confess I did too much to prove The humble passion of a gentle Love And much too little now to justifie My high affections or my fact denie Had I with vigour my first step persu'd new'd You might have wish'd my vows with yours re Vale. You talk as now I at your mercy were As if you still might threat and I must fear But I shall make you know your self and me If you proceed not with more modesty And shall soon let Cleandra understand How well you Treated me on her command Near. Though I do shake and tremble at your frown Cleandras anger cannot bow me down For if my suffering no compassion move Nor your past vowes make you regard my Love You shall then see how little I esteem This Life you will not with a smile redeem Valeriana I am not thus ingratefull as you say So I may be secur'd another way I did not threat till you aspers'd my Name By this false promise you unjustly claim For though your Birth flow from a Noble Spring T is something less then Daughter to a King And more I must the secret now impart That brave Ormasdes long since had my heart Near. Madam I have no Plea beyond my Love If that do of too mean a value prove Think how your honour stands ingag'd by vow And that my all depends upon it now Yet here I do before the Gods profess To quit my Title if my birth be less Vale. From Nearcus the Gods will me protect Who boldly must a subjects claim reject Near. Which I am not but a Prince Nobly born As is Cleandra though you now do scorn The Man who lay'd his greatness at your feet Without a thought of Royalty to meet Your Virtue and your Beauty did engage My heart to Love and did create that rage You now so much condemn and makes me shaâ—… I did no more who was so much to blame Vale. You do amaze me knows Cleandra this Near. She yet does not but must do when I plead My Title to Valerianas Bed For Madam you can onely now be mine Made so by humane Lawes and by Divine Vale. What ere you are I do much scorn to think Of being compell'd and will strong poyson driâ—… Rather then be by such a trick betray'd Or of your scandalous reports afraid Your first attempt was base and now as vain Your hopes are you are a Prince I do disdain To have a thought for him who poorly can Demand what 's given to another man I must this Injury at last reveal And to the Queen for Justice now appeal Near. I am content then let Cleandra Judge Vale. I 'le hear no more Exit with Ladies Near. What a strange heat I feel that alwayes burn Yet do not wast cannot to Ashes turn But like a fire-flaming Statue stand To warn the World not to approach this Land Ye Gods how cruel is your doom that she Melts not but should an Icie Mountain be Of power to kindle such tormenting fires Where her own frozen heart has no desires Exit THE FOURTH ACT. Enter Cleandra with Ormasdeâ—… the Lords and Ladies stand off QUEEN I shall allow your Argument for War If the Treconian do provoke so far But how shall I Valeriana free From her fierce Brothers great barbaritie And how Estate her in her Mothers Land If her mad Brother should that right withstand Though she do now desire but what 's her own If he should dye She must Ascend that Throne Ormas I have heard so and that by my rash Act She suffers which makes me repent the Fact Queen Her virtues do her beauty far excell And in my judgement have no parallel What is your thought will not the man be blest Whom Cods with such felicities invest Ormas I doubt not Madam her perfections may In hearts of Men above her Scepter sway Queen She has won me to a concern so high As if my own were the same Desteny With hers my thoughts do labor where to treat A Marriage with some Prince worthy so great A Queen can you Ormasdes find me one To recommend will Greece afford us none Ormas Madam if Citherea can produce None fit for Greece there will need no excuse Queen I think so too unlesse Ormasdes will Himself thus my prophetick soul fulfill That does such glories and such joyes foresee As may indure unto Eternitie Ormas Me Madam does your Majesty think me A man worthy of so great Felicitie Alas I am too old now to begin To Love you may as soon learn me to spin My Sword and Armor into Needles turn As â—…each my Age in Youthful flames to burn Queen T is you Ormasdes are the man so blest Her love to you she has to me confest And me in honour has ingag'd to try If I can now perswade you to comply Ormas Madam I hope you do not thus abuse Your servant cause my nature does refuse Such correspondence with your Sex as might Ingage a braver Man Oh do not fight Against my weakness that must now confess I never unto Lady made Address And onely chose this solitary place That I might here some quiet thoughts imbrace Sure Madam you mistake how can it be That she should covet such Aâ—…tipothy Can the good Gods to her be so unkind To let such excellence become so blind Qu. Think you her self knows what her self desires Or that she has no sence of those quick fires That do consume her can you doubt such Love Which through dispair did then so mortal prove That but to name Ormasdes she did Dye Till you appear'd to change that destiny And when you all retir'd she did confess Her life depended on her good success Your Glorious Acts had raised so loud a Fame That she was first in Love with your great Name Which brought her hither with a full intent To Judge and Justifie that Argument Crmâ—…s Madam I must believe what you avow And do so far your Argument allow That it has rais'd in me a greater war Then I was ever in and am so far From slighting this affair that I descry My certain Ruine by this Victory The Gods cannot afford lesse punishment If I refuse to hear and if consent I 'm lost to all my joyes on Earth for Fate Has not in store nor can the Gods Create An evill I fear more then to deny What you command though a sad Desteny Can nothing less then my destruction save This Excellence from an untimely Grave Queen If I could see this danger you foretell Ormasdes harms should make no other well Though Valeriana do my pitty move Ormasdes friendship is before her Love In my esteem but if this match unite Your hearts it will our Children then invite To imitate our friendship and so tye Fast knots for everlasting Ametie Ormas My mind can move my body any way But my hard heart will not my will obey My utmost power my soul to mourn shall teach Cause my Affection is beyond
then all your crimes can merrit I have no faith in charmes nor cause to apprehend her curses can reach me and yet My doubts and fears my reason does dismay I know not what to do nor what to say The Wonder is so great I am afraid Aside Some god this Serpent has an Angel made And now indow'd him with Coelestial Art To force obedience from my stubborn heart Cle. 'T is worthy your consult before you do destroy a body and soul here a ready Sacrifice to set you free for now I find that Lindamira's charm does higher work And now again that dazling light display Which did my heart inflame the other day Ye gods I do implore your power to move Aside The bright Pandora to allow my love 'T will be the same if now Clearcus dyes By Thunder struck or by Pandora's eyes Pan. Lindamira's virtue and her wit are much more powerful then her charms which I contemn but you my Lord have now by chance thrown out such words I shake to think on Your body and your Soul are now at stake you say and by your looks I read you think our Fortunes and our Fates depend on my reply and so do I this is then too great a work for so few minutes to dispatch we must look up Clearcus and from above seek ayde 'T is piety when we our hearts submit To undergo what e're the gods think fit Cle. 'T is so let us hasten to the Temple then there Celebrate They rise up This happy issue of so strange contest Wrought by the gods must by the gods be blest He Kisses her hand three or four times in Joy Cle. Where is this powerful Sibell gone whose Sacred Charms do dis-inchant fantastick hearts Lin. I am here Sir with witness enough to hold Pandora to her word Cle. Let me adore thy Divine virtue Lindamira who hath shew'd such skill to raise dead folks to life for we were dead in follies and are now become true converts Sir Duke This is great News you are both well come to your wits again which does declare Lindamira a great Artist The. What sayes Pandora for her self Pan. I have both waies done too much either to excuse or justifie my self silence becomes me Madam Lin. Let the clock strike twice before we credit what they say or else make all sure by I Clearcus take thee Pandora c. Duke Lindamira is my Oracle give me your hand Pandora and yours Clearcus May they most wretched live and cursed dye Who shall this knot endeavour to untye The. My prayers concur with yours Sir and now dear Cousin what I wish'd is come to pass that you and I might on the same day be Married Thus for our good we see the Gods fullfill What they designe though much against our will Pan. Your great Example Madam is sufficient to lead me from all my own resolves to follow you and if now Clearcus be reclaim'd we must own all our happiness to Lindamira's wit who has conquer'd both when neither of us could subdue the other And now Clearcus I hope will seek occasions to shew the World by his own actions the Noble Stock he is Descended from Cle. By your permission Madam I shall set my heart towards my Prince his and my Countries Service I beg imployment Sir on the next Gallies you send out least idleness corrupt my busie brain Lin. Mark that Sir he is already wavering Madam take heed how you take the spirit of uncertainty in the habit of a man Pan. You speak too late the uncertain man is now my certain fate Cle. Some diversions are necessary Madam to look on the same objects ever dulls and tyres the best eyes but Lindamira can say nothing I dare contradict Duke You shall command in Chief Clearcus to shew the world the vigour you have too long hid Lon. Joyes on joyes light on Clearcus head They Imbrace Cle. May those joyes be Multiplied on yours Sir my Redeemer and now become my Prince Duke We must conclude this happy day Lindamira by joyning Silvanders hand with yours if your mirth will give us leave to be so serious Lin. That is a serious jest Sir I have long look'd for Duke Come near Silvander which of you two is most pleas'd now Both. I Sir Duke Who spoke first Both. I Sir Duke This is a good Omen to a joyfull life may you be both as happy as ever love made any Sil. We are happy to our wish Sir Lin. He speaks for himself Sir on hopes of more then he may find Duke We 'l Celebrate these weddings suddainly and see that Lindamira's praise be in loud Hymenealls sung through all the City to incourage the like Virtuous and Noble undertakings Lin. I thank your Highness for your good opinion but shall love you for this gift of my Silvander above all your other favours Now Silvander Let us dwell Arme in Arme and dayly show Our loves increase that all the World may know Our hearts Now the fair Princess does confess That Wedlock may afford True Happiness EPELOGUE LADIES our Author has so great Respect To Your Fair Sex he fears some gross Defect In his best Characters may prove so short Of Your perfections he needs pardon for 't If such sad fate do now attend his Play In 's Cloak thus muffl'd he will sneak away But You like't he will on tip-toe go That all the World may the proud Author know FINIS
way Ormasdes to remove These niceties must I for ever own Your benefits and make you no return How little do I seem to your great Eye Who scorn I should your service gratifie Ormas I have in Greece all my relations left To serve you Madam and am hither come With a fixt zeal to wish and to obey What ever you command and only fear My inclinations may my tongue direct To beg what you 'l deny though I affect Qu. Though I your sute dislike I will consent And from your happiness raise my content Or. With your permission Madam I would beg Leave to retire unto the little Lodge Within the Forrest half a League from hence Where after all my Travells I may find Ease for my body and refresh my mind With the soft solace of a private life Free from Affairs and Courts Eternal strife Qu. This is far beyond my fears Ormasdes T is no wonder you my favours slight When you do our society dislike But I will not your purpose now oppose Though I your councils your frindship lose Who in debates can speak in fight command And order all that in disorder stand Can nothing alter your desire from this Ormas Not unless troubles be prefer'd to bliss Queen Ormasdes it shall be as you desire And freely when you please you may retire Or. Though I a while absent my self from Court I shall be ready to lay by my Books When you do call me to put Armour on Stories tell that great men the like have don Qu. Though I know no example I believe What e're Ormasdes shall make choice to do May be a president that will ingage Brave men to follow in the future age content Ormas Your Majesty in this has given me more Then all the favours proffer'd me before Exit Ormasdes Y. Tit. Is this his humour or some fancy grown From passion for some Love to us unknown Qu. No Titus he has ever been observ'd A great contemner of Amores and does True friendship more esteem then idle Love Ti. The more like now to be so much concern'd When touch'd our mortal bodies are so frail That we may love and know not what we ail Why does your Majesty think friendship can With as much force as love transport a man Qu. Not to such frensies as wild brains Create When fancy cannot change the course of Fate When love to faces with the face decay A virtuous friendship will for ever sway I wish you Titus when he first retires To try how far your friendship can prevail To get the secret from Ormasdes soul T is for his good that he his griefs impart True friendship will allow a little Art When the design does nothing more import But bringing of Ormasdes back to Court Tit. I shall be joy'd and happy if I can Bring back to Court so Excellent a Man Enter An Officer and Ormasdes Officer The Embassadour attends your Majesty The Queen sits Queen Admit Him Enter Embassadour and his Train Embas. Madam my Master the Treconian King Salutes you in these Letters and by me Congratulates your Zelnian Victory But does lament that he no share acquir'd In that great Conquest he so much desir'd He was ambitious Madam to command In that near War and not as neuter stand When strangers merits do such Triumphs claim While he to you unknown sat still with shame But since Ormasdes conduct and his skill With such high Valour has fulfill'd your will He envies not so great a Souldiers praise But would have shar'd in his Triumphant rayes Qu. If I had known Valerianus mind He might my thanks have shar'd and not repin'd Emb. I have commission also to propose A League between your Kingdoms your selves Such as new Conquer'd Zelnia will secure That Cithereas peace may long endure Your beauty Madam more then Crowns invite Valerians wishes to unite Your hearts and then your Scepters may Be doubly fixt when both do love obey He begs that he in person may appear To plead his love and treat this great affair Qu. Valerianus friendship I approve But never shall consent to treat of love 'T would raise my dead Lords Ashes in his Urn If I should to a second Lover turn Your great Kings proffer'd League I do imbrace With fit Affection and a chearful face Declairing to the World how I respect His person though I must his sute reject Emb. I shall acquaint my Master and beg leave I may your Majesties commands receive Without the Ceremonies that belong To a State audience in a formal throng Qu. You shall have free access as you desire And now my Lord I must a Sutor be That fair Mariana will appear Who I am told is come to visit me quest Emb. That Madam should have been my next re That you my dearest Sister would permit To kiss your hand who does attend without Qu. Will you Ormasdes please to bring her in Exit Ormasdes If I had known that she had been so near She had been better treated for your sake Emb. You oblige me Madam Enter Ormasdes with Mariana and her Ladies the Queen Salutes Her Qu. You do me and my Country honour more Then any Lady ever did before Mari. I have done my self a favour Madam And t is your Majesty that honours me The fame of Citherea I confess May Princes hither bring but my address Is â—…o Cleandras self that I might see The virtue fam'd for such Divinitie Qu. Madam if you such flatteries throw out You will your welcome spoil and make me doubt You rather come to mock then to admire On such another word I shall retire Mari. I can be silent Madam while I live But mâ—…st speak truth when you this freedom give Qu. We then will change our argument place Least I do chide whom I intend to grace Exeunt all but Nearcus and Cleobulus Cleob. Did you observe with what forc'd modesty The Embassadour supprest his anger When his Masters sute so briskly was denied Nea. Yes and how suddain his sad looks change When bright Cleandra did so soon admit His private visits as if himself were struck And did no further press his Masters Sute Cle. I have other thoughts that made me believe The Lady he calls Sister is his Love Near. Such things have been and Mariana may His Mistris be whose beauty in my Eye Does far surpass Cleandras Majesty And now you put these thoughts into my head I did observe Marianus eyes and his Did a long practiz'd silent language shew While they by turns did entertain the Queen Cleob. But I had second thoughts led me to think I did sometimes perceive Marianas eyes On brave Ormasdes fixt and seem'd to take Such a survey as Purchasers do make Near. I doubt Mariana has not an estate To purchasâ—… him at great Cleandras rate Cleo. Let us observe them better next and see If it be Art or their simplicitie Exeunt Enter Embassadour and Mariana Emb. I have undone my self Mariana For
my reach Queen If you oppose not but your ear will lend I doubt not but the Gods your heart will bend This way and your good nature in short time Will make you wish for what you judge my crime Ormas Although I cannot wish and must not chuse I would not Madam willingly refuse What you advise but boldly meet my Fate That no one thought may a vain fear Create Lest you should judge my slackness for neglect Because I graspe not what I cann't affect Queen Can you such pleasure tak in this disguise Be thus retir'd and all that 's good despise When offer'd do you fear or scorn to meet This Excellence now fallen at your feet Is your great heart Ormasdes onely made For dangerous attempts shall it be said This Parragon of all our Sex now dyes Because Ormasdes does her Love despise Ormas No Madam I do suffer more then she Does for her self hers is my miserie I dare not virtue with vain hopes abuse I cannot love and therefore do refuse To dally with so bright a Saint whose Shrine Compells all hearts to bow before 't but mine I am not capable of Love not blest That way my heart 's with other flames possest Queen All flames you feel would vanish did you see Valeriana in such misery As she endure now fetching her last breath Enquiring your health neglecting her own death Thus my compassion has her sorrows learn'd I weep her tears while you stand unconcern'd Ormas Madam your passion does my pitty move Though my dull heart cannot consent to Love My resolution is now fixt I 'le try My self to vanquish or her Martyr Dye I swear I did not hear that she was ill And now it does my soul with horrour fill For her concern no danger is so great But I will rather dye in 't then retreat Queen T is bravely said but dare you try the effect Of one short visit after such neglect Ormas Thus provok'd if your Majesty stands by I will not such a visit now deny Queen You speak and look as if you meant to fright Much rather then revive her by your sight Ormas Madam to Complement I have no skill Nor can be pleas'd if lov'd against my will Yet sensible and civil I can be Though it do prove unfortunate to me Queen When shall I bring this comfort to revive Her fainting soul if she be still alive Ormas Is she really so weak so soon grown Thus ill I have no skill in this unknown Mystery of love but will boldly try What I can do for her recovery Queen High passions do weak bodies sooner bring To the Graves mouth then any other thing Her despairs are of a much longer date Though suddain sickness do break out thus late When I your humour did at first reherse And shew'd how your whole life had been averse To Love she sigh'd and presently grew pale Despair that minute made her spirits fail And so transported by her fancy fell As if my doubts had rung her passing bell Orm. Though I cannot speak nor do yet know how To look I 'm ready to attend you now Queen I fear so suddain and so great a joy As your approach may equally destroy Let me her heart prepare that by degrees She may but hope retain before she sees The comfort that your visit brings and then Ormasdes may ere long prove best of Men. Ormas Madam I do my self to you submit Pray order me in all as you think fit Queen You shall then stand unseen while I do tell This welcome story which will make her well And then by what you 'l see you may observe How my true friendship will from both deserve Who have no wish beyond Ormasdes good When time shall make me rightly understand Ormas Madam I have now no more to say But that I will your Majesty obey Queen You shall not stir Ormasdes till I send Exit Queen and Train Enter to him Nearcus Ormas Did you not meet Cleandra going out Near. Yes but I have business of importance Pray let us withdraw and be more private Ormas Come this way then They go out and Re-enter Ormas Why have you drawn me to this inner room Is the secret of so piercing quality That fewer walls then these cannot contain't Near. It is my Lord of a high nature grown I must impart it to your self alone You and I must kill one another now Orma May not I live though you are pleas'd to die Near. No Sir since t is decreed that I must die I am resolv'd to have your Company There 's a sword the same w th mine defend you Ormasdes Hold a while May not I know the cause of this hatred Near. I have no hatred yet endeavor must That we together may revert to dust Though you by chance have rob'd me of my right I 'de not out-live Ormasdes if I might Or. From whēce dos this strange kindnes to me grow Say for I will not fight untill I know Near. This then will teach you to defend your self Runs at him he put his Sword by and holds him Ormas I shall call my Servants unless you now show The cause of this distracted fury Near. I will Lets him go Valeriana's my Quarrel She throws neglects on me and dotes on you Ormas You are mistaken sure and much abus'd It is not possible She dotes on me Who never Courted Lady in my life Near. By all that 's good she told me so her self Ormas This must be some design beyond my reach But if true from whence does my guilt arise Who never heard of your pretence till now Nor have a serious thought for hers to me If such a folly do her heart possess Am I to answer for her guiltiness Near. I do accuse you of no guilt at all But joy to think if by my hand you fall It will Create in her such miserie As will adorn my death with Victorie Ormas If such revenge and malice you intend Where is the Love that you so much pretend Near. We 'l talk of that as our two souls expire She flatter'd me with hopes that blew my fire She threw out vowes to marry me and now In hope of you disowns that holy vow Ormas Made vows to marry you and yet love me Pray shew me how this story does agree I swear I never had a thought of Love To Lady in my life and will now quit The intrest you pretend rather then fight For such imaginary Dreams as this Nearcus You must Fight Nearcus offers at him he rings a Bell Enter Servants Ormas No disarm him so now leave us alone Exeunt Nearcus I have lov'd you and shall still If you 'l permit what does this story mean Near. By Hea Valeriana did ingage To marry me if my birth equal'd hers But now repents in hope to marry you Ormas This story grows stranger and stranger still Does your birth equal hers on which you ground Your Title
protect Ormas If you 'l command I gladly will obey Queen You must submit to what she does appoint Ormas Most willingly Valeriana sighs aloud and weeps Qu. Does our discourse these sighs tears produce Vale. You have said nothing that will need excuse These tears flow from joy and gratitude To you great Queen who by this act include More pious pitty then past stories tell To make Ormasdes counterfeit so well This thought raisd those unruly sighs you heard And Madam now it makes my soul affraid To see so great a courage thus submit To flatter me because you think it fit At your command to put on this disguise In kindness unto one he does despise Queen Do you then think his kindness counterfeit Can his great soul consent to such deceit Vale. I can yet find no argument for ground To change so great contempt as I have found Into so high esteem as he does now By your advice in charity allow That my last minutes may some pleasure have He yields to send me smiling to my grave Queen You cannot judge so ill of him you love Nor can so brave a man so worthless prove Vale. I do confess I should be glad to find All real that I see and his great mind The same brave Character he had maintain Through his whole life and not that glory stain But if 't be real this comes now too late His kindness cannot change the course of Fate Queen Think not of Death for if you will endure The Tryall I will undertake the cure I see your sufferings do compassion move Which in most genrous hearts does turn to Love Ormas Madam I know not what you do call love Nor how in that fantastick Sphear to move I cannot talk the language Lovers use When they design fair Ladies to abuse Nor can I yet by this experience guess If Love or a distraction does possess My heart give me but leave to watch this night That while you sleep I may my heart invite To tell me what it aâ—…ls if it be â—…ove What all the World allows I shall approve And then I 'le rather dye then e're forsake What I avow or what I undertake Q Pray Madam give him leave to watch this night Some serious thoughts may set his fancy right He has lyen often on the frozen ground On less occasion and more danger found Vale. I shall not rest then though you think it fit I shall condemn my self if I submit Queen T is somewhat more then custome does allow I must confess but how to help it now Who knows you see he is resolv'd to beat Us all if we but mention his Retreat Ormas Pray let not this my first sute be deny'd But give me leave to â—…it on yonder side As silent as â—…leep self my body shall Be fixt as is that figure on the wall Queen Let him Valeriana pray consent 'T will prove his honor or his punishment Ormas Who can have more care who so fit as I To watch who am resolv'd with her to Dye Good rest unto your Majesty He leads off the Queen Queen He 'l turn me out if I refuse to go But why Ormasdes do you tremble so Ormas This shaking fit may to a Feavor turn And I e're day in Loves bright flames may burn Exeunt Omnes THE FIFTH ACT. Valeriana is discover'd asleep on a Couch with Doctors and Ladies all asleep about her Ormasdes rises from the ground at the Couch side ORMASDES ALl eyes are shut all hearts can rest but mine I 've somthing here that will not let me sleep T is Love I am bewitch'd or it is Love That thus disturbs my body and distracts My mind no other passion works like this Well then if it be Love where 's the wonder The wifest bravest and the greatest men Have been in Love as much or more then I But why then was I thus long without it Why did not bright Cleandras beauty burn Why was not this fire kindl'd untill now How comes Valeriana by this power To wound me deeper then Cleandra did My Kind Loving Heart how comes this to pass Valeriana sighs and groans aloud Ormas Ha! Her spirit by that sigh informs me That doubl'd groan struck through my wavring soul Oh thou Divinest power what ere thou art I do submit Valerianas groans Are all sufficient arguments for Love It seems my stony heart was proof against All charms but deep fetch'd sighs dying grons By which t is now made supple and so soft That it is ready to take any form That sick Valeriana shall direct Great God of Love forgive my past neglects And now restore this Lady to her health Then I with Insense will thy Altars load Thy Temple with those Trophies now adorn Which my whole life prepar'd for Mars and Jove Since they allow me to submit to love Valeriana wakes and calls Vale. Drusilla Ormas Madam your Servants do all sleep but I. Vale. I would not have wak'd you Ormasdes Ormas You have not Madam I have not slept yet Pray let your Servant know what t is you want Vale. I want assurance of a thing I doubt Ormas Can I give you that assurance Vale. Yes Ormas And will you not lay that command on me Vale. Do they all sleep Ormas They do Vale. Ormasdes I would know what I do fear You are pre-ingag'd never to tell me Ormas By your fair self I swear I 'm not ingag'd In any kind but may and will impart What ever in my knowledge you inquire Vale. My first doubts does still remain that the Queen Upon assurance of my suddain death Has won you thus to flatter my last hours Like glittering Sun-shine upon dying Flowers Ormas Madam by all that 's holy she has not What shall I say what do to gain your faith Vale. You have done it now I am satisfied And do believe all 's truth Ormasdes speaks But I do sear this truth appears too late Orm. Why Madam have you made yows against me Will no repentance nor no pennance serve To wash away my Sins against your Sex Will you that Universal quarrel wed And bring distruction on your Servants head Vale. Vows Ormasdes and those against you made Oh do not take away the Joy you gave By such a thought I never wish'd nor pray'd For blessing upon Earth beyond your Love Which you in charity so amply shew That I do doubt I dream what I injoy Ormas Madam you do now misjudge my passion To call that charity which may be love For ought I know this so late acquaintance With my new heart is short and my transports So great it must be madness if not love For give me leave to swear that I will know No other Joys then yours nor thoughts admit But with design to serve and honour you Vale. I do now wish the Gods my life would spare And make me worthy of Ormasdes care Ormas Madam you speak a Language of respect
issue of this will be I cannot guess Now Theodocia I must remind you of Lonzartes who dares not approach you on his own behalf who is what you can wish to make you happy and I do again invite you to Crown his unparalell'd humility with a bliss he presumes not once to mention least it offend you I have also a State Argument you understand not Theodocia your two interests in this Dukedom thus united will make it flourish Lonzartes has been wrong'd The. I know his wrong Sir and have observ'd his sufferings or I had never dallied with his love Lonzarte's clear soul is adorn'd with more glories then this Crown will bring him Duke If then your hearts agree give me your hands here Lonzartes is the best reward I have to incourage modesty and worth when they do in one heart combine as now in thine Lon. Great Sir I am so much surprized so overloaden with my joyes that I have nought but blushes to express my gratitude nor know I how to welcome this unlook'd for honour from the Princess who dains to raise her humblest Servant from her feet to set me on a Throne incirculed with more joyes then that you now restore me to He kisses her hand The. Keep still your Character Lonzartes as I will mine high transports in love are not long liv'd I fear Lon. I shall be Madam whatever you direct though this unlook'd for happiness do raise my heart above my own command for such an excess of joy is hard to mannage Kisses her hand Enter Lindamira Lin. I may now wish your Highness Joy I hope now your Fannatick love conforms to the Law of Nations Now you may talk your pleasure against high passions Madam and methinks you Sir do look as if you lik'd this better then that wise Sect of ayrie lovers whose Phylosophy doth teach not to desire what they can never reach Lon. You are Madam the best Phylosopher I ever met and do deserve to have a Golden Statue in Loves-Temple set Duke But how have you disposed of your Fantastick couple 't is that great work must Crown all your undertakings Lindamira Lin. That goes on excellently well Sir I have left them sitting on a Couch with their hands still fixt eagerly gazing on each other eyes as if through them they could discern the inside of each others hearts by their no motion and their stedy looks I can foresee they will be of one mind suddainly The. Why could not we see this Experiment Lin. Oh Madam my charm will not work in company lovers will seemingly dispise what they like most onely to deceive observing eyes I believe they held off thus long for shame to owne what they had so publickly declar'd against and to themselves will hardly dare to let their hearts appear these two dayes they must look themselves into an Argument for no words can ever reconcile their first Principles If their hands do not their hearts discover I 'le no more pretend to charm a lover The. May we not peep at the hanging and stand unseen Duke Let us not turn this serious work into a jest unless Lindamira do approve it none shall stir that way Lin. I can place you so as you may see and hear too The. Pray Sir be pleas'd to look on them our Testimony may be of use Duke Come then Lin. Your Highness must stand silent or you 'l hinder my Projection The. We will we will Exeunt They all Re-enter behind the Couch and stand on each side of the Stage then is discover'd Pandora and Clearcus holding hands and sitting on a Couch a while silent looking on each other then Clearcus proffers to kisse that hand he holds she puts him back with her other hand and turns her face from him He sighes Cle. Turn not away those beautious lights have guided me to Heaven nor look as if you were in pain to see my heart thus chang'd from a rude Destraction to an Extasie of bliss from a deformed Satyr with a confus'd Chaos of dark thoughts and blacker actions by your glorious beauties and brighter virtues new form'd into the Figure of a man Emulating those Excellencies I admire in you Oh turn this way and own what is your own Creation by your perfections rais'd from what was worse then nothing to something now too worthy to be cast away I should this happy hour believe my self were in in Elizium did not this fair soft hand and those bright eyes assure me I yet live from whence some divine instinct teaches my rude nature to adore what I never understood before Pan. I do not like to be thus long left alone to be expos'd unto your passion and the worlds censure Lindamira has deceiv'd my trust I now see your plot and her design descover but will no longer suffer the abuse Offers to rise Cle. Be not so cruel unto your self and me think on the curse hangs over us if we remove our hands till she return Pan. 'T is too much foolery to give faith too Cle. Remember we complied to what she said by which her words are Registr'd in heaven and have ingaged the gods by our consent Pan. 'T was rashly done and I repent when will this subtle Sorcerress return my innocense will justifie my blind consent to which I was misled by my fidelity and trust and will no longer fear to take away my hand Offers to rise Cle. Oh take not your hand away untill the holy Charm have rectified your heart and therein created so much charity as in a moment may remove your scorns and teach you love for I who so long slighted your neglects and fled all civil favours from your Sex do now tremble at the thought of parting hands untill our hearts like them become united Pan. Do you believe Lindamira Mistris of such Magick that her words have power to reconcile dissenting hearts like ours Cle. Yes I find them work on me and hope same effect on you else why sit we here obeying those commands she left why fear we to offend those powers she did invoke when you consider this I hope you dare not stir a finger towards such impiety Pan. Though Lindamira's virtue be approv'd I was surprized by her inticing words and by the Duke compell'd to do I know not what and therefore will no longer now obey Offers to rise He holds her Cle. Stay oh stay and let the fatal curse strike me alone my guilts have merrited what e're can fall on me Do but command me to remove my hand and I 'le obey that you may see how much your power prevails above my fear of Lindamira's threats If so I may divert your harms I will against my Nature and my Faith destroy all hopes of future bliss to pull this ruine on myself which else may light on you Say must it be Pandora sits silent awhile Pan. If I command your hands remove and her curse should after follow you my unblemish'd Innocense may suffer more
Vertue nor so much lessen her great name by a mistaken passion to harm a man whose Endeavours were to serve her Sel. A mistaken Passion Phillocles are not my Father and my Brothers dead though not by thy hand Butchered yet by thy attempts they fell is not the glory of our name Extinguish'd the honour of men fall'n all lost in Pollinesso's death Phil. Astellas self is not more free then I was from intending evil to her friends they forc'd me to secure my self by which they were all lost their Plots and Perjuries pull'd this Ruine on them onely Pollinesso was not Guilty he would not comply with fierce Barzanes envious designes nor with his Fathers blacker purposes Pollinesso was a witness of my hazards in that Warr and did partake an equal share in them and in the Victory we often seal'd our vows of Amity in our best blouds together which did beget so mutual a Love that our souls moved ever one way I would rather have dyed with Pollinesso then live thus to lament his losse by these unfained tears I would Sel. Thou speakst a Language so pleasing to my ears that I could wish my vow to sacrifice thee to my brothers ghost had never past my lips for I can see and value all thy noble actions and judg the guilt of my own friends that sell and can beare the losse of all but Pollinesso he you say dyed Innocent free from the others Crimes full of Honour Rich in Vertue in the Blossome of his Age my onely Joy fell and you my onely hate shall dye so too your Worth your Youth your Innocence will make my oblation acceptable to those powers I have vowed you too vain man canst thou think Pollinesso's ghost will be appeased with words or tears if thou wert ever worthy my brothers love shew it now in couragious dying to his memory for by all our gods thou dyest a guard there She is interrupted by Ordella Or. T is bravely done Selindra thou madest me start and shake to see thee look and hear thee speak with such aweful majesty how is it Brother how do you think Astellas self will receive you when one so unconcern'd can use you thus doe you yield yet have we the better argument Phillocles and Selindra stands both amazed Phil. Yes you have Or. You 'l stay then Phil. I think I shall Or. My deer deer Selindra let me kisse thee thou hast oblidged me beyond my power to gratiâ—…ie beyond my expression to acknowledg the Emperour and the whole Empire shall thank thee for Phillocles his safety come my brother let us now finde my father this change will please him Exeunt Ambo Sel. How near lost was I on his fresh mention of Pollinesso's death how dangerous a work did I undertake and how happily brought off by the Princess Ordellas timely interruption I thought my self within my strengths at Belgrade and Phillocles in my power to punish I must noâ—… more of these games t is my disguise preserves mâ—… life and I doe care onely to live to be reveng'â—… on Phillocles the Author of all my sorrows Oh! but the Princess Ordella sits too neer my heart to suffer that she is my friend if I destroy her beloved brother I wound her to death aâ—… least give her the same intollerable grief for Phillocles I now suffer for Pollinesso Oh! horriâ—… ingratitude Oh miserable Astella my Obligations to Ardella doe infringe my vows to heaven yee gods direct me so that these differing passions may not distract me I would doâ—… what should become me best and please yoâ—… most though my own life in the attempt be loâ—… Exit Selindrâ—… THE SECOND ACT. Enter Emperour Lascares Cecropius and Cleonell Cecropious MIghty Sir what you have said was my thought when I first heard of the Prince his stay and had been now my Councel as the best way to secure his Interest in Hungary by which Astella must submit unto the will of him that has already woon the hearts of all her people Cleon. Sir you know I have long lov'd and long sought Selindra's Love and Lovers Eyes are quick to discover the like looks in others t is my duty as well as my own Concern to tell your Majestie that I have observed Selindra's good looks to â—…e the Orators that have put off the Prince his journey not his kinde sisters Importunity and when your own observation shall inform you better your Majesty will finde this no causelesse â—…ealousie in me Cecropious What he tell you sir is the whisper of the Court but I look on it slightly the Prince may have a minde to a Wench and Selindra is a pretty one but sir in my opinion you should â—…ake no notice of such youthfull passages the â—…rince cannot think her a fit Wife and then no matter who is his Mistresse Lascares Cecropious I doe think it worthy my care to prevent an evill the Crown of Hungary can be no way mine but by Astella we seâ—… Selindra is rich in Beauty and more rich in Virtue if not by Birth great enough to be his Wife she is too good to be his wanton Mistresse Phillocles is young and young men are apt to be in love He is as gallant as great and if his affectioâ—… should meet a repulse as it s most like from Selindra these sparks we now see may grow to sucâ—… a flame as neither we nor he can quench I wiâ—… observe him and set spies on them Aside some of my own spies Cleonell may be jealoâ—… without a cause I will sift Ordella too Enter Phillocles to them in rich cloathes with Ordella Selindra Lords Ladies and train all fine Lascares Daughter you have wrought a goâ—… work on your brother thy Interest I see has prâ—… vail'd beyond my intreaty or my Commanâ—… I thank thee for it Ordella and am glad Phillocâ—… to finde that your Ears are open unto reason iâ—… deed the journey would not have suited wâ—… your other great actions I like well thy gallaâ—… spirit but I like not to hazzard a Kingdome 〈◊〉 a Complement Phillocles Sir I doe thus low beg pardon for 〈◊〉 She kneâ—… first disobedience to your commands and 〈◊〉 confesse my sister wrought my consent to stâ—… yeâ—… I must tell you sir 't was because her Argâ—…ments complyed with your commands nor was your command her least Argument Las. Thus let me imbrace the greatest comfort of my life thou shalt set ever next my heart He holds their Armes under his and walks as he speaks give me thy hand Ordella and thine Phillocles What wealth is there beyond these what joyes beyond those I feel thus supported I am the envy of Princes may all the blessings Heaven can bestow fall on you both for this love and this obedience to your old dying Father tell me Phillocles how stands the affairs of Hungarie I have had late Intelligence that some Commotions doe appear there if so since you have thus discreetly laid aside the
search of Astella in my Judgment 't will be next best that you repair to Belgrade with your Army there by your presence to keep the people in Obedience untill Astella be found we know the Hungarians are a busie headed people Phillocles Phil. Sir I have left the Government of that State in those hands that will neglect no means to invite Astella home they love her sir and do want no power to secure the Kingdome for her my presence at Belgrade would rather deter Astella then invite her home and may be justly thought I meant to force what I yet doubt to sue for In my opinion sir I ought to hear more from thence before I stir that way but my opinion and my will shall submit to your Commands Lascar Thou art still on thy Complements but my gray Haires are not convinc'd by such Arguments think better on what I propose though I Phillocles and the rest go off doe not command but onely wish it while I instruct your sister with my reasons that she and you may consult together He whispers with Ordella Or. I shall obey you Sir and weigh well what you have said I shall not be wanting in my care for Selindra nor in my love unto my Brother Las. I am satisfied Ordella and doe onely wonder why he will not lead the Army into Hungariâ—… where such apparent need is of his presence Or. He will go if you will have him Sir Las. I will think further on it a day or two This while Cleonel Courts Selindra she shews dislike to him Las. Cleonel I see loses no time in the War he makes ply her hard young man those knit brows do often prove the â—…ipher to a smiling heart and yet Cleonel I must tell you that I approve not this whining waâ—… of Wooing most Women like to be approach'd with such Alacrity as shews the mettle men are made of where is thy heart young man Cle. Mighty Sir one frown from bright Selindras eyes has power to shake me into Attomes to unman me quite Las I think so and must my self Wooe for thee He speaks to Selindra how is it fair one that you neglect such honourâ—… and such Wealth as Cleonel brings with him he is a man in my eyes worthy the greatest subject of my Empire Or is it the nice Lovers part you thus do act in Publique while your united hearts delight in private say Selindra when shall our Court flourish in triumphs for your weding while Ordella provides Ornaments for you it shall be my care to set forth Cleonel like himself and fit for such a Mistris tell me when Selindra when shall this Jolly time be come I must press you for my Friend Selin I am very sensible of this Honour you now do me Sir yet cannot chuse but wonder why your Majesty thinks fit to press me to a publique Answer Las. You have delayed it long enough t is a good time to declare now Selin I obey Sir and do confess that I have ever had a true value of Cleonells worth I have also observed your favour to him and do believe that he may make the best of Women happy but yet I think not fit to entertain his Love I have more Noble thoughts then to incourage him with hopes of what I never can afford him such a return as his merrit may jusâ—…ly expect from one more worthy then my self I must declare that my purpose is not to marry but to attend the Princess so long as that honour may be permitted and her Highness favour shall continue to me Las. May all thy wishes be ever on thee happy will that man be that gets such a Treasure as this fair Cabinet contains I am vanquish'd Cleonel and I advise thee to tear this Serpent from thy heart before it be too big for thee to graspe observe you this Ordella Phillocles are thy thoughts yet for Belgrade Aside Phillo They shall be Sir if you Command it Exeunt Lascares Cecropius and Cleonel Phillo Ordella can you guess why my Father does now urge my absence that so late inforc'd my stay Ordel. Does not the Affairs of Hungary require you there Phillo No Ordella I should not then wonder at it Enter Messenger Messen. Madam the Emperour calls for you Ordel. I 'le o're take him presently I have much to say to you Brother pray stay my return good Selindra Entertain him in my Chamber with Cleonells last Melancholly Song I like so well Phillocles and Selindra sit within the Scene THE SONG Cloris we see the offended Gods At first do shew and shake their Rodds That they may rather threat then strike So we forgoe what they dislike These faulty streams shall flow no more Above their banks as heretofore Nor swelling tempest from my breast Hence forth thy Virgin cares molest All shall be fashion'd to thy will So thou wilt let me Love thee still My Lips shall not a word let go That may offend to tell thee so But to dissemble or deny That I do Love thee were a lye Would stain my soul 't will prove a spot To look as if I Lov'd thee not Phillo This charity becomes you Madam and Cleonells lines I see are smiled on though himself be not but why did you with such severity in publique disclaim his interest and seem to reject a man so worthy when the Emperour himself wooed for him Selin 'T is the Princess Ordellas pleasure that I should learn his Song Sir and not my fancy to the maker of it though his love and respects may challenge a greater complement from me for I shall ever acknowledge obligations to Cleonel yet not think fit to treat a Marriage in my Fathers absence by whom I shall be wholly rul'd in that matter if he think fit to make that choice for me I must submit Phillo Give me leave Madam so far to interest Phillocles takes her hand she shews dislike my self in your Affairs as to aske if your thoughts for Cleonel be such that you will not admit the like profession from another For though my Father cannot match him in his Dominions I believe that I can find you a Servant as faithfull and as full of love one every way as worthy your favours one that will out-bid Cleonel to gain Selindra do but He offers to kiss her hand Selin I beg your Highness pardon for some time Exit Selindra Phil. Thus to leave me while I was speaking to her is a scorn I look'd not for Selindra was not wont to be so rude nor I so foolish sure my looks and Language rendred me Rediculous so slight that she blush'd for me which to hide she thus withdrew leaving me to wonder at my self that am of late become what I want a Name for If this be Love and this the Effects of Love I 'le tear the Monster from my heart and be my self again before it grow too mighty for me my hands cannot reach it no force can touch it t
may inform you better Lin. When I have done Cle. When will that be Lin. When I am gone Cle. How can you be inform'd in absence Lin. As much as I desire to know I know already my good wishes shall attend your Lordship come Teretia we may finde the Princess in the other walks Exeunt Lon. Now Sir how do you like this Ladies meâ—…tle Cle. Why well I like her and her humour very well Lon. You thought her a sure prize Cle. I did but hope so at the first now I am sure of her she is my own if ever we do meet alone by this severity she has cozen'd Teretia and you and confirm'd me Lon. I must laugh to think how thou art mistaken in this innocent freedom virtuous women use and would give a good summe to see thee but converse a moneth or two with persons of Honour which I believe would reclaim thee and fix those virtues now lost in a Chaos of wild actions Cle. I marry if you could shew me a woman that would not be won I would fancy some delight to pass away an hour or two at ilde times but all that I do meet with are mine before I wish it so that I am alwayes forc'd to stand upon my guard amongst ' um Lon. That 's no wonder amongst those women you converse with shall I chuse you a mistris and if you get her let the reproach be mine Cle. Shall she be worth my pains if so I will think on 't when I have time to throw away come will you go with me yet Lon. I 'le stay here a while Cle. I 'le go besore then and make ready for you Exit Lon. What pitty t is such parts should be so drown'd Though I resolve to quit I 'me guilty still If longer I do countenance his ill Enter to him as in the Garden Theodocia Pandora Lindamira Teretia and Ladies and Silvander Theodocia Lonzartes I have been laughing at Lindamiras relation of Clearcus humour she sayes she has abus'd him his own way in the behalf of all honest women whom he declares against Lon. The encounter indeed was pleasant but the successe is beyond her guess for she thinks that her neglects have dash'd his hopes by which he is grown confident that her seeming scornes were onely to dazle our eyes while he doubts not to gain an interest Lin. I wish him joy my Lord of his quick Victory the next encounter will decide this difference of Opinions Pan. But how dare you Lindamira enter the lists of wit with young Clearcus who has the sharpest tongue in Syracusa Lin. There is no contest so easie his whole discourse to women is ever of love or something like it and does believe that all our souls delight in nothing else which makes me interrupt him still as he begins and never hear him out Sil. Is that civil to a person of his Quality The. Is he not angry when you slight him so Lin. No Madam I am his mirth and he is mine Lon. If Pandora would permit I do fancy his conversion might be wrought by her and his Eclips'd virtues made to shine brighter then his vices do Sil. 'T will be a noble undertaking Madam Lin. I wish he were within my cure Pan. We 'l joyne our forces Lindamira for I shall easily consent unto so good a work as may reclaim so great a person as Clearcus a man so near alied unto the Duke but how must this Charitable work be done Lon. If you Madam will admit his visits for a Moneth or two the cure of course will follow for he who never yet convers'd with civil woman will surely be concern'd when he shall see the harmless mirth that virtue does allow to persons of your Quality Pan. So I be obliged no further then to civil visits his birth does require that for him which I deny to no man Lin. Leave the rest to me The. How happy are you Cousin that may dispose of your self as you please I must speak and look and move as my Father and the State direct me Pan. Great Princes indeed are bound to some strict Rules most Subjects understand not Lin. Your Highness complains without a cause we hear the Duke will leave you to your own choise only he will recommend The. When Parents recommend t is so like command it frights me to think whom it may be Pan. Now you are safe from the Corinthian have no fear untill you see occafion for it The I wish my dear Cousin you would marry too I should then like it better I now dread to put on that yoak by all the World so much desired Pan. Will my being in the pound get your Highness out off it why would you have me run the hazzard to loose that happiness I now am sure of by a single life If men did ever appear in their own likeness we might chuse some one amongst many worth the having but in our fights they are alwayes disguis'd in such shapes and humours as they believe we like best and so cozen us and themselves too for if they make us unhappy it seldome failes but we make them so Lin. No Oracle ever spoke truer I am of your Sect Madam as to matters of Faith yet I would gladly have a Husband though it be dangerous to put my heart into anothers keeping And as my learn'd Author sayes to give my freedom up unto I know not whom nor ever can do till I have him this were a sadd condition Madam if we had not the same Arts to cozen them that think to cozen us The. Would I could get a merry heart like yours I indamira Lin I 'le present your Highness with a piece of mine I have enough for both Enter Messenger Messenger Madam The Prince calls for you The. I attend him pray Cousin go with me to my Father Exeunt Ladies Lon. A few such Excellent women would make this World a Paradice how have I walk'd in the dark till now how strangely been missed by my affection to Clearcus that have approv'd and acted in all his ills begun upon design and led on till custome has almost chang'd my nature but will no more Enter Clearcus to him Cle. How now Lonzartes walking alone take â—…eed the Devil find thee not at leasure Lon. A greater then thy self can hardly find me Cle. Very gravely replyed if I mistake not you are whimpering after some great Lady and now practizing to play the fool wisely to spend your time adoring you know not who nor why Lon. Thou art still i th' wrong Cle. Let us meet then at the old place to night Lon. That 's a freedom I shall never take more you have converted me beyond all the Homilies I ever read you have made me ashamed of my self for being so long like you Cle. Oh Hypocrite what new piece have you got that I must not be trusted with come tell me and I 'le cry up your Austere purpose and rail at your
conversion as if I did believe it Lon. VVhen you see me next in ill company I am then that Hypocrite you mention Cle. Out upon these tender Consciences they spoyle more mirth then they are worth let old folks hear Homilies while we enjoy the time we have and not whine away our youth on dreams of virtue which signifie we know not what Lon. Peace Clearcus thou art not half so ill as thou appearest but dost glory in talking worse then thou canst be Cle. VVhat should we talk of more then what we most delight in Lon. Of nothing less because we often do delight in what we ought not own Is 't not enough to offend the Gods through frailty which perverse nature does invite us to but we must provoke Heaven beyond sence and appetite by our discourse as if we studied to defie those Powers we ought to tremble at Cle. I hate Hypocrisie Lon. And I abhor to aggravate my crimes by such unnecessary boastings as thy wild brain delights in when I offend I am sorry for it dost thou all honesty dispise all virtue slight Cle. How Lonzartes will you confine honesty and virtue to the fruition of one woman only Fie what a scandal is this to man-kind as if there were no honesty nor virtue but in such chast breasts as yours what an affront to this good company pray speak Gentlemen is any here of his opinion can you Lonzartes shew me one young man that looks as he were guilty or any so old who would be thought so weak Is this a fit design to set up your Title to the Dukedom Lon. I see this is not the hour for your Conversion Cle. Nor shall ever live to see that hour I hope Lon. Nor you I fear ever live to tast and relish the true felicity obtain'd by such a conquest on thy self but I will pray for thee and thy conversion Cle. I had rather your Lordship were at Jerusalem then see that day of my conversion what have I done Lonzartes to deserve such ill from you do not provoke me to a revenge Lon. Revenge for what Cle. Can you aske for what suppose the gods should hear your prayers and turn my heart how miserable a man were I how should I spend my time for forty years to come Is it not enough to forsake your cause but you must seduce me too Lonzartes if you pray for me I shall curse you heartily I dare stay no longer with him Exit Clearcus Lon. If this brave man this humour could expell His virtues would his vices far excell I have put on this Cloak of wantonness onely to avoid being thought a serious man least the Duke grow jealous of my pretentions to his Crown while the Duke is civil and I am safe he shall be so too But if I finde designes against me I have Friends and force enough to gain my right by this Oh but Theodocia does unman me quite when I look on her all these high thoughts do vanish and I become the humblest creature in the Court I have no Title that I ere shall owne Unless she daine to raise me to the Throne THE SECOND ACT. Enter Lonzartes alone Clearcus hearkning at the Door Lon. OH Cloris Cloris what stange unwonted pains I feel what fears what new disease conceales my blood if it be love t will not offend the gods because my soul does now rejoyce to find Beauty and Virtue so divine that both may be well worshipp'd at one Shrine Clearcus chaps him hard on the Shoulder Cle. Are you talking in your sleep Lonzartes or is it some divine meditation thus transports you Lon. You are too rude Clearcus Cle. I cry you mercy Sir you can be angry then I see I thought your conversion had set you above such passions as we wicked men are subject too Lon. I do confess thou didst make me start and speak hastily but I am not angry nor can be with thee Imbraces him Cle I 'le try your temper presently Oh! Beauty and Virtue so Divine both may be worshipped in one shrine Ha ha ha Lon. What of this you heard me repeat an old Song Cle. An old Song to a new Tune Lonzartes dost thou pray for my Conversion this way must I get a Cloris to sigh after as thou dost I have heard all and have observ'd thee too I and do guess who Cloris is come tell me quickly that way to oblige me to silence for if by my own skill I do discover her I 'le lay thee open to the World tell me who Cloris is least I tell thee Adiew Exit Lon. How can he discovee that I love when I know it not yet my self Yet I may admire her and by my adoration of her virtues Be by them from all meaner passions freed When this new virtue shall my vice exceed Exit Enter Geta. Geta. What the Devil ailes my Lord his wonted mirth is changed into 〈◊〉 and twenty times a day he sends me on sleeveless Errants that he may be alone I think Lord Clearcus will prove the wisest man at last I have been five times this morning to enquire if the Princess be in health if she be stirring or if near ready if she go to the Temple And after dinner I must enquire if she have dyned if she comes forth in publick if she ride abroad and thus twenty times a day he tires me with these silly Errants when I might aske them all at once and save much labour I 'le try if I can find some way to contract these Embassies t is well for my Lord that his man is wiser then himself Exit Enter Silvander with Lindamira and her Maid Sil. Do not my looks Lindamira enough express what I would say Lin. Yes to me who do discern your passion thus suppressed more clear then by those loud noyses which some Lovers most delight in Sil. But how shall I be assured this is not Raliery Lin. Cannot you judge by my looks as well as I by yours what kind of security do you require I have no Citizens that will be bound for my good behaviour Sil. A serious word or two with a kind look confirm'd will secure me against the World Lin Will this look serve and I am yours suffice for words with this hand given from my heart ingage beyond your wish Sil. It does may I be Lin. Nay no strange lines I beseech you make me not jealous by professing more then I expect Sil. I am confirmed He Kisses her hand Lin. I shall try your temper if my merry humour hold Sil. 'T is that free Innocence I most adore Lin. And that I can afford enough off at an easie rate Enter Clearcus to them Silvander goes off Lin. Your Lordship was going another way pray let not me divert you my lodging is far off Cle. Madam I have long sought an opportunity to kiss your hands there Lin. You may do it here and save the labour of going so far for nothing Cle. Do you
bring them once more together and I 'le undertake to guess at both their hearts it may be govern ' um Lon. I Madam but how shall they be brought together when both would rather see a Basaliske then one another Lin. You may be mistaken my Lord who judge by what you see when t is our business and our virtue not to shew our hearts till a full tryal that men are worthy of them then you forget that Clearcus conversion must be by one he cannot conquer The. But if he will neither conquer nor be subdued how can his conversion follow Lin. If your Highness can contrive an interview I have a fancy in my head that may reconcile them and effect what we all wish The. I will send presently for Pandora and intreat my Father to pretend some business to call Clearcus hither Lon. He will suspect Lin. Let him come no matter what he suspects The. Do you Lonzartes once more see what humour he is in We must endeavour and not fear to try But trust the Event unto their destiny Exeunt severally Enter Duke with Silvander and Lords Duke I ever thought Clearcus did but mock and laugh at their designs his brains is not yet ripe for serious love But how does Theodocia look on Lonzartes Sil. With much neglect Sir Duke That is not well have you Silvander instructed Lindamira that she may inform Theodocia of Lonzartes Title to this Dukedom and how much better then a Forraign Prince her Marrying him will be applauded by our people who are not ignorant of his pretence Sil. I have Sir and the Princess gives a serious ear to it though she yet makes no reply a little of your Councel and Authority I believe may incline her to a better value of him Duke That shall not be wanting Lonzartes is all that I can wish in a successor and his love looks so without design that I will cherish it and try to win my Daughter to comply Sil. Your Highness will gain a double interest in all your Subjects hearts by this honour to Lonzartes who has merrits proportionable to your favour and his birth all which his love gives Lustre to Duke I see it Silvander and will recompence his Faith and his Humility with my advice to Theodocia who yet knows not his story Sil. The Princess must needs hear what every body talks and all do wish Duke I shall now inform her fully of Lonzartes Right too long held from him bid him meet me at my Daughters Chamber I will no longer hide my purpose for him His Birth and Virtue with his constant love Declares he never can unworthy prove Exeunt THE FIFTH ACT. Enter Lonzartes and Clearcus Cle. NO I 'le never see her more Lon. Do you not love at all Cle. Nor ever will methinks love is like a smooth water that Invites men to Bath and tumble in it with delight untill they be destroyed by Serpents which in the bottom undiscover'd lye Lon. What means this similie Cle. This Serpents bite has Metamorphized you into a whining lover into the shaddow of a man of late become a shape without a Soul why must I busie my head with such Chymeras when I can please my self to my hearts wish my own way Prethee sweet suppress'd Prince do not forsake me thus for specious shewes of happiness or vainer hopes of better dayes then you will ever find in Court You are now safe but when you grow wise and serious it will in the Dukes head great jealousies create and to let him see your virtue may be dangerous and your pretence appear worthy of his fear Lon. That hazzard is better then what I now suffer in the opinion of my best Friends who believe this wildness is my Nature or such as may beget a habit in me which I can ne're put off and thus my security in this disguise may become my ruine I wish I could perswade you Clearcus to shew forth that virtue all the World would wonder at Cle. To what end I pray if the good Duke would give me imployment fit for his Kins-man and worthy of my Sword I could soon be my self But now I have nothing else to do and therefore play away my time in folly and t is a hard question which is best for we know that too much wisdome does undo more men then it advances or else begets eternal slavery to State Affairs where the wisest ever walk on needles points I have weighed these things and do believe 't is better to maintain the peace and the security I now live in unregarded Lon. But you will loose the Dukes favour and become contemptable to the whole Court if you continue thus Extravagant what designe can I have by my desire to see you great and glorious Cle. Have I not tryed and been misled yielded to your wise Maximes against my own better judgement and been rejected in the height of my Endeavours to be as you call it great and glorious is not this true Lon. Yes in part Cle. I will no more of your advice till you can cure your self Lon. I have an Honourable Argument for my love Cle. Who has not untill he be dispis'd Lon. Was it not your own desire to be neglected did you not declare against all women that you could conquer you left Pandora no way for victory but by rejecting you so that I can conclude a good success from what you raise dispaire Cle. Ha! think you Pandora did reject me in compliance with my humour only Lon. What else can she be angry with you for loving her too much Cle. You do surprize me with a discourse I look'd not for but I will be no more abus'd I will not see her Lon. How can you be reconcil'd then shall she make love to you Cle. No I abhor that thought beyond her anger a woman Wooe that were preposterous Lon. Will you treat by Embassadours and wed by Proxie Cle. Nor so that 's only fit for Princes who cannot meet to treat Lon. Will you have her if she declares she would have you Cle. I shall never like her change of mind Lon. Can you tell whether you would have her or not Cle. That 's a harder question then the other Lon. Will you have her by compulsion Cle. That were a Tyranny would make her hate me ever Lon. Shall the Duke by his Prerogative Power in spight of both your teeth compel you both to compliance Cle. Let me think on this alittle at first sight this looks likely to agree us if two impossibilities can make one possible this might do our business Lon. Well what do you resolve Cle. Nothing why do you tempt me to farther evils I know not what to resolve nor what to say but will no more of love my heart shakes at the thought of my last tryal I blush to think how much less then man I was and how much more then woman I created her in those few hours I lov'd Enter a
Who dyed as I return'd is it death yet Qu No this insolence shall not change your doom Nor your confeâ—…t disguise long known to me Force a punishment beyond the merrit Of that sad mishap which I believe Was fatall accident no purpos'd crime Though my Father look'd on his onely Son By your hand slain with such revenging rage As might his loss become and him ingage To throw out yows that Justice should persue So great a Traytor as he then thought you For your succession after me became His fancies object which encreas'd your blame But I who have exactly been inform'd Of my dead Brothers love and yours now must For that sad accident to you be just Near. I 'le rather quit my innocence then own Your mercy when you Justice do deny Give me the fair Princess or give me death Queen I cannot with Justice give you either How can I a free Princes will compell Or how Ormasdes true pretence deâ—…y Or how afford you death for that offence Which your unluckie hand did act by chance Near. Wou'd I had dyed the day of my return Since great Cleandra dares not do me Right But suffers false Ormasdes to possess What is my due Tall your mercy scorn And will the worst of Tyranny enduâ—…e Queen I have imploy'd you as my Brothers friend Thus long not at his Murtherer conniv'd And untill now by force compell'd my face To frequent smiles in favor of your worth While my heart ak'd to think what you had done But you of late unworthy our great Name Have scandaliz'd the Citherean Fame Boldly to own a Crime so great as may insence The world to question your first innocense Which clearly shews you are for mischief built That dar'd to entertain so base aguilt My mercy may prove sin unless betimes My Justice do prevent your farther crimes Near. Must I be held and baited thus to death Be torn and tortur'd by a womans breath Queen See my Command obey'd Cleobulus I shall take order for an Equipage Fit for your great birth and shall now confine You to an Island near from whence you may Return if you out-live me and mine Remove him hence Ne. Hold a while curse on curse light on you all For this unjustice which you mercy calâ—… Tyrants cruel Tyrants your juggling Art Lay by and strike a Dagger through my heart If Ormasdes any honour have in store He 'l fight another bout upon the Shore As I take ship and if I chance to Dye My soul shall then applaud thy Victory And sing thy praise to the infernal Ghosts That they may chuse thee Captain of their Hosts When thou com'st down Let not a Ladies word Dâ—…stroy by piercing deeper then thy sword Will you not answer cruel and unjust Ye gods why put you Scepters into womens trust Who crushes me to raise a Cowards Name Whom I will in the Elizium fields Defame No honor'd Ghost of Troy shall there own thee The Grecian and the Roman Souls with me Will trample on thy Cowards neck with scorn Poor shadow of a gallant man only born To lye in Ladies laps perfum'd and curl'd I 'le Post thee â—…oward in the other World They force him away on the Queen beck with heâ—… hand Admi. T is strange that none of us should know him Young Titus The general opinion he was drown'd Made us not see through his disguise Admir But his strange passion does amaze me most Ormasdes wedding will his frenzy cure When love does see no possibility Desires and hopes will vanish by degrees You. Titus We see dispairs work often other wayes Queen He has disturb'd me but I 'le forget him Valeriana come let us consult The Ceremony of your Wedding day Ormasdes joys and yours will blow away The farther thought of Leonatus crimes Vale. Our Wedding Madam I see no reason For so great a hast now we are secure Or. Madam since you have rais'd my hopes so high It were a sin to doubt my destiny Yet say when shall my thoughts so fixt remain That I may never think I dream again Vale. Ormasdes not too fast we must proceed With much discretion to so great a deed The eyes of all this Nation do behold Our actions and may think my part too bold If I again shall do what I repent It would deserve a double punishment My over-hasty Love was once my crime I must redeem that fault by taking time To finish what so violent begun Least into greater errours I do run A year or two's delay will add much grace To our young Love which Time cannot deface Orma Why have you led me forth with gentle gales Into this dangerous deep why fill'd my sailes With such propitious winds as would convey Me safe to my wish'd Port the nearest way Why do you now abstruct this happy course As if you wish'd for storms or somthing worse Why thus foâ—… sake the Light to sail i th' dark As if you sought out hazzards for this Bark In which you are the onely fraight that I Can fear to lose by my mortality Oh! do not then my Joyes to time betray Least you do ruine all by your delay Queen How Valeriana must this Scene of Love Fall from its height and now no farther move Does your quick conquest of Ormasdes make Him less worthy when we such pris'ners take As might our selves command if they will serve We cannot give them more then they deserve Consider well least you your self destroy If thus you do defer Ormasdes joy Vale. Madam you and the world too well do know My Love to him can now no higher grow I onely thus stand off least he despise A conquest gain'd without an enterprize And that my injur'd Sex hereafter may Judge of my innocence by this delay Honour forbids that we in hast ingage Rash actions often ill events presage Though I like a tall ship that spreads her sails When she is carried on with prosperous gales To her wish'd Port do sigh to be delay'd And blame the Remora by which I 'm staid Ormas Honour and Fancy at great distance stand You have no argument for this command But your own nice unnecessary thought By which your virtue may become a fault T is true that my neglects to woman kind May urge that I should now no favour find Till my whole life be spent to gain a bliss To crown my latests hours with joyes like this I do confess such judgement were my due From all the women in the world but you Who have no argument nor a pretence Why you should prove the Rod for my offence Vale. Ormasdes true I only now would prove By some short time the temper of your Love And shew the world that mine was not in hast Though its first motion mov'd so fierce and fast It makes me blush to think that this great Queen And her whole Nation have such weakness seen As all commanding Love forc'd me to show Oh! t is a bold attempt when
women wooe Ormas What ere the vulgar think great Princes may The dictates of their greater souls obey T is a self-doubting sin when you alone Dare not avow what gods and men do own Queen These cautious wayes are only fit for such As have suspected virtues you are much Above the reach of Censures t was I That woo'd him first mine be the infamy Who boast the active part with the successe And would not for the world it had been lesse It does become me now to see your hands United as your hearts If my commands Be slighted and my self not understood When I require what 's for your mutuall good I shall repent the kindness I have shown And wish you never had Ormasdes known Vale. Madam when you command I must submit But will Ormasdes waking think it fit Now to accept this Ring and safer keep What he desires then when h' last did sleep I had some pleasure and no little pain To put it on and steal it off again But now since gods and you do all agree Receive this bond of my Captivity Ormas I kiss the hand that freely gives it now May Thunder strike me dead when I do bow To other Earthly Power or wish a bliss That Heaven can give the Gods allowing this Ormasdes heart shall into insence turn And in bright flames before this Altar burn So long as my fair Saint does not despise To look upon so mean a Sacrifice To you great Queen I know not what to say How to express a gratitude that may Declare the glory of your life to be A perfect pattern for Posterity Qu. Brave Lord your Triumphs your Trophies still Increase our wonder and our Nation fill With such Esteem as all my people may With Honour keep your Wedding Holy-Day And in our Story after Ages show Friendship and Virtue did together grow FINIS Imprimatur May the 3d. 1664. Roger L' Strange PANDORA A Comedy LONDON Printed by T. Mabb For John Pleyfere at the White Bear in the Upper-Walk of the New-Exchange And Thomas Hors-man next Door to the Signe of the Three Kings in the Strand 1664. The Names of the Actors The Prince of Syracusa Theodocia his Daughter Pandora a great Lady of the Prince his Family Lindamira a Lady of Quality Lonzartes Right Heire to the Principality Clearcus a Lord of the Prince his Kindred Silvander a Young Lord of the Court. Aristonicus Three Councellours Clothero Ormuseus Teretia Ladies Attending the Princess Philora Three more Attending Ladies For Pandora And Lindamira Men-Dancers Women-Dancers Sanga and Lacquies Geta. An Old-Woman THE Prologue LOvers to You I come without a Bribe From one that boasts himself of your own Tribe And therefore hopes that your good Natures may On his behalf above your Judgements sway What you 'le see here is naturall all pretence He disavowes to Wit or Eloquence With Friendship he presents you and with love Such as are wont in his free breast to move Such passions as he feels our Author writes And humours such as he observes indites From Conversation bringing to the Stage What he does think will please the present Age. And if you do not grudge your time here spent He will accept it for a Complement PANDORA THE Scene in Syracutia FIRST ACT. Enter Lonzartes and Clearchus in long Grey Cloakes over their Rich Cloaths with Sanga and Geta two Lacques carrying Lanthorns the two Lords Enter a private House the two Servants stay San. COme Geta our Lords have no more use of us we may go sleep Geta. T is a fair time indeed to sleep when day begins to break this is a lew'd life that our Lords do lead San. Why man the Night was made for labourers to rest and for great Lords to Revel in come away Geta My Lord is not half so ill as thine Sanga What 's that to thee or me come away we 'l go to Beggars Hall and be as merry as our Lords Geta. No no I will no more sully my credit in thy company I converse with our tall Dary-Maid who affords me Honours thou canst not guess at Sanga Oh the great Felicities that do belong to chast imbraces San. I like Imbraces well Geta I mean by Wed-lock man San A Cox-comb thou art and a Cuckold thou wilt be adiew Fool. Geta. Adiew Rogue Exeunt severally A noyse within Re-enter Clearcus and Lonzartes in the Dark Clearcus Botts on thy slippery heeles we are undone Lonzartes Let us draw and stand upon guard I hear some call within Cle. What was that strange noyse you made Lon. At the bottom of the stairs I fell which gave the Alarum to the doggs and they wak'd all the Family Enter Old Woman Woman Oh my Lord what have you done all the House are up pray stand close a while are you alone Cle. Yes yes Exeunt Old Woman Lonzartes Thou art a very Villain Clearcus thus to betray a poor Wench that loves thee and to force me accept a Favour I abhor to think on Cle. Be the blame mine I have no joy in any thing unless my Friend Participate if I have any skill in Woman you will thank me for this favour and say you never had the like of Angelica Lon. Suppose she will not consent must I ravish her you say she knows not of my coming Cle. I swear she does not Lon. Would I were out again these Romances please not me pray how must I proceed Cle. Thus she is in Bed the Room is dark I 'le entertain her with discourse while you undress then I 'le retyre and soon return with Light to let her see my friend and I must be as one man to her Lon. I wonder all women do not hate thee thou dost abuse all them that trust thee Cle. You are deceiv'd Lonzartes such silly girles do take it for a complement to recommend them to a Noble Friend Lon. Well I must now be subject to thy will and do submit to do what I detest me thinks this is a kind of Rape I undertake thou art too wild for my Converse Clearcus Clear Hold your peace Enter Old Woman Woman Hist hist my Lord Cle. Here here Wom. Give me your hand softly softly follow me Exeunt Woman leading them off holding hands Enter the Old Prince of Syracusa with Silvander Aristonicus Clothero Ormuseus and â—…rain Prince How does Lonzartes bear his Suppression Aristonicus now he is full-man grown Ari. Like a wise man Sâ—…r that will not seem to see what he cannot remedy Pri. I have better thoughts for him then he has for himself if Clearcus spoyle him not Ari. When more years have overcome some evils incident to youth I hope he will be worthy your highest favours Sir Pri Some of you should advise him to a little more sobriety then Clearcus will allow of I apprehend Silvander that the Corinthian will quarrel for my refusing to treat his Marriage with Theodosia whom I design another way she has aâ—…ersion to him Sil The