:^s yommnt^ ^^oxmmi^ -^smwiov^ "^Aa^AiN ,^WEUNIVERS/A 4,OFCALIF0ff^ ^OFCALII v< ^rfil ^'^Ativ}j8 ' . U-t 55 tj =o ■^ — _ >• .sS^ ^. \ so „.n5^ .^WEUKIVERS-//^ 3> "-ijujriviur"'^ o dOF< '•>t?AU ^^^OFCALIFO;?^ t Ft c^- ,5.\^E0N1VER5-//- :^ ^^ 5 o o HEUNIVERJ//, S'1 r ;^ f. ;!«> JvtUBKA >- <: |_o^ :?3 4s^ b s> 'S^ ^llIBRARYO^. ^IIIBRARYO^ .^WE-UNIVERS//^ t " r ^\WEUNIVER% •'JUJ'Mi' > 1' '' ^ ^ \ u * >.J U I I r^ THE DRAMATIC WORKS OF SIR ASTON COKAIN. WITH PREFATORY MEMOIR, INTROI^UCTIONS, AND NOTES. MDCCCLXXIV. EDINBURGH: WILLIAM PATERSON. LONDON : H. SOTHERAN & CO. MCRKAV AND GIBB, EDINBDRGII, PB1STER9 TO HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. TO JAMES 0. HALLIWELL PHILLIPPS, Esq., F.A.S., F.R.S., TO WHOM THE LOVERS OF ANCIENT DRAMATIC AND POETIC LITERATURE ARE SO DEEPLY INDEBTED, THIS VOLUME IS GRATEFULLY INSCRIBED BY THE EDITORS. 8508D3 CONTENTS. Pkefatoky Memoiu, A Masque, . The Obstinate Lady Trappolin, . Ovid's Tragedy, I'agk ix 1 15 113 205 PREFATOEY MEMOIR. Langbaine, in giving an account of Sir Aston Cokain, says that he was " a gentleman who, in the reign of King Charles the Second, lived at his seat at Ash- bourne, a market-town in Derbyshire, situate between the river Dove and Compton. He was of an ancient family, as Mr, Cambden observes in the entrance of his description of Derbyshire; nay, further, Sir John Cokain of Rushton, our author's kinsman, and cousin-german to the Lord. O'Brien Cokain, Viscount Cullen, in Ireland, had an ancient evidence to prove that Sir Cokain, their predecessor, was anciently allied to King William the Conqueror, and in those days lived at Hemmingham Castle, in Essex.* But whether our author fetcht his pedigree from so ancient a stock or no, certain it is that he was well descended, and had a liberal education bestowed on him, being in his youth bred in Trinity College, Cambridge, and when he was about four-and-twenty years of age he was sent to make a journey through France and Italy, which he completed in a twelve- month's space, anno 1632, an account of which he has writ to his son.t He was very much addicted to books and the study of poetry, spending much of his time in the Muses' company. Amongst his other poetical productions he has written three plays and a masque, which are in print." Whether the family of Cokain, as Sir Aston seems to have believed, was directly descended from Wil- liam the Conqueror, may be a matter of doubt, but in Lodges Peerage, by Archdall, — Lond. 1789, 8vo, * See Cokain's Epigrams, 1. 2, Ep. vii, t See his Poems, p. 93. X MEMOIR. vol. iv., Art. " Cockaine, Viscount Cullen," — it is stated that " the family of Cokyn, Cokey n, Cockaine, for many ages was seated at Ashbourne, in the county of Derby; whereof was John Cockeyn, the father of Andreas, whose son William, by Sarah, his "vvife, had a son of his own name, who, taking to wife Alice, daughter of Hugh de Dalbury, left two sons, — Roger, living in 1284, and John, living in 1276, who married Matildis (Maud), daughter of Robert Olderney, and had a son Andrew, who died without issue in 1284 (12 Edward I.), and a daughter Mar- gery." More than one of the Cokains received the honour of knighthood from those Kings under whose banners they served, but it is doubted whether there was ever a baronet in their family. The claim of our poet to Lis title has therefore been disputed. The great-grandfather of Sir Aston Cokain was Sir Thomas, who succeeded in 1544, and accompanied Edward, Earl of Hertford, in his expedition to Scot- land by sea, with a large fleet and well pro\dded army, and was knighted by the Earl at the taking of Leith and Edinburgh. After the plundering and burning of these places, he attended him by land into England. He was the author of a treatise, printed in 4to, and embellished with woodcuts (pp. 32), now of extreme rarity. It is titled : — • ' ' A Short Treatise of Hunting : Compyled for the delight of noblemen and gentlemen, by Sir Thomas Cockaine, Knight. Imprinted at London by Thomas Orwin, for Thomas Wood- cocke, dwelling in Paula's Churchyard, at the signe of the Black Beare. 1591." 4to. The dedication is thus addressed : " To the Right Honourable and my singular good lord the Earle of Shrewsburie, Sir Thomas Cockaine, knight, wisheth increase of all honourable vertues. "Having (Right Honourable), at the instance of divei-s my especiall good friends, penned this short pamphlet of my owTie experience in hunting, and entring into consideration how greatly I am bounden to the nobilitie of this land, reason chal- lenged a speciall affection in me to preferre the patronage MEMOIR. XI thereof to your honorable lordship before any other, as well in resjiect I had the original of my said experience under your most noble grandfather (whose servant I was in my younger years, and brought up in his house) ; as also in regard that I have received many extraordinary favors, both from your said most noble grandfather, from my honourable good lord your father, and lastly and most especially from yourself (my good lord), who, knowing me a professed hunter, and not a scholler, I make no doubt but your lordshippe wil affoord my plainnes herein your favourable liking. And so (my good lord) wishing you as honorable successe in all your vertuous actions as your lordshippe can desire or imagine, I humblie take my leave of your good lordship. ' ' From my house neere Ashbourne, this last of December 1590. " YoMi honourable lordship's many waies so bounden, " Thomas Cockain." In Ins address "to the gentlemen readers," Sir Thomas incidentally mentions " my owne long experi- ence in hunting for these fiftie-two yeares now last past." Edward Cokain, born in 1554, was sheriff of the county of Derby. 42 Elizabeth ; married Jane, daughter of Nicholas Ashby, Esq. ; died in 1606, and left Thomas his heir ; who, by Anne, daughter of Sir John Stanhope of Elvaston (ancestor to Charles, Earl of Harrington) was father of Sir Aston Cokain, born 28th December 1608. Sir Aston married Anne, daughter of Sir Gilbert Kniveton of Mircaston, in Derbyshire, Baronet, and, as Lodge goes on to say, " being a Eomanist, suffered much for his religion and the king's cause in the civil wars, and then pretended to be a baronet, created after the king had by violence been compelled to leave the Parliament, about 10th January 1641 ; yet not so deemed by the officers of arms, because no patent was either enrolled or mentioned in the docquet books belonging to the clerk of the Crown in Chancery to justify it. He was esteemed by many an ingenious gentleman, a good poet, and a great lover of learning ; yet by others a perfect boon fellow, by which means he wasted all his estate, having sold his lordsliip of Pooley to Humfrey Jennings, Esq., reserving an XU MEMOIR. annuity for life, several years before his death, which happened at Derby in February 1683, and the 13th of that month he was buried in the chancel of Polesworth church." Sir Aston has evidently been anxious to show how extensively he was connected with the nobility and gentry of his time, for in the collected edition of his poetical works, titled "A chain of golden poems, embellished with wit, mirth, and eloquence," appear verses addressed to the following : — " To the Eight Honourable Philip, Earl of Chesterfield, Baron of Shelford, etc., my uncle." Two epigrams. Of six "Funeral Elegies," the second, fourth, and fifth are in honour of deceased female relatives, thus : — " On my dear sister, Mrs. Isabella Cokaine, who died at Ash- bourne about the 18th year of her age, and lyes there buried. " On the death of my dear cousin-germane, Mrs. Olive Cotton, who deceased at Berisford the 38th year of her age, and lyes buried at Bently, by Ashbourne, etc. "A funeral elegie on my dear cousin, Mistress Elizabeth Reppington, who deceased at Ammington about the 18th year of her age, and lyes buried at Tamworth." Next come poetical "Letters to divers Persons," as follows : — "1. To the Right Honourable John, Lord Moliun, Baron of Okehampton, my uncle-in-law. "2. To my friend and kinsman Mr. George Gifford, who called his mistress ' the green bird of France. ' "7. To my cousin, Mr. Charles Cotton. "8. To my son, Mr. Thomas Cokaine." Among " Encomiastick" verses on several books is one : " To my most honoured cousin, Mr. Charles Cotton the younger, upon his excellent poem." Commendatory verses by Thomas Bancroft preface these poems. They are addressed " To his noble friend Sir Aston Cokain, on his poetical composures." In Cokain's poetical " Letters to divers Persons," he has one " To my very good friend Mr. Thomas Ban- croft, on his works ;" and another, among his " Encomi- astick Verses," " To my learned friend Mr. Thomas MEM6m'. 3aii Bancroft, upon his Book of Satyrs;" and a third, " To itny learned friend Mr. Thomas Bancroft, on his poem entituled the Heroich Lcwer" Above all, he appears to have been more than usually delighted at his near relationship to Viscount Cullen, which arose in this way : William, younger son of Sir John Cockaine and Isabel Shirley, progenitor to the Lord Viscount Cul- len. He was the father of Thomas Cockaine, Esq., the father of Eoger of Baddesley, in the county of Warwick, the father of William Cockaine of London, citizen and skinner, and also merchant-adventurer in the Muscovy, Spanish, Portugal, and Eastland Com- panies, of which last he was governor. He married twice, but by the first wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Eoger Medcalfe of Wensgale, had only issue, and deceasing in 1599, was buried in the church of St. Peter-le-Poor, London, under a handsome monument, at the east end of the chancel, with this memorial : — " Here lieth the body of the worshipful Mr. William Cockaine the elder, citizen and skinner of London, who departed this life the 18th day of November 1599. Also here lieth the body of Elizabeth Metcalfe, his first wife, by whom he had 7 sons and 4 daughters ; all which daughters departed this life before any of them accomplished the age of ten years. The 7 sons lived, and the youngest of them (at his death) was fully 28 years of age. Which said Elizabeth departed this life the 5th day of April 1589. Here also lieth the body of Catherine Wonton, his second wife, who died the 19th of September 1596, by whom he had no issue. " The house of Sir William Cockaine was in Broad Street, and Avas burnt down not long after he had given an entertainment to King James : — J' Wednesday, the 12th of November 1623, the house of Sir William Cockayn, Knight, alderman of London, in Broad- streete, in the evening one of his warehouses began to take fire, by negligence, as was suspected, of laying up wett flaxe in the place, which fired itselfe, and ceased not till two of the clock the next morning ; in which space it burnt his whole house and three of his neighbours' houses, to the great damage and danger of many neere inhabitants, and to the great fright and terrour of the whole citie, chiefely the east part of the citie. Sir Hugh Middleton, Enight Baronet, upon the first knowledge thereof, XIV MEMOIR. caused all the sluices of the water-cesteme in the field to be left open, whereby there was plenty of water to quench the fire. This water (of the New River) hath done many like benefits in sundry like former distresses." — Hoive's Chronicle. Sir William Cockaine, who succeeded his father,, was also a citizen and skinner of London, and in 1 609 sheriff of that city ; elected soon after an alderman. And in 1612, King James having the plantation of Ulster much at heart, granted a considerable tract of land in that province to the city of London, who sent over about 300 artificers to begin and forward the plantation thereof, and appointed Mr. Cockaine their first director and governor, who had lands assigned him there, and under whose directions the city of Londonderry was established. On 8th June 1616 the King honoured him with his presence at dinner at his house in London, when he was pleased to make him a knight ; with whom he was in such esteem, that he was often heard by him in Pai'liament and at the Council table, and consulted with him on more private affairs ; and so well satisfied was the King with his comprehension of business, his manner of expressing his intentions, digesting and uttering his purposes, that he used to say of him he never heard any man of his breeding handle business more ration- ally, more pertinently, more elegantly, more persua- sively. In 1619 he served the oflftce of Lord Mayor of London, and that year purchased the manor of Elmsthorpe, in the county of Leicester, from Sir John Harrington ; but in 1626, after two days' sickness, he departed this life, and in a most exemplary manner, and was buried 12th December in the cathedral church of St. Paul, when a sermon was preached by Dr. John Donne, dean of that church, in which his character may be seen at large ; and in the south aisle a monu- ment was set up in memory of so good a magistrate and worthy a citizen, with the following inscription : — "M.S. " Gulielmus Cockainus, Eques Auratus, Civis, et Senator Lon- dinensis, septemque abhinc Annis Urbis prsefectus AntiquS. MEMOIR. XV Cockainorum Derbiensium Familia oriundus. Qui Bono publico vixit, et Damno publico decessit, et Gaudio Publico Kegem Jacobum, ad Decorem liujus Domus Dei, senescentis jam et coiTugatfB, restituendum, solenniter hue veiiientem consulatu suo, magnifice excepit, id circo in Templo Publico, ad iEternam Eei Memoriam. Hie situs est. At vero et Famje celebritas, qu?e viget in ore Hominum, et Gloria Beatitudinis, quam migrando adeptus est, et Splendor Sobolis, quam numerosam genuit atque nobilem reliquit, junc- tim efficiunt omnia, ne dicatur. Hie situs est. Una cum illo, tot homines mortui, quot in illo defuncts sunt virtutes ; simulque et Acies Ingenii et popularis Eloquii suada, et morum gravitas, et Probitas vitoe, et Candor mentis, et Animi Constantia, et prudentia singularis, et veri Senatoris Insignia, Hie sepulta sunt. Jam tunm est, Lector, Felicitatis ad culmen anhelare per ista vestigia Laudis et venerandi Imitatione Exempli, curare, ne unquam viitutis sic semina intereant, ut dicatur, Hie sepulta sunt. Obiit 20 Oetob. An. Dom. 1626, Et iEtatis sufe 66." His wife was Mary, daughter of Richard Morris of London, Esq., by whom he had two sons, — Charles (created Viscount Cullen), William, — and six daugh- ters. The family continued to flourish as Irish Peers for considerably more than a century after the date of their creation as Viscounts Cullen, but became extinct in the year 1806, in the person of the half-brother of Charles, whose death is thus recorded in the maga- zines of the day : — " Ith June 1806. — At his seat at Rushton Hall, co. Northamp- ton, in his 92d year, the Right Honourable Charles Cockayne, fifth Viscount Cullen of Ireland. He was born Sept. 21, 1710, and attained the above advanced period of life in the enjopnent of an uninteiTupted state of good health, of excellent abilities, and of a very cheerful turn of mind, to which he united the inestimable virtues of true benevolence and imbounded gene- rosity. His lordship was of ancient lineage, and paternally descended from Andreas Cockayne, lord of Ashbourne, in Derbyshire, in the reign of King Henry ii., whose descendants frequently represented that county in Parliament. With others XVI MEMOIR. of his maternal ancestors may be named the O'Briens, Earls of Thomond, and the Lords Willoughby of Parbam. Of the elder branch of the former his lordship was the representative ; and by the latter he derived his descent from the illustrious houses of York, Lancaster, Arundel, and Paitland. He married, first, May 4, 1732, his first cousin, Anne, daughter of Borlase "Warren, Esq. of Stapleford Hall, co. Nottingham, by whom he had three sons and six daughters— only one daughter living; secondly, Sophia, daughter of John Baxter, Esq., by whom he had "Wil- liam, married to Barbara, youngest daughter of Sergeant HiU, and now Viscount Cullen. This second lady survived him but five weeks, dying July 12," at the King's Arms Inn, Oxford, on her way from Bristol. His successor enjoyed his honours for a very few years, he having died in 1810; and, as no claim has been made by any of the male descendants of the first Viscount, there is every reason to believe that the viscounty is extinct. His death is thus noticed in the Gentleman s Magazine for Aug. 1810 : — "At St. Alban's, where he had been five -and -forty years under the late Dr. Cotton and his successor Dr. Pellet, aged 74, the Right Honourable Borlase Cockayne, Lord Viscount Cullen of the kingdom of Ireland. His only half-brother, "William, having died without male issue 8th October last, the title is supposed to be extinct, as there are not known to be any male descendants of the earlier Peers surviving. He was to be buried with his ancestors at Rushton, in Northamptonshire." In the supplement to the Gentleman's Magazine, 1801, there is a letter, signed "Matt. Rugeley," giving a brief notice of " a pleasant village" in Bedfordshire called "Cockayne Hatly;" more particularly in regard to the ancient church, which he describes as "an ancient regular structure, with a nave and side aisles, built, as is supposed, by Sir John Cockayne, as his arms are in the brackets that support the roof, and in many other parts of the church. On the north side of the nave is a raised altar-tomb, which covers the remains of Sir John Cokayne, Kt., Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the reign of King Henry IV. On the top was his effigies engraved on brass, with his arms at each corner, but now entirely gone." The writer next notices " a very handsome monu- ment in the south aisle, with the figures of an armed MEMOIR. XVii kniglit and his lady kneeling at an altar, with the following inscriptions," which evolve the remarkable fact of a connection of the family of Cokain with that of the Humes of Wedderburn. Over the knight is this : — "S. DeoO. M. Memoriseq. et mortalibus Exiiviis C. L. V, D. Patritii Home, Equitis Aurati, ciii ex nobilissima Familia Homea de Wedderburne, Apud ScoTOS oriundo, Musis sanct. Andreanis innutrito, Artiuraque ibidem Slto. dein circa annum Salutis CIO.IO.LXXXVII. a Eege Magisterio canum leporum rariorum donato, Regemq. eodem munere in Angliam secuto ibique accipitrum Regiorum." ^o"- Over the lady is this " Custodiam Adepto probeq. functo, denato denique setatis X'ti Ao. cio.iocxxi, suae vero XLix. atq. in colonia ccelesti nunc recensite, lectissima conjux Elizabetha, Filia Johannis Cokayne, de Cokayne Hatley, in com. Bedf. Armigeri, iu conjugalis fidei Corporisq. feternum indivulsi sponsionem Amorisque monumentum hoc statuit. " Under the lady is : — " In CI. V. Doniinum Patritium Home, vulgo Hume, Scotum. Quam male convenit tibi natis, Quani male nomen ! Istud Humum Hominemq. sonat, sonat ilia Tenebras. " Under the knight : — " Vita .sed illustris, nee jiroptev Humum tibi neque nudum Hominem sperarat, erat : nunc corpore tandem, atq. horaine exuto, quantum mutatus ab I LLC es ! b xvm MEMOIR. Corpus Humo Tenebrisque relinquis, csetera vivis, ^Eternum iudutus Lucemq. Polumq. Deumq." Tliere are other inscriptions throughout the church over the remains of several members of the family of Cokain, given in detail in Mr. Eugeley's letter, which concludes thus : — "At the east end of the church stands the old family mansion of the Cockaynes, surrounded with a broad and deep moat, over which is a drawbridge. The entrance to the house is through an ancient porch into a large hall (that occupies the whole height of the building), with a curious timber roof, and a music gallery at one end, built in the reign of WiUiam Rufus. The ends of the house are of a more modern date. The estate continued in the family of the Cockaynes till about the year 1740, when it came to Savile Cockayne Cust, Esq., who left it to Sir John Cust, late Speaker of the House of Commons, and is now in possession of Miss Lucy Cockayne Cust. " The works of Sir Aston Cokain are these : — 1. Masque: presented at Berthie, in Derbyshire, 1639, before the then Earl of Chesterfield, on a Twelfth Night. 2. Dianea : an excellent new Romance. Written in Italian by Gio. Francisco Loredano, a noble Venetian. In foure books. Translated into English by Sir Aston Cokaine. London, printed for Humphrey Moseley, at the sign of the Prince's Arms, in St. Paul's Churchyard. 1654. 12mo. This is dedicated "to the Right Hon. the Lady ]\Iary Cokaine, Vice-Countess Cullen." "My best of friends, Colonell Stamford, gave me the author, and intreated me to teach him our language." To this "worthy friend" he has an epigram, p. 157 of his jjoems. 3. In 1658 appeared "Small Poems of Divers Sorts. Writ- ten by Sir Aston Cokain. London, printed by Will. Godbid. " To these were appended : 4. "The Obstinate Lady: a Comedy. Written by Aston (-'okain." 5. " Trappolin Creduto Principe: or, Trappolin suppos'd a Prince. An Italian Trage-Comedy. " 6. In 1G62 these were re-issued, with the addition of "The Tragedy of Ovid, written by Sir Aston Cokain, Baronet," and a general title-page thus : "Poems. With the Obstinate Lady, and Trapolin a supposed Prince. By Sir Aston Cokain, Baronet. Whereunto is now added the Tragedy of Ovid, in- tended to be acted shortly. London : Printed for Phil. MEMOIR. XIX Stephens, junior, at the King's Arms, over Middle Temple Gate, in Fleet Street, 1662." The Tragedy of Ovid appears to have also been issued separately at this time, as well as in 1669. ' ' Thersites, and Tyrannical Government, which may well be supposed to be none of his, though placed to him by Winstanly and Phillips. You may find it in their alphabet of anonymous plays." — Continuation of Lowjhaine, 1699. The biographers of Sir Aston Cokain have univer- sally, when noting the printed edition of the Tragedy of Ovid, added "with his bust laureated, and four lines underneath." The portrait prefixed to the Tragedij of Ovid is not that of Sir Aston, but of Ovid. It is a medallion in which is the bust of Ovid, his head encircled with a laurel leaf, with the legend around, "Poetarum ingeni- osissimus. Publius Ovidius Naso, eques Romanus." And underneath are these lines : — " The sweet-tongu'd Ovid's counterfeit behold, Which noblest Romans wore in rings of gold ; Oy woidd you that, which his own pencil drew. The poet in his deathless poems view." There is, however, a portrait of Sir Aston Cockayne, without an engraver's name, a laurelled bust, with these lines : — " Come, reader, draw thy piu'se, and be a guest To our Parnassus ; 'tis the Muses' feast. The entertainment needs must be divine ; Apollo's th' host, where Cockain's head's the sign." The merits of his several dramatic pieces which form this volume have been individually discussed in their relative prefaces, and it will be some satisfaction to the editors to learn that their readers' opinion coincides in some measure with their own. James Maidment. W. H. Logan. Edinbukgh, 20\\t stay — O ! I had almost forgot — C 18 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Thus have you seen, by i^atience great, You may o'ercome a lady obstinate." Copies of the collected editions of Sir Aston Cockayne's works are very scarce, and command a high price in the book market. The rarity of the quarto edition of The Obstinate Lady forms the principal claim to its being reprinted here ; while at the same time the author's clever plays of Trappolin and of Ovid's Trarjedy, which follow, determined the puljlication of his entire dramatic works. Of the play itself, the Biographia Dramatica says, but upon Avhat authority is not stated, ' ' it met with no great success. " That it was ever performed appears questionable, for although not devoid of some merit, the incidents and some of the charac- ters of the piece did not present sufficient novelty at the time to render it more than usually attractive. There is a close resemblance throughout to Massinger's Very Woman, and the "Carionil" and "Lucora" of Cockayne appear to be the reflex of the "Don John Antonio " and "Almira" of Massinger, to whom our author in his poems addresses, as his friend, some eulogistic verses on his tragi-comedy called The Bmperor of the East, and others on his tragi-comedy called The Maid of Honour. These are reprinted among the several commendatory poems prefacing Gilford's edition of Massinger's plays, 4 vols. 8vo, 1805-13. The first of these was written at the instigation of Lord Slohun, Cockayne's uncle, to whom the tragi-comedy was inscribed, and who was so pleased with a perusal of ]\Ias- singer's printed works, that he not only commissioned his nephew to express his satisfaction, but to present the writer "with a token of his love and intended favour." Here is an excerpt : — " Thou more than poet ! our Mercury, that art Apollo's messenger, and dost impart His best expressions to our ears, live long ! To purify the slighted English tongue, That both the nymphs of Tagus and of Po May not henceforth despise our language so. Nor could they do it if they e'er had seen The matchless features of the Faerie Qu^erie — Read .Jonson, Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher, or Thy neat-lined pieces, skilful Massinger. Thou known, all the Castellians must confess De Vega Garpio thy foil, and bless His language can translate thee, and the fine Italian wits yield to this work of thine." Through Sir Aston Cockajme's poems one fact was contri- buted to the nieagie biographical history of Philip Massinger, — that he assisted Fletcher in the composition of several of his plays ; and this has been confirmed bj' Malone, who, when an inquiry was set on foot, succeeded in finding e'vidence in the THE OBSTINATE LADY. 19 archives of Dulwich College. These confirmatory documents will be found in Gilford's Life of MassbKjer, prefixed to his dramatic works, vol. i. p. 49. Attention was first called to this by Sir Aston's poem addressed to Humj)hrey Mosley and Mr. Humphrey Robinson, the publishers of Beaumont and Fletcher's collected works in folio, thus : — " In the large book of plays you late did print In Beaumont and in Fletcher's name, why iu't Did you not justice ? — give to each his due? For Beaumont of those many writ but few, And Massinger in other few ; the main Being sole issues of sweet Fletcher's brain. But how I came, you ask, so much to know? Fletcher's chief bosom-friend informed me so. I' th' next impression therefore justice do. And print their old ones in one volume too ; For Beaumont's works and Fletcher's should come forth. With all the right belonging to their worth." Again, in his letter "To my Cousin Mr. Charles Cotton," he says : " Had Beaumont liv'd when this edition came Forth, and beheld his ever- living name Before plays that he never writ, how he Had frown 'd and blush'd at such impiety ! His own renown no such addition needs, To have a fame sprung from another's deeds. And my good friend, old Philip Massinger, With Fletcher wrote in some that we see here. " The incident of Cleanthe, in the Obstinate Ladtj, disguising herself and following Phyginois as a page, is borrowed from Beaumont and Fletcher's very poetical play of Philaster, or Love-Ues-a-Bleedint I shall not live According to my content in ^tliiojiia. Car. Most noble lady, I, that have seen both places, Dare promise you you will. Luc. I cannot tell, sir ; I must believe you. Car. For these few words, whose sweetness doth exceed Vast and elaborate volumes of eloquence, May all the joys that ever have made happy The numerous Queens and Empresses that have Been ornaments and glories to the world, Meet unto their perfection in you. Luc. My Tucapelo ! when I did see you first, I fell in love as deep as lady could. Car. And may I die when, in imperfect thoughts, You do repent your choice. Mistress, I can Make famous Gamara* as pleasing to you As is your native country. You shall find Delights above not equal to your mind. Luc. Sir, your company shall be all things unto me. * Qy. "Amliara?" — "Besides Auxma, there are no cities in Habessinia, and but few towns. They have neither castles nor forts. The celebrated mountains of Anihara are their onely citadels, where the King's children were formerly committed to custody. — Ludolphus' New History of Ethiopia. Lond. 1682, folio. THE OBSTINATE LADY. 77 Car. You shall not touch one drop of water but shall Be of more virtue than the Thespian spring, Where reverent poets of the former times Quaff 'd off huge bowls to great Apollo's health. Young virgins, whose sweet voices do exceed Mnemosyne's daughters, shall sing you asleep Each night ; and, when you grace the happy woods With your rich presence, they shall make a concert With the innocuous choristers of the spring. To entertain the mistress of my life. Nen. And I go thither, they shall teach me to sing. [Aside. Car. The jewel-tippets of your ears shall weigh The curious points of precious icicles, When Leo breathes hot vapours on the earth. Your sedulous slaves, enrich'd by noble blood, Shall bear your litter through the tedious streets Of Gamara ; while all the gallant youth Within it runs to Avonder at your beauty ! Luc. I do believe you love me so much, sir. That you will show it all the ways you can ; And I do thank you for it, and love you, And I will show it all the ways I can. Car. happiest speech my ears did ever hear ! Amphion's music made not such a sound ; Nor Orpheus' lute, that tam'd the stuliborn spleen Of Hell's inhuman dog, when he did play For the redemption of his ravish'd spouse ; Nor Phoebus, when unto his gold-strung lyre He for superiority did sing His sweetest anthems and best madrigals Against ambitious Pan, made harmony To parallel the sweetness of your tongue. Luc. If that all my endeavours can deserve At this height your affection, by my fault It never shall decrease. Car. You over-act me much, but never shall Have thoughts beyond me ! Luc. I pray you spare my company a while ; A while I would be private with my woman. 78 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Car. Lady, I will do things unwillingly At your command ; but give me license, fairest, To jDi-int my heart upon your heavenly lips Ere my departure \iQixcQ.— [Kisses 7ie?-.]— The Ottoman Emjjerors, In their immense seraglio never saw Your matchless features in their numberless Successive multitudes. I am so blest, That my excessive joys cannot be guess'd. Luc. Nentis ! [Exit Carionil. Nen. Madam. Ialc. Unfold thy heart unto me. Let me know What thoughts tliou hast of me. Nen. I may offend. Luc. Indeed thou shalt not ! Nen. Then I do wonder, madam, that you will Bestow yourself, I tliink, unworthily. Luc. How ? Nen. This is unpleasing to you ; I will be Hereafter silent. I have offended you. Luc. 1^0 • proceed ! Nen. You are a lady until now unstaiu'd With any blot, save obstinacy to The brave deceas'd Carionil, and will you Give the world reason, a good one, — pardon My honest boldness, madam, — to tax your judgment. And, which is Avorse, your virtue, for this choice 1 Is not Falorus far more worthy of you ? Marry him, madam, and live still in England. I'm sure my counsel would be seconded By all the friends you have, did they but know As much as I. But, madam, if ycm have Settled your affection past recall, and are Besolved, I Avill be most obedient And secret unto all your purposes. Luc. And wilt thou go to Ethiopia with me 1 Nen. If I do get no servant before, and if You will, if I dislike the country, give Me liberty to return home. Luc. Most willingly. THE OBSTINATE LADY. 79 Enter Falorus, Cleanthe, and Phyginois. Nen. My Lord Falorus ! Luc. "Where 1 Phyg. If I can find the least opportunity, I will try, Xentis, of what metal th' art made. Fed. I hope, mistress, our company Is not unwelcome to you. Luc. By no means, sir. Fal. How gently it pass'tl her tongue ! For that sweet word I kiss your hand, dear lady. Luc. Where did you leave my father, my lord 1 Fal. Above, a-reading Guicciardin. Nen. Sir, I can perceive when I am flatter'd. Phyg. Earnest expressions of love deserve a iDetter name. Nen. Why, sir,, I cannot believe you love me. Phyg. You need not doubt of that, mistress ; I do With as much fervency as servant can. I do beseech you, lady, to believe me. Nen. They are of easy faiths that believe all their servants say.* Luc. What ail you, my lord ? you are not well. Fal. Unwelcome guest, away ! I was thinking of Luc. OfAvhat? Fal. I ha' forgot. Would they would all love me ! [Aside. I am most strangely alter'd on the sudden ; My friendship, I fear, will be too weak a tie To make me silent. Cle. IMy lord ! Fal. Thou hadst a master did deserve thee better. Cle. But he is dead, and I am yours by his Last legacy. Fal. ^^^lat would'st thou say ] [Aside. Cle. I hope you're well ! Fal. He has found out an alteration in me ; [Privately. I must beware of public signs. I was * This line not in first edition. 80 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Full of Carionil ; my thoughts were busy Concernmg him. Madam, I pray you pardon my neglect Of frequent visits ; I have been too guilty. Luc. You have not offended. Fal. 'Tis your great goodness to say so. Nen. This, sir, is too importunate. Phjg. Too slack, dear mistress; but wink at my insufficiency. Nen. You said you love no woman in the world But me. Phijg. And may you hate me if I do. Nen. As I see you ready to give me full satisfaction that you mean faithfully, so shall you find me willing to requite you. Plujg. No man can boast such happiness. Nen. Sir, be moderate. You're not so sure of me but, upon occasion, I can retire ; neither would I have the company take notice of us. Phyg. You shall command me, mistress. Fal. These passions are new to me ; would I were private ! I never did observe her so well before. Ltic. My lord ! Fal. What say you, madam 1 Luc. You saw not my brother, Phylander, to-day ] Fal. No, truly, lady, I did not ! Lac. Your brother, Nentis says, shall shortly be married to The rich widow, her sister. Fal. So he doth hope. Enter Tandorix. Bos. Madam, dinner stays of you ! Luc. You hear, my lord ! Fal. Nay, Anclethe, stay not for me ; wait on the lady. I'll follow immediately. [Exeunt Lucora, Nentis, Phyginois, and Cleanthe, THE OBSTINATE LADY. 81 "What ails me 1 Let me see ! What is the cause of such an alteration I find within me 1 Doubtless it is love. To Avhom 1 to Avhom hut to the worthiest And sweet Lucora 1 Take heed, 'tis dangerous ! A sudden ruin so Avill seize my friendship, And prove my former protestations Feign'd untruths. Cannot the noble name Of young Carionil prevent me '? No ; Nor certainty of all the evil wills Of all the friends I have. Were both our better genius orators, And here embraced fast my knees, and wept Miraculous tears to quench the rising flames Lucora's irresistible eyes have kindled In me, or to drown this late impression love Hath sealed upon my heart, I'd be as remorseless As the most stern and unremoved Scythian, And deafer than the people that inhabit Near the Egyptian cataracts of Nile. But I am base, base to infringe the knot Of amity a long and serious knowledge Of each other hath tied betwixt us. 'T^vere safer Sailing with drunken mariners between Hard Scylla and Charybdis, than to sufter My mucii divided thoughts, and forth of them To work such a conclusion to my passions As might hereafter confirm me noble in The opinion of the world. But I'm most ignorant, And know not what to do. Would I were so Distraught that my own self I could not know ! [Exit. Scene hi. Enter Lorece and Vandona. Lor. Sweet mistress ! your bounty will become An envy unto future times. Van. So let your love, sir. F 82 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Lor. But speak, my dear ; what happy day shall give A fair conclusion unto all my wishes ? Van. What haste, good servant ? Enter Jaques. L(yr. Nay, be not angry, sweet ! Jaq. Madam, and please you, your own good servants desire to show your worships some pretty pastime. Van. It pleases us well ; when begins it 1 Jaq. E'en presently. I'll go and tell them all what a woman you are. [Exit Jaques. Lor. This is not usual with you. Van. Indeed, servant, so seldom, that I remember not the like. Sure 'tis for your entertainment. They think I have Been a niggard of it, and help'd to make it out. Lor. You are too good ! Van. So you can never be. Lor. And yet I will not fail to do my best. Van. I pray you do not, dear Lorece, for 'tis a good resolution. Enter Clownish Maskers. Loi\ I see we shall have some odd thing. Van. I wish, sir, it may prove worthy your laughter. Lor. My fair Vandona, I believe you will have your desire. Van. Jaques is among them ; he may move you. Jaq. An' either of you ask what's here, 'tis a mask, Which we actors do hope will content you ; If not, when it ends let us all part friends, And of your attention go in and repent you. I hope your worships will say I have pronounc'd this well enough 1 Lor. To my content, honest Jaques. Van. I'm glad you like it. Jaq. Come, Hymen, thou fellow that always wear'st yellow, Draw near in thy frock of saffron ; Once more, I say, appear before this gentleman here, THE OBSTINATE LADY. 83 Aiid this lady in the white apron. If the boy thou dost bring has a voice fit to sing, Let's have a merry new ballet. Begin thou the song, and it will not be long. We hope, before he will follow 't. A Song. Hymen. Say, boy, who are fit to be Join'd into a unity 1 Boy. They that will permit their wives To live pleasant quiet lives. And will never entertain Thoughts of jealousy, if vain. Hym. Now, boy, let this couple hear What should be the woman's care 1 Boy. A wife should be secret, true, Most obedient, and no shrew ; Should obey her husband's will, While therein she finds no ill. Omnes. Such a wife, and husband too. We do wish both him and you. Lor. Prithee, sweet, let's be married this afternoon, and this shall be our epithalamion. Van. Stay my leisure, good servant ; 't will not be long. Jaq. Now, if you please to cast a glance hither, ye shall see us dance. Fiddlers, play, begin and strike ; what ye see do not dislike. {They dance. Lor. What a mad toy 'tis, mistress ! Van. Jaques ! this day use my wine cellar; you and your company May be as free in it as you will. Hym. Her ladyship says well ! Good now; ho! let's go thither Without more ado. Jaq. Uoodman Wedlock, where was your mind, mar'le 1 * Is there not a piece behind yet 1 I'll not budge a foot till I have discharg'd it. * I marvel. 84 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Hym. Out with it, then ! Jaq. 'My. Marriage, put me not out with your grin- ning ; for an' you do, all's spoil'd. Gentleman and madam, you have seen What our mask and performance hath been. If you like both, 'tis well ; and if but one, Of the other would we had done none. For clapping your hands we care not two chips, We are satisfied if you join your lips. Lor. I thank you all. Van. And so do I. You now may go. Jaq. And so we must, for I ha' done. All's done ; this last what-do-you-call was the full end of it. Hym. Why go we not ] Boy. I am very dry with singing and dancing. Jaq. Follow me to the wine cellar ! [Exeunt Maskees. Van. You must keep your promise ; you are ex- pected by this. Lor. Lady, I kiss your hand : this is my I'ale. As often as I come I'll seal my welcome on your lips. Farewell, widow ! Van. Remember my service to your brother. Lor. Command me anything. [Exeunt amho. Scene iv. Enter Carionil, solus. Car. The tedious winter of my many griefs Her calmer heavenly breath hath now blown over, And all my tears and sighs are now converted Into a happiness will soon be perfect. The gallant courtier, Paris Alexander, When he had stole the young Atrides' bride, The sister of the two Tindarides, And with great triumphs entered into Troy, Was sad and melancholy unto me. How wise the fates are ! Ere we can obtain THE OBSTINATE LADY. 85 Perfect fruition of the thing we love, We must break through great difficulties and tedious, Unto the end that we may more esteem And prize our happiness when we achieve it. Thanks, excellent lady ! for your gracious promise ; May every lover henceforth bless your tongue. She hath prefix'd this hour to be the time Wherein I shall outgrow all hope, and fix Upon the proudest height of fortune's wheel. Hail, happy hour ! This is her chamber window, And tliis the door whereby she must escape. Enter Lucora and Nentis, above. Shine well, ye stars ! and let this project find Your influences to a lover kind. Neil. See, madam, he is come ! my lord Tucapelo has not trespass'd on a minute. L^ic. Then is our parting near ; your new servant hath prevented your journey. Car. Nentis ! Luc. Most honoured Tucapelo, I am here In presence, to give answer to my love. Car. Are you ready, worthiest lady % Luc. I am, my love ! Car. Neglect your jewels; Gamara shall supply you. Luc. I care for nothing if I have but you. Car. Descend, my dear ! each minute is an age Until I crown my joys with your possession. Luc. I come ! Nentis, farewell ! Report that my Escape was unto thee unknown, and that I stole away when thou wast fast asleep ; I would not have thee blam'd for me. Excuse Me to my father all the ways I have Instructed tliee in. [Descendunf. Car. Cynthia, triumph ! and let thy brother hear His eyes did never witness such a stealth ; Be proud in tliy pale lustre, and make knoAvn Apollo doth tell tales, but thou tell'st none. Not yet ? How tedious seems a moment ! 86 THE OBSTINATE LADY. Delays in love Would raise impatience in Olympic Jove. Enter LUCORA and Nentis. But she is entered ! Welcome, sweet Lucora ! Above expression welcome ! My crown of joy I would not change for an imperial sceptre. iwc. I am most happy in your love, dear friend. Thanks, good Nentis ! My woman cannot go with 's. Car. Then farewell, Nentis ! Nen. May the propitious heavens Crown both your heads with all fair fortune. Car. Our thanks go with you ! [Exit Nentis. Luc. It is your promise, sir, that I shall Hve Without contradiction in my religion, — Enjoy my conscience freely : Your vow was solemn. Car. I do acknowledge it, and will perform it True. Not to be denied? what a great frost chills my affection ! Luc. Then I'll be confident. Car. You may ! I am amaz'd and lost within a wonder. Let me consider ; have I cause to love A lady that hath so much neglected me That she hath preferr'd a negro 1 and, 'tis likely, When she knows me, Avill care as little for me As e'er she did, and, if she meets with one Of this complexion I feign, confer Her perfect love upon the slave % 'Tis clear I have no reason' to do it ; neither will I, For I am free, know liberty again : This poor unworthiness in her hath loos'd me. Would it not be a weakness in me — let me argue it — To bestow myself upon a woman of So obstinate a nature, that she lov'd me less When she believ'd that for her sake I had Done violence upon myself "? It would be A matchless one, beyond example, and which Future times would admire but not parallel ! THE OBSTINATE LADY, 87 Luc. Come, shall we hence 1 Delay is dangerous. Car. ISTo ! be it what it will. Luc. We must not stay here long. Car. Nor will we. Imc. Alas! what ails my noble Tuca- pelo ? You had not wont to answer me so slightly. Do you not love me still 1 Car. No ! Imc. The heavens forbid ! I am Lucora ! Car. I do confess you are, but must deny I love you. Luc. I could endure your sword with better ease. Use 't, and revenge what ignorant ill I have Committed against you. I had rather die By your dear hand than to return from hence With this strong poison in my breast. Car. Kill you ? Lady, I would not do it to obtain The sovereignty of the sea-parted earth. Live many years in happiness ; I wish it With all my soul, else may I die unwept for. But give me leave to leave you, and bestow Laughter, not tears, for my inconstancy. Think me unworthy of your worthy self, For I cannot love you, nor will marry you. Iaic. Surely you w411 ! Have you a cause to be So merciless unto a passionate lady, One that so truly wonders at your worths ? I pray you, sir, jest not so solemnly ; Thunder is music in my ears to this. Car. I do not ! Credit me, most fair Lucora, I am in earnest, nor would I spend the time In words. Shall I call Nentis 1 Luc. Ratlu^r call basilisks to look me dead, ^ Than her to help me mourn your unkind parting ! O do not tluis ! Avherein am I deform'd So suddenly, that you so soon should leave me 1 Car. This is a trouble to yourself; you cannot Speak words enough to make me yours. 88 THE OBSTINATE LADY. i«c. C