sirs why stand you mute Are you stupid you are not worthy o' the benefit DAVP. Did not I tell you mischiefe CLE. I would you had plac'd this benefit somewhere else TRV. Why so CLE. Slight you haue done the most inconsiderate rash weake thing that euer man did to his friend DAVP. Friend if the most malicious enemy I haue had studied to inflict an iniury vpon me it could not bee a greater TRV. Wherein for gods-sake Gent come to your selues againe DAVP. But I presag'd thus much afore to you CLE. Would my lips had beene soldred when I spak on 't Slight what mou'd you to be thus impertinent TRV. My masters doe not put on this strange face to pay my courtesie off with this visor Haue good turnes done you and thanke 'hem this way DAVP. Fore heau'n you haue vndone me That which I haue plotted for and beene maturing now these foure moneths you haue blasted in a minute now I am lost I may speake This gentlewoman was lodg'd here by me o'purpose and to be put vpon my vncle hath profest this obstinate silence for my sake being my entire friend and one that for the requitall of such a fortune as to marry him would haue made mee very ample conditions where now all my hopes are vtterly miscaried by this vnlucky accident CLE. Thus 't is when a man will be ignorantly officious doe seruices and not know his why I wonder what curteous itch possess'd you you neuer did absurder part i' your life nor a greater trespasse to friendship to humanity DAVP. Faith you may forgiue it best 't was your cause principally DLE I know it would it had not CAVP How now CVTBERD what newes CVT. The best the happiest that euer was sir. There has beene a mad gentleman with your vncle this morning I thinke this be the gentleman that has almost talk'd him out of his wits with threatning him from marriage DAVP. On I pray thee CVT. And your vnkle sir hee thinkes 't was done by your procurement therefore he will see the party you wot of presently and if he like her he sayes and that she be so inclining to dombe as I haue told him he sweares hee will marry her to day instantly and not deferre it a minute longer DAVP. Excellent beyond our expectation TRV. Beyond your expectation by this light I knewe it would bee thus DAVP. Nay sweet TRVE-WIT forgiue me TRV. No I was ignorantly officious impertinent this was the absurd weake part CLE. Wilt thou ascribe that to merit now was meere fortune TRV. Fortune mere prouidence Fortune had not a finger in 't I saw it must necessarily in nature fall out so my genius is neuer false to me in these things Shew me how it could be otherwise DAVP. Nay gentlemen contend not t is well now TRV. Alasse I let him goe on with inconsiderate and rash and what he pleas'd CLE. Away thou strange iustifier of thy selfe to bee wiser then thou wert by the euent TRV. Euent By this light thou shalt neuer perswade me but I foresaw it aswell as the starres themselues DAVP. Nay gentlemen 't is well now doe you two entertaine sir IOHN DAW with discourse while I send her away with instructions TRV. I 'll be acquainted with her first by your fauour CLE. Master TRVE-WIT lady a friend of ours TRV. I am sorry I haue not knowne you sooner lady to celebrate this rare vertue of your silence CLE. Faith an' you had come sooner you should ha'seene and heard her well celebrated in sir IOHN DAW'S madrigalls TRV. IACK DAW god saue you when saw you LA-FOOLE DAW Not since last night master TRVE-WIT TRV. That 's miracle I thought you two had beene inseparable DAW Hee 's gone to inuite his guests TRV. Gods so t is true what a false memory haue I towards that man I am one I met him e'ne now vpon that he calls his delicate fine blacke horse rid into a foame with poasting from place to place and person to person to giue 'hem the cue CLE. Lest they should forget TRV. Yes there was neuer poore captaine tooke more paines at a muster to show men then he at this meale to shew friends DAW It is his quarter-feast sir. CLE. What! doe you say so sir IOHN TRV. Nay IACK DAW will not be out at the best friends hee has to the talent of his wit where 's his mistris to heare and applaud him is she gone DAW Is mistris EPICOENE gone CLE. Gone afore with sir DAVPHINE I warrant to the place TRV. Gone afore that were a manifest iniurie a disgrace and a halfe to refuse him at such a festiuall time as this being a Brauery and a Wit too CLE. Tut hee 'll swallow it like creame hee 's better read in iure ciuili then to esteeme any thing a disgrace is offer'd him from a mistris DAW Nay let her eene goe she shall sit alone and bee dumbe in her chamber a weeke together for IOHN DAW I warrant her do's she refuse me CLE. No sir doe not take it so to heart shee do's not refuse you but a little neglect you Good faith TRVE-WIT you were too blame to put it into his head that shee do's refuse him TRV. Shee do's refuse him sir palpably how euer you mince it An' I were as hee I would sweare to speake ne're a word to her to day for 't DAW By this light no more I will not TRV. Nor to any body else sir. DAW Nay I will not say so gentlemen CLE. It had beene an excellent happy condition for the company if you could haue drawne him to it DAW I 'll be very melancholique i'faith CLE. As a dog if I were as you sir IOHN TRV. Or a snaile or a hog-louse I would roule my selfe vp for this day introth they should not vnwinde me DAW By this pick-tooth so I will CLE. 'T is well done he beginnes already to be angry with his teeth DAW Will you goe gentlemen CLE. Nay you must walke alone if you bee right melancholique sir IOHN TRV. Yes sir wee 'll dog you wee 'll follow you a farre off CLE. Was there euer such a two yards of knighthood measur'd out by Time to be sold to laughter TRV. A meere talking mole hang him no mushrome was euer so fresh A fellow so vtterly nothing as he knowes not what he would be CLE. Let 's follow him but first let 's goe to DAVPHINE hee 's houering about the house to heare what newes TRV. Content Act II. Scene V. MOROSE EPICOENE CVTBERD MVTE. He goes about her and viewes her WElcome CVTBERD draw neere with you faire chardge and in her eare softly intreat her to vnmasque So. Is the dore shut inough Now CVTBERD with the same discipline I vse to my family I will question you As I conceiue CVTBERD this gentlewoman is shee you haue prouided and brought in hope shee will sit me in the place and person of a wife Answer me not but with your leg vnlesse
should IVPITER stand in awe of thy face IVNO IVLI. Because it is thy wiues face IVPITER OVID What shall a husband be afraid of his wiues face will shee paint it so horribly Wee are a King cot-queane and we will raigne in our pleasures and wee will cudgell thee to death if thou finde fault with vs IVLI. I will find fault with thee King cuckold-maker what shall the King of gods turne the King of good fellowes and haue no fellow in wickednesse This makes our poets that know our prophanenesse liue as prophane as we By my god-head IVPITER I will ioyne with all the other gods here bind thee hand and foot throw thee downe into earth and make a poore poet of thee if thou abuse me thus GALL. A good smart-tongu'd Goddesse a right IVNO OVID IVNO we will cudgell thee IVNO we told thee so yesterday when thou wert iealous of vs for THETIS PYRG. Nay to day shee had me in inquisition too TVCC. Well said my fine Phrygian frie informe informe Giue mee some wine King of Heralds I may drinke to my cockatrice OVID No more GANYMEDE wee will cudgell thee IVNO by STYX we will IVLI. I 't is well Gods may grow impudent in iniquitie and they must not be told of it OVID Yea we will knocke our chinne against our brest and shake thee out of Olympus into an oyster-bote for thy scolding IVLI. Your nose is not long enough to doe it IVPITER if all thy strumpets thou hast among the starres tooke thy part And there is neuer a starre in thy fore-head but shall be a horne if thou persist to abuse me CRIS. A good iest i' faith OVID We tell thee thou anger'st vs cot-queane and we will thunder thee in peeces for thy cot-queanitie CRIS. Another good iest ALBI. O my hammers and my Cyclops this boy fills not wine enough to make vs kind enough to one another TVCC. Nor thou hast not collied thy face enough stinkard ALBI. I 'le ply the table with nectar and make them friends HERM. Heauen is like to haue but a lame skinker then ALBI. Wine and good liuers make true louers I 'le sentence them together Here father here mother for shame drinke your selues drunke and forget this dissention you two should cling together before our faces and giue vs example of vnitie GALL. O excellently spoken VULCAN on the sodaine TIBV. IVPITER may doe well to preferre his tongue to some office for his eloquence TVCC. His tongue shall bee gent'man vsher to his wit and still goe before it ALBI. An excellent fit office CRIS. I and an excellent good iest besides HERM. What haue you hired MERCVRY to cry your iests you make OVID MOMVS you are enuious TVCC. Why you whoreson block-head 't is your only blocke of wit in fashion now adaies to applaud other folkes iests HERM. True with those that are not artificers themselues VULCAN you nod and the mirth of the iest droops PYRG. He ha's fild nectar so long till his braine swims in it GALL. What doe we nod fellow Gods sound musicke and let vs startle our spirits with a song TVCC. Doe APOLLO thou art a good musician GALL. What saies IVPITER OVID Ha ha GALL. A song OVID Why doe doe sing PLAV. BACCHVS what say you TIBV. CERES PLAV. But to this song TIBV. Sing for my part IVLI. Your belly weighes downe your head BACCHVS here 's a song toward TIBV. Begin VULCAN ALBI. What else what else TVCC. Say IVPITER OVID MERCVRY CRIS. I say say SONG WAke our mirth begins to die Quicken it with tunes and wine Raise your notes you 're out fie fie This drouzinesse is an ill signe We banish him the queere of Gods That droops agen Then all are men For here 's not one but nods OVID I like not this sodaine and generall heauinesse amongst our Godheads 'T is somewhat ominous APOLLO command vs lowder musicke and let MERCVRY and MOMVS contend to please and reuiue our senses SONG HERM. THen in a free and lofty straine Our broken tunes we thus repaire CRIS. And we answere them againe Running diuision on the panting aire AMBO To celebrate this feast of sense As free from scandall as offence HERM. Here is beautie for the eye CRIS. For the eare sweet melodie HERM. Ambrosiack odours for the smell CRIS. Delicious nectar for the taste AMBO For the touch a ladies waste Which doth all the rest excell OVID I This hath wak't vs MERCVRY our Herald Goe from our selfe the great God IVPITER to the great Emperour AVGVSTVS CAESAR And command him from vs of whose bountie he hath receiued his sir-name AVGVSTVS that for a thanke-offring to our beneficence he presently sacrifice as a dish to this banquet his beautifull and wanton daughter IVLIA Shee 's a curst queane tell him and plaies the scold behind his backe Therefore let her be sacrific'd Command him this MERCVRY in our high name of IVPITER ALTITONANS IVLI. Stay feather-footed MERCVRY and tell AVGVSTVS from vs the great IVNO SATVRNIA if he thinke it hard to doe as IVPITER hath commanded him and sacrifice his daughter that hee had better to doe so ten times then suffer her to loue the well-nos'd poet OVID whom he shall doe well to whip or cause to bee whipt about the capitoll for soothing her in her follies Act IIII. Scene VI. CAESAR MECOENAS HORACE LVPVS HISTRIO MINOS LICTORS OVID GALLVS TIBVLLVS TVCCA CRISPINVS ALBIVS HERMOGENES PYRGVS IVLIA CYTHERIS PLAVTIA CHLOE WHat sight is this MECOENAS HORACE say Haue we our senses Doe we heare and see Or are these but imaginarie obiects Drawne by our phantasie Why speake you not Let vs doe sacrifice Are they the Gods Reuerence amaze and furie fight in me What doe they kneele Nay then I see 't is true I thought impossible Ô impious sight Let me diuert mine eyes the very thought Euerts my soule with passion looke not man There is a panther whose vnnaturall eyes Will strike thee dead He offers to kill his daughter turne then and die on her With her owne death MECoe. HORACE What meanes imperiall CAESAR CAESA. What would you haue me let the strumpet liue That for this pageant earnes so many deathes TVCC. Boy slinke boy PYRG. 'Pray IVPITER we be not follow'd by the sent Master CAESA. Say sir what are you ALBI. I play VULCAN sir CAESA. But what are you sir ALBI. Your citizen and ieweller sir CAESA. And what are you dame CHLO. I play VENVS forsooth CAESA. I aske not what you play but what you are CHLO. Your citizen and iewellers wife sir CAESA. And you good sir CRIS. Your gentleman parcell-poet sir CAESA. O that prophaned name And are these seemely companie for thee Degenerate monster all the rest I know And hate all knowledge for their hatefull sakes Are you that first the deities inspir'd With skill of their high natures and their powers The first abusers of their vse-full light Prophaning thus their dignities in their formes And making them like you but counterfeits
spare 'hem But as things now stand Fathers to spare these men were to commit A greater wickednesse then you would reuenge If there had beene but time and place for you To haue repair'd this fault you should haue made it It should haue beene your punishment to' haue felt Your tardie error but necessitie Now bids me say let 'hem not liue an houre If you meane Rome should liue a day I haue done SEN. CATO hath spoken like an oracle CRA. Let it be so decreed SEN. We are all fearefull SYL. And had beene base had not his vertue rais'd vs SEN. Goe forth most worthy Consul wee 'll assist you CAES. I 'am not yet chang'd in my sentence Fathers CAT. No matter What be those SER. Letters for CAESAR CAT. From whom let 'hem be read in open Senate Fathers they come from the conspirators I craue to haue 'hem read for the republique CAES. CATO reade you it 'T is a loue-letter From your deare sister to me though you hate me Doe not discouer it CAT. Hold thee drunkard Consul Goe forth and confidently CAES. You 'll repent This rashnesse CICERO PRAE. CAESAR shall repent it CIC. Hold friends PRAE. Hee 's scarce a friend vnto the publike CIC. No violence CAESAR be safe Leade on Where are the publike executioners Bid 'hem wait on vs On to SPINTHERS house Bring LENTVLVS forth Here you the sad reuengers Of capitall crimes against the publike take This man vnto your iustice strangle him LEN. Thou do'st well Consul 'T was a cast at dice In FORTVNES hand not long since that thy selfe Should'st haue heard these or other words as fatall CIC. Leade on to QVINTVS CORNIFICIVS house Bring forth CETHEGVS Take him to the due Death that he hath deseru'd and let it be Said He was once CET. A beast or what is worse A slaue CETHEGVS Let that be the name For all that 's base hereafter That would let This worme pronounce on him and not haue trampled His body into Ha! Art thou not mou'd CIC. Iustice is neuer angrie Take him hence CET. O the whore FORTVNE and her bawds the Fates That put these tricks on men which knew the way To death by a sword Strangle me I may sleepe I shall grow angrie with the gods else CIC. Leade To CAIVS CAESAR for STATILIVS Bring him and rude GABINIVS out Here take 'hem To your cold hands and let 'hem feele death from you GAB. I thanke you you doe me a pleasure STA. And me too CAT. So MARCVS TVLLIVS thou maist now stand vp And call it happy Rome thou being Consul Great parent of thy countrie goe and let The old men of the citie ere they die Kisse thee the matrons dwell about thy necke The youths and maides lay vp 'gainst they are old What kind of man thou wert to tell their nephewes When such a yeere they reade within our Fasti Thy Consul-ship Who 's this PETREIVS CIC. Welcome Welcome renowned souldier What 's the newes This face can bring no ill with 't vnto Rome How do's the worthy Consul my colleague PET. As well as victorie can make him sir He greets the Fathers and to me hath trusted The sad relation of the ciuill strife For in such warre the conquest still is black CIC. Shall we with-draw into the house of Concord CAT. No happy Consul here let all eares take The benefit of this tale If he had voyce To spread vnto the poles and strike it through The center to the Antipodes It would aske it PET. The streights and needs of CATILINE being such As he must fight with one of the two armies That then had neere enclos'd him It pleas'd Fate To make vs th' obiect of his desperate choise Wherein the danger almost paiz'd the honor And as he riss' the day grew black with him And Fate descended neerer to the earth As if shee meant to hide the name of things Vnder her wings and make the world her quarrie At this we rous'd lest one small minutes stay Had left it to be enquir'd what Rome was And as we ought arm'd in the confidence Of our great cause in forme of battaile stood Whilst CATILINE came on not with the face Of any man but of a publique ruine His count'nance was a ciuill warre it selfe And all his host had standing in their lookes The palenesse of the death that was to come Yet cryed they out like vultures and vrg'd on As if they would precipitate our fates Nor staid we longer for 'hem But himselfe Strooke the first stroke And with it fled a life Which cut it seem'd a narrow necke of land Had broke betweene two mightie seas and either Flow'd into other for so did the slaughter And whirl'd about as when two violent tides Meet and not yeeld The Furies stood on hills Circling the place and trembled to see men Doe more then they whilst pietie left the field Grieu'd for that side that in so bad a cause They knew not what a crime their valour was The sunne stood still and was behind the cloud The battaile made seene sweating to driue vp His frighted horse whom still the noyse droue backward And now had fierce ENYO like a flame Consum'd all it could reach and then it selfe Had not the fortune of the common-wealth Come PALLAS-like to euery Roman thought Which CATILINE seeing and that now his troops Couer'd that earth they had fought on with their trunkes Ambitious of great fame to crowne his ill Collected all his furie and ran in Arm'd with a glorie high as his despaire Into our battaile like a Lybian lyon Vpon his hunters scornefull of our weapons Carelesse of wounds plucking downe liues about him Till he had circled in himselfe with death Then fell he too t' embrace it where it lay And as in that rebellion 'gainst the gods MINERVA holding forth MEDVSA'S head One of the gyant brethren felt himselfe Grow marble at the killing sight and now Almost made stone began t' inquire what flint What rocke it was that crept through all his limmes And ere he could thinke more was that he fear'd So CATILINE at the sight of Rome in vs Became his tombe yet did his looke retayne Some of his fiercenesse and his hands still mou'd As if he labour'd yet to graspe the state With those rebellious parts CAT. A braue bad death Had this beene honest now and for his countrey As 't was against it who had ere fallen greater CIC. Honor'd PETREIVS Rome not I must thanke you How modestly has he spoken of himselfe CAT. He did the more CIC. Thanks to the immortall gods Romans I now am paid for all my labours My watchings and my dangers Here conclude Your praises triumphs honors and rewards Decreed to me only the memorie Of this glad day if I may know it liue Within your thoughts shall much affect my conscience Which I must alwayes studie before fame Though both be good the latter yet is worst And euer is ill got without the first THE
sir hee goes in a cloke most commonly of silke russet laid about with russet lace BRAY. 'T is very good sir MAT. Here sir here 's my iewell BOB. And here are stockings BRAY. Well gentlemen I le procure you this warrant presently but who will you haue to serue it MAT. That 's true Captaine that must be consider'd BOB. Bodie o' me I know not 't is seruice of danger BRAY. Why you were best get one o' the varlets o' the citie a serieant I le appoint you one if you please MAT. Will you sir why we can wish no better BOB. Wee 'll leaue it to you sir BRAY. This is rare now will I goe pawne this cloke of the Iustice's mans at the brokers for a varlets sute and be the varlet my selfe and get either more pawnes or more mouie of DOWNE-RIGHT for the arrest Act IIII. Scene X. KNO'WEL TIB CASH DAME KITELY KITELY COB OH here it is I am glad I haue found it now Ho who is within here TIB. I am within sir what 's your pleasure KNO. To know who is within besides your selfe TIB. Why sir you are no constable I hope KNO. O! feare you the constable then I doubt not You haue some guests within deserue that feare I le fetch him straight TIB. O' gods name sir KNO. Goe to Come tell me Is not yong KNO'WEL here TIB. Yong KNO-WELL I know none such sir o' mine honestie KNO. Your honestie dame it flies too lightly from you There is no way but fetch the constable TIB. The constable the man is mad I thinke CAS. Ho who keepes house here KNO. O this is the female copes-mate of my sonne Now shall I meet him straight DAME Knock THOMAS hand CAS. Ho good wife TIB. Why what 's the matter with you DAME Why woman grieues it you to ope' your doore Belike you get something to keepe it shut TIB. What meane these questions 'pray yee DAME So strange you make it is not my husband here KNO. Her husband DAME My tryed husband master KITELY TIB. I hope he needes not to betryed here DAME No dame he do's it not for need but pleasure TIB. Neither for need nor pleasure is he here KNO. This is but a deuice to balke me withall Soft who is this 'T is not my sonne disguisd DAME O Shee spies her husband come and runnes to him sir haue I fore-stald your honest market Found your close walkes you stand amaz'd now doe you I faith I am glad I haue smokt you yet at last What is your iewell trow In come le ts see her Fetch forth your huswife dame if shee be fairer In any honest iudgement then my selfe I le be content with it but shee is change Shee feedes you fat shee soothes your appetite And you are well your wife an honest woman Is meat twice sod to you sir O you trecher KNO. Shee cannot counterfeit thus palpably KITE. Out on thy more then strumpets impudence Steal'st thou thus to thy haunts and haue I taken Thy bawd and thee and thy companion Pointing to old Knowell This horie-headed letcher this old goat Close at your villanie and would'st thou 'scuse it With this stale harlots iest accusing me To him O old incontinent do'st not thou shame When all thy powers in chastitie is spent To haue a mind so hot and to entice And feede th' enticements of a lustfull woman DAME Out I defie thee I dissembling wretch KITE. By Thomas Defie me strumpet aske thy pandar here Can be denie it or that wicked older KNO. Why heare you sir KITE. Tut tut tut neuer speake Thy guiltie conscience will discouer thee KNO. What lunacie is this that hants this man KITE. Well good-wife BA'D COBS wife and you That make your husband such a hoddie-doddie And you yong apple-squire and old ouckold-maker He ha' you euery one before a Iustice Nay you shall answere it I charge you goe KNO. Marie with all my heart sir I goe willingly Though I doe tast this as a trick put on me To punish my impertinent search and iustly And halfe forgiue my sonne for the deuice KITE. Come will you goe DAME Goe to thy shame beleeue it COB Why what 's the matter here What 's here to doe KITE. O COB art thou come I haue beene abus'd And i' thy house Neuer was man so wrong'd COB Slid in my house my master KITELY Who wrongs you in my house KITE. Marie yong lust in old and old in yong here Thy wife 's their bawd here haue I taken 'hem COB He falls vpon his wife and beares her How bawd Is my house come to that Am I prefer'd thether Did I charge you to keepe your dores shut Is'BEL and doe you let 'hem lie open for all commers KNO. Friend know some cause before thou beat'st thy wife This 's madnesse in thee COB Why is there no cause KITE. Yes I le shew cause before the Iustice COB Come let her goe with me COB Nay shee shall goe TIB. Nay I will goe I le see an' you may bee allow'd to make a bundle o' hempe o' your right and lawfull wife thus at euery cuckoldly knaues pleasure Why doe you not goe KITE. A bitter queane Come wee 'll ha' you tam'd Act IIII. Scene XI. BRAYNE-WORME MATTHEW BOBADIL STEPHEN DOWNE-RIGHT WEll of all my disguises yet now am I most like my selfe being in this Serjeants gowne A man of my present profession neuer counterfeits till hee layes hold vpon a debter and sayes he rests him for then hee brings him to all manner of vnrest A kinde of little kings wee are bearing the diminutiue of a mace made like a yong artichocke that alwayes carries pepper and salt in it selfe Well I know not what danger I vnder-goe by this exploit pray heauen I come well of MAT. See I thinke yonder is the varlet by his gowne BOB. Let 's goe in quest of him MAT. 'Save you friend are not you here by appointment of Iustice CLEMENTS man BRAY. Yes an 't please you sir he told me two gentlemen had will'd him to procure a warrant from his master which I haue about me to be seru'd on one DOWNE-RIGHT MAT. It is honestly done of you both and see where the partie comes you must arrest serue it vpon him quickly afore hee bee aware BOB. Beare backe master MATTHEW BRAY. Master DOWNE-RIGHT I arrest you i' the queenes name and must carry you afore a Iustice by vertue of this warrant STEP. Mee friend I am no DOWNE-RIGHT I I am master STEPHEN you doe not well to arrest me I tell you truely I am in nobodies bonds nor bookes I would you should know it A plague on you heartily for making mee thus afraid afore my time BRAY. Why now are you deceiued gentlemen BOB. He weares such a cloke and that deceiued vs But see here a comes indeed this is he officer DOWN. Why how now signior gull are you turn'd filtcher of late come deliuer my cloke STEP. Your cloke sir I bought it euen now
left O the Taylor vvill presently giue out what I am vpon the reading of it vvorth twentie of your Gallants CAR. But then you must put on an extreme face of discontentment at your mans negligence SOG. O so I vvill and beat him too I 'le haue a man for the purpose MACIL You may you haue land and crownes O partiall fate CARL. Masse well remembred you must keepe your men gallant at the first fine pyâ—d liueries laid vvith good gold lace there 's no losse in it they may tip't off and pawne it vvhen they lacke victuals SOG. By 'r Ladie that is chargeable Signior 't will bring a man in debt CAR. Debt why that 's the more for your credit sir it 's an excellent policy to owe much in these daies if you note it SOG. As how good Signior I would faine be a Polititian CAR. O! looke where you are indebted any great summe your creditor obserues you with no lesse regard then if hee were bound to you for some huge benefit and will quake to giue you the least cause of offence lest he loose his money I assure you in these times no man has his seruant more obsequious and pliant then gentlemen their creditors to whom if at any time you pay but a moitie or a fourth part it comes more acceptedly then if you gaue them a new-yeares gift SOG. I perceiue you sir I will take vp and bring my selfe in credit sure CAR. Mary this alwaies beware you commerce not with bankrupts or poore needie Ludgathians they are impudent creatures turbulent spirits they care not what violent tragedies they stirre nor how they play fast and loose with a poore gentlemans fortunes to get their owne Mary these rich fellowes that ha' the vvorld or the better part of it sleeping in their counting-houses they are ten times more placable they either feare hope or modestie restraines them from offering any outrages but this is nothing to your followers you shall not run a penny more in arrerage for them and you list your selfe SOG. No how should I keepe 'hem then CAR. Keepe 'hem Sbloud let them keepe themselues they are no sheepe are they What you shall come in houses where plate apparrell iewels and diuers other pretie commodities lye negligently scattered and I would ha' those Mercuries follow me I trow should remember they had not their fingers for nothing SOG. That 's not so good me thinkes CAR. Why after you haue kept 'hem a fortnight or so and shew'd 'hem ynough to the world you may turne 'hem away and keepe no more but a boy it 's ynough SOG. Nay my humour is not for boyes I le keepe men and I keepe any and I le giue coats that 's my humour but I lacke a cullisen CAR. Why now you ride to the citie you may buy one I le bring you where you shall ha' your choise for money SOG. Can you sir CAR. O I you shall haue one take measure of you and make you a Coâ—â— of armes to fit you of vvhat fashion you vvill SOG. By word of mouth I thanke you Signior I le be once a little prodigall in a humour i' faith and haue a most prodigious coat MACI. Torment and death breake head and braine at once To be deliuer'd of your fighting issue Who can endure to see blinde Fortune dote thus To be enamour'd on this dustie turfe This clod a whorson puck-fist O god god god god c. I could runne wild vvith griefe now to behold The ranknesse of her bounties that doth breed Such bull-rushes these mushrompe gentlemen That shoot vp in a night to place and vvorship CAR. Let him alone some stray some stray SOG. Nay I will examine him before I goe sure CAR. The Lord of the soile ha's al vvests and straies here ha's he not SOG. Yes sir. CAR. Faith then I pitty the poore fellow he 's falne into a fooles hands SOG. Sirrah who gaue you commission to lye in my lordship MACI. Your lordship SOG. How my lordship doe you know me sir MACI. I doe know you sir. CAR. S'heart he answeres him like an eccho SOG. Why who am I Sir MACI. One of those that fortune fauours CAR. The Perphrasis of a foole I le obserue this better SOG. That fortune fauours how meane you that friend MACI. I meane simply THat you are one that liues not by your vvits SOG. By my wits No sir I scorne to liue by my wits I. I haue better meanes I tell thee then to take such base courses as to liue by my wits Sbloud doest thou thinke I liue by my wits MACI. Me thinkes Iester you should not relilsh this well CAR. Ha does he know me MACI. Though yours bee the worst vse a man can put his wit to of thousands to prostitute it at euery tauerne and ordinarie yet mee thinkes you should haue turn'd your broad side at this and haue beene readie with an Apologie able to sinke this hulke of ignorance into the bottome and depth of his contempt CAR. Sbloud 't is MACILENTE Signior you are well encountred how is 't O we must not regard what he saies man a trout a shallow foole he ha's no more braine then a butter-flie a meere stuft suit he looks like a mustie bottle new vvickerd his head 's the corke light light I am glad to see you so well return'd Signior MACI. You are Gramercie good IANVS SOG. Is he one of your acquaintance I loue him the better for that CAR. Gods precious come away man what doe you meane and you knew him as I doe you 'ld shun him as you 'ld doe the plague SOG. Why sir CAR. O hee 's a blacke fellow take heed on him SOG. Is he a Scholler or a Souldier CAR. Both both a leane mungrell he lookes as if he were chap-falne with barking at other mens good fortunes ' ware how you offend him he carries oile and fire in his pen vvill scald vvhere it drops his spirit 's like powder quick violent hee 'le blow a man vp with a jest I feare him vvorse then a rotten wall do's the cannon shake an houre after at the report Away come not neere him SOG. For Gods sake let 's be gone and he be a Scholler you know I cannot abide him I had as leeue see a Cockatrice specially as cockatrices goe now CAR. What you 'le stay signior this gentleman SOGLIARDO and I are to visit the knight PVNTARVOLO and from thence to the citie wee shall meet there MACI. I vvhen I cannot shun you vve will meet 'T is strange of all the creatures I haue seene I enuie not this BVFFON for indeede Neither his fortunes nor his parts deserue it But I doe hate him as I hate the deuill Or that brasse-visag'd monster Barbarisme O 't is an open-throated black-mouth'd curre That bites at all but eates on those that feed him A slaue that to your face will serpent-like Creepe on the ground as he would eate the dust And to your backe
Tab. you are made of ingenuitie I. Tab. MACI. True as your discourse is Ô abominable FAST Will your ladiship take any SAVI O peace I pray you I loue not the breath of a woodcockes head FAST Meaning my head ladie SAVI Not altogether so sir but as it were fatall to their follies that thinke to grace themselues with taking tabacco when they want better entertainment you see your pipe beares the true forme of a woodcockes head FAST O admirable simile SAVI 'T is best leauing of you in admiration sir. MACI. Are these the admired lady-wits that hauing so good a plaine-song can runne no better diuision vpon it S'heart all her iests are of the stampe March was fifteene yeres ago Is this the Comet Monsieur FASTADIVS that your gallants wonder at so FAST Hart of a gentleman to neglect mee afore presence thus Sweet sir I beseech you be silent in my disgrace By the Muses I was neuer in so vile a humour in my life and her wit was at the â—loud too Report it not for a million good sir let me be so farre endear'd to your loue GREX. MIT What followes next signior CORDATVS this gallants humour is almost spent me thinkes it ebbes apace with this contrarie breath of his mistresse COR. O but it will â—low againe for all this till there come a generall drought of humour among all our actors and then I feare not but his wil fall as low as any See who presents himselfe here MIT What i' the old case COR. Yfaith which makes it the more pittifull you vnderstand where the Scene is Act IIII. Scene I. FALLACE FVNGOSO WHy are you so melancholy brother FVNG. I am not melancholy I thanke you sister FALL Why are you not merrie then there are but two of vs in all the world and if wee should not bee comforts one to another god helpe vs. FVNG. Faith I cannot tell sister but if a man had any true melancholy in him it would make him melancholy to see his yeomanly father cut his neighbours throats to make his sonne a gentleman and yet when he has cut 'hem he will see his sonnes throat cut too ere he make him a true gentleman indeed before death cut his owne throat I must bee the first head of our house and yet he will not giue me the head till I bee made so Is any man term'd a gentleman that is not alwayes i' the fashion I would know but that FALL If you bee melancholy for that brother I thinke I haue as much cause to bee melancholy as one for I 'le be sworne I liue as little in the fashion as any woman in London By the faith of a Gentlewoman beast that I am to say it I ha' not one friend i' the world besides my husband When saw you master FASTIDIVS BRISKE brother FVNG. But a while since sister I thinke I know not well in truth By this hand I could fight with all my heart me thinkes FALL Nay good brother be not resolute FVNG. I sent him a letter and he writes me no answere neyther FALL Oh sweete FASTIDIVS BRISKE Ô fine courtier thou art hee mak'st me sigh and say how blessed is that woman that hath a courtier to her husband and how miserable a dame shee is that hath neyther husband nor friend i' the court O sweet FASTIDIVS Ô fine courtier How comely he bowes him in his court'sie how full hee hits a woman betweene the lips when hee kisses how vpright hee sits at the table how daintily he carues how sweetly he talkes and tels newes of this lord and of that lady how cleanely he wipes his spoone at euery spoonfull of any whit-meat he eates and what a neat case of pick-tooths he carries about him still O sweet FASTIDIVS Ô fine courtier Act IIII. Scene II. DELIRO MVSICIANS MACILENTE FVNGOSO SEe yonder shee is gentlemen Now as euer you 'll beare the name of musicians touch your instruments sweetly shee has a delicate eare I tell you play not a false note I beseech you MVSI Feare not siguior DELIRO DELI O begin begin some sprightly thing Lord how my imagination labours with the successe of it Well said good yfaith heauen grant it please her I 'le not be seene for then shee 'le be sure to dislike it FALL Hey da this is excellent I 'le lay my life this is my husbands dotage I thought so nay neuer play peeke-boe with me I know you doe nothing but studie how to anger me sir. DELI Anger thee sweet wife why didst thou not send for musicians to supper last night thy selfe FALL To supper sir now come vp to supper I beseech you as though there were no difference between supper time when folkes should be merry and this time when they would be melancholy I would neuer take vpon me to take a wife if I had no more iudgement to please her DELI Be pleas'd sweet wife and they shall ha' done and would to fate my life were done if I can neuer please thee MACI. Saue you lady where is master DELIRO DELI Here master MACILENTE you are welcome from court sir no doubt you haue beene grac't exceedingly of master BRISKES Mistris and the rest of the ladies for his sake MACI. Alas the poore phantasticke hee 's scarce knowne To any lady there and those that know him Know him the simplest man of all they know Deâ—ide and play vpon his amorous humours Though he but apishly doth imitate The gallant'st courtiers kissing ladies pumps Holding the cloth for them praising their wits And seruilely obseruing euery one May doe them pleasure fearefull to be seene With any man though he be ne're so worthy That 's not in grace with some that are the greatest Thus courtiers doe and these he counterfeits But sets not such a sightly carriage Vpon their vanities as they themselues And therefore they despise him for indeed Hee 's like the Zani to a tumbler That tries tricks after him to make men laugh FALL Here 's an vnthankfull spitefull wretch the good gentleman vouchsaft to make him his companion because my husband put him into a few rags and now see how the vnrude rascall back-bites him DELI Is he no more grac't amongst 'hem then say you MACI. Faith like a pawne at Chesse fills vp a roome that 's all FALL O monster of men can the earth beare such an eâ—uious caytiffe DELI Well I repent me I e're credited him so much but now I see what he is and that his masking vizor is off I 'le forbeare him no longer All his lands are morgag'd to me and forfeited besides I haue bonds of his in my hand for the receit of now fifty pound now a hundred now two hundred still as he has had a fan but wagg'd at him he would be in a new sute Well I 'le salute him by a Sergeant the next time I see him yfaith I 'le sute him MACI. Why you may soone see him sir for hee is to meet signior
it selfe to your two loues FAST Faith sir the same that sundred AGAMEMNON and great THETIS sonne but let the cause escape sir Hee sent mee a challenge mict with some few braues which I restor'd and in fine we met Now indeed sir I must tell you he did offer at first very desperately but without iudgement for looke you sir. I cast my selfe into this figure now he comes violently on and withall aduancing his rapier to strike I thought to haue tooke his arme for he had left his whole body to my election and I was sure he could not recouer his guard Sir I mist my purpose in his arme rasht his doublet sleeue ran him close by the left cheek and through his haire He againe lights me here I had on a gold cable hatband then new come vp which I wore about a murrey French hat I had cuts my hatband and yet it was massie gold-smithes worke cuts my brimmes which by good fortune being thicke embrodered with gold-twist and spangles disappointed the force of the blow Neuerthelesse it graz'd on my shoulder takes me away sixe purles of an Italian cut-worke band I wore cost me three pound in the exchange but three daies before PVNT. This was a strange encounter FAST Nay you shall heare sir with this wee both fell out and breath'd Now vpon the second signe of his assault I betooke me to the former manner of my defence he on the other side abandon'd his body to the same danger as before and followes me still with blowes But I being loth to take the deadly aduantage that lay before mee of his left side made a kind of stramazoun ranne him vp to the hilts through the doublet through the shirt and yet mist the skin Hee making a reuerse blow falls vpon my emboss'd girdle I had throwne off the hangers a little before strikes off a skirt of a thick lac't sattin doublet I had lin'd with some foure taffataes cuts off two panes embrodered with pearle rends through the drawings out of tissew enters the linings and skips the flesh CARL. I wonder he speakes not of his wrought shirt FAST Here in the opinion of mutuall dammage wee paus'd but ere I proceed I must tell you signior that in this last encounter not hauing leisure to put off my siluer spurres one of the rowels catcht hold of the ruâ—â—le of my boot and being Spanish leather and subiect to teare ouerthrowes me rends me two paire of silke stockings that I put on being somewhat a raw morning a peach colour and another and strikes me some halfe inch deepe into the side of the calfe Hee seeing the bloud come presently takes horse and away I hauing bound vp my wound with a peece of my wrought shirt CARL. O! comes it in there FAST Rid after him and lighting at the court-gate both together embrac'd and marcht hand in hand vp into the presence was not this businesse well carried MACI. Well yes and by this we can gesse what apparell the gentleman wore PVNT. Fore valour it was a designement begun with much resolution maintain'd with as much prowesse and ended with more humanitie How now what saies the Notarie SERV. He saies he is ready sir he staies but your worships pleasure PVNT. Come we will goe to him Monsieur Gentlemen shall we entreat you to be witnesses SOGL. You shall entreat me sir come Resolution SHIFT I follow you good Countenance CARL. Come signior come come MACI. O that there should be fortune To clothe these men so naked in desert And that the iust storme of a wretched life Beats 'hem not ragged for their wretched soules And since as fruitlesse euen as black as coales GREX. MIT Why but signior how comes it that FVNGOSO appear'd not with his sisters intelligence to BRISKE COR. Mary long of the euill angels that she gaue him who haue indeed tempted the good simple youth to follow the taile of the fashion and neglect the imposition of his friends Behold here hee comes very worshipfully attended and with good varietie Act IIII. Scene VII FVNGOSO TAYLOR SHOO-MAKER HABERDASHER GRamercie good shoo-maker I 'le put to strings my selfe Now sir let me see what must you haue for this hat HABER Here 's the bill sir. FVNG. How does 't become me well TAIL Excellent sir as euer you had any hat in your life FVNG. Nay you 'll say so all HABE In faith sir the hat 's as good as any man i' this towne can serue you and will maintayne fashion as long ne're trust me for a groat else FVNG. Do's it apply well to my sute TAIL Exceeding well sir. FVNG. How lik'st thou my sute haberdasher HABE By my troth sir 't is very rarely well made I neuer saw a sute sit better I can tell on TAIL Nay we haue no arte to please our friends we FVNG. Here haberdasher tell this fame HABE Good faith sir it makes you haue an excellent body FVNG. Nay beleeue me I thinke I haue as good a body in clothes as another TAIL You lack points to bring your apparell together sir. FVNG. I 'le haue points anon how now is 't right HABE Faith sir 't is too little but vpon farther hopes Good morrow to you sir. FVNG. Farewell good haberdasher Well now master SNIP let mee see your bill GREX. MIT Me thinkes he discharges his followers too thicke COR. O therein he fancily imitates some great man I warrant you though he turnes off them he keepes this taylor in place of a page to follow him still FVNG. This bill is very reasonable in faith harke you master SNIP Troth sir I am not altogether so well furnisht at this present as I could wish I were but If you 'le doe mee the fauour to take part in hand you shall haue all I haue by this hand TAIL Sir FVNG. And but giue mee credit for the rest till the beginning of the next terme TAIL O lord sir FVNG. Fore god and by this light I 'le pay you to the vtmost and acknowledge my selfe verie deeply engag'd to you by the courtesie TAIL Why how much haue you there sir FVNG. Mary I haue here foure angels and fifteene shillings of white monie it 's all I haue as I hope to be blest TAIL You will not faile me at the next tearme with the rest FVNG. No and I doe pray heauen I be hang'd Let me neuer breathe againe vpon this mortall stage as the philosopher cals it By this aire and as I am a gentleman I 'le hold GREX. CORD He were an yron-hearted fellow in my iudgement that would not credit him vpon this volley of othes TAIL Well sir I 'le not sticke with any gentleman for a trifle you know what 't is remaines FVNG. I sir and I giue you thankes in good faith O fate how happie am I made in this good fortune Well now I 'le goe seeke out Monsieur BRISKE 'Ods so I haue forgot ribband for my shooes and points Slid what lucke 's
a comedie toward that would not be lost for a kingdome MER. In good time for CVPID will proue the comedie CVP. MERCVRY I am studying how to match them MER. How to mis-match them were harder CVP. They are the Nymphs must doe it I shall sport my selfe with their passions aboue measure MER. Those Nymphs would be tam'd a little indeed but I feare thou hast not arrowes for the purpose CVP. O yes here be of all sorts flights rouers and butt-shafts But I can wound with a brandish and neuer draw bow for the matter MER. I cannot but beleeue it my inuisible archer and yet me thinks you are tedious CVP. It behoues me to be somewhat circumspect MERCVRY for if CYNTHIA heare the twang of my bow shee 'le goe neere to whip mee with the string therefore to preuent that I thus discharge a brandish vpon it makes no matter which of the couples PHANTASTE and AMORPHVS at you MER. Will the shaking of a shaft strike 'hem into such a feuer of affection CVP. As well as the wincke of an eye but I pray thee hinder me not with thy prattle MER. IOVE forbid I hinder thee Mary all that I feare is CYNTHIAS presence which with the cold of her chastitie casteth such an antiperistasis about the place that no heate of thine will tarry with the patient CVP. It will tarry the rather for the antiperistasis will keepe it in MER. I long to see the experiment CVP. Why their marrow boiles already or they are all turn'd eunuchs MER. Nay and 't bee so I 'le giue ouer speaking and bee a spectator onely They haue danced the first straine AMO. CYNTHIA by my bright soule is a right exquisite and splendidious lady yet AMORPHVS I thinke hath seene more fashions I am sure more countries but whether I haue or not what neede wee gaze on CYNTHIA that haue our selfe to admire PHA. O excellent CYNTHIA yet if PHANTASTE sate where shee doo's and had such a tire on her head for attire can doe much I say no more but goddesses are goddesses and PHANTASTE is as shee is I would the reuells were done once I might goe to my schoole of glasse againe and learne to doe my selfe right after all this ruffling MER. How now CVPID here 's a wonderfull change with your brandish doe you not heare how they dote CVP. What prodigie is this no word of loue no mention no motion MER. Not a word my little Ignis falne not a word CVP. Are my darts inchaunted Is their vigour gone is their vertue MER. What CVPID turn'd iealous of himselfe ha ha ha CVP. Laughs MERCVRY MER. Is CVPID angrie CVP. Hath he not cause when his purpose is so deluded MOR. A rare comoedie it shall be intitled CVPIDS CVP. Doe not scorne vs HERMES MER. Choller and CVPID are two fiery things I scorne 'hem not But I see that come to passe which I presag'd in the beginning CVP. You cannot tell perhaps the physicke will not worke so soone vpon some as vpon others It may be the rest are not so resty MER. Ex vngue you know the old adage as these so are the remainder CVP. I 'le trie this is the same shaft with which I wounded ARGVRION MER. I but let mee saue you a labour CVPID there were certayne bottles of water fetcht and drunke off since that time by these gallants CVP. IOVE strike me into earth The Fountayne of selfe-Loue MER. Nay faint not CVPID CVP. I remembred it not MER. Faith it was ominous to take the name of ANTEROS vpon you you know not what charme or inchantment lies in the word you saw I durst not venter vpon any deuice in our presentment but was content to be no other then a simple page Your arrowes properties to keepe decorum CVPID are suted it should seeme to the nature of him you personate CVP. Indignitie not to be borne MER. Nay rather an attempt to haue beene forborne CVP. How might I reuenge my selfe on this insulting MERCVRY there 's CRITES The second straine his minion he has not tasted of this water It shall be so Is CRITES turn'd dotard on himselfe too MER. That followes not because the venome of your shafts cannot pierce him CVPID CVP. As though there were one antidote for these and another for him MER. As though there were not or as if one effect might not arise of diuers causes What say you to CYNTHIA ARETE PHRONESIS TIME and others there CVP. They are diuine MER. And CRITES aspires to be so CVP. But that shall not serue him MER. 'T is like to doe it at this time But CVPID is growne too couetous that will not spare one of a multitude CVP. One is more then a multitude MER. ARETES fauour makes any one shot-proofe against thee The third straine CVPID I pray thee light hony-bee remember thou art not now in ADORIS garden but in CYNTHIAS presence where thornes lie in garrison about the roses Soft CYNTHIA speakes Act V. Scene XI. CYNTHIA ARETE CRITES MASQVERS LAdies and gallants of our court to end And giue a timely period to our sports Let vs conclude them with declining night Our empire is but of the darker halfe And if you iudge it any recompence For your faire paines t' haue earn'd DIANAS thankes DIANA grants them and bestowes their crowne To gratifie your acceptable zeale For you are they that not as some haue done Doe censure vs as too seuere and sowre But as more rightly gracious to the good Although we not denie vnto the proud Or the prophane perhaps indeede austere For so ACTAEON by presuming farre Did to our griefe incurre a fatall doome And so swolne NIOBE comparing more Then he presum'd was trophaeed into stone But are we therefore judged too extreme Seemes it no crime to enter sacred bowers And hallowed places with impure aspect Most lewdly to pollute Seemes it no crime To braue a deitie Let mortals learne To make religion of offending heauen And not at all to censure powers diuine To men this argument should stand for firme A Goddesse did it therefore it was good We are not cruell nor delight in bloud But what haue serious repetitions To doe with reuels and the sports of court We not intend to sowre your late delights With harsh expostulation Let 't suffice That we take notice and can take reuenge Of these calumnious and lewd blasphemies For we are no lesse CYNTHIA then we were Nor is our power but as our selfe the same Though we haue now put on no tyre of shine But mortall eyes vndaz'led may indure Yeeres are beneath the spheres and time makes weake Things vnder heauen not powers which gouerne heauen And though our selfe be in our selfe secure Yet let not mortals challenge to themselues Immunitie from thence Loe this is all Honour hath store of spleene but wanteth gall Once more we cast the slumber of our thankes On your ta'ne toile which here let take an end And that we not mis-take your seuerall worths Nor
For now we list Of strenuous venge-ance to clutch the fist Subscri CRIS. TVCC. I mary this was written like a HERCVLES in poetrie now CAES. Excellently well threatned VIRG. I and as strangely worded CAESAR CAES. We obserue it VIRG. The other now TVCC. This 's a fellow of a good prodigall tongue too this'll doe wel TIBV. Our Muse is in mind for th' vntrussing a poet I slip by his name for most men doe know it A critick that all the world bescumbers With satyricall humours and lyricall numbers TVCC. Art thou there boy And for the most part himselfe doth aduance With much selfe-loue and more arrogance TVCC. Good againe And but that I would not be thought a prater I could tell you he were a translater I know the authors from whence he ha's stole And could trace him too but that I vnderstand 'hem not full and whole TVCC. That line is broke loose from all his fellowes chaine him vp shorter doe The best note I can giue you to know him by Is that he keepes gallants company Whom I would wish in time should him feare Lest after they buy repentance too deare Subscri DEME. FAN TVCC. Well said This carries palme with it HORA. And why thou motly gull why should they feare When hast thou knowne vs wrong or taxe a friend I dare malice to betray it Speake Now thou curl'st vp thou poore and nasty snake And shrink'st thy poys'nous head into thy bosome Out viper thou that eat'st thy parents hence Rather such speckled creatures as thy selfe Should be eschew'd and shund such as will bite And gnaw their absent friends not cure their fame Catch at the loosest laughters and affect To be thought iesters such as can deuise Things neuer seene or heard t' impaire mens names And gratifie their credulous aduersaries Will carrie tales doe basest offices Cherish diuided fires and still increase New flames out of old embers will reueale Each secret that 's committed to their trust These be black slaues Romans take heed of these TVCC. Thou twang'st right little HORACE they be indeed A couple of chap-falne curres Come We of the bench Let 's rise to the vrne and condemne 'hem quickly VIRG. Before you goe together worthy Romans We are to tender our opinion And giue you those instructions that may adde Vnto your euen iudgement in the cause Which thus we doe commence First you must know That where there is a true and perfect merit There can bee no deiection and the scorne Of humble basenesse oftentimes so workes In a high soule vpon the grosser spirit That to his bleared and offended sense There seemes a hideous fault blaz'd in the obiect When only the disease in his eyes Here-hence it comes our HORACE now stands taxt Of impudence selfe-loue and arrogance By these who share no merit in themselues And therefore thinke his portion is as small For they from their owne guilt assure their soules If they should confidently praise their workes In them it would appeare inflation Which in a full and wel-digested man Cannot receiue that foule abusiue name But the faire title of erection And for his true vse of translating men It still hath bin a worke of as much palme In cleerest iudgements as t' inuent or make His sharpenesse that is most excusable As being forc't out of a suffering vertue Oppressed with the licence of the time And howsoeuer fooles or ierking pedants Players or such like buffon barking wits May with their beggerly and barren trash Tickle base vulgar eares in their despight This like IOVES thunder shall their pride controule The honest Satyre hath the happiest soule Now Romans you haue heard our thoughts With-draw when you please TIBV. Remoue the accused from the barre TVCC. Who holds the vrne to vs ha Feare nothing I 'le quit you mine honest pittifull stinkards I 'le do 't CRIS. Captaine you shall eternally girt me to you as I am generous TVCC. Goe to CAES. TIBVLLVS let there be a case of vizards priuately prouided we haue found a subiect to bestow them on TIBV. It shall be done CAESAR CAES. Here be wordes HORACE able to bastinado a mans eares HORA. I Please it great CAESAR I haue pills about me Mixt with the whitest kind of ellebore Would giue him a light vomit that should purge His braine and stomack of those tumorous heates Might I haue leaue to minister vnto him CAES. O! be his AESCVLAPIVS gentle HORACE You shall haue leaue and he shall be your patient VIRGIL vse your authoritie command him forth VIRG. CAESAR is carefull of your health CRISPINVS And hath himselfe chose a physitian To minister vnto you take his pills HORA. They are somewhat bitter sir but very wholsome Take yet another so Stand by they 'll worke anon TIBV. Romans returne to your seuerall seates Lictors bring forward the vrne and set the accused at the barre TVCC. Quickly you whorson egregious varlets Come forward What shall we sit all day vpon you you make no more haste now then a begger vpon pattins or a physitian to a patient that has no money you pilchers TIBV. RVFVS LABERIVS CRISPINVS and DEMETRIVS FANNIVS hold vp your hands You haue according to the Roman custome put your selues vpon triall to the vrne for diuers and sundrie calumnies whereof you haue before this time beene indited and are now presently arraigned Prepare your selues to harken to the verdict of your Tryers CAIVS CILNIVS MECOENAS pronounceth you by this hand-writing Guiltie CORNELIVS GALLVS Guiltie PANTILIVS TVCCA TVCC. Parcell-guiltie I DEME. He meanes himselfe for it was he indeed Suborn'd vs to the calumnie TVCC. I you whorson cantharides was 't I DEME. I appeale to your conscience Captaine TIBV. Then you confesse it now DEME. I doe and craue the mercy of the court TIBV. What saith CRISPINVS CRIS. O the Captaine the Captaine HORA. My physicke begins to worke with my patient I see VIRG. Captaine stand forth and answere TVCC. Hold thy peace Poet Praetor I appeale from thee to CAESAR I Doe me right royall CAESAR CAES. Mary and I will sir Lictors gag him doe And put a case of vizards o're his head That he may looke bi-fronted as he speakes TVCC. Gods and fiends CAESAR thou wilt not CAESAR wilt thou Away you whorson vultures away You thinke I am a dead corps now because CAESAR is dispos'd to iest with a man of marke or so Hold your hook't talons out of my flesh you inhumane Harpies Goe to do 't What will the royall AVGVSTVS cast away a gent'man of worship a Captaine and a Commander for a couple of condemn'd caitiue calumnious Cargo's CAES. Dispatch Lictors TVCC. CAESAR CAES. Forward TIBVLLVS VIRG. Demand what cause they had to maligne HORACE DEME. In troth no great cause not I I must confesse but that hee kept better company for the most part then I and that better men lou'd him then lou'd me and that his writings thriu'd better then mine and were better lik't and grac't nothing else
nobly then other And wins no lesse on mens affections Then doth his father lose Beleeue me I loue him And chiefly for opposing to SEIANVS SIL. And I for gracing his yong kinsmen so The sonnes of Prince GERMANICVS It shewes A gallant cleerenesse in him a streight minde That enuies not in them their fathers name ARR. His name was while he liu'd aboue all enuie And being dead without it O that man If there were seedes of the old vertue left They liu'd in him SIL. He had the fruits ARRVNTIVS More then the seedes SABINVS and my selfe Had meanes to know him within and can report him We were his followers he would call vs friends He was a man most like to vertue In all And euery action neerer to the gods Then men in nature of a body as faire As was his mind and no lesse reuerend In face then fame He could so vse his state Temp'ring his greatnesse with his grauitie As it auoyded all selfe-loue in him And spight in others What his funeralls lack'd In images and pompe they had supply'd With honourable sorrow souldiers sadnesse A kind of silent mourning such as men Who know no teares but from their captiues vse To shew in so great losses COR. I thought once Considering their formes age manner of deaths The neerenesse of the places where they fell T' haue paralell'd him with great ALEXANDER For both were of best feature of high race Yeer'd but to thirtie and in forraine lands By their owne people alike made away SAB. I know not for his death how you might wrest it But for his life it did as much disdaine Comparison with that voluptuous rash Giddy and drunken Macedon's as mine Doth with my bond-mans All the good in him His valour and his fortune he made his But he had other touches of late Romanes That more did speake him POMPEI'S dignitie The innocence of CATO CAESAR'S spirit Wise BRVTVS temp'rance and euery vertue Which parted vnto others gaue them name Flow'd mixt in him He was the soule of goodnesse And all our praises of him are like streames Drawne from a spring that still rise full and leaue The part remayning greatest ARR. I am sure He was too great for vs and that they knew Who did remoue him hence SAB. When men grow fast Honor'd and lou'd there is a tricke in state Which iealous princes neuer faile to vse How to decline that growth with faire pretext And honourable colours of employment Either by embassie the war or such To shift them forth into another aire Where they may purge and lessen so was he And had his secon'ds there sent by TIBERIVS And his more subtile damme to discontent him To breede and cherish mutinies detract His greatest actions giue audacious check To his commands and worke to put him out In open act of treason All which snares When his wise cares preuented a fine poyson Was thought on to mature their practices COR. Here comes SEIANVS SIL. Now obserue the stoupes The bendings and the falls ARR. Most creeping base SEIANVS SATRIVS TERENTIVS c. They passe ouer the stage I Note 'hem well No more Say you SAT. My lord There is a gentleman of Rome would buy SEI. How cal you him you talk'd with SAT. 'Please your lordship It is EVDEMVS the physitian To LIVIA DRVSV'S wife SEI. On with your sute Would buy you said SAT. A Tribune place my lord SEI. What will he giue SAT. Fiftie sestertia SEI. LIVIA'S physitian say you is that fellow SAT. It is my lord your lordships answere SEI. To what SAT. The place my lord 'T is for a gentleman Your lordship will well like off when you see him And one you may make yours by the grant SEI. Well let him bring his money and his name SAT. Thanke your lordship He shall my lord SEI. Come hither Know you this same EVDEMVS Is he learn'd SAT. Reputed so my lord and of deepe practice SEI. Bring him in to me in the gallerie And take you cause to leaue vs there togither I would confer with him about a griefe On ARR. So yet another yet Ô desperate state Of grou'ling honour Seest thou this Ô sunne And doe wee see thee after Me thinkes day Should lose his light when men doe lose their shames And for the emptie circumstance of life Betray their cause of liuing SIL. Nothing so SEIANVS can repaire if IOVE should ruine He is the now court-god And well applyed With sacrifice of knees of crookes and cringe He will doe more then all the house of heau'n Can for a thousand hecatombes 'T is he Makes vs our day or night Hell and Elysium Are in his looke We talke of RHADAMANTH Furies and fire-brands But 't is his frowne That is all these where on the aduerse part His smile is more then ere yet Poets fain'd Of blisse and shades nectar ARR. A seruing boy I knew him at CAIVS trencher when for hyre He prostituted his abused body To that great gourmond fat APICIVS And was the noted pathick of the time SAB. And now the second face of the whole world The partner of the empire hath his image Rear'd equall with TIBERIVS borne in ensignes Command's disposes euery dignitie Centurions Tribunes Heads of prouinces Praetors and Consuls all that heretofore Romes generall suffrage gaue is now his sale The gaine or rather spoile of all the earth One and his house receiues SIL. He hath of late Made him a strength too strangely by reducing All the Praetorian bands into one campe Which he command's pretending that the souldier By liuing loose and scattered fell to ryot And that if any sodaine enterprise Should be attempted their vnited strength Would be far more then seuer'd and their life More strict if from the citie more remou'd SAB. Where now he builds what kind of fort 's he please Is hard to court the souldier by his name Wooes feasts the chiefest men of action Whose wants not loues compell them to be his And though he ne're were liberall by kind Yet to his owne darke ends hee 's most profuse Lauish and letting flye he cares not what To his ambition ARR. Yet hath he ambition Is there that step in state can make him higher Or more or any thing he is but lesse SIL. Nothing but Emp'rour ARR. The name TIBERIVS I hope will keepe how ere he hath fore-gone The dignitie and power SIL. Sure while he liues ARR. And dead it comes to DRVSVS Should he fayle To the braue issue of GERMANICVS And they are three Too many ha for him To haue a plot vpon SAB. I doe not know The heart of his designes but sure their face Lookes farther then the present ARR. By the gods If I could gesse he had but such a thought My sword should cleaue him downe from head to heart But I would finde it out and with my hand I 'ld hurle his panting braine about the ayre In mites as small as atomi t o'vndoe The knotted bed SAB. You are obseru'd ARRVNTIVS ARR.
He turnes to Seianus clyents Death I dare tell him so and all his spies You sir I would doe you looke and you SAB. Forbeare SATRIVS EVDEMVS SEIANVS HEere he will instant be Let 's walke a turne Yo' are in a muse EVDEMVS EVD. Not I sir I wonder he should marke me out so well IOVE and APOLLO forme it for the best SAT. Your fortune 's made vnto you now EVDEMVS If you can but lay hold vpon the meanes Doe but obserue his humour and beleeue it He 's the noblest Romane where he takes Here comes his lordship SEI. Now good SATRIVS SAT. This is the gentleman my lord SEI. Is this Giue me your hand we must be more acquainted Report sir hath spoke out your art and learning And I am glad I haue so needfull cause How euer in it selfe painefull and hard To make me knowne to so great vertue Looke Who 's that SATRIVS I haue a griefe sir That will desire your helpe Your name 's EVDEMVS EVD. Yes SEI. Sir EVD. It is my lord SEI. I heare you are Physitian to LIVIA the princesse EVD. I minister vnto her my good lord SEI. You minister to a royall lady then EVD. She is my lord and fayre SEI. That 's vnderstood Of all their sexe who are or would be so And those that would be physicke soone can make 'hem For those that are their beauties feare no collours EVD. Your lordship is conceited SEI. Sir you know it And can if need be read a learned lecture On this and other secrets Pray you tell me What more of ladies besides LIVIA Haue you your patients EVD. Many my good lord The great AVGVSTA VRGVLANIA MVTILIA PRISCA and PLANCINA diuers SEI. And all these tell you the particulars Of euery seuerall griefe how first it grew And then encreas'd what action caused that What passion that and answere to each point That you will put 'hem EVD. Else my lord we know not How to prescribe the remedies SEI. Goe to Yo' are a subtill nation you Physitians And growne the onely cabinets in court To ladies priuacies Faith which of these Is the most pleasant lady in her physicke Come you are modest now EVD. 'T is fit my lord SEI. Why sir I doe not aske you of their vrines Whose smel 's most violet or whose seige is best Or who makes hardest faces on her stoole Which lady sleepes with her owne face a nights Which puts her teeth off with her clothes in court Or which her hayre which her complexion And in which boxe she puts it These were questions That might perhaps haue put your grauity To some defence of blush But I enquir'd Which was the wittiest meriest wantonnest Harmelesse intergatories but conceipts Me thinks AVGVSTA should be most peruerse And froward in her fit EVD. She 's so my lord SEI. I knew it And MVTILIA the most iocund EVD. 'T is very true my lord SEI. And why would you Conceale this from me now Come what 's LIVIA I know she 's quick and quaintly spirited And will haue strange thoughts when she 's at leasure She tells 'hem all to you EVD. My noblest lord He breaths not in the empire or on earth Whom I would be ambitious to serue In any act that may preserue mine honour Before your lordship SEI. Sir you can loose no honor By trusting ought to me The coursest act Done to my seruice I can so requite As all the world shall stile it honorable Your idle vertuous definitions Keepe honor poore and are as scorn'd as vaine Those deeds breathe honor that do sucke in gaine EVD. But good my lord if I should thus betray The counsels of my patient and a ladies Of her high place and worth what might your lordship Who presently are to trust me with your owne Iudge of my faith SEI. Only the best I sweare Say now that I should vtter you my griefe And with it the true cause that it were loue And loue to LIVIA you should tell her this Should she suspect your faith I would you could Tell me as much from her see if my braine Could be turn'd iealous EVD. Happily my lord I could in time tell you as much and more So I might safely promise but the first To her from you SEI. As safely my EVDEMVS I now dare call thee so as I haue put The secret into thee EVD. My lord SEI. Protest not Thy lookes are vowes to me vse onely speed And but affect her with SEIANVS loue Thou art a man made to make Consuls Goe EVD. My lord I le promise you a priuate meeting This day together SEI. Canst thou EVD. Yes SEI. The place EVD. My gardens whither I shall fetch your lordship SEI. Let me adore my AESCVLAPIVS Why this indeed is physick and out-speakes The knowledge of cheape drugs or any vse Can be made out of it more comforting Then all your opiates iulebes apozemes Magistrall syrrupes or Be gone my friend Not barely stiled but created so Expect things greater then thy largest hopes To ouertake thee Fortune shall be taught To know how ill she hath deseru'd thus long To come behinde thy wishes Goe and speed Ambition makes more trusty slaues then need These fellowes by the fauour of their arte Haue still the meanes to tempt oft-times the power If LIVIA will be now corrupted then Thou hast the way SEIANVS to worke out His secrets who thou knowest endures thee not Her husband DRVSVS and to worke against them Prosper it PALLAS thou that betterst wit For VENVS hath the smallest share in it TIBERIVS SEIANVS DRVSVS WEe not endure these flatteries One kneeles to him let him stand Our empire ensignes axes roddes and state Take not away our humane nature from vs Looke vp on vs and fall before the gods SEI. How like a god speakes CAESAR ARR. There obserue He can indure that second that 's no flattery O what is it proud slime will not beleeue Of his owne worth to heare it equall prais'd Thus with the gods COR. He did not heare it sir ARR. He did not Tut he must not we thinke meanely 'T is your most courtly knowne confederacy To haue your priuate parasite redeeme What he in publique subtilty will lose To making him a name HAT. Right mighty lord TIB. We must make vp our eares 'gainst these assaults Of charming tongues we pray you vse no more These contumelies to vs stile not vs Or lord or mighty who professe our selfe The seruant of the Senate and are proud T' enioy them our good iust and fauouring lords COR. Rarely dissembled ARR. Prince-like to the life SAB. When power that may command so much descends Their bondage whom it stoupes to it intends TIB. Whence are these letters HAT. From the Senate TIB. So Whence these LA. From thence too TIB. Are they sitting now LAT. They stay thy answere CAESAR SIL. If this man Had but a minde allied vnto his words How blest a fate were it to vs and Rome We could not thinke that state for which
kindred It should not make me slothfull or lesse caring For CAESARS state it were inough to me It did confirme and strengthen my weake house Against the-now-vnequall opposition Of AGRIPPINA and for deare reguard Vnto my children this I wish my selfe Haue no ambition farder then to end My dayes in seruice of so deare a master TIB. We cannot but commend thy pietie Most-lou'd SEIANVS in acknowledging Those bounties which we faintly such remember But to thy suit The rest of mortall men In all their drifts and counsels pursue profit Princes alone are of a different sort Directing their maine actions still to fame VVe therefore will take time to thinke and answere For LIVIA she can best her selfe resolue If she will marrie after DRVSVS or Continue in the family besides She hath a mother and a grandame yet VVhose neerer counsels she may guide her by But I will simply deale That enmitie Thou fear'st in AGRIPPINA would burne more If LIVIAS marriage should as 't were in parts Deuide th' imperiall house an emulation Betweene the women might breake forth and discord Ruine the sonnes and nephues on both hands VVhat if it cause some present difference Thou art not safe SEIANVS if thou prooue it Canst thou beleeue that LIVIA who was wife To CAIVS CAESAR then to DRVSVS now VVill be contented to grow old with thee Borne but a priuate gentleman of Rome And rayse thee with her losse if not her shame Or say that I should wish it canst thou thinke The Senate or the people who haue seene Her brother father and our ancestors In highest place of empire will indure it The state thou hold'st alreadie is in talke Men murmure at thy greatnesse and the nobles Sticke not in publike to vpbraid thy climbing Aboue our fathers fauours or thy scale And dare accuse me from their hate to thee Be wise deare friend VVe would not hide these things For friendships deare respect Nor will we stand Aduerse to thine or LIVIA'S designements VVhat we had purpos'd to thee in our thought And with what neere degrees of loue to bind thee And make thee equall to vs for the present VVe will forbeare to speake Only thus much Beleeue our lou'd SEIANVS we not know That height in bloud or honour which thy vertue And minde to vs may not aspire with merit And this wee 'll publish on all watch'd occasion The Senate or the people shall present SEI. I am restor'd and to my sense againe Which I had lost in this so blinding suit CAESAR hath taught me better to refuse Then I knew how to aske How pleaseth CAESAR T' imbrace my late aduice for leauing Rome TIB. We are resolu'd SEI. Here are some motiues more Which I haue thought on since may more confirme TIB. Carefull SEIANVS we will straight peruse them Goe forward in our maine designe and prosper SEIANVS IF those but take I shall Dull heauie CAESAR Would'st thou tell me thy fauours were made crimes And that my fortunes were esteem'd thy faults That thou for me wert hated and not thinke I would with winged haste preuent that change When thou might'st winne all to thy selfe againe By forfeiture of me Did those fond words Fly swifter from thy lips then this my braine This sparkling forge created me an armor T' encounter chance and thee Well read my charmes And may they lay that hold vpon thy senses As thou had'st snuft vp hemlocke or tane downe The iuice of poppie and of mandrakes Sleepe Voluptuous CAESAR and securitie Seize on thy stupide powers and leaue them dead To publique cares awake but to thy lusts The strength of which makes thy libidinous soule Itch to leaue Rome and I haue thrust it on With blaming of the citie businesse The multitude of suites the confluence Of suitors then their importunacies The manifold distractions he must suffer Besides ill rumours enuies and reproches All which a quiet and retired life Larded with ease and pleasure did auoid And yet for any weightie and great affaire The fittest place to giue the soundest counsels By this shall I remooue him both from thought And knowledge of his owne most deare affaires Draw all dispatches through my priuate hands Know his designements and pursue mine owne Make mine owne strengths by giuing suites and places Conferring dignities and offices And these that hate me now wanting accesse To him will make their enuie none or lesse For when they see me arbiter of all They must obserue or else with CAESAR fall TIBERIVS SERVUS TO marry LIVIA will no lesse SEIANVS Content thy aimes no lower obiect well Thou know'st how thou art wrought into our trust Wouen in our designe and think'st we must Now vse thee whatsoere thy proiects are 'T is true But yet with caution and fit care And now we better thinke who 's there within SER. CAESAR TIB. To leaue our iourney off were sin 'Gainst our decree'd delights and would appeare Doubt or what lesse becomes a prince low feare Yet doubt hath law and feares haue their excuse Where princes states plead necessarie vse As ours doth now more in SEIANVS pride Then all fell AGRIPPINA'S hates beside Those are the dreadfull enemies we raise VVith fauours and make dangerous with prayse The iniur'd by vs may haue will alike But 't is the fauourite hath the power to strike And furie euer boyles more high and strong Heat' with ambition then reuenge of wrong 'T is then a part of supreme skill to grace No man too much but hold a certaine space Betweene th' ascenders rise and thine owne flat Lest when all rounds be reach'd his aime be that 'T is thought IS MACRO in the palace See If not goe seeke him to come to vs Hee Must be the organ we must worke by now Though none lesse apt for trust Need doth allow VVhat choise would not I' haue heard that aconite Being timely taken hath a healing might Against the scorpions stroke the proofe wee 'll giue That while two poysons wrastle we may liue Hee hath a spirit too working to be vs'd But to th' encounter of his like excus'd Are wiser sou'raignes then that raise one ill Against another and both safely kill The prince that feeds great natures they will sway him VVho nourisheth a lyon must obey him TIBERIVS MACRO MAcro we sent for you MAC. I heard so CAESAR TIB. Leaue vs awhile When you shal know good MACRO The causes of our sending and the ends You then will harken neerer and be pleas'd You stand so high both in our choise and trust MAC. The humblest place in CAESARS choise or trust May make glad MACRO proud without ambition Saue to doe CAESAR seruice TIB. Leaue our courtings We are in purpose MACRO to depart The citie for a time and see Campania Not for our pleasures but to dedicate A paire of temples one to IVPITER At Capua th' other at Nola to AVGVSTVS In which great worke perhaps our stay will be Beyond our will produc 't Now since we are
Not ignorant what danger may be borne Out of our shortest absence in a state So subiect vnto enuie and embroild With hate and faction we haue thought on thee Amongst a field of Romanes worthiest MACRO To be our eye and eare to keepe strict watch On AGRIPPINA NERO DRVSVS I And on SEIANVS Not that we distrust His loyaltie or doe repent one grace Of all that heape we haue conferd on him For that were to disparage our election And call that iudgement now in doubt which then Seem'd as vnquestion'd as an oracle But greatnesse hath his cankers Wormes and moaths Breed out of too fit matter in the things Which after they consume transferring quite The substance of their makers int' themselues MACRO is sharpe and apprehends Besides I know him subtle close wise and wel-read In man and his large nature He hath studied Affections passions knowes their springs their ends Which way and whether they will worke 't is proofe Inough of his great merit that we trust him Then to a point because our conference Cannot be long without suspition Here MACRO we assigne thee both to spie Informe and chastise thinke and vse thy meanes Thy ministers what where on whom thou wilt Explore plot practise All thou doost in this Shall be as if the Senate or the Lawes Had giu'n it priuiledge and thou thence stil'd The sauier both of CAESAR and of Rome We will not take thy answere but in act Whereto as thou proceed'st we hope to heare By trusted messengers If 't be enquir'd Wherefore we call'd you say you haue in charge To see our chariots readie and our horse Be still our lou'd and shortly honor'd MACRO MACRO I Will not aske why CAESAR bids doe this But ioy that he bids me It is the blisse Of courts to be imploy'd no matter how A princes power makes all his actions vertue We whom he workes by are dumbe instruments To doe but not enquire His great intents Are to be seru'd not search'd Yet as that bow Is most in hand whose owner best doth know T' affect his aymes so let that states-man hope Most vse most price can hit his princes scope Nor must he looke at what or whom to strike But lose at all each marke must be alike Were it to plot against the fame the life Of one with whom I twin'd remoue a wife From my warme side as lou'd as is the ayre Practise away each parent draw mine heyre In compasse though but one worke all my kin To swift perdition leaue no vntrain'd engin For friendship or for innocence nay make The gods all guiltie I would vndertake This being impos'd me both with gaine and ease The way to rise is to obey and please He that will thriue in state he must neglect The trodden paths that truth and right respect And proue new wilder wayes for vertue there Is not that narrow thing shee is else-where Mens fortune there is vertue reason their will Their licence law and their obseruance skill Occasion is their foile conscience their staine Profit their lustre and what else is vaine If then it be the lust of CAESARS power T' haue rais'd SEIANVS vp and in an hower O're-turne him tumbling downe from height of all We are his ready engine and his fall May be our rise It is no vncouth thing To see fresh buildings from old ruines spring CHORVS Of Musicians Act IIII GALLVS AGRIPPINA NERO DRVSVS CALIGVLA YOu must haue patience royall AGRIPPINA AGR. I must haue vengeance first and that were nectar Vnto my famish'd spirits O my fortune Let it be sodaine thou prepar'st against me Strike all my powers of vnderstanding blind And ignorant of destinie to come Let me not feare that cannot hope GAL. Deare Princesse These tyrannies on your selfe are worse then CAESAR'S AGR. Is this the happinesse of being borne great Still to be aim'd at still to be suspected To liue the subiect of all iealousies At least the colour made if not the ground To euery painted danger who would not Choose once to fall then thus to hang for euer GAL. You might be safe if you would AGR. What my GALLVS Be lewd SEIANVS strumpet Or the baud To CAESARS lusts he now is gone to practise Not these are safe where nothing is Your selfe While thus you stand but by me are not safe Was SILIVS safe or the good SOSIA safe Or was my niece deare CLAVDIA PVLCHRA safe Or innocent FVRNIVS They that latest haue By being made guiltie added reputation To AFERS eloquence O foolish friends Could not so fresh example warne your loues But you must buy my fauours with that losse Vnto your selues and when you might perceiue That CAESARS cause of raging must forsake him Before his will Away good GALLVS leaue me Here to be seene is danger to speake treason To doe me least obseruance is call'd faction You are vnhappy in me and I in all Where are my sonnes NERO and DRVSVS We Are they be shot at Let vs fall apart Not in our ruines sepulchre our friends Or shall we doe some action like offence To mocke their studies that would make vs faultie And frustrate practice by preuenting it The danger's like for what they can contriue They will make good No innocence is safe When power contests Nor can they trespasse more Whose only being was all crime before NER. You heare SEIANVS is come backe from CAESAR GAL. No How Disgrac'd DRV. More graced now then euer GAL. By what mischance CAL. A fortune like inough Once to be bad DRV. But turn'd too good to both GAL. What was't NER. TIBERIVS sitting at his meat In a farme house they call Spelunca sited By the sea-side among the Fundane hills Within a naturall caue part of the grot About the entrie fell and ouer-whelm'd Some of the wayters others ran away Only SEIANVS with his knees hands face Ore-hanging CAESAR did oppose himselfe To the remayning ruines and was found In that so labouring posture by the souldiers That came to succour him With which aduenture He hath so sixt himselfe in CAESAR'S trust As thunder cannot mooue him and is come With all the height of CAESARS praise to Rome AGR. And power to turne those ruines all on vs And bury whole posterities beneath them NERO and DRVSVS and CALIGVLA Your places are the next and therefore most In their offence Thinke on your birth and bloud Awake your spirits meete their violence 'Tis princely when a tyran doth oppose And is a fortune sent to exercise Your vertue as the wind doth trie strong trees Who by vexation grow more sound and firme After your fathers fall and vncles fate What can you hope but all the change of stroke That force or slight can giue then stand vpright And though you doe not act yet suffer nobly Be worthy of my wombe and take strong cheare What we doe know will come we should not feare MACRO REturn'd so soone renew'd in trust and grace Is CAESAR then so weake or hath the place
where he liues Acting his tragedies with a comick face Amid'st his rout of Chaldee's spending houres Dayes weekes and months in the vnkind abuse Of graue astrologie to the bane of men Casting the scope of mens natiuities And hauing found ought worthy in their fortune Kill or precipitate them in the sea And boast he can mocke fate Nay muse not these Are farre from ends of euill scarse degrees He hath his slaughter-house at Capreae Where he doth studie murder as an arte And they are dearest in his grace that can Deuise the deepest tortures Thither too He hath his boyes and beauteous girles tane vp Out of our noblest houses the best form'd Best nurtur'd and most modest what's their good Serues to prouoke his bad Some are allur'd Some threatned others by their friends detain'd Are rauish'd hence like captiues and in sight Of their most grieued parents dealt away Vnto his spintries sellaries and slaues Masters of strange and new-commented lusts For which wise nature hath not left a name To this what most strikes vs and bleeding Rome He is with all his craft become the ward To his owne vassall a stale catamite Whom he vpon our low and suffering necks Hath rais'd from excrement to side the gods And haue his proper sacrifice in Rome Which IOVE beholds and yet will sooner riue A senslesse oke with thunder then his trunck LACO POMPONIVS MINVTIVS TERENTIVS To them THese letters make men doubtfull what t'expect Whether his comming or his death POM. Troth both And which comes soonest thanke the gods for ARR. List Their talke is CAESAR I would heare all voyces MIN. One day hee's well and will returne to Rome The next day sicke and knowes not when to hope it LAC. True and to day one of SEIANVS friends Honour'd by speciall writ and on the morrow Another punish'd POM. By more speciall writ MIN. This man receiues his praises of SEIANVS A second but slight mention a third none A fourth rebukes And thus he leaues the Senate Diuided and suspended all vncertayne LAC. These forked tricks I vnderstand 'hem not Would he would tell vs whom he loues or hates That we might follow without feare or doubt ARR. Good HELIOTROPE Is this your honest man Let him be yours so still He is my knaue POM. I cannot tell SEIANVS still goes on And mounts we see New statues are aduanc'd Fresh leaues of titles large inscriptions read His fortune sworne by himselfe new gone out CAESARS colleague in the fifth Consulship More altars smoke to him then all the gods What would wee more ARR. That the deare smoke would choke him That would I more LEP. Peace good ARRVNTIVS LAC. But there are letters come they say eu'n now Which doe forbid that last MIN. Doe you heare so LAC. Yes POM. By POLLVX that's the worst ARR. By HERCVLES best MIN. I did not like the signe when REGVLVS Whom all we know no friend vnto SEIANVS Did by TIBERIVS so precise command Succeed a fellow in the Consulship It boded somewhat POM. Not a mote His partner FVLCINIVS TRIO is his owne and sure Here comes TERENTIVS They whisper with Terentius He can giue vs more LEP. I'le ne're beleeue but CAESAR hath some sent Of bold SEIANVS footing These crosse points Of varying letters and opposing Consuls Mingling his honours and his punishments Fayning now ill now well raysing SEIANVS And then depressing him as now of late In all reports we haue it cannot be Emptie of practice 'Tis TIBERIVS arte For hauing found his fauorite growne too great And with his greatnesse strong that all the souldiers Are with their leaders made at his deuotion That almost all the Senate are his creatures Or hold on him their maine dependances Either for benefit or hope or feare And that himselfe hath lost much of his owne By parting vnto him and by th' increase Of his ranke lusts and rages quite disarm'd Himselfe of loue or other publique meanes To dare an open contestation His subtilty hath chose this doubling line To hold him euen in not so to feare him As wholly put him out and yet giue checke Vnto his farder boldnesse In meane time By his employments makes him odious Vnto the staggering rout whose aide in fine He hopes to vse as sure who when they sway Beare downe ore-turne all obiects in their way ARR. You may be a LINCEVS LEPIDVS yet I See no such cause but that a politique tyranne who can so well disguise it should haue tane A neerer way fain'd honest and come home To cut his throte by Law LEP. I but his feare Would ne're be masqu'd all-be his vices were POM. His lordship then is still in grace TER. Assure you Neuer in more either of grace or power POM. The gods are wise and iust ARR. The fiends they are To suffer thee belie 'hem TER. I haue here His last and present letters where he writes him The Partner of his cares and his SEIANVS LAC. But is that true it 't is prohibited To sacrifice vnto him TER. Some such thing CAESAR makes scruple of but forbids it not No more then to himselfe sayes he could wish It were forborne to all LAC. Is it no other TER. No other on my trust For your more surety Here is that letter too ARR. How easily Doe wretched men beleeue what they would haue Lookes this like plot LEP. Noble ARRVNTIVS stay LAC. He names him here without his titles LEP. Note ARR. Yes and come of your notable foole I will LAC. No other then SEIANVS POM. That 's but haste In him that writes Here he giues large amends MAR. And with his owne hand written POM. Yes LAC. Indeed TER. Beleeue it gentlemen SEIANVS brest Neuer receiu'd more full contentments in Then at this present POM. Takes he well th'escape Of young CALIGVLA with MACRO TER. Faith At the first aire it somewhat troubled him LEP. Obserue you ARR. Nothing Riddles TIll I see SEIANVS strooke no sound thereof strikes me POM. I like it not I muse h' would not attempt Somewhat against him in the Consul-ship Seeing the people 'ginne to fauour him TER. He doth repent it now but h' has employ'd PAGONIANVS after him and he holds That correspondence there with all that are Neere about CAESAR as no thought can passe Without his knowledge thence in act to front him POM. I gratulate the newes MAC. But how comes MACRO So in trust and fauour with CALIGVLA POM. O sir he ha's a wife and the young Prince An appetite he can looke vp and spie Flies in the roofe when there are fleas i' bed And hath a learned nose t o'assure his sleepes Who to be fauour'd of the rising sunne Would not lend little of his waning moone 'T is the saf'st ambition Noble TERENTIVS TER. The night growes fast vpon vs. At your seruice CHORVS Of Musicians Act V. SEIANVS SWell swell my ioyes and faint not to declare Your selues as ample as your causes are I did not liue till now this my first hower Wherein I see
my thoughts reach'd by my power But this and gripe my wishes Great and high The world knowes only two that 's Rome and I. My roofe receiues me not 't is aire I tread And at each step I feele my aduanced head Knocke out a starre in heau'n Rear'd to this height All my desires seeme modest poore and sleight That did before sound impudent 'T is place Not bloud discernes the noble and the base Is there not something more then to be CAESAR Must we rest there It yrkes t' haue come so far To be so neere a stay CALIGVLA Would thou stood'st stiffe and many in our way Windes lose their strength when they doe emptie flie Vn-met of woods or buildings great fires die That want their matter to with-stand them so It is our griefe and will be our losse to know Our power shall want opposites vnlesse The gods by mixing in the cause would blesse Our fortune with their conquest That were worth SEIANVS strife durst fates but bring it forth TERENTIVS SEIANVS SAfety to great SEIANVS SEI. Now TERENTIVS TER. Heares not my lord the wonder SEI. Speake it no TER. I meete it violent in the peoples mouthes Who runne in routs to POMPEY'S theatre To view your statue which they say sends forth A smoke as from a fornace black and dreadfull SEI. Some traytor hath put fire in you goe see And let the head be taken off to looke What 't is Some slaue hath practis'd an imposture To stirre the people How now why returne you SATRIVS NATTA THe head my lord already is tane off I saw it and at op'ning there leap't out A great and monstrous serpent SEI. Monstrous why Had it a beard and hornes no heart a tongue Forked as flatterie look'd it of the hue To such as liue in great mens bosomes was The spirit of it MACRO'S NAT. May it please The most diuine SEIANVS in my dayes And by his sacred fortune I affirme it I haue not seene a more extended growne Foule spotted venomous vgly SEI. O the fates What a wild muster 's here of attributes T' expresse a worme a snake TER. But how that should Come there my lord SEI. What! and you too TERENTIVS I thinke you meane to make 't a prodigie In your reporting TER. Can the wise SEIANVS Thinke heau'n hath meant it lesse SEI. O superstition Why then the falling of our bed that brake This morning burd'ned with the populous weight Of our expecting clients to salute vs Or running of the cat betwixt our legs As we set forth vnto the capitoll Were prodigies TER. I thinke them ominous And would they had not hap'ned As to day The fate of some your seruants who declining Their way not able for the throng to follow Slip't downe the Gemonies and brake their necks Besides in taking your last augurie No prosperous bird appear'd but croking rauens Flag'd vp and downe and from the sacrifice Flew to the prison where they sate all night Beating the aire with their obstreperous beakes I dare not counsell but I could entreat That great SEIANVS would attempt the gods Once more with sacrifice SEI. What excellent fooles Religion makes of men Beleeues TERENTIVS If these were dangers as I shame to thinke them The gods could change the certayne course of fate Or if they could they would now in a moment For a beeues fat or lesse be brib'd t' inuert Those long decrees Then thinke the gods like flies Are to be taken with the steame of flesh Or bloud diffus'd about their altars thinke Their power as cheape as I esteeme it small Of all the throng that fill th' Olympian hall And without pitty lade poore ATLAS back I know not that one deity but Fortune To whom I would throw vp in begging smoke One grane of incense or whose eare I 'ld buy With thus much oyle Her I indeed adore And keepe her gratefull image in my house Some-times belonging to a Romane king But now call'd mine as by the better stile To her I care not if for satisfying Your scrupulous phant'sies I goe offer Bid Our priest prepare vs honny milke and poppy His masculine odours and night-vestments say Our rites are instant which perform'd you 'll see How vaine and worthy laughter your feares be COTTA POMPONIVS POMPONIVS whither in such speed POM. I goe To giue my lord SEIANVS notice COT. What POM. Of MACRO COT. Is he come POM. Entr'd but now The house of REGVLVS COT. The opposite Consul POM. Some halfe houre since COT. And by night too stay sir I 'le beare you companie POM. Along then MACRO REGVLVS LACO T Is CAESARS will to haue a frequent Senate And therefore must your edict lay deepe mulct On such as shall be absent REG. So it doth Beare it my fellow Consul to adscribe MAC. And tell him it must early be proclaim'd The place APOLLO'S temple REG. That 's remembred MAC. And at what houre REG. Yes MAC. You doe forget To send one for the Prouost of the watch REG. I haue not here he comes MAC. GRACINVS LACO You' are a friend most welcome by and by I 'le speake with you You must procure this list Of the Praetorian cohorts with the names Of the Centurions and their Tribunes REG. I MAC. I bring you letters and a health from CAESAR LAC. Sir both come well MAC. And heare you with your note Which are the eminent men and most of action REG. The Consul goes out That shall be done you too MAC. Most worthy LACO CAESAR salutes you Consul death and furies Gone now the argument will please you sir Hough REGVLVS The anger of the gods Follow his diligent legs and ouer'take 'hem Returnes In likenesse of the gout O good my lord We lackt you present I would pray you send Another to FVLCINIVS TRIO straight To tell him you will come and speake with him The matter wee 'le deuise to stay him there While I with LACO doe suruay the watch Goes out againe What are your strengths GRACINVS LAC. Seuen cohorts MAC. You see what CAESAR writes and gone againe H' has sure a veine of mercury in his feet Knew you what store of the praetorian souldiers SEIANVS holds about him for his guard LAC. I cannot the iust number but I thinke Three centuries MAC. Three good LAC. At most not foure MAC. And who be those Centurions LAC. That the Consul Can best deliuer you MAC. When h 'is away Spight on his nimble industrie GRACINVS You find what place you hold there in the trust Of royall CAESAR LAC. I and I am MAC. Sir The honours there propos'd are but beginnings Of his great fauours LAC. They are more MAC. I heard him When he did studie what to adde LAC. My life And all I hold MAC. You were his owne first choise Which doth confirme as much as you can speake And will if we succeed make more Your guardes Are seuen cohorts you say LAC. Yes MAC. Those we must Hold still in readinesse and vndischarg'd LAC. I vnderstand so
get aboue THe mountayne of our faults and there doe fit Wee see 'hem not Thus still we loue The'euill we doe vntill we suffer it But most ambition that neere vice To vertue hath the fate of Rome prouoked And made that now Rome's selfe no price To free her from the death wherewith shee 's yoked That restlesse ill that still doth build Vpon successe and ends not in aspiring But there begins And ne're is fill'd While ought remaines that seemes but worth desiring Wherein the thought vnlike the eye To which things farre seeme smaller then they are Deemes all contentment plac'd on high And thinkes there 's nothing great but what is farre O that in time Rome did not cast Her errors vp this fortune to preuent T' haue seene her crimes ' ere they were past And felt her faults before her punishment ACT IIII. ALLOBROGES Diuers Senators passe by quaking and trembling CAn these men feare who are not onely ours But the worlds masters Then I see the gods Vpbraid our suffrings or would humble them By sending these affrights while we are here That we might laugh at their ridiculous feare Whose names we trembled at beyond the Alpes Of all that passe I doe not see a face Worthy a man that dares looke vp and stand One thunder out but downe-ward all like beasts Running away from euery flash is made The falling world could not deserue such basenesse Are we emploid here by our miseries Like superstitious fooles or rather slaues To plaine our griefs wrongs and oppressions To a meere clothed Senate whom our folly Hath made and still intends to keepe our tyrannes It is our base petitionarie breath That blows 'hem to his greatnesse which this pricke Would soone let out if we were bold and wretched When they haue taken all we haue our goods Crop lands and houses they will leaue vs this A weapon and an arme will still be found Though naked left and lower then the ground CATO CATVLVS CICERO ALLOBROGES DOe vrge thine anger still good heauen and iust Tell guiltie men what powers are aboue them In such a confidence of wickednesse 'T was time they should know something fit to feare CATV. I neuer saw a morne morefull of horror CATO To CATILINE and his But to iust men Though heauen should speake with all his wrath at once That with his breath the hinges of the world Did cracke we should stand vpright and vnfear'd CIC. Why so we doe good CATO Who be these CATV. Ambassadors from the ALLOBROGES I take 'hem by their habits ALL. I these men Seeme of another race let 's sue to these There 's hope of iustice with their fortitude CIC. Friends of the Senate and of Rome to day We pray you to forbeare vs on the morrow What sute you haue let vs by FABIVS SANGA Whose patronage your state doth vse but know it And on the Consul's word you shall receiue Dispatch or else an answere worth your patience ALL. We could not hope for more most worthy Consul This magistrate hath strooke an awe into me And by his sweetnesse wonne a more reguard Vnto his place then all the boystrous moodes That ignorant greatnesse practiseth to fill The large vnfit authoritie it weares How easie is a noble spirit discern'd From harsh and sulphurous matter that flies out In contumelies makes a noyse and stinkes May we find good and great men that know how To stoupe to wants and meete necessities And will not turne from any equall suites Such men they doe not succour more the cause They vnder-take with fauour and successe Then by it their owne iudgements they doe raise In turning iust mens needs into their praise THE SENATE PRAE. Roome for the Consuls Fathers take your places Here in the house of IVPITER the STAYER By edict from the Consul MARCVS TVLLIVS You' are met a frequent Senate Heare him speake CIC. What may be happy and auspicious still To Rome and hers Honor'd and conscript Fathers If I were silent and that all the dangers Threatning the state and you were yet so hid In night or darkenesse thicker in their brests That are the blacke contriuers so that no Beame of the light could pierce hem yet the voyce Of heau'n this morning hath spoke loud inough T' instruct you with a feeling of the horror And wake you from a sleepe as starke as death I haue of late spoke often in this Senate Touching this argument but still haue wanted Either your eares or faith so 'incredible Their plots haue seem'd or I so vaine to make These things for mine owne glorie and false greatnesse As hath beene giuen out But be it so When they breake forth and shall declare themselues By their too foule effects then then the enuy Of my iust cares will find another name For me I am but one and this poore life So lately aim'd at not an houre yet since They cannot with more eagernesse pursue Then I with gladnesse would lay downe and loose To buy Romes peace if that would purchase it But when I see they 'ld make it but the step To more and greater vnto yours Romes all I would with those preserue it or then fall CAES. I I let you alone cunning artificer See how his gorget peeres aboue his gowne To tell the people in what danger he was It was absurdly done of VARGVNTEIVS To name himselfe before he was got in CRA. It matters not so they denie it all And can but carry the lye constantly Will CATILINE be here CAES. I'haue sent for him CRA. And ha' you bid him to be confident CAES. To that his owne necessitie will prompt him CRA. Seeme to beleeue nothing at all that CICERO Relates vs CAES. It will mad him CRA. O and helpe The other partie Who is that his brother What new intelligence ha's he brought him now Quintus Cicero brings in the Tribunes and guards CAES. Some cautions from his wife how to behaue him CIC. Place some of them without and some bring in Thanke their kind loues It is a comfort yet That all depart not from their countries cause CAES. How now what meanes this muster Consul ANTONIVS ANT. I doe not know aske my colleague hee 'll tell you There is some reason in state that I must yeeld to And I haue promis'd him Indeed he has bought it With giuing me the Prouince CIC. I professe It grieues me Fathers that I am compell'd To draw these armes and aides for your defence And more against a citizen of Rome Borne here amongst you a Patrician A man I must confesse of no meane house Nor no small vertue if he had employ'd Those excellent gifts of fortune and of nature Vnto the good not ruine of the state But being bred in 's fathers needy fortunes Brought vp in 's sisters prostitution Confirm'd in ciuill slaughter entring first The common-wealth with murder of the gentrie Since both by studie and custome conuersant With all licentiousnesse what could be hop'd In such a field
I see Death and the Furies waiting What we will doe and all the heauen at leisure For the great spectacle Draw then your swords And if our destinie enuie our vertue The honor of the day yet let vs care To sell our selues at such a price as may Vn-doe the world to buy vs and make Fate While shee tempts ours feare her owne estate THE SENATE SEN. What meanes this hastie calling of the Senate SEN. We shall know straight Wait till the Consul speakes POM. Fathers Conscript bethinke you of your safeties And what to doe with these conspirators Some of their clients their free'd men and slaues 'Ginne to make head there is one of LENTVLVS bawds Runnes vp and downe the shops through euery street With money to corrupt the poore artificers And needie tradesmen to their aide CETHEGVS Hath sent too to his seruants who are many Chosen and exercis'd in bold attemptings That forth-with they should arme themselues and proue His rescue All will be in instant vproare If you preuent it not with present counsailes We haue done what we can to meet the furie And will doe more Be you good to your selues CIC. What is your pleasure Fathers shall be done SYLLANVS you are Consul next design'd Your sentence of these men SYL. 'T is short and this Since they haue sought to blot the name of Rome Out of the world and raze this glorious empire With her owne hands and armes turn'd on her selfe I thinke it fit they die And could my breath Now execute 'hem they should not enioy An article of time or eye of light Longer to poyson this our common ayre SEN. I thinke so too SEN. And I SEN. And I SEN. And I CIC. Your sentence CAIVS CAESAR CAES. Conscript Fathers In great affaires and doubtfull it behooues Men that are ask'd their sentence to be free From either hate or loue anger or pittie For where the least of these doe hinder there The mind not easily discernes the truth I speake this to you in the name of Rome For whom you stand and to the present cause That this foule fact of LENTVLVS and the rest Weigh not more with you then your dignitie And you be more indulgent to your passion Then to your honor If there could be found A paine or punishment equall to their crimes I would deuise and helpe but if the greatnesse Of what they ha' done exceed all mans inuention I thinke it fit to stay where our lawes doe Poore pettie states may alter vpon humour Where if they offend with anger few doe know it Because they are obscure their fame and fortune Is equall and the same But they that are Head of the world and liue in that seene height All mankind knowes their actions So wee see The greater fortune hath the lesser licence They must nor fauour hate and least be angrie For what with others is call'd anger there Is crueltie and pride I know SYLLANVS Who spoke before me a iust valiant man A louer of the state and one that would not In such a businesse vse or grace or hatred I know too well his manners and modestie Nor doe I thinke his sentence cruell for 'Gainst such delinquents what can be too bloudie But that it is abhorring from our state Since to a citizen of Rome offending Our lawes giue exile and not death Why then Decrees he that 'T were vaine to thinke for feare When by the diligence of so worthy a Consul All is made safe and certaine Is 't for punishment Why death 's the end of euills and a rest Rather then torment It dissolues all griefes And beyond that is neither care nor ioy You heare my sentence would not haue 'hem die How then set free and increase CATILINES armie So will they being but banish'd No graue Fathers I iudge 'hem first to haue their states confiscate Then that their persons remaine prisoners I' the free townes farre off from Rome and seuer'd Where they might neither haue relation Hereafter to the Senate or the people Or if they had those townes then to be mulcted As enemies to the state that had their guard SEN. 'T is good and honorable CAESAR hath vtterd CIC. Fathers I see your faces and your eyes All bent on me to note of these two censures Which I incline to Either of them are graue And answering the dignitie of the speakers The greatnesse of th' affaire and both seuere One vrgeth death and he may well remember This state hath punish'd wicked citizens so The other bonds and those perpetuall which He thinkes found out for the more singular plague Decree which you shall please You haue a Consul Not readier to obey then to defend What euer you shall act for the republique And meet with willing shoulders any burden Or any fortune with an euen face Though it were death which to a valiant man Can neuer happen foule nor to a Consul Be immature or to a wise man wretched SYL. Fathers I spake but as I thought the needes O' th' common-wealth requir'd CAT. Excuse it not CIC. CATO speake you your sentence CAT. This it is You here dispute on kinds of punishment And stand consulting what you should decree 'Gainst those of whom you rather should beware This mischiefe is not like those common facts Which when they are done the lawes may prosequute But this if you prouide not ere it happen When it is happen'd will not wait your iudgement Good CAIVS CAESAR here hath very well And subtilly discours'd of life and death As if he thought those things a prettie fable That are deliuer'd vs of hell and furies Or of the diuers way that ill men goe From good to filthy darke and vgly places And therefore he would haue these liue and long too But farre from Rome and in the small free townes Lest here they might haue rescue As if men Fit for such acts were only in the citie And not throughout all Italie or that boldnesse Could not doe more where it found least resistance 'T is a vaine counsaile if he thinke them dangerous Which if he doe not but that he alone In so great feare of all men stand vn-frighted He giues me cause and you more to feare him I am plaine Fathers Here you looke about One at another doubting what to doe With faces as you trusted to the gods That still haue sau'd you and they can do 't But They are not wishings or base womanish prayers Can draw their aides but vigilance counsell action Which they will be ashamed to forsake 'T is sloth they hate and cowardise Here you haue The traytors in your houses yet you stand Fearing what to doe with 'hem Let 'hem loose And send 'hem hence with armes too that your mercie May turne your miserie as soone as 't can O but they are great men and haue offended But through ambition We would spare their honor I if themselues had spar'd it or their fame Or modestie or either god or man Then I would
Of our wood-man but loe where His kingly image doth appeare And is all this while neglected Pardon lord you are respected Deepe as is the Keepers hart And as deare in euery part See for instance where he sends His son his heire who humbly bends Low as is his fathers earth To the wombe that gaue you birth So he was directed first Next to you of whom the thirst Of seeing takes away the vse Of that part should plead excuse For his boldnesse which is lesse By his comly shamefac'tnesse Rise vp sir I will betray All I thinke you haue to say That your father giues you here Freely as to him you were To the seruice of this Prince And with you these instruments Of his wild and Syluan trade Better not ACTEON had The bow was PHoeBES and the horne By ORION often worne The dog of Sparta breed and good As can ring within a wood Thence his name is you shall try How he hunteth instantly But perhaps the Queene your mother Rather doth affect some other Sport as coursing we will proue Which her highnesse most doth loue Satyres let the woods resound They shall haue their welcome crown'd With a brace of bucks to ground At that the whole wood and place resounded with the noyse of cornets hornes and other hunting musique and a brace of choise Deere put out and as fortunately kill'd as they were meant to be euen in the sight of her Maiestie This was the first nights shew Where the next day being Sunday shee rested and on Munday till after dinner where there was a speech sodainly thought on to induce a morrise of the clownes thereabout who most officiously presented themselues but by reason of the throng of the countrey that came in their speaker could not be heard who was in the person of No-body to deliuer this following speech and attyred in a paire of breeches which were made to come vp to his neck with his armes out at his pockets and a cap drowning his face IF my outside moue your laughter Pray IOVE my inside be thereafter Queene Prince Duke Earles Countesses you courtly Pearles And I hope no mortall sinne If I put lesse Ladies in Faire saluted be you all At this time it doth befall We are the Huisher to a Morrise A kind of Masque whereof good store is In the countrey hereabout But this the choise of all the rout Who because that no man sent them Haue got NO-BODIE to present them These are things haue no suspition Of their ill doing nor ambition Of their well but as the Pipe Shall inspire them meane to skip They come to see and to be seene And though they dance afore the Queene Ther 's none of these doth hope to come by Wealth to build another Holmby All those dauncing dayes are done Men must now haue more then one Grace to build their fortunes on Else our soles would sure haue gone All by this time to our feete I not deny where Graces meete In a man that qualitie Is a gracefull propertie But when dauncing is his best Beshrew me I suspect the rest But I am NO-BODIE and my breath Soone as it is borne hath death Come on clownes forsake your dumps And bestirre your hob-nail'd stumps Doe your worst I le vndertake Not a ierke you haue shall make Any Ladie here in loue Perhaps your Foole or so may moue Some Ladies woman with a trick And vpon it she may pick A paire of reuelling legs or two Out of you with much adoe But see the Hobby-horse is forgot Foole it must be your lot To supply his want with faces And some other Buffon graces You know how Piper play And let no bodie hence away There was also another parting Speech which was to haue beene presented in the person of a youth and accompanied with diuers gentlemens younger sonnes of the countrey but by reason of the multitudinous presse was also hindred And which we haue here adioyned ANd will you then Mirror of Queenes depart Shall nothing stay you not my Masters heart That pants to leese the comfort of your light And see his Day ere it be old grow Night You are a Goddesse and your will be done Yet this our last hope is that as the Sunne Cheeres obiects farre remou'd as well as neere So where so'ere you shine you 'le sparkle here And you deare Lord on whom my couetous eye Doth feed it selfe but cannot satisfie O shoot vp fast in spirit as in yeares That when vpon her head proud Europe weares Her stateliest tire you may appeare thereon The richest gem without a paragon Shine bright and fixed as the Artick starre And when slow Time hath made you fit for warre Looke ouer the strict Ocean and thinke where You may but lead vs forth that grow vp here Against a day when our officious swords Shall speake our action better then our words Till then all good euent conspire to crowne Your parents hopes our zeale and your renowne Peace vsher now your steps and where you come Be Enuie still strooke blind and Flatterie dumbe A PRIVATE ENTERTAINMENT of the KING and QVEENE on May-day in the Morning At Sir WILLIAM CORNVVALLEIS his house at High-gate 1604 By the same Author THe king and queene being entred in at the gate the PENATES or household-gods receiued them attir'd after the antique manner with iauelines in their hands standing on each side of the porch with this speech PENATES 1. LEape light hearts in euery brest Ioy is now the fittest passion Double maiestie hath blest All the place with that high grace Exceedeth admiration 2. Welcome monarch of this Isle Europes enuie and her merror Great in each part of thy stile Englands wish and Scotlands blisse Both France and Irelands terror 1. Welcome are you and no lesse Your admired queene the glory Both of state and comelinesse Euery line of her diuine Forme is a beautious storie 2. High in fortune as in blood So are both and blood renowned By oft falls that make a flood In your veines yet all these streines Are in your vertues drowned 1. House be proud For of earth's store These two onely are the wonder In them shee 's rich and in no more Zeale is bound their prayse to sound As loud as fame or thunder 2. Note but how the ayre the spring Concurre in their deuotions Payres of Turtles sit and sing On each tree ore-ioy'd to see In them like loue like motions 1. Enter sir this longing dore Whose glad lord nought could haue blessed Equally I 'am sure not more Then this sight saue of your right When you were first possessed 2. That indeed transcended this Since which houre wherein you gayn'd it For this grace both he and his Euery day haue learn'd to pray And now they haue obtayn'd it Here the PENATES lead them in through the house into the garden where MERCVRY with a second speech receiued them walking before them MER. Retyre you houshold-gods and leaue these excellent
END This Tragoedie was first Acted in the yeere 1611 By the KINGS Maiesties SERVANTS The principall Tragoedians were RIC. BVRBADGE ALEX. COOKE IOH. LOWIN WIL. OSTLER RIC. ROBINSON IOH. HEMINGS HEN. CONDEL IOH. VNDERWOOD NIC. TOOLY WIL. EGLESTONE With the allowance of the Master of REVELLS A PARTICVLAR ENTERTAINMENT OF THE QVEENE AND PRINCE THEIR HIGHNESSE AT ALTHROPE AT The Right Honourable the Lord SPENCERS on Satturday being the 25. of Iune 1603. as they came first into the Kingdome Written by the same Authour and not before published The Author B. I. LONDON M. DC. XVI. XVI. A SATYRE THe inuention was to haue a Satyre lodged in a little Spinet by which her Maiestie and the Prince were to come who at the report of certayne Cornets that were diuided in seuerall places of the Parke to signifie her approch aduanced his head aboue the top of the wood wondring and with his pipe in his hand began as followeth SATYRE HEre there and euery where Some solemnities are neere That these changes strike mine eare My pipe and I a part shall beare And after a short straine with his pipe againe Looke see beshrew this tree What may all this wonder bee Pipe it who that list for mee I 'le flie out abroade and see There he leaped downe and gazing the Queene and Prince in the face went forward That is CYPARISSVS face And the dame hath SYRINX grace O that PAN were now in place Sure they are of heauenly race Here he ranne into the wood againe and hid himselfe whilst to the sound of excellent soft Musique that was there conceald in the thicket there came tripping vp the lawne a beuy of Faeries attending on MAB their Queene who falling into an artificiall ring that was there cut in the path began to dance a round whilst their Mistris spake as followeth FAERIE Haile and welcome worthiest Queene Ioy had neuer perfect beene To the Nymphs that haunt this greene Had they not this euening seene Now they print it on the ground With their feete in figures round Markes that will be euer found To remember this glad stound The Satyre peeping out of the bush said Trust her not you bonny-bell Shee will fortie leasings tell I doe know her pranks right well FAERIE Satyre we must haue a spell For your tongue it runnes too fleet SATYRE Not so nimbly as your feet When about the creame-bowles sweet You and all your Elues doe meet Here he came hopping forth and mixing himselfe with the Faeries skipped in out and about their circle while the Elues made many offers to catch at him This is MAB the mistris-Faerie That doth nightly rob the dayrie And can hurt or helpe the cherning As shee please without discerning ELFE. PVG you will anon take warning Shee that pinches countrey wenches If they rub not cleane their benches And with sharper nayles remembers When they rake not vp their embers But if so they chance to feast her In a shooe shee drops a tester ELFE. Shall we strip the skipping iester This is shee that empties cradles Takes out children puts in ladles Traynes forth mid-wiues in their slumber With a siue the holes to number And then leads them from her borroughs Home through ponds and water furrowes ELFE. Shall not all this mocking stirre vs Shee can start our FRANKLINS daughters In their sleepe with shrikes and laughters And on sweet Saint ANNE'S night Feed them with a promis'd sight Some of husbands some of louers Which an emptie dreame discouers ELFE. Satyre vengeance neere you houers And in hope that you would come here Yester-eue the lady Summer Shee inuited to a banquet But in sooth I con you thanke yet That you could so well deceiue her Of the pride which gan vp-heaue her And by this would so haue blowne her As no wood-god should haue knowne her Here he skipped into the wood ELFE. Mistris this is onely spight For you would not yester-night Kisse him in the cock-shout light And came againe SATYRE By PAN and thou hast hit it right There they laid hold on him and nipt him FAERY Fayries pinch him black and blue Now you haue him make him rue SATYRE O hold MAB I sue ELFE. Nay the deuill shall haue his due There he ranne quite away and left them in a confusion while the Faery began againe SATYRE Pardon lady this wild strayne Common with the SYLVAN trayne That doe skip about this plaine Elues apply your gyre againe And whilst some doe hop the ring Some shall play and some shall sing Wee le expresse in euery thing ORANAS well-comming SONG THis is shee This is shee In whose world of grace Euery season person place That receiue her happy be For with no lesse Then a kingdomes happinesse Doth shee priuate Lares blesse And ours aboue the rest By how much we deserue it least Long liue ORIANA To exceed whom shee succeeds our late DIANA FAERY Madame now an end to make Deigne a simple gift to take Only for the Faeries sake Who about you still shall wake 'T is done only to supply His suspected courtesie Who since THAMYRA did dye Hath not brookt a ladies eye Nor allow'd about his place Any of the female race Only we are free to trace All his grounds as he to chase For which bountie to vs lent Of him vnknowledgde or vnsent We prepar'd this complement And as farre from cheape intent In particular to feed Any hope that should succeed Or our glorie by the deed As your selfe are from the need Vtter not we you implore Who did giue it nor wherefore And when euer you restore Your selfe to vs you shall haue more Highest happyest Queene farewell But beware you doe not tell Here the Faeries hopt away in a fantastique dance when on a sodaine the Satyre discouered himselfe againe and came forth SATYRE Not tell Ha ha I could smile At this old and toothlesse wile Ladie I haue beene no sleeper Shee belyes the noble keeper Say that here he like the groues And pursue no forraine loues Is he therefore to be deemed Rude or sauage or esteemed But a sorry entertayner 'Cause he is no common strayner After painted Nymphs for fauours Or that in his garbe he sauours Little of the nicety In the sprucer courtiery As the rosarie of kisses With the oath that neuer misses This beleeue me on the brest And then telling some mans iest Thinking to preferre his wit Equall with his suite by it I meane his clothes No no no Here doth no such humour flow He can neither bribe a grace Nor encounter my lords face With a plyant smile and flatter Though this lately were some matter To the making of a courtier Now he hopes he shall resort there Safer and with more allowance Since a hand hath gouernance That hath giuen those customes chase And hath brought his owne in place O that now a wish could bring The god-like person of a king Then should euen Enuy find Cause of wonder at the mind