him but they make to us ER. Madam will you honor me and this Gentleman With a sight of that which doth inrich the World HER. You will not take our excuses if we should say You find us now with more advantage to our beauties ER. So breakes the morning forth but the Sunnes Raies are not so quicke and piercing as your eyes For they descend even to our hearts IR. Heaven defend my heart would tremble if they should ER. Why Madame IR: See such impieties as are lodg'd there in a Man and not be stucke with horror 't is impossible ER. Your wit doth make you cruell but Madam I Have something to deliver unto you which your Father commanded no eare should heare but yours IR. What have you there CLEON CL. Verses Madam IR. Whose CL. Of Lord ERGASTO'S Written in celebration of the faire HERMIONE IR. Did he buy them or found them without a father And has adopted them for his owne CL. They are his owne IR. Here CL. I pray read them IR. What have I deserv'd of you good CLEON that You should make me read his Verses in his owne presence If you thinke I have not already as an ill opinion Of him as I can have you lose your labour CL. Read them and I le assure you you 'l find things Well said and seriously and you will alter your opinion of him Ir. Pray give them me I long to be working wonders Rubies Peases Roses Heaven She reads single words Doe you not thinke he has done my Cozen a Simple favour comparing of her voice to that of Heaven CL. 'T is his love makes him doe it not finding any Thing on Earth fit to expresse her he Searcheth Heaven for a similitude IR. Alas good Gentleman 't is the first time he Ever thought on 't what frequent thunders Should I heare if 't were as he would have it Let me counsaile you lay them aside till They have contracted an inch of dust then with Your finger write their Epitaph expressing The mutuall quiet they gave men and received From them or as all poisons serve for some use Give them your Physitian and let him Apply them to his Patient for a Vomit This way they may be usefull CL. How ever you esteeme them such an Elogy Would make you thinke your glasse had not yet flattered you IR. It cannot I prevent it and accuse it for Not shewing the Hils of Snow the Rubies And the Roses they say have being from me But stay Heaven opens and I see a Tempest comming Your Poët is a Prophet HER: I 'le call an oath to be my witnesse ER. Madam HER. My owne feares light upon me if the might that Eve's the day of Marriage doth not shut me from the World ER. Why Madam this intemperance HER. 'T is a just anger ER. If you are angry Madam with all that love you There lives none that has more enemies Every eye that lookes upon you you must hate Ir. Sir CLEON our friends are engag'd pray let Vs be o' th' party what has cal'd up this Choler in my sweet Cozen My Lord you have Beene begging favours ER. Yes of Heaven that it would furnish me With merits fit to deserve your Cozen IR. When it has granted you returne to her and Renue your suite but if you stay till then You must get spectacles to see her beauty with HER. Why should you hinder you repose and mine You know I never lov'd you IR. Then he has no reason to accuse you of inconstancy ER. Why are you faire or why has my scars Enforc'd me to love nothing else IR. If your love were considerable what an Obligation had my Cozen to your Starres Then these remonstrances of yours are Impulsive and not voluntary IR. I cannot tell but when I seriously direct them to you I 'le sweare I am bewitch'd CL. Madam this is repugnant to your other vertues That you should hate a man for loving you Before he did professe himselfe your servant I know you did receive him with indifferency At least whence then proceeds your hate HER. From his expression of his love CL. A cruell Son sprung from so mild a Father if he did Vrge you to any thing might blast your honor IR. She would not heare him and as it is how Much does he obliege her he 's now her servant And would entreate her to let him be her Master A request strangely modest CL. If I were he I 'de take an honorable composition Let her chuse whom she pleas'd for husband And continue her secret servant still HER. You are uncivill Enter PINDARVS CL. Pardon me Madam this mirth 's a liberty Your cozen doth allow me Here comes your father PINDARYS whispers with ERGASTO he speakes to HERMIONE PIN. How long i st you have undertaken to be your Owne disposer HER. Sir PIN. After my cares had sought you out a man that brings All blessings that the world cals happy you must refuse him HER. Sir I have tane an oath PIN. I know the priest that gave it Doe you not blush Being so yong to know how to distinguish the difference Of desires and this so wildly that you will put off your Obedience rather than loose one that you dare not say Hath int'rest in you but by my hopes of rest Enter LYSICLES I 'le use the power custome and nature gives me To force you to your happinesse LYSICLES How now my Lord what miracle can raise a Tempest here where so much beauty raignes Pin. My Lord you are not practis'd in the cares of Fathers I thought to have seene this Gentleman My son to morrow and she does not refuse him but LYS. It must not be pardon me vertue that I begin An act will set a staine upon my blushing brow Yet I must thorough Lord PINDARVS my Fortunes carry a pardon with them when They make me erre in acts of ceremoniall Decencies they have bin so heavy and so mighty They have bent me so low to th' earth I could not cast my face upwards to hope a blessing The cause you are perfit in PIN. 'T is a noble sorrow but your deepe Melancholy Gives it too large a growth LYS. Thus all doe presse it yet had my griefe relation Onely to my selfe I would not part them from My heart and memory they justly doe possesse But my father hath no more issue save my selfe For to conferre his name and fortunes on PIN. Our Greece would mourne if such a glorious Stocke should end in the most flourishing branch LYS. If you doe wish it a continuance 't is in your Power to make it lasting to ages Since my MILESIA'S death I have not lov'd a Lady equall With your HERMIONE in her I hope to lose My swolne mis-fortunes and find out a joy That may extinguish them 't is now no time To tell her how much I am her servant for This Lord here that does pretend to her faire Graces before I had declar'd my selfe his Rivall perchance you
Have given me the tortures that devance it If I deserve this your inflicting hands Doe reach unto the shades lay it on there Hermione Irene is Eysicles yet come LY. Yes to counsell you to pacifie The gods you have offended by your cursed Arts The blessed Ghost you sent me too has told me Some sad effects on 't and in her name And cause have the gods hurl'd this punishment On thy foule soule and made my griefe inrag'd To madnesse the blest instrument of thy destruction Which does but here begin MO. You then did send the poison with the Present I receiv'd LY. Yes I did and wonder you durst tempt My just revenge unlesse you did beleeve You could confine the Revelations Of the best spirits your cursed Charmes Betray'd first and then inforc'd to leave Their happy seates to perfect the designes Your malice labour'd in MOO. What unknowne waies have the gods invented To punish me I feele a torment No tyranny e're parallell'd yet must confesse An obligation to him that impos'd it Good gods if I doe bow under your wills Without repining at your sad decrees Grant this to recompence my Martyrdome That he that is the Author of my sufferings May never learne his errour Sir if torments e're could expiate the crimes We have committed mine might chalenge your pardon And your pitty I feele Death entring me Love the memory of your Mylesia and forgive IR. Helpe helpe she dyes LY. If it be possible call life into her for some minutes Her full confession will obsolve my Justice IR. Bring some water here she does but swoone So chafe her Temples Oh Heavens what prodigy Is here her blacknesse falls away My Lord looke on This Miracle doth not Heaven instruct us in pitty Of her wrongs that the opinions which prejudice Her vertue should thus be wash't away with the Blacke clouds that hide her purer forme HER. Heaven hath some further ends in this Than we can pierce More water she returnes to life And all the blacknesse of her face is gone IR. PALLAS APOLLO what may this portend My Lord Have you not seene a face like this LY. Yes and horrour ceazeth me 'T is the Idea Of my Milesia Impenetrable powers Deliver us in Thunder your intents And exposition of this Metamorphosis HER. She stirres LY. Hold her up gently He kneeles MOO. Oh oh why doe you kneele to me LY, Are not you MILESIA MOO. Why doe you aske LY. Oh then you are MOO. My Lysicles I am by miracle preserv'd Though since the gods repent them of their succours Knowing me unworthy of thy firme constant love I never thought that death could be a terrour Too long acquainted with the miseries Pursue our lives but now the apprehension My grave should swallow thee makes me to welcome it With a heavinesse that sinkes dispairing sinners LY. Powre downe your Thunder gods upon this head And try if that can make me yet more wretched Was not her death affliction enough But you must make me be the murtherer Is this a punishment for adoring her Equall with you you made so equail to yee Pardon the fault you forc't me to commit So visible a Divinity could not be loo'd on With lesse adoration MOO. If e're I did expect a happier death May I dye loathed what Funerall pompe Can there be greater than for me to heare Whilst I yet live my dying Obsequies With so much zeale pronounc'd by him I love Tortures againe doe seize me LY. Eyes are you dry where such an object calls Your teares forth My bloud shall supply your place MO. For heavens sake hold his hands O my best Lysicles Doe not destroy the comforts of my soule What a division doe I feele within me I am but halfe tormented my soule in spight O' th' tortures of my body doe feele a joy That meets departed spirits in the blest shades LY. What unexpected mischiefes circle me What Arts hath malice arm'd with Fortune found To make me wretched could I e're have thought A Miracle could have restor'd thee to my eyes But they should see the joyes of Heaven in thee Yet now the height of my affliction is That they behold thee guilty of the close Of thine for ever see HERMIONE The countenance Death should put on when Death Would have us throng unto her Palaces And court her frozen Sepulchres IR. Sure she is dead how pale she is LY. No she is white as Lillies as the Snow That falls upon PARNASSVS if the Red were here As I have seene 't enthron'd the rising day Would get new excellence by being compar'd to her ARGOS nor CYPRVS AEGYPT never saw A beauty like to this let it be lawfull for me to usurpe So much on Deaths right as to take a kisse From thy cold Virgin-lips where she and Love Yet strive for Empire the flames that rise from hence Are not lesse violent though lesse pleasing now Than when she did consent I should receive What now I ravish MO. Dares not Death shut those eyes where love Hath enter'd once or am I in the shades Assisted with the Ghost of my deare Lysicles LY. She speakes againe good Heaven she speakes againe HE. You are yet living MO. And therefore dying but before I goe Let me obtaine your pardon for the wrongs My jealousie hath throwne upon your innocence 'T was my too perfect knowledge of my want Of merits to deserve made me doubt yours I meane your constant love which I will teach Below and make them learne againe to love Who have dyed for it LY. Doe not abuse your mercy and my griefe By asking pardon of your murtherer But curse your sufferings off on this devoted head To save the beauty of the world in you MO. Why should your griefe make me repent the joyes I ever beg'd of heaven the knowledge Of your love could there be added more Unto my happinesse than to be confirm'd By my owne sufferings how much you did love me And prosecuted those that desired my ruine Like Semele I dye who could not take The full god in her armes I have but one wish more that I may beare Vnto the shades the glorious title of your wife If I may live so long to heare but this Pronounc'd by Lysicles I dye in peace LY. Heare it with my vowes not to behold The Sunne rise after you are gone MO. O say not so live I command you live Let your obedience unto this command Shew you have lost a Mistresse LY. Can I heare this and live IR. My Lord our cares will be imployed better In seeking to avert this Ladies death Than in deploring it LY. You advise well runne all to the Physitian I Will my selfe to Arnaldo who gave This poison to me Let me have word sent to the Cypresse grove the minute she is dead Exeunt Draw in the bed Enter Lysicles meditating LY. If Life be given as a blessing to us What Law compels us to preserve it longer Than we can see a
THE LOST LADY A Tragy-COMEDY COMEDY Imprinted at LONDON by Jo. Okes for John Colby and are to be sold at his Shop at the Signe of the Holy Lambe on Ludgate hill 1638 THE LOST LADY A Tragedy-Comedy Enter AGENOR PHYSITIAN AGENOR SIr I hope Lord LYSICLES is not yet retir'd PH. No Sir he commanded immediate notice Should be given of your comming AG. I feare my stay at the Castlle hath made my Duty seeme unmannerly but till this minute I had not My dispatches from the Governour PH. Let it not trouble you he never shuts his eies Till all this other World opens theirs nor does he Sleepe then but with distracted thoughts Labours his fancy to present him objects that may Advance his griefe AG. What may the monstrous cause be PH. 'T was monstrous indeede he lost his Mistris Barbarously murdered by her perfidious Uncle Her Urne is in CIRRHA which my Lord nightly Visits and presents it all his contracted Sighes of the fled day but at his parting Reassumeth more by thinking she is not to Whose deare memory his teares and griefes are Offered he 's now alone and the religious awe Which makes our Priests retire before they Doe adore the incensed powers is seene in him Who never dares approach her honored tombe Till a just contemplation of his losse hath Enter LYSICLES Made his sorrow eloquent See he comes if when he parts your hast will License you I will relate the story of his Unequal'd suffrings LYS. Doe you depart to night AG. This houre my Lord LYS. I will not wrong you to intreate your care in suddainly Delivering these small packets but least you Should beleeve they are meerely ceremonious And so beare any date I now informe you I am concern'd in nothing neerer my griefes excepted AG. I wish your Lordships happinesse LY. First wish me a captivity for as I am i th' instant if heaven should powre his blessings On me their quality would alter Sir good night PH. Sir you are sad AG. He has no heart to joy that can be otherwise That sees this glorious youth groane under his harsh fate PH. What a sad accent had each word he uttred AG. I could not marke them much but his whole Frame is of such making as if dispaire had bin the Architect We may wish not hope a long life in him PH. Sir will you now take horse AG. I should had you not promis'd the originall of This misfortune and trust me 't is a bold Curiosity that makes me search into it for if The silent presentation hath strooke amazement In me how shall I guard my heart when sad Disasters violence my passions PH. Thus then in short These noble Kingdomes THESSALY and SPARTA Have from the time two Kings commanded all Under both Titles still bin emulous And jealous of th' advantages which each Suspected might be in the adverse party This caus'd a lasting warre but the fierce storme Threatned not till the raigne of these two Kings Both crowned yong both of an equall age Both having all the passions of their subjects Their feares excepted the Embassadors That should congratulate the new made Kings As if one spirit had inspired both Came with this message little varied That each were joy'd in such an enemy No more the fearefull wisedome of old men Should rust their swords that fate had given to one Command of all In short their forces met And in ten bloody daies none could decide Which had the better cause The vertues of each Prince so prevalent Fortune was but spectator to conclude Urgent affaires at home compel'd each King To leave their Armies ours committed his To STRIMON father of Prince LYSICLES The Duke of ARGOS did command the SPARTANA Who swolne with the great name of Generall Before his King had hardly left the sight Of his great Army drawes his forces out And fac'd us in our Trenches 't is not yet Unquestion'd whether feare or policy Made STRIMON keepe in his but certainly this That Vertue sharpn'd by necessity Procur'd our Triumph here LYSICLES Anticipated yeares unto his fame And on the wounds of his brave Enemy Did write his Story which our Virgins sing But from this conquest did begin the cause of all his misery AG. How from this unlesse the King should judge It too dangerous an honor to be given to one PH. Hee 's Lord of so much Vertue He cannot feare it in a Subject AG. And as the common voice reacht him in ATHOS There 's none he lookes on with greater Demonstration of his love PH. I know not that but this I am perfit in His judgment is directed by the Kings so powerfully He cannot thinke his vertues injured Though many should be neerer in his graces It would inflict him strangely if any should be thought To love his Prince better than he AG. Pardon my interruption pray proceed PH. The Duke defeated posts unto the Court Where he design'd unto his dire revenge Th' obscurest path that ever time reveal'd Since her first glasse procures his King to throw Neglects upon him and to seeme in doubt Of his obliged faith a severe search Made on his papers his treasure vallued By the publicke Officer and is himselfe Twice deprehended in a seeming flight Calumniated libeld and disgrac'd By his owne seeking and beleefe of others Who judging him to be their honors ruine First raze his house and then demand his life As sacrifice unto their brothers sonnes Nephewes and publicke losse sedition Had now the face of piety which once Receiv'd as just can hardly be repel'd The King with difficulty doth assure his life With promise of his banishment This he fore-saw and sought and did disguise Himselfe in feare of the incensed people Parts in the night and partner of his fate Hath his faire Neece who is so innocent She cannot thinke there is a greater crime Practiz'd by men than errour which does make Us seeme more vicious than in act we are AG. I want a perspective for this darke Mystery And but your knowledge doth dissolve my doubts T would seeme a Riddle that a Gentleman Of his knowne valour reputation Should strive to lose both for some secret end I cannot yet arrive too PH. Sir you know Revenge doth master all our passions That are not servants to her rage AG. But how unfriended banisht the reproach Of Traytor fixt upon him he could find The way unto 't more easie I am ignorant PH. This story will resolve you to this Court he comes Is brought to th' King then with a modest freedome Relates his suffrings hopes that same hath taught His story ere his comming else he should Continue miserable as beleev'd Both by his friends and enemies a Traytor Delivers that he sought protection From him because none else could vindicate His innocence which many mothers here Saith he hath wept that day when fortune Consulted Eate who should be Conqueror You brave Lords saith he that were present did my sword Parley did you
receive wounds on condition Were these by compact all my bloud is lost Since t is discredited what before was spent Ran in my name and made that live but now Great King you onely repeale my honors fall By giving death unto your enemy Our Prince resents his fate confirmes him his By a large pension and too soone intrusts With all his secrets gives him meanes to view His forts which he designes and learnes the strength Of each particular province and inform'd Of all makes his escape and is received Of the SPARTANA King with all remonstrances Of love and confess'd service but before He parted did that horrid act which LYSICLES must dye for AG. Indeed this story doth not much concerne Him if I mistake not PH. At his arrivall here he left his Neece With this designe that when his plots were ripe Without suspect he might come to the borders Hither he comes and at his entrance is By a base trayterous Servant certified Of the great love 'twixt her and LYSICLES The compact of their vowes with divers Letters The Lovers had exchang'd he stormes and cries If thou dost love young LYSICLES my hate Shall strike thee dead thy hand pluckt backe my honor When it was mounting be constant and this hand Shall by her death give thee a lingring one And my revenge in thy owne house begin Then with a barbarous unheard of cruelty Murthers his Neece and the same instant flies Fame had the next Sun blowne this through the City His house was searcht the trunke of the dead Lady Found in the Hall the head he carried with him In honor of his cruelty AG. Sure he was mad PH. I would say so too but that I would not make Him lesse guilty of this inhumanity AG. What furies governe man we hazard all Our lives and fortunes to gaine hated memories And in the search of vertue tremble at shadowes But how are you ascertain'd that he did This horrid act PH. He sent the bitter summons of her death By her that had betray'd her the report Did make her spirits throng unto her heart And sure had kild it had not Heaven decreed His hand should be as blacke as his intent She begg'd sometime for prayer and retir'd In her owne blood did write her Tragedy And parting wishes to her deare bethroth'd Now heare the strangest mistooke piety That ever entred in a Virgins breast She so much lov'd this barbarous Homicide She would not have him guilty of her death And therefore with her owne hand wounds her selfe And as she bled she writ unto her Lord At last concludes They will not let me make them innocent I 'me cald unto my death and I repent My wound because I would not hurt That which I hope you lov'd this bloody note Was found the next day in her pocket AG. And came it to the Lord LYSICLES PH. It did and if you e're had seene A hundred parents at one time deplore The unexpected deaths of their lost Children The fathers sorrow and the mothers teares Would Emblemize but not expresse his griefe Sometimes he shreekt as if h 'ad sent his soule Out in his voice sometimes stood fixt and gaz'd As if he had no sence of what he saw Sometime he 'd sound and if the memory Of his deare Mistresse even i th' gates of Death Had not pursu'd him he had certaine dyed Torment did now give life at last he drew His sword and ere he could be staid did fall Upon the point This I thinke did preserve him For not being mortall and he fainting with The losse of bloud had not then strength enough To end himselfe untill he was perswaded To live to celebrate her memory Which nightly he doth doe upon her Tombe Whither he now is gone AG. I have not heard of such a love as this PH. Nor never shall of such a beauty as did cause it 'T is late and I 'le not trouble you with her story When you are at Court all tongues will speake Her merit to your wonder I 'le bring you to your horse Exit The Tombe discovered Enter LYSICLES and a Page with a Torch Enter ERGASTO and CLEON CL. And will you marry now ER. Indeed will I CL. And what shall be done with all those lockes of haire You have ER. Why I 'le make buttons of 'em and had they halfe The value that I swore they had when I did beg 'em Rich orient Diamonds could not equall them Some came easily and some I was forc'd to dig for in the Mine CL. And your priz'd liberty what shall become of that You swore you would not marry till there were A Law established that married men Might be redeem'd as Slaves are ER. I was an Asse when I talkt so Those damb'd bookes of Chastity I read In my minority corrupted me but since I 'm practis'd in the World I find there are No greater Libertines than married men 'T is true 't was dangerous this knot in the First Age when it was a crime to breake vowes But thankes to VENVS the Scaene is altered And we act other parts I 'le tell thee The priviledges we enjoy when we are married First our secrecy is held Authentick Which is assurance will take up any woman at Interest that is not peevish then the acquaintance Which our wives bring us to whom at times I carry My wives commendations and if their husbands be Not at home I doe commend my selfe CL. For what I prethee ER. For a good Dancer A good Rider a good any thing That I thinke will please 'em CL. Thou 'lt have a damnable conceite of thy wife By thy knowledge and opinion of all other Women unlesse you thinke her a Phoenix ER. 'T will be my best resolution But harke in thy Eare Rogue I could be content to thinke and Wish mine and all for the publicke good And weare my hornes with as much confidence As the best velvet head of 'em all and paint Them in my Crest with this Inscription These he deserv'd for his love to the Common-wealth CL. A rare fame you would purchase ER. A more lasting one than any Monument you can Repeate the Epitaph of and would it not be Glorious to be commemorated as the first founder Of the Commonalty of undisparag'd Cuckolds CL. Yes and pray'd for by bastards that got better Fathers than they were destin'd to by their mothers marriages ER. And curs'd by Surgeons that were undone by Honest womens practices CL. And this done voluntarily which you will Hardly avoide though you have a thousand Guards to prevent it I that have beene your Play-fellow shall be first suspected And first banish'd ER. By JVPITER never no though 't would preserve A thousand smooth fore-heads if she be honest Your Arts cannot alter her and if otherwise Had I not rather adopt a sonne of thine Than a strangers and confesse truely CLEON Would not you for this publicke benefit be Content to sacrifice a Sister that we might
her her eyes are Stars Which Astronomers should onely study to know our Fate by PH. 'T is not amisse if she have neither of the extreames CL. What doe you intend PH. I meane neither so ill favoured as to have No ground for what we say for their beleefe Will hardly enter nor so handsome as to have It often spoken to her For your indifferent beauties Are those whom flattery surpriseth there being So naturall a love and opinion of our selves That we are adapted to beleeve that men are rather Deceived in us than abuse us ER. Your limitation takes away much of my answer But grant all that you say I have no hope of Obtaining my Mistresse PH. Then thou hast yet a yeare of happinesse But why I prethee ER. She is so deserving she thinkes none worthy Of her affections and so can love none PH. You have more cause to doubt that she will never Affect you than that already she is not in love What a yong handsome Lady that carries the flame of her heart in her cheeks not have yet seen any one to desire 't is impossible ER. I was of your minde till I had experience Of the contrary PH. Conceites of your selfe makes you of the opinion I mention'd You thinke 't is impossible for all men What you cannot attaine to what Arts Have you us'd to gaine her CL. He knowes none but distilling sighes At the Altar of her beauty PH. if he be subject to that frenzie I will Counsell him to take any Trade upon him Rather than that of Love ER. And doe you thinke there is any thing fitter To call downe affection than submission PH. Nothing more opposite for languishing transports Whinings and Melancholy makes us more laught at Than belov'd of our Mistresses and with reason For why should we hope to deserve their favours When we confesse we merit not a lawfull esteeme of our selves CL. I have knowne some their Mistresses have forsaken Onely because they were certaine the world tooke notice They were deepely in love with them PH. And they did wisely for the victory being got They were to prepare for a new Triumph and Not like your City Officers ride still with the Same Liveries Some I confesse have miscarry'd In it but 't was because their provision of Beauty was spent before they came to composition ER. Thou wer 't an excellent foole in a chamber if you Continue you 'le be so in a Comedie Dost beleeve Thau canst swagger them out of their loves PH. Sooner than soften their hearts by my teares And though a River should run through me I would seale up my eies before a drop should Come that way for our unmanly submissions Raise them to that height that they thinke We are largely favour'd if they hearken to us with contempt ER. 'T is safer they should do so than hate us for our insolēce PH. If thou hast ever beene us'd to talke sence I should wonder at thee now why I should Sooner hope to gaine a Lady after the Murther Of her familie than after she had an opinion I deserv'd to be slighted by her CL. 'Fore VENVS he talkes with Authority I know Not well what he has said but methinkes There is something in it prithee let 's hearken to him PH. Doe and if I doe not dispossesse you of all your Opinions let me be ER. You must deale by inchantment then for I am Resolv'd to sticke to my conclusions PH. 'T is the best hold-fast your foolish Devill has But strong reasons shall be your Exorcisme Tell me first what is she you love ER. Would I could PH. Then for all thy jesting there 's some hope Thou art yet in thy wits ER. You mistake me I meane I could not tell because No Tongue can speake her to her merit PH. Heyda if the Ballad of the Rose and the Honey-combe Doe not doe it more than she deserves or almost any woman Let me be condemn'd to sing the funerals of Parrats CL. Would the Ladies heard you PH. They would beleeve me though they would be Sorry your Honours should but what this love Has it transform'd us all CLEON you can tell Who 't is he thus admires CL. Yes and will 't is HERMIONE PINDARVS his heire PH What EPICTETVS in a petti-coate she that disputes love into nothing or what 's worse a friendship with a woman CL. The same and I know you 'le confesse shee 's deserving PH. Yes but the mischiefe is shee 'le ne're thinke so Of him If POLYGAMY were in fashion I would Perswade him to marrie her to be Governesse to the rest But not till then wouldst thou be content To lye with a Statue that will never confesse more of love Than suffering the effects of thine CL. And have his liberties in the discourse of her friends That her retirednesse may be more magnified PH. Beleeve me ERGASTO these severe beauties that Are to be look'd on with the eyes of respect Are not for us we must have them that love to Be prais'd more for faire Ladies than judicious ER. You mistake me gentlemen I chuse for my self not for you PH. Faith for that who ever marries must sacrifice To Fortune and she whose wisedome makes her Snow to you may be Fire to another Some odde Wrinkled fellow that conquers her with wit May throw her on her backe with reason Take This from the Oracle that for the generall Calamity of Husbands all women are reputed Vicious and for the quiet of particulars Every one thinkes his wife the Phoenix ER. You have met with rare Fortunes PH. Calumnie is so generall that Truth has lost Her credit But to th' purpose what Rivalls what hopes CL. A potent Rivall takes away all LYSICLES does woe her PH. Good night I will dispute it no more whether thou Shouldst have her or no for now I conclude it is impossible ER. I had her Fathers firm consent before he declar'd himselfe PH. Though thou hadst hers too be wise and dispaire Betimes In this point Women are Common-wealths And are oblig'd to their faiths no farther Than the safety and honour of the State is Concern'd If thou wer 't the first example I Would excuse thee for being the first cozen'd But stay who 's here Enter PHILLIDA vail'd beckons to ERGASTO O' my conscience an Embassage from some of Your kind Mistresses that would faine take their Leaves before you goe to captivity ER. Is 't possible PHI. She desires you to see her and beleeve that ambition Cannot gaine more upon her than your affection ER. Take this Ring and this PHIL. I dare not Sir ER. I 'le pay thy Dowry then within this halfe houre I 'le waite on her Exit PHILLIDA CL. From what part of the Towne came this faire day In a Cloud that makes you looke so cheerefully ER. A las Gentlemen I was borne to know nothing Of love but sighes and despaires I can be servant to none that have the election of two CL. Unriddle unriddle
being asham'd to live any longer PH, A halter you shall as soone come come I le intercede And be your surety Looke she staies to pardon You downe on your knees She goes away Phormio puls her backe Ergasto kneeles holds up his hands his cloake over his face PH. Oh my sweet Lady be mercifull like the gods you resemble they have as often pardon in their hands as Thunder And the truth is if they will not forgive this fault of inconstancy they must live alone or at least without men This was the last gaspe of his dying friendship to her And now he is entirely yours IR. He has not wrong'd me PH. Fie say not so that 's as great an injurie as not Pardoning him he has and shall come naked To receive his punishment See he dares not looke For comfort let him take it in at his eares IR. Pray content your selfe with the time you have Made me lose and let me goe PH. Never till you pardon him IR. I will doe any thing for my release if he has Offended me let him learne hereafter to Speake truer than he sweares and in time He may get credit PH. 'T is enough ER. Is she gone PH. Yes ER. How did she looke PH. Faith asham'd she lov'd you so well and sorry she Had no reason to love you better PH. 'T is an excellent Lady PH. If I could make Joynters I would not take this Paines for your honour Cleon whither slip you CL. After Phillida PH. And what successe CL. POX on 't these waiting women will not deale unlesse They have earnest in their hands and I was unprovided PH. Away unthrift Exeunt Act. 4 SCAE. 1. Enter LYSICLES LY. This is the houre powerfull Acanthe promis'd I should once more behold my lost Milesia Pardon me reason that my wither'd hopes Rebell against thy force a happinesse So mighty is oppos'd unto thy doubts That I le devest my selfe for ever of thee Rather than not beleeve impossibles That bring such comforts to my languisht soule Haile holy Treasurer of all the wealth Nature e're lent the world be still the envy Of the proud Monuments that doe enclose The glorious Titles of great Conquerors Let no prophane aire pierce thee but my sighes MILESIA riseth like a ghost Let them have entrance whilst my teares doe warme Thy colder Marble Ha what Miracle Are the gods pleas'd to worke to ease affliction The Phoenix is created from her ashes Pure as the flames that made 'em still the same The same Milesia Heaven does confesse in this That she can onely adde unto thy beauty By making it immortall Let it be lawfull for thy Lysicles To touch thy sacred hand and with it guide My wandring soule unto that part of Heaven Thy beauty does enlighten GHO, Forbeare and heare me if you approach I vanish Impious inconstant Lysicles cannot This miracle of my reassuming A mortall shape perswade thee there are gods To punish falsehood that thou still persists In thy dissembling doe not I know Thy heart is swolne with vowes thou hast laid up For thy Hermione whom thou wouldst perswade Thy narrow heart is capable of love By mocking of my ashes and erecting Tombs to me which are Indeed but Trophies of thy dead conquer'd love and vertue LY. No more blest shape I shall not thinke that thou descend'st from Heaven If thou continuest thus in doubt of me Nor can there be a Hell where such formes are The knowledge how thou com'st here doth disturbe me Yet such a reverence I doe owe thy image That I will lay before thee all my thoughts Spotlesse as Truth then thou shalt tell the shades How Fortune though it made my love unhappy Could not diminish it nor presse it one degree From the proud height it was arrived to How I did nightly pray to this sad Tombe Bringing and taking fire of constant love From the cold ashes how when incompast With thousand horrours Death had beene a rest I did preferre a loath'd life to revenge my selfe And her upon the murderer GHO. I shall desire to live if this be true Nothing can adde a comfort where I am But the assurance of your love I know Faith is not tyed to passe the confines Of this life yet Hermione's happinesse Does trouble me You 'le thinke I lov'd you living when dead I am jealous of you LY. Milesia againe blest Saint now I am sure thou art What thou resemblest and do'st know my secret'st thought But as the gods of which thou art a part Art not content with our hearts sacrifice Unlesse our words confesse it heare me then If my thoughts e're consented to replant My love may your dire Thunder light Upon my head and sinke it downe so low I may not see thy glories I confesse My words have sacrific'd to Deities I ne're ador'd those staines of love My teares and friendship to the best of mén I hope I have cancell'd for my Eugenio I did pretend a love unto Hermione Who else had sold her selfe unto the rage Of her offended Father had you liv'd You would have pardon'd when infidelity But personated did preserve a faith So holy as theirs was this is my fault GHO. My glory and my happinesse LY. Yet this as oft I wept as I was forc'd For his deare cause to injure sacred love Yet durst not but decline his severe Lawes When my friends life excus'd the pious errour GHO. Did you suspect her that you conceal'd this from her LY. There is but one MILESIA besides If true I meant her feares should aide My false disguise which her quick-sighted Father Would else have pierc'd who hates EVGENIO And loves no vertue but what shines through wealth LY. My best best LYSICLES I am againe in love Thy holy flame doth lend me light to see My closed fires why did not Fate give me So large a field to exercise my Faith I envy thee this tryall and would be Expos'd to dangers that have yet no name That I might meet thy love with equall merit LY. The cause takes all away and want of power Excuseth what I cannot yet expresse too much of me But how our loves came to so sad a period As yet in clouds I have onely seene GHO. My Uncles cruelty and hate of you procur'd our separation LY. But how knew he our loves though torment since Have wrung it from me my joyes ever flow'd silent and calme GHO. I know it but we were betray'd By one that serv'd me and the doubts confirm'd By the Moore you spake with yesterday LY. Ha How came she to know it she was not here GHO. All that I ever did shee 's conscious of And jealous of your love unto HERMIONE Did place me here to search into your thoughts And now is prouder of this discovery Thanifa Crowne were added to her LY. To what strange Lawes does Heaven confine it selfe That it will suffer them that dare be damn'd To have power over those it has selected My
teares and sacrifice could never gaine So much upon its mercy as to lend Thy happy sight for one faint minutes comfort Yet those that sell themselves to Hell can force Thy quiet rest for inquisition on innocence And to what purpose serves faith and religious secresie When Magick mocks and frustrates all our vowes This Moore then was confederate with your Uncles passion GMO. She is the cause that I doe walke in shades LY. And I will be that she shall walke in Hell With her I will begin then seeke revenge Under the ruines of thy Uncles house All men that dare to name him and not curse His memory shall feele the power of my despised hate and friendship GHO. My dearest Lysicles promise to be But temperate in your anger and I will Discover more than you yet hop'd to know Enter Pindarus and servants LY. As justice that 's concern'd to punish crimes I will GHO. Then know I was betrai'd Oh love here 's company I must retire PIN. Talking to graves at night and making love i' th day My Lord I nor my daughter have deserv'd this LY. Pardon me Sir I could doe no lesse Being to take an everlasting farewell but give this Visite to her memory reserve your censure Till ten dayes be over and if I doe not Satisfie you condemne me Exeunt Enter HERMIONE and PHILLIDA HER Philly take thy Lute and sing the song Was given thee last Exeunt SONG VV Here did you borrow that last sigh and that relenting groane For those that sigh and not for love Vsurpe what 's not their owne Loves arrowes sooner armour pierce Than your soft snowy skinne Your our eyes can onely teach us love But cannot take it in Another sigh then I may hope The Song being ended Enter PHILLIDA PH. Oh Madam call all your sorrowes to you you are Not sad enough to heare the newes I bring HER. Would it were killing that my death might end My feares as my life has my hopes PH. You mistake me Madam Eugenio is return'd HE. Eugenio return'd thou hast reason Phillida I Should be dead with sorrow 'T is not fit we heare his name Without a miracle where is he send to bring him hither PH. He waites on your commands without HER. Bring him in Good gods if you can suffer me one minutes joy Give it me now and let excesse of happinesse Finish what sorrow cannot But where 's this happinesse I faine would dreame of Eugenio is return'd That I may looke on him and not be his And call our faiths in vaine to aide our loves Enter EVGENIO and PHILLIDA EV. May the gods give you Madam a content As high as you have power to bestow On those you favour and then your happinesse Will be as great as is your beauty HE. Oh my best Lord you now behold a face Too much acquainted with my sad hearts griefe Not to be stain'd with 't sure you cannot know it I pray say you doe not you will wrong Two things I am most proud of my just griefe And your young love which could not grow Nourish't with such poore heate as now it gives I have a story that will breake your heart When you have heard it and mine ere I Deliver it Prince Lysicks to morrow marries me Or I must leave my duty or my life Forgive me that I dare to utter this Eu. Madam forbeare your teares they are a ransome Too mighty to redeeme the greatest faith The gods were ever witnesse to I know Whereto you tend you would have me untye The knot that bound our loves and I will do 't Though it be fasten'd to my strings of life Be happie in your choice give to his merit What once you promis'd to my perfit love By which I onely did pretend my claime I doe release you as I know heaven has Who in his justice cannot have consented To a longer faith in you you must not be The conquest of a miserable man O're whom their cruelst influences raigne HE. Some saving power close up my drowned eyes Which death had long since shut had not the love And hope of seeing you preserv'd them open Have I beene false for this to all my friends That you should thinke I can be so to you Adde not by your suspitions a crime to our mis-fortune Eu. Of you I can have none but what excuse you You had made me miserable had not your faith Yeelded to those assaults as worth and greatnesse Titles your fathers rage and your owne judgement Did shake and raze it with what disturbed minde Should I have look'd on you my heart ador'd And love made miserable still you weepe But these are teares your fortune did lay up To ease your misery had you continned mine And your Sunnes clear'd from their last clouds They will more freely shine upon your Lysicles For my selfe my love in his last act shall recompence The injuries 't as done to your repose By killing me then must injustice flie And hale inconstancie along with her From your faire conquered soule they now possesse HE. Oh my griefes Now I perceive the gods decreed you endlesse Since they have made him adde unto my torment Whose memory before did make the sharpest glorious Teares and sighes and groanes farewell They ne're were spent but when I feard for you And you being lost I have no use of them Here take this paper 't is the last Legacy My love shall ever give you 't was design'd When I conceiv'd you worthy If you beleeve her words whose faith was never lost Though you ungratefully have flung it off If so you be not that you accuse me for you there shall finde A story that will punish your suspition He reades and then kneeles and she turnes from him Eu. You that by powerfull prayers have diverted An imminent ruine inspire me with fit words To appease my injur'd Mistresse heare me doe not kneele for mercy but to begge Your leave to dye I must not live When pardons make my offence most horrible And hell is here without them take a middle way If you incline to mercy and forget me HER. Rise this is worse than your doubts were Turne not your face away would you revenge Then let my eyes dwell on 't what punishment Can there be greater than for me to see the beauty I have lost By my owne fault looke then upon me HER. No I must yet keepe my anger to preserve my honour And I dare not trust that and my eyes at once If they behold you Eu. Then heare a wretched man that has out-liv'd So much his hopes he knowes not what to wish Whether to live or die yet life for this I onely seeke that you may finde I shrinke not To punish him your Justice has condemn'd HER. Rise I can hold out no longer the bare sounds Of your death dissolve my resolutions Forget my anger as I will the cause Eu. Never it shall live here to honour me Since pitty of my love
comes my Lord PINDARVS Oh my good Lord I must intreate your pardon For a fault my love unto my friend ingag'd me in Let your consent compleate the happinesse Of these two perfect Lovers I am confident You ever did approve his vertue his fortune now Can be no hinderance since our gracious King In contemplation of his merits Hath made him Governor in my Fathers place PIND. Most willingly I give it since I have lost The hopes of being ally'd to you Heaven blesse you both Sir your owne love of my HERMIONE And yours now will teach you to admit An easie satisfaction for the troubles My love unto my Child hath throwne upon you EU. You are all goodnesse and my services Ever directed by your will shall shew Though I can never merit this great honour I will doe nothing shall deprive me of The honour of your love and favour PIND. Your vertue promiseth more than I may heare From you once more Heaven blesse you If my Lord ERGASTO now were satisfi'd I shall be at peace for having promised My Daughter to him I would not have him Thinke that by me hee 's injur'd HER. 'T is in your power Sir to satisfie him PIND. I would doe any thing HER. Perswade my Cozen to confesse she loves him Which I doe know she does and he already Has made profession of his unto my prejudice Nay blush not Cozen since you would not allow me This secret as a friend you may excuse The inquisitivenesse of a rivall MI. This is all truth my Lord I can assure you PIND. Is 't possible IRENE doe you love ERGASTO IR. Me thinkes your experience Uncle should teach you That such a question was not to be ask't Well if I did love him 't was because I thought That he lov'd me but if he does not I pardon him For I am certaine he once beleev'd it himselfe PIND. If ever love make any deepe impression In you I am deceiv'd IR. His Dart may strike as farre into me As into another for ought you know Uncle PIND. You have ill lucke else Neece Enter PHORMIO ERGASTO CLEON PHO. Nay 't is most certaine the Towne is full of it MILESIA I know not how is alive againe EVGENIO is made Governour though you were constant You can have no longer hopes of HERMIONE Therefore let me advise you make that seeme Your owne Election which will else be Inforcement Quit your Interest in HERMIONE and renew Your suite to IRENE ER. Observe me PIND. Welcome my Lords doe you know this Lady ER. Most perfectly and came to congratulate With the Prince for her double recovery LY. I thanke you my Lord and when my friend and you Are reconcil'd you may assure your selfe I am your servant ER. What 's in my power to give him satisfaction He may command Eu. Your friendship does it PIN. my Lord this reconcilement will make way unto my Pardon I have not beene wanting in my promise To you but my daughter thinkes she has chosen So well that without any leave she hath made her Selfe her owne disposer ER. Ages of happinesse attend them If I may hope to Gaine the graces of the faire IRENE I shall be happy too PIN. If I have any power she shall be yours LY. Let me beg the honour of interceding your fortunes And condition are so equall it were a sin to part you PH. Pray Sir let him doe it himselfe the taske is not So hard to require a Mediator IR. Have you such skill in perspective PH. As good as any Chyromancer's in AEgypt Madam ER. He has reason for I have open'd my breast to him And he has seene my heart and you inthron'd in 't PH. He tels you true Lady IR. Indeed Sir and pray what did it looke like PH. Faith to deale truely much like the wheele of Fortune Which turning round puts the same persons Sometimes at top sometimes at bottome but at last Love shot his dart thorough the Axel-tree And fixt you Regent IR. Well I have considered and my Cozens Example shall teach me ER. What in the name of doubt IR. To avoid the infinite troubles you procur'd her by your Fruitlesse solicitations d' ee thinke your teares shall cost Me so many teares as they have done her PIN. You may excuse them by consenting To your friends desires MI. Sweet Madam let me obtaine this for him He dyes if you deny him HER. Deare IRENE perfit the happinesse of this day IR. You have great reason to perswade me To take him you abhorr'd HER. I was ingag'd IR. Well if any here will passe their words He can continue constant a weeke I will Be dispos'd by you OMNES We all will be ingag'd for him IR. On this condition I admit him to a Months service And my selfe to a perpetuall servitude ER. I ever shall be yours IR. My father said so till my mother wept Eu. A notable woing this LY. And as notably finish'd Let 's now unto my father Who expects you to deliver his Commission to you Come my MILESIA tell my wounded heart No more her sighes shall wander through the aire Not knowing where to find thee nor no more Shall the mistaken Tombe of false ONONE Be moistened with my teares yet since she dyed To save thy life her ghost could not expect A cheaper sacrifice this I 'le onely adde In memory of us All Lovers shall Repute this day as their great Feastivall FINIS