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Digital Rare Book Collections Rare Book & Manuscript Library University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign 2018I ' -■
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Vfon their heads^whofehraines doe much lej[ecrave^
Then 1 deprave »
Scorne hla(i their dmllings M(i •riplicity Thatfpit their foy¡in » mnejhall venomt thee^
William I>e nnyeJ
To his friend the Author,
I Cannot hut admire this Worke of thine ^
(Right ivorthy 4 set ho tbatm* thtnkes each line Shouldgaine attention from a mil tun dBan^ Andpl^ajithe Eye of any fhall tppeare^
That afprebends it .* ataoayes tie attend To mjb this IVorke as ofaithfuU Priend»
loHii MlHOAr*
gam
m
In Librum.
m
"P ^ Mètàmrfhops dìsfàr dtfandit in $rhen ■t-'//?/, qumfrifco defcrifpt temfon Nalb ;
Humanas vert it ftrmas injÌorea'Nafo Cnftrd :fidnqfter contra floralia vefiit Corf oraforma bominum^ cantandui Unde Poeta» Pingis(y^oXo)tuam Metamorfhopn Lattali Amflefilo : ^(Irum banc ftUexit at t^nglka fema, Kjin^itafennavehatfuhlimù ad atherafennit Angelicis Anglumy qtti tanta et taliafinxit Ham Metamcrfbofn ncjter beet Author^ et omnes Aff laudane doSH : veterem qua Naib hoavit Vocefitamy canat et redimitus tern for a Uuro» lamque of tu exegiy quod nec lovis ira, nec ignis,
Hee foteritferrumt me eJax aboiere vetujfas;
M.S.
I>rdmitis*Dramatà Terrai
Rhodon.
^DANTHV s a fricad Martagón. Uw/
CtnOsb ATV s a {riend to H4rtag,\ Anthophotvs.
Iris fiftei to Antbepbotiu. T
VIO LETTA iiftertoRW««. I
Eglantine After toCynofbtuuA,
Pan ASA leruantto Iris,
Cl E M aTi t a feruant to egUntinc*y
'Sit¡bcrápí\
c Aon 0 s T V s animpoftot. ¿Ponería aWitchl
Gladi oLysaPia^etoEg/«»/»^
Flora.
:ue.
CAndid that are invited
T 0Jee the LiUj and the Rafe united » '
Cenftder that this Comedy $f ours,
^ compos'd ofßndryflowersi which mßle^edmthßmejmallexferne oftimeito fUafeeach me thoihath afencei But ifthis glofious Cynickecrowne containes A head that wants a competence of hraines^
We oould defire his ah fence ^ and be glad That one more wifi his ßat orßanäing had.\
Becaufi experiencefiewes that fuch us he%^
T he greatefi enemies tofcience he:
For what the T^oddy cannot underhand^
He willfieke to dijparage under handy r
Branding eternail lines with hlacke dijgrace,
Becaufi they doe his numbers finothefurpafife*
For this bold Criticke would have the^orld know it^ 7hat he no (mallfoole isythough afimall Poet;
But with Icarcan wrings ^ why firives he ihusy To mount ParnaiTus tops with Pcgafus f when *tis mofi meet that he with ^ffes meeke.
His pat lure at the tJ^omtainesfeeifi^ >
On thifiles wilde^andbrakes there let him knabblCy While Pegafus does make tht skies hisfiable.
But you (iudiciotss friends) that welldifiry Thefirength and worth ofnoble Poe fie;
That can difcreetl) iudge of what ts done^
We crave pur favour and attentiony And ßad applaud thefortune of our Muß, if ought worth your acceptance we produce.
....
1 jR H O D O N
AND f%lS.
Act.I; SesN.
Pemria^
|S the worlds eye Qot yet aHeepe \ iHathitfi'^not yet put on his ftarry night cap ?
' No 5 nor lum her fpangrd ftnocke}? hat^hath^fj^f//^ forgot tolight heavens tapers upr, 01 be the Charret wheelcsof Night o*re loadeu with the leaden waighis of ileepc.
That fcedeiaycs to throw her oiifty veylc upon the face ©f things ?
Pd, Blind Ignorance that grop*ft in Cymcrian darkneilc^' That lycil invelop’d in the (bads of everlafting night. That wani’ft thole glorious fpedacles of Nature^
Thofe Chryilalline iphercs thatihould illumine Thy Microcofmus,
Why doft thou thus malignc the guiltlefle light.
She being the faireft Creature that Nature ever made ? Jg, I hate her becaufe ihe is light: I fay flie is The Miftris ofdifquietand unrcft, and breeds More troubles in the world then one of my young
^ Hungry\_JRhodom iRlii:
Or a Iciiilmatical ieltecoaceuca (Joxcombe ifliaa ancient Corporation.
Oh that I cou id Vlyjfes-likQ burne out the eye OithdX Polyf heme 1
Or raife dull Chaes from J>,em&gorgom Cell To quepch the worlds unneceiFary luminaries^
To, Bold ignorance, thou Idoll of thefe times That o’re a woollen wit, oft wcar'ft a &ttin Cap i ^nd fomecimes at our Uacehamlian feafts Appear’ft as brave as a Canonicall Saint In a Kalendcr: I hug thy refolution, ftupid divcll^
That doft with generous malice amply pjpply What is defedive in thy intelled:
But if thou’lt give my faithfuU Cpunlell leave Tor to divert the torrent of thy wrath.
Then lend a facile eare to ray advice t
Bend not rhy bootleile hate againft that Orbe of lighf^
Whole m ighty lames will fcorch ttielmpious wings
Ofchofc Nodurnall birds, that (hall attenipt
.Withtalons moft prophane,to injure his bright beauty;
A meaner objed than this, ^all fttisfie
Thy wrath, and ray diipleafurc.
This is the day whereon the new fociety of TioriftSjhave determined to keepe their annual feftivals; Whofe pompous Celebration hath wont toeclipfe All feafts befidcs: ^Olympian games,
And ifthmian playes, with all thofe Ludicrous And Ludibrious Gombats,arcbut meere Puppet playes To this grand feaft, for Art and nature both have try’d To make this Feaft fur{)afte all feafts beftde.
^nitc thy force with rame, then ten to oneand ïkÏs:
We ftall difturbe their inirth,e*re we have done, Jg. Then tniichiefe lend me all thy guilty nerves s Let flames of boundlcfle fury quite di^ell Lethàianài\vieiïc from my Clouded brainc.
Affift our great defigne, ye fubtcrrancous powers^ That utterly abhorre to view theglariag light :
Let not the weakcneffeof my Craz’d intellectuals. Nor yet this loath’d déficience of my fenfe, Beprejudiciall to the bent of our defigne : pntm^ SL(k thy part,for I am thine.
AeT.I. SCEN.2.
KHau}thu$,
I » ■ ]
"Jga.iXi Hidtìn) my honor’d, feule-united friend^
XV Caft ofi that dusky melancholy vey le.
Too vile a ròbe for thy majefticke brow,
Blaft not th^ridc of ^hlas happinefle __
With thy ofienfive paffiom^
" Rh, Nay, good did love ere offend any ?
jica. And art notthou themap of loves calamity f W itneffe thofe cr iftall bowlcs of thy bright ey nc. Which I have ieene fweld up with briniih teares, Prepar’d for forrowes bitter beverage:
Witnefle thofe frequent tempefts of thy fighes> / * 13 Which made thy breft a fiery fea of dolour :
Witneffe thofe palkd cheekes>wfaofe glorioushue btcenvy’d,and quitedcfpairing
?? ToRhODOM ^ ÎKÏSl
To reach thy beauties height^with Cufsd treated;
And him fuborn'd to wound thy generous heart, f Which no bafe pafsionevcr durSaifiuIt)
That now like pale Ndrci^ta on the brlnke of the beguilding ftreame^thouiyeft a dying,
Rho. I tell thee (brazen Coloife) marble fiatias. Whole heart loues darts could never penetrate >
Love is the Prince of all affedions.
And like the element of fire tranicçnds His brothers in adivity and fplendour.
Ac a* It is a fire indeed, that doth conilime All vertuous adions ; that feeds upon mens foules Like the fiend Eurynomus upon dead carkafes 5 That makes themicrocofmus a meere Chaos.
Itisthe itew¿>r4ofaIInobIeenterpriíés,
A nd the Lern^ m fenne which bxeeds a Hjdra^
Crefted with a thoufand inconuenicnces, »
Let me nere inherit more then my Fathers hempland; Or nere be owner of more wit then fome cider brothers^ If I tbinke víotCupidüíe raoft pernicious deity Among all the Olympian Senators.!
Oh that I had but lungs.
To thunder out the vanity of that idolh RheiHaw I hope you hayc|raird your felfout of breathy And therefore I may now have dmeto ipeakc :
Thus 'tis,deare friend KAcmikm^ 1 contefle That once I lov’d the Lady BgUnUm^
Whofe rare endowments both of art and nature.
Well correiponding with high birth and for tunc>
Did moderately attrad my uncerc Io\|e,
Which love confpiring witha ftfongdefirc;
Jofcc the Cuftomes offorac foraine Nations;Rmodon ¿»¿’Iris*
^ ;já:,-Cí
And know the manners of people farre remote^
A4ade me to greet the Princely Dame With a perfonall viiitation.
Then my indulgent ftarres did me advife.
For to fufpend my fuic: whole Counfell I obey’d.
But truft me> friend,thou wert too much miftaken^
To thinke that love had fcorch’d or iing’d lb much The wings of reaibn 5 that I mull needs fall.
And periih in the fornace of defpaire.
Thou art a bad c©nftru61er of my thoughts.
If that thou think'ft *tisJ[ow jzsdiichjnakes^ rnfi la^ z Yea/hou, oft-time^oft take thy marks amiftc.
To thinke me fad 5 perhaps, when as my mindc (Uprais’d above the fphere of terrene things)
Is ravifli’d with Celeftiall Contemplation 5 For earthly paiEon hath no power at all j,': 5:55
To worke upon an elevated foule.-Paifions are ftarres to lower orbs confin’d 5 Scorching an earthly, not:a heavenly mind J TC
Yet am I not fo much a Stoicke, or a Stocke,"
To plume the pinions of tfrirunou^lliaule.
Who while lhe*s Cloyfter*d in this Cell of Clay,
Moves with the wings of the aflfedibns
But left Ihe^ like to hecdleffe Icarmi
ShouldToare too high a pitch j or like young fháüon^ '
Should ihape her Courie too low, iovt hath appointed
Wife Vertueforto regulate her flight.
Ofthefe aflfe(ftionsi love the Empreffc is i Who, while (he ftands fubmifle to reaibns lore;
Doth keepe the Fabricke of the íiicíe world in frame! Loveisthe genial! goddeSe^ theLuewa
produce each honourable atchievement; Bi .....................Rhodoh Iris^
Which this true axiomc cvidently proves,
NohilitiUfub amort iacet.
Had not the fpritefull flames of iove^ egg'd on That Theban Kilcrow mighty Hercules^
To brave adventures j he, perhaps, had dy'd A s much inglorious as did bafe Therfins^
Had not the fairc Andromachth^tl^^
From Irohn Towers, BeBm valiant ads Among the Gmhy amid the Phrygian fields •
The gallant Dames of Troy then might, perchance,
Mofl juflly have preferr’d AMes farre before him,
Tis this hcroicailpaliion that incends The iparkes of honour in each noble minde 5 Jdaking dull iluggards fludy indoflry 5 And animating each unlearned head To toy le in Arts and liberall Sciences,
Even to the high degree of rare proficicnce.
Then ceale t^canthus with thy lawleflc tongue,'
^Truc loves Condition to maligne or wrong.
Ac. Thou zealous patron of the winged Boy^
Well hafl thou pleaded thy blind Archers Cafe 5 Pray levt thou maift dcicrye a luif y fee For this labour of thy tongue.
fRho. Surceaie thefe malapert invedives, friendj Cufid is arm’d with fire and arrcfwes keenc, |
To be avenc'd on thole that (hall him fpleene.’
Ac, WhcnSolftiall make the Eaftcrne Seas his bed. When Wolves and Sheepe (hall be together fed 5 When Starres (hall fall,and planets ceafc to wander,' When Juno proves a Bawd, and lupiter a Pander; When ^ems lhalturn Chaft,and Bacchus become fober,’ When fruit in April's ripe, that bloflbm’d in O dober 5 ........... ‘ ................WhenKHODON IS*i
When Prodigals iliall money lend on uie.
And Vfurers prove lavift and profufe;
When Art ihal be efteem’d^and golden pelfe laid down. When Fame ihal ce! all truth,&Fortune ceafe to frown^ To Cupids yoke then I my necke will bow 5 Till then, I will not feare loves fatall b low,
Rh9, \A'erc thou a mcere i^irit, then I confefle.
And thinkc, thisrefolution might endure 5 But (o long as thy foulc weares robes of earth,
Lac*d all with vcynes, that o*re a Grimfon deepe.
Set forth anbright; needs rnuft thy heart Yeeld tothc fovccxjix:ffpds^l^n^att:
AcT.iJ SCEN.ji
CUmatis^ Bglantinei
Clc\ impotent dfciires, allay thefadconfort V^OfaiublimeFortune, whofe moil ambitious Difdaine to burne in fimple Cottages, (flames
Loathing ahard unpoliih'd bed ;----
But Coveting to ihinc beneath a Canopy Of rich Sydonian purple 5 all imbroider’d With pureft gold, and orientall Pcarles;
In tcflelated pavements, and guilded roofes.
Supported by proud artificiall Columnesj Of polifli’d Ivory and Marble; doth love delight There j doth he, like a mighty Tyrant, rage,
Subverting the whole edifice of reafon With his impetuous conflagration :
That this is true, the gentle Sheph^ardefieRhodon Iris2
Taire Bghnüne doth evidently ihew;
For fhcj a iifter to the great Cjn0shatu$^
Was Courted lately by the Shepheard Rhddón s Whole fuitihe entertain’d with duerefped. Requiting love with love; but Fate (it feemes)
Not condcicending thatgreat Hymen ihould Accomplifh their deBres 5forbade the Bancsj And thoden hath relinquiíhed his fait 5 And is return'd to Hy^4 fweet; whoife flo wry vales Began to droopc j and wither in his abfence. /
But remaincsdiftonfolatc j
Like to a Turtle that hath loB her mate.
Sec where fhe comes, expreifing in her face A perfed Map of mellancholy;
1 will retire^ becaufe I well defety^ ^
Shee's out of love with all fociety,
£fffer Eglant, her lute.
£g. Addrclie thy felfe fweet warbling TnArhaaentj My forrowes fad Companion 5 to tune forth Thy melancholly notes 5 fomewhat to flake ^hofe furious flames that fcorch my tender hearty S hefings andflayes upn the Lute^
ieffaire
My youthfuliieyes are ferifh*d^uffel iMy bofes are 'vamjh'dinte ayre^
My day is turnd to gloomy night: lor Jincemy ^doQdoVi deare is gone,
^efe,light/tor comfort,have I mne^
ACeUy ioheregriefethe landlordis.
WhettRhodon atíd Ir ís^
where I wi^ moe with vetes and(ighes^ Sweet death to end my forren» es quite ^ Since 1 have loft my Rhodon deote^ DeathsJlcftile^e armes why ftsouldI feare ?
Bnter
Cle^
Cf^.What time dial end thy ibrrowcSjfwectefljE^/^^^/Vf ? EgL Such griefe as mine cannot be cur’d by time.
But when the gentle fates (hall difembogue My weary foule^and that Ccleftiall fubftance free From irkefome manacles of day \ then may I findc^
If not a fweet repoie in bleft Blyftumi Yct fome refrigeration in thoie fhades, yVhere Dido and ffypfiphile do wander. Exit Egt, Cle* Thou gentle goddefle of the woods & moun tains* That in the woods and naountaines art ador’d^
The Maiden patronellc of chafte deiires.
Who are for chaftity renowned moft,
Treigrand who haft power to cure The rankling wounds of Cupids golden arrowesj Thy precious balfome deigne thou to apply,
,Vnto the heart of wofull Eglantine;
Then we thy gracious favour will requite
With a yong Kid^than new falne fnow more whited esif
Act.I. ScEN.4.
CymshatuSy iMartagen,
Cy, Y honor’d friend,moft noble xMartagen\
Xyi.vVho whilonididft with thy impcriall power Command the roountaines proud,and bumble plaines
C3 C^fRHODON ^¡i iRISi
Of happy Tkjfiiy t who hath eclips'd The fplendour of thy lightjand clipped thofe wings That aid ore-iTiade chcfe fields from Eaft to Weit. Each Shepheard that was wont to feed his flocks Vpon thefe fertile meads,was wont whilere To pay the tributeof his primeif lambs*
But now as one coup’d in an angle up^
Thou artcompelfd to iatisfie thy ielfej With a fmall portion of that ibveraignty Which thou didft earftcnioy.
Ma, Dearc friend Cy»i?j^4m,ifthatthe world Had bin compos'd in a cubicke forme And not orbicular 5 or if this globe Were defin'd to be ought elfe then fortunes ball^ By alterations racket banded to and fro 5 Then iuftly might’il thou wonder to behold My prefent ftatCjfo ftiort of my precedent height. Nor doth this raonfterjChange^bearcfway aloncp Ore elements,mcn,beafts,and plants.
But thoie celeftiail bodies that are fram’^d Of purer conftitutions,arc compcird To be obedient to her awfull doome,
Bearc up thy eyes unto the ipangl'dcope,
And there behold Uves ftarrc-enchafed beitg.
The glittering Zodiackc wonderfully chang'd Ib a few thouiand yearcs:
Tor thofe fixe ftars, which like a Diamond cleare,, Adorne the baudricke ot the Thunderer,
Have wander’d from their former ftations. Witneile the golden Ram who now is gone aftray. And flioulde^’dhath the Cretian Bull i and he Thofe twiiis of i0ve fo fore hath butted.
ThatRh ODON SW Ir is;
That they have cruih’d the Crabjand thruft him quite Id to the den of the Nemsean Lyon.
Thus by the change ofthefc fuperiour bodies.
Strange alterations in the world are wrought.
Great Empires niaim’d,&Kingdoms brought to naughti? And that auipicious Iampc,who freely lends His light to leiTer fires,the prince ofgeneration.
Even Sel himfelfe,is five degrees declin’d.
Since learned Vtolme did take his height.
But if Egyptian wifards we may truft.
Who in Aftrologie wont to cxcelh 1
By them tis told, that fburc times they have feenc That glorious Charrioter flit from his place :
Twice hath he rofe (they lay) where now he fets,
And twice declined where he now doth rife.
If theic CeleftiallpowerSjWhofe influence Commands tcrreftriall fubftances,
Be objed to mutation, then needs muil Sublunar things, iiibrnic themlelues to change.
Then wonder not good friend Cymshatus^
To fee my flate and power diminifh*d thus.
Cy. Tis true deare (Marug0if^experience ihowes That alteration every day brings forth I
A new birth of effeds^
Ma, But I prethe friend, fatisfie me in one thing.
Cy. My bofome’s yours,take from that Cabinet The choifeft fecretthat can plcafure you:
Tell me in what your wilfs to be refolu’d. iMa, There is a rumour fpred throughT kply^
That your fairc fifter,Madame Mglafttme,
Shall be efpouied to the Shepheard iihodon^
The prince df all the Swaines that dwell on Hyhkl
C 2 Cji.FrotqRhODON and iKïàl
Gy. From no ill grounds this rumor fprang, thOi ' The Fates did crofle what was by us intended.
Na, Then there's no expedacion of my Nuptial rît
Cy. No;airsdiifolvU ^
Na, I thanke my Scarres for that.
Cj. Your reafon, Noble friend.
Ma, A kin he is to that male fpirited Dame,
That (lout Viragojthat proud Shepheardefle Call’d Violetta ; who complaines of wrongs Late fuffer’d at my hands :
And hee's the man by whom ihe hopes
To be aveng’d on me, for this pretended injury •
And had he matcht your fifter, fweet Eglantine y Then might I have had cauie for to fufped-Your love not to be found, fince you accepted So great a foe of mine, for your ncerc friend.
Cy. Then I am glad the Fates would not agree That I fhould lofe ib true a friend as thee.
Exeunt,
A C T. S c £ N. }.
Ehodon, Anthofhotus, K^camhus, Iris, Panace.
Never till now, did my Hymettm flouriih; i^lore bleil effedfshath thy fweet preience wrought, (Honour'd Rhoden) then could have beene produc’d By moift-wing’d ZephyruSyOt Favoniusy Whofanns our flowers with his gentle breath.
Rho, Thankes,goodAnthofhotm.*
An, Nordothou^ fifter/riiholdherfelfe
’ ^ ^ MeanelyR M O D O N aMl RI si
Mcanely engag’d to you^for this your gracious vifiti Rhe, To be the meaneft fervant of fo fweet a faint,
Is the full height and fcope of my ambition,
Ir, Faire S’*. I wiih you would be pleas’d t’imploj?
Your fervke on an objed of more worth,
Rho. Diflemble not, admired Shepheardeffe 5,
For thou art fhe^that art as farre beyond T hat light peece of beauty 3 Hdlen of Greece,
In outward perfedions 5 as íhecwasfhorcof thee in inward graces.
Yea, had thofe fifty Kings that did for her Engage themfelves in a long tedious warre.
Scene but the Modell of thy rare beauty, ", j
Drawne by the hand of but a rude painter,
Doubtleflc, they had their honours forfeited.
And broke that facred oath which they had tane¡
Their workein hand they had rclinquiih’d quite^
And left the walls of wretched 7roy untoucht j For each attra Old fooliiliwIckcdBefleis that
X) which walks by day^expos’d to the world's eic^ Sinne is the daughter of the darkeft night.
And therefore doth abhorre to come to ligh t.
Give me that cole blacke finne that can lye hid.
Vndcr the candid robes of feeing fandity 5 Which dares put out the perfpicacious eyes Of thofc that fball attempt to find her out.
Come dull Agncßusy let us difguife our feivcs And bepiepar'd toad fome ftratagem To eclipfe the glory of thefefefiivals.
Shefuts on the garment» ' rv This robe of vertue doth belong to me 5 This goodly vaile (hall hide my blacke intents.
Thus perfonated, I dürft undertake To rend a well woven ftate in fadious peeces 5 To win the cares of mighty Potentates 5 And hood-winke Kings, that they fliould neither fee To doe what’s iuft, nor heare the pitteous cryes Of thoie that arc oppreft.
But that thou,vi^;?
What a world of grav try's harbour'd in that beard ? Surely the world caa talc htm foroO’O'tíier Than the thir J Cat& that fliouid fall from heaven.
But here’s the Enfigne of learning.
The badge of the feven Liberal Sciences^
Operculum ingenij^ the filken Gaíe of wit.
The Cap of knowledge \ Clap this upon thy Empty hogihead, put this on, and t^n thy head VVill become a Helicon^ and thy braine a Fyrene.
Hepm pnthtCup*
t^g. It fits me exceeding well.
Fo, Doft not perceive thy head begin toake With meere abundance of knowledge ? (vines.
Now,me thinks,! could confute a Colledge of pi-A Synod of Dodors, a Lyeseum of Philofophersi Yet me thinkes my braines arc not right.
And fomewhar, too weake to maintáhe a paradox.
Fo, Away fond idiot, doe not conceit That this Cap can infufc any thing rcall into thy pare. That is uncapable of all art and Icience.
Under the proreifUon of this Cap,thou maift be bold To traduce thy betters, to cenfure the beft,
To decide controvetiies without difcrction.
To tof ment all companies with thy difeourie.
And weary earesof yron with thy impertinences 5.
I>oe but wearethis head-peecc over the Coyfe of Seife-conceit(alwayes prpyided)that thou forget*ÍI Not to leave oiFa brazen face; and I dare iVndertake it,thou in a fliort time,ilialt gaine ^ore refpeft (efpecially among Fkkan Coxcombs)
Then.Rhodon
I¿ ÍS
Then euer Fythigeroí^^á of his anditors.
Ag. I am thy ilave, divine :
Qh admirable rare Artift that I am i p0. But yct, me thiukes,there's fomevvhat elfc todoe To make thce more accompliíh’d and compk|t. ""Slightjthe politicall gowne j I had as cleane forgot it. As the time fincc I loft my maydea.heád*
Here *tis : diípaích. and put it on,
A nd then be reputed both grave,——
Learn*d,andwiie.
Doubtleflc it will become thee exceeding well;
futi on the Gomel
Nowlookeshe not like a mainc ftud of a Corporation >. 4g, How heavy is the burthen of authority ?
Fa. ’Tis true, authority is heavy, I confeiTe,
But notifo heavy but an ACe may beare't.
Since mvi yAgnefius^ that we are well fitted With habits meet, to ad what we intend.
Thou feeming like a grave and learned Sire 5 Though thou indeed then that bee’ft nothing Icííé,
And I like to a vertuous maiden dight.
Though I all vertue deeply doc abhorre 5 We thus diiguis’d, will all the world delude.
And fet the flowers at ods among themfelves.
That they in civill enmities embroyrd.
Shall of their pride ^dfloxyesbe difpoy Fd.
Ixemtl
ActRho DON «milRrs;
Act.2^ ScBN.2."
> Cjmshätm.
Md. hinder the conjundion of thofe ftarres,
A Wc muß try all our skill,
C)f. I /ealous am of their maligne afpi<51:.
And therefore hold it beft to take away Thatcaufe which may produce fuch bad effeds 5 Fori fhali neverceafe t*applaudhis skill.
That in the the Cockatrice doth kill.
iMa, T he Serpent will be hatch'd, I ilurewdly fcarc, E’re we the miichiefe can prevent, if thus We fhoiild delay to ail our purpofes ;
For late, a certaine rumor, through my eare.
Did ilrike me to the heart j^.when *twas reported That Rhodon on Hymettus hill was feenc;
Where by Amho^hotm^ and his fitter iris.
He was with fuch iblemnity receiu’d.
That all furraife there is a match intended BetweenetheShepheard Rhodos SLud faire /m.
Cy. once they be conjoyn'd in Hymens rites.
Then all our toyle's ridiculous and yaine j For Hymens obligations are f wc fee)
Scldorae by any canceird,butby death.
Ma* Then let us fet ibme Stratagem abroaebj The Cords of their new amity to breake.
The tender twig may eafily be broke»
But who’s fo ttrong to bow the fturdy Oke.
Our friends will fay (if we procraftinate)
That j like the were wife too late. Exemt
Act«
R HO D oii RIS«
l^ght^lne fila^
SIncetbatthegods willnotmy woeredr^flei ^
Since men ate altogether pittilefle.
Ye iilent ghofts unto my plaints give eare 5 Giveeare('Ifayjyeghofts)ifghoftscanhcare: ‘ ]
Aadjliften to my plaints that doe cxcell The doFrous tunc of ravilli’d Philomel;
Now let Ix/ff^s wheele ftand ftill a while.
Let Da/0aus daughters now furceafe their toy le s ^
Let Sfjyf husten on his reftlefle /lone.
Let not the Apples flye from Plotas ibnne ; .
And let the full gorg’d Vultur ceaie to tcare The growing liver of the ravillier 5 Let thefc behold my ibrrowes, and confeiie Their paincs doe farre come (hort of my diftreile.’
Were I but Lady of more wealthy ftorc Then e*re the Sunne beheld 5 orhad I more Then Msiias c’re defir’d 51 would (in briefej Give all to be deliver’d from this griefe.
Rocks of rich Indian pcarle,fliores pav*d with genamös^!, Mountaines of goldf and Empires Diadems,
Thefe would I give, yea,and my fclfc to boot.
My fclfe and thefe proftrating at his foot.
To enioy him whomi fbdearely love.
Aye me,fond love, that art a fwcet fewer evill,
A pleafant torture, a welI-favour*d devill.
But why doeI,weake wretch, prolong my griefe ?;
4?? I death affords relic
^ I ........R H O D ON isl
Doe thou(iweet ponyard^ all my forrowe$ eafe^
That ai t a medicine forjU grievaaces,
Affiil my haod, tboa goddefle of revenge.
That on my felfe, I may ieMe avenge.
E»ter Pomria and Agft9fius^ P0. Hold, hold thy hand, faire Shephcardeilc, Attempt not to commit a iadt fo horrid.
Eg> What Fury fcnt you hither, Caitiffes vile, Thustoprolongmy rorrow,and my toyle. '
No Fury,but your happy Genius Brought us to thefe uncomfortable ihades.
For 10 prevent your mifchievousintent, “
jE>. Death is a plaifter for all ills(they fay)
What mifehiefe then can be in death, I pray.
Tis true 5 death isia mortall wdqnd that cures all Of body,and ofnaind ?it isthe foulcspotion (wounds That purgeth her from corpcrall pollution.
But you mu ft not y our owqe Phy fician prove,
NOK be the Dodor, and the Patient too:
For if thy foule be fiekly, and grow weary Of this unwholcfome earthly habitation,
Becauic this ayres fpiflitudefuits not With her Ccleftiall Conftitution,
She muft not likeabankrupx Tenant prove.
That flyes by night from an unprofitable Farmc,
Before the terme ofhisLeaie be expir’d:
But iky till heaven ihallgivc her egrcile free Vnto the haven ofreft and happineffe.
. Were I nor plunged in a grieyous plight.
Perhaps I would not thinkc thy couniclliight-Po> ArtnotthouthefifierofCy»^/^4t«/,
Lord of the filver mines, and golden mountaincs.
AndRkodon^^Iris«
And art hot thou as faire a Shepheardefife As ttips\ipon the plaines oiTheffaly ?
Eg, For being great, I am malign’d by Fatc^
Foibeing faire, I am unfortunate.
Po, I know thy forrowes, fweeteft Bglmtine 5 Thy Rhodes ab^nce hath wroughtall tby woe,
Wbo now, they fay, doth beauteous 7m court.
But if thov wiit make rac thy ini^utiaent, ni undertake to breake the match.
If not,rcnew the love which earft he bare to thee.
Eg, Doe this, and I will live ifmeria)
To give thy merit ample fatisfadion.
1 will adore thy skill, and thee adornc With wha| ma;/ make thee famous through all TheJJaly< Po, Then baniih all thefe mclancholly thoughts.
And decker thy feife in thy moft fumptuous weeds.. Make haft unto the Fane of gentle F’ems,
A payre of Turtlcsofa fnowy hue,
Vpon her altars offer thou to her,
A nd her befcech to intercede for thee
Vnto her angry boy: Then ihak thou findo H:
The god and goddeife to true lovers kinde.
Eg. My dcare Poneriai l am truly tEinc.
But tell me,I prethe, whatgrave if this
That lookes like one of Greeces Sages j His reverent Countenancetnakes me iurmiie That he’s a man of fublime qualities.
Po. He is but what he feemes, faire Shepheardefife s. Bis head’s the officine of art 5 his tongue The oracle oftruth j he is the man Whom onely Nature hath vouchfefd to make Her privy CounfcUour*,1-1
RHODON^lRlfl
Thofe abflrufe ieciets whichho morcalleye Did ever view, he plaincly cap difcry;
He is the man that's defíin'd to find out ¡That grand myfieiious fccrct^n whofe difeovery So many bold adventrous wits have periflicd:
I meane th’^/z^r^r, the Philofophers precious ftone, Heis the man who by ftrange policies Can breake the firong Confederacies of Kings^ And overthrow more Empires by his plots,
Then mighty Alex^fjderefc did by ftrength;
is his name, renown’d no leilc For honefiy, than skill in Sciences. jEg, His filcnce argues fomething extraordinary^ Ag Bciphegor, Zazcl, Ailragoth^ Golgutb, Machón Malortor,
Egl. offers tofye awa^Ai^disftdyedhy Poi Eg, Aye me, Poueria»
To, Agmjlus^noi a word more for thy life.
Stay, ftay,fwcet EgUntine^smá dread noharrae. This is the language which the Perfian Magi us'd When they with their familiars did converfc.
To which he is fo frequently accuñóm’d.
That oft he fpeakes it e*re he be aware. iAgmJlus) vouchfafe to ufe your native language. That Eglantine may know what you are.
I hope you know your leiTon,
T wicc twenty times and ten j&c.
Ag, Twice twenty times and ten,hath Titan fun Quite through the Zodiackc, fince 1 begun To converfe with wife fiends, that I might get The golden key of Natures Cabinet.
By induftry I got immortall fame,
ForRhodon^Iris.
For ignorance begets com« mpt and fliamc ;
So perfed in the Magicke Arts I grew^
That natures fecrets nioft abftrufe I knew;
The ipirits ofay re and earth did me dread ^
And did at my venite come with fpeed 5 The filly ghofts from graves 1 did forth call.
The earth I make to bellow^fiarrcs to fal’.
The world at my great awfull charmes did quake^ Nature her fclfe for very feare did ihake:
To change midday to midnight,or to caufe Efi iuall fnowes^or breake the vipers iawes.
Or to drive rivers backe to their ipring heads.
And make feas Rand unmov'd^or to firike dead The vernall bloflbme, or the haruefi eare:
A man would thinke thefefirange conclufionswcrc^ But I account them of fmall weight: 1 know The uie of hcarbes,and whatfoever grow 5 The caufe to the efíeá I can apply,
And worke firange things by hid den fy mpathies •
I doc exa£Uy know the compofitions Of uniiious Philters,and loves potions:
Figures,fufpenfions,and ligations,
Charaé^ersand fufiumigations.
For I the vertues ofall mnples know
From whence j eíFe<5i:s that íceme impoffible I fliow.
Thcgallof shreckeO»v!e‘5,& harfli night Ravens tongus
Guts of Panthers, and Ghamelions lungs,
A blacke Buis eyes,a fpeckled roads dry’d head, Frankincenlejcamphircjand white poppie-feed 5 Poyfenous MeIaothíon,and a white Cocks bloud.
Sweet MyrrhCjBay- berries,precious balibme wood j A Harts marrow that hath devourd a fnake,
E Andt£it%
II
i ilijll
i
A (tone ttet is bitc^t vriAmna^ii: dSoggei The yandrakerootj the blood ofk blackc Catj^
A Turtles liver, the braiucs ofa Batt,
H y asnas heart,the Cockatrices bloud.
That arc again ft fo many evils good:
The haire oía thiefc that hangs on a tree j The nailes of fhips that wracked be.
The blood of a wretched man that was ilaine.
The eyes of a Dragon and Weafels braines.
Thcfe precious firnples,anda tbouiand more I could produce 5 I have them all in flore 2 And though they feeme to men mcere trifling things. Each one flvow) ore weighesranfomes of Kings.
The bl nd icfle of theic times cannot diferie The ver cues rare that in thefe Ampies lye.
Po, Enough AgmHus: Now faite Shepherdefle^
I hope you have a faire expreffion
Of this iearn’d mans fublimc defcrt,and art ?
Eg. I doe admire his skill, and fee (by happe)^
Good ftufie may be beneath a iatren Cap. Exmnf»
Act,ti SeEN.4.
Mhodo»^ fJHarUgon, Vhkm^Acanthusl
Now Mamgenjdoax. as nodynaftiescan ftand,’ i^No Empires long fubfift, unlefle they be Supported by the Columnes of true equity :
So ibaU that gouernmeatof thine decay
, ... ... . _.Slace tby oppf effioa makes the weakc a pray.
Tis ao oppreflGoB for to punifli thoi^>
That havetranfgreft the Lawes,as I fuppofe.
Vio. The lawes(Coloirus)proudjUmuil tyrant^
That doft obfcrve nor equity nor law,
But by the torrent ofambition hurry*d3 i
Doft a£k what lawlciTepailion prompts thee to :
What Lawes have I tranigreft ? it is thy niighi^
That into feeming wrong hath chang’d our right t Had Fortune bcene as juft as was our eaufe,
We that are cenfur’d now for breach of Lawes,,
Maugre thy viprous batCjhad now bin free.
And for thy foulc injufticc ccnfur*d thee,
OHar. And is your pride ^ir/^^ftiilib high I That it doth over-tc^ your miiery.
Cann’t forrow ftrike thee dumbe,can no difaftcr,^
The liberty of thy tongue over-mafter,
Ac* Nayjbcairur*d (proud man) not any fmart^^ Can cure the courage pfa yaliant heart;
No force a heart of adamant can breake 5 And loofers muft,and fl*iall have leave to fpeake;
Rho. No more K^cmthm: heare me tMmagcn:] Wilt thou give Viohtta what’s her owne ?
Wilt thou reftore her tight and due poifeiTions >
And make a recompence for all oppreffions,
That happy peace with joy and plenty crown d.
May in the fields of be found ?
¿Mar* This will I doe.
When ieas ihall be drunke dry by beames.
And when the leffer ftarrfsihglldiinkc the ftrearoes; Thiswillldoe, ■ J/ ,
When of my lifc^d freedomc I am weary,"
E af 'V;
Ru OD ON int Ir is;
Mm mimreßmrm qtum nrefma tuirim
Ae, Before this guilde& woman fball endure Such Cbamelutl injuries: eby ÍHfe afliire Ile empty all thefe azuce rIvEikts Of their virmilion ñrcamcs $ and quite dtfcharge This contc mn*d bulke of mine,ofliv ing ayre,
And ftretch’d upon the gelid bed of deaths He to thaiworld this Epitaph bequeath.
Here lyes a Swaine that fpent his dcereft blood,
To kill a Tyrant for a Virgins good.
Ma, Bold héroe doé thy worft, what I have woii I nere will part withall till life be done.
Rho. Tcnacious Tyrant in whofe flinty heart Nor equity ^nor juftice etc had part:
Aflure thy Íclíe thy guilty foule íhall fceic Revenges handwarm a with a fcourge of ftccie. txeun u
ACT.ji SCEN.i;
Clematis Sek.
‘£11, if I were but once rid of her fervice. If! everferu*d love-iickemiftrisagainc,
I would feed all my life time on Agnus Cafius^
And give all the world leave to let me dye a maid: I even fpoyld a good mother wit With beating my head about theie knick knacks. Which my miftris. Madam Eglantine Hath enioyn*d me to procure Her,
For now feduc’d by the old ba^d Fmrial
She thinks tocecoveiber old fweet4ieartif£^al!f#r
Hei»RMODON^lRiS«
Here is a Catalogueas tedious asa Taylors bill>
Of all the devices which lam commanded to prov ide, vidilicet i ^
Chaines/oronets>pendans^braccletsand care-rings,
Pins,girdles/panglcsjcmbroyderies,rings, Shadowcs,rcDatos,ribbands3ruffcs,cuffes and fals: Scarfcs,feathcrs, fans^,maskcs, tnuftes, laces and cats ; ;; Thin tiffanies.copwcb-lawneand fardingals^
Swect-bals,vayles,wimplcs,glaires,crifping-pins j
PotSjOyntmentSjCombsjWith poking-flicks & bodkinsj Coy fes,gorgets,fringes,rowles,fillets and hairc-laccs 5 Silks,daraasks,vclvct,tinfels,cloth of gold.
And tiiTuCj with colours^of a hundreth fold. Enter
hut in her tyres ib new fangl'd is ftie, Ghdiolt^'
That which doth with her humour now agree,
To morrow ihe diflikes, now doth (he fwiparc,
. That a loofe body is the ncatefl wcare j But ere an houre be gone, (he will proteftr A ftrait gowne graces her proportion beft:
Now cals ihe for a boiflrousfardihgal],
Then to her hips ihelehave her garments fall;
Now doth (he praife a fleeve that’s Jong and wide^
Yet by and by tbatfafliion doth deride;
Sometimes fii'applauds a paveinentTweeping trained And prefenily dirpraifethi!: againe.
Now ihe commends a ihallow band lb fmall.
That it may feerae fcarce any band at ail 5 But ibone to a new fancy doth the reele.
And cals for one as big as a coach- whcele:
She’le wearc a flowry coronet to day.
The (ymbollofher beauties (ad decays' ^
To morrow ftc a waning plume wiQ try^ ^ *
The>m
ìsZ
The embletne ofalî female
Now in her hat, then tn her hairc rt)e*^s drcil, '
For of all fafhions ihe thinks change the beft^
Gia. Good fellow feruant, honeft Clewatü^
Let me conclude thy tedious talc with this ^
Î fay the reft leiTe iea and flitting windc^ • .
Are eoiiftanc in refpeit of women kiode.
Cle, Nor in her weeds alone is ihe fo nice^
But rich perfumes (he buyes at any price.
Storax and Spiknard fhe burnes in her Chamber, And daubes her felfe with Civit, Muske and Amber. W ith limbecks, viols,pots,her Cloibt’s fill’d.
Full of ftrange liquor s by rare art diftiird : ,
She hath Vermilion and Antimony,
CeruiTc and fublimatcd Mercury.
Waters (hehath to make her face to ihine ; Confedions eke to clarifie her skin 5 Lipfalues,and cloathes of a pure fcarlet dye She hath,which to her cheekes fhc doth apply s Oyntments wherewith fhe pargets ore her face. And Juft rifles her beauties dying grace.
She waters for the Mofphewesdotb compofc.
And many other things,as ftrange as thofc 3,
Seme made oiDafikdils/ome ofiees,
©f fcarwolfe fomc, and fomc of rinds of trees. With Centory,fowcr Grapes,and Tarragon,
She maketh many a ftrange lotion ;
Her skin ihe can both fupple and refine.
With iuy ce of Lemons and with T urpintinc :
The marrow of the Hernihaw and the Deere,
She takes likewiie to ix^kc her skin looke deerc : Sweet waters fhc diftils» which (he compofcs
i-'t
Ofn
E.Moi^ om éSlm i
Tfe¥egtMg€áIgfaiiiffi^^ Bl»eg»teri gra^j^
Slie
Witfi CiveCjMuskejüiKi odours farre more rare^^
Thefc liquors fweet incorporated are:
Lees file can make which turne a haire that's old Or colour’d ill, into a hue of gold -Of horfesjbeares^catsicameisjconies^fnakes,' Whalcs,Herons,bittours,Grange oyles (he makesj W ith which dame natures crrours fhe corrects,
Vfing arts helpe to fupply all defers..
She in the milke of Aifes bathes her skin.
As did the beautifull Pofpea^ when She tempted Nerc to forj&ke the bed Oígrieato¿?4a/w,andherfclfeto wed. J
G'¿t. If thcrebe any Gentlewonaan heféj That will with gracious acceptation ufe The fervicc of a tatling Ghambermatd,
I would aduife her to make choice of this Frtskcttd^^, That is as chafte as Hekn^ or Corinthian Lais^
As chary of bewraying ftcrets as was Echo:
Oh file would prove a rare Privie Councellour In fome great Ladies privie Chamber* ^
The perpetual! motion for whi¿h Artifts have fo labor'd; Is d ifcover d no where fo plainly as in her tongue> Which fcarcc finds any leifure to reft.
No not when ihe is afleepe;
But of her cur tefie flic is ib charitable^
And fo heroically magnificent.
That (he will both vouchiafe to commiferate The loweeftate ofai^umblc groome o£thcflafaIé¿ Ahd alfo fttisfie the aefire
Kuonoü atsd iRi&l
Of a high and mighty Gcntleman-ufiicr ïn a kiÎTe or any other amorous encounter .*
Gentlemen beleeue me in few, flie is a pearle,
Whoie worth the age cannot value.
If there be any Gentleman here
That will beftow a fmall peniion upon hcr^
With a kiiïc or two once a fortnight,
To make her his intelligencer oi ftatc In his wives common-wealth 5 I will undertake he flialI be able to make good A fadion again ft his wife.
Had flic an Amazonsftomackcja Zenobias,
Or a Xanthippes tongue.
Cl, OutyoupratlingParachito,
Come you hither to abufc me. Skfitikes
Take this for your paines. . him.
G la.'How thank thy ftars,that with a female Cgnaturc Did ftampe thy fexe,audacious ftrumpetji Shall I draw ? no,now I thinke enti willnotj Tor reafon and experience ihewes, that no man Ere gain'd repute by drawing gainft a woman, oL Stripling,doft thinke 1 feare a naked blade^ île meete thee where thou dar’ft^and whip thee too For thy unruly tongue, thy iawcineftc.
GU» Well minion ^remember this.
If I dec not cry you quit for this abufe.
Then let me ncre be trufted :
Your Miftris iballknow how you have us'd me, Soiheihall.
C/.Skippisketell what you can,1 weigh't not this.
He make you know that you have done araiffc. exemu
Act.
i!
R H b ib « M S»rf' I r i s 2
ArCT«;: SCEN.2Ì
tomrk^Mglmine,
n. ’COfgct you not thepovi^der for your breath,
I tooke a dram of it this morning.
According to your appointment.
Fo. Your pallid cheekcrequircs, in mine opinioni A deeper tinture of vermilion.
Fg, And I am of the fame minde :
But 'twas my Maids fault.
I thinke (he goes about utterly to undoe me :
She is as good a ièrvant as ere was Married to the whipping.poii.
I tell you true 1 would not for twenty crowncs That Fkdon had feene you with this face.
That Ceruie on your brow is extreamely dull.
There is no luftre, no refplendency in it.
Slight I have feene often times a ftain’d cloath Over a fmoakie chimney in an Alehoufe Preient me with a better face.
Nay,T could not for my hcartperfwadc The wicked pertinacious harlot.
To lay more colour on then pleafed her fancy ;
Bat if 1 live I will caihierc the queane.
If you doe hqtjyou arc no friend to your fclfc.’ Eg. Hpyif lik*fl thpu the colour of my haire^
P0, Oh that is exceedingly well dyde.
Eg^ Me thinks thè hue ishot high enough.
Ptf. Nay,pat don me Madam : tis paffing well.
The brownc hue is the moft incomparable colour
F For.Mit
m
Ai/'j;
» *': hi
0
1 ii ¡¡,.
R h o d on M l£isl
For a ha ire of all Other.
Thofegolden wires that on fkire fholdcrs dan^
And thofe faite flaxen thrcds ch^t madc/#»e (§!'< Dote upon faite N$mcrim^
May not be compar d with the lovely brownc.
Eg. Difcreet Ponerk^ thy wile approbation Doth give my fancy ample fatis&Sion.
But beare me P^/;erkjWiil you undertáce That I (hall meet with the Shepheard Éhúdm^
As you oft have promis’d me. ’
Po. Faire fhepheardefle I will. ’ ', '
Eg. But’tisathingimpoffiblcflfeare. >
Po» V^hy^ogooáE^ámmi'
Eg. Becaufelhearehedeeply isÍDgag’d To/r//3that proud Damici! or H^mettüs.
Po, I grant he is: and fínce things áre thus,
I will fo ad my part^that his new love Shall be the mcanes to renue that good will 3That hath bin heretofore twixt him átrf |òu,'
Eg* Nor C/WÍ drugs,ooraltwits,
I tell thee Beldame, can accomplifh this.
Po. Good dau2,htcf undervalueJ^ot my skill.
For 'tis contriv’d how it fhall be efedcd> Andtofatisfiethycuriofity, .
I will declare ho vv I have laid thè plot.
Eg. I prethcblefft my eaifesr with this relation*
Po. 1 will a meilage beare ia/Wi name,
Vnto the Shepheard which lhall ihew^^
That ihc defites an amTous interview Withhim, in fuefa a privacy iThat day muft not fe guilty ofit :
Afolitaty gla^ ftaUbctteplac^^
Where
RHOD9N Md liÎS2
Where you proteded by the veile of conicious night, Inftead oîlris ifaall Mefcnt yGurfdfc iVnto the Shephcard
^Vhom you ihall eatertaine with fwcet difcourfc,
'And fo comport your Îèlfe, that he ihall ihinke.
You are his dearefl Itis.
Bun to afliire him yours, 1 have provided ^
A precious Philter ofrare efficacy,
Compos’d according to the rudiments of art»*
This (ball you caufe nim to caroufe As water of inefiimable worth •
Which done, he is vour owne ;
And Iris then (hall dc foigotten cleane.
As one whom he had nere fcarce knowne or feene.’ i Eg, Tis bravely plotted iweet EontrU ;
But what houre wi& thou alloc for this defîgne.
Provide your felfero meet him in the mirtle grove ypon clevçnat night.
Eg, Very good.
fo, NowIletoJR^a#iwgoe,andhim invite.
To meet you at the appointed place this night.
Eg, Now moft aufpicioushe thy ftars and mine.
Let all good locke attend our great defîgne J txtunU
Act.a: Scen.j.
^4rt0gm,Cym^atfss,
TJUt is tbç angry ((ai’ft thou) fo hot, -L^Is i?fe(W^grow^neîb‘^^^ fifters caufeî
UW4.; IfthatftiYà^ïom withbi
F 2ili
KhODON ^ IKIS;
I muft expeí): a fodaíne ftorme.
_ Cy. I am refolu d to take part in thy fortunes,
Be they the woift that ere to any fell. (hand
Ma, Thanks noble friend, then here lets ioyne our In iigne ofmoft unfeparablebands.
Cj* But there’s a iollyfwaine^
He frets (they fay) like a furious Mirmidón.
LMa In braving language he exceeded io,
^hdX. Martagón VítttímíoholáoííoQ^ 7
Surcharg’d with fwelling paifion, he did vowe To take a full revenge on me and you.
Cy, And is the youth ib fill’d with valrous heate .> Who would have thought the frozen moUncaines could Have bred fo bravea hot-ipufre.
tMa, Thefc raging Lyons Be undermin’d by fome egregious fleight 5 We muft pitch fome ftrong toile for thefe fierce Bcafts^' Where we may take them captire at our pleafure :
For if wc ihould aifaile them openly.
Much perill then we might incurre thereby.
Cy, What thy high iudgement ihall conclude to doc^' 1 am refolv’d to condiicend unto.
Ma, Then beare what I propound. Cynoshatm,
Within a place nigh hand, refides A Beldam much renown*d for facred skill In naagicke myfteries.
She with her awfull Charmes wonts to call forth All forts of noy fome Creatures that are bred In Lyhia^oicolà Scythia,
From whom ihc takes her choyce ofpoyfbn firong^
The Herbs which growon preclpitious ShewithhcrbloudySiclccrops;RhODON a
And whatfoevcr poyibnous weed fprings on The craggy top of fnowy
That's fprinklcd with the bloud ofwife frmtthtusy She carefully fcleds}
Thofe venomes which the warlike LMedims^ and The nimble fartbmry or 4^abkns rich.
Vie to annoynt their deadly fliafts withall.
S he doth by Moone-light gather 5 Each Herbc that in this fertle vernall feaibn Puts forth its head from Of fes pregnant bofome She fcarches for 5 whether the fame be bred , ;
In the cold Forreft of Hercynea^
Or in the deferts of parch'd Afrkéty What flower foe’re doth in his feed or root S traugc cauies of great nai&hiefc nourifh.
She never failcth to finde out: f
Whether the fame on bankes of Tigris growes,'
Oron thefun-burntbrinke ofwarmc^j¿/4jí^¿j,
Whofe golden channels pau*d with precious ílones^ Some of thefe herbes ihe doth by twilight gather.
At midnightfome, andfomeat Dieakeofday.
Nor is ihe ignorant how to apply
The panting heart of the dull melancholy O wle,^
Or thebreathing encrailes cut from a living Cat J The proudefl Swaine that lives in Is glad to be obfequious to her will 5 For in her power it is to cure or kill. iVnto this reverent Sybill let us goc>
And her advice requefl in this defigne •
By her inflruéf ions let us our actons regulate. Providing for our owne fecurity:
?&???? 9f
WhetheriS
Rhodom 4»d Iris2
Whether thingsihaUßicceedor ülor well, Cy.
I cosdefccnd to,pobfc MmtAgon.
m-
Act. j. Scen. 4J
l&hodon ^Anthofhotus^ K^eanthus^
that the proud uEirper Màrtâgm i3Will not reûorc what he hath taneaway By force and injury from Vielem^
We are refolu'd to put lawful! armes.
To fwage the pride of thatjfceBt Tcrm^ant.
That of his prowefle doth fo v^ly vaunt. <
Therefore decre friends addreife yotoiclves to fheW Your true and faithful! forikudes, for iaow An ignominious peace Bût compare,*
With any iuft and honourable wane.
Kjin. Out upon this Fabian valour,
Thefe tedious cunâiatioiB :I tell thee Mhodeni I muft needs chide thee for Ioffe of ume.
My troopes arc allinperfe^ ifeadineili^
And long to meet their foe^ jn open field ;
If we deliberate a day longer The edge of their vaWr(l)ftai^willèe quite tafcen Kh, Now fie upon ^tent/which depends
On circumftance of timeotfllatc,
Tis relative ver tucj that like gkft isha^
Whofe forceibone dyesii9d,p^jfaâ3s^iyfiafc^*
Now recoiled thy ^
Let Spartan refolution
^ IntoRmodon
Into each angle cf tby noble heart.
For now our hoftile forces are aflembled,
Coveringthc fields from to Olymfus.
Their painted banners with the windesare playing: Their pamper’d couriers thunder on the plaincs;
Tlie fpicndor of their gliftring armes repels The baihfull fim-beames backe unto the clouds*
Their bellowing drums and trumpets ihrill^
Doe many fad corrantos founds
Which danger grim and fpraw ling death muft dance.
Now refied: thy eye
U pon the glories of thy auceftours.
And firive by emulation to tranicend Thofe trophies which were yet nerc paralleld.
An* Surceafcthis needleife talke^lct us toa6lion4 The fofle of time confiiteth in protradion.
Rho. You r noble courages^ndeared friends,
A good event to our defignes portends* txmnti
Mi
ACT.ji SCEN.^
^artagmiCymshiusl
grove
, ^ ^ Hiieniightfyibehithcoveaticles (dwels^ With her wife ijpinits | fee how the trees are carv’d Wit^ Magical! ^yftcfious cliaradcrs.
Sec bow the fiery lends with their frequent refort have Scot ch-d the leaves, and chang’d the Merry livery of the ipring into a mournful! hue* B^old the gf afle dyac wiARhODOITM iRISl
Of feme great facrifice,that late was offer’d up
To the internal 1 powers.
Cy. The blackeafpe^l of this ftrangc uncouth place Doth make my heart to quake.
Ma. Within a vault hewne from the ftony bowels. Of yon high precipicious rocke lie dwcis.
Chcere up and come away.
Let's to her Cell, and He ihew thee the way ^
AGT.4i Sgkw.i;
IriSf Pafiate^ VhUtta.
/nVrfl was the wight that did in murthcr iiril ^-^Embrue his guilty hands: curft was that hand Which firft was taught by damned hcllifc art To forge the killing blade in Vulcans dames:
What raging fury raignes in mortallbrcfts,
IThat man ibould man purfuc with deadly hate ^ oh what maglignant power hath defac’d.
That fpccious image of the gods above ?
Who hath infpir’d man with that beftiall quality of murderous revenge ? ^
The Lybian Lyons feldomc ate at oddes, TheTygersofHyrcaniadociagrce, ^ /
But man to man’shecomea very divcil;
That Thracian god which is lelfehted nvod:
With humane facrificesjis no# atfcry 5 Blood-thirfty c^4r#nowbcarestheonelyiw:ay, . Who dircfuli devaftations doth affedi
:’x:: t *:-*?*.■ fr t —' v-RhODON and IkÍs2
Sbakifig his batter’d armes,now ftalketh every whet%
I hop’d for nuptials fwcet, of late, but now 1 may havecaufe to feare a funeral!. ^
Hywí» affrighted with the confus'd noy fc of brucifh warre, is fled I know not whither.
My deareft RMoh mull depart from me, i
/ind in the Held ingage his tender Corps
To all extremities of death,of wounds, of danger.
Of íickneíTe and unrefl:
Ff, Strike not the ayre with this vaine language, /m, Wound not thy foule with theie unfeemely plaints.
But be content to wait the will oflove^
Who willcrowneourdeíigíies with blei! fuccclle.
For in a caufe that’s honeft, iuft,and right.
The gods themfelves will take up armes and fight.
!r. Then oh ye powers, that are the grand protedor^ > OiHyblas happinefle and welfare \ (taines.
Whether ye doe delight in our flower-crown’d tnoun^ Our od’rous rales, orín our Chriftall fountains,
Your gracious favour I implore, befceching you To gard the perfon of my dcareft Rhodon;
Fond woman,how iorgetfiill have I bin >
Here is a gemme whofe price doth farre tranfeend All eíHmation: my faithful! Pandee Dcliver't thou unto my gentle Shepheard,
And pray him wcare it for my fake.
Pa. Madam, I will. ^
ir. It from the bowels of a Cocke was tane.
And whofo wearcs the fame fas wife men fay)
Shall ever be vidorious in warre.
Fie. Commend me to my brother,gentle nymph.
And beare this token of my love to him:
...... C " ItRhODON iRISi
Ic is the precious herbc calFd Latice»
Which whofoever weares ihali never want Sufficient htilenaoce both for himfelfe and his j Befides, it fruilratcs quite the divellifh force Of ftrongeii pov fons or enchantments,
Now Irts^ let us haile to Floras fane.
With our devotions let’s importune her ^
Thefe horrid fturs and troublous broiles to ceafe,
That we againe may live in happy peace. actum^
A C T. 4. S C E N.
Cfi arU^w,Cy>miiatus, Pmria.
Ivineft Matron j god-infpired Sybil!
Doe this, and be what choucanft defirei Doubt not great LMmagon but I will effect it*
Ma. Now deere Cjnosbatus let us prepare To rcfift th’imprcffion of our foes;
Since that our powerfull forces ready ftand.
To be obedient to our great com mand,
Cy, With thee lam rcfolud to i pend my breath. Indifferent in the choice of life or death, exemt Ma,Cy„ Fo, Agmfim come forth: blacke cloud of ignorance. Advance thy leaden pate,dull Camell.
Kjig, I cannot brooke this thin and piercing ay re ;
F@, Thou Tonne ofilcepci thathat’ft the lightibme day. Clap on thy ipe£kacles of iudgement, and behold How I have plaid my pan.
Thou flow'ft with I confelfe^
But thou haft a brainc iutderably dry, ^ ~
.......... ' AsRh ODON iR lSl
As cittpty of witj as the world is of confcicnce.
What haft plHclcd up the flowers by the roo»^
Or is W^7hejfaly in a cx>mbuftion ?
P0, Surcharg'd with dcepe derpite and vlprous hate,' Their forces they againft each other bend. (batedj Ag. Then I hope their painted pride fhal quickly be a-; Po, But I have a plot,old plumbeous dotard^
To crop the proudeft flower that gcowes In Hyblaotkymettus,
Ag, PomrU^ I adore thy art and w ifedome,
Po. Thisglaflecontaines a rare confedign:
Tis vipersbloud mix'd with the juyee of Aconite:
This is the Philter, the fweet lovc*potio%
Which Eglmiwe^ootc love-fick foole,
A^uft commend to the Shepheard Khodon^
Who this night by my appointment,
Is to meet her in the mirtle grove, under the Name of Iris: now lie to PgUntwe^
And blelfehcr longing eares with thefe glad tidings.
Ag. Oh great profound ; never yet Was any that could parallell thy wit, exeumi
ACT.41 ScEN.
i2^ ^ ^ Th^eleventfa atleaft; for fee Orion hath Advanced very high his fti^ry locks in our horiT^n*
Me thinks ihe ftais looke very ruddy3 As if they did portend terapeftuous weather.
G 2 Ac'.Thsyu;.:
«íil
Rhodon «»i Iris^
i/íc. They doe but bluíh to fee what crimes areadied By mortali under covert of the night.
Saw’il thou yon ftar chat Northward fell.
Ac. I faw the blazing meteor (loupe.
And bend his courfc toward the humble Center.
Rh. Thisfeem’d a glorious, and reíplendent ftar,
Yet was it but agroileill temperd meteor.
This meteor feem’d as if it had bin fix’d In an orbe for a perpetuity.
Yet in a moment is it fallen, thou feeft.
And who regards this foolidi and ignoble fire.
Or lookes upon the place from whence it f^ll.
Ac. He that by honoürable mcanes is rais*d.
And hath his (eat eftablifti’d on the fquare of never iliding vettuc, cannot fall.
Rbo. But if young Phaeurríhúi undertake To guide the Charret of the great And in that aáicn (ball miicarry, (b That the whole imivcrie (hall be ingag*d To utter ruine and delirui^ion.
Then ough t great love to have a ipeciall care for to preierve and keepe the common good.
And if he ¿hall difmount the Chariotter,
And with a deadly blow lay him along.
The wpéld then for his iuftice (hall thanke love, And/i^y^4!(r/£>wfooIc-hardine(re reprove.
jAe. Who dares conteft with/»vr, orquefrion what His Soveraignehighnefle ihall doc or determine.
Enter Egl* Eoneria»
Rh. Tisaltogether wicked^ uniufr : {Acmhrn) retire^ for now me thinkes I ice a glimplc oilrü^^ Whopromifed to meet me here this night. Exit Ac.
' ....LocHhodon *ttd Iris*
Loc how the luilrc of her beauty penetrates The en vyous clouds of thefe nodurnall (hades,
Fo, See yonder the beguiled lover walkes In vaine, expeding the comming of his dearc iml Now, remember ray inftrU(5tioiiSj Have a care that your tongue betray you not.
Be not too talkative in any cafe. ■
Forget not the pofture I fo oft told you of,
Vndcr pretence that theic cold nightly dewes are Gfienfive, you may knit your veile more cloie^
And conceale your feature.
Eg. PomrU,iziitQ: I will addrefle my felfe unto hte* Fo. But befure you perfwade him to take the Potion before he fleepes 5 (taincs.
You'll remember thofe vertues which I told you it epn-Forget not to declare them amply.
Eg, Make no doubt on't: thou haft arm'd me Forallaifaies, ExitFon^.
Rho. Thou brighteft ftar that (hin’ft diis night,
Auipitious be thy influence to thy Rhoden•
My deareft iris^ I am furcharg'd with ioy To meet thee here.
Eg. (Deare Rhoden) who, like the vcrnall Sunne^
Doft lend ref reflsing heats to ray afie fend packing Vnto the Stygian ihoic*
Nay good Pemria^ I findc my fclfc unfitting, for the warres.
p Then'twas fome heilifh hag, that,in her ihape, Gave me the venemous confc(5iion Which had undone me qiittc,ifthdu in tihbc Had'ft not apply'd thy precious antidote.
ButRhQÛQN and Irisî
Eut yct, me thinkcs. that heâvcn ihould not permit The iubt’Ieft hdlifh power to counterfeit The feature of ib beautiful! an angel),
Ac, DoubcleiTe it was thefalfe Pomrias plot, whom hath lately entertaind.
With her companion, old Agmflus\
For, know the malice of your foes is fuch,
That if by open force they can't deftroy you.
By hidden plots they’ll feeke your overthrow.
Rhô, Then I innft pardon Ci avc of gentle/w,
To whom I did ascribe rhis trea . herous fact.
An, If ihe were guilty of fo blacke a deed,
Thcfe hands ihould chaîne her to a fatall flake.
And facrifice her Corps in hideous flames,
,Vnto the awfull goddeffe ofrevenge ;
(Which done) I’de throw her hatefullaihcsup Againfl the furious gufts of boiftrous winds.
That being fo difperft, there might remaine Not the le^lt relique of fo vile a wretch,
Rho, My Iris is as clearc as innocency it felfe ;
And fince m y treacherous foes have gone about.
By wicked ilighcs,to wrong fo fweetafaint,
And bring me alfo to a fhamcfull end,
I here enioyne ye (honourable fri nds) ypon my {word to take a folemne oath,
Heârawes hisfmrd^thejlaphetrhandi ufonitAndkiJfeit* Nc’re to lay downe your iult and lawful! armes,
Vntill we be avenged to the full.
For fuch unkindly and diiloyall wrongs :
True honour, that with deareft bloud is fought.
Is like a precious gemme that’s cheaply bought.
Ill is a life beftow’d upon that wight
ThatRhodon IrisJ
That dares not looic it to tnaintaine the right:
Him 1 account a bafe inglorious for.
That dares not honor puU from dangers throat.’ exeunt-
Act. 5: SesN.5.
^Martagm JOjnesbdtus ^AgncJluSfPûneriê,
LAdy P<;wrw,upon your commendation.
Ma.
We beftow a regiment upon this Gentleman»
To, Thanks (worthy cMartagon)bclecve it Sir^ Thoie good reipeds wliich I to your affaires owe, fVrg’d me t*importuneyou for his employment, Bccaufe I know him to be a tri’d ibuldier, j Of great experience, worth and merit :
How fay you, Colonell i^gnojius»
I hope your anions (hall make good my words hereaf-lamat yourfervice,Madamyi/?fr/4: (ter,
Î am a man ofaâion,! confeiTc.
Fo. Truft me Îir,aIthough he wants verballexpreffion. He is a Gentleman of Angular abilities.
Ma. And I thinkc no leÎTejfcr th*arc not good words That makes deferving fouldiers,but good fwords.
Cy, He lookes as if he had bin bred,borne.
And brought up in a Leagcr all his life time.
Enter Gladioks,
Cla. Noble Generali j the bca\M*o}Ji% Eglantine VViiheth all happinefle to your defignes,
Defuing that this paper may kiiTe your hands for her,
He opens the Letter »
UHa- Tis about a place, lie pawnc my life on'c :
Hearc
MlRH ODOK Ik If.'
Hcare me Mounfier, 1 uoderfiand the bulinefie:
Her requeft is granted.
She when fhc pleafe^may at my hands command A greater curtciic then this. gU* Thanks honor’d Sir. cJ^4. On you I bcftow a Captaincs place. c?/4. Now I perceive that the rcadi’ft way to aitaine Preferment in the Court oíOHars^
Is to creepc into the favour of Fenus*
Un. I underftand you are a man o^^reall worth.
And very fufiScicnc for fuch an office, ^ Enter Acánthtu t/ic, I mperious Martágpnjihsx art no lefle Knowne for thy power, then thy wickednefTe :
In RhodomvAvciQ I doedefie thee here,
W ho chalcngeth the Combat at thy hands.
To be aveng’d on thee for thy foulc wrongs:
But if thou dafft not in a finele fight, . ¿ i
G ive fatisfaóHon to the noble Shepheard;
Then thee and all thy troopes he doth invite.
To a bloudy breakfaft to morrow morne. t
Attended by a vigorous army he
Stands in the confines of his owne dominions.
Swearing that he will prove it in the field.
That thou a tyrant and a traitour art.
Aia. Bold friend,I prethe fpeakeingenioufly.
Doth thisdefiance come from Rhodom mouth.
Ac^Vpoti my life3& by the honor of a fouldier it doth;. ii/4. Then tell him,rme refolu’d to be a gueft.
More bold then welcome at his bloudy fcaft.
Ac, I will great MArug$» 5 and misdoubt not.
But that ycur checrc (hall be exceeding hot. Exit Aca. -A/4. DiiTembling witch: how haft thou beguil'd us ?
I Ptf.WhatRhooon Iris.
Pâ, Wnducrië powfT h«th emfl our plot}
not thou with thy tie ep prorefacios force us. To give ftroR^ crede ce to thy fal’e relations, Whenihouaffir Ti’d;^ t\m thouhadilpoyfondeMü»* Po, The oppofition of the curled fates Hath brought us rodeferu'd eonfufioii,
OH A, Avant you hagge,abhominable forcercHe^
Here I doe thee on pame of death cnioyne.
With that împoftor thy companion,
Im mediately to depart out of my Dominions.
Po. Now Î accurfcd wretch have feene too wcll,^
That heaven will not be overrurd by hell.
Ag. How fodainly by one contrarions guft, kail our honour tumoled into duft.
OH A, Since that our brauing foe is now at hand, (CjposUtm) we muO: not thinke of a retreat,
Cy. What your diferetion holds fit to be done, Icondiibend to noble Màrtâgon*
Ma, Then let us meet our proud fix; face to face.
And with our Cwofds and fpeares that right maintaine. Which lately wc by fword and fpcarc did gaine, exemu
Act.5. ScEN. 6v
ph$don^AnthQfhm^^i4mbiiSn
friends and fellow fouldierSj jL^^ow artne your fclvcs with fortitude s
Fir ft call CO minde the iuftice of our cauie,
And then let each remember that true honour,
Whicb muft be vak’d above health and life;
-v. ConfiderRh ODON And ÏR ìf^
Confider alfo that wc muft contendj Againft a tyrant and a mecrc uiurper 5}
A perfon guilty of no meanc offences.
Which mu ft be iuftly puniih*d by our (Words«
Enter Vomriâ^ ^gmUus, fé. Thrice noble Rhedon^ in whofe noble breft True pkty dwels, vouchiafe a pardon To us diftrefled Caitives.
Rhô, I neither know what your offenccsarc,nor yet yolrr Fo. I am the unfortunate (fclucs.
That was (uborn d by uniuft Martagón To worke thy utter ruine ;
Ï did conduci the love-ficke EgUntinô Vnto thy prefence ioftead of iris \
I caus'd her to give thee a poyfonous drinke,
Vndcr the pretence that it was a love.potion.
I have dcierv’d to dyc,and crave life at your hands¡
Rho, And are you the grand incendiary That have fo many mifehiefes wrought in Thejfaly ? Now I remember I have fcen your elviih countenance^ Nor have I altogether forgot your reverent mate.
Who with his peribnated gravity deludes the world. Being accounted a nan of profound art.
Acanthus^ fee them committed to fafe cuffody.
Sec you make them Ture for darting. exeunt fel
. N ay worthy fir* jg^ Ae*
•Ac, Yov muft away,for no entreaties can prevaile.
Rho. The apprehenfion of thefe wretches doth prefage Aufpicious fortunes to our aûionsj Drum beats smarch lÀ^Xi^^Antkôfhêtus^oVii enemies are at hand,
Their thnndring drums warne us of their approach. J/Vtc'lc bid them nobly welcome theiy this day will I
la ^ ViâoriousKhoOOn mi Iris«
Vidorious be (( vow) or bravely dye,
Rh. Thy honour'd refoiutioDÎcommend,
And take it for a (îgne ofgood (ucceiTc. Acm
Ac. Arnae, arme *. thehoilile forces are in fight,
A nd thus come marching on in proud array î The bat raiIe*s led by ntmielfe.
Wherein are raarfhardneere five thoufand Bill men^
All clad in coats ofred :
A furious cald T
Brings on three thoufand burley Smjfersy Arai’d jn gorgeous Coats of red and yellow j And thefc make up the vanne :
To which are added for a forlerne hope.
Two hundred melancholy Gentlemen, ^
The ÇiRzcéCjnoshatm brings up the Rerc,
Wherein about two thoufand fouldicrs be Clad all ingreene,and arm'd with pikes of ftecle» Narcijfus with a thoufand Daf&dils,
Clad in deepe yellow coats doth Ranke The right fide of the battaile.
The left wing is by Hyacinthus Jed,
Wherein a thoufand Souldiers march, i
Arraid in purple coats.
Enter KJtîartÂgon^Ehod9n*
%Ma* What fury tempted thee unhappy Rhodon^
In hoftile manner thu. to invade my confines.
Rh. For Violettas lake I tookc up armes,
Whom ihou uniuiUy haft oppreft. Muftekefiund^
What I have done my iword fhall juftifie,
Rh$* Whence comes this moft harmonious melody.
Enter EhraJrk^Eglantm^Fandce.
JT/a. Put upihofe murdring bladeson paine oFmydiC pliafurc. Confine
r Rfí OÍD ON ani ÌRIS.
^onfine them to perpetuali prifon in the fcabbard^ That they may nere coinè forth to manage civili brotles i^ÌLWg muft obey^and will, Oh awiuil godddlc-Fh, VA/ hile in my flowry bowers I tooke repoP»,
I heard the noyfe of thele tumultuous broiles,
Which ftrookc me with a wondcrfull amazement. Then haíHIy 1 left my bankes ofpkafurc,
Ànd hither came to end thefe mortali iarres ; Therefore I charge you both on that allegance And refpedl which you doc owe to me,
QlJitc to d tfmifle your armed kanas.
And yoüMartagm^ívhoháycíátt^^iolena wrong’d. To her ihall makean ample rciUtutibn,
Of what y*ha ve tane from her j And entcrtainca friendly league with Khod^nl Which you Cynúshatus muft alfocondefeend to 5 ^
But as fpr you|bnd Madam FgUntine^
Since you have bròké the (acred law^s of love.
m-.
- jg--3
Enamor’d on you;
You toa veftail Temple (hall be confin’d. Where with ten yeercs pennaiice You fliall expiate your ^
But where be thofe two intruders^
Thcfc that haveciep.
Sought to oro^throw our fbice,
FimrUstfd AgnpfiMs knufhK We banifh them quite Out of rfiw ever.
I have decreed ybu muftafleAi uotoj
JÍS.W«’
H OD ON arid iKlSl
WedoCjbccaufewemuft. (dcilc.
J^U. here beftow on thee this noble flicpher-
Thanks for your precious gift^renowned Qiieen. Fid. And now iince all things arc reduc’d to ioyfuli Let us betake our (elves to (weet delights, (peace.
And folemnizc with mirth your nuptiall rites.
I
Umpfdrehanijh^dy
'^SincsTdi^ordfromamongtheJlowers is'vmjh'd^
Since wane hath haffj Theiialy -
Let everj one that loves his Countries feace, :
ii c Wt height ofgUdneJfe with his hands ex^rejje^ ^
■<« . •> L
U c
l..y ¿M‘ ‘
^ •ife .
t
H-.