NO murmurings , Noble Captains .

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 .

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 .

'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 .

Coz . these are sad truths , incident to fraile mortals !

You yet crie out with more eagernesse stil for new wars , then women for new fashions .

'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 .

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 ?

As if his Nurse had lapt him in swadling clouts of steele ; a very Hector and Alcibiades .

It seems he does not relish these boasted sweets of warre : for all his triumphs , he is reported melancholy .

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 .

I 'll know the cause , he shall deny me hardly else .

His melancholy , known whence it rises once , 't may much conduce to help our purpose .

Pray Coz . what Lords are these ? they seem as ful of plot , as Generals are in Siege , they 're very serious .

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 .

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 ?

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 .

Doubt not our truths , though we be given much to contradictions , we wil not pawn oaths of that nature .

Wel then , this note does fetch the garments : meet me Cozens anon at Supper .

Honourable Coz � we wil come give our thanks .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

Learned Selinthus , Let 's tast of thy Philosophie

Pish , 'T is unwelcome to any of judgment , this fond prate � I marvel that our Emperor dos permit fools to abound i th' Court !

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 .

You shall stay and hear a lecture read on your disease ; you shal , as I love virtue .

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 �

Of what , Selinthus ?

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 .

My Lord , y 'ad best be brief , your Patient will be wearie else .

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 ,

It concerns us all to be attentive , Sir .

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 ?

What ere he does by mine , I 'me sure h 'as hit the cause from whence your grief springs , Lord Simanthes .

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 .

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 .

And must I march against the foe , without thy company ? I relish not th' imployment .

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 .

It arrives just to our wish . My gracious brother , I anon shall wait on you : mean time , valiant Mura , let us attend my Father .

Good Selinthus , vouchsafe a while your absence , I shall have imployment shortly for your trust .

Your Grace shall have as much power to command Selinthus , as his best fanci'd Mistress . I am your creature .

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 ,

'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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 !

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� .

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 !

'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 .

My gracious brother !

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 ?

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .

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 .