to serve you so hearken with your usuall clemency â—…o the relation of a lovers sufferings your figure still does revell in his dreames he banquets on your memory yet findes not thoughts enough to satisfie his wishes as if Virginia had compos'd his heart and fills it with her beauty Vir. I see he is a miser in his wishes and thinks he never has enough of that which onely he possesses but to give his wishes satisfaction let him know his heart and mine doâ—… 〈◊〉 so near together that hourely they converse and guard each other Clo. Is faire Virginia confident she knowes her favour dwels with the same man I plead for Vir. Unto Icilius. Clo. Worthy faire one I would not wrong your worth so to employ my language for a man so much beneath the merit of your beauty he I plead for has power to make your beauty populous your frowne shall awe the world and in your smile great Rome shall build her happinesse honour and wealth shall not be stil'd companions but servants to your pleasure Then shall Icilius but a refin'd Citizen boast your affection when Lord Appius loves you Vir. Blesse his great Lordship I was much mistaken let thy Lord know thou Advocate of lust all the intentions of that youth are honourable whil'st his are fill'd with sensuality And for a finall resolution know our hearts in love like twins alike shall grow Exit Clo. Had I a wife or daughter that could please him I would devote her to him but I must shadow this scorne and sooth him still in lust Exit Enter six Souldiers 1. What newes yet of Virginius returne 2. Not any 1. O the misery of Souldiers They doubly starve us with faire promises We spread the earth like haile or new reapt corne in this fierce famine and yet patiently make our obedience the confined â—…ile that starves us 3. Souldiers let us draw our swords while we have strength to use them 1. 'T is a motion which nature and necessity commands Enter Minutius Minut. Y' are of Virginius Regiment Omnes We are Minut. Why doe you swarme in troopes thus to your quarter Is our command growne idle to your trench Come I 'le divide you this your conference is not without suspect of mutiny 1. Souldiers shall I relate the grievances of the whole Regiment Omnes Boldly 1. Then thus my Lord. Minut. Come I will not hear thee 1. Sir you shall Sound all the Drums and Trumpets in the camp to drowne my utterance yet above them all I 'le rear our just complaint Stir not my Lord I vow you are not safe if you but move a sinew till you heare us Minut. Well sir command us you are the Generall 1. No my Lord not I I am almost starved I wake in the wet trench loaded with more cold iron then a Jaile would give a murderer while the Generall sleeps in a field bed and to mock our hunger feeds us with scent of the most curious fare that makes his tables crack our pay detained by those that are our Leaders and at once we in this sad and unprepared plight with the Enemy and Famine daily sight Minut. Doe you threaten us Omnes Sir you shall hear him out 1. You send us whips and iron manackles and shackles plenty but the devill a coine Would you would teach us that caniball trick my Lord which some rich men ' i th' City oft doe use shall 's one devoure another Minut. Will you hear me 1. O Rome th' art growne a most unnaturall mother to those have held thee by the golden locks from sinking into ruine Romulus was fed by a she wolfe but now our wolves instead of feeding us devoure our flesh carouse our blood yet are not drunk with it for three parts of 't is water Minut. Your Captaine noble Virginius is sent Rome for ease of all your grievances 1. 'T is false Omnes I 'T is false 1. Hee 's stolne away from 's never to returne and now his age will suffer him no more deale on the Enemy belike hee 'l â—…rne an usurer and in the City aire cut poore mens throats at home sitting in 's chaire Minut. You wrong one of the honorablest Commanders Omnes Honorable Commander 1. Commander I my Lord there goes the thrist in victories the Generall and Commanders share all the honour as they share the spoile but in our overthrowes where lies the blame the common souldiers fault ours is the shame What is the reason that being so far distant from the affrighted enemy wee lie ' i th' open field subject to the sick humors of heaven and earth unlesse you cood bestow two summers of us shall I tell you truth You account the expence of Ingines and of swords of horses and of armor dearer far then souldiers lives Omnes Now by the gods you doe 1. Observe you not the ravens and the crowes have left the City surfet and with us they make full banquets Come you birds of death and fill your greedy croppes with humane flesh then to the City flie disgorge it there before the Senate and from thence arise a plague to choake all Rome Omnes And all the Suburbs Minut. Upon a souldiers word bold Gentlemen I expect every houre Virginius to bring fresh comfort Omnes Whom Virginius 1. Now by the gods if ever he returne wee 'le drag him to the slaughter by his locks turned white with riot and incontinence and leave a president to all the world how Captaines use their souldiers Enter Virginius Minut. See hee 's returned Virginius you are not safe retire your troopes are mutinous we are begirt with Enemies more daring and more fierce then is the common foe Virg. My Troopes my Lord Minut. Your life is threatned by these desperate men betake you to your horse Virg. My noble Lord I never yet pâ—…oiest to teach the art of â—…ying 〈◊〉 out troopes grown mutinous he dares not look on me with half a 〈◊〉 that spread this wildfire Where is our Lieutenant Val. My Lord. Virg. Sirrah order our companies Minut. What do you mean my Lord Virg. Take air a little they have heated me Sirrah i' st you will mutiny 3. Not I Sir Virg. Is your gall burst you Traitor 4. The gods defend Sir Virg. Or is your stomack sea sick doth it rise I 'l make a passage for it 5. Noble Captain I 'l dye beneath your foot Virg. You rough porcupine ha do you bristle do you shoot your quils you rogue 1. They have no points to hurt you noble Captain Virg. Wast you my nimble shaver that would whet your sword 'gainst your Commanders throat you sirrah 6. My Lord I never dream't on 't Virg. Slaves and cowards what are you cholerick now by the gods the way to purge it were to let you blood I am i' th' center of you and I 'l make the proudest of you teach the Aspen leaf to tremble when I breath Minut. A strange Conversion Virg. Advance your pikes
not betake them to that just defence which Gods and Nature gave them but even wink in the black tempest and so fondly sink App. Let us proceed to sentence Virg. Ere you speak One parting farwel let me borrow of you to take of my Virginia App. Now my Lords we shall have fair confession of the truth Pray take your course Virg. Farewel my sweet Virginia never never shall I taste fruit of the most blessed hope I had in thee Let me forget the thought of thy most pretty infancy when first returning from the Wars I took delight to rock thee in my Target when my Girl would kiss her father in his burganet of glittering steel hung'bout his armed neck and viewing the bright mettal smile to see another fair Virginia smile on thee When I first taught thee how to go to speak and when my wounds have smarted I have sung with an unskilful yet a willing voice to bring my Girl asleep O my Virginia when we begun to be begun our woes increasing still as dying life still growes App. This tediousness doth much offend the Court. Silence attend her Sentence Virg. Hold without Sentence I 'l resign her freely since you will prove her to be none of mine App. See see how evidently Truth appears Receive her Clodius Virg. Thus I surrender her into the Court Kills her of all the Gods And see proud Appius see although not justly I have made her free And if thy Lust with this Act be not fed bury her in thy bowels now shee 's dead Omnes O horrid act App. Lay hand upon the Murderer Virg. Oh for a ring of pikes to circle me What have I stood the brunt of thousand enemies here to be slain by hang-men No. I 'l fly to safety in the Camp App. Some pursue the villain others take up the body Madness and rage are still th' Attendants of old doting age Enter two Souldiers 1 Is our Hut swept clean 2 As I can make it 1 'T is betwixt us two but how many think'st thou bred of Roman blood did lodg with us last night 2 More I think then the Camp hath enemies they are not to be numbred 1. Comrague I fear Appius will doom us to Acteons death to be worried by the Cattel that we feed How goes the day 2 My stomack has struck twelve 1 Come see what provant our knapsack yeilds This is our store our Garner 2 A smal pitâ—…ance 1 Feeds Appius thus is this a City feast This crust doth taste like date stones and this thing if I knew what to call it 2 I can tell you cheese struck in years 1 I do not think but this same crust was bak'd and this cheese frighted out of milk and whey before we two were souldiers though it be old I see 't can crawl what living things be these that walk so freely 'tween the â—…ind and pith for here 's no sap left 2 They call them Gentles 1 Therefore 't is thought fit that Souldiers by profession Gentlemen should thus be fed with Gentles I am stomack sick I must have some strong water 2 Where will you hav 't 1 In you green ditch a place which none can pass but he must stop his nose thou know'st it well there where the two dead dogs lye 2 Yes I know 't 1 And see the Cat that lyes a distance off be flead for supper Though we dine to day as Dutch men feed their souldiers we will sup bravely like Roman Leaguerers 2 Sir the General 1 Wee 'l give him place but tell none of our dainties lest we have too many guests to supper Enter Minutius with his souldiers reading a Letter Minut. Most sure 't is so it cannot otherwise be Either Virginius is degenerate from the ancient vertues he was wont to boast or in some strange displeasure with the Senate Why should these letters else from Appius confine him a close prisoner to the Camp and which confirmes his guilt why should he fly needs then must I incur some high displeasure for negligence to let him thus escape which to excuse and that it may appear I have no band with him but am of faction oppos'd in all things to the least mildeed I will casheir him and his Tribuneship bestow upon some noble Gentleman belonging to the Camp Souldiers and friends you that beneath Virginius Colours marchâ—… by strict command from the Decemvirat we take you from the charge of him late 〈◊〉 and his Authority Command and Honour we give this worthy Roman Know his Colours and prove his faithful Souldiers Roman Warlike General my courage and my forwardnesse in battel shal plead how well I can deserve the title to bee a Roman Tribune Enter the first mutinous Souldier in haste Minut. Now the newes 1. Sould. Virginius in a strange shape of distraction enters the Campe and at his heels a legion of all estates growths ages and degrees with breathlesse paces dog his frighted steps It seemes half Rooâ—…'s unpeopled with a traine that either for some mischiefe done pursue him or to attend some uncouth novelty Minut. Some wonder our fear promises Worthy souldiers martial your selves and entertaine this novel within a ring of steele Wall in this portent with men and harnesse be it ne're so dreadful Hee 's entred by the clamour of the camp that entertaines him with these ecchoing showts Affection that in Souldiers hearts is bred survives the wounded and out lives the dead Enter Virginius with his knife that and his arms stript up to the elbowes all bloudy coming into the midst of the souldiers he makes a stand Virg. Have I in all this populous Assembly of souldiers that have prov'd Virginius valour one friend Let him come thrill his partisan against this brest that through a large wide wound my mighty soule might rush out of this prison to flie more freely to yon christal pallace where honour sits inthronis'd What no friend Can this great multitude then yeild an enemy that hates my life Here let him seise it freely What no man strike am I so wel beloved Minutius then to thee If in this camp there lives one man so just to punish sin so charitable to redeem from torments a wretched souldier at his worthy hand 〈◊〉 a death Minut. What means Virginius Virg. Oâ—… if the Generals heart be so obduâ—… to an old begging souldier Have I here no honest Legionary of mine own Trooâ—… at whose bold hand and sword if not 〈◊〉 I may command a death 1. Sould. Alas good Captain Minut. Virginius you have no command at all your Companies are elsewhere now bestowed Besides we have a Charge to 〈◊〉 you here and make you the Camps prisoner Virg. General thanks For thou hast done as much with one harsh word as I beg'd from their weapons Thou hast kill'd me but with a living death Minut. Besides I charge you to speak what means this ugly face of blood you put on your distractions What 's the reason all Rome
pursues you covering those high 〈◊〉 as if they dog'd you for some damned act What have you done Virg. I have plaid the Paâ—…cide Kill'd mine own child Minut. Virginia Virg. Yes even she These rude hands ript her and her innocent blood flow'd above my elbowes Minut. Kill'd her willingly Virg. Willingly with advice premeditation and settled purpose and see still I wear her crimson colours and these withered armes are dy'd in her heart blood Minut. Most wretched villain Virg. But how I lov'd her life Lend me amongst you one speaking Organ to discourse her death It is too harsh an imposition to lay upon a father O my Virginia Minut. How agrees this love her and murder her Virg. Yes Give me but a little leave to 〈◊〉 a few red tears for souldiers should weep blood and I 'l agree them well Attend me all Alas might I have kept her chaste and free this life so oft ingag'd for ingrateful Rome lay in her bosom But when I saw her pull'd by Appius Lictors to be claim'd a slâ—…ve and drag'd unto a publick Sessions house divorc'd from her fore Spousals with Icilius a noble youth and made a bond-woman inforc'd by violence from her fathers armes to be a Prostiture and Permour to the rude twinings of a leacherous Judge Then then O loving Souldiers I 'l not deny it for 't was mine honor my paâ—…ernal pity and the sole act for which I love my life Then lustful Appius he that swayes the Land slew poor Virginia by this fathers hand 1 Sould. O villain Appius 2 Sold. O noble Virginius Virg. To you I appeal you are my Sentencers Did Appius right or poor Virginius wrong Sentence my Fact with a free general tongue 1. Sold. Appius is the Parricide 2. Sold. Virginins guiltless of his daughters death Minut. It this be true Virginius as the moan of all the Roman fry that followes you confirmes at large this cause is to be pityed and should not dy revengelesse Virg. Noble Minutius Thou hast a daughter thou hast a wife too so most of yôu have Souldiers Why might not this have hapned you Which of you all deer friends but now even now may have your wives deflowred your daughters slav'd and made a Lictors prey Think them not safe in Rome for mine lived there Roman It is a common cause 1 Sold. Appius shall dy for 't 2 Sold. Le ts make Virginius General Omnes A General a General le ts make Virginius General Munit. It shall be so Virginius take my Charge the wrongs are thine so violent and so weighty that none but he that lost fo 〈◊〉 a child knowes how to punish By the Gods of Rome Virginius shall succeed my full command Virg. What 's honor unto me a weak old man weary of life and covetous of a grave I am a dead man now Virginia lives not the self same hand that dar'd to save from shame a child dares in the father 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ill himself 1. Sould. Stay noble General Minut. You much forâ—…â—…nge Virginias Who if you dye will take your â—…ause in hand and proscribe Appius should you pâ—…ish thus Virg. Thou oughtest Minutius Soldiers so ought you I 'm out of fear my noble wife 's expir'd My daughter of blest memory the object of Appius lust lives 〈◊〉 the Elyâ—…an Vestals my house yeilds none fit for his Lictors spoil You that have wives lodg'd in you prison Rome have Lands unriâ—…ed houses yet 〈◊〉 your freeborn daughters yet unstrumpeted prevent these mischiefs yet while you have time 1. Sold. We will by you our noble General 2. Sold. He that was destin'd to preserve great Rome Virg. I accept your châ—… in hope to guard you all from my inhumane sufferings Beâ—… my pride that I have bred a daughter whose chast blood was spilt for you and for Romes laâ—…ing good Explicit Actus Quartus Actus Quintus Scena Prima Enter Opius a Senator and the Advocate Opius IS Appius then committed Senator So 't is 〈◊〉 Opius How will you bear you in this turbuleâ—… state You are a Member of that wretched Faction I wonder how you scape imprisonment Advocate Let me alone I have learnt with the wiâ—… Hedâ—…og to stop my cave that way the â—…pest drives Never did Bear-whelp â—…bling down a hill with more art shrink his head betwixt his clawes then I will work my safety Appius is in the sand already up to th' chin and shal I hazard landing on that shelf Hee 's a wise friend that first 〈◊〉 himself Opius What is your course of 〈◊〉 Advoc. Marry this 〈◊〉 Virginius with his Troops is entering Rome and it is like that in the market place my L. Icilius and himself shall meet Now to encounter these two such great Armies where lies my Court of Guard Senat. Why in your heels There are strange dogs uncoupled Adv. You are deceiv'd I have studied a most eloquent Oration that shall applaud their fortune and distaste the cruelty of Appius Senat. Very good Sir It seems then you will rail upon your Lord your late good Benefactor Adv. By the way Sir Senat. Protest Virginia was no bond-woman and read her noble Pedigree Adv. By the way Sir Opius Could you not by the way too find occasion to beg Lord Appius Lands Adv. And by the way perchance I will For I will gull them all most palbably Opius Indeed you have the Art of flattery Adv. Of Rhetorick you would say And I 'l begin my smooth Oration thus Most learned Captains Senat. Fie fie that 's horrible most of your Captains are utterly unlearned Adv. Yet I assure you most of them know Arithmatick so well that in a Muster to preserve dead payes they I make twelve stand for twenty Opius Very good Adv. Then I proceed I do applaud your fortunes and commend in this your observation noble shake-rags The Helmet shall no more harbour the spider but it shall serve to carowse Sack and Sider The rest within I 'l study Opius Farewel Proteus and I shall wish thy eloquent bravado may shâ—…ild thee from the whip and Eastinado now in this furious tempest let us glide with foulded sails at pleasure of the Tyde Enter Icilius Horatio Valerius Numitorius at oâ—… door with Souldiers Virginius Minutius and others at the other doore Icil. Stand. Virg. Make a stand Winâ—… Icil. A pâ—…rly with Virginius Minut. We wil not trust our General 'twixt the Armies but upon terms of hostage Numit. Well advised Nor we our General who for the leaguer Minut. Our selfe Minutius and Numitorius meet embrace salute the Generals Virg. Who for the City Icil. Numitorius Numit. How is it with your sorrow noble brother Virg. I am forsaken of the gods old man Numit. Preach not that wretched doctrine to your self It wil beget despaire Virg. What doe you call a burning Feaver Is not that a divel It shakes me like an earthquake Wilt a wilt a give me some Wine Numit. O it is hurtful for you Virg. Why