to report it to your ●oyall eare , Before the twelfth day either should appeare , Or you should aske me , when you heard him gone . Empaire not then your beauties with your mone , But wash , and put vnteare-staind garments on : Ascend your chamber , with your Ladies here ; And pray the seed of Goat-nurst Iupiter , ( Diuine Athenia ) to preserue your sonne ; And she will saue him from confusion . Th' old King , to whom your hopes stand so inclin'd , For his graue counsels , you perhaps may find Vnfit affected , for his ages sake . But heauen-kings waxe not old ; and therefore make Fit pray'rs to them ; for my thoughts neuer will Beleeue the heauenly powres conceit so ill , The seed of righteous Arcesiades , To end it vtterly ; but still will please In some place euermore , some one of them To saue ; and decke him with a Diadem : Giue him possession of erected Towres , And farre-stretcht fields , crownd all of fruits and flowres . This easd her heart , and dride her humorous ●ies , When hauing washt , and weeds of sacrifise ( Pure , and vnstaind with her distrustfull teares ) Put on ; ( with all her women-ministers ) Vp to a chamber of most height , she rose ; And cakes of salt and barly did impose Within a wicker basket ; all which broke In decent order ; thus she did inuoke : Great Virgin of the Goat-preserued God ; If euer the inhabited abode Of wise Vlysses , held the ●atted Thi●s Of sheepe and Oxen , made thy sacrifice By his deuotion ; heare me ; nor 〈◊〉 His pious seruices ; but ●a●e ●ee ●e● His deare sonne , on these shores ; and 〈…〉 These wooers , past all meane in insolence . This said , she shriekt ; and 〈…〉 her 〈◊〉 . The wooers broke with tumult all 〈…〉 About the shadie house ; and one of them , Whose pride , his youth had made the more 〈◊〉 , Said ; Now the many-wooer - 〈◊〉 Queene , Will surely fatiate her 〈◊〉 〈…〉 And one of vs , in instant 〈◊〉 . Poore Dame , she dreames not , what designe we make , Vpon the life and slaughter of her sonne . So said he ; but so said , was not so done ; Whose arrogant spirit , in a 〈◊〉 so vaine , Antinous chid ; and said ; For shame 〈◊〉 These brauing speeches ; who 〈…〉 Are we not now in reach of 〈◊〉 If our intentions please vs , let vs call Our spirits vp to them , and let 〈…〉 . By watchfull Danger , men must 〈…〉 : What we resolue on , let 's not say , but do . This said ; he chusde out twentie men , that bore Best reckning with him ; and to ship and shore , All ●asted ; reacht the ship , lanchit , raisd the ma●t ; Put sailes in ; and with leather loopes made ●a●t The oares ; Sailes hoisted ; Armes their men did bring ; All giuing speed , and forme to euery thing . Then to the high-deepes , their riggd vessell dri●en , They supt ; expecting the approching E●en . Meane space , Penelope her chamber kept , And bed , and neither eate , nor dranke , nor slept ; Her strong thoughts wrought so on her blamelesse sonne ; Still in contention , if he should be done To death ; or scape the impious wooers designe . Looke how a Lion , whom then ●●roopes combine To hunt , and close him in a craftie 〈◊〉 ; Much varied thought conceiues ; and feare doth sting For vrgent danger : So far'd she 〈◊〉 sleepe , All iuncture of her ioynts , and nerues did s●eepe In his dissoluing humor . When ( at rest ) Pallas her fauours varied ; and addrest An Idoll , that Iphthima did present In * structure of her euery lineament ; Great-sould Icarius daughter : whom , for Spouse Eum●lus tooke , that kept in Pheris house . This , to diuine Vlysses house she sent , To trie her best meane , how she might content Mournfull Penelope ; and make Relent The strict addiction in her to deplore . This Idoll ( like a * worme , that lesse or more , Contracts or straines her ) did it selfe conuey , Beyond the wards , or windings of the key , Into the chamber ; and aboue her head , Her seate assuming , thus she comforted Distrest Penelope . Doth sleepe thus sease Thy powres , affected with so much disease ? The Gods , that nothing troubles , will not see Thy teares nor griefes , in any least degree , Sustaind with cause ; for they will guard thy sonne , Safe to his wisht , and natiue mansion ; Since he is no offender of their States ; And they to such , are firmer then their Fates .. The wise Penelope receiu'd her thus ; ( Bound with a slumber most delicious , And in the Port of dreames ) O sister , why Repaire you hither ? since so farre off lie Your house and houshold ? You were neuer here Before this houre ; and would you now giue cheare To my so many woes and miseries ? Affecting fitly all the faculties My soule and mind hold : hauing lost before A husband , that of all the vertues bore The Palme amongst the Greeks ; and whose renowne So ample was , that Fame the sound hath blowne Through Greece and Argos , to her very heart . And now againe ; a sonne that did conuert My whole powres to his loue , by ship is gone . A tender Plant , that yet was neuer growne To labours taste , nor the commerce of men ; For whom , more then my husband I complaine ▪ And lest he should at any sufferance touch ( Or in the sea , or by the men so much Estrang'd to him , that must his consorts be ) Feare and chill tremblings , shake each ioynt of me . Besides : his danger sets on , foes profest To way-lay his returne ; that haue addrest Plots for his death . The scarce-discerned Dreame , Said : Be of comfort ; nor feares so extreme , Let thus dismay thee ; thou hast such a mate Attending thee , as some at any rate Would wish to purchase ; for her powre is great ; Mineru● pities thy delights defeate : Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese . If thou ( said she ) be of the Goddesses , And heardst her tell thee these ; thou mayst as well From her , tell all things else ; daigne then to tell , If yet the man , to all misfortunes borne , ( My husband ) liues ; and sees the Sunne adorne The darksome earth ; or hides his wretched head In Plutos house , and liues amongst the dead ? I will not ( she replide ) my breath exhale , In one continude , and perpetuall tale ; Liues he , or dies he . T is a filthy vse , To be in vaine and idle speech profuse . This said ; she through the key-hole of the dore Vanisht againe into the open blore . Icarius daughter started from her sleepe , And Ioyes fresh humor , her lou'd brest did s●eepe : When now so cleare , in that first watch of night , She saw the seene dreame vanish from her sight . The wooers ( shipt ) the seas moist waues did plie ; And thought the Prince , a haughtie death should die . There lies a certaine Iland in the sea , Twixt rockie Samos and rough Ithaca , That cliffie is it selfe , and nothing great ; Yet holds conuenient hauens , that two wayes let Ships in and out ; calld Asteris : and there The wooers hop't to make their massakere . Finis libri quarti Hom. Odyss . THE FIFTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . A Second Court , on Ioue attends ; Who , Hermes to Calypso sends ; Commanding her to cleare the wayes Vlysses sought ; and she obayes . When Neptune saw Vlysles free , And , so in safetie , plow the sea ; Enrag'd , he ruffles vp the waues , And splits his ship . Leucothea saues His person yet ; as being a Dame , Whose Godhead gouernd in the frame Of those seas tempers . But the meane By which she curbs dread Neptunes splene . Is made a Iewell ; which she takes From off her head ; and that she makes Vlysses on his bosome weare , About his necke , she ties it there : And when he is with waues beset , Bids weare it as an Amulet ; Commanding him , that not before He toucht vpon Phaeacias shore , He should not part with it ; but then Returne it to the sea agein , And ca●t it from him . He performes ; Yet after this , bides bitter stormes ; And in the rockes , sees Death engrau'd ; But on Phaeacias shore is sau'd . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vlysses builds A ship ; and gaines The Gassie fields ; Payes Neptune paines . AVrora rose from high-borne Tithons Bed , That men and Gods might be illustrated : And then the Deities sate . Imperiall Ioue , That makes the horrid murmure beate aboue , Tooke place past all ; whose height for euer springs ; And from whom flowes th' eternall powre of things . Then Pallas ( mindfull of Vlysses ) told The many Cares , that in Calypsos hold , He still sustaind ; when he had felt before , So much affliction , and such dangers more . O Father , ( said she ) and ye euer blest ; Giue neuer King hereafter , interest In any aide of yours , by seruing you ; By being gentle , humane , iust ; but grow Rude , and for euer scornfull of your rights ; All iustice ordring by their appetites . Since he that rul'd , as it in right behou'd , That all his subiects , as his children lou'd , Finds you so thoughtlesse of him , and his birth . Thus men begin to say , ye rule in earth ; And grudge at what ye let him vndergo ; Who yet the least part of his sufferance know : Thralld in an Iland ; shipwrackt in his teares ; And in the fancies that Calypso beares , Bound from his birthright ; all his shipping gone ; And of his souldiers , not retaining one . And now his most-lou'd Sonnes life doth inflame Their slaughterous enuies ; since his Fathers fame He puts in pursuite ; and is gone as farre As sacred Pylos ; and the singular Dame breeding Sparta . This , with this reply , The Cloud-assembler answerd : What words flie Thine owne remembrance ( daughter ? ) hast not thou The counsell giuen thy selfe , that told thee how Vlysses shall with his returne addresse His wooers wrongs ? And , for the safe accesse , His Sonne shall make to his innatiue Port , Do thou direct it , in as curious sort , As thy wit serues thee : it obeys thy powers ; And in their ship returne the speedlesse wowers . Then turnd he to his issue Mercurie , And said : Thou hast made good our Ambassie To th' other Statists ; To the Nymph then now , On whose faire head a t●ft of gold doth grow ; Beare our true-spoken counsell ; for retreat Of patient Vlysses ; who shall get No aide from vs , nor any mortall man ; But in a * patcht-vp skiffe , ( built as he can , And suffering woes enow ) the twentith day At fruitfull Scheria , let him breathe his way , With the Phaeacians , that halfe Deities liue ; Who like a God will honour him ; and giue His wisedome clothes , and ship , and brasse , and gold , More then for gaine of Troy he euer told ; Where , at the whole diuision of the prey , If he a sauer were , or got away Without a wound ( if he should grudge ) t was well ; But th' end shall crowne all ; therefore Fate will deale So well with him ; to let him land , and see His natiue earth , friends , house and family . Thus charg'd he ; nor Argicides denied ; But to his feete , his faire wingd shooes he tied ; Ambrosian , golden ; that in his command , Put either sea , or the vnmeasur'd land , With pace as speedie as a puft of wind . Then vp his Rod went ; with which he declin'd The eyes of any waker , when he pleasd , And any sleeper , when he wisht , diseasd . This tooke ; he stoopt Pierea ; and thence Glid through the aire ; and Neptunes Confluence Kist as he flew ; and checkt the waues as light As any Sea-mew , in her fishing flight , Her thicke wings soucing in the sauorie seas . Like her , he past a world of wildernesse ; But when the far-off I le , he toucht ; he went Vp from the blue sea , to the Continent , And reacht the ample Cauerne of the Queene ; Whom he within found ; without , seldome seene . A Sun-like fire vpon the harth did flame ; The matter precious , and diuine the frame ; Of Cedar cleft , and Incense was the Pile , That breath'd an odour round about the I le . Her selfe was seated in an inner roome , Whom sweetly sing he heard ; and at her loome , About a curious web ; whose yarne she threw In , with a golden shittle . A Groue grew In endlesse spring about her Cauerne round ; With odorous Cypresse , Pines , and Poplars crownd , Where Haulks , Sea-owles , and long-tongu'd Bittours bred ; And other birds their shadie pinions spred . All Fowles maritimall ; none roosted there , But those whose labours in the waters were . A Vine did all the hollow Caue embrace ; Still greene , yet still ripe bunches gaue it grace . Foure Fountaines , one against another powrd Their siluer streames ; and medowes all enflowrd With sweete Balme-gentle , and blue Violets hid , That deckt the soft brests of each fragrant Mead. Should any one ( though he immortall were ) Arriue and see the sacred obiects there ; He would admire them , and be ouer-ioyd ; And so stood Hermes rauisht powres employd . But hauing all admir'd , he enterd on The ample Caue ; not could be seene vnknowne Of great Calypso , ( for all Deities are Prompt in each others knowledge ; though so farre Seuerd in dwellings ) but he could not see Vlysses there within . Without was he Set sad ashore ; where t was his vse to view Th'vnquiet sea ; sigh'd , wept , and emptie drew His heart of comfort . Plac't here in her throne ( That beames cast vp , to Admiration ) Diuine Calypso , question'd Hermes thus : For what cause ( deare , and much-esteem'd by vs , Thou golden-rod-adorned Mercurie ) Arriu'st thou here ? thou hast not vsde t' apply Thy passage this way . Say , what euer be Thy hearts desire , my mind commands it thee , If in my meanes it lie , or powre of fact . But first , what hospitable rights exact , Come yet more neare , and take . This said , she set A Table forth , and furnisht it with meate , Such as the Gods taste ; and seru'd in with it , Vermilion Nectar . When with banquet , fit He had confirmd his spirits ; he thus exprest His cause of coming : Thou hast made request ( Goddesse of Goddesses ) to vnderstand My cause of touch here : which thou shalt command , And know with truth : Ioue causd my course to thee , Against my will ; for who would willingly Lackey along so vast a lake of Brine ? Neare to no Citie ; that the powres diuine Receiues with solemne rites and Hecatombs ? But Ioues will euer , all law ouercomes ; No other God can crosse or make it void . And he affirmes , that one , the most annoid With woes and toiles , of all those men that fought For Priams Citie ; and to end hath brought Nine yeares in the contention ; is with thee . For in the tenth yeare , when roy Victorie Was wonne , to giue the Greeks the spoile of Troy ; Returne they did professe , but not enioy , Since Pallas they incenst ; and she , the waues By all the winds powre , that blew ope their graues . And there they rested . Onely this poore one , This Coast , both winds and waues haue cast vpon : Whom now forthwith he wils thee to dismisse ; Affirming that th'vnalterd destinies , Not onely haue decreed , he shall not die Apart his friends ; but of Necessitie Enioy their sights before those fatall houres , His countrie earth reach , and erected Towres . This strook , a loue-checkt horror through her powres ; When ( naming him ) she this reply did giue : Insatiate are ye Gods , past all that liue , In all things you affect ; which still conuerts Your powres to Enuies . It afflicts your hearts , That any Goddesse should ( as you obtaine The vse of earthly Dames ) enioy the men : And most in open mariage . So ye far'd , When the delicious-fingerd Morning shar'd Orions bed : you easie-liuing States , Could neuer satisfie your emulous hates ; Till in Ortygia , the precise-liu'd Dame ( Gold-thron'd Diana ) on him rudely came , And with her swift shafts slue him . And such paines , ( When rich-haird Ceres pleasd to giue the raines To her affections ; and the grace did yeeld Of loue and bed amidst a three-cropt field , To her Iasion ) he paid angrie Ioue ; Who lost , no long time , notice of their loue ; But with a glowing lightning , was his death . And now your enuies labour vnderneath A mortals choice of mine ; whose life , I tooke To liberall safetie ; when his ship , Ioue strooke With red-hote flashes , peece-meale in the seas , And all his friends and souldiers , succourlesse Perisht but he . Him , cast vpon this coast With blasts and billowes ; I ( in life giuen lost ) Preseru'd alone ; lou'd , nourisht , and did vow To make him deathlesse ; and yet neuer grow Crooked , or worne with age , his whole life long . But since no reason may be made so strong , To striue with Ioues will , or to make it vaine ; No not if all the other Gods should straine Their powres against it ; let his will be law ; So he affoord him fit meanes to withdraw , ( As he commands him ) to the raging Maine : But meanes from me , he neuer shall obtaine , For my meanes yeeld , nor men , nor ship , nor oares , To set him off , from my so enuied shores . But if my counsell and goodwill can aide His safe passe home , my best shall be assaid . Vouchsafe it so , ( said heauens Ambassador ) And daigne it quickly . By all meanes abhorre T' incense Ioues wrath against thee ; that with grace He may hereafter , all thy wish embrace . Thus tooke the Argus-killing God , his wings . And since the reuerend Nymph , these awfull things Receiu'd from Ioue ; she to Vlysses went : Whom she ashore found , drownd in discontent ; His eyes kept neuer drie , he did so mourne , And waste his deare age , for his wisht returne . Which still without the Caue he vsde to do , Because he could not please the Goddesse so . At night yet ( forc't ) together tooke their rest , The willing Goddesse , and th' vnwilling Guest . But he , all day in rockes , and on the shore The vext sea viewd ; and did his Fate deplore . Him , now , the Goddesse ( coming neare ) bespake : Vnhappie man ; no more discomfort take , For my constraint of thee ; nor waste thine age ; I now will passing freely disengage Thy irksome stay here . Come then , fell thee wood , And build a ship , to saue thee from the flood . I le furnish thee with fresh waue ; bread and wine , Ruddie and sweet , that will the * Piner pine ; Put garments on thee ; giue thee winds foreright ; That euery way thy home-bent appetite May safe attaine to it ; if so it please At all parts , all the heauen-housd Deities ! That more in powre are , more in skill then I ; And more can iudge , what fits humanitie . He stood amaz'd , at this strange change in her ; And said : O Goddesse ! thy intents preferre Some other proiect , then my parting hence ; Commanding things of too high consequence For my performance . That my selfe should build A ship of powre , my home assaies to shield Against the great Sea , of such dread to passe ; Which not the best-built ship that euer was , Will passe exulting ; when such winds as Ioue Can thunder vp , their trims and tacklings proue . But could I build one , I would ne're aboord , ( Thy will opposde ) nor ( won ) without thy word , Giuen in the great oath of the Gods to me , Not to beguile me in the least degree . The Goddesse smilde ; held hard his hand , and said : O y' are a shrewdw one ; and so habited In taking heed ; thou knowst not what it is To be vnwary ; nor vse words amisse . How hast thou charmd me , were I ne're so slie ? Let earth know then ; and heauen , so broad , so hie ; And th'vnder-sunke waues of th' infernall streame ; ( Which is an oath , as terribly supreame , As any God sweares ) that I had no thought , But stood with what I spake ; nor would haue wrought , Nor counseld any act , against thy good ; But euer diligently weighd , and stood On those points in perswading thee ; that I Would vse my selfe in such extremitie . For my mind simple is , and innocent ; Not giuen by cruell sleights to circumuent ; Nor beare I in my breast a heart of steele , But with the Sufferer , willing sufferance feele . This said ; the Grace of Goddesses led home ; He tract her steps ; and ( to the Cauerne come ) In that rich Throne , whence Mercurie arose , He sate . The Nymph her selfe did then appose For food and beuridge to him ; all best meate And drinke , that mortals vse to taste and eate . Then sate she opposite ; and for her Feast , Was Nectar and Ambrosia addrest By handmaids to her . Both , what was prepar'd , Did freely fall to . Hauing fitly far'd , The Nymph Calypso this discourse began : Ioue-bred Vlysses ! many-witted man ! Still is thy home so wisht ? so soone , away ? Be still of cheare , for all the worst I say ; But if thy soule knew what a summe of woes For thee to cast vp , thy sterne Fates impose , Ere to thy country earth thy hopes attaine ; Vndoubtedly thy choice would here remaine ; Keepe house with me , and be a liuer euer . Which ( me thinkes ) should thy house and thee disseuer ; Though for thy wife there , thou art set on fire ; And all thy dayes are spent in her desire ; And though it be no boast in me to say , In forme and mind , I match her euery way . Nor can it fit a mortall Dames compare , T' affect those termes with vs , that deathlesse are . The great in counsels , made her this reply : Renowm'd , and to be reuerenc'd Deitie ! Let it not moue thee , that so much I vow My comforts to my wife ; though well I know All cause my selfe , why wise Penelope In wit is farre inferiour to thee ; In feature , stature , all the parts of show ; She being a mortall ; an Immortall thou ; Old euer growing , and yet neuer old . Yet her desire , shall all my dayes see told ; Adding the sight of my returning day , And naturall home . If any God shall lay His hand vpon me , as I passe the seas ; I le beare the worst of what his hand shall please ; As hauing giuen me such a mind , as shall The more still rise , the more his hand le ts fall . In warres and waues , my sufferings were not small . I now haue sufferd much ; as much before ; Hereafter let as much result , and more . This said ; the Sunne set ; and earth shadowes gaue ; When these two ( in an in-roome of the Caue , Left to themselues ) left Loue no rites vndone . The early Morne vp ; vp he rose ; put on His in and our-weed . She , her selfe inchaces Amidst a white robe , full of all the Graces ; Ample , and plea●ed , thicke , like fishie skales . A golden girdle then , her waste empales ; Her head , a veile decks ; and abroad they come ; And now began Vlysses to go home . A great Axe , first she gaue , that two wayes cut ; In which a faire wel-polisht helme was put , That from an Oliue bough receiu'd his frame : A plainer then . Then led she till they came To loftie woods , that did the I le confine . The Fi●●e tree , Poplar , and heauen-scaling Pine , Had there their ofspring . Of which , those that were Of driest matter , and grew longest there , He chusde for lighter saile . This place , thus showne , The Nymph turnd home . He fell to felling downe ; And twentie trees he stoopt , in litle space ; Plaind , vsde his Plumb ; did all with artfull grace . In meane time did Calypso wimbles bring . He bor'd , closde , naild , and orderd euery thing ; And tooke how much a ship-wright will allow A ship of burthen ; ( one that best doth know What fits his Art ) so large a Keele he cast . Wrought vp her decks , and hatches , side-boords , mast ; With willow watlings armd her , to resist The billowes outrage ; added all she mist ; Sail-yards , and sterne for guide . The Nymph then brought Linnen for sailes ; which , with dispatch , he wrought . Gables , and halsters , tacklings . All the Frame In foure dayes space , to full perfection came . The fift day , they dismist him from the shore ; Weeds , neate , and odorous gaue him ; victles store ; Wine , and strong waters , and a prosperous wind . To which , Vlysses ( fit to be diuin'd ) His sailes exposd , and hoised . Off he gat ; And chearfull was he . At the Sterne he sat , And ster'd right artfully . No sleepe could seise His ey-lids : he beh●ld the Ple●ades ; The Beare , surnam'd the Waine , that round doth moue About Orion ; and keepes still aboue The billowie Oc●an . The slow-setting starre , Bootes calld , by some , the Waggonar . Calypso warnd him , he his course should stere Still to his left hand . Seuenteene dayes did cleare The cloudie Nights command , in his moist way ; And by the eighteenth light , he might display The shadie hils of the Phaeacian shore ; For which , as to his next abode , he bore . The countrie did a pretie figure yeeld , And lookt from off the darke seas , like a shield . Imperious Neptune ( making his retreate From th' Aethiopian earth ; and taking seate Vpon the mountaines of the Solymi ; From thence , farre off discouering ) did descrie Vlysses , his fields plowing . All on fire The sight strait set his heart ; and made desire Of wreake runne ouer , it did boile so hie . When ( his head nodding ) O impietie ( He cried out ) now , the Gods inconstancie Is most apparent ; altring their designes Since I the Aethiops saw : and here confines To this Vlysses fate , his misery . The great marke , on which all his hopes rely , Lies in Phaeacia . But I hope he shall Feele woe at height , ere that dead calme befall . This said ; he ( begging ) gatherd clouds from land ; Frighted the seas vp ; snatcht into his hand , His horrid Trident ; and aloft did tosse ( Of all the winds ) all stormes he could engrosse . All earth tooke into sea with clouds ; grim Night Fell tumbling headlong from the cope of Light. The East and Southwinds iustld in the aire ; The violent Zephire , and North-making faire , Rould vp the waues before them : and then , bent Vlysses knees ; then all his spirit was spent . In which despaire , he thus spake : Woe is me ! What was I borne to ? man of miserie ? Feare tels me now , that all the Goddesse said , Truths selfe will author ; that Fate would be paid Griefes whole summe due from me , at sea , before I reacht the deare touch of my countries shore . With what clouds Ioue , heauens heightned forehead binds ? How tyrannize the wraths of all the winds ? How all the tops , he bottomes with the deepes ? And in the bottomes , all the tops he steepes ? Thus dreadfull is the presence of our death . Thrice foure times blest were they that sunke beneath Their Fates at Troy ; and did to nought contend , But to renowme Atrides with their end ? I would to God , my houre of death , and Fate , That day had held the power to terminate ; When showres of darts , my life bore vndeprest , About diuine Aeacides deceast . Then had I bene allotted to haue died , By all the Greeks , with funerals glorified ; ( Whence Death , encouraging good life , had growne ) Where now I die , by●●o man mournd , nor knowne . This spoke ; a huge waue tooke him by the head , And hurld him o're-boord : ship and all it laid Inuerted quite amidst the waues ; but he Farre off from her sprawld , strowd about the sea : His Sterne still holding , broken off ; his Mast Burst in the midst : so horrible a blast Of mixt winds strooke it . Sailes and saile-yards fell Amongst the billowes ; and himselfe did dwell A long time vnder water : nor could get In haste his head out : waue with waue so met In his depression ; and his garments too , ( Giuen by Calypso ) gaue him much to do , Hindring his swimming ; yet he left not so His drenched vessell , for the ouerthrow Of her nor him ; but gat at length againe ( Wrestling with Neptune ) hold of her ; and then Sate in her Bulke , insulting ouer Death ; Which ( with the salt streame , prest to stop his breath ) He scap't , and gaue the sea againe ; to giue To other men . His ship so striu'd to liue , Floting at randon , cufft from waue to waue ; As you haue seene the Northwind when he draue In Autumne , heapes of thorne-fed Grashoppers ▪ Hither and thither ; one heape this way beares , Another that ; and makes them often meete In his confusde gales ; so Vlyss●s fleete , The winds hurl'd vp and downe : now Boreas Tost it to Notus , Notus gaue it passe To Eurus ; Eurus , Zephire made it pursue The horrid Tennis . This sport calld the view Of Cadmus daughter , with the narrow heele ; ( Ino Leucothea ) that first did feele A mortall Dames desires ; and had a tongue . But now had th' honor to be nam'd among The marine Godheads . She , with pitie saw Vlysses iustl'd thus , from flaw to flaw ; And ( like a Cormorand , in forme and flight ) Rose from a whirl-poole : on the ship did light , And thus bespeake him : Why is Neptune thus In thy pursuite extremely furious , Oppressing thee with such a world of ill , Euen to thy death ? He must not serue his will , Though t is his studie . Let me then aduise , As my thoughts serue ; thou shalt not be vnwise To leaue thy weeds and ship , to the commands Of these rude winds ; and worke out with thy hands , Passe to Phaeacia ; where thy austere Fate , Is to pursue thee with no more such hate . Take here this Tablet , with this riband strung , And see it still about thy bosome hung ; By whose eternall vertue , neuer feare To suffer thus againe , nor perish here . But when thou touchest with thy hand the shore , Then take it from thy necke , nor weare it more ; But cast it farre off from the Continent , And then thy person farre ashore present . Thus gaue she him the Tablet ; and againe ( Turnd to a Cormorand ) diu'd past sight the Maine . Patient Vlysses sighd at this ; and stucke In the conceit of such faire-spoken Lucke : And said ; Alas , I must suspect euen this ; Lest any other of the Deities Adde sleight to Neptunes force ; to counsell me To l●aue my vessell , and so farre off see The shore I aime at . Not with thoughts too cleare Will I obey her : but to me appeare These counsels best ; as long as I perceiue My ship not quite dissolu'd , I will not leaue The helpe she may affoord me ; but abide , And suffer all woes , till the worst be tride . When she is split , I le swim : no miracle can Past neare and cleare meanes , moue a knowing man. While this discourse emploid him , Neptune raisd A huge , a high , and horrid sea , that seisd Him and his ship , and tost them through the Lake ; As when the violent winds together take Heapes of drie chaffe , and hurle them euery way ; So his long woodstacke , Neptune strooke astray . Then did Vlysses mount on rib , perforce , Like to a rider of a running horse , To stay himselfe a time , while he might shift His drenched weeds , that were Calypsos gift . When putting strait , Leucotheas Amulet About his necke ; he all his forces set To swim ; and cast him prostrate to the seas . When powrefull Neptune saw the ruthlesse prease Of perils siege him thus ; he mou'd his head , And this betwixt him and his heart , he said : So , now feele ils enow , and struggle so , Till to your Ioue-lou'd Ilanders you row . But my mind sayes , you will not so auoid This last taske too , but be with sufferance cloid . This said ; his rich-man'd horse he mou'd ; and reacht His house at Aegas . But Minerua fetcht The winds from sea ; and all their wayes but one Barrd to their passage ; the bleake North alone She set to blow ; the rest , she charg'd to keepe Their rages in ; an bind themselues in sleepe . But Boreas still flew high , to breake the seas , Till Ioue-bred Ithacus , the more with ease , The nauigation-skild Phaeacian States Might make his refuge ; Death , and angrie Fates , At length escaping . Two nights yet , and daies , He spent in wrestling with the sable seas ; In which space , often did his heart propose Death to his eyes . But when Aurora rose , And threw the third light from her orient haire ; The winds grew calme , and cleare was all the aire ; Not one breath stirring . Then he might descrie ( Raisd by the high seas ) cleare , the land was nie . And then , looke how to good sonnes that esteeme Their fathers life deare , ( after paines extreame , Felt in some sicknesse , that hath held him long Downe to his bed ; and with affections strong , Wasted his bodie ; made his life his lode ; As being inflicted by some angrie God ) When on their praires , they see descend at length Health from the heauens , clad all in spirit and strength ; The sight is precious : so , since here should end Vlysses toiles ; which therein should extend Health to his countrie , ( held to him , his Sire ) And on which , long for him , Disease did tire . And then besides , for his owne sake to see The shores , the woods so neare ; such ioy had he , As those good sonnes for their recouerd Sire . Then labourd feete and all parts , to aspire To that wisht Continent ; which , when as neare He came , as Clamor might informe an eare ; He heard a sound beate from the sea-bred rocks , Against which gaue a huge sea horrid shocks , That belcht vpon the firme land , weeds and fome ; With which were all things hid there ; where no roome Of fit capacitie was for any port ; Nor ( from the sea ) for any mans resort ; The shores , the rocks , and cliffes so prominent were . O ( said Vlysses then ) now Iupiter Hath giuen me sight of an vnhop't for shore , ( Though I haue wrought these seas so long , so sore ) Of rest yet , no place shewes the slendrest prints ; The rugged shore so bristl'd is with flints : Against which , euery way the waues so flocke ; And all the shore shewes as one eminent rocke . So neare which , t is so deepe , that not a sand Is there , for any tired foote to stand : Nor flie his death-fast following miseries , Lest if he land , vpon him fore-right flies A churlish waue , to crush him gainst a Cliffe ; Worse then vaine rendring , all his landing strife . And should I swim to seeke a hauen elsewhere , Or land , lesse way-beate ; I may iustly feare I shall be taken with a gale againe , And cast a huge way off into the Maine . And there , the great Earth-shaker ( hauing seene My so neare landing ; and againe , his spleene Forcing me to him ) will some Whale send out , ( Of which a horrid number here about , His Amphitrite breeds ) to swallow me . I well haue prou'd , with what malignitie He treds my steps . While this discourse he held ; A curst Surge , gainst a cutting rocke impeld His naked bodie , which it gasht and tore ; And had his bones broke , if but one sea more Had cast him on it . But * she prompted him , That neuer faild ; and bad him no more swim Still off and on ; but boldly force the shore , And hug the rocke , that him so rudely tore . Which he , with both hands , sigh'd and claspt ; till past The billowes rage was ; which scap't ; backe , so fast The rocke repulst it , that it reft his hold , Sucking him from it , and farre backe he rould . And as the Polypus , that ( forc't from home Amidst the soft sea ; and neare rough land come For shelter gainst the stormes that beate on her At open sea , as she abroad doth er●e ) A deale of grauill , and sharpe little stones , Needfully gathers in her hollow bones : So he forc't hither , ( by the sharper ill , Shunning the smoother ) where he best hop't , still The worst succeeded : for the cruell friend , To which he clingd for succour , off did rend From his broad hands , the soken flesh so sore , That off he fell , and could sustaine no more . Quite vnder water fell he ; and , past Fate , Haplesse Vlysses , there had lost the state He held in life ; if ( still the grey-eye Maid , His wisedome prompting ) he had not assaid Another course ; and ceast t' attempt that shore ; Swimming , and casting round his eye , t'explore Some other shelter . Then , the mouth he found Of faire Callicoes flood ; whose shores were crownd With most apt succors : Rocks so smooth , they seemd Polisht of purpose : land that quite redeemd With breathlesse couerts , th' others blasted shores . The flood he knew ; and thus in heart implores : King of this Riuer ! heare ; what euer name Makes thee inuokt : to thee I humbly frame My flight from Neptunes furies ; Reuerend is To all the euer-liuing Deities , What erring man soeuer seekes their aid . To thy both flood and knees , a man dismaid With varied sufferance sues . Yeeld then some rest To him that is thy suppliant profest . This ( though but spoke in thought ) the Godhead heard ; Her Current strait staid ; and her thicke waues cleard Before him , smooth'd her waters ; and iust where He praid , halfe drownd ; entirely sau'd him there . Then forth he came , his both knees faltring ; both His strong hands hanging downe ; and all with froth His cheeks and nosthrils flowing . Voice and breath Spent to all vse ; and downe he sunke to Death . The sea had soakt his heart through : all his vaines , His toiles had rackt , t' a labouring * womans paines . Dead wearie was he . But when breath did find A passe reciprocall ; and in his mind , His spirit was recollected : vp he rose , And from his necke did th'Amulet vnlose , That Ino gaue him ; which he hurld from him To sea . It sounding fell ; and backe did swim With th'ebbing waters ; till it strait arriu'd , Where Inos faire hand , it againe receiu'd . Then kist he th' humble earth ; and on he goes , Till bulrushes shewd place for his repose ; Where laid , he sigh'd , and thus said to his soule : O me , what strange perplexities controule The whole skill of thy powres , in this euent ? What feele I ? if till Care-nurse Night be spent , I watch amidst the flood ; the seas chill breath , And vegetant dewes , I feare will be my death : So low brought with my labours . Towards day , A passing sharpe aire euer breathes at sea . If I the pitch of this next mountaine scale , And shadie wood ; and in some thicket fall Into the hands of Sleepe : though there the cold May well be checkt ; and healthfull slumbers hold Her sweete hand on my powres ; all care allaid , Yet there will beasts deuoure me . Best appaid Doth that course make me yet ; for there , some strife , Strength , and my spirit , may make me make for life . Which , though empaird , may yet be fresh applied , Where perill , possible of escape is tried . But he that fights with heauen , or with the sea , To Indiscretion , addes Impietie . Thus to the woods he hasted ; which he found Not farre from sea ; but on farre-seeing ground ; Where two twin vnder-woods , he enterd on ; With Oliue trees , and oile-trees ouergrowne : Through which , the moist force of the loud-voic't wind , Did neuer beate ; nor euer Phoebus shin'd ; Nor showre beate through ; they grew so one in one ; And had , by turnes , their powre t'exclude the Sunne . Here enterd our Vlysses ; and a bed Of leaues huge , and of huge abundance spred With all his speed . Large he made it ; for there , For two or three men , ample Couerings were ; Such as might shield them from the Winters worst ; Though * steele it breath'd ; and blew as it would burst . Patient Vlysses ioyd , that euer day Shewd such a shelter . In the midst he lay , Store of leaues heaping high on euery side . And as in some out-field , a man doth hide A kindld brand , to keepe the seed of fire ; No neighbour dwelling neare ; and his desire Seru'd with selfe store ; he else would aske of none ; But of his fore-spent sparks , rakes th' ashes on : So this out-place , Vlysses thus receiues ; And thus nak't vertues seed , lies hid in leaues . Yet Pallas made him sleepe , as soone as men Whom Delicacies , all their flatteries daine . And all that all his labours could comprise , Quickly concluded , in his closed eies . Finis libri quinti Hom. Odyss . THE SIXTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . MInerua in a vision stands Before Nausica● ; and commands She to the flood her weeds should beare , For now her Nuptiall day was neare . Nausicaa her charge ●b●yes ; And then with other virgins playes . Their sports make ●ak't Vlysses rise ; Walke to them , and beseech supplies Of food and clothes . His naked sight Puts th' other Maids , afraid to flight . Nausicaa onely boldly stayes , And gladly his desire obayes . He ( furnis● with her f●●ours showne ) Attends her , and the re●t , to Towne . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Here Oliue leaues T'hide shame , began . The Maide receiues The naked man. THe much-sustaining , patient , heauenly Man , Whom Toile and * Sleepe had worne so weake and wan ; Thus wonne his rest . In meane space Pallas went To the Phaeacian citie ; and descent That first did broad Hyperias lands diuide , Neare the vast Cyclops , men of monstrous pride . That preyd on those Hyperians , since they were Of greater powre ; and therefore longer there Diuine Nausithous dwelt not ; but arose , And did for Scheria , all his powres dispose : Farre from ingenious Art-inuenting men . But there did he erect a Citie then . First , drew a wall round ; then he houses builds ; And then a Temple to the Gods ; the fields Lastly diuiding . But he ( stoopt by Fate ) Diu'd to th'infernals : and Alcinous sate In his command : a man , the Gods did teach , Commanding counsels . His house held the reach Of grey Miner●as proiect ; to prouide , That great-sould Ithacus might be supplide With all things fitting his returne . She went Vp to the chamber , where the faire * descent Of great Alcinous slept . A maid , whose parts In wit and beautie , wore diuine deserts . Well deckt her chamber was : of which , the dore Did seeme to lighten ; such a glosse it bore Betwixt the posts : and now flew ope , to find The Goddesse entire . Like a puft of wind She reacht the Virgin bed . Neare which , there lay Two maids ; to whom , the Graces did conuay , Figure , and manners . But aboue the head Of bright Nausicaa , did Pallas tred The subtle aire ; and put the person on Of Dymas daughter ; from comparison Exempt in businesse Nauall . Like his seed , Minerua lookt now ; * whom one yeare did breed , With bright Nausicaa ; and who had gaind Grace in her loue ; yet on her thus complaind : Nausicaa ! why bred thy mother one So negligent , in rites so stood vpon By other virgins ? Thy faite garments lie Neglected by thee ; yet thy Nuptials nie . When , rich in all attire , both thou shouldst be , And garments giue to others honoring thee , That leade thee to the Temple . Thy good name Growes amongst men for these things ; they enflame Father , and reuerend Mother with delight . Come ; when the Day takes any winke from Night , Let 's to the riuer , and repurifie Thy wedding garments : my societie Shall freely serue thee , for thy speedier aid , Because thou shalt no more stand on the Maid . The best of all Phaeacia wooe thy Grace , Where thou wert bred , and ow'st thy selfe a race . Vp , and stirre vp to thee thy honourd Sire , To giue thee Mules and Coach ; thee and thy tire ; Veiles , girdles , mantles , early to the flood , To beare in state . It suites thy high-borne blood ; And farre more fits thee , then to foote so farre ; For far from towne thou knowst the Bath-founts are . This said ; away blue-eyd Minerua went Vp to Olympus : the firme Continent , That beares in endlesse being , the deified kind ; That 's neither souc't with showres , nor shooke with wind ; Nor chilld with snow ; but where Serenitie flies , Exempt from clouds ; and euer-beamie skies Circle the glittering hill . And all their daies , Giue the delights of blessed Deitie praise . And hither Pallas flew ; and left the Maid , When she had all that might excite her , said . Strait rose the louely Morne , that vp did raise Faire-veild Nausicaa ; whose dreame , her praise To Admiration tooke . Who no time spent To giue the rapture of her vision vent , To her lou'd parents : whom she found within . Her mother set at fire , who had to spin A Rocke , whose tincture with sea-purple shin'd ; Her maids about her . But she chanc't to find Her Father going abroad : to Counsell calld By his graue Senate . And to him , exhald Her smotherd bosome was . Lou'd Sire ( said she ) Will you not now command a Coach for me ? Stately and complete ? fit for me to beare To wash at flood , the weeds I cannot weare Before repurified ? Your selfe it fits To weare faire weeds ; as euery man that sits In place of counsell . And fiue sonnes you haue ; Two wed ; three Bachelors ; that must be braue In euery dayes shift , that they may go dance ; For these three last , with these things must aduance Their states in mariage : and who else but I Their sister , should their dancing rites supply ? This generall cause she shewd ; and would not name Her mind of Nuptials to her Sire , for shame . He vnderstood her yet ; and thus replide : Daughter ! nor these , nor any grace beside , I either will denie thee , or deferre , Mules , nor a Coach , of state and circular , Fitting at all parts . Go ; my seruants shall Serue thy desires , and thy command in all . The seruants then ( commanded ) soone obaid ; Fetcht Coach , and Mules ioynd in it . Then the Maid Brought from the chamber her rich weeds , and laid All vp in Coach : in which , her mother plac't A maund of victles , varied well in taste , And other iunkets . Wine she likewise filld Within a goat-skin bottle , and distilld Sweete and moist oile into a golden Cruse , Both for her daughters , and her handmaids vse ; To soften their bright bodies , when they rose Clensd from their cold baths . Vp to Coach then goes T●'obserued Maid : takes both the scourge and raines ; And to her side , her handmaid strait attaines . Nor these alone , but other virgins grac't The Nuptiall Chariot . The whole Beuie plac't ; Nausicaa scourgd to make the Coach Mules runne ; That neigh'd , and pac'd their vsuall speed ; and soone , Both maids and weeds , brought to the riuer side ; Where Baths for all the yeare , their vse supplide . Whose waters were so pure , they would not staine ; But still ran faire forth ; and did more remaine Apt to purge staines ; for that purg'd staine within , Which , by the waters pure store , was not seen . These ( here arriu'd , ) the Mules vncoacht , and draue Vp to the gulphie riuers shore , that gaue Sweet grasse to them . The maids from Coach then tooke Their cloaths , and steept them in the sable brooke . Then put them into springs , and trod them cleane , With cleanly feet ; aduentring wagers then , Who should haue soonest , and most cleanly done . When hauing throughly cleansd , they spred them on The floods shore , all in order . And then , where The waues the pibbles washt , and ground was cleare , They bath'd themselues ; and all with glittring oile , Smooth'd their white skins : refreshing then their toile With pleasant dinner , by the riuers side . Yet still watcht when the Sunne , their cloaths had dride . Till which time ( hauing din'd ) Nausicae With other virgins , did at stool-ball play ; Their shoulder-reaching head-tires laying by . Nausicae ( with the wrists of Ivory ) The liking stroke strooke ; singing first a song ; ( As custome orderd ) and amidst the throng , Made such a shew ; and so past all was seene ; As when the Chast-borne , Arrow-louing Queene , Along the mountaines gliding ; either ouer Spartan Taygetus , whose tops farre discouer ; Or Eurymanthus ; in the wilde Bores chace ; Or swift-hou'd Hart ; and with her , Ioues faire race ( The field Nymphs ) sporting . Amongst whom , to see How farre Diana had prioritie ( Though all were faire ) for fairnesse ; yet of all , ( As both by head and forhead being more tall ) Latona triumpht ; since the dullest sight , Might easly iudge , whom her paines brought to light ; Nausicaa so ( whom neuer husband tam'd ) ▪ Aboue them all , in all the beauties flam'd . But when they now made homewards , and araid ; Ordring their weeds , disorderd as they plaid ; Mules and Coach ready ; then Minerua thought , What meanes to wake Vlysses , might be wrought , That he might see this louely sighted maid , Whom she intended , should become his aid : Bring him to Towne ; and his returne aduance . Her meane was * this , ( though thought a stool-ball chance ) The Queene now ( for the vpstroke ) strooke the ball Quite wide off th' other maids ; and made it fall Amidst the whirlpooles . At which , out shriekt all ; And with the shrieke , did wise Vlysses wake : Who , sitting vp , was doubtfull who should make That sodaine outcrie ; and in mind , thus striu'd : On what a people am I now arriu'd ? At ciuill hospitable men , that feare The Gods ? or dwell iniurious mortals here ? Vniust , and churlish ? like the female crie Of youth it sounds . What are they ? Nymphs bred hie , On tops of hils ? or in the founts of floods ? In herbie marshes ? or in leauy woods ? Or are they high-spoke men , I now am neare ? I le proue , and see . With this , the wary Peere Crept forth the thicket ; and an Oliue bough Broke with his broad hand ; which he did bestow In couert of his nakednesse ; and then , Put ha●tie head out : Looke how from his den , A mountaine Lion lookes , that , all embrewd With drops of trees ; and weather-beaten hewd ; ( Bold of his strength ) goes on ; and in his eye , A burning fornace glowes ; all bent to prey On sheepe , or oxen ; or the vpland Hart ; His belly charging him ; and he must part Stakes with the Heards-man , in his beasts attempt , Euen where from rape , their strengths are most exempt : So wet , so weather-beate , so stung with Need , Euen to the home-fields of the countries breed , Vlysses was to force forth his accesse , Though meerly naked ; and his sight did presse The eyes of soft-haird virgins . Horrid was His rough appearance to them : the hard passe He had at sea , stucke by him . All in flight The Virgins scatterd , frighted with this sight , About the prominent windings of the flood . All but Nausicaa fled ; but she fast stood : Pall●s had put a boldnesse in her brest ; And in her faire lims , tender Feare comprest . And still she stood him , as resolu'd to know What man he was ; or out of what should grow His strange repaire to them . And here was he Put to his wisedome ; if her virgin knee , He should be bold , but kneeling , to embrace ; Or keepe aloofe , and t●ie with words of grace , In humblest suppliance , if he might obtaine Some couer for his nakednes ; and gaine Her grace to shew and guide him to the Towne . The last , he best thought , to be worth his owne , In weighing both well : to keepe still aloofe , And giue with soft words , his desires their proofe ; Lest pressing so neare , as to touch her knee , He might incense her maiden modestie . This faire and fil'd speech then , shewd this was he . Let me beseech ( O Queene ) this truth of thee ; Are you of mortall , or the deified race ? If of the Gods , that th'ample heauens embrace ; I can resemble you to none aboue , So neare as to the chast-borne birth of Ioue , The beamie Cynthia . Her you full present , In grace of euery God-like lineament ; Her goodly magnitude ; and all th'addresse You promise of her very perfectnesse . If sprong of humanes , that inhabite earth ; Thrice blest are both the authors of your birth ; Thrice blest your brothers , that in your deserts , Must , euen to rapture , beare delighted hearts ; To see so like the first trim of a tree , Your forme adorne a dance . But most ble●t , he Of all that breathe , that hath the gift t' engage Your bright necke in the yoke of mariage ; And decke his house with your commanding merit . I haue not seene a man of so much spirit . Nor man , nor woman , I did euer see , At all parts equall to the parts in thee . T' enioy your sight , doth Admiration seise My eies , and apprehensiue faculties . Lately in Delos ( with a charge of men Arriu'd , that renderd me most wretched then , Now making me thus naked ) I beheld The burthen of a Palme , whose issue sweld About Apollos Phane ; and that put on A grace like thee ; for Earth had neuer none Of all her Syluane issue so adorn'd : Into amaze my very soule was turnd , To giue it obseruation ; as now thee To view ( O Virgin ) a stupiditie Past admiration strikes me ; ioynd with feare To do a suppliants due , and prease so neare , As to embrace thy knees . Nor is it strange ; For one of fresh and firmest spirit , would change T' embrace so bright an obiect . But , for me , A cruell habite of calamitie , Prepar'd the strong impression thou hast made : For this last Day did flie Nights twentith shade Since I , at length , escapt the sable seas ; When in the meane time , th' vnrelenting prease Of waues and sterne stormes , tost me vp and downe , From th'Ile Ogygia : and now God hath throwne My wracke on this shore ; that perhaps I may My miseries vary here : for yet their stay , I feare , heauen hath not orderd : though before These late afflictions , it hath lent me store . O Queene , daine pitie then , since first to you My Fate importunes my distresse to vow . No other Dame , nor man , that this Earth owne , And neighbour Citie , I haue seene or knowne . The Towne then shew me ; giue my nakednes Some shroud to shelter it , if to these seas , Linnen or woollen , you haue brought to clense . God giue you , in requitall , all th' amends Your heart can wish : a husband , family , And good agreement : Nought beneath the skie , More sweet , more worthy is , then firme consent Of man and wife , in houshold gouernment . It ioyes their wishers well ; their enemies wounds ; But to themselues , the speciall good redounds . She answerd : Stranger ! I discerne in thee , Nor Sloth , nor Folly raignes ; and yet I see , Th' art poore and wretched . In which I conclude , That Industry nor wisedome make endude Men with those gifts , that make them best to th'eie ; Ioue onely orders mans felicitie . To good and bad , his pleasure fashions still , The whole proportion of their good and ill . And he perhaps hath formd this plight in thee , Of which , thou must be patient , as he , free . But after all thy wandrings , since thy way , Both to our Earth , and neare our Citie , lay , As being exposde to our cares to relieue ; Weeds , and what else , a humane hand should giue , To one so suppliant , and tam'd with woe ; Thou shalt not want . Our Citie , I will show ; And tell our peoples name : This neighbor Towne , And all this kingdome , the Phaeacians owne . And ( since thou seemdst so faine , to know my birth ; And mad'st a question , if of heauen or earth ) This Earth hath bred me ; and my Fathers name Alcinous is ; that in the powre and frame Of this Iles rule , is supereminent . Thus ( passing him ) she to the Virgins went. And said : Giue stay , both to your feet and fright ; Why thus disperse ye , for a mans meere sight ? Esteeme you him a Cyclop , that long since Made vse to prey vpon our Citizens ? This man , no moist man is ; ( nor watrish thing , That 's euer flitting ; euer rauishing All it can compasse ; and , like it , doth range In rape of women ; neuer staid in change ) This man is truly * manly , wise , and staid ; In soule more rich ; the more to sense decaid . Who , nor will do , nor suffer to be done , Acts leud and abiect ; nor can such a one Greete the Phaeacians , with a mind enuious ; Deare to the Gods they are ; and he is pious . Besides , diuided from the world we are ; The outpart of it ; billowes circulare The sea reuoluing , round about our shore ; Nor is there any man , that enters more Then our owne countrimen , with what is brought From other countries . This man , minding nought But his reliefe : a poore vnhappie wretch , Wrackt here ; and hath no other land to fetch . Him now we must prouide for ; from Ioue ▪ come All strangers , and the needie of a home . Who any gift , though ne're so small it be , Esteeme as great , and take it gratefully . And therefore Virgins , giue the stranger food , And wine ; and see ye bath him in the flood ; Neare to some shore , to shelter most enclin'd ; To cold Bath-bathers , hurtfull is the wind . Not onely rugged making th' outward skin , But by his thin powres , pierceth parts within . This said ; their flight in a returne they set ; And did Vlysses with all grace entreate : Shewd him a shore , wind● proofe , and full of shade : By him a shirt , and vtter mantle laid . A golden Iugge of liquid oile did adde ; Bad wash ; and all things as Nausicaa bad . Diuine Vlysses would not vse their aid ; But thus bespake them : Euery louely maid , Let me entreate to stand a litle by ; That I alone the fresh flood may apply , To clense my bosome of the sea-wrought brine . And then vse oile ; which long time did not shine On my poore shoulders . I le not wash in sight Of faire-haird maidens . I should blush outright , To bathe all bare by such a virgin light . They mou'd , and musde , a man had so much grace ; And told their Mistris , what a man he was . He clensd his broad-soild-shoulders ; backe and head Yet neuer tam'd . But now , had fome and weed , Knit in the faire curles . Which dissolu'd ; and he Slickt all with sweet oile : the sweet charitie , The vntoucht virgin shewd in his attire , He cloth'd him with . Then Pallas put a fire , More then before , into his sparkling eies ; His late soile set off , with his soone fresh guise . His locks ( clensd ) curld the more ; and matcht ( in power To please an eye ) the Hyacinthian flower . And as a workman , that can well combine Siluer and gold ; and make both striue to shine ; As being by Vulcan , and Minerua too , Taught how farre either may be vrg'd to go , In strife of eminence ; when worke sets forth A worthy soule , to bodies of such worth ; No thought reprouing th' act , in any place ; Nor Art no debt to Natures liueliest grace : So Pallas wrought in him , a grace as great , From head to shoulders ; and ashore did seate His goodly presence . To which , such a guise He shewd in going , that it rauisht eies . All which ( continude ) as he sate apart ; Nausicaas eye strooke wonder through her heart ; Who thus bespake her consorts : Heare me , you Faire-wristed Virgins ; this rare man ( I know ) Treds not our country earth , against the will Of some God , thron'd on the Olympian hill . He shewd to me , till now , not worth the note ; But now he lookes , as he had Godhead got . I would to heauen , my husband were no worse ; And would be calld no better ; but the course Of other husbands pleasd to dwell out here : Obserue and serue him , with our vtmost cheare . She said ; they heard , and did . He drunke and eate Like to a Harpy ; hauing toucht no meate A long before time . But Nausicaa now Thought of the more grace , she did lately vow : Had horse to Chariot ioynd ; and vp she rose : Vp chear'd her guest , and said : Guest , now dispose Your selfe for Towne ; that I may let you see My Fathers Court ; where all the Peeres will be Of our Phaeacian State. At all parts then , Obserue to whom , and what place y' are t' attain ; Though I need vsher you with no aduice , Since I suppose you absolutely wise . While we the fields passe , and mens labours there ; So long ( in these maids guides ) directly beare Vpon my Chariot ( I must go before , For cause that after comes : to which , this more Be my induction ) you shall then soone end Your way to Towne ; whose Towres you see ascend To such a steepnesse . On whose either side , A faire Port stands ; to which is nothing wide An enterers passage : on whose both hands ride Ships in faire harbors ; which , once past , you win The goodly market place , ( that circles in A Phane to Neptune , built of curious stone , And passing ample ) where munition , Gables , and masts men make , and polisht oares ; For the Phaeacians are not conquerors By bowes nor quiuers ; Oares , masts , ships they are , With which they plow the sea , and wage their warre . And now the cause comes , why I leade the way , Not taking you to Coach. The men that sway In worke of those tooles , that so fit our State , Are rude Mechanicals ; that rare and late Worke in the market place ; and those are they Whose bitter tongues I shun ; who strait would say , ( For these vile vulgars are extreamly proud , And fouly languag'd ) What , is he allowd To coach it with Nausicaa ? so large set , And fairely fashiond ? where were these two met ? He shall be sure her husband . She hath bene Gadding in some place ; and ( of forraine men , Fitting her fancie ) kindly brought him home In her owne ship . He must , of force , be come From some farre region ; we haue no such man. It may be ( praying hard , when her heart ran On some wisht husband ) out of heauen , some God Dropt in her lap ; and there lies she at rode , Her complete life time . But , in sooth , if she Ranging abroad , a husband such as he , Whom now we saw , laid hand on ; she was wise , For none of all our Nobles , are of prise Enough for her : he must beyond-sea come , That wins her high mind , and will haue her home . Of our Peeres , many haue importun'd her , Yet she will none . Thus these folks will conferre Behind my backe ; or ( meeting ) to my face , The foule-mouth rout dare put home this disgrace . And this would be reproches to my fame ; For euen my selfe , iust anger would enflame , If any other virgin I should see ( Her parents liuing ) keepe the companie Of any man ; to any end of loue , Till open Nuptials should her act approue . And therefore heare me guest ; and take such way , That you your selfe may compasse , in your stay , Your quicke deduction , by my Fathers grace ; And meanes to reach the roote of all your race . We shall , not farre out of our way to Towne , A neuer-felld Groue find , that Poplars crowne ; To Pallas sacred , where a fountaine flowes ; And round about the Groue , a Medow growes ; In which , my Father holds a Mannor house ; Deckt all with Orchards , greene , and odorous ; As farre from Towne , as one may heare a shout . There stay , and rest your foote paines ; till full out We reach the Citie . Where , when you may guesse We are arriu'd , and enter our accesse Within my Fathers Court : then put you on For our Ph●●cian State ; where , to be showne My Fathers house , desire . Each infant there Can bring you to it ; and your selfe will cleare Distinguish it from others : for no showes , The Citie buildings make ; compar'd with those That King Alcinous seate doth celebrate . In whose roofes , and the Court , ( where men of state , And suiters sit and stay ) when you shall hide : Strait passe it , entring further : where abide My Mother , with her withdrawne houswiferies ; Who still sits in the fire ●shine , and applies Her Rocke , all purple , and of pompous show : Her Chaire plac't gainst a Pillar : all arow Her maids behind her set ; and ●o her here , My Fathers dining Throne lookes . Seated where He powres his choice of wine in , like a God. This view once past ; for th' end of your abode , Addresse suite to my Mother ; that her meane , May make the day of your redition scene . And you may frolicke strait , though farre away You are in distance from your wished stay . For if she once be won to wish you well , Your Hope may instantly your Pasport seale ; And thenceforth sure abide to see your friends , Faire house , and all , to which your heart contends . This said ; she vsde her shining scourge , and lasht Her Mules , that soone the shore left , where she washt ; And ( knowing well the way ) their pace was fleet , And thicke they gatherd vp their nimble feet . Which yet * she temperd so ; and vsde her scourge With so much skill ; as not to ouer-v●ge The foote behind ; and make them straggle so , From close societie . Firme together go Vlysses and her maids . And now the Sunne Sunke to the waters ; when they all had wonne The neuer-feld , and sound-exciting wood , Sacred to Pallas : where the God-like good Vlysses rested ; and to Pallas praid : Heare me , of Goate-kept Ioue , th'vnconquerd Maid ; Now throughly heare me ; since in all the time Of all my wracke , my pray'rs could neuer clime Thy far-off eares ; when noisefull Neptune tost Vpon his watry brissels , my imbost And rock● torne body : heare yet now , and daine I may of the Phaeacian State obtaine Pitie , and grace . Thus praid he ; and she heard : By no meanes yet ( exposde to sight ) appear'd , For feare t' offend her Vnkle ; the supreme Of all the * Sea-Gods ; whose wrath still extreme Stood to Vlysses ; and would neuer cease , Till with his Country shore , he crownd his peace . Finis libri sexti Hom. Odyss . THE SEVENTH BOOK OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . NAusicaa arriues at Towne ; And then Vlysses . He makes knowne His suite to Arete : who , view Takes of his vesture ; which she knew ; And asks him , from whose hands it came . He tels , with all the haplesse frame Of his affaires , in all the while , Since he forsooke Calypsos Ile . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The honord minds , And welcome things , Vlysses finds , In Scherias Kings . THus praid the wise , and God-obseruing Man. The Maid , by free force of her Palfreys , wan Accesse to Towne ; and the renowmed Court , Reacht of her Father ; where , within the Port , She staid her Coach ; and round about her came Her Brothers , ( made as of immortall frame . ) Who yet disdaind not , for her loue , meane deeds ; But tooke from * Coach her Mules , brought in her weeds . And she ascends her chamber ; where puruaid A quicke fire was , by her old chamber-maid Eurymedusa , th' Aper●●n borne ; And brought by sea , from Apera , t' adorne The Court of great Alcinous ; because He gaue to all , the blest Phaeacians lawes ; And , like a heauen-borne Powre in speech , acquir'd The peoples eares . To one then so admir'd , Eurymedusa was esteemd no worse , Then worth the gift : yet now growne old , was Nurse To Ivory-armd Nausicaa ; gaue heate To all her fires , and drest her priuie meate . Then rose Vlysses , and made way to Towne ; Which ere he reacht , a mightie mist was throwne By Pallas round about him ; in her Care , Lest in the sway of enuies popular , Some proud Phaeacian might foule language passe , Iustle him vp , and aske him what he was . Entring the louely Towne yet : through the cloud Pallas appeard ; and like a yong wench showd Bea●●ng a pitcher ; Stood be●ore him so , As if obiected purposely to know What there he needed ; whom he questiond thus : Know you not ( daughter ) where Alcino●s , That rules this Towne , dwels ? I , a poore distrest Meere stranger here ; know none I may request , To make this Court knowne to me . She wordreplied : Strange Father ; I will see you satisfied In that request : my Father dwels , iust by The house you seeke for ; but go silently ; Nor aske , nor speake to any other ; I Shall be enough to shew your way : the men That here inhabite , do not entertain With ready kindnesse , strangers ; of what worth Or state soeuer : nor haue taken forth Lessons of ciuill vsage , or respect To men beyond them . They ( vpon their powres Of swift ships building ) top the watry towres : And Ioue●ath ●ath giuen them ships , for saile so wrought , They cut a fether , and command a thought . This said ; she vsherd him ; and after , he Trod in the swift steps of the Deitie . The free-saild sea-men could not get a sight Of our Vlysses , yet : though he foreright , Both by their houses and their persons past : Pallas about him , such a darknesse cast , By her diuine powre , and her reuerend care , She would not giue the Towne-borne , cause to stare . He wonderd , as he past , to see the Ports ; The shipping in them ; and for all resorts , The goodly market steds ; and Iles beside For the Heroes ; walls so large and wide ; Rampires so high , and of such strength withall ; It would with wonder , any eye appall . At last they reacht the Court ; and Pallas said : Now , honourd stranger ; I will see obaid Your will , to shew our Rulers house ; t is here ; Where you shall find , Kings celebrating cheare ; Enter amongst them ; nor admit a feare ; More bold a man is , he preuailes the more ; Though man nor place , he euer saw before . You first shall find the Queene in Court , whose name Is Arete : of parents borne , the same That was the King her Spouse : their Pedigree I can report : the great Earth-shaker , he Of Periboea , ( that her sex out-shone , And yongest daughter was , t' Eurymedon ; Who of th'vnmeasur'd-minded Giants , swaid Th' Imperiall Scepter ; and the pride allaid Of men so impious , with cold death ; and died Himselfe soone after ) got the magnified In mind , Nausithous ; who the kingdomes state First held in supreame rule . Nausithous gat Rhexenor , and Aicinous , now King : Rhexenor ( whose seed did no male fruite spring ; And whom the siluer-bow-glac't Phoebus slue Yong in the Court ) his shed blood did renew In onely Arete ; who now is Spouse To him that rules the kingdome , in this house , And is her Vnkle ; King Alcinous . Who honors her , past equall . She may boast More honor of him , then the honord most Of any wife in earth , can of her Lord ; How many more soeuer , Realmes affoord , That keepe house vnder husbands . Yet no more Her husband honors her , then her blest store Of gracious children . All the Citie cast Eyes on her , as a Goddesse ; and giue taste Of their affections to her , in their praires , Still as she decks the streets . For all affaires , Wrapt in contention , she dissolues to men . Whom she affects , she wants no mind to deigne Goodnesse enough . If her heart stand inclin'd To your dispatch ; hope all you wish to find ; Your friends , your longing family , and all , That can within your most affections fall . This said ; away the grey-eyd Goddesse flew Along th'vntamed sea . Left the louely hew , Scheria presented . Out flew Marathon , And ample-streeted Athens lighted on . Where , to the house th●● casts so * thicke a shade , Of Erectheus ; she ingression made . Vlysses , to the loftie-builded Court Of King Alcinous , made bold resort ; Yet in his heart cast many a thought , before The brazen pauement of the rich Court , bore His enterd person . Like heauens two maine Lights , The roomes illustrated , both daies and nights . On euery side stood firme a wall of brasse , Euen from the threshold to the inmost passe ; Which bore a roofe vp , that all Saphire was ; The brazen thresholds both sides , did enfold Siluer Pilasters , hung with ga●es of gold ; Whos 's Portall was of silue● ; ouer which A golden Cornish did the front enrich . On each side , Dogs of gold and siluer fram'd , The houses Guard stood ; which the Deitie ( * lam'd ) With knowing inwards had inspir'd ; and made , That Death nor Age , should their estates inuade . Along the wall , stood euery way a throne ; From th' entry to the Lobbie : euery one , Cast ouer with a rich-wrought cloth of state . Beneath which , the Phaeacian Princes sate At wine and food ; and feasted all the yeare . Youths forg'd of gold , at euery table there , Stood bolding flaming torches ; that , in night Gaue through the house , each honourd Guest , his light . And ( to encounter feast with houswifry ) In one roome fiftie women did apply Their seuerall tasks . Some , apple-colourd corne Ground in faire Quernes ; and some did spindles turne . Some worke in loomes : no hand , least rest receiues ; But all had motion , apt , as Aspen leaues . And from the weeds they woue , ( so fast they laid , And so thicke thrust together , thred by thred ) That th'oile ( of which the wooll had drunke his fill ) Did with his moisture , in light dewes distill . As much as the Phaeacian men exceld All other countrimen , in Art to build A swift-saild ship : so much the women there , For worke of webs , past other women were . Past meane , by Pallas meanes , they vnderstood The grace of good works ; and had wits as good . Without the Hall , and close vpon the Gate , A goodly Orchard ground was situate , Of neare ten Acres ; about which , was led A loftie Quickset . In it flourished High and broad fruit trees , that Pomegranats bore ; Sweet Figs , Peares , Oliues , and a number more Most vsefull Plants , did there produce their store . Whose fruits , the hardest Winter could not kill ; Nor hotest Summer wither . There was still Fruite in his proper season , all the yeare . Sweet Zephire breath'd vpon them , blasts that were Of varied tempers : these , he made to beare Ripe fruites : these blossomes : Peare grew after Peare ; Apple succeeded apple ; Grape , the Grape ; Fig after Fig came ; Time made neuer rape , Of any daintie there . A spritely vine Spred here his roote ; whose fruite , a hote sun-shine Made ripe betimes . Here grew another , greene . Here , some were gathering ; here , some pressing seene . A large-allotted seuerall , each fruite had ; And all th'adornd grounds , their apparance made , In flowre and fruite , at which the King did aime , To the precisest order he could claime . Two Fountaines grac't the garden ; of which , one Powrd out a winding streame , that ouer-runne The grounds for their vse chiefly : th' other went Close by the loftie Pallace gate ; and lent The Citie his sweet benefit : and thus The Gods the Court deckt of Alcinous . Patient Vlysses stood a while at gaze ; But ( hauing all obseru'd ) made instant pace Into the Court ; where all the Peeres he found , And Captaines of Phaeacia ; with Cups crownd , Offring to sharp-eyd * Hermes : to whom , last They vsde to sacrifise ; when Sleepe had cast His inclination through their thoughts . But these , Vlysses past ; and forth went ; nor their eies Tooke note of him : for Pallas stopt the light With mists about him ; that , vnstaid , he might First to Alcinous , and Arete , Present his person ; and , of both them , she ( By Pallas counsell ) was to haue the grace Of foremost greeting . Therefore his embrace , He cast about her knee . And then off flew The heauenly aire that hid him . When his view , With silence and with Admiration strooke The Court quite through : but thus he silence broake : Diuine Rhexenors of spring , Arete ; To thy most honourd husband , and to thee , A man whom many labours haue distrest , Is come for comfort ; and to euery guest : To all whom , heauen vouchsafe delightsome liues ; And after , to your issue that suruiues , A good resignement of the Goods ye leaue ; With all the honor that your selues receiue Amongst your people . Onely this of me , Is the Ambition ; that I may but see ( By your vouchsaft meanes ; and betimes vouchsaft ) My country earth ; since I haue long bin left To labors , and to errors , barrd from end ; And farre from benefit of any friend . He said no more ; but left them dumbe with that ; Went to the harth , and in the ashes sat , Aside the fire . At last their silence brake ; And Echinaeus , th' old Heroe spake . A man that all Phaeacians past in yeares , And in perswasiue eloquence , all the Peeres ; Knew much , and vsde it well ; and thus spake he : Alcinous ! it shewes not decently ; Nor doth your honor , what you see , admit ; That this your guest , should thus abiectly sit : His chaire the earth ; the harth his cushion ; Ashes , as if apposde for food : a Throne Adornd with duerites , stands you more in hand To see his person plac't in ; and command That instantly your Heralds fill in wine ; That to the God that doth in lightnings shine , We may do sacrifice : for he is there , Where these his reuerend suppliants appeare . Let what you haue within , be brought abroad , To sup the stranger . All these would haue showd This fit respect to him ; but that they stay For your precedence , that should grace the way . When this had wordadded to the well-inclin'd , And sacred order of Alcinous mind ; Then , of the great in wit , the hand he seisd ; And from the ashes , his faire person raisd ; Ad●a●●'t him to a well-adorned Throne ; And from his seate raisd his most loued sonne , ( Laodamas , that next himselfe was set ) To giue him place ▪ The handmaid then did get An Ewre of gold , with water fild ; which plac't Vpon a Caldron , all with siluer grac't ) She powrd out on their hands . And then was spred A Table , which the Butler set with bread ; As others seru'd with other food , the boord ; In all the choise , the present could affoord . Vlysses , meate and wine tooke ; and then thus ; The King the Herald calld : Pontonous ! Serue wine through all the house ; that all may pay Rites to the Lightner , who is still in way With humble suppliants ; and them pursues , With all benigne , and hospitable dues . Pontonous , gaue act to all he willd , And hony sweetnesse-giuing-minds - * wine filld ; Disposing it in cups for all to drinke . All hauing drunke , what eithers heart could thinke Fit for due sacrifice ; Alcinous said : Heare me , ye Dukes , that the Phaeacians leade ; And you our Counsellors ; that I may now Discharge the charge , my mind suggests to you , For this our guest : Feast past , and this nights sleepe ; Next morne ( our Senate summond ) we will keepe Iusts , sacred to the Gods ; and this our Guest Receiue in solemne Court , with fitting Feast : Then thinke of his returne ; that vnder hand Of our deduction ; his naturall land ( Without more toile or care ; and with delight ; And that soone giuen him ; how farre hence dissite Soeuer it can be ) he may a●cend ; And in the meane time , without wrong attend , Or other want ; fit meanes to that ascent . What , after , austere Fates , shall make th' euent Of his lifes thred ( now spinning , and began When his paind mother , freed his roote of man ) He must endure in all kinds . If some God , Perhaps abides with vs , in his abode ; And other things will thinke vpon then we ; The Gods wils stand : who euer yet were free Of their appearance to vs ; when to them We offerd Hecatombs , of fit esteem . And would at feast sit with vs ; euen where we Orderd our Session . They would likewise be Encountrers of vs , when in way , alone About his fit affaires , went any one . Not let them cloke themselues in any care , To do vs comfort ; we as neare them are , As are the Cyclops ; or the impious race , Of earthy Giants , that would heauen outface . Vlysses answerd ; Let some other doubt Employ your thoughts , then what your words giue out ; Which intimate a kind of doubt , that I Should shadow in this shape , a Deitie . I beare no such least semblance ; or in wit , Vertue , or person . What may well befit One of those mortals , whom you chiefly know , Beares vp and downe , the burthen of the woe Appropriate to poore man ; giue that to me ; Of whose mones I sit , in the most degree ; And might say more ; sustaining griefes that all The Gods consent to : no one twixt their fall And my vnpitied shoulders , letting downe The least diuersion . Be the grace then showne , To let me taste your free-giuen food , in peace : Through greatest griefe , the belly must haue ease . Worse then an enuious belly , nothing is . It will command his strict Necessities , Of men most grieu'd in body or in mind , That are in health , and will not giue their kind , A desperate wound . When most with cause I grieue , It bids me still , Eate man , and drinke , and liue ; And this makes all forgot . What euer ill I euer beare ; it euer bids me fill . But this ease is but ●orc't , and will not last , Till what the mindlikes , be as well embrac't ; And therefore let me wish you would partake In your late purpose ; when the Morne shall make Her next appearance ; daigne me but the grace , ( Vnhappie man ) that I may once embrace My country earth : though I be still thrust at , By ancient ils ; yet make me but ●ee that ; And then let life go . When ( withall ) I see My high-rooft large house , lands and family . This , all approu'd ; and each , willd euery one ; Since he hath said so fairly ; set him gone . Feast past , and sacrifice ; to sleepe , all vow Their eies at eithers house . Vlysses now , Was left here with Alcinous , and his Queene , The all-lou'd Arete . The handmaids then The vessell of the Banquet , tooke away . When Arete set eye on his array ; Knew both his out , and vnderweed , which she Made with her maids ; and musde by what meanes he Obtaind their wearing : which she made request To know ; and wings gaue to these speeches : Guest ! First let me aske , what , and from whence you are ? And then , who grac't you with the weeds you weare ? Said you not lately , you had err'd at seas ? And thence arriu'd here ? Laertides To this , thus answerd : T is a paine ( O Queene ) Still to be opening wounds wrought deepe and greene ; Of which , the Gods haue opened store in me ; Yet your will must be seru'd : Farre hence , at sea , There lies an I le , that beares Ogygias name ; Where Atlas daughter , the ingenious Dame , Faire-haird Calypso liues : a Goddesse graue , And with whom , men , nor Gods , societie haue . Yet I ( past man vnhappie ) liu'd alone , By heau'ns wrath forc't ) her house companion . For Ioue had with a feruent lightning cleft My ship in twaine ; and farre at blacke sea left Me and my souldiers ; all whose liues I lost . I , in mine armes the keele tooke , and was tost Nine dayes together vp from waue to waue . The tenth grim Night , the angry Deities draue Me and my wracke , on th'Ile , in which doth dwell Dreadfull Calypso ; who exactly well Receiu'd and nourisht me ; and promise made , To make me deathlesse : nor should Age inuade My powres with his deserts , through all my dayes . All mou'd not me ; and therefore , on her stayes , Seuen yeares she made me lie : and there spent I The long time ; steeping in the miserie Of ceaslesse teares , the Garments I did weare From her faire hand . The eight reuolued yeare , ( Or by her chang'd mind ; or by charge of Ioue ) She gaue prouokt way to my wisht remoue ; And in a many-ioynted ship , with wine , ( Daintie in sauour ) bread , and weeds diuine ; Sign'd with a harmlesse and sweet wind , my passe . Then , seuenteene dayes at sea , I homeward was ; And by the eighteenth , the darke hils appeard , That your Earth thrusts vp . Much my heart was cheard ; ( Vnhappie man ) for that was but a beame ; To shew I yet , had agonies extreame , To put in sufferance : which th'Earth-shaker sent ; Crossing my way , with tempests violent ; Vnmeasur'd seas vp-lifting : nor would giue The billowes leaue , to let my vessell liue The least time quiet : that euen sigh'd to beare Their bitter outrage : which , at last , did teare Her sides in peeces , set on by the winds . I yet , through-swomme the waues , that your shore binds , Till wind and water threw me vp to it ; When , coming forth , a ruthlesse billow smit Against huge rocks , and an acceslesse shore My mangl'd body . Backe againe I bore , And swom till I was falne vpon a flood , Whose shores , me thought , on good aduantage stood , For my receit : rock-free , and fenc't from wind . And this I put for , gathering vp my mind . Then the diuine Night came ; and tredding Earth , Close by the flood , that had from Ioue her birth . Within a thicket I reposde ; when round I ruffld vp falne leaues in heape ; and found ( Let fall from heauen ) a sleepe interminate . And here , my heart ( long time excruciate ) Amongst the leaues I rested all that night ; Euen till the morning and meridian light . The Sunne declining then ; delightsome sleepe , No longer laid my temples in his steepe ; But forth I went , and on the shore might see Your daughters maids play . Like a Deitie She shin'd aboue them ; and I praid to her : And she , in disposition did prefer Noblesse , and wisedome , no more low then might Become the goodnesse of a Goddesse height . Nor would you therefore hope ( supposde distrest As I was then , and old ) to find the least Of any Grace from her ; being yonger farre . With yong folkes , Wisedome makes her commerce rare . Yet she in all abundance did bestow , Both wine ( that makes the * blood in humanes grow ) And food ; and bath'd me in the flood ; and gaue The weeds to me , which now ye see me haue . This , through my griefes I tell you ; and t is true . Alcinous answerd : Guest ! my daughter knew Least of what most you giue her ; nor became The course she tooke , to let , with euery Dame , Your person lackey ; nor hath with them brought Your selfe home to ; which first you had besought . O blame her not ( said he ) Heroicall Lord ; Nor let me heare , against her worth , a word . She faultlesse is ; and wisht I would haue gone With all her women home : but I alone Would venture my receit here ; hauing feare And reuerend aw of accidents that were Of likely issue : both your wrath to moue , And to inflame the common peoples loue , Of speaking ill : to which they soone giue place ; We men are all a most suspicious race . My guest ( said he ) I vse not to be stird To wrath too rashly ; and where are preferd To mens conceits , things that may both waies faile ; The noblest euer should the most preuaile . Would Ioue our Father , Pallas , and the Sunne , That ( were you still as now , and could but runne One Fate with me ) you would my daughter wed , And be my son-in-law ; still vowd to leade Your rest of life here . I , a house would giue , And houshold goods ; so freely you would liue , Confin'd with vs : but gainst you will , shall none Containe you here ; since that were violence done To Ioue our Father . For your passage home , That you may well know , we can ouercome So great a voyage ; thus it shall succeed : To morrow shall our men take all their heed ( While you securely sleepe ) to see the seas In calmest temper ; and ( if that will please ) Shew you your Country and your house ere night ; Though farre beyond Euboea be that sight . And this Euboea ( as our subiects say , That haue bin there , and seene ) is farre away Farthest from vs , of all the parts they know . And made the triall , when they helpt to row The gold-lockt Rhadamanth ; to giue him view Of Earth-borne Tityus : whom their speeds did shew ( In that far-off Euboea ) the same day They set from hence ; and home made good their way , With ease againe , and him they did conuay . Which , I report to you , to let you see How swift my ships are ; and how matchlesly My yong Phaecians , with their oares preuaile , To beate the sea through , and assist a saile . This cheard Vlysses ; who in priuate praid : I would to Ioue our Father , what he said , He could performe at all parts ; he should then Be glorified for euer ; and I gaine My naturall Country . This discourse they had ; When faire-armd Arete , her handmaids bad A bed make in the Portico ; and plie With cloaths ; the Couering Tapestrie ; The Blankets purple . Wel●napt Wastcoates too , To weare for more warmth . What these had to do , They torches tooke , and did . The Bed puruaid ; They mou'd Vlysses for his rest ; and said : Come Guest , your Bed is fit ; now frame to rest . Motion of sleepe , was gracious to their Guest ; Which now he tooke profoundly ; being laid Within a loop-hole Towre , where was conuaid The sounding Portico . The King tooke rest In a retir'd part of the house ; where drest The Queene her selfe , a Bed , and Trundlebed ; And by her Lord , reposde her reuerend head . Finis libri septimi Hom. Odyss . THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Peeres of the Phaeacian State , A Councell call , to consolate Vlysses , with all meanes for Home . The Councell to a Banquet come . Innited by the king : which done ; Assaies for hurling of the stone , The Youths make with the stranger king . Demodecus , at feast , doth sing Th' Adulterie of the God of Armes With her that rules , in Amorous charmes . And after , sings the entercourse Of Acts about th' Epaean Horse . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The Councels frame , At fleete applied ; In strifes of Game , Vlysses tried . NOw when the Rosie-fingerd morne arose ; The sacred powre Alcinous did dispose Did likewise rise ; and like him , left his Ease , The Cittie-racer Laertiades . The Councell at the Nauie was design'd ; To which Alcinous , with the sacred mind , Came first of all . On polisht stones they sate Neare to the Nauie . To increase the state , Minerua tooke the heralds forme on her That seru'd Alcinous ; studious to prefer Vlysses Suite for home . About the towne She made quicke way ; and fild with the renowne Of that designe , the eares of euery man : Proclaiming thus ; Peers Phaeacensian ! And men of Councell : all haste to the Court ; To heare the stranger that made late resort To king Alcinous : long time lost at Sea ; And is in person , like a Deitie . This , all their powres set vp ; and spirit instild ; And straight the Court and seats , with men were fild . The whole State wonderd at Laertes Son When they beheld him . Pallas put him on A supernaturall , and heauenly dresse ; Enlarg'd him with a height , and goodlinesse In breast , and shoulders ; that he might appeare Gracious , and graue , and reuerend ; and beare A perfect hand on his performance there , In all the trials they resolu'd t' impose . All met ; and gatherd in attention close ; Alcinous thus bespake them : Dukes , and Lords ; Heare me digest , my hearty thoughts in words : This Stranger here whose trauels found my Court ; I know not ; nor can tell if his resort From East or West comes : But his suite is this ; That to his Countrey earth we would dismis His hither-forced person ; and doth beare The minde to passe it vnder euery Peere : Whom I prepare , and stirre vp ; making knowne My free desire of his deduction . Nor shall there euer , any other man That tries the goodnesse Phaeacensian , In me , and my Courts entertainement ; stay Mourning for passage , vnder least delay . Come then ; A ship into the sacred seas , New-built , now lanch we ; and from out our prease ; Chuse two and fiftie Youths ; of all , the best To vse an oare . All which , see straight imprest ; And in their Oare-bound seates . Let others hie Home to our Court ; commanding instantly The solemne preparation of a feast ; In which , prouision may for any guest Be made at my charge . Charge of these low things , I giue our Youth . You Scepter-bearing kings , Consort me home ; and helpe with grace to vse This guest of ours : no one man shall refuse . Some other of you , haste , and call to vs The sacred singer , graue Demodocus ; To whom hath God giuen , song that can excite The heart of whom he listeth with delight . This said , he led . The Scepter-bearers lent Their free attendance ; and with all speede , went The herald for the sacred man in song . Youths two and fiftie ; chosen from the throng Went , as was willd , to the vntam'd seas shore ; Where come ; they lancht the ship : the Mast it bore Aduanc't , sailes hoised ; euery seate , his Ore Gaue with a lether thong : the deepe moist then They further reacht . The drie streets flowd with men ; That troup't vp to the kings capacious Court. Whose Porticos , were chok't with the resort : Whose wals were hung with men : yong , old , thrust there , In mighty concourse ; for whose promist cheere Alcinous slue twelue Sheepe ; eight white-toothd Swine : Two crook-hancht Beeues ; which flead , and drest , diuine The show was of so many a iocund Guest All set together , at so set a feast . To whose accomplisht state , the Herald then The louely Singer led ; Who past all mean The Muse affected ; gaue him good , and ill ; His eies put out ; but put in soule at will. His place was giuen him , in a chaire , all grac't With siluer studs , and gainst a Pillar plac't ; Where , as the Center to the State , he rests ; And round about , the circle of the Guests . The Herald , on a Pinne , aboue his head His soundfull harpe hung : to whose height , he led His hand for taking of it downe at will. A Boord set by , with food ; and forth did fill A Bowle of wine , to drinke at his desire . The rest then , fell to feast ; and when the fire Of appetite was quencht : the Muse inflam'd The sacred Singer . Of men highliest fam'd , He sung the glories ; and a Poeme pend , That in applause , did ample heauen ascend . Whose subiect was , the sterne contention Betwixt Vlysses , and Great Thetis Sonne ; As , at a banket , sacred to the Gods In dreadfull language , they exprest their ods . When Agamemnon , sat reioyc't in soule To heare the Greeke Peeres iarre , in termes so foule ; For Augur Phoebus , in presage had told The king of men , ( desirous to vnfold The wars perplexed end ; and being therefore gone In heauenly Pythia , to the Porch of stone , ) That then the end , of all griefes should begin , Twixt Greece , and Troy ; when Greece ( with strife to winne That wisht conclusion ) in her kings should iarre ; And pleade , if force , or wit must end the warre . This braue contention did the Poet sing ; Expressing so the spleene of either king ; That his large purple weede , Vlysses held Before his face , and eies ; since thence distilld Teares vncontaind ; which he obscur'd , in feare To let th'obseruing Presence , note a teare . But when his sacred song the meere Diuine Had giuen an end ; a Goblet crownd with wine Vlysses ( drying his wet eies ) did seise ; And sacrifisde to those Gods that would please T' inspire the Poet with a song so fit To do him honour , and renowme his wit. His teares then staid . But when againe began ( By all the kings desires ) the mouing man ; Againe Vlysses , could not chuse but yeeld To that soft passion : which againe , withheld , He kept so cunningly from sight ; that none ( Except Alcinous himselfe , alone ) Discern'd him mou'd so much . But he sat next ; And heard him deeply sigh . Which , his pretext Could not keepe hid from him . Yet he conceal'd His vtterance of it ; and would haue it held From all the rest . Brake off the song , and this Said to those Ore-affecting Peeres of his : Princes , and Peeres ! we now are satiate With sacred song , that fits a feast of state : With wine , and food . Now then , to field , and try ; In all kinds our approu'd actiuity ; That this our Guest , may giue his friends to know In his returne : that we , as little owe To fights , and wrestlings , leaping , speede of race , As these our Court-rites ; and commend our grace In all , to all superiour . Foorth he led The Peeres and people , troup't vp to their head : Nor must Demodocus be left within ; Whose harpe , the Herald hung vpon the pinne ; His hand , in his tooke ; and abroad he brought The heauenly Poet : out , the same way wrought That did the Princes : and what they would see With admiration , with his companie They wisht to honour . To the place of Game These throng'd ; and after , routs of other came , Of all sort , infinite . Of Youths that stroue , Many , and strong , rose to their trials loue . Vp rose Acroneus , and Ocyalus ; Elatreus , Prymneus , and Anchyalus ; Nauteus , Eretmeus , Thoo● , Proreus ; Pontaeus , and the strong Amphialus , Sonne to Tectonides , Polinius . Vp rose to these , the great Euryalus ; In action like the homicide of warre . Naubolides , that was for person farre Past all the rest : but one he could not passe ; Nor any thought improue ; Laodamas . Vp Anabesinzus then arose ; And three sonnes of the Scepter state , and those ; Were Halius , and fore-praisde Laodamas ; And Clytonaeus , like a God in grace . These first the foote-game tride ; and from the lists Took start together . Vp the dust , in mists They hurld about ; as in their speede , they flew ; But Clytonaeus , first , of all the crew A Stiches length in any fallow field Made good his pace ; when where the Iudges yeeld The prise , and praise , his glorious speed arriu'd . Next , for the boistrous wrestling Game they striu'd ; At which , Euryalus , the rest outshone . At leape , Amphialus . At the hollow stone Elatreus exceld . At buffets , last , Laodamas , the kings faire sonne surpast . When all had striu'd in these assaies their fill ; Laodamas said ; Come friends ; let 's proue what skill This Stranger hath attaind to , in our sport ; Me thinks , he must be of the actiue sort . His calues , thighs , hands , and well-knit shoulders show , That Nature disposition did bestow To fit with fact their forme . Nor wants he prime . But sowre Affliction , made a mate with Time , Makes Time the more seene . Nor imagine I , A worse thing to enforce debilitie , Then is the Sea : though nature ne're so strong Knits one together . Nor conceiue you wrong , ( Replied Eu●yalus ) but proue his blood With ●hat you question . In the midst then stood Renowm'd Laodamas , and prou'd him thus ; Come ( stranger Father ) and assaie with vs Your powrs in these contentions : If your show Be answerd with your worth , t is fit that you Should know these conflicts : nor doth glorie stand On any worth more , in a mans command , Then to be strenuous , both of foote and hand : Come then , make proofe with vs ; discharge your mind Of discontentments : for not farre behind Comes your deduction . Ship is ready now ; And men , and all things . Why ( said he ) dost thou Mocke me Laodamas ! and these strifes bind My powrs to answer ? I am more inclind To cares , then conflict . Much sustaind I haue ; And still am suffering . I come here to craue In your assemblies , meanes to be dismist , And pray , both Kings , and subiects to assist . Euryalus , an open brawle began ; And said : I take you Sir , for no such man As fits these honord strifes . A number more Strange men there are , that I would chuse before . To one that loues to lie a ship-boord much ; Or is the Prince of sailours ; or to such As traffique farre and neare , and nothing minde But freight , and passage , and a foreright winde ; Or to a victler of a ship : or men That set vp all their powrs for rampant Gaine , I can compare , or hold you like to be : But , for a wrestler , or of qualitie Fit for contentions noble ; you abhor From worth of any such competitor . Vlysses ( frowning ) answerd ; Stranger ! farre Thy words are from the fashions regular Of kinde , or honour . Thou art in thy guise Like to a man , that authors iniuries . I see , the Gods to all men , giue not all Manly addiction ; wisedome ; words that fall ( Like dice ) vpon the square still . Some man takes Ill forme from parents ; but God often makes That fault of forme vp , with obseru'd repaire Of pleasing speech : that makes him held for faire ; That makes him speake securely : makes him shine In an assembly , with a grace di●ine . Men take delight , to see how euenly lie His words asteepe , in honey modestie . Another then , hath fashion like a God ; But in his language , he is foule , and broad : And such art thou . A person faire is giuen ; But nothing else is in thee , sent from heauen . For in thee lurkes , a base , and earthy soule And t' hast compelld me , with a speech most foule To be thus bitter . I am not vnseene In these faire strifes , as thy words ouerweene : But in the first ranke of the best I stand . At least , I did , when youth and strength of hand Made me thus confident : but now am worne With woes , and labours ; as a humane borne To beare all anguish . Sufferd much I haue . The warre of men , and the inhumane waue Haue I driuen through at all parts : but with all My waste in sufferance : what yet may fall In my performance , at these strifes I le trie ; Thy speech hath mou'd , and made my wrath runne hie . This said ; with robe , and all , he graspt a stone , A little grauer then was euer throwne By these Phaeacians , in their wrestling rout ; More firme , more massie ; which ( turnd round about ) He hurried from him , with a hand so strong It sung , and flew : and ouer all the throng ( That at the others markes stood ) quite it went : Yet downe fell all beneath it ; fearing spent The force that draue it flying from his hand , As it a dart were , or a walking wand . And , farre past all the markes of all the rest His wing stole way . When Pallas straight imprest A marke at fall of it ; resembling then One of the nauy-giuen Phaeacian men ; And thus aduanc't Vlysses : One , ( though blinde ) ( O stranger ! ) groping , may thy stones fall finde ; For not amidst the rout of markes it fell , But farre before all . Of thy worth , thinke well ; And stand in all strifes : no Phaeacian here , This bound , can either better or come nere . Vlysses ioyd , to heare that one man yet V●de him benignly ; and would Truth abet In those contentions . And then , thus smooth He tooke his speech downe : Reach me that now Youth , You shall ( and straight I thinke ) haue one such more ; And one beyond it too . And now , whose Core Stands sound , and great within him ( since ye haue Thus put my splene vp ) come againe and braue The Guest ye tempted , with such grosse disgrace : At wrestling , buffets , whirlbat , speed of race . At all , or either , I except at none , But vrge the whole State of you ; onely one I will not challenge , in my forced boast , And that 's Laodamas ; for hee 's mine Host. And who will fight , or wrangle with his friend ? Vnwise he is , and base , that will contend With him that feedes him , in a forreigne place ; And takes all edge off , from his owne sought grace . None else except I here ; nor none despise ; But wish to know , and proue his faculties , That dares appeare now . No strife ye can name Am I vnskilld in ; ( reckon any game Of all that are , as many as there are In vse with men ) for Archerie I dare Affirme my selfe not meane . Of all a troupe I le make the first foe with mine arrow stoupe ; Though , with me ne're so many fellowes bend Their bowes at markt men , and affect their end ; Onely was Philocte●es with his bow Still my superiour ; when we Greekes would show Our Archerie against our foes of Troy : But all that now by bread , fraile life enioy , I farre hold my inferiours . Men of old None now aliue , shall witnesse me so bold To vant equality with such men as these ; O●chalian , Euritus , Hercules ; Who with their bowes , durst with the Gods contend . And therefore caught Eurytus soone his end . Nor did at home , in age , a reuerend man ; But by the Great incensed Delphian Was shot to death , for daring competence With him , in all an Archers excellence . A Speare I le hurle as farre , as any man Shall shoote a shaft . How at a race I can Bestirre my feete ; I onely yeeld to Feare , And doubt to meete with my superiour here . So many seas , so too much haue misusde My lims for race ; and therefore haue diffusde A dissolution through my loued knees . This said , he stilld all talking properties ; Alcinous onely answerd : O my Guest In good part take we , what you haue bene prest With speech to answer . You would make appeare Your vertues therefore , that will still shine where Your onely looke is . Yet must this man giue Your worth ill language ; when , he does not liue In sort of mortals ( whence so ere he springs That iudgement hath to speake becoming things ) That will depraue your vertues . Note then now My speech , and what , my loue presents to you ; That you may tell Heroes , when you come To banquet with your Wife , and Birth at home , ( Mindfull of our worth ) what deseruings Ioue Hath put on our parts likewise ; in remoue From Sire to Sonne , as an inherent grace Kinde , and perpetuall . We must needs giue place To other Countreymen ; and freely yeeld We are not blamelesse , in our fights of field ; Buff●ts , nor wrestlings : but in speede of feete ; And all the Equipage that fits a fleete , We boast vs best . For table euer spred With neighbour feasts , for garments varied ; For Poesie , Musique , Dancing , Baths , and Beds . And now , Phaeacians , you that beare your heads And feete with best grace , in enamouring dance ; Enflame our guest here ; that he may aduance Our worth past all the worlds , to his home friends ; As well for the vnmatcht grace , that commends Your skills in footing of a dance ; as theirs That flie a race best . And so , all affaires , At which we boast vs best ; he best may trie ; As Sea-race , Land-race , Dance , and Poesie . Some one , with instant speede to Court retire , And fetch Demodocus , his soundfull lyre . This said , the God-grac't king , and quicke resort Pontonous made , for that faire harpe , to Court. Nine of the lot-chusde publique Rulers rose , That all in those contentions did dispose ; Commanding a most smooth ground , and a wide , And all the people , in faire game , aside . Then with the rich harpe , came Pontonous ; And in the midst , tooke place Demodocus . About him then stood foorth , the choise yong men , That on mans first youth , made fresh entrie then : Had Art to make their naturall motion sweete And shooke a most diuine dance from their feete ; That twinckld Star-like ; mou'd as swift , and fine , And beate the aire so thinne , they made it shine . Vlysses wonderd at it ; but amazd He stood in minde , to heare the dance so phras'd . For , as they danc't ; Demodocus did sing , The bright-crownd Venus loue , with Battailes king ; As first they closely mixt , in t'house of fire . What worlds of gifts , wonne her to his desire ; Who then , the night-and-day-bed did defile Of good king Vulcan . But in little while The Sunne their mixture saw ; and came , and told . The bitter newes , did by his ●ares take hold Of Vulcans heart . Then to his Forge he went ; And in his shrewd mind , deepe stuffe did inuent . His mightie Anuile , in the stocke he put ; And forg'd a net , that none could loose , or cut ; That when it had them , it might hold them fast . Which , hauing finisht , he made vtmost haste Vp to the deare roome , where his wife he wowd : And ( madly wrath with Mars ) he all bestrowd The bed , and bed posts : all the beame aboue That crost the chamber ; and a circle stroue , Of his deuice , to wrap in all the roome . And t was as pure , as of a Spiders Ioome , The woofe before t is wouen . No man nor God Could set his eie on it : a sleight so odde , His Art shewd in it . All his craft bespent About the bed : . he faind , as if he went To well-built Lemnos ; his most loued towne , Of all townes earthly . Nor left this vnknowne To golden-bridle-vsing Mars ; who kept No blinde watch ouer him : but , seeing stept His riuall so aside , he hasted home With faire-wreath'd Venus loue stung ; who was come New from the Court of her most mightie Sire . Mars enterd ; wrung her hand ; and the retire Her husband made to Lemnos told ; and said ; Now ( Loue ) is Vulcan gone ; let vs to bed , Hee 's for the barbarous Sintians . Well appaid Was Venus with it ; and afresh assaid Their old encounter . Downe they went ; and straight About them clingd , the artificiall sleight Of most wise Vulcan ; and were so ensnar'd , That neither they could stirre their course prepar'd , In any lim about them ; nor arise . And then they knew , they could no more disguise Their close conueiance ; but lay , forc't , stone still . Backe rusht the Both foote cook't ; but straight in skill , From his neare skout-hole turnd ; nor euer w●nt To any Lemnos ; but the sure euent Left Phoebus to discouer , who told all . Then , home hopt Vulcan , full of griefe , and gall ; Stood in the Portall , and cried out so hie ; That all the Gods heard . Father of the skie And euery other deathlesse God ( said he ) Come all , and a ridiculous obiect see ; And yet not sufferable neither ; Come , And witnesse , how when still I step from home , ( Lame that I am ) Ioues daughter doth professe To do me all the shamefull offices ; Indignities , despites , that can be thought ; And loues this all-things-making-come to nought Since he is faire forsooth ; foote-sound , and I Tooke in my braine a little ; leg'd awrie ; And no fault mine ; but all my parents fault , Who should not get , if mocke me , with my halt . But see how fast they sleepe , while I , in mone , Am onely made , an idle looker on . One bed their turne serues ; and it must be mine ; I thinke yet , I haue made their selfe-loues shine . They shall no more wrong me , and none perceiue : Nor will they sleepe together , I beleeue With too hote haste againe . Thus both shall lie In craft , and force ; till the extremitie Of all the dowre , I gaue her Sire ( to gaine A dogged set-fac't Girle , that will not staine Her face with blushing , though she shame her head ) He paies me backe : She 's faire , but was no maide . While this long speech was making , all were come To Vulcans wholie-brazen-founded home . Earth-shaking Neptune ; vsefull Mercurie , And far-shot Phoebus . No She Deitie For shame , would show there : all the giue-good Gods stood in the Portall ; and past periods Gaue length to laughters ; all reioyc't to see That which they said ; that no impietie Finds good successe at th' end . And now ( said one ) The slow outgoes the swift . Lame Vulcan , knowne To be the slowest of the Gods ; outgoes Mars the most swift ; And this is that , which growes To greatest iustice ; that Adulteries sport Obtain'd by craft , by craft of other sort , ( And lame craft too ) is plagu'd , which grieues the more , That sound lims turning lame ; the lame , * restore . This speech amongst themselues they entertaind When Phoebus , thus askt Hermes : Thus enchaind Would'st thou be Hermes , to be thus disclosde ? Though , with thee , golden Venus were repos'de ? He soone gaue that an answer : O ( said he Thou king of Archers ) would t were thus with me . Though thrice so much shame ; nay , though infinite Were powrd about me ; and that euery light In great heauen shining , witnest all my harmes , So golden Venus slumberd in mine Armes . The Gods againe laught ; euen the watry state Wrung out a laughter : But propitiate Was still for Mars , and praid the God of fire He would dissolue him ; offering the desire He made to Ioue , to pay himselfe ; and said , All due debts , should be , by the Gods repaid . Pay me , no words ( said he ) where deeds lend paine ; Wretched the words are , giuen for wretched men . How shall I binde you in th'Immortals sight If Mars be once loos'd ; nor will pay his right ? Vulcan ( said he ) if Mars should flie , nor see Thy right repaid , it should be paid by me : Your word , so giuen , I must accept ( said he ) Which said ; he loosd them : Mars then rusht from skie And stoop't cold Thrace . The laughing Deity For Cyprus was , and tooke her Paphian state Where , She a Groue , ne're cut , hath consecrate : All with Arabian odors fum'd ; and hath An Altar there , at which the Graces bathe , And with immortall Balms besmooth her skin ; Fit for the blisse , Immortals solace in ; Deckt her in to-be-studied attire , And apt to set beholders hearts on fire . This sung the sacred Muse , whose notes and words The dancers feete kept ; as his hands his cords . Vlysses , much was pleased , and all the crew : This would the king haue varied with a new And pleasing measure ; and performed by Two , with whom none would striue in dancerie . And those , his sonnes were ; that must therefore dance Alone ; and onely to the harp aduance , Without the words ; And this sweete couple , was Yong Halius , and diuine Laodamas : Who danc't a Ball dance . Then the rich-wrought Ball , ( That Polybus had made , of purple all ) They tooke to hand : one threw it to the skie , And then danc't backe ; the other ( capring hie ) Would surely catch it , ere his foote toucht ground ; And vp againe aduanc't it ; and so found The other , cause of dance ; and then did he Dance lofty trickes ; till next it came to be His turne to catch ; and serue the other still . When they had kept it vp to eithers will ; They then danc't ground tricks ; oft mixt hand in hand ; And did so gracefully their change command ; That all the other Youth that stood at pause , With deafning shouts , gaue them the great applause . Then said Vlysses ; O past all men here Cleare , not in powre , but in desert as clere , You said your dancers , did the world surpasse ; And they performe it , cleare , and to amaze . This wonne Alcinous heart ; and equall prise He gaue Vlysses ; saying ; Matchlesse wise ( Princes , and Rulers ) I perceiue our guest ; And therefore let our hospitable best In fitting gifts be giuen him : twelue chiefe kings There are that order all the glorious things Of this our kingdome ; and the thirteenth , I Exist , as Crowne to all : let instantly Be thirteene garments giuen him : and , of gold Precious , and fine , a Talent . While we hold This our assembly ; be all fetcht , and giuen ; That to our feast prepar'd , as to his heauen One guest may enter . And that nothing be Left vnperformd , that fits his dignity ; Euryalus shall here conciliate Himselfe , with words and gifts ; since past our rate He gaue bad language . This did all commend And giue in charge ; and euery king did send His Herald for his gift . Euryalus ▪ ( Answering for his part ) said ; Alcinous ! Our chiefe of all ; since you command , I will To this our guest , by all meanes reconcile ; And giue him this entirely mettald sword : The handle massie siluer ; and the bord That giues it couer , all of Ivorie , New , and in all kinds , worth his qualitie . This put he strait into his hand , and said : Frolick● , O Guest and Father ; if words , fled , Haue bene offensiue ; let swift whirlwinds take , And rauish them from thought . May all Gods make Thy wifes sight good to thee ; in quicke retreate To all thy f●iends , and best-lou'd breeding seate ; Their long misse quitting with the greater ioy ; In whose sweet , vanish all thy worst annoy . And frolicke thou , to all height , Friend ( said he ) Which heauen confirme , with wisht felicitie . Nor euer giue againe desire to thee , Of this swords vse , which with affects so free , In my reclaime , thou hast bestowd on me . This said ; athwart his shoulders he put on The right faire sword ; and then did set the Sunne . When all the gifts were brought ; which backe againe ( With King Alcinous , in all the traine ) Were by the honourd Heralds borne to Court ; Which his faire sonnes tooke ; and from the resort Laid by their reuerend Mother . Each his throne Of all the Peeres ( which yet were ouershone In King Alcinous command ) ascended : Whom he , to passe as much in gifts contended ; And to his Queene , said : Wife ! see brought me here The fairest Cabinet I haue ; and there Impose a well-cleansd , in , and vtter weed ; A Caldron heate with water , that with speed Our Guest well bath'd , and all his gifts made sure , It may a ioyfull appetite procure To his succeeding Feast ; and make him heare The Poets Hymne , with the securer eare . To all which , I will adde my boll of gold , In all frame curious , to make him hold My memory alwaies deare ; and sacrifise With it at home , to all the Deities . Then Arete , her maids charg'd to set on A well-siz'd Caldron quickly . Which was done ; Cleare water powr'd in , flame made so entire , It gilt the brasse , and made the water fire . In meane space , from her chamber brought the Queene A wealthy Cabinet , where ( pure and cleane ) She put the garments , and the gold bestowd By that free State : and then , the other vowd By her Alcinous , and said : Now Guest ▪ Make close and fast your gifts , lest when you rest A ship-boord sweetly , in your way you meet Some losse , that lesse may make your next sleepe sweet . This when Vlysses heard ; all sure he made ; Enclosde and bound safe ; for the sauing trade , The Reuerend for her wisedome ( Circe ) had In foreyeares taught him . Then the handmaid bad His worth to bathing ; which reioyc't his heart . For since he did with his Calypso part , He had no ●ote baths . None had fauourd him ; Nor bin so tender of his kingly lim . But all the time he spent in her abode , He liu'd respected , as he were a God. Cleansd then and balmd ; faire shirt , and robe put on ; Fresh come from bath , and to the Feasters gone ; Nausicaa , that from the Gods hands tooke The soueraigne beautie of her blessed looke , Stood by a well-caru'd Columne of the roome , And through her eye , her heart was ouercome With admiration of the Port imprest In his aspect ; and said : God saue you Guest ! Be chearfull , as in all the future state , Your home will shew you , in your better Fate . But yet , euen then , let this rememberd be , Your lifes price , I lent , and you owe it me . The varied in all counsels gaue reply : Nausicaa ! flowre of all this Empery ! So Iunos husband , that the strife for noise Makes in the clouds , blesse me with strife of Ioyes , In the desir'd day , that my house shall show , As I , as I to a Goddesse , there shall vow , To thy faire hand , that did my Being giue ; Which I le acknowledge ●uery houre I liue . This said ; Alcinous plac't him by his side ; Then tooke they feast , and did in parts diuide The seuerall dishes ; filld out wine , and then The striu'd-for , for his worth , of worthy men , And reuerenc't of the State ; Demodocus Was brought in by the good Pontonous . In midst of all the guests , they gaue him place , Against a loftie Pillar ; when , this grace The grac't with wisedome did him . From the Chine That stood before him of a white-tooth'd Swine , ( Being farre the daintiest ioynt ) mixt through with fat , He caru'd to him , and sent it where he sat , By his old friend , the Herald ; willing thus : Herald ! reach this to graue Demodocus ; Say , I salute him ; and his worth embrace . Poets deserue past all the humane race , Reuerend respect and honor ; since the Queene Of knowledge , and the supreme worth in men ( The Muse ) informes them ; and loues all their race . This , reacht the Herald to him ; who , the grace Receiu'd encourag'd : which , when feast was spent , Vlysses amplified to this ascent : Demodocus ! I must preferre you farre , Past all your sort ; if , or the Muse of warre , Ioues daughter prompts you ; ( that the Greeks respects ) Or if the Sunne , that those of Troy affects . For I haue heard you , since my coming , sing The Fate of Greece , to an admired string . How much ou● sufferance was ; how much we wrought ; How much the actions rose to , when we fought . So liuely forming , as you had bin there ; Or to some free relator , lent your ●are . Forth then , and sing the woodden horses frame , Built by Epeus ; by the martiall Dame , Taught the whole Fabricke ; which , by force of sleight , Vlysses brought into the Cities height ; When he had stuft it with as many men , As leueld loftie Ilion with the Plaine . With all which , if you can as well enchant , A● with expression quicke and elegant , You sung the rest ; I will pronounce you cleare , Inspir'd by God , past all that euer were . This said ; euen stird by God vp , he began ; And to his Song fell , past the forme of man ; Beginning where , the Greeks a ship-boord went , And euery Chiefe , had set on fire his Tent. When th' other Kings , in great Vlysses guide , In Troys vast market place , the horse did hide : From whence , the Troians , vp to Ilion drew The dreadfull Engine . Where ( sate all arew ) Their Kings about it : many counsels giuen , How to dispose it . In three waies were driuen Their whole distractions : first , if they should feele The hollow woods heart , ( searcht with piercing steele ) Or from the battlements ( drawne higher yet ) Deiect it headlong ; or , that counterfet , So vast and nouell , set on sacred fire ; Vowd to appease each angerd Godheads ire . On which opinion , they , thereafter , saw , They then should haue resolu'd : th'vnalterd law Of Fate presaging ; that Troy then should end , When th'hostile horse , she should receiue to friend ; For therein should the Grecian Kings lie hid , To bring the Fate and death , they after did . He sung besides , the Greeks eruption From those their hollow crafts ; and horse forgone ; And how they made Depopulation tred Beneath her feete , so high a Cities head . In which affaire , he sung in other place , That of that ambush , some man else did race The Ilion Towres , then * Laertiades ; But here he * sung , that he alone did seise ( With Menelaus ) the ascended roofe Of Prince Deiphobus ; and Mars - like proofe Made of his valour : a most dreadfull fight , Daring against him . And there vanquisht quite , In litle time ( by great Mineruas aid ) All Ilions remnant , and Troy leuell laid . This the diuine Expressor , did so giue Both act and passion , that he made it liue ; And to Vlysses facts did breathe a fire , So * deadly quickning , that it did inspire Old death with life ; and renderd life so sweet , And passionate , that all there felt it fleet ; Which made him pitie his owne crueltie , And put into that ruth , so pure an ●ie Of humane frailtie ; that to see a man Could so reuiue from Death ; yet no way can Defend from death ; his owne quicke powres it made Feele there deaths horrors : and he felt life fade In * teares , his feeling braine swet : for in things That moue past vtte●ance , teares ope all their springs . Nor are there in the Powres , that all life beares , More true interpreters of all , then teares . And as a Ladie mournes her sole-lou'd Lord , That falne before his Citie , by the sword , Fighting to rescue from a cruell Fate , His towne and children ; and , in dead estate Yet panting , seeing him ; wraps him in her armes , Weeps , shriekes , and powres her health into his armes ; Lies on him , striuing to become his shield From foes that still as●aile him ; speares impeld Through backe and shoulders ; by whose points embrude , They raise and leade him into seruitude , Labor and languor : for all which , the Dame Eates downe her cheekes with teares , and feeds lifes flame With miserable sufferanc : So this King , Of teare-swet anguish , op't a boundlesse spring : Nor yet was seene to any one man there , But King Alcinous , who sate so neare , He could not scape him : sighs ( so chok't ) so brake From all his tempers , which the King d●d take Both note , and graue resp●ct of , and thus spake : Heare me , Phaeacian Counsellers and Peeres ; And ceasse , Demodocus ; perhaps all eares Are not delighted with his song ; for , euer Since the diuine Muse sung , our Guest hath neuer Containd from secret mournings . It may fall , That something sung , he hath bin grieu'd withall , As touching his particular . Forbeare ; That Feast may ioyntly comfort all hearts here ; And we may cheare our Guest vp ; t is our best , In all due honor . For our reuerend Guest , Is all our celebration , gifts , and all , His loue hath added to our Festiuall . A Guest , and suppliant too ; we should esteeme Deare as our brother ; one that doth but dreame He hath a soule ; or touch but at a mind Deathlesse and manly ; should stand so enclin'd . Nor cloke you , longer , with your curious wit , ( Lou'd Guest ) what euer we shall aske of it . It now stands on your honest state to tell ; And therefore giue your name ; nor more conceale , What of your parents , and the Towne that beares Name of your natiue ; or of forreiners That neare vs border , you are calld in fame . There 's no man liuing , walkes without a name ; Noble nor base ; but had one from his birth ; Imposde as fit , as to be borne . What earth , People , and citie , owne you ? Giue to know : Tell but our ships all , that your way must show ; For our * ships know th'expressed minds of men ; And will so most intentiuely retaine Their scopes appointed , that they neuer err● ; And yet vse neuer any man to stere : Nor any Rudders haue , as others need . They know mens thoughts ; and whither tends their speed . And there will set them . For you cannot name A Citie to them ; nor fat Soile , that Fame Hath any notice giuen ; but well they know , And will flie to them , though they ebbe and flow , In blackest clouds and nights ; and neuer beare Of any wracke or rocke , the slendrest feare . But this I heard my Sire Nausithous say Long since , that Neptune seeing vs conuay So safely passengers of all degrees , Was angry with vs ; and vpon our seas , A well-built ship we had ( neare habor come , From safe deduction of some stranger home ) Made in his flitting billowes , sticke stone still ; And dimm'd our Citie , like a mightie hill , With shade cast round about it . This report , The old * King made ; in which miraculous sort , If God had done such things , or left vndone ; At his good pleasure be it . But now , on , And truth relate vs ; both whence you errd ; And to what Clime of men would be transferrd ; With all their faire Townes ; be they , as they are ; If rude , vniust , and all irregular ; Or hospitable , bearing minds that please The mightie D●itie . Which one of these You would be set at , say ; and you are there ; And therefore what afflicts you ? why , to heare The Fate of Greece and Ilion , mourne you so ? The Gods haue done it ; as to all , they do Destine destruction ; that from thence may rise A Poeme to instruct posterities . Fell any kinsman before Ilion ? Some worthy Sire-in-law , or like-neare sonne ? Whom next our owne blood , and selfe-race we loue ? Or any friend perhaps , in whom did moue A knowing soule , and no vnpleasing thing ? Since such a good one , is no vnderling To any brother : for , what fits true friends , True wisedom● is , that blood and birth transcends . Finis libri octaui Hom. Odyss . THE NINTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE A●GVMENT . VLysses here , is first made knowne ; Who tels the sterne contention , His powres did gainst the Cicons trie ; And thence to the Lotophagie Extends his conquest : and from them , Assayes the Cyclop Polypheme ; And by the crafts , his wits apply , He puts him out his onely eye . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The strangely fed Lotophagie . The Cicons fled . The Cyclops eye . VLysses thus resolu'd the Kings demands . Alcinous ! ( in whom this Empire stands ) You should not of so naturall right disherit Your princely feast , as take from it the spirit . To heare a Poet , that in accent brings The Gods brests downe ; and breathes them as he 〈◊〉 Is sweet , and sacred ; nor can I conceiue , In any common weale , what more doth giue Note of the iust and blessed Empery , Then to see Comfort vniuersally Cheare vp the people . When in euery roofe , She giues obseruers a most humane proofe Of mens contents . To see a neighbours Feast Adorne it through ; and thereat , heare the breast Of the diuine Muse ; men in order set ; A * wine-page waiting . Tables crownd with meate ; Set close to guests , that are to vse it skilld ; The Cup-boords furnisht ; and the cups still filld . This shewes ( to my mind ) most humanely faire . Nor should you , for me , still the heauenly aire , That stirrd my soule so ; for I loue such teares , As fall from fit notes ; beaten through mine eares , With repetitions of what heauen hath done ; And breake from heartie apprehension Of God and goodnesse , though they shew my ill . And therefore doth my mind excite me still , To tell my bleeding mone ; but much more now , To serue your pleasure ; that , to ouer-flow My teares with such cause , may by sighs be driuen ; Though ne're so much plagu'd , I may seeme by heauen . And now my name ; which , way shall leade to all My miseries after : that their sounds may fall Through your eares also ; and shew ( hauing fled So much affliction ) first , who rests his head In your embraces ; when ( so farre from home ) I knew not where t' obtaine it resting roome . I am Vlysses Laertiades ; The feare of all the world for policies ; For which , my facts as high as heauen resound . I dwell in Ithaca , Earths most renownd : All ouer-shadow'd with the * Shake-leafe hill Tree-fam'd Neritus ; whose neare confines fill Ilands a number , well inhabited , That vnder my obseruance taste their bread . Dulichius , Samos , and the-full-of - * food Zacynthus , likewise grac't with store of wood . But Ithaca , ( though in the seas it lie ) Yet lies she so aloft , she casts her eye Quite ouer all the neighbour Continent . Farre ▪ Norward situate ; and ( being lent But litle fauour of the Morne , and Sunne ) With barren rocks and cliffes is ouer-runne . And yet of hardie youths , a Nurse of Name . 〈◊〉 could I see a Soile , where ere I came , More sweete and wishfull . Yet , from hence was I Withheld with horror , by the Deitie Diuine Calypso , in her cauie house ; Enflam'd to make me her sole Lord and Spouse . Circe Aeaea too , ( that knowing Dame , Whose veines , the like affections did inflame ) Detaind me likewise . But to neithers loue , Could I be tempted ; which doth well approue ; Nothing so sweete is as our countries earth , And ioy of those , from whom we claime our birth . Though roofes farre richer , we farre off possesse , Yet ( from our natiue ) all our more , is lesse . To which , as I contended , I will tell The much-distrest-conferring-facts , that fell By Io●es diuine preuention ; since I set , From ruin'd Troy , my first foote in retreat . From Ilion , ill winds cast me on the Coast The Cicons hold ; where I emploid mine hoast For Ismarus , a Citie , built iust by My place of landing ; of which , Victory Made me expugner . I depeopl'd it , Slue all the men , and did their wiues remit , With much spoile taken ; which we did diuide , That none might need his part . I then applide All sp●ed for flight : but my command therein , ( Fooles that they were ) could no obseruance win Of many souldiers , who with spoile fed hie , Would yet fill higher ; and excessiuely Fell to their wine ; gaue slaughter on the shore , Clouen-footed beeues and sheepe , in mightie store . In meane space , Cicons did to Cicons crie ; When , of their nearest dwellers , instantly Many and better souldiers made strong head , That held the Continent , and managed Their horse with high skill : on which they would fight , When fittest cause seru'd ; and againe alight , ( With soone seene vantage ) and on foote contend . Their concourse swift was , and had neuer end ; As thicke and sodaine t was , as flowres and leaues Darke Spring discouers , when she * Light receaues . And then began the bitter Fate of Ioue To alter vs vnhappie ; which , euen stroue To giue vs suffrance . At our Fleet we made Enforced stand ; and there did they inuade Our thrust-vp Forces : darts encountred darts , With blowes on both sides : either making parts Good vpon either , while the Morning shone , And sacred Day her bright increase held on ; Though much out-matcht in number . But as soone As Phoebus Westward fell , the Cicons wonne Much hand of vs ; sixe proued souldiers fell ( Of euery ship ) the rest they did compell To seeke of Flight escape from Death and Fate . Thence ( sad in heart ) we saild : and yet our State Was something chear'd ; that ( being ouer-matcht so much In violent number ) our retreate was such , As sau'd so many ▪ Our deare losse the lesse , That they suruiu'd ; so like for like successe . Yet left we not the Coast , before we calld Home to our country earth , the soules exhald , Of all the friends , the Cicons ouercame . Thrice calld we on them , by their seuerall name , And then tooke leaue . Then from the angry North , Cloud-gathering Ioue , a dreadfull storme calld forth Against our Nauie ; couerd shore and all , With gloomie vapors . Night did headlong fall From frowning Heauen . And then hurld here and there Was all our Nauie ; the rude winds did teare , In three , in foure parts , all their sailes ; and downe Driuen vnder hatches were we , prest to drowne . Vp rusht we yet againe ; and with tough hand ( Two daies , two nights entoild ) we gat nere land ; Labours and sorrowes , eating vp our minds . The third cleare day yet , to more friendly winds We masts aduanc't , we white sails spred , and sate . Forewinds , and guides , againe did iterate , Our ease and home-hopes ; which we cleare had reacht ; Had not , by chance , a sodaine North-wind fetcht , With an extreame sea , quite about againe , Our whole endeuours ; and our course constraine To giddie round ; and with our bowd sailes greete Dreadfull Maleia ; calling backe our fleet● , As farre forth as Cythaera . Nine dayes more , Aduerse winds tost me ; and the tenth , the shore , Where dwell the blossome-fed Lotophagie , I fetcht ▪ fresh water tooke in ; instantly Fell to our food aship-boord ; and then sent Two of my choice men to the Continent , ( Adding a third , a Herald ) to discouer , What sort of people were the Rulers ouer The land next to vs. Where , the first they met , Were the Lotophagie ▪ that made them eate Their Country diet ; and no ill intent , Hid in their hearts to them : and yet th' euent , To ill conuerted it ; for , hauing eate Their daintie viands ; they did quite forget ( As all men else , that did but taste their feast ) Both country-men and country ; nor addrest Any returne , t' informe what sort of men Made fixt abode there ; but would needs maintaine , Abode themselues there ; and eate that food euer . I made out after ; and was faine to seuer Th' enchanted knot ; by forcing their retreate ; That striu'd , and wept , and would not leaue their meate For heauen it selfe . But , dragging them to fleete ; I wrapt in sure bands , both their hands and feete , And cast them vnder hatches ; and away Commanded all the rest , without least stay ; Lest they should taste the Lote too ; and forget With such strange raptures , their despisde retreate . All then aboord , we beate the sea with Ores ; And still with sad hearts saild by out-way shores ; Till th'out-lawd Cyclops land we fetcht ; a race Of proud-liu'd loiterers , that neuer sow , Nor put a plant in earth , nor vse a Plow ; But trust in God for all things ; and their earth , ( Vnsowne , vnplowd ) giues euery of-spring birth , That other lands haue . Wheate , and Ba●ley ; Vines That beare in goodly Grapes , delicious wines ; And Ioue sends showres for all : no counsels there , Nor counsellers , nor lawes ; but all men beare Their heads aloft on mountaines , and those steepe , And on their tops too : and there , houses keepe In vaultie Caues ; their housholds gouernd all By each mans law , imposde in seuerall ; Nor wife , nor child awd ; but as he thinks good . None for another caring . But there stood Another litle Ile , well stor'd with wood , Betwixt this and the entry ; neither nie The Cyclops I le , nor yet farre off doth lie . Mens want it sufferd ; but the mens supplies , The Goates made with their inarticulate cries . Goates beyond number , this small Iland breeds , So ●ame , that no accesse disturbs their feeds . No hunters ( that the tops of mountaines scale , And rub through woods with toile ) seeke them at all . Nor is the soile with flocks fed downe , nor plowd ; Nor euer in it any seed was sowd . Nor place the neighbour Cyclops their delights , In braue Vermilion prow-deckt ships ; nor wrights Vsefull and skilfull , in such works , as need Perfection to those trafficks , that exceed Their naturall confines : to flie out and see Cities of men ; and take in , mutually The prease of others ; To themselues they liue , And to their Iland , that enough would giue A good inhabitant ; and time of yeare Obserue to all things Art could order there . There , close vpon the sea , sweet medowes spring , That yet of fresh streames want no watering To their soft burthens : but of speciall yeeld , Your vines would be there ; and your common field , But gentle worke make for your plow ; yet beare A loftie haruest when you came to sheare . For passing fat the ●oile is ▪ In it lies A harbor so opportune , that no ties , Halsers , or gables need ; nor anchors cast . Whom stormes * put in there , are with stay embrac't ; Or to their full wils safe ; or winds aspire To Pilots vses their more quicke desire . At entry of the hauen , a siluer foord Is from a rock-impressing fountaine powr'd , All set with sable Poplars ; and this Port Were we arriu'd at , by the sweet resort Of some God guiding vs : for t was a night So gastly darke , all Port was past our sight , Clouds ●id our ships , and would not let the Moone Affoord a beame to vs ; the whole I le wonne , By not an eye of ours . None thought the Blore That then was vp , shou'd waues against the shore , That then to an vnmeasur'd height put on . We still at sea esteemd vs , till alone Our fleet put in it selfe . And then were strooke Our gatherd sailes : our rest ashore we tooke , And day expected . When the Morne gaue fire , We rose , and walkt , and did the I le admire . The Nymphs , Ioues daughters , putting vp a heard Of mountaine Goates to vs , to render cheard My fellow souldiers . To our Fleet we flew ; Our crooked bowes tooke , long-pil'd darts , and drew Our selues in three parts out ; when , by the grace That God vouch-saft , we made a gainfull chace . Twelue ships we had , and euery ship had nine Fat Goates allotted ; ten onely mine . Thus all that day , euen till the Sunne was set , We sate and feasted ; pleasant wine and meate , Plenteously taking ; for we had not spent Our ruddie wine aship-boord : supplement Of large sort , each man to his vessell drew , When we the sacred Citie ouerthrew , That held the Cicons . Now then saw we neare , The Cyclops late-praisd Iland ; and might heare The murmure of their sheepe and goates ; and see Their smokes ascend . The Sunne then set , and we ( When Night succeeded ) tooke our rest ashore . And when the world the Mornings fauour wore , I calld my friends to councell ; charging them To make stay there , while I tooke ship and streame , With some associates ; and explor'd what men The neighbour I le held : if of rude disdaine , Churlish and tyrannous , or minds bewraid Pious and hospitable . Thus much said , I boorded , and commanded to ascend My friends and souldiers , to put off , and lend Way to our ship . They boorded , sate , and beate The old sea forth , till we might see the seate , The greatest Cyclop held for his abode ; Which was a deepe Caue , neare the common rode Of ships that toucht there ; thicke with Lawrels spred , Where many sheepe and goates lay shadowed : And neare to this , a Hall of torne-vp stone , High built with Pines , that heauen and earth attone ; And loftie-fronted Okes : in which kept house , A man in shape , immane , and monsterous , Fed all his flocks alone ; nor would affoord Commerce with men ; but had a wit abhord ; His mind , his body answering . Nor was he Like any man , that food could possibly Enhance so hugely ; but ( beheld alone ) Shewd like a steepe hils top , all ouergrowne With trees and brambles ; litle thought had I Of such vast obiects . When , arriu'd so nie ; Some of my lou'd friends , I made stay aboord , To guard my ship ; and twelue ▪ with me I shor'd , The choice of all . I tooke besides along , A Goat-skin flagon of wine , blacke and strong , That Maro did present ; Euantheus sonne , And Priest to Phoebus ; who had mansion In Thracian Ismarus ( the Towne I tooke ) He gaue it me ; since I ( with reuerence strooke , Of his graue place , his wife and childrens good ) Freed all of violence . Amidst a wood Sacred to Phoebus , stood his house ; from whence He fetcht me gifts of varied excellence ; Seuen talents of fine gold ; a boll all fram'd Of massie siluer . But his gift , most fam'd , Was twelue great vessels , filld with such rich wine , As was incorruptible , and diuine . He kept it as his iewell , which none knew But he himselfe , ●is wife , and he that drew . It was so strong , that neuer any filld A cup , where that was but by drops instilld , And drunke it off ; but t was before allaid With twentie parts in water ; yet so swaid The spirit of that litle , that the whole , A sacred odour breath'd about the boll . Had you the odour smelt , and sent it cast , It would haue vext you to forbeare the taste . But then ( the taste gaind too ) the spirit it wrought , To dare things high , set vp an end my thought . Of this , a huge great flagon full I bore , And in a good large knapsacke , victles store ; And longd to see this heape of fortitude , That so illiterate was , and vpland rude , That lawes diuine nor humane he had learnd . With speed we reacht the Cauerne , nor discernd His presence there . His flocks he fed at field . Entring his den ; each thing beheld , did yeeld Our admiration : shelues with cheeses heapt ; Sheds stuft with Lambs and Goates , distinctly kept ; Distinct the biggest ; the more meane distinct ; Distinct the yongest . And in their precinct ( Proper and placefull ) stood the troughs and pailes , In which he milkt ; and what was giuen a● meales , Set vp a creaming : in the Euening still , All scouring bright , as deaw vpon the hill . Then were my fellowes instant to conuay Kids , cheeses , lambs , aship●boord ; and away Saile the salt billow . I thought best , not so , But better otherwise ; and first would know , What guest-gifts he would spare me . Little knew My friends , on whom they would haue preyd : his view Prou'd after , that his inwards were too rough For such bold vsage : we were bold enough , In what I sufferd ; which was there to stay ; Make fire and feed there , though beare none away . There sate we , till we saw him feeding come , And on his necke a burthen lugging home , Most highly huge of Sere-wood ; which the pile That fed his fire , supplide all supper while . Downe by his den he threw it ; and vp rose A tumult with the fall . Afraid , we close Withdrew our selues , while he into a Caue Of huge receit , his high-fed cattell draue , All that he milkt ; the males he left without His loftie roofes , that all bestrowd about With Rams and buck-goates were . And then a rocke He lift aloft , that damd vp to his flocke , The doore they enterd : t was so hard to wield , That two and twentie Waggons , all foure-wheeld , ( Could they be loaded , and haue teames that were Proportion'd to them ) could not stirre it there . Thus , making sure , he kneeld and milkt his Ewes , And braying Goates , with all a milkers dues . Then let in all their yong : then , quicke did dresse , His halfe milke vp for cheese , and in a presse Of wicker prest it ; put in bolls the rest , To drinke , and eate , and serue his supping feast . All works dispatcht thus ; he began his fire ; Which blowne , he saw vs ; and did thus enquire : Ho! Guests ! what are ye ? whence saile ye these seas ? Trafficke , or roue ye ? and like theeues oppresse Poore strange aduenturers ; exposing so Your soules to danger , and your liues to wo ? This vtt●rd he ; when Feare from our hearts tooke The very life ; to be so thunder-strooke With such a voice , and such a monster see . But thus I answerd : Er●ing Grecians we , From Troy were turning homewards ; but by force Of aduerse winds , in far-diuerted course , Such vnknowne waies tooke , and on rude seas tost , ( As Ioue decreed ) are cast vpon this Coast. Of Agamemnon ( famous Atreus sonne ) We boast our selues the souldiers ; who hath wonne Renowme that reacheth heauen ; to ouerthrow So great a Citie , and to ruine so , So many nations . Yet at thy knees lie Our prostrate bosomes ; forc't with praires to trie , If any hospitable right , or Boone Of other nature , ( such as haue bin wonne By lawes of other houses ) thou wilt giue . Reuerence the Gods , thou greatst of all that liue . We suppliants are ; and hospitable Ioue Poures wreake on all , whom praires want powre to moue : And with their plagues , together will prouide , That humble Guests shall haue their wants supplide . He cruelly answerd : O thou foole ( said he ) To come so farre , and to importune me With any Gods feare , or obserued loue ; We Cyclops care not for your Goat-fed Ioue ; Nor other Blest ones ; we are better farre . To Ioue himselfe , dare I bid open warre ; To thee , and all thy fellowes , if I please . But tell me : where 's the ship , that by the seas Hath brought thee hither ? If farre off , or neare ; Informe me quickly . These his temptings were . But I , too much knew , not to know his mind ; And craft , with craft paid ; telling him the wind ( Thrust vp from Sea , by him that shakes the Shore ) Had dasht our ships against his rocks , and tore Her ribs in peeces , close vpon his Coast ; And we from high wracke sau'd ; the rest were lost . He answerd nothing ; but rusht in , and tooke Two of my fellowes vp from earth , and strooke Their braines against it . Like two whelps they flew About his shoulders ; and did all embrew The blushing earth . No mountaine Lion tore Two Lambs so sternly ; lept vp all their gore , Gusht from their torne-vp bodies ; lim by lim , ( Trembling with life yet ) rauisht into him . Both flesh and marrow-stuffed bones he eate , And euen th'vncleansed entrails made his meate . We weeping , cast our hands to heauen , to view , A sight so horrid . Desperation flew With all our after liues , to instant death , In our beleeu'd destruction . But when breath , The fury of his appetite had got , Because the gulfe his belly , reacht his throte ; Mans flesh , and Goates milke , laying laire on laire , Till neare chokt vp , was all the passe for aire . Along his den , amongst his cattell , downe He rusht , and streakt him . When my mind was growne Desperate , to step in ; draw my sword , and part His bosome , where the strings about the heart Circle the Liuer , and adde strength of hand . But that rash thought , More staid , did countermand ; For there we all had perisht , since it past Our powres to lift aside a log so vast , As barrd all outscape ; and so sigh'd away The thought all Night , expecting actiue Day . Which come , he first of all , his fire enflames , Then milks his Goates and Ewes ; then to their dams Le ts in their yong ; and wondrous orderly , With manly haste , dispatcht his houswifery . Then to his Breakfast , to which , other two Of my poore friends went : which eate ; out then go His heards and fat flocks ; lightly putting by The churlish barre , and closde it instantly ; For both those works , with ease , as much he did , As you would ope and shut your Quiuer lid . With stormes of whistlings then , his flocks he draue Vp to the mountaines ; and occasion gaue For me to vse my wits ; which to their height , I striu'd to skrew vp ; that a vengeance might By some meanes fall from thence ; and Pallas now Affoord a full eare to my neediest vow . This then , my thoughts preferd : a huge club lay Close by his milk-house , which was now in way To drie , and season ; being an Oliue tree Which late he feld ; and being greene , must be Made lighter for his manage . T was so vast , That we resembl'd it to some fit Mast , To serue a ship of burthen , that was driuen With twentie Ores ; and had a bignesse giuen , To beare a huge sea . Full so thicke , so tall We iudg'd this club ; which I , in part , hewd small , And cut a fathome off . The peece I gaue Amongst my souldiers , to take downe , and shaue ; Which done , I sharpn'd it at top , and then ( Hardn'd in fire ) I hid it in the den , Within a nastie dunghill reeking there , Thicke , and so moist , it issude euery where . Then made I lots cast , by my friends to trie , Whose fortune seru'd to dare the bor'd out eie Of that man-eater : and the lot did fall On foure I wisht to make my aid , of all ; And I , the fift made , chosen like the rest . Then came the Euen ; and he came from the feast Of his fat cattell ; draue in all ; nor kept One male abroad : if , or his memory slept By Gods direct will ; or of purpose was His driuing in of all then , doth surpasse My comprehension . But he closde againe The mightie barre ; milkt , and did still maintaine All other obseruation , as before . His wo●ke , all done ; two of my souldiers more , At once he snatcht vp ; and to supper went. Then dar'd I words to him , and did present A boll of wine , with these words : Cyclop ! take A boll of wine from my hand , that may make Way for the mans flesh thou hast eate ; and show What drinke our ship held ; which in sacred vow , I offer to thee ; to take ruth on me In my dismission home . Thy rages be Now no more sufferable . How shall men ( Mad and inhumane that thou art ) againe Greet thy abode , and get thy actions grace , If thus thou ragest , and eatst vp their race . He tooke , and drunke ; and vehemently ioyd To taste the sweet cup ; and againe employd My flagons powre ; entreating more , and said : Good Guest , againe affoord my taste thy aid ; And let me know thy name ; and quickly now ; That in thy recompence I may bestow A hospitable gift on thy desert ; And such a one as shall reioyce thy heart ; For to the Cylops too , the gentle Earth Beares generous wine ; and Ioue augments her birth , In store of such , with showres . But this rich wine , Fell from the riuer that is meere diuine , Of Nectar and Ambrosia . This againe I gaue him ; and againe ; nor could the foole abstaine , But drunke as often . When the noble Iuyce Had wrought vpon his spirit ; I then gaue vse To fairer language ; saying : Cylop ! now As thou demandst , I le tell thee my name ; do thou Make good thy hospitable gift to me ; My name is No-Man ; No-Man , each degree Of friends , as well as parents , call my name . He answerd , as his cruell soule became : No-Man ! I le eate thee last of all thy friends ; And this is that , in which so much amends I vowd to thy deseruings ; thus shall be My hospitable gift , made good to thee . This said ; he vpwards fell ; but then bent round His fleshie necke ; and Sleepe ( with all crownes , crownd ) Subdude the Sauage . From his throte brake out My wine , with mans flesh gobbets , like a spout ; When loded with his cups , he lay and snor'd . And then tooke I the clubs end vp , and gor'd The burning cole-heape , that the point might heate . Confirmd my fellowes minds , lest Feare should let Their vowd assay , and make them flie my aid . Strait was the Oliue Leuer , I had laid Amidst the huge fire , to get hardning , hot ; And glowd extremely , though t was greene ; ( which got From forth the cinders ) close about me stood My hardie friends : but that which did the good , Was Gods good inspiration , that gaue A spirit beyond the spirit they vsde to haue : Who tooke the Oliue sparre , made keene before , And plung'd it in his eye : and vp I bore , Bent to the top close ; and helpt poure it in , With all my forces : And as you haue seene A ship-wright bore a nauall beame ; he oft Thrusts at the Augurs Froofe ; works still aloft ; And at the shanke , helpe others ; with a cord Wound round about , to make it sooner bor'd ; All plying the round still : So into his eye , The firie stake , we labourd to imply . Out gusht the blood that scalded ; his eye-ball Thrust out a flaming vapour , that scorcht all His browes and eye-lids ; his eye-strings did cracke , As in , the sharpe and burning rafter brake . And as a Smith to harden any toole , ( Broad Axe , or Mattocke ) in his Trough doth coole The red-hote substance , that so feruent is , It makes the cold waue strait to seethe and hisse : So sod , and hizd his eye about the stake . He roar'd withall ; and all his Cauerne brake In claps like thunder . We , did frighted flie , Disperst in corners . He from forth his eie , The fixed stake pluckt : after which , the blood Flowd freshly forth ; and , mad , he hurl'd the wood About his houill . Out he then did crie For other Cyclops , that in Cauernes by , Vpon a windie Promontorie dwelld ; Who hearing how impetuously he yelld , Rusht euery way about him ; and enquir'd , What ill afflicted him , that he expir'd Such horrid clamors ; and in sacred Night , To breake their sleepes so ? Askt him , if his fright Came from some mortall , that his flocks had driuen ? Or if by craft , or might , his death were giuen ? He answerd from his den ; By craft , nor might , No man hath giuen me death . They then said right ; If no man hurt thee , and thy selfe alone ; That which is done to thee , by Ioue is done . And what great Ioue inflicts , no man can flie ; Pray to thy Father yet , * a Deitie ; And proue , from him , if thou canst helpe acquire . Thus spake they , leauing him . When all on fire , My heart with ioy was ; that so well my wit , And name deceiu'd him ; whom now paine did split ; And groning vp and downe , he groping tride , To find the stone , which found , he put aside ; But in the doore sate , feeling if he could ( As his sheepe issude ) on some man lay hold ; Esteeming me a foole , that could deuise No stratageme to scape his grosse surprise . But I , contending what I could inuent , My friends and me , from death so imminent , To get deliuerd : all my wiles I woue , ( Life being the subiect ) and did this approue ; Fat fleecie Rams , most faire , and great , lay there , That did a * burthen like a Violet beare . These ( while this learn'd in villanie did sleepe ) I yokt with Osiers cut there , sheepe to sheepe ; Three in a ranke ; and still the mid sheepe bore A man about his belly : the two more , Marcht on his each side for defence . I then , Chusing my selfe the fairest of the den , His fleecie belly vnder-crept ; embrac't His backe , and in his rich wooll wrapt me fast With both my hands , arm'd with as fast a mind . And thus each man hung , till the Morning shin'd ; Which come , he knew the houre , and let abroad His male-flocks first : the females , vnmilkt stood Bleating and braying ; their full bags so sore , With being vnemptied ; but their shepheard more , With being vnsighted ; which was cause , his mind Went not a milking . He ( to wreake enclin'd ) The backs felt as they past , of those male dams : ( Grosse foole ) beleeuing , we would ride his Rams . Nor euer knew , that any of them bore Vpon his belly , any man before . The last Ram came to passe him , with his wooll , And me together , loded to the full : For there did I hang : and that Ram he staid ; And me withall had in his hands ; my head Troubl'd the while , not causlesly , nor least . This Ram he grop't , and talkt to : Lazie beast ! Why last art thou now ? thou hast neuer vsde To lag thus hindmost : but still first hast brusde The tender blossome of a flowre ; and held State in thy steps , both to the flood and field : First still at Fold , at Euen ; now last remaine ? Doest thou not wish I had mine eye againe , Which that abhord man No-Man did put out , Assisted by his execrable rout , When he had wrought me downe with wine ? but he Must not escape my wreake so cunningly . I would to heauen thou knewst , and could but speake , To tell me where he lurks now ; I would breake His braine about my Caue , strewd here and there , To ease my heart of those foule ils , that were Th'inflictions of a man , I prisde at nought . Thus let he him abroad ; when I ( once brought A litle from his hold ) my selfe first losde , And next , my friends . Then draue we , and disposde , His strait-leggd fat fleece-bearers ouer land , Euen till they all were in my ships command ; And to our lou'd friends , shewd our praid-for sight , Escap't from death . But for our losse , outright They brake in teares ; which with a looke I staid , And bad them take our Boote in . They obaid ; And vp we all went ; sate , and vsde our Ores , But hauing left as farre the sauage shores , As one might heare a voice ; we then might see The Cyclop at the hauen ; when instantly I staid our Ores , and this insultance vsde : Cyclop ! thou shouldst not haue so much abusde Thy monstrous forces , to oppose their least , Against a man immartiall , and a guest ; And eate his fellowes : thou mightst know there were Some ils behind ( rude swaine ) for thee to beare ; That feard not to deuoure thy guests , and breake All lawes of humanes : Ioue sends therefore wreake , And all the Gods , by me . This blew the more His burning furie ; when the top he tore From off a huge Rocke ; and so right a throw Made at our ship , that iust before the Prow , It ouerflew and fell : mist Mast and all Exceeding litle ; but about the fall , So fierce a waue it raisd , that backe it bore Our ship so farre , it almost toucht the shore . A bead-hooke then ( a far-extended one ) I snatcht vp , thrust hard , and so set vs gone Some litle way ; and strait commanded all To helpe me with their Ores ; on paine to fall Againe on our confusion . But a signe , I with my head made ; and their Ores were mine , In all performance . When we off were set , ( Then first , twice further ) my heart was so great , It would againe prouoke him : but my men On all sides rusht about me , to containe ; And said : Vnhappie ! why will you prouoke A man so rude ; that with so dead a stroke , Giuen with his Rock-dart , made the sea thrust backe Our ship so farre ; and neare hand forc't our wracke ? Should he againe , but heare your voice resound , And any word reach ; thereby would be found His Darts direction ; which would , in his fall , Crush peece-meale vs , quite split our ship and all ; So much dart weilds the monster . Thus vrg'd they Impossible things , in feare ; but I gaue way To that wrath , which so long I held deprest , ( By great Necessitie conquerd ) in my brest . Cyclop ! if any aske thee , who imposde Th'vnsightly blemish that thine eye enclosde ; Say that Vlysses ( old Laertes sonne , Whose seate is Ithaca ; and who hath wonne Surname of Citie-racer ) bor'd it out . At this , he braid so loud , that round about He draue affrighted Ecchoes through the Aire ; And said : O beast ! I was premonisht faire , By aged Prophecie , in one that was A great , and good man ; this should come to passe ; And how t is prou'd now ? Augur Telemus , Surnam'd Eurymedes ( that spent with vs His age in Augurie ; and did exceed In all presage of Truth ) said all this deed , Should this euent take ; author'd by the hand Of one Vlysses ; who I thought was mand With great and goodly personage ; and bore A vertue answerable : and this shore Should shake with weight of such a conqueror , When now a weakling came , a dwarfie thing , A thing of nothing ; who yet wit did bring , That brought supply to all ; and with his wine , Put out the flame , where all my light did shine . Come , land againe , Vlysses ! that my hand , May Guest-rites giue thee ; and the great command , That Neptune hath at sea , I may conuert To the deduction , where abides thy heart , With my sollicitings ; whose Sonne I am ; And whose fame boasts to beare my Fathers●ame . Nor thinke my hurt offends me ; for my S●●e Can soone repose in it the visuall fire , At his free pleasure ; which no powre beside Can boast : of men , or of the Deifide . I answerd : Would to God I could compell Both life and soule from thee ; and send to hell Those spoiles of nature . Hardly Nept●ne then Could cure thy hurt , and giue th●e all again . Then flew fierce vowes to Nept●ne ; both his hands To starre-borne heauen cast : O tho● that all lands Girdst in thy ambient Cir●le ; and in aire Shak'st the curld Tresses of thy Saphire haire ; If I be thine , or thou maist iustly vant , Thou art my Father : heare me now , and grant That this Vlysses ( old Laertes sonne , That dwels in Ithaca ; and name hath wonne Of Citie-ruiner ) may neuer reach His naturall region . Or if to fetch , That , and the sight of his faire roo●es and friends , Be fatall to him ; let him that Amends For all his miseries , long time and ill , Smart for , and faile of : nor that Fate fulfill , Till all his souldiers quite are cast away In others ships . And when , at last , the day Of his sole-landing , shall his dwelling show , Let Detriment prepare him wrongs enow . Thus praid he Neptune ; who , his Sire appeard ; And all his praire , to euery syllable heard . But then a Rocke , in size more amplified Then first , he rauisht to him ; and implied A dismall strength in it ; when ( wheeld about ) He sent it after vs ; nor flew it out From any blind aime ; for a litle passe Beyond our Fore-decke , from the fall there was : With which the sea , our ship gaue backe vpon , And shrunke vp into billowes from the stone ; Our ship againe repelling , neare as neare The shore as first . But then our Rowers were ( Being warnd , more armd ) and stronglier stemd the flood That bore backe on vs , till our ship made good The other Iland , where our whole Fleet lay ; In which our friends lay mourning for our stay ; And euery minute lookt when we should land . Where ( now arriu'd ) we drew vp to the sand ; The Cyclops sheepe diuiding , that none there ( Of all our priuates ) might be wrung , and beare Too much on powre . The Ram yet was alone , By all my friends , made all my portion , Aboue all others ; and I made him then , A * sacrifice for me , and all my men , To cloud-compelling Ioue , that all commands . To whom I burnd the Thighs : but my sad hands , Receiu'd no grace from him ; who studied how To offer , men and fleete to Ouerthrow . All day , till Sun-set yet , we sate and eate ; And liberall store tooke in , of wine and meate . The Sunne then downe , and place resign'd to shade , We slept ; Morne came , my men I raisd , and made All go aboord ; weigh Anker , and away . They boorded , sate and beate the aged sea ; And forth we made saile ; sad for losse before , And yet had comfort , since we lost no more . Finis libri noni Hom. Odyss . THE TENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses now relates to vs , The grace he had with Aeolus , Great Guardian of the hollow winds : Which in a leather bag he binds , And giues Vlysses ; all but one , Which Zephyre was ; who filld alone Vlysses sailes . The Bag once seene ( While he slept ) by Vlysses men ; They thinking , it did gold inclose ; To find it ▪ all the winds did lose . Who backe flew to their guard againe . Forth saild he ; and did next attaine To where the Laestrigonians dwell . Where he eleuen ships lost ; and fell On the Aeaean coast ; whose shore He sends Eurylochus t'explore , Diuiding with him halfe his men : Who go , and turne no more againe ; ( All saue Eurylochus , to swine By Circe turnd . ) Their stayes encline Vlysses to their search ; who got Of Mercurie an Antidote , ( Which Moly was ) gainst Ci●ces charmes , And so auoids his souldiers harmes . A yeare with Circe all remaine , And then their natiue formes regaine . On vtter shores , a time they dwell , While Ithacus descends to hell . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Great Aeolus And Circe , friends , Finds Ithacus ; And Hell descends . TO the Aeolian Iland we attaind , That swumme about still on the sea ; where raign'd The God-lou'd Aeolus Hippotydes . A wall of steele it had ; and in the seas , A waue-beat-smooth-rocke , mou'd about the wall . Twelue children , in his house imperiall , Were borne to him : of which , sixe daughters were , And sixe were sonnes , that youths sweet flowre did beare . His daughters , to his sonnes he gaue , as wiues ; Who spent in feastfull comforts ▪ all their liues ; Close seated by their Sire , and his graue Spouse . Past number were the dishes , that the house Made euer sauour ; and still full the Hall ; As long as day shin'd ; in the night-time , all Slept with their chaste wiues . Each his faire caru'd bed Most richly furnisht ; and this life they led . We reacht the Cittie , and faire roofes of these ; Where , a whole moneths time ; all things that might please The King vouchsaf't vs. Of great Troy enquir'd , The Grecian fleete , and how the Greekes retir'd : To all which , I gaue answer , as behou'd . The fit time come ; when I dismission mou'd ; He nothing would denie me , but addrest My passe with such a bountie , as might best Teach me contentment . For he did enfold Within an Oxe hide , flead at nine yeares old , All th'airie blasts , that were of stormie kinds . Saturnius made him Steward of his winds ; And gaue him powre , to raise and to asswage ; And these he gaue me , curbd thus of their rage . Which in a glittering siluer band I bound And hung vp in my ship : enclosd so round , That no egression , any breath could find . Onely he left abroad the Westerne wind ; To speede our ships and vs , with blasts secure . But our securities , made all vnsure : Nor could he consummate our course alone , When all the rest had got egression . Which thus succeeded . Nine whole daies and nights We saild in safetie ; and the tenth , the lights Borne on our Countrey earth , we might descrie : So neere we drew , and yet euen then fell I ( Being ouerwatcht ) into a fatall sleepe : For I would suffer no man else to keepe The foote that rul'd my vessels course ; to leade The faster home . My friends then Enuy fed , About the bag I hung vp ; and supposde , That gold , and siluer , I had there enclosde , As gift from Aeolus . And said , O heauen ! What grace , and graue price , is by all men giuen To our Commander ? Whatsoeuer coast Or towne , he comes to , how much he engrost Of faire and precious prey , and brought from Troy ? We the same voiage went ; and yet enioy In our returne , these emptie hands for all . This bag now , Aeolus was so liberall To make a Guest-gift to him . Let vs trie Of what consists , the faire-bound Treasurie ; And how much gold , and siluer it containes . Ill counsaile , present approbation gaines . They op't the bag , and out the vapours brake ; When instant tempest did our vessell take , That bore vs backe to Sea ; to mourne anew Our absent Countrey . Vp amazd I flew , And desperate things discourst ; if I should cast My selfe to ruine in the seas ; or taste Amongst the liuing more mone , and sustaine ? Silent , I did so ; and lay hid againe Beneath the hatches : while an ill winde tooke My ships , backe to Aeolia : my men strooke With woe enough . We pumpt and landed then ; Tooke foode , for all this ; and ( of all my men , ) I tooke a Herald to me , and away Went to the Court of Aeolus ; Where they Were feasting still : he , wife and children set Together close . We would not ( at their meate ) Thrust in ; but humbly on the threshold sat . He then , amazd , my presence wonderd at ; And calld to me : Vlysses ! how , thus backe Art thou arriu'd here ? what foule spirit brake Into thy bosome to retire thee thus ? We thought we had deduction , curious Giuen thee before ; to reach thy shore and home : Did it not like thee ? I ( euen ouercome With worthy sorrow ) answerd : My ill men Haue done me mischiefe ; and to them hath bene My sleepe th'vnhappie motiue . But do you ( Dearest of friends ) daigne succour to my vow : Your powres command it . Thus endeuord I With soft speech to repaire my misery . The rest , with ruth , sat dumbe : but thus spake he ; Auant ; and quickly quit my land of thee , Thou worst of all that breathe ; it fits not me To conuoy , and take in , whom heauens expose . Away , and with thee go , the worst of woes , That seek'st my friendship , and the Gods thy foes . Thus he dismist me , sighing ; foorth we saild , At heart afflicted : and now wholy faild The minds my men sustaind ▪ so spent they were With toiling at their oares ; and worse did beare Their growing labours ; that they causd their grought , By selfe-willd follies ; nor now , euer thought To see their Countrey more . Six nights and daies We saild ; the seuenth , we saw faire Lamos raise Her loftie Towres ( The Laestrigonian State ) That beares her Ports , so farre disterminate . Where * Shepheard , Shepheard calls out ; he a home Is calld out by the other that doth come From charge abroad ; and then goes he to sleepe , The other issuing . He whose turne doth keepe The Night obseruance , hath his double hire ; Since Day and Night , in equall length expire , About that Region ; and the Nights watch weigh'd At twice the Daies ward ; since the charge that 's laid Vpon the Nights-man ( besides breach of sleepe ) Exceeds the Daies-mans : for one , oxen keepe , The other sheepe . But when the hauen we found , ( Exceeding famous ; and enuirond round With one continuate rocke : which , so much bent , That both ends almost met ; so prominent They were ; and made , the hauens mouth passing streight ) Our whole fleete , in we got ; in whole receipt Our Ships lay anchord close : nor needed we Feare harme on any * Staies ; Tranquillitie So purely sate there : that waues great , nor small Did euer rise to any height at all . And yet would I , no entrie make ; but staid Alone without the hauen ; and thence suruaid From out a loftie watch-towre raised there , The Countrie round about : nor any where The worke of man or beast , appeard to me ; Onely a smoke from earth breake , I might see . I then made choice of two ; and added more , A Herald for associate , to explore What sort of men liu'd there . They went , and saw A beaten way , through which , carts vsde to draw Wood from the high hils , to the Towne ; and met A maid without the Port ; about to get Some neare spring-water . She , the daughter was Of mightie Laestrigonian , Antiphas : And to the cleare spring , cald Artacia , went ; To which the whole Towne , for their water sent . To her they came , and askt who gouernd there ? And what the people , whom he orderd were ? She answerd not , but led them through the Port , As making haste , to shew her fathers Court. Where , enterd ; they beheld ( to their affright ) A woman like a mountaine top , in height . Who rusht abroad ; and from the Counsaile place Cald home her horrid husband Antiphas . Who ( deadly minded ) straight he snatcht vp one , And fell to supper . Both the rest were gone ; And to the fleete came . Antiphas , a crie Draue through the Citie ; ( which heard , ) instantly This way , and that , innumerable sorts , Not men , but Gyants , issued through the Ports ; And mightie flints from rocks tore ; which they threw Amongst our ships ; through which , an ill noise flew , Of shiuerd ships , and life-expiring men , That were , like fishes , by the monsters slaine , And borne to sad feast . While they slaughterd these , That were engag'd in all th' aduantages , The close-mouth'd , and most dead-calme hauen could giue ; I ( that without lay ) made some meanes to liue ; My sword drew ; cut my gables ; and to oares Set all my men ; and , from the plagues , those shores Let flie amongst vs , we made haste to flie ; My men , close working , as men loth to die . My ship flew freely off ; but theirs that lay On heapes in harbors , could enforce no way Through these sterne fates , that had engag'd them there . Forth our sad remnant saild ; yet still retaind , The ioyes of men , that our poore few remaind , Then to the I le Aeae● we attaind ; Where faire-haird , dreadfull , eloquent Circe raignd ; Aeaetas sister , both by Dame and Sire ; Both daughters to heauens man-enlightning fire ; And Perse , whom Oceanus begat . The ship-fit Port here , soone we landed at : Some God directing vs. Two daies ; two nights , We lay here pining in the fatall spights Of toile and sorrow . But the next third day When faire Aurora had informd ; quicke way I made out of my ship ; my sword and lance Tooke for my surer guide ; and made aduance Vp to a prospect , I assay to see The works of men ; or heare mortalitie Expire a voice . When I had climb'd a height Rough and right hardly accessible ; I might Behold from Circes house ( that in a groue Set thicke with trees , stood ; a bright vapor moue . I then grew * curious in my thought to trie Some fit enquirie ; * when so spritely flie I saw the yeallow smoke . But my discourse , A first retiring to my ship gaue force To giue my men their dinner , and to send , ( Before th' aduenture of my selfe ) some friend . Being neare my ship ; of one so desolate Some God had pittie , and would recreate My woes a little , putting vp to me A great and high-palmd Hart ; that ( fatallie , Iust in my way it selfe , to taste a flood ) Was then descending : the Sunne heate had sure Importun'd him , besides the temperature His naturall heate gaue . Howsoeuer , I Made vp to him , and let my Iauelin flie , That strooke him through the mid-part of his chine ; And made him ( braying ) in the dust confine His flying forces . Forth his spirit flew ; When I stept in , and from the deaths wound drew My shrewdly-bitten lance ; there let him lie Till I , of cut-vp Osiers , did imply , A With ; a fathome long , with which , his feete I made together , in a sure league meete ; Stoop't vnder him , and to my necke , I heau'd The mightie burthen ; of which , I receau'd A good part on my lance : for else I could By no meanes , with one hand alone , vphould ( Ioynd with one shoulder ) such a deathfull lode . And so , to both my shoulders , both hands stood Needfull assistents : for it was a Deare Goodly-wel-growne : when ( coming something neare Where rode my ships ) I cast it downe , and rer'd My friends with kind words ; whom , by name I cheer'd , In note particular , and said ; See friends , We will not yet to Plutos house , our ends Shall not be hastend , though we be declind In cause of comfort ; till the day design'd By Fates fixt finger . Come , as long as food Or wine lasts in our ship ; le ts spirit our blood And quit our care and hunger , both in one . This said ; they frolikt , came , and lookt vpon With admiration , the huge bodied beast ; And when their first-seru'd eyes , had done their feast ; They washt , and made a to-be-striu'd-for meale , In * point of honour . On which all did dwell The whole day long . And , to our venzons store , We added wine till we could wish no more . Sunne set , and darknesse vp ; we slept , till light Put darknesse downe : and then did I excite My friends to * counsaile , vttering this : Now , friends , Affoord vnpassionate eare ; though ill Fate lends , So good cause to your passion ; no man knowes The reason whence , and how , the darknesse growes ; The reason , how the Morne is thus begunne : The reason , how the Man-enlightning Sunne Diues vnder earth : the reason how againe He reres his golden head . Those counsailes then That passe our comprehension , we must leaue To him that knowes their causes ; and receaue Direction from him , in our acts , as farre As he shall please to make them regular ; And stoope them to our reason . In our state , What then behoues vs ? Can we estimate With all our counsailes , where we are ? or know ( Without instruction , past our owne skils ) how ( Put off from hence ) to stere our course the more ? I thinke we can not . We must then explore These parts for information ; in which way We thus farre are : last Morne I might display ( From off a high-raisd cliffe ) an Iland lie Girt with th'vnmeasur'd Sea ; and is so nie That in the midst I saw the smoke arise Through tufts of trees . This rests then to aduise , Who shall explore this . This strooke dead their hearts , Remembring the most execrable parts That Laestrigonian Antiphas had plaid : And that foule Cyclop , that their fellowes braid Betwixt his iawes ; which mou'd them so ; they cried . But idle teares , had neuer wants supplied . I , in two parts diuided all ; and gaue To either part his Captaine : I must haue The charge of one ; and one of God-like looke , Eurylochus , the other . Lots we shooke , ( Put in a caske together , ) which of vs Should leade th' attempt ; and t was Eurylochus . He freely went ; with two and twenty more : All which , tooke leaue with teares ; and our eyes wore The same wet badge , of weake humanity . These , in a dale , did Circes house descrie ; Of bright stone built , in a conspicuous way : Before her gates ; hill-wolues , and Lyons lay ; Which with her virtuous drugs , so tame she made ; That Wolfe , nor Lyon , would one man inuade With any violence ; but all arose ; Their huge long tailes wagd ; and in fawnes would close , As louing dogs , when masters bring them home Relicks of feast ; in all obseruance , come And sooth their entries , with their fawnes and bounds ; All guests , still bringing , some scraps for their hounds : So , on these men , the Wolues , and Lyons rampt ; Their horrid paws set vp . Their spirits were dampt To see such monstrous kindnesse ; staid at gate , And heard within , the Goddesse eleuate A voice diuine , as at her web , she wrought , Subtle , and glorious , and past earthly thought ; As all the houswiferies of Deities are . To heare a voice , so rauishingly rare ; Polites ( one exceeding deare to me , A Prince of men ; and of no meane degree In knowing vertue ; in all Acts , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose mind Discreete cares all wayes , vsde to turne , and wind ) Was yet surprisd with it ; and said ; O friends , Some one abides within here , that commends The place to vs ; and breathes a voice diuine ; As she some web wrought ; or her spindles twine She cherisht with her song : the pauement rings ▪ With imitation of the tunes she sings ; Some woman , or some Goddesse t is ; Assay To see with knocking . Thus said he ; and they Both knockt , and calld ; and straight her shining gates She opened , issuing : bade them in , to cates . Led , and ( vnwise ) they follow'd ; all , but one Which was Eurylochus ; who stood alone Without the gates ; suspicious of a sleight ; They enterd , she made sit ; and her deceit She cloakt with Thrones ; and goodly chaires of State ; Set hearby honey , and the delicate Wine brought from Smyrna , to them ; meale and cheese ; But harmefull venoms , she commixt with these ; That made their Countrey vanish from their thought . Which , eate ; she toucht them , with a rod that wrought Their transformation , farre past humane wunts ; Swines snowts , swines bodies , tooke they , bristles , grunts ; But still retaind the ●oules they had before ; Which made them mourne their bodies change the more . She shut them straight in sties ; and gaue them meate Oke-mast , and beech , and Cornell fruite , they eate , Groueling like swine on earth , in fowlest sort . Eurylochus , straight hasted the report Of this his fellowes most remorcefull fate . Came to the ships ; but so excruciate Was with his woe ; he could not speake a word : His eyes stood full of teares ; which shew'd how stor'd , His mind with mone remaind . We all admir'd ; Askt what had chanc't him , earnestly desir'd He would resolue vs. At the last , our eyes , Enflam'd in him , his fellowes memories : And out his griefe burst thus ; You willd ; we went Through those thicke woods you saw ; when , a descent Shew'd vs a faire house , in a lightsome ground , Where ( at some worke ) we heard a heauenly sound Breath'd from a Goddesse , or a womans brest : They knockt , she op't her bright gates ; each , her guest Her faire inuitement made : nor would they stay , ( Fooles that they were ) when she once led the way . I enterd not , suspecting some deceit . When all together vanisht ; nor the sight Of any one , ( though long I lookt ) mine eye Could any way discouer . Instantly , ( My sword , and bow reacht ) I bad shew the place , When , downe he fell ; did both my knees embrace , And praid with teares thus ; O thou kept of God , Do not thy sel●e lose ; nor to that aboad Leade others rashly ; both th● selfe , and all Thou ventur'st thither , I know well , must fall In one sure ruine : with these few then flie ; We yet may shunne the others destinie . I answerd him : Euryloch●s ! stay thou And keepe the ship then ; eate and drinke : I now Will vndertake th' aduenture ; there is cause In great Necessities vnalterd lawes . This said , I left both ship and seas ; and on Along the sacred vallies all alone Went in discouery : till at last I came Where , of the maine● medcine-making D●me I saw the great house : where , encounterd me , The golden-rod-sustaining Merc●rie ; Euen entring Circes doores . He met me in A young mans likenesse , of the first-flowr'd chin , Whose forme hath all the grace , of one so yong : He first cald to me : then my hand , he wrung , And said ; Thouno-place-finding-for repose ; Whither , alone , by these hill-confines , goes Thy erring foote ? Th' art entring Circes house , Where , ( by her medcines , blacke , and sorcerous ) Thy souldiers all are shut , in well-armd sties , And turnd to swine . Art thou arriu'd with prise Fit for their ransomes ? Thou com'st out no more If once thou enterst . Like thy men before Made to remaine here ; But I le guard ●hee free ; And saue thee in her spite : receiue of me This faire and good receipt ; with which , once arm'd ; Enter her roofes ; for th' art to all proofe charm'd Against the ill day : I will tell thee all Her banefull counsaile . With a festiuall Shee le first receiue thee ; but will spice thy bread With flowrie poysons : yet vnaltered Shall thy firme forme be ; for this remedy Stands most approu'd , gainst all her Sorcery . Which , thus particularly shunne : When she Shall with her long rod strike thee ; instantly Draw from thy thigh thy sword ; and flie on her As to her slaughter . She , ( surprisde with feare And loue ) at first , will bid thee to her bed ; Nor say the Goddesse nay ; that welcomed Thou maist with all respect be ; and procure Thy fellowes freedomes . But before , make sure Her fauours to thee ; and the great oath take With which the blessed Gods , assurance make Of all they promise : that no preiudice ( By stripping thee of forme , and faculties ) She may so much as once attempt on thee . This said , he gaue his Antidote to me ; Which from the earth he pluckt ; and told me all The vertue of it : With what Deities call The name it beares . And Moly they impose For name to it . The roote is hard to loose From hold of earth , by mortals : but Gods powre Can all things do . T is blacke , but beares a f●owre As white as milke . And thus flew Mercurie Vp to immense Olympus , gliding by The syl●an Iland . I , made backe my way To Circes house : my mind , of my assay Much thought reuoluing . At her gates I staid And cald : she heard , and her bright doores displaid ; Inuited , led ; I followed in : but tract With some distraction . In a Throne she plac't My welcome person . Of a curious frame T was , and so bright ; I sate as in a flame . A foote-stoole added . In a golden boule She then subornd a potion : in her soule , Deformd things thinking ; for amidst the wine She mixt her man-transforming medicine : Which when she saw I had deuourd ; she then , No more obseru'd me with her soothing vaine ; But strooke me with her rod , and , To her Sty , Bad ; out , away , and with thy fellowes lie . I drew my sword , and charg'd her , as I ment To take her life . When out she cri'd , and bent Beneath my sword , her knees ; embracing 〈◊〉 ; And ( full of teares ) said , Who ? of what high line Art thou the issue ? whence ? what shores sustaine Thy natiue Citie ? I amaz'd remaine That drinking these my venomes , th' art not turnd . Neuer drunke any this cup ; but he mournd In other likenesse ; if it once had past The iuorie bounders of his tongue , and taste . All but thy selfe , are brutishly declind : Thy breast holds firme yet , and vnchang'd thy mind : Thou canst be therefore , none else but the man Of many virtues : Ith●censi●● , Deepe-soul'd Vlysses : who , I oft was told , By that slie God , that beares the rod of gold , Was to arriue here , in retreat from Tr●y . Sheath then thy sword , and let my bed enioy So much a man ; that when the bed we proue , We may beleeue in one anothers loue . I then : O Circe , why entreat'st thou me To mixe in any humane league with thee ; When thou , my friends hast beasts turnd ? and thy bed Tenderst to me ; that I might likewise leade A beasts life with thee ; softn'd , naked stript ; That in my blood , thy banes , may more be steept . I neuer will ascend thy bed , before I may affirme ; that in heauens sight you swore The great oath of the Gods ; that all attempt To do me ill , is from your thoughts exempt . I said ; she swore : when , all the oath-rites said , I then ascended her adorned bed ; But thus prepar'd : foure handmaids seru'd her there ; That daughters to her siluer fountaines were , To her bright-sea-obseruing sacred floods ; And to her vncut consecrated woods . One deckt the Throne-tops , with rich clothes of state ; And did , with silkes , the foote-pace , consecrate . Another , siluer tables set before The pompous Throne ; and golden dishes store Seru'd in with seuerall feast . A third fild wine ; The fourth brought water , and made fewell shine In ruddy fires ; beneath a wombe of brasse . Which heat , I bath'd ; and odorous water was Disperpled lightly , on my head , and necke ; That might my late , he●●t-hurting sorrowes checke With the refreshing sweetnesse ; and , for that ▪ Men sometimes , may be something delicate . Bath'd , and adorn'd ; she led me to a Throne Of massie siluer ; and of fashion Exceeding curious . A faire foote-stoole set ; Water apposde , and euery sort of meate Set on th'elaborately polisht boord . She wisht my taste emploid ; but not a word Would my eares taste , of taste : my mind had food That must digest ; eye meate would do me good . Circe ( obseruing , that I put no hand To any banquet ; hauing countermand From weightier cares ; the light cates could excuse ) Bowing her neare me ; these wing'd words did vse : Why sits Vlysses , like one dumbe ? his mind Lessening with languors ? Nor to food enclind ; Nor wine ? Whence comes it ? out of any feare Of more illusion ? You must need forbeare That wrongfull doubt , since you haue heard me sweare . O Circe ! ( I replied ) what man is he , Awd with the rights of true humanitie , That dares taste food or wine ; before he sees His friends redeem'd from their deformities ? If you be gentle , and indeed incline To let me taste the comfort of your wine ; Dissolue the charmes , that their forc't formes encheine And shew me here , my honord friends , like men . This said , she left her Throne , and tooke her rod ; Went to her Stie , and let my men abroad , Like swine of nine yeares old . They opposite stood ; Obseru'd their brutish forme ; and look't for food ; When , with another medicine , ( euery one All ouer smeer'd ) their bristles all were gone , Produc't by malice of the other bane ; And euery one , afresh , lookt vp a man. Both yonger then they were ; of stature more ; And all their formes , much goodlier then before . All knew me ; clingd about me , and a cry Of pleasing mourning , flew about so hie , The horrid roofe resounded ; and the Queene Her selfe , was mou'd , to see our kinde so keene . Who bad me now ; bring ship and men ashore ; Our armes , and goods , in caues hid ; and restore My selfe to her , with all my other men . I granted , went , and op't the weeping veine In all my men ; whose violent ioy to see My safe returne , was passing kindly free Of friendly teares , and miserably wept . You haue not seene youg Heiffers ( highly kept ; Filld full of daisies at the field , and driuen Home to their houels ; all so spritely giuen That no roome can containe them ; but about , Bace by the Dams , and let their spirits out In ceasselesse bleating ) of more iocund plight Then my kind friends , euen crying out with sight Of my returne so doubted . Circl'd me With all their welcomes , and as cheerfully Disposde their rapt minds , as if there they saw Their naturall Countrie , cliffie Itbaca ; And euen the roofes where they were bred and borne . And vowd as much , with teares : O your returne As much delights vs ; as in you had come Our Countrie to vs , and our naturall home . But what vnhappie fate hath re●t our friends ? I gaue vnlookt for answer ; That amends Made for their mourning , bad them first of all , Our ship ashore draw ; then in Cauerns stall Our foodie cattell , hide our mutuall prise ; And then ( said I ) attend me , that your eies , In Circes sacred house , may see each friend , Eating and drinking , banquets out of end . They soone obeid ; all but Euryl●chus ; Who needes would stay them all ; and counselld thus ; O wretches ! whither will ye ? why are you Fond of your mischiefs ? and such gladnesse show For Circes house ; that will transforme ye all To Swine , or Wolues , or Lions ? Neuer shall Our heads get out ; if once within we be , But stay compelld by strong Necessitie . So wrought the Cycl●p , when t' his caue , our friends This bold on , led one , and brought all their ends By his one indiscretion . I , for this Thought with my sword ( that desperate head of his Hewne from his necke ) to gash vpon the ground His mangld bodie , though my blood was bound In neare alliance to him . But the rest With humble suite containd me , and request , That I would leaue him , with my ship alone ; And to the sacred Pallace leade them on . I led them ; nor Eurylochus would stay , From their attendance on me : Our late fray Strooke to his heart so . But meane time , my men , In Circes house , were all ▪ in seuerall baine Studiously sweetn'd , smugd with oile ▪ and deckt With , in , and outweeds : and a feast secret Seru'd in before them : at which , close we found They all were set , cheer'd , and caro●sing round . When ( mutuall sight had , and all thought on ) then Feast was forgotten ; and the mone againe About the house flew , driuen with wings of ioy . But then spake Circe ; Now , no more annoy : I know my selfe , what woes by sea , and shore , And men vniust , haue plagu'd enough before Your iniur'd vertues : here then , feast as long ; And be as cheerfull , till ye grow as strong , As when ye first forsooke your Countrie earth . Ye now fare all , like exiles ; not a mirth Flasht in amongst ye , but is quencht againe With still-renewd teares : though the beaten vaine Of your distresses , should ( me thinke ) be now Benumb with sufferance . We did well allow Her kind perswasions ; and the whole yeare staid In varied feast with her . When , now arraid The world was with the Spring ; and orbie houres Had gone the round againe , through herbs and flowres , The moneths absolu'd in order ; till the daies Had runne their full race , in Apollos raies ; My friends rememberd me of home ; and said , If euer Fate would signe my passe ; delaid It should be now no more . I heard them well ; Yet that day , spent in feast , till darknesse fell ; And sleepe , his virtues , through our vapours shed . When I ascended , sacred Circes bed ; Implor'd my passe ; and her performed vow Which now , my soule vrg'd ; and my souldiers now Afflicted me with teares to get them gone . All these I told her ; and she answerd these ; Much skilld Vlysses Laertiades ! Remaine no more , against your wils with me : But take your free way : onely this must be Perform'd before you stere your course for home ; You must the way to Pluto ouercome ; And sterne Persephone , to forme your passe , By th' aged Theban Soule Tiresias ; The dark-browd Prophet : whose soule yet can see Clearely , and firmely : graue Persephone , ( Euen dead ) gaue him a mind ; that he alone Might sing Truths solide wisedome , and not one Proue more then shade , in his comparison . This broke my heart ; I sunke into my bed ; Mourn'd , and would neuer more be comforted With light , nor life . But hauing now exprest My paines enough to her , in my vnrest , That so I might prepare her ruth ; and get All I held fit , for an affaire so great ; I said ; O Circe , who shall stere my course To Plutos kingdome ? Neuer ship had force To make that voiage . The diuine in voice , Said , Seeke no guide , raise you your Mast , and hoice Your ships white sailes ; and then , sit you at peace ; The fresh North spirit , shall wa●t ye through the seas . But , hauing past th' Ocean , you shall see ; A little shore , that to Persephone Puts vp a consecrated wood ; where growes , Tall Firres , and Sallowes , that their fruits soone loose : Cast anchor in the gulphes : and go , alone To Plutos darke house , where , to Acheron Cocytus runnes , and Pyriphlegiton : Cocytus borne of Styx , and where a Rocke Of both the met floods , beares the roring shocke , The darke Heroe , ( great Tiresias ) Now coming neare , ( to gaine propitious passe ) Dig ( of a cubit euery way ) a pit ; And powre ( to all that are deceast ) in it A solemne sacrifice . For which ; first take Honey and wine , and their commixtion make : Then sweete wine , neate ; and thirdly ; water powre ; And lastly , adde to these , the whitest flowre ▪ Then vow to all the weake necks of the dead , Offerings a number : and when thou shalt tread The Ithacensian shore ; to sacrifice A Heifer neuer tam'd , and most of prise ; A pyle of all thy most-esteemed goods Enflaming to the deare streames of their bloods : And , in secret Rites , to Tiresias vow A Ram cole blacke , at all parts , that doth flow With fat , and fleece ; and all thy flockes doth leade : When the all-calling nation of the dead Thou thus hast praid to ; offer on the place , A Ram and Ewe all blacke : being turn'd in face To dreadfull Erebus ; thy selfe aside The floods shore walking . And then , gratified With flocks of Soules , of Men , and Dames deceast , Shall all thy pious Rites be . Straight , addrest See then the offering that thy fellowes slew ; Flayd , and imposde in fire ; and all thy Crew , Pray to the state of either Deitie , Graue Pluto , and seuere Persephone . Then draw thy sword , stand firme ; nor suffer one Of all the faint shades , of the dead and gone , T' approch the blood , till thou hast heard their king , The wise Tiresias : who , thy offering Will instantly do honour : thy home wayes , And all the measure of them , by the seas Amply vnfolding . This the Goddesse told ; And then , the morning in her Throne of gold , Suruaid the vast world ; by whose orient light , The Nymph adorn'd me with attires as bright ; Her owne hands putting on , both shirt and weede , Robes fine , and curious ; and vpon my head , An ornament that glitterd like a flame : Girt me in gold ; and forth betimes I came Amongst my souldiers ; rousd them all from sleepe ; And bad them now ; no more obseruance keepe Of ease , and feast ; but straight , a shipboard fall , For now the Goddesse had inform'd me all : Their noble spirits agree'd ; nor yet so cleare Could I bring all off ; but Elpenor there His heedlesse life left : he was yongest man Of all my company , and one that wanne Least fa●e for armes ; as little for his braine ; Who ( too much steept in wine , and so made faine ; To get refreshing by the coole of sleepe ; Apart his fellowes ; plung'd in vapors deepe ; And they as high in tumult of their way ) Sodainly wak't , and ( quite out of the stay A sober mind had giuen him ) would descend A huge long Ladder , forward ; and an end Fell from the very roofe ; full pitching on The dearest ioynt , his head was plac't vpon ; Which ( quite dissolu'd , ) let loose his soule to hell . I , to the rest ; and Circes meanes did tell Of our returne ( as crossing cleane the hope I gaue them first ) and said ; You thinke the scope Of our endeuours now , is straight for home , No : Circe otherwise design'd ; whose doome Enioynd vs first , to greet the dreadfull house Of Austere Pluto , and his glorious spouse ; To take the counsaile of Tiresias ( The reuerend Theban ) to direct our passe . This brake their hearts , and griefe made teare their haire But griefe was neuer good , at great affaire . It would haue way yet . We went wofull on To ship and shore , where , was arriu'd as soone Circe vnseene ; a blacke Ewe , and a Ram , Binding for sacrifice ; and as she came Vanisht againe , vnwitnest by our eyes ; Which grieu'd not vs , nor checkt our sacrifice ; For who would see God , loath to let vs see ? This way , or that bent ; still his waies are free . Finis decimi libri Hom. Odyss . THE XI . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses way to Hell appeares ; Where he , the gr●●e Tiresias●eares ●eares ; Enquires his owne , and others fates . His mother sees , and th'after flates ▪ In which , were held , by sad Decease Heroes , and Herocsses ; A number , ● that at Troy●ag'dwarre ●ag'dwarre ; As Aiax that was still as iarre With Ithacus , for th' armes he lost ; And with the great Achilles Ghost . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vlysses here Inuokes the dead ; The liues appeare , Hereafter led . ARriu'd now at our ship ; we lancht , and set Our Mast vp , put forth saile ; and in did get Our late got Cattell . Vp our sailes , we went ; My wayward fellowes mourning now th' euent . A good companion yet ▪ a foreright wind ; Circe , ( the excellent vtterer of her mind ) Supplied our murmuring consorts with , that was Both speed , and guide to our aduenturous passe . All day our sailes stood to the winds ; and made Our voiage prosprous . Sunne then set , and shade All wayes obscuring : on the bounds we fell Of deepe Oceanus ; where people dwell Whom a perpetuall cloud obscures outright : To whom the cheerfull Sunne lends neuer light ; Nor when he mounts the star-sustaining heauen ; Nor when he stoopes earth , and sets vp the Euen : But Night holds fixt wings , fetherd all with Banes , Aboue those most vnblest Cimmeri●nes . Here drew we vp our ship : our sheepe wit-drew ; And walkt the shore till we attaind the view Of that sad region Circe had foreshow'd ; And then the sacred offerings , to be vow'd , Eurylochus , and Persimedes bore . When I , my sword drew , and earths wombe did gore Till I , a pit digg'd of a cubite round ; Which with the liquid sacrifice , we crown'd First , honey mixt with wine ; then , sweete wine neate ; Then water powr'd in ; last the flowre of wheate . Much I importun'd then , the weake-neckt dead , And vowd , when I the barren soile should tread Of cliffie Ithaca ; amidst my hall To kill a Heifer , my cleare best of all , And giue in offering : on a Pile composd Of all the choise goods , my whole house enclosd . And to Tiresias , himselfe , alone A sheepe cole-blacke , and the selectest one Of all my flockes . When to the powres beneath , The sacred nation , that suruiue with Death , My prayrs , and vowes , had done deuotions fit ; I tooke the offrings , and vpon the pit Bereft their liues . Out gusht the sable blood ; And round about me , fled out of the flood , The Soules of the deceast . There cluster'd then , Youths , and their wiues , much suffering aged men , Soft tender virgins , that but new came there , By timelesse death , and greene their sorrowes were . There , men at Armes , with armors all embrew'd , Wounded with lances , and with faulchions hew'd : In numbers , vp and downe the ditch , did stalke ; And threw vnmeasur'd cries , about their walke ; So horrid that a bloodlesse feare surprisde , My daunted spirits . Straight then , I aduisde My friends to flay the slaughter'd sacrifice ; Put them in fire , and to the Deities ; Sterne Pluto , and Persephone , apply Excitefull prayrs . Then drew I from my Thy , My well-edg'd sword ; stept in , and firmely stood Betwixt the prease of shadowes , and the blood ; And would not suffer any one to dip Within our offring , his vnsolide lip ; Before Tiresias , that did all controule . The first that preast in , was Elpenors soule ; His body , in the broad-waid earth , as yet Vnmournd , vnburied by vs ; since we swet With other vrgent labours . Yet his smart , I wept to see ; and ru'd it from my heart ; Enquiring how , he could before me be , That came by ship ? He mourning , answerd me : In Circes house ; the spite some Spirit did beare ; And the vnspeakable good licour there Hath bene my bane . For being to descend A ladder much in height ; I did not tend My way well downe ; but forwards made a proofe To tread the rounds ; and from the very roofe Fell on my necke , and brake it . And this made My soule thus visite this infernall shade . And here , by them that next thy selfe are deare , Thy Wife , and Father , that a little one Gaue food to thee ; and by thy onely Sonne At home behind thee left , ( Telemachus ) Do not depart by stealth , and leaue me thus , Vnmourn'd , vnburied : left neglected I ▪ Bring on thy selfe , th' incensed Deitie . I know , that saild from hence , thy ship must touch On th'Ile Ae●● ; where vouchsafe thus much ( Good king ) that , landed , thou wilt instantly , Bestow on me , thy royall memory ; To this grace ; that my body ; armes and all , May rest consum'd in firie funerall . And on the fomie shore , a Sepulchre Erect to me ; that after times may heare Of one so haplesse . Let me these implore ; And fixe vpon my Sepulcher , the Ore With which aliue , I shoooke the aged seas ; And had , of friends , the deare societies . I told the wretched Soule , I would fulfill And execute to th' vtmost point , his will ; And , all the time , we sadly talk● ; I still My sword aboue the blood held ; when aside The Idoll of my friend , still amplified His plaint , as vp and downe , the shades he err'd . Then , my deceased mothers Soule appeard ; Faire daughter of Antolicus , the Great ; Graue Anticlae● , Whom , when forth I set For sacred Ilion , I had left aliue . Her sight , much mou'd me ; and to teares did driue My note of her deceasse : and yet , not she ( Though in my ruth , she held the highest degree ) Would I admit to touch the sacred blood ; Till from Tiresias , I had vnderstood What Circes told me . At the length did land , Theban Tiresias soule ; and in his hand Sustaind a golden Scepter , knew me well ; And said ; O man vnhappy , why to hell Admitst thou darke arriuall ; and the light The Sunne giues , leau'st ; to haue the horrid sight Of this blacke region , and the shadowes here ? Now sheath thy sharpe sword ; and the pit forbeare . That I the blood may taste ; and then relate The truth of those acts , that affect thy Fate . I sheath'd my sword ; and left the pit , till he The blacke blood tasting , thus instructed me ; Renoum'd Vlysses ! all vnaskt , I know That all the cause of thy arriuall now , Is to enquire thy wisht retreate , for home : Which hardly God will let thee ou●rcome ; Since Neptune still will his opposure trie , With all his laid-vp anger , for the eye His lou'd Sonne lost to thee . And yet through all Thy suffring course , ( which must be capitall ) If both thine owne affections , and thy friends Thou wilt containe ; when thy accesse ascends The three-forckt Iland , hauing scap't the seas ; ( Where ye shall find fed , on the flowrie leas , Fat flocks , and Oxen ; which the Sunne doth owne ; To whom are all things , as well heard as showne : And neuer dare , one head of those to slay ; But hold , vnharmefull on , your wished way ) Though through enough affliction ; yet secure Your Fates shall land ye . But Presage saies sure , If once ye spoile them ; spoile to all thy friends ; Spoile to thy Fleete ; and if the iustice ends Short of thy selfe ; it shall be long before , And that length , forc't out , with inflictions store : When , losing all thy fellowes , in a saile Of forreigne built ( when most thy Fates preuaile In thy deliuerance ) thus th' euent shall sort ; Thou shalt find shipwracke , raging in thy Port : Proud men , thy goods consuming ; and thy Wife Vrging with gifts ; giue charge vpon thy life . But all these wrongs , Reuenge shall end to thee ; And force , or cunning , set with slaughter , free Thy house of all thy spoilers . Yet againe , Thou shalt a voyage make ; and come to men That know no Sea ; nor ships , nor oares , that are Wings to a ship ; nor mixe with any fare , Salts sauorie vapor . Where thou first shalt land , This cleare-giuen signe , shall let thee vnderstand , That there those men remaine : assume ashore , Vp to thy roiall shoulder , a ship oare ; With which , when thou shalt meete one on the way , That will , in Countey admiration , say What dost thou with that wanne , vpon thy necke ? There , fixe ( that wanne ) thy oare ; and that shore decke With sacred Rites to Neptune : slaughter there A Ram , a Bull , and , ( who for strength doth beare The name of husband to a herd ) a Bore . And , coming home , vpon thy naturall shore , Giue pious Hecatombs , to all the Gods ( Degrees obseru'd ) . And then the Periods Of all thy labors , in the peace shall end Of easie death ; which shall the lesse extend His passion to thee ; that thy foe , the Sea Shall not enforce it , but Deaths victory , Shall chance in onely-earnest-pray-vow'd age : Obtaind at home , quite emptied of his rage ; Thy subiects round about thee , rich and blest : And here hath Truth summ'd vp , thy vitall rest . I answerd him ; We will suppose all these Decreed in Deity ; let it likewise please Tiresias to resolue me , why so neare The blood and me , my mothers Soule doth beare ; And yet , nor word , not looke , vouchsafe her Sonne ? Doth she not know me ? No ( said he ) nor none Of all these spirits , but my selfe alone ; Knowes any thing , till he shall taste the blood ; But whomsoeuer , you shall do that good , He will the truth , of all you wish , vnfold ; Who , you enuy it to , will all withhold . Thus said the kingly soule , and made retreate , Amidst the inner parts of Plutos Sea●e , When he had spoke thus , by diuine instinct : Still I stood firme , till to the bloods precinct My mother came , and drunke ; and then she knew , I was her Sonne ; had passion to renew Her naturall plaints ; which thus she did pursew : How is it , ( O my Sonne ) that you aliue , This deadly-darksome region vnderdiue ? Twixt which , and earth , so many mighty seas , And horrid currents , interpose their prea●e ? Oceanus , in chiefe ; which none ( vnlesse More helpt then you ) on foote now can transgresse . A well built ship he needs , that ventures there : Com'st thou from Troy but now ? enforc't to erre All this time with thy souldiers ? Nor hast seene , Ere this long day , thy Countrey , and thy Queene ? I answerd ; That a necessary end To this infernall state , made me contend ; That from the wise Tiresias Theb●● Soule , I might , an Oracle , inuolu'd , vnrowle : For I came nothing neare Achaia y●t ; Nor on our lou'd earth , happy foote had set ; But ( mishaps suffering ) err'd from Coast to Coast ; Euer since first , the mighty Graecian hoast Diuine Atrides , led to Ilion ; And I , his follower , to set warre vpon The rapefull Troyans : and so praid she would The Fate of that vngentle death vnfould , That forc't her thither : if some long disease ; Or that the Splene , of her that arrowes please , ( Diana , enuious of most eminent Dames ) Had made her th' obiect of her deadly aimes ? My Fathers state , and sonnes , I sought ; if they Kept still my goods ? or they became the prey Of any other , holding me no more In powre of safe returne , or if my store My wife had kept together , with her Sonne ? If she , her first mind held ; or had bene wonne By some chiefe Grecian , from my loue , and bed ? All this she answerd ; that Affliction fed On her blood still at home ; and that to griefe , She all the dayes , and darknesse , of her life , In teares , had consecrate . That none possest My famous kingdomes Throne ; but th' interest My sonne had in it ; still he held in peace . A Court kept , like a Prince ; and his increase Spent in his subiects good ; administring lawes With iustice , and the generall applause A king should merit ; and all calld him king . My Father , kept the vpland , labouring ; And shun'd the Citie : vsde no sumptuous beds ; Wonderd at furnitures ; nor wealthy weeds ; But , in the Winter , strew'd about the fire Lay with his slaues in ashes ; his attire Like to a beggers . When the Sommer came ; And Autumne all fruits ripend with his flame ; Where Grape-charg'd vines , made shadows most abound , His couch with falne leaues , made vpon the ground : And here lay he ; his Sorrowes fruitfull state , Increasing , as he faded , for my Fate . And now , the part of age , that irksome is Lay sadly on him . And that life of his , She led , and perisht in ; not slaughterd by The Dame , that dartslou'd , and her archerie ; Nor , by disease inuaded , vast , and foule That wasts the body , and sends out the soule With shame and horror : onely in her mone , For me , and my life ; she consum'd her owne . She thus ; when I , had great desire to proue My armes , the circle , where her soule did moue ; Thrice prou'd I , thrice she vanisht , like a sleepe ; Or fleeting shadow , which strooke much more deepe The wounds , my woes made ; and made , aske her why She would my Loue to her embraces flie ; And not vouchsafe , that euen in hell we might , Pay pious Nature , her vnalterd right , And giue Vexation here , her cruell fill ? Should not the Queene here , to augment the ill Of euery sufferance ( which her office is ) Enforce thy idoll , to affoord me this ? O Sonne ( she answerd ) of the race of men The most vnhappy ; our most equall Queene , Will mocke no solide armes , with empty shade ; Nor suffer empty shades , againe t' inuade Flesh , bones , and nerues : nor will defraud the fire Of his last dues ; that , soone as spirits expire , And leaue the white bone , are his natiue right ; When , like a dreame , the soule assumes her flight . The light then , of the liuing , with most haste ( O Sonne ) contend to : this thy little taste Of this state is enough ; and all this life , Will make a tale , fit , to be told thy wife . This speech we had ; when now repair'd to me More female spirits ; by Persep●●●● , Driuen on before her . All t'heroes wiues And daughters , that , led there their second liues , About the blacke blood throngd . Of whom , yet more My mind impell'd me to enquire , before I let them altogether taste the gore ; For then would all haue bene disperst , and gone , Thicke as they came . I therefore , one by one Let taste the pit : my sword drawne from my Thy And stand betwixt them made ; when , seuerally All told their stockes . The first that quencht her fire , Was Tyro , issu'd of a noble Sire . She said she sprong from pure , 〈◊〉 bed ; And Crethe●s , Sonne of Ae●lus did wed . Yet the diuine flood E●ipeus , lou'd , Who much the most faire streame , of all floods mou'd . Neare whose streames , Tyr● walking : Neptune came , Like Enipeus , and enioyd the Dame : Like to a hill ; the blew , and Snakie flood Aboue th' immortall , and the mortall stood ; And hid them both ; as both together lay , Iust where his current , falles into the Sea. Her virgine wast , dissolu'd , she slumberd then ; But when the God had done the worke of men , Her faire hand gently wringing ; thus he said ; Woman ! Reioyce in our combined bed ; For when the yeare hath runne his circle , round ( Because the Gods loues , must in fruite abound ) My loue shall make ( to cheere thy teeming mones ) Thy one deare burthen , beare two famous Sonnes ; Loue well , and bring them vp : go home , and see That , though of more ioy yet ▪ I shall be free ; Thou dost not tell , to glorifie thy birth : Thy Loue is Neptune shaker of the earth . This said ; he plung'd into the sea , and she ( Begot with child by him ) the light let see Great Pelias , and Neleus ; that became In Ioues great ministrie , of mighty fame . Pelias , in broad Iolcus held his Throne , Wealthy in cattell ; th' other roiall Sonne Rul'd sandy Pylos . To these , issue more This Queene of women to her husband bore ▪ Aeson , and Pheres , and Amythaon , That for his fight on horsebacke , stoopt to none . Next her , I saw admir'd Antiope Asopus daughter ; who ( as much as she Boasted attraction , of great Neptunes loue ) Boasted to slumber in the armes of Ioue : And two Sonnes likewise , at one burthen bore , To that , her all-controlling Paramore : Amphion , and faire Z●thus ; that first laid Great Thebes foundations ; and strong wals conuaid About her turrets , that seuen Ports enclosde . For though the Theb●ns , much in strength reposde , Yet had not they , the strength to hold their owne , Without the added aides , of wood , and stone . Alcmena , next I saw ; that famous wife Was to Amphytri● ; and honor'd life Gaue to the Lyon-hearted Hercule● , That was , of Ioues embrace , the great increase . I saw besides , proud Craeons daughter there , Bright Megara ; that nuptiall yoke did weare With Ioues great Sonne ; who neuer field did try , But bore to him , the flowre of victory . The mother then , of Oedipus , I saw , Faire Epicasta ; that beyond all law , Her owne Sonne maried , ignorant of kind ; And , he ( as darkly taken , in his mind ) His mother wedded , and his father slew ; Whose blind act , heauen exposde at length to view . And he , in all-lou'd Thebes , the supreame state With much mone manag'd ; for the heauy Fate The Gods laid on him . She made violent flight To Plutos darke house , from the lothed light ; Beneath a steepe beame , strangl'd with a cord ; And left her Sonne , in life , paines as abhord , As all the furies powr'd on her in hell . Then saw I Chloris , that did so excell In answering beauties , that each part had all ; Great Neleus married her , when gifts not small , Had wonne her fauour ; term'd by name of dowre . She was of all Amphions seed , the flowre : ( Amphion , calld l●sides , that then Ruld strongly , Myni●an 〈◊〉 ) And now his daughter rul'd the Pylean Throne ; Because her beauties Empire ouershone . She brought her wise-awd husband , Neleus , Nest●r , much honord ; Peryclimenus , And Chromius ; Sonnes , with soueraigne vertues grac'● ; But after , brought a daughter that surpast ; Rare-beautied Per● , so for forme exact ; That Nature , to a miracle , was rackt , In her perfections , blaz'd with th' eyes of men . That made of all the Countries hearts , a chaine , And drew them suiters to her . Which her Sire Tooke vantage of ; and ( since he did aspire To nothing more , then to the broad-browd herd Of Oxen , which the common fame so rer'd , Own'd by Iphiclus ) not a man should be His Peros husband , that from Phylace , Those neuer-yet-driuen Oxen , could not driue : Yet these ; a strong hope held him to atchieue ; Because a Prophet that had neuer err'd , Had said , that onely he should be prefer'd To their possession . But the equall Fate Of God , withstood his stealth : inextricate Imprisoning Bands ; and sturdy churlish Swaines That were the Heardsmen ; who withheld with chaines The stealth attempter : which was onely he That durst abet the Act with Prophecie ; None else would vndertake it ; and he must : The king would needs , a Prophet should be iust ; But when some daies and moneths , expired were , And all the Houres had brought about the yeare ; The Prophet , did so satisfie the king ( Iphiclus ; all his cunning questioning ) That he enfranchisde him ; and ( 〈◊〉 worst done ) Ioues counsaile made , th'all-safe conclusion . The saw I Laeda ; ( linkt in nuptiall chaine With Tynd●rus ) to whom , she did sustaine Sonnes much renowm'd for wisedome ; C●st●● one , That past , for vse of horse , comparison ; And Poll●x , that exceld , in whirlbat fight ; Both these , the fruitfull Earth bore ; while the light Of life inspir'd them ; After which , they found Such grace with Ioue , that both liu'd vnder ground , By change of daies : life still did one sustaine , While th'●ther died ; the dead then , liu'd againe , The liuing dying ; both , of one selfe date , Their liues and deaths made , by the Gods and Fate . Iphemedia , after Laeda came , That did de●iue from Neptune too , the name Of Father to two admirable Sonnes : Life yet made short their admirations ; Who God-opposed Otus had to name , And Ephialtes , farre in sound of Fame . The prodigall Earth so fed them , that they grew To most huge stature ; and had fairest hew Of all men , but Orion , vnder heauen ; At nine yeares old , nine cubits they were driuen Abroad in breadth , and sprung nine fathomes hie . They threatn'd to giue battell to the skie , And all th'Immortals . They were setting on Ossa vpon Olympus ; and vpon Steepe Ossa , leauie Pelius , that euen They might a high-way make , with loftie heauen . And had perhaps perform'd it , had they liu'd Till they were Striplings . But Ioues Sonne depriu'd Their lims of life ; before th'age that begins The flowre of youth ; and should adorne their chins . Phaedra and Procris , with wise Minos flam● , ( Bright Ariadne ) to the offring came . Whom whilom Theseus made his prise from Crete ; That Athens sacred soile , might kisse her feete . But neuer could obtaine her virgin Flowre ; Till , in the Sea-girt Dia , Dians powre Detain'd his homeward haste ; where ( in her Phane , By Bacchus witnest ) was the fatall wane Of her prime Glorie . Maera , Clymene , I witn●st there ; and loth'd Eryphile ; That honou●'d * gold more , then she lou'd her Spouse . But all th' He●oesses in Plutos house , That then encounterd me , exceeds my might To name or number ; and Ambrosian Night Would quite be spent ; when now the formall houres , Present to Sleepe , our all-disposed powres . If at my ship , or here , my home-made vow , I leaue for fit grace , to the Gods and you . This said ; the silence his discourse had made , With pleasure held still , through the houses shade . When , white-arm'd Arete this speech began : Phaeacians ! how appeares to you this man ? So goodly person'd , and so matcht with mind ? My guest he is ; but all you stand combin'd , In the renowne he doth vs. Do not then With carelesse haste dismisse him : nor the maine Of his dispa●ch , to one so needie , maime ; The Gods free bountie , giues vs all iust claime To goods enow . This speech , the oldest man Of any other Phaeacensian , The graue Heroe , Echineus gaue All approbation ; saying : Friends ! ye haue The motion of the wise Queene ; in such words , As haue not mist the ma●ke ; with which , accords My cleare opinion . But Alcinous , In word and worke , must be our rule . He thus ; And then Alcinous said : This then must stand , If while I liue , I rule in the command Of this well-skild-in-Nauigation State. Endure then ( Guest ) though most importunate Be your affects for home . A litle stay If your expectance beare ; perhaps it may Our gifts make more complete . The cares of all , Your due deduction asks ; but Principall I am therein , the ruler ▪ He replied : Alcinous ! the most duly glorifi●d , With rule of all ; of all men ; if you lay Commandment on me , of a whole yeares stay ; So all the while , your preparations rise , As well in gifts , as * time : ye can deuise No better wish for me ; for I shall come Much fuller handed , and more honourd home ; And dearer to my people : in who●e loues , The richer euermore the better proues . He answerd : There is argude in your sight , A worth that works not men for benefit , Like P●ollers or Impostors ; of which crew , The gentle blacke Earth feeds not vp a few ; Here and there wanderers , blanching tales and lies , Of neither praise , nor vse : you moue our eies With forme ; our minds with matter , and our ●ares With elegant oration ; such as beares , A musicke in the orderd historie It layes before vs. Not Demodocus , With swee●er straines hath vsde to sing to vs , All the Greeke sorrowes , wept out in your owne . But say ; of all your worthy friends , were none Obiected to your eyes ; that Consorts were To ●lion with you ? and seru'd destinie there ? This Night is passing long , vnmeasur'd : none Of all my houshold would to bed yet : On , Relate these wondrous things . Were I with you ; If you would tell me but your woes , as now , Till the diuine Aurora shewd her head , I should in no night relish thought of bed . Most emin●nt King , ( said he ) Times , all must keepe ; There 's time to speake much , time as much to sleepe . But would you heare still , I will tell you still , And vtter more , more miserable ill , Of Friends then yet , that scap't the dismall warres , And perisht homewards , and in houshold iarres . Wag'd by a wicked woman . The chaste * Queene , No sooner made these Ladie-ghosts vnseene , ( Here and there flitting ) but mine eie-sight wonne The Soule of Agamemnon , ( Atreus sonne ) Sad ; and about him , all his traine of friends , That in Aegysthus house , endur'd their ends , With his sterne Fortune . Hauing dr●nke the blood , He knew me instantly ; and forth a flood Of springing teares gusht . Out he thrust his hands , With will t' embrace me ; but their old commands , Flowd not about him ; nor their weakest part . I wept to see ; and mon'd him from my heart . And askt ▪ O Agamemnon ! King of men ! What sort of cruell death , hath renderd slaine Thy royall person ? Neptune , in thy Fleete ? Heauen , and his hellish billowes making meete , Rowsing the winds ? Or haue thy men by land Done thee this ill ; for vsing thy command , Past their consents , in diminution Of those full sha●es , their worths by lot had wonne , Of sheepe or oxen ? or of any towne ? In couetous strife , to make their rights , thine owne , In men or women prisoners ? He replied : By none of these ▪ in any right , I died ; But by Aegysthus , and my murtherous wife , ( Bid to a banquet at his house ) my life Hath thus bene reft me : to my slaughter led , Like to an Oxe , pretended to be fed . So miserably fell I ; and with me , My friends lay massacred : As when you see At any rich mans nuptials , shot , or feast , About his kitchin , white-tooth'd swine lie drest . The slaughters of a world of men , thine eies , Both priuate , and in prease of enemies , Haue personally witnest ; but this one , Would all thy parts haue broken into mone : To see how strewd about our Cups and Cates , As Tables set with Feast , so we with Fates , All gasht and slaine , lay ; all the floore embrude With blood and braine . But that which most I ru'd , Flew from the heauie voice , that Priams seed , Cassandra breath'd ; whom , she that wit doth feed With banefull crafts , false Clytemnestra slew , Close sitting by me ; vp my hand● I threw From earth to heauen ; and tumbling on my sword , Gaue wretched life vp . When the most abhord , By all her sexes shame , forsooke the roome ; Nor daind ( though then so neare this heauie home ) To shut my lips , or close my broken eies . Nothing so heapt is with impieties , As such a woman , that would kill her Spouse , That maried her a maid . When to my house I brought her , hoping of her loue in heart , To children ▪ maids , and slaues . But she ( in th' Art Of onely mischiefe heartie ) not alone Cast on her selfe , this foule aspersion ; But louing Dames , hereafter , to their Lords Will beare , for good deeds , her bad thoughts and words . Alas ( said I ) that Ioue should hate the liues Of Atreus seed , so highly for their wiues . For Menelaus wife , a number fell ; For dangerous absence , thine sent thee to hell . For this , ( he answerd ) Be not thou more kind Then wise to thy wife ; neuer , all thy mind Let words expresse to her . Of all she knowes , Curbs for the worst still , in thy selfe repose . But thou by thy wifes wiles , shalt lose no blood ; Exceeding wise she is , and wise in good . Icarius daughter , chaste Penelope , We left a yong Bride ; when for batte●l , we Forsooke the Nuptiall peace ; and at her brest , Her first child sucking . Who , by this houre , blest , Sits in the number of suruiuing men . And his blisse , she hath , that she can containe ; And her blifse , thou hast , that she is so wise ; For , by her wisedome , thy returned eies Shall see thy sonne ; and he shall greete his Sire , With fitting welcom●s . When in my retire , My wife denies mine eyes , my sonnes deare sight ; And , as from me , will take from him the light ; Before she addes one iust delight to life ; Or her false wit , one truth that sits a wife . For her sake therefore , let my harmes aduise ; That though thy wife be ne'●e so chaste and wise , Yet come not home to her in * open view , With any ship , or any personall shew . But take close shore disguisde : nor let her know ; For t is no world , to trust a ●oman now . But what sayes Fame ? Doth my Sonne yet suruiue , In Orch●men , or Pylos ? or doth liue In Sparta , with his Vnkle ? yet I see D●uine Orestes is not here with me . I answerd , asking : Why doth A●reus sonne ▪ Enquire of me ? who yet arriu'd where none Could giue to these newes any cer●aine wings ? And t is absurd , to tell vncertaine things . Such sad speech past vs ; and as thus we stood , With kind teares rendring vnkind fortunes good ; Achilles and Patroclus Soule appear'd ; And his Soule , of whom neuer ill was heard , The good Antilochus : and the Soule of him , That all the Greeks past , both for force and lim , Excepting the vnmatcht Aeacides , Illustrous Aiax . But the first of these , That saw , acknowledg'd , and saluted me , Was * Thetis co●quering Sonne , who ( heauily His state here taking ) said : Vnworthy breat● ▪ What act , yet mightier , imagineth Thy ventrous spirit ? How doest thou descend These vnder regions : where the dead mans end , Is to be lookt on ? and his foolish shade ? I answerd him : I was induc'd t' inuade These vnder parts , ( most excellent of Greece ) To visite wise Tir●sias , for ad●●ce Of vertue to direct my voyage home To rugged Ithaca ; since I could come To note in no place , where Achaia stood ; And so liu'd euer , tortur'd with the blood In mans vaine veines . Thou therefore ( Thetis sonne ) Hast equald all , that euer yet haue wonne The blisse the earth yeelds ; or hereafter shall . In life , thy eminence was ador'd of all , Euen with the Gods. And now , euen dead , I see Thy vertues propagate thy Emperie , To a renewd life of command beneath ; So great Achilles triumphs ouer death . This comfort of him , this encounter found ; Vrge not my death to me , nor rub that wound ; I rather wish , to liue in earth a Swaine , Or serue a Swaine for hire , that scarce can gaine Bread to sustaine him ; then ( that life once gone ) Of all the dead , sway the Imperiall th one . But say ; and of my Sonne , some comfort yeeld ; If he goes on , in first fights of the field ; Or lurks for safetie in the obscure Rere ? Or of my Father , if thy royall eare Hath bene aduertisde , that the Phthian Throne , He still commands , as greatest Myrmidon ? Or that the Phthian and Thessalian rage , ( Now feete and hands are in the hold of Age ) Despise his Empire ? Vnder those bright rayes , In which , heauens feruour hurles about the dayes ; Must I no more shine his reuenger now ; Such as of old , the Ilion ouerthrow Witnest my anger : th' vniuersall hoast , Sending before me , to this shadie Coast , In fight for Grecia . Could I now resort , ( But for some small time ) to my Fathers Court ; In spirit and powre , as then : those men should find My hands inaccessible ; and of fire , my mind , That durst , with all the numbers they are strong , Vnseate his honour , and suborne his wrong . This pitch still flew his spirit , though so low ; And this , I answerd thus : I do not know , Of blamelesse Peleus , any ●●ast r●port ; But of your sonne , in all the vtmost sort , I can informe your care wi●h truth ; and thus : From Scyros , princely Neoptol●●us , By Fleete , I conuaid to the Greeks ; where he Was Chiefe , at both parts : when our gr●uitie Retir'd to councell ; and our youth to fight . In councell still ( so firie was Conceit , In his quicke apprehension of a cause ) That first he euer spake ; nor past the lawes Of any graue stay , in his greatest hast . None would contend with him , that counseld last ; Vnlesse illustrous Nestor , he and I Would sometimes put a friendly contrary , On his opinion . In our fights , the prease Of great or common , he would neuer sease ; But farre before fight euer . No man there , For force , he forced . He was slaughterer Of many a braue man , in most dreadfull fight . But one and other , whom he reft of light , ( In Grecian succour ) I can neither name , Nor giue in number . The particular fame , Of one mans slaughter yet , I must not passe ; Eurypilus Telephides he was , That fell beneath him ; and with him , the falls Of such huge men went , that they shewd like * whales ▪ Ra●pi●'d abou●him . Neoptolemus Set him so sharply , for the sumptuous Fauours of Mistresses , he saw him weare ; For past all doubt , his beauties had no peere , Of all that mine eies noted ; next to one , And that was Memnon , Tithons Sun-like sonne . Thus farre , for fight i●●publicke , may a tast Giue of his eminence . How farre surpast His spirit in priuate ; where he was not seene ; Nor glorie could be said , to prais● his spleene ; This close note , I exce●pted . When we sate Hid in Epaeus horse ; no Optimate Of all the Greeks there , had the charge to ope And shut the * Stratageme , but I. My scope To note then , each mans spirit , in a streight Of so much danger ; much the better might Be hit by me , then others : as , prouokt ▪ I shifted place still ; when , in some I smokt Both priuie tremblings , and close vent of teares . In him yet , not a soft conceit of theirs , Could all my search see , either his wet eies Plied still with wiping● ; or the goodly guise , His person all waies put forth ; in least part , By any tremblings , shewd his toucht-at heart . But euer he was vrging me to make Way to their sally ; by his signe to shake His sword hid in his scabberd ; or his Lance Loded with iron , at me . No good chance , His thoughts to Troy intended . In th' euent , ( High Troy depopulate ) he made ascent To his faire ship , with prise and treasure store : Safe , and no touch , away with him he bore , Of farre-off hurl'd Lance , or of close-fought sword , Whose wounds , for fauours ▪ Warre doth oft affoord ; Which he ( though sought ) mist , in warres closest wage ; In close fights , Mars doth neuer fight , but rage . This made the soule of swift Achilles tred A March of glorie , through the herbie meade ; For ioy to heare me so renowme his Sonne ; And vanisht stalking . But with passion Stood th' other Soules strooke : and each told his bane . Onely the spirit * Telamonian Kept farre off ; angrie for the victorie I wonne from him at Fleete ; though Arbit●ie Of all a Court of warre , pronounc't it mine , And Pallas selfe . Our prise were th' armes diuine , Of great * Aeacides ; propo●de t' our fames By his bright * Mother , at his funerall Games . I wish to heauen , I ough● not to haue wonne ; Since for those Armes , so high a he●d , so soone The base earth couerd . Aiax , that of all The hoast of Greece , had person capitall , And acts as eminent ; excepting his , Whose armes those were ; in whom was nought amisse . I tride the great Soule with soft words , and said : Aiax ! great sonne of Telamon ; arraid In all our glories ! what ? not dead resigne Thy wrath for those curst Armes ? The Powres diuine , In them forg'd a●● our banes ; in thine owne One ; In thy graue fall , our Towre was ouerthrowne . We mourne ( for euer maimd ) for thee as much , As for Achilles : nor thy wrong doth touch , In sentence , any , but Saturnius doome ; In whose hate , was the hoast of Greece become A very horror . Who exprest it well , In signing thy Fate , with this timelesse Hell. Approch then ( King of all the Grecian merit ) Represse thy great mind , and thy flamie spirit ; And giue the words I giue thee , worthy eare . All this , no word drew from him ; but lesse neare The sterne Soule kept . To other Soules he fled ; And glid along the Riuer of the dead . Though Anger mou'd him ; yet he might haue spoke ; Since I to him . But my desires were strooke With sight of other Soules . And then I saw Minos , that ministred to Death a law ; And Ioues bright sonne was . He was set , and swaid A golden Scepter ; and to him did pleade A sort of others , set about his Throne , In Plutos wide-door'd house ; when strait came on , Mightie Orion , who was hunting there , The heards of those beasts he had slaughterd here , In desart hils on earth . A Club he bore , Entirely steele , whos● vertues ne●er wore . ● Tityus I saw : to whom the glorious Earth Opened her wombe , and gaue vnhappie birth ; Vpwards , and flat vpon the Pauement lay His ample lims ; that spred in their display , Nine Acres compasse . On his bosome sat Two Vultures , digging through his caule of fat , Into his Liuer , with their crooked Beakes ; And each by turnes , the concrete entraile breakes , ( As Smiths their steele beate ) set on either side . Nor doth he euer labour to diuide His Liuer and their Beakes ; nor with his hand , Offer them off : but suffers by command , Of th' angrie Thunderer ; off●ing to en●orce , His loue Latona in the close recou●s● , She vsde to Pytho , through the dancing land , Smooth Panopaeus . I saw likewise stand , Vp to the chin , amidst a liquid lake , Tormented Tantalus ; yet could not slake His burning thirst . Oft as his scornfull cup , Th' old man would taste ; so oft t was swallowd vp ; And all the blacke ea●th to his feete descried ; Diuine powre ( plaguing him ) the lake still dried . About his head , on high trees , clustering , hung Peares , Apples , Granets , Oliues , euer yong ; Delicious ●igs , and many fruite trees more , Of other burthen ; whose alluring store , When th' old Soule striu'd to pluck , the winds from sight , In gloomie vapours , made them vanish quite . There saw I Sisyphus , in infinite mone , With both hands heauing vp a massie stone ; And on his tip-toes , racking all his height , To wrest vp to a mountaine top , his freight ; When prest to rest it there ( his nerues quite spent ) Downe rusht the deadly Quarrie : the euent Of all his torture , new to raise againe ; To which , strait set his neuer rested paine . The sweate came gushing out from euery Pore ; And on his head a standing mist he wore ; Reeking from thence , as if a cloud of dust Were raisd about i● . Downe with th●se was thrust , The Idoll of the force of Hercules . But his firme selfe , did no such Fate oppresse ; He feasting liues amongst th' immortall States ; White-ankled Hebe , and himselfe , made mates , In heauenly Nuptials . Hebe , Ioues deare race , And Iunos ; whom the golden Sandals grace . About him flew the clamors of the dead , Like Fowle● ; and still stoopt cuffing at his head . He , with his Bow , like Night , stalkt vp and downe ; His shaft still nockt ; and hurling round his frowne , At thos● v●xt houerers , aiming at them still ; And still , as shooting out , desire to still . A horrid Bawdricke , wore he thwart his brest ; The Thong all gold , in which were formes imprest , Where Art and Miracle , drew equall breaths , In Beares , Bores , Lions , Battles , Combats , Deaths . Who wrought that worke , did neuer such before ; Nor so diuinely will do euer more . Soone as he saw , he ●new me ; and gaue speech : Sonne of Laertes ; high in wisedomes reach ; And yet vnhappie wretch ; for in this heart , Of all exploits atchieu'd by thy desert , Thy worth but works out some sinister Fate . As I in earth did . I was generate By Ioue himselfe ; and yet past meane , opprest By one my farre inferiour ; whose proud hest , Imposde abhorred labours , on my hand . Of all which , one was , to descend this Strand , And hale the dog from thence . He could not thinke An act that Danger could make deeper sinke ; And yet this depth I drew ; and fetcht as hie , As this was low , the dog ▪ The Deitie , Of sleight and wisedome , as of downe-right powre , Both stoopt , and raisd , and made me Conquerour . This said ; he made descent againe as low As Plutos Court ; when I stood firme ; for show Of more Her●es , of the times before ; And might perhaps haue seene my wish of more ; ( As Theseus and Pirithous , deriu'd From rootes of Deitie ) but before th'atchieu'd Rare sight of these ; the rank-soul'd multitude In infinite flocks rose ; venting sounds so rude , That pale Feare tooke me , lest the Gorgons head Rusht in amongst them ; thrust vp ▪ in my dread , By grim Persephone . I therefore sent My men before to ship ; and after went. Where , boorded , set , and lancht ; th' Ocean waue , Our Ores and forewinds , speedie passag● gaue . Finis libri vndecimi Hom. Odyss . THE XII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . HE shewes from Hell his safe retreate , To th' Ile A●●aea , Circes seate . And how he scapt the Sirens calls . With th'erring Rock●s , and waters falls , That Scylla and Chary●dis breake . The Sunnes st●lne Herds ; and his sad wreake ▪ Both of Vlysses ship and men , His owne head scaping sc●rce the paine . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The Rockes that errd ; The Sirens call ; The Sunnes stolne Herd ; The souldiers fall . OVr Ship now past the streights of th' Ocean flood ; She plowd the broad seas billowes ; and made good , The Ile Aeaea , where the Pallace stands Of th' early Riser , with the rosie hands , Actiue Aurora ; where she loues to dance ; And where the Sunne doth his prime beames aduance . When here arriu'd ; we drew her vp to land , And trod our selues the resaluted sand : Found on the shore , fit resting for the Night ; Slept , and expected the celestiall light . Soone as the white-and-red-mixt-fingerd Dame , Had guilt the mountaines with her Saffron flame ; I sent my men to Circes house before , To fetch dece●st Elpenor to the shore . Strait swelld the high banks with feld heapes of trees ; And ( full of teares ) we did due Exequies To our dead friend . ( Whose Corse consum'd with fire , And honourd Armes ▪ whose Sepulcher entire ; And ou●r that , a Columne raisd ) his Ore , Curi●usly car●'d ( to his desire before ) Vpon the top of all his Tombe , we fixt . Of all Rites fit , his Funerall Pile was mixt . Nor was our s●fe ascent ●rom hell , conceald From Circes knowledge ; nor so soone reueald , But she was wi●h v● , with her bread and food , And ruddie wine , brought by her sacred brood Of woods and Fountaines . In the midst she● stood , And thus saluted vs : Vnhappie men , That haue ( inform'd with all your sences ) bene In Plutos dismall mansion . You shall die Twice now ; where others that Mortalitie , In her faire armes ▪ holds ; shall but once decease . But eate and drinke out all conceit of these ; And this day dedicate to food and wine ; The following Night to Sleepe . When next shall shine The chearfull Morning ; you shall proue the seas . Your way , and euery act ye must addresse , My knowledge of their order shall designe : Lest with your owne bad counsels , ye encline Euents as bad against ye ; and sustaine By sea and shore , the wofull ends that raigne In wilfull act●ons . Thus did she adui●e ; And , for the time , our Fortunes were so wise , To follow wise directions . All that day We sate and feasted . When his lower way , The Sunne had enterd ; and the Euen , the hi● : My friends slept on their Gables ; she and I , ( Led by her faire hand , to a place apart , By her well sorted ) did to sleepe conuert Our timed powres . When , all things Fate let fall In our affaire , she askt ; I told her all . To which she answerd : These things thus tooke end : And now to those that I informe , attend : Which ( you remembring ) God himselfe shall be , The blessed author of your memorie . First , to the Sirens ye shall come , that taint The minds of all men , whom they can acquaint With their attractions . Whosoeuer shall ( For want of knowledge mou'd ) but heare the call Of any Siren : he will so despise Both wife and children , for their sorceries , That neuer home turnes his affections streame ; Nor they take ioy in him , nor he in them . The Sirens will so soften with their song , ( Shrill , and in sen●uall appetite so strong ) His loose affections , that he giues them head . And then obserue : They sit amidst a meade ; And round about it ●unnes a h●dge or wall Of dead mens bones : their witherd skins and all , Hung all along vpon it ; and these men Were such as they had fawnd into their Fen , And then their skins hung on their hedge of bones . Saile by them therefore ; thy companions Before hand causing to stop euery ●are With sweete soft waxe so close ▪ that none may heare A note of all their charmings . Yet may you ( If you affect it ) open eare allow To trie their motion : but presume not so To trust your iudgement ; when your senses go So loose about you ; but giue straight command To all your men , to bind you foote and hand ▪ Sure to the Mast ; that you may safe approue How strong in instigation to their loue Their rapting tunes are . If so much they moue , That , spite of all your reason , your will stands To be enfranchisde , both of feete and hands ; Charge all your men before , to sleight your charge , And rest so farre , from fearing to enlarge , That much more sure they bind you . When your friends Haue outsaild these : the danger that tra●scends Rests not in any counsaile to preuent ; Vnlesse your owne mind , finds the tract and bent Of that way , that auoids it . I can say That in your course , there lies a twofold way ; The right of which , your owne , taught , present wit And grace diuine , must prompt . In generall yet Let this informe you : Neare these Sirens shore Moue two steepe Rocks ; at whose feete , lie and rore The blacke seas cruell billowes : the blest Gods Call them the Rouers . Their abhord abods No bird can passe : no not the * Doues , whose feare Sire Ioue so loues , that they are said to beare Ambrosia to him ; can their rauine scape ; But one of them , falles euer to the rape Of those slie rocks . Yet ●oue , another still Adds to the rest ; that so may euer fill The sacred number . Neuer ship could shunne The nimble perill wing'd there ; but did runne With all her bulke , and bodies of her men To vtter ruine . For the seas retaine Not onely their outragious aesture there ; But fierce assistents , of particular feare , And supernaturall mischiefe , they expire ; And those are whirlewinds of deuouring fire Whisking about still . Th' Argiue ship , alone ( Which bore the * care of all men ) got her gone , Come from Aret● . Yet perhaps euen she Had wrackt at those Rocks ; if the Deitie That lies by Ioues side , had not lent her hand To their transmission ; since the man that mann'd In chiefe that voyage , she , in chiefe did loue . Of these two spitefull Rocks , the one doth shoue Against the height of heauen , her pointed brow . A blacke cloud binds it round , and neuer show Lends to the sharp point : not the cleare blew skie Le ts euer view it . Not the Somners eye ; Not feruent Aut●mnes . None , that Death could end Could euer skale it ; or if vp , descend . Though twenty hands and feete he had for hold : A polisht ice-like glibnesse doth enfold The rocke so round , whose midst , a gloomie cell Shrowds , so farre Westward , that it sees to hell . From this , keepe you as farre , as from his bow An able yong man can his shaft bestow . For here , the * whuling Scylla , shrowds her face : That breaths a voice , at all parts , no more base Then are a newly-kitn'd kitlings cries ; Her selfe a monster yet , of boundlesse sise ; Whose sight would nothing please a mortals eies ; No nor the eyes of any God , if he ( Whom nought should fright ) fell foule on her ; and she Her full shape shew'd . Twelue foule feete beare about Her ougly bulke . Sixe huge long necks lookt out Of her ranke shoulders : euery necke , doth let A ghastly head out : euery head ; three set Thicke thrust together , of abhorred teeth ; And euery tooth stucke with a sable death . She lurkes in midst of all her denne ; and streakes From out a ghastly whirle-poole , all her necks ; Where , ( gloting round her rocke ) to fish she falles ; And vp rush Dolphins , Dogfish ; somewhiles , Whale● , If got within her , when her rapine feeds ; For euer-groning Amphitrite breeds About her whirlepoole , an vnmeasur'd store ▪ No Sea-man euer boasted touch of shore That there toucht with his ship ; but still she fed Of him , and his . A man for euery head Spoiling his ship of . You shall then descrie The other humbler Rocke , that moues so nie , Your dart may mete the distance . It receaues A huge wilde Fig-tree , curl'd with ample leaues ; Beneath whose shades , diuine C●arybdis sits Supping the blacke deepes . Thrice a day her pi●s She drinking all dry ; and thrice a day againe , All , vp she belches ; banefull to sustaine . When she is drinking , dare not neare her draught , For not the force of Neptune , ( if once caught ) Can force your freedome . Therefore in your strife To scape Charybdis , labour all , for life To row neare Scylla ; for she will but haue For her sixe heads , sixemen ; and better saue The rest , then all , make offerings to the waue . This Neede she told me of my loss● , when I Desir'd to know , if that Necessitie ( When I had scap't Ch●r●bdis outrages ) My powres might not reuenge ; though not redresse ? She answerd : O vnhappy ! a●t thou yet Enflam'd with warre ? and thirst to drinke thy swet ? Not to the Gods giue vp , both Armes , and will ? She , deathlesse is , and that immortall ill Graue , harsh , outragious , not to be subdu'd , That men must suffer till they be renew'd ▪ Nor liues there any virtue that can flie The vicious outrage of their crueltie . Shouldst thou put Armes on , and approch ●he Rock● ▪ I feare , sixe more must expiate the shocke . Sixe heads , sixe men aske still . Hoise ●aile , and flie ; And in thy flight , aloud , on Cratis crie ( Great Scyllas Mother , who , exposde to light That bane of men ; ) and she will do such right To thy obseruance , that she , downe will tread Her daughters rage ; nor let her shew a head . From thenceforth then , for euer past her care ; Thou shalt ascend , the I●e Triangular● ; Where many Oxen of the Sunne are fed ; And fatted flocks . Of Oxen , fifty head In euery herd feed ; and their herds are seuen ; And of his fat flocks is their number , Euen . Increase they yeeld not , for they neuer die ; There euery shepherdesse , a Deitie . Faire Phaethusa , and Le●petie , The louely Ny●phs are , that their Guardians be . Who , to the daylights lofty-going flame Had gracious birthright , from the heauenly Dame Still yong Neaera ; who ( brought forth and bred ) Farre off dismist them ; to see duly fed Their Fathers herds and flocks in Sicilie . These herds , and flocks , if to the Deitie Ye leaue , as sacred things , vntoucht ; and on Goe with all fit care of your home , alone , ( Though through some sufferance ) you yet sase shall land In wished Ithac● . But if impious hand You lay on those herds to their hurts : I then Presage sure ruine , to thy ●hip and men . If thou escap'st thy selfe , extending home Thy long'd for landing ; thou shalt loded come With store of losses , most exceeding late , And not consorted with a saued mate . This said ; the golden-thron'd Aurora rose ; She , her way went , and I did mine dispose Vp to my ship ; weigh'd Anchor , and away . When reuerend Circe ; helpt vs to conuaie Our vessell safe , by making well inclind A Sea mans true companio● , a forewind ; With which she filld our sailes , when , fitting all Our Armes close by vs ; I did sadly fall To graue relation , what conce●nd in Fate My friends to know , and told them that the state Of our affaires successe , which Circe had Presag'd to me alone , must yet be made To one , nor onely two knowne ; but to all : That since their liues and deaths were left to fall In their elections ; the●●ight life elect , And giue what would preserue it , fit effect . I first inform'd them , that we were to flie The heauenly-singing Sire●s harmony , And flowre-adorned Medow ▪ And that I Had charge to heare their song ; but f●tte●d ●●st In bands , vnfauor'd , to th'erected Mast ; From whence , if I should pray ; or vse command To be enlarg'd ; they should with much more ●and Containe my struglings . This I simply told To each particular ; nor would withold What most enioyn'd mine owne affections stay , That theirs the rather might be taught t' obay . In meane time , flew our ships ; and straight we fetcht The Sirens Ile ; a spleenelesse wind , so stretcht Her wings to waft vs , and so vrg'd our keele . But hauing reacht this Ile , we could not ●eele The least gaspe of it : it was striken dead , And all the Sea , in prostrate slumber spread : The Sirens diuell charm'd all . Vp then flew My friends to worke ; strooke saile , together drew , And vnder hatches stowd them : sat , and plied Their polisht oares ; and did in curls diuide The white-head waters . My part then came on ; A mighty waxen Cake , I set vpon ; Chopt it in fragments , with my sword ; and wrought With strong hand , euery peece , till all were soft . The great powre of the Sunne , in such a beame As then flew burning from his Diademe , To liquefaction helpt vs. Orderlie , I stopt their eares ; and they , as faire did ply My feete , and hands with cords ; and to the Mast With other halsers , made me soundly fast . Then tooke they seate ; and forth our passage strooke ; The fomie Sea , beneath their labour shooke . Rowd on , in reach of an erected voice ; The Sirens soone tooke note , without our noice ; Tun'd those sweete accents , that made charmes so strong ; And these learn'd numbers , made the Sirens song : Come here , thou , worthy of a world of praise ; That dost so high , the Grecian glory raise ; Vlysses ! stay thy ship ; and that song heare That none past ●uer , but it bent his eare : But left him r●uish , and instructed more By vs , then any , euer heard before . For we know all things whatsoeuer were In wide Troy labour'd ▪ whatsoeuer there The Grecians and the Troians both sustain'd ; By those high issues that the Gods ordain'd . And whatsoeuer , all the earth can show T' informe a knowledge of desert , we know . This they gaue accent in the sweetest straine That euer open'd an enamour'd vaine . When , my constrain'd heart , needs would haue mine eare Yet more delighted ; force way forth , and heare . To which end I commanded , with all signe Sterne lookes could make ( for not a ioynt of mine Had powre to stirre ) my friends to rise , and giue My limbs free way . They freely striu'd to driue Their ship still on . When ( farre from will to lose ) Eurylochus , and Perimedes rose To wrap me surer ; and opprest me more With many a halser , then had vse before . When , rowing on , without the reach of sound ; My friends vnstopt their eares ; and me , vnbound ; And , that I le quite we quitted . But againe Fresh feares emploid vs. I beheld a maine Of mighty billows , and a smoke ascend : A horrid murmure hearing . Euery friend Astonisht sat : from euery hand , his oare Fell quite forsaken : with the dismall Rore Where all things there made Echoes , stone still stood Our ship it selfe : because the ghastly flood Tooke all mens motions from her , in their owne : I , through the ship went , labouring vp and downe My friends recouerd spirits . One by one I gaue good words , and said : That well were knowne These ills to them before : I told them all ; And that those could not proue , more capitall Then those the Cyclop blockt vs vp in ; yet My vertue , wit , and heauen-helpt Counsailes , set Their freedomes open . I could not beleeue But they rememberd it , and wisht them giue My equall care , and meanes , now equall trust : The strength they had , for stirring vp , they must Rouze , and extend , to trie if Ioue had laid His powres in theirs vp , and would adde his aid To scape euen that death . In particular then I told our Pylot , that past other men He , most must beare firme spirits ; since he swaid The Continent , that all our spirits conuaid In his whole guide of her . He saw there boile The fierie whirlpooles ; that to all our spoile Inclosde a Rocke : without which , he must stere , Or all our ruines stood concluded there . All heard me , and obaid ; and little knew That , shunning that Rocke , sixe of them should rue The wracke ▪ another hid . For I conceal'd The heauy wounds that neuer would be heal'd , To be by Scylla opened ; for their feare Would then haue robd all , of all care to stere ; Or stirre an oare , and made them hide beneath : When they , and all ▪ had died an idle death . But then , euen I forgot to shunne the harme Circe forewarnd : who willd I should not arme , Nor shew my selfe to S●ylla , lest in vaine I ventur'd life . Yet could not I containe But arm'd at all parts ; and two lances tooke : Vp to the foredecke went , and thence did looke That Rockie Scylla would haue first appear'd , And taken my life , with the friends I feard . From thence yet , no place could afford her sight ; Though through the darke rocke , mine eye threw her light , And ransackt all waies . I then tooke a streight That gaue my selfe , and some few more receipt Twixt Scylla , and Charybdis ; whence we saw How horridly Charybdis throat did draw The brackish sea vp , which , when all abroad She spit againe out : neuer Caldron sod With so much feruor , fed with all the store That could enrage it . All the Rocke did rore With troubl'd waters : round about the tops Of all the steepe crags , flew the fomy drops . But , when her draught , the sea and earth dissunderd , The troubl'd bottoms turnd vp , and she thunderd ; Farre vnder shore , the swart sands naked lay . Whose whole sterne sight , the startl'd blood did fray From all our faces . And while we on her Our eyes bestowd thus , to our ruines feare ; Sixe friends had Scylla snatcht out of our keele , In whom , most losse , did force and virtue feele . When looking to my ship , and lending eye To see my friends estates , their heeles turnd hie , And hands cast vp , I might discerne ; and heare Their calles to me for helpe , when now they were To try me in their last extremities . And as an Angler , medcine for surprise Of little fish , sits powring from the rocks , From out the crookt horne , of a fold-bred Oxe ; And then with his long Angle , hoists them hie Vp to the Aire ; then sleightly hurles them by , When , helplesse sprauling on the land they lie : So easely Scylla to her Rocke had rapt My wofull friends ; and so vnhelpt , entrapt Strugling they lay beneath her violent rape ; Who in their tortures , desperate of escape ; Shriekt as she tore ; and vp , their hands to me Still threw for swee●e life . I did neuer see In all my sufferance ransacking the seas , A spectacle so full of miseries . Thus hauing fled these rocks ( these cruell dames Scylla , Charybdis . ) where the king of flames Hath offerings burnd to him ; our ship put in The Iland , that from all the earth doth winne The Epithete , F●ultlesse : where the broad of head And famous Oxen , for the Sunne are fed , With many fat flocks of that high-gone God. Set in my ship , mine eare reacht , where we rod The bellowing of Oxen , and the bleate Of fleecie sheepe ; that in my memories seate Put vp the formes , that late had bene imprest By dread Aeaean Circe ; and the best Of Soules , and Prophets , the blind Theb●● Seer ; The wise Tiresias , who was graue decreer Of my returnes whole meanes . Of which , this one In chiefe he vrg'd ; that I should alwaies shunne The Iland of the Man-delighting Sunne . When , ( sad at heart for our late losse ) I praid My friends to heare fit counsaile , ( though dismaid With all ill fortunes ) which was giuen to me By Circes , and Tiresias Prophecie ; That I should flie the I le , where was ador'd The Comfort of the world : for ills , abhorr'd Were ambusht for vs there ; and therefore , willd They should put off , and leaue the I le . This kill'd Their tender spirits ; when Eurylochu● A speech that vext me vtter'd ; answering thus : Cruell Vlysses ! Since thy nerues abound In strength , the more spent ; and no toyles confound Thy able lims , as all beate out of steele ; Thou ablest vs to , as vnapt to feele The teeth of Labor , and the spoile of Sleepe , And therefore still , wet wast vs in the deepe ; Nor let vs land to eate ; but madly , now ; In Night , put forth , and leaue firme land to strow The Sea with errors . All the rabide flight Of winds that ruine ships , are bred in Night . Who is it , that can keepe off cruell Death , If suddainly should rush out th' angry breath Of Notus , or the eager-spirited West ? That cuffe ships , dead ; and do the Gods their best ! Serue black Night still , with shore , meate , sleepe , and ease ; And offer to the Morning for the seas . This all the rest approu'd ; and then knew I That past all doubt , the diuell did apply His slaughterous works . Nor would they be withheld ; I was but one ; nor yeelded , but compell'd . But all that might containe them , I assaid : A sacred oath , on all their powres I laid ; That if with herds , or any richest flocks We chanc't t' encounter ; neither sheepe , nor Oxe We once should touch ; nor ( for that constant ill That followes folly ) scorne aduice , and kill : But quiet sit vs downe , and take such food As the immortall Circe had bestowd . They swore all this , in all seuerst sort ; And then we ancord , in the winding Port ; Neare a fresh Riuer , where the longd● for shore They all flew out to ; tooke in victles store ; And , being full , thought of their friends , and wept Their losse by Scylla ; weeping till they slept . In Nights third part ; when stars began to stoope ; The Cloud-assembler , put a Tempst vp . A boistrous spirit he gaue it ; draue out all His flocks of clouds ; and let such darknesse fall , That Earth , and Seas for feare , to hide were driuen ; For , with his clouds , he thrust out Night from heauen . At Morne , we drew our ships into a caue ; In which the Ny●phs , that Phoebus cattaile draue ; Faire , dancing Roomes had , and their seates of State. I vrg'd my friends then , that to shunne their Fate , They would obserue their oath ; and take the food Our ship afforded ; nor attempt the blood Of those faire Herds and Flocks ; because they were , That dreadfull Gods , that all could see , and heare . They stood obseruant , and in that good mind Had we bene gone : but so aduerse the wind Stood to our passage , that we could not go . For o●e whole moneth , perpetually did blow Impetuous Notus ; not a breaths repaire But his , and Eurus , rul'd in all the Aire . As long yet , as their ruddy wine , and bread Stood out amongst them ; so long , not a head Of all those Oxen , fell in any strife Amongst those students for the gut , and life . But when their victles faild , they fell to prey : Necessitie compell'd them then , to stray In rape of fish , and fowle : what euer came In reach of hand or 〈◊〉 ▪ the bellies flame Afflicted to it . I then , fell to praire ; And ( making to a close Retreate , repaire Free from , both friends , and winds ) I washt my hands , And all the Gods besought , that held commands In liberall heauen ; to yeeld some meane to stay Their desperate hunger ; and set vp the way Of our returne restraind . The Gods , in steed Of giuing what I prayd for , powre of deed ; A deedlesse sleepe , did on my lids distill , For meane to worke vpon , my friends their fill . For , whiles I slept , there wak't no meane to curb Their headstrong wants ; which he that did disturb My rule , in chiefe , at all times ; and was chiefe To all the rest in counsaile to their griefe ; Knew well , and of , my present absence tooke His fit ad●antage ; and their iron strooke At highest heate . For ( feeling their desire In his owne Entrailes , to allay the fire That Famine blew in them ) he thus gaue way To that affection : Heare what I shall say , ( Though words will stanch no hunger ) euery death To vs poore wretches , that draw temporall b●eath , You know , is hatefull ; but all know , to die The Death of Famine , is a miserie Past all Death loathsome . Let vs therefore take The chiefe of this faire herd ; and offerings make To all the Deathlesse that in broad heauen liue ; And , in particular , vow , if we arriue In naturall Ithaca , to strait erect A Temple to the haughtie in aspect ; Rich , and magnificent , and all within Decke it with Relicks many , and diuine . If yet , he stands incenst , since we haue slaine His high-browd herd ; and therefore will sustaine Desire to wracke our ship : he is but one ; And all the other Gods , that we attone With our diuine Rites , will their suff●age giue To our design'd returne , and let vs liue . If not ; and all take part , I rather craue To serue with one sole Death , the yawning waue ; Then , in a desert Iland , lie and sterue ; And , with one pin'd life , many deaths obserue . All cried , He counsailes nobly ; and all speed Made to their resolute driuing . For the feed Of those coleblacke , faire , broad-browd , Sun-lou'd Beeues : Had place , close by our ships . They tooke the liues Of sence , most eminent . About their fall Stood round , and to the States celestiall Made solemne vowes : But , other Rites , their ship Could not afford them ; they did therefore strip The curld-head Oke , of fresh yong leaues , to make Supply of seruice for their Barly cake . And , on the sacredly enflam'd , for wine Powrd purest water ; all the parts diuine Spitting , and rosting : all the Rites beside Orderly vsing . Then did light diuide My low , and vpper lids ; when , my repaire Made neare my ship ; I met the delicate ayre Their rost exhal'd . Out instantly I cried ; And said , O Ioue , and all ye Deified , Ye haue opprest me with a cruell sleepe ; While ye conferd on me , a losse as deepe As Death descends to . To themselues , alone My rude men , left vngouernd ; they haue done A deed so impious , ( I stand well assur'd ) That you will not forgiue , though ye procur'd . Then flew Lempetie , with the ample Robe , Vp to her Father , with the golden Globe ; Ambassadresse , t' informe him , that my men Had slaine his Oxen. Heart-incensed then ; He cried ; Reuenge me ( Father , and the rest Both euer liuing , and for euer blest . ) Vlysses impious men , haue drawne the blood Of those my Oxen , that it did me good To looke on , walking , all my starrie round ; And when I trod earth , all with medowes crown'd Without your full amends , I le leaue heauen quite ; Dis , and the Dead , adorning with my light . The Cloud-herd answerd ; Son ! thou shalt be ours , And light those mortals , in that Mine of flowres ; My red hote flash , shall grase but on their ship , And eate it , burning , in the boyling deepe . This by Calypso , I was told , and she Inform'd it , from the verger Mercurie . Come to our ship ; I chid , and told by name Each man , how impiously he was to blame . But chiding got no peace ; the Beeues were slaine : When straight the Gods , fore-went their following paine With dire Ostents . The hides , the flesh had lost , Crept , all before them . As the flesh did rost It bellowd like the Oxe it selfe , aliue . And yet my souldiers , did their dead Beeues driue Through all these Prodigies , in daily feasts . Sixe daies they banqueted , and slue fresh beasts , And when the seuenth day , Ioue reduc't the wind That all the monethrag'd ; and so in did bind Our ship , and vs ; was turnd , and calm'd ; and we Lancht , put vp Masts ; Sailes hoised , and to Sea. The Iland left so farre ; that land no where ; But onely sea , and skie , had powre t' appeare ; Ioue fixt a cloud aboue our ship ; so blacke That all the sea it darkned . Yet from wracke She ranne a good free time : t●ll from the West Came Zephyre ruffling forth ; and put his breast Out , in a singing tempest ; so most vast , It burst the Gables , that made sure our Mast ; Our Masts came tumbling downe : our cattell downe , Rusht to the Pump : and by our Pylots crowne The maine Mast , past his fall ; pasht all his Skull , And all this wracke , but one flaw , made at full . Off from the Sterne , the Sternesman , diuing fell , And from his sinews , flew his Soule to hell . Together , all this time , Ioues Thunder chid ; And through , and through the ship , his lightning glid : Till it embrac't her round : her bulke was filld With nasty sulphur ; and her men were killd : Tumbl'd to Sea , like Sea-mews swumme about , And there the date of their returne was out . I tost from side to side still , till all broke Her Ribs were with the storme : and she did choke With let-in Surges ; for , the Mast torne downe ; Tore her vp pecemeale ; and for me to drowne Left little vndissolu'd . But to the Mast There was a lether Thong left ; which I cast About it , and the keele ; and so sat tost With banefull weather , till the West had lost His stormy tyranny . And then arose The South , that bred me more abhorred woes ; For backe againe his blasts expelld me , quite On rauenous Charybdis . All that Night I totter'd vp and downe , till Light , and I At Scyllas Rocke encounterd ; and the nie Dreadfull Charybdis . As I draue on these , I saw Charybdis , supping vp the seas ; And had gone vp together , if the tree That bore the wilde figs , had not rescu'd me ; To which I leapt , and left my keele ; and hi● Chambring vpon it , did as close imply My brest about it , as a Reremouse could : Yet , might my feete , on no stub fasten hold To ease my hands : the roots were crept so low Beneath the earth ; and so aloft did grow The far-spred armes , that ( though good height I gat ) I could not reach them . To the maine Bole , flat I therefore still must cling ; till vp againe She belcht my Mast , and after that , amaine My keele came tumbling : so at length it chanc't , To me , as to a Iudge ; that long aduanc't To iudge a sort of hote yong fellowes iarres , At length time frees him from their ciuill warres ; When , glad , he riseth , and to dinner goes ; So time , at length , releast with ioyes my woes , And from Charybdis mouth , appear'd my keele . To which ( my hand , now loosd ; and now , my heele ) I altogether , with a huge noise , dropt ; Iust in her midst fell , where the Mast was propt ; And there rowd off , with owers of my hands . God , and Mans Father , would not , from her sands Let Scylla see me ; for I then had died That bitter death , that my poore friends supplied . Nine Daies at Sea , I houer'd : the tenth Night In th'lle Ogygia , where about the bright And right renoum'd Calypso , I was cast By powre of Deitie ; Where I liu'd embrac't With Loue , and feasts . But why should I relate Those kind occurrents ? I should iterate What I in part , to your chaste Queene and you So late imparted . And for me to grow A talker ouer of my tale againe , Were past my free contentment to sustaine . Finis duodecimi libri Hom. Odyss . Opus nouem dierum . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . THE THIRTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 HE said ; And silence all their Tongues contain'd ( In admiration ) 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 To my high-rooft , and Brasse-foundation'd hou●● : I hope , such speede , and passe 〈◊〉 Our Loues shall yeeld you , that you shall no more VVander , nor suffer , homewards , as before . You then , whoeuer , that are euer grac'●t VVith all choise of authoriz'd power , to tast Such wine with me , as warmes the sacred Rage ; And is an Honorarie giuen to Age. With which , ye likewise , heare Diuinely sing ( In Honors praise ) the Poet of the King : I moue , by way of my command , to this ; That where , in an elaborate Chist , there lies A Present for our Guest : Attires of price ; And Gold , engrauen with in●inite deuice : I wish that each of vs should adde beside A Tripod , and a Caldron , amplified With size , and Mettall of most rate , and great . For we ( in counsaile of taxation , met ) Will from our Subiects , gaine their worth againe ; Since 't is vnequall one man should sustaine A charge so waighty , being the grace of all ; VVhich , borne by many , is a waight but small . Thus spake Alcinous , and pleas'd the rest ; VVhen each man clos'd , with home , & sleep , his feast . But when the colour-giuing light arose ; All , to the Ship , did * all their speeds dispose ; And wealth ( that * honest men makes ) broght with them . All which ; euen he , that wore the Diadem Stow'd in the Ship himselfe , beneath the seats The Rowers sate in ; stooping , le●t their le●s In any of their labors , he might pro●e . Then home he turn'd : and after him , did moue The whole assembly to expected 〈◊〉 . Amongst whom , he a sacrifice 〈◊〉 . And slue an Oxe , to weather-wielding 〈◊〉 ; Beneath whose Empire , all things are , and moue . The thighs then rosting , they made glorious chere , Delighted highly ; and amongst them there , The honor'd of the people vs'd his v●ice , Diuine Demodocus . Yet through this choice Of Cheere , and Musicke , had Vl●sses still An Eye directed to the 〈◊〉 hill , To see Him rising , that illustrates all . For now into his minde , a fire did fall Of thirst for home ▪ And as in hungry vow To needfull food , a man at fixed Plow ; ( To whom , the black Oxe all day long hath turn'd The stubborne fallowes vp ; his stomacke burn'd VVith empty heate , and appetite to food ; His knees afflicted with his spirit-spent blood ) At length the long-expected Sun-set sees ; That the may sit to foode , and rest his knees : So , to Vlysses , set the friendly light The Sun affoorded , with as wish'●a ●ight . VVho , straight bespake , that Ore-affecting State : But did in chiefe , his speech appropriate To him by Name , that with their Rule was crown'd , Alcinous ? Of all men , most renown'd , Dismisse me , with as safe passe , as you vow ; ( Your offering past ) and may the Gods to you In all contentment , vse as full a hand : For now , my landing heere , and stay shall stand In all perfection with my hearts desire ; Both my so safe deduction to aspire ; And louing gifts ; which , may the Gods to me , As blest in vse make , as your acts are free : Euen to the finding firme , in loue , and life , VVith all desir'd euent , my friends , and wife . VVhen , as my selfe shall liue delighted there ; May you , with yourwiues , rest as happy here : Your Sonnes and Daughters ( in particular State ) With euery vertue rendred consummate : And , in your generall Empire , may ill neuer Approch your Land ; but good your good quit euer . This , all applauded , and all ioyntly cried ; Dismisse the Stranger : he hath dignified With fit speech , his dismission . Then the King Thus charg'd the Herrald : Fill for offering A bowl of wine : which through the whol large house Dispose to all men ; that propitious , Our Father Ioue made , with our prayers ; we may Giue home our Guest , in full and wished way . This said ; Pontonous commixt a Bowle Of such sweete wine , as did delight the soule : VVhich making sacred to the blessed Gods , That hold in broad heauen their supreame abodes ; God-like Vlysses , from his chaire arose , And in the hands of th' Empresse , did impose The all-round Cup : To whom ( faire spoke ) he saide ; Reioyce , O Queene , and be your ioyes repaide By heauen , for me , till age and death succeede ; Both which , inflict their most vnwelcome neede , On Men and Dames , alike . And , first ( for me ) I must from hence , to both : Liue you heere free ; And euer may , all liuing blessings spring ; Your ioy in Children , Subiects , and your King. This saide , diuine Vlysses tooke his way : Before whom , the vnalterable sway Of King Alcinous virtue , did command A Heralds fit attendance to the Strand And Ship appointed . VVith him , likewise went Handmaids , by Aretes iniunction sent . One bore an Out and In-weede , faire and sweete ; The other an embroider'd Cabinet : The third , had Bread to beare , and ruddy wine ; All which , ( at Sea , and Ship arriu'd ) resigne , Their Freight confer'd . VVith faire attendants then , The sheets and bedding of the Man of men , VVithin a Cabin of the hollow Keele , Spred , and made soft ; that sleepe might sweetly seele His restfull eyes ; He enter'd , and his Bed , In silence , tooke . The Rowers ordered Themselues in seuerall seates : and then set gone The Ship ; the Gable from the hollow stone Dissolu'd , and weigh'd vp : Altogether , close Then beate the Sea. His lids , in swee●e repose Sleepe bound so fast , it scarse gaue way to breath ; Inexcitable , most deare , next of all to death . And as amids a faire field , foure braue horse Before a Chariot , stung into their course With feruent lashes of the smarting Scourge ; That all their fire blowes high ; and makes them vrge To vtmost speede , the measure of their ground : So bore the Ship aloft , her fiery Bound ; About whom rusht the billowes , blacke , and vast ; In which the Sea-roares burst . As firme as fast She ply'd her Course yet : Nor her winged speede , The Faulcou gentle , could for pace , exceede . So cut she through ▪ the waues , and bore a Man , Euen with the Gods , in counsailes ; that began And spent his former life , in all misease : Battailes of men , and rude waues of the Seas ; Yet now , securely slept , forgetting all . And when heauens brightest star , that first doth call The early morning out , aduanc't her head ; Then , neere to Ithaca , the Billow-b●ed Ph●●●cian Ship approch't . There is a Port , That th' aged Sea-God Ph●rcys makes his Fo●● : Whose earth , the Ithace●si●● people owne . In which , two Rockes inaccessible , are growne Farre forth into the Sea ; vvhose each strength binds The boistrous waues in , from the high-flowne winds On both the out-parts so , that all within The well-built Ships , that once their harbour win In his calme bosome ; without Anchor , rest Safe , and vnstir'd . From forth the hauens high crest , Branch the well-brawn'd armes of an Oliue tree . Beneath which , runs a Caue , from all Sun free ; Coole , and delightsome : Sacred to th' accesse Of Nymphs , whose sur-names are the 〈◊〉 : In which , flew humming Bees ; in which lay throwne Stone cups , Stone vessels , Shittles , all of stone ; With which , the Nymphs their purple Mantles woue : In whose contexture , Art and wonder stroue . In which , pure Springs perpetually ran ; To which , two entries were : the one for man , ( On which the North breath'd : ) th' other , for the gods ( On which , the South : ) and that , bore no abodes For earthy men : But onely deathlesse feete Had there free way . This Port , these men thoght meet To Land Vlysses ; being the first , they knew . Drew then , their Ship in : but no further drew Then halfe her bulke reach ●t : by such cunning hand Her course was manag'd . Then her men tooke land ; And first , brought forth Vlysses : Bed , and all That richly furnisht it ; he still in thrall Of all-subduing sleepe . Vpon the sand They set him softly downe ; and then , the Strand They strew'd with all the goods he had , bestow'd By the renown'd Phaeacians ; sinc● he show'd So much Minerua . At the Oliue roote They drew them then in heape , most far from foote Of any Trauailer : least , ere his eyes Resum'd their charge , they might be others prize . These , then turn'd home : nor was the seas supreme Forgetful of his threats , for Polypheme Bent at diuine Vlysses : yet would proue ( Ere their performance ) the decree of Ioue ▪ Father ! No more the Gods shall honor me , Since men despise me ; and those men that see The * Light , in Linage of mine owne lou'd race . I vow'd Vlysses , should before the grace Of his returne , encounter woes enow To make that purchase deare : yet , did not vow Simply against it , since thy Brow had bent To his reduction ; in the fore-consent Thou hadst vouchsaf't it : yet before , my minde Hath full powre on him ; the Phaeacians finde Their owne minds satisfaction , vvith his Passe : So farre from suffering , what my pleasure was ; That ease , and softnesse , now is habited In his secure brest : and his carelesse head , Return'd in peace of sleepe to Ithaca . The Brasse and Gold of rich Phaeacia Rocking his Temples . Garments richly wouen ; And worlds of Prize more , then was euer strouen From all the conflicts he sustain'd at Troy , If safe , he should his full share there , inioy . The Showre-dissoluer answerd : VVhat a speech Hath past thy Pallate , O thou great in Reach Of wrackfull Empire ? Farre the Gods remaine From scorne of thee : For , 't were a worke of paine To prosecute , with ignonimies , One That swaies our ablest , and most ancient Throne . For men ; If any so beneath in power , Neglect thy high will : now , or any houre That moues heereafter ; take reuenge to the● ; Soothe all thy will , and be thy pleasure free . VVhy then ( said he ) thou blacker of the fumes That dimme the Sun ; my licenst power resumes Act from thy speech : but I obserue so much , And feare thy pleasure , that I dare not touch At any inclination of mine owne , Till thy consenting influence be kno●ne . But now ; this curious-built Ph●aci●● Ship , Returning from her Conuoy , I will strip Of all her fleeting matter ; and to stone Transforme and fixe it ( iust when she hath gone Her full time home ; and iets before their 〈◊〉 In all her trim ) amids the Sable Seas . That they may cease to conuoy strangers still , VVhen they shall see , so like a mighty Hill Their glory sticke before their Cities grace , And my * hands cast a maske before her face . O friend , ( said Ioue ) it shewes to me the best Of al earths obiects ; that their whole prease ▪ drest In all their wonder ; neere their Towne shall stand And stare vpon a Stone , so ne●re the Land , So like a Ship , and dam vp all their lights , As if a Mountaine interposde their sights . VVhen Neptune heard this , he for Scheri● went , VVhence the Phaeacians tooke their first descent . VVhich when he reacht , and in her swiftest pride , The water-treader , by the Cities side Came cutting close ; close he came swiftly on ; Tooke her in violent hand , and to a Stone Turnd all her syluane substance ▪ All below , Firmd her with Rootes , & left her . This strange show VVhen the Phaeacians saw , they stupid stood , And askt each other , who amids the flood Could fixe their Ship so , in her full speed home ? And quite transparant , make her bulke become ? Thus talkt they ; but were farre from knowing how These things had issue . VVhich their King did show , And saide ; O friends , the ancient Prophesies My Father told to me , to all our eyes Are now in proofe : he saide , the time would come , VVhen Neptune , for our safe conducting home All sorts of Strangers ( out of enuy fir'd ) Would meete our fairest Ship as she retir'd ; And all the goodly Shape , and speed we bost , Should like a Mountaine stand before vs lost , Amids the mouing waters ; which we see Perform'd in full end to our prophesie . Heare then my counsaile , and obey me then : Renounce henceforth our conuoy home of men ; Who euer shall heereafter gree●e our Towne . And to th' offended Deities Renowne ; Twelue chosen Oxen let vs sacred make , That he may pitty vs : and from vs take This shady Mou●taine . They , in feare , obaide ; Slew all the Beeues , and to the Godhead praide : The Dukes and Princes , all ensphearing round The sacred Altar . While whose Tops were croun'd , Diuine Vlysses ( on his Countries brest Laid bound in sleepe ) now rose out of his rest : Nor ( being so long remou'd ) the Region knew . ( Besides which absence ye● ) 〈◊〉 threw A cloud about him ; to make strange the more His safe arriuall : lest , vpon his Shore He should make knowne his face , and vtter all That might preuent , th' euent that was to fall . VVhich she prepar'd so well , that not his wife ( Presented to him ) should perceiue his life : No Citizen , no Friend ; till righteous Fate Vpon the vvooers wrongs , 〈…〉 . Through which cloud , all things s●ow'd now to the King Of forreign fashion . The 〈◊〉 Spring ▪ Amongst the Trees there . The perpetuall waues ; The Rockes , that did more high their foreheads raise To his Rapt eye , then naturally they did : And all the Hauen , in which a man seem'd hid From winde , & weather , when storms loudest chid . He therefore , being risen , stood and viewd His countrey earth : which ( not per●eiu'd ) he rew'd : And , striking with his hurld ▪ downe hands his Thyes , He mourn'd , and saide : O me ! Againe where lyes My desart way ? To wrongfull men , and rude ? And with no Lawes of humane right indu'de ? Or are they humane , and of holy minds ? What fits my deede with these so many kinds Of goods late giuen ? VVhat , with my selfe , wil ●●oods And Errors do ? I would to God , these Goods Had rested with their Owners : and that I Had falne on Kings of more Regality , To grace out my returne ; that lou'd indeed , And would haue giuen me Consorts of fit speed To my distresses ending ! But , as now All knowledge flyes me , where I may bestow My labour'd purchase . Heere they shall not stay , Lest what I car'd for , others make their prey . O Gods ! I see , the great Phaeaci●●s then VVere not all iust , and vnderstanding men ; That land me elsewhere then their vants pretended : Assuring me , my countrey should see ended My miseries told them : yet now , eate their vants . O Ioue ! great Guardian of poore Supplian●s , That others sees , and notes too ; shutting in All in thy plagues , that most presume on Sin , Reuenge me on them . Let me number now The goods they gaue , to giue my minde to know If they haue stolne none , in their close retreat . The goodly Caldrons then , and Tripods ( set In seuerall rankes from out the heape ) he told . His rich wrought garments too , and all his Gold : And nothing lack't ; and yet this Man did mourne , The but supposd misse of his home returne . And , creeping to the shore , with much complaint ; Minerua , ( like a Shepheard , yong , and quaint , As King sonnes are : a double Mantle cast A' thwart his Shoulders , his faire goers g●ac'st With fitted shooes ; and in his hand , a Dart ) Appear'd to him , whose sight reioy●'● his hart . To whom he came , and saide : O Friend ? Since first I meete your sight heere : Be all good , the worst That can ioyne our encounter : Fare you Faire ; Nor with aduerse minde , welcome my repaire : But guard these goods of mine , and succour me . As to a God , I offer prayers to thee , And low accesse make , to thy loued knee . Say truth , that I may know , what countrey then ? What commune people liue heere ? And what men ? Some famous Isle is this ? Or giues it vent ( Being neere the Sea ) to some rich Continent ? She answer'd ; Stranger , what so ere you are ; Y' are either foolish , or come passing farre , That know not this Isle , and make that doubt , troble ; For 't is not so exceedingly ignoble , But passing many know it : and so many , That , of all Nations , there abides not any , From where the Morning rises , and the Sun ; To where the Euen , and Night their courses run , But know this countrey . Rocky 't is , and rough ; And so , for vse of horse vnapt enough : Yet , with * sad Barrennesse not much infested , Since clowds are heere in frequent raines digested , And flowry dewes . The compasse is not great ; The little yet , well fild with wine , and wheat . It feeds a Goat , and Oxe well ; being still Water'd with floods , that euer ouer-fill VVith heauens continual showers : and woodded so , It makes a Spring of all the kindes that grow . And therefore , Stranger , the extended name Of this Dominion , makes accesse by Fame , From this extreame part of Achaia , As farre as Ilion ; and 't is Ithaca . This ioy'd him much , that so vnknowne a Land , Turn'd to his countrey . Yet so wise a hand He carried , euen of this ioy , flowne so hye , That other end he put to his reply , Then straight to shew that ioy , and lay abrode His life to Strangers . Therefore , he bestowd A veile on Truth : For euermore did winde About his bosome , a most crafty minde , VVhich thus his words shew'd . I haue farre at Sea , In spacious Crete , heard speake of Ithaca ; Of which , my selfe ( it seemes ) now reach the shore , VVith these my Fortunes ; whose whole value more I left in Crete amongst my children there ; From whence I flye , for being the slaughter●● Of royall Idomens most loued Son ▪ Swift-foote Orsilochus , that could out-run Profest men for the race . Yet him I slue , Because he would depriue me of my ▪ due In Troian prize : for which , I suffer'd so ( The rude waues piercing ) the redoubled wo Of minde and body , in the warres of men : Nor did I gratifie his Father then VVith any seruice ; But , as well as he , Sway'd in command of other Souldiery . So , with a friend withdrawne , we way-laide him , VVhen gloomy Night , the cope of heauen did dim , And no man knew . But we ( lodg'd close ) he came , And I put out , to him , his vitall flame . VVhose slaughter , hauing author'd with my sword , I instant flight made ; and straight fell aboord A Ship of the renown'd Phoenician State ; VVhen prayer , and pay , at a sufficient rate Obtain'd my Passe , of men in her command : VVhom I inioyn'd to set me on the land Of Pylos , or of Elis , the diuine , VVhere the Epeyans in great Empire shine . But force of weather check't that course to them , Though ( loath to faile me ) to their most extreme They spent their willing pow'rs . But , forc't frō thence , VVe err'd , and put in heere , with much expence Of Care and Labour : and in dead of Night , VVhen no man there , seru'd any appetite , So much as with the Memory of food , Though our estates exceeding Needy stood . But , going ashore , we lay ; when gentle sleepe My weary pow'rs inuaded : and from Ship , They fetching these my Riches , with iust hand About me laide them : while vpon the sand Sleepe bound my senses ; and for Sydon , they ( Put off from hence ) made saile : while heere I lay , Left sad alone . The Goddesse laught , and tooke His hand in hers ; and with another looke , ( Assuming then the likenesse of a 〈◊〉 , Louely and goodly , expert in the frame Of vertuous Huswiferies ) she answered thus . He should be passing slie , and couetous * Of stealth , in mens deceits , that coted thee , In any craft ; though any God should be Ambitious to exceede in subtilty . Thou still-wit-varying wretch ! Insatiate In ouer-reaches : Not secure thy state Without these wiles ? Though on thy Natiue shore Thou setst safe footing ? But vpon thy store Of false words , still spend ? That euen from thy byrth Haue bene thy best friends ? Come : our either worth Is knowne to either : Thou , of Men , art far ( For words and counsailes ) the most singular ; But I , aboue the Gods , in both , may bost My still-tried Faculties . Yet thou hast lost The knowledge euen of me : the seede of Io●e , Pallas Athenia ; that haue still out-stroue In all thy Labors , their extremes ; and stood Thy sure guard euer : making all thy good , Knowne to the good phaeaci●●s , and receiu'd . And now againe , I gr●ete thee , to see weau'd Fresh Counsailes for thee : and will take on me The close reseruing of these goods for thee , VVhich the renown'd phaeacian States bestow'd At thy deduction homewards ; Onely mou'd VVith my , both spirit and counsell . All which grace I now will amplifie , and tell what case Thy houshold stands in ; vttering all those paines , That , of meere need , yet still must racke thy vaines ; Do thou then freely beare ; Nor one word giue To Man nor Dame , to shew thou yet dost liue : But silent , suffer ouer all againe Thy sorrowes past ; and beare the wrongs of Men. Goddesse ( said he ) vniust men , and vnwise , That author iniuries , and vanities ; By vanities and wrongs , should rather be Bound to this ill-abearing destiny , Then iust , and wise men . VVhat delight hath heauen , That liues vnhurt it selfe , to suffer giuen Vp to all domage , those poore few that striue To imitate it ? and like the Deities liue ? But where you wonder , that I know you not Through all your changes ; that skill is not got By sleigh● or Art : since thy most hard-hit face , Is still distinguisht by thy free-giuen grace . And therefore truly to acknowledge thee In thy encounters , is a maistery In men most knowing . For to all men , thou Tak'st seuerall likenesse . All men thinke they know Thee in their wits . But , since thy seeming view Appeares to all ; and yet thy truth , to few : Through all thy changes , to discern thee right , Askes chiefe Loue to thee ; and inspired light . But this , I surely know ; that some yeares past , I haue beene often with thy presence grac'st , All time the sonnes of Greece wag'd warre at Tr●y : But when Fates full houre , let our swords enioy Our vowes , in sacke of 〈◊〉 lo●ty Towne : Our Ships all boorded ; and when God had blowne Our Fleete in sunder , I could neuer see The seede of Io●e ; Nor once distinguish thee Boording my Ship , to take one woe from me . But onely in my proper spirit in●olu'd , Err'd , here and there quite slaine ; til heauen dissolu'd Me , and my ill : which chanc't not , ●ill thy grace By open speech confirm'd me ; in a place Fruitfull of people : where , in person , thou Didst giue me guide , and all their City show ; And that was the renown'd 〈◊〉 earth . Now then ; euen by the author of thy Birth , Vouchsafe my doubt the Truth ( for farre it flies My thoughts ; that thus should fall into mine eies Conspicuous Ithaca : but feare I touch At some farre Shore ; and that thy wit is such , Thou dost delude me ) Is it sure the same Most honor'd earth , that beares my countries name ? I see ( sayd she ) thou wilt be euer thus , In euery worldly good , incredulous . And therefore , haue no more the power , to see Fraile life more plagu'd with infelicity ; In one so eloquent , ingenious wise . Another man , that so long miseries Had kept from his lou'd home ; and thus return'd To see his house , wife , children ; would haue burn'd In headlong lust to visit . Yet t' enquire , VVhat states they hold , affects not thy desire , Till thou hast tried : If in thy wife , there be A Sorrow , wasting dayes , and nights for thee , In Louing teares : That then the sight may proue A full reward , for eithers mutuall Loue. But I would neuer , credit in you both Least cause of sorrow ; but well knew , the troth Of this thine owne returne : though all thy Friends , I knew , as well , should make returnlesse ends . Yet would not crosse mine Vnkle Neptune so To stand their safegard ; since so high did go His wrath , for thy extinction of the eye Of his lou'd sonne . Come then , I le shew thee why I call this Isle , thy Ithaca ; To ground Thy credit on my words : this hauen is own'd By th' aged Sea god phor●ys : in whose Brow , This is the Oliue with the ample bow ; And heere close by , the pleasant-shaded Caue , That to the Fount-Nymphs , th' 〈◊〉 gaue As Sacred to their pleasures . Heere doth run The large , and couer'd den , where thou hast done Hundreds of Offerings to the 〈◊〉 . Here , Mount Nerytus shakes his cur●●d Tresse Of shady woods . This sayd , she cleer'd the clowd That first deceyu'd his eyes ; and all things show'd His countrey to him . Glad he stood with sight Of his lou'd Soile ; and kist it , with delight . And instantly , to all the Nymphs hee paide ( With hands held vp to heauen ) these vowes ▪ & said . Ye Nymphs the Naiades , great seed of Ioue : I had conceite , that neuer more should moue Your sight , in these spheres of my erring eyes ; And therefore , in the fuller Sacrifice Of my hearts gratitude ; Reioyce , till more I pay your Names , in Offerings , as before . VVhich heere I vow ; if Io●es benigne descent ( The mighty Pillager ) with life conuent My person home ; and to my sau'd decease , Of my lou'd sonnes sight , adde the sweet increase . Be confident ( saide Pallas ) nor oppresse Thy spirits with care of these performances ; But these thy fortunes , let vs straight repose In this diuine Caues besome , that may close Reserue their value ; and we then may see How best to order other acts to thee . Thus entred she the light-excluding Caue ; And through it , sought some inmost nooke to saue The Gold , the great Brasse , & robes richly wrought , Giuen to Vlysses . All which , in he brought ; Laid downe in heape ; and she impos'd a stone Close to the cauernes mouth . Then sat they on The sacred Oliues roote , consulting how To act th' insulting wooers ouerthrow . VVhen Pallas saide ; Examine now the means That best may lay hand on the impudence Of those proud wooers : that haue now three yeares Thy Roofes rule swai'd ; and bene bold Offerers Of suite , and gifts , to thy renowned wife ; VVho for thy absence , all her desolate life , Dissolues in teares till thy desir'd returne . Yet all her wooers , while shee thus doth mourne She holds in hope ; and euery one affords ( In fore-sent message ) promise . But her words Beare other vtterance then her heart approues . O Gods ( said Ithacus ) it now behoues My Fate to end me , in the ill deceasse That Agamemnon vnderwent , vnlesse You tell me , and in time , their close intents . Aduise then meanes , to the reueng'd euents VVe both resolue on . Be thy selfe so kinde To stand close to me ; and but such a minde Breath in my bosome , as when th' Ilio● Towres VVe tore in Cinders . O if equall powres Thou wouldst enflame , amids my Nerues as then , I could encounter with three hundred men : Thy onely selfe ( great Goddesse ) had to friend , In those braue ardors thou wer't wont t' extend . I will be strongly with thee , ( answer'd she ) Nor must thou faile , but do thy part with me . VVhen both whose pow'rs cōbine , I hope the bloods And braines of some of these that waste thy goods Shall strew thy goodly Pauements . Ioyne we then : I first will render thee vnknowne to men . And on thy solid Lineaments , make dry Thy now smooth skin . Thy bright-brown curles imply In hoary mattings : thy broad shoulders cloath In such a cloake , as euery eye shall loath . Thy bright eyes , bleare and wrinkle : and so change Thy forme at all parts , that thou shalt be strange To all the VVooers ; thy yong sonne , and wife . But , to thy Herdsman first present thy life ; That guards thy Swine , and wisheth well to thee ; That loues thy sonne , and wife 〈◊〉 . Thy search shall finde him , set aside his Heard , That are with tast-delighting Aco●nes rear'd : And drinke the darke-deepe water of the Spring Bright Arethusa ; the most nourishing Raiser of Heards . There stay , and ( taking seate Aside thy Heardsman ) of the whole State , treate Of home occurrents ; while I make accesse To faire-dame-breeding Sparta : for regresse Of lou'd Telemachus : who went in quest Of thy lou'd fame ; and l●u'd the welcome Guest Of Menelaus . The much-knower saide : Why wouldst not thou ( in whose graue brest is bred The Art to order all acts ) tell in this His error to him ? Let those yeares of his Amids the rude seas wander , and sustaine The woes there raging ? while vnworthy men Deuoure his fortunes ? Let not care extend Thy heart for him ( saide she ) my selfe did send His person in thy search , to set his worth ( By good fame blowne ) to such a distance fo●th . Nor suffers he , in any least degree The griefe you feare : but all variety That Plenty can yeeld , in her quie●st fa●e , In Menelaus Court , doth sit and share . In whose returne from home , the VVoo●rs yet Lay bloudy ambush ; and a Ship haue set To Sea , to intercept his life before He touch againe his births attempted shore . All which , my thoughts say , they shall neuer do , But rather , that the earth shall ouergo Some one at least , of these Loue-making men ; By which thy goods , so much empaire sustain . Thus vsing certaine secret words to him , She toucht him with her rod ; and euery lim VVas hid all ouer with a wither'd skin : His bright eies , blear'd ; his brow curles , white & thin ; And all things did an aged man present . Then ( for his owne weeds ) Shirt and coa● , all rent ; Tann'd , and all sootied , with noisome smoke , She put him on ; and ouer all , a cloke Made of a Stags huge hide : of which was worne The haire quite off . A Scrip all patcht and torne , Hung by a cord , oft broke , and knit againe , And with a staffe did his old limbes sustaine . Thus hauing both consulted of th' euent , They parted both : and forth to Sparta went The gray-ey'd Goddesse , to see all things done That appertain'd to wise Vlysses sonne . The End of the Thirteenth Booke of Homers Odysses . THE FOVRTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses meets amids the Field His Swaine Eumaeus ; who doth yeild Kinde Guest-rites to him ; and relate Occurrents of his wrong'd estate . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vlysses faines , for his true Good : His pious Swaines faith vnderstood . BVt he , the rough way tooke from forth the Port , Through woods , and hill tops , seeking the resort Where Pallas said , diuine Eumaeus liu'd : Who , of the fortunes that were first atchieu'd By God-like Ithac●● , in houshold rights , Had more true care , then all his * Prosylites . He found him sitting in his Cottage dore ; VVhere he had rais'd to euery ayry Blore , A Front of great height ; and in such a place , That round ye might behold : of circular grace A walke so wound about it : which the Swain ( In absence of his farre-gone Soueraine ) Had built himselfe , without his Queenes supply , Or old Laertes ; to see safely lye His housed herd . The inner part , he wrought Of stones , that thither his owne labors brought ; Which with an hedge of Thorn he fenc't about , And compast all the hedge , with pales cleft out Of sable Oake ; that here and there he fixt Frequent and thicke . VVithin his yard , he mixt Twelue Sties to lodge his Heard ; and euery Sty Had roome and vse , for fifty Swine to lye . But those were females all . The male Swine slept VVithout doores euer . Nor was their Herd kept Faire like the Females , since they suffer'd still Great diminution : he being forc't to kill And send the fattest to the dainty Feasts , Affected by th'vngodly wooing guests . Their number therefore , but three hundred were , And sixty : By them , Mastiues as austere As sauage beasts , lay euer . Their fierce straine Bred by the Herdsman ; a meere Prince of Men : Their number , foure . Himselfe was then appli'de In cutting forth a faire hew'd Oxes hide , To fit his feete with shooes . His seruants held Guard of his Swine . Three , here and there , at field ; The fourth , he sent to City with a Sow , VVhich must of force be offer'd to the Vow , The VVoowers made to all saciety : To serue which , still they did those Offrings ply . * The Fate-borne-Dogs-to-Barke , tooke sodaine view Of Odyss●eus ; and vpon him flew VVith open mouth . He ( cunning , to appall A fierce Dogs fury ) from his hand let fall His staffe to earth ; and sat him carelesse downe . And yet to him had one foule wrong bene showne VVhere most his Right lay ; had not instantly The Herdsman let his hide fall ; and his cry ( VVith frequent stones , flung at the dogges ) repeld This way , and that , their eager course they held : VVhen through the entry past , he thus did mourne . O Father ! Howsoone , had you neere bene torne By these rude Dogges ? whose hurt had branded me VVith much neglect of you ? But Deity Hath giuen so many other sighes , and cares To my attendant state : that well vnwares You might be hurt for me : for heere I lie Grieuing and mourning for the Maiestie That God-like wonted to be ruling heere ; Since now , I fat his Swine , for others cheere : VVhere he , perhaps , err's hungry vp and downe , In Countries , Nations , Cities , all vnknowne . If any where he liues yet ; and doth see The Sunnes sweet beames . But ( Father ) follow mee , That ( cheer'd with wine and foode ) you may disclose From whence you truly are ; and all the woes Your age is subiect to . This said , he led Into his Cottage ; and of Osiers , spred A thickned hurdle ; on whose top , he strow'd A wilde Goats shaggy skin ; and then bestow'd His owne Couch on it , that was soft and great . Vlysses ioy'd , to see him so entreat His vncouth Presence ; saying , Io●e requite , And all th' immortall Gods , with that delight Thou most defir'st , thy kinde receite of me ; O Friend , to humane Hospitality . Eum●eus answer'd : Guest ? If one much wurse Arriu'd here then thy selfe ; it were a curse To my poore meanes , to let a Stranger tast Contempt , for fit food . Poore men , and vnplac'st In free seats of their owne ; are all from Ioue Commended to our entertaining Loue. But poore is th'entertainment I can giue ; Yet free , and louing . Of such men as liue The liues of seruants , and are still in feare Where yong Lords gouerne ; this is all the cheare They can affoord a Stranger . There was One That vsde to manage , this now desart Throne : To whom the Gods deny returne ; that show'd His curious fauour to me , and bestow'd Possessions on me : A most wished wife , A house , and portion ; and a Seruants life , ●it for the gift a gracious King should giue : VVho still tooke pains himselfe ; & God made thriue His personall endeuour : and to me , His worke the more increast ; in which you see I now am conuersant . And therefore much His hand had help't me , had heauens wil beene such , He might haue heere growne old . But he is gone , And would to God the whole succession Of Hellen might go with him ; since for her So many men di●de : whose Fate did confer My Liege to Troy , in Ag●mem●o●s grace ; To spoile her People , and her Turrets race . This said , his coate to him , he streight did gird ; And to his Sties went , that contain'd his Herd . From whence , he tooke out two , slew both , and ●ut Both fairely vp . A fire enflam'd , and put To spit the ioynts ; which roasted well , he set VVith spit and all to him , that he might eat From thence his food , in all the sindging heat . Yet dreg'd it first with Flowre : Then fil'd his Cup VVith good sweet wine ; Sate then , & cheard him vp . Eate now ( my guest ) such leane Swine , as are meate For vs poore Swaines : The fat , the wooers eate . In whose minds , no shame , no remorse doth moue : Though well they know , the blest Gods doe not loue Vngodly actions ; but respect the right , And in the workes of pious men , delight . But these are worse then impious ; fo● those That vow t'iniustice , and professe them foes To other Nations , enter on their Land ; And Iupiter ( to shew his punishing hand Vpon th'inuaded , for their pennance then ) Giues fauour to their foes ( though wicked men ) To make their prey on them ; who , hauing freight Their ships with spoile enough , weigh ancor streight ; And each man to his house ; ( and yet euen these , Doth powrefull feare , of Gods iust vengeance seize Euen for that prize , in which they so reioyce ) But these men , knowing ( hauing heard the voyce Of God , by some meanes ) that sad Death hath reft The Ruler heere ; will neuer suffer left Their vniust wooing of his wife , not take Her often answere : and their owne Roofes make Their fit retreats : But ( since vncheck't , they may ) They therefore wil , make still his goods their pray , Without all spare , or end . There is no day , Nor night sent out from God , that euer they Prophane with one beasts blood , or onely two , But more make spoile of : and the wrongs they do In meates excesse ; to Wine as well extend ; VVhich as excessiuely , their ryots spend : Yet still leaue store . For sure his meanes were great ; And no Heroe , that hath choisest seate Vpon the fruitfull neighbour Continent ; Or in this Isle it selfe , so opulent Was , as Vlysses : No , nor twenty such Put altogether , did possesse so much . VVhose Herds and Flockes I le tell to euery Head : Vpon the Continent , he daily fed Twelue Herds of O●en ; No lesse , Flockes of Sheepe ; As many Herds of Swine . Stals , large and steepe , And equall sort of Goats : which Tenants there , And his owne Sheepherds kept . Then fed he here , Eleuen faire stalles of Goats ; whose food hath yeilde In the extreame part of a neighbor Field . Each Stall , his Herdsman hath : An honest Swaine , Yet euery one , must euery day sustaine The load of one Beast , ( the most fat , and best Of all the Stall-fed ) to the VVoers Feast . And I ( for my part ) of the Swine I keepe ( VVith foure more Herdsmen ) euery day , help steep The VVooers appetites , in blood of one , The most select , our choise can fall vpon . To this ; Vlysses gaue good eare , and fed ; And drunke his wine ; and vext ; and rauished His food for meere vexation . Seeds of ill His Stomacke sow'd , to heare his goods go still To glut of wooers . But his dinner done , And Stomacke fed to satisfaction : He drunke a full Bowle , all of onely wine , And gaue it to the Guardian of his Swine : Who tooke it , and reioyc't . To whom he said ; O Friend , who is it that ( so rich ) hath paid Price for thy seruice ? Whose commended pow'r , Thou sayst ( to grace the Graecian Conquerour ) At Ilion perisht ? Tell me ; it may fall I knew some such . The great God knowes , and all The other deathlesse Godheads : if I can ( Farre hauing trauail'd ) tell of such a man. Eumaeus answer'd : Father , neuer one Of all the Strangers that haue touch't vpon This Coast with his lifes Newes , could euer yet Of Queene , or lou'd sonne , any credit get . These Trauailers for cloathes , or for a meale ; At all aduentures , any lye will tell . Nor do they trade for truth : not any man That saw the people I●hacensian , Of all their sort ; and had the Queenes supplies , Did euer tell her any newes , but lies . She graciously receiues them yet ; enquires Of all she can : and all , in teares expires . It is th'accustom'd Law , that women keepe , Their husbands , elsewhere dead , at home to weepe . But do thou , quickly Father , forge a Tale ; Some Coat , or cloake , to keepe thee warme withall , Perhaps some one may yeeld thee : But for him , Vultures and Dogges , haue torne from euery lim His porous skin ; and forth his soule is fled : His coarse at Sea , to Fishes forfeited : Or on the Shore , lies hid in heapes of sand ; And there hath he his ebbe : his Natiue Strand With friends teares flowing . But to me , past all VVere teares created : For I neuer shall Finde so humane a royall Mayster more ; VVhat euer Sea , I seeke ; what euer Shore . Nay , to my Father , or my Mothers loue Should I returne ; by whom , I breath and moue , Could I so much ioy offer ; nor these eyes ( Though my desires sustaine extremities For their sad absence ) would so faine be blest VVith sight of their liues , in my natiue Nest , As with Vlysses dead : in whose last rest , ( O friend ) my soule shall loue him . Hee 's not here , Nor do I name him like a Flatterer . But as one thankfull for his Loue and care To me a poore man ; in the rich so rare . And be he past all shores , where Sun can shine , I will inuoke him as a soule diuine . O Friend ( sayd he ) to say , and to beleeue He cannot liue , doth too much license giue To incredulity . For ( not to speake At needy randon ; but my breath to breake In sacred Oath ) Vlysses shall returne . And when his sight recomforts those that mourne , In his owne roofes ; then giue me cloake , and cote , And garments worthy of a man of note . Before which , though neede vrg'd me neuer so , I le not receiue a thred , but naked go . No lesse I hate him then the gates of hell , That poorenesse can force , an vntruth to tell . Let Ioue then ( heauens chiefe God ) iust witnes beare , And this thy hospitable Table heere ; Together with vnblam'd Vlysses house , In which I finde receipt so gracious ; VVhat I affirm'd of him shall all be true . This instant yeare , thine eyes euen heere shall view Thy Lord Vlysses . Nay , ere this moneths end ( Return'd full home ) he shall reuenge extend To euery one , whose euer deed hath done VVrong to his wife , and his illustrous Sonne . O Father ( he replied ) I le neither giue Thy newes reward ; nor doth Vlysses liue . But come ; enough of this ; let 's drinke and eate , And neuer more his memory repeate . It greeues my heart to be remembred thus By any one , of one so glorious . But stand your oath , in your assertion strong , And let Vlysses come , for whom I long : For whom his wife ; for whom his aged Sire ; For whom his Son , consumes his God-like fire ; VVhose chance I now must mourne , and euer shall . VVhom when the Gods had brought to be as tall As any vpright plant : and I had saide , He would amongst a Court of men haue swaide In counsailes ; and for forme , haue bene admir'd Euen with his Father : some God misinspir'd , Or man tooke from him , his owne equall minde ; And past him for the Pylia● Shore , to finde His long-lost Father . In returne from whence , The Wooers pride , way-layes his innocence ; That , of diuine Arcesius , all the race May fade to Ithaca , and not the grace Of any Name , left to it . But leaue we His state , howeuer : if surpriz'd he be , Or if he scape . And may Saturnius hand Protect him safely to his natiue Land. Do you then ( Father ) shew your griefes , and cause Of your arriuall heere ; nor breake the Lawes That Truth prescribes you : but relate your name , And of what race you are : your Fathers ●ame , And natiue Cities : Ship and men vnfold , That to this Isle conuaid you : since I hold Your heere arriuall , was not all by shore ; Nor that your feete , your aged person bore . He answer'd him ; I le tell all strictly true , I● time , and foode , and wine enough acrue Within your roose to vs : that freely we May sit and banquet : Let your businesse be Discharg'd by others . For , when all is done , I can not easly , while the yeare doth runne His circle round , run ouer all the woes , Beneath which ( by the course the Gods dispose ) My sad age labours . First , I le tell you then ; From ample Crete I fetch my Natiue straine ; My Father wealthy : whose house , many a life Brought forth and bred besides , by his true wife . But me ; a Bond-maid bore ; his Concubine : Yet tender'd was I , as his lawfull line By him ; of whose race , I my life profes . Castor , his name ; surnam'd Hyl●cides . A man , in fore-times , by the Cre●an State , For goods , good children , and his fortunate Successe in all acts ; of no meane esteem . But death-conferring Fates , haue banisht him To Pluto's kingdome . After whom , his sons By Lots diuided his possessions ; And gaue me passing little ; yet bestow'd A house on me : to which , my vertues woo'd A wife from rich mens roofes ; nor was borne low , Nor last in fight , though all Ne●ues faile me now . But I suppose , that you by thus much seene , Know by the stubble , what the Corne hath bene . For , past all doubt ; affliction past all meane Hath brought my age on : but , in seasons past , Both Mars and Pallas , haue with boldnesse grac'st ; And Fortitude my fortunes ; when I chus'd Choise men for ambush , prest to haue produc'd Ill to mine enemies ; my too ventrous spirit , Set neuer death before mine eyes , for merit . But ( farre the first aduanc't still ) still I stroo●● Dead with my Lance , whoeuer ouertooke My speed of foot . Such was I then for warre . But rusticke actions , euer fled me farre , And houshold thrift , which breeds a famous race . In Ore-driuen Ships , did I my pleasures place : In Battailes , light Darts , Arrowes . Sad things all , And into others thoughts , with horror fall . But what God put into my minde : to me I still esteem'd as my felicity . As men , of seuerall Mettals are addrest ; So , seuerall formes are in their soules imprest . Before the sonnes of Greece , set foot in Troy , Nine times , in Chiefe , I did Command enioy Of Men and Ships , against our forreigne foe ; And all I fitly wish't , succeeded so . Yet , after this , I much exploit atchieu'd ; VVhen straight , my house in all possessions thriu'd . Yet after that , I great , and Reuerend grew Amongst the Cretans : till the Thunderer drew Our Forces out , in his foe - Tray decrees . A hatefull seruice , that dissolu'd the knees Of many a Soldier . And to this was I And famous Idomene , enioyn'd t' apply Our ships and powrs . Nor was there to be heard One reason for deniall ; so prefer'd Was the vnreasonable peoples rumor . Nine yeares we therefore fed the martiall humor ; And in the tenth ( de-peopling 〈◊〉 Towne ) We sail'd for home . But God had quickly blowne Our Fleete in peeces ; and to w●●tched mee , The Counsailor Io●e , did much mishap decree . For , onely one month , I had leaue t' enioy My wife , and children ; and my goods t' employ . But , after this , my minde for 〈◊〉 stoode ; When nine faire ships , I rig'd forth for the flood : Mann'd them with noble ●ouldiers : all things fit For such a voyage , soone were won to it . Yet sixe dayes after , staid my friends in feast ; VVhile I , in banquets to the Gods , addrest Much sacred matter for their sacrifice . The seauenth , we boorded ; and the Northerne skies Lent vs a franke , and passing prosperous gale , Fore which , we bore as free and easie ●aile , As we had back't a full and frolicke tide ; Nor felt one Ship misfortune for her pride ; But safe we sat , our Sailors and the winde Consenting in our conuoy . VVhen heauen shin'de In sacred radiance of the fift faire day : To sweetly-water'd Egypt reach't our way , And there we anchor'd : where I charg'd my men To stay aboord , and watch . Dismissing then Some scouts , to get the hill-tops , and discouer , They ( to their owne intemperance giuen ouer ) Straight fell to forrage the rich fields ; and thence Enforce both wiues and infants , with th' expence Of both their bloods . When straight the rumor flew Vp to the City : ( which heard ) vp they drew By daies first breake ; and all the field was fild VVith foot & horse ; whose Armes did all things gild . And then the Lightning-louing Deity , cast A foule flight on my soldiers : nor stood fast One man ▪ of all . About whom Mischiefe stood , And with his stern steele , drew in streames the blood , The greater part ●ed in their dissolute vaines : The rest were sau'd , and made enthralled Swaines , To all the basest vsages there bred . And then , euen Io●e himselfe supplyed my head ▪ VVith sauing counsaile ; ( though I wisht to dye , And there in Egypt , with their slaughters lye , So much griefe seiz'd me ) but I●●e made me yeild ; Dishelme my head , take from my necke , my shield : Hurle from my hand my Lance , and to the troop Of horse , the King led , instantly made vp ; Embrac● and kisse his knees ; whom pitty wun To giue me safety , and ( to make me shun The peoples outrage , that made in amaine , All ioyntly fir'd , with thirst to see me slaine ) He tooke me to his Chariot , weeping home ; Himselfe with feare of Io●es wrath ouercome , VVho yeelding soules receiues ; and takes most ill All such as well may saue , yet loue to kill . Seuen yeares I soiourn'd heere , and treasure gat In good abundance of th' Egyptian state : For all would giue . But when th' eight yeare began : A knowing Fellow ( that would gnaw a man Like to a Vermine , with his hellish braine , And many an honest soule , euen quicke had slaine ; VVhose name was Phoenix ) close accosted me : And with insinuations , such as he Practis'd on others , my consent he gain'd To go into Phoenicia ; where remain'd His house , and liuing . And with him I liu'd ▪ A compleat yeare . But , when were all arriu'd The months and daies : and that the yeare againe VVas turning round ; and euery seasons raigne Renew'd vpon vs ; we for Lybia went : VVhen ( still inuenting crafts to circumuent ) He made pretext , that I should onely go And helpe conuey his freight ; but thought not so : For his intent was , to haue sold me there , And made good gaine , for finding me a yeare . Yet him I follow'd , though suspecting this : For , being aboord his Ship , I must be his Of strong Necessity . She ran the flood ( Driuen with a Northerne gale , right free , and good ) Amids the full streame , full on Crete . But then , Ioue plotted death to him , and all his men . For ( put off quite from Crete , and so farre gone That Shore was lost ; and we set eye on none : But all shew'd heauen and sea ) aboue our Keele Ioue pointed right , a cloud as blacke as hell : Beneath which , all the sea hid ; and from whence Ioue thunder'd , as his hand would neuer thence . And thicke into our Ship , he threw his flash : That'gainst a Rocke , or Flat , her Keele did dash VVith headlong Rapture . Of the sulphure all Her bulke did sauour ; and her men let fall Amids the Surges : on which , all lay tost Like Sea-guls , round about her sides , and lost . And So , God tooke , all home-returne from them . But Ioue himselfe ( though plung'd in that extream ) Recouer'd me , by thrusting on my hand The Ships long Mast. And ( that my life might stand A little more vp ) I embrac't it round ; And on the rude windes , that did ruines sound , Nine dayes we houer'd . In the tenth blacke night A huge Sea cast me on Thesprotia's height : VVhere the Heroe Phidon , that was chiefe Of all the Thesprotes ; gaue my wracke reliefe , VVithout the price of that redemption That Phoenix fish't for . VVhere the Kings lou'd son Came to me ; tooke me by the hand , & led Into his Court ; my poore life surffetted VVith cold and labour : and because my wrack Chanc't on his Fathers Shore : he let not lack My plight ; or coate , or cloake , or any thing Might cherish heate in me . And heere the King , Said , he receiu'd Vlysses as his Guest ; Obseru'd him Friend-like ; and his course addrest Home to his country : shewing there to me Vlysses goods . A very Treasurie Of Brasse , & Gold , & Steele of curious frame . And to the tenth succession of his name He laid vp wealth enough , to serue beside In that Kings house ; so hugely amplified His treasure was . But from his Court , the King Affirm'd him ship't , for the Dodonean Spring : To heare , from out the high-hair'd Oake of Ioue , Counsaile from him : for meanes to his remoue To his lou'd country , whence so many a yeare He had bene absent ; If he should appeare Disguisd , or manifest : and further swore In his mid Court , at Sacrifice , before These very eyes ; that he had ready there Both Ship and Souldiers , to attend and beare Him to his country . But before ; it chanc't That a Thesprotean Ship , was to be lanch't For the much-corne-renown'd Dulichian Land : In which , the King gaue to his men command To take , and bring me vnder tender hand To King Acastus . But , in ill designe Of my poore life , did their desires combine ; So farre forth , as might euer keepe me vnder In fortunes hands , and teare my state in sunder . And when the water-treader , farre away Had left the Land : then plotted they the day Of my long ●eruitude ; and tooke from me Both coate and cloake , and all things that might be Grace in my habit ; and in place , put on These tatter'd rags , which now you see vpon My wretched bosom . When heauens light took * sea ▪ They fetcht the Field-workes of faire Ith●ca ; And in the arm'd Ship , with a wel-wreath'd cord They streightly bound me , and did all disbord To shore to supper , in contentious ●out . Yet straight , the Gods themselues , tooke from about My pressed limbes the bands , with equall ease ; And I ( my head in rags wrapt ) tooke the Seas , Descending by the smooth sterne ; vsing then My hands for Oares ; and made from these bad men Long way , in little time . At last , I fetcht A goodly Groue of Okes ; whose Shore I recht , And cast me prostrate on it . When they knew My thus-made-scape , about the Shores they flew : But ( soone not finding ) held it not their best To seeke me further ; but return'd to rest Aboord their Vessell . Me , the Gods lodg'd close , Conducting me into the safe repose A good mans stable yeelded . And thus , Fate This poore houre added , to my liuing date . O wretch of Guests ( said he ) thy Tale hath stirr'd My minde to much ruth : both how thou hast err'd And suffer'd hearing , in such good parts showne : But what thy chang'd relation would make knowne About Vlysses ; I hold neither true , Nor will beleeue : and what need'st thou pursue A Lye so rashly ? Since he sure is so As I conceiue ; for which , my skill shall go . The safe returne my King lackes , cannot be ; He is so enuied of each Deity , So cleere , so cruelly . For not in Troy They gaue him end ; nor let his Corpse enioy The hands of Friends ( which well they might haue done ▪ He manag'd armes to such perfection ; And should haue had his Sepulcher , and all ; And all the Greekes to grace his Funerall : And this had giuen a glory to his Son Through all times future . ) But his head is run Vnseene , vnhonor'd , into Harpies mawes . For my part , I le not meddle with the cause : I liue a separate life , amongst my Swine ; Come at no Towne for any need of mine ; Vnlesse the * circularly witted Queene ( When any farre-come guest , is to be seene That brings her newes ) commands me bring a Brawn ; About which ( all things being in question drawne , That touch the King ) they sit ; and some are sad For his long absence . Some againe , are glad To waste his goods vnwreak't ; all talking still . But , as for me , I nourish't little will T' enquire or question of him : since the man That faign'd himselfe , the fled Etolian , For slaughtering one , ( through many Regions straid ) In my Stall ( as his diuersory ) staide . VVhere well entreating him ; he told me then , Amongst the Cretans , with King Idomen , He saw Vlysses ; at his Ships repaire , That had bene brush't with the enraged aire : And that , in Summer , or in Autumne , sure VVith all his braue friends , and rich furniture , He would be heere : and nothing so , nor so . But thou , an old man , taught with so much wo As thou hast suffer'd , to be season'd true , And brought by his ●ate ; do not heere pursue His gratulations , with thy cunning Lies . Thou canst not soake so through my Faculties . For I did neuer , either honor thee Or giue thee loue , to bring these tales to me . But in my feare of Hospitable Ioue Thou didst to this passe , my affections moue . You stand exceeding much incredulous , ( Reply'd Vlysses ) to haue witnest thus My word , and Oath ; yet yeeld no trust at all . But make we now a couenant here , and call The dreadfull Gods to witnesse , that take seat In large Olympus : if your Kings retreat Proue made , euen hither ; you shall furnish me With cloake , and coate , and make my passage free For lou'd D●lichius . If ( as fits my vow ) Your King returne not ; let your seruants throw My old limbes headlong , from some rock most hye , That other poore men may take feare to lye . The Herdsman , that had gifts in him diuine , Replied ; O Guest , how shal this Fame of mine And honest vertue , amongst men , remaine Now , and heereafter , without worthy staine ; If I , that led thee to my Houe● heere , And made thee fitting hospitable cheere , Should after kill thee ; and thy lo●ed minde Force from thy bones ? Or how should stand enclin'd With any Faith , my will t' importune 〈◊〉 In any prayer heereafter , for his loue ? Come , now 't is supper 's houre ; and instant hast My men wil make home : when our sweet repast Wee 'le taste together . This discourse they held In mutual kinde ; when from a neighbor field , His Swine and Swine-herds came ▪ who in their coats Inclosd their Herds for sleepe : which , mighty throats Laid out in entring . Then , the God-like Swaine His men enioyn'd thus : Bring me to be slaine A chiefe Swine female , for my stranger Guest : VVhen , altogether we wil take our Fe●●t , Refreshing now our spirits , that all day take Paines in our Swines good : who may therfore make For our paines with them all , amends with one ; Since others eate our Labors , and take none ? This said ; his sharpe steele hew'd down wood , & they A passing fat Swine hal'd out of the Sty , Of fiue yeares old , which to the fire they put . VVhen first , E●m●eus from the Front did cut The sacred haire , and cast it in the fire ; Then , pray'd to heauen : for stil , before desire VVas seru'd with food , in their so rude abods , Not the poore Swine-herd would forget the Gods. Good soules they bore , how bad soeuer were The habits , ●hat their bodies parts did beare . VVhen all , the deathlesse Deities besought ▪ That wise Vlysses might be safely brought Home , to his house ; then with a logge of Oke Left lying by ( highlifting it ) a stroke He gaue so deadly , it made life expire . Then cut the rest , her throat ; and all in fire They hid and sindg'd her : cut her vp , and then , The Maister tooke the office from the men , VVho on the Altar did the parts impose That seru'd for sacrifice : beginning close About the belly ; thorough which he went , And ( all the chiefe fat gathering ) gaue it vent ( Part dreg'd with Flowre ) into the sacred flame ; Then cut they vp the ioynts , and roasted them : Drew all from spit , and seru'd in dishes all . Then rose E●maeus , ( who was General In skill to guide each act , his fit euent ) And ( all , in seuen parts cut ) the first part went To seruice of the Nymphs , and Mercury ; To whose names , he did Rites of piety In vowes particular ; and all the rest He shar'd to euery one : but his lou'd Guest He grac't with all the Chine ; and of that King To haue his heart chear'd , set vp euery string . VVhich he obseruing saide ; I would to Ioue ( Eumaeus ) thou liu'dst in his worthy loue As great as mine ; that giu'st to such a guest As my poore selfe , of all thy goods the best . Eumaeus answer'd ; Eate , vnhappy wretch , And to what heere is , at thy pleasure reach . This I haue ; this thou want'st : thus God will giue , Thus take away ; in vs , and all that liue . To his wil 's equall center , all things fall ; His minde he must haue , for he can do all . Thus hauing eate , and to his wine descended ; Before he seru'd his owne thirst , he commended The first vse of it , in fit sacrifice ( As of his meate ) to all the Deities . And to the City-racers hand , applide The second cup ; whose place was next his side : Mesaul●us did distribute the meate , ( To which charge , was Eumaeus solely set In absence of Vlysses ; by the Queene And old Laertes ) and this man had beene Bought by Eumaeus , with his faculties , Employ'd then in the Taphian Merchandise . But now ; to food apposde , and order'd thus , All fell . Desire suffic'd , Mesaulius Did take away . For bed then next they were , All throughly satisfied with compleat cheare . The night then came ; ill , and no Taper shind : Ioue rain'd her whole date . Th'euer wa●ry wind Zephyre blew lowd ; and Laertiades ( Approuing kinde Eum●●us carefulnes For his whole good ) made farre about assay , To get some cast-off Cassocke ( least he lay That rough night cold ) of him , or any one Of those his seruants : when he thus begun . Heare me E●m●us , and my other friends ; I le vse a speech that to my glory tends : Since I haue drunke wine past my vsuall guise ; Strong Wine commands the Foole , and mo●es the wise ; Moues and impels him too , to sing and dance , And breake in pleasant laughters ; and ( perchance ) Preferre a speech too , that were better in . But when my spirits , once to speake begin , I shall not then dissemble . Would to heauen , I were as yong , and had my forces driuen As close together , as when once our powres VVe led to ambush , vnder th' Ilio● Towres : VVhere Ithacus , and Me●el●●● were The two Commanders ; when it pleas'd them there To take my selfe for third ; when to the Towne And lofty wals we led , we couch't close downe All arm'd , amids the Osiers , and the Reeds , Which oftentimes th'ore-flowing Riuer feeds . The cold night came ; and th'l●y Northerne gale Blew bleake vpon vs : after which , did fall A snow so cold , it cut , as in it bea●e A frozen water ; which was all concrete About our Shields like Cristall . All made ●aine ( Aboue our armes ) to cloathe , and cloathe againe . And so we made good shift ( our shields beside Clapt close vpon our cloathes ) to rest and hide From all discouery . But I ( poore foole ) Left my weeds with my men , because so coole I thought it could not proue : which thoght , my pride A little strengthen'd ; being loth to hide A goodly glittering garment I had on . And so I follow'd with my shield alone , And that braue weed . But when the night nere ended Her course on earth , and that the starres descended , I●iog'd Vlysses ( who lay passing neare ) And spake to him , that had a nimble eare ; Assuring him , that long I could not lye Amongst the liuing ; for the feruencie Of that sharpe night would kill me ; since as then , My euill Angell , made me with my men Leaue all weeds , but a fine one . But I know 'T is vaine to talke ; here wants all remedy now . This said ; he bore that vnderstanding part In his prompt spirit , that still show'd his Art In Fight and counsell ; saying ( in a word , And that low whisper'd ) Peace , least you afford Some Greeke , note of your softnes . No word mor● , But made as if his sterne austerity , bore My plight no pitty . Yet ( as still he lay His head reposi●g on his hand ) gaue way To this inuention ; Heare me friends , a Dreame ( That was of some celestiall light a beame ) Stood in my sleepe before me : prompting me VVith this fit notice : we are farre ( saide he ) From out our Fleet. Let one go then , and try If Agamemnon wil affoord supply To what we now are strong . This stirr'd a speed In Thoas to th' affaire . Whose purple weede He left for hast . Which then I tooke , and lay In quiet after , til the dawne of day . This shift Vlysses made for one in neede ; And would to heauen , that youth such spirit did feed Now in my Nerues ; and that my ioynts were knit , VVith such a strength , as made me then held fit To leade men with Vlysses . I should then Seeme worth a weed , that fit 's a herdsmans men : For two respects , to gaine a thankfull frend ; And to a good mans neede , a good extend . O Father ( said Eumaeus ) thou hast showne Good cause for vs , to giue thee good 〈◊〉 Not vsing any word , that was not freed From all least ill . Thou therefore , shalt not need Or coate , or other thing , that aptly may Beseeme a wretched suppliant , for 〈◊〉 Of this nights neede . But when her golden ●hrone The Morne ascends , you must resum● your 〈◊〉 For , heere you must not dreame of many 〈◊〉 , Or any change at all . VVe serue our needs , As you do yours : One backe , one coate . But when Vlysses loued sonne returnes , he then Shal giue you coat and cassocke ; and bestow Your person where , your heart and soule is now . This said , he rose ; made neere the fire his bed , VVhich all with Goats and Sheep-skins , he bespred . All which , Vlysses with himselfe d●d line . VVith whom , besides , he chang'd a gabberdine ▪ Thicke lin'd , and soft ; which stil he made his shift , VVhen he would dresse him gainst the horrid drift Of Tempest ; when deepe winters season blowes . Nor pleasde it him to lye there with his Sowes , But while Vlysses slept there : and close by The other yonkers , he abroad would●ly , And therefore arm'd him . VVhich set cheerefull fare Before Vlysses heart ; to see such care Of his goods taken ; how farre off soeuer His fate , his person , and his wealth should seuer . First then ; a sharpe edg'd sword , he girt about His well-spred shoulders ; and ( to shelter out The sharpe VVest wind that blew ) he put him on A thick-lin'd Iacket ; and yet cast vpon All that , the large hide of a Goat , well fed . A Lance then tooke he , with a keene steele head , To be his keepe-off , both 'gainst Men and Dogges : And thus went he to rest with his male Hogges , That still abroad lay , vnderneath a Rocke : Shield to the North-winds euer eager shocke . The End of the Fourteenth Booke of Homers Odysses . THE FIFTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . MInerua , to his Natiue seate Exhorts Vlysses sonnes retreate , In ●ed , and waking . He receiues Gifts of Atrides ; and so leaues The Spartan Court. And , going ab●ord Doth fauourable way affo●rd To Theoclymenus ; that was The Argiue A●gure , and sought passe ; Fled for a slaughter he had done . Eumaeus tels Laertes son , How he became his Fathers Man ; Being sold by the Phoenician For some agreed on Faculties ; From forth the Syrian Isle , made prise . Telemachus arriu'd at home , Doth to Eumaeus Cottage come . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From Sparta's strand makes safe ac●esse To his own● Land Vlyssides . IN Laced●mon , large , and apt for dances ; Athenian Pallas , her accesse aduances Vp to the great in soule , Vlysses seed , Suggesting his returne , now fit for deed . She found both him , and Nestors noble son In bed ; in front of that faire Mans●on : Nestorides surpriz'd with pleasing sleepe . But , on the watch Vlysses sonne did keepe , Sleepe could not enter : cares did so excite His soule , through all the solitary night , For his lou'd Father . To him ( neere ) she said : Telemachus ! T is time that now were staid Thy forreigne trauailes ; since thy goods are free For those proud men , that all will eate from thee : Diuide thy whole possessions , and leaue Thy too-late presence nothing to receiue . Incite the shrill-voic't Me●elaus then , To send thee to thy Natiue seat agen ; VVhile thou mayst yet finde in her honor strong Thy blamelesse Mother , 'gainst thy Father's wrong . For both the Father , and the Brothers to Of thy lou'd Mother , will not suffer so Extended any more , her widdowes bed ; But make her now , her richest wooer wed , Eurymachus : who chiefly may augment Her gifts , and make her ioynture eminent . And therefore hast thee ; least in thy despight , Thy house stand empty of thy Natiue right . For well thou know'st what mind a woman beares , The house of him , who euer she endeares Her selfe in Nuptials to : she sees encreast , The yssue of her first lou'd Lord deceast , Forgotten quite , and neuer thought on more . In thy returne then , the re-counted store Thou find'st reseru'd ; to thy most trusted Maid Commit in guard , till heauens pow'rs haue puruaid A wife in vertue , and in beauties grace Of fit sort for thee , to supply her place . And this note more I le giue thee ; which repose In sure remembrance : The best sort of those , That woo thy Mother , watchfull scouts addresse , Both in the streights of th' Ithacensian Seas , And dusty Samos ; with intent t' inuade And take thy life , ere thy returne be made . VVhich yet , I thinke will faile : and some of them That waste thy fortunes , taste of that extream They plot for thee . But keepe off farre from shore , And day and night saile : for , a fore-right blore VVho euer of th'Immortals , that vow guard And scape to thy returne , will see prepar'd . As soone as thou arriu'st , dismisse to Towne Thy Ship and Men : and first of all , make downe To him that keepes thy Swine , and doth conceiue A tender care to see thee well suruiue . There sleepe ; and send him to the Towne , to tell The chast Penelope , that safe and well Thou liu'st in his charge ; and that Pyl●s sands The place contain'd , from whence thy person Lands . Thus she , to large Olympus , made ascent . VVhen , with his heele , a little touch he lent To Nestors son ; whose sleepes sweet chain 's he losde ; Bad rise , and see in Chariot inclosde Their one-hoou'd horse ; that they might strait bee gone . No such haste ( he replied ) night holds her throne , And dims all way , to course of Chariot . The Morne will soone get vp . Nor see forgot The gifts with hast , that will , I know , be rich ; And put into our Coach with gracious speech , By Lance-fam'd Menelaus . Not a Guest Shall touch at his house , but shall store his brest With fit mind of an hospitable man , To last as long as any daylight can His eyes re-comfort ; in such gifts as he Will proofes make of his hearty royalty . He had no sooner said ; but vp arose Aurora , that the Golden hils repose . And Menelaus ( good at martiall cries ) From Hellens bed raisde , to his Guest applies His first apparance . VVhose repaire made knowne T' Vlysses lou'd sonne : On , his robe was throwne About his gracious body : his cloake cast Athwart his ample shoulders ; and in hast Abroad he went ; and did the King accost . Atrides , guarded with heauens deified hoste ; Grant now remission to my Natiue right : My minde now vrging mine owne houses sight . Nor will I stay ( saide he ) thy person long , Since thy desires to go , are growne so strong . I should my selfe be angry to sustein The like detention , vrg'd by other men . Who loues a guest past Meane , past Meane will hate ; The Meane in all acts , beares the best estate . A like ill 't is , to thrust out such a guest , As would not go ; as to detaine the rest . VVe should a guest loue , while he loue 's to stay , And when he like 's not , giue him louing way . Yet suffer so , that we may gifts impose In Coach to thee . Which ere our hands enclose , Thine eies shall see ; lest else , our loues may glose . Besides , I le cause our women to prepare VVhat our house yeelds ; and meerely so much fare As may suffise for health . Both , well will do ; Both for our honor , and our profit to . And seruing strength with food , you after may As much earth measure , as wil match the day . If you will turne your course from sea , and go Through Greece and Argos : ( that my selfe may so Keepe kinde way with thee ) I le ioyne horse , & guide T' our humane Cities . Nor vngratifide VVill any one remit vs : some one thing VVill each present vs , that along may bring Our passe with loue ; and proue our vertues blaz'd : A Caldron or a Tripod , richly braz'd . Two Mules ; a bowle of Gold , that hath his price Heightn'd with Emblemes of some rare deuice . The wise Prince answer'd : I would gladly go Home , to mine owne ; and see that gouern'd so That I may keepe , what I for certaine hold . Not hazard that , for onely hop't for Gold : I left behind me , none , so all wayes fit To giue it guard ; as mine owne trust with it . Besides , in this broad course which you propose ; My Father seeking ; I my selfe may lose . VVhen this , the shrill-voic't Menelaus heard ; He charg'd his Queene and Maids , to see prepar'd Breakfast , of what the whole house held for best . To him , rose Et●●●eus from his rest ; VVhose dwelling was not farre off from the Court ; And his attendance , his command did sort , VVith kindling fires , and furth'ring all the rost , In act of whose charge heard , no time he lost . Himselfe then , to an odorous roome descended , VVhom Megapenthe , and his Queene attended . Come to his treasury ; a two-ear'd cup He chusde of all , and made his Sonne beare vp A Siluer bowle . The Queene then taking stand Aside her Chist ; where ( by her owne faire hand Lay Vests , of all hues wrought ) She tooke out one Most large , most Artfull : chiefly faire ; and shone Like to a Star ; and lay of al , the last . Then through the house , with eithers gift they past ; VVhen to Vlysses sonne , Atrides said : Telemachus : since so entirely swaid Thy thoghts are , with thy vow'd return , now tender'd ; May Iuno's thundring husband , see it render'd Perfect at all parts ; action answering thought . Of all the rich gifts , in my treasure , sought I giue thee heere , the most in grace , and best . A Bowle , but Siluer ; yet the brims comprest With Gold ; whose fabricke his desert doth bring From Vulcans hand . Presented by the King And great Heroe of Sydonia's State ; VVhen at our parting he did consummate His whole house keeping . This do thou command . This said ; he put the round Bowle in his hand ; And then , his strong son Meg●penthe plac't The Siluer cup before him ; amply grac't VVith worke , and luster . Hellen ( standing by ; And in her hand , the Robe , her huswifery ) His name remembring , said : And I present ( Lou'd sonne ) this gift to thee ; the Monument Of the so-many-loued Hellens hands : VVhich , at the knitting of thy Nuptiall bands Present thy wife . In meane space , may it ly By thy lou'd Mother ; but to me apply Thy pleasure in it . And thus , take thy way To thy faire house , and Countries wished stay . Thus gaue she to his hands , the veile ; and he , The acceptation author'd ioyfully . Which in the Chariots Chist , Pisi●ratus Plac't with the rest , and held miraculous . The yellow-headed King then , led them all , To seates and Thrones plac't , in his spacious Hall. The Hand-maid , water brought , and gaue it stream From out a faire and golden Ewre to them . From whose hands , to a siluer Caldron , fled The troubl'd waue . A bright boord then she spred : On which , another reuerend Dame set bread : To which , more seruants , store of victuals seru'd ▪ Et●onaeus was the man that keru'd ; And Megapenthe fil'd them all their wine . All fed , and dranke ; till all felt care decline For those refreshings . Both the Guests did go To horse , and coach ; and forth the Portico A little issu'd : When the yellow King Brought wine himselfe : that , with an Offering To all the Gods , they might their iourney take . He stood before the Gods ; and thus he spake . Farewell yong Princes : to graue Nestors eare This salutation from my gratitude , beare : That I professe in all our Ilion warres He stood , a carefull Father to my cares . To him the wise Vlyssides , replied : VVith all our vtmost shall be signified ( Ioue-kept Atrides ) your right royall will : A●d would to God , I could as wel fulfill Mine owne mindes gratitude , for your free grace ; In telling to Vlysses , in the place Of my returne ; in what accomplish't kind I haue obtain'd the office of a friend At your deseruings : whose faire end you crowne With gifts so many ; and of such renowne . His wish , that he might finde in his retreat His Father safe return'd ( to so repeat The Kings loue to him ) was saluted thus ; An Eagle rose ; and in her Seres did trusse A Goose , all white , & huge : A houshold one , VVhich , men and women ( crying out vpon ) Pursu'd : but she ( being neere the guests ) her flight Made on their righthand ; and kept still fore-right Before their horses : which obseru'd by them , The spirits in all their minds tooke ioyes extream ; VVhich Nestors son thus question'd : Ioue-kept King , Yeild your graue thoughts , if this ostentfull thing ( This Eagle , and this Goose ) touch vs , or you ? He put to study , and not knowing how To giue fit answer ; Hellen tooke on her Th'ostents solution , and did this prefer . Heare me , and I will play the Prophets part , As the immortals cast it in my heart ; And ( as I thinke ) will make the true sense knowne : As this Ioues Bird , from out the Mountaines flowne ( Where was her Arie ; and whence rose her race ) Trust vp this Goose , that from the house did grase ; So shall Vlysses ( coming from the wilde Of Seas and sufferings ) reach , vnreconcil'd His Natiue home : where euen this houre he is : And on those house-fed woo'rs , those wrongs of his , VVill shortly wreake , with all their miseries . O ( said Telemachus ) if Saturnian Ioue , To my desires , thy deare presage approue ; VVhen I arriue , I will performe to thee My daily vowes , as to a Deity . This said ; he vsde his scourge vppon the horse , That through the City freely made their course To Field ; and all day , made that first speed , good . But when the Sun-set , and Obscur●●●● stood In each mans way ; they ended their accesse At Pheras , in the house of Diocles , Sonne to Orsilochus , Alpheus seede ; VVho gaue them guest-rites : and sleeps naturall need They that night seru'd there . VVhen 〈◊〉 rose , They ioyn'd their horse : tooke coach , and did dispose Their course for Py●os ; whose high City , soon They reach 't . Nor would Telemachus be woon To Nestors house : and therefore order'd thus His speech to Nestors son , Pisistratus ; How shall I win thy promise to a grace That I must aske of thee ? we both imbrace The names of Bed-fellowes ; and in that name VVill glory as an Adiunct of our fame : Our Fathers friendship : our owne equall age ; And our ioynt trauaile , may the more engage Our mutuall concord . Do not then assay ( My God-lou'd friend ) to leade me from my way ▪ To my neere Ship ; but take a course direct And leaue me there ; least thy old Sires respect ( In his * desire to loue me ) hinder so My way for home , that haue such need to go . This said ; Nestorides held all discourse In his kinde soule , how best he might enforce Both promise and performance ; which , at last He vow'd to venture ; and directly cast His horse about , to fetch the Ship and Shore . Where , come : His frends most louely gifts , he bore Aboord the Ship ; and in her hin-deck plac't The vaile that Hellens curious hand had grac't ; And Menelaus Gold : and said , Away ; Nor let thy men , in any least date , stay : But quite put off , ere I get home , and tell The old Duke , you are past : for passing well I know his minde , to so exceed all force Of any pray'r ; That he wil stay your course : Himselfe make hither , All your course call backe ; And when he hath you , haue no thought to racke Him from his bounty ; and to let you part VVithout a Present : but be vext at heart With both our pleadings ; if we once but moue The least repression of his fiery loue . Thus took he coach : his faire-man'd steeds scourg'd on Along the Pylian City : and anon His Fathers Court reacht . VVhile Vlysses Sonne Bad boord , and arme ; which with a thought was done ▪ His Rowers set , and he rich Odors firing In his hin-decke ; for his secure retiring To great * Athenia : To his Ship came flying A Stranger , and a Prophet ; as relying On wished passage : hauing newly slaine A man at Argos : yet his Races vaine ●ow'd from Melampus ; who in former date In ●ylos liu'd , and had a huge estate . But fled his countrey ; and the punishing hand Of great-soul'd Neleus , in a forreigne Land From that most famous Mortall ; hauing held A world of riches : nor could be compeld To render restitution in a yeare . In meane space , liuing as close prisoner In Court of Phylacus : and for the sake Of Neleus daughter , mighty cares did take ; Together with a greeuous Languor sent From graue * Erynnis , that did much torment His vexed conscience ; yet his lifes expence He scapt , and draue the loud-voic't Oxen thence , To breed-sheepe Pylos ; bringing vengeance thus Her foule demerit , to great Neleus ; And to his Brothers house reduc't his wife : Who yet from Pylos , did remoue his life For feed-horse Argos ; where his Fate set downe A dwelling for him : and in much renowne Made gouerne many Argiues : where , a Spouse He tooke to him , and built a famous house . There had he borne to him Antiphates , And forcefull Mantius . To the first of these VVas great Oiclaeus borne : Oiclaeus gate Amph●araus , that the popular State Had all their health in : whom , euen from his heart Ioue lou'd ; and Phoebus in the whole desert Of friendship hel'd him . Yet not blest so much That Ages threshold , he did euer touch : But lost his life , by * Female bribery . Yet two sonnes author'd his posterity ; Alcinaon , and renown'd Amphilochus . Mantius had yssue ; Polyphidius , And Clytus : But Aurora rauish't him , For excellence of his admired lim ; And interested him amongst the Gods. His Brother knew , mens good and bad abods The best of all men ; after the decease Of him that perish't in vnnaturall peace At spacious Thebes . Apollo did inspire His knowing soule with a Propheticke fire . VVho ( angry with his Father ) tooke his way To Hyperesia ; where ( making stay ) He prophesied to all men ; and had there A Sonne call'd Theoclymenus ; who here Came to Telemachus ; and found abord Himselfe at Sacrifice ; whom in a word He thus saluted : O Friend , since I finde Euen heere at Ship , a sacrificing minde Informe your actions : By your sacrifice ; And by that worthy choise of Deities , To whom you offer : by your selfe , and all , These men that serue your course maritimall ; Tell one that askes , the truth : Nor giue it glose , Both who , and whence you are ? From what seed rose Your royall person ? And what Cities Tow'rs Hold habitation , to your parents pow'rs ? He answer'd : Stranger ! The sure truth is this ; I am of Ithaca ; my Father is ( Or was ) Vlysses : but austere death , now Takes his state from him ; whose euent to know , ( Himselfe being long away ) I set forth thus With ship and souldiers : Th●oclymenus , As freely said ; And I to thee am fled From forth my country ; for a man strooke dead By my vnhappy hand : who was with me Of one selfe-Tribe ; and of his pedigree Are many Friends and Brothers : and the sway Of Achiue Kindred , reacheth farre away . From whom ( because I feare their spleenes suborne Blood , and blacke fate against me ( being borne To be a wandrer among forreigne men ) Make thy faire ship , my rescue ; and sustein My life from slaughter . Thy deseruings may Performe that m●r●y : and to them I pray . Nor will I barre ( said he ) thy will to make My meanes and equall ship , thy ayde : but take ( With what wee haue heere , in all friendly vse ) Thy life from any violence that pursues . Thus tooke he in , his Lance ; and it extended Aloft the hatches ; which himselfe ascended . The Prince tooke seate at Sterne : on his right hand , Set Theoclymenus ; and gaue command To all his men , to arme ; and see made fast Amidst the hollow Keele , the Beechen Mast VVith able hal●ers ; hoise saile , lanch : which soone He saw obay'd . And then his Ship did runne A merry course : Blew-ey'd Minerua sent A fore-right gale ; tumultuous , vehement , Along the aire ; that her waies vtmost yeeld The ship might make , and plough the brackish field . Then set the Sun , and Night black't all the waies . The ship ( with Ioues wind wing'd ) wher th' Epian swaies Fetcht ●heras first : then Elis , the diuine ; And then for those Isles made , that Sea-ward shine , For forme and sharpnesse , like a Lances head . About which , lay the wooers ambushed . On which he rush't , to try if he could scape His plotted death ; or serue Her treacherous Rape . And now returne we to Eumaeus Shed ; VVhere ( at their foode with others marshalled ) Vlysses , and his noble Herdsman sate ; To try if whose loues curious estate Stood firme to his abode , or felt it fade ; And so would take each best cause to perswade His Guest to Towne ; Vlysses thus contends : Heare me , Eumaeus , and ye other Friends . Next Morne , to Towne I couet to be gone , To beg some others almes ; not still charge one . Aduise me well then ; and as well prouide I may be fitted with an honest guide . For through the streets ( since Need will haue it so ) I le tread , to try if any will bestow A dish of drinke on me , or bit of bread , Till to Vlysses house I may be led ▪ And there I le tell all-wise Penelope , newes : Mix with the wooers pride ; and ( since they vse To fare aboue the full ) their hands excite To some small Feast , from out their infinite : For which , I le waite , and play the Seruingman , Fairely enough ; command the most they can . For I will tell thee ; note me well , and heare , That if the will be of heauens Messenger , ( VVho to the workes of men , of any sort Can grace infuse , and glory ) nothing short Am I of him , that doth to most aspire In any seruice : as to builde a Fire , To cleaue sere wood : to roast , or boile their meat ; To waite at boord , mixe wine , or know the Neate ; Or any worke , in which the poore-cal'd worst , To serue the rich-cal'd best , in Fate are forc't . He , angry with him , said ; Alas poore Guest , VVhy did this counsaile euer touch thy brest ? Thou seek'st thy vtter spoyle beyond all doubt , If thou giu'st venture on the Wooers rout : VVhose wrong the force , affects the Iron heauen . Their light delights , are farre from being giuen To such graue Seruitors . Youths richly trick't In coats or Cassocks ; Lockes diuinely slickt , And lookes most rapting ; euer haue the gift To taste their crown'd cups , ●and full Trenchers shift . Their Tables euer like their Glasses shine ; Loaded with bread , with varied flesh , and wine . And thou ? go thither ? Stay : for heere do none Grudge at thy presence : nor my selfe , nor one Of all I feed . But when Vlysses sonne Againe shall greet vs , he shall put thee on Both coat and cassocke ; and thy quicke retreat Set , where thy heart and soule desire thy seat . Industrious Vlysses , gaue reply : I still much wish , that heauens chiefe Deity Lou'd thee , as I do ; that hast easde my minde Of woes and wandrings , neuer yet confin'de . Nought is more wretched in a 〈…〉 , Then Countries want , and shift from place to place . But for the banefull belly , men take care Beyond good counsaile : whosoeuer are In compasse of the wants it vndergoes , By wandrings losses , or dependant woes . Excuse me therefore , if I err'd at home : VVhich since thou wilt make heere ( as ouercome VVith thy command for stay ) I le take on me Cares appertaining to this place , like thee . Does then Vlysses Sire , and Mother breath ? Both whom he left , in th'age next doore to death ? Or are they breathlesse , and descended where The darke house is , that neuer day doth cleere ? Laertes liues ( saide he ) but euery howre Beseecheth Ioue to take from him the powre That ioynes his life and limbes : for with a mone That breeds a meruaile , he laments his sonne Depriu'd by death . And addes to that , another Of no lesse depth ; for that dead sonnes dead Mother : VVhom he a Virgin wedded : which the more Makes him lament her losse ; and doth deplore Yet more her misse , because her wombe the truer Was to his braue sonne ; and his slaughter slue her . VVhich last loue to her , doth his li●e engage , And makes him liue an vndigested age . O! such a death she died , as neuer may Seize any one , that heere beholds the day ; That either is to any man , a friend , Or can a woman kill in such a kind . As long as she had Being , I would be A still Inquirer ( since t' was deere to me , Though death to her , to heare his name ) when she Heard of Vlysses : for I might be bold ; She brought me vp , and in her loue did hold My life , compar'd with long-vail'd 〈◊〉 , Her yongest yssue ( in some small degree Her daughter yet prefer'd ) a braue yong Dame. But when of youth the dearely loued * Flame VVas lighted in vs ; marriage did prefer The maide to Samos ; whence was sent for her Infinite riches : when , the Queene bestow'd A faire new suite , new shooes , and all ; and vow'd Me to the field . But passing loth to part , As louing me , more then she lou'd her hart . And these I want now ; but their businesse growes Vpon me daily . Which the Gods impose , To whom I hold all ; giue account to them , For I see none , left to the Diadem , That may dispose all better . So , I drinke And eate of what is heere ; and whom I think VVorthy or reuerend , I haue giuen to still These kinds of Guest-ri●es : for the houshold ill ( VVhich where the Queene is , ryots ) takes her stil From thought of these things . Nor is it delight To heare from her plight ; of or worke , or word ; The woo●rs spoyle all . But yet my men , will bord Her sorrowes often , with discourse of all : Eating and drinking of the Festiuall That there is kept ; and after bring to field Such things as seruants make their pleasures yield . O me ( Eumaeus ) saide Laertes sonne , Hast thou then err'd so , of a little one ? ( Like me ? ) From friends , and country ? pray thee say , ( And say a Truth ) doth vast Destruction lay Her hand vpon the wide-way'd * Seat of men ? VVhere dwelt thy Sire , and reuerend Mother then ? That thou art spar'd there ? Or else , set alone In guard of Beeues , or Sheepe : Set th' enemy on ; Surprisde , and Shipt ? transfer'd , and sold thee heere ? He that bought thee , paid well ; yet bought not deere . Since thou enquir'st of that , my guest ( said he ) Heare and be silent : and meane space , sit free In vse of these cups , to thy most delights ; * Vnspeakable , in length now , are the Nights . Those that affect sleepe yet ; to sleepe haue leaue ; Those that affect to heare , their hearers giue . But sleep not ere your houre ; Much sleep d●th grieue . VVho euer lists to sleepe ; Away to bed : Together with the morning raise his head : Together with his fellowes , breake his fast ; And then , his Lords Herd , driue to their repast . VVe two , still in our Tabernacle heere , Drinking & eating ; will our bosomes cheere VVith memories , and tales of our annoyes . Betwixt his sorrowes , euery Humane ioyes . He most , who most hath felt ; and furthest err'd : And now thy wil ; to act , shall be preferr'd . There is an Isle aboue Ortygi● ( If thou hast heard ) they call it Syria ; VVhere , once a day , the Sun moues backwards still . T is not so great as good ; for it doth fill The fields with Oxen ; fils them still with Sheepe ; Fils roofes with wine , & makes al Come there cheap : No Dearth comes euer there ; nor no Disease , That doth , with hate , vs wretched mortals sease . But when mens varied Nations , dwelling there In any City , enter th' aged yeare : The Siluer-bow-bearer ( the Sun ) and she , That beares as much renowne for Archery ; Stoop with their painles shafts , & strike them dead , As one would sleepe , and neuer keepe the bed . In this Isle stand two Cities : betwixt whome All things , that of the soiles fertility come , In two parts are diuided . And both these , My Father ruld ; ( Ctesius Ormenides ) A man , like the immortals . With these States , The crosse-biting Phaenissians , traffick't rates Of infinit Merchandize , in ships brought there ; In which , they then , were held exempt from pere . There dwelt within my Fathers house , a Dame Borne a Phaenissian ; skilfull in the frame Of Noble Huswiferies ; right tall , and faire . Her , the Phaenissian great-wen●h-net-lai're , With sweet words circumuented , as she was VVashing her Linnen . To his amorous passe He brought her first , shor'd from his Sh●p to her ; To whom he did his whole life's loue prefer ; Which , of these brest-exposing Dames , the harts Deceiues ; though fashion'd of right honest parts . He askt her after , VVhat she was ? and whence ? She passing presently , the excellence Told of her Fathers Turrets ; and that she Might boast her selfe , sprung from the Progeny Of the rich Sydons : and the daughter was Of the much-yeare-reuennew'd Arybas . But , that the Taphian Pirats , made her prize , As she return'd from her field-huswiferies : Transfer'd her hither ; and at that mans house VVhere now she liu'd ; for value precious Sold her to th' Owner . He that stole her loue , Bad her againe , to her births seate remoue , To see the faire roofes of her friends againe ; Who still held state ▪ and did the port maintaine , Her selfe reported . She said , Be it so ; So you , and al that in your ship shall roe , Sweare to returne me , in all safety hence . All swore ; th' Oath past , with euery consequence : She bad , Be silent now ; and not a word Do you , or any of your friends afford , Meeting me afterward in any way ; Or at the washing Fount ; lest some display Be made , and told the old man : and he then Keepe me streight bound : To you , and to your men The vtter ruine , plotting of your liues . Keepe in firme thought then , euery word that striues For dangerous vtterance : Haste your ships ful freight Of what you Trafficke for ; and let me streight Know by some sent friend : * She hath all in hold , And ( with my selfe ) I le bring thence all the gold I can by all meanes finger : and beside , I le do my best , to see your freight supplide VVith some wel-weighing burthen of mine owne . For I bring vp , in house , a great mans sonne , As crafty as my selfe ; who will with me Run euery way along ; and I will be His Leader , till your Ship hath made him sure . He will an infinite great price procure Transfer him to what languag'd men ye may . This said ; She gat her home , and there made stay A whole yeare with vs ; Goods of great auaile Their Ship enriching . VVhich now , fit for saile : They sent a Messenger t' informe the Dame. And , to my fathers house a fellow came , Full of Phaenissian craft : that , to be sold A Tablet bought ; the body all of Gold , The Verge , all Amber . This had ocular view , Both by my honor'd Mother , and the crew Of her house-handmaids , handl'd ; and ●he price Beat ; askt , and promist . And while this deuice Lay thus vpon the Forge : this Ieweller Made priuy signes ( by winkes and wiles ) to her That was his obiect ; which she tooke , and he ( His signe seeing noted ) ●ied to Ship. VVhen she ( My hand still taking , as she vsde to do To walke abroad with her ) conuai'd me so Abroad with her ; and in the Portic● Found cups , with tasted Viands ; which the guests That vsde to flocke about my Fathers feasts Had left . They gone ( some to the Counsaile Court ; Some to heare newes amongst the talking sort ) Her Theft , three bowles into her lap conuaid ; And forth she went. Nor was my wit so staid To stay her , or my selfe . The Sun went downe , And shadowes round about the world were flowne , VVhen we came to the hauen ; in which did ride The swift Phaenissian Ship ; whose faire broad side They boorded straight : Tooke vs vp ; And all went Along the moyst waues . VVinde , Saturnius sent . Six dayes , we day and night sayl●d : But vvhen Ioue Put vp the seuenth day ; She , that shafts * doth loue , Shot dead the woman ; who into the pumpe Like to a Dop-chicke , diu'd ; and gaue a thumpe In her sad setling . Forth they cast her then To serue the Fish , and Sea-calues : no more Men. But I was left there , with a heauy hart . When , winde and water draue them quite apart Their owne course , and on Ithaca they fell ; And there , poore me , did to Laertes sell : And thus these eyes , the sight of this Isle prou'd . Eumaeus ( he replyed ) Thou much hast mou'd The minde in me , with all things thou hast said , And all the sufferance on thy bosome laid : Bur ( truly ) to thy ill , hath Ioue ioyn'd good , That one whose veines are seru'd with humane blood Hath bought thy seruice ; that giues competence Of food , wine ; cloth to thee . And sure th' expence Of thy lifes date heere , is of good desart . VVhose labours , not to thee alone , impart Sufficient food and housing ; but to me . VVhere I , through many a heap't humanity Haue hither err'd ; where , though ( like thee ) not sold , Not staid , like thee yet ; nor nought needfull hold . This mutuall speech they vsd ; nor had they slept Much time before ; the much-nere-morning lept To her faire throne . And now strooke saile , the men That seru'd Telemachus ; arriu'd iust then Nere his lou'd shore : wher now they stoopt the Mast , Made to the Port with Oares , and Anchor cast ; Made fast the Ship , and then ashore they went : Drest supper , fil'd wine ; when ( their appetites spent ) Telemachus commanded , they should yield The Ship to th' owner ; while himselfe , at field VVould see his shepherds : when light drew to end He would his gifts see , and to Towne descend . And in the morning , at a Feast bestow Rewards for all their paines . And whither , now ( Said Theoclymenus ) my loued Son Shall I addresse my selfe ? who●e mansion , Of all men , in this rough-hewne Isle , shall I Direct my way to ? Or go readily To thy house , and thy Mother ? He replied ; Another time , I le see you satisfied VVith my house entertainment : but as now , You should encounter none that could bestow Your fit entreaty ; and ( which lesse grace were ) You could not see my Mother , I not there . For shee 's no frequent obiect ; but apart Keepes from her wooers ; woo'd with her desart , Vp , in her chamber , at her Huswifery . But I le name one , to whom you shall apply Direct repaire ; and that 's Eurymachus , Renown'd descent , to wise Polybius : A man whom th' Ithacensians looke on now , As on a God : since he , of all that wow Is farre superior man ; and likest far To wed my mother : and as circular Be in that honor , as Vlysses was . But heauen-housd Ioue knowes , the yet hidden passe Of her disposure ; and on them he may A blacker sight bring , then her Nuptiall day . As this he vtter'd ; on his right hand flew A Saker ; sacred to the God of view : That , in his Tallons trust , and plum'd a Doue ; The Feathers round about the Ship did roue , And on Telemachus fell ; whom th'Augure then Tooke fast by 'th hand ; withdrew him from his men , And said ; Telemachus ; This Hawke is sent From God ; I knew it for a sure Ostent VVhen first I saw it . Be you well assur'd , There will no wooer be by heauen indur'd To rule in Ithaca , aboue your Race : But your pow'rs euer fill the Regall place . I wish to heauen ( said he ) thy word might stand ; Thou then shouldst soon acknowledge from my hand Such gifts & friendship , as would make thee ( Guest ) M●t , and saluted , as no lesse then ble●t . This said ; he call'd Pyraeus ( Clytus sonne ) His true associate ; saying , Thou hast done ( Of all my Followers , to the Pylian shore ) My will , in chiefe , in other things ; Once more , Be chiefly good to me : take to thy house This loued stranger ; & be studious T' embrace and greete him , with thy greatest fare , Till I my selfe come , and take off thy care . The famous for his Lance saide ; if your stay , Take time for life heere ; this mans care , I le lay On my performance ; nor what fits a Guest , Shall any penury with-hold his Feast . Thus tooke he ship ; bad them boord , and away . They boorded ; sate : but did their labour stay Till he had deckt his feete , and reacht his Lance. They to the City : he did straight aduance Vp to his Sties ; where Swine lay for him , store ; By whose sides did his honest Swine-herd snore : Till his short ●ares , his longest Nights had ended : And nothing worse , to both his Lords intended . The End of the Fifteenth Booke of Homers Odysses . THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Princ● at F●●ld ; ●e sends to Towne Eumaeus , to make truly knowne His safe returne . By Pallas will , Telemachus is giuen the skill To know his Father . Those that lay In Ambush , to preuent the way Of yong Vlyssides , for home ; Retire , with anger ouercome . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To his most deere , Vlysses●●owes ●●owes ; The wise Son heere his Father knowes . VLysses , and diuine Eumaeus rose Soone as the morning could her eyes vnclose : Made fire ; brake fast ; And to their Pasture send The gather'd Herds : on whom , their Swaines attend . The selfe-tyre barking Dogs , all fawn'd vpon ; Nor bark't , at first sight of Vlysses son . The whinings of their fawnings yet did greet Vlysses eares ; and sounds of certaine feet ; Who thus bespake Eumaeus : Sure some friend , Or one well knowne comes , that the Mastiues spend Their mouths no lowder . Onely some one neare They whine , and leape about ; whose feete I heare . Each word of this speech was not spent , before His Son stood in the entry of the dore . Out-rusht amaz'd Eumaeus : and let go The cup to earth , that he had labor'd so , Cleans'd for the neate wine : Did the Prince surprise , Kist his faire forehead : Both his louely eyes , Both his white hands ; And tender teares distil'd . There breath'd no kind-soul'd Father , that was fild Lesse with his sonnes embraces , that had liu'd Ten yeares in farre-off earth ; now new retriu'd , His onely childe too , gotten in his age : And for whose absence he had felt the rage Of griefes vpon him ; then for this diuin'd So much for forme , was this diuine for mind : VVho kist him through : who grew about him kissing , As fresh from death scapt . Whō ( so long time missing ) He wept for ioy , and said ; Thou yet art come , ( Sweet light , sweet Sun-rise ) to thy cloudy home . O ( neuer I look't ) when once shipt away For Pylos shores , to see thy turning day . Come ; enter lou'd Son ; Let me feast my hart VVith thy sweete sight ; new come , so farre apart . Nor when you liu'd at home , would you walk downe Often enough heere , but staide still at Towne : It pleas'd you then , to cast such forehand view About your house , on that most * damned crew . It shall be so then , Friend ( saide he ) but now I come to glad mine eyes with thee , and know If still my Mother , in her house remaine : Or if some wooer hath aspir'd to gaine Of her in Nuptials : for Vlysses bed , By this , lies all with Spiders cobwebs spred , In penury of him that should supply it . She still ( said he ) holds her most constant quiet , Aloft thine owne house , for the beds respect : But for her Lords sad losse ; sad nights and daies Obscure her beauties , and corrupt their raies . This said ; Eumaeus , tooke his brazen Speare ; And in he went : when , being enter'd neare VVithin the stony threshold ; From his seat , His Father rose to him : who would not let Th' old man remoue ; but drew him backe and pre●t VVith earnest termes his sitting ; Saying , Guest ; Take heere your seate againe ; we soone shall get Within our owne house heere , some othe●●ea● : Heere 's one will fetch it . This said ; downe againe His Father sate : and to his sonne , his Swaine Strew'd faire greene Osiers ; and impos'd thereon A good soft Sheepeskin , which made him a Throne . Then he appos'd to them , his last-left Roste ; And in a wicker basket , bread engro●te : Fil'd luscious wine ; and then tooke opposite seate To the diuine Vlysses . VVhen the meate Set there before them ; all fell to , and 〈◊〉 . VVhen they had fed ; the Prince said , pray thee say , Whence coms this guest ? what seaman gaue him way To this our Isle ? I hope these feete of his Could walke no water ; who boasts he , he is ? I le tell all truly Son : From ample Crete He bosts himselfe ; and sayes , his erring feete Haue many Cities trod : And God was he VVhose finger wrought in his infirmity . But , to my Cottage , the last scape of his , VVas from a Thespro●s Ship. VVhat ere he is , I le giue him you : do what you please ; His vant Is , that he is ( at most ) a suppliant . Eumaeus , ( said the Prince ) To tell me this , You haue afflicted my weake Faculties : For how shall I receiue him to my house VVith any safety ; that suspitious Of my yong forces ( should I be assaide With any sodaine violence ) may want aide To shield my selfe ? Besides , if I go home , My mother is with ●wo doubts ouercome : If she shall stay with me , and take fit care For all such guests , as there seeke guestiue fare ; Her husbands bed respecting , and her same Amongst the people : Or her blood may frame A liking to some wooer , such as best May bed her in his house ; not giuing lest . And thus am I vnsure , of all meanes free To vse a Guest there , fit for his degree . But , being thy Guest ; I le be his supply , For all weeds , such as mere necessity Shall more then furnish : Fit him with a sword , And set him where his heart would haue bene shor'd . Or ( if so pleasd ) receiue him in thy Shed : I le send thee clothes , I vow ; and all the bread His wish would eate : that to thy men and thee He be no burthen . But that I should be His meane to my house ; where a company Of wrong-professing wooers , wildly liue ; I will in no sort author ; lest they giue Foule vse to him ; and me , as grauely grieue . For what great act can any one atchieue Against a multitude ? Although his minde Retaine a courage of the greatest kinde ? For all minds haue not force in one degree . Vlysses answer'd ; O Friend , since 't is free For any man , to change fit words with thee ; I le freely speake . Me thinkes , a woluish powre My heart puts on , to teare and to deuoure ; To heare your affirmation ; that ( in spite Of what may fall on you , made opposite ; Being one of your proportion , birth , and age , These wooers should in such iniustice rage . VVhat should the cause be ? Do you wilfully Indure their spoile ? Or hath your Empery Bene such amongst your people ; that , all gather In troope , and one voice ; ( which euen God doth father ) And vow your hate so , that they suffer them ? Or blame your Kinsfolks faiths , before th'extream Of your first stroke hath tried them ? Whom a man When strifes , to blowes rise , trusts : though battel ran In huge and high waues ? would to heauen my spirit Such youth breath'd , as the man that must inherit , Yet neuer toucht Vlysses : or that he ( But wandring this way ) would but come , and see What my age could atchieue ( and there is Fate For Hope yet left ; that he may recreate His eyes with such an obiect . ) This my head Should any stranger strike off , if starke dead I strooke not all : the house in open force Entring with challenge . If their great concourse Did ouer-lay me , being a man alone ; ( VVhich you vrge for your selfe ) be you that one . I rather in mine owne house wish to dye One death for all ; then so indecently See euermore , deeds worse than death applied ; Guests , wrōg'd with vile words , & blow-giuing pride : The women-seruants dragg'd in filthy kind About the faire house ; and in corners blind Made serue the rapes of Ruffins : Food d●uour'd Idely and rudely ; wine exhaust , and pour'd Through throats prophane ; and all about a deed , That 's euer wooing , and will neuer speed . I le tell you ( Guest ) most truly , saide his Son ; I do not thinke , that all my people ron One hatefull course against me ; Nor accuse Kinsfolkes that I , in strifes of weight , might vse ▪ But Ioue will haue it so : our Race alone , ( As if made singular ) to one , and one His hand confining . Onely to the King ( Ioue-bred Arcesius ) did La●rtes spring ; Onely to old La●rtes did descend Vlysses ; onely to Vlysses end Am I the Adiunct ; whom he left so yong , That from me , to him , neuer comfort sprong . And to all these now ( for their 〈◊〉 ) arise Vp in their house , a brood of enemies . As many as in these Isles bow mens k●●●s ; Samos , Dulychius , and the rich in Tr●●s Zacynthus : Or in this rough Isles command , So many suiters for the Nuptials stand , That aske my Mother ; and meane space , prefer Their lusts to all spoile , that dishonor her . Nor doth she ( though she loaths ) deny their suites ; Nor they denials take , though taste their fruites . But all this time , the sta●e of all things there Their throats deuoure ; and I must shortly beare A part in all ; and yet the periods Of these designes , lye in the knees of Gods. Of all Loues then , Eumaeus ; make quicke way To wise Penelope ; and to her , say My safe returne from Pylos ; and alone Returne thou hither , hauing made it knowne . Nor let ( besides my Mother ) any eare Partake thy Message ; since a number beare My safe returne displeasure . He replied ; I know , and comprehend you ; you diuide , Your minde with one that vnderstands you well . But , all in one yet ; may I not reueale To th' old hard-fated * Arcesiades Your safe returne ? who through his whole distres Felt for Vlysses , did not yet so grieue , But with his houshold , he had will to liue ; And seru'd his appetite , with wine , and food ; Surueigh'd his husbandry , and did his blood Some comforts fitting life : But since you tooke Your ship for Pylos , he would neuer brooke , Or wine , or food , they say ; nor cast an eye On any labour : but sits weeping by ; And sighing out his sorrowes , ceasselesse mones Wasting his body , turn'd all skin and bones . More sad newes still ( said he ) yet ; mourne he still : For if the rule of all mens workes be will , And his will , his way goes : mine stands inclin'd T' attend the home-turne of my * neerer kind . Do then , what I inioyne , which giuen effect ; Erre not to field to him , but turne direct . Entreating first my Mother , with most speed ; And all the secrecy that now serues Neede , To send this way their store-house Guardian , And she shall tell all to the aged * Man. He tooke his shooes vp ; put them on , and went. Nor was his absence , hid from Ioues descent , Diuine Minerua : who tooke straight , to view , A goodly womans shape , that all workes knew : And , standing in the entry , did prefer Her sight t' Vlysses . But ( though meeting her ) His sonne Telemachus , nor saw , nor knew : The Gods cleere presences , are knowne to few . Yet ( with Vlysses ) euen the Dogs did see , And would not barke ; but , whining louingly , Fled to the Stals farre side . VVhere She , her eine Moou'd to Vlysses . He knew her designe , And left the house , past the great Sheep-cotes wall , And stood before her . She bad , Vtter all Now to his sonne ; nor keepe the least vnlosde : That all the wooers deaths being now disposde , They might approach the Towne ; Affirming , she Not long would faile , t' assist to victory . This said ; She laide her golden Rod on him ; And with his late-worne weeds grac't euery lim . His body straitn'd , and his youth instill'd ; His fresh blood call'd vp : euery wrinkle fill'd About his broken eyes ; and on his chin The browne haire spred . When his whole trim wrought in ; She yssu'd ; and he enter'd to his sonne : VVho stood amaz'd ; & thought some God had done His house that honor : turn'd away his eyes , And sayd ; Now Guest , you grace another guise Then suites your late shew ; Other weeds you weare , And other person . Of the starry spheare You certainly present some deathlesse God. Be pleasd , that to your here vouchsaf't abod VVe may giue sacred rites , and offer Gold To do vs fauour . He replied : I hold No deified state . VVhy put you thus on me A Gods resemblance ? I am onely he That beares thy Fathers name : for whose lou'd sake , Thy youth so grieues : whose absence makes thee take , Such wrong● of men . Thus kist he him ; nor could Forbeare those teares , that in such mighty hold He held before : still held , still yssuing euer . And now ( the shores once broke ) the springtide neuer Forbore earth from the cheekes he kist . His sonne , ( By all these violent arguments ; not wonne To credit him his Father ) did deny His kinde assumpt : and said , Some Deity Fain'd that ioyes cause , to make him grieue the more : Affirming , that no man , whoeuer wore The garment of mortality , could take ( By any vtmost power , his soule could make Such change into it : since at so much will , Not Ioue himselfe , could both remoue , and fill Old age , with youth ; and youth , with age so spoile In such an instant . You wore all the soile Of age but now , and were old : And but now You beare that yong grace that the Gods indow Their heauen-borne formes withall . His father saide : Telemachus ? Admire , nor stand dismaide : But know thy solid Father ; since within , He answeres all parts , that adorne his skin . There shall no more Vlyss●sses come heere . I am the man , that now this twentith yeare ( Stil vnder sufferance of a world of ill ) My count●ey earth , recouer : 'T is the will The Prey-professor Pallas puts in act ; VVho put me thus together ; thus distract , In aged pieces , as euen now you saw , This youth now rendring . 'T is within the law Of her free pow'r . Sometimes to shew me pore ; Sometimes againe , thus amply to restore My youth , and Ornaments ; She still would please . The God● can raise , and throw men downe , with ease . This said ; he sat : when his Telemachus pour'd Himselfe about him : Teares on teares , he shour'd : And to desire of mone , increast the cloud : Both wept & howl'd , & laide out shrieks more loud ; Then or the Bird-bone-breaking Eagle reres ; Or Brood-kind Vulture with the crooked Seres , VVhen rusticke hands , their tender Aries draw , Before they giue their wings their full-plum'd Law. But miserably pour'd they from beneath Their lids , their teares : while both their breasts did breath As frequent cries : & to their feruent mone , The light had left the skies ; if first the sonne Their dumbe mones had not vented , with demand VVhat Ship it was , that gaue the naturall land To his blest feet ? He then , did likewise lay Hand on his passion ; and gaue these words way . I le tell thee truth , my sonne ; The men that beare Much fame for shipping , my Reducers were To long-wisht Ithaca ; who each men els , That greets their shore , giue passe to where he dwels . The Phaeacensian Peeres , in one nights date , ( VVhile I fast slept ) fetcht th' Ithacensian state : Grac't me with wealthy gifts : Brasse , store of Gold , And Robes faire wrought : All which haue secret hold In Caues , that by the Gods aduice , I chusde . And now , Minerua's admonitions vsde For this retreat ; that we might heere dispose In close Discourse , the slaughters of our foes . Recount the number of the wooers then ; And let me know what name they hold with men : That my minde , may cast ouer their estates A curious measure ; & conferre the rates Of our two pow'rs , and theirs : to try , if we Alone , may propagate to victory Our bold encounters of them all , or proue The kind assistance of some others loue . O Father ( he replied ) I oft haue heard Your counsailes , and your force of hand prefer'd To mighty glory : But your speeches now , Your ventrous minde , exceeding mighty show . Euen to amaze they moue me : for in right Of no fitte counsaile , should be brought to fight , Two men , 'gainst th' able faction of a throng . No one two , o one ten ; No twice ten strong These wooers are : but more by much . For know , That from Dulychius there are fifty two ; All choise yong men : and euery one of these Six men attend . From Samos crost the Seas Twice twelue young Gallants . From Zacynthus came Twice ten . Of Ithaca , the best of name Twice six . Of all which , all the State they take , A sacred Poet , and a Herald make . Their delicacies , two ( of speciall sort In skill of banquets ) serue . And all this port If we shall dare t' encounter ; all thrust vp In one strong roose : haue great care lest the cup Your great mind thirsts , exceeding bitter taste ; And your retreat , commend not to your haste Your great attempt ; but make you say , you buy Their prides reuenges , at a price too hy . And therefore ( if you could ) t' were well you thought Of some assistent . Be your spirit wrought In such a mans election , as may lend His succours freely , and expresse a Friend His Father answer'd : Let me aske of thee ; Heare me , consider ; and then answer me . Think'st thou if Pallas , and the King of skies We had to Friend ; would their sufficiencies Make strong our part ? Or that some other yet My thoughts must worke for ? These ( saide he ) are set Aloft the clouds ; and are sound aydes indeed : As pow'rs not onely , that these men exceed ; But beare of all men else the high command ; And hold , of Gods , an ouer-ruling hand . VVell then ( said he ) not these shall seuer long Their force and ours , in fights assur'd , and strong . And then , twixt vs , and them , shall Mars prefer His strength ; to stand our great distinguisher ; When , in mine owne Roofes , I am forc't to blowes . But when the day , shall first her fires disclose ; Go thou for home , and troope vp with the woo'rs ; Thy wil with theirs ioind ; pow'r with their rude powrs And after , shall the Herdsman guide to Towne My steps ; my person wholly ouer-growne With all apparance of a poore old Swaine , Heauy , and wretched . If their high disdaine Of my vile presence ; make them , my desert Affect with contumelies ; let thy loued heart Beate in fixt confines of thy bosome still , And see me suffer , patient of their ill . I , though they drag me by the heeles , about Mine owne free earth , and after hurle me out ; Do thou still suffer . Nay , though with their Darts They beate , and bruise me ; beare . But these foul parts Perswade them to forbeare ; and by their names Cal all with kinde words : bidding , for their shames Their pleasures cease . If yet they yeeld not way ; There breakes the first light of their fatall day . In meane space , marke this : VVhen the chiefly wise Minerua prompts me ; I le informe thine eies VVith some giuen signe ; & then , all th' armes that are Aloft thy Roofe , in some neere roome prepare For speediest vse . If those braue men enquire Thy end in all ; still rake vp all thy fire In faire coole words : and say ; I bring them downe To scoure the smoke off ; being so ouer-growne That one would thinke , all fumes that euer were . Breath'd since Vlysses losse , reflected here . These are not like the armes , he left behinde In way for Troy. Besides , Ioue prompts my minde In their remoue apart thus , with this thought : That , if in heighth of wine , there should bee wrought Some harsh contention twixt you ; this apt meane To mutual bloodshed , may be taken cleane From out your reach ; and all the spoile preuented Of present Feast : perhaps , euen then presented My Mothers Nuptials , to your long kinde vowes . Steele it selfe , ready ; drawes a man to blowes . Thus make their thoughts secure ; to vs alone Two Swords , two Darts ; two shields left ; which see done VVithin our readiest reach ; that at our will VVe may resume , and charge ; And all their skil , Pallas and Ioue , that all iust counsailes breath ; May darken , with securenesse , to their death . And let me charge thee now , as thou art mine ; And as thy veines mine owne true blood combine : Let ( after this ) none know Vlysses nere . Not any one of all the houshold there ; Not here , the Herdsman : Not Laertes be Made priuy : nor her selfe , Penelope . But onely let thy selfe , and me worke out The womens thoughts , of all things borne about The wooers hearts : and then thy men approue , To know who honors , who with reuerence loue Our well-weigh'd Memories ; and who is won To faile thy fit right , though my onely Son. You teach ( saide he ) so punctually now , As I knew nothing ; nor were sprung from you . I hope , heereafter , you shall better know VVhat soule I beare ; and that it doth not let The least loose motion , passe his naturall seat . But this course you propose , will proue , I feare , Small profit to vs ; and could wish your care VVould weigh it better , as too farre about . For Time will aske much , to the sifting out Of each mans disposition , by his deeds . And , in the meane time , euery wooer feeds Beyond saciety ; nor knowes how to spare . The women yet , since they more easie are For our enquiry ; I would wish you try VVho right your state , who do it iniury . The men I would omit : and these things make Your labour , after . But to vndertake The wooers warre ; I wish your vtmost speede , Especially , if you could cheere the deed , VVith some Oftent from Ioue . Thus ( as the Sire Consented to the Son ) did heere expire Their mutuall speech . And now the Ship was come That brought the yong Prince , & his soldiers home . The deepe Hauen ( reacht ) they drew the Ship ashore ; Tooke all their Armes out , and the rich Gifts bore To Clitius house . But to Vlysses Court They sent a Herald first , to make report To wise Penelope , that safe at field Her Son was left : yet since the Ship would yield Most hast to her ; he sent that first ; and them To comfort with his vtmost , the extream He knew she suffer'd . At the Court , now met The Herald , and the Herdsman ; to repeat One message to the Queene . Both whom ( arriu'd VVithin the gates : ) Both to be formost striu'd In that good Newes . The Herald , he for hast Amongst the Maids bestow'd it ; thinking plac'st The Queene amongst them . Now ( said he ) O Queen , Your lou'd Son is arriu'd . And then was seene The Queene her selfe : To whom the herdsman ●ould All that Telemachus inioyn'd he should . All which discharg'd ; his steps , he backe bestowes , And left , both Court and City , for his Sowes . The wooers then grew sad ; soule-vext , and all Made forth the Court. When , by the mighty wall , They tooke their seuerall seate , before the gates ; To whom Eurymachus , initiates Their vtter'd greeuance . O ( sayd he ) my Friends ; A worke right great begun , as proudly ends ▪ VVe said , Telemachus should neuer make His voyage good ; nor this shore euer take For his returnes receipt : and yet we faile , And he performes it . Come , let 's man a Saile The best in our election ; and bestow Such souldiers in her , as can swiftest row : To tell our friends , that way-lay his retreat 'T is safe perform'd : and make them quickly get Their ship for Ithaca . This was not said , Before Amphinomus in Port displaid The ship arriu'd : her sailes then vnder stroke , And Oares resum'd . VVhen laughing , thus he spoke : Moue for no messenger : these men are come ; Some God hath either told his turning home , Or they themselues haue seene his ship gone by : Had her in chase , and lost her . Instantly They rose , and went to Port : found drawne to Land The Ship ; the souldiers taking Armes in hand . The woo'rs themselues , to counsaile went , in throng : And not a man besides , or old , or yong , Let sit amongst them . Then Eupitheus Sonne ( Antinous ) said : See what the Gods haue done : They onely , haue deliuered from our ill The men we way-laid ; euery windy hill Hath bin their watch-tow'r ; where by turns they stood Continuall Sentinell . And we made good Our worke as well : For ( Sun , once set ) we neuer Slept winke ashore , all night ; But made saile euer This way , and that ; euen till the morning kept Her sacred Station ; so to intercept And take his life , for whom our ambush lay ; And yet hath God , to his returne giuen way . But let vs prosecute with counsailes , here His necessary death : nor any where Let rest his safety ; for if he suruiue , Our sailes will neuer , in wisht Hauens arriue . Since he is wise , hath soule , and counsaile to To worke the people , who will neuer do Our faction fauour . What we then intend Against his person , giue we present end Before he call a counsaile ; which , beleeue His spirit will hast , & point where it doth greeue ▪ Stand vp amongst them all , and vrge his death Decreed amongst vs. Which complaint , will breath A fire about their spleenes ; and blow no praise On our ill labours . Lest they therefore raise Pow'r to exile vs from our Natiue earth , And force our liues societies to the birth Of forreigne countries : let our speeds preuent His comming home , to this austere complaint ; ( At field and farre from Towne , or in some way Of narrow passage : ) with his latest day Shewne to his forward youth : his goods and lands , Left to the free diuision of our hands : The Moouables made al , his Mothers dowre , And his who-euer , Fate affoords the powre To celebrate with her , sweet Hyme●s rites . Or if this please not ; but your appetites Stand to his safety , and to giue him ●eate In his whole birth-right ; let vs looke to eate At his cost neuer more : but euery man Haste to his home : and wed with whom he can At home ; and there , lay first about for dowre , And then the woman giue his second powre Of Nuptiall liking : And , for last , apply His purpose , with most gifts , and destiny . This , silence caus'd ; whose breach , at last , begon Amphinomus , the much renowned Son Of Nisus , surnam'd Aretiades ; VVho from Dulychius ( full of flowry Leas ) Led all the wooers ; and in chiefe did please The Queene with his discourse ; because it grew From rootes of those good mindes that did indue His goodly person : who ( exceeding wi●e ) Vs'd this speech : Friends , I neuer will adui●e The Princes death : for 't is a damned thing To put to death the yssue of a King. First therefore , let 's examine , what applause The Gods will giue it . If the equall Lawes Of Ioue approoue it , I my selfe will be The man shall kill him ; and this companie Exhort to that minde : If the Gods remaine Aduerse , and hate it ; I aduise , refraine . This said Amphinomus , and pleas'd them all : VVhen all arose , and in Vlysses Hall Tooke seate againe . Then , to the Queene was come The wooers plot , to kill her sonne at home : Since their abroad designe had mist successe . The Herald Medon ( who the whole addresse Knew of their counsailes ) making the report . The Goddesse of her sex , with her faire sort Of louely women ; at the large Hals dore ( Her bright cheekes clouded , with a veile shee wore ) Stood , and directed to Antinous Her sharpe reproofe ; which she digested thus : Antinous ? composde of iniury , Plotter of mischiefe ? Though reports that flye Amongst our Ithacensian people ; say That thou , of all that glory in their sway , Art best in words and counsailes ; Th' art not so . Fond , busie fellow , why plott'st thou the wo And slaughter of my Son ? and dost not feare The Presidents of suppliants ? when the eare Of Ioue stoopes to them ? 'T is vniust to do Slaughter for slaughter ; or pay woe , for wo : Mischiefe for kindnesse ; Death for life sought then , Is an iniustice to be loath'd of men . Serues not thy knowledge , to remember when Thy Father fled to vs ; who ( mou'd to wrath Against the Taphian theeues ) pursu'd with scath The guiltlesse Thesprots ; in whose peoples feare , Pursuing him for wreake , he landed here . They after him , professing both their prize Of all his chiefly valew'd Faculties , And more priz●d life . Of all whose bloodiest ends Vlysses curb'd them , though they were his frends . Yet thou , like one that no Law will allow The least true honor , eat'st his house vp now That fed thy Father : woo'st for loue , his wife , VVhom thus thou grieu'st ; & seek'st her sole sons life . Ceasse , I command thee ; and command the rest , To see all thought of these foule fashions eeast . Eurymachus replyed ; Be confident , Thou all of wit made ; the most fam'd descent Of King Icarius : Free thy spirits of feare : There liues not any one ; nor shall liue here Now , nor hereafter ; while my life giues heat And light to me on earth ▪ that dares entreat VVith any ill touch , thy well-loued Sonne ; But heere I vow , and heere will see it done , His life shall staine my Lance. If on his knees The City-racer , * Laert●ades , Hath made me sit ; put in my hand his foode , And held his red wine to me : shall the bloode Of his Telemachus , on my hand lay The least pollution , that my life can stay ? No : I haue euer charg'd him not to feare Deaths threat from any ; And for that most deare Loue of his Father , he shall euer be Much the most lou●d , of all that liue to me . Who kils a guiltlesse man , from Man may flye ; From God his searches , all escapes deny . Thus cheer'd his words ; but his affections still Fear'd not to cherish foule intent to kill , Euen him , whose life to all liues he prefer'd . ●he Queene went vp ; and to her loue appear'd Her Lord so freshly ; that she wept , till sleepe ( By Pallas forc't on her ) her eyes did steepe In his sweet humor . When the Euen was come , The God-like Herdsman reacht the whole way home . Vlysses and his Son , for supper drest A yeare-old Swine ; and ere their Host and Guest Had got their presence ; Pallas had put by With her faire rod , Vlysses royalty ; And render'd him , an aged man againe , VVith all his vile Integuments ; lest his Swaine Should know him in his trim , & tell his Queene , In these deepe secrets , being not deeply seene . He seene ; to him , the Prince these words did vse : VVelcome diuine Eumaeus ; Now what newes Imployes the City ? Are the wooers come Backe from their Scout dismaid ? Or heere at home VVill they againe attempt me ? He replied , These touch not my care ; I was satisfied To do , with most speed , what I went to do ; My message done , returne . And yet , not so Came my newes first ; a Herald ( met with there ) Fore-stal'd my Tale , and told how safe you were . Besides which meerely necessary thing ; What in my way chanc't , I may ouer-bring , Being what I know , and witnest with mine eyes . Where the Hermaean Sepulcher doth rise Aboue the City : I beheld take Port A Ship ; and in her , many a man of sort : Her freight was shields and Lances ; and , me thought They were the wooers : but of knowledge , nought Can therein tell you . The Prince smil'd , and knew They were the●wooers ; casting secret view Vpon his Father . But what they intended Fled far the Herdsman : whose Swaines labors ended , They drest the Supper ; which , past want , was eat . VVhen all desire suffic'd , of wine , and meat ; Of other humane wants , they tooke supplies At Sleepes soft hand ; who sweetly clos'd their eies . The End of the xvi . Booke . THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . TElemachus return'd to Towne , Makes to his curious mother knowne In part , his Trauailes . After whome Vlysses to the Court doth come , In good Eumaeus guide ; and preast To witnesse of the Wooers Feast ▪ Whom ( though twice ten yeares did bestow In farre off parts ) his Dog doth know . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vlysses showes through all disguise : Whom his dog knowes ; who knowing dies . BVt when aires rosie birth ( the Morne ) arose , Telemachus did for the Towne dispose His early steps ; and tooke to his command His faire long Lance , well sorting with his hand . Thus , parting with Eumaeus : Now my friend , I must to Towne ; lest too farre I extend My Mothers mone for me : who till her eyes Mine owne eyes witnesse ; varies teares and cries Through all extreames . Do then this charge of mine , And guide to Towne this haplesse guest of thine ; To beg else-where his further Festiuall : Giue , they that please , I cannot giue to all : Mine owne wants take vp for my selfe my paine . If it incense him , he the worst shall gaine ; The louely truth I loue , and must be plaine . Alas Friend ( saide his Father ) nor do I Desire at all your further charity . 'T is better beg in Cities , then in Fields , And take the worst a beggers fortune yields . Nor am I apt to stay in Swine-sties more How euer : euer the great Chiefe before The poore Rankes must , to euery step obay . But goe ; your man , in my command shall sway : Anon yet to , by fauor ; when your fires Haue comforted the colde heat , age expires ; And when the Suns flame , hath besides corrected The early aire abroad ; not being protected By these my bare weeds , from the mornings frost ; Which ( since so much ground is to be engrost By my poore feete as you report ) may giue Too violent charge , to th' heat by which I liue . This saide ; his Sonne went on , with spritely pace , And to the wooers , studied little grace . Arriu'd at home ; he gaue his Iaueline stay Against a lofty Pillar ; and bold way Made further in . When , hauing so farre gone That he transcended , the fayre Porch of Stone ; The first by farre , that gaue his entry , eye VVas Nurse Euryclea ; who th'embrodery Of Stooles there set ; was giuing Cushions faire : VVho ranne vpon him , and her rapt repaire Shed teares for ioy . About him gather'd round The other Maides ; his head , and shoulders , croun'd VVith kisses and embraces . From aboue The Queene her selfe came , like the Queene of Loue ; Or bright Diana : Cast about her Sonne Her kinde embraces : with effusion Of louing teares ; kist both his louely eyes , His cheekes , and forehead ; and gaue all supplies With this entreaty : Welcome sweetest light ; I neuer had conceite , to set quicke sight On thee thus soone ; when thy lou'd fathers fame As farre as Pylos , did thy spirit enflame : In that search ventur'd all vnknowne to me . O say , By what power cam'st thou now to be Mine eyes deare obiect ? He return'd reply , Moue me not now : when you my scape descry From iminent death ; to thinke me fresh entrapt ; The fear'd wound rubbing , felt before I scap't . Double not needlesse passion , on a heart VVhose ioy so greene is , and so apt t' inuert : But pure weeds putting on , ascend and take Your women with you : that yee all may make Vowes of full Hecatombs , in sacred fire To all the God-heads ; If their onely Sire Vouchsafe reuenge of guest-rites wrong'd , which hee Is to protect , as being their Deity . My way shall be directed to the hall Of common Concourse , that I thence may call A stranger ; who from off the Pylian shore Came friendly with me ; whom I sent before VVith all my souldiers ; but in chiefe did charge Pyraeus with him , wishing him t' enlarge His loue to him , at home , in best affaire , And vtmost honors , till mine owne repaire . Her Son , thus spoken ; his words could not beare The wings too eas●ly through her either eare : But putting pure weeds on ; made vowes entire Of perfect Hecatombes , in sacred fire To all the Deities ; if their onely Sire Vouchsaft reuenge of guest-rites , wrong'd ; which he VVas to protect , as being their Deity . Her Son left house : In his faire hand , his Lance ; His dogs attending , and on euery glance His lookes cast from them ; Pallas put a grace That made him seeme of the celestiall race . Whom ( come to concourse ) euery man admir'd : About him throng'd the wooers , and desir'd All good to him in tongue● ; but in their hearts Most deepe ils threatn'd , to his most deserts . Of whose huge rout , once free ; he cast glad eie On some , that long before his infancie , VVere with his Father , great , and gracious : Graue Halytherses , Mentor , Antiphus ; To whom he went : tooke seate by them . And they Enquir'd of all things , since his parting day . To them Pyraeus came , and brought his Guest Along the City thither ; whom not left The Prince respected ; nor was long before He rose and met him : The first word yet ; bore Pyraeus from them both : whose haste , besought The Prince to send his women , to see brought The Gifts from his house , that Atrides gaue , VVhich , his own roofes , he thought , wold better saue . The wise Prince answer'd , I can scarse conceiue The way to these workes . If the wooers reaue By priuy Stratagem , my life at home : I rather wish , Pyraeus may become The Maister of them , then the best of these . But , if I sowe in their fields of excesse , Slaughter , and ruine ; then thy trust imploy , And to me ioying , bring thou those with ioy . This said ; he brought home his grief-practisd Guest ; VVhere both put off , both oyl'd , and did inuest Themselues in rich Robes ; washt , and sate , and eate . His Mother , in a faire chaire , taking seate Directly opposite : her Loome applied ; VVho ( when her Son and Guest , had satisfied Their appetites with feast ) said ; O my Sonne , You know , that eue● since your Sire was wonne To go in Agamemnons guide to Troy ; Attempting sleepe , I neuer did inioy One nights good rest ; but made my quiet bed A Sea blowne vp with sighes ; with teares still shed Embrew'd and troubl'd : yet , though all your misse In your late voyage , hath bene made for this , That you might know th' abode your Father made . You shun to tell me what successe you had . Now then , before the insolent accesse The wooers straight will force on vs ; expresse What you haue heard . I will ( saide he ) and true . VVe came to Py●os , where the studious due That any Father could affoord his Son ; ( But new arriu'd ▪ from some course he had ron To an extreame length , in some voyage vow'd ) Nestor , the Pastor of the people , show'd To me arriu'd , in turrets thrust vp hye ; VVhere not his braue Sons , were more lou'd then I. Yet of th' vnconquer'd euer-Sufferer Vlysses ; neuer he could set his eare Aliue , or dead , from any earthy man. But to the great Lacedemonian ( Atri●es , famous for his Lance ) he sent VVith horse and Chariots ; Me , to learne th' euent From his Relation ; where I had the view Of Argine Hel●en , whose strong beauties drew ( By wils of Gods ) so many Grecia● States ▪ And Troians , vnder such laborious fates . Where Menelaus ask't me , what affai●e To Lacedemon , render'd my repaire . I told him all the truth : who made reply ▪ O deed of most abhor'd indecency ! A sort of Impotents attempt his bed , VVhose strength of minde , hath Cities leuelled ? As to a Lyons den , when any Hinde Hath brought her yong Calues , to their rest inclinde ; When he is ranging hils , and hearby dal●s , To make , of Feeders there , his Festiuals : But turning to his luster ; Calues , and Dam , He shewes abhorr'd death , in his angers flame : So ( should Vlysses finde this rabble , housd In his free Turrets , courting his espousd ) F●ule death would fall them . O , I would to Ioue , Phoebus , and Pallas , that ( when he shall proue The broad report of his exhausted store , True with his eyes ) his Nerues and Sinewes wore That vigor then , that in the Lesbian Tow'rs ( Prouok't to wrastle with the iron powrs Philomelides vanted ) he approu'd ; VVhen , downe he hurl'd his Challenger , and mou'd Huge shouts from all the Achiues then in view . If , once come home , he all those forces drew About him there to worke : they all were dead , And should finde bitter his attempted bed . But , what you aske and sue for , I ( as far , As I haue heard , the true-spoke Marinar ) VVill tell directly ; nor delude your eare . He told me , that an Island did enspheare ( In much discomfort ) great Laertes sonne ; And that the Nymph Calypso ( ouer-ronne VVith his affection ) kept him in her Caues , Where men , nor Ship , of pow'r to brook the waues , VVere neere his conuoy to his countries Shore ▪ And where her selfe , importun'd euermore His quiet stay ; which not obtain'd , by force , She kept his person from all else recourse . This told Atrides ; which was all he knew ; Nor staid I more : but from the Gods there blew A prosperous winde , that set me quickly heere . This put his Mother , quite from all her cheere : VVhen Theoclymenus the Augu●e , said : O woman , honour'd with Vlysses bed : Your Son , no doubt , knowes cleerely nothing more ▪ Heare me yet speake , that can the truth vncore ; Nor will be curious . Ioue then , witnesse beare , And this thy Hospitable Table 〈◊〉 , VVith this whole houshold of 〈…〉 That , at this houre , his royall 〈…〉 On his lou'd countrey earth ; 〈…〉 Comming , or creeping , 〈…〉 These wooers make ; and in his 〈…〉 Seeds , that shall thriue to 〈…〉 This , set a ship-boord , 〈…〉 And cried it out , to your 〈◊〉 Penelope replied ; VVould 〈…〉 You well should witnesse a most 〈…〉 And gifts such of me , as 〈…〉 Should greete you with , a blessed 〈…〉 This mutuall speech , past : all the 〈…〉 Hurling the stone , and 〈…〉 Before the Pallace , in the 〈…〉 VVhere other-whil●● , their 〈…〉 Sate plotting iniuries . But when 〈…〉 Of Supper enter'd ; and the 〈…〉 Brought sheepe from field , that fil'd vp euery way VVith those that vsde to furnish that puruay ; Medon , the Herald ( who of all the rest Pleasd most the wooers and at euery Feast VVas euer neere ) said ; You whose kind consort Make the faire branches of the Tree , our Court ; Grace it within now , and your Suppers take . You that for health , and faire contentions sake Wil please your minds ; know , bodies must haue meat ; Play 's worse then idlenesse , in times to eate . This said ; all left ; came in ; cast by , on Thrones And Chaires , their garments . Their prouisions VVere Sheepe , Swine , Goats ; the chiefly great & fat . Besides an Oxe , that from the Herd they gat . And now , the King and Herdsman , from the field , In good way were to Towne : Twixt whom was held Some walking conference ; which thus begun The good Eumaeus : Guest , your will was wun , ( Because the Prince commanded ) to make way Vp to the City ; though I wisht your stay , And to haue made you Gaurdian of my stall : But I , in care and feare , of what might fall , In after anger of the Prince ; forbore . The checkes 〈◊〉 Princes , touch their subiects sore . But make we hast , the day is neerely ended ; And cold ayres still , are in the Euen extended . I know 't ( said he ) consider all ; your charge Is giuen to one that vnderstands at large . Haste then : heereafter , you shall leade the way ; Affoord your Staffe to , if it fit your stay , That I may vse it ; since you say , our passe Is lesse friend to a weake foot , then it was . Thus cast he on his ne●●e , his nasty 〈◊〉 , All patcht and torne : A cord that would not slip For knots , and bracks , about the mouth of it , Made serue the turne : and then his Swaine did 〈◊〉 His forc't state with a staffe . Then 〈◊〉 they hard Their way to towne : Their Cottage 〈…〉 To Swaines and Dogs . And now , 〈…〉 The King along : his garments to a thred All bare , and burn'd ; and he 〈…〉 Vpon his staffe ▪ at all parts 〈…〉 And sad old begger . But when now they got The rough high-way ; their voyage 〈…〉 Much , of the City : where a Fount they reacht , From whence the Towne their choisest water fetcht , That euer ouer-flow'd ; and curious Art VVas shewne about it : In which , 〈…〉 part ; VVhose names , Neritus and Polyctor were , And famous Ithacus . It had a Sphere Of poplar , that ranne round about the wall ; And into it , a lofty Rocke let fall , Continuall supply of coole cleare streame : On whose top , to the Nymphs that were supreme In those parts loues ; a stately Altar rose ; VVhere euery Trauailer , did still impose Deuoted sacrifice . At this fount , found These silly Trauailers , a man renown'd For guard of Goats , which now he had in guide ; VVhose huge● stor'd Herd , two herdsment kept beside : For all Herds it exceld ; and bred a feed For wooers onely . He was Dolius seede , And call'd Melanthius . VVho casting eye One these two there , he chid them terribly : And so past meane , that euen the wrethed fate , Now on Vlysses , he did irritate . His fume to this effect , he did pursue : VVhy so ; t is now at all parts passing true , That ill leades ill : good euermore doth traine VVith like , his like : VVhy thou vnenuied Swaine , VVhither dost thou leade this same victles Leager ? This bane of banquets ; this most nasty begger ? VVhose sight doth make one sad , it so abhorres ; VVho with his standing in so many doores , Hath broke his backe ; and all his beggery tends To beg base crusts , but to no manly ends ; As asking swords , or with actiuity To get a Caldron VVouldst thou giue him me , To farme my Stable , or to sweepe my yarde , And bring brouse to my kids ; and that prefer'd , He should be at my keeping for his paines , To drinke as much ●hey , as his thirsty veynes VVould still be swilling ( whey made all his fees ) His monstrous belly , would oppresse his knees . But he hath learn'd to leade ba●e life about ; And will not worke , but crouch among the rout ; For broken meate , to cram his bursten gut . Yet this I le say ; and he will finde it put In sure effect ; that if he enters where Vlysses roofes cast shade ; the stooles will there About his eares flye ; all the house wil throw ; And rub his ragged sides , with cuffes enow . Past these reuiles ; his manlesse rudenesse spurn'd Diuine Vlysses ; who , at no part turn'd His face from him , but had his spirit fed VVith these two thoghts ; If he should strike him dead VVith his bestowed staffe : or at his feete Make his direct head , and the pauement meete . But he bore all , and entertain'd a brest , That in the strife of all extremes did rest . Eumaeus , frowning on him ; chid him yet ▪ And lifting vp his hands to heauen , he set This bitter curse at him : O you that beare Faire name to be the race of Iupiter , Nymphes of these Fountaines ! If Vlysses euer Burn'd thighes to you ; that hid in fat , did neuer Faile your acceptance , of or Lambe , or Kid ; Grant this grace to me ; let the man thus hid Shine through his dark fate : make som God his guide ; That , to thee ( Goat-herd ) this same Pallats pride , Thou driu'st afore thee ; he may come and make The scatterings of the earth ; and ouer-take Thy wrongs , with forcing thee to euer erre About the City , hunted by his feare . And in the meane space , may some slothfull Swaines , Let lowsie sicknesse gnaw thy Cattels Vaines . O Gods ! ( replyed Melanthius ) what a curse Hath this dog barkt out ; and can yet , do wurse ? This man , shall I haue giuen into my hands , VVhen , in a well-built Ship , to farre-off Lands I shall transport him : That ( should I want 〈◊〉 ) My sale of him , may finde me victels there . And ( for Vlysses ) would to heauen , his ioy The Siluer-bearing● bow-God , would destroy , This day , within his house ; as sure as he The day of his returne shall neuer see . This said , he left them , going silent on ; But he out-went them , and tooke straight vpon The Pallace royall , which he enter'd straight ; Sat with tho wooers , and his Trenchers fraight The Keruers gaue him , of the flesh there v●nted : But bread , the reuerend Buttleresse presented . He tooke , against Eurymachus , his place ; VVho most of all the wooers , gaue him grace . And now , Vlysses and his Swaine got nere : VVhen , round about them , visited their eare The hollow Harpes delicious-stricken string ; To which , did Phaemius ( neere the wooers ) sing . Then , by the hand , Vlysses tooke his Swaine , And saide , Eumaeus ? One may heere see plaine ( In many a grace ) that * Laertiades Built heere these Turrets ; and ( mongst others these ) His whole Court arm'd , with such a goodly wall : The Cornish , and the Cope , Maiesticall : His double gates , and Turrets , built too strong For force , or vertue , euer to expugne . I know , the Feasters in it , now abound , Their Cates cast such a sauour ; and the sound The Harpe giues , argues , an accomplisht Feast ; The Gods made Musicke , Banquets deerest Guest . These things ( said he ) your skill may tell with ease , Since you are grac't with greater knowledges . But now , consult we , how these workes shall sort , If you will first approch this praised Court , And see these wooers ( I remaining here ) Or I shall enter , and your selfe forbeare . But be not you , too tedious in your stay Lest thrust ye be , and buffeted away . Braine hath no fence for blowes ; looke too 't I pray . You speake to one that comprehends ( said he ) Go you before ; and heere , aduenture me . I haue of old , bene vsde to cuffes and blowes ; My minde is hardn'd ; hauing borne the throwes Of many a soure euent , in waues , and wars ; Where knockes and buffets are no Forreinats . And this same harmefull belly , by no meane , The greatest Abstinent , can euer weane . Men suffer much Bane , by the Bellies rage ; For whose sake , Ships in all their equipage Are arm'd , and set out to th'vntamed Seas ; Their bulkes full fraught with ils to enemies . Such speech they chang'd : when in the yeard there lay A dogge , call'd Argus ; which , before his way Assum'd for Ilion ; Vlysses bred ; Yet stood his pleasure then , in little sted ; ( As being too yong ) but growing to his grace , Yong men made choise of him for euery Chace ; Or of their wilde Goats , of their Hares , or Harts . But , his King gone ; and he , now past his parts ; Lay all abiectly on the Stables store , Before the Oxe-stall , and Mules stable dore , To keepe the clothes , cast from the Pessants hands , While they laide compasse on Vlysses Lands : The Dog , with Tickes ( vnlook't to ) ouer-growne . But , by this Dog ▪ no sooner seene , but knowne VVas wise Vlysses , who ( new enter'd there ) Vp went his Dogs laide eares ; and ( comming nere ) Vp , he himselfe rose , fawn'd , and wag'd his Sterne ; Coucht close his eares , and lay so : Nor descerne Could euermore his deere-lou'd Lord againe . Vlysses saw it ; nor had powre t' abstaine From shedding tears : which ( far-off seeing his Swain ) He dried from his sight cleane ; to whom , he thus His griefe dissembled : 'T is miraculous , That such a Dog as this , should haue his laire On such a dunghill ; for his forme is faire . And yet , I know not , if there were in him Good pace , or parts , for all his goodly lim . Or he liu'd empty of those inward things , As are those trencher-Beagles , tending Kings ; VVhom for their pleasures , or their glories ●ake , Or fashion ; they into their fauours take . This Dog ( said he ) was seruant to one dead A huge time since . But if he bore his head ( For forme and quality ) of such a hight , As when Vlysses ( bound for th' Ilion fight , Or quickly after ) left him : your rapt eyes VVould then admire , to see him vse his Thyes , In strength , and swiftnes . He would nothing flye , Nor any thing let scape . If once his eye Seiz'd any wilde beast , he knew straight his scent : Go where he would , away with him he went. Nor was there euer any Sauage stood Amongst the thickets of the deepest wood Long time before him , but he pull'd him downe ; As well by that true hunting to be showne In such vaste couerts ; as for speed of pace In any open Lawne ; For in deepe chace , He was a passing wise , and well-nos'd Hound . And yet is all this good in him vncroun'd With any grace heere now . Nor he more fed Then any errant Curre . His King is dead , Farre from his country ; and his seruants are So negligent , they lend his Hound , no care . Where Maysters rule not , but let Men 〈◊〉 ; You neuer there , see honest seruice done . That Man 's halfe vertue , Ioue takes quite away , That once is Sun-burn'd with the seruile day . This said ; he enter'd the well-builded Towers , Vp bearing right vpon the glorious wooers ; And left poore Argus dead . His Lords first sight , Since that time twenty yeares , bere●t his light . Telemachus , did farre the first behould Eumaeus enter ; and made signes he should Come vp to him . He ( noting ) came , and tooke On earth , his seate . And then , the Maister Cooke Seru'd in more banquet : Of which ; part he set Before the wooers ; part the Prince did get : VVho sate alone ; his Table plac't aside ; To which , the Herald did the bread diuide . After Eumaeus , enter'd straight the King , Like to a poore , and heauy aged thing : Bore hard vpon his staffe ; and was so clad , As would haue made his meere beholder sad . Vpon the Ashen floore , his limbes he spred ; And gainst a Cypresse threshold staid his head ; The tree wrought smooth , and in a line direct , Tried by the Plumbe , and by the Architect . The Prince then bad the Herdsman giue him bread , The finest there : and see , that prostrated At-all-parts-plight of his , giuen all the cheare His hands , could turne to : Take ( saide he ) and beare These cates to him ; and bid him beg of all These wooers heere ; and to their feastiuall Beare vp with all the impudence he can ; Bashfull behauiour , fits no needy Man. He heard , and did his will : Hold Guest ( saide he ) Telemachus commends these cates to thee : Bids thee beare vp , and all these woo'rs implore ; Wit must make Impudent , whom Fate makes pore . O Ioue ( said he ) do my poore pray'rs the grace , To make him blessed'st of the mortall race : And euery thought now , in his generous heart , To deeds that further my desires conuert . Thus tooke he in , with hoth his hands his store ; And in the vncouth Scrip that lay before His ill-shod feete , repos'd it : whence he fed All time the Musicke to the Feasters plaid . Both ioyntly ending . Then began the woo'rs To put in old act , their tumultuous pow'rs . When Pallas standing close , did prompt her frend , To proue how farre the bounties would extend Of those proud wooers ; so , to let him try , Who most , who least , had learn'd humanity . Howeuer , no thought toucht Mineruaes minde , That any one should scape his wreake design'd . He handsomly became all ; crept about To euery wooer ; held a forc't hand out : And all his worke , did in so like a way , As he had practis'd begging many a day ▪ And though they knew , all beggers could do this , Yet they admir'd it , as no deede of his ; Though farre from thought of other : vs'd expence And pitty to him : who he was , and whence , Enquiring mutually . Melanthius then : Heare me , ye wooers of the farre-fam'd Queen , About this begger : I haue seene before This face of his ; and know for certaine more : That this Swaine brought him hither . What he is , Or whence he came , flies me . Reply to this Antinous made ; and mockt Eumaeus thus . O thou renowned Herdsman , why to vs Brought'st thou this begger ? Serues it not Our hands , That other Land-leapers , and Cormorands ( Prophane poore knaues ) lye on vs , vnconducted , But you must bring them ? So amisse instructed Art thou in course of thrift , as not to know Thy Lords goods wrackt , in this their ouer-flow ? VVhich , thinkst thou nothing , that thou calst in these ? Eumaeus answer'd ; Though you may be wise , You speak not wisely : VVho cals in a Guest That is a guest himselfe ? None cal to Feast Other then men that are of publique vse : Prophets , or Poets , whom the Gods produce ; Physitians for mens ils ; or Architects . Such men , the boundlesse earth affoords respects Bounded in honour ; and may call them wel : But poore men , who cals ? Who doth so excell In others good , to do himselfe an ill ? But all Vlysses seruants haue bene still Eye-sores in your waie , more then all that woo ; And cheefly I. But what care I , for you ? As long as these roofes , hold as thrals to none , The wi●e Penelope , and her God-like Sonne . Forbeare ( said he ) and leaue this tongues bold ill ; Antinous vses to be crossing still , And giue sharpe words : his blood that humor beares , To set men stil together by the eares . But ( turning then t' Antinous ) O ( saide he ) You entertaine a Fathers care of me ; To turne these eating guests out : T is aduise Of needful vse for my poore faculties . But God doth not allow this : There must be Some care of poore men , in humanitie . What you your selues take ; giue ; I not enuy , But giue command that hospitality Be giuen al strangers : Nor shal my pow'rs feare , If this mood in me , reach my Mothers eare ; Much lesse the seruants , that are heere to see Vlysses house kept , in his old degree . But you beare no such mind ; your wits more cast To fill your selfe , then let another tast . Antinous answer'd him ; Braue spoken man ! VVhose minds free fire , see check't , no vertue can ; If all we wooers heere , would giue as much As my minde serues ; his * Larges should be such As would for three months serue his farre off way From troubling your house , with more cause of stay . This said ; he tooke a stoole vp , that did rest Beneath the boord , his spangled feete at feast : And offer'd at him : But the rest , gaue all , And fil'd his fulsome Scrip with Festiuall . And so Vlysses for the present , was , And for the future furnisht ; and his passe Bent to the doore , to eate . Yet could not leaue Antinous so : but said ; Do you to giue ( Lou'd Lord ) your presence , makes a shew to me , As you not worst were of the company , But best ? and so much , that you seeme the King : And therefore , you should giue some better thing , Then bread , like others . I will spred your praise Through all the wide world ; that haue in my daies Kept house my selfe ; and trod the wealthy waies Of other men , euen to the Title , Blest ; And often haue I giuen an erring Guest ( How meane soeuer ) to the vtmost gaine Of what he wanted : kept whole troopes of men ; And had all other commings in ; with which Men liue so well , and gaine the fame of Rich. Yet Ioue consum'd all : he would haue it so : To which , his meane was this ; he made me go Farre off , for Egypt , in the rude consort Of all-waies-wandring Pyrats ; where , in Port I bad my lou'd men , draw their Ships ashore , And dwell amongst them ▪ Sent out some t'explore Vp to the Mountaines ; who ( intemperate , And their inflam'd bloods , bent to satiate ) Forrag'd the rich fields ; hal'd the women thence , And vnwean'd children , with the foule expence Both of their fames , and bloods . The cry then flew Straight to the City ; and the great fields grew With horse , and foot ; and flam'd with iron armes ; VVhen Ioue ( that breaks the Thunder in Alarmes ) An ill flight cast amongst my men : Not one Inspir'd with spirit , to stand , and turne vpon The fierce pursuing foe : and therefore stood Their ill fate thicke about them : some in blood , And some in bondage : Toiles led by constraint Fasting vpon them . Me , along they sent To Cyprus , with a stranger Prince they met , Dmetor Iasides ; who th' Imperiall seat Of that sweete Island , swaid in strong command ; And thus feele I heere , Needs contemned hand . And what God sent ( saide he ) this suffering bane To vex our banquet ? Stand off ; nor prophane My boord so boldly , lest I shew thee here , Cyprus and Egypt , made more soure then there . You are a sawcy set fac't Vagabond . About with all you go ; and they , beyond Discretion giue thee , since they finde not heere The least proportion set downe to their cheere . But euery Fountaine hath his vnder floods ; It is no Bounty , to giue others goods . O Gods ( replied Vlysses ) I see now , You beare no soule , in this your goodly show ; Beggers at your boord , I perceiue , should get Scarse salt from your hands , if thē selues broght meat : Since , sitting where anothers boord is spread , That flowes with feast ; not to the broken bread VVill your allowance reach . Nay then ( said he , And look't austerely ) I● so saucy be Your suffer'd language , I suppose , that cleere You shall not scape without some broken cheere . Thus rapt he vp a stoole , with which he smit The Kings right shoulder , 'twixt his necke , and it . He stood him like a rocke : Antinous dart Not stirr'd Vlysses : who , in his great hart Deepe ils proiected ; which , for time yet , close He bound in silence ; shooke his head , and went Out to the Entry , where he then gaue vent To his ●ull scrip ; sate on the earth , and eate , And talk't still to the wooers : heare me yet Ye wooers of the Queene . It neuer greeues A man to take blowes , where for Sheepe , or Beeues , Or other maine possessions , a man fights : But for his harmefull belly , this man smites , VVhose loue to many a man , breeds many a wo. And if the poore haue Gods , and Furies to ; Before Antinous weare his Nuptiall wreath , He shall be worne vpon the dart of death . Harsh Guest ( saide he ) sit silent at your meate , Or seeke your desperate plight some safer seate ; Lest by the hands , or heeles , youths drag your yeares , And rend your rotten ragges about your eares . This made the rest , as highly hate his folly , As he had violated something holy . VVhen one ( euen of the proudest ) thus began : Thou dost not nobly , thus to play the man On such an errant wretch : O ill dispos'd ! Perhaps some sacred God-head goes enclos'd Euen in his abiect outside : For the Gods Haue often visited these rich abods Like such poore stranger Pilgrims ; since their pow'rs ( Being alwayes shapefull ) glide through Townes and Tow'rs ; Obseruing as they passe stil , who they be That piety loue , and who impiety . This , all men said ; But he held sayings cheape : And all this time Telemachus did heape Sorrow on sorrow , on his beating hart To see his Father stricken ; yet let part No teare to earth , but shooke his head , and thought As deepe as those ils , that were after wrought . The Queen now hearing of her poore guests stroke ; Said to her Maid , ( as to her wooer she spoke ) I wish the famous for his Bow , the Sun VVould strike thy heart so . Her wish ( thus begun ) Her Lady , faire Eurynome pursude Her execration ; and did thus conclude : So may our vowes call downe from heauen , his end ; And let no one life of the rest , extend His life till morning . O Eurynome ( Replied the Queene ) may all Gods speake in thee : For all the wooers , we should rate as foes ; Since all their weales , they place in others woes . But this Antinous , we past all , should hate , As one resembling blacke and cruell Fate . A poor strange wretch ; beg'd here , compel'd by need : Askt all , and euery one gaue in his deed ; Fill'd his sad Scrip , and eas'd his heauy wants : Onely this man , bestow'd vnmanly tants ; And with a cruell blow ( his force let flye ) 'Twixt necke and shoulders , shew'd his charity . These minds ( aboue ) she and her Maids did show ; VVhile , at his scrip , Vlysses sate below . In which time , she Eumaeus call'd , and said : Go , good Eumaeus , and see soone conuaid The stranger to me : Bid him come and take My salutations for his welcomes sake ; And my desire serue , if he hath not heard Or seene distrest Vlysses ? who hath err'd Like such a man ; and therefore chance may fall , He hath , by him bene met , and spoke withall . O Queene ( saide he ) I wish to heauen , your eare Were quit of this vnreuerend noise you heare From these rude wooers ; when I bring the guest : Such words , your eare , would let into your brest As would delight it , to your very heart . Three nights and dayes , I did my Roofe impart To his fruition ; ( for he came to me The first of all men , since he fled the Sea ) And yet he had not giuen a perfect end To his relation , of what woes did spend The spight of Fate on him : * But as you see A Singer , breathing out of Deity Loue-kindling lines ; when all men seated nere , Are rapt with endlesse thirst , to euer heare : So swee●n'd he , my bosome , at my meate ; Affirming that Vlysses was in Crete , VVhere first the memories of Minos were , A Guest to him , there dwelling , then as deare As his true Father : and from thence , came he Tir'd on with sorrowes ; tost from sea to sea ; To cast himselfe in dust , and tumble heere At wooers feete , for blowes , and broken cheere . But , of Vlysses ( where the Thesprots dwell , A wealthy people ) Fame , he sayes , did tell The still suruiuall : who his Natiue light VVas bound for now ; with treasure infinite . Call him ( sayd she ) that he himselfe may say This , ouer to me . We shall soone haue way Giuen by the wooers : They , as well at Gate , As set within doores , vse to recreate Their high-fed spirits . As their humors leade , They follow ; and may well ; for still they treade Vncharg'd waies here ; their own welth lying vnwasted In poore-kept houses : onely something tasted Their bread and wine is , by their houshold Swaines : But they themselues , let loose continuall Reines To our expences ; making slaughter still Of Sheepe , Goats , Oxen ; feeding past their fill ; And vainly lauishing our richest wine . All these extending past the sacred line . For here liues no man , like Vlysses now To curbe these ruines : But should he once show His country light , his presence ; He and his VVould soone reuenge these wooers iniuries . This said ; about the house , in ecchoes , round , Her Sons strange Neesings made a horrid ●ound ; At which , the Queene yet laught , and said ; Go● call The stranger to me : Heardst thou not to all My words last vtter'd , what a Neesing brake From my Telemachus ? From whence I make This sure conclusion ; That the death , and fate Of euery wooer heere , is neere his date . Call then the Guest ; and if he tel as trew VVhat I shal aske him ; Cote , cloke , all things new These hands shal yeeld him . This said ; down he went And told Vlysses , that the Queene had sent To call him to her ; that she might enquire About her husband , what her sad desire Vrg'd her to aske : and if she found him true , Both cote , and cassocke ( which he needed ) new Her hands would put on him ; And that the Bread VVhich now he begg'd amongst the commune tread ; Should freely feed his hunger now from her ; VVho , all he wisht , would to his wants prefer . His answer was ; I will with fit speed , tell The whole truth to the Queene ; For , passing well I know her Lord ; since he and I haue shar'd In equall sorrowes . But I much am scar'd With this rude multitude of wooers here ; The rage of whose pride , smites h●auens brazē sphere : Of whose rout , when one strooke me for no fault ; Telemachus , nor none else , turn'd th' assault From my poore shoulders . Therfore though she hast ; Bese●ch the Queene , her patience , will see past The dayes broad light ; and then , may she enquire . 'T is but my closer preasing to the fire In th●Euenings cold ; because , my weeds , you know Are passing thin : For I made bold to show Their brackes to you , and pray'd your kinde supply . He heard , and hasted ; and met instantly The Queene vpon the pauement in his way : Who askt ; what ? bringst thou not 〈…〉 Finde his austere supposes ? Takes 〈…〉 Of th'vniust wooers ? Or thus hard 〈…〉 On any other doubt the house obiect● ? He does me wrong ; and giues 〈…〉 To his fear'd safety . He does right ( said 〈◊〉 ) And what he feares , should moue the policie Of any wise one ; taking care to shun The violent wooers ; He bids bide , til Sun Hath hid his broad light : and , beleeue it , Queene , T' will make your best course : since you two , vnseene May passe th' encounter : you to speake more free ; And he , your eare gaine , lesse distractedly . The Guest is wise ( said she ) and well doth giue The right thought vse . Of all the men that liue , Life serues none such , as these proud wooers are , To giue a good man , cause to vse his care . Thus ( all agreed ) amongst the wooers goes Eumaeus to the Prince ; and ( whispering close ) Said ; Now , my Loue , my charge shall take vp me , ( Your goods , and mine ) VVhat here is , you must see I● fit protection . But , in chiefe , regard Yo●r owne deere safegard ; whose state , study hard , Lest sufferance seize you . Many a wicked thought Conceale these wooers ; whom iust Ioue see brought To vtter ruine , ere it touch at vs. So chance it , Friend ( replyed Telemachus ) Your Beuer taken , go : in first of day Come , and bring sacrifice , the best you may . To me , and to th'immortals , be the care Of whatsoeuer heere , the safeties are . This said ; he sate in his elaborate Throne . Eumaeus ( fed to satisfaction ) Went to his charge ; left both the Court and wals , Full of secure , and fatall Festiuals . In which , the wooers pleasures still would sway : And now begun , the Euens nere-endin● day . The End of the Seauententh Booke of Homers Odysses . THE EIGHTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses , and Rogue Irus fight . Penelope , vouchsafes her sight To all her Wooers : who present Gifts to her ; rauisht with content . A certaine Parle then we sing , Betwixt a Wooer , and the King. Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Beggers gle● , the Kings high fame ; Gifts giuen to see a vertuous Dame. THere came a commune Begger to the Court ; Who , in the City , begg'd of all resort : Excell'd in madnesse of the gut ; drunke , eate Past intermission : was most hugely great ; Yet had no fiuers in him , nor no force : In sight , a Man ; In mind , a liuing Corse . His true name , was Arnaeus : for his mother Impos'd it from his birth . And yet another The City youth would giue him ( from the course He after tooke ; deriu'd out of the force That Need held on him : which was vp , and downe To run on all mens errands through the Towne ) VVhich sounded , Irus . VVhen whose gut was come , He needs would barre Vlysses his owne home , And fell to chiding him : Old man ( saide he ) Your way out of the Entry , quickly see Be with faire Language taken ; lest your stay But little longer , see you dragg'd away . See Sir : Obserue you not , how all these make Direct signes at me ? Charging me to take Your heeles , and drag you out ? But I take shame . Rise yet , y' are best ; lest we two play a game At cuffes together . He bent browes , and saide : VVretch ! I do thee no ill ; nor once vpbraide Thy presence with a word ; nor what mine eye By all hands sees thee giuen , one thought enuy : Nor shouldst thou enuy others . Thou mayst see The place will hold vs both ; and seem'st to me A Begger like my sels : which who can mend ? The Gods giue most , to whom they least are Friend : The cheefe goods Gods giue , is in good to end . But to the hands strife , of which y' are so free , Prouoke me not , for feare you anger me ; And lest the old man , on whose scorne you stood , Your lips and bosome , make shake hands in blood . I loue my quiet well , and more will loue To morrow then to day . But if you moue My peace beyond my right ; the warre you make , Will neuer after giue you will to take Vlysses house into your begging walke . O Gods ( saide he ) how volubly doth talke This eating gulfe ? And how his fume breakes out , As from an old crackt Ouen ? whom I will clout So bitterly ; and so with both hands mall His chaps together ; that his teeth shall fall , As plaine seene on the earth , as any Sowes That ruts the Corne-fields , or deuoures the Mowes . Come ; close we now , that all may see , what wrong An old man tempts , that takes at cuffes , a yong . Thus in the entry of those lofty Tow'rs , These two , with al splene , spent their iarring pow'rs : Antinous tooke it ; laught , and saide ; O Friends We neuer had such sport : This Guest contends VVith this vaste Begger , at the Buffets fight ; Come , ioyne we hands , and screw vp all their spight . All rose in Laughters ; and about them , bore All the ragg'd rout of beggers at the dore . Then mou'd Antinous the victors hire To all the woo'rs thus : There are now at fire Two brests of Goat : both which , let Law set downe Before the man , that wins the dayes renowne , With all their fat and greauie : And of both The glorious Victor , shal preferre his tooth , To which he makes his choise of , from vs all ; And euer after , banquet in our Hall , VVith what our boords yeeld : Not a Begger more Allow'd to share ; but all keepe out at dore . This he proposd ; and this they all approu'd ; To which Vlysses answer'd : O most lou'd , By no meanes should an old man ; and one old In chiefe with sorrowes , be so ouer-bold To combat with his yonger : But alas , Mans-owne-ill-working belly , needs will passe This worke vpon me ; and enforce me too To beate this fellow . But then , you must doo My age no wrong , to take my yongers part , And play me foule play ; making your strokes smart Helpe his to conquer : for you easly may With your strengths crush me . Do then right , & lay Your Honors on it , in your oaths , to yield His part no aide ; but equall leaue the field . All swore his will. But then Telemachus , His Fathers scoffes , with comforts serious , Could not but answer , and made this reply . Guest ! If thine owne powers cheere thy victory , Feare no mans else , that will not passe it free : He fights with many , that shall touch but thee . I le see thy guest● right paide : Thou heere art come In my protection : and to this , the summe Of all these wooers ( which Antinous are And King Eurymachus ) conioyne their care . Both vow'd it . VVhen Vlysses , laying by His vpper weed , his inner beggery Nere shew'd his shame : which he , with rags preuēted Pluckt from about his Thighes ; and so presented Their goodly sight , which were so white , and great , And his large shoulders , were to view , so set By his bare rags ; his armes , his breast and all , So broad , and brawny ( their grace naturall Being helpt by Pallas , euer standing nere ) That all the wooers , his admirers were Beyond all measure : mutuall whispers , driuen Through all their cluster , saying ; Sure as heauen , Poore Irus pull'd vpon him , bitter blowes . Through his thin Garment , what a Thigh he showes ? They said ; But Irus felt . His Cow-herd minde VVas mou'd at roote . But now , he needs must finde Facts to his brags ; and forth at all parts ●it The seruants brought him ; all his artires smit VVith feares , and tremblings . VVhich Antinous saw , And saide ; Nay , now too late comes feare ; No Law , Thou shouldst at first haue giuen thy braggart vaine , Nor should it so haue swell'd , if terrors straine Thy spirits to this passe ; for a man so old , And worne with penuries , that still lay hold On his ragg'd person . Howsoeuer , take This vow from me , for firme ; That if he make Thy forces stoope ; and proue his owne supreame ; I le put thee in a Ship , and downe the streame Send thee ashore , where King Echetus raignes , ( The roughest tyrant , that the world containes ) And he will slit thy Nostrils , crop each eare ; Thy shame cut off , and giue it dogges to teare . This shook his Nerues the more . But both were now Brought to the Lists ; and vp did either throw His heauy fists . Vlysses , in suspence To strike so home , that he should fright from thence His Cow-herd soule ( his trunke laide prostrate there : ) Or let him take more leisure to his feare , And stoope him by degrees . The last , shew'd best , To strike him slightly ; out of feare the rest Would else discouer him . But ( peace now broke ) On his right shoulder , Irus laide his stroke . Vlysses strooke him , iust beneath the eare , His iaw-bone broke , and made the blood appeare . VVhen straight , he strew'd the dust , and made his crie Stand for himselfe ; with whom , his teeth did lie , Spit with his blood out : and against the ground His heeles lay sprawling . Vp the hands went round Of all the wooers ; all at point to dye VVith violent laughters . Then the King did ply The Beggers feete , and dragg'd him forth the Hall Along the Entry , to the gates , and wall : Where leauing him , he put into his hand A Staffe , and bad him there vse his command On Swine , and Dogs ; and not presume to be Lord of the guests , or of the Beggery : Since he , of all men , was the scum and curse : And so , bad please with that , or fare yet wurse . Then cast he on his scrip , all patcht , and rent , Hung by a rotten cord ; and backe he went To greete the Entries threshold with his seat . The wooers throng'd to him , and did entreat VVith gentle words his conquest ; laughing still : Pray'd Ioue , and all the Gods , to giue his will VVhat most it wisht him ; and would ioy him most , Since he so happily had cleer'd their cost Of that vnsauoury morsell ; whom they vow'd To see with all their vtmost haste bestow'd Aboord a ship ; and for Epirus sent To King Echetus : on whose Throne was spent The worst mans seat that breath'd . And thus was grac't Diuine Vlysses : who with ioy embrac't Euen that poore conquest . Then was set to him The goodly Goats breast promist ( that did swim In fat and greauy ) by Antinous . And from a Basket ( by Amphinomus ) VVas two Breads giuen him ; who ( besides ) renown'd His banquet , with a golden Goblet cround , And this high salutation : Frolicke , Guest ; And be those riches that you first possest Restor'd againe , with full as many ioyes , As in your poore state , I see now annoyes . Amphinomus ( saide he ) you seeme to me Exceeding wise , as being the progeny Of such a Father , as autentique Fame Hath told me was so : One of honour'd name , And great reuennues in Dulychius ; His faire name , Nisus . He is blazon'd thus ; And you to be his Sonne ; his wisedome ●eyring , As well as wealth : his state , in nought empairing . To proue which , all waies ; let me tell you this ( As warning you to shun the miseries That follow full states , if they be not held With wisedome still at full ; and so compeld To courses , that abode not in their browes , By too much swindge , their sodaine ouerthrowes ) Of all things breathing , or that creepe on earth ; Nought is more wretched then a human● Birth . Bless'd men , thinke neuer , they can cursed be , While any power lasts , to moue a knee . But when the blest Gods , make them feele that smart , That fled their Faith so ; as they had no ●art , They beare their sufferings ; and , what wel they might Haue cleerly shun'd , they then meet in despight . The Minde of Man flyes stil out ●f his way , Vnlesse God guide , and prompt it , euery day . I thought me once , a blessed man with men ; And fashion'd me , to all so counted then : Did all iniustice like them ; what for Lust , Or any pleasure , neuer so vniust I could by powre , or violence , obtaine ; And gaue them both in all their powres the raigne : Bold of my Fathers , and my Brothers still ; VVhile which held good , my Arts seem'd neuer ill . And thus is none , held simply , good or bad ; But as his will is either mist , or had . Al goods , Gods gifts man cals , how ere he gets them : And so takes all , what price so ere , God sets them . Saies nought , how ill they come ; nor will controule That Rauine in him , though it cost his soule . And these parts here , I see these wooers play , Take all that fals ; and all dishonors lay On that mans Queen , that ( tell your frends ) doth bear No long times absence , but is passing neare . Let God then , guide thee home ; lest he may mee●● In his returne , thy vndeparted feete . For when he enters , and sees men so rude , The quarrell cannot but in blood conclude . This said ; he sacrific'd ; then drunke , & then Referr'd the giuen Boule , to the guide of men ; VVho walk't away , afflicted at his heart ; Shook head , and fear'd , that these facts wold conuert To ill in th' end . Yet had not grace to flie : Minerua staid him , being ordain'd to die Vpon the Lance of yong Vlyssi●es . So , downe he sate ; and then did Pallas please T' incline the Queenes affections , to appeare To all the wooers ; to extend their cheare To th' vtmost lightning , that still vshers death : And made her put on all the painted sheath , That might both set her wooers fancies hye ; And get her greater honor in the eye Euen of her Son & Soueraigne , then before . VVho laughing yet ( to shew her humor bore No serious appetite to that light show ) She told Eurynome , that not till now She euer knew her entertaine desire To please her wooers eyes ; but oft on fire She set their hate , in keeping from them still ; Yet now she pleas'd t' appeare : though from no will To do them honor ; vowing she would tell Her son that of them , that should fit him well To make vse of : which was , not to conuerse Too freely with their pride ; nor to disperse His thoughts amongst them , since they vs'd to giue Good words ; but through them , ill intents did driue . Eurynome replied : With good aduise You vow his counsaile , & your open guise . Go then , aduise your Son ; nor keepe more close Your cheekes , stil drown'd in your eyes ouerflowes . But bathe your body , & with Balmes make cleere Your thickn'd count'nance ; Vncomposed cheare , And euer mourning , will the Marrow weare . Nor haue you cause to mourn ; your Son hath now Put on that vertue , which ( in chiefe ) your vow VVisht ( as your blessing ) at his birth , might decke His blood & person . But forbeare to speake Of Baths , or Balmings , or of beauty , now ( The Queene replyed ) lest ( vrging comforts ) you Discomfort much : because the Gods haue wonne The spoile of my lookes , since my Lord was gone . But these must serue . Cal hither then , to me Hippodamia , & Antono● ; That those our traine additions may supply Our owne deserts . And yet besides , Not I ( VVith all my age ) haue learn'd the boldnesse yet T' expose my selfe to men , vnlesse I get Some other Gracers . This said ; forth she went To call the Ladies ; and much spirit spent To make their vtmost speed : for now , their Queene VVould both her selfe shew , & make them be seene . But now Minerua other proiects laid ; And through Icarius * daughters Veines conuaid Sweet sleepes desire . In whose soft fumes , inuolu'd She was as soone as laid ; and quite dissolu'd Were all her Lineaments . The Goddesse then Bestow'd immortall gifts on her , that men Might wonder at her beauties ; and the beames That glister in the deified supreames , She cleer'd her mourning count'nance vp withall . Euen such a radiance , as doth round empall Crown'd * Cytherea , when her order'd places , Conduct the Beuy of the dancing Graces , She added to her owne : more plumpe , more hie , And fairer than the polisht Iuory , Rendring her parts , and presence . This grace done , Away the Deity flew ; and vp did ronne Her louely-wristed Ladies , with a noise That blew the soft chaines from her sleeping ioyes . When she , her faire eyes wip't ; and ( gasping ) saide : O me vnblest ! How deep a sweet sleepe spread His shades about me ? VVould Diana pleas'd To shoot me with a death no more diseas'd , As soone as might be : that no more my mone Might waste my blood , in weepings neuer done ; For want of that accomplisht vertue spher'd In my lou'd Lord , to all the Greekes prefer'd . Then she descended with her Maids , and tooke Place in the Portall ; whence her beamy looke Reacht eu'ry wooers heart . Yet cast she on So thin a veyle , that through it quite there shone A grace so stolne , it pleasd aboue the cleere , And sunke the knees of euery wooer there . Their minds so melted , in loues vehement fires , That to her bed she heightn'd all desires . The Prince then coming neere , she said ; O Son , Thy thoughts & iudgements haue not yet put on That constancy , in what becomes their good VVhich all expect in thee : thy yonger blood Did sparkle choicer spirits . But , arriu'd At this ful growth , wherein their Forme hath thriu'd Beyond the bounds of child-hood , ( and when now ) Beholders should affirme , This man doth grow Like the rare son of his matchles Sire , ( His goodlinesse , his beauty , and his fire Of soule aspir'd to ) thou mak'st nothing good Thy Fate , nor fortune ; nor thy height of blood , In manage of thy actions . What a deed Of foule desert , hath thy grosse sufferance freed Beneath thine owne Roofe ? A poore stranger here Vs'd most vnmanly ! How will this appeare To all the world ; when Fame shall trumpet out , That thus , and thus , are our guests beate about Our Court vnrighted ? T is a blaze will show Extreamly shamefull , to your name , and you . I blame you not , O Mother ( he replide ) That this cleere wrong sustain'd by me , you chide : Yet know I , both the good and bad of all ; Being past the yeares , in which yong errors fall . But ( all this knowne ) skill is not so exact To giue ( when once it knowes ) things fit their fact . I wel may doubt the prease of strangers here ; Who , bent to ill , and onely my Nerues nere , May do it in despight . And yet the iarre Betwixt our guest and Irus , was no warre Wrought by the wooers ; nor our guest sustain'd VVrong in that action ; but the conquest gain'd . And would to Ioue , Minerua , and the Sun , That all your woo'rs , might serue Contention For such a purchase as the Begger made ; And wore such weak heads : Some should death inuade Strew'd in the Entry ; some imbrew the hall , Till euery man had vengeance capitall ; Sattl'd like Irus at the Gates ; his head Euery way nodding ; like one forfeited To reeling Bacchus ; Knees , nor feete , his owne , To beare him where hee 's better lou'd or knowne . Their speeches giuen this end , Eurymachus Began his Court-ship , and exprest it thus . Most wise Icarius daughter ; If all those That did for Colchos ventrous saile dispose , For that rich purchase ; had before but seene Earths richer prize , in th' Ithacensian Queene , They had not made that voyage ; but to you , Would all their vertues , and their Beings vow . Should all the world know what a worth you store , To morrow then to day ; and next light , more Your Court should banquet ; since to all Dames , you Are far preferr'd ; both for the grace of show , In Stature , Beauty ; Forme in euery kinde Of all parts outward ; and for faultlesse minde . Alas ( said she ) my Vertue , Body , Forme , The Gods haue blasted , with that onely storme That rauisht Greece to I●ion ; since my Lord ( For that warre ship't ) bore all my goods abord : If he ( return'd ) should come , and gouerne here My life 's whole state ; the grace of all things there His guide would heighten , as the spirit it bore : VVhich dead in me , liues ; giuen him long before . A sad course I liue now ; heauens sterne decree VVith many an ill , hath numb'd and deaded me . He tooke life with him , when he tooke my hand , In parting from me to the Troian strand : These words my witnesse ; VVoman ! I conceiue That not all th' Achiues bound for Troy , shall leaue Their Natiue earth , their safe returned bones ; Fame saying , that Troy traines vp approued sonnes In deeds of Armes : Braue putters off of shafts : For winging Lances , Maisters of their crafts ; Vnmatched Riders ; swift of foot ; and streight Can arbitrate a warre of deadliest weight : Hope then , can scarse fill all with lifes supply ; And of all , any failing ; why not I ? Nor do I know , if God hath marshall'd me Amongst the safe-return'd : Or his decree Hath left me to the thraldome , order'd there . Howeuer , all cares be thy burthens here : My Sire and Mother , tend as much as now , I , further off ; more neere in cares be you . Your Son , to mans state grown , wed whom you will : And ( you gone ) his care , let his houshold fill . Thus made my Lord his will ; which heauen sees prou'd Almost at all parts ; for the Sun remou'd Downe to his set ; ere long , wil leade the night Of those abhorred Nuptials , that should fright Each worthy woman ; which her second are VVith any man that breaths ; her first Lords care Dead , because he to flesh and blood is dead ; VVhich , I feare , I shal yeeld to , and so wed A second husband ; and my reason is , Since Ioue hath taken from me all his blisse . Whom God giues ouer , they themselues forsake ; Their greefes , their ioyes ; their God , their deuill make . And 't is a great griefe ; nor was seene till now , In any fashion of such men as woo A good and wealthy woman ; and contend VVho shal obtaine her , that those men should spend Her Beeues and best Sheepe , as their cheefest ends ; But rather , that herselfe , and all her friends They should with Banquets , and rich gifts entreat ; Their life is death , that liue with others meat . Diuine Vlysses , much reioyc't to heare His Queene thus fish for gifts ; and keepe in cheare Their hearts with hope , that she would wed againe ; Her minde yet still , her first intent retaine . Antinous saw , the wooers won to giue ; And said ; wise Queene , by all your meanes receiue What euer bounty , any woo'r shall vse ; Gifts freely giuen , 't is folly to refuse . For know , that we resolue not to be gone To keepe our owne roofes ; till of all , some One VVhom best you like , your long-woo'd loue shal win This pleasd the rest ; and euery one sent in His present by the Herald ; First had place Antinous gift : a robe of speciall grace , Exceeding ful and faire ; and twenty hewes Chang'd luster to it . To which , choise of shewes : Twelue massy plated Buttons , all of Gold , Enricht the substance , made to fairly hold The Robe together ; all lac'd downe before , VVhere Keepes and Catches , both sides of it wore . Eurymachus , a golden Tablet gaue ; In which did Art , her choisest workes engraue ; And round about , an Amber verge did run , That cast a radiance from it , like the Sun. Eurydamas , two seruants had , that bore Two goodly Earings ; whose rich hollowes wore Three Pearles in either , like so many eyes , Reflecting glances , radiant as the skies . The King Pysander , great Polyctors heire , A Casket gaue , exceeding rich and faire . The other , other wealthy gifts commended To her faire hand ; which took , and straight ascended This Goddesse of her sex , her vpper State. Her Ladies , all her gifts elaborate , Vp bearing after . All to dancing then The wooers went , and songs delightfull straine ; In which they frolickt , till the Euening came : And then rais'd sable Hesperus his flame . VVhen , for their Lights within ; they set vp there 3. Lampes , whose weekes were wood exceeding sere , And passing porous ; which they causd to burne , Their matter euer minister'd by turne Of seueral Hand-maids . VVhom Vlysses ( seeing Too conuersant with wooers ; ill agreeing VVith guise of maids ) aduised in this faire sort : Maids of your long-lackt King ; keepe you the port Your Queenes chast presence beares ? Go , vp to her , Imploy your Loomes , or Rockes , and keepe ye there : I le serue to feed these lamps ; shold these Lords dances Last til Aurora cheer'd vs with her glances . They cannot weary me , for I am one Borne to endure , when all men else haue done . They wantonly brake out in Laughters all ; Look't on each other : and to termes did fall Cheek-proud Melantho , who was Dolius seed , Kept by the Queene , that gaue her dainty breed Fit for her daughter : and yet won not so Her heart to her , to share in any wo She suffer'd for her Lord : But she was great VVith great Eurymachus ; and her loues heat In his bed quenched . And this cholericke thing , Bestow'd this railing Language on the King. Base Stranger ; you are taken in your braine , You talke so wildely : Neuer you , againe Can get where you were borne ; and seeke your bed In some Smithes Houill , or the Market sted ; But heere you must take confidence to prate Before all these ; for feare can get no state In your wine-hardy stomacke . Or , 't is like To proue your natiue ga●be : your tongue will strike On this side of your mouth still , being at best . Is the man idle-brain'd for want of rest ? Or proud , because he beate the roguish begger ? Take heed Sir , lest some better man beleager Your eares with his fists ; and set headlong hence Your bold abode heere , with your bloods expence . He looking sternly on her ; answer'd her : Dog ! What broad Language giu'st thou ? I le prefer Your vsage to the Prince ; that he may fall Foule on your faire limbes , til he tel them all . This fray'd the wenches ; and al straight got gone In ●eare , about their businesse : Euery one Confessing he saide well . But he stood now Close by the Cressets ; and did lookes bestow On all men there : his Braine employd about Some sharper businesse , then to dance it out ; VVhich had not long to go . Nor therefore would Minerua let the wooers spleenes grow cold , VVith too good vsage of him ; that his hart Might fret enough , and make his choller smart . Eurymachus , prouok't him first , and made His fellow laugh , with a conceit he had Fetch farre ; from what was spoken long before ; That his poore forme , perhaps some Deity bore . It well may chance ( said he ) some God doth beare This mans resemblance : For , thus standing nere The glistering Torches ; his slick't head doth throw Beames round about it , as those Cressets do . For not a haire he hath to giue it shade . Say , wil thy heart serue t' vndertake a Trade For fitting wages ? Should I take thee hence To walke my grounds , and looke to euery Fence : Or plant high trees : thy hire should raise thy forces ; Food store , & cloaths . But these same ydle courses Thou a●t so prompt in , that thou wilt not worke , But forrage vp and downe , and beg , and lurke In euery house , whose Roofes hold any will To feed such fellowes . That thy gut may fil , Giues end to all thy Beeing . He replyed ; I wish , at any worke , we two were tryed ; In hight of Spring time , when heauens lights are long ; I , a good crook'd Sithe , that were sharpe , and strong : You , such another , where the grasse grew deepe ; Vp by day breake , and both our labours keepe Vp , til slow darknes eas'd the labouring light ; Fasting all day , and not a crum til night : VVe then should proue our either workmanship . Or if ( againe ) Beeues , that the goad , or whip VVere apt t' obey , before a tearing Plow : Big , lusty beasts : Alike in bulke and brow ; Alike in Labour , and alike in strength ; Our taske foure Acres , to be Till'd in length Of one sole day : Againe then you should try If the dul glebe , before the Plough should flye ; Or I , a long Stitch could beare cleane , and euen . Or lastly ; if the guide of earth & heauen Should stir sterne war vp , either here or there ; And that , at this day , I had double Speare , And Shield , and steele Caske , fitting for my browes ; At this work likewise , midst the foremost blowes Your eyes should note me ; and get little cause To twit me with my bellies sole applause . But you affect , t' affect with iniurie , Your minde vngentle ; seeme in valour hie , Because 'gainst few ; and those , not of the best Your conuersation hath bene still profest . But if Vlysses ( landed on his earth , And enter'd on the true right of his birth ) Should come & front ye ; straight , his ample Gates Your feete would hold , too narrow for your Fates . He frown'd , rag'd , call'd him wretch ; and vow'd To be his death , since he durst proue so proud Amongst so many : to tell him so home VVhat he affected . Askt , if ouercome With wine he were ; or ( as his Minion said ) Talk't stil so idlely ; and were palsied In his minds instruments : or was proud , because He gat from Irus off , with such applause ? VVith all which , snatching vp a stoole , he threw : VVhen old Vlysses , to the knees withdrew , Of the Dulychian Lord Amphinomus , As if he fear'd him . His dart missing thus His aged obiect : and his Pages hand , ( A Boy , that waited on his cups command , Now holding of an Ewre to him ) he smit . Downe fel the sounding Ewre ; and after it , The guiltlesse Page , lay sprawling in the dust , And crying out . VVhen all the wooers thrust A tumult vp amongst them ; wishing all , The rogue had perisht in some Hospitall , Before his life there , stirr'd such vpro●● 〈◊〉 ▪ And with rude speeches , spice their pleasures cup. And all this for a Begger , to fulfill A filthy Prouerbe : Good still yeelds 〈◊〉 . The Prince cried out on them , to let ●he bad Obscure the good so ; Told them they were mad ; Abusd their banquet ; and affirm'd some God. Tried maisteries with them : Bad them take their lo●d Of food and wine : Sit vp , or fal to bed At their free pleasures ; and since he gaue head To all their freedomes ; why should they mistake Their owne rich humors for a Beggers sake ? All bit their lips to be so taken downe ; And taught the course that shold haue bin their own ; Admir'd the Prince ; and saide , he brauely spoke . But Nisus Son then , strooke the equall stroke , And saide , O Friends , let no man here disdaine To put vp equall speeches ; nor maintaine VVith serious words , an humor ; Nor with stroke , A Stranger in anothers house prouoke , Nor touch the meanest seruant ; but confine All these dissentions in a bolle of wine : VVhich fill vs Cup-bearer ; that hauing done Our nightly sacrifice , we may attone Our powres with sleepe ; resigning first the guest Vp to the Prince , that holds all interest In his disposure here : the House being his In iust descent , & all the faculties . Th●s all approu'd ; when Noble Mulius ( Herald in chiefe , to Lord 〈◊〉 The VVine distributed with reuerend grace To eu'ry wooer : when the Gods giuen place VVith seruice fit , they seru'd themselues , and tooke Th●ir parting Cups : till ( when they all had shooke The angry humor off ) they bent to rest ; And euery VVooer to seuerall Roofes addrest . The End of the Eighteenth Booke of Homers Odysses . THE NINETEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses and his Son , eschew Offending of the Wooers view With any Armour . His Birth 's seate , Vlysses tels his Queene , is Crete . Euryclea the truth yet found , Discouer'd by a scar-heal'd wound , Which in Parnassus tops , a Bore ( Strooke by him in his Chace ) did gore . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The King still hid by what he said . By what he did , informes his maid . YEt did Diuine Vlysses keepe his Roofe ; And with Minerua plotted still the proofe Of al the wooers deaths . VVhen thus , his Son He taught with these fore-counsailes : we must ron A close course with these Armes , & lay them by . And to the wooers make so faire a sky , As it would neuer thunder . Let me then ( That you may wel retaine ) repeate agen VVhat in Eumaeus Cottage , I aduis'd . If when they see your leysure exercis'd In fetching downe your Armes : & aske what vse Your minde will giue them : Say , 't is their abuse VVith smoke & rust , that makes you take them down ; This not being like the Armory well knowne To be the leauings of Laertes Son , Consorting the designe for Ilion . Your eyes may see how much they are infected , As all fires vapors , euer since , reflected On those sole Armes . Besides , a grauer thought , Ioue graues within you , lest ( their spirits wrought Aboue their pitch with wine ) they might contend At some high banquet , & to wounds transcend ; Their Feast inuerting ; which , perhaps may be Their Nuptiall feast , with wise Penelope . The ready weapon when the bloud is vp , Doubles the vprore , height●ed by the Cup. Wrath's meanes for Act ; cur●e all the wayes ye can ; As Loadstones draw the steele , so steele draw's Man. Retaine these words ; nor what is good , think thus Receiu'd at second hand , superfluous . The Sonne obeying , did Euryclea call , And bad her shut ( in the vtter Porches ) all The other women ; till himselfe brought downe His Fathers Armes , which all were ouer-growne By his neglect , with rust : his Father gone , And he too childish , to spend thoughts vpon Those manly Implements ; but he would now Reforme those yong neglects ; and th' armes bestow Past reach of smoke . The louing Nurse replide ; I wish ( O Son ) your powers would once prouide For wisedomes habit ; See your houshold were In thrifty mannage , and tend all things there . But if these armes must downe ; and euery Maide Be shut in vtter roomes ; who else should aide Your worke with light ? He answer'd ; This my guest : There shal not one in my house , tast my Feast , ( Or ioyne in my * Naue ) that shall ydlely liue , How euer farre hence , he his home deriue . He said , and his words stood ; The doores she shut Of that so wel-f●ll'd house ; and th' other put Their thoghts in act ; Best Shields , Helmes , sharpned Lances Brought downe ; and Pallas before both , aduances A golden Cresset , that did cast a Light , As if the Day sate , in the Throne of Night . VVhen ( halfe amaz'd ) the Prince said , O my Father , Mine eyes , my soules pow'rs all in wonder gather : For though the wals , and goodly wind-beames here , All all these Pillars , that their heads , so rere , And all of Firre ; they seeme yet , all of fire . Some God is surely with vs. His wise Sire , Bad peace , and keepe the counsailes of the Gods ; Nor aske a word : These Pow'rs that vse abods Aboue the starres , haue power from thence to shine Through night , and all shades , to earths in most Mine . Go thou for sleepe ; and leaue me here to wake The women and the Queene ; whose heart doth ake To make enquiry for my selfe , of me . He went to sleepe , where lights did endlesly Burne in his Night-roomes : where he feasted Rest , Til dayes faire weed , did all the world inuest . Thus was diuine Vlysses left alone VVith Pallas , plotting foule confusion To all the wooers . Forth then came the Queene ; Phoebe , with golden Cytherea seene , Her Port presented . Whom they set a Chaire Aside the fire : The fashion circulare ; The substance Siluer , and rich Elephant ; VVhose Fabricke , did the cunning finger vant Of great Icmalius : who besides , had done A footstoole for her , that did sute her Throne : On which , they cast an ample skin , to be The Cushion , for her other Royalty . And there she sate ; about whom , came her Maids , VVho brought vpon a Table store of Breads , And Bolles , that with the wooers wine were cround . The Embers then they cast vpon the ground From out the Lampes , and other Fuell added ; That still , with cheereful flame , the sad house gladded . Melantho , seeing still Vlysses there ; Thus she held out her spleene : Still stranger , here ? Thus late in night ? To see what Ladies do ? Auant you wretch : hence ; Go , without doores , go : And quickly too , lest ye be sindg'd away VVith burning fire-brands . He ( thus seeing their fray Continu'd by her with such spleene ) replide ; Minion ! What makes your angry blood thus chide My presence still ? Is it , because you see I shine not in your wanton brauery ? But weare these rags ? It fits the needy Fate That makes me beg thus , of the commune state . Such poore soules , and such beggers , yet are men ; And euen my meane meanes , means had to maintain A wealthy house ; and kept a manly prease ; VVas counted blessed ; and the poore accesse O● any Begger , did not scorne , but feede VVith often hand : and any man of neede Releeu'd as fitted : kept my seruants to , Not few ; but did with those additions go , That call choise men , The Honest ; who are stild The rich , the great . But what such great ones build Ioue oft puls downe , as thus he ruin'd me ; His will was such , which is his equity . And therefore ( woman ) beare you fitting hand On your behauiour , lest your spirit thus mann'd , And cherisht with your beauties ( when they wane ) Comes down : Your pride now , being then your bane . And in the meane space , shun the present danger ; Lest your bold fashion , breed your Soueraigns anger . Or lest Vlysses come : of whom , euen yet Hope finds some life in fate . Or , be his seat Amongst the meerly ruin'd ; yet his Sonne ( Whose lifes heate , Phoebus saues ) is such a one , As can discouer , who doth well deserue Of any woman heere ; His yeares , now serue . The Queen gaue eare , & thus supprest the flame : Thou quite without a brow ; past female shame ; I heare thy monstrous boldnesse , which thy head Shall pay me paines for . Thou hast heard it said , And from my selfe too ; and at euery part Thy knowledge serues thee ; that ( to ease my hart So punisht in thy witnesse ) my desire Dwelt on this Stranger ; that I might enquire My lost friends Beeing . But 't is euer tride , Both Man and God , are still forgot with Pride . Eurynome ! Bring heere this Guest a seat , And Cushion on it ; that we two , may treat Of the affaire in question . Set it neare , That I may softly speake , yet he well heare . She did this little freely ; and he sat Close by the Queen ; who askt him , Whence , & what He was himselfe ? And what th'inhabited place ? VVhere liu'd his parents ? whence he fetcht his race ? O woman ( he replyed ) with whom , no man That moues in earths vnbounded circle , can Maintaine contention , for true honor geuen ; Whose fame , hath reacht the * fairely flowing heauen . VVho , like a neuer-ill-deseruing King , That is well spoke of ; First , for worshipping , And striuing to resemble God , in Empire ; VVhose equall hand , impartially doth temper , Greatnesse , and Goodnesse : To whom therefore , beares The blacke earth , store of all graine ; Trees conferres , Cracking with burthen , Long-liu'd Herds creates ; All which , the Sea , with her sorts , emulates ; And all this feeds , beneath his powrefull hand , Men , valiant , many , making strong his Land With happy liues led ; Nothing else , the cause Of all these blessings , but well order'd Lawes ; Like such a King , are you ; in Loue , in Fame , And all the blisse that deifies a Dame. And therefore , do not mixe this with a mone So wretched , as is now in question . Aske not my Race , nor Countrey ; lest you fill My heart yet fuller , with repeated ill : For I must follow it , with many teares ; Though 't is not seemly , to sit wounding eares In publique Roofes , with our particular life ; Times worst expence , is still-repeated Griefe . I should be irkesome to your Ladies here : And you your selfe would say , you vrg'd your eare To what offends it : My still-broken eine , Supposing wounded with your too much wine . Stranger ( said she ) you feare your owne excesse , With giuing me too great a noblenesse . The Gods , my person , Beauty , Vertue to , Long since subuerted ; when the Ilion wo The Greeke designe attempted . In which , went My praise , and honor . In his gouernment Had I deseru'd your vtmost grace ; But now Sinister Deity , makes dishonor woo ( In shew of grace ) my ruine . All the Peres , Syluane Zacynthus , and Dulychius Spheres , Samos and Ithaca , strange strifes haue showne , To win me ; spending on me ▪ all mine owne . Will wed me , in my spite : And these are those , That take from me , all vertue to dispose Or Guest , or Suppliant : or take any course Amongst my Heralds ( that should all disburse ) To order any thing : Though I neede none To giue me greefe at home ; Abroad erres one That my veins shrink for ; whō , these ( holding gone ) Their Nuptials hasten , and find me as slow . Good spirits prompted me , to make a show Of vndertaking a most curious taske , That an vnmeasur'd space of time would aske ; VVhich , they enduring long , would often say , VVhen ends thy worke ? I soone had my delay ; And prai'd their stay : For though my Lord wer dead , His Fathers life yet , matter ministred That must imploy me : which , ( to tell them true ) Was that great worke I nam'd . For now , nere drew Laertes death ; and on my hand did lye His funerall Robe : whose end ( being now so nye ) I must not leaue , and lose so much begun : The rather , lest the Greeke Dames might be wun To taxe mine honor ; if a man so great Should greet his graue , without his winding sheet . Pride made them credulous ; and I went on : VVhen , whatsoeuer all the day had done , I made the night helpe , to vndo againe ; Though oyle , and watch it cost , and equall paine . Three yeares my wit secur'd me vndiscern'd : Yet , when the fourth came , by my Maids discern'd ( False carelesse wenches ) now they were deluded : When ( by my light descern'd ) they all intruded ; V●'d threatning words , and made me giue it end . And then could I , to no more length extend My linger'd Nuptials : Not a counsaile more VVas to be stood vpon ; my Parents bore Continuall hand on me , to make me wed : My Sonne grew angry , that so ruined His goods were by them . He is now a man ▪ VVise in a great degree ; and one that can Himselfe , giue order to his houshold fare : And Ioue , giue equal glory , to his care . But thus you must not passe me : I must know , ( It may be , for more end ) from whence doth grow Your race , and you ; For I suppose you , none Sprung of old Oake , or iustl'd out of stone . He answer'd ; O Vlysses reuerend wife ! Yet hold you purpose to enquire my life ? I le tell you , though it much afflict me more Then all the sorrowes I haue felt before . As worthily it may : since so long time , As I haue wandred from my Natiue Clime , Through humane Cities : and in sufferance stil : To rip all wounds vp ( though , of all their ill I touch but part ) must actuate all their paine . But , aske you still ; I le tell , though stil sustaine . In middle of the sable Sea , there lies An Isle , cal'd Crete ; a rauisher of eyes : Fruitfull , and mann'd with many an infinite store : Where ninety Cities crowne the famous shore ; Mixt with all Languag'd men : There Greekes suruiue ; There the great-minded Eteocretans liue : There the Dorensians , neuer out of war : The Cydons there ; and there the singular Pelasgian people : There doth G●ossus stand , That mighty City ; where had most command Great Ioues Disciple ( Minos ) who nine yeares Conferr'd with Ioue : Both great familiares In mutual counsailes . And this Mi●os Son , ( The mighty-minded King Deucali●● ) VVas Sire to me , & royall Idomen , VVho with Atrides , went to Ilion then , My elder Brother , and the better man ; My name Aethon . At that time began My knowledge of Vlysses ; whom my home Receiu'd with guest-rites . He was thither come By force of weather , from the Malean coast But new got off ; where he the Nauy lost , Then vnder saile for Troy ; and wind-bound lay Long in Amnisus ; hardly got away From horrid stormes , that made him anchor there , In Hauens that sacred to Lucina were ; Dreadfull and dangerous . In whose bosome crept Lucina's Cauerne . But in my roofe slept Vlysses , shor'd in Crete : who first enquir'd For royall Idomen ; and much desir'd To taste his guest-rites ; since to him had bene A welcome Guest my Brother Idomene . The tenth , or , leuenth light , on Vlysses shin'de In stay at Crete ; attending then the winde For threatn'd I●ion . All which time , my house VVith loue and entertainments curious Embrac't his person : though a number more My hospitable roofes receiu'd before . His men I likewise call'd ; and from the store Allow'd them meale , and heat exciting wine ; And Oxen for their slaughter ; to confine In my free hand the vtmost of their need . Twelue daies the Greeks staid , ere they got them freed ; A gale so bitter blew out of the North , That none could stand on earth , being tumbled forth By some sterne God. But on the thirteenth day The tempest ceast , & then went Greekes their way . Thus , many tales Vlysses told his wife , At most , but painting ; yet most like the life : Of which , her heart , such sense took through hir eares , It made her weepe , as she would turne to teares . And as from off the Mountaines melts the snow , Which Zephyres breath conceald ; but was made flow By hollow Eurus , which so fast poures downe , That with their Torrent , flouds haue ouer-flowne : So downe her faire cheekes , her kinde tears did glide ; Her mist Lord mourning , set so neere her side . Vlysses much was mou'd to see her mourne , VVhose eies yet stood as dry , as Iron , or Horne , In his vntroubl'd lids ; which , in his craft Of bridling passion , he from issue saf't . VVhen she had giuen her moane so many teares , That now 't was satiate : her yet louing feares Askt thus much further : You haue thus farre tried My loues credulity : But if gratified VVith so long stay he was with you , you can Describe what weede he wore ; what kinde of man Both he himselfe was , and what Followers Obseru'd him there . Alas ( sayd he ) the yeares Haue growne so many since ( this making now Their twentith reuolution ) that my show Of these slight notes , will set my memory sore ; But ( to my now remembrance ) this he wore : A double purple Robe , drawne close before VVith golden Buttons ; pleated thicke , and bore A facing , where a hundred colours shinde : About the skirts , a Hound ; A freckl'd Hinde In full course hunted . On the fore-skirts yet , He pincht , and pull'd her downe : when with hir feet , And all her force , she struggl'd hard for flight . VVhich had such life in Gold , that to the sight It seem'd the Hinde it selfe for euery hiew ; The Hound and al , so answering the view , That all admir'd all . I obseru'd beside His inner weed , so rarely beautifide , That dumbe amaze it bred ; and was as thin , As any dry and tender Onion skin : As soft 't was too , and glister'd like the Sun. The women were to louing wonder wun By him and by his weeds . But ( by the way ) You must excuse me , that I cannot say He brought this suite from home ; or had it there Sent for some Present ; or perhaps elsewhere Receiu'd it for his guest-gift : For your Lord Had Friends not few : The Fleete did not afford Many , that had not fewer . I bestow'd A well-edg'd sword on him ; a Robe that flow'd In foulds , and fulnesse , and did reach his feete , Of richest purple : Brought him to his Fleete , VVith all my honor : And besides ( to add To all this sifted circumstance ) he had A Herald there ; in height , a little more Put from the earth : that thicker shoulders wore ; A swarth complexion , and a curled head ; His name Eurybates ; and much in stead , He stood your King , imploy'd in most command , Since most of all , his minde could vnderstand . VVhen all these signes she knew , for chiefly trew ; Desire of moane vpon her beauties grew : And yet ( euen that desire suffic'd ) she said . Till this ( my Guest ) a wretched state arraid Your ill-vsd person : but from this houre forth , You shal be honor'd , and finde all the worth That fits a friend . Those weeds these hands bestow'd From out my wardrobe : those gold buttons sow'd Before for closure , and for Ornament . But neuer more , must his returne present The person that gaue those adornments State. And therefore , vnder an abhorred Fate VVas he induc't to feed the commune fame , To visit vile Troy ; I , too vile to name . No more yet mourne ( said he ) nor thus see pinde Your louely person : Weeping , wast's the Minde . And yet I blame you not ; for any Dame That weds one yong , and brings to him , his name ; ( VVhat euer man he is ) will mourne his losse : Much more respectfull then , must shew your woes , That weepe thus for Vlysses ; who ( Fame saies ) Was equal with the Gods , in all his waies . But where no cause is , there must be no mone : And therefore heare me ; my Relation Shal lay the cleere truth naked to your view ; I heard amongst the Thesprots , for most trew , That Lord Vlysses liu'd , and stood iust now On his returne for home : That wealth did flow In his possession ; which , he made not knowne , But begg'd amongst the people ; since alone He quite was left : for all his men were lost In getting off , from the Trinacrian Coast ; Ioue and the Sun , was wroth with them , for rape Made of his Oxen ; and no man let scape The rugged deepes of Neptune : Onely he The Ships Keele onely keeping , was by Sea Cast on the faire Phaeacian Continent ; VVhere men suruiue , that are the Gods descent ; And like a God receiu'd him ; gaue him heapes Of wealthy gifts , and would conduct his steps Themselues safe home : which , he might long ago His pleasure make : but profit would not so . He gather'd going , and had mighty store Of Gold in safegard : so beyond the Shore That commune sailes kept , his high flood of wit Bore glorious top ; and all the world , for it Hath farre exceeded . All this Phaedon told , That doth the Scepter of Thesprotia hold : VVho swore to me , in houshold sacrifice , The Ship was lancht , and men to man the prise ; That soone should set him on his countrey earth : Shew'd me the goods , enow to serue the birth , That in the tenth age of his seed , shold spring ; Yet in his Court contain'd . But then the King ( Your husband ) for Dodona was in way ; That from th'oraculous Oake , he might display Ioues will ; what course for home would best preuaile : To come in pompe ; or beare a secret saile . But me , the King dispatcht in course before ; A Ship then bound for the Dulychian shore . So thus you see his safety , whom you mourne , VVho now is passing neere ; and his returne No more will punish with delayes , but see His friends , and country : All which truth to thee I le seale with sacred Oath . Be witnesse Ioue , Thou first , and best , of all the Thron'd aboue ; And thou house of the great Laertes heire , To whose high roofes , I tender my repaire ; That what I tell the Queene , euent shall crowne : This yeare , Vlysses shall possesse his owne : Nay , ere the next month ends , shall heere arriue ; Nay ere it enters , heere abide aliue . O may this proue ( saide she ; ) gifts , friendship , then Should make your name the most renown'd of men . But 't is of me receiu'd ; and must so sort , That nor my Lord shall euer see his Court , Nor you gaine your deduction thence ; for now The alter'd house doth no such man allow As was Vlysses ( if he euer were ) To entertaine a reuerend Passenger , And giue him faire dismission . But ( Maids ) see Ye bathe his feete ; and then with Tapistry , Best sheets , and blanquets , make his bed , and lay Soft wascotes by him ; that ( lodg'd warme ) he may Euen till the golden-seated mornings ray , Enioy good ●est ; and then , with her first light , Bathe , and giue almes ; that cherisht appetite He may apply within our Hall , and sit Safe by Telemachus . Or if th'vnfit And harmfull minde of any be so base To greoue his age againe ; let none giue grac● Of doing any deed , he shall command ( How wroth so euer ) to his barbarous hand . For how shall you ( guest ) know me for a Dame That passe so far , nay , turne and winde the Fame Of other Dames for wisedome , and the frame Of houshold vsage ; if your poore thin weeds I let draw on you , want , and worser deeds ; That may , perhaps , cause heere your latest day ? The life of Man is short , and flyes away . And if the Rulers selfe of housholds , be Vngentle , studying inhumanity , The rest proue worse . But he beares all the blame : All men will , liuing , vow against his name , Mischiefes , and miseries ; And ( dead ) supply VVith bitter Epitaphes , his memory . But if himselfe be noble , ( noble things Doing , and knowing ) all his Vnderlings VVill imitate his Noblesse ; and all guests Giue it , in many ; many interests . But ( worthiest Queen , said he ) where you command Baths and rich beds for me , I scorne to stand On such state now ; nor euer thought it yet , Since first I left the snowy hils of Crete . VVhen once I fell a ship-boord , those thoughts fled ; I loue to take now ( as long since ) my bed : Though I began the vse , with sleeplesse nights ; I , many a darknesse , with right homely rites Haue spent ere this houre ; & desir'd the Morne Would come ; and make sleepe to the world a scorne . Nor run these dainty Bathes in my rude head ; Nor any handmaid ( to your seruice bred ) Shal touch my ill-kept feete , vnlesse there liue Some poore old drudge here , that hath learnd to giue Old men good vsage ; & no worke wil fly : As hauing suffer'd ill , as much as I. But if there liue , one such , in your command ; I wil not shame to giue my foot , her hand . She gaue this answere : O my loued Guest , There neuer enter'd these kinde Roofes , for rest , Stranger or Friend , that so much wisedome laide In gage for Guest-rites , as your lippes haue paide . There liues and old maide in my charge , that knowes The good you speake of , by her many woes ; That nourisht and brought vp , with curious care , Th' vnhappy man , your old familiar : Euen since his Mother let him view the light , And oft hath felt in her weake armes , his weight . And she ( though now much weaker ) shal apply Her Maiden seruice , to your modesty . Euryclea , rise ; and wash the feete of one , That is of one age with your Soueraigne gone . Such hands , such feet hath , though of alter'd grace : Much griefe in men , wil bring on change apace . She ( from her aged slumber wak't ) did cleare Her heauy eyes ; and instantly ( to heare Her Soueraignes name ) had worke enough to dry Her cheekes from teares : and to his memory These Mones did offer : O my Son ( saide she ) I neuer can take greefe enough for thee ; VVhom Goodnes hurts ; & whō , euen Ioues high spleen ( Since thou art Ioue-like ) hates the most of men . For none hath offer'd him so many Thyes ; Nor such whole Hecatombes of sacrifice , Fat , and selected , as thy zeale hath done ; For all , but praying that thy noble Sonne , Thy happy age , might see at state of man. And yet hath Ioue with Mists Cimmerean Put out the light of his returning day . And as your selfe ( O Father ) in your way Tooke these faire roofes for hospitable rights , Yet finde ( for them ) our dogged womens spights : So he ( in like course ) being driuen to proofe ( Long time ere this ) what such a royall Roofe Would yeeld his miseries ; sound such vsage there . And you ( now flying the foule Language here , And many a filthy fact of our faire Dames ) ●ly me , like them ; and put on causlesse shames To let me clense your feet . For not the cause The Queenes command yeelds , is the pow'r that drawes My will to wash your feete . But what I do , Proceeds from her charge , and your reuerence to . Since I , in soule , am stricken with a ruth Of your distresses , and past * show of truth . Your strangenesse claiming little interest In my affections : and yet many a Guest Of poore condition , hath bene harbour'd here : But neuer any , did so right appeare Like King Vlysses , as your selfe ; For state , Both of your stature , voice , and very gate . So all haue said ( said he ) that euer yet Had the proportions of our figures met , In their obseruances ; so right , your eye , Proues in your soule , your iudging faculty . Thus tooke she vp a Caldron , brightly scour'd , To clense his feete in : and into it , pour'd Store of cold waue ▪ which on the fire she set ; And therein bath'd ( being temperatly heat ) Her Soueraigns feet . Who turnd him from the light ; Since sodainly , he doubted her conceit ( So rightly touching at his state before ) A scar now seeing on his foot , that bore An old note to discerne him ; might descry The absolute truth ; which ( witnest by her eye ) VVas straite approu'd . He first receiu'd this sore , As in Parnassus tops , a white tooth'd Bore He stood in chace withall ; who strooke him there , At such time , as he liu'd a soiourner VVith his grand Sire , Autolyc● : who , th' Art Of Theft and swearing ( not out of the hart , But by equiuocation ) first adorn'd Your witty man withall ; and was suborn'd By Ioues descent ( ingenious Mer●urie ) VVho did bestow it ; since so many a Thie Of Lambes , and Kids , he had on him bestow'd In sacred flames ; who therefore , when he vow'd VVas euer with him . And this man impos'd Vlysses name ; the light being first disclos'd To his first sight then ; when his grand Sire came To see the then preferrer of his fame , His loued daughter . The first supper done , Euryclea , put in his lap , her Sonne , And pray'd him to bethinke , and giue his name ; Since that desire , did all desires inflame . Daughter , and Son-in-Law ( sayd he ) let then The name that I shall giue him , stand with men ; Since I arriu'd here , at the houre of paine , In which , mine owne kinde entrailes did sustaine Moane for my daughters , yet vnended throes : And when so many mens and womens woes , In ioynt compassion met , of humane birth , Brought forth t' attend the many feeding earth ; Let Odysseus be his name , as one Exposd to iust constraint of all mens mone . VVhen heere at home , he is arriu'd at state ▪ Of mans first youth ; he shall initiate His practisd feete , in trauaile made abrode ; And to Pernassus , where mine owne abode And chiefe meanes lye ; addresse his way , where I VVill giue him from my opened treasury , VVhat shall returne him well ; and fit the Fame Of one that had the honor of his name . For these faire gifts he went , and found all grace Of hands , and words , in him and all his race . Amphithea ( his Mothers mother ) to Applied her to his loue ; withall , to do In Grandames welcomes : both his faire eyes kist , And browes ; and then , commanded to assist VVere all her sonnes , by their respected Sire , In furnishing a Feast ; whose eares did fire Their minds with his command : who home straite led A fiue-yeares-old-male Oxe ; feld , slew , and flead : Gather'd about him ; cut him vp with Art ; Spitted , and roasted ; and his euery part Diuided orderly . So all the day They spent in feast : No one man went his way VVithout his fit fill . VVhen the Sun was set , And darknesse rose , they slept ; till dayes fire het Th'enlightned earth : and then , on hunting went Both Hounds , and all Autolycus descent . In whose guide , did diuine Vlysses go ; Climb'd steepe Parnassus , on whose forehead grow All syluan off-springs round . And soone they rech't The Concaues , whence ayrs sounding vapors fetcht Their loud descent . As soone as any Sun Had from the Ocean ( where his waters run In silent deepnesse ) rais'd his golden head : The early Huntsmen , all the hill had spread ; Their Hounds before them , on the searching Traile : They neere , and euer eager to assaile . Vlysses , brandishing a lengthfull Lance , Of whose first flight , he long'd to proue the chance . Then found they lodg'd a Bore , of bulke extreame , In such a Queach , as neuer any beame The Sun shot , pierc'st : Nor any passe , let finde The moist impressions of the fiercest winde : Nor any storme the sternest winter driues ; Such proofe it was : yet all within , lay leaues In mighty thicknesse ; and through all this , flew The hounds loud mouthes . The sounds , the tumult threw ; And all together rouz'd the Bore , that rusht Amongst their thickest : All his brissels , pusht From forth his rough necke ; and with flaming eyes Stood close , and dar'd all . On which horrid prise Vlysses first charg'd ; whom , aboue the knee The sauage strooke , and rac't it crookedly Along the skin , yet neuer reacht the bone . Vlysses Lance yet , through him , quite was throwne ; At his right shoulder entring : at his left , The bright head passage to his keennesse cleft , And shew'd his point gilt , with the gushing gore . Downe in the dust fell the extended Bore , And forth his life flew . To Vlysses , round His Vnckle drew ; who ( wofull for his wound ) With all Art bound it vp ; and with a charme Staid straight the blood : went home , & when the harm Receiu'd full cure ; with gifts , and all euent Of ioy , and loue ; to his lou'd home , they sent Their honor'd Nephew : whose returne , his Sire , And reuerend Mother , tooke with ioyes entire : Enquir'd all passages ; all which , he gaue In good relation : Nor of all , would saue His wound from vtterance : By whose scar he came To be discouered by this aged Dame. VVhich , when she clensing felt , and noted well : Downe from her Lap , into the Caldron , fell His weighty foot , that made the Brasse resound : Turn'd all aside , and on th'embrewed ground Spilt all the water . Ioy and griefe together Her brest inuaded : and of weeping weather Her eyes stood full : Her small voice , stucke within Her part expressiue ; till at length , his chin She tooke , and spake to him : O Sonne ( saide she ) Thou art Vlysses ; nor canst other be : Nor could I know thee yet , till all my King I had gone ouer , with the warmed Spring . Then look't she for the Queene , to tell her all ; And yet , knew nothing sure : thogh nought could fall In compasse of all thoughts , to make her doubt . Minerua , that distraction strooke throughout Her minds rapt sorces ; that she might not tell . Vlysses , noting yet her aptnesse well ; With one hand tooke her chin ; and made all shew Of fauour to her : with the other , drew Her offer'd parting closer : Askt her why , She , whose kinde breast had nurst so tenderly His infant life ; would now , his age destroy ? Though twenty yeares had held him from the ioy Of his lou'd country . But , since onely she , ( God putting her in minde ) now knew , 't was he , He charg'd her silence ; and to let no eare In all the Court more , know his being there : Lest , if God gaue into his wreakfull hand Th' insulting wooers liues : he did not stand On any partiall respect with her , Because his Nurse ; and to the rest prefer Her safety therefore ; But when they should feele His punishing finger , giue her equall steele . What words ( said she ) flye your retentiue pow'rs ? You know , you locke your counsailes in your Tow'rs In my firme bosome : and , that I am farre From those loose frailties . Like an Iron barre Or bolt of solidst stone , I will containe : And tell you this besides ; That if you gaine By Gods good aide , the wooers liues in yours ; VVhat Dames are heere their shamelesse Paramours , And haue done most dishonor to your worth , My information , well shall paint you forth . It shal not neede ( saide he ) my selfe will soone ( VVhile thus I maske heere ) set on euery one My sure obseruance of the worst , and best : Be thou then silent , and leaue God the rest . This said , the old Dame , for more water went ; The rest was all vpon the Pauement spent , By knowne Vlysses foot . More brought ( and he Supplied besides with sweetest Oyntments ) she His seate drew neere the fire , to keepe him warme : And , with his peec't rags , hiding close his harme : The Queene came neere , and said : Yet ( guest ) afford Your further patience ; till , but in a word I le tell my woes to you : For well I know , That Rests sweet Houre , her soft foote orders now : When all poore men , how much soeuer grieu'd , VVould gladly get their wo-watcht pow'rs relieu'd . But God hath giuen my griefe a heart so great , It will not downe with rest . And so I set My iudgement vp , to make it my delight . All day I mourne ; yet nothing let the right I owe my charge , both in my worke and Maids ; And when the night brings rest to others aides , I tosse my bed ; Distresse with twenty points , Slaught'ring the pow'rs that to my turning ioynts Conuey the vitall heate . And as all night , Pandareus daughter ( poore Edone ) sings , Clad in the verdure of the yearly Springs ; VVhen she for Itylus , her loued Sonne ( By Zetus issue ; in his madnesse , done To cruell death ) poures out her hourely mone , And drawes the eares to her of euery one ; So flowes my mone , that cuts in two my minde , And here and there , giues my discourse the winde ; Vncertain whether I shal with my Son ▪ Abide still heere , the safe possession And guard of all goods : Reuerence to the bed Of my lou'd Lord ; and to my far-off spred Fame with the people ; putting still in vse ; Or follow any best Greeke I can chuse To his fit house , with treasure infinite VVon to his Nuptials . VVhile the infant plight And want of iudgement kept my Son in guide ; He was not willing with my being a Bride , Nor with my parting from his Court : But now ( Arriu'd at mans state ) he would haue me vow My loue to some one of my wooers heere , And leaue his Court ; offended that their cheere Should so consume his free possessions . To settle then a choice in these my mones , Heare and expound a dreame , that did engraue My sleeping fancy . Twenty Geese , I haue ; All which , me thought , mine eye saw tasting wheate In water steep't , and ioy'd to see them eate . VVhen straight , a crooke-beak't Eagle , from a hill , Stoop't , and trust all their neckes , and all did kill ; VVhen ( all left scatter'd on the Pauement there ) She tooke her wing vp , to the Gods faire sphere : I , euen amid my Dreame , did weepe and mourne , To see the Eagle , with so shrew'd a turne , Stoope my sad turrets ; when , me thought there came About my mournings , many a Grecian Dame To cheere my sorrowes ; in whose most extreame The Hawke came back , and on the prominent beame That crost my Chamber , fell ; and vs'd to me A humane voice , that sounded horribly ; And saide ; Be confident , Icarius seed ; This is no dreame , but what shall chance indeed . The Geese , the wooers are : the Eagle , I , VVas heeretofore a Fowle : but now imply Thy husbands Beeing ; and am come to giue The wooers death , that on my Treasure , liue . With this , Sleepe left me ; and my waking way I tooke to try , if any violent prey Were made of those my Fowles ; which , well eno●●●● I ( as before ) found feeding at their Trough , Their yoted wheate . O woman ( he replide ) Thy dreame can no interpretation bide , But what the Eagle made , who was your Lord ; And saide , himselfe would sure effect afford To what he told you ; that confusion To all the wooers should appeare ; and none Escape the Fate , and death , he had decreed . She answer'd him : O Guest , these dreames exceede The Art of man t' interpret ; and appere Without all choise , or forme ; nor euer were Perform'd to all at all parts . But there are To these light Dreames , that like thin vapors fare , Two two-leau'd gates ; the one of Iuory ; The other , Horne . Those dreames that Fantasie Takes from the polisht Iuory Port , delude The Dreamer euer , and no truth include : Those that the glittering Horn-gate , le ts abrode , Do euermore , some certaine truth abode . But this my dreame , I hold of no such sort To flye from thence ; yet , which soeuer Port It had accesse from , it did highly please My Son , and me . And this , my thoughts professe ; That Day that lights me from Vlysses Court , Shall both my infamy , and curse consort . I therefore purpose to propose them now In strong Contention , Vlysses Bow ; Which he that easly drawes ; and from his draft , Shoots through twelue Axes ( as he did his shaft , All set vp in a rowe ; And from them all , His stand-farre-off kept firme ) my fortunes shall Dispose ; and take me to his house from hence , VVhere I was wed , a Maide ; in confluence Of feast and riches : such a Court he●re then , As I shall euer in my dreames reteine . Do not ( said he ) deferre the gamefull prise , But set to taske their importunities With something else , then Nuptials : For your Lord VVill to his Court and Kingdome be restor'd , Before they thred those steeles , or draw his Bow. O Guest ( repli'de Penelope ) would you Thus sit , and please me with your speech ; mine eares VVould neuer let mine eye-lids close their Spheares ; But none can liue without the death of sleepe ; Th'Immortals , in our mortall memories keepe Our ends , and deaths by sleepe ; diuiding so , ( As by the Fate and portion of our wo ) Our times spent heere ; to let vs nightly try , That while we liue ; as much as liue , we dye . In which vse , I will to my bed ascend , VVhich I bedeaw with teares , and sigh past end , Through all my houres spent ; since I lost my ioy , For vile , lew'd , neuer-to-be-named Troy. Yet there , I le proue for sleepe , which take you here ; Or on the earth , if that your custome were ; Or haue a bed , dispos'd for warmer rest . Thus left she with her Ladies , her old Guest : Ascended her faire chamber , and her bed : VVhose sight did euer duly make her shed Teares for her Lord ; which still her eyes did steepe , Till Pallas shut them with delightsome sleepe . The End of the Nineteenth Booke of Homers Odysses . THE TWENTITH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses ▪ in the Wooers Beds , Resoluing first to kill the Maids ; That sentence giuing off ; His care For other Obiects dot● prepare . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Ioues thunder chides ; but cheers the king ; The Wooers prides discōmfiting . VLysses in the Entry , la●de his head , And v●der him , an Oxe-hide newly flead ; Aboue him Sheep fels stor● ; & o●●r those Eurynome cast Mantles . His repose VVould bring ●o sleepe yet ; studying the ill He wisht the wooers ; who came by him still VVith all their wenc●es ; laughing , wantoning In mutuall lightnesse , which his heart did sting ; Contending two wayes ; if ( all patience fled ) He should rush vp , and strike those Strumpets dead ; Or let that night be last , and take th' extreme Of those proud wooers , ●hat were so supreme In pleasure of their high fed fantasies . His heart did barke within him , to surprize Their spo●ts with spoiles : No fell shee Mastiue can Amongst her whelpes , flye eagrer on a man She doth not know ; yet sents him something neare , And faine would come to please her tooth and teare ; Then his disdaine , to see his Roofe so fil'de VVith those fowle fashions : Grew within him wilde To be in blood of them . But finding best In his free iudgement , to let passion rest ; He chid his angry spirit , and beate his brest : And said ; Forbeare ( my minde ) and thinke on this : There hath bene time , when bitter agonies Haue tried thy patience : Call to minde the day , In which the Cyclop , which past manly sway Of violent strength , deuour'd thy friends ; thou then Stoodst firmely bold , till from that hellish den Thy wisedom broght thee off ; whē nought but death Thy thoughts resolu'd on . This discourse did breath The fiery boundings of his heart , that still Lay in that aesture ; without end , his ill Yet manly suffering . But from side to side It made him tosse apace : you haue not tride A fellow roasting of a Pig before A hasty fire , ( his belly yeelding store Of fat , and blood ) turne faster : labour more To haue it roast , and would not haue it burne ; Then this , and that way , his vnrest made turne His thoughts , and body ; would not quench the fire , And yet , not haue it heighten his desire Past his discretion ; and the fit enough Of hast , and speed ; that went to all the proofe His well-laid plots , and his exploits requir'd ; Since he , but one , to all their deaths aspir'd . In this contention , Pallas stoop't from heauen ; Stood ouer him , and had her presence giuen A womans forme ; who sternly thus began : Why thou most sowre , and wretched-fated man Of all that breath ! yet liest thou thus awake ? The house , in which thy cares so tosse and take Thy quiet vp , is thine : thy wife is there ; And such a Son , as if thy wishes were To be suffic'd with one ; they could not mend . Goddesse ( said he ) t is true ; But I contend To right their wrongs : and ( though I bee but one ) To lay vnhelpt , and wreakfull hand vpon This whole resort of impudents , that here Their rude assemblies neuer will forbeare . And yet a greater doubt imployes my care ; That if their slaughters , in my reaches are , And I performe them ; ( Ioue and you not pleas'd ) How shall I flye their friends ? & would stand seas'd Of counsaile , to resolue this care in me . Wretch ( she replied ) a friend of worse degree , Might win thy credence : that a mortall were , And vs'd to second thee ; though nothing nere So powerfull in performance , nor in care : Yet I , a Goddesse , that haue still had share In thy atchieuements , and thy persons guard , Must still be doubted by thy Braine , so hard To credit any thing aboue thy powre , And that must come from heauen ; if euery houre There be not personall apparance made , And aide direct giuen , that may sense inuade . I le tell thee therefore cleerely : If there were Of diuers languag'd men , an Army here Of fifty Companies ; all driuing hence Thy Sheepe and Oxen , and with violence Offer'd to charge vs , and besiedge vs round ; Thou shouldst their prey reprize , & them confound . Let sleepe then seize thee : To keepe watch all Night , Consumes the spirits , and makes dull the sight . Thus pour'd the Goddesse sleepe into his eyes , And re-ascended the Olympian skies . VVhen care-and-lineament-resoluing sleepe , Had laide his temples in his golden steepe ; His , wise-in-chast-wit-worthy-wife , did rise : ( First sitting vp in her soft bed ) her eyes Opened with teares , in care of her estate , VVhich now , her friends resolu'd to terminate To more delaies ; and make her marry one . Her silent teares ( then ceast ) her Orizon This Queene of women to Diana made . Reuerend Diana ; let thy Darts inuade My wofull bosome , and my life depriue , Now at this instant ; or soone after driue My soule with Tempests forth , and giue it way To those farre-off darke Vaults , where neuer day Hath powre to shine ; and let them cast it downe Where refluent Oceanus doth crowne His curled head ; where Pluto's Orchard is , And entrance to our after miseries . As such sterne whirlewinds , rauisht to that streame , Pandareus daughters , when the Gods to them Had reft their parents ; and them left alone ( Poore orphan children ) in their Mansion . VVhose desolate life , did loues sweet Queene incline To nurse with pressed Milke , and sweetest wine ; VVhom Iuno deckt , beyond all other Dames VVith wisedomes light , and beauties mouing flames : VVhom Phoebe , goodlinesse of stature render'd , And to whose faire hands , wise Minerua tender'd , The Loome and Needle , in their vtmost skill . And while Loues Empresse skal'd th' Olympian hill , To beg of Lightning-louing Ioue ( since hee The meanes to all things knowes ; and doth decree Fortunes , infortunes , to the mortall Race ) For those poore virgins , the accomplisht grace Of sweetest Nuptials : The fierce Harpyes prey'd On euery good , & miserable Maid ; And to the hatefull Furies , gaue them all In horrid seruice . Yet , may such Fate fall From steepe Olympus , on my loathed head ; Or faire●●hair'd ●hoebe , strike me instant dead : That I may vndergo the gloomy Shore , To visit great Vlysses soule ; before I sooth my idle blood , and wed a wurse . And yet , beneath how desperate a curse Do I li●e now ? It is an ill , that may Be well indur'd , to mourne the whole long day ; So nights sweete sleepes ( that make a man forget Both bad , and good ) in some degree would let My thoughts leaue greeuing . But , both day and night , Some cruell God , giues my sad memory sight . This night ( me thought ) Vlysses grac't my bed In all the goodly state , with which he led The Grecian Army : which gaue ioyes extreame To my distresse , esteeming it no dreame , But true indeed : and that conceite I had , That when I saw it false , I might be mad . Such cruell Fates , command in my lifes guide . By this , the mornings Orient , dewes had di'de The earth in all her colours ; when the King In his sweet sleepe , suppos'd the sorrowing That she vi'd waking in her plaintiffe bed To be her mourning , standing by his head , As hauing knowne him there . VVho straight arose , And did againe within the Hall dispose The Carpets and the Cushions , where before They seru'd the seats . The Hide , without the dore He carried backe ; & then , with held vp hands , He pray'd to him , that heauen & earth commands ; O Father Ioue ; If through the moyst and dry You ( willing ) brought me home ; when misery Had punisht me enough , by your free doomes ; Let some of these within those inner roomes , ( Startl'd with horror of some strange Ostent ) Come heere , & tell me , that great Ioue hath bent Threatnings without , at some lewd men within . To this his pray'r , Ioue shooke his sable chin , And thunder'd from those pure clouds that ( aboue The breathing aire ) in bright Olympus moue . Diuine Vlysses ioy'd , to heare it rore . Report of which , a woman Miller bore Straight to his eares ; For neere to him , there ground Milles for his Corne , that twice six women found Continuall motion , grinding Barley meale , And wheat ( mans Marrow . ) Sleepe the eies did seale Of all the other women : hauing done Their vsuall taske ; which yet , this Dame alone Had scarse giuen end to ; being of al the rest , Least fit for labour . But when these sounds , prest Her eares , aboue the rumbling of her Mill : She let that stand , look't out ; and heauens steepe hill Saw cleere , and temperate ; which made her ( vnware Of giuing any comfort to his care , In that strange signe he pray'd for ) thus inuoke . O King of men , and Gods ; a mighty stroke Thy thundring hand laide , on the cope of starres ; No cloud in all the aire ; and therefore warres Thou bidst to some men , in thy sure Ostent : Performe to me ( poore wretch ) the maine euent , And make this day , the last , and most extream , In which the wooers pride shall solace them With whoorish Banquets in Vlysses Roofe : That , with sad toyle , to grinde them meale enough , Haue quite dissolu'd my knees : vouchsafe then , now Thy thunders may their latest Feast foreshow . This was the * Boone , Vlysses begg'd of Ioue ; VVhich ( with his Thunder ) through his bosom droue A ioy , that this vant breath'd : Why now these men ( Despite their pride ) will Ioue make , pay me paine . By this , had other Maids then those that lay , Mixt with the wooers ; made a fire like day , Amidst the harth of the illustrious Hall : And then the Prince , like a Celestiall Rose from his bed ; to his embalm'd feete , tied Faire shooes : his sword about his bre●st applied ; Tooke to his hand his sharp-pil'd Lance , and met Amidst the Entry , his old Nurse , that set His hast , at sodaine stand ; To whom he said : O ( my lou'd Nurse ) with what grace haue you laid And fed my guest heere ? Could you so neglect His age , to lodge him thus ? Though all respect I giue my Mothers wisedome , I must yet Affirme , it fail'd in this : For she hath set At much more price , a man of much lesse worth , Without his persons note ; and yet casts forth With ignominious hands ( for his Forme sake ) A man much better . Do not faulty make ( Good Son ) the faultlesse . He was giuen his seat Close to her side ; and food , till he would eat . VVine til his wish was seru'd : For she requir'd His wants , and will'd him all things he desir'd . Commanded her chiefe Maides to make his bed ; But he ( as one whom sorrow onely fed And all infortune ) would not take his rest In bed , and couerings , fit for any Guest ; But in the Entry , on an Oxes hide , Neuer at Tanners ; his old Limbes implide In warme Sheep-fels ; yet ouer all , we cast A mantle , fitting , for a man more grac'st . He tooke her answere : Left the house , and went ( Attended with his dogges ) to sift th' euent Of priuate Plots , betwixt him and his Sire In commune counsaile . Then the crue entire Of al the houshold Maids , ( Eury●lea ) bad Bestir them through the house ; and see it clad In all best Forme : gaue all their parts ; and one She set to furnish euery seate and Throne VVith Needle-workes , and purple clothes of State ; Another set to scoure and cleanse the Plate : Another , all the Tables to make proud VVith porous Sponges : Others , she bestow'd In all speed to the Spring , to fetch from thence Fit store of water ; all , at all expence Of paines , she will'd to be : For this , to all Should be a day of commune Festiuall ; And not a wooer now should seeke his home , Else where then there ; But all were bid to come Exceeding early ; and be rais'd to heauen , With all the entertainment could be geuen . They heard with greedy eares ; and euery thing Put straight in practise : Twenty to the Spring Made speed for water ; Many in the house Tooke paines ; and all , were both laborious And skill'd in labour . Many fell to Fell And cleaue their wood : & all did more then well . Then troop't the lusty wooers in ; and then Came all from Spring . At their heeles ; loaded men VVith slaughter'd Brawnes : of all the Herd , the prize , That had bene long fed vp in seuerall Sties . Eumaeus , and his men , conuei'd them there . He ( seeing now the King ) began to chere , And thus saluted him : How now , my Guest ? Haue yet your vertues found more interest In these great wooers good respects ? Or still Pursue they you , with all their wonted ill ? I would to heauen , Eumaeus ( he replide ) The Deities once would take in hand their pride ; That such vnseemly fashions put in frame In others Roofes , as shew no sparke of shame , Thus these ; and to these came Melanthius , Great guardian of the most egregious Rich wooers Herds , consisting all of Goats : VVhich he , with two more draue , & made their coats The sounding Forticos of that faire Court. Melanthius ( seeing the King ) this former sort Of vpland Language gaue : VVhat ? still stay heere ? And dull these wooers with thy wretched cheere ? Not gone for euer , yet ? why now I see This strife of cuffes betwixt the beggery , ( That yesterday assaid , to get thee gone ) And thy more roguery , needs wil fall vpon My hands to arbitrate . Thou wilt not hence Till I set on thee : thy ragg'd impudence Is so fast footed . Are there not beside Other great Banquetants , but you must ride At anchor stil with vs ? He nothing said , But thought of ill enough , and shooke his head . Then came Philaetius ( a chiefe of men ) That to the wooers all-deuouring den A barren Stere draue , and fat Goats ; for they In custome were , with Traffiquers by sea , That who they would sent ; and had vtterance there . And for these likewise , the faire Porches were Hurdles , and Sheep-pens , as in any Faire . Philaetius tooke note in his repaire , Of seene Vlysses ; being a man as well Giuen to his minds vse as to buy & sell ; Or do the drudgery that the blood desir'd ; And ( standing neere Eumaeus ) this enquir'd . VVhat Guest is this , that makes our house of late His entertainer ? whence claimes he the state His birth in this life holds ? what Nation ? VVhat race ? what country stands his speech vpon ? Ore hardly portion'd , by the terrible Fates . The structure of his Lineaments relates A Kings resemblance in his pompe of reigne Euen thus , in these rags . But poore erring men That haue no firme homes , but range here and there As Need compels , God keepes in this earths sphere , As vnder water : and this tune he sings , VVhen he is spinning euen the cares of Kings . Thus comming to him ; with a kinde of feare He tooke his hand ; and ( touch't exceeding neare VVith meere imagination of his worth ) This salutation he sent lowdly forth . Health ! Father stranger ; in another world Be rich and happy : though thou here art hurld At feete of neuer such insulting Neede . O Ioue , there liues no one God of thy seede More ill to man , then thou . Thou tak'st no ruth ( VVhen thou thy selfe hast got him , in most truth : ) To wrap him in the straites of most distresse , And in the curse of others wickednesse . My browes haue swet to see it ; and mine eyes Broke all in teares ; when this being still the guise Of worthiest men , I haue but onely thought , That downe to these ils , was Vlysses wrought ; And that ( thus clad ) euen he is error driuen , If yet he liues , and sees the light of heauen . But , if now dead , and in the house of hell , O me ! O good Vlysses ! That my weale Did euer wish : and when , but halfe a man Amongst the people Cephalenian ; His bounty , to his Oxens charge preferr'd One in that youth : which now , is growne a Herd Vnspeakeable for number ; and feede there With their broad heads , as thicke , as of his eare A Field of Corne is to a man : yet these , Some men aduise me , that this noted prease Of wooers may deuoure ; and wish me driue Vp to their Feasts with them ; that neither giue His Son respect , though in his owne free roofe ; Nor haue the wit to feare th'infallible proofe Of heauenly vengeance : but make offer now The long-lack't Kings possessions to bestow In their selfe shares . Me thinkes , the minde in me Doth turne as fast ; as ( in a flood , or Sea ) A raging whirlepit doth ; to gather in To fishy death , those swimmers in their sin . Or feeds a motion as circulare To driue my Herds away . But while the Son Beares vp with life , t' were hainous wrong to ron To other people with them ; and to trust Men of another earth : and yet more iust It were to venture their Lawes ; an maine right Made stil their Maisters ; then at home lose quite Their right , and them ; and sit and greeue to see The wrong authoriz'd by their gluttonie . And I had long since fled , and tried th' euent VVith other proud Kings ( since , more insolent These are , then can be borne , ) But that , euen stil I had a hope , that this ( though borne to ill ) VVould one day come from some coast , & their last In his roofes strew , with ruines red , and vast . Herdsman ( said he ) because thou art in show , Nor lewd , nor indiscreete ; and that I know There rules in thee an vnderstanding soule , I l'e take an oath , that in thee shall controule All doubt of what I sweare : be witnesse , Ioue , That swai'st the first Seate , of the thron'd aboue ; This hospitable Table ; and this house ; That still holds title for the strenuous Sonne of Laertes ; that ( if so you please ) Your eyes shall witnesse , Laertiades Arriu'd at home ; and all these men that raigne In such excesses heere ; shall heere lye slaine . He answer'd : Stranger ! would inst Ioue wold signe What you haue sworne : in your eyes beams should shine What powers I mannage ; and how these my hands , VVould rise and follow , where he first commands . So said Eumaeus : praying all the Sky That wise Vlysses might arriue and trie . Thus while they vow'd : the wooers sat as hard On his Sons death : but had their co●nsels skar'd ; For on their left hand , did an Eagle ●ore ; And in her seres , a fearefull Pigeon bore ; VVhich seene ; Amphinomus presa'gd : O friends , Our Counsailes neuer will receiue their ends In this mans slaughter : let vs therefore plie , Our bloody feast , and make his Oxen die . Thus came they in ; cast off on seates , their cloakes ; And fell to giuing sacrificing strokes Of Sheepe and Goates ; the cheefely fat , and great ; Slew fed vp Swine , and from the Heard , a Neate . The inwards ( roasted , ) they disposd'e betwixt Their then obseruers ; wine in Flaggons mixt . The bolles Eumaeus brought ; P●ilaetius , bread ; Melanthus fill'd the wine . Thus dranke and fed The feastfull wooers . Then the Prince ( in grace Of his close proiect ) did his Father place Amids the paued Entrie ; in a Seate Seemelesse , and abiect : a small boord and meate Of th' onely inwards . In a cup of gold Yet sent him wine ; and bad him now drinke bolde ; All his approches , he himselfe would free Gainst all the wooers : since he would not see His Court made populare : but that his Sire Built it to his vse . Therefore all the fire Blowne in the wooers spleenes , he bad suppresse ; And that in hands , nor words they ●hould digresse From that set peace , his speech did then proclaime . They bit their lips , and wondred at his aime I● that braue Language : when Antinons saide ; Though this speech ( Grecians ) be a meere vpbraide ; Yet this time giue it passe : The will of Io●e Forbids the violence of our hands , to moue ; But of our tongues , we keepe the motion free : And therefore , if his further iollity Tempt our encounter with his Braues , let 's checke His growing insolence : though pride to speake , Fly passing high with him . The wise Prince made No more spring of his speech , but let it fade . And now the Heralds bore about the Towne The sacred Hecatombe : to whose renowne The faire-haird Greekes assembl'd ; and beneath Apollo's shady wood ; the holy death They put to fire ; which ( made enough ) they drew ; Diuided all , that did in th' end accrew To glorious satisfaction . Those that were Disposers of the Feast , did equall cheere Bestow on wretched Laertiades , With all the wooers soules : It so did please Telemachus to charge them : And , for these Minerua would not see the malices The wooers bore ; too much contain'd , that so Vlysses mou'd heart , yet might higher flow In wreakfull anguish . There was wooing there ( Amongst the rest ) a Gallant , that did ●eare The name of one well learn'd , in iests prophane ; His name Ctesippus , borne a Samiane : Who proud , because his Father was so rich , Had so much confidence , as did bewitch His heart with hope , to wed Vlysses wife : And this man said ▪ Heare me , my Lords , in strife For this great widdow : This her guest did share Euen feast with vs , with very comely care Of him that order'd it : For 't is not good Nor equall , to depriue Guests of their food ; And specially , what euer guest makes way To that house where Telemachus doth sway . And therefore , I will adde to his receipt , A gift of very hospitable weight , VVhich he may giue againe , to any Maide That bath's his graue feete ; and her paines see paide ; Or any seruant else , that the diuine Vlysses lofty Battlements confine . Thus snatcht he with a valiant hand , from o●● The poore folkes commune basket , a Neat , foot , And threw it at Vlysses : who , his head Shrunke quietly aside ; and let it shed His malice on the wall . The suffering man A laughter raising , most Sardinian VVith scorne , and wrath mixt , at the Samian . VVhom thus the Prince reprou'd ; Your valour wan Much grace Ctesippus ; and hath eas'd your minde VVith mighty profit : yet you see it finde No marke it aim'd at ; the poore strangers part Himselfe made good enough , to scape your Dart. But should I serue thee worthily , my Lance Should strike thy heart through , & ( in place t' aduance Thy selfe in Nuptials with his wealth ) thy Sire Should make thy toomb heere ; that the foolish fire Of all such valors , may not dare to show These foule indecencies to me . I now Haue yeares to vnderstand my strength , and know The good and bad of things ; and am no more At your large sufferance , to behold my store Consum'd with patience : See my Cattell slaine , My wine exhausted ; and my Bread , in vaine Spent on your license : For , to one then yong , So many enemies were match too strong . But let me neuer more , be witnesse to Your hostile minds ; Nor those base deeds ye do : For , should ye kill me , in my offred wreake , I wish it rather ; and my death would speake Much more good of me , then to liue and ●ee , Indignity , vpon indignity : My Guests prouok't with bitter words and blowes ; My women seruants , dragg'd about my house To lust , and rapture . This made silence seize The house throughout : till Damastorides At length the calme brake : and said ; Friend , forbeare To giue a iust speech a disdainfull eare : The Guest no more touch , nor no seruant here . My selfe , will to the Prince and Queene commend A motion gratefull , if they please to lend Gratefull receite : as long as any hope Left wise Vlysses any passage ope To his returne in our conceits ; so long The Queenes delayes to our demands stood strong In cause , and reason ; and our quarrels thus With guests ; the Queene , or her Telemachus , Set neuer foote amongst our liberall Feast ; For should the King returne , though thought deceast , It had bene gaine to vs , in finding him , To lose his wife : But now , since nothing dim The daies breakes out , that shewes he neuer more Shal reach the deere touch of his countrey shore , Sit by your Mother , in perswasion , That now it stands her honor much vpon To choose the best of vs ; and who giues most , To go with him home . For so , all things lost In sticking on our haunt so ; you shall cleere Recouer , in our no more concourse here : Possesse your birth-right wholly ; eate and drinke ; And neuer more on our disgraces thinke . By Ioue , no Agelaus : For I sweare By all my Fathers sorrowes ; who doth erre Farre off from Ithaca ; or rests in death : I am so farre from spending but my breath , To make my Mother any more defer Her wished Nuptials ; That I le counsaile her To make her fre● choise : And besides , will giue Large gifts to moue her . But I feare to driue , Or charge her hence : For God will not giue way To any such course , if I should assay . At this , Minerua made for foolish ioy The wooers mad ; and rouz'd their late annoy To such a laughter , as would neuer downe . They laught with others cheeks ; eate meat oreflowne With their owne bloods : their eies stood full of teares For violent ioyes : Their soules yet thought of feares : VVhich Theoclymenus exprest , and said : O wretches ! Why ? Sustaine ye ( well apaid ) Your imminent ill ? A night , with which Death sees ; Your heads , and faces , hides beneath your knees . Shriekes burn about you : your eies , thrust out teares : These fixed wals , and that maine Beame that beares The whole house vp , in bloody torrents fall : The Entry full of ghosts stands : Full the Hall Of passengers to hel : And , vnder all The dismall shades ; The Sun sinkes from the Poles ; And troubl'd aire , poures bane about your soules . They sweetly laught at this : E●rymachus To mocks dispos'd , and saide ; This new come-t'vs Is surely mad , conduct him forth to light In th' open Market place : he thinkes 't is night Within the house . Eurymachus ( said he ) I will not aske for any guide of thee : I both my feete enioy ; haue eares , and eies , And no mad soule within me : and with these Will I go forth the doores : because I know , That imminent mischiefe must abide with you ; VVhich , not a man of all the wooers here Shall flye , or scape . ●e all too highly beare Your vncurb'd heads : Impieties ye commit , And euery man affect , with formes vnfit . This said ; he left the house , and tooke his way Home to Pyraeus ; who , as free as day , Was of his welcome . When the wooers eyes Chang'd lookes with one another , and ( their guise Of laughters , still held on ) still eas'd their brests , Of will to set the Prince against his guests : Affirming , that of all the men aliue He worst lucke had ; and prou'd it worst to giue Guests entertainment : Fo● he had one there A wandring Hunter out of prouendere , An errant Begger euery way ; yet thought ( He was so hungry ) that he needed nought But wine and Victuals : nor knew how to do ; Nor had a spirit to put a knowledge to ; But liu'd an idle burthen to the earth . Another then stept vp ; and would lay forth His lips in ph●ophesie , thus : But ( would he heare His friends perswasions ) he should finde it were More profit for him , to put both abord For the Sici●ian people , that afford These 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 feete of men , good price : and this would bring Good meanes for better guests ▪ These words made wing To his eares idlely : who h●d still his eye Vpon his Father , looking feruently When he would lay his long-withholding hand On those proud wooers . And , within command Of all this speech that past , Icarius heire ( The wise Penelope ) her royall chaire Had plac't of purpose . Their high dinner then With all pleas'd palates , these ridiculous men Fell sweetly to : as ioying they had slaine Such store of banquet . But there did not raigne A bitterer banquet Planet in all heauen , Then that which Pallas , had to that day driuen ; And , with her able friend now , meant t' appose ; Since they , till then , were in deserts so grose . The End of the Twentith Booke of Homers Odysses . THE XXI . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . PEnelope proposeth now , To him that drawes Vlysses Bow Her instant Nuptials . Ithacus , Eumaeus , and Philaetius , Giues charge for guarding of the Gates ; And he , his s●aft shoots through the plates . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The Nuptiall vow , and Game reherst : Drawne is the Bow , the steeles are pierst . PAllas ( the Goddesse with the sparkling eyes ) Excites Penelope , t'obiect the prise ( The Bow & bright steeles ) to the wooers strength And here began the strife and blood at length . She first aseended by a lofty staire , Her vtmost chamber ; of whose doore , her faire And halfe transparant hand receiu'd the Key ; Bright , brazen ; bitted passing curiously , And as it hung a knob of Iuory . And this did leade her , where was strongly kept The treasure Royall ; in whose store lay heap't , Gold , Brasse , and Steele , engrauen with infinite Art ; The crooked Bowe , and Arrowy quiuer , part Of that rich Magazin . In the Quiuer , were Arrowes a number ; sharpe , and sighing gere . The Bow was giuen by kinde Eurythides ( ●phitus , fashion'd like the Deities ) To yong Vlysses ; when within the Roofe Of wise Ort●locus , their passe had proofe Of mutuall meeting in M●ssena ; where Vlysses claim'd a debt : To whose pay , were The whole Messen●an people bound ; since they From Ithaca , had forc't a wealthy prey Of Sheepe , and She●pherds . In their ships they thrust ●hree hundred Sheepe together : for whose iust And instat rendry ▪ old L●ertes sent Vlysses his Ambassador , that went A long way in the Ambassy ; yet then Bore but the formost prime of yongest men . His Father , sending first to that affaire His gra●est Councellors , and then his heire . Iphitus made his way there hauing lost Twelue female horse ; and Mules commended most For vse of burthen ; which were after cause Of death and fate to him . For ( past all Lawes Of hospitality ) Ioues mighty son ( Skill'd in great acts ) was his confusion Close by his house , though at that time his guest : Respecting neither the apposed Feast And hospitable Table , in that loue He set before him ; nor the voice of Ioue : But ▪ seizing first his Mares , he after slew His host himselfe . From those Mares search now grew Vlysses knowne t'Iphitus ; who that Bow At their encounter , did in loue bestow , Which great Eurytus hand had bo●ne before ( Iphitus Father ) who ( at deaths sad dore ) In his steepe Turret● , left it to his Son. Vlysses gaue him a keene Faulchion And mighty Lance ; and thus began they there Their fatall Loues ; for after , neuer were Their mut●all Tables to each other knowne ; Because Iou●s son th'vnworthy part had shown● O● slaughtering this God-like louing man , Eurytus son ; who with that Bow began And ended loue t'Vlysses : who so deare A gift esteem'd it , that he would not beare In his blacke fleete that guest-rite to the war ; But , in fit memorie of one so far In his aff●ction , brought it home , and kept His treasure with it , where till now it slept . And now the Queene of women had intent To giue it vse ; and therefore made ascent Vp all the staires height to the chamber dore : Whose shining leaues two bright Pilasters bore To such a close , when both together went ; It would resist the aire in their consent . The Ring she tooke then , and did draw aside A barre that ran within , and then implide The Key into the Locke ; which gaue a sound ( The Bolt then shooting ) as ● pasture ground A Bull doth Low , and make the valleyes ring : So loud the Locke humm'd , when it loosd his spring , And ope the doores flew . In she went along The lofty chamber , that was boorded strong With heart of Oake ; which many yeares ago The Architect did smooth and polish so , That now as then , he made it freshly shine ; And tried the euennesse of it with a Line . There stood in this roome , Presses that enclos'd Robes odorferous ; by which repos'd The Bow was vpon pins : Nor from it farre Hung the round Quiuer , glittering like a Starre ; Both which , her white extended hand tooke downe : Then sate she low , and made her lap a Crowne Of both those Reliques ; which she wept to see , And cried quite out with louing memory Of her deare Lord : To whose worth , paying then Kinde debts enow : She left ; and to the men Vow'd to her wooing , brought the crooked Bow , And shaft-receiuing Quiuer , that did flow With arrowes , beating sighes vp where they fell . Then , with another Chist , repleate as well VVith Games won by the King , of Steele and Brasse , Her Maids attended . Past whom , making passe To where her wooers were ; She made her stay Amids the faire Hall doore , and kept the ray Of her bright count'nance hid with veyles so thin , That though they seem'd t' expose , they let loue in ; Her Maids on both sides stood ; and thus she spake . Heare me , ye wooers , that a pleasure take To do me sorrow , and my house inuade To eate and drinke ; as if 't were onely made To serue your Rapines : My Lord long away ; And you allow'd no colour for your stay But his still absence ; striuing who shall frame Me for his wife ; and ( since 't is made a game ) I heere propose diuine Vlysses Bow For that great Maister-peece , to which ye vow . He that can draw it , with least show to striue , And through these twelue Ax-heads , an arrow driue ; Him will I follow , and this house forgo , That nourisht me a Maid : now furnisht so With all things fit ; and which I so esteeme That I shall still liue in it in my dream . This said , she made Eumaeus giue it them . He tooke , and laide it by ; and wept for wo , And like him , wept Philaetius ; when the Bow Of which his King was bearer , he beheld . Their teares , Antinous manhood much refeld ; And said , Ye rustick fooles ! that still each day Your minds giue ouer to this vaine dismay , VVhy weepe ye ( wretches ? ) and the widdowes eyes Tempt with renew'd thought ; that would otherwise Depose her sorrowes , since her Lord is dead , And teares are idle ? Sit , and eate your bread , Nor whisper more a word ; or get ye gone , And weepe without doores : Let this Bow alone To our ou-matcht contention : For I feare , The Bow will scarse yeeld draught to any heere . Heere no such man liues , as Laertes Son Amongst vs all : I knew him ; Thought puts on His lookes sight now , me thinkes , thogh then a child . Thus shew'd his words doubt , yet his hopes enstild His strength , the stretcher of Vlysses string . And his steeles piercer : But his shaft must sing Through his piercst Pallat first ; whom so he wrong'● In his free roofe ; and made the rest ill tongu'd Against his vertues . Then the sacred heat That spirited his Son , did further set Their confidence on fire ; and said : O Frends , Ioue hath bereft my wits : The Queene intends ( Though I must grant her wise ) ere long to leaue Vlysses Court ; and to her bed receaue Some other Lord : yet notwithstanding , I Am forc't to laugh , and set my pleasures hye Like one mad sicke . But wooers , since ye haue An obiect for your trials now so braue , As all the broad Achaian earth exceeds : As sacred Pylos ; as the Argiue breeds ; As blacke Epyrus , as Mycena's birth ; And as the more-fam'd Ithacensian earth ; All which , your selues well know , and o●t haue saide ; ( For what neede hath my Mother of my aide In her aduancement ? ) Tender no excuse , For least delay ; nor too much time profuse In stay to draw this Bow ; but draw it straight ; Shoot , and the steeles pierce : make all see how sleight You make these poore barres , to so rich a prise . No eagrer yet ? Come on : My faculties Shall try the Bowes strength , and the pierced steele : I will not for my reuerend Mother feele The sorrowes that I know will seize my heart , To see her follow any , and depart From her so long-held home : But first extend The Bow and Arrow to their tender'd end . For I am onely to succeede my Sire In guard of his games ; and let none aspire To their besides possession . This said ; His purple Robe he cast off . By he laide His well-edg'd sword ; and first , a seuerall pit He digg'd for euery Axe , and strengthen'd it VVith earth , close ramm'd about it : On a rew Set them of one height , by a Line he drew Along the whole twelue ; and so orderly Did euery deed belonging ( yet his eye Neuer before beholding how 't was done ) That in amaze rose all his lookers on . Then stood he neere the doore , & prou'd to draw The stubborne Bow : Thrice tried , & thrice gaue Law To his vncrown'd attempts : the fourth assay VVith all force offering , which a signe gaue stay Giuen by his Father ; though hee shew'd a minde As if he stood right heartily inclinde To perfect the exploite : when , all was done In onely drift to set the wooers on . His weaknesse yet confest ; he said , O shame I either shall be euer of no name , But proue a wretch : Or else I am too yong , And must not now prefume on pow'rs so strong As sinewes yet more growing , may ingraft , To turne a man quite ouer with a shaft . Besides , to men whose Nerues are best prepar'd ; All great Aduentures , at first proofe , are hard . But come , you stronger men , attempt this Bow , And let vs end our labour . Thus , below A well-ioyn'd boord he laide it ; and close by , The brightly-headed shaft : then thron'd his Thie Amidst his late-left seate . Antinous then Bad all arise : but first , who did sustaine The cups state euer ; and did sacrifice Before they eate still : and that man , bad rise , Since on the others right hand he was plac't ; Because he held the right hands rising , grac't VVith best successe still . This direction wun Supreame applause ; and first , rose Oe●ops Son Liodes , that was Priest to all the rest , Sate lowest with the Cup still , and their iest Could neuer like ; but euer was the man That checkt their follies : and he now began To taste the Bow : the sharpe shaft tooke , tug'd hard , And held aloft : and till he quite had marr'd His delicate tender fingers , could not stir The churlish string ▪ who therefore did refer The game to others ; saying , that same Bow ( In his presage ) would proue the ouerthrow Of many a chiefe man there : nor thought the Fate VVas any whit austere ; since Death● short da●e Were much the better taken ; then long life Without the ohiect of their amorous strife ; For whom they had burn'd out so many dayes To finde still other , nothing but delayes Obtaining in them : and affirm'd that now Some hop't to haue her : but when that tough Bow They all had tried , and seene the vtmost done , They must rest pleasd to cease ; and now some one Of all their other faire veyl'd Grecian Dames VVith gifts , and dow'r , and Hymeneal Flames ; Let her loue light to him , that most will giue , And whom the Nuptiall destiny did driue . Thus laid he on the well-ioyn'd pol●sht Bord The Bow , and bright-pil't shaft ; and then restor'd His seate his right . To him , Antinous Gaue bitter language , and reprou'd him thus . VVhat words ( Liodes ) passe thy speeches guard ? That 't is a worke to beare ? And set so hard , They set vp my disdaine : This Bow must end The best of vs ? since thy armes cannot lend The string least motion ? Thy Mothers throwes Brought neuer forth thy armes , to draught of Bowes , Or knitting shafts off . Though thou canst not draw The sturdy Plant , thou art to vs no law . Melanthius ? Light a fire , and set thereat A chaire and cushions ; & that masse of fat That lyes within , bring out ; that we may set Our Pages to this Bow , to see it heat And suppl'd with the sue● ; and then wee May giue it draught , and pay this great decree Vtmost performance . He a mighty fire Gaue instant flame , put into act th' entire Command layd on him : Chaire and cushions set ; Laid on the Bow , which straight the Pages het , Chaft , suppl'd with the Suet to their most ; And sti●l was all their Vnctuous labour lost : All wooers strengths , too indigent and pore To draw that Bow : Antinous armes , it tore ; An● great Eurymachus ( the both cleere best ) Yet both it tir'd , and made them glad to rest . Forth then went both the Swaines ; and after them Diuine Vlysses , when being past th' extreme Of all the Gates ; with winning words he tride Their loues , and this askt : Shall my counsailes hide Their depths from you ? My mind would gladly know If sodainly Vlysses had his Vow Made good for home ; and had some God to guide His steps and strokes to , to wreak these wooers pride ; Would your aids ioyne on his part , or with theirs ? How stand your hearts affected ? They made prayr's , That some God would please , to returne their Lord ; He then should see , how farre they would affoord Their liues for his . ( He seeing th●ir 〈◊〉 ) replied ; I am your Lord ; through 〈◊〉 any a sufferance ●●ied , Arriu'd now heere ; whom twenty yeares haue held From foorth my Country ; yet are not conceal'd From my sure knowledge ; your desires to see My safe returne . Of all the company Now seruing heere besides ; not one but you Mine eare hath witnest willing to bestow Their wishes of my life , so long held dead . I therefore vow , ( which shall be perfected ) That if God please , beneath my hand to leaue These wooers liuelesse ; ye shall both receiue Wiues from that hand , and meanes ; and neere to me Haue houses built to you : and both shall be As friends , and brothers to my onely Sonne . And that ye well may know me ; and ●e ●onne To that assurance : the infallible Signe The white-tooth'd Bore g●●e , this markt knee of mine When in Parnassus , he was held in chase By me , and by my famous Grand●ires race ; I l'e let you see . Thus seuer'd he his weede From that his wound ; and euery word had deed In their sure knowledges ; VVhich made them cast Their armes about him ; his broade brest imbrac't , His necke and shoulders kist . And him , as well Did those true powers of humane loue compell To kisse their heads and hands ; and to their mone Had sent the free light of the cheerefull Sunne , Had not Vlysses broke the ●uth , and saide ; Cease teares , and sorrowes , le●t wee proue displaide , By some that issue from the house ; and they Relate to those within . Take each his way , Not altogether in ; but one by one : First I , then you ; and then see this be done : The enuious wooers will by no meanes giue The offer of the Bow , and Arrow leaue To come at me ; spight then their pride , do thou ( My good Eumaeus ) bring both shaft and Bow , To my hands proofe ; and charge the maides before ; That instantly , they shut in euery doore ; That they themselues , ( if any tumult rise Beneath my Roofes ; by any that enuies , My will to vndertake the Game ) may gaine No passage forth , but close at worke containe With all free quiet ; or at least , constrain'd . And therefore ( my Philaetius ) see maintain'd ( VVhen close the gates are shut ) their closure fa●t ; To which end , be it thy sole worke to cast Their chaines before them . This said , in he led ; Tooke first his feate , and then they seconded His entry with their owne . Then tooke in hand Eurymachus the Bow , made close his stand Aside the fire ; at whose heate , here and there He warm'd and suppl'd it , yet could not stere To any draught , the string , with all his Art ; And therefore , sweld in him his glorious heart ; Affirming ; that himselfe , and all his friends Had cause to greeue : Not onely that their ends They mist in marriage ( since enow besides Kinde Grecian Dames , there liu'd to be their Brides In Ithaca , and other bordering Townes ) But that to all times future , their renownes VVould stand disparag'd , if Vlysses Bow They could not drawe , and yet his wife would woo . Antinous answer'd ; That there could ensue No shame at all to them : For well he knew , That this day was kept holy to the S●nne By all the City : and there should be done No such prophane act ; therefore bad , lay by The Bow for that day : but the maistery ●f Axes that were set vp , still might stand ; Since that no labour was , nor any hand VVould offer to inuade Vlysses house , To take , or touch with surreptitious Or violent hand , what there was left for vse . He therefore bad the Cup - 〈◊〉 infuse VVine to the Bolles ; that so , with ●acrifice They might let rest the shooting exercise ; And in the morning make 〈◊〉 bring The cheefe Goats of his Herd , that to the King Of Bowes and Archers , they might burne the Thyes For good successe ; and then , attempt the prize . The rest sate pleasd with this : the Heralds straite Pour'd water on their hands : each Page did waite VVith his crown'd cup of wine : seru●d 〈◊〉 man Till all were satisfied : and then began Vlyss●s plot of his close purpose ▪ 〈◊〉 : Heare me , ye much renown'd Eurymachus , And King Antinous , in cheefe ; who well , And with decorum sacred , doth compell This dayes obseruance ; and to let lay downe The Bow , all this light ; giuing Gods their owne . The mornings labour , God the more wil blesse , And strength bestow , where he himselfe shall please . Against which time , let me presume to pray Your fauours , with the rest ; that this assay , May my olde armes prooue ; trying if there lye In my poore powers the same actiuity That long since crown'd them : Or if needy fare And desolate wandring , haue the web worne bar● Of my lifes thred at all parts ; that no more Can furnish these affaires as heeretofore . This heat their spleens past measure ; blown with fear , Lest his loth'd temples , would the garland weare Of that Bowes draught : Antinous vsing speech To this sowre purpose : Thou most arrant wretch Of all guests breathing ; in no least degree Grac't with a humane soule : It serues not thee To feast in peace with vs ; take equall share Of what we reach to ; sit , and all things heare That we speake freely ( which no begging guest Did euer yet ) but thou must make request To mixe with vs in merit of the Queene . But wine enflames thee ; that hath euer beene The bane of men : whoeuer yet would take Th' excesse it offers ; and the meane forsake . Wine spoilde the Centaure great E●ryti●● , In guest-rites , with the mighty-minded Son Of bolde Ixion ; in his way to warre , Against the Lapithes ; who driuen as farre As madnesse , with the bold effects of wine ; Did outrage to his kinde hoast ; and decline Other Heroes from him , feasted there ; With so much anger , that they left their cheere , And dragg'd him forth the fore-court ; slit his nose , Cropt both his eares ; and in the ill dispose His minde then sufferd ; drew the fatall day On his head , with his hoast . For thence the fray Betwixt the Centaures , and the 〈◊〉 Had mortall act : but he for his 〈◊〉 In spoile of wine , far'd worth himselfe ; As thou For thy large cups , if thy armes draw the Bow , My minde foretels shalt feare : for not a man Of all our Consort , that in wisedome can Boast any fit share , will take prayers then ; But to Echetus , the most sterne of men A blacke Saile freight with thee ; whose worst of ill , Be sure is past all ransome . Sit then still ; Drinke temperately ; and neuer more contend With men your yongers . This , the Queene did end With her defence of him ; and told his Foe It was not faire , nor equall t'ouercrow The poorest Guest her sonne pleas'd t' entertaine In his free Turrets ; with so proud a straine Of threats , and brauings ; asking if he thought That if the stranger to his armes had brought The stubborne Bow downe ; he should marry her And beare her home ? And said , himselfe should erre In no such hope ; nor of them all the best That greeu'd at any good , she did her guest , Should banquet there ; since it in no sort show'd Noblesse in them , nor paid her , what she ow'd Her owne free rule there . This Eurymachus Confirm'd and saide ; nor feeds it hope in vs ( Icarius daughter ) to solemnize Rites Of Nuptials with thee ; Nor in noblest sights It can shew comely ; but to our respects The rumor , both of sexes , and of Sects Amongst the people , would breede shame , and feare , Lest any worst Greeke said ; See , m●n that were Of meane deseruings , will presume t' aspire To his wiues bed , whom all men did admire For fame and merit ; could not draw his Bow , And yet his wife , had foolish pride to woo : When straight an errant Begger comes and drawes The Bow with ease , performing all the Lawes The game beside contain'd ; and this would thus , Proue both indignity and shame to vs. The Queene replied ; The fame of men I see Beares much price , in your great suppos'd degree ; Yet who can proue ( amongst the people great ) That of one so esteem'd of them , the seat Doth so defame and ruine ? And beside , With what right is this guest thus vilefied In your high censures ? when the man , in blood Is well * composd , and great ; his parents good . And therefore giue the Bow to him , to try His Birth and breeding by his Cheualry . If his armes draw it ; and that Phoebus stands So great a glory to his strength , my hands Shall adde this guerdon : Euery sort of weed , A two-edg'd Sword and Lance , to keepe him freed From Dogs and Men hereafter ; and dismis His worth to what place tends that heart of his . Her sonne gaue answere ; That it was a wrong To his free sway , in all things that belong To guard of that house , to demand the Bow Of any wooer , and the vse bestow Vpon the stranger : For the Bow was his , To giue or to with-hold : No maisteries Of her proposing , giuing any power T'empaire his right in things , for any wower ; Or any that rough Ithaca affords ; Any that Elis ; of which , no mans words Nor pow'rs should curbe him ( stood he so enclin'd ) To see the Bow in absolute gift resign'd To that his guest , to beare and vse at will : And therefore bad his Mother keepe ●er still Amongst her women , at her Rocke and Loome ; Bowes were for men : and this Bow did become Past al mens , his disposure ; since his Sire Left it to him , and all the house e●tire . She stood dismaid at this ; and in her minde His wise words laide vp ; standing so inclinde As he had will'd ; with all her women , going Vp to her chamber : there , her teares bestowing ( As euery night she did ) on her lou'd Lord , Til sleepe and Pallas , her fit rest restor'd . The Bow , Eumaeus tooke , and bore away ; Which vp in tumult , and almost in fray Put all the wooers : One enquiring thus . Whether ? Rogue ? abiect ? wilt thou beare from vs That Bow proposd ? Lay downe , or I protest Thy dogs shal eate thee , that thou nourishest To guard thy Swine : amongst whom ( left of all ) Thy life shal leaue thee ; if the Festiuall VVe now obserue to Phoebus ; ●ay our zeales Grace with his aide , and all the Deities else . This threat made good 〈◊〉 yeelde the Bow To his late place , not knowing what might grow From such a multitude . And then fell on Telemachus with threats ; and saide , Set gon That Bow yet further : t is no seruants part To serue too many Maisters : raise your hart And beare it off , lest ( though your yonger ) yet VVith stones I pelt you to the field with it . If you and I close , I shal prooue to●●●rong : I wish , as much too hard for all this 〈◊〉 The Gods would make me ; I should quickly send Some after , with iust sorrow to their end : They waste my victles so , and ply my cup , And do me such shrewd turnes still . This put vp The wooers all in Laugh●●rs ; and put downe Their angers to him ; that so late were growne So graue and bloody , which resolu'd that feare Of good Eumaeus ; who did take and beare The King the Bow ; call'd Nurse , and bad her make The doores all sure ; that if mens tumults take The eares of some within ; they may not fly , But keepe at worke still , close and silently . These words put wings to her ; and close she put The chamber doore : The Court gates then were shut By kind Philaetius ; who straight did go From out the Hall ; and in the Portico Found laid , a Gable of a Ship , compos'd Of spongy Bulrushes ; with which hee clos'd ( In winding round about them ) the Court gates : Then tooke his place againe , to view the Fates That quickly follow'd . When he came , he saw Vlysses viewing , ere he tried to draw The famous Bow ; which euery way he mou'd ; Vp , and downe turning it : in which he prou'd The plight it was in : fearing chiefly , lest The hornes were eate with wormes , in so long rest . But what his thoughts intended , turning so ; And keeping such a search about the Bow : The wooers little knowing , fell to iest , And said ; Past doubt , he is a man profest In Bowyers craft , and sees quite through the wood : Or something ( certaine ) to be vnderstood There is , in this his turning of it still : A cunning Rogue he is , at any ill . Then spake another proud one ; Would to heauen I might ( at will ) get Gold , till he hath geuen That Bow his draught : with these sharp iests , did these Delightsome woo●rs , their fatall humors please . But when the wise Vlysses once had laide His fingers on it ; and to proofe suruaide The stil sound plight it held : As one of skill In song , and of the Harpe ; doth at his will In tuning of his Instrument ; extend A string out with his pin ; touch all , and lend To euery wel-wreath'd string , his perfect sound , Strooke all togither : with such ease , drew round The King , the Bow. Then twang'd he vp the string , That , as a Swallow , in the aire doth sing VVith no continu'd tune ; but ( pausing still ) Twinkes out her scatter'd voice in accents shrill ; So sharpe the string sung , when he gaue it touch , Once hauing bent and drawne it . Which so much Amaz'd the wooers , that their colours went And came , most grieuously . And then , Ioue rent The aire with thunder ; which at heart did chere The now-enough-sustaining Traueller . Tha Ioue , againe , would his attempt enable . Then tooke he into hand , from off the Table The first drawne arrow ; and a number more Spent shortly on the wooers . But this One , He measur'd by his arme ( as if not knowne The leng●h were to him ) nockt it then ; and drew : And ●hrough the Axes , at the first hole , flew The steele-chardg'd arrow ; which whē he had done , He thus bespake the Prince : You haue not wonne Disgrace yet by your Guest ; for I haue strook The marke I shot at ; and no such toile tooke In wearying the Bow , with fat and fire , As did the wooers ; yet reseru'd entire ( Thanke heauen ) my strength is ; & my selfe am tried , No man to be so basely vilified As these men pleas'd to think me . But , free way Take that , and all their pleasures : and while Day Holds her Torch to you ; and the howre of feast Hath now full date ; giue banquet ; and the rest ( Poeme and Harpe ) that grace a wel-fill'd boorde . This saide : he beckn'd to his Sonne ; whose sword He straight girt to him : tooke to hand his Lance , And , compleate arm'd , did to his Sire aduance . The End of the XXI . Booke of Homers Odysses . THE XXII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Wooers in Mineruaes sight Slaine by Vlysses ; All the light And lustfull H●swiues , by his Sonne And seruants , are to slaughter done . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The end of Pride , & lawlesse Lust ; Is wretched tried , with slaughters iust THe vpper rags , that wise Vlysses wore , Cast off ; he ●usheth to the great Hall dore With Bow and Quiuer full of shafts ; which downe He pour'd before his feet ; & thus made known His true state to the wooers : This strife , thus Hath harmlesse bene decided : Now for vs There rests another marke , more hard to hit , And such as neuer man before hath smit ; VVhose full point likewise , my hands shall assay , And try if Phoebus will giue me his day . He said ; and off his bitter Arrow thrust Right , at Antinous ; that strooke him iust As he was lifting vp the Bolle ; to show , That 'twixt the cup , & lip , much ill may grow . Death toucht not at his thoughts , at Feast : for who VVould thinke , that he alone could perish ●o Amongst so many ? And he , best of all ? The Arrow in his throate tooke full his fall ; And thrust his head farre through the other side : Downe fell his cup ; downe he ; downe all his pride . Straight from his Nostrils gusht the humane gore : And as he fell , his feete farre ouerbore The feastfull Table ; all the Rost , and Bread About the house strew'd . VVhen his high-born head The rest beheld so low , vp rusht they all , And ransack't euery Corner of the Hall For Shields and Darts : but all fled farre their reach ; Then fell they foule on him with terrible speach , And told him , it should proue the deerest shaft That euer past him ; and that now was saf't No shift for him , but sure and sodaine death : For he had slaine a man , whose like did breath In no part of the Kingdome : and that now He should no more for Game● , striue with his Bow , But Vultures eate him there . These threats they spent ; ●et euery man beleeu'd , that sterne euent Chanc't 'gainst the authors will : O Fooles , to thinke That all their rest , had any cup to drinke , But what their great Antinous began . He ( frowning ) saide ; Dogs , see in me the man Ye all held dead at Troy : My house it is That thus ye spoile ; that thus your Luxuries File with my womens rapes : in which , ye woo The wife of one that liues ; and no thought ●●ow Of mans fit feare , or Gods : your present Fame , Or any faire sence of your future name . And therefore , present and eternal death Shall end your base life . This made fresh feares breath Their former boldnesse : euery man had eye On all the meanes , and studied wayes to flye So deepe deaths imminent . But , seeing none , E●rymachus began with suppliant mone To mooue his pitty , saying ; If you be This Iles Vlysses , we must all agree In grant of your reproofes integrity . The Greekes haue done you many a wrong at home ; At field as many : But of all , the summe Lies heere contract in death : For onely he Imposd the whole ill Offices that we Are now made guilty of : and not so much Sought his endeuours ; or in thought did touch At any Nuptials ; but a greater thing Employ'd his forces : For , to be our King VVas his cheefe obiect : his sole plot it was To kil your Son : which Ioues hand would not passe , But set it to his owne most merited end . In which , end your iust anger ; nor extend Your sterne wreake further : Spend your royal pow'rs In milde ruth of your people ; we are yours . And whatsoeuer waste of wine ; or food , Our Liberties haue made ; wee 'le make all good In restitutions : call a Court , and passe A fine of twenty Oxen , Gold , and Brasse , On euery Head ; and raise your most rates still , Till you are pleasd with your confessed fill : VVhich if we faile to tender : all your wrath , It shal be iustice in our bloods to bathe . Eurymachus ( saide he ) if you would giue All that your Fathers hoord , to make ye liue ; And all that euer you your selues possesse , Or shal by any industry increase : I would not cease from slaughter , till your bloods Had bought out your intemperance in my Goods . It rests now for you , that you either fight That will scape death , or make your way by flight : In whose best choise , my thoughts conceiue , not one Shall shun the death , your first hath vndergone . This quite dissolu'd their knees : E●rymachus Enforcing all their feares , yet counsail'd thus : O Friends This man , now he hath got the Bow And Quiuer by him , euer will bestow His most inaccessible hands at vs And neuer leaue , if we auoide him thus , Til he hath strew'd the pauement with vs all : And therefore , ioyne we swords , and on him fall With Tables forc't vp ; and borne in opposd Against his sharpe shafts ; when being round enclosd By all our on-sets , we shall either take His horrid person , or for safety make His rage retire from out the Hall and Gates : And then , if he escape , wee 'l make our states Knowne to the City , by our generall ●ry : And thus this man shal let his last shaft fly , That euer his hand vanted . Thus he drew His sharpe edg'd sword ; and with a table , flew In , on Vlysses with a terrible throte , His fierce charge vrging . But Vlysses●mote ●mote The boord , and cleft it through , from end to end Borne at his breast , and made his shaft extend His sharp head to his Liuer : his broad breast Pierc't at his Nipple : when , his hand releast Forthwith his sword , that fel and kist the ground : VVith cups and victles , lying scattered round About the pauement : amongst which , his brow Knockt the embrued earth ; while in paines did slow His vitall spirits , til his heeles shooke out His feastful life ; and hurl'd a Throne about , That way-laide deaths convulsions in his feete ; When from his tender eyes , the light did flee● . Then charg'd Amphi●omus with his drawne blade The glorious King , in purpose to haue made His feete forsake the house : But his assay The Prince preuented ; and his Lance gaue way Quite through his shoulder , at his backe : his brest The fierce pile letting forth . His ruine , prest Grones from the pauement ; which his forhead strook . Telemachus his long Lance then forsooke ( Left in Amphinomus ) and to his Sire Made fiery passe ; not staying to acquire His Lance againe ; in doubt that while he drew The fixed pile , some other might renew Fierce charge vpon him ; and his vnarm'd head Cleaue with his back-drawne sword : for which he fled Close to his Father ; bad him arme , and he Would bring him Shield and Iauelins instantly ; His owne head arming ; more armes laying by To serue the Swine-herd , and the Oxen-herd . Valour well arm'd , is euer most preferd . Run then ( saide he ) and come , before the last Of these auxilliary shafts are past : For feare , lest ( left alone ) they force my stand From forth the Ports . He flew , and brought to hand Eight Darts , foure Shields , 4. Helmes . His owne parts then First put in armes , he furnisht both his men , That to their King stood close . But he , as long As he had shafts to friend , enough was strong For all the wooers : and some one man still He made make euen with earth . Till all , a hill Had raisd in th'euen floor'd Hall. His last shaft spent , He set his Bow against a beame , and went To arme at all parts , while the other three Kept off the wooers : who , vnarm'd , could be No great assailants . In the well-built wall A window was thrust out , at end of all The houses Entry : on whose vtter side There lay a way to Towne ; and in it , wide And two leau'd folds were forg'd , that gaue fit meane For flyers out ; and therefore , at it then Vlysses plac't Eumaeus in close guard : One onely passe ope to it : which ( prepar'd In this sort by Vlysses , 'gainst all passe ) By Agelaus tardy memorie , was In question call'd : who bad , some one ascend At such a window ; and bring straight to frend The City with his clamor ; that this man Might quickly shoot his last . This , no one can Make safe accesse to ( saide Melanthi●s ) For 't is too neere the Hals faire doores : whence thus The man afflicts ye : For from thence , there lies But one streight passage to it ; that denies Accesse to all ; if any one man stand ( Being one of courage ) and will countermand O●r offer to it . But I know a way To bring you armes , from where the King doth lay His whole munition : and , beleeue there is No other place , to all the Armories Both of himselfe and Sonne . This saide : a paire Of lofty Staires he climb'd ; and to th' affaire , Twelue Shields , twelue Lances broght ; as many casks , VVith horse-haire Plumes ; and set to bitter tasks Both Son and Sire . Then shrunke Vlysses knees , And his lou'd heart ; when thus in armes he sees So many wooers ; and their shaken darts : For then the worke shew'd , as it askt more parts To safe performance : and he tolde his Sonne , That or Melanthius , or his maides had done A deed , that foule warre , to their hands conferd . O Father ( he replyed ) t is I haue err'd In this caus'd labour : I , and none , but I ; That left the doore ope , of your Armory . But some ( it seemes ) hath set a sharper eye On that important place : Eumaeus ! hast And shut the doore ; obseruing who hath pa●t To this false action : any maide ; or One That I suspect more ; which is Dolius Sonne . VVhile these spake thus ; Melanthius went againe For more faire armes ; whom the renowned Swaine Eumaeus saw : and tolde Vlysses straight , It was the hatefull man , that his conceite Before suspected ; who had done that ill : And ( being againe there ) askt if he should kill ( If his power seru'd ) or he should bring the Swaine To him ; t' inflict on him a seuerall paine For euery forfeite , he had made his house . He answer'd : I and my Telemachus VVill heere containe these proud ones , in despite , How much soeuer , these stolne armes excite Their guilty courages ; while you two take Possession of the Chamber : the doores make Sure at your backe : and then ( surprising him ) His feete and hands binde ; wrapping euery lim In pliant chaines ; and with a halter ( cast Aboue the winde-beame ( at himselfe made fast ) Aloft the Column draw him : where aliue He long may hang ; and paines enow , depriue His vexed life , before his death succeede . This charge ( soone heard ) as soone they put to deed ; Stole on his stealth ; and at the further end Of all the chamber , saw him busily bend His hands to more armes : when they ( still at dore ) Watcht his returne . At last , he came , and bore In one hand , a faire Helme : in th' other held A broad , and ancient rusty-rested Shield , That old Laertes in his youth had worne ; Of which , the cheeke-bands had with age bin torne . They rusht vpon him , caught him by the haire , And dragg'd him in againe : whom ( crying out ) They cast vpon the pauement : wrapt about With sure and pinching cords , both foote and hand ; And then ( in full acte of their Kings command ) A pliant chaine bestow'd on him ; and hal'd His body vp the columne , till he scal'd The highest wind-beame . Where , made firmly fast , Eumaeus on his iust infliction , past This pleasurable cauill : Now you may , All night keepe watch heere , and the earliest day Discerne ( being hung so high ) to rouse from rest Your dainty Cattle , to the wooers Feast . There ( as befits a man of meanes so faire ) Soft may you sleepe , nought vnder you but aire ; And so , long hang you . Thus they left him there , Made fast the doore ; and with Vlysses , were All arm'd in th' instant . Then they all stood close ; Their minds fire breath'd in flaures against their foes . Foure in th ' Entry fighting all alone ; VVhen from the Hall charg'd many a mighty one : But to them then , Ioues seede ( Min●urua ) came , Resembling Mentor , both in voice and frame Of manly person . Passing well apaide Vlysses was ; and saide , Now Ment●r , aid● Gainst these odde mischiefes : call to memory now My often good to thee ; and that , we two Of one yeares life are . Thus he said ; but thought It was Minerua , that had euer brought To her side , safety . On the other part , The wooers threatn'd : but the chiefe in heart VVas Agelaus ; who , to Mentor spake . Mentor : Let no words of Vlysses make Thy hand a fighter on his feeble side , Gainst al vs wooers : for we firme abide In this perswasion ; That when Sire and Son Our swords haue slaine , thy life is sure to ron One fortune with them : what strange acts hast thou Conceit to forme here ▪ Thy head must below The wreake of theirs , on vs : And when thy powrs Are taken downe by these fierce steeles of ours ; All thy possessions , in doores , and without Must raise on heape with his ; and all thy rout Of sons and daughters , in thy Turrets bleed Wreake offerings to vs ; and our Towne stand freed Of all charge with thy wife . Mineruaes heart Was fir'd with these Braues : the approu'd desert Of her Vlysses , chiding : saying , No more Thy force nor fortitude , as heretofore Will gaine thee glory . VVhen nine yeares at Troy , VVhite-wristed Hellens rescue , did imploy Thy armes and wisedome ; still , and euer vsde The bloods of thousands , through the field diffusde By thy vaste valor ; Priams broad-waide Towne By thy graue parts , was sackt , and ouerthrowne : And now , amongst thy people , and thy goods , Against the wooers base and petulant bloods , Stint'st thou thy valour ? Rather mourning here , Then manly fighting ? Come Friend , Stand we nere , And note my labour , that thou maist discerne Amongst thy foes , how Mentors Nerues will erne All thy old Bounties . This she spake , but staide Her hand from giuing each-way-often-swaide Vncertaine conquest , to his certaine vse ; But still would try , what selfe-pow'rs would produce Both in the Father ▪ and the glorious Son. Then , on the wind-beame , that along did ron The smoaky roofe ; transform'd Minerua sat Like to a Swallow ; sometimes cuffing at The swords and Lances , rushing from her seate ; And vp and downe the troubl'd house , did beate Her wing at euery motion . And as she Had rouz'd Vlysses ; so , the enemy Damastors sonne excited ; Polybus , Amphinomus , and Demoptolemus , Eurynomus , and Polyctorides ; For these were men , that of the wooing prea●e VVere most egregious , and the clearly best In strength of hand , of all the desperate rest That yet suruiu'd , and now fought for their soules ; VVhich straight , swift arrowes sent among the Fouls . But first , Damastors sonne had more spare breath To spend on their excitements , ere his death ; And saide , That now Vlysses would forbeare His dismall hand , since Mentors spirit was there , And blew vaine vants about Vlysses eares ; In whose trust , he would cease his Massacres , Rest him , and put his friends huge boasts in proofe : And so was he beneath the Entries roofe Left with Telemachus , and th' other two : At whom ( saide he ) discharge no Darts : but thro All at Vlysses , rousing his faint rest ; Whom if we slaughter , by our interest In Ioues assistance , all the rest may yield Our pow'rs no care , when he strowes once the field . As he then will'd : they all at randon threw , VVhere they supposd he rested ; and then flew Minerua after euery Dart , and made Some strike the threshold ; some the wals inuade : Some beate the doores ; and all acts rendred vaine Their graue steele offer'd : which escap't , Againe Came on Vlysses , saying ; O that we , The wooers troope , with our ioynt Archerie Might so assaile ; that where their spirits dream . On our deaths first , we first may slaughter them . Thus the much sufferer said ; and all let fly , VVhen euerie man strooke dead his enemy : Vlysses slaughtred Demoptolemus : Euryades by yong Telemachus His death encounter'd . Good E●maus slew Elatus ; And Philaetius ouerthrew Pysander : all which , tore the paued floore Vp with their teeth : The rest retir'd before Their second charge , to inner roomes ; and then Vlysses follow'd : from the slaughter'd men Their darts first drawing . While which worke was done , The wooers threw , with huge contention To kill them all ; when with her Swallow wing , Minerua cufft ; and made their Iauelins ring Against the doores , and thresholds , as before● : Some yet did graze vpon their markes . One tore The Princes wrist , which was Amphimed●● ; Th' extreame part of the skin , but toucht vpon . Ctesippus , ouer good Eumaeus Shield His shoulders top did taint ; which yet did yield The Lance free passe , and gaue his hurt the ground . Againe then charg'd the wooers , and girt round Vlysses with their Lances ; who turn'd head , And with his Iauelin strooke Euryda●●s dead . Telemachus , disliu'd Amphimed●n ; Eumaeus , Polybu● ; Philaetius won Ctesippus bosome with his dart , and said ; ( In quittance of the Iesters part he plaid , The Neats-foot hurling at Vlysses ) Now Great Sonne of Polytherses ; you that vow Your wit to bitter taunts ; and loue to wound The * heart of any with a iest ; so crown'd Your wit be with a laughter ; neuer yeilding To fooles in folly ; but your glory building On putting downe in fooling , spitting forth Puft words at all sorts : Cease to scoffe at worth , And leaue reuenge of vile words to the Gods , Since theit wits beare the sharper edge by ods : And in the meane time , take the Dart I draue , For that right hospitable foote you gaue Diuine Vlysses , begging but his owne . Thus spake the black-Ox-herdsman ; & straight down Vlysses strooke another with his Dart , ( Damastors son . ) Telemachus did part Iust in the midst , the belly of the faire Euenors sonne ; his fierce Pile taking aire Out at his backe . Flat fell he on his face ; His whole browes knocking , and did marke the place . And now , man-slaughtering Pallas tooke in hand Her Snake-frindg'd shield , & on that beam took stand In her true forme , where Swallow-like she sat . And then , in this way of the house , and that : The wooers ( wounded at the heart with feare ) Fled the encounter : As in Pastures , where Fat Herds of Oxen feede , about the field ( As if wilde madnesse their instincts impeld ) The high-fed Bullockes flye : whom in the Spring ( When dayes are long ) Gadbees , or Breezes sting . Vlysses and his sonne , the Flyers chac'st ; As when with crooked Beakes and Seres , a cast Of hill-bred Eagles , cast off at some game , That yet their strengths keepe ; But ( put vp ) in flame The Eagles stoopes ; From which , along the field The poore Foules make wing : this and that way yield Their hard-flowne Pinions : ●hen , the clouds assay For scape or shelter ; their forlorne dismay All spirit exhaling , all wings strength to carry Their bodies forth ; and ( trust vp ) to the Quarry Their Faulconers ride in , and reioyce to see Their Hawkes performe a flight so feruently ; So ( in their flight ) Vlysses with his Heire , Did stoope and cuffe the wooers , that the aire Broke in vaste sighes : whose heads , they shot & cleft ; The Pauement boyling with the soules they reft : Liodes ( running to Vlysses ) toke His knees ; and thus did on his name inuoke : Vlysses : Let me pray thee , to my place Affoord the reuerence ; and to me the grace : That neuer did , or saide , to any Dame Thy Court contain'd , or deede , or word to blame . But others so affected , I haue made Lay downe their insolence ; and if the trade They kept with wickednesse , haue made them still Despise my speech , and vse their wonted ill ; They haue their penance by the stroke of death ; Which their des●rt , diuinely warranteth : But I am Priest amongst them ; and shall I , That nought haue done worth death , amongst thē dy ? From thee , this Prouerbe then will men deriue ; Good turnes do neuer their meere deeds suruiue . He ( bending his displeased forehead ) saide ; If you be Priest amongst them , as you pleade , Yet you would marry ; and with my wife too ; And haue descent by her : For all that woo Wish to obtaine , which they should neuer doo Dames husbands liuing . You must therefore pray Of force , and oft in Court heere ; that the day Of my returne for home might neuer shine ; The death to me wish't , therefore shall be thine . This said ; he tooke a sword vp that was cast From Agelaus , hauing strooke his last ; And on the Priests mid necke , he laide a stroke That strooke his head off ; tumbling as he spoke . Then did the Poet Phoemiu● ( whose sur-name VVas call'd Terpiades ; who thither came Forc't by the woo'rs ) fly death ; but being nere The Courts great gate , he stood , and parted there In two his counsailes ; either to remoue And take the Altar of Here●ian Ioue ; ( Made sacred to him ; with a world of Art Engrauen about it ; where were wont t' impart Laertes , and Vlysses , many a Thye Of broad-brow'd Oxen to the Deity ) Or venture to Vlysses : cla●pe his knee , And pray his ruth . The last was the decree His choise resolu'd on . Twixt the royall Throne , And that faire Table that the Bolle stood on VVith which they sacrific'd ; his Harpe he laide Along the earth ; the Kings knees hugg'd , and saide : Vlysses ! Let my prayers obtaine of thee My sacred skils respect , and ruth to mee . It will heereafter grieue thee to haue slaine A Poet , that doth sing to Gods and men . I , of my selfe am taught : for God alone , All sorts of song hath in my bosome sowne : And I , as to a God , will sing to thee ; Then do not thou deale like the Priest , with me ▪ Thine owne lou'd sonne Telemachus will say , That not to beg heere ; nor with willing way Was my accesse to thy high Court addrest , To giue the wooers my song after Feast ; But being many , and so much more strong ; They forc't me hither , and compell'd my Song . This did the Princes sacred vertue heare ; And to the King his Father , said : Forbeare To mixe the guiltlesse , with the guilties blood . And with him likewise , let our mercies saue Medon the Herald ; that did still behaue Himselfe with care of my good , from a childe ; If by Eumaeus yet he be not kild ; Or by Philaetius ; nor your fury met , While all this blood about the house it swet . This Medon heard , as lying hid beneath A Throne set neere ; halfe dead with feare of death ; A new-flead Oxe-hide ( as but there throwne by ) His serious shroud made , he lying there , to fly . But hearing this , he quickly left the Throne ; His Oxe-hide cast as quickly , and as soone The Princes knees seiz'd : saying , O my loue , I am not slaine ; but heere aliue , and moue . Abstaine your selfe ; and do not see your Sire Quench with my cold blood , the vnmeasur'd fire That flames in his strength , making spoile of me , His wraths right , for the wooers iniury . Vlysses smil'd , and said ; Be confident This man hath sau'd , and made thee different ; To let thee know , and say , and others see , Good life , is much more safe then villany . Go then , sit free without , from death within : This much renowned Singer , from the sin Of these men likewise quit . Both rest you there , While I my house purge , as it fits me here . This saide , they went and tooke their seat without At Ioues high Altar , looking round about , Expecting still their slaughter : VVhen the King Searcht round the Hall , to try lifes hidden wing Made from more death . But all , laid prostrate there In blood and gore he saw : whole sholes they were ; And lay as thicke , as in a hollow creake VVithou● the white Sea , when the Fishers breake Their many-meshed Draught-net vp , there lye Fish frisking on the Sands ; and faine the dry VVould for the wet change . But th'al-seeing beam The Sun exhales , hath suckt their liues from them ; So , one by other , spraul'd the wooers there . Vlysses , and his Son then , bid appeare The Nurse Euryclea , to let her heare His minde in something , fit for her affaire . He op't the doore , and call'd ; and said , Repaire Graue Matron , long since borne ; that art our Spy To all this houses seruile huswifery : My Father cals thee , to impart some thought That askes thy action . His word , found in nought Her slacke obseruance , who straight op't the dore And enter'd to him ; when himselfe before Had left the Hall. But there , the King she view'd Amongst the slaine , with blood and gore embrew'd : And as a Lyon sculking all in Night , Farre off in Pastures ; and come home , all dight In iawes and brest-lockes , with an Oxes blood , New feasted on him , his lookes full of mood ? So look't Vlysses ; all his hands and feete Freckl'd with purple . When which sight did greete The poore old woman ( such workes being for eyes Of no soft temper ) out she brake in cries ; VVhose vent , though throughly opened ; he yet closd , Cal'd her more neere , and thus her plaints composd ; Forbeare ; nor shrieke thus : But vent ioyes as loud ? It is no piety to bemone the proud : Though ends befall them , mouing neere so much , These are the portions of the Gods to such . Mens owne impieties , in their instant act , Sustaine their plagues ; which are with stay but rackt . But these men , Gods nor men had in esteeme : Nor good , nor bad , had any sence in them . Their liues directly ill , were therefore cause That Death in these sterne formes , so deepely drawes . Recount then to me , those licentious Dames , That lost my honor , and their sexes shames . I le tell you truly ( she replied , ) There are Twice fiue and twenty women here , that share All worke amongst them ; whom I taught to Spin , And beare the iust bands that they suffer'd in : Of all which , onely there were twelue , that gaue Themselues to impudence , and light behaue ; Nor me respecting , nor herselfe ( the Queene . ) And for your Son , he hath but lately bene Of yeares to rule : Nor would his Mother beare His Empire , where her womens labors were . But let me go , and giue her notice now Of your arriuall . Sure some God doth show His hand vpon her , in this rest she takes , That all these vpro●es beares , and neuer wakes . Nor wake her yet ( said he ) but cause to come Those twelue light women , to this vtter roome . She made all vtmost haste , to come and go , And bring the women he had summon'd so . Then , both his Swaines and Son , he bad , go call The women to their aide , and cleere the Hall Of those dead bodies : Clense each boord , & Throne VVith wetted Sponges : which , with fitnesse , done , He bad take all the Strumpets , 'twixt the wall Of his first Court ; and that roome next the Hall ; In which , the vessell of the house were scour'd ; And in their bosomes sheath their euery sword , Till all their soules were fled ; and they had then , Felt 't was but paine to sport with lawlesse men . This said ; the women came , all drown'd in mone , And weeping bitterly . But first , was done The bearing thence the dead : all which , beneath The Portico they stow'd , where death on death They heap't together . Then tooke all , the paines Vlysses will'd . His Sonne yet , and the Swaines VVith paring-shouels wrought : The women bore Their parings forth ; and al the clotter'd gore . The house then clensd , they brought the women out , And put them in a roome , so wall'd about , That no meanes seru'd their sad estates to flye . Then saide Telemachus , These shall not dye A death that lets out any wanton blood , And vents the poison that gaue Lust her foode , The body clensing ; but a death that chokes The breath , and all together , that prouokes And seemes as Bellowes , to abhorred Lust ; That both on my head , pour'd depraues vniust , And on my Mothers ; scandaling the Court , VVith men debaucht , in so abhorr'd a sort . This said ; a Halser of a ship they cast About a crosse beame of the roofe ; which fast They made about their neckes , in twelue parts cut ; And hal'd them vp so high , they could not put Their feete to any stay . As which was done , Looke how a Mauis , or a Pygeon In any Groue , caught with a Sprindge , or Net ; VVith strugling Pinions 'gainst the ground doth beat Her tender body ; and that then-streight bed Is sowre to that swindge , in which she was bred ; So striu'd these taken Birds , till euery one Her pliant halter , had enforc't vpon Her stubborne necke ; and then aloft was haul'd To wretched death . A little space they sprauld Their feet fast mouing ; but were quickly still . Then fetcht they downe Melanthius , to fulfill The equall execution ; which was done In Portall of the Hall ; and thus begun : They first slit both his Nose thrils , cropt each eare ; His Members tugg'd off , which the dogges did teare , And chop vp bleeding sweet ; and while red hot T●e vice-abhorring blood was ; off they smote His hands and feet , and there that worke had end : Then washt they hands & feet , that blood had steind ; And tooke the house againe . And then the King ( Euryclea calling ) bad her quickly bring All ill-expelling Brimstone , and some fire , That with perfumes cast , he might make entire The houses first integrity in all . And then his timely will was , she should call Her Queene and Ladies ; still yet charging her , That all the Handmaids she should first confer . She said , he spake as fitted ; But before ▪ She held it fit to change the weeds he wore , And she would others bring him : that not so His faire broad shoulders might rest clad ; and show His person to his seruants , was too blame . First bring me Fire , said he . She went , and came VVith fire , & sulphure straight ; with which the hall , And ●f the huge house , all roomes capitall He throughly sweetned . Then went Nurse to call The Handmaid seruants downe ; & vp she went To tell the newes , and will'd them to present Their seruice to their Soueraigne Downe they came , Sustaining Torches all , and pour'd a flame Of Loue , about their Lord : with welcomes home , VVith huggings of his hands , with laborsome Both heads and fore-heads , kisses , and embraces ; And plyed him so , with all their louing graces , That teares and sighes , tooke vp his whole desire ; For now he knew their hearts to him entire . The End of the XXII . Booke of Homers Odysses . THE XXIII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses to his wife is knowne : A briefe sum of his Trauailes shown● . Himselfe , his Son , and Seruants go T' approue the Wooers ouer●hrow . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . For all annoyes ▪ sustain'd before ; The true wiu●s ioyes , now made the more . THe seruants thus inform'd ; the Matron goes Vp , where the Queene was cast in such repose ; Affected with a feruent ioy to tell VVhat all this time she did with paine conceale . Her knees reuokt their first strength ; and her feete Were borne aboue the ground , with wings , to greete The long-greeu'd Queene , with newes her King was come ; And ( neere her ) said : Wake , Leaue this withdrawne roome ; That now your eyes may see , at length , though late , The man return'd , which all the heauy date Your woes haue rackt out , you haue long'd to see : Vlysses is come home , and hath set free His Court of all your wooers ; slaughtering all , For wasting so his goods with Fes●iuall : His house so vexing ; and for violence done , So all waies varied to his onely sonne . She answer'd her ; The Gods haue made thee mad ; Of whose pow'r now , thy pow'rs such proof haue had . The Gods can blinde with follies , wisest eies , And make men foolish , so to make them wise . For they haue hurt euen thy graue braine , that bore An vnderstanding spirit heretofore , VVhy hast thou wak't me to more teares , when Mon● Hath turn'd my minde , with teares , into her owne ? Thy madnesse much more blamefull , that with lyes Thy haste is loaden : and both robs mine eyes Of most delightsome sleepe ; and sleepe of them , That now had bound me in his sweet extream , T' embrace my lids , and close my vsuall Spheres . I haue not slept so much this twenty yeares ; Since first my dearest sleeping-Mate was gone For that too-ill-to-speake of , Ilion . Hence , take your mad steps backe ; if any Maid Of all my traine besides , a part had plaid So bold to wake , and tell mine eares such lies ; I had return'd her to her huswiferies VVith good proofe of my wrath to such rude Dames ; But go , your yeares haue sau'd their yonger blames . She answer'd her : I nothing wrong your eare , But tell the truth : your long-mist Lord is heere ; And , with the wooers slaughter , his owne hand ( In chiefe exploit ) hath to his owne command Reduc't his house ; and that poore Guest was he , That all those wooers , wrought such iniurie . Telemachus had knowledge long ago That 't was his Father ; but his wisedome so Obseru'd his counsailes ; to giue surer end To that great worke , to which they did contend . This call'd her spirits to their conceiuing places ; She sprung for ioy , from blames into embraces Of her graue Nurse : wip't euery teare away From h●r faire cheekes ; and then began to say What Nurse said , oner thus ; O Nurse , can this Be true thou sayst ▪ How could that hand of his Alone , destroy so many ? They would still Troope all together . How could he then kill Such numbers , so vnited ? How ? ( said she ) I haue nor seene , nor heard ; but certainly The deed is done . VVe sate within , in feare ; The doores shut on vs : and from thence might heare The sighes , and grones of euery man he slew ; But heard , nor saw more : till at length , there flew Your sonnes voice to mine eare , that call'd to me , And bad me then come foorth : and then I see Vlysses standing in the midst of all Your slaughtred wooers , heap't vp like a wall , One on another , round about his side ; It would haue done you good to haue descride Your conqu'ring lord ; al smeard with blood & gore So like a Lyon. Straight then , off they bore The slaughtred carkasses ; that now before The fore-Court gates lye , one on other pilde . And now your victor , all the Hall ( defilde VVith stinch of hot death ) is perfuming round ; And with a mighty fire the harth hath crown'd . Thus , all the death remou'd , and euery roome Made sweet and sightly ; that your selfe should come His pleasure sent me . Come then , take you now Your mutuall fils of comfort : Griefe , on you Hath long , and many sufferings laid ; which length , VVhich many suffrings , nowe your vertuous strength Of vncorrupted chastnesse , hath conferr'd A happy end to . He that long hath err'd Is safe arriu'd at home : his wife , his sonne Found safe & good ; all ill that hath bene done On all the dooers heads ( though long prolong'd ) His right hath wreak't , and in the place they wrong'd ▪ She answer'd : Do not you now laugh , and bost As you had done some great act ; seeing most Into his Being : For , you know , he won ( Euen through his poore , and vile condition ) A kind of prompted thought ; that there was plac't Some vertue in him , fit to be embrac't By all the house ; but , most of all , by me And by my Son , that was the progeni● Of both our loues . And yet it is not he , For all the likely proofes ye plead to me : Some God hath slaine the wooers , in disdaine Of the abhorred pride , he saw so raigne In those base workes they did : No man aliue , Or good , or bad , whoeuer did arriue At their abodes once , euer could obtaine Regard of them : and therefore their so vaine And vile deserts , haue found as vile an end . But ( for Vlysses ) neuer will extend His wisht returne to Greece : Nor he yet liues . How strange a Queen are you ? ( said she ) that giue● No truth your credit ? That your husband , set Close in his house at fire , can purchase yet No faith of you ; But that he still is farre From any home of his ? your wit 's at warre With all credulity euer ; and yet now I le name a signe , shall force beleefe from you : I bath'd him lately ; and beheld the scar That still remaines a marke too ocular To leaue your heart yet blinded ; and I then Had run and told you : but his hand was feine To close my lips from th'acclamation My heart was breathing : and his wisedome won My still retention , till he gaue me leaue , And charge to tell you this . Now then , receaue My life for gage of his returne ; which take In any cruell fashion ; if I make All this not cleere to you . Lou'd Nurse ( said she ) Though many things thou knowst , yet these things be Veil'd in the counsailes th'vncreated Gods Haue long time maskt in : whose darke periods T is hard for thee to see into ; But come , Le ts see my son ; the slaine ; and he by whom They had their slaughter . This said ; down they went ; When on the Queens part , diuers thoghts wer spent ; If ( all this giuen no faith ) she still should stand Aloofe , and question more : Or his hugg'd hand , And loued head , she should at first assay With free-giuen kisses . VVhen her doubtfull way Had past the stony pauement , she tooke seate Against her husband , in the opposite heate The fire then cast vpon the other wall : Himselfe , set by the Columne of the Hall ; His lookes cast downwards , and expected still , VVhen her incredulous , and curious will To shun ridiculous error , and the shame To kisse a Husband , that was not the same , VVould downe , and win enough faith from his sight . She silent sate , and her perplexed plight Amaze encounter'd : Sometimes , she stood cleare He was her Husband : sometimes , the ill weare His person had put on , transform'd him so , That yet his sta●pe would hardly currant go . Her son her strangenesse seeing ▪ blam'd her thus : Mother , vngentle Mother ! tyrannous ! In this too curious modesty you show ; Why sit you from my Father ? Nor bestow A word on me , t' enquire and cleere such doubt As may perplexe you ? Found man euer out One other such a wife ? That could forbeare Her lou'd Lords welcome home , when twenty yeare In infinite sufferance , he had spent apart : No Flint so hard is , as a womans hart . Son ( she replied ) Amaze containes my minde , Nor can I speake , and vse the commune kind Of those enquiries ; nor sustaine to see VVith opposite lookes , his countena●ce . If this be My true Vlysses now return'd ; there are Tokens betwixt vs of more fitnesse farre To giue me argument , he is my Lord ; And my assurance of him , may afford My proofes of ioy for him , from all these eies VVith more decorum ; then obiect their guise To publique notice . The much-Sufferer brake In laughter out ; and to his Son said ; Take Your Mother from the prease ; that she may make Her owne proofes of me , which perhaps may giue More cause to the acknowledgements , that driue Their shew thus off . But now , because I goe So poorely clad , she takes disdaine to know So loath'd a creature , for her loued Lord. Let vs consult then , how we may accord The Towne to our late action . Some one , slaine , Hath made the all-left slaughterer of him , faine To fly his friends and country . But our swords Haue slaine a Cities most supportfull Lords ; The chiefe Peeres of the kingdome : therefore see You vse wise meanes t'vphold your victorie . See you to that good Father ( saide the Son ) Whose counsailes haue the soueraigne glory won From all men liuing . None will striue with you ; But with vnquestion'd Girlands grace your brow : To whom , our whol alacrities we vow In free attendance . Nor shall our hands leaue Your onsets needy of supplies , to giue All the effects that in our pow'rs can fall . Then this ( said he ) to me seemes capitall Of all choise courses : Bathe we first , and then Attire we freshly : all our Maides and men Enioyning likewise , to their best attire . The sacred Singer then , let touch his Lire ; And go before vs all in gracefull dance , That all without , to whose eares shal aduance Our cheerefull accents , ( or of Trauailers by , Or firme inhabitants ) solemnity Of frolicke Nuptials may imagine heere . And this , performe we ; lest the massakere Of all our wooers be divulg'd about The ample City , ere our selues get out , And greet my Father , in his Groue of Trees ; Where , after , we will proue what policies Olympius shall suggest , to ouercome Our latest toiles , and crowne our welcome home . This all obey'd : Bath'd , put on fresh attire , Both men and women did ; Then tooke his Lire The holy singer , and set thirst on fire VVith songs , and faultlesse dances : all the Court Rung with the footings , that the numerous sport From iocund men drew , and faire-girdl'd Dames ; VVhich , ( heard abroad ) thus flew the cōmune fames : This s●re the day is , when the much-woo'd Queen Is richly wed ; O wretch ! That hath not beene So constant , as to keepe her ample house Til th' vtmost houre , had brought her formost spouse . Thus some conceiu'd , but little 〈◊〉 the thing . And now , Eurynome had bath'd the King ; Smooth'd him with Oyles ; and he , himselfe attir'd In vestures royall . Her part then inspir'd The Goddesse Pallas ; deck't his head and face With infinite beauties : gaue a goodly grace Of stature to him : a much plumper plight Through all his body breath'd ; Curles soft , & bright Adorn'd his head withall , and made it show , As if the flowry Hyacinth did grow In all his pride there : In the generall trim Of euery locke , and euery curious lim . Looke how a skilfull Artizan , well 〈◊〉 In all Arts Metalline ; as ha●ing beene Taught by Minerua , and the God of fire , Doth Gold , with Siluer mix so ; that entire They keepe their selfe distinction ; and yet so , That to the Siluer , from the Gold , doth flow A much more artificiall luster then his ●●ne ; And thereby to the Gold it selfe , is growne A greater glory , then if wrought alone ; Both being stuck off , by eithers 〈◊〉 ▪ So did Minerua , hers and his combine , He more in Her , She more in Him did shine . Like an Immortall from the Bath , 〈…〉 : And to his wife did all his grace dispose , Encountring this her strangenesse : Cruell Dame Of all that breathe ; the Gods , 〈…〉 and flame Haue made thee ruthlesse : Life retaines nor one Of all Dames else , that beares so ouer-growne A minde with abstinence ; as twenty 〈◊〉 To misse her husband , drown'd in wo●● , and teares ; And at his comming , keepe aloofe ; 〈…〉 As of his so long absence , and his care , No sense had seisd her . Go Nurse , make a bed , That I alone may sleepe ; her heart is dead To all reflection . To him , thus replied The wise Penelope : Man , halfe deified ; 'T is not my fashion to be taken streight With brauest men : Nor poorest , vse to st●ight . Your meane apparance made not me retire ; Nor this your rich shew , makes me now admire , Nor moues at all : For what is all to me , If not my husband ? All his certainty I knew at parting ; but ( so long apart ) The outward likenesse , holds no full desart For me to trust to . Go Nurse , see addrest A soft bed for him ; and the single rest Himselfe affects so . Let it be the bed , That stands within our Bridal Chamber-sted , VVhich he himself made : Bring it forth from thence , And see it furnisht with magnificence . This said she , to assay him ; and did stir Euen his establisht patience ; and to hir . Whom thus he answerd : Woman ! your words proue My patience strangely : VVho is it can moue My Bed out of his place ? It shall oppresse Earths greatest vnder-stander ; and vnlesse ▪ Euen God himselfe come , that can easely grace Men in their most skils , it shall hold his place . For Man : he liues not , that ( as not most skill'd , So not most yong ) shall easely make it yield . If ( building on the strength in which he flowes ) He addes both Leuers to , and Iron Crowes . For , in the fixure of the Bed , is showne A Maister-peece ; a wonder : and 't was done By me , and none but me : and thus was wrought ; There was an Oliue tree , that had his grought Amidst a hedge ; and was of shadow , proud ; Fresh , and the prime age of his verdure show'd . His leaues and armes so thicke , that to the eye It shew'd a columne for solidity . To this , had I a comprehension To build my Bridall Bowre ; which all of stone , Thicke as the Tree of leaues , I raisde , and cast A Roofe about it , nothing meanly grac'st ; Put glew'd doores to it , that op't Art enough . Then , from the Oliue , euery broad-leau'd bough I lopt away : then fell'd the Tree , and then VVent ouer it , both with ●y Axe , and Plaine : Both gouern'd by my Line . And then , I hew'd My curious Bed-sted out ; in which , I shew'd Worke of no commune hand . All this , begon , I could not leaue , till to perfection My paines had brought it . Tooke my Wimble ; bor'd The holes , as fitted : and did last , afford The varied Ornament ; which shew'd no want Of Siluer , Gold , and polisht Elephant . An Oxe-hide Dide in purple , then I threw Aboue the cords . And thus , to curious view I hope I haue obiected honest signe , To proue , I author nought that is not mine : But , if my bed stand vnreinou'd , or no , O woman , passeth humane wit to know . This sunk her knees & heart , to heare so true The signes she vrg'd ; and first , did teares ensue Her rapt assurance : Then she ran , and spread Her armes about his necke ; kist oft his head ; And thus the curious stay she made , excusde : Vlysses ! Be not angry , that I vsde Such strange delayes to this ; since heretofore Your suffering wisedome , hath the Gyrland wore From all that breath : and 't is the Gods that thus With mutuall misse , so long afflicting vs , Haue causd my coynesse : To our youths , enuied That wisht society , that should haue tied Our youths and yeares together : and since now Iudgement and Duty , should our age allow As full ioyes therein , as in youth and blood : See all yong anger , and reproofe withstood , For not at first sight giuing vp my armes : My heart still trembling , lest the false alarmes That words oft strike vp , should ridiculize me . Had Argiue Hellen knowne credulity VVould bring such plagues with it ; and her , againe ( As aucthresse of them all ) with that foule staine To her , and to her countrey ; she had staid Her loue and mixture from a strangers bed . But God impell'd her to a shamelesse deede , Because she had not in her selfe decreed Before th' attempt ; That , such acts still were shent , As simply in themselues , as in th' euent . By which , not onely she her selfe sustaines , But we , for her fault , haue paid mutuall paines . Yet now ; since these signes of our certaine bed You haue discouer'd , and distinguished From all earths others : No one man but you , Yet euer getting of it th' onely show ; Nor one , of all Dames , but my selfe , and she My Father gaue ; old Actors progenie : ( Who euer guarded to our selues , the dore Of that thick-shaded chamber ) I , no more Will crosse your cleere perswasion : though , till now , I stood too doubtfull , and austere to you . These words of hers , so iustifying her stay , Did more desire of ioyfull mone conuay To his glad minde ; then if at instant sight , She had allow'd him , all his wishes right . He wept for ioy , t' enioy a wife so fit For his graue minde , that knew his depth of wit ; And held chaste vertue at a price so high . And as sad men at Sea , when shore is nigh , VVhich long their hearts haue wisht ( their ship quite lost By Neptunes rigor ; and they vext , and tost Twixt winds & black waues , swimming for their liues ; A few escap't ; and that few that suruiues ( All drencht in fome , and brine ) craule vp to Land , VVith ioy as much as they did worlds command ; So deare , to this wife , was her husbands sight ; Who still embrac't his necke ; and had , ( til light Displaid her siluer Ensigne ) if the Dame That beares the blew sky , ente●mixt with flame In her faire eyes , had not infixt her thought On other ioyes , for loues so hardly brought To long'd-for meeting : who th'extended night VVith-held in long date ; nor would let the light Her wing-hoou'd horse ioyne ; ( Lampus , Phaeton ) Those euer Colts , that bring the morning on To worldly men ; But , in her golden chaire , Downe to the Ocean , by her siluer haire Bound her aspirings . Then Vlysses said ; O wife : Nor yet are my contentions staid ; A most vnmeasur'd labour , long and hard Askes more performance ; to it , being prepar'd By graue Tiresias , when downe to hell I made darke passage ; that his skill might tell My mens returne , and mine . But come , and now Enioy the sweet rest that our Fates allow . The place of rest is ready , ( she replyed ) Your will at full serue , since the deified Haue brought you , where your right is to command . But since you know ( God making vnderstand Your searching mind ) informe me , what must be Your last set labour ; Since 't will fall to me ( I hope ) to heare it after ; tell me now : The greatest p●easure is before to know . Vnhappy ? ( said Vlysses ) To what end Importune you this labour ? It will lend Nor you , nor me , delight ; but you shall know , I was commanded , yet more to bestow My yeares in trauaile ; many Cities more By Sea to visit : and when first , for shore I left my shipping , I was will'd to take A nauall Oare in hand ; and with it make My passage forth , till such strange men I met , A● knew no Sea , nor euer salt did eat VVith any victles : who the purple beakes O● Ships did neuer see : nor that which breakes The waues in curles , which is a Fan-like Oare , And serues as wings , with which a ship doth soare . To let me know then , when I was arriu'd On that strange earth , where such a people liu'd . He gaue me this for an vnfaili●g signe : When any one , that tooke that Oare of mine Borne on my shoulder , for a Corne-clense Fan , I met ashore ; and shew'd to be a man Of that Lands labour : There had I command To fixe mine Oare ; and offer on that strand T'imperiall Neptune ( whom I must implore ) A Lambe , a Bull , and Sow-ascending Bore : And then turne home ; where all the other Gods That in the broad heauen made secure abods , I must solicite ( all my curious heed Giuen to the seuerall rites they haue decreed ) VVith holy Hecatombes : And then , at home A gentle death should seize me , that would come From out the Sea , and take me to his rest In full ripe age ; about me , liuing blest , My louing people : To which ( he presag'd ) The sequell of my fortunes were engag'd . If then ( saide she ) the Gods will please t' impose A happier Being to your fortunes close Then went before ; your hope giues comfort strength , That life shall lend you better dayes at length . VVhile this discourse spent mutual speech , the bed Eurynome and Nurse had made ; and spred With richest Furn ture ; while Torches spent Their parcell gilt thereon . To bed then went The aged Nurse ; and where their Soueraignes were , Eurynome ( the Chamber-maid ) did beare A Torch , and went before them to their rest : To which she left them ; and for hers addrest . The King and Queene then , now ( as newly wed ) Resum'd the old Lawes of th' embracing bed . Telemachus , and both his Herdsmen , then Dissolu'd the dances , both to Maids and men ; VVho in their shady roofes tooke timely sleepe . The Bride , and Bridegroome , hauing ceast to keepe Obserued Loue-ioyes ; from their fit delight , They turn'd to talke . The Queene then did recite VVhat she had suffer'd by the hatefull rout Of harmfull wooers , who had eate her out So many Oxen , and so many Sheepe ; How many ●un of wine their drinking deepe Had quite exhausted . Great V●ysses then , VVhat euer slaughters he had made of men ; VVhat euer sorrowes he himselfe sustain'd , Repeated amply ; and her eares remain'd VVith all delight , attentiue to their end . Nor would one winke sleepe , till he told her all ; Beginning where he gaue the Cacons fall . From thence , his passe to the Lotophagie ; The Cyclops acts ; the putting out his eye , And wreake of all the Souldiers he had eate , No least ruth shewne , to all they could entreate . His way to Aeolus ; his prompt receit , And kinde dismission : his inforc't retreate By sodaine Tempest , to the fishy maine ; And quite distraction from his course againe . His landing at the Laestrigonian Port , VVhere ships and men , in miserable sort , Met all their spoiles ; his ship , and he , alone Got off from the abhorr'd confusion . His passe to Circe ; her deceits , and Arts : His thence descension to th' infernall parts : His lifes course of the Thebane Prophet learn'd ; VVhere , all the slaughter'd Grecians he descern'd , And loued Mother . His astonisht eare VVith what the Syrens voices made him heare . His scape from th'erring Rockes , which Scylla was , And rough Charybdis ; with the dangerous passe Of all that toucht there : His S●cilian Offence giuen to the Sun : His euery man Destroy'd by thunder , vollied out of heauen , That split his Ship ; his owne endeuours driuen To shift for succours on th' Ogygian shore , VVhere Nimph Calypso , such affection bore To him in his arriuall : Tha● with feast She kept him in her Caues , and would haue blest His welcome life , with an immortall state ; VVould he haue staid , and liu'd her Nuptiall mate : All which , she neuer could perswade him to . His passe to the Phaeacians , spent in wo : Their hearty welcome of him , as he were , A God descended from the starry Sphere : Their kinde dismission of him home , with Gold , Brasse , Garmen●s ; all things his occasions would . This last word vsde ; sleepe seiz'd his weary eye , That salues all care , to all mortality . In meane space , Pallas , entertain'd intent , That when Vlysses , thought enough time spent In loue-ioyes with his wife ; to raise the Day , And make his graue occasions , call , away . The Morning rose , and he ; when thus he saide ; O Queene : Now satiate with afflictions , laide On both our bosomes ; ( you oppressed heere VVith cares for my returne ; I , euery where By Ioue , and all the other Deities , tost Euen till all hope of my returne was lost ) And both arriu'd at this sweet Hauen , our Bed ; Be your care vsde , to see administ●ed My house-possessions left . Those Sheepe that were Consum'd in surfets by your wooers heere ; I le forrage , to supply with some ; and more , The suffering Grecians shall be made restore , Euen till our stalles receiue their wonted fill . And now , to comfort my good Fathers ill Long suffer'd for me : To the many-tree'd And ample Vineyard grounds , it is decreed In my next care , that I must haste , and see His long'd-for presence . In the meane time , be Your wisedome vsde ; that since ( the Sun ascended ) The fame will soone be through the Town extended , Of those I heere haue slaine ; your selfe ( got close Vp to your chamber ) see you there tepose , Cheer'd with your women ; and , nor looke afford Without your Court ; nor anie man , a word . This said , he arm'd : To arms , both Son and Swain His powre commanding ; who did entertaine His charge with spirit : Op't the gates , and out ; He leading all . And now was hurl'd about Auroraes ruddie fire : through all whose light Minerua led them , through the Towne , from sight . The End of the XXIII . Booke of Homers Odysses . THE XXIIII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . BY Mercury the Wo●ers soules Are vsher'd to th'Infer●all Pooles . Vlysses , with Laertes●et ●et ; The people , are in vprore set Against them , for the wooers ends : Whom Pallas stayes , and renders Frends . Another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The vprores fire , the Peoples fall : The Grandfire , Sire , and Son , to all . CYllenian Hermes with his golden rod , The wooers soules ( that yet retain'd abod Amids their bodies ) call'd in dreadfull rout Forth to th'Infernals ; who came murmuring out . And as amids the desolate retreate Of some vaste Cauerne ( made the sacred seate Of austere spirits ) Bats , with Brests , and wings Claspe fast the wals ; and each to other clings : But , swept off from their couerts , vp they rise And flye with murmures , in amazefull guise About the cauerne : So these ( grumbling ) rose And flockt together . Downe before them goes None-hurting Mercury , to hels broad waies ; And straight to those streights , where the Ocean staies His lofty current in calme deepes , they flew . Then to the snowy rocke , they next withdrew ; And to the close of Phoebus orient gates : The Nation then of Dreames ; and then the states Of those soules Idols , that the weary dead Gaue vp in earth : which , in a flowry Mead Had habitable situation . And there they saw the soule of Thetis son ; Of good Patroclus ; braue Antilochus , And Aiax ; the supremely strenuo●s Of all the Greeke hoast , next Plebeian : All which assembled about M●ias son . And to them ( after ) came the mournfull Ghost Of Agamemn●n ; with all those , he lost In false Aegysthus Court. A●hilles then Beholding there , that mighty King of men : Deplor'd his plight , ●nd said : O Atreus Son ! Of all Heroes ; all Opinion Gaue thee , for Ioues most lou'd ; since most command Of all the Greekes , he gaue thy eminent hand At siedge of Ilion , where we suffer'd so : And is the issue this ? That first in wo , Sterne Fate did therefore set thy sequell downe ? None borne past others Fates , can passe his owne . I wish to heauen , that in the heighth of all Our pompe at Ilion , Fate had sign'd thy fall ; That all the Greekes might haue aduanc't to thee , A famous Sepulcher ; and Fame might see Thy Son giuen honor , in thy honour'd end ; But now , a wretched death did Fate extend To thy confusion , and thy Issues shame . O Thetis Son ( said he ) the vitall flame Extinct at Ilion , far from th' Argiue fields ; The stile of blessed , to thy vertue yields . About thy fall , the best of Greece and Troy VVere sacrific'd to slaughter : Thy iust ioy Conceiu'd in battell , with some worth forgot , In such a death , as great Apollo shot At thy encounters : Thy braue person lay Hid in a dusty whirlewinde , that made way VVith humane breaths , spent in thy ruines state ; Thou great , wert greatly valew'd , in thy Fate . All day we fought about thee ; nor at all Had ceast our conflict , had not Ioue let fall A storme , that forc't off our vnwilling feete . But , hauing brought thee from the fight , to fleete Thy glorious person ( bath'd and balm'd ) we laide Aloft a bed ; and round about thee , paide The Greekes warme teares , to thy deplor'd decease ; Quite danted , cutting all their curles increase . Thy death dra●e a diuine voice through the Seas , That started vp thy Mother from the waues ; And all the Marine Godheads , left their caues , Consorting to our fleet , her rapt repaire : The Greekes stood frighted , to see Sea , and Aire , And Earth , combine so , in thy losses sence ; Had taken ship , and fled for euer thence , If old-much-knowing - Nestor had not staide Their rushing off : His counsailes hauing swaide In all times former , with such cause , their courses ; Who bad containe themselues , and trust their forces ; For all they saw , was Thetis come from Sea , VVith others of the watry progenie , To see and mourne for her deceased Son. VVhich staid the feares , that all to flight had won ; And round about thee stood th' old Sea-gods seedes , VVretchedly mourning : their immortall weeds Spreading vpon thee : all the sacred Nine Of deathlesse Muses , paid ●hee dues diuine ; By varied turnes their heauenly voyces venting ; All in deepe passion for thy death consenting . And then , of all our Army , not an eye You could haue seene , vndrown'd in misery ; The mouing Muse , so rul'd in every minde . Full seuenteene dayes and nights , our teares confin'd To celebration of thy mourned end ; Both men , and Gods , did in thy moane con●●nd . The eighteenth day , we spent about thy heape Of dying fire : Blacke Oxen , fattest Sheepe VVe slew , past number . Then the precious spoile ( Thy Corse ) wee tooke vp , which with stoods of oile And pleasant Hony we emblam'd ; and then VVrapt thee in those Robes , that the Gods did raine : In which , we gaue thee to the hallowed flame ; To which , a number of heroicall name , All arm'd , came rushing in , in desperate plight ; As prest to sacrifice their vitall right To thy dead ruines , while so bright they burn'd : Both foote & horse brake in ; and fought , & mourn'd In infinite tumult . But when all the night The rich flame lasted ; and that wasted quite Thy body was with the enamor'd fire ; VVe came in early Morne , and an entire Collection made , of euery Iuorie bone ; VVhich washt in wine , and 〈…〉 , A two-ear'd Bolle of Gold , 〈◊〉 Mother ga●e , By Bacchus giuen her ; and did forme receaue From Vulcans famous hand ; which ( O renown'd Great Thetis Son ) with thy faire bones , we crown'd ; Mixt with the Bones of * 〈◊〉 , And braue Antilochus ; 〈◊〉 , in decease Of thy Patroclus , was thy fauours Deere . About thee then , a matchlesse Sepulch●re , The sacred hoast of the Achai●●● 〈◊〉 Vpon the Hellespont ; where most it seisd ( For height , and conspicuity ) the eies Of liuing men , and their posterities . Thy Mother then obtain'd the Gods consent To institute an honor'd game , that spent The best approuement of our Grecian Fames ; In whose praise , I must say , that many games About Heroes Sepulchers , mine eyes Haue seene perform'd : But these , bore off the prize VVith myracles to me , from all before . In which , thy Siluer-footed Mother , bore The Institutions name ; but thy desarts ( Being great with heauen ) caus'd al the eminent parts . And thus , through all the worst effects of Fate , Achilles Fame , euen Death shall propagate : VVhile any one , shall lend the light an eye , Diuine Ae●cides shal neuer dye . But wherein can these comforts be conceiu'd As rights to me ? when hauing quite a●chieu'd An end with safety , and with Conquest too Of so vnmatcht a warre ; what none could do Of all our enemies there , at home , a Friend , And VVife , haue giuen me inglorious end . While these thus spake , the Argus-killing spy Brought neere , Vlysses noble victory To their renew● d discourse ; in all the ends The wooers suffer'd , and shew'd those his Frends . VVhom now , amaze inuaded with the view , And made giue backe : yet 〈◊〉 knew Melanthius heyre , much-fam'd Amphimed●● , Who had in Ithaca , Guest-fauours shown To great Atrides ; who first spake , and saide : Amphimedon : what sufferance hath bene laide On your aliue parts , that hath made you ma●e This land of darknesse , the retreat you take ? So all together ? All being like in yeeres ? Nor would a man haue choosd , of all the Peeres A City honors , men to make a part More strong for any obiect ? Hath your smart Bene felt from Neptune , being at Sea ? His wrath , The winds , and waues , exciting to your scath ? Or haue offensiue men imposd this Fate ? Your Oxen driuing ; or your flockes estate ? Or for your City fighting , and your wiues , Haue deaths vntimely , seiz'd your best-tim'd liues ? Informe me truly : I was once your Guest ; VVhen I , and Menelaus had profest First armes for Ilion ; and were com● ashore On Ithaca , with purpose to implore Vlysses aide ; that City-racing man , In wreake of the adulterous Phrygian . Retaine not you the time ? A whole months date We spent at Sea , in hope to instig●te In our arriuall , old Laertes Son ; VVhom ( hardly yet ) to our designe we won . The Soule made answer : Worthiest King of men , I well remember euery passage then You now reduce to thought ; and will relate The truth , in whole forme , of our timelesse Fate . VVe woo'd the wife of that long absent King ; VVho ( though her second marriage , were a thing Of most hate to her ) she would yet deny At no part our affections ; nor comply With any in performance : but decreed In her delayes , the cruell Fates , we feed . Her craft was this : She vndertooke to weau● A Funerall garment , destin'd to receaue The corse of old Laertes ; being a taske Of infinite labour , and which Time would aske . In midst of whose attempt , she causd our stay VVith this attraction : Youths ! that come in way Of honor'd Nuptials to me : Though my Lord Abide amongst the dead ; yet cease to bord My choise for present Nuptials ; and sustaine ( Lest what is past me , of this web , be vaine ) Till all receiue perfection : 'T is a weede Dispos'd , to wrap in , at his Funerall neede The old La●rtes : who ( possessing much ) Would ( in his want of rites as fitting ) touch My honor highly , with each vulgar Dame. Thus spake she , and perswaded ; and her Frame All day she labour'd ; her dayes worke not small ; But euery night time , she vnwrought it all . Three yeares continuing this imperfect taske ; But when the fourth year came , her slights could mask In no more couert ; since her trusted Maid Her whole deceite , to our true note betraid . VVith which , surpriz'd , she could no more protract Her workes perfection : but gaue end exact To what remain'd : washt vp , and set thereon A glosse so bright , that like the Sun and Moon The whole worke shew'd together . And when now Of meere necessity , her honour'd vow She must make good to vs : ill fortune brought Vlysses home ; who yet , gaue none one thought Of his arriuall ; but far-off at field Liu'd with his Herdsman : Nor his trust would yield Note of his person ; but liu'd there , as Guest ; Ragg'd as a begger , in that life profest . At length , Telemachus left Pylos sank ; And with a Ship , fetcht soone his natiue Land. When yet , not home he went : but laid his way Vp to his Herdsman , where his Father lay ; And where , both laide our deaths . To town then bore The Swine-herd , and his King ; the Swaine before . Telemachus , in other wayes , bestow'd His course home first , t'associate vs that woo'd . The Swaine , the King led after , who came on Ragged and wretched , and still lean'd vpon A borrow'd staffe . At length , he reacht his home ; VVhere ( on the sodaine , and so wretched , come ) Nor we , nor much our elders , once did dreame Of his returne there : but did wrongs extreame Of words , and blowes to him : all which , he bore VVith that old patience he had learn'd before . But when the minde of Ioue had rais'd his owne ; His son and he , fetcht all their Armour downe ; Fast lockt the doores ; and ( to prepare their vse ) He will'd his wife ( for first meane ) to produce His Bow to vs , to draw ; of which , no one Could stir the string : Himselfe yet , set vpon The deadly strength it held ; Drew all , with ea●e ; Shot through the steeles , and then began to sease Our armelesse bosomes ; striking first , the brest Of King Antinous , and then the ●est In heapes turn'd ouer : hopefull of his end , Because some God ( he knew ) stood firme his frend . Nor prou'd it worse with him ; but all in flood , The Pauement straight , blusht with our vitall blood : And thus our soules came heere ; our bodies laid Neglected in his roofes : no word conuaid To any friend , to take vs home and giue Our wounds fit balming ▪ not let such as liue Entombe our deaths : and for our fortunes , shed Those teares and dead rites , that renowne the dead . Atrides Ghost gaue answere ; O blest Son Of old Laertes , thou at length , hast won With mighty vertue , thy vnmatched wife . How good a knowledge ▪ how vntoucht a life Hath wise Penelope ? How well she laide Her husbands right vp ! whom she lou'd a Maid ? For which , her vertues shall extend applause Beyond the circles fraile mortality drawes ; The deathlesse in this vale of death , comprising , Her praise , in numbers , into infinites rising . The daughter , Tyndarus begat , begot No such chaste thoughts ; but cut the virgin knot That knit her spouse & her , with murtherous swords . For which , posterities shall put hatefull words To notes of her : that all her Sex defam'd , And for her ill , shall euen the good be blam'd . To this effect , these , these digressions made In hell ; Earths darke , and euer-hiding shade . Vlysses , and his Son ( now past the Towne ) Soone reacht the field , elaborately growne By old Laertes labour : when , with cares For his lost Son , he left , all Court affaires ; And tooke to this r●de vpland ▪ which , with toile He made a sweet and habitable soile : VVhere stood a house to him ; about which , ran In turnings thicke , and Labyrinthian , Poore Houels , where his necessary men That did those workes ( of pleasure to him then ) Might sit , and eate , and sleepe . In his owne house An old Sicilian Dame liu'd ; st●dious To serue his sowre age with her cheerefull paines . Then saide Vlysses to his Son , and Swaines ; Go you to Towne , and for your dinner kill The best Swine ye can choo●e ; my selfe will still Stay with my father , and assay his eye , If my acknowledg'd truth , it can descry ; Or that my long times trauaile , doth so change My sight to him , that I appeare as strange . Thus gaue he armes to them , and home he hied : Vlysses to the fruitfull field , applied His present place : nor found he Dolius there , His sonnes , or any seruant , any where In all that spacious ground ; all gone from thence , Were dragging bushes , to repaire a Fence , Old Dolius leading all . Vlysses found His father farre aboue , in that faire ground , Employd in proyning of a Plant : his weeds All torne and tatter'd ; fit for homely deeds , But not for him . Vpon his legs he wore Patcht boots , to guard him from the brambles gore : His hands , had thorne-proofe hedging Mittens on ; His head a Goats-skin Caske : through all which shone His heart giuen ouer , to abiectest mone . Him , when Vlysses saw , consum'd with age , And all the Ensignes on him , that the rage Of griefe presented : he brake out in teares : And ( taking stand then , where a tree of Peares Shot high his forehead ouer him ) his minde Had much contention . If to yeeld to kinde , Make straight way to his father ; kisse , embrace , T●ll his returne , and put on all the face And fashion of his , instant told returne , Or stay th'impulsion ; and the long day burne Of his quite losse giuen , in his Fathers feare , A little longer : trying first his cheare With some free dalliance ; th' earnest being so neare . This course his choise preferr'd , and forth he went : His Father then , his aged shoulders bent Beneath what yeares had stoop't ; about a Tree Busily digging : O , old man ( said he ) You want no skill , to dres●e and decke your ground , For all your Plants doth order'd distance bound : No Apple , Peare , or Oliue , Fig , or Vine ; Nor any plat , or quarter , you confine To grasse , or flow'rs , stands empty of your care , Which shewes exact in each peculiare : And yet ( which let not moue you ) you bestow No care vpon your selfe ; though to this show ●f outward irksomnesse , to what you are , You labour with an inward froward care , Which is your age ; that should weare all without More neate , and cherishing . I make no doubt That any sloth you vse , procures your Lord To let an old man , go so much abhord In all his weeds ; nor shines there in your looke A fashion , and a goodlinesse , so tooke VVith abiect qualities , to merit this Nasty entreaty : Your resemblance is A very Kings , and shines through this retreate . You looke like one , that hauing washt , and eate , Should sleepe securely , lying sweet , and neate . It is the ground of Age , when cares abuse it , To know life's end ; and as 't is sweet , so vse it . But vtter truth , and tell ; what Lord is he , That rates your labour , and your liberty ? VVhose Orchard is it , that you husband thus ? Or quit me this doubt ; For if Ithacus This kingdome claimes for his : the man I found At first arriuall heere , is hardly sound Of braine , or ciuill ; not induring stay , To tell , nor heare me , my enquiry out Of that my friend ; if stil he bore about His life and Being ; or were diu'd to Death , And in the house of him that harboureth The soules of men . For once he liu'd my guest ; My Land and house retaining interest In his abode there ; where there soiourn'd none , As guest , from any forreigne Region O● more price with me . He deriu'd his race From Ithaca ; and said , his Father was Laertes , surnam'd Arcesiades . I had him home ; and all the offices Perform'd to him , that fitted any friend ; Whose proo●e I did to wealthy gifts extend : Seuen Talents , Gold ; a Bolle all siluer , set With pots of flowers : twelue robes , that had no pleat : Twelue cloakes ( or mantles ) of delicious dye : Twelue inner weeds : Twelue sutes of Tapistry I gaue him likewise : women skill'd in vse Of Loome , and Needle ; freeing him to chuse Foure the most faire . His Father ( weeping ) saide , Stranger ! The earth to which you are conuaide , Is Ithaca ; by such rude men poffest , Vniust and insolent , as first addrest To your encounter ; but the gifts you gaue VVere giuen ( alas ) to the vngratefull graue . If with his people , where you now arriue , Your Fate had bene to finde your friend aliue , You shold haue found like Guest-rites from his hand ; Like gifts , and kinde passe to your wished land . But how long since , receiu'd you as your guest Your Friend , my Son ? who was th'nhappiest Of all men breathing , if he were at all ? O borne , when Fates , and ill Aspects let fall A cruell influence for him ; Farre away From Friends and Countrey ; dest●n'd to alay The Sea-bred appetites ; or ( left ashore ) To be by Fowles and vpland Monsters tore . His life 's kinde authors ; nor his wealthy wi●e , Bemoning ( as behoou'd ) his parted life : Nor closing ( as in honours course it lyes To all men dead ) in bed , his dying eyes . But giue me knowledge of your name , and race : What City bred you ? VVhere the anchoring place Your ship now rides at lies , that shor'd you here ? And where you men ? Or if a passenger In others Keeles you came ; who ( giuing Land To your aduentures heere , some other Strand To fetch in further course ) haue left to vs Your welcome presence ? His reply was thus : I am of Alybande , where I hold My names chiefe house , to much renowne extold . My Father Aphidantes ; fam'd to spring From Polypemon ; the Molossian King : My name , Eperitus . My taking land On this faire Isle , was rul'd by the command Of God , or Fortune : quite against consent Of my free purpose ; that , in course was bent For th' Isle Sicania . My Ship is held Farre from the City , neere an ample field . And for ( Vlysses ) since his passe from me 'T is now fiue yeares . Vnblest by Destiny , That all this time , hath had the Fate to erre : Though , at his parting , good Birds did augure His putting off , and on his right hand flew ; VVhich , to his passage , my affection drew : His spirit ioyfull , and my hope was now To guest with him , and see his hand bestow Rights of our friendship . This , a cloud of griefe Cast ouer all the forces of his life . VVith both his hands , the burning dust he swept Vp from the earth , which on his head he heapt , And fetcht a sigh , as in it , life were broke : VVhich greeu'd his Son , and gaue so smart a stroke Vpon his nosethrils , with the inward stripe , That vp the Veine rose there ; and weeping ripe He was , to see his Sire feele such woe For his dissembl'd ioy ; which now ( let goe ) He sprung from earth , embrac't and kist his Sire : And said ; O Father : he , of whom y'enquire Am I my selfe , that ( from you , twenty yeares ) Is now return'd . But do not breake in teares ; For now , we must not formes of kinde maintaine ▪ But haste and guard the substance . I haue staine All my wiues wooers ; so , reuenging no● Their wrong so long time suffer'd . Take not you The comfort of my comming then , to heart At this glad instant ; but , in prou'd desert Of your graue iudgement ; giue mo●e , glad suspence , And , on the sodaine , put this consequence In act as absolute , as all time went To ripening of your resolute assent . All this haste made no● his staide faith , so free To trust his words ; who said , If you are he , Approue it by some signe . This 〈◊〉 then see ( Replied Vlysses ) giuen me by the Bore Slaine in Parnassus ; I being sent before By yours , and by my honour'd Mothers will , To see your Sire A●tolycus fulfill The gifts he vow'd , at gining of my Name . I le tel you too , the Trees ( in goodly frame Of this faire Orchard ) that I askt of you Being yet a childe ; and follow'd , for your show And name of euery Tree . You gaue me then Of Figge-trees , forty ; Apple bearers , ten ; Peare-trees , thirteene ; and fifty rankes of Vine ; Each one of which , a season did confine For his best eating . Not a Grape did grow ; That grew not there , and had his heauy brow When Ioues faire daughters ( the all-ripening how'rs ) Gaue timely date to it . This charg'd the pow is Both of his knees and heart , with such impression Of sodaine comfort , that it g●ue possession Of all , to Trance : The signes were all so true , And did the loue , that ga●e them ; so renue . His cast his armes about his sonne , and sunke ; The circle , slipping to his feete . So shrunke VVere all his ages forces , with the fire Of his yong loue rekindl'd . The old Sire , The Son tooke vp , quite liuelesse : But his breath Againe respiring ; and his soule from death His bodies pow'rs recouering : Out he cried , And said ; O Iupiter ! I now haue tried , That still there liue in heauen , remembring Gods , Of men that serue them ; though the periods They set to their apparances , are long In best mens sufferings ; yet , as sure , as strong They are in comforts : be their strange delayes Extended neuer so , from dayes to dayes . Yet see the short ioyes , or the soone-mixt feares Of helpes with-held by them , so many yeares : For , if the wooers now , haue paide the paine Due to their impious pleasures ; Now , againe Extreame feare takes me , lest we straight shall see Th' Ithacensians here , in mutinie ; Their Messengers dispatcht , to win to friend The Cephalenian Cities . Do not spend Your thoughts on these cares ( saide his suffering son ) But be of comfort ; and see that course ron That best , may shun the worst : Our house is nere ; Telemachus , and both his Herdsmen , there To dresse our supper with their vtmost hast ; And thither haste we . This saide ; Forth they past ; Came home , and found Telemachus , at feast With both his Swaines : while who had done , all drest VVith Baths , and Balmes , and royally arraid The old King was , by his Sicilian Maid . By whose side , Pallas stood , his crookt-age streitning ; His flesh more plumping ; and his looks enlightning : VVho yssuing then to view , his son admir'd The Gods Aspects ▪ into his forme inspir'd : And said ; O Father : certainly some God By your addression in this state , hath stood ; More great , more reuerend , rendring you by farre , At all your parts , then of your selfe , you are . I would to Ioue ( said he ) the Sun , and She That beares Ioues shield , the state had stood with me , That helpt me take in the wel-builded Tow'rs Of strong Nericus ( the Cephalian pow'rs To that faire City , leading ) two dayes past , While with the wooers , thy conflict did last ; And I had then bene in the wooers wreake ; I should haue helpt thee so , to render weake Their stubborne knees , that in thy ioyes desert , Thy breast had bene too little for thy heart . This said ; and supper order'd by their men , They sate to it ; old Dolius entring then ; And with him ( tyr'd with labour ) his sonnes came , Call'd by their Mother , the Sicilia● dame That brought them vp , and drest their Fathers fare . As whose age grew ; with it , encreast her care To see him seru'd as fitted . VVhen ( thus set ) These men b●held Vlysses there , at meate ; They knew him ; and astonisht in the place , Stood at his presence : who , with words of grace Call'd to olde Dolius , saying ; Come , and eate , And banish all astonishment : your meate Hath long bene ready ▪ and our selues made stay , Expecting euer , when your wished way VVould reach amongst vs. This brought fiercely on Old Dolius from his stand ; who ran vpon ( VVith both his armes abroad ) the King , and kist Of both his rapt vp hands , the either wrist ; Thus welcomming his presence : O my Loue , Your presence heere ( for which all wishes stroue ) No one expected . Euen the Gods haue gone In guide before you , to your mansion : Welcom , and all ioyes , to your heart , contend . Knowes yet Penelope ? Or shall we send . Some one to tell her this ? She knowes ( said he ) VVhat need these troubles ( Father ) touch at thee ? Then came the Sonnes of D●lius ; and againe VVent ouer with their Fathers entertaine ; VVelcom'd , shooke hands ; & then to feast sate down ; About which , while they sate ; about the Towne Fame flew , and shriek't about , the cruell death And Fate , the wooers had sustain'd beneath Vlysses roofes . All heard ; together all , From hence , and thence met , in Vlysses Hall , Short-breath'd , and noisefull : Bore out all the dead To instant buriall : while their deaths were spread To other Neighbor-Cities , where they liu'd : From whence , in swiftest Fisher-boats , arriu'd Men to transfer them home . In meane space , here The heauy Nobles , all in counsail● were ; Where ( met in much heape ) vp to all arose Extremely-greeu'd Eupitheus ; so to lose His Son Antinous ; who ▪ first of all By great Vlysses hand , had slaughtrous fall . VVhose Father ( weeping for him ) saide ; O Friends , This man hath author'd workes of dismall ends ; Long since , conueying in his g●ide to Troy , Good men , and many , that did ships employ : All which are lost , and all their Souldiers dead ; And now , the best men Cephalenia b●ed His hand hath slaughter'd . Go we then ( before His scape to Pylos , or the Elean Shore VVhere rule the Epeans ) 'gainst his horrid hand : For we shall grieue , and infamy will brand Our Fames for euer ; if we see our Sons And Brothers end in these confusions , Reuenge left vninflicted . Nor will I Enioy one dayes life more ; But greeue , and die VVith instant onset . Nor sho●ld you suruiue To keepe a base , and beastly name aliue . Haste then , let flight preuent vs. This with teares His griefes aduisd , and made all sufferers In his affliction . But by this , was come Vp to the Counsaile , from Vlysses home ( VVhen sleep had left thē , which the slaughters there And their selfe dangers , from their eyes , in feare Had two nights intercepted ) those two men , That iust Vlysses sau'd out of the slaine ; VVhich Medon , and the sacred Singer were . These stood amidst the Counsaile ; and the feare The slaughter had imprest , in eithers looke Stucke stil so gastly ; that amaze it strooke Through euery there beholder : To whose eares One thus enforc't , in his fright , cause of theirs : Attend me Ithacensians ; This sterne fact Done by Vlysses , was not put in act VVithout the Gods assistance ; These selfe eies Saw one of the immortall Deities Close by Vlysses ; Mentors forme put on At euery part : and this sure Deity , shone Now neere Vlysses , setting on his bold And slaughterous spirit : Now , the points controll'd Of all the wooers weapons ; round about The arm'd house whisking ; in continu●ll rout Their party putting , till in heapes they fell . This newes , new fears did through their spirits impel : When Halitherses ( honor'd Mastors sonne , VVho of them all , saw onely what was done Present , and future ) the much-knowing man And aged Heroe , this plaine course ran Amongst their counsailes : Giue me likewise eare ; And let me tell ye , Friends ; that these ils beare On your malignant spleenes , their sad effects ; VVho , not what I perswaded , gaue respects : Nor what the peoples Pastor ( 〈◊〉 ) saide ; That you should see your issues follies staid In those foule courses ; by their petulant life The goods deuouring , scandaling the wife Of no meane person ; who ( they still would say ) Could neuer more see his returning day : VVhich yet , appearing now : now giue it trust , And yeeld to my free counsailes : Do not thrust Your owne safe persons , on the acts , your Sons So deerely bought , lest their confusions On your lou'd heads , your like addictions draw . This stood so farre , from force of any Law To curbe their loose attempts , that much the more They rusht to wreake , and made rude tumult rore . The greater part of all the Court arose ▪ Good counsaile could not ill designes dispose . Eupitheus was perswader of the course ; VVhich ( compleate arm'd ) they put in present force : The rest , sate still in counsaile . These men met Before the broad Towne , in a place they set All girt in armes ; Eupitheus choosing Chiefe To all their follies , who put griefe to griefe ; And in his slaughter'd sons reuenge did burne . But Fate gaue neuer feete to his returne ; Ordaining there his death . Then Pall●● spake To Ioue , her Father , with intent to make His will , high Arbiter , of th' act design'd ; And askt of him , what his vnsearched mind Held vndiscour●d ; If with Armes ▪ and ill , And graue encounter , he would first fulfill His sacred purpose ; or both parts combine In peacefull friendship ? He askt , why incline These doubts , thy counsailes ? Hast not thou decreed That Ithacus should come , and giue his deed The glory of reuenge , on these and theirs ? Performe thy will ; the frame of these affaires Haue this fit issue . When Vlysses hand Hath reacht full wreake ; his then r●●●wn'd command Shall reigne for euer : Faithfull Truces strooke 'Twixt him , and all ; For euery man shall brooke His Sons and Brothers slaughters ; by our meane To send Obliuion in ; exp●gning cleane The Character of enmity in all , As in best Leagues before . Peace , Feastiuall , And Riches in abundance , be the state , That crownes the close of Wise Vlysses Fate . This spurr'd the Free ; who , from heauens Continent To th' Ithacensian Isle , made straight descent . Where ( dinner past ) Vlysses said ; Some one Looke out to see their neerenesse . Dolius sonne Made present speed abroad , and saw them nie ; Ran backe , and told ; Bad Arme ; and instantlie Were all in armes . Vlysses part , was foure ; And sixe more sons of Dolius : All his powre Two onely more , which were his aged Sire , And like-year'd Dolius , whose liues slaked fire ; All white had left their heads : yet , driuen by Neede , Made Souldiers both , of necessary deede . And now , all girt in armes ; the Po●ts , set wide , They sallied forth , Vl●sses being their guide . And to them ▪ in the instant , Pallas came , In forme and voice , like Mentor ; who , a flame Inspir'd of comfort in Vlysses hart VVith her seene presence . To his Son , apart He thus then spake ; Now Son , your eyes shall see ( Expos'd in slaughterous fight ) the enemy ; Against whom , who shall best serue , will be seene : Disgrace not then your race , that yet hath beene For force , and fortitude , the formost tried , Of all earths off-springs . His true Son replied ; Your selfe shall see ( lou'd Father ) if you please , That my deseruings shall in nought digresse From best fame of our Races formost merit . The old King sprung for ioy , to heare his spirit : And said ; O lou'd Immortals , what a day Do your cleere bounties to my life display ? I ioy , past measure , to behold my Son And Nephew , close in such contention Of vertues martiall . Pallas ( standing nee●e ) Said , O my Friend ! Of all , supreamly deere Seed of Arcesius ; Pray to Ioue , and her That rules in Armes , ( his daughter ) and a da●● ( Spritefully brandisht ) hurle at th' aduerse part . This said , He pray'd ; and she , a mighty force Inspir'd within him ; who gaue instant course To his braue-brandisht Lance , which strook the brasse That cheek't Eupitheus Caske ; and thrust his passe Quite through his head ; who fell , & sounded falling ; His Armes , the sound againe , from earth recalling . Vlysses , and his Son , rusht on before ; And with their both-way-headed Darts , did gore Their enemies breasts so thicke , that all had gone The way of slaughter , had not Pallas throwne Her voice betwixt them , charging all to stay And spare expence of blood . Her voice did fray The blood so from their faces , that it left A greenish palenesse . All their hands it rest Of all their weapons ; falling thence , to earth : And to the commune Mo●her of their Birth ( The City ) all fled , in 〈◊〉 to saue The liues yet left them . Then Vlysses gaue A horrid shout ; and like Ioues Eagle flew . In fiery pursuite , till Saturnius threw His smoaking lightning twixt them ; that had fall Before Minerua : who th●● , out did call Thus to Vlysses : Borne of Ioue ! abstaine From further bloodshed ▪ 〈◊〉 hand in the slain● Hath equall'd in their paines , their prides to thee ; Abstaine then , lest you moue the Deity . Againe then , twixt both parts , the seed of Ioue ( Athenian Pallas ) of all future loue A league compos'd ; and for her fo●me , tooke choice Of Mentors likenesse ; both in Limb , and Voice . The End of the XXIIII . and last Booke of Homers Odysses . So wrought diuine Vlysses through his 〈◊〉 : So , croun'd the Light with him ; His ●●●hers Throes ▪ As through his great Renowner , I have wrought And my safe saile , to sacred Anchor br●●ght . Nor did the Argiue ship , more burthen feele , That bore the Care of all men , in her Keel● ; Then my aduenturous Barke : The Colchean Fleece , Not halfe so precious , as this roule of Greece . In whose songs I haue 〈…〉 , And Greeke it se●fe veile , to our English voyce . Yet this inestimable Pearle , wit all Our Dunghil Chantich●r●s , 〈…〉 ; Each Moderne scraper , this 〈◊〉 scratching by ; His Oate preferring far . Let such , let ly : So scorne the stars the clouds ; as true-soul'd men Despise Deceiuers . For , as Clouds would faine Obscure the Stars yet ( Regions left below With all their enuies ) bar them but of show ; For they shine euer , and wil shine , when they Dissolue in sinckes , make Mire , and temper Clay : So puft Impostors ( our Muse-vapours ) striue , With their selfe-blowne additions , to depriue Men solid , of their full ; though infinite short They come in their compare ; and false report Of leuelling , or touching , at their light , That still retaine their radiance , and cleere right ; And shal shine euer When , alas , one blast Of least disgrace , teares downe th' Impostors Mast ; His Tops , and Tacklings ; His whole Freight , and He Confiscate to the Fishy Mona●chy ; His trash , by foolish Fame bought now , from hence , Giuen to ser●e Mackarell forth , and Frankincence . Such then , and any ; too soft-ey'd to see Through workes so solid , any worth , so free Of all the learn'd professions , as is fit To praise at such price ; let him thinke his wit Too weake to rate it ; rather then oppose With his poore pow'rs , Ages , and Hosts of Foes . To the Ruines of Troy , and Greece . TRoy rac't ; Greece wrackt : who mou●nes ? Ye both may bost ; Else th' Ilyads , and Odysses , had bene lost . Ad Deum . THe onely true God , ( betwixt whom and Me , I onely bound my comforts ; and agree With all my actions ) onely truly knowes , And can iudge truly me , with all that goes To all my Faculties . In whose free grace And inspiration , I onely place All meanes to know ( with my meanes ; Study , praire , In , & from his word taken ) staire by staire , In all continual contentation , rising To knowledge of his Truth ; and practising His wil in it , with my sole Sauiours aide , ●uide , and enlightning : Nothing done , nor saide , Nor thought that good is ; but acknowledg'd by His inclination , skill , and faculty . By which , to finde the way out to his 〈◊〉 Past all the worlds ; the sphere is , where doth mo●e My studies , prai'rs , and pow'rs : No pleasure taken But sign'd by his : for which , my blood forsaken , My so●le I cleane to : and what ( in his blood That hath redeem'd , cleansd , taught her ) fits her good . Deo opt . Max. gloria . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A03515-e90 Fx Angeli Politiani Amb●a . Thus far Angel. Politianus , for the most part translated . Notes for div A03515-e2630 The information or fashion of an absolute man , and necessarie ( or fatal ) passage through many afflictions ( according with the most sacred Le●ter ) to his naturall hauen and countrey ; i● the whole argument ; and scope of the 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giuen him in the first verse : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ Homo ●●ius ingenium velut per mult●s , & vari●● 〈…〉 . Neptunes progresse to the Aethiops . These ●●tes following , I am inforced to insert , ( since the words they containe , differ from all other translations ) lest I be thought 〈◊〉 erre out of that ignorance , that may perhaps possesse my 〈◊〉 . a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated in this place , inculpabilis ; 〈◊〉 made the epithete of Aegist●●●● ; is from the true 〈◊〉 of the word , as it is here to be vnderstood : which is quite contrary . As 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be expounded in some place Diuinus , or Deo 〈◊〉 ; but in another ( soone after ) contrarius Deo. The person to whom the ●●pithete is giuen , giuing reason to distinguish it And so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Epithete giuen to Atlas , instantly following , in one place s●gnifies Mente pern●cio●us : in the next , qui vn● uer●a ●●ente gerit● Pallas to Iupiter . b In this place is Atlas giuen the Epithete . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies qui vniuersa mente agitat , here giuen him , for the power the starres h●ue in all things . Yet this receiues other interpretation in other places , as aboue said . c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is here turned by others , infelix : in the generall collection : when it hath here a particular exp●sition , applied to expresse Vlysses desert errors , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , vt sit , qui vix locum inuenire potest vbi consistat . d This is thus translated , the rather to expresse and approue the Allegorie driuen through the whole Odysses . Deciphering the intangling of the wisest in his affections : and the torments that breede in euery pious minde : to be thereby hindred to arriue so directly as he desires , at the proper and onely true naturall countrie of euery worthy man , whose ha●en i● heauen and the next life , to which , this life is but a sea , in continuall ●●sture and vexation . The words occasioning all this , are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying , qui languide , & animo remisso rem aliquam gerit : which being the effect of Calypsos sweete words in Vlysses , is where applied passiuely to his owne sufferance of their operation . 〈◊〉 to P●ll●● e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vallum 〈◊〉 cl●●strum denti●● : which , for the better sound in our language , is here turned , Pale of Iv●rie . The teeth being that ra●pier or pale , giuen vs by nature in that part , for res●raint and compression of our speech , till the imagination , appetite and soule ( that ought to rule in their ex●mination , before their deliuerie ) haue giue● worthy passe to them . The most graue and di●ine Poet , teaching therein , that not so much for the necessarie chewing of our sustenance , our teeth are giuen vs , as for their stay of our words , le●t we vtter them rashly . Calypso . The preparatiou of Pallas for Ithaca . Pallas , like Mentas . Telemachus to Pallas . Pallas to 〈◊〉 . f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Tantus filius . Pallas thus enforcing her question ▪ to stirre vp the son the more to the fathers worthinesse . Telemachus to Pallas . Pallas to Telemachus . g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Cantor , cu●us tam a●ta est societas hominibus . h 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is an Epithet● proper to Poets ▪ for their first finding out of Arts and documents tending to elocution and gouernment : inspired onely by Ioue : and are here called the first of men : since first they gaue rules to manly life : and haue their informatiō immediatly from Ioue ; ( as Plato in 〈◊〉 witnesseth ) The word deduced from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is taken for 〈◊〉 , qui prim●● 〈…〉 in re : And will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then be sufficiently expr●st with ingen●●●●● then 〈…〉 exposition goes further . Telemachus in new termes with the wooers . i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , prima lu●e . Vpon this answer of Telemach●s ; because it hath so sodain a change ; and is so farre let down , frō his late height of heate ; altering & tempe●ing so cōmandingly ▪ his affecti●ns ; I thought not am●sse to insert here Sponda●us further A●notation , which is this : Prudenter Telemachus ioco , furorem Antino● ac alpe rit●●ē emolli● Nam ita dictū illius interpretatur vt existimetu● censere iocose illa euam ab Anti●oo aduersum se pronunciata . Et pri mum ●ronice se Regem esse exopta● propter commoda quae Reges solent com●tari . Ne tamen inuidiam in se ambitionis concitet , testatur ●e regnum Ithacae non ambire , mortuo Vlysse , cum idalij possidere queant se longe praestantiores ac 〈…〉 ait ▪ se moliri , vt propriarum aedium & bonorum solus sit dominus , ij● exclusis ac eiectis , qui vi illa occup●●● 〈◊〉 d●●perdere co●●●tur . Notes for div A03515-e11710 The Greekes called to councell by Telemach●● . Telemachus proposeth his estate to the Greekes . Antinous to Telemachus . The wile of Penelope to her wooers . Telam Penelopes retexere , Prouerbium . Telemachus to Antinous . The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying , insatiabili quadam edacitate vo●o . Augurium . Halitherses an Augur . Eurymachus excepts against the prophecie . Telemachus to the w●oers . Mentor for Telemachus . Li●critus to Mentor . Telemachus prayes to Pallas . Minerua in the person of Mentor ▪ exh●rts to the voyage . Antinous to Telemachus . Telemachus answers . The wi● of the wooers vpon the purpose of Telemachus to seeke his Father . Telemachus to Euryciea . Eurycleas answer . Telemachus comforts Euryclea . The care of Minerua for Telemachus . Telemachus to his souldiers . Nauigatur . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Notes for div A03515-e19460 * Pallas . * Vid. Minerua , Nestor , & Telemachus . Minerua to Tele●●ac●us . Telemachus to Minerua . They are rec●iued as guests . The 〈◊〉 of Pis●strat●● to strangers . Minerua● grace . Nestor to the strangers . Telemachus answers . Nestor to Telemachus . * Patroclus . De Graecorum dissidio . Discors nauigatio Graecorum . Telemachus Nestori . Nestor Telemacho . Telemachus . Minerua . Volente Deo , nihil est difficile Telemachus . Nestor Telemacho de Aegi●thi adult●rio . * Aegisth●● . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cuius facies vin●i representa● Ag●mem●onis inte●tus . Orestes patrem v●ci●citur . Pallas Nestori . Disparet Minerua . Nestor Telemacho . Nestoris filij patris iussu Mineruae sacrum apparant . The forme of the Sacrifice . Telemachus profici●citur ad Menclaum . Notes for div A03515-e28640 Menelaus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is expounded Spar tam amplam , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 magnam : where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . signifies properly plurima cete nutrientem . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cantum auspicantes : of which place , the Critiks affirme , that saltatores morn suo indicant cantori , quo genere cantus ●altaturi forent . The rapture of Eteoneus at sight of Telemachus and Pisistratus . Menelaus rebukes his 〈◊〉 for his doubt to entertaine gnests worthy . Telemachus to Pisistratus , in obseruation of the house , not so much that he hartily admired it , as to please Menelaus , who he knew heard , though he seemd desirous he shold not heare . Menelaus relates his trauels to his guests . * Intending Vlysses . * Diana . Hellens reparance and ornament . Hellen to Menelaus concerning the guests . Pisistrat●● tels who they are . Menelaus ioy for Telemachus , and mone for Vlysses absence . * Menelaus . * Pisistratus weeps with remēbrance of his brother Antilochus . Vid. Memnon . Hellens potion against Cares . Hellen of Vlysses and the sacke of Troy. Menelaus to Hellen and his guests . Hellen counterfetted the wiues voices of those Kings of Greece , that were in the woodden horse , and calls their husband . Telemachus to Menelaus . Itur ad lecturn . Menelaus enquires the cause of his ●oyage . Menelai nauigatio . Idothea to Menelaus . Idotheas couns●●● to take her father Proteus . The sleights of Proteus . Ironicè . Proteus taken by Men●la●● . The wracke of Aiax Oileus . Cassandra . Agamemnons slaughter by Aegisthu● trechery . Elisium described . Proteus leaueth M●nelau● . Telemach●st● Menela●s . Ithaca described by Telemachus . The wooers conspiracie against Telemachus . Antinous anger for the scape of Telemachus . Penelope to Medon . M●don to Penelo●e relates ●he voyage of 〈◊〉 . Penelope re●uk●th ●er Ladies for not telling her of Telemachus . E●ryel●as pio●● comfort of Pe●elope . Laertes sonne to Arcesius the son of Iupiter . Penelope to Pall●s . Antinous to the rest . * 〈◊〉 membrorum struct●●● . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , affectus curculionis significat quod Iongior & gracilior cualerit . Minerua sub Iphthimae persona , solatur Penelopen in somnis . Penelope to the Dreame . Penelope to the Idoll . Notes for div A03515-e43490 Pallas to the Gods. Ioue to Pallas . Ioue to Mercury * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . in rate multis vinculis ligatus . Mercurij descriptio . Descriptio sp●t cus Calypsus . Calypso to Mer●curie . Mercurie to Calypso . Calypsos displeased reply to Mercurie . Mercurie leaues Calypso . Calypso to Vlysses * Hunger . Vlysses to Calypso Calypsos oath . Calypsos promise of immortalitie to Vlysses . This foure dayes worke ( you will say ) is too much for one man : and Plinie affirmes , that Hiero ( a king of Sicilie ) in fiue and forty dayes built two hundred and twentie ships , r●gged them , and p●t to sea with them . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mendicando colligo . Leucothea to Vlysses . Vlysses stil suspicious of faire fortunes . Neptuni 〈◊〉 Vlystem inclementia . Simile . * Palla● . Per asperiora vitare laeuia . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : á partu doleo . * A met aphoricall Hyperbole , expressing the Winters extremitie of sharpnesse . Simile . Notes for div A03515-e52420 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Somno & labore afflictus . Sleep ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) for the want of sleepe . * Nausicaa . * Intending Dymas daughter . Olympus described . This familiar & neare wanton cariage of Nausicaa to her father , ioyned with that virgin modestie exprest in her after , is much prais●d by the grauest of Homers exposit●rs ; with her fathers louing allowance of it ; know●ng her shamefastnes and iudgement , would not let her exceed at any part . Which note ●here inserted , not as if this were more worthy the obseruation then other euery where strewd flowers of pr●cept ; but because this more generally pleasing su●●ect may p●rhaps finde more fitnesse for the stay of most Readers . Simile . * The pietie and wisedome of the Po●t was such , that ( agreeing with the sacred letter ) not the least of things he makes come to passe , sine Numinis prouidentia . As Spond well notes of him Simile . Vlysses to Na●sicaa . Nausica● to Vlysses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Cui vitalis vel sensualis humiditas inest . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; vt dicatur quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quod nihil sit magis fluxum quam homo . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . virili animo praeditus , fortis , magnanimus . Nor are those affirmed to be men ; qui seruile quidpiam & abiectum faciunt ; vel , ●acere ●ustinent : according to this of Herod●tus in Poly : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Many , mens formes sustaine , but few are men . According to an other translator : Ab loue nam supplex pauper , procedit & holpes : Res breuis , at chara est , Magni quoque mune●is i●star . Which I cite to shew his good when he keepes him to the Originall ; and neare in any degree expounds it . Vlysses modestie to the Virgins . He taught their youths modestie , by his aged iudgment . As receiuing the custome of maids then ●sed to that entertainment of men : notwithstanding the modestie of that age , could not be corrupted inwardly , for those outward kind obseruations of guests and strangers , and was therefore priuiledged . It is easie to a●oide shew : and those that most curiously auoid the outward construction , are euer most tainted with the inward corruption . Simile . Nausicaas admiration of Vlysses . The Cities description so far forth as may in part , induce her promist reason , why she tooke no● Vlysses to coach with her . * Not without some litle note of our omnisufficient Homers generall touch of the least fitnesse lying in his way , may this courtly discretion he describes in Nausicaa , be obs●rud , if you please . More of our Poets curious and sweat pi●ti● . * Neptun● . Notes for div A03515-e59190 * Haec fuit illi●● saeculi simplicita● : nam vel fratern●● quoque Amor , tantus fuit , vt libenter ●anc redeunti charissimae sorori , operam praestiter●nt . Spond . Vlys●es , à Minerua in aedes ●lcinoi perducitur , septus nebula . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ naues veloces veluti penna , atque cogitatio . Arete the wife of Alcinous . For the more perspicuitie of this pedigree , I haue here set down the Diagrā , as Spon danus hath it . Neptune begat Nausithous of Periboea . By Nausithous , Rhexenor , Alcinous , were begot . By Rhexenor , Ar●te , the wife of her vnkle Alcinous . The honor of Arete ( or vertue ) alleg . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , spissus : The Court of Alcinous . * Vulcan ▪ Hortus Alcinoi memorabilis . * Mercurie . Areten , Vlysses supplex orat . Echin●us to Alcinous . * The word that beares this long Epith●●● , is translated only dolce : which signifies more . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vinum quod mellea dulce . dine , animum perfundit , & oblectat . Ascent to his Countries shore . Eustathius will haue this comparison of the Phaeacians with the Giants and Cyclops , to proceede out of the inueterate virulency of Anti●ous to the Cyclops , who were cause ( as is before said ) of their remoue from their country ; & with great endeuour labors the approbation of it : but ( vnder his peace ) from the purpose : for the sence of the Poet is cleer , that the Cyclops & Giants being in part the issue of the Gods , and yet afterward their defiers , ( as Polyp , hereafter dares professe ) Antinous ( out of bold a●d manly reason , euen to the face of one that might haue bin a God , for the past manly appearāce he made there ) would tell him , and the rest in him , that if they graced those Cyclops with their open appearance , that thogh d●scended from them , durst yet denie them ; they might much more do them the honor of their open presence that adored them . Arete to Vlysses . Vlysses to Arete . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Vinum calefaciendi vim habens . Notes for div A03515-e65570 Pallas like the Herald . Alcinous exhorts the Phaeacians to the beliefe of Vlysses . Demodocus Poeta . The contention of Achilles and Vlysses . Vlys●i mouetur fletus . The continued pie●ie of Vlysses through all places , times , and occasions . Since the Phaeacians were not only dwellers by sea , bu● studious also of sea qua●lities : their names se●me to vsurpe their faculties therein . All consisting of sea-faring signification , except Laodamas . As Acroneus , sūma seu extrema Nauis pars . Ocyalus velox in mari● Elatreus , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Remex . &c. Laodamas vrgeth Vlysses to their sports . The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signif●ing : deductio : qua transue●endum curamus ●um q●i nobiscum aliquandiu est versatus . Euryalu● vpbraids Vlysses , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vlysses angry . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Damnorum magnorum auctor . He names Laodamas onely for all the other brothers ; since in his exception , the others enuies were curbd : for brother● either are or should be of one acceptation in all fit things . And Laodamas , he calles his host , being eldest son to Alcinous : the heire being euer the yong master ; nor might he conueniently prefer Alcinous in his exception , since he stood not in competition at these contentions . Apollo . The ingen●ous and ro●all speech of Alcinous to Vlysses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies splendor vibran● ; a twinckd splendor : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vibrare vel●ti radios solares . Ayre rar●fied turns first . The matter whereof none can see . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vulcans complaint . * Intending thē sound of foote ; when they out-goe the soundest . This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. Parua mag●e dicere ▪ graue sentence out of lightest vapor . Vlysses to Alcinous . Nausicaa enflamed with Vlysses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ Poetam cuius hominibus digna est societas . * Vlysses . * As by the diuine fury directly inspired so , for Vlysses glory . * In that the slaughters he made were exprest so liuely . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Metaph. signifying , consumo , tabes●o . Simile . * This 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or affirmation of miracles , how impossible soeuer in these times assured , yet in those ages they were neither absurd nor strāge . Those inanimate things hauing ( it seemd● certain 〈◊〉 , in whose powers , they supposed , their ships faculties . As others haue affirmed Okes to haue sence of hearing : and so the ship of Argos was said to haue a Mast made of D●don●an Oke , that was vocall , and co●l● speake ▪ * Intending his father Nausithous . True wisedome fits true friends . Notes for div A03515-e76390 He begins where Alcinous commanded Demo●ocus to end . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . quatientem seu agitantem frondes . * quaedam quibus corp●s ali●ur & vita sustentatur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appellantur . Amor patriae . * After Night , in the first of the Morning . The ancient custome of calling ●ome the dead . The Lotophagie . The idle Cyclops . * The descriptions of all these countries , haue admirable alleg●ries , besides their artly and pleasing relation . Vi●um Maroneum memorabile . This his relation of Agamemnon , and his glory & theirs for Troyes sacke , with the pietie of suppliants receit , to him that was so barbarous and impious , must be intended spoken by Vlysses , with supposition that his hearers wold note , still as he spake ; how vaine they would shew to the Cyclops : who respected litle Agamemnon , or their valiant exploit against Troy , or the Gods themselues . For oth●rwise , the serious obseruatiō of the words ( though good & graue , if spoken to another ) want their intentional sharpnesse and life . Simile . Simile . * Neptune . * Wooll of a violet colour . Vlysses insults ●uer the Cyclop . Vlysses continued insolēce , no more to repeate what he said to the Cyclop , then to let his hearers know Epithetes , and estimation in the world . Polyphems imprecation against Vlysses . * No occasion let passe to Vlysses pietie , in our Poets singular wit and wisedom● . Notes for div A03515-e85520 I●piter . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He calles the Sterne , the foote of the ship . * This place suffers different construction , in all the Commentors , ( in which all erre from the mind of the Poet : as in a hundred other places ( which yet I want time to approue ) especially about 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ &c. Prope enim noctis & diei ●unt viae ; ( or similiter which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies ) which they will haue to be vnderstood , that the daies in that region are long and the nights short ; where Hom. intends , that the Equinoctiall is there : ( for how else is the course of day and night neare or equall ? ) But therefore the nights-man bath his double hire , being as long about his charge as the ●●her : and the night being more dangerous , &c. And if the day were so long ▪ why should the nightsman , be preferred in wages ? * For being cast on the staies , as ships are by weather . Ant●ph●● 〈◊〉 king there . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Curiose cogito . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifiyng rutilus : by reason of the fire mixt with it . Fumus qui fit dum aliquid accendi●ur . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . The whole end of this counsaile was to perswade his souldiers to explore those parts : which he kn●w would proue a most vnpleasing motion to them : for their fellowes terrible entertainement with Antiphas , and Polyph ▪ and therefore he prepares the little he hath to say , with this long circumstance : implying a necessitie of that seruice , and necessary resolution to adde the triall of the euent , to their other aduentures , Circes house . Simile . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 C●ius animus curas prudentes versat . Seeing them , he thought of his fellowes . Viysses mo●'d for his souldiers . Euryloch●● . Vlysses encounters Mercurie . The herbe Moly which with Vlysses whole Narration , ha●h in chi●●e●an Allegoricall exposition . Notwithstanding I say ▪ with our Spondanus , Credo in hoc vasto mundi ambitu extare res innumerasmirandae facultatis ▪ adeo , vt ne quidē ista quae ad tran●formanda co●pora pe●tine● ▪ iure è mundo eximi possit , &c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Commemorabantque omnia . Intending all their miseries , escapes , and meetings ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which is expounded Inclyta examina mortuorum . But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is the Epithete of Pluto ; and by Analogie belongs to the dead , quod ad se omnes aduocet . Notes for div A03515-e94610 They mournd the ●●ent before they knew it . Misenus apud Virgilium , ingenti mole , &c ▪ Tiresi●● to Vlyss●● . Men that neuer eate salt with their foode . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Which all translate senectute sub molli . The Epeth●te 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , viz. pinguis ; or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , pinguiter . But 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying flagitanter orando . To which , pious age is euer altogether addicted . Proserpina or Persephon● . The old Her●●sses appeare to Vlysses . Tyr● ▪ Antiope like Tyro . Al●m●na . Megara . Epicasta the mother of Oedipu● . Chl●ris . Leada , Iph●medi● . Phaedra and Pr●cris . Maera and Clymene . * Amphiaraus was ●●r husband : whō she betrayd to his ruine at Thebes , for gold taken of Adrastus her brother . * Venustè & sal●è dictum . * Here he begins his other relatiō . Proserpin● . * This aduice ●e foll●●●d at his coming home . * Achill●s . Achilles of the next life . Vlysses report of Neoptolemus the son of ●e●●lles . * This place ( and a number more ) is most miserably mistaken by all translators and commentors . * Th● 〈…〉 said ▪ * Ai●x the sonn● of Telamo● ▪ * Achill●s . * The●is . Iupiter . 〈◊〉 . Orion . Tityus . Sisyphu● . H●●c●les . Notes for div A03515-e106390 Reditur ab inferis ad Circen . Elpenor tum●latur . Circe praesagit futura pet●cula . Si●ena●um des●riptio . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Columbae t●midae . What these D●ues were , and the whole mind● of this place : th● Great Macedo●●sking Ch●ron Am●hip●lites , he ●nswered , They were the Pl●iad●s or seuen Stares . One of which ( besides his proper imperfection , of being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i. adeo exilis , vel subobscurus , ●t vi● appare●t ) is vtterly obscured or let b● thes● Rocks . Why then , or how , Ioue still supplied the lost one , that the ●u●ber might be full : Athen●●● falles to it , and helps the other out : Interpreting it to be affirmed of their perpetu●ll septenary nu●ber ▪ though there appeared but sixe . But how lame and loathsome these prozers shew in their affected expositions of the P●eticall Minde , this and an hundred others ▪ spent in meere p●esumptu●●s guesse at this inaccessible Po●t ; I hope will mak● plain● enough to the most enuious of any thing done , besides their ●wne set censur●s , and most arrogan● ouer weenings . In the 23. of the Iliads , ( being t ) at the Games celebrated ● at Patrocl●s fnerals , they tied t● the top of a Mast , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ●imidam Columbam , to sh●●●● at for a ga●● : so that ( by these great mens abouesaid expositions . ) they sh●● at the Plei●●es . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Naui● omnibus Curae : the ship th●t ●●ld the c●re of all men , or of ●ll things : which our Critickes will needs restraine , omnibꝰ heroibꝰ Po●tisom●ibus , vel Historicis , when the care of all mens preser●atiō is affirmed to be the freight of it : 〈◊〉 if Po●ts and Historians comprehended all things , when I scarce know any that makes them any part of their care . But this likewise is garbige good enough for the monster . Nor wil I tempt ●ur spic't consciences with expressing the diuin● mind it i●cl●des . Being ●fra●d to affirme any good of poore Po●s●e , since n● man gets any goods by it ▪ And notwithstanding many of our bird-●●d starters 〈◊〉 prophanation are for nothing s● afraid of it ; as that lest their galled consciences ( scarce beleeuing the most reall truth , in approbation of their liues ) should be r●bbed with t●e confirmation of it , even in these contemned vaniti●s ( as their ●●pieties please to call them , ) which by much more lear●ed and pio●s the● th●●selues , haue euer bene called the raptures of di●ine inspiration By which ▪ Homo supra humanam n●turam erigitur , & in D●um transit ▪ Plat. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. Grauiter vociferans ; as all , most ●●truly tr●nslat● i● . As they 〈◊〉 in the next ve●se , these words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Catuli Leonis . No Lion being here dreamed of , n●r any vocifcr●tio● ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ signifying indignam , dissim●lem , or horribilem vocem edens : But in what kind horribilem ? Not for the gra●itie or greatnesse of her voice , b●t for the rnworthy or disproportionable small ▪ wh●ling of it : she being in the vast fr●●e of her body , as the eery words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifie , monst●um ingens : whose dispr●portion and defor●itie , is too Poeticaley ( and therei● 〈◊〉 ) ordered , f●r fat and fla● Prozers to compreh●nd . N●r could they make the P●ets w●rds s●rue their comprehension ; and therefore they adde of their owne , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ from whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is deri●ed ▪ signifying crepo , or stridule clamo . And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is to be expoanded , c●tuli ●uper or recen●●●ti , not Leonis . But thus they botch and ab●se the incompar●ble expressor : Becaus● they knew ●ot how otherwise to be 〈◊〉 enough the●sel●es , to helpe out the Monster . Imagining so huge a great body ▪ must needs haue a voice as huge : and the● would n●t our Homer ha●e like●ed it t● a Lions whelps voyce , but to the Lions ●wne : and all had bene much too little , to make ● voyce answerable to h●r h●genesse . And therefore found our inimitable master , a ●ew way to expresse her monstrous disproportio● : performing it so , as there can be ●i●il supra . And I would faine lear●e of ●y learn●d De●r●ctor , that will needs haue m● o●ely tr●nslate out of the Lati●e , what Latine translation telles me this ? or what Grecia● hath euer found this and a hundred other s●ch ▪ Which may be some poore instance , or proofe of my Greci●n fac●lt● , as far as ●ld H●m●r goes in his two simple Poems , but not a sill●ble further will my silli● spirit presume . Notes for div A03515-e114710 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . quod pro Honorario senibus datur And because the worde so Englisht , 〈◊〉 no o ●her to exp●esse it , sounding wel , & helping our Language , it is her● 〈◊〉 . * Intending in chiefe the Senators , with euery m●ns addition of gift . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Bene-honestos-faciensaes . Vlysses to Alcinous . Alcinous to the Herrald . Vlysses to Arete . The sound●st epc of V●ysses . Similitude . The description of Phor●ys Hauen . Neptune to Iupiter . * The Phaeacians were descended Originally frō Neptune . Iupiter to Neptun● . Neptune to Iupiter . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Superinijcio aliquid , tanquam tegmen seu operi●entum . Alcinous tels his people how the Ship became a Stone . Minerua like a Shepheard ( such as Kings sonnes vsde at those times to be ) appear● to V●ysses . Pallas to Vlysses . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 1. Velut tri●tis , Ie●una●j , natura . Vlysses to Pall●s . Pallas to Vlysses . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 furandi auid●s . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . varia & multiplicia habens consilia . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Notes for div A03515-e122850 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , materiae adhaerens : Item , qui rebus Mundani● deditus est . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ad latrandū fato quodam Na●us . Eumaeus to Vlysses . Vlysses Wealth . Vlysses incen●t against the wooers , with newes of their spoyle . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , qui terr●m rapido motu concu●it . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sine emption●●seu redemp●●onis precio * A● Sunneset . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Vlysses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Notes for div A03515-e132090 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In qua ampli vt pulchri chori duci possūt , vel ducuntur : which the vulgar translation turne therefore , latam , seu amplam . Telemachus to M●nelaus . Menel . answere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , poculum emblematis , & caelaturis ornatum . Menelaus to Tel●machus ▪ Nestors son●e to M●nelaus His Ironi●●ll question continuing stil● Homer● Ch●racter of M●n●laus . Hellen dissol●es the O●●ent . Telem . to He●len Telem . to Pisist . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Cupiens diligere . * Pallas . * One of the F●ries of ●ell . * His wife betraid him for money . Theoclymenus to Telemachus . Telemachus to Theoclymenus ▪ Telem . Reply . The stories ● turn to 〈◊〉 Eum●●us to Vlysses . Vlysses answere to Eumaeus . Eumaeus answer to Vlysses . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Peroptabilem pubem . Vlysses answere to Eumaeus . * Supposing him to dwel in a Citie . Eumaeus relates his birth , &c. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Eumaeu● telles Vlysses how hee was bought and sold. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. admodū vafer . Der. ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. pertraho in retia & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 1. puella . * Intending the Ship. * Diana ▪ Th●oclymenus to Telemachus . Telemachus to Theo●●ymenus . Tele . to Pyraeus Pyraeus reply . Notes for div A03515-e141820 Eumaeus amaze and kinde welcome of Telemachus . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Orcus , & signi●ies pr●perly , tenebricosus , or infernalis ▪ so that , perni●iosus ( wh●ch is the Latine translation ) is not so ●itte as d●m●d for that crew of dissolute Wooers . The phrase being now vsde to all so licentious . Vlysses to Tel● . Telemachus 〈…〉 . E●m . to Telem . * Laertes . Telem . to Eum. * Intending his Father : whose ret●●ne , though hee were far fr● knowing , or fully expecting : yet he desir'd to order all thing● as he were present . * Intending to La●rtes , all that Eumaeus would haue ●old . P●llas appeares to Vlysses . Pallas restores Vlysses youth for ●he ●ime . Tel●mac●us to his Fathe● . Vlysses to Telē . Tel. to Vlysses . Vlys. 〈◊〉 his sonne Vlysses tels his sonne what ship ●e arri●'d in . Telem . to Vlys. Vlys. to Telem . Telema●hu . Vlysses . Tel●machus to his Father . 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Bonis mentibus the plurall number vsed euer by Homer . Penel : to Antin ▪ Eurym : to Pene● * Vlysses . Telem . to Eum. ●um to Telem . Notes for div A03515-e149940 Telem . to Eum. Vlys ▪ to his Son. Penel. to Telem . Telem to his Mother . Pyrae . to Tel●m . 〈…〉 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 . to Telem . Theoclymenus to Penelope . 〈…〉 Eumae to Vlyss. Vlyss. to Eum● . 〈…〉 Melan●●ius to Eumaeu● and Vlysses . Eumoeuscu●seth Melm . for his rude vsage of Vlysses . Intending his 〈◊〉 Herd , k●pt o●ely for the wooers dain●ie Pa●la●s . Mel●m : answer to Eumaeus . * 〈◊〉 . Vlysses dog , ●●●●led Argus . The Dog dye● as soone as hee had se●n Vlysses Euma●us Des●riptions of Vlysses Dogge . Vlysses ruthfull fashion of 〈…〉 * 〈…〉 Vlysses to A●tin . * Simil : In which Vlysses is compared with a Po●t , for the swee●nesse of his speech . Neezing a good Omen . Notes for div A03515-e159740 The buffet ●ight betwixt Vlysses and Irus : Eurynome . * Pen●l●p● . * Venus . Eur●m . ●our●ship of the su●posed Widdow Qu ● ene . Penel answer . Vlysses words to his wife at parting . The Wooers Gift● . Vlysses ●o his Wiu●s women . Me●antho to Vysses . Telem mockes the wooers , yet wins their praise . Notes for div A03515-e166990 Vlysse● former counsaile to his Son , fo● disposing ●he Armes repeated . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , They wil needs turne this ; Quadram ( for Modium ) guste● . Though the words beare no such signification : But giue a Prouerb then in vse , Repetition : which was , Hee shall not ioyn or make a spoke in the Naue of my chariot , or Chariot wheele , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying Modiolus Rot● , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Necto . Vlysses to his Queene . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vlys : sain'd relation of himself to his wife . Vlysses d●scription of his apparell going for Troy. * Intending with 〈◊〉 it self● : n●t his shew onely . Autolycus giues his Grand child Vlysses his name : from whence the Odysses is deriud 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , deriu'd of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 factum : ( signifying dolorem proprie corporis ) nam ira ex dolore oritur . The two parts of Dreames . The pro●osition of Vlysses Bow to the Wooers , determined by Penelope . Notes for div A03515-e177010 Pallas appeares to Vlysses . The Mill●r-woman● prayer to Ioue , in satisfaction of Vlysses prayer . 〈…〉 The Feast that Eur●● eas●oke o● before , ret●rn●d vnto Notes for div A03515-e184000 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Bene compactus & coag●entatis . Notes for div A03515-e190820 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Notes for div A03515-e204670 * Patr●●lus A18423 ---- Two Wise Men and All the Rest Fools Chapman, George This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A18423 of text S107717 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 4991). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. Martin Mueller Incompletely or incorrectly transcribed words were reviewed and in many cases fixed by Madeline Burg This text has not been fully proofread EarlyPrint Project Evanston IL, Notre Dame IN, St.Louis, Washington MO 2017 Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License A18423.xml Tvvo vvise men and all the rest fooles: or A comicall morall, censuring the follies of this age as it hath beene diverse times acted. 56 600dpi TIFF G4 page images University of Michigan, Digital Library Production Service Ann Arbor, Michigan 2003 January (TCP phase 1) 99843413 STC (2nd ed.) 4991. Greg, II, 361. 8145 A18423

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Tvvo vvise men and all the rest fooles: or A comicall morall, censuring the follies of this age as it hath beene diverse times acted. Two wise men and all the rest fooles Two wise men and all the rest fooles: or A comicall morall, censuring the follies of this age. Comicall morall, censuring the follies of this age. Chapman, George, 1559?-1634. [4], 104 p. S.n.], [London : Anno. 1619. 1619

Sometimes attributed to George Chapman.

Place of publication from STC.

Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

A18423 shc Two Wise Men and All the Rest Fools Chapman, George Madeline Burg 1619 play comedy shc no A18423 S107717 (STC 4991). 42079 0 0 0 2520059.89D The rate of 59.89 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. Incorporated ~ 10,000 textual changes made to the SHC corpus by Hannah Bredar, Kate Needham, and Lydia Zoells between April and July 2015 during visits, separately or together, to the Bodleian, Folger and Houghton Libraries as well as the Rare Book Libraries at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago

TVVO VVISE MEN AND ALL THE REST FOOLES : OR A COMICALL MORALL , CENsuring the follies of this age , as it hath beene diverse times acted .

Anno. 1619 .

Names of the Actors . Proberio . Antonio . Rustico . Sperato . Insatiato . Lamia . Malingua . Furioso � Purgato . Parvagracio . Simplo . Securus . Hortano . Spurco . Infaelicto . Susanna . Mureto . Corraso . Stercorato . Levitia . Noverindo . Hermito . Acuto . Gulato . Granato . Phantastico . Camerado . Pestifero . Vulcano .
PROLOGVS .

RIGHT noble and worthy Assembly : It hath beene a very auncient and laudable custome , in the best gouerned common-wealthes , to admit and fauourably to allow interludes and discourses vpon the Stage for diuers reasons ; but especially two . The one , to entertaine the welconditioned people with some delightfull and fruitfull conceits , thereby as it were to deceiue idlenes of that time which it had allotted for worse purposes . The other , for the iust reprehension of such as with serious and more graue aduisings cannot or will not be so freely admonished and corrected . The later of these two respects hath begotten this Dialogue , ready to be acted , principally and specially pointing that Impe which is infortunately fostered vp to this day , to ruine it selfe with infamy . Onely this comfort is afforded , that if he be present , and withall silent , he may suppose that of all others it concernes not him . If hee be absent ( as most likely he is ) then euery other that findes himselfe parcell guilt may see the deformity , and forbeare the excesse . Other touches and passages are , which our Author and wee present not with minde to offend any , but to please the weldisposed . And so in the name of all the rest I entreate courteous audience , and pardon of all faults .

TVVO VVISE MEN AND ALL THE REST FOOLES .
ACT I.
SCENA I. Enter Proberio alone .

HOw much wee that haue beene trauailers differ from other kindes of people ? So soone as we arriue , we are attended to the Burse or Randevou of Merchants . There we walke as if the whole world hath neede to be informed , yea and directed by vs in matters of greatest moment ; such as is trafficke and commerce with forraine nations , and the state and disposition of those kingdomes through which we haue passed . For it may be we can giue intelligence of preparations and invasions . We can demonstrate their strength and munition . We can number their Captaines and Generals . We can discouer their designes and confederates . And finally , we can lay plots to crosse and make voide all their purposes , and stratagems , which these home-bred and countrie spunne people can neuer attaine vnto . Therefore by good right we are had in esteeme , and speciall request , and courteously receiued of Councellors of state wheresoeuer we come . Neither doe we tye our selues to any one dominion more then another , but indifferently to all states we deliuer freely the condition of euery nation . And the place we ��ll i��o is our best beloued so long as there we tarry , and not a minute longer . We oblige our selues to no Prince for gold nor gaine , nor be pensioners to any Monarche : but with desire to see more we passe through all gouernements , vnchecked and vncontrolled , because we take part with none , offend , none , nor are false to any . And this life wee loue aboue all liues , not content with any life , but that which seekes an other life .

Enter Simplo and Nouerindo .

Mounsieur Proberio , you are welcome home .

Pro.

That 's more then you know Segnieur Simplo , what countrey shal be my home ?

Simp.

Then you are welcome into England .

Pro.

Thankes gentle Simplo .

Simp.

What newes ? And what company came ouer with you ?

Pro.

Newes I haue none but ordinary to tell you . With the state I shall haue some businesse . And in my company came ouer an old acquaintance of yours , one Segnieur Antonio , a man of extraordinary action and faction .

Simp.

If it be the man I contiecture him to be � his name is plaine Anthony , an English man , borne some 70 miles from London Northwest , and hath beene beyond seas some seuen or twelue yeeres .

Pro.

That 's the man . But wee call him Segnieur Antonio , by reason of his trauailers in Italy and other places .

Simp.

As he hath chang'd his name and countrey , hath he not altered his conditions ? I assure you he was very honest , and of good expectation before he went .

Pro.

No , vpon my word . Hee came ouer a great deale better then he went , and well qualified : and there was no doubt but he would continue so still , but that couetousnes , and the diuel 's on 't .

Simp.

What ? is he giuen to that ? it were great pity .

Pro.

Well , this Sir Antonio or Anthony whether you will � hath seene many countries , and learned many strange qualities .

Simp.

Strange qualities ! bee they as good as they bee strange ?

Pro.

Nay , doe you iudge ? I le tell you some of them . And if you like them , wee 'll put them in print , and set them vp to be sold at the Hospitall porch , neere S. Nicholas shambles , and annexed to the great thing in magna charte , or magno folio , entituled , an Admonition to householders .

Simp.

Well , if they deserue so , it shal be so ; and I 'le bestow the cost in printing , and deale with a friend for their allowance sub priuilegio .

Pro.

But first I 'le account to thee what accidents wee had in trauaile .

Simp.

But I 'le heare nothing till I heare them .

Pro.

No ? what if I should first reade a Sermon preached within these seuen dayes at Amsterdam by a man of most pure profession and inuention not ordinary , passing all that liued before or behind him in the nouell straine ; himselfe of the right cut of Carolstadius : in which Sermon hee prooues most deuoutly , that it is Idolatry to fight against the Turke . Wouldst thou not heare that first ?

Simp.

No . What tell'st thou me of Sermons ? let 's haue these qualities without any more digressions .

Pro.

Well , since you are so desirous , you shall haue them by whole sale , retaile them at leysure when you come home .

Imprimis , when he liueth in a great towne like , London , he loues to lye in a corner ouer the Kitchen , because the Iack shall not whirle too often , to waken or distract him in prayer . His dinners are for the most part ordinary , except foure dayes in the weeke he visite his house-keeping friends . And at supper a couple of egges , and a bit of cheese is a choyce dyet after a liberall dinner : besides it saues fire and washing of dishes .

Simp.

But if I were his man , if he kept no better cheere at his chamber � I would make the cheese frye vntill the butter were spent .

Pro.

But your cunning would fayle you , for hee hath a tricke beyond your reach for preseruing his cheese . But to the next .

Secondly , hee so cauils and wrangles with any man that he deales withall , that they neuer agree or loue after , and yet euery Saterday he makes eauen with all the world .

Simp.

Thou tell'st mee a wonder . How shall I beleeue this ?

Pro.

It is so : chuse whether thou wilt beleeue me , or no .

Simp.

Let me see how these can be reconciled .

Pro.

Canst thou not reconcile them ? I see thou art a very barren fellow ; thou hast not a spoonfull of wit . I am sorry that euer I vndertooke to teach thee these incomparable tricks of Don Antonio , laboured for so toughly in climing the Alpes , and so dangerously brought downe � Thou look'st too neerehand , as if a man would spye for a Woodcocke in the next queath of bushes ; wheras thou oughtst to eleuate thy aspect to thy vttermost kenning , as those doe that lye on their backes to keepe sight of haukes which aspire beyond the first region . Search me the furthest corner of thy capacity , and there see if perhaps doe lye as in an abstruse angles , some secret patterne of these proiects . Euery Buzzard will prye if a mowle or a mouse shall happen in an houres watching to creepe from a bushe right vnder her stand : giue mee the Eagle soaring conceits , to spye what springs before the furthest ranger a mile off .

Simp.

I know not how to diue into this bottomles secret � It is sure some riddle . I pre thee suspend me no longer : for if I should beate my braines with an Iron pestle , not a sprinkle of them will light vpon the outside of this enigmaticall proposition . Nay , good now tell me , how he that palters with euery body , should be eauen at weekes end .

Pro.

Well , I will not sticke with thee for this once , but looke not for it often ; for I 'le not vse you to it . Finde them out by your owne study for me heereafter . You are of age one would thinke . Thus it is : hearken well what I say at first . for I le not repeate it againe for losing of time . He is eauen with all the world euery Saterday . Those were my words , and I 'le make them good ; marke diligently .

Simp.

Nay , pre thee dispatch , or els I cannot marke as I was wont to doe . The marke will bee out of my mouth if you come not quickly out with it .

Pro.

Well , euery Saterday night he makes eauen with all the world , because hee wil be the better disposed against sonday . Hem Ha .

Simp.

Alas ! not yet � I am not able to endure it , I faint .

Pro.

He is euen that is to say . Ha . Ha . Hae.

Simp.

O my heart : not yet . A penieworth of Aquauita , if I shall liue .

Pro.

Hold , hold : thou shalt haue it presently : t is at my tongues end .

Simp.

Well , say on . If my sences faile not , I le heare you .

Pro.

He loues no body then , and no body loues him . And thus thou seest there 's no oddes , but all eauen .

Simp.

What a jest is this ? there 's an eauen reckoning with the diuels name . You shall be hang'd before I le torment my selfe with desire to heare any more of your knauish tricks . I le be sworne I had like to mar'd all . It wrought with me like a purgation . It has giuen mee a treble stoole at once , though I find no fault . I haue it hot � and worse then any perfuming pan in the world . You scuruy fellow , an t were no for loosing land I haue ( he layes his hand vpon his sword ) not maruaile though a man must be sicke at heart ( I sweare ) and study so hard , and straine my wits to reach the reason of this riddle . I am sure I did ouershoot it 40. yards , and had like to put a dozen cases , how these two cases might well enough haue stood together in one subiect salua conscientia , taken out of Scotus , and Thomas Aquinas , fully resolu'd by them ; but still I doubted I should fall short : therefore I thought better to conceale them : and now doest thou gull me thus grossely ?

Pro.

Ha . Ha . Hae. An thou be a good fellow rehearse three or foure of these cases thou hadst like to haue produced ; and let 's iudge how fitly they had beene applyed if neede had beene .

Simp.

To what end ? for thee to mocke mee more ? you may command : but if I were willing , thou hast now put them quite out of my minde , I know not where to beginne .

Pro.

I thinke so . Thou were pockily distempered .

Simp.

Wil 't please you to proceede ? let 's heare some more of your goodly squires conditions .

Pro.

Thirdly . When he meanes to ride to his countreyhouse , he goes three daies before to some groomes at court . And if from them he learne any newes ( if it be but of a posy given the king of Fraunce by his nurse , or that a fisher man sayling by the Barmoothes saw a fire at singing of a hog ) this carries him scot-free to all the � gentlemens houses of his acquaintance scituate , set , lying , & being within seaven miles of the high way of any side vntill at length he set foot at his owne stable dore pecunijs numeratis remaining entire in his right pocket . And the like he can doe retrogrado to London , but by variety of friends because the same newes may be newes forward and backward .

Simp.

This is a very plaine tricke , and needes no such encomions , and Epithets of commendation as you bestow on it .

Pro.

Is it so Sir ? ther 's your iudgement , and bolt soone shot . But if I shew that it is a very difficill , ambiguous , perilous , perplexed and involved stratagem , what will become of your opinion hereafter ?

Simp.

Who ? here 's a busines about riding a few miles by many gentlemens houses , as though it requires such ingenious circumstances .

Pro,

I , that it does Sir . And I vndertake to make it appeare though perhaps you haue nere a capcase to put it in .

First Segnior Anthony so soone as he puts foot in the stirrop , is to feare least the Master & Mistres should not be at home & his perplexity in that case is very hardly dissolved .

Secondly how to carry his tales and discourses methodically .

Thirdly to take heede he discover no familiarity with the gentlemans adversary .

Lastly what kinde of farewell he were best to take at parting . These be matters of mighty moment ( as thou seest ) which he hath to cast , and recast ; to meditate , and ponder ; to tosse , and tumble ; to revolue , and resolue ; to put forwarde with Pro , and pull backe with contra , to obiect , and confute ; to throw doubts and mishaps like snow-bals , and against them erect bulwarks & defences , to admit wounds & scars , and to apply salues ; to conclude , come what come will to haue cordials in store , & all little enough to saue his best beloved in his purse . And yet thou Dunstable breed thoughtst it as easie a matter to performe them handsomely as to make a good posset with a quart of new like and a quantity of cleere chamberly .

Simp.

Sir I confesse all these be farre aboue my element : and that in many yeares study I cannot comprehend one of them , therefore , I leaue th� to your cavaglyer without Peere in mine opinion . Hath he any more qualities of this nature ? Le ts haue them , for at least I shall learne some wit out of them .

Pro.

Thou learne wit out of them ? never while thou livest : not honestly neither . They will rather rob thee of those wits thou hast , he hath infinite such as these , which in verie pitty to thee I forbeare to relate at this time � These are enough to conceiue at once . For if I should driue them all into thy braines togither , though it were with a tenne-pennynaile , thou couldst not carry them away : but rather they would make thee madde in the case thou art now .

Simp.

Why ? what case am I in thinkst thou ?

Pro.

Not sit I was to receiue such potions without due preparation .

Simp.

What shall I doe to be made fit for their operatio� ? I le take any course thou wilt prescribe me to get perfection . And I can imitate like an Ape .

Pro.

Thou makst a large offer , & a rash , which full soone ( I doubt ) thou wilt revoke : but I le try thee . Before thou begin to professe this art , thou must forget all rules and instructions of manners taught thee by thy fathers , godfathers , or schoolemasters , and renounce all good counsaile given thee from the beginning of the world to this day : that so being an empty and voide vessell thou maist be the more apt to receiue the tincture and impression applyed . And thus begin thy A.B.C. in matchevillaines schoole . Otherwise ; if thou shouldst reserue but so much as a secret intention to keepe thine old honesty on the one side of thy head , and lay open the tother side to entertaine these restlesse and still stirring cratchets , there would be such hurly burly in thy brain , that all the wit thou hast will not keepe them in order . Therefore , if thou desirest to be of the cunning cure � and withall lov'st thine own peace � come cleere without wit or honesty , wee le teach enough in a weeke to serue thee all thy life time . I le bring thee acquainted , and then I le turne him loose to teach and furnish thee with destructions enough for a whole country .

Simp.

Destructions . What should I doe with them except it were to destroy others . But I doubt I shall pay deare for my schooling , and that I like not . But for the other point of parting with my former good lessons , faith , I can quickly doe that for I never gain'd any thing by them , therefore I can be content to come to him as naked as ever I was born .

Pro.

That 's great step to your well profiting I may say to you ; and t is a great signe of grace to be obedient , and wholly to resigne your selfe to good inspirations : but canst thou tell when thou hast good counsell giuen thee ?

Simp.

Not I ; more then a child : For now you haumade me put off all my old learning I am become a very innocent , as if I were this day taken from my mammee : but I trust you because you are my frend . I hope you le put me to none , but such as shall teach me enough for my mony . And you say he is wise and will giue me samples enough , & then I warrant you I le take um like a spunge till I be twice so big as I am .

Pro.

Well , then thus farre we are agreed . And I wish you not to stand vpon his getting by you , least you be penny-wise , and pound foolish .

Simp.

How learn'd you his cunning so perfectly ? haue you knowne him long .

Pro.

O , I� why I haue knowne him these 30 yeares at least , and convers'd with him in his best times ; somewhat it cost me you must thinke , but that 's past . I would not for any thing but that I did knowne throughly .

Simp.

Has he beene in Italy then as you said before ?

Pro.

I that he has , and caried from thence more than all the townes in Italy could spare .

Simp.

what 's that ?

Prob.

I will not tell thee , thou hast already more then thou canst well beare : thou art almost drunke with the very smell of his wit , or else thou wouldst never so idly aske me a question which I told thee twentie times .

Nover.

Mounsieur Proberio , I have heard all the conference between you and Simplo : and I doe so much mislike your discourse that I cannot chuse but oppose my selfe in my frends behalfe whom I heare egregiously to be wrong'd by you Proberio .

Pro.

In what Noverindo , haue I done him injury ?

Nov.

In all your speech generally : and in many particulars .

Pro.

O vniversall Noverindo in what particulers ?

Nov.

T is no matter . I le tell him all when we meet next �

Pro.

That 's not matter . but canst thou disproue me in any thing I said ? or dost thou knowe any good by him that I haue not spoken of �

Nov.

Faith , or else I knowe but little : for if you praise � frend on this fashion I prethee speake the worst thou canst by me .

Pro.

Sir , it may bee I le pleasure you so much : but to the matter � canst thou disproue me in any thing I said ?

Nov.

Yes , that I can , & that I will . I can disproue thee in that thou saidst hee never deales � with any man but hee cavills , and wrangles with him � which is vntrue . And I had much adoe to keepe in my mother tongue , but could haue found in my heart presently to haue put the lye downe thy throat , but I did bridle my nature to heare all thou wouldst speake . And now to demonstrat thy falshood , I say , and will iustifie that he is as good a 10 i th 100 man either to giue or take as any is in London � and that he keeps his daies ( especially of receit ) as strictly to an howre as any man . And further , that hee cavelleth or wrangleth not with any in this Kind : therefore you are a lying fellow .

Prob.

Not to forward with your lyes Noverindo if you loue your selfe : for though I will not fight for feare of the proclamation yet knowe I can make you giue me satisfaction vpon your knee if I would complaine : but I will seek no such advantage ; for the cause it selfe giue mee victory enough over thee , and returnes the lie most brauely into thy gullet . I can proue Nody Noverindo , that in thy owne trade and his of decem per cent . when he lost 100l which the scriuener deliuered his owne messenger after the bond sealed , ( who ran away with the mony ) he brake his day , and sued the scriuener striuing to recouer the whole , or some composition by that meanes .

Nov.

But did he recover any ? or did the scriuener giue him any thing ? 000 ?

Pro.

He recouer'd not ; nor got any thing from the scriuener . But was not this a wrangle , and a shamefull cavill ? yea and with a Noverint man himselfe which thou deniest ? 000 now thou lyest in thy swallowing place Noverindo .

Nov.

Segnieur Simple , Helpe me a little . Canst thou say no good of this gentleman � it frets me to the heart to heare a man of our owne making to be thus misus'd .

Simp.

Faith not I , not much , sauing that I haue heard many yeares agoe that he was a reasonable honest man but for 's religion , and they say still hee s a kinde of a Papist .

Nov.

What a rascall stis ? doe I call thee to speake in his behalfe , and dost thou prate of religion ? what has he or I to doe with religion ? I dare sweare that hee s an honest man of no religion . ( Intrat Antonio ) and younder 's the man , let 's see now who dares charge him with religion . I hope he and I haue worke enough and neuer busie our felues about religion . So many banckrupts , and housekeepers now adaies t is time to looke about vs .

Pro.

What ? dost thou finde fault with housekeepers : you le please him never a whit with that , for an t were not for good housekeepers he would haue many hungry meales �

Nov.

I finde fault with such housekeepers as dare not shew their faces without their owne doores . I cannot indure this . I le complaine to him on you both , if euer hee light on you within the lash of the law , ther 's no mercy : and t is no matter , teach you to speake so evill of him behind his backe .

Pro.

Why cockscombe ; how canst thou tell his backe was towards vs .

Nov.

Well , mocke on , t was in his absence , that 's all one : I le tell him if you le giue me nothing .

Pro.

Giue thee , yes a rope ( Noverindo turnes toward Antonio ) these caterpillers are al for what will you giue me like Iudas �

Enter Nov. and Anton. at severall doores Noverrindo speakes . Nov.

Bonus dies � Segnieur Antonio , Magnifico ; the worthiest gentleman that ever consorted with the bankers of this citie . Sir I hope you make no doubt �o� teneri & firmiter obligari�ibi aut t�o certo atturnato , &c. And further obligamus nos , & quemlibet nostrum , heredes , & executores nostros &c. The condition is to bee ever ready at your lowest service .

Pro.

What a rogue stis ? he can speake nothing but obligations as Ovid did verses . �

Ant.

Gramarcees gentle Noverindo : how goe the rates now ?

Nov.

Sir you may haue as much as you will at eight in the hundred , others pay ten .

Ant.

I thanke you : then I haue a match already : a frend of mine must vse a thousand pound and intreats my band ; I le say he shall haue it by my meanes . Thou shalt haue forty shillings in the hundred for brocage � and I will gaine other fortie shillings , this is but twelue in the hundred that 's dog cheape , I knowe some pay a great deale more : And I le haue good land twice the worth for my counter security . Let me alone to hamper them .

Nov.

You are wiser sir , fast bind fast find . And if they faile yeull trice them . I trow vpon the mortgage .

Ant.

Ah ha , art avis'd of that ? surely I shall doe them good to make the fooles take heed of others . And what falt is in me , a bargaine is a bargaine : aud if I giue them a little more for their land when it is forfeited , they may thanke me but no parting with the land , for it is so deep if a man would dig it that it reacheth to hell , and ther 's no redemption .

Nov.

Well , this is agreed : and if you will haue 3000l speake but the word , and giue three daies warning , wee le come at your whistle as your wife was wont to doe : but there 's a thing I must impart to you which ( I hope ) you will take well at my hands , being but the relator .

Ant.

What ? is any Backrupt that hath my summes put forth �

Nov.

Not one , they are as safe as in your chest .

Ant.

Let it be what it will then , I care not a rush .

Nov.

Sir it is some discredit to you if it be true .

Ant.

If it be true , and discredit I weigh it not .

Nou.

Ah noble Antony ( he imbraceth him ) pardon me if� I be bold with your worship , for no man could haue spoken more pithely , and more like our owne corporate brother then this was : why Sir for all the world so are wee , never mou'd say what men will : wee could not liue richly if men had cause to speake well of vs , giue me your hand , I le liue & die with you for that word � and leo here with this hand of mine I reach you the hearts of all our company ; now I dare say any thing to you without feare , or blushing . That which I was so vnwilling to vtter was no more but this : it is very credibly reported that you never deale , or contract with any but you cavill , wrangle , paulter , wrench , shift , chapp , change , deny , refuse , goe backe from your word , breake off , and play all manner of fowle play ; wherevpon all men speak evill of you , and as many as had once commerce will never more meddle with you .

Ant.

All this is nothing , I haue heard twentie times so much with my owne eares , and smile at the poore fellowes that they spend their time with talking of me . But didst thou euer heare but I gain'd by them all .

Nov.

Nay , that 's certaine : they all agree on that as a verdict .

Anto.

Why , there 's it then . Now thou seest where wit lodgeth , with me , or with them .

Nov.

Faith 't is true . And they haue nothing to charge a man withall but Conscience and Religion , and such impertinent stuffe . But I thinke I haue taken downe some of them about the word Religion of the oldest stampe , that you should be tainted withall , and I trow I haue so silenc'd them that you shall not neede to trouble your selfe with studying to revenge it .

Anto.

I , they talke their pleasure behind my backe , but I wish they would speake one word to ground an action vpon � Didst thou heare him ( whosoeuer he was ) say , I am a Papist ?

Nov.

O , no Sir , I warrant you , they dare not for fortie pound say so . But that you were one , that you looke like one , that your heart is so still , if you durst for losing some of your goods , that you were honester when you stucke to it . That now you dissemble . And such like words full of suspition , but not to beare an action . They are crafty enough for that . But I trow . Sir , you are too wise , and so I answered for you .

Anto.

Thou didst well . I know some of them would gladly catch me in a trip . But I le watch them well enough .

Exeunt omnes .
ACT. I. SCENA II. Enter Securus and Hermito at severall doores . Sir Hermito .

No man better met heere then your selfe . I was in great care for an Associat in the affaire with this day , and almost euery day I vndertake .

Her.

Sir my society will afford you small contentment , if my daily taskes required not my attendance , where by perpetual vow I haue engaged all my houres vntil my death . For I am fit for no other imployment but my beades � Neuerthelesse if it please you briefly to let me know your desire , I will by my answere you reasonable satisfaction .

Secu.

When I doe seriously consider the worlds present condition : And that we which converse abroad with all sorts of people are subject to so many mistaking , censures , and vntrue reports , that it passeth the skill of any man to carry himselfe vprightly , & without blame , I begin to iudge you , and your like onely happy , who chuising to leaue the world , haue procured quietnesse to your life . But Sir Hermito , I marvaile what hath remoued you from your caue to the countrie . Are you as weary of private liuing , as I am of too much company ? The newes must needes be great , and strange which brings you hither .

Her.

No such matter , as that my intended course of dwelling with my selfe sequestred from all resort , should haue an end so long as my abode in this world endureth . Farre be it from my thought euer to wish the change of my estate . As now I am I trouble not others , nor any man offendeth me . And where no mistake is , who can thinke of alteration ? my resolution hath bred my contentment : the peace which I enjoy , counter-valueth all maner of wants . And my spiritual excercises take away tediousnes . The cause of my comming hither ( Sir Securus ) is a Proclamation lately set forth by the king , that all his subject being men of 21 yeares , & vpwards , living within 50 miles of the Court , shall appeare there within 14 days after notice given them . And about three dayes past , a pilgrim passing by my cell , told me of this Edict , and that it was vpon alleageance . So I being his subject ( thogh seruing him to no other purpose , but praying for him ) thought it my dutie to make my appearance . and to depart without delay .

Secu.

Sir , I am right to haue intercepted you ( whether you be travailing to or fro the Court ) because this day is appointed for hearing and determining many controversies , and censuring sundrie sorts of people : And some of these differences beyond my learning . You therefore come very fitly to aide me . And this whole affaire being principally for peace making , and ending debates without suite of Law � you may not refuse to ioyne with me in a worke of so great charitie .

Her.

In very deed Sir , euery ought to yeeld his best helpe to such workes . And although I haue alreadie recorded my appearance at Court , and licenced to returne to my poore home � and would willingly spend some houres with you to so good a purpose ; yet ( Alas Sir ) I am like to prevaile very little with any body , wanting both acquiantance and authoritie among them whosoever they be : therefore I entreate my fruitlesse presence may bee spared ; but I will not be wanting to you with my prayers for your successe .

Secu.

Sir , for your authoritie and acquaintance it shall not skill . All that I haue both those wayes , shalbe conferred vpon you equally with my selfe . If they despise you , they shall contemne mee also . Onely I entreate your companie this day , and then I cease troubling you further whatsoeuer neede require hereafter .

Her.

Sir I expect no intreatie , neither will I wrong you so much as to make further request to my poore selfe . I stay willingly and am at your service in all things .

Secu.

No seruant of mine Sir , but my friend vpon equall tearmes .

They both sit downe in chaires some distance each from other .
ACT. II.
SCENA . I. Enter Rustico , Hortano , Acuto , and Vulcano .

Neighbour Hortano , I haue considered of the great coile we had the last Sabouth after evening praier in the verstrie about putting downe the Holy-dayes . It hinders our businesse much . And mee thinkes this praying in a Church among those of high degree is nothing pleasantable , and blushing takes away my devotion . I can pray a great deale better , and with a more comelie grace when I whistle at plow . And me thinkes't were a goodly matter if euery man in 's calling might follow his focation , and there doe such devotion as his stomacke stands to .

Hor.

Faith , neighbour Rustico , I am euen of your mind . For I le bide by it , I ha more weeds growes in one Holyday , then in three workie dayes .

Rust.

O , you are a Gardner , it becomes you wel to agree with the Husband man , if we two hold together , we shal be too hard for twentie fooles .

Hor.

Indeed 't wer a gay thing if wee could put downe these Holy-dayes , as you say . Me thinks 't wer an easie matter as well as we ha put downe the Fasting-dayes pell mell , hand ouer head . An wee wood hang together 't wer soone done , but when some are so arseward 't will neuer be .

Acu.

You talke you know not what . There were no reason in it : for that were the way to breake all order , and giue our mindes altogether to toyle , and neuer serue God . For you would not stay there neither if you had your will , but the Sondayes should shortly goe downe for company . You will leaue nothing standing .

Rust.

O , you are a Tayler , you speake for your profit � For an 't were not for Holy-dayes , which require fine cloathes , and much change , you might begge your bread .

Vul.

You hit the naile on the head neighbour Rustico . Wee le put them downe an you 'll keepe stroke with me .

Acu.

Nay Sirra , if any man hit the naile on the head , it should be you , because you are a Smith � but soft , you are so hot with your rip rapping , that you misse the nayle and Anvyle also . For my part although I doe boldly worke on Holy � dayes as other taylers vse Christmasse day and all , yet would I not misse the Holy-dayes for any good , nor would I breake the order without necessity . But is it so easie a matter to put downe the Holy-dayes thinke you ? And will you doe it with the furious fire-forke ? And you Master Gardner that will rake vp Holy-dayes and Fasting-dayes like weedes , and bury them all in a trench , you are both both fowly deceiued . For neither haue you put downe the Fasting-dayes , because still they are bidden in Churches , nor is the case alike � for Fasting is private , and cannot so well be punished , but if you come not to Church , vp you go not to Church , vp you goe for a Recusant an you were my father .

Rust.

Why for all that shud we be troubled with so many holydaies ? wood not fewer serue the turne as well ? I doe not thinke our auncetrums were so pestred .

Acu.

Yea , and with many more ; and kept the eues halfe holy .

Rust.

How didne a then for doing their businesse ? sure a were all beggers . And yet t wood anger me that my graundsir should be a begger . I it wood .

Acu.

Not so neither . They liued very well : and had not the twentith begger that we haue : and were great housekeepers every man almost . They built all the Townes , Colledges � and Religious houses .

Rust.

Didne a so indeed ? I cha hard my grandsir , & grannam tauke much of those things . Sure but I thinke they went to plow and cart on the workydaies , and built those things you tauke on vpon the holydaies , or else it cood neuer be .

Acu.

No , no . They suffered no kind of lighter workes to be done in those daies , much lesse such painefull labours as they were .

Rust.

Why were the Saints daies kept holy at all ? Tell me some reason for it .

Acu.

They did in those daies giue great honour to such as suffered death for Christian religion , although the men were as poore as Christs fishermen . And therefore the daies of their martyrdome they kept holy , and came to Church to glorifie and praise that God , for whom those Saints died , there were people exhorted to doe the like .

Rust.

But I mislike the very ground , and cause of those holydaies which ( you say ) is suffring death willingly . Doe not we die fast enough ( thinke you ) against our wils , but we must set vp a trade of dying with a good will �

Acu.

Thou speakest against reason . For if thou must needs dye , first , or last , wert not better to die for a glorious cause , so to be sure of heauen , & willingly in perfect memory , then against thy will wrestling with death , & overcome in the end with great paine , and perhaps past thy sences .

Rust.

Reason me no reasons � I speake as I thinke , I protest from my heart I had rather doe any worke in the world then dye . What ? never come home againe to my wife , and my pretie barnes ? Why , I haue a boy , his name is Iacke ; hee has a face as welfavor'd as any great turnippe root , with a cracke in the mid'st , which is the very proportion of his mouth . I will not willingly leaue that boy for all the deaths in the world . No I will not . But if I must needs dye whether I will or no , I wood haue death take mee asleepe , that I may not see his face , for if I did I would run away as hard as ever I could for my life .

Hor.

Mr Acuto talke with me , hee speakes like a foole . I haue more wit then twentie such loggerheads .

Rust.

Nay , then I haue more wit then thou canst get � for I can make my horses turne vp the ground , and thou must doe it with thy hands and feet , else thou canst earne no mony . Come neighbour Vulcano , we two wise men will leaue these two to play the fooles here vntill our �urne come againe .

Exeunt Rust. & Vul. Hor.

Now Acuto � let vs two conclude what shall become of these holydaies , and as we agree , I warrant it shall goe . And thou hast almost perswaded me to let them stand . But let vs goe and read a booke I haue at home of the liues of Saints to furnish vs with stronger reasons against our next encounter with these Dunces , and then wee will end this controversie .

Exeunt . Secu.

How thinke you by this S. Hermito ? would you haue imagined that such plaine fellowes as these be , should call a businesse of this nature in question ? By this you may may gesse what stirring heads we haue to deale withall , and how easie a matter to keepe them in order .

Her.

It is somewhat strange . And the more vnlearned the men are , the harder to be satisfied . But he hope is , that as mad men doe best service when some of their like are most vnruly , so these men being alike vnskilfull will soone confound each other , and so giue over the businesse .

ACT. II. SCEN. II. Enter Antonio at one dore � Proberio and Simplo at another .

It is not vnknowne to mee that very many doe censure my deeds as wicked and not beseeming a Christian . But this is the iniquitie of the time , because they doe not distinguish between persons and seasons . For my actions being not ordinary , are not to be iudged by ordinary , but refined wits . For now your downe right dealing is exploded , as too subiect to every meane capacitie .

Pro.

Yonder is thy master that shal be ( Simplo � ) thou shalt lose no time , wee le to him sodainely . Segnieur Antonio . All haile to your person . Here is a man desires to serue you ; to be your pupill ; to imitate your actions so neere as his vessell can hold the print . And he will doe well . For hee is made all of wax , very pliant , emptie of all thing � but a little mony and a tenement or two of land lying next your freehold on the south side , worth 10l per annum .

Ant.

He is welcome . Haue you giuen him any principles , such as you knowe are necessarie ? and is he docible �

Pro.

He is ready for your hand Sir . I will not commit such an errour ( knowing you as I doe ) but lay the foundation . You may worke vpon him as you list I warrant you .

Simp.

Sir I hope you shall finde me diligent , and according to your heart .

Ant.

Thou hast a good sterne countenance , I like thee well : if thy minde be as vntoward it will be sutable .

Simp.

I warrant you Sir , no man shall get any thing of me , but I will knowe how he comes by it , except your selfe , whom I will trust withall I haue . Deale with mee as you please .

Ant.

I thanke you . Nay , if I deale not well with you , I wish no man should deale ill with me . I heare you haue land lying neere me , I would haue you bee a good husband , and keepe it . Let me lay vp your writings safe least some deceaue you of them .

Simp.

That you shall Sir � here they be . They shall be in pawne to you for my good behaviour : for I thinke no man will giue his word for me .

Ant.

Thou art the fittest man for mee that ever I met withall : nor any man ( I thinke ) will vndertake I shall bee a good master to thee .

Simp.

T is no matter sir , I will stand to your gentlenesse .

Ant.

Well said : and I le even deale with thee thereafter .

Exeunt Ant. and Simp. Pro.

Thou hast a seruice a dog would not haue it , except his taile were already so short cut to his breech that no more could be spared . I warrant thou turne seene the last of thy writings . They will pull thy land after them . And that 's but law .

Transit terra cum onere . Exit . Pro.
Enter Hortano and Acuto .

Is it true that you told me ( Acuto ) at our last parle here that there were such valiant people in times past that willingly and cheerefully went to their death when they might haue inioyed life longer .

Acu.

There is no question of it except wee should discredit all Historiographers , who make honorable mention of them i� all ages before vs . And in our owne time and memory there haue beene many such men .

Hort.

I protest it is a wonderfull courage these people haue , and in mine opinion farre beyond the stoutnes of the souldiers . For they goe to kill and contend , not meaning to dye , which only they strive against , and avoid by all meanes they can � and provide aboue all things to bee well arm'd for safetie of life . But the martyr with not resisting , conquers death , and feares not that which is feared and shunned of all others . Therefore I thinke them worthie of great honour and perpetuall memorie . But who are they ( say you ) that giue testimonie of them ? me thoght it was a very fine word .

Acu.

They be Historiographers .

Hor.

O Histornoggerfers . a braue word . I le make a knot of these letters .

Acu.

No , Historiographers man .

Hor.

Now I haue it Histriagerfers .

Acu.

Not so neither : you must marke wel , & pronou�ce it iust as I doe .

Hor.

That I will be sure to doe .

Acu.

Thus then . Hi-sto-ri .

Hor.

Stay there . Now gape ( he gapes & Hortano looks in his mouth ) le ts tell , how many teeth ha you ? 22. hough , whoo 's within there ? a paire of pincers .

Acu.

What to doe ?

Hor.

Why to pull two teeth out a your mouth for I ha but iust 20.

Acu.

And what of that ?

Hor.

Mary because you le ha me say it iust as you doe , & that I cannot except you & I haue the like number of teeth . I , and I le measure your tongue , that if it bee longer then mine it may be cut even : for it is my dutie being a gardner , to doe all b� line and levell .

Acu.

That 's no matter : so that you vtter the sillables full as I doe .

Hor.

Yes I make no question , though I lack a few teeth but I can swallow a sullebub as full as you .

Acu.

A sullebub . I did not speake of a sullebub .

Hor.

No ? that you did . I le be iudg'd by all this companie .

Acu.

No such matter . I sayd you must obserue every syllable .

Hor.

Go too then � I wooll : vp with it once againe .

Acu.

Canst thou tell what a sillable is ?

Hor.

No , not I more then my dog .

Acu.

How wilt thou obserue them then if thou knowe not a sillable ?

Hor.

Let me alone for that : I le make a shift . Doe you say the word , and if there be ere a one there , I le finde him I warrant you .

Acu.

Ere a one there man ? why the word is fram'd of many sillables .

Hor.

Very well : how shood I misse them then ? turne me loosse . I le take it as soone as it peeps out of thy mouth as parats doe bread and butter .

Acu.

Come then marke well � His-to-ri-o-gra-phers .

Hor.

I le lay ten pound to nothing , I le not misse a straws breadth , His-to-ri-o-gra-fers .

Acu.

That 's right indeed .

Hor.

Law , did not I tell you so ? Nay you never had an apter scholler in your life then I am : t wool doe you good to teach me .

Acu.

I am glad of it : this was soone learnt indeed : now put together , and speake it short as I did .

Hor.

I will : but you need not doubt that it 's safe , & will never be lost . But to satisfie you I le doe it , and that quickly , Histor-cockafurrs .

Acu.

Whoo : the longer the worse .

Hor.

This is your faut : that wood ha me say it so fast : & t is a very scurvie word to hit , except a man haue a mouth made thereafter .

Acu.

I thinke you are fasting to day � and that hinders your speech : goe play and fill your bellie � and wee le at it againe soone .

Hor.

Thanks gentle Master : and the next time you teach me , wee le doe it very closely an t please you . For I doe not meane to be very lavish of my learning , when it shall bee at the biggest in no companie but yours .

Acu.

So doe all cunning folkes : be daintie of your skill � or else you shall never bee intreated at first , nor thank'd at last .

ACT. II. SCEN. III . Enter Vulcano and Rustico .

Hortano : you haue beene a great while prating with that pricking fellow and make no reckning of my neighbour Rustico and me � Belike you thinke to ingrosse the honour of the wholle businesse to your selues . But I tell you plainely , if you haue termind to put the Holidaies downe you shall not cosen vs so : for it shall be wel knowne that I helpt to knock vm downe as much as any man in the parish : and that I gaue the hottest stroke about it .

Hor.

Sir you are much mistaken . The Tailer is an honest man , and a true man , ( although it be impossible ) and we are fully agreed they shall stand , & be kept as holy as they were the last yeare .

Vul.

Are you so Sir ? you are but a trecherous fellow for your labour , and a coward too : for I warrant thou hadst rather be at a good dinner then a battle : were not wee two worthie to be of the councell ? Well ; I le bee even with thee for this tricke � I le sweare , I le not say a prayer this twelue-month vpon any holidaie that shall doe any liuing creature good .

Hor.

What a villaine is this ? then thou wilt not pray for thy selfe ?

Vul.

No , goodman woodcocke ? as though I were a living creature .

Hor.

Yes ; a man would thinke so ; art thou not ?

Vul.

No that I am not . And I le proue it by an argumen , and a sluttegim too . I tell thee , I can chop Logicke an I list . I can proue thee an Asse , or any such horne beast with a trice I learnt it at Sturbridge faire , the while I was selling hobnailes : there was such argenication among the schollers there , whether my nag which I gelt the yeare before were now a horse or no � I set um all one such a froth with spouting one against the tother , that some of the slauer lighted on my face , and yet I had my nag betweene them and mee for feare they would fight , and pull me vnder their feet . But an they had fought I never meant to part um . To be shor� � with gaping vpon them , I swallowed so much Logicke as will serue me the longest day of my life � And now I le practise vpon thee to proue my selfe no liuing creature .

Hor.

What a goose art thou ? Is it possible thou canst speake , and yet be no liuing creature ? proue this and proue anything .

Vul.

I will proue this � and I will proue any thing by Logicke : what a maime it is for a man to bee ignorant of the virtue and power of Logicke . I pittie thee , and all such as be vnlearned like thy selfe . Why man : I will proue by Logicke that he which was the last yeare and yet liues , is not .

Hor.

That were strange . How ? He that was the last yeare and yet liues , is not . I cannot devise how this should be : for if he liue , how can he chuse but haue a being ?

Vul.

Now it shall appeare how short you are with want of Logicke . But I le teach thee a little . Hee that was the last yeare ( yea and the last weeke ) an honest man , and yet liues , is not now an honest man .

Hor.

This may be . For I haue heard an old saying ( and I thinke it bee true ) that a man may as soone depart with his honestie , as with any thing he hath .

Vul.

So then . Dost not � thou thinke now , that I am as well able to proue my selfe no liuing creature ?

Hor.

I promise you I am in some doubt of it now : go on .

Vul.

Every liuing creature loues some other creature . But I loue no other creature . Ergo I am no liuing creature . Now Hortano take all the hearbs of thy garden & stil their water to powder , thou canst never wash out the strength of this argomen � I make it iust as they did theirs at Cambridge about my nag . I remember the words , and shall doe as long as my nag liues . For one of them spouted thus . Every horse hath stones : but this beast hath no stones ; Ergo he is no horse . And I clapt him on the backe and told him that hee spake truth . For I gelt him the last yeare , and eat his stones to my breakfast . But I had like to haue mar'd all by saying so . For there was a nimble-headed Scholler that stood by , ( and yet had nothing to doe with the question ) went about to proue me a horse , and thus he began . Euery liuing beast , or Animal , that hath in him horse stones , is a horse . But this Animal , ( meaning me ) hath horse stones in him , Ergo he is a horse . I was striken in such a maze ( knowing that I did eate the horse stones ) that I was like to sinke where I stood , and euen presently to congeale into a horse . But there was by chance an honest Scholler by , who saw my colour quite gone , took pity on me , and bade me be of good cheere , I shood not be a horse . And told the tother to his face , that there was a flacy in his argumen . And then fetcht him about with a Recumbentibus , and prou'd that the horse stones which I had eaten , were consum'd , and became such stuffe as I cannot tel you without Sir reuerence of your teeth ; and that they did not grow in me as they doe in horses : Ergo the case was alter'd . Then vpon this point of growing , and not growing , there was such a sturre , that all the horse-coursers in the Faire came about vs . One said they did grow , another denyed it � and such part taking on both sides , that in the end I was content ( being desirous to make them friends ) to bee search't in the open market , and so was cleer'd before them all to haue no more stones then I shood haue . And glad was I that I was not a horse . Had not I ( thinke you good cause to remember Logicke ? Yes , I shall neuer forget it if I should liue 100 yeares .

Hor.

Goe to then : if you bee such a scholler I will not dispute with you about the Holy dayes , but my neighbour Acuto hath beene a scholler as well as you , and hee is able to shew you many reasons why they ought to continue . And he hath fully converted me .

Vul.

I will not be judg'd by Acuto , nor by a better man then he . Why , I tell you my neighbour Rustico and I , thinke our selues as good men as Acuto and you , and we are two to two . Wee le neuer yeeld while the Plow and chaines hold , and that wil be a good long time ; for as fast as they weare , I can mend them .

Acu.

Will you referre it then to iudgement of indifferent men ? we are all neighbours , let vs not fall out about things that none of vs haue skill in .

Rust.

Yes , wee le be iudg'd , but not by any braue people ; for they will all take part with the Tayler that makes their parell gawdie , and with the Gardner that makes them pleasant waukes and knots .

Acu.

Wee le giue you the choice , so that you name none of your owne trade , and an indifferent man .

Rust.

You say honestlie , Nay truelie we are desirous to haue an end of it , so that none of vs be his owne carver . Here sits a countrie Gentleman , a plaine man , a good house-keeper , and peace-maker among all his neighbours : he is no Iustice of peace , so there is no feare to speake our minde before him , nor neede we any minerator to him , he is very courteous .

Acu.

Wee le not refuse him , nor any that is honest .

Rust.

God saue you Sir . Heere is a great controuersie betweene foure neighbours , two against two . Reasons are alleaged on both sides , and neither part will agree to other . In the end we accorded to referre the matter to you , we beseech you to consider , and order it as you please , and then so shall it be .

Secu.

The controversie is beyond my skill , it being matter of diuinity ; but mine opinion is , they ought still to bee kept . For I perswade my selfe , that our Auncetours ( which did all things well ) had speciall reasons for these daies to be kept holy . What their reasons were , I take not vpon me to set downe : there sits a Religious man , he is more like to quenche your thirst , and resolue your doubts then I am .

Vul.

Most Reverend Sir , though we be strangers to you , we are bold to aske your counsell in a busines of weight .

Her.

You are welcome whosoeuer you are : no marvaile though you be strangers to me , who haue estranged my self from all the world : but what counsell can you expect from me , who am not like to giue wordly men any satisfaction , since I haue alreadie given the world with all his busines an vtter farewell .

Acu.

Sir , our busines is not worldly , though it concerne worldlie men , euen as your life is not worldlike , though bodilie you liue on earth .

Vul.

Nay M. Acuto , stand aside , or I le haue you taken away , for you marre the paly , you are very forward to take the tale out of my mouth , as if you had more wit , but I think not so . I began first to speake vnto this man , therefore I wil haue the last word . Sir , our busines with you shal be short � for I am a hot fellow , and I strike thick and short . This Tailer takes long and wide stitches , and drawes out the time to make his worke seeme much . Our difference is for the Holy-dayes as they stand in the Kalender , whether it were fitter they should be retourn'd into working-daies as they were at the first , or remaine to the worlds end . If you iudge they ought to stand , we are content , and will worke harder at other times . If you will haue them downe , doe but say the word , & hold vp your finger , wee le maule vs to the ground at a blow .

Her.

Your questio� is not hard to decide , & fit enough for me to deliuer mine opinion in . It is true , they were all working daies at the first . For which purpose it is said , such work as thou doest , worke it in those six daies , and not on the seauenth day . Yet God did neuer forbid any of those six daies to be kept holy � And the Christian Church hath appointed many daies to be kept holy in memory of Saints which suffered diverse torments for Christs sake , who suffered all for them , and for them all . And those to be kept to the worlds end , that their facts and fame might neuer die , but encourage others to treade their bloudie but Heauenly steppes . Therefore since the Church of God and custome of Christian countries haue so ordered it , let no mans private rashnes presume such alteration , as to make away or put out the Holy-dayes , but with due reverence to obserue them .

Vul.

Gods blessing on you Sir , you haue quite confiscated my conceite . I le kill him that would haue them downe . Such a sermon every day would make me keepe all the rest of the weeke holy . Gow neighbour Rustico , you and I will hang together , and change together . I le neuer meddle with any matter out of the length and bredth of my Anvile , fall back , fall edge while I breathe � Me thinkes I am good enough with this little teaching , I shall neuer need to mend heereafter . I could finde in my heart to goe to hanging presently , and be a martyr , if I might haue no time to thinke of the paine , but goe aliue to Heauen .

They all make obeysance to the Hermit , and turne aside . Acu.

I told you so much before , you neuer needed to haue troubled the good man .

Vul.

Thou told me so ? what care I for thy telling ? If thou told me my father were dead ( though I knew hee be buried ) I will not bleeue thee . And yet I would not for fortie pound he were aliue againe . This is a graue man , and his verie countenance speakes truth . Tauke no more o' t , I am quite dissolv'd they shall stand fast : and I le keepe them verie devoutlie . And I le perswade all the Parish to doe the like .

Acu.

Thou teach all the Parish . Wilt thou turne preacher ?

Vul.

No preacher Sir , but I hope all the Parish comes to my shop for one thing or other . And cannot I then giue vm part of my talent as well as the Coblers are wont to doe , and I am sure it will become me as handsomelie as them .

Execunt Vul. Acut. Rust. Hort .
ACT. II. SCEN. IV. Enter Antonio , Simplo.

Goe Simplo to Mistris Sylvester in Sheerelane , desire her to lend me a paire of sheetes , a pillowbeere , halfe a dozen of napkins , and a towell .

Simp.

I will Sir , ( he steps forward � and suddenly stoppes ) but now I remember me Proberio told me you haue linnen enough of your owne .

Anto.

He was the more foole to tell you so � but you must not vse to crosse me thus . Doe as you are bidden . Will not our owne la�t the longer if wee weare of other folkes sometimes ? when we haue gone through all our friends so often that none will lend vs , then 't is time enough to weare our owne .

Simp.

I vnderstand the conceit now . I le tell her you lost your key .

Anto.

Best of all . Doe so . I perceiue thou need'st no broker .

Simp.

No Sir , no ; such a tuitor as you will serue turne well enough .

Exit Simplo.
Enter Proberio . Anto.

Friend Proberio . You come in good time . I was beholding to you in my greatest necessitie : And I purpose to requite all your deserts . At this present an accident is fallen , which will be beneficiall to you with a little diligence had . A messenger of mine received a hundreth pound by my direction from a scrivener in this towne , and ran away with it into Ireland , finde him out , and get the hundreth pound , I giue it you .

Prob.

I thanke you Sir , but it is a thousand to one I shall neuer finde him ; and if I doe , I know not the man , and the money perhaps spent .

Anto.

If this faile I le giue you another as beneficiall as it �

Pro.

That 's easily done . For I thinke this is litle worth .

Anto.

I haue an employment for you , one Sir Retlaw , & Master Eloc , his father-in-law are bound with me in divers bonds , I for them , and they for me . The whole summe is a thousand pound , the greater part they are to pay . I haue their counter-bonds for all . What they haue for my debt I know not . I would haue you be perfect in the accompts as they stand in my booke , and then demand of them a reckoning betweene vs .

Pro.

Well Sir , this shal be done with effect .

Exit Prob.
Enter Simplo.

Sir I haue brought the linnen , she lent it willingly . So I saued the lie ; she desires you to suppe with her to night .

Anto.

Ha , suppe there ? with all my heart . But how shal I doe with my two egges at home ? they will bee too stale , remember soone to carrie them to the Ale-house , but measure them well in your hand with griping .

Simp.

I will Sir . I would desire your counsell in a matter concernes my selfe . One Frith , a neighbour of yours desires to buy my land , whereof you haue the writings , and will giue me more then 't is worth . What will you advise met to doe ?

Anto.

I thinke it not amisse to take his monie , and put it out to vse , and therein I can pleasure you . My scrivener shall doe it as for me , and he will get good men for your monie .

Simp.

I thanke you Sir : then I will absolutely bargaine with him , and send him to you for the writings .

Anto.

Doe so : but bee not long : for I haue busines instantly for you .

Exit Simplo.

What an Asse is this ? doth he thinke I will let any man buy a thing so neere my nose , but I will lay hold of it with my teeth ? I will haue his land doe what he can . And I will haue it one 40l the cheaper for this tricke , that he will offer to sell it from me . He thinkes belike to make a porter of me to cary his writings from Lawyer to Lawyer ; but if I be , I wil be well payd for my paines . I haue a device in my head , which I will extend to the vttermost , seeing he puts me to it . Trust ? there 's a trust with all my heart to serue other mens turnes . No , I never Iou'd that . I remember to haue learn'd that charitie begins with it selfe . And a Cooke licks his owne fingers before he dishes the meate for others . Doe they not know what it is to get writings out of my hands ? It seemes they neuer entred bond to me . If they had , they would not presume thus . If nothing els would serue to hold them , yet this I can alleage , that they are my securitie for his good behaviour ( although I care not sixe pence for any securitie , because I neuer meane to trust him for a crownes worth of any thing . And I haue all you to witnes , that for his good behaviour he pawn'd them to me .

Enter Frith .

I am glad to meete you heere Sir , your man and I haue bargain'd for his land not farre from me , but very neere you .

Anto.

Welcome neighbour Frith . Let me speake with you aside . Take heed what you doe . His title is naught , els I would haue had it my selfe , and you know it lies �it for me . But let him not know I said so .

Frith .

I were much to blame if I should Sir : no , I warrant you . I thanke you for this caveat . I might soone haue lost my money so .

Enter Simplo. Anto.

Stay awhile , you shall heare more to his face . Come hither Simplo . This honest man tels me , he is in speech with you about your land , and I was content to let you run on your course . But doe you forget that it is pawn'd to me for your good behaviour ?

Simp.

Sir , such a thing there was . But my hope is you will not be my hinderance .

Anto.

Your hinderance . No ; but if this be true ( as you cannot deny it ) haue you not forfeited your land and writings by your euill behaviour , offering to sell it to a stranger and not to me ?

Frith .

That 's a plaine case Sir . I le not ��� with his land , nor any of my neighbours shall , for I will tell them all � Nay , I may say to you Sir , I am told he hath no good title to it .

Anto.

Were you told so ? Well , farewell neighbour Frith . Exit Frith . How now Simplo . To keepe your land � no man will be your Tenant ? and to sell it , who will dea�� with you ? Did you not heare him say it is reported you haue no good title ? Well ; in hope you will doe me true service , I will helpe you out of these bryers . Tell mee true � What should he haue given for your land ?

Simp.

Indeed Sir he should haue pay'd me 150l . And if you helpe me not I am vndone .

Anto.

It had beene worth 150l . if it had not beene thus disgrac'd , but now 't is worth litle . Well , if I giue you 100l . for it , what will you say ?

Simp.

If you will giue me 100l . for it , I shall thinke my selfe much bound to you while I live . And so I doubt not but you will keepe the land safe . For the title was as good as could be vntill you had my writings . It may be they took wet in the last great raine , and so they did shrinke .

Anto.

I will giue thee 100l . And no raine will shrinke the mony : the Sunne will doe it most hurt : for it will melt very fast .

Simp.

You know how to keepe it from melting better then I . Let me intreat you to order it as your owne �

Anto.

I will giue thee my credit for that .

Exeunt Anto. Secu.

It � is much to be fear'd that this greedie griper will vtterly spoile this poore man both of money and land , his minde is altogether vpon deceit and ruine of others . T is pitie any honest bodie should haue to do with him that studieth nothing but mischiefe .

Her.

I am sorry to see so much wickednesse in one man as appeares in him , hee is able to infect a whole countrie . And it were a happie thing if hee were banished the commerce of all Christians .

ACT. III .
SCENA . I. Enter Sperato with hanke and spaniels . Spurco with hounds and Gulato .

Of all the musicke in the world there is none like to that which is found in hauking . For , the questing of Spaniels , the spring of partridges , the gingling of Haukes bels , and thundring of horse heeles is the best consort , and pleaseth me aboue all delights .

Spur �

Your Comparison is too generall . Had you excepted hunting I might haue join'd hands with you against all others , but now I am become your adversary . For it is confessed of all sorts , that the musicke in hunting , both for continuance of the sport . for a delightfull exercise contenting the eare , and gentle-men-like pastime the world cannot compare with vs � and so we hunters cary the Bell away .

Sper �

Indeed you hunter carie the Bell , but not for any good doing , no more then you doe by carying the horne to very mans house . What time and order your hounds obserue with their naturall harmonie , I will not dispute ( they and their keepers being seldome in order ) but of this I am sure , that there are few kennells of hounds in England � but while some are in chase after Hare , or Fox , others are killing sheep in full crie of the poore harmelesse beast : wherevpon is growne that proverbe . The Fox kills the lambs � and the hounds the old sheep . But I cannot indure you should challenge hunting to ��� better with a gentlema� then hauking . Everie Clowne can keepe a dog , and the more carion he eateth the more egregiouslie he smelleth : but the hauke adorneth a kings fist , besides the admirable conquest the faulkner maketh in a haukes nature , bringing the wild Haggard hauing all the earth & seas to scowre over vncontrollable , to attend and obeie her keeper so , that at his verie voice she turnes towards and stoupes to his gloue . Hounds are so prejudiciall to the common-wealth , that I dare vndertake to proue , that ( next vnto drunkards ) they are the greatest spoilers of poore mens bread .

Gula.

I like all well enough but the last words of yours ( Sperto ) for mee thinkes it is as good sport to heare the Falconer and the Hunter fall out , as for theeues to appeache one an other � Good fellowes take their liquor quietly without any of these faults , and helpe to hold vp tillage by the swift vtterance of the surmounting graine .

Spe.

The immoderate and excessiue disorder in drinking , and more then swinish swallowing , that neither bellie nor head can containe , but must recoile by the way it entred in , is the most pernicious inconvenience that this kingdome suffereth .

Gula.

Your invective against good companions ( for so I must needes call them that loue drinke ) is to bee refelled rather with a Cudgill , then with reason . When had you any gallant Captaine , or man of resolution but would drinke health after health , vntill themselfe were past health and helpe ?

Who was more valiant then Captaine Shinke ? Yet moore then he , who loued drinke ?
Spe.

Like matter , like patron was his valor in his drinke ? or was he best able to performe a noble exploite , when his legges failed his giddie head �

No , he was euer like a Swine , When strength of drink� clos'd his �yen .
Exeunt omnes .
ACT. III . SCEN. II. Enter Insatiato with his page Infaelicto .

Boy , a pipe of Tobaccho What is it a Clocke ?

Infae.

It is almost eleuen .

Insati.

I doubt it be no more indeed . I am so sleepie still : goe see if Monsieur Parvagracio be stirring . Exit Inf�l . I am verie melancholicke this morning whatsoeuer I aile . I care not if I send for my Physician : or whether the cause be that I lost all my monie yesternight , and now know not where to get more vntill I haue conferred with my Agent for discommodities , nor where to dine scot-free in the meane time .

Enter Infaelicto . Infael.

Sir , hee was asleepe when I came to his chamber , but his page wak'd him . He remembers his loue , and desires you to beat his chamber an houre hence , then his Barber comes , as he does everie sonday in steed of praiers . Hee charg'd mee to tell you that hee hath an ounce of the most transcende�t Tobaccho that ever cross'd the salts , sent him by a Ladie of his secret knowledge and yours , with whom you both must dine this day . The propertie of this Tobaccho is to yeeld a porringer full of Rheume everie pipefull : and procure ventositie conveniently to descend verie odoriferous , and secure from audibility . She reserues store of it for her owne speciall vse in times of necessitie , as of attendance in Court , hearing of Plaies , sitting at Cards , and the like . Further , that a little of it taken pill-fashion , will diffuse and disperse mixion , so that a Ladie may abide in companie fortie eight houres , not disposed to evaporation . Besides he will'd me to tell you � that this Ladie yesterday hath receiued a booke from a friend of hers that went ouer with Sir Robert Sherley into Persia , entitled de flatibus separandis ac dividendis , cosque emittendis ; not forward at the face as gamers vse to doe in warres , but arere , as Iacke-an-apes deliuers squibs , written by a learned Physician doctorated by the magnificent order of the Mountebankes there , she will anon at diner intreate you two to lay your heads together for translating this booke into English . And where you finde any sent worth the nothing � you will make stoppes vpon it , and deliuer your opinion by way of comment for the better vndertaking the fence , with the particular causes and effects of euery severall and distinct �ume produced thereby . And hereafter at better leisure she will haue the subiect of the whole booke Anatomatized by her owne Surgeon , and set forth in due proportion and colors , and giue it a convenient roome in her gallerie .

Insat.

This is good newes ; shall wee dine there ? and snuffe this daintie Tobaccho ? that 's excellent . heere 's a shilling to drinke ( he feeles in his pocket , and finding no mony there , saith ) goe too , 't is no matter now : the next time I haue a good hand a dice I le giue thee two shillings . Why now I feele my selfe well againe . Goe boy , tell my Physician he shall not neede to come . ( Infaelicto is going . ) Stay , I haue not sent for him �ow I remember me .

Exeunt .
ACT. III . SCENA III . Enter Antonio Proberio and Simplo.

Haue you done my businesse ( Proberio ) with the Knight and his sonne-in-law ?

Pro.

I haue cast vp these accompts exactly , and your share is to pay 200l , and no more . I haue often visited them � and put them to such a plunge as you neuer saw : for they say you ought to pay 400l . and yet they cannot avoide but they must pay 800l . They haue lost their notes , their seruants be chang'd : and they are so pusled as you never knew men : they desire respite a weeke . I gaue it them , and so it rests .

Anto.

Ha , ha , he . And did the fat Knight fret so ? let him fry too . I will sticke close to my counterbands .

Pro.

Sir I thought good to put you in mind of one thing . You haue my bonds of eight or nine score pounds in your hands � discharg'd tenne yeares since , I pray you let me haue them vp .

Anto.

O , take no care , they shall never hurt you .

Pro.

But I wish I had them vp , we are all mortall .

Anto.

The next time , I light on them I will cancel them .

Simplo goe you to Mistris Boe � desire her to lend me halfe a dozen egges vntill market day , look you chuse the fairest . Exit Sim��� . Proberio , I would faine do somwhat for you . A friend of mine wants a good Steward , I will helpe you with the place : or there is a widow worth 400l . I thinke I can make the march for you �

Pro.

I thanke you Sir , either of them I will accept . ( hee turnes to the people . ) This is like his 100l . offer which his messenger ranne away withall . It will come to nothing ; but now I know he hath some busines for me .

Ant.

I would faine haue your opinion in a bargain of land I haue made with one Pohssib , to the value of 7000l . drawn into articles with both our hands to it . The chiefe motive of our bargaine is a mariage betweene two yong children . I pray you calculate whether the bargaine be gainefull or no .

Pro.

If you haue bargained alreadie , it is too late for me to deliuer my opinion .

Anto.

Not a whit too late . There is nothing done but the land assured to me , and 3000l . of mony payd . If I finde It not fit for me , I le rend the bargaine all to shivers . What ? two words to a bargaine .

Pro.

Why . I know you can doe it if you list , you can play fast and loose aswell as any man . Well , you shall soone know how I like it .

Exit .
Anto.

I neuer finish'd any bargaine yet , nor doe I meane this shal be the first .

Redit Simplo.

Goe to the Lawyer , and aske if the writings be ready for your land , that you may receiue your 100 . Exit Simplo. I haue a couple of followers most vnfit for my humour . Proberio is so full of scrupulosity , that nothing passes his fingers that savers not of conscience . Such a man would I deale withall , but not dwell withall . Such a man would I haue deale with me , but not deale for me . Simplo , he is diligent , but alas his braines want salt .

Redit Simplo. Sim.

Sir , the writings are done , when you please I am readie to seale . I thinke the Lawyer is a verie honest man , he hath made them reasonable me thinkes : for I am but to warrant it from all men , I haue nothing to doe with women .

Anto.

It is well . Wee will goe presently . But I must stay vntill Proberio come : for I doe not well know where I am vntill he haue done a busines of mine .

Sim.

Sir I met him in Chauncery Lane , he promised to be heere before me , but I made great haste to tell you the writings were readie . I would so faine be a sealing . I am wonderfully fallen out with my land .

Enter Proberio . Pro.

Sir , the bargaine with Master Pohssib is the worst that ever was made : for if he or his wife doe liue 30 yeares , ( as by probabilitie they will ) you lose 17000l . by the bargaine at least . And if they die sooner , you shall saue litle . Therefore my advice is , that either you buy it absolutely for readie monie , or yeeld it backe with reasonable consideration for your monie lent , so shall you be free from exclamations .

Anto.

I thought so , I warrant thou art as fearefull of exclamations , as of thunder-bolts : there is nothing with you but exclamations , imputations , infamie , reports , discredite , and the like . A rush , a rush , and they are all one to me . Well , I thanke you for your paines . Now ply the Knight & his Father-in-law about the 1000l . accompt .

Pro.

I will . ( he turnes to the people ) then vntill the next neede I am cashier'd .

Exit Prob. Anto. et Simplo. Secu.

What is your opinion sir Hermito of this mans disposition ?

Her.

Alas , I could wish the poore man would consider better of his soules state . Hee seemeth to haue a great wit , which he bendeth wholly to gather worldly wealth , not regarding how he gets it . We that haue put riches in the last place of our care , or rather flye from them as pernicious doe indeed , condemne for follie all the carking and studie to encrease our owne hurts as they will proue to be , especially gotten by indirect meanes .

Secu.

Doe you call him poore , who is reckoned very rich , and full of money to put out for gaine ? such men are now-a-dayes highly esteemed , much sued vnto , and among their praises that is chiefe , that he excelleth others in mony at vse . And in the countrie among plaine fellowes it is a speciall marke or token that he is a good man ( as they call him ) if he haue 100l . or tow at vse , and without that he is not counted sound , or out of debt .

Her.

More is the pitie . It was wont to bee a thing odious among Christians , and vsed by none but Iewes � And therefore we call such men poore , as being needie of goodnes and grace , haue they never so great aboundance so gotten as they make their owners beggerly for grace .

ACT. III . SCEN. IV. Enter Insatiato .

T is a marvailous toile and trouble that we courtiers are put to , and litle considered by the world abroad : for it is commonly midnight before wee can be shewed our chambers . There wee lye like dead persons vntill next day at noone . All this while no bodie comes at vs , nor prouides vs any supping , nor so much as moanes vs . Then are we forced to rise for stark hunger . Thus tyed to our dinner till two of the clocke : from that time vntill foure , we must not stirre from our seate , one discourse after an other holdes vs fast . Then goe we on visitation from chamber to chamber : and before wee know perfectly how euery one had their health since yesternight , and exchanged our complementall tearmes , the clocke strikes seuen . Then dutie cals vs to Court our most respected and perfumed Mistris , whereof we are not discharged till nine . Now supper bids euery one repair to his messe , which commonly continueth no longer then tenne . And so after a crash of two houres in play , wee are driuen euery one to his kennell at midnight , as I said before . And this miserable life we leade , and yet are wee envyed to haue all the pleasures in the world . But I thinke no wise man will so iudge if he felt that we know .

Exit . Enter Gulato and Sperato .

Master Sperato . I haue much desired to debate with you the matter of drinking , and necessity therof , because at our last meeting here you were so bitter in speech as if worme-wood had bene all night steep't in your stomacke . Therfore I sent for you once againe to try if I can perswade you to recantation of your errour .

Sper.

That you may easily doe Gulato . For if singing the same song ouer againe may pleasure you , I can doe it with much addition of voluntary .

Gula.

Is it euen so ? then I see thou want'st breeding , that art ingratefull for a kindnes offered ; and ignorant , not sensible of the salutiferous operation of well brewed Ale : which for thy edification , I will manifest and demonstrate by a very familiar and apt similitude : and within the circumference of thy feeble comprehension , whereunto I wil now accommodate my whole oration .

Spe.

You are growen very eloquent of late . I thinke the Ale hath oyl'd your tongue .

Gula.

Why , thou art in the right . I tell thee I am at this instant so inflamed with the spirit of mault , and my wits so refined with the manifold reverberations , and continuall posting correspondence betweene the residence of that liquor in my stomacke , and the quintisencicall receites in my head , that no particle of time passeth , but whole streames of exsuflations , and insufflations ascend to the braines , and there worke wonders . By reason whereof it were not hard for me to furnish Ryder himselfe with 2000 new words not yet seene in his Dictionarie . I could turne Astronomer � and giue names to any starres that want . I can passe for a Physician among many fooles , and kill as many as the best Doctor of them all . Finally , what would I not vndertake as now I am armed ? But to returne to my druggicall similitude , from which thy waywardnes hath diverted me .

Spe.

Nay , let that alone vntill an other time . I vnderstand alreadie as much as I neede for that matter : I must be gone .

Gula.

You shall stay to heare it ; and let mee haue your iudgment , whether I might not with a little reading proue a perfect vrinalist .

Spe.

You are so troublesome when you fall into this case that I cannot skill of your companie .

Gula.

I tell thee 't is the best Physicke that euer thou hadst .

Spe.

I beleeue it before-hand . What neede you more ?

Enter Spurco and Insatiato . Gula.

O Master Spurco , you are welcome : speake your minde freely : doe not you thinke it better to sit merily a whole winters day , and most part of the night by a good fire , and command ( like men of authoritie ) the Tapster to fill vs an Ocean of drinke if we lift , and there among good fellowes to heare more newes then all the world knowes to be true , then to toyle and trash in the dirt without conversation , seldome comming neere one another as Hunters doe .

Spur.

No certainely . I hold it a beastly thing to sit besealing vpon a bench , and suck in drinke , as pigges do dregges in a trough : which custome although some base Huntimen , and Falconers vse , yet if I did thinke that Hunting were as odious and displeasing to God as drunkennesse is , I would soone dispatch my dogges .

Insat.

And I will free the Court from the fowle & loathsome custome of drunkennesse . For seldome and with very few it is vsed there . Officers , and order forbids it as vnseemly for a Princes palace . I wish we were as cleare from Idlenesse , pride , disdaine , envy , lecherie , covetousnesse , flattery , lying , cosenage , oppression , and vnthriftines , as we are from drunkennesse .

Secu.

Mary Sir , these are vices enow . And except you were guilty of all the deadly sinnes , and breach of every commandement , I know not what you could adde to these .

Her.

The delights of hunting and hawking , as also of other exercises , were ( no doubt ) ordained by God to comfort man in his banishment heere , and to giue him a taste of the vnspeakable pleasures in Heauen , ( our owne countrie ) but the excesse and abuse of any pastime , argues the receiuer vnreasonable , and turnes the benefite into detriment .

Of drunkards I say shortly and sharply ; they deprave Gods blessings , robbe and murder the poore , vndoe the Common-wealth , bring Gods curse vpon the countrie ; depriue themselues of Heauen , and merite Hell .

The Courtier ( who ought to bee the square of the countrie by his civill example ) puls vpon himselfe the ruine of millions , and sinneth much with doing litle .

Gula.

I am crushed in the head : no more drinking ; farewell good Ale .

Insa.

Giue me thy hand . Wee are all in little better case for any thing I heare by the iudgment of wise men .

Exeunt .
ACT. IIII .
SCEN. I. Enter Antonio , Proberio , Simplo.

I haue had such a stirre with this same begger Pohssib , his wife , and his friends : and so many complaints they haue made to the King and Councill , and turne themselues into all shapes and faces to force mee either to goe through with the bargaine or giue it ouer , that diverse of my friends are brought to favour his part for starke equities sake . But doe all what they can I will haue it , and not haue it : I will hold it , and not hold it . And I will none of the purchase , and yet not giue it over .

Pro.

I told you Sir , what an intricate businesse it would proue to be , and full of slander : therefore I wisht you to end it by yeelding the bargaine backe , for that wil be the end of it .

Anto.

Thou knowest not what wil be the end of it , nor I my selfe ; but I can best guesse , because I know his poore estate . I haue made a priuie search into his debts ; and some creditors I haue pull'd vpon him sooner then they meant . And in writing I haue every summe he oweth to neighbors , to workemen , and to his very servants . And this is the plummet I sound withall . This must bring the fish into my net Proberio . But what haue you done with the Knight and his Father-in-Law Master Eloc , for the 1000l . accompt ?

Pro.

Sir , that accompt goes otherwise then you would haue it ; for they proue that there was 1200l . taken vp , and of that you are to pay 400l .

Anto.

Are you sure of that ?

Pro.

I am so sure , that I am ashamed euer to haue spoken in a matter so contrarie to good conscience .

Anto.

You are so spic'd-conscienc'd , that there is no dealing with you . Will you demand if they will sweare in Chancery , that so is the accompt .

Pro.

That I will doe , and I am sure they will not refuse it . ( he turnes to the people , and saith ) this is but to colour his dishonest meaning , he knoweth the truth as well and better then they .

Exit Prob.
Anto.

These fellowes are so rash , that a litle thing will satisfie them . I am partly perswaded the accompts be as he speaketh , but it is good to be sure . Thus thou must do Simplo in like cases , if thou wilt be a wise , politicke and warie fellow .

Simp.

I heare it well Sir , and haue lock'd it vp safely in my memento . I giue you many thankes for the 100l . you gaue me for my land , and for your carefull putting out the money as your owne . I againe for my part haue sealed the writings , and am ready to doe any thing els for making it sure to you . 'T is a good hearing that Master and man agree so well as your worship and I doe now . Now they say 't is a good title , and they will not make question of it , since you haue gotten it .

Anto.

No , I thinke not : for all their babling they will not easily beginne suite with me to recover it away .

Simp.

Feare nothing of that Sir , I can tell you newes . They say now your title to it is as good as any man hath to his land . And that you will keepe my 100l . as safe as the land ; and that 's good for me .

Anto.

That 's no newes . You may see now what it is to be circumspect in my dealing , and to haue a name to hold fast . Learne this against the time that you haue more land .

Exeunt .
ACT. IIII . SCEN. II. Intrant Rustico et Hortano .

Did you euer heare ( neighbour Hortano ) such a broyle betweene man and wife as yonder was betweene Porco and his wife ? you and I did very wisely to come away . For sure they did striue before vs for their credit sake to get the victorie of each other by scolding ; now we are gone perhaps they will giue over . Mee thought it was very noysome to heare such vnseemely words passe from maried folke .

Hor.

Sure their bitternesse pass'd the bounds of humanitie . They make me afraid of marying , if such jarres fall out betweene those that be one flesh .

Rust.

Let it not discourage you more then it repents me that I am maried : for it lyes in your power to haue all well and quiet if you chance to mary euen one of the short ribs of the great Divell .

Hor.

How can that be neighbour Rustico ? if you can teach me that , you doe much . For I haue heard many say , that it is impossible to tame a shrew by any meanes , except by hauing no woman at all .

Rust.

If you talke of taming by violence , you say well , it cannot be , for the more you striue to break their stomack � the more it growes ; like camamile , the more you tread it , the more it spreades ; and like a tree felled , where will grow 40 springs . But take a twig by the top � and gently bend it by litle and litle , it will grow in what fashion you will . A wasp is a shrewd stinging beast by nature , but if shee light vpon your face and hands , and creepe vp and downe , let her alone , and take her pleasure , she will doe you no harme , and quietly passe away . So if your wife will meddle with all things , giue her libertie to doe what she will , you shall haue her merry els she were worse then the Divell .

Hor.

I thinke this is very likely : but who can endure his wife to doe what she listeth at all times ?

Rust.

That can I , and that must you , or els you are not wise ; for if you may haue peace vpon any conditions , is it not your fault if you abuse to be jarring ?

Hor.

But I haue heard say � it is better to haue honorable warres , then inconvenient peace .

Rust.

That is among strangers and enemies ; but among friends , and with your selfe , what peace can bee dishonourable ?

Hor.

How commest thou to be so cunning in this kinde of argument ?

Rust.

Euen as you may if you will take the course that I doe . I haue a wife , the best creature that euer you saw in the order that she takes with me . But if I should be churlish , as perhaps you would be , and crosse her never so little , shee would rage like a fury of Hell . She speakes , and I giue eare ; she giues counsell , and I practise ; she commands , & I obey ; she chides , and I hold my peace ; she preaches , and I beleue ; thus we liue as louingly as Master and Scholler .

Hor.

But who could abide his wife to teach and controlle him ?

Rust.

Euery man that loues his ease . And if all wiues be as mine is , she shal be thrice happy to obey her . For she is the best woman to bring vp husbands that euer was borne . She will so instruct them in the wonderfull vertue of patience , that if they wil be ruled by her monitions , they shal be as good as martyrs , a great deale better then living Saints . I thanke her heartily , she is my Pilcatory in this world , I shal goe straight to Heaven whensoever I dye . Therefore lest I should lose the benefite of the blessed state I stand in by any misdemeanour of mine . I dare not offend her in the least matter . O 't is a great blessing to haue such a wife .

Hor.

But for all this it should bee long before I would chuse such a wife , which did desire to cary such a hand over me as she doth over thee .

Rust.

O neighbour Hortano , that thou didst but taste of the fruites of patience ! Intrat Lamia his wife with a cudgill of an ell long , and counterfeiting to be a Puritan , lifting her eyes vpward . ) Looke where my wife is ; I know her by the signe of the Bible . See how devout she is . She never lookes lightly lower then the Element . You may say what you will now , she cannot heare a word , her meditations be so fervent .

Hor.

Why doth she cary that cudgill while she is praying ?

Rust.

( She openeth her Bible , and makes shew to reade , and many times turnes her eyes with the white vpward . ) That is her rod of discipline , and a strange thing it is which now I tell you . She is never so rapt vp in her devotions , but if I co�mit the least fault ( as wretched man that I am many times I doe , and my best actions are abhominable ) she perceiues it presently ( and yet is deafe to all other noise ) and she comes to me fiercely in the heate of her charitie , and corrects mee verie handsomely with that wand .

Hor.

But will she correct her seruants with this cudgill ?

Rust.

O no , verie seldome , shee does not loue them so well ) except it be a verie great fault . But in me ( for the entire loue she beares me ) she will not suffer the least sinne vnpunished , lest ( as she saith ) any might remaine to bee rebuked by hell fire .

Hor.

But I had rather be her seruant , then her husband , if she strike with such twigges .

Rust.

Had you so ? but so had not I . For by this I am made sure of my election , when I doe patiently endure so great correction .

Hor.

How doth shee bring vp thy sonne Iacke ?

Rust.

Admirably well : for lest he should proue an Idolatour shee will not let him aske blessing vpon his knees . And lest he should abate of his mettle and stomacke , he must never put off his hat to vs , nor be denied any thing he cals for : so that being now but sixe yeares old he will fight , scratch , and tumble himselfe vpon the ground , crying vntill his hart breake if he may not haue his will in every thing . Then is there no way but giue it him , or els he will die with skreming . O , he will proue a man of outragious spirit . It makes me sometimes doubt he should not be my child , he hath so noble a stomacke , farre beyond mine . And , but that I know his mother to be a verie religious professour , I assure you it would trouble me much , he discovereth so much furie in his fashions , and such might by his madnesse , that I thinke many times some gyant got him when my wife was asleepe , for I am sure she would never suffer it waking .

Hor.

Nay , nay , if your wife bee a woman of that command as you describe her to be , and as she makes shew of no lesse by her part , it may well be , the Boy takes his courage from her , and his outward personage from you .

Rust.

You say well neighbour Hortano , that may be ; but I doe halfe mistrust my owne worth in getting such a child : but yet I loue him as well as if he were my owne .

La.

I came hither to seeke a kinde of husband that I haue . He wants gouerment and discipline ( I am sure ) ere this time : for I haue not seene him these three dayes past : the poore man wil be vndone , if I light not on him shortly .

Rust.

O , shee seekes me . What a good woman is this ? I must needes goe to her . Stand by neighbour � and note how zealously she will edifie me . How doe you good wife ? I knew it was you so soone as I saw you any thing neere me . May I be so bold as to aske where you haue been these two or three daies ? My boy Iacke and I thinke long vntill you come home .

La.

Why should you aske so foolish a question ? you knowe that I must frequent my contemplation : in which I cannot be lesse then two or three daies : the fervour of spirit is such among the elect that they may not depart in short time from their meditations , especially having such learned Teachers among vs , that are never wearied , and willing to accompanie and conduct vs in the darkest dangers . O the delights , pleasures , and sweet delectations that we feele during the time of these contemplations , that wee thinke no time contentedly spent but when we are imployed in these exercises . I thinke verily my goodly boy Iacke was begotten and conceiued in these deepe contemplations .

Rust.

What wife ; and I not there ?

La.

Alas man , why should you trouble your selfe with these matters which be so farre out of your reach ? was it not enough if my spirit did wishe you present ? or that in conceite you were with me ? what if you were asleepe at that instant , and so it were revealed to me by the spirit ? or if you had beene present , and my spirit should inwardly testifie vnto me that a teaching Saint must be preferred , ought not you to giue place ? I pray you husband giue over to muse on these hidden secrets , for otherwise these thoughts may make you horne-mad .

Hor.

How can you defend that to be lawfull to be gotten with child by any but your husband ?

Rust.

Indeed wife I cannot but thinke this reason good that you say , but I would haue beene glad to bee father to my owne child if it had pleas'd you .

La.

What doe you talke of reason ? it is beyond reason . It is matter of predestination , and preordination . Where is now your obedience and patience so often inculked vnto you ? I perceiue it is readie to flie out by your exteriour parts , but I will chastise this rebellious flesh , and make it subiect to the spirit .

( then she beateth him soundly . ) Hor.

Where learn'd you to beate your husband ?

La.

It is lawfull & possible for me to extract teares from his flinty hart with this rod of discipline , correcting him as the spirit moueth me .

Hor.

But how shall he know that a good spirit moveth you to correct him ?

La.

That appertaines not to him to examine . It is sufficient that his wife hath that inward testimonie which enableth and emboldeneth her to doe her function , and to minister disciplinary documents . And this hee is firmely to hold , or els he loseth his election .

Rust.

Nay wife ; rather then I should not be one of the elect I pray you beate me againe .

La.

You are not to informe me when I shall strike . It is the liuely spirit which directeth me : and now it telleth me you neede not at this time more to bee humbled . Goe in peace , and be patient .

Rust.

O Gods blessing on thy kinde heart . See how favourable a spirit she hath . I cannot chuse but weepe for this loue .

Then he weepes and howles with hands before his face . La.

Loe now Hortano the vertue of this rod , which bringeth so plentifull teares from this Rockie stomacke of his .

Hor.

But for all this I see no ground or proofe you haue , that a wife shall take vpon her to teach and correct her husband . You alleage Scripture as farre as Rome is from Rockingham , and expound it at your pleasure , and frame it to your owne fancie : but if I were your husband I would cudgill you well , and by the word maintaine it better .

L�.

What not yet vnderstand'st thou the text ? O foole , and slow of beliefe ! If thou were my husband ( Then shee shakes the cudgill at him ) I would ding it into thy braine in another fashion then by proofes . I pre thee tell mee , must not men be taught and instructed ?

Hor.

Yes : but what , shall women doe it ?

La.

Who els I pray you � shall beasts doe it ? Although women may not speake in the Church ( which is great pity ) yet we may preach in chambers , and men are tyed to heare vs .

Hor.

No , nor sluts neither : but men shall instruct men .

La.

Iump . And so woman instruct women , and none of them shall come to other . And how shall there then be procreation of the holy ones , and the Israell of God bee multiplied ?

Rust.

Nay neighbour Hortano , I warrant you my wife will proue any thing she saith one way or other . But good wife , let me intreate one thing at your hands ( if your spirit co�sent , that is , that I may call your son Iacke my boy for my credit sake . And that he may know no other but he is mine , and then shall I be quiet in minde , and thinke you deale verie iustlie and liberallie with me .

La.

With all my heart . And I professe vnto you that hee shall neuer know otherwise by me : but I doubt his generous spirit will not suffer him ( after a few yeares of discretion ) to tarrie long in that errour , but that he will heroicallie disdaine to haue you otherwise accompted of then his reputed father : and that he is rather the sonne of some zealous brother , who neuer sees the Relikes of Charing-crosse , but wisheth hee were on horse-backe with a launce in his hand , in full speed to beare it downe . And yet his mother extreame honest for all this .

Rust.

All this I stedfastlie beleeue . And I am afraide my owne weakenes wil be the first discoverer , and pleade not guiltie to getting of such a sonne . Nevertheles ( good wife ) I cannot chuse but thanke you much for your kindnes , that he shal be called my sonne , that men may thinke so noblie yet of me to doe such a deed . And for you wife ) I will sweare you are a verie honest woman for all this .

La.

No husband . You shall not sweare so rashlie . I thanke you as much as though you did . Your faith shall saue you without swearing .

Exit Lamia .
Rust.

Was ever man more blessed with a wife then I am ? ( Then he holds his hands before his face , & fals to a silent meditation a prery while , at last fetching a great sigh , hee saith ) The Lord make me thankfull . ( Then he hides his face with his hands againe , and so standeth a while sighing and sobbing , untill Hortano shake him by the arme , saying ) .

Hor.

How now Rustico , what wilt thou doe : kill thy selfe with this same foolish zeale ? plucke vp a good heart , and liue to see thy boy a man .

Rust.

A man . He is a man already at sixe yeares age by his great stomacke ; and I thinke in my conscience I am not halfe his father . But I beshrew you for troubling mee , you haue done you know not what : for I was euen melting into � martir .

Hor.

A martir . How canst thou be a martir ?

Rust.

O yes , and I shall die so patiently , that I dare not call for a posset how sicke soever I be for feare of sinning , till the very point of death . And now I begin to be hart-sick .

Hor.

If you find your selfe so sicke indeed , I wish you to make your will , and dispose of your estate .

Rust.

How ? make my will ? that 's the next way to die in earnest .

Hor.

Not a whit neerer death for that .

Rust.

O yes . A will , and a toling bell are as present death as Gods tokens . No : I le none of that .

Hor.

Let me perswade you ( neighbour Rustico ) to make your will . I assure you it is superstition to thinke death to be nerer you for that cause .

Rust.

Superstition . The Lord defend me � I had rather not �o obserue order in anie thing then to be thought superstitious . I agree to you neighbour , and thank you for your gentle perswasion . I will presently doe it while I am in perfect memory .

� First , for my soule ; I will not bequeath it to God , but let it goe even as it is predestinated .

2 My body may be buried if my executor wil pay for it , or else let it alone , and be patient , as I was when I liued .

3 At my buriall I desire my wife to preach , and no body to heare her but my sweet boy Iacke and I .

4 Fortie shillings I giue to any man that shall put me into the booke of Martires .

5 My wit , & such like moueables I leaue as an heireloome to my sonne Iacke ( then lifting his eies vpward ) vpon whom my desire is that the firmament may powre downe as many ioyfull lots as there are heares vpon his fingers ends ; & that his seed may multiplie like mice in a maltheape .

6 All my breeches I bestow vpon my beloued wife .

7 My land ( if any be giuen me after my death ) I freely bestow vpon him that shall marrie her to amend his bargaine .

8 The rest of my goods and chattles which cannot bee found I will shall be equally devided ( at my executors discretion ) among the poore of the parish wheresoeuer I shal die .

9 And of this my last will and testament I make the longest siuer in London my sole executor , because I will haue no fighting , nor suits in law for my goods .

10 And you neighbour Hortano I make overseer of this my will , and for your paines to be taken therein , I giue you all that shall be overplus after execution of the same ,

Now my sight failes . Lead me , lead mee good neighbour home : and to bed , and so farwell , and good night .

Exeunt .
ACT. IIII . SCENA III . Intrant Antonio , Noverindo , & Proberio .

Here is more worke for vs Noverindo ( and wee will not worke for simple fees though foedum simplex bee a good tenure ) a frend of mine wants 2000l and I must haue it for him within these two daies or he seekes elsewhere .

Nov.

In anie case hold him in , let him not scape , hee shall pay for his expedition . I le about it , and I le haue it for you within 24 houres , or I le giue you my head ( hee goes forward a little , and suddenly steps backe saying ) I had almost forgot a matter of waight : you are intreated by the whole companie of our sort , that some order may bee taken to checke the sawcinesse of divers meane persons that enquire for monies to be taken vp . They make no more adoe , but with hats on their heads , aske the question thus : haue you 100l to lend vpon good securitie : what a malepertnes and abuse is this ? Of my honestie Sir . ( what a villain was I to sweare so deeplie ? ) there be manie knights , and some Lords that haue not alwaies 100l to lend vpon an instant . And then what reason is there , that we which haue it at all houres should be so sle�derly regarded ?

Anto.

You saie well Noverindo : I wish it to be redressed : but what would the companie haue me to doe ?

Nov.

This Sir : you are acquainted at Court : they intreat that you would vse your frends to get a grant vnder the broad seale ( whatsoeuer it cost ) that we may erect an office with a master and clarks belonging to it , to the ende that everie one which wants monie may repaire thither , and vpon request to the vnder clarks speake with the master of the office , and thence take directions how to proceed , and so obtaine monie . This will make them knowe themselues , and yeeld dutie to them that it appertaines : when they shall come by degrees to the worth of monie .

Anto.

This I like well ; but it will be a great charge to maintaine master and clarkes in an office , so shall wee loose much out of our gaine .

Nov.

Sir you mistake it quite . The companie hath argued that case to and fro . The master and clarkes will pick out a liuing well enough I warrant you out of them that take vp monie , and this will free them from other brocage . As you knowe all offices are maintain'd by the suiters , not by the granters of the place .

Anto.

Right : but who shall be at the charge of the patent ?

Nov.

That must be done by the companie . But wee le lose nothing by it . For wee are determined to let no monie goe but one waie or other we will get 30 in the 100. And if we giue commodities we will haue more : & t is reason too . The worse the bargaine is , the more they must lose that take it . And there is another thing that we will be at the charge of Sir . Wherein we must craue your helpe also . And that is : some armes from the king of Heraulds appropriated to our companie alone , and hanged vp behind the master of the office : this will giue honour to the place , and cause suiters to vnderstand they enter into a court of command and authoritie .

Noverindo whispers Antonio in the eare while Proberio speakes thus to the people . Pro.

O , I could fit these fellowes to a haire . I could devise them a crest as fit as a fan for a forehorse .

Anto.

Proberio : here is Noverindo hath a peece of imploiment for you , and thinks you can discharge it well if you list . And I le see you well considred . It is this . That you moue the Heraulds to giue the companie . Crest with the due circumstances . And goe in my name they will doe it the more freelie .

Pro.

Sir I am the onlie man for such a businesse . If the Herauld cannot aptly conceaue it , I can instruct him . I le vndertake to haue it speedilie .

Nov.

Thanks Proberio : and thou shalt not travaile for vnthankfull persons .

Exit Antonio . Pro.

Sir , it wil cost 10l besides somwhat for expedition : and I must haue it readie to paie : for I will not come from him till I bring it .

Nov.

Here is 10l and a peece for expedition : and another for thy paines : studie hard to haue it exactly done , thou shalt haue two peeces more . ( Proberio makes hast away , but Nov. cals him ) staie , one word before you goe . Let it bee somewhat terrible to the beholders : wee le make them doe ( that same ) in their breeches .

Pro.

But so you may scarre them quite awaie , they will come there no more .

Nov.

I warran : thee : if they were sure to goe to prison within a while after , they will come againe for monie . They are verie ventrous : nay desperate : nay foolchardy . O , monie is monie , and they must haue it .

Pro.

Saie no more , I le be your warrant , it shall bee fearefull enough . ( Exit Nov. ) and make some of you staine the place you stand in , and looke backward what drops behind you . Let me alone , I le dresse you as you should bee trim'd 30 in the 100. I le not forget that vpon my word .

Exit .
ACT. V.
SCEN. I. Enter Malingua the Lawyer . Mureto the Merchant , and Granato the Fariner .

It is even high time the world were at an end , for I think all trades are decaying : when my father put me to the Innes of Court he advised me in anie case to studie , so that I might be called to the barre , and then ( saith he ) feare not to liue in all plentie and credit . But I find it otherwise , for now that I am exalted thither , my law serues mee not to get my commons . I wish I had beene bred a Tapster : that trade is now more gainefull with froth then ours with all our words . And for anie thing I see t is like to last to the worlds end , whereas ours can be good no longer then people bee contentious . And that is a speciall argument the ale . sellers vse against vs , saying that we gaine by falling out of neighbours , & frends but they grow rich by meeting of good fellowes , and sitting together lovinglie . There are so manie hinderances growne vp of late that it is impossible our raigne should long continue although it be true ( and wee complaine not ) that malice is as great among men as ever it was , and can be wished : but the mischiefe is , their monie failes , & they grow wiser .

Mure.

I marvaile what will satisfie your greedie desires . haue you not the whole kingdome at your service & becke ? what Lord , Knight , Gentleman , Merchant , Husbandman , or other sort of people is not attendant at your studie dores , with paying and praying ? and glad that the fee which hee giues is of that glorious operation , that it breeds no wrincles in your forehead , but is cheerefullie receaued ? What congees , and submissiue requests to peruse their case with a little care ? What troupes conduct you to the barre ? What venison sent to your feasts ? What respect and entertainement if you vouchsafe to visite their countrie houses ? And finally , what honour and homage can bee done to subiects , but you haue it in all fulnes , and yet you whine as not contented . I perceiue you would murmure if you were so handled as poore merchants are , that vnlesse we turne Vsurers , we cannot liue .

Mali.

You complaine without cause Mureto . Your case is farre better then ours : for if one countrie or commoditie afford not gaine , you can go into another , and choppe and change as often as you list . We are tied to one countrie and place . You may offer your wares � and are sure to haue trafficke as the times and prices be . We may not tender our service to anie , but sit gaping in our chambers , as melancholicke as mice , vntill some bodie chance to knocke at the doore .

Gra.

It is merie when fisher-men complaine of Heringmen . Surelie the world might well spare of both sorts of you a great number . Concerning you Master Mureto , it is cleare that you play the merchant with vs , who bite and whine at your impositions . although you lose nothing ; but the whole burden thereof falles vpon them who spend the commodities , and must ere they buy , pay the shot of your impositions whatsoever it be .

And for you Master Lawyer , that grow fat with the drops which fals from other mens browes , and be merrie with the frets that gall the Clyents hearts : whose griefe is alwayes to heare of peace and charity ; and reioyce with the Fox , that the hennes fall out for their pearch : what fault finde you with this world that was never so rich with envy , and full of suits ? You are like the bo�e among gamesters , which gaines whosoever lose . But if all men were of my temper , I would make you leape a yard high for a groate .

Mali.

What , a whole yard ? what if I were neuer at the dauncing schoole , and cannot caper so high ?

Gra.

Then thou shouldst haue but two pence .

Mali.

Nay ; I know a tricke worth two of that . For if our craft faile , I le turne minister : and that I am sure will not deca� .

Gra.

Woe be to that Parish that shall haue a Lawyer to their Pastour � some bee already troubled sufficiently with citations ; they neede no common Law writs . And without a capias vtlegaium , a Lawyer can never preach .

Mali.

Who can endure this filthie Farmer to raile as he doth at vs two Mureto ? Let vs set vpon him . Are you so free without fault Master Granate , that you may throw your stones so thicke at others ? Belike no complaints are made against you for hoording vp corne against a deare yeare , for selling to badgers at a deare rate , and not serving the market : for mingling bad corne with the good , and fowle dressing of the best . For deceitfull plowing your neighbours ground that hires you at a hard rate , which makes the poore man weepe at haruest . Besides many other countrie tricks which breed new cases among old Lawyers , which I could argue vpon an houre together , if I were not presently to go to the hall to move in the Kings bench vpon an erectione firme .

Mure.

By lakin ( Master Granato ) you had been as good held your peace as buckl'd with a Lawyer . I sweare he hath in few words touch'd you to the quicke , and done you no wrong neither in mine opinion : but wee will adiourne this disputation vntill our next meeting , and in the meane time provide your selfe for a better defence .

Exeunt .
ACT. V. SCEN. II. Intrat Proberio & Antonio at severall doores .

Sir , Master Eloc and the Knight haue giuen me a copy of their accompt , and according to your charge , and their defence I haue drawen bill and answer . I haue shewed it them ; they lik't it , and wishe it should be ingrossed , and put into the Court , they will depose the answere is true .

Anto.

Is it so ? well , giue me them . If I find them in that forwardnesse I will take their word , and end it with kindnes . Proberio , you must remoue your trunkes and stuffe presently . I will cleare my chambers from all men but my selfe .

Pro.

What ? iust so soone as I haue done all your businesse must I be gone , you might haue suffered me vntill you goe out of towne , if then you will needes haue me remoue . You were wont to let me lye heere a weeke after , or as long as I needed . Mary now I finde the cause of that to be , that you had then some busines for me to doe .

Anto.

Yes ; but I purpose to sell my lodgings , and I must haue them out .

Pro.

Where shall I lye this night , being sodainely vnprovided ? and whither shall I cary my stuffe ?

Anto.

You shall haue a bed at the Inne where my horses stand . And your stuffe may be put in the out roome , neere the garden .

Pro.

There they may be stollen ; but I must bee content , ( though not pleas'd ) if there be no remedie .

Anto.

You owe me sixe pound ; you must provide it presently , or els I will arrest your sureties .

Pro.

That sixe pound I doe not owe , although you got my bond for it by a verie hard and vndue course . And to this I will depose . And if I did , I hope you will not exact it , having received such kindnesse heretofore from me when I was able , and you in extreame neede thereof , and now doing you so many services .

Anto.

Tell me nothing of that ; you haue beene satisfied in your dyet and lodging to a better value .

Pro.

In lodging ? I am ashamed to heare such a word , ( though you be not to alleage so base a reckoning ) I had alwayes my owne sheetes , except sometimes when mine were finer , you would change with me for worse . And the great dyet I had was sometimes a piece of cheefe , and one egge ; for which benefites , I haue travailed like a Porter , & written like a Clarke . Is this your gratitude for good turnes past ? and are all your promises thus performed ?

Anto.

How ? gratitude ? every begger talkes of gratitude . It is for such as you to sue for mercie , not to talke of gratitude , which is among equals .

Pro.

These were not your words to me , when you were a begger , and a borrower from mee , and had neede of the poorest helpe ; but then you found no begger of me , but your best friend .

Exit .
Anto.

A proper reckoning . This fellow lookes for recompence . Why , he had my countenance which made him many times respected . And I could yet be content to speake for him , but doth he expect farther ? why , the fellow knowes not the world . Simplo , tell him that if my word may doe him any good , he shall haue it : but if he loue his libertie , let him challenge no deeds at my hands . He never had more of me then my word for that he now claimeth . And doth hee thinke to build castles vpon my word ? if he doe , they shall come downe apace . Now he is gone to remoue his stuffe , bid my Attourney take out execution against his suretie .

Simp.

This is cold comfort for mee . Sir , you make mee halfe afraid , you will turne mee off at the worst time of the yeare . I am not able to deserue so well at your hands as he hath done , and yet so lightly regarded . That is verie hardly done .

Anto.

Dost thou feare turning off ? it comes with a feare , and ends with a fever . Thou maist goe assoone as thou wilt after him .

Simp.

If it please you to giue me my I will take my leaue now .

Anto.

Soft a while , where is your witnesse that I haue 100l . of yours ? And if I had , thou wert content I should vse it as mine owne . But goe to , I le pay thee . There was a knaue ranne away with 100l . of mine , I le change with thee ; seeke him out , take the monie , and hang him � that 's interest .

Simp.

( turnes to the people . ) This is a poore helpe for my 100l . for all this I le not leaue his service vntil I get my 100l . or somewhat for it . I wood I had my land againe at a venture .

Exit Simplo.
I�trat Proberio .

Sir , I haue remoued my stuffe into your garden roome ; but there it is not safe from robbing . And at your Inne I can haue no lodging . I must sit by my stuffe all night .

Anto.

It wil be so much the safer .

Pro.

I heare besides that my suretie is in execution at your suite for the sixe pound .

Anto.

That may be . I cannot helpe it vnlesse I be paide .

Pro.

You know I owe you nothing of that money .

Anto.

I know not that .

Pro.

Will you haue my oath ?

Anto.

No .

Pro.

Will you referre it to friends ?

Anto.

No .

Pro.

To your owne brother ?

Anto.

No .

Pro.

I protest vpon my faith no pennie of this monie is due . And yet to saue my suretie I offred a fine mewed Gossehauke , which before good witnesse you did accept , and caused me to keepe a whole Michaelmasse tearme in London : but at the end of that verie tearme vnknowne to mee , you sneak'd out of towne leaving order to haue my suretie arrested , and so followed , that now hee is � execution vpon that onelie suite . I say no more , but demand iudgment in this case .

Anto.

Proberio , I haue done thee the grace to heare thee to the full . And it ioies me much , that either he shall die in prison , or I shall haue that monie .

Exit .
Pro.

Was there euer any so hard harted ? Twentie yeares past , when I was in prosperitie , and he at point of death , by rigour of Law , I tooke many costly iourney to Court , labouring for his pardon . I did him all the good offices that a true friend could doe for another . And I left nothing vndone that might doe him good . Besides , I lent him 50l . gratis in those times , my selfe paying interest for that money . At which time what vowes and promises he made me , I let passe , as ingratefull to my heart in repeating , and serue to no other purpose but for a warning , and a wo�der that so much ingratitude should harbour in an English man . And now you are all witnesses of my reward .

Exit .
ACT. 5. SCEN. 3. Enter Mureto , Granato , and Malingua .

Now Granato , if you be content to yeeld the victorie vnto Master Malingua this Lawyer , and confesse to haue wronged vs merchants with the petulancie of your prating ; you may perhaps haue your punishment extenuated if wee be your Iudges , and so quietly shut vp all among our selues .

Gra.

I am so farre from any such confession and submission , that I offer to maintaine euery word spoken in our last contention . And for iudgement I appeale from you both ; and know that I am your ancient from the time that Adam digged the earth for his liuing .

Mali.

Then purge your selfe Granato from the crimes we charg'd you withall : and the end will trye if you had not done better to take penance for your faults at our hands .

Gra.

For the high prices of corne ( which falsely and absurdly you impute vnto husbandmen ) if you had either wit or honestie you would soone graunt that there are two maine reasons for it which lye not in our power to redresse , but in the States wisdome to helpe . One is , the vncontrolled and improvident libertie for all sorts & degrees to marrie , so that many are grand-mothers at 30 yeares old . The other is the multitude of Inclosures and decay of tillage . And if we corne-men did not till all the ground we can get ; how deare ( thinke you ) would corne bee shortly ? Many other Reasons for brevity sake I omit , but these will hold argument against you for tearme of both your liues , and after your decease to your heires males lawfully begotten .

Mali.

Beleeue me Master Mureto , this Farmer hath made for himselfe a reasonable good Apologie , and put vs a hard case . It seemes he hath studied well since our last parle . But what say you Granato to your euill words lauish'd out against Lawyers ? therefore you must yet craue pardon .

Gra.

Not I truly . For I gaue you no worse speeches then you giue one another at the barre , nor so euill . For there you fall out like any skoulds : but the worst is , you wil be friends at dinner , yet neuer in charity I thinke . And I see no reason I should stoope to either of you , considering the goodnes of my cause . For I wil be iudg'd by any indifferent man , if I , and such as I am , be not honester and better then both your factions .

Mali.

Since thou hast offred it , thou shalt not escape vntill that be tryed , Heere sit a couple that seeme very wise by their silence , wee le bee iudg'd by them . What say you Mureto ?

Mure.

With all my heart . For wee can not bee worse then we are howsoeuer we speede .

Gra.

A match . I le refuse no mans opinion that is not of your rankes .

Mali.

Gentlemen . We need not report the causes of our reference vnto you . All our jarres , and wrangles you haue heard . We intreate you to finish them with your doome .

Secu.

To deale plainely with you all , mine opinion is , that the world is generally more wronged and abused by the Lawyer and merchant , then by the Farmer , who though he haue faults , yet gets he his liuing more honestly , and is of necessitie to be harboured . But Sir Hermito I must referre the full decision of their cause to your censure .

Her.

That one of them is better then the other , I doe not see ; therefore me thinkes the question should rather be which is the worst . The Farmer that deceiues so farre as his capacity will carry him , is condemned by his intention to doe worse if his skill did enable him .

The Lawyer is a necessary member of the commonwelth to finde and determine everie mans right . But if willingly he oppugne right , and be enemie to peace , he is the Diuels agent , and Christs enemie .

Likewise a merchant which causeth commerce and amitie betweene severed nations is a man commendable . But if he vse fraud , then is he pestiferous , and deserueth banishment where no societie is .

Malingua , Mureto , and Granato , make obeysance vnto Securus and Hermito , and turning together , say . Mure.

I told you Master Malingua , we could not lose by the bargaine . Now the Farmer is as bad as we . What say you Granato to this geare ?

Gra.

I say litle . Why ? I can be content to bee as dishonest as you . I am not proud of my honestie , nor doe I loue to be singular .

Mali.

But now thou seest we may be as honest as you , if we will our selues .

Gra.

Who denies that ? I stand not much vpon that neither .

Mali.

But hath this Hermites preaching done thee no good ? canst thou be content to mend if we doe so too ?

Gra.

Yes , with all my heart . And I le bee good before both you if you mend not the faster .

Mure.

Content . Let vs all amend : for I thinke in my conscience it is euen high time .

Mali.

All our hands wee will ioyne together in manner of a vow that it shal be so .

Exeunt omnes .
ACT. 5. SCEN. 4. Enter Proberio , bringing a cloth , wherein is pictured an Vsurer bare-headed with a purse in his left hand , on the out-side of which purse is set this inscription : 30. p. pro 100. And behinde him the picture of the Divell , with his armes strip'd vp , and white halfe-way , like the hangmans shirt sleeues , putting on a halter about the Vsurers necke , and shewing it to the people , sayth ,

Now , could I meete my merchant Noverindo , I haue heere a whole library for his learning . Heere he may studie while he spend his heart-blood with struggling , yet neuer reach the depth with his petitoes .

He rowles it vp-againe . Enter Noverindo .

How long I thinke vntill I meete Noverindo . All is readie at our office , but the Blazonrie of our coate of Armes to be set vp , and for want of that we lose many howres . For there be store of suitors without , that thinke long to seale they care not what . But wee will not open the doore vntill wee furnish it with that gashefull spectacle to affront them . Yet time is pretious with vs , who must accompt to an howre , els I le not giue a fart for a monie-monger that shall lose a minute negligently .

Pro.

This catiffe is carefull of losing time in his wrathheaping gaine ; but that this time be well spent , he takes no care at all . Well Sir , you shall not complaine of me for keeping you too long from the Divell , the sooner you goe , the better for the countrie you liue in . Noverindo : why fret you your selfe ? I haue more neede to bee chollericke for staying here this howre , waiting your leisure , while I might haue gotten 20l. by other imployments .

Nove.

I crie you mercie Master Proberio . I am sorrie for that . And I thought you had not dispatch'd our busines . I pray you let me see it . All our occasions are at a stand vntil it come , for it must be set vp before any be admitted thither , or els the world will thinke it to be a new devised trick , and not appendant to our corporation .

Pro.

None but fooles will thinke so when they view it well , they shal be caught to acknowledge that it was due to you long since , euen from your first denomination .

Nove.

Well said Proberio , so would I haue it appeare indeed . Vnfould , let me see it quickly . I am with childe till I see it .

Pro.

With childe ? with the Divell you are . But soft Sir , is there no more in the case then you make shew of ? what presently see it , and haue it , and set it vp ?

Nov�.

No . Why should there be any more circumstances vsed ? is it not ours , and belongs to vs onely ?

Pro.

But Sir , haue you forgotten my two pieces you promis'd mee vpon finishing the busines ? I warrant you I haue deserv'd it you neede not grudge me .

Nove.

If I like it , I will performe your two pieces . Will you not trust me for 44. shillings ?

Pro.

Why should you aske me such a question ? Is there any man in Christendome or in Kent , that you will trust for 40. shillings without good securitie ?

Nove.

No . But you haue good securitie : for you haue the thing it selfe in your hand , which you may keepe .

Pro.

Yes , I haue , and will keepe you from sight of it vntill I haue my money . For what can I tell ? you may be so ouer-ioyed with the sight , that you may runne madde vpon it . And then what guardian of yours while you liue , or administrator when you die will pay me 44. shillings , especially being due for a thing that put you out of your wittes ? Therefore satisfie your selfe , you shal not see it vntill I haue euerie pennie of my money .

Nove.

How shall I know that it is done when I haue pay'd you ?

Pro.

Euen as I know that you will pay me 100l . when I and my sureties haue seal'd the bond to your vse before I receiue a pennie .

Nove.

You say well . Come , heere is your money .

Pro.

Now you shall see it . ( Then he sets it vp with some device vpon a staffe . that with turning it all the spectators may view it , and saith ) Looke heere Sir , heere 's roddes in pisse for the villaines .

Nov.

Noverindo lookes earnestly vpon it a long time , and then fetching a great sigh , saith . What Tiburnist is this ? And what 's the mysterie of all this picture ?

Pro.

Sir . this Tiburnist , or hangman is the Divell . And this fellow that hath the purse is Iudas . the figure of 30 with p. ioin'd to it signifies 30 pence , for which he sold his master . That which followeth is meant of Christ , worth a hundred worlds : for which fact the Divell put a halter about his neck and hang'd him . So shortly this is the summe of all .

Iudas who for 30d sould Christ infinitely greatest Was hangd by the Divells helpe , and reputed with the basest . Before you saw the history , Now you heare the mystery .
Nov.

T is a good exposition . But I wood I had my two peeces againe . I doe not like it very well , for manie ignorant people will take it farre otherwise : as thus , 30. p. 30� . for a hundreth . And he that taketh 30� in the 100. is to be hangd by the Divell .

Pro.

T is true . manie may thinke so : but your Clarks must informe them in the sense . No man can put a secret in figures but it may be diversly interpreted . And so be all oracles taken in sundry sences .

Nov.

But I wish it were made plainer to the vnderstanding : for the more part will take it as I did at first sight .

Pro.

Why should you thinke so ?

Nov.

Because I cannot imagine any other meaning so proper to those figures as that I conceaued .

Pro.

That 's because you are parcell � guiltie . But I will gather two other conceits as proper as that of yours .

Nov.

If you can doe so I am satisfied .

Pro.

Thus 30� pro 100. that is , hee that giues 30 in the 100 is worthie to be hanged .

Nov.

That iudgement is very preiudiciall for vs , & may force from vs many Clients .

Pro.

I doe but gesse at this for varietie sake , And then another is this . 30� in the 100. hee that will not giue 30 in the 100 is worthie to be hanged .

Nov.

O this ; this . none like to this . Now I like this riddle excellent well that yeelds so manie , & so wittie co�structio�s .

Pro.

Nay here one more comes flowing in . I tell you t is a verie copious theame . � could keepe you here this houre with voluntarie varietie . I remember them as fast as they come into my braines by huddles . 30 in the 100. and the hangman by : that is , he that will not giue 30 in the 100. shal bee hang'd before he get anie monie there .

Nov.

And so he shall � warrant him . This is as good or rather better then the other . I commend thee Proberio . either of these will serue our turne .

Here , thou shalt haue one peece more . I le bee bigger to thee then my word . Thou wilt make all our worships harts merrie with this device .

Pro.

I thanke you Sir . And if you knew with what alacritie , and willingnesse I went about it , you would thinke it well bestowed .

Exit Nover.

Let him goe , he carries his owne rodde . No man that hath his sences will coniecture otherwise then himselfe did at first . videlicet .

He that takes 30 in the 100 and not a peny vnder , Is worthy to be pendent till the hemp crack� asunder . Exit .
ACT. V. SCEN. V. Enter Antonio and Simplo.

I bad you goe to M. Thompson for my rent , haue you brought it .

Simp.

Sir , he hath sent your rent all but 30 shillings which he abated for 80 caudles at 4d the caudle .

Ant.

What an asse art thou ? I sent thee for my rent , not to paie for caudles .

Sim ,

Why sir , he deducted it , then how could I helpe it ? it were a great shame not to paie for your diet in the accou�t .

Ant.

You should haue left the imputation to me .

Sim.

So I did neverthelesse : but for my credit sake that fetched them every morning I thought reason to discharge your score .

Ant.

Score ? what score ? is my hand at it ? or did you keepe a tallie ?

Sim.

I kept no tallie but he is a verie honest man , & his wife chalked them vp behind the do�e .

Ant.

I am as honest as they . but yet I never vse to keepe reckning of caudles when they be eaten halfe a yeare before and the taste washed from my throat . If hee cannot afford his Landlord 100. caudles without monie , he is no Tenant for me . What ; no lesse then 30 shillings in caudles taken out of my rent at a clap , who did euer heare of the like ? And the price too is monstrous : groates apeece ? why , it were enough for a supper at my chamber . Indeed they were very sweet and good , but what of that ? a man may buy gould too deare . Tell him from me , I will not allow him a penie for caudles , and yet I will haue my rent .

Simp.

Sir , there stands a poore gentlewoman called Mistris Richardson at the doore , and desires to speak with you .

Anto.

A poore woman , what haue I to doe with poore folkes ? bid her come in , she shalbe neuer the richer for me .

Exit Simpl� . Intrat Susanna Richardson , makes cursie with a paper in her hand , and a seale to it , saith ,

Sir , a kinsman of yours and mine , a knight , when he went to travaile had no money to spare , but bestowed on me 10l which you owe him by this your bill . I beseech you to pay me , for now I am in want .

Anto.

Let me see the bill . If it be mine I will discharge it . She giues him the bill , and after well viewing , he teares off the seale , and saith � I owe him nothing , nor will pay thee any thing .

Susan .

Why doe you teare the bill � if you will not pay it .

Anto.

Did not you say it was my bill ? if it be mine , why may not I doe with it as I list my selfe ?

Susan .

But you promised to discharge it ; and doing so , it is at your pleasure to teare or burne it .

Anto.

Haue I not discharg'd it thinkst thou ? I warrant thee t is sure enough for euer charging me agai�e .

Susa.

O heauens ! was there euer such a monster hatch'd what age but this could haue fostered so degenerous , so shamelesse , so frontlesse a beast as thou ��t ? It had beene happie for manie that haue had to do with thee if that Skin�r� this had beene flead from that impudent face of thine .

Anto.

Be gone ; Thy tongue is left thee to raile at large , but thy meanes be short to revenge thy selfe by law . Therefore feede vpon thy woes , and teares , money thou gettest none of me .

Exit Anto.
Exit Susanna a contrary way wringing her hands .
ACT. VI.
SCEN. I. Enter Furioso the souldier , with his company Gorraso the Intelligencer , and Phantastico the Musician .

Courage my companions . Plucke vp your hearts , mee thinkes I heare the sound of trumpets and drummes within my brest . Whether I wake or sleepe nothing but Alarums beset my thoughts : warres cannot be farre off . Euerie thing prognosticates stirres and broiles . The verie children muster in the streetes . We haue liu'd a great while like metamorphised men . It is such a sight for souldiers to walke in Pawles with long cloakes and graue attire as if they were turn'd Civilians . Whie should we alter our proper habits being ensignes of honour ? Hath not the whole need of vs by turnes , and fits ? And to one place or other we are still invited . VVe succour the besieged , and relieue the distressed . VVe restore kingdomes , and set captiues at freedome . VVe tosse and tennis Crownes and Monarchies , & bestow them at pleasure . Finallie we make the earth tremble , and discolour the running streames .

Some few faults we haue , but not worthie to be so generallie condemned .

Corra.

The life of a souldier as now adaies it is vsed , is of all occupations the worst : and in a word is the high way to Hell .

Furio.

You need not bend your selfe so stifly against anie sorts of people , be they never so wicked , being your selfe one of the basest and most vnnecessarie fruitspillers that ever made themselues mercenarie . An Intelligencer , a spie , an Euesdropper is hated , and shunned of all the world .

Corra.

As true as I liue , it were a good deed to apprehend you . I le laie my life you are an enemie to the state .

Furio.

Yes to your state . doe you kicke alreadie ? nay I le gale you better yet . with thy borrowed braverie thou perkest , and insinuatest thy selfe into the best companie , & vnderminest their thoughts with thy lavish and warranted impeaching of states proceedings . And if anie perhaps second thee in thy fained murmuring him thou pursuest , and becomest first his animater , and then his accuser . such a one was D. Pary vntill the snare hee laid for others compassed his owne necke .

Corra.

Sir , you doe vs vnsufferable iniurie : we are busied onlie in our Countries service , and certifie all things offensiue to it .

Furio.

That 's the intent of your mission , and cause of your entertainement . But you ( to seeme diligent ) attend ma��e times to bables and toies , and the better to packe awa�e paper you send your owne surmises when waightier affaires either happen not , or escape you . And so least you seeme to neglect your service , you returne tri��es .

P�an.

For anie thing I see you are both pernicious me�bers , and never to bee nourished but in cases of necessitie . We Musitians are fortunate who hurt none , and covet to please none . We driue away melancholie , We recreate the mind , and reviue the benummed spirits , and are welcome to all sorts . Such souldiers as you are Segnieur Furioso I make no more account of , then of so manie fowle thistles in a medowe at Midsommer , whose heads everie child will whipp off with a wand And I will haue a still , plaine , temperate lad shall breake thy bones with his blow , when such ayre beaters will scarce peirce the skinne . I will my selfe bee one of the six Musitians that with the helpe of a few vnarmed sillie folkes shall kill 100 such souldiers in an houre : and yet we Musitians will haue no weapons but instruments of musick .

Furio.

How shall this come to passe , I desire to heare for my learning ?

Phan.

Thus . I will assemble a few falre women as honest as I would haue them , and wine enough . You shall haue your bellies full of all your desires . They shall daunce you faint , and kisse you wearie . And when you cannot feele a needle thrust through your noses they shal cut your throats with ease . And we musicall mates will celebrate your Infernalls with bells vpon our fiddles .

Now with you Sir necke . nipper , or M. Corraso ( if so you be stiled ) I will be briefe . While you doe your prince and countrie good service , I wish you rewarded : but the first time you be trecherous you should be well guarded .

Furio.

What now foolish fidler , dost thou thinke freely to carie awaie these exorbitant and opprobrious tearmes ? I le haue thee banisht all howses of my acquaintance . It is not long since you were teaching the lute to a pretie wench and wittie , and were fingring her frets vnfit for your dirtie . Its best for you to be quiet , least I tel the rest which I know .

Sec�

Sir Hermito � If you bee not . I am wearie with hearing such varietie of vice . The souldier that was wont to bee the honour of everie countrie he came in , and a glorie of his owne , is now become odious abroad , and intollerable at home . The intelligencer might doe good service if you could devise to keepe him from doing hurt , which is as hard as to restraine a man of warre hauing letters of Mart from robbing his owne countrie men .

The Musician that ought to present nothing euill founding , is now the setter of all vnsauerie sonnets . His office was to teach the measures and daunces of order and comelines , not the loftie Levalto and tricks of intemperance .

Her.

I assure you Master Securus those things are as distastefull to me as to anie other . And I am so much the safer that I liue from their sight and knowledge . The Souldier , the Spie , and the Musician haue their severall abuses much degenerating from their first institutions ; if anie man can perswade them to repaire vnto my cell , I will doe my best to reforme them .

Exeunt Furio , Corraso . and Phantastico , doing reverence to Securus and Hermito .
ACT. VI. SCEN. II. Enter Antonio . and Simplo at severall dores , stamping , chasing and throwing downe his hat .

How now Simple , what 's the newes now ?

Simp.

Marrie I was never in such a scurvie case in my life .

Anto.

What is it ? hast thou the pox ?

Simp.

No , t is worse . that 's but a toy , t is the plague . I am so pestred with yonder woman Susanna Richardson . She saies you did teare lier bill of 10l . she scoulds , she tailes ; she threatens to dwell with you , to lay her child at your doore , and set vp the cause vpon your gate : and everie thing shee will doe vntill she be agreed withall . She makes me wearie of my life : she followes me like a ghost : and now she stands at dore . If you had not beene heere shee had neuer left mee , but she cannot abide to see you .

Anto.

All this I little care for ; but there 's a thing in it . I feare the Star-chamber because shee hath witnes ( or els I would not care neither ) I must agree with her , bid her come in .

Enter Susanna , makes curtsie .

You shewed me an old rotten note tother day . T is not worth two pence . What would you haue � I owe you nothing .

Sus.

The note was worth 10l till you fingred it , now t is not worth a halfe-penie indeed : but if you will giue me nothing , I will tell the King . I am a poore widow , he will help me .

Anto.

The King woman ? Alas , he hath great businesse , neuer trouble him with this toy . I le giue thee somewhat in charitie , but not a penie of duetie .

Sus.

Charitie ? that would I faine see from you . Pay first the 10l which is due , and then bestow your charitie .

Anto.

Well , woman , heere is 50 shillings with a good will : take this , or get more anie way you can .

Sus.

I should haue had an ounce , heere is but a quarter . I am poore , therefore I am constrained to take this , but I leaue the rest vpon your conscience still .

Exit .
Anto.

Nay , then I care not , wee 'l doe well enough with conscience Simple . I am glad t is at an end in Law .

Simp.

So am I Sir , now I shall bee quiet . An you mark'd Sir , I neuer intreated you for conscience sake to giue her anie thing , but for my trouble . Nay I haue learn'd to stretch a conscience with any man since I came to you . And t is soone learn'd if a man will giue his mind to it : for the good will of a jade is all . What a foole was I that began no sooner to studie it �

But I haue more newes to tell you Sir . As I came by the Chancerie office I was call'd in to see a verie foule bill , put in against you at M. Thompsons suit , for things which you did take ( not altogether steale ) out of his house . And for a lease parell hee challengeth from you : and there are also your fourescore and ten cawdles in a rowe : in everie line a Cawdle , spic'd and sweet , & as hot as ever they went down your throat : and some saie they shall be still vpon record in perpetuam rei memoriam , if it bee true , it shall goe hard but everie morning in tearme times as long as I liue I le spend my penie at one of them .

Ant.

Hath he seru'd me so ? well . t is a maxime with mee Simplo to be asham'd of nothing ( as thou knowest ) but yet I le be even with him . He shall out of his house whatsoeuer it cost me .

Simplo.

There is also another bill against you by your wiues neere cosen , wherein you are charged ( not directly with stealing , but taking without the owners privitie or co�sent ) a picture , a map , and other houshold stuffe .

Ant.

I make no more reckning of that imputation then of the rest . For if the worst fall I shall haue them as they bee praised .

Sim.

Nay , if you care not for the manner of taking the� , the matter is not great otherwise .

Ant.

Not a rush Simplo , saue and thinke what they will , I am sorie � tooke no more .

Sim.

But one thing made me laugh hartelie , and in my conceit it was a wittie tricke that was told me latelie , that you borrowed 100l of a gentlewoman called Mistris Ferrers Gratis , and put it out for 10 in the 100. And after a yeare and a halfe with much adoe paid her : and so you got 15� handsomelie . I would I could tell whereto borrow two or three 1000� in that sort . Me thinks I haue wit enough to thriue on this fashion .

Ant.

T is a fine way indeed , and cleanelie ( so that a m� looke to his securitie ) And comes in without stoc�e of his owne : a verie begger may grow rich thus : and everie paultrie knaue may thriue so , if he take heed . Millers vse this tricke to lend a bushell of another mans corne ground into meale to be paid againe in wheate , so he takes tole twice of one bushell , and no cost of his owne , It is but making the first bushels owner �ay so much the longer .

Sim.

There are yet two other things obiected , but both of our nature therefore though it were a huddle , it makes but a single game . One was this that you picked the first letter out of a truncke ful of linnen , ( the letter for the surname seruing your name as well as the owners you let stand ) and put on A. insteed of R. which was picked out . And this was Mr. Rellips linnen . The other was that you marked pillowes , and other stuffe of a noble mans with your own marke , and �sed them as your owne . I forgot the noble mans name but it sounds like a port towne toward the sunne when it is at the highest . They had much of their stuffe againe , but some stucke in your fingers . And reason too I thinke : shall a man take paines to marke another mans goods for nothing ? A halter for him that hath no better wit then so , to thriue by .

Ant.

There was such a speech of this marking , but I denie it .

Sim.

And what then ? will that serue the turne ?

Ant.

It must serue . for they shall never proue directly that I did or causd it to be done .

Sim.

But they were found in your possession . and then how can you avoid the discredit ?

Ant.

Discredit ? they may bee glad to haue their things againe . who can tell but they be mine ? I am sure they naile my marke . And how shall a man know his owne but by his marke ? And howsoever these things are , time will weare them out of memorie .

Sim.

All these are well answered . What saye you Sir to the taking of a conveiance out of a painted boxe in your father in lawes studie � by meanes of a keye with pretence of another businesse ?

Ant.

Tush . I said it there againe when I saw they kept such a stirre about a paultrie peece of parchment . I will not be beholding to them .

Sim.

What an vnkindnesse was that , that your father in law did threaten to sue you for 700� you owed him ? Alas Sir I see you haue beene much wronged among them . Hang such a father .

Ant.

I but I dealt well enough with him : for I sent him word that if he did sue me I would bring him in more trouble then twice so much monie could excuse him for other matters .

Sim.

And reason too I thinke . shal they make a man pay monie before he be willing ? t wood make a man doe that a wood not , when they goe to extremities . I haue done for this time Sir . the next time you call for newes I hope I shall haue as much more . But now I remember mee there is one thing more . Your lawyer asked mee for a fee for your last businesse : shall I giue it him ?

Ant.

No . I am sure he did not aske you . I brought a cosen of mine tother day to him that gaue him a fee . Indeed I told him that he should goe to my lawyer and giue him no fee . But when I had him there , and he put his case , I whisper'd my cosen in the eare to offer him a fee : But I did not whisper my lawyer to refuse it . and so verie honestlie hee tooke it : and I knowe therefore hee will expect no fee for my owne businesse .

Sim.

Then belike I mistooke it . perchance hee thank'd you for bringing your cosen to giue him a fee without cause , being well resolved before by other Councell . Well now Sir I hope you will bestow my freedome vpon me . I desire no more cunning then now I haue , and I le serue you still , and set vp for my selfe : for I had rather bee a double knaue then a single foole .

Ant.

I will not stick with thee Simplo : go to the Chamberlaine there it must be done .

Exeunt . Ant. & Simp.
ACT. 6. SCEN. 3. Enter Insatiato and Infaelicto .

What saist thou boy ? mee thought wee had but a short dinner to daie with yonder daintie Ladie and taried so long for it . How far'd you in the hall ?

Infae.

We had verie short commons . and I am hungrie still : we had no meat but your revertion , and the scraps of your trencher when I changed with you .

Inf�.

Alas we left nothing but bare bones . wee had but a quarter of a necke of mutton betweene three , and Paruagracio and I eate no meat nor bread since yesternight at 10 � clocke : and from my trencher thou couldst get little but the fat squiz'd from the flesh which I eat . I was so hungrie that me thought I could haue eaten that smal Ladie , and her great cheere all at a meale . Here goe thou to dinner at some ordinary ( he puts his hand in his pocket but finds nothing there ) staie till I haue monie : thou canst fast a litle , canst thou not ?

Inf�.

Yes a little , if I can get no meate .

Intrat Pestifero . Insa.

Yonder comes Pestifero my brother . He could never haue come in a better time : for I haue neither monie nor clothes to pawne : but boy not a word of our wants : wee le seeme to be verie flush : the offer shall come from himselfe , else we shall haue him verie coye and deere .

Pest.

By your favour Sir I am bold to see as you doe . I heard you were evill ( he snites his nose ) at ease with melancholie .

Ins�.

Welcome Pestifero : indeed I haue beene a little trobled in minde . but now I am verie merrie .

Pest.

In good time Sir , I am glad of your worships amendment . I doubted least you lack't monie , and were sad vpon it . I came to pleasure you , if that had beene your disease .

Insa.

Thanks for thy good will Pestifero : but I am pretilie stored at this instant : I knowe not how soone I shall want , for all things are vncertaine in this world .

Pestif.

Verie true Sir , manie changes in this age . wilt please you then to make provision against a rainie daie , and take this while it may be had ?

Ins�.

I , but then you knowe interest will runne on it is no good husbandrie to take it so long before the time it may be I shall not need it this seauen night yet .

Pest.

Way Sir , if you bee so provident that you reckon of weekes . it is time for me to be gone : I haue other frends to pleasure , that scorne to stand vpon two months past before the sealing , from the time of the first be speaking the commoditie resting from them vntill their securitie were provided . I le see you some other time .

Insa.

Nay staie : I am not covetous . I hate it with my heart : if it may doe thee a kindnesse I can be content to accept thy friendly offer , so thy commoditie bee vendible . I knowe thou comest in good will .

Pestif.

Vendible Sir ? yes that it is : and you will say so soone : no man will suffer it long in his house .

Insa.

What stuffe is it ?

Pest.

Of diverse sorts : I knowe not my selfe : but they are finelie pack't vp . I saw a car vnloading with such ware even now as I came , it is a commoditie more sought for by daie and night then anie I knowe . I tell you it troubles the Lord Maior , and all the Iustices to keepe the people in order that gather these wares , they are so eager in catching at them .

Insa.

Of what value is the commoditie ?

Pest.

You may haue 100l worth , or halfe , as you please .

Insa.

What will 100l worth yeeld to be sold ?

Pest.

At a word it will yeeld you 60l readilie : I le not dissemble .

Insa.

What securitie ?

Pest.

Your selfe and your friend such another .

Insa.

What saie you M. Parvagracio ? you know him .

Pest.

I know him well I warrant you he shall be taken .

Insa.

What will content you .

Pest.

What you please Sir , 40 shillings , I le not ingrate vpon you ,

Insa.

Now let me cast vp my accompt . 40l lost out of the principall at the first 10l the interest . 40 shillings the broker . All this is but 52l in the 100 , t is reasonable as the world goes now : here is my hand . As I am a gentleman I le haue it vpon these tearmes , so that the bargaine be no worse then you speake of , put the bands to making . Now tell me what call you the commoditie ?

Pest.

The commoditie Sir , is old ragges , such as are fou�d in street donghills with raking day and night as I told you .

Insa.

What a villaine art thou ? old ragges ? how durst thou presume to offer me old ragges ?

Pest.

Why Sir , I tell you they are readie monie at the paper mills .

Insa.

Paper me no mills . I le not foule my fingers with them .

Pest.

You shall not need Sir , I wil take order for selling them � and I hope you can abide to tell the monie when I bring it . I wood your worship had 1000l worth of them , as filthie things as they be .

Insa.

So would I : but it shall never be said for my credit sake that I tooke vp a commoditie of old ragges or doublets . I haue heard of manie scurvie bargaines , but never the like to this .

Pest.

Why sir , t is but your fancie . And now you cannot goe backe : here is witnesse enough you engaged your honour to haue it . take the lesse and saue your reputation .

Insa.

I did so indeed , the more foole I to passe my word before I felt their stinke . I cannot abide to thinke on them . But to saue my credit goe to , dispatch . I le haue the whole 100l since I must haue some . I le never giue my bond for � little .

Pest.

VVell sir , it shall be done .

Exit Pestif.
Insa.

Now boy , was not this well handled ? I must haue had them vpon any tearmes : but hee never perceiued it . Didst thou marke how �ee intreated mee with respectiue tearmes , and pinn'd the bargaine vpon me ? Those bee alwayes the best penie-worths . It is a goodly thing to bee wise . Remember boy when thou comest to yeeres , to take this course of thriuing .

Insa.

Indeed Sir you carried this businesse admirablie to the end . I would rather then 40l for my minde sake my old master your Worships father had st�od in a corner , and had heard , and obserued his sonnes wisdome . I warrant it had beene worth 1000l to some bodie .

Insa.

Well . Now wee want nothing for getting this � threescore pound but Par�agracio to seale . Goe �eeke him out , and wee le be merrie .

Insa.

I goe fetch him .

Exeunt Insat. & Infael. Secu.

I thinke the aire is infected , that such contagious caterpillers swarme abroad in this age to destroy youth , that scarse one fruite among 100 comes to bee ripe but is first rotten . Such as this broker is are nourished by the Divel for no cause but to waste yong men in old prisons . And these cormorants which set them a-worke to entise youth to these pestilent adventures me thinkes they can haue no hope that he which receives so litle monie vpon great bonds , doth euer meane to pay them . For he deales not with one of these gripers , but with as many as he can find wil be content with his owne securitie . Therefore when he comes to bee arrested he is buried aliue for all , and payeth none .

Her.

I wish they were all so serued . then the losse of the monie on the one side , and the sharpe rod of imprisonment on the other side , would bring both sorts to repentance , � bethinke themselues of vsing � good conscience to deceiue on neither part . But if your Chauncellour hold on his course i� allowing the extortioner no more but the bare monie made of such commodities that will shortlie end the abuse . For this Esops dog will learne to hold the next piece better � then to be deluded with a shadow of double gaine .

ACT. VI. SCEN. IV. Enter Antonio , Simplo � Purgato all booted . Stercorato the hostler . Camerado chamberlaine . Ostler .

Take heed to my horses � that they bee well walked stuffed and dressed .

Stere.

I warrant you Sir , and your Worship may haue provender of all sorts .

Came.

Will it please you to see your chamber ?

Anto.

Yes � but I must haue the best in the house .

Came.

You shall Sir . What wilt please your worship to haue to supper ?

Anto.

First bring me a crustie manchet , and a single pot of beere .

Came.

It shal be done Sir ( turnes to the people ) heere 's a hot guest I perceiue by the single pot .

Exit .
Simp.

What will you haue to supper Sir , that wee may bespeake it for we are verie hungrie ?

Anto.

It is not wisedome to eate a meale when you are hungrie , for then you eate too much and surfeite . Euen as it is not good to fight or correct schollers when you are in choller , for then you will doe it beyond measure . I am as hungrie as you , yet I will eate but a manchet , and drinke twice of one pot .

Pur.

What Sir ? will you take vp the best chamber , and spend but two pence for your part . And this at Croyden so neere London ?

Anto.

No more . And but for the best chamber I would spend but a penie , a pint of beere and a halfe penie bread .

Pu�.

VVhat a shame were this if your friends should heare it ?

Anto.

Leaue the disgrace to me . I can beare it . Pass�� graviora .

Simp.

Come Purgato � thou and I will bespeake our supper . 20d a peece wee will spend to stoppe this current of rumour .

Exeunt . Intras Camerado .

Here is a delicate manchet Sir . what meat to your supper ?

Anto.

This is not crustie enough . Change it .

Cam.

But we haue no better in the house .

Anto.

I will haue it chang'd .

Came.

Well Sir , I will doe my best . what shall my Mistris provide for your supper ?

Anto.

When thou hast chang'd the manchet thou shalt know .

Exit Camerado .

A long journey haue I ridden , and all day fasting , except a breake-fast at my friends house . Now if I should fill my bellie , two shillings will not serue in sheere meate for me� and my two men . This way yet I saue somewhat : for these hungrie knaues out of their owne purses spend three shillings two pence : for I will allow but pence a piece . I hope they will not compare with mee to aske two pence a peece as I spend . O to morrow , to morrow at dinner will I carry in for feare of fowle weather , when I come to Master Remraf his house , my continuall host and friend , whom I cannot bauke , he is so conveniently in my way , and keepes good cheare . Oh , by that time my stomacke will be tanquamignis accensus , a flaming fire , dispatching all meates it toucheth . And it is Physicke sometimes to keepe a stomacke so fierie : for it will consume the verie wormes if anie crawle vp to the stomacke for lacke of nutriment in the maw .

Intrat Camerado .

Sir , I haue beene with all the bakers in the towne for a crustie loafe .

Anto.

Thou hast done well . this is as it should be .

Came.

Now Sir , what to supper ? my Mistris stands at gaze vntill I tell her .

Anto.

My friend . I haue a verie euill stomacke , it will endure nothing toward night but bread and drinke , my men I thinke wil haue something .

Came.

( Turnes to the people , and saith ) Heere is a customer for Paltocks Inne , but wee le nicke him well enough in his horse-meate , and scurvie sheetes .

Exit .
Anto.

I heare the knaue well enough , but I le watch you for both . My horses shall haue but litle provender . I le call at some Farmers house to morrow , and �ate a pecke in his stable � and for sheetes I le lay them by , and change with my men �

Exit .
ACT. � . SCEN. 4. Intrat Insatiato & Infaelicto .

Sirra , haue you found Parvagrac�� ? when will he come �

Inf�.

To tell you the naked truth Sir I haue beene asleep till I heard you call for your golasshes : for I was so hungrie , that if I had not slept I had committed Burglary somewhere to get victuals : Now I le finde him out . ( �ee steps forwards , and turnes againe � saying ) but I pray you Sir remember to giue mee my two shillings you promised mee for bringing newes of your dinner . Now you shall haue monie , I speake before it bee gone .

Insa.

Yes , and before it be come . why dost thou tarrie the Scrivener will thinke vs long ; and a worse matter ; perhaps wee shall giue them too much time to enquire of our states .

Infae.

I can soone haue him if all other things were readie : you know where you left him at the Ladies , where you both dined . He said he would follow you . I marvaile hee is so long . But I warrant they are vp to the noses in the new booke de flatibus . It is best for me to know if the bonds bee readie before I fetch him , lest he be angrie to leaue the Ladies companie before neede require . Intrat Parvagracio . But looke where he is come alone without carying Sir � you sau'd me a labour . I was sent for you . Can you smell out good bargaines ? you come without calling . When thrift is in the market you are ever in the way ?

Par.

What good bargaine cracke is toward me ?

Infae.

My Master shall haue monie , and you must bee bound with him .

Par.

Is that a good bargaine wagge ? well , I haue such an other a-bruing for your Master to bee bound with mee . but where is he ?

Infae.

Heere , at hand . Now to the scrivener and broker goe I .

Exit .
Par.

I am glad to heare of your good furniture toward , and I come to prostrate my seale and service at your worthy feete .

Insati.

Sir , with all complements for such kinde loue , I receiue your readines . And doe reciprocally promise to be euer at your becke .

Intrat Infaelicto . Infae.

Sir , the bonds be readie for the seale . I haue seene the commoditie of ragges , and I like them well . They never dustie you except they be stirr'd . But they are foule and heavy . I wood we had sold them by gold smiths weight for so much in silver . I did see a fellow lift a bundle of them vp to a carre , and he grunted hard ; he made me remember my Ladies booke de flatibus . For I look'd euer when hee would haue let flye .

Insa.

Well le ts goe seale the bonds , and lose no time .

ACT. 7.
SCEN. I. Intrat Levitia cum Pedisequa . her periwigs of dogges hair� white , and a yellow band about her necke , a glasse , and powder of an old post in a boxe or paper . And is very busie in trimming her selfe , and casting dust vpon her head vntill her time come to speake .

Insatiato goes on staring , But what haue wee heere ? I le see this sight for all the haste .

Par.

Why t is a woman . Dost not see what it is ?

Insa.

A woman ? t is not a woman . The head is a dog . t is a maremaide , halfe a dog , halfe a woman .

Par.

No t is but the haire of a dog in fashion , pul'd from these Island dogges .

Insa.

In fashion ? there 's a fashion for a foole . What 's that she casts vpon her head ?

Par.

That 's the powder of a rotten post .

Insa.

A tale of a tub , the powder of a pudding : will you make me beleeue that ?

Par.

Doest thou thinke it so strange ? vpon my credite I know some are spoken to for providing such powder by Ladies . I am in earnest . I assure you t is verie common .

Insa.

I thinke they be common indeed that bee dress'd with dust . ( he goes prying on both sides of her , saying ) not � dog say you ? the head is a dog . The chiefest part is a dog . well , say what you will , you shall never make mee beleeue but it is either a dog , or a dogged woman .

Par.

Be she what she will in conditions , I warrant thee t is a woman in sexe , or never trust my iudgement againe .

Insa.

What 's that about her neck ? a pancake , or a tanzie ?

Par.

T is a band yellow starch'd � how canst thou thinke it to be a tanzie ?

Insa.

Because it lookes so yellow . Marie it is not so wel I wish it were , for then I would eat it vp , for I haue not halfe din'd .

Par.

No . t were pitie to devoure her � me thinks t is a very pretie creature .

Insa.

Dost thou like her so well ? I le goe wooe her : shee has no impediment , but I may marie her , may I not ?

Par.

Not that I knowe , except she be honest .

Insa.

Is that an impediment ? nay , the honester the better . I le to her instantlie . I see no reason but I may fall in loue with her on the suddaine . And happie is that wooing that is not long in doing : but stay , are you sure she is a woman ? I am in some doubt . And I would be verie loath to mary her except she proue a woman .

Par.

I warrant thee shee is a woman . why shouldst thou feare it ?

Ins�.

Haue I not cause to feare it ? for if I should be maried to a beast , or a iade , I were vtterly vndone . is it not good to be sure ?

Par.

Mistrust not that . thou maist knowe by her speech and voice whether she be a woman or no .

Insa.

Cannot her tongue deceaue me ?

Par.

Yes like enough , but not in this case , And if the worst fall you may easily knowe the first night you I le together .

Insa.

I thanke you for nothing when it is too late .

Par.

VVhy too late ? thou maist be rid of her presently , and be parted the next day .

Insa.

I could like that well enough so that I had her portion , but is there such a course to be taken , that they cannot be tied so fast , but they may easilie be vndone ?

Par.

No question but the mariage is void .

Insa.

That 's an excellent tricke . I wish I had a grant vnder the great seale to vnmarrie all those that would faine be parted . I would purchase Lordships , Townes , & Countries .

Par.

If you had , yet must you vse discretion in it , and devide none but such as are indeed no marriages at first , but had impediments not dispensable . Otherwise you might be cause of great sinne , and inconvenience . You must examine the reasons , and proceed iudiciallie , before you sever them rashly .

Insa.

Never tell me , let them looke to that at their own perill . It would take vp too much time if there came to mee but 100 in a daie to examine them all . No . no . if they were willing to be sundred , I would vncouple them : let them range afterward which waie they will for me . Well vpon thy word that I may be divorced from her if she proue not a certaine woman I le vpon her whatsoever she be . And I le catch her vpon a suddaine for feare least it be a dog & bite me .

( he goes stealing towards her with his hands forward . Par.

A waie cocks-combe . I am asham'd on thee : come backe , what dost thou meane ?

Insa.

O that same is a very suspicious head . I am afraid of it .

Par.

Afraid of a dead dogge ? what a cowardly thing is that ?

Insa.

A dead dogge ? marrie perhaps the haire is vpon � curster snapper then the right owner was .

Par.

Be rul'd by me ; I le stand between thee and al dangers . go orderly to her , take her by the right hand as if thou wouldst dance with he . He daunceth toward her and singeth .

Insa.

Hey niny . nony no . Hey niny no . Hey noniny nonino � Hey ninyno . So he daunces toward her .

Par.

What a fellow art thou ? a Courtier ? a Cowdriuer , come hither once againe . Dost thou thinke to speed & goe about It so like a Clowne � Thou must wooe her , as you court your ladies in the pallace .

Insa.

O , must I so ? I thought she had beene a countrie gentlewoman , and that the more plainely I had dealt , the better she would like me . But all is well enough yet , for no body saw me .

Par.

Thou art deceiued in that : for they are as fine and curious as anie Ladie in Court , though they be not proud a whit .

Insa.

Is 't so ? well , then I can fit her , she shall haue courting enough . And I am glad you tell me of it ; for I was in earnest to haue lou'd her beyond measure , & so might haue fallen mad , and marr'd all : but now I le doe euen as wee doe at Court , make many shewes of loue and service , and intend nothing lesse . But yet thus honestlie I le deale with this woman ( because she is a stranger ) that if I loue her , and like her , I le loue her vntill I leaue her . Well , t is time to bee doing , for my loue begins to coole verie fast : I must kindle it againe . ( with a conge he takes her by the left hand , saying ) Faire Lady , it becomes not gentlemen of good breeding to talke of the weather , or time of the day , or vse such idle impertinent speech : therefore , ( all preambles and digressions set aside ) I come to vnderstand if you bee pleased to admit me into the list of your devoted servants .

Lev.

Indeed Sir , it seemes you haue beene well bred , els you had never growen to this stature .

Insa.

( He turnes from her towards Parvagracio , and saith ) Did not I tell you what I should finde of her ? shee snarles alreadie . I le lay my life she will proue currish , her looks make it plaine , come sweet Ladie , what answere to my question ?

Lev.

Nay first I had neede to answere your complaint to your friend , that I am so curst and churlish . What vncivill tearme did I giue , deserving so sharpe a censure ? women know not how to speake . If merily , then our jest is tearmed scoffing , and quipping . I� soberly , then our modestie is counted coynesse , and want of curtesie . So that vnlesse wee say nothing , we commit error . And yet silence is not cleere : for then are we sheepe ( alias ) fooles .

Insa.

How could you heare what I said to him , since I turn'd my mouth from you ?

Lev.

But you turn'd not mine eares from your mouth .

Insa.

Pardon this fault good Ladie . I will be more carefull heereafter .

Lev.

No doubt you will : to haue mee further off when you say the worst .

Insa.

I meane not so . but rather to speake the best of you in all places and companies as your merites ( I know ) will enforce me .

Lev.

Nothing comes from you ( I see then ) but by constraint .

Insa.

O that you would giue over rebuking , no man shall reforme himselfe before me . Forgiue what is past . If I offend againe , deny me all favour .

Enter Pestifero , and whispers Insatiato , to whom he saith ,

Tell them I will come anon .

Exit Pestifero . Lev.

Sir , it is against nature to remit iniuries , therefore your request is vnreasonable . But for his sake that gaue the counsell , I will for giue my greatest enemies : yet you must know it is lawfull to reprehend your misdemeanours .

Insa.

( Turnes from her towards Parvagracio , and saith ) This comforts me much , for she may be a Christian for anie thing I heare yet .

Lev.

You that content your selfe with no habitation but a Princes Palace , and will serue no lesse creature then Caesar : that no sooner passe the Porters lodge , but li�t vp your legges and lips , as if you had commission to controule the countrie , to breathe nurture from your nostrils , and be patrone to poore people : whose gate and gesture giue testimonie to your hearts haughtinesse : and whose countenance must outface all encounterers , how could you bee so grossely ouer-shot , as to cast your selfe vnacquainted , vnfriended vncommended , and vnpresented into the companie of a gentlewoman of fashion ?

Insa.

I cry you mercie . Of what fashion are you that I might not doe as I did without offence ?

Lev.

Why Sir ? are you a courtier ? and aske of what fashion I am ? doe you not see that I am of the newest , and neatest fashion ? who sees my band and perrywig , & doubts of that : I am perswaded you will proue a counterfaite , and no courtier , that are ignorant in so generall a knowledge ?

Insa.

It was not the newest fashion the last yeare , and no Cronicle make � mention of it . Therefore if any man had written . Nihil factum est quod non fuit factum prius . I would haue giuen his Proverbs the lye . For this saffroning was never vs'd but in Ireland for bodily linnen , to dissipate the companie of creepers . And for such torturing of these Izeland Impes , with eradicating their fleeces , therby to enioy the roots , which best will abide the basting , it hath need to be new , for it is noysome , and makes your pretywig nothing handsome .

Lev.

Sir , let it suffise you that it is the newest fashion this verie day . And if the sight and smell of it offend your nose , you know the ordinary remedie is to remoue your nose . Yet I suppose by your palenesse you vse to take Tabaccho , then which , nothing is more fulsome .

Insa.

Indeed , I want colour in my face , and wishe I had the art to get so rosie a cheeke as you haue .

Lev.

You doe but guesse that I vse art to giue grace to my feature , so it is easie for you to be deceiued : but I will tell you a certaine rule to know if anie woman be painted .

Insa.

Let me bee beholding to you for this cunning infallible .

Lev.

If you suspect it , take a pin , and scratch her cheeke pretie deepe to the bone , and if it bleed not , assure your selfe she is painted .

Insa.

I see now you are dispos'd to be pleasant with me . I beare all kindly . Now I intreate you to proceede with publishing my other faults , that when I know them all , I may amend , and so appeare perfect in your sight .

Lev.

Secondly , I charge you with flatterie , at every word calling me Ladie : which you are verie sure I am not , seeing me come hither on my owne feet , whereas if I were a Lady I must of necessitie be at my Caroach with 4 horses , or els my honour is in the dust in sommer , and in the mire in winter . This then is an vnexcusable sinne of yours .

Insa.

Alas . what should I call you not knowing your name ? And you of all the women that euer I knew are angrie for giuing you more then your due . But rather then I will displease you that way , I will devise some other Epitheton of curtesie , vntill you determine to take Ladyship vpon you , so well as it would become you .

Lev.

Nay , I would not haue you thinke that I am exceedingly angrie for mistaking my present condition . It was a fault , but verie veniall . Your other errours I will conceale for this time , as vnwilling to oppresse you with penance , sithence I finde you so freely to offer satisfaction .

Insa.

Then now vouchsafe to receiue me into your service , sithence no man shall carie himselfe more dutifully .

Lev.

If I were fit to receiue one of your sort , how could you serue me and the king too ? can you serue two masters ?

Insa.

No . but one master and a mistresse may both bee serued without breach of fidelitie , and with great facilitie .

Lev.

Verie hardly , respecting the persons inequalitie : but if I should be so minded , what can you doe ?

Insa.

All , that is not done before I come .

Lev.

Can you , and will you doe whatsoever I entreate or command you without grudging ?

Insa.

Yes , with all readines and alacritie , & without exception .

Lev.

Then I request and command you to let me alone , and neuer heereafter speake to me .

Insa.

That 's an vnreasonable request , and iniust commandement . There ought to bee iustice and possibilitie in euerie commandement ; but this hath neither of them .

Lev.

I will proue it hath both , or els I release your word .

Insa.

Proue that , and I le performe your will : for I haue vowed to serue you , and it is iniustice to breake it . And I am in loue , and it is impossible to limite it .

Lev.

I thought so . draffe was your errant � but drinke you would haue . you seeke a seruice , but you meane to be master : this tricke will faile you : for I haue vowed before-hand , and I am bound to keepe it .

Insa.

You can make no vow contrarie to mine , because you neuer knew my intention , nor person before this day .

Lev.

Yes , contrarie enough , as white is to blacke . And to hold you no longer in suspence , my vow and purpose is to be a Nun .

Insa.

A Nun ? There was neuer Nun with such attire , and in such a Cloister .

Lev.

O Sir , I can quicklie cast off this attire , and get a Nuns habite . If the mind be changed , the apparel will soone be altered .

Insa.

Of what order ( if you speake in earnest ) that I may visit your Cloister ? for loue hath gotten such dominion . that I cannot so part with you . And yet to this crosse I know not what to say : for it takes from me all libertie to mooue further .

Lev.

What will it availe you to know my Cloister , and walke without the wall ? for there , all accesse & entercourse is barred .

Insa.

Let my loue yet bee so farre requited , as to know your name and or�er you enter into . It will ease my minde , that none other inioies you . O , this loue is like a quarterne ague , and a suite in Law ! A good day , and a bad : now hope . then despair . To night co��ort , tomorow morning al dash'd .

Lev.

Sir I must craue respite to answere you directlie to these questions : for I must haue my friends advice before I resolue . And so for this time I take leaue .

Exit Lev.
Par.

Now , let vs goe seale these bondes in the meane space , and by that time perhaps she will come againe .

Insa.

Bonds ? I am in bonds enough I thinke , bound hand , foote , heart , minde , wit and will . Hee that is in loue needes no other chaine to hold him � he is fast in prison , and lock'd sure enough for escaping . O Parvagracio ! dost thou talke of going ? whither should I goe ? Is it not enough that my loue is gone , and that all is gone with her ? my heart is gone with her , and she is gone away with my heart : whither can I goe without my heart ? And whither she is gone , and whither she hath caried my heart I know not . Sealing . what ta�� talkest thou of sealing ? I haue set my hand , my �ele , my har� and all to the loue of her . She is gone away with this deed of gift . It is deliuered before witnes . It is enroll'd . I haue acknowledged a fine . I haue suffered her to recouer against me ; and deliuered her peaceable possession . The Law is at an end � what els would you haue me seale ? I can giue her no further assurance . her counsaile cannot devise it . why do you trouble me with vnnecessarie requests ?

Par.

O my good friend Insatiato recall thy selfe like a wise man . thou speakest like a man distracted . goe with me , and take a litle rest . It will not be long before shee come to this place againe . We will send your Page to find her .

Insa.

A little rest I warrant you . Goe ? you are still vpon going . Goe whither you will , I will not stirre a foote from hence . What if she come in our absence , and goe away discontented ? then shall I neuer see nor heare her againe . No� heere I lost her , heere I will finde her , or lose my selfe .

Par.

But you will trouble and hinder other actors that haue parts heere to play as well as you .

Insa.

Actors . what actors ? Is this a stage ? Is this a play ? no . t is a game in earnest . t is no iest , t is loue in sadnesse . Let them come that come will : if anie come but my loue , I haue nothing to say to them . Doe you as you thinke good .

Par.

Nay , if you stay , I will not goe . I will not leaue my friend so .

Act. 7. SCEN. 2. Intrat Antonio , Simplo , Purgato with a cloake-bag full vnder his arme , all booted , spur'd , and riding roddes .

Haue you lock'd vp all the doores , and deliuered the foul linnen to be wash'd �

Sim

All is safe , and euerie thing done .

Anto.

Haue you given the Coblers wife the 7 egges we left at breakefast ?

Sim.

She hath them .

Anto.

This is but ill husbandrie to lose 7 egges at a ��ap , and my bellie not verie full .

Sim.

Sir , they are well bestowed , they will doe the poore woman good , and you haue eaten pretie well .

Anto.

I haue not eaten so well as you thinke for . And they are not fit meate for her mouth : some grosser meate would doe her more good .

Sim.

I warrant you Sir , she can eate an egge without surfeiting , as well as the finest Ladie in this Land .

Anto.

Come on , since t is done , let them goe : but ( hee steps forward , and they follow , but presently comes backe , and saith ) I cannot ride my iourney contentedlie vntill I haue these egges . Simplo , fetch them againe . Tell the woman , she shall haue as manie or more another time .

Sim.

turnes to the people , saying . Now must I fetch these egges from the poore woman against my nature . Exit & cito redit with 7 egges . Anto. takes them & exit . Simple goeth on saying , I was neuer ashamed of a master before . There are few times that we ride forth , but a rosted Rabbet , a piece of cheefe , or a drie brest of mutton is truss'd vp in the cloak-bag , especially when wee lye at an Inne the next night ( as now we shall . ) And but for fowling the cloake-bag , and his cloathes , we had carried these egges now .

Pur.

There is no such stuffe now in the cloake-bagge I trow ? If I thought there were , I would throw it to the dogs rather then it should ride behinde me .

Sim.

Is there not ? t is a great chance then ; & I am much deceiu'd if there be none : for there were some scrappes left yesternight , and I finde them not in anie roome in the house .

Pur.

That shal be tried by and by . Be these his trickes ? though I be his horse-keeper , I le carrie no coales nor bones neither I trow . ( hee vndoeth an end of the cloake-bag , and there takes out a napkin full of pieces of bread , a quarter of a brest of mutton , a piece of boyled beefe , a pudding , a bone of a loine of veale : that he vnpinneth , and lifting it vp by one corner , le ts all fall , and presently catcheth at them with his hands vpon the ground , scrambling euerie way as hee would catch at a Rat , saying . ) What 's become of her ? take heed gentlewomen she get not vp . I sweare , I had almost catch'd her . Was there not a Rat there ? Masters , you below , came shee not that way ?

Sim.

laugheth , and saith . How now Purgato . What , art thou at span-counter with Rats ? I perceiue thou wouldest haue fought with any Rat in London rather then she should haue be guil'd thee of thy provender .

Pur.

My provender ? the dogs shall eate it , before any bit shall come in my mouth . How came he by these scraps , and what would he doe with them ?

Sim.

Thou art but a novice Purgato . and hadst as much wit when thou suckedst ( I thinke ) as now . And besides for that thou camest to him but yesterday ( in a manner ) art ignorant of his fashions . I will instruct thee . The night before he rides from London , he will invite some of his acquaintance to supper with him ( at their owne charge more then his ) then the remnant he packeth vp thus . And at the next Inne he lodgeth in ( if it be two dayes thence ) he �ates these �ates vnder the colour of a litle joint there dressed . And by this meanes hee is counted at his Inne a verie small meateman , but everie-where els a tall trencher-man . But thou must vnderstand the chamberlain and tapster are sent down when these dainties are in devouring .

Pur.

But doe you eate anie of this daintie trashe with him ?

Sim.

Or els I must goe hungrie to bed , and ride emptie the next day .

Pur.

As true as I liue , hee shall never bring mee to this geare . And the next time he makes such a messe , I le provide sawce : for I le put a fresh horse-turd in the midst . And my trotting horse will soone season it all alike .

Intrat Ant. Anto.

Come away , I haue eaten foure of these egges , the rest I haue put in branne to preserue against the nex Tearme : but what 's heere ? how came this meate heere ? mee thinkes I should know these pieces .

Pur.

It may be so Sir , but I did neuer see the like .

Anto.

Why so ?

Pur.

As I had the cloake-bag vnder mine arme , I felt a thing stirre within it : and in searching � I found these scraps , and among them an huge Rat . And she went away invisible : for I am sure we could not see which way she ran , nor could I catch her , doe what I could , and yet I scambled at her with both my hands .

Anto.

Why doe you not gather vp the meate , and put it vp againe ?

Pur.

What ? and the Rat had piss'd on it for feare , and it stinkes too bad .

Anto.

How canst thou tell that a Rat had piss'd on it , when you confesse you did see no Rat ?

Pur.

No , not which way shee ran away . But if yonder boy had gap'd wide enough , hee might haue catch'd her in his mouth : and doe you thinke I saw not a Rat ? I am sure there was a Rat , for my minde gaue me so . And further , I had like to catch'd her . All this companie can tell what a course I had at her , if you will not beleeue me .

Anto.

Goe to , goe to . You are a foole . Put them vp and let vs away .

Pur.

I were a foole indeed , and a beast too , if I would put them vp .

Anto.

I bid you put them vp like a foole as you are .

Pur.

I cannot put them vp like a foole , nor I will not .

Anto

Thou shalt put them vp , or serue me no longer .

Pur.

With all my heart master , I le turne you off at this instant . Heere is witnes enough I haue giuen� you lawfull warning .

Exit .
Anto.

Gather vp this meate Simplo , thou and I will fare the better . T is but sending this knaues horse downe by the Carrier . Or els I le driue him with his loade , he shal be the sumpter horse .

Simplo gathers them vp , and puts them in the napkin � and pinnes them vp , puts them into the cloak bag . Exeunt Antonio & Simplo.
ACT. 7. SCEN. 2. Parv.

How lik'st thou this sport Insatiato ? hath it diverted thy thoughts a little ?

Insa.

It was some recreation I must needes say : but my fit is comming on apace . Intrat Levitia . And looke where she comes . Now I tremble with feare of a deadly doome ; but I must speake howsoeuer I speede . Welcome sweet Mistresse . Now kill , or keepe me aliue with your answere .

Lev.

Your questions sir ( if I forget not ) were , what was my name , and what order I purpose to enter . My name is Levitia . And my desire is to be a Nunne of my mothers order . But if my virginitie were not of ful age ; and Maiden-head a dangerous burden , I would be a Nun of a straighter order .

Insa.

Your mothers order ? what order is that ? I never heard of a Nun haue a child , no husband , and yet continue in Cloyster , and a Nun before she had a child .

Lev.

My mother vowed chastitie , and after that had a childe by her husband .

Insa.

Why Leuitia ? this is a riddle , and a wonder to me ; yet this English I picke out of it , that you may haue a husband as your mother had . And then if it please you , I may be your ghostlie father after the fashion of this country : but how , or why your mother or you should vow chastitie , I see not , nor would I be married to such a Nun .

Pur.

Alas Insatiato , I perceiue thou art simple in this busines , or els not yet come to thy selfe again . Levitia speakes well , but thy capacitie is verie muddie . Wouldst thou not haue thy wife vow chastitie , but be an harlot ? there is chastity and continencie among married folke , so long as they be faithfull each to other . But virginitie goes further : and that is sequestred continencie during life , not admitting companie for procreation .

Insa.

I vnderstand it now ( thanks to thee Parvagraci� ) but this creature would haue delayd me longer , and dull'd my wits without mercie .

Enter Pestifero , and whispers Insatiato , to whom in anger he answereth , either let them stay , or teare the writings , I cannot yet come . Exit Pestif.

But I thanke her yet for the kinde order shee hath made to be of her mothers order . I hope ( sweet Mistris Levitia ) you will heare no motion to ouerthrow this order againe . And now tell me , what say you to my vow , which in all equitie must be performed . You see I was content ( though much against my minde ) that you should haue kept your vow of virginitie , ( if so had stood your resolution ) now I appeale to your owne court for Iustice , and hope you will giue as good way to the fulfilling of my vow , which is never to leaue your service and companie .

Lev.

I heard you talke at Randon of such a thing . Many such ( I doubt not ) you haue made , and quickly broken ; and this of the same mettle , & so will proue as britle . Courtlers vowes of this nature are but words , a little more stiffly blowne out of their mouthes , then the rest of their speech , but come no neerer their hearts . The gunner puts a little more powder in the gun to make it carrie the shot further , but hits the marke no whit the righter : So they driue their vowes with a little stronger breath , but their intention is not the streighter .

Insa.

Indeed I confesse that I haue sometimes done as you say : but now my heart is right , and my meaning direct .

Lev.

How shall that appeare to me ?

Par.

I dare vandertake ( Ladie Levitia ) he meanes iustly by you : for I haue seene him in a dangerous passion when you left our companie , which if you had heard , standing in some secret place , you could not but haue compassion on him . or els you were verie disdainfull and cruell . Besides I know it is a great matter that would stay him so long as he hath talked with you from dispatching a businesse of great importance , as you may partlie perceiue by the messenger comming so often in the meane time to haue him away .

Lev.

Sir , a seconder of a tale makes manie times an incredible thing beleeued . And for your testimonie , I giue him credit the better , and perhaps I was within sight and hearing too , when this gentleman was so loue-sicke as you speake of , which made me in verie pitie come the sooner in to relieue him . And I would not haue you think Parvagracio that I am disdainefull , for that winneth nothing but hatred : nor am I cruel , for that is euer payed home with extreame miserie . Now yet am I proud ( which vice you touched not ) for that is derided of all wise people , but my feare and doubt was alwayes to be deceiued .

Insa.

Heere is my hand I will neuer deceiue you .

Lev.

Heere is my hand I will never leaue you . But what a foole was I ? I should haue agreed for maintenance and joincture before I had beene handfast .

Insa.

That 's no matter , I le performe as well as if I were bound hand and foote . I will allow you 10l a yeare for pinnes , 5l for shooes , 15l for stockings , garters , bodies , and girdles , 50l for gownes , peticoates and such like : 20l for all sorts of linnen and new fashions , this is 100l a yeere , and is as much as my liuing will afford . And for performance of this anie friend of yours shall haue a statute vpon all the land I haue . And for your joincture , I will giue good assurance , that the longer liuer of vs two shal possesse all I haue , If I die not worth a groate .

Lev.

I like all well but my allowance for pins : it is not enough : for it is a base fashion now-a-daies to vse cufhnets and saue pinnes . The verie warmth of our bodies , will change their colour in three houres , and they wil be crooked with pulling off , fie vpon them : but I le be a good huswife otherwise � and get as much by other meanes as shall piece out this pension to make it serue . Sirra , I haue skill in Phisicke , I can cure the ��� in anie man . And if hee be neuer so leane , and rawbon'd , I can so diet him in halfe a yeare , that he will be fed vntill he grow purse-sicke . And for thee ( sweet heart ) be of good cheere , for thou shalt never die ( without a great chance ) as long as I liue . For I can play a tricke , that if thou be never so cold , or frozen almost to death , I can make thee luke-warme in halfe an houre .

Insa.

( Imbraceth and kisseth her ) Ha may liuelie Levitia , we cannot chuse but thriue if thou hast these trades . But is thy portion in sure hands ?

Lev.

Feare nothing of that , you shall haue mee and my portion at an instant , all together readie bagg'd .

Insa.

Best of all , then it requires no telling Heere is a token for thee my chicken .

Lev.

What ? kniues ? O , I will not take them in anie wise , they will cut loue .

Insa.

No , no : if they cut anie thing , they will cut away vnkindnesse .

Lev.

Pardon mee ( good Sir ) you shall not giue them me . If needes you will that I weare them , do you lose , and I will find them .

Insa.

That 's a toy of all toyes . That were fitter for a stage then a wedding .

Lev,

Indeed you shall not denie me this first request , I pray you lose them .

Insa.

Well , t is no newes to be made a foole by a woman . I le doe it , if it were worse .

Then he walkes about and droppes them downe , and she comes after and takes them vp . saying . Lev.

This is as it should be : now I haue deceaued destinie .

Par.

This is Superstich my shooes , now he hath fooled a fopperie . And you haue found a foolerie .

L�v.

You mocke this Parvagracio . I warrant you doe not thinke it evill lucke if the salt fall toward you .

Par.

But I doe if no bodie overthrowe it .

L�.

What if a Hare crosse your way ? is that nothing neither ?

Par.

That 's �uill lucke indeed if I haue no dogges to course her .

Insa.

Parvagracio . I prethee lead Levitia to my lodging . I must craue pardon to goe about a speciall businesse which concernes all my worth : but we will dispatch quickly and follow . And meet me the next way Parvagracio wee must haue your helpe . I le goe before .

Lev.

In any case looke to the maine chance , for now you haue a clogge . It is the first gift every wife giues her husband .

Exeunt Parv. & Levitia . Insa.

Now boy . wee must about these bonds sealing to put vs in suits for this wedding Wee shall sure thriue now . Two such bargaines gone through in one day . A stranger for a wife � and ragges for our wealth . We cannot want after these matches . I could haue found in my heart to asked her some monie and mist this ragg'd monie . But what if shee haue none ? she saith I shall haue her and all ready bagg'd . Perhaps she meanes that herselfe is readie bagg'd to my hand I cannot tell � there be such tricks in the world . I doubt I am vtterly vndone with this foolish match .

Inf�.

Why sir , if you be let it not trouble you , I hope you shall haue better lucke in greater matters , & yet if she haue a good portion you are happy , if she haue none , yet you may be even with her if it please you although she proue a roaring girle .

Insa.

Canst thou tell which way to be even with her ?

Inf�.

Mary to haue as little as she . And if I were ��� you I would serue her so , teach her to come emptie handed to a man of your spending .

Inf�.

Well : we must make the most of her that I can now � haue her : and take no care for any thing � that � the way to liue long and leaue nothing .

ACT. 7. SCEN. 3. Intrat Simplo.

Gentlemen ( you two I meane M. Securus and Sir Hermito ) my master intreats you both to come to his chamber for a short space , he will go twice so faire for you any other time .

Exeunt Insa. & Infael. S�cu.

Thanke your master , we haue din'd alreadie , and can eat nothing : another time we will see him if wee haue no businesse .

Sim.

O you mistake it Sir neither now , nor any other time for eating : there is no meat : my Master does not vie to quilt his frends stomack� with too much meat . No , hee would speake with you about a note he hath caused to bee drawne he will desire you to pervse it , and do him a favour it is in the nature of a certificate .

Se�u.

Truely he shall haue no hand of mine to any writing nor to anie purpose , nor for my credit sake will I come in his companie . I doe imagine what it is . He knoweth that we heare so much evill of him that he doubts we will speak �s we finde . And therefore he would haue vs giue comme�nations of him to some friend of our� in some small request which he never meanes to sue for . But this our good report he will keepe by him partly to stop our mouthes ( hoping we will not speake contrarie to our testimonie in writing , and partly for his credi� to be shewed vpon every occasion against all that haue cause to speake evill of him . Let him content himselfe we refuse to come neere him .

Her.

Honest friend : I marvell with what conscience ��� serue one that is ��� .

Sim.

Mary Sir with as wide and large a conscience as any man hath , and as throughly tentered . My master & I are no niggards of our conscience . Besides I am bound by my 100l to serue him .

Her.

Thou wert as good lose thy 100l at first , as at last for he will in the end deceaue thee of it .

Sim.

If he doe then I hope hee will teach mee cunning worth 100l to deceaue others . & so I may double my 100l . For I doe not thinke but hee hath gotten manie 100l with art . And I le never leaue him tell I get all his tricks and now he hath made me free he will vse me as his fellow .

Her.

By that meanes thou wilt accompanie him to �ell .

Sim.

Downe the lane to the Divell . Nay an wee goe to no worse place then Hell I care not : for I doe not think but my master hath craft enough for any Divell on um all .

Her.

But there he shall meet with his crafts master .

Sim.

What ? master my master in craft ? that were somewhat strange , yet I le beleeue any thing but that . Wel I shall tell him you will not come . And what 's the reason you will not come ? I haue almost forgotten .

Her.

Mary because at our baptisme wee vowed to renounce the infernall Spirit . And now upon our owne experience and iudgement we abandon all incarnate Divells .

Sim

Abandon ? what 's that ? if I can obserue that word right � I shall carry the rest well . I knowe what you meane by a carnation divell .

Exit .
Her.

What doe you iudge of these passages M. Securus ?

�ecu.

Surely Sir � it is hard vpon the suddaine to deliuer a true sentence vpon so many contrarieties as this day wee haue heard . But breefly I thinke they ought all to be duced vnto two maine heads of Good and Bad . and of the worst to chuse the least : and of the better take the most .

Her.

In part I dissent from you but in part I agree . If we be constrained to chuse among things which are ��� best to permit the least : but if a man haue freedome then the best choice is to refuse evill be it never so little . Among the severall discourses this day acted . I note many vices vailed over with froth , and florish of words , but the same againe vnmasked with substantiall matter , and laid naked to disgrace . So it seemeth they are not propounded to imitate , but ��� forth to be shamed . They are painted in colours but in a map of ��� some ��� , but such as runne to ruine . They are brought forth to be rewed ; but to manifest their vglinesse . They come not here to be liked , but lothed ; not to be fauored , but derided . Not allowed in private , but in publike to be condemned . So I hope that all wise hearers will avoid the sinnes and abuses here touched ( which are many ) and follow good counsell if they heard any . Which that they may doe my part is to pray to the giuer of wisdome . And so Sir , wishing much prosperitie to your charitable endeavours , I take leaue � and the next way to my poore quiet Cell .

Exit & Securus sequitur . Intrat Proberio . ��� ��� ��� ��� Exit
EPILOGVS .

NOw that your patience hath permitted vs to bring vnto an end this present Dialogue , wee stand in good hope of your clemencie , that no more offence will bee taken at any word ��� passed then we had meaning to giue , which wee protest ��� at all . For it were against reason and our owne ends to driue hence that companie , which we wish rather �oubled , then out of it one to be spared . It resteth that we render you very humble and hartie thanks . And that all ��r hearts pray for the I le and his families enduring happinesse , ���

FINIS .
Machine-generated castlist A18423-antonio 112 A18423-proberio 93 A18423-insatiato 87 A18423-simplo 86 A18423-hortano 53 A18423-noverindo 41 A18423-rustico 37 A18423-levitia 37 A18423-acuto 32 A18423-parvagracio 31 A18423-hermito 22 A18423-pestifero 16 A18423-securus 14 A18423-vulcano 14 A18423-purgato 14 A18423-lamia 13 A18423-infaelicito 12 A18423-malingua 11 A18423-granato 10 A18423-sperato 9 A18423-gulato 8 A18423-camerado 7 A18423-susan 6 A18423-mureto 5 A18423-furioso 5 A18423-unassigned 5 A18423-corraso 3 A18423-phantastico 2 A18423-frith 2 A18423-spurco 1 A18423-stercorato 1 A18423-ostler 1
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Pes�ifero Pestifero . la�dable Assembly : It hath beene a very auncient and laudable custome , in the best gouerned common-wealthes b� respects hath begotten this Dialogue , ready to be acted , principally and specially pointing �ourteous so in the name of all the rest I entreate courteous audience , and pardon of all faults . �udience name of all the rest I entreate courteous audience , and pardon of all faults . w� of state wheresoeuer we come . Neither doe we tye our selues to any one dominion more �euen Northwest , and hath beene beyond seas some seuen or twelue yeeres . chart� , and annexed to the great thing in magna charte , or magno folio , entituled , an Admonition entiuled thing in magna charte , or magno folio , entituled , an Admonition to householders . pri�ilegio deale with a friend for their allowance sub priuilegio . deucutly Carolstadius : in which Sermon hee prooues most deuoutly , that it is Idolatry to fight against the cheesefrye cheere at his chamber � I would make the cheese frye vntill the butter were spent . ne�er any man that he deales withall , that they neuer agree or loue after , and yet euery Saterday Antonto teach thee these incomparable tricks of Don Antonio , laboured for so toughly in climing the aspect� bushes ; wheras thou oughtst to eleuate thy aspect to thy vttermost kenning , as those doe B�zzard secret patterne of these proiects . Euery Buzzard will prye if a mowle or a mouse shall happen i��a�en repeate it againe for losing of time . He is eauen with all the world euery Saterday Aquauit� O my heart : not yet . A penieworth of Aquauita , if I shall liue . a�d He loues no body then , and no body loues him . And thus thou seest rea�on so hard , and straine my wits to reach the reason of this riddle . I am sure I did ouershoot rehears� Ha . Ha . Hae. An thou be a good fellow rehearse three or foure of these cases thou hadst thre� . Hae. An thou be a good fellow rehearse three or foure of these cases thou hadst like countteyhouse Thirdly . When he meanes to ride to his countreyhouse , he goes three daies before to some groomes leatne some groomes at court . And if from them he learne any newes ( if it be but of a posy given refolue to tosse , and tumble ; to revolue , and resolue ; to put forwarde with Pro , and pull backe �vest learne wit out of them ? never while thou livest : not honestly neither . They will rather m��t Before thou begin to professe this art , thou must forget all rules and instructions of manners a�d world to this day : that so being an empty and voide vessell thou maist be the more apt tho� matchevillaines schoole . Otherwise ; if thou shouldst reserue but so much as a secret Il� a weeke to serue thee all thy life time . Ile bring thee acquainted , and then ile turne furni�h and then ile turne him loose to teach and furnish thee with destructions enough for a whole y�ule trust you because you are my frend . I hope youle put me to none , but such as shall teach getti�g agreed . And I wish you not to stand vpon his getting by you , least you be penny-wise , and pound hau� How learn'd you his cunning so perfectly ? haue you knowne him long . ��� convers'd with him in his best times ; somewhat it cost me you must thinke , but that's past th�n that he has , and caried from thence more than all the townes in Italy could spare . Proberi� Mounsieur Proberio , I have heard all the conference between Pr�beri� I heare egregiously to be wrong'd by you Proberio . vinversall O vniversall Noverindo in what particulers ? a�y not matter . but canst thou disproue me in any thing I said ? or dost thou knowe any good fa�hion little : for if you praise � frend on this fashion I prethee speake the worst thou canst by ��ou on this fashion I prethee speake the worst thou canst by me . be� Sir , it may bee Ile pleasure you so much : but to the matter mat�er bee Ile pleasure you so much : but to the matter � canst thou disproue me in any thing I faid matter � canst thou disproue me in any thing I said ? �hat , & that I will . I can disproue thee in that thou saidst hee never deales � with any �aidst I will . I can disproue thee in that thou saidst hee never deales � with any man but hee deale� disproue thee in that thou saidst hee never deales � with any man but hee cavills , and wrangles i�stifie demonstrat thy falshood , I say , and will iustifie that he is as good a 10 ith 100 man either bra�ely enough over thee , and returnes the lie most brauely into thy gullet . I can proue Nody Noverindo decemper Noverindo , that in thy owne trade and his of decem per cent . when he lost 100 l which the re�ouer'd He recouer'd not ; nor got any thing from the scriuener Simpl� Segnieur Simple , Helpe me a little . Canst thou say no ago� much , sauing that I haue heard many yeares agoe that he was a reasonable honest man but ��rcy you within the lash of the law , ther's no mercy : and tis no matter , teach you to speake abs�nce Well , mocke on , twas in his absence , thats all one : Ile tell him if youle I�das caterpillers are al for what will you giue me like Iudas � Bonu� Bonus dies � Segnieur Antonio , Magnifico ; the Segni�ur Bonus dies � Segnieur Antonio , Magnifico ; the worthiest gentleman Magnifi�� Bonus dies � Segnieur Antonio , Magnifico ; the worthiest gentleman that ever consorted attnrnato teneri & firmiter obligari�ibi aut t�o certo atturnato , &c. And further obligamus nos , & quemlibet exec��ores obligamus nos , & quemlibet nostrum , heredes , & executores nostros &c. The condition is to bee ever �ay thousand pound and intreats my band ; Ile say he shall haue it by my meanes . Thou shalt �halt say he shall haue it by my meanes . Thou shalt haue forty shillings in the hundred for �peak� this is agreed : and if you will haue 3000 speake but the word , and giue three daies warning handof you for that word � and leo here with this hand of mine I reach you the hearts of all our vnwillidg feare , or blushing . That which I was so vnwilling to vtter was no more but this : it is very �avill never deale , or contract with any but you cavill , wrangle , paulter , wrench , shift , chapp wrangle� deale , or contract with any but you cavill , wrangle , paulter , wrench , shift , chapp , change �efuse wrench , shift , chapp , change , deny , refuse , goe backe from your word , breake off offowle your word , breake off , and play all manner of fowle play ; wherevpon all men speak evill seeft Why , there's it then . Now thou seest where wit lodgeth , with me , or with them the� . But I thinke I haue taken downe some of them about the word Religion of the oldest stampe reveng� neede to trouble your selfe with studying to revenge it . vn�ure subject to so many mistaking , censures , and vntrue reports , that it passeth the skill of any ca�y , that it passeth the skill of any man to carry himselfe vprightly , & without blame , I fro� course of dwelling with my selfe sequestred from all resort , should haue an end so long whe�her Sir , I am right to haue intercepted you ( whether you be travailing to or fro the Court ) s�albe skill . All that I haue both those wayes , shalbe conferred vpon you equally with my selfe you� poore selfe . I stay willingly and am at your service in all things . �earmes seruant of mine Sir , but my friend vpon equall tearmes . stmacke focation , and there doe such devotion as his stomacke stands to . �oo man , if we two hold together , we shalbe too hard for twentie fooles . s��y , and neuer serue God . For you would not stay there neither if you had your will , but �here neuer serue God . For you would not stay there neither if you had your will , but the Sondayes �aile You hit the naile on the head neighbour Rustico . Weele put An�yle rip rapping , that you misse the nayle and Anvyle also . For my part although I doe boldly rrench Fasting-dayes like weedes , and bury them all in a trench , you are both both fowly deceiued . For Recus��t vp you go not to Church , vp you goe for a Recusant an you were my father . �hud Why for all that shud we be troubled with so many holydaies ? ne�er tauke on vpon the holydaies , or else it cood neuer be . �e They suffered no kind of lighter workes to be done in those daies , much lesse such painefull pain�full be done in those daies , much lesse such painefull labours as they were . Saiuts Why were the Saints daies kept holy at all ? Tell me some reason grea� They did in those daies giue great honour to such as suffered death for Christian fi�shermen although the men were as poore as Christs fishermen . And therefore the daies of their martyrdome Dunce� reasons against our next encounter with these Dunces , and then wee will end this controversie Antonis time , weele to him sodainely . Segnieur Antonio . All haile to your person . Here is a man ��� wax , very pliant , emptie of all thing � but a little mony and a tenement or two of land docible� such as you knowe are necessarie ? and is he docible � di�igent Sir I hope you shall finde me diligent , and according to your heart . has� no more could be spared . I warrant thou turne seene the last of thy writings . They will Hortauo Enter Hortano and Acuto . ��ch ) at our last parle here that there were such valiant people in times past that willingly chee�efully valiant people in times past that willingly and cheerefully went to their death when they might haue in�oyed went to their death when they might haue inioyed life longer . �uch owne time and memory there haue beene many such men . p�otest I protest it is a wonderfull courage these people p��petuall I thinke them worthie of great honour and perpetuall memorie . But who are they ( say you ) that no� Law , did not I tell you so ? Nay you never had an apter �is faut : that wood ha me say it so fast : & tis a very scurvie word to hit , except a man s�urvie wood ha me say it so fast : & tis a very scurvie word to hit , except a man haue a mouth �ou Hortano : you haue beene a great while prating with that m� make no reckning of my neighbour Rustico and me � Belike you thinke to ingrosse the honour h�rne . I can proue thee an Asse , or any such horne beast with a trice I learnt it at Sturbridge an� Logicke that he which was the last yeare and yet liues , is not . an� yea and the last weeke ) an honest man , and yet liues , is not now an honest man . �rgomen canst never wash out the strength of this argomen � I make it iust as they did theirs at Cambridge Cambridg� argomen � I make it iust as they did theirs at Cambridge about my nag . I remember the words , and abou� make it iust as they did theirs at Cambridge about my nag . I remember the words , and shall R�cumbentibus argumen . And then fetcht him about with a Recumbentibus , and prou'd that the horse stones which Rus�ico man then he . Why , I tell you my neighbour Rustico and I , thinke our selues as good men as A�uto and I , thinke our selues as good men as Acuto and you , and we are two to two . Weele �its , I take not vpon me to set downe : there sits a Religious man , he is more like to quenche v� word , & hold vp your finger , weele maule vs to the ground at a blow . dive�se kept holy in memory of Saints which suffered diverse torments for Christs sake , who suffered enco�rage their facts and fame might neuer die , but encourage others to treade their bloudie but Heauenly alte�ation let no mans private rashnes presume such alteration , as to make away or put out the Holy-dayes �est sermon every day would make me keepe all the rest of the weeke holy . Gow neighbour Rustico asid� make obeysance to the Hermit , and turne aside . ver�e aliue againe . This is a graue man , and his verie countenance speakes truth . Tauke no more o�t countenance speakes truth . Tauke no more o't , I am quite dissolv'd they shall stand tal�nt other . And cannot I then giue vm part of my talent as well as the Coblers are wont to doe , Ho�t Execunt Vul. Acut . Rust. Hort . Simpl� Goe Simplo to Mistris Sylvester in Sheerelane , desire �o Mistris Sylvester in Sheerelane , desire her to lend me a paire of sheetes , a pillowbeere p��lowbeere desire her to lend me a paire of sheetes , a pillowbeere , halfe a dozen of napkins , and a towell �apkins sheetes , a pillowbeere , halfe a dozen of napkins , and a towell . Porber�� but now I remember me Proberio told me you haue linnen enough of your owne out me thus . Doe as you are bidden . Will not our owne la�t the longer if wee weare of other lo�t vnderstand the conceit now . Ile tell her you lost your key . gre�test good time . I was beholding to you in my greatest necessitie : And I purpose to requite all serivener received a hundreth pound by my direction from a scrivener in this towne , and ran away with it into Al�-house stale , remember soone to carrie them to the Ale-house , but measure them well in your hand with di�hes a Cooke licks his owne fingers before he dishes the meate for others . Doe they not know a�ide neighbour Frith . Let me speake with you aside . Take heed what you doe . His title is �aid lies �it for me . But let him not know I said so . �et you about your land , and I was content to let you run on your course . But doe you forget ��� your land , and I was content to let you run on your course . But doe you forget that it w��tings it ) haue you not forfeited your land and writings by your euill behaviour , offering to sell �o your euill behaviour , offering to sell it to a stranger and not to me ? strange� euill behaviour , offering to sell it to a stranger and not to me ? hi� That's a plaine case Sir . Ile not ��� with his land , nor any of my neighbours shall , ��� nor any of my neighbours shall , for I will tell them all � Nay , I may say to you Sir , all� my neighbours shall , for I will tell them all� � Nay , I may say to you Sir , I am told �ell land � no man will be your Tenant ? and to sell it , who will dea�� with you ? Did you not 150� Indeed Sir he should haue pay'd me 150l . And if you helpe me not I am vndone . 150� It had beene worth 150l . if it had not beene thus disgrac'd , but 100� now 'tis worth litle . Well , if I giue you 100l . for it , what will you say ? 100� If you will giue me 100l . for it , I shall thinke my selfe much 100� I will giue thee 100l . And no raine will shrinke the mony : the h�� spoile this poore man both of money and land , his minde is altogether vpon deceit and ruine dece�� money and land , his minde is altogether vpon deceit and ruine of others . Tis pitie any honest Tispitie altogether vpon deceit and ruine of others . Tis pitie any honest bodie should haue to do �onest deceit and ruine of others . Tis pitie any honest bodie should haue to do with him that studieth ���dieth honest bodie should haue to do with him that studieth nothing but mischiefe . pa��ridges the questing of Spaniels , the spring of partridges , the gingling of Haukes bels , and thundring confe��ed now I am become your adversary . For it is confessed of all sorts , that the musicke in hunting mu�icke For it is confessed of all sorts , that the musicke in hunting , both for continuance of the con�inuance , that the musicke in hunting , both for continuance of the sport . for a delightfull exercise Foxkills : wherevpon is growne that proverbe . The Fox kills the lambs � and the hounds the old sheep �he hauking . Everie Clowne can keepe a dog , and the more carion he eateth the more egregiouslie egregiou��� , and the more carion he eateth the more egregiouslie he smelleth : but the hauke adorneth a kings ador�eth egregiouslie he smelleth : but the hauke adorneth a kings fist , besides the admirable conquest ��� smelleth : but the hauke adorneth a kings fist , besides the admirable conquest the faulkner ha�kes admirable conquest the faulkner maketh in a haukes nature , bringing the wild Haggard hauing natu�e conquest the faulkner maketh in a haukes nature , bringing the wild Haggard hauing all the ��� earth & seas to scowre over vncontrollable , to attend and obeie her keeper so , that at prejudieiall and stoupes to his gloue . Hounds are so prejudiciall to the common-wealth , that I dare vndertake Hu�ter good sport to heare the Falconer and the Hunter fall out , as for theeues to appeache one �o must needes call them that loue drinke ) is to bee refelled rather with a Cudgill , then �mnes Exeunt omnes . wh�re conferred with my Agent for discommodities , nor where to dine scot-free in the meane time . Infael��� Enter Infaelicto . �itting attendance in Court , hearing of Plaies , sitting at Cards , and the like . Further , that Rob�rt a friend of hers that went ouer with Sir Robert Sherley into Persia , entitled de flatibus in�o hers that went ouer with Sir Robert Sherley into Persia , entitled de flatibus separandis a�e�e face as gamers vse to doe in warres , but arere , as Iacke-an-apes deliuers squibs , written Inf�licto ( Infaelicto is going . ) 200� accompts exactly , and your share is to pay 200l , and no more . I haue often visited them visi�ed to pay 200l , and no more . I haue often visited them � and put them to such a plunge as 400� neuer saw : for they say you ought to pay 400l . and yet they cannot avoide but they must 800� yet they cannot avoide but they must pay 800l . They haue lost their notes , their seruants fair�st egges vntill market day , look you chuse the fairest . 100� This is like his 100l . offer which his messenger ranne away withall ha�� If you haue bargained alreadie , it is too late for i� If you haue bargained alreadie , it is too late for me to deliuer my opinion . 3000� nothing done but the land assured to me , and 3000l . of mony payd . If I finde It not fit for Exi� Exit . t�e Goe to the Lawyer , and aske if the writings be ready for your land , that you 100� for your land , that you may receiue your 100l . 100�1 good man ( as they call him ) if he haue 100l . or tow at vse , and without that he is ri�e much as moanes vs . Then are we forced to rise for stark hunger . Thus tyed to our dinner exusflations particle of time passeth , but whole streames of exsuflations , and insufflations ascend to the braines vrinal�st not with a little reading proue a perfect vrinalist . oppress�on covetousnesse , flattery , lying , cosenage , oppression , and vnthriftines , as we are from drunkennesse c�untire vnspeakable pleasures in Heauen , ( our owne countrie ) but the excesse and abuse of any pastime fi�h plummet I sound withall . This must bring the fish into my net Proberio . But what haue you sui�e their babling they will not easily beginne suite with me to recover it away . perhpas each other by scolding ; now we are gone perhaps they will giue over . Mee thought it was noy some will giue over . Mee thought it was very noysome to heare such vnseemely words passe from bou�ds Sure their bitternesse pass'd the bounds of humanitie . They make me afraid of marying rib� you chance to mary euen one of the short ribs of the great Divell . ar� That can I , and that must you , or els you are not wise ; for if you may haue peace vpon �buse conditions , is it not your fault if you abuse to be jarring ? lo�mgly preaches , and I beleue ; thus we liue as louingly as Master and Scholler . ��� that loues his ease . And if all wiues be as mine is , she shalbe thrice happy to obey Hortan� O neighbour Hortano , that thou didst but taste of the fruites come� yet is deafe to all other noise ) and she comes to me fiercely in the heate of her charitie s� it would trouble me much , he discovereth so much furie in his fashions , and such might he� bee a woman of that command as you describe her to be , and as she makes shew of no lesse mu�e giue place ? I pray you husband giue over to muse on these hidden secrets , for otherwise ma� hidden secrets , for otherwise these thoughts may make you horne-mad . �orne-mad for otherwise these thoughts may make you horne-mad . Inde�d Indeed wife I cannot but thinke this reason good pati�nce preordination . Where is now your obedience and patience so often inculked vnto you ? I perceiue subie�� chastise this rebellious flesh , and make it subiect to the spirit . f��nty possible for me to extract teares from his flinty hart with this rod of discipline , correcting enab�eth his wife hath that inward testimonie which enableth and emboldeneth her to doe her function Rock�� which bringeth so plentifull teares from this Rockie stomacke of his . womnn Iump . And so woman instruct women , and none of them shall stedfastlic All this I stedfastlie beleeue . And I am afraide my owne weakenes �wprd� All this I stedfastlie beleeue . And I am afraide my owne weakenes wilbe saith thanke you as much as though you did . Your faith shall saue you without swearing . h�des ) The Lord make me thankfull . ( Then he hides his face with his hands againe , and so �ntill so standeth a while sighing and sobbing , untill Hortano shake him by the arme , saying ) �le are as present death as Gods tokens . No : Ile none of that . �erer it is superstition to thinke death to be nerer you for that cause . gen�le to you neighbour , and thank you for your gentle perswasion . I will presently doe it while �t ; I will not bequeath it to God , but let it goe even as it is predestinated . de��re 3 At my buriall I desire my wife to preach , and no body to heare �acke and no body to heare her but my sweet boy Iacke and I . �ies ( then lifting his eies vpward ) multipli� vpon his fingers ends ; & that his seed may multiplie like mice in a maltheape . 2000�1 bee a good tenure ) a frend of mine wants 2000l and I must haue it for him within these heegoes ( hee goes forward a little , and suddenly steps backe check� our sort , that some order may bee taken to checke the sawcinesse of divers meane persons that 100� heads , aske the question thus : haue you 100l to lend vpon good securitie : what a malepertnes bu� well Noverindo : I wish it to be redressed : but what would the companie haue me to doe ? �hence speake with the master of the office , and thence take directions how to proceed , and so m�hie enough I warrant you out of them that take vp monie , and this will free them from other brocage �are Noverindo whispers Antonio in the eare while Proberio speakes thus to the people speak�s whispers Antonio in the eare while Proberio speakes thus to the people . for�horse devise them a crest as fit as a fan for a forehorse . Anteni� Exit Antonio . do� terrible to the beholders : weele make them doe ( that same ) in their breeches . monic ventrous : nay desperate : nay foolchardy . O , monie is monie , and they must haue it . La�yer Enter Malingua the Lawyer . Mureto the Merchant , and Granato the grownevp lovinglie . There are so manie hinderances growne vp of late that it is impossible our raigne co�gees forehead , but is cheerefullie receaued ? What congees , and submissiue requests to peruse their feafts to the barre ? What venison sent to your feasts ? What respect and entertainement if you vouchsase ? What respect and entertainement if you vouchsafe to visite their countrie houses ? And finally faul� the hennes fall out for their pearch : what fault finde you with this world that was never P��ish Woe be to that Parish that shall haue a Lawyer to their Pastour co�ne complaints are made against you for hoording vp corne against a deare yeare , for selling to badgers beneh presently to go to the hall to move in the Kings bench vpon an erectione firme . e�ectione the hall to move in the Kings bench vpon an erectione firme . swea�e held your peace as buckl'd with a Lawyer . I sweare he hath in few words touch'd you to the �rong touch'd you to the quicke , and done you no wrong neither in mine opinion : but wee will adiourne �ue talkes of gratitude . It is for such as you to sue for mercie , not to talke of gratitude , m�e when you were a begger , and a borrower from mee , and had neede of the poorest helpe ; but Do�t Dost thou feare turning off ? it comes with a 100� while , where is your witnesse that I haue 100l . of yours ? And if I had , thou wert content 100� thee . There was a knaue ranne away with 100l . of mine , Ile change with thee ; seeke t�rnes ( turnes to the people . ) Gosse�auk� to saue my suretie I offred a fine mewed Gossehauke , which before good witnesse you did accept �ea�me and caused me to keepe a whole Michaelmasse tearme in London : but at the end of that verie teat�me in London : but at the end of that verie tearme vnknowne to mee , you sneak'd out of towne 50� might doe him good . Besides , I lent him 50l . gratis in those times , my selfe paying vn�o , if you be content to yeeld the victorie vnto Master Malingua this Lawyer , and confesse penan�� will trye if you had not done better to take penance for your faults at our hands . pr� which purse is set this inscription : 30. p. pro 100. And behinde him the picture of the �ecke sleeues , putting on a halter about the Vsurers necke , and shewing it to the people , sayth , ne�er spend his heart-blood with struggling , yet neuer reach the depth with his petitoes . Blazonrse Noverindo . All is readie at our office , but the Blazonrie of our coate of Armes to be set vp , and care�at that this time be well spent , he takes no care at all . Well Sir , you shall not complaine 20�� your leisure , while I might haue gotten 20l. by other imployments . 100� Euen as I know that you will pay me 100l . when I and my sureties haue seal'd the haue-seal'd will pay me 100l . when I and my sureties haue seal'd the bond to your vse before I receiue alacri tie thanke you Sir . And if you knew with what alacritie , and willingnesse I went about it , you 4� shillings which he abated for 80 caudles at 4d the caudle . no� asse art thou ? I sent thee for my rent , not to paie for caudles . shal�be with poore folkes ? bid her come in , she shalbe neuer the richer for me . 10� had no money to spare , but bestowed on me 10l which you owe him by this your bill . I ��� giues him the bill , and after well viewing , he teares off the seale , and saith � I owe �is discharg'd it thinkst thou ? I warrant thee tis sure enough for euer charging me agai�e hatch'd� O heauens ! was there euer such a monster hatch'd what age but this could haue fostered so ��� Enter Furioso the souldier , with his company Gorraso the �orraso Enter Furioso the souldier , with his company Gorraso the Intelligencer , and Phantastico the �ufler stirres and broiles . The verie children muster in the streetes . We haue liu'd a great meta�orphised streetes . We haue liu'd a great while like metamorphised men . It is such a sight for souldiers to stif�y You need not bend your selfe so stifly against anie sorts of people , be they never �e so stifly against anie sorts of people , be they never so wicked , being your selfe your self� people , be they never so wicked , being your selfe one of the basest and most vnnecessarie enemi� apprehend you . Ile laie my life you are an enemie to the state . murmurin� if anie perhaps second thee in thy fained murmuring him thou pursuest , and becomest first his accuse� becomest first his animater , and then his accuser . such a one was D. Pary vntill the snare �ffaires you send your owne surmises when waightier affaires either happen not , or escape you . And ay�e breake thy bones with his blow , when such ayre beaters will scarce peirce the skinne . �carce with his blow , when such ayre beaters will scarce peirce the skinne . I will my selfe bee �ecke Now with you Sir necke . nipper , or M. Corraso ( if so you be ��pper Now with you Sir necke . nipper , or M. Corraso ( if so you be stiled ) do�t What now foolish fidler , dost thou thinke freely to carie awaie these t�armes carie awaie these exorbitant and opprobrious tearmes ? Ile haue thee banisht all howses of my di�tie and were fingring her frets vnfit for your dirtie . Its best for you to be quiet , least I no� Sir Hermito � If you bee not . I am wearie with hearing such varietie be� varietie of vice . The souldier that was wont to bee the honour of everie countrie he came in L�valto daunces of order and comelines , not the loftie Levalto and tricks of intemperance . �ntemperance comelines , not the loftie Levalto and tricks of intemperance . ��amping Antonio . and Simplo at severall dores , stamping , chasing and throwing downe his hat . 10� Richardson . She saies you did teare lier bill of 10l . she scoulds , she tailes ; she threatens �hee the cause vpon your gate : and everie thing shee will doe vntill she be agreed withall . m�� you had not beene heere shee had neuer left mee , but she cannot abide to see you . Sta�-cha��er ; but there's a thing in it . I feare the Star-chamber because shee hath witnes ( or els I would wi�nes feare the Star-chamber because shee hath witnes ( or els I would not care neither ) I must E��er Enter Susanna , makes curtsie . ��� Enter Susanna , makes curtsie . haue� Tis not worth two pence . What would you haue� � I owe you nothing . 10� The note was worth 10l till you fingred it , now tis not worth fl�gred The note was worth 10l till you fingred it , now tis not worth a halfe-penie indeed poor� me nothing , I will tell the King . I am a poore widow , he will help me . �hee neuer trouble him with this toy . Ile giue thee somewhat in charitie , but not a penie of 10� would I faine see from you . Pay first the 10l which is due , and then bestow your charitie we�'l Nay , then I care not , wee'l doe well enough with conscience Simple . jade�� giue his mind to it : for the good will of a jade is all . What a foole was I that began no mor� But I haue more newes to tell you Sir . As I came by the ��rie Chancerie office I was call'd in to see a verie foule bill , put in against you at M. Thompsons �t see a verie foule bill , put in against you at M. Thompsons suit , for things which you Thompso�s verie foule bill , put in against you at M. Thompsons suit , for things which you did take ( not a�e parell hee challengeth from you : and there are also your fourescore and ten cawdles in shal� perpetuam rei memoriam , if it bee true , it shall goe hard but everie morning in tearme times ever�e , if it bee true , it shall goe hard but everie morning in tearme times as long as I liue �othing a maxime with mee Simplo to be asham'd of nothing ( as thou knowest ) but yet Ile be even sa�e Not a rush Simplo , saue and thinke what they will , I am sorie � 100� that was told me latelie , that you borrowed 100l of a gentlewoman called Mistris Ferrers Mis�ris you borrowed 100l of a gentlewoman called Mistris Ferrers Gratis , and put it out for 10 in Fer�ers borrowed 100l of a gentlewoman called Mistris Ferrers Gratis , and put it out for 10 in the 100. ado� And after a yeare and a halfe with much adoe paid her : and so you got 15� handsomelie m�� fine way indeed , and cleanelie ( so that a m� looke to his securitie ) And comes in without ��� of his owne , It is but making the first bushels owner �ay so much the longer . le�ter . One was this that you picked the first letter out of a truncke ful of linnen , ( the letter youle� surname seruing your name as well as the owners you let stand ) and put on A. insteed of R. oth�r other was that you marked pillowes , and other stuffe of a noble mans with your own marke o� that you marked pillowes , and other stuffe of a noble mans with your own marke , and �sed ��ucke had much of their stuffe againe , but some stucke in your fingers . And reason too I thinke finger� their stuffe againe , but some stucke in your fingers . And reason too I thinke : shall a man pa�nes And reason too I thinke : shall a man take paines to marke another mans goods for nothing �gaine ? they may bee glad to haue their things againe . who can tell but they be mine ? I am sure na�� can tell but they be mine ? I am sure they naile my marke . And how shall a man know his sa�e All these are well answered . What saye you Sir to the taking of a conveiance out �aid Tush . I said it there againe when I saw they kept such tha� What an vnkindnesse was that , that your father in law did threaten to sue you awood he be willing ? twood make a man doe that a wood not , when they goe to extremities Inf�licto Enter Insatiato and Infaelicto . s�ill had verie short commons . and I am hungrie still : we had no meat but your revertion , and eat� mutton betweene three , and Paruagracio and I eate no meat nor bread since yesternight at 10 In�rat Intrat Pestifero . Pestifer� Yonder comes Pestifero my brother . He could never haue come in paw�e : for I haue neither monie nor clothes to pawne : but boy not a word of our wants : weele deer� himselfe , else we shall haue him verie coye and deere . raini� please you then to make provision against a rainie daie , and take this while it may be had �eckon Way Sir , if you bee so provident that you reckon of weekes . it is time for me to be gone we�kes if you bee so provident that you reckon of weekes . it is time for me to be gone : I haue ftaie Nay staie : I am not covetous . I hate it with my th�e . I hate it with my heart : if it may doe thee a kindnesse I can be content to accept thy d��ghills old ragges , such as are fou�d in street donghills with raking day and night as I told you o� thou comest to yeeres , to take this course of thriuing . thri�ing comest to yeeres , to take this course of thriuing . admirabli��� Indeed Sir you carried this businesse admirablie to the end . I would rather then 40l for th�eescore . Now wee want nothing for getting this � threescore pound but Par�agracio to seale . Goe �eeke vouth caterpillers swarme abroad in this age to destroy youth , that scarse one fruite among 100 comes E�ops that will shortlie end the abuse . For this Esops dog will learne to hold the next piece better ga�ne then to be deluded with a shadow of double gaine . bostler Simplo � Purgato all booted . Stercorato the hostler . Camerado chamberlaine . suppe� What wilt please your worship to haue to supper ? Intr�� Intras Camerado . s�ue meate for me� and my two men . This way yet I saue somewhat : for these hungrie knaues out �pend these hungrie knaues out of their owne purses spend three shillings two pence : for I will allow p��ce two pence : for I will allow but pence a piece . I hope they will not compare with mee Rem�af of fowle weather , when I come to Master Remraf his house , my continuall host and friend Phys�cke dispatching all meates it toucheth . And it is Physicke sometimes to keepe a stomacke so fierie p��ke some Farmers house to morrow , and �ate a pecke in his stable � and for sheetes Ile lay g�lasshes beene asleep till I heard you call for your golasshes : for I was so hungrie , that if I had not ��� was so hungrie , that if I had not slept I had committed Burglary somewhere to get victuals say��g �ee steps forwards , and turnes againe � saying ) sh�llings pray you Sir remember to giue mee my two shillings you promised mee for bringing newes of your tarrie� Yes , and before it be come . why dost thou tarrie the Scrivener will thinke vs long ; and v��ong dost thou tarrie the Scrivener will thinke vs long ; and a worse matter ; perhaps wee �n you come without calling . When thrift is in the market you are ever in the way ? s�rivener Heere , at hand . Now to the scrivener and broker goe I . you� come to prostrate my seale and service at your worthy feete . wh�te Pedisequa . her periwigs of dogges hair� white , and a yellow band about her necke , a trimmin� in a boxe or paper . And is very busie in trimming her selfe , and casting dust vpon her head Ins�tiat� Insatiato goes on staring , But what haue wee heere saring Insatiato goes on staring , But what haue wee heere ? Ile see this earne�t providing such powder by Ladies . I am in earnest . I assure you tis verie common . I�e you may easily knowe the first night you Ile together . inconvenien�� Otherwise you might be cause of great sinne , and inconvenience . You must examine the reasons , and proceed me� would take vp too much time if there came to mee but 100 in a daie to examine them all . livorced for me . Well vpon thy word that I may be divorced from her if she proue not a certaine woman cu�ster dogge ? marrie perhaps the haire is vpon � curster snapper then the right owner was . n� Hey niny . nony no . Hey niny no . Hey noniny nonino � Hey ninyno . So he nonin� niny . nony no . Hey niny no . Hey noniny nonino � Hey ninyno . So he daunces toward her �urious deceiued in that : for they are as fine and curious as anie Ladie in Court , though they be s�t therefore , ( all preambles and digressions set aside ) I come to vnderstand if you bee s�offing speake . If merily , then our jest is tearmed scoffing , and quipping . I� soberly , then our modestie clee�e we commit error . And yet silence is not cleere : for then are we sheepe ( alias ) fooles �ea�est you not see that I am of the newest , and neatest fashion ? who sees my band and perrywig counterfait� of that : I am perswaded you will proue a counterfaite , and no courtier , that are ignorant in ��� yeare , and no Cronicle make � mention of it . Therefore if any man had written . Nihil �radicating such torturing of these Izeland Impes , with eradicating their fleeces , therby to enioy the roots noy some basting , it hath need to be new , for it is noysome , and makes your pretywig nothing handsome no�hing for it is noysome , and makes your pretywig nothing handsome . �y but guesse that I vse art to giue grace to my feature , so it is easie for you to be deceiued b��ed cheeke pretie deepe to the bone , and if it bleed not , assure your selfe she is painted . ent�eate Can you , and will you doe whatsoever I entreate or command you without grudging ? �hen Law ! A good day , and a bad : now hope . then despair . To night co��ort , tomorow morning t�me advice before I resolue . And so for this time I take leaue . �scaping fast in prison , and lock'd sure enough for escaping . O Parvagracio ! dost thou talke of going ��� my heart ? And whither she is gone , and whither she hath caried my heart I know not . Sealing �he heart ? And whither she is gone , and whither she hath caried my heart I know not . Sealing ��� my heart I know not . Sealing . what ta�� talkest thou of sealing ? I haue set my hand , my deliue�ed gone away with this deed of gift . It is deliuered before witnes . It is enroll'd . I haue �nroll'd gift . It is deliuered before witnes . It is enroll'd . I haue acknowledged a fine . I haue suffered lo�g , and take a litle rest . It will not be long before shee come to this place againe . boo�ed with a cloake-bag full vnder his arme , all booted , spur'd , and riding roddes . contentedl�e I cannot ride my iourney contentedlie vntill I haue these egges . Simplo , fetch re�it Exit & cito redit with 7 egges . Anto. takes them & exit . boyl�d quarter of a brest of mutton , a piece of boyled beefe , a pudding , a bone of a loine of ca�ch ground , scrambling euerie way as hee would catch at a Rat , saying . ) What's become of her Langheth laugheth , and saith . How now Purgato . What , art �ate My provender ? the dogs shall eate it , before any bit shall come in my mouth th�t How canst thou tell that a Rat had piss'd on it , when you confesse hea�t With all my heart master , Ile turne you off at this instant diver�ed lik'st thou this sport Insatiato ? hath it diverted thy thoughts a little ? loo�� And looke where she comes . Now I tremble with feare �ir Your questions sir ( if I forget not ) were , what was my name Leu�tia Why Leuitia ? this is a riddle , and a wonder to me c�untry ghostlie father after the fashion of this country : but how , or why your mother or you should no� or you should vow chastitie , I see not , nor would I be married to such a Nun . equ�tie me , what say you to my vow , which in all equitie must be performed . You see I was content brok�n I doubt not ) you haue made , and quickly broken ; and this of the same mettle , & so will bri�le this of the same mettle , & so will proue as britle . Courtlers vowes of this nature are but i� little stronger breath , but their intention is not the streighter . d�sdain�ull compassion on him . or els you were verie disdainfull and cruell . Besides I know it is a great s�conder Sir , a seconder of a tale makes manie times an incredible ��ght credit the better , and perhaps I was within sight and hearing too , when this gentleman was g�rdles 15l for stockings , garters , bodies , and girdles , 50l for gownes , peticoates and such like �iuer will giue good assurance , that the longer liuer of vs two shal possesse all I haue , If wi�e kniues ? O , I will not take them in anie wise , they will cut loue . stag� toy of all toyes . That were fitter for a stage then a wedding . dropp�s Then he walkes about and droppes them downe , and she comes after and takes desti�ie is as it should be : now I haue deceaued destinie . do� You mocke this Parvagracio . I warrant you doe not thinke it evill lucke if the salt fall the�e ragges for our wealth . We cannot want after these matches . I could haue found in my heart �aue mist this ragg'd monie . But what if shee haue none ? she saith I shall haue her and all al�hough you may be even with her if it please you although she proue a roaring girle . prou�� even with her if it please you although she proue a roaring girle . �mptie I would serue her so , teach her to come emptie handed to a man of your spending . that� haue her : and take no care for any thing � that� � the way to liue long and leaue nothing ��� Gentlemen ( you two I meane M. Securus and Sir Hermito ) my master intreats you ��� Gentlemen ( you two I meane M. Securus and Sir Hermito ) my master intreats you both to come to bo�h and Sir Hermito ) my master intreats you both to come to his chamber for a short space �o another time we will see him if wee haue no businesse . ��� note he hath caused to bee drawne he will desire you to pervse it , and do him a favour it p�rvse caused to bee drawne he will desire you to pervse it , and do him a favour it is in the nature m�ne Truely he shall haue no hand of mine to any writing nor to anie purpose , nor wri�ing Truely he shall haue no hand of mine to any writing nor to anie purpose , nor for my credit �n purpose , nor for my credit sake will I come in his companie . I doe imagine what it is ��agine sake will I come in his companie . I doe imagine what it is . He knoweth that we heare so th�t companie . I doe imagine what it is . He knoweth that we heare so much evill of him that he doubts �e doe imagine what it is . He knoweth that we heare so much evill of him that he doubts m�ch what it is . He knoweth that we heare so much evill of him that he doubts we will speak d�ubts that we heare so much evill of him that he doubts we will speak �s we finde . And therefore comme��ations finde . And therefore he would haue vs giue comme�nations of him to some friend of our� in some small repor� never meanes to sue for . But this our good report he will keepe by him partly to stop our par�ly this our good report he will keepe by him partly to stop our mouthes ( hoping we will not pa�tly contrarie to our testimonie in writing , and partly for his credi� to be shewed vpon every occasion o�cas�on partly for his credi� to be shewed vpon every occasion against all that haue cause to speake evill him�elfe to speake evill of him . Let him content himselfe we refuse to come neere him . ref�se evill of him . Let him content himselfe we refuse to come neere him . marv�ll Honest friend : I marvell with what conscience ��� serue one that ��rue friend : I marvell with what conscience ��� serue one that is ��� . la�t wert as good lose thy 100l at first , as at last for he will in the end deceaue thee of it �hen Divell . Nay an wee goe to no worse place then Hell I care not : for I doe not think but maste� Hell I care not : for I doe not think but my master hath craft enough for any Divell on um all co�e that . Wel I shall tell him you will not come . And what's the reason you will not come co�e come . And what's the reason you will not come ? I haue almost forgotten . r�nounce Mary because at our baptisme wee vowed to renounce the infernall Spirit . And now upon our �pon to renounce the infernall Spirit . And now upon our owne experience and iudgement we abandon al� owne experience and iudgement we abandon all incarnate Divells . ca�y if I can obserue that word right � I shall carry the rest well . I knowe what you meane by �ivell well . I knowe what you meane by a carnation divell . Securu� What doe you iudge of these passages M. Securus ? Su�ely Surely Sir � it is hard vpon the suddaine to deliuer ��rue � it is hard vpon the suddaine to deliuer a true sentence vpon so many contrarieties b�eefly contrarieties as this day wee haue heard . But breefly I thinke they ought all to be duced vnto o�ght wee haue heard . But breefly I thinke they ought all to be duced vnto two maine heads of ��� . But breefly I thinke they ought all to be duced vnto two maine heads of Good and Bad be�te� the worst to chuse the least : and of the better take the most . y�u In part I dissent from you but in part I agree . If we be constrained ag�ee In part I dissent from you but in part I agree . If we be constrained to chuse among things whi�h If we be constrained to chuse among things which are ��� best to permit the least : but if ��� permit the least : but if a man haue freedome then the best choice is to refuse evill be it �he refuse evill be it never so little . Among the severall discourses this day acted . I note va�l�d discourses this day acted . I note many vices vailed over with froth , and florish of words , vnma�ked and florish of words , but the same againe vnmarked with substantiall matter , and laid naked di�grace with substantiall matter , and laid naked to disgrace . So it seemeth they are not propounded ��� matter , and laid naked to disgrace . So it seemeth they are not propounded to imitate , but sha�ed propounded to imitate , but ��� forth to be shamed . They are painted in colours but in a map pa�nted imitate , but ��� forth to be shamed . They are painted in colours but in a map of ��� some ��� colour� forth to be shamed . They are painted in colours but in a map of ��� some ��� , but such �o manifest their vglinesse . They come not here to be liked , but lothed ; not to be fauored fau�red here to be liked , but lothed ; not to be fauored , but derided . Not allowed in private , �llowed lothed ; not to be fauored , but derided . Not allowed in private , but in publike to be condemned S� private , but in publike to be condemned . So I hope that all wise hearers will avoid �ope private , but in publike to be condemned . So I hope that all wise hearers will avoid the sinnes a�oid condemned . So I hope that all wise hearers will avoid the sinnes and abuses here touched ( which abuse��ere all wise hearers will avoid the sinnes and abuses here touched ( which are many ) and follow �f which are many ) and follow good counsell if they heard any . Which that they may doe �ray any . Which that they may doe my part is to pray to the giuer of wisdome . And so Sir , wishing g�uer that they may doe my part is to pray to the giuer of wisdome . And so Sir , wishing much prosperitie pro peritie giuer of wisdome . And so Sir , wishing much prosperitie to your charitable endeavours , I take leaue �ext charitable endeavours , I take leaue � and the next way to my poore quiet Cell . sequiturwit� Exit & Securus sequitur pa��ence NOw that your patience hath permitted vs to bring vnto an end this ��� patience hath permitted vs to bring vnto an end this present Dialogue , wee stand in ��� present Dialogue , wee stand in good hope of your clemencie , that no more offence will bee c��menci� Dialogue , wee stand in good hope of your clemencie , that no more offence will bee taken at gi�e any word ��� passed then we had meaning to giue , which wee protest ��� at all . For it ��� it were against reason and our owne ends to driue hence that companie , which we w�sh I� �oubled , then out of it one to be spared . It resteth that we render you very humble and ��� spared . It resteth that we render you very humble and hartie thanks . And that all ��r hearts h�r�ie resteth that we render you very humble and hartie thanks . And that all ��r hearts pray for K�ng thanks . And that all ��r hearts pray for the Ile and his families enduring happinesse , ���