from her hand this pretious gift bestow Sprung from the tree whence grew her sacred bow On which with finest silk my Nymphs have wove The wondrous story of thy streams and love Puts on a Chaplet Areth. This grace lov'd Goddess I must ever own While Arethusa by that name is known But if I may thy Deity intreat I 'd gladly yet with my Alpheus meet Dian. Thrice beauteous Nymph thou su'st I fear in vain But for thy merit if I can obtain Or Cynthia's aid can help she shall convey His gentle current where thy stream has way Enter Thetis attended with several Sea-Nymphs Omnes For which let 's all Diana's praises sing Dian. Stay Nymphs here comes the Queen to Seas great King Thet. Chast Goddess I am come to let thee know What to thy Graces Neptunes Queen does owe And for this Nymph the honour of all floods As these with thee make sacred groves and woods For which to speak my thanks I 'd gladly tread The stately Chorus thy bright self does lead Dian. Great Thetis know no footsteps ever joyn'd With me a Chorus but bear souls refin'd For which I have deny'd some gods of late Said to have fell from their celestial state Thet. I once gave ear unto such tales like thee But prov'd it soon my vain credulity Nor on my waves did then rough Boreas blow But I my Nymphs hid in deep Cells below Since fame had told his strong arms did embrace The fair Orithia snatch't o're Seas to Thrace Dian. Nor was it Thetis truth Achilles came From great Peleus and thy own soft flame Thet. Such stories may relate as much of thee Which tell the Moons sublime Divinity Though thy chast brows her Heavenly figure wear Did for Endymions love forsake her sphear While such like Tales the guilty Poets sing To feign their Hero's from the Gods did spring Dian. Queen of the Seas my censure was too free 'T were sin to doubt truth in a Deity Nor will I think that Goddess e're did burn In such frail humane flames my chast thoughts mourn But now behold with me this mortal Throne Merits from our immortal powers renown Thet. I do embrace the motion since here 's seen A Throne as bright as each of us sate Queen May Love there find serenest calms their days Such as my Halcyons chuse that breed on Seas Areth. Or as my streams no mingl'd currents own So let their Loves be undivided known Eccho May Cupid else for ever loose his Bow Omn. And for Loves Goddess none his Mother know Thet. To honour whom thy best known Chorus lead And with the Oceans race like steps I 'le tread Dan. Then Nymphs express with mine your measures powers As when we dance on tender grass and flowers Leaving no signs our nimble footsteps show Or as on Mountains tops we tread on snow They Dance Enter Cupid Thet. Cupid art thou come hither Cup. I flew this way To meet my Mother is she amongst ye pray Dian. Away thou amorous toy dar'st thou be here Where I to honour constant Love appear Cup. I have a shaft here left within a Heart I 'd fain withdraw Dian. No more vile Boy depart Thy Mothers Arts and thine I too well know Cup. Then see I flye with an unbended Bow Ex. Cupid Dian. Thetis farewel I 'le to my Woods resort Thet. But e're I hence return to Neptunes Court Let 's yet more honour Arethusa's name Dian. This night I bathe my self in her clear stream Thet. Where I 'le attend thee with my watry race And Nymphs whose Songs shall there thy Chorus grace Areth. For which my fountains clearest springs shall flow Eccho And my best Eccho's voice pay duty too Dian. Till when farewel Seas Queen Thet. Goddess adieu Exeunt Masques Tysam. It seems a Moral Par. And meant of constancy I gave the Argument my self Tysam. Most fit To entertain thy Vertue What sight is that Enter Statyra Tox. The King seems troubl'd Bass. My heart misgives me this is she Par. How does my Love Tysam. Your leave a while Can'st thou forgive me fair Statyra Goes aside to Statyra Stat. And wish you happy in your royal choice She is a Princess far above my merit Enough that I have seen your face and dye Tysam. Thou had'st my promise first Heaven is my witness And give me but thy leave to expiate My crime in due expression of my penitence By some act unthought of if possible To win thy Loves forgiveness Stat. 'T is needless Your leave that I return I 'le not ask So much as a farewel kiss Tysam. I must oblige a while thy stay Bassanes Wait this Lady to my Garden lodgings With all observance Bass. I shall Sir Ex. Bassanes and Statyra Tysam. The ambition to possess a Crown has had too much The better of my Conscience Come Parisatis Goes to Paris Par. Your looks seem troubl'd Tysam. A trivial thought I 'm moving from my heart Par. From mine I 'm sure your love shall never part Exeunt Omnes ACT II. SCENE I. Enter Eumenes and Draxanes Eumen. IT seems the Ladies had but small success In their Petition Drax. And yet they urg'd things Home and unhappily Eumen. Women ne're want zeal feldom wit To perfect their desires but men have here So long had the Lee-ward point of love as They must be content with the Weather Gage Which casts not a few on the rocks of Wedlock Drax. For my part I could wish that Nature had Taken some other way for the procreation Of mankind since both Sexes have so much ado To agree of the means But we are Souldiers Eum. And therefore have the less reason to blame Our Countries freedom since 't is odds but we Take as much if we make a true Muster Of our Mistresses Drax. But the Queens opposing This desire seem'd to many unexpected Eum. 'T was to oblige the King no doubt and by The prerogative of her vertues live Above the Law or whatsoe're could give a fate To her enjoyment Drax. He 's now more absolute Then e're was Soveraign that reign'd But in the right of Queen His Creatures Dignify'd in Court and Camp that almost 'T is within his Will to rule alone should He be guilty of that vile ambition Eum. She has exprest in every act a kindness Most unparallel'd Drax. I wish their Loves a peaceful happiness Eum. 'T was hop'd she might have respected our General Bassanes in her choice a Prince Of Scythia's Royal blood and favour'd In this Nation with an interest equal To his birth Drax. But he it seems as much in love With Mars or paying duties to her service In the field ne're rais'd his thoughts and merit To that fair ambition Eum. We are his Creatures And have serv'd his dangers Enter Toxaris Alvanes and Araxis Tox. Save ye Gentlemen Your general thanks to his vertues has given Our Crown at once both peace and victory Drax. His conduct did deserve no less Alv. Had his return been sooner
with a brisk assault Tysam. Be it thy command Foscaris Andrages Draxanes and Eumenes be you assisting In this enterprise with such Troops you lead Omn. To our utmost Royal Sir Bass. And hope I shall soon give your Majesty A good account of this attempt Madam I have your happy wish Stat. And more my Prayers for your safety Tysam. The other wing my worthy Chiefs I 'le lead To assist your valours Omn. We all are ready with our Duties Tysam. And if our Swords cannot yet subdue these Women Warriours let them triumph And tell Dame Nature 'T was her fond erroneous act Entituled Man Superiour Stat. Consider Sir For my sake as you love Statyra's being That have no small concern in every danger Threatens you Tysam. 'T is for thy sake I 'de only live To crown this day with victory Stat. 'T were too much hazard for my Love Tysam. Thou would'st not have me tamely gaze upon These Foes and see thee pine for food Or yield our selves to this imperious womans will That may perhaps give Laws unwelcom to Our Loves or take thy Beauty Captive for Her slavish Handmaid whom but to circle thus Is joy to me above the world and conquest Stat. Admit I intercede for some fair peace She is a Woman fam'd of Royal worth And cannot be so cruel you express Tysam. I know thou would'st not save my life by Womans mercy besides 't would fright thy gentle Person to behold thy Sex in Armour And their breasts while thine 's Loves tender sphere Inclos'd in Ribs of Steel with one cut off More furiously to wield their Martial Bows With other Warlike horrors to afflict thy eyes Stat. I fear no danger so I serve but yours Tysam. Admit I leave thee in my Tent Attended with my best reserves of Force Enter an Officer What news Officer Your Army Sir is in outragious Mutiny For Bread Alvan I look'd for this Tox. I fear as much the Consequence Tysam. A sign they are sons of Cowardise That cannot take it from their Women-foes Or make them knead us more Officer Your presence Sir may possibly allay Their fierce disorder Tysam. We 'le see who dares not fight Or starve if we command it or else We 'le look e'm dead your hand my dearest This Mutiny we 'le soon compose Exeunt He leads Statyra to his Tent exit with the rest Enter Foscaris Andrages Eumenes and Draxanes disarm'd and led Prisoners by three Amazon Ladies and other Women holding their Spears at ' em Fosc. Nay good Lady Errants some mercy Eum. As we are Souldiers 1 Lady 'T is below our Amazon honour to afford it To such Knights of Chivalry as you are Andr. As we are Gentlemen of good Nature to your Sex Drax. Or as you have had kindness to man Fosc. Or for Loves sake of which I have store at your Service 2 Lady You are Spirits indeed of Cupid Fosc. I am more than an ordinary man that way And have Venus about me in abundance Enter Daranthe 1 Lady Here comes our General 2 Lady We must not further act without her Daran You have done bravely valiant Ladies But where 's their General Bassanes who Forc'd your Squadrons the Queen would have been glad To have led in triumph such a famous Chief 1 Lady He fought his way with many wounds unto the Volga in whose rough streams we judge him drown'd Daran The Queen will give his loss some pity For you Gentlemen who have not been Injurious to our Sex in practising Your Scythian custom the Queen proclaims She 'l think of mercy and for such pris'ners Who have Wives Fosc. What will be our Fate Aside Daran It is her Royal Pleasure They be surrender'd to their wills I must attend and give her notice Of your brave success Ex. Daranthe Fosc. 'T were best to be afore-hand with this Act Of Grace I humbly lay hold on your Queens mercy And. And I Madam Eum. And I. Drax. And I. Enter Melvissa and Clarina 2 Lad. Have none of you Wives in being Gentlemen What say you Sir Fosc. Who I Madam I would not be so unfortunate For a world and would you But espouse us to some of your Masculine Generation we 'd get your Queen such Heroines Melv. Dost hear how abominably these Creatures Of our Loves dissemble To Clar. aside Clar. They are oblig'd it seems to Change the complexion of their hearts Melv. Let it be for life's sake or love's I 'le have My due acknowledgments Andr. Do not own us dear Wives We beseech you Aside Melv. How not own our just proprieties Fosc. As you are Women and have mercy We are coming off and on the fairest terms Heart can wish withdraw awhile And we 'll be with you in a trice and Handle things kindly as men and wives should do Melv. You shall excuse us we 'll reprieve you Our own way now Clar. And for you Sir whose Conversion I hop'd my better stars had wrought Fosc. Alas my sweetest I love thee with a flame As warm as thou can'st wish but was forc'd to Dissemble for some motives of danger Which I know thou l't pardon 1 Lad. 'T is fit we understand Your business Ladies 2 Lad. You are not Spies Melv. By your fair leaves We come to claim a pair of Husbands By vertue of your Queens Proclamation Clar. Of which one of them had the good manners To part with his Wife witness my self Omn. How 's this Andr. What will become of us Fosc. Or me that have provok'd Fate and Woman together Andr. I am like to suffer under both that must again Endure the insupportable and endless Civil war of wedlock Fosc. O the star of Venus has had a strange influence In our Horoscopes there 's no resisting destiny And she the Ascendant Andr. Might I chuse I had rather once more charge the Amazonian Battel and all the Viragoes Of woman-kind together The Ladies compass them in holding their Spears at them Both Lad. Shall we kill e'm to revenge your injuries Clar. By no means we beg their lives Melv. And having thus cull'd out our Cocks I doubt not but we shall manage the game Advantagiously enough 1 Lad. You have e'm at your mercy Clar. Thanks to your Queens Melv. She has mine likewise in abundance Ladies But for you Husbands Fosc. Nay prethee we 'll compose differences as you Drax. Now for our Capitulations Drax. and Eâ—â— Eum. If we do not make fair ones for our selves With such Victors as these We may curse our Nativities Fosc. What terms of composition good sweet Wife Thou know'st I love thee above imagination Clar. Perhaps I may give you fair quarter Fosc. Let it be but in thine and I will dye Upon the spot e're part with thee again I am thine now without a charm Clar. I promise nothing though you see I have took Some pains for your safety Andr. What says my Spouse Melv. 'T is odds she 'll proceed as occasion serves Andr. Be not proud of thy
Mrs. Wright Masquers  Attendants  Guards  The Scene Scythia THE Womens Conquest A TRAGI-COMEDY ACT I. SCENE I. Enter Toxaris Alvanes and Araxis Tox. WEll Mortals if any live happy 'T is we Scythians at this day Arax And prethee why Tox. Are not we Men Arax Yes and Courtiers Tox. And what 's more have our Amours unquestion'd By those meager sort of Females Wives whose entails We can cut off at pleasure sometimes held necessary In case of Age or accidental Ugliness Is this no Felicity Alva A sign we had our Predecessors men Tox. I and such Souls of Matrimony that Would be all in all in every Act and Concern of Woman changing Wives at pleasure Sometimes as oft as Menial Servants how would The Wary Spaniard the more Jealous Italian Glory had they like priviledge Alv. And yet Methinks this custom of our Nation In so absolute a dominion over That weaker sex is not a little rigid Tox. Prethee marry then and if thou dost not Find it necessary thou'lt be more easie Yok'd then most in Scythia Alv. But our Queens marriage Is my wonder with this Persian Prince Tysamnes Arax She is wise in all her Actions Alva Yet not by any priviledge exempted From this our Nations Law though a Queen 'T were well she had made it first some Act of State Arax At least to exempt her self Princes are But men sometimes most various Tox. It speaks her Confidence in her new made Husband Arax Or rather the strength of her own vertue That dares trust her merit to embarque In any storm should it arise from what 'T were sin to think Ingratitude Alv. May they live great and prosp'rous Arax Tysamnes is a Prince endu'd with many Graces Fam'd equal with the best Captains of our Times In noble deeds of War and though but younger Brother of the Persian Crown against Natures act deserves the first place in that Throne Enter Foscaris Alva Here comes Foscaris a Gentleman that has Newly parted with his Wife a fair one too Arax But that 's a change in this part of Scythia Few repent where Women like to flowers Are often plac'd in bosoms but till Love Fades their sweetness what Foscaris Fosc. The merry'st man 'twixt this and Babylon Gentlemen Tox. You have parted with your Wife Fosc. And a fair riddance too though as Women Go now I think she was vertuous Alva Dost thou not therefore feel some regret For rejecting from thy embrace so deserving a Lady Fosc. No more then a child for throwing away A toy when weary of the pastime Alas I have lain by her a whole Moon Enjoy'd all her nights and days varieties Pass'd the beginning the middle and even The bottom of all can be call'd fruition Which I confess was most delicious But the heavy thought that this must prove In the end but dull repetition Did so cloy my appetite Tox. Perhaps before it had taken a just fill Alv. I confess had I espous'd such a Lady I should have been content to have serv'd Love Two Apprentiships at least But oh the wonders Of Matrimony how soon has mankind Enough of the honey of Wedlock Fosc. Nay I dare commend her Graces besides I think she lov'd me and for her person Pigmalions Image might have been copy'd From her lineaments A Face in ev'ry feature Pleasing such an Eye such a Lip with a Cheek Jove ne're was fam'd a smoother to impress With something yet then all more taking Arax And hadst thou not better have kept this delicate Food of Love though thou hadst chang'd sometimes A meal rather then thus utterly to forsake her Fosc. Alas I had my Surfeit Gentlemen and was So Wife-sick she seem'd to me Loves potion Tox. For my part were I in thy case and had A Face of Brass I should go near to blush through 't Here comes the Lady Enter Clarina Clar. To be thus thrown from him without a cause Or act of ill laid to my charge on priviledge Of this our Countries Ignominious usage And by a man I lov'd so well Vile and inhumane custom Tox. I hope her vertues and thy crime will move thee To repentance thou art else such a Tyrant-husband as has no like even In this hard-hearted Clime of ours Fosc. Rather indulgent that gave her means of Freedom I open'd but the Cage and Now Love may flye as it lists Clar. By my example Let none be henceforth made a Bride in Scythia Where sacred Tyes and chastest Love Is no security Tox. Though I am a true Scythian and partly Of thy humour I could wish thee for this act Some fatal penitence Fosc. Ha ha ha Is that Possible in a man of my complexion Clar. He scarce vouchsafes a look on me when but So late each beam of mine was more Considerable then warmth of Sun-shine Alv. We must now leave you to your better thoughts The General Bassanes is arriv'd the Court Our attendance is expected pity Clarina has no kinder Husband Exeunt Alv. Tox. Araxis Fosc. I 'le wait on you Gentlemen I serv'd But lately under his command Clar. You have no pity left for me Offers to go out Clar. stays him Fosc. A little somewhat but thou seest I am now In haste Clar. I 'le be as brief take me to thy embrace My dear Foscaris thou know'st I lov'd thee Vertuously and truly well if I have done Amiss in any act unknown I 'le bend My knees for pardon Fosc. Alas I charge thee With no crime but Marriage is such a mischief It makes Friends sometimes differ they know not why For which I thank my Countries dispensation Otherwise as a Mistress I think no Lady In our Court deserves before thee Clar. When e're you wed as soon perhaps you may May you espouse one far more beautiful And equal to my affection so farewel Fosc. Adieu adieu I 'le not kiss her at parting Lest I lick my self into Love again And yet methinks I could almost be content 'T is a pretty black-ey'd rogue and was so Amorous and Airy Heaven forbid I be not once more smitten and so proceed To a second Wooing but I hope I am arm'd Ex. Foscaris Enter Melvissa Clar. This unkindness grieves me Melv. What! sad Clarina Clar. I had ne're more cause Madam my Husband Melv. What of him I dream't that he courted thee With more firé then ever and my dreams I Can tell thee hit unhappily sometimes Clar. He is most unkind a Husband of our cruel mode Perfectly who having gather'd but so late My Virgin flower has thrown me from his breast As if already faded and yet I needs must say I love him still Melv. Thence came thy mischief The very spring of all thy Tears we Wives Must use more dexterity in managing Of Husbands here and that way if possible Get some hand on their Affections nor should They bed with us but when we please Or when our healths require it the soft and gentle Not seldom most slighted The truth
even inflict upon the greatest Tox. It seem'd below her Soul and Love to make That caution some wise amongst us wish Bass. Tysamnes marry'd to the Queen if I Aside Forget not I had Advertisement upon his first Arrival at her Court and from a Persian hand Of trust that he there lov'd a Lady nay more Was thought to have assur'd himself to her Eum. The General 's a little discompos'd Drax. Perhaps some discontent relating to the Queens marriage Bass. If this prove true Heaven too soon may frown On all these joys what are these Ladies Enter Melvissa Clarina and four other Ladies each with a Paper in her hands Tox. They are come to wait upon the King and Queen This day of State on some concern of their Sex Bass. T is well Enter Araxis Arax The King and Queen are ready to come forth Alv. We must attend your Lordships pardon Bass. I have some orders to dispatch unto The Camp and then I 'le wait their Majesties Exit Bassanes c. Tox. Alv. Arax another way manent Mel. Clar. and four Ladies Melv. It behoves us now Ladies to weigh the force And effect of those Arguments we have prepar'd To assail so formidable an enemy as Men and Husbands fortify'd With that so invincible Champion Custom I hope you are all well provided 1 Lady Doubt it not Madam women seldom want wit To serve their desires and occasions Melv. Well said pretty one young and forward And for Illustrations and Metaphors of This hainous usage and tyranny of our Matrimonial Lords and Masters such were to be wish'd Are most pathetical and perswasive 1 Lady I have taken mine Madam from The example of Socrates that most grave Philosopher who not only endur'd the ill Humour but the supremacy of his Wife As worthy of imitation Melv. A famous president 2 Lady And I mine Ladies from that most dreadful Story of Andromeda chain'd to a Rock Is it not so my dear Tysamnes Tysam. Thou art above my wishes excellent Arax The Queen exprest her self most nobly Tox. If not too confiding in her choice Clar. We must submit 1 Lady Since there 's no remedy Melv. I 'le serve thee yet Clarina it shall go hard else Enter Bassanes Eumenes and Draxanes Par. Welcom as I can express Bassanes Thy Victories were early here on Rumors wing Which made the grim-look'd Tartars beg a peace From us and next my joys of love completed here To Tys. I must rejoyce thy safe return thou pillar Of thy Country and glory of my Crown To call thee both my Subject and Alliance Bass. My duty is best paid in the performance Of your services which I shall ever study Tysam. Let me embrace thee worthy man The title which I have to thy brave merit In my enjoyment of this beauteous Queen Obliges me to hold thy vertues dear That bring'st me Triumph home before I scarce Have warm'd this Throne Arax Our new King does caress him highly Tox. His interest is great Par. I understand You saw Mandana's Court our neighbour Queen on your return Bass. I did Madam Par. There Women govern all Bass. To wonder Madam Make War lead Armies with all transactions Of the highest Magnitude in State To whom the men are held subordinate Par. Their Queen 's a Lady Fame reports Wise Magnanimous and no less Beautiful Bass. I think all these may well be said to meet In her Par. But the manner of her rule seems strange To me Bass. If compar'd with ours here but they Lay claim to that prerogative from the Antient Amazons whence they derive descent Par. 'T was said Mandana did intend an Embassy Unto our Court in some short time Bass. She gave me so to understand Tysam. A beauteous one no doubt Bass. They are Women Sir Tysam. We 'll treat'm then as fairly Par. But credit me I should not like my reign So well were my Sex here alike in power Since nature and the worlds best Laws Have dignify'd the man superiour Tysam. Spoke like my Parisatis methinks we Are not chearful I have joys enough to raise A man above the world had he made forfeit Of his bliss You told me of a masque My Soul does want a little clearing up Aside Par. I did appoint one Tysam. By any means we 'll have it Musick plays a while after which the Masque begins the Scene a Grove in which Diana is beheld sleeping having at one of the sides next the Stage a Rock from which Enters Arethusa habited like a Water-Nymph Areth. Eccho if thou dost visit this fair Grove Where thou hast often mourn'd Narcissus love At Arethusa's call appear Eccho Appear Areth. Once more 't is Arethusa calls thee here Eccho within Here Areth. That 's but thy voice thy person I would see Once known a Nymph of highest dignity Enter Eccho as out of t'other side of the Grove Eccho Behold bright Arethusa I resume My long lost Figure since Heavens fatal doom Depriv'd me of my dear Narcissus flames Areth. I bear as great a grief confin'd to streams Could never yet with lov'd Alpheus join Think if thy loss can greater be then mine Eccho Fair Nymph with yours I 'le not compare my woe Since with thy tears thy chrystal fountains flow And by a wondrous constancy do glide Through veins of earth unmixt with other tide Which Thetis for thy glory did decree And great Diana Honours Constancy Areth. I wait to see her bathe in my cool floods Having a long chase follow'd in these Woods Eccho She in this Grove with her fair Nymphs does sleep While with my wakeful voice her watch I keep Lest Mortals here Actaeon like should pry And ravish blushes from her Deity Behold she wakes She wakes The Song in the Masque 1 Nym. See see our Goddess wakes Whilst we harmonious notes prepare Such as bright Phoebus makes When to salute Aurora 's car The Musick of his sphere he takes Diana rises and enters with her Nymphs 2 Nym. Or as before her Curtains drawn We welcom in the grey-ey'd dawn When for the Chase Diana bends her matchless bow And gives her self the first hollow 1 Nym. Then through Plains Lawns and Woods Over Mountains and Floods Nymphs tripit Nymphs trip it apaâ—e 2 Nym. Whilst the Hart Deer or Roe They swiftly pursue Their Goddess best pleaseth to chase 1 Nym. See she appears More bright then Hesperus does rise Whose beams Stars borrow for their eyes Dian. Belov'd of Nymphs whose chaste and constant stream Shall give thy Love an everlasting name More dear to me then Zanthus floods so bright Or my own Cynthia's beams that guild the night Art thou to tread a Chorus come with me As once a Nymph of my society Areth. Bless'd Goddess know from Thetis I am sent To wait thee first with her great Complement Who if not too much Neptunes Billows rave Will soon pass hither in a Chrystal wave Dian. She shall be welcom But first Nymph on thee Diana to renown thy constancy Does
sense to ply Since on thy wrist thou didst a philter tye And so farewel Ex. Melvissa Fosc. Adieu adieu had ever man such a Dialogue As this He studies Enter Clarina and Melvissa Melv. Be confident I have perform'd to purpose Clar. I warrant you Melv. Nay more to his greater Terror I withdrew here and counterfeited my self A Spirit Clar. Most excellent Melv. And had Such pleasant discourse with him Clar. You have done above my expectation Melv. He comes on fiercely I warrant thee Fosc. And yet I do not find my hair stares or A cold sweat on me enough to dissolve me to a gelly Like some stories I have heard of this kind Melv. See he 's here observe a little in the mean time I 'le withdraw Ex. Melv. Fosc. Whilst I feel such a heat dispers'd through every vein Of my body no man or longing virgin ever felt The like in any burning wish or actual enjoyment Well Foscaris thou hast got a tickling spirit in thee Clar. I perceive it takes Fosc. And yet methinks It should not be in the power of Magick to make Me affect my cast-off Wife if it prove otherwise What a confounded Lover am I then she 's here Observes her Clar. Now I 'le approach him Walks towards him Fosc. As I am a man 't is she I long for The very element of fire is met Within me and my heart rises to my very lips At her appearance Gazes on her Clar. The Physick works now to handle this patient Aside Fosc. Oh thou art bright indeed Clarina Ariadnes Crown of Stars is Copper To thy Eyes and in each look methinks thou Stain'st the evenings glory Clar. Good kind Sir keep off 't is towards bed-time Fosc. 'T is thither I would go with thee Love and twine More happily then ever Alas I did but this To love thee ten times better then before As men restrain themselves from food they like To make the next meal better Clar. Keep your ground good Sir Amorous You and I must not come to the close embrace So easily and lest you should be boyst'rous I 'le be gone Fosc. Stay but a twilights time longer Clar. 'T is more then I can well afford you Enter Andrages Fosc. Nay prethee let me beg it though I kneel Clar. You deserve some penance I 'le not intreat you To be sparing Ex. Clarina Andr. Foscaris kneeling and to his own Wife The world sure turns round or Plato's year Is come about if this Diamond he late Discarded should again be Trump What Foscaris pensive Fosc. Oh I am undone And. What 's the matter Fosc. Nay thou 'lt laugh me into shame enough When thou know'st it Andr. By no means Fosc. Why I am wounded by Cupid the wrong way Andr. As how Fosc. I scarce know how to tell thee Andr. Nay prethee let me know Fosc. Understand then I am in love With my own cast petticoat if that be not A curse to a Scythian Husband I 'le Challenge fate to do worse if possible Andr. Though I found thee on thy knees I hope Thou dost not pray over love again to thy Wife Fosc. But I do and at such an intolerable rate That were every sense of mine a several soul She might command 'em all to express it Andr. Is 't possible Fosc. And more look well to thy self I fear thy Wife 's an Inchantress Andr. Ha ha ha Fosc. If thou dost not see her flying steeple high And thy self atop on her shortly I 'le hang As high for 't Andr. But you thought there was no such thing As Charm or Magick in Love and that our Scythian Wives would have still continued such Tame things as like bob'd Eyesses they might Have been turn'd off and took to hand at pleasure Fosc. I have prov'd the Experiment dearly Take care and mock not lest thou art beheld Converted to a Cat and cry Mew To keep her company Andr. Is this the man That could defie Cupid and all his Arts Nay shoot your Darts contrary to his at A minutes warning was it not so Fosc. I thought I could till more then mortal powers Conspir'd against me Andr. And for a Wife 't was Such a potion must have no more to do With your palate Fosc. The very name of her Inflames me like fire Andr. A little more to cool you And I have done come I 'le put you in mind Of a Julip of your own composition Sings What though her Eyes are black And kisses with a knack c. Fosc. No more no more though I deserve to be Bitten with a Satyr could sting worse then Scorpions Andr. Well I have done Fosc. Let 's shake hands then And go thus postur'd to the Frantick Society here Amongst which I 'le dye If e're there were two such Fanatick presidents Of Husbands as our selves Oh 't would make such a Novelty of distempers Andr. And there endure a little of the twig Shall we Fosc. By any means Thou for observing thy Wife with such a Fond affection as I beyond dotage Long for mine again Andr. Good Foscaris Enough of this extravagancy In the mean time I have so far the better of the malady That I have no fear of thy relapse And for a cure let me advise one more gentle Let 's drink some Wine and give it spirit In Clarina's health Fosc. Oh that I could taste her lips once more And mark me friend 't is odds as I am a Gentleman But in spight of all prevention I shall Hang or drown my self for love e're the next Moon Andr. Come I 'le take care of thee Exeunt Enter Tysamnes Parisatis Bassanes Clarina Melvissa Toxaris Alvanes and Araxis c. Tysam. We understand Bassanes that the Embassadresses From the Queen Mandana are arriv'd Bass. They are Sir Tysam. Attend them to our presence Ex. Bassanes An Embassy few Courts have seen before Where Women bear their Princes Errands And rule supreamly even our Sex What think you Ladies were your case alike With us Clar. For mine I should not wish it Sir 'T were too injurious to the right of men Melv. You are a little of the kindest Lady For my part Sir were I born under the like Favourable Aspect of Venus 't is odds but I Should wear a Bow and Quiver to maintain The priviledge you 'l pardon Sir my freedom Tysam. A witty sprightly Lady and yet I dare believe There 's none of all you Gentlemen that has A Wife predominant who does not own Submission to the custom here Tax This touches home Tysam. I am confirm'd that were the case my consorts here So dear unto my soul she would not claim Her self exempted Alv. That parenthesis was odly plac'd Aside Par. You know I am all obedience Sir And hope you 'l now receive such offers from This our neighbour-Queen as will not give your thoughts The least disturbance nor would I have a War Wherein my Sex should fight were I made a party In the cause or injury Tysam. Thou art all
twine To make one Excellence Stat. What providence has Blest me with this Advocate Renon I have seen a face resembles that Pulls off his Beard and Patches Daran The Queen a little alters Mand. It must be he Bass. Behold then Royal Madam this face Made but my own dark copy by disguise Thus clear'd to own it 's just original Mand. Bassanes living Bass. In which I wear A mirror of my heart that does without A flattery express a Soul that highly Honours yours though it has seem'd divested Of those Charms in making this reflection On your justice which here is one most Powerful to incline To Parisatis Enter Parisatis attended by Clarina and Melvissa Mand. What is this Lady Cyd. The Queen Parisatis Madam Mand. It cannot be A meer imposture to abuse me Renon We must avow 't is she Mand. I am all wonder Stat. And I no less rejoyce to see you live I hope you 'l pardon that I claim'd an interest In your Kings affection when 't was assur'd You had no Being in the world Par. And I more humbly beg one here Nor shall it e're be told that Parisatis Walk'd in that dark Cloud though it vail'd her Actings for preservation of the life and love Of her Tysamnes to live your trust abus'd Without a pardon from your lips Daran This Woman 's brave Par. Nor shall you loose besides One fruit of victory Mand. You were the Moor then Par. The same most Royal Madam And if you are my Subjects prostrate Your selves and swords with me at these Majestick feet Kneels Mand. This is a Conquest happier then all Nor shall e're Woman boast she had the better Of Mandana's honour Madam you have Forgiveness take up your weapons worthy Souldiers To Parisatis Bass. You are highly gracious Mand. Where is the King Par. 'T was but given out he had escap'd Mand. Bassanes you 'l attend him to us Enter Tysamnes whispering Bassanes Foscaris Andr. Tox. Alv. Arax Drax. Eumenes Tysam. Do I then live to be thus happy in Your grace and pardon Mand. Your Queen has conquer'd me Tysamnes After the power of your Arms was made My valour's glory nor did the darts of Love Which I confess made some impression here Pointing to her breast Leave wounds but to be heal'd more happily I vow'd you Sir to love Par. No change I hope Aside Mand. And thus will make your offering here She is a Jewel of a Crown indeed Presents him to the Queen Tysam. I take her on my knees She is too great a blessing thus restor'd Kneels To my embrace to be with less devotion own'd From Heaven imploring as I kneel thy pardon Par. You have it Sir though not a gift where you Command a duty which when most passive In a Wife does but refine the gold of Vertue Tysam. Why didst thou take this Cloud Par. To dye unknown or serve your safety Daran A most heroick constancy Tysam. Thy vertue 's richer Then the world 's vast globe were it Converted to one purest Diamond Mand. And does as far exceed what story can relate Tysam. But I have yet a load of mercy here To beg my crime of Love to thee Statyra Which else must cloud this day of comforts And bring eternal night upon my soul. Stat. Though I have lost an expectation of My greatest bliss in your enjoyment That in warm sighs might soon dissolve A Virgins heart like mine yet I can feel No want of happiness since I behold Your Souls that have already mingl'd joys Meet thus and kiss each other Tysam. Heaven must reward thy goodness Par. And my for ever obligation Mand. This days example gives to Love Such brave repute that I who both have fought And men commanded could even yield To hold my Scepter from obedience Tysam. Here is a Prince within your eye I hope More near your heart that might deserve To rule a Throne like yours Mand. I know him noble Bass. And one most Royal Madam that owns A soul you have an interest to command E're since I first beheld the glory of your charms Pardon me I now avow it that rather To express my wonder of your vertue Should by an humble distance still admire Mand. 'T is in my power to bring you nearer Bassanes is a Prince may well become An Empress of the world 's great choice and were Mandana such she would not think her Love Or Greatness stoop'd to match with thine Bass. You make me more then happy Mand. And I that honour Arms and thy fam'd Deeds In War will call it noblest triumph To yield thy Love a victory o're mine Bass. This bounty stream's so powerful on my heart That I may fear it's guide in such a Sea Of joys you bring Mand. I am yours for ever dear Bassanes Drax. This day surpasses wonder Fosc. I knew it must conclude with some Extraordinary Love-miracle besides my own Aside Mand. Daranthe we must now no more make war I have match'd a Souldier Bass. One that will live and dye your just admirer Mand. And Women here divest Your selves of Arms with me They take off their Arms. Dar. Ren. Cyd. We all obey your Majesty Mand. And let your conquests henceforth be to love And give Men sole supremacy I hope our Kingdoms shall unite in making To Tysamnes Laws may fit each Sexes duty Tysam. I am oblig'd for Parisatis sake To make Decrees no arbitrary will Of man shall henceforth e're reject a Wife Mand. Our Crowns will have a blessed union then What pattern shall we take Tysam. Such as the world With best consent does practise Bass. Or what 's most Laudable the form of happy England Mand. It has been most approv'd Par. Now Ladies you are all well pleas'd to see This peace that smiles upon your Loves and gives Both Sexes with our Crowns such happiness Clar. A welcom joy Melv. We now can call our Husbands Ours by lawful duty Andr. I am glad to hear that word Fosc. And I to be secur'd thus I was in no small Apprehension this female victory Might have imporw'd them to part with us What a mockery of Love's Magick had I been then Mand. My Warriours you will all take Husbands now Here are men fit to match your spirits Daran Your great example must invite it Tysam. What shall this day do for thee fair Statyra The bounty of thy soul deserves a recompence Above what tongue can speak that spreads A volume of thy goodness fit only For the eye of Heaven to read Stat. And thither I 'le devote my love Though while I live no day shall pass without A contemplation of your happiness Mand. You will not soon depart Par. For Parisatis sake you must not Stat. 'T is my ambition first to fill an humble place In your bright train of triumphs Tysam. For which thou dost deserve a Chariot Of Celestial substance Mov'd by the wings of Seraphims And every Virgin of most noble soul Attending thee with Songs of Raptures The Muses as fair-Hand-maids to thy vertue Their best of Poets should inspire Stat. You too much honour my small merits Bass. This day does claim a glory from your worth And next my just devotion here my heart To Mandana Shall keep an Altar sacred to Parisatis Constant love and praise with yours Stat. And mine no less Shall speak Bassane's fame Par. I 'le be your Rival Madam there That am oblig'd unto this noble Prince To Bassanes By highest gratitude Tysam. And I above expression thine To Bassanes Mand. Tysamnes with your Queen must lead The way unto our joys And Women hence from us this pattern take Love and obedience your best conquests make Ex. Omnes Epilogue Spoken by the Queen of Amazon WE Amazons did here unconquer'd yield And nobly too when Love had gain'd the Field Against whose Darts what Woman wears ashield This War our Poet taught us by his Pen But 't was to be such Conqueresses then As you ought Ladies when you Captive Men. Nor will we doubt if you protect our fear Though gainst our Gonquest Criticks shall make War Such Foes no Amazons e're met with here Besides the stratagems you Gallants know Our Plays defeat and worse our Women too A Miss that 's fine we cannot keep for you Then Gentlemen since Love is much your way Be well advis'd how y' are unkind to day Lest we defie all such who damn our Play Our Poet needs not apprehend what right You Wits will do him or your factions spite That 's their concern who do for Money write But with the Actors you may deal far worse For if you damn this Play 't is half their Curse Considering how its charge has plagu'd their Purse Which if you do I 'le tell you what they say They 'l venture no more cost upon a Play You shill have Parce good store a cheaper way FINIS