me if I refuse Diana's Nunnerie for her And at that Nunn'rie Iolâ—…s allegiance in mee like the string of a watch wound up too high and forc'd above the nicke ran backe and in a moment was unravell'd all JOL. Now by the love I beare to Justice That Nunn'rie was too severe when vertuous love 's a crime what man can hope to scape a punishment or who 's indeed so wretched to desire it THER Right JOL. What answer made you Sir THER None they gave me till to morrow and ere that be or they or I must know our destinie come friend let 's in there is no sleeping now for time is short and we have much to doe Exeunt Enter Orsames Philan Courtiers ORS. Judge you Gentlemen if I be not as unfortunate as a gamester thinks himselfe upon the losse of the last stake this is the first she I ever swore to heartily and by those eyes I thinke I had continued unperjur'd a whole moneth and that 's faire you 'll say 1 COURT Verie faire ORS. Had she not run mad betwixt 2 COURT How mad who Semanthe ORS. Yea yea mad aske Philan else people that want cleere intervalls talkenot so wildly I le tell you Gallants 't is now since first I found my selfe a little bot and quivering 'bout the heart some ten dayes since a tedious Ague Sirs but what of that the gratious glance and little whisper past approaches made from th' hand unto the lip I came to visit her and as you know we use breathing a sigh or two by way of prologue told her that in Loves Physicke 't was a rule where the disease had birth to seeke a cure I had no sooner nam'd love to her but she began to talke of Flames and Flames neither devouring nor devour'd of Aire and of Camelions 1 COURT Oh the Platoniques 2 COURT Those of the new religion in love your Lordship 's merrie â—…oth how doe you like the humor on 't ORS. As thou would'st like red haire or leannesse in thy Mistresse scurvily ' tdoes worse with handsomnesse â—…han strong desire would doe with impotence a meâ—…re tricke to inhance the price of kisses PHI. Sure these silly women when they feed our expectation so high doe but like ignorant Conjurers that raise a Spirit which handsomly they cannot lay againe ORS. True 't is like some that nourish up â—…oung Lions till they grow so great they are affraid of themselves they dare not grant at last for feare they should not satisfie PHI. Who 's for the Towne I must take up againe ORS. This villanous Love 's as chargeable as the Philosophers Stone and thy Mistresse as hard to compasse too PHI. The Platonique is ever so they are as tedious before they come to the point as an old man fall'n into the Stories of his youth 2. COUR Or a widow into the praises of her first husband ORS. Well if she hold out but one moneth longer if I dâ—…e not quite forget I ere beleaguer'd there and remove the siege to another place may all the curses beguil'd virgins lose upon their perjur'd Lovers fall upon mee PHI. And thou woult deserve 'em all ORS. For what PHI. For being in the company of those that tooke away the Prince's Mistresse from him ORS. Peace that will be redeem'd I put but on this wildnesse to disguise my selfe there are brave things in hand hearke i' thy eare Whisper 1. COURT Some severe plot upon a maiden-head These two young Lords make love as Embroyderers worke against a Maske night and day They thinke importunitie a neerer way than merit and take women as Schoole-boyes catch Squirrells hunt 'em up and downe till they are wearie and fall downe before 'em ORS. Who loves the Prince failes not PHI. And I am one my injuries are great as thine and doe perswade as strongly ORS. I had command to bring thee faile not and in thine owne disguise PHI. Why in disguise ORS. It is the Princes policie and love for if wee should miscarrie some one taken might betray the rest unknowne to one another each man is safe in his owne valour 2. COURT And what Mercers wife are you to cheapen now in stead of his silks ORS. Troth 't is not so well 't is but a Cozen of thine come Philan let 's along Exeunt Enter Queene alone ORB What is it thus within whispering remorse and calls Love Tyrant all powers but his their rigour and our feare have made divine But everie Creature holds of him by sense the sweetest Tenure yea but my husbands brother and what of that doe harmlesse birds or beasts aske leave of curious Heraldrie at all Does not the wombe of one faire spring bring unto the earth many sweet rivers that wantonly doe one another chace and in one bed kisse mingle and embrace Man Natures heire is not by her will ti'de to shun all creatures are alli'd unto him for then hee should shun all since death and life doubly allies all them that live by breath The Aire that does impart to all lifes brood refreshing is so neere to it selfe and to us all that all in all is individuall But how am I sure one and the same desire warmes Ariaspes for Art can keepe alive a beddred love Enter Ariaspes ARI. Alone Madam and overcast with thought uncloud uncloud for if wee may beleeve the smiles of Fortune love shall no longer pine in prison thus nor undelivered travell with throes of feare and of desire about it The Prince like to a valiant beast in nets striving to force a freedome suddenly has made himselfe at length the surer prey the King stands only now betwixt and is just like a single tree that hinders all the prospect 't is but the cutting downe of him and wee ORB Why would 't thou thus imbarque into strange seas and trouble Fate for what wee have already Thou art to mee what thou now seek'st a Kingdome and were thy love as great as thy ambition I should be so to thee ARI. Thinke you you are not Madam as well and justly may you doubt the truths tortur'd or dying men doe leave behinde them but then my fortune turnes my miserie when my addition shall but make you lesse shall I endure that head that wore a crowne for my sake should weare none First let mee lose th'exchequer of my wealth your love nay may all that rich Treasurie you have about you be rifled by the man I hated and I looke on though youth be full of sinne and heav'n be juft so sad a doome I hope they keepe not from me Remember what a quicke Apostacie he made when all his vowes were up to heav'n and you How ere the Bridall torches were burnt out his flames grew weake and sicklier thinke on that thinke how unsafe you are if she should now not sell her honour at a lower rate than your place in his bed ORB And would not you prove false too then ARI. By this and this loves break-fast
such that with lesse patience you may endure your owne than give mine Audience There is that difference that you may make yours none at all but by considering mine AGL O speake them quickly then the marriage day to passionate Lovers never was more welcome than any kinde of ease would be to mee now ORI Could they be spoke they were not then so great I love and dare not say I love dare not hope what I desire yet still too must desire and like a starving man brought to a feast and made say grace to what he nere shall taste be thankfull after all and kisse the hand that made the wound thus deepe AGL 'T is hard indeed but with what unjust scales thou took'st the weight of our mis-fortunes be thine owne Judge now thou mourn'st for losse of that thou never hadst or if thou hadst a losse it never was of a Thersames would'st thou not thinke a Merchant mad Orithie if thou shouldst see him weepe and teare his haire because hee brought not both the Indies home and wouldst not thinke his sorrowes verie just if having fraught his ship with some rich Treasure hee sunke i' th' verie Port This is our case ORI And doe you thinke there is such odds in it would Heaven we women could as easily change our fortunes as 't is said wee can our minds I cannot Madam thinke them miserable that have the Princes Love AGL Hee is the man then blush not Orithie 't is a sinne to blush for loving him though none at all to love him I can admit of rivalship without a jealousie nay shall be glad of it wee two will sit and thinke and thinke and sigh and sigh and talke of love and of Thersames Thou shalt be praising of his wit while I admire he governes it so well like this thing said thus th' other thing thus done and in good language him for these adore while I want words to doo 't yet doe it more Thus will wee doe till death it selfe shall us divide and then whose fate 't shall be to die first of the two by legacie shall all her love bequeath and give her stock to her that shall survive for no one stock can serve to love Thersames so as hee 'll deserve Enter King Ziriff KING What have wee here impossibilitie a constant night and yet within the roome that that can make the day before the Sunne silent Aglaura too AGL I know not what to say â—…s't to your pitie or your scorne I owe the favour of this visit Sir for such my fortune is it doth deserve them both KING And such thy beautie is that it makes good all Fortunes sorrow lookes lovely here and there 's no man that would not entertaine his griefes as friends were hee but sure they 'd shew no worse upon him but I forget my selfe I came to chide AGL If I have sinn'd so high that yet my punishment equalls not my crime doe Sir I should be loth to die in debt to Justice how ill soere I paid the scores of Love KING And those indeed thou hast but paid indifferently to mee I did deserve at least faire death not to be murthered thus in private that was too cruell Mistresse And I doe know thou do'st repent and wilt yet make mee satisfaction AGL What satisfaction Sir I am no monster never had two hearts One is by holy vowes anothers now and could I give it you you would not take it for'tis alike impossible for mee to love againe as you love Perjurie O Sir consider what a flame love is If by rude meanes you thinke to force a light that of it selfe it would not freely give you blow it out and leave your selfe i' th' darke The Prince once gone you may as well perswade the light to stay behinde when the Sun posts to th' other world as mee alas wee two have mingled soules more than two meeting brooks and whosoever is design'd to be the murtherer of my Lord as sure there is has anger'd heav'n so farre that 'tas decreed him to encrease his punishment that way would hee but search the heart when hee has done hee there would finde Aglaura murther'd too KING Thou hast â—…come mee mov'd so handsomely for pitie that I will dis-inherit the elder brother and from this houre be thy Convert not thy Lover Ziriff dispatch away and hee that brings newes of the Prince's welfare looke that hee have the same reward wee had decreed to him brought tidings of his death 'T must be a busie and bold hand that would unlinke a chaine the Gods themselves have made peace to thy Thoughts Aglaura Exit Ziriff steps back and speakes ZIR. What ere he sayes beleeve him not Aglaura for lust and rage ride high within him now hee knowes Thersames made th'escape from hence and does conceale it only for his ends for by the favour of mistake and night hee hopes t' enjoy thee in the Prince's roome I shall be mist else I would tell thee more But thou mayest ghesse for our condition admits no middle wayes either wee must send them to Graves or lie our selves in dust Exit Aglaura stands still and studies AGL Ha! 't is a strange Act thought puts me now upon yet sure my brother meant the selfe same thing and my Thersames would have done 't for mee to take his life that seekes to take away the life of Life honour from mee and from the world the life of honour Thersames must needs be something sure of kin to Justice If I doe faile th' attempt howere was brave and I shall have at worst a handsome grave Exit Enter Jolas Semanthe Semanthe steps back Jolas stayes her JOL. What are we growne Semanthe night and day Must one still vanish when the other comes Of all that ever Love did yet bring forth and 't has beene fruitfull too this is the strangest Issue SEM. What my Lord JOL. Hate Semanthe SEM. You doe mistake if I doe shun you 't is as bashfull Debtors shun their Creditors I cannot pay you in the selfe same coyne and am asham'd to offer any other JOL. It is ill done Semanthe to plead bankrupt when with such ease you may be out of debt In loves dominions native commoditie is currant payment change is all the Trade and heart for heart the richest merchandize SEM. 'T would here be meane my Lord since mine would prove In your hands but a Counterfeit and yours in mine worth nothing Sympathy not greatnesse makes those Jewells rise in value JOL. Sympathy ô teach but yours to love then and two so rich no mortall ever knew SEM. That heart would Love but ill that must be taught such fires as these still kindle of themselves JOL. In such a cold and frozen place as is thy breast how should they kindle of themselves Semanthe SEM. Aske how the Flint can carrie fire within 't is the least miracle that Love can doe JOL. Thou art thy selfe the greatest miracle for thou art
AGLAURA LONDON Printed by Iohn Haviland for Thomas Walkley and are to be sold at his shop at the Signe of the Flying Horse betweene York-house and Britaines Burse 1638. Aprilis 18. 1638. Imprimatur MATTH CLAY PROLOGVE I 'Ve thought upon 't and cannot tell which way Ought I can say now should advance the Play For Playes are either good or bad the good If they doe beg beg to be understood And in good faith that has as bold a sound As if a beggar should aske twentie pound Men have it not about them Then Gentlemen if rightly understood The bad doe need lesse Prologue than the good For if it chance the Plot be lame or blinde Ill cloath'd deform'd throughout it needs must finde Compassion It is a beggar without Art But it fals out in penny worths of Wit As in all bargaines else Men ever get All they can in will have London measure A bandfull over in their verie pleasure And now yee have 't hee could not well deny'ee And I dare sweare hee 's scarce a saver by yee Prologue to the Court THose common passions hopes and feares that still The Poets first and then the Prologues fill In this our age hee that writ this by mee Protests against as modest foolerie Hee thinks it an odd thing to be in paine For nothing else but to be well againe Who writes to feare is so had hee not writ You â—…ere had been the Iudges of his wit And when hee had did hee but then intend To please himselfe hee sure might have his end Without th' expence of hope and that hee had That made this Play although the Play be bad Then Gentlemen be thriftie save your doomes For the next man or the next Play that comes For smiles are nothing where men doe not care And frownes as little where they need not feare To the King THis Sir to them but unto Majestie All hee has said before hee does denie Yet not to Majestie that were to bring His feares to be but for the Queene and King Not for your selves and that hee dares not say Y' are his Soveraignes another way Your soules are Princes and you have as good A title that way as yee have by blood To governe and here your powers more great And absolute than in the royall Seat There men dispute and but by Law obey Here is no Law at all but what yee say Scena Persia. KING In love with Aglaura THERSAMES Prince in love with Aglaura ORBELLA Queene at first Mistresse to Ziriff in love with Ariaspes ARIASPES Brother to the King ZIRIFF Otherwayes Sorannez disguised Captaine of the Guard in love with Orbella brother to Aglaura JOLAS A Lord of the Councell seeming friend to the Prince but a Traytour in love with Semanthe AGLAURA In love with the Prince but nam'd Mistresse to the King ORSAMES A young Lord antiplatonique friend to the Prince PHILAN The same SEMANTHE In love with Ziriff platonique ORITHIE In love with Thersames PASITHAS A faithfull servant JOLINAS Aglaura's waiting-woman COURTIERS HUNTSMEN PRIEST GUARD AGLAURA ACTUS I. SCENA I. Enter JOLAS JOLINA JOLAS MArried and in Diana's Grove JOLIN. So was th'appointment or my Sense deceiv'd me JOLAS Married Now by those Powers that tye those prettie knots 't is verie fine good faith 't is wondrous fine JOLIN. What is Brother JOLAS Why to marrie Sister t' injoy 'twixt lawfull and unlawfull thus a happinesse steale as 't were ones owne Diana's Grove sayest thou Scratcheth his head JOLIN. That 's the place the hunt once up and all ingag'd in the sport they meane to leave the company and steale unto those thickets where there 's a Priest attends them JOLAS And will they lye together think'st thou JOLIN. Is there distinction of sex thinke you or flesh and bloud JOLAS True but the King Sister JOLIN. But love Brother JOLAS Thou sayest well 't is fine 't is wondrous fine Diana's grove JOLIN. Yes Diana's grove but brother if you should speake of this now JOLAS Why thou know'st a drowning man holds not a thing so fast Semaâ—…he she shuns me too Enter Semanthe she sees Jolas and goes in agen JOLIN. The wound festred sure the hurt the boy gave her when first shee look'd abroad into the world is not yet cur'd JOLAS What hurt JOLIN. Why know you not shee was in love long since with young Zorannes Aglaura's brother and the now Queenes betroth'd JOLAS Some such slight Tale I 've heard JOLIN. Slight she yet does weepe when she but heares him nam'd and tels the prettiest and the saddest stories of all those civill wars and those Amours That trust me both my Lady and my selfe turne weping Statues still JOLAS Pish 't is not that 'T is Ziriff and his fresh glories here have robb'd me of her Since he thus appear'd in Court my love has languish'd worse than Plants in drought But time 's a good Physician come le ts in the King and Queene by this time are come forth Exeunt Enter Serving-men to Ziriff 1 SERV. Yonder 's a crowd without as if some strange sight were to be seene to day here 2 SERV. Two or three with Carbonadoes afore in stead of faces mistooke the doore for a breach and at the opening of it are striving still which should enter first 3 SERV. Is my Lord busie Knocks Enter Ziriff as in his Studie 1 SERV. My Lord there are some Souldiers without ZIR. Well I will dispatch them presently 2 SERV. Th'Embassadours from the Cadusians too ZIR. Shew them the Gallerie 3 SERV. One from the King ZIR. Againe I come I come Exeunt Serving-men Ziriff solus Greâ—…nesse thou vainer shadow of the Princes beames begot by meere reflection nourish'd in extreames first taught to creepe and live upon the glance poorely to fare till thine owne proper strength bring thee to surfet of thy selfe at last How dull a Pageant would this States-play seeme to mee now were not my love and my revenge mixt with it Three tedious Winters have I waited here like patient Chymists blowing still the coales and still expecting when the blessed houre would come should make me master of the Court Elixar Power for that turnes all 't is in projection now downe sorrow downe and swell my heart no more and thou wrong'd ghost of my dead father to thy bed agen and sleepe securely it cannot now be long for sure Fate must as 't has beene cruell so a while be just Exit Enter King and Lords the Lords intreating for Prisoners KING I say they shall not live our mercie would turne sinne should we but use it er'e Pittie and Love the bosses onely be of government merely for shew and ornament Feare is the bit that mans proud will restraines and makes its vice its vertue See it done Enter to them Queene Aglaura Ladies the King addresses himselfe to Aglaura So early and so curious in your dresse faire Mistresse these prettie ambushes and traps for hearts set with such care to day
would not have thus presum'd but that he does intend worse yet and that his crowne and life will be the next attempt ARI. Right and I will urge how dangerous 't is unto the present state To have the creatures and the followers of the next Prince whom all now strive to please too neere about him JoL. What if the male-contents that use to come unto him were discovered ARI. By no meanes for 't were in vaine to give him discontent which too must needs be done if they within him gave 't not nourishment JOL. Well I le away first for the print's too big if we be seene together Exit ARI. I have so fraught this Barke with hope that it dares venture now in any storme or weather and if hee sinke or splits all 's one to me Ambition seemes all things and yet is none but in disguise stalkes to opinion and fooles it into faith for everie thing 'T is not with th' ascending to a Throne As 't is with staires and steps that are the same For to a Crowne each humor 's a degree and as men change and differ so must wee The name of vertue doth the people please not for their love to vertue but their case and Parrat Rumour I that tale have taught By making love I hold the womans grace 't is the Court double key and entrance gets to all the little plots the fierie spirits my love to Armes hath drawne into my faction 〈◊〉 but the minion of the Time is mine and he shall be or shall not be at all He that beholds a wing in pieces torne and knowes not that to heav'n it once did beare the high-flowne and selfe-less'ning bird will think and call them idle Subjects of the winde when he that has the skill to imp and binde these in right places will thus truth discover That borrowed Instruments doe oft convey the Soule to her propos'd Intents and where our Stars deny Art may supply Exit Enter Semanthe Orithie Orsames Philan. SEM. Thinke you it is not then the little jealousies my Lord and feares joy mixt with doubt and doubt reviv'd with hope that crownes all love with pleasure these are lost when once wee come to full fruition like waking in the morning when all night on sancie has beene fed with some new strange delight ORS. I grant you Madam that the feares and joyes hopes and desires mixt with despaires and doubts dâ—…e make the sport in love that they are the veâ—…ie dogs by which we hunt the hare but as the dogs would stop and streight give o're were it not for the little thing before â—…o would our passions both alike must be flesh't in the chase ORI Will you then place the happinesse but there where the dull plow man and the plow-mans horse can finde it out Shall soules refin'd not know how to preserve alive a noble flame but let it die burne out to appetite SEM. Love 's a Chamelion and would live on aire phâ—…sick for agues starving is his food ORS. Why there 's it now a greater Epicure lives not on earth my Lord and I have beene inâ—… privâ—…e kitchin seene his bills of Fare SEM. And how and how my Lord ORS. A mightie Prince and full of curiositie Harts newly slaine serv'd up intire and stucke with little Arrowes in stead of Cloves PHI. Sometimes a cheeke plumpt up with broth with creame and clarret mingled for sauce and round about the dish Pomegranate kernells strew'd on leaves of Lillies ORS. Then will he have black eies for those of late â—…e feeds on much and for varietie the gray PHI. You forget his cover'd dishes of â—…ene-straâ—…es and Marmalade of lips pâ—…rfum'd by breath sweet as the beanes first blossomes SEM. Rare And what 's the drinke to all this meat my Lord ORS. Nothing but pearle dissolv'd teares still fresh fetch'd from Lovers eyes which if they come to be warme in the carriage are streight cool'd with sighs SEM. And all this rich proportion perchance we would allow him ORS. True but therefore this is but his common diâ—…r onely serves when his chiefe Cookes Liking and Opportuniâ—…e are out o' th' way for when hee feasts indeed 't is there where the wise people of the world did place the vertues i' th' middle Madam ORI My Lord there is so little hope we should convert you and if we should so little got by it that wee 'll not lose so much upon 't as sleepe Your Lordships servants ORS. Nay Ladies wee 'll wait upon you to your chambers PH. Prithee le ts spare the complement we shall doe no good ORS. By this hand I le try they keepe me fasting and I must be praying Exeunt Aglaura undressing of her selse Jolina AGL Undresse mee Is it not late Iolina it was the longest day this Enter Thersames THER Softly as Death it selfe comes on when it does steale away the sicke mans breath and standers by perceive it not have I trod the way unto these lodgings How wisely doe those Powers that give us happinesse order it sending us still feares to bound our joyes which else would over-flow and lose themselves see where shee sits like Day retir'd into another world Deare mine where all the beautie man admires in scattered pieces does united lye Where sense does feast and yet where sweet desire lives in its longing like a misers eye that never knew nor saw sacietie tell me by what approaches must I come to take in what remaines of my felicitie AGL Needs there any new ones where the breach is made already you are entred here long since Sir here and I have giv'n up all THER All but the Fort and in such wars as these till that be yeilded up there is no peace nor triumph to be made come undoe undoe and from these envious clouds slide quicke into Loves proper Sphere thy bed The wearie traveller whom the busie Sunne hath vex't all day and scortch'd almost to tinder nere long'd for night as I have long'd for this What rude hand is that One knocks hastily Goe Iolina see but let none enter Iolina goes to the doore JOL. 'T is Zâ—…iff Sir THER Oh Something of weight hath falne out it seemes which in his zeale he could not keepe till morning But one short minute Deare into that chamber Enter Ziriff How now thou start'st as if thy sinnes had met thee or thy Fathers ghost what newes man ZIR. Such as will send the blood of hastie messages unto the heart and make it call all that is man about you into councell where 's the Princesse Sir THER Why what of her ZIR. The King must have her THER How ZIR. The King must have her Sir THER Though feare of worse makes ill still relish better and this looke handsome in our friendship Ziriff yet so severe a preparation there needed not come come what i st Ziriff leads him to the doore and shewes him a Guard A Guard Thersames thou art lost betray'd by faithlesse and
ungratefull man out of a happinesse He steps betweene the doore and him and drawes the verie thought of that will lend my anger so much noble justice that wert thou master of as much fresh life as th' ast beene of villany it should not serve nor stocke thee out to glorie or repent the least of it ZIR. Put up put up such unbecomming anger I have not seene you weare before What draw upon your friend Discovers himselfe doe you beleeve me right now THER I scarce beleeve mine eyes Zorannes ZIR. The same but how preserv'd or why thus long disguis'd to you a freer houre must speake That y' are â—…etraid is certaine but by whom unlesse the Priest himselfe I cannot ghesse morâ—… than the marriage though he knowes not of if you now send her on these early summons â—…fore the sparks are growne into a flame you doe redeeme th' offence or make it lesse and on my life yet his intents are faire and he will but besiege not force affection So you gaine time if you refuse there 's â—…ut one way you know his power and passion THER Into how strange a labyrinth am I now falne what shall I doe Zorannes ZIR. Doe Sir as Sea-men that have lost their light and way strike saile and lye quiet a while Your forces in the Province are not yet in readinesse nor is our friend Zephines arriv'd at Delphos nothing is ripe besides THER Good heavens did I but dreame that she was mine upon imagination did I climbe up to this height let mee then wake and dye some courteous hand snatch mee from what 's to come and ere my wrongs have being give them end ZIR. How poore and how unlike the Prince is this this trifle woman does unman us all robs us so much it makes us things of pittie Is this a time to loose our anger in and vainly breathe it out when all wee have will hardly fill the saile of Resolution and make us beare up high enough for action THER I have done Sir pray chide no more the slave whom tedious custome has enur'd and taught to thinke of miserie as of food counting it but a necessarie of life and so digesting it shall not so much as once be nam'd to patience when I am spoken of marke mee for I will now undoe my selfe as willingly as virgins give up all first nights to them they love Offers to goe out ZIR. Stay Sir 't were fit Aglaura yet were kept in ignorance I will dismisse the Guard and be my selfe againe Exit THER In how much worse estate am I in now Than if I nere had knowne her privation is a miserie as much above bare wretchednesse as that is short of happinesse So when the Sunne does not appeare 'T is darker 'cause it once was here Enter Ziriff speakes to Orsames and others halfe entred ZIR. Nay Gentlemen there needs no force where there is no resistance I le satisfie the King my selfe THER Oh 't is well y' are come there was within me fresh Rebellion and reason was almost unking'd agen But you shall have her Sir Goes out to fetch Aglaura ZIR. What doubtfull combats in this noble youth passion and reason have Enter Thersames leading Aglaura THER Here Sir Gives her goes out AGL What meanes the Prince my Lord ZIR. Madam his wiser feare has taught him to disguise his love and make it looke a little rude at parting Affaires that doe concerne all that you hope from happinesse this night force him away and lest you should have tempted him to stay Which hee did doubt you would and would prevaile he left you thus he does desire by mee you would this night lodge in the little towre which is in my command the reasons why himselfe will shortly tell you AGL 'T is strange but I am all Obedience Exeunt ACTUS II. SCENA I. Enter Thersames Jolas a Lord of the Counsell JOL. I told him so Sir urg'd 't was no common knot that to the tying of it two powerfull Princes Vertue and Love were joyn'd and that a greater than these two was now ingaged in it Religion but 't would not doe the corke of passion boy'd up all reason so that what was said swam but o'th'top of th' eare nere reach't the heart THER Is there no way for Kings to shew their power but in their Subjects wrongs no subject neither but his owne sonne JOL. Right Sir no quarrie for his lust to gorge on but on what you fairely had flowne at and taken well wert not the King or wert indeed not you that have such hopes and such a crowne to venter and yet t is but a woman THER How that but againe and thou arr more injurious than hee and woul't provoke me sooner JOL. Why Sir there are no altars yet addrest unto her nor sacrifice if I have made her lesse than what she is it was my love to you For in my thoughts and here within I hold her the noblest peece Nature ere lent our eyes and of the which all women else are but weake counterfeits made up by her journey-men but was this fit to tell you I know you value but too high all that and in a losse we should not make things more t is miseries happinesse that wee can make it lesse by art throw a forgetfulnesse upon our ills Yet who can doe it here when everie voyce must needs and everie face by shewing what she was not shew what she was THER I le instantly unto him drawes JOL. Stay Sir Though 't be the utmost of my Fortunes hope to have an equall share of ill with you yet I could wish we sold this trifle life at a farre dearer rate than we are like to doe since ' t is a King's the Merchant THER Ha! King 〈◊〉 't is indeed and there 's no Art can cancell that high bond JOL. Hee cooles againe to himselfe True Sir and yet mee thinks to know a reason for passive nature nere had glorious end and he that States preventions ever learn'd knowes 't is one motion to strike and to defend Enter Serving-man SERV. Some of the Lords without and from the King they say wait you THER What subtle State tricke now but one turne here and I am back my Lord. Exit JOL. This will not doe his resolution 's like a skilfull horse-man and reason is the stirrop which though a sudden shock may make it loose yet does it meet it handsomely agen Stay 't must be some sudden feare of wrong to her that may draw on a sudden act from him and ruine from the King for such a spirit will not like common ones be rais'd by everie spell 't is in loves circle onely 't will appeare Enter Thersames THER I cannot beare the burthen of my wrongs one minute longer JOL. Why what 's the matter Sir THER They doe pretend the safetie of the State now nothing but my marriage with Cadusia can secure th'adjoyning countrey to it confinement during life for
Kisses her by his feasts too yet to come by all the beautie in this face divinitie too great to be prophan'd ORB O doe not sweare by that Cankers may eat that flow'r upon the stalke for sicknesse and mischance are great devourers and when there is not in these cheeks and lips lâ—…ft red enough to blush at perjurie when you shall make it what shall I doe then ARI. Our soules by that time Madam will by long custome so acquainted be they will not need that duller truch-man Flesh but freely and without those poorer helps converse and mingle meane time wee 'll teach our loves to speake not thus to live by signes and action is his native language Madam Enter Ziriff unseene this box but open'd to the Sense will doe 't ORB I undertake I know not what ARI. Thine owne safetie Dearest let it be this night if thou do'st Whisper and kisse love thy selfe or mee ORB That 's verie sudden ARI. Not if wee be so and we must now be wise For when their Sunne sets ours begins to rise Exeunt Ziriff solus ZIR. Then all my â—…eares are true and shee is false false as a falling Star or Glow-wormes fire This Devill Beautie is compounded strangely It is a subtill point and hard to know whether 't has in 't more active tempting or more passive tempted so soone it forces and so soone it yeelds Good Gods shee seiz'd my heart as if from you sh 'ad had Commission to have us'd mee so and all mankinde besides and see if the just Ocean makes more haste to pay to needy rivers what it borrow'd first then shee to give where shee nere tooke mee thinks I feele anger Revenges harbenger chalking up all within and thrusting out of doores the tame and softer passions It must be so To love is noble â—…railtie but poore sin When wee fall once to Love unlov'd agen Exit Enter King Ariaspes Jolas ARI. 'T were fit your Justice did consider Sir what way it tooke if you should apprehend the Prince for Treason which hee never did and which unacted is unborne at least will be beleev'd so lookers on and the loud talking croud will thinke it all but water colours laid on for a time and which wip'd off each common eye would see Strange ends through stranger wayes KING Think'st thou I will compound with Treason then and make one feare anothers Advocate JOL. Vertue forbid Sir but if you would permit them to approch the roome yet who would advise Treason should come so neare there would be then No place left for excuse KING How strong are they JOL. Weake considering the enterprize they are but few in number and those few too having nothing but their resolutions considerable about them A Troope indeed design'd to suffer what they come to execute KING Who are they are thus wearie of their lives JOL. Their names I cannot give you For those hee sent for hee did still receive at a back doore and so dismist them too But I doe thinke Ziriff is one KING Take heed I shall suspect thy hate to others not thy love to mee begot this service This Treason thou thy selfe do'st say has but an houres age and I can give accompt of him beyond that time Brother in the little Tower where now Aglaura's prisoner you shall finde him bring him along hee yet doth stand untainted in my thoughts and to preserve him so hee shall not stirre out of my eyes command till this great cloud be over JOL. Sir 't was the Prince who first KING I know all that urge it no more I love the man and 't is with paine wee doe suspect where wee doe not dislike th' art sure hee will have some and that they will come to night JOL. As sure as night will come it selfe KING Get all our Guards in readinesse we will our selfe disperse them afterwards and both be sure to weare your thoughts within I le act the rest Exeunt Enter Philan Orsames Courtiers 2. COURT Well If there be not some great storme towards nere trust mee Whisper Court Thunder is in everie corner and there has beene to day about the Towne a murmuring and buzzing such as men use to make when they doe feare to vent their feares 1. COURT True and all the States-men hang downe their heads like full ear'd corne two of them where I sup't ask't what time of night it was and when 't was told them started as if they had beene to run a race 2. COURT The King too if you marke him doth faigne mirth and jollitie but through them both flashes of discontent and anger make escapes ORS. Gentlemen 't is pittie heav'n design'd you not to make the Almanacks You ghesse so shrewdly by the ill aspects or neere conjunctions of the great ones at what 's to come still that without all doubt the Countrey had beene govern'd wholly by you and plow'd and reap'd accordingly for mee I understand this mysterie as little as the new Love and as I take it too 't is much about the Time that everie thing but Owles and Lovers take their rest Goodnight Philan away Exit 1. COURT 'T is early yet let 's goe on the Queens side and foole a little I love to warme my selfe before I goe to bed it does beget handsome and sprightly thoughts and makes our dreames halfe solid pleasures 2. COURT Agreed agreed Exeunt ACTUS III. SCENA I. Enter Prince Conspiratours THER COuldst thou not finde out Ziriff 1. COURT Not speake with him my Lord â—…et I sent in by severall men ORS. I wonder Iolas meets us not here too THER 'T is strange but let 's on now how ere when Fortunes honour life and all 's in doubt bravely to dare is bravely to get out Excursions The Guard upon them THER Betrai'd betrai'd ORS. Shift for your selfe Sir and let us alone wee will secure your way and make our owne Exâ—…nt Enter the King and Lords KING Follow Lords and see quick execution done leave not a man alive Who treads on fire and does not put it out Disperses feare in many sparks of doubt Exeunt Enter Conspirators and the Guard upon them ORS. Stand friends an equall partie Fight Three of the Conspirators fall and three of the Kings side Orsames and Philan kill the rest PHI. Brave Orsames 't is pleasure to dye neere thee ORS. Talke not of dying Philan we will live and serve the noble Prince agen we are alone off then with thy disguise and throw it in the bushes They throw off their disguises quick quick before the torrent comes upon us wee shall be streight good Subjects and I despaire not of reward for this nights service so wee two now kill'd our friends 't is hard but 't must be so Enter Ariaspes Jolas two Courtiers part of the Guard ARI. Follow Follow ORS. Yes so you may now y' are not likely to overtake JOL. Orsames and Philan how came you hither ORS. The neerest way it seemes you follow'd
are not my Lord knowes love in us divided happinesse am I the safer for your being here can you give that you have not for your selfe my innocence is my best guard and that your stay betraying it unto suspition takes away If you did love mee THER Growes that in question then 't is time to part Kisses her when wee shall meet againe Heav'n onely knowes and when wee shall I know we shall be old Love does not calculate the common way Minutes are houres there and the houres are dayes each day 's a yeare and everie yeare an age what will this come to thinke you ZIR. Would this were all the ill for these are prettie little harmlesse nothings Times horse runs full as fast hard borne and curb'd as in his full carreere loose-rain'd and spurr'd come come let 's away THER Happinesse such as men lost in miserie would wrong in naming 't is so much above them All that I want of it all you deserve Heav'n send you in my absence AGL And miserie such as wittie malice would Iay out in curses on the thing it hates Heav'n send mee in the stead if when y' are gone I welcome it but for your sake alone Exeunt Leads him out and enters up out of the vault ZIR. Stir not from hence Sir till you heare from me so goodnight deere Prince THER Goodnight deere friend ZIR. When wee meet next all this will but advance Joy never feasts so high as when the first course is of miserie Exeunt ACTUS IV. SCENA I. Enter three or foure Courtiers 1. COURT BY this light a brave Prince hee made no more of the Guard than they would of a Taylor on a Maske night that has refus'd trusting before 2. COURT Hee 's as Active as he is valiant too did'st mark him how hee stood like all the points o' th' Compasse and as good Pictures had his eyes towards everie man 3. COURT And his sword too all th' other side walk up and downe the Court now as if they had lost their way and stare like Grey-hounds when the Hare has taken the furze 1. COURT Right and have more troubles about 'em than a Serving-man that has forgot his message when hee 's come upon the place 2. COURT Yonder 's the King within chafing and swearing like an old Falconer upon the first flight of a young Hawke when some Clowne has taken away the quarrie from her and all the Lords stand round about him as if hee were to be baited with much more feare and at much more distance than a Countrey Gentlewoman sees the Lions the first time looke hee 's broke loose â—…nter King aâ—…d Lords KING Finde him or by Osiris selfe you all are Tâ—…aitours and equally shall pay to Justice a single man and guiltie too breake through you all Enter Ziriff ZIR Confidence thou paint of women and the States-mans wisdome valour for Cowards and of the guilties Innocence assist mee now Sir send these Starers off I have some businesse will deserve your privacie KING Leave us JOL. How the villaine swells vpon us Exeunt ZIR. Not to punish thought or keepe it long upon the wrack of doubt know Sir That by corruption of the waiting woman the common key of Secrets I have found the truth at last and have discover'd all the Prince your Sonne was by Agâ—…aura meanes convey'd last night unto the Cypresse Grove through a close vault that opens in the lodgings hee does intend to joyne with Carimania but ere hee goes resolves to finish all the rites of Love and this night meanes to steale what is behinde KING How good is Heav'n unto mee that when it gave mee Traitours for my Subjects would lend mee such a Servant ZIR. How just Sir rather that would bestow this Fortune on the poore and where your bountie had made debt so infinite that it grew desperate their hope to pay it KING Enough of that thou do'st but gently chide mee for a fault that I will mend for I have beene too poore and low in my rewards unto thy vertue but to our businesse the question is whether wee shall rely upon our Guards agen ZIR. By no meanes Sir hope on his future fortunes or their Love unto his person has so sicklied ore their resolutions that wee must not trust them Besides it were but needlesse here hee 〈◊〉 through the vault alone and I my selfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dertake that businesse if that were all 〈◊〉 â—…t there is something else this accident doth prompt my zeale to serve you in I know you love Aglaura Sir with passion aâ—…d would enjoy her I know besides â—…hee loves him so that whosoere shall bring the tiâ—…mgs of his death must carrie back the newes of hers so that your Justice Sir must rob your hope but there is yet a way KING Here take my heart for I have hitherto to â—…amly spent the treasure of my love â—…e have it coyn'd â—…eight into friendship all and make a present to thee ZIR. If any part of this rich happinesse â—…ortune prepares now for you shall owe it selfe unto my weake endevours I have enough 〈◊〉 without doubt this night expects the 〈◊〉 and why you should not then supply his place by stealth and â—…n disguise KING I apprehend thee Ziriff but there 's difficultie ZIR. Who trades in Love must be an adventurer Sir but here is scarce enough to make the pleasure dearer I know the Cave your Brother and my selfe with 〈◊〉 for those w' are sure doe hate him with 〈◊〉 few chosen more betimes will wait the Princes passing through the vault if hee comes first hee 's dead and if it be your selfe weâ—… will conduct you to the chamber doore and 〈◊〉 'twixt you and danger afterwards KING I have conceiv'd of Joy and am growne great Till I have safe deliverance time 's a cripple and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 crutches as for thee my Ziriff I doe here entertaine a friendship with thee shall drowne the memorie of all patternes past wee will oblige by turnes and that so thick and fast that curious studiers of it shall not once dare to cast it up or say bâ—… way of ghesse whether thou or I remaine the debtors when wee come to die Exeunt Enter Semanthe Orithie Philan Orsames Lords and Ladies ORI Is the Queene ready to come out PHI. Not â—…et sure the Kings brother is but newly entred SEM. Come my Lord the Song then ORI The Song ORS. A vengeance take this love it spoyles a voyce worse than the losing of a maiden-head I have got such a cold with rising and walking in my shirt a nights that a Bittorne whooping in a reed is better musike ORI This modestie becomes you as ill my Lord as wooing would us women pray put 's not to 't ORS. Nay Ladies you shall finde mee as free as the Musicians of the woods themselves what I have you shall not need to call for nor shall it cost you any thing SONG WHy so pale and wan fond Lover
Prithee why so pale Will when looking well can't move her Looking ill prevaile Prithee why so pale Why so dull and mute young Sinner Prithee why so mute Will when speaking well can't win her Saying nothing doo 't Prithee why so mute Quit quit for shame this will not move This cannot take her If of her selfe shee will not Love Nothing can make her The Devill take her ORI I should have ghest it had been the issue of your braine if I had not beene told so ORS. A little foolish counsell Madam I gave a friend of mine foure or five yeares agoe when he was falling into a Consumption Enter Queene ORB Which of all you have seene the faire prisoner since shee was confinde SEM. I have Madam ORB And how behaves shee now her selfe SEM. As one that had intrench'd so deepe in Innocence shee fear'd no enemies beares all quietly and smiles at Fortune whil'st shee frownes on her ORB So gallant I wonder where the beautie lies that thus inflames the royall bloud ORI Faces Madam are like bookes those that doe study them know best and to say truth 't is still much as it pleases the Courteous Reader ORB These Lovers sure are like Astronomers that when the vulgar eye discovers but a Skie above studded with some few Stars finde out besides strange fishes birds and beasts SEM. As men in sicknesse scortch'd into a raving doe see the Devill in all shapes and formes when standers by wondring aske where and when So they in Love for all 's but feaver there and madnesse too ORB That 's too severe Semanthe but wee will have your reasons in the parke are the doores open through the Gardens LO The King has newly led the way Exeunt Enter Ariaspes Ziriff with a warrant sealed ARI. Thou art a Tyrant Ziriff I shall die with joy ZIR. I must confesse my Lord had but the Princes ills prov'd â—…eight and not thus dangerous hee should have ow'd to mee at least I would have laid a claime unto his safetie and like Physicians that doe challenge right in Natures cures look'd for reward and thanks but since 't was otherwise I thought it best â—…o save my selfe and then to save the State ARI. 'T was wisely done ZIR. Safely I 'me sure my Lord you know 't is not â—…ur custome where the Kings dislike once swells to hate there to ingage our selves Court friendship is a Cable that in stormes is ever cut and I made bold with it here is the warrant seal'd and for the execution of it if you thinke wee are not strong enough wee may have 〈◊〉 for him the King did name ARI. And him I would have named ZIR. But is hee not too much the Prince's Sir ARI. Hee is as lights in Scenes at Masques what glorious shew so ere hee makes without I that set him there know why and how Enter Jolas but here hee is Come Iolâ—…s and since the Heav'ns decreed the man whom thou should'st envie should be such That all men else must doo 't be not asham'd thou once weâ—… guiltie of it but blesse them that they give thee now a meanes to make a friendship with him and vouchsafe to finde thee out a way to love where well thou could'st not hate JOâ—… What meanes my Lord ARI. Here here hee stands that has preserv'd us all that sacrifiâ—…'d unto a â—…u lique good the dearest private good wee mortalls have Frienâ—…hip gave into ourarmes the Prince when nothing but the sword perchance a ruine was left to doe it JOL. How could I chide my love and my ambition now that thrust mee upon such a quarrell here I doe vow ZIR. Hold doe not vow my Lord let it deserve it first and yet if Heav'n blesse honest mens intents 't is not impossible My Lord you will be pleas'd to informe him in particulars I must be gone the King I feare already has beene left too long alone ARI. Stay the houre and place ZIR. Eleven under the Tarras walke I will not faile you there Goes out returnes back againe I had forgot â—…may be the small remainder of those lost men that were of the Conspiracie will come along with him 't were best to have some chosen of the Guard within our call Exit Ziriff ARI. Honest and carefull Ziriff Jolas stands musing how now Planet strooke JOL. This Ziriff will grow great with all the world ARI. Shallow man short sightedder than Travellers in mists or women that outlive themselves do'st thou not see that whil'st hee does prepare a Tombe with one hand for his friend hee digs a Grave with th' other for himselfe JOL. How so ARI. Do'st thinke hee shall not feele the weight of this as well as poore Thersames JOL. Shall wee then kill him too at the same instant ARI. And say the Prince made an unluckie thrust JOL. Right ARI. Dull dull hee must not dye so uselesly As when wee wipe of filth from any place wee throw away the thing that made it cleaâ—…e so this once done hee 's gone Thou know'st the People love the Prince to their rage something the State must offer up who fitter than thy rivall and my enemy JOL. Rare our witnesse will be taken ARI. Pish let mee alone The Giants that made mountaines ladders and thought to take great Iovâ—… by force were fooles not hill on hill but plot on plot does make us sit above and laugh at all below us Exeunt Enter Aglaura and a Singing Boy BOY Madam 't will make you melancholly I le sing the Prince's Song that 's sad enough AGâ—… What you will Sir SONG NO no faire Heretique it needs must bee But an ill Love in mee And worse for thee For were it in my Power To love thee now this hower More than I did the last I would then so fall I might not Love at all Love that can flow and can admit increase Admits as well an Ebb and may grow lesse 2 True Love is still the same the torrid Zones And those more frigid ones It must not know For Love growne cold or hot Is Lust or Friendship not The thing wee have For that 's a flame would die Held downe or up to high Then thinke I love more than I caâ—… expresse And would love more could I but love thee lesse AGL Leave mee for to a Soule so out of Tune as mine is now nothing is harmony when once the maine-spring Hope is falne into disorder no wonder if the lesser wheeles Desire and Ioy stand still my thoughts like Bees when they have lost their King wander confusedly up and downe and settle no where Enter Orithie Orithie flie flie the roome as thou would'st shun the habitations which Spirits haunt or where thy nearer friends walk after death here is not only Love â—…ut Loves plague too mis-fortune and so high that it is sure infectious ORI Madam so much more miserable am I this way than you that should I pitie you I should forget my selfe my sufferings are
faire to all perfection and yet do'st want the greatest part of beautie Kindnesse thy crueltie next to thy selfe above all things on earth takes up my wonder SEM. Call not that crueltie which is our fate beleeve me Iolas the honest Swaine that from the brow of some steepe cliffe far off beholds a ship labouring in vaine against the boysterous and unruly Elements ne're had lesse power or more desire to help than I at everie sigh I die and everie looke does move and any passion you will have but Love I have in store I will be angrie quarrell with destinie and with my selfe that 't is no better be melancholy And though mine owne disasters well might plead to be in chiefe yours only shall have place I le pitie and if that 's too low I le grieve as for my sinnes I cannot give you ease all this I doe and this I hope will prove 't is greater Torment not to love than Love Exit JOL. So perishing Sailours pray to stormes and so they heare agen So men with death about them looke on Physitians that have given them o're and so they turne away Two fixed Stars that keepe a constant distance and by lawes made with themselves must know no motion excentrick may meet as soone as wee The anger that the foolish Sea does shew when it does brave it out and rore against a stubborne rock that still denies it passage is not so vaine and fruitlesse as my prayers Yee mightie Powers of Love and Fate where is your Justice here It is thy part fond Boy when thou do'st finde one wounded heart to make the other so but if thy Tyranny be such that thou wilt leave one breast to hate If wee must live and this survive how much more cruell's Fate Exit ACTUS V. SCENA I. Enter Ziriff Ariaspes Jolas JOL. A Glorious night ARI. Pray Heav'n it prove so Are wee not there yet ZIR. 'T is about this hollow Enter the Cave ARI. How now what region are we got into Th'enheritance of night Are wee not mistaken a turning Ziriff and stept into some melancholy Devils Territorie Sure 't is a part of the first Chaos that would endure no change ZIR. No matter Sir 't is as proper for our purpose as the Lobbie for the waiting womans Stay you here I le move a little backward and so wee shall be sure to put him past retreat you know the word if 't be the Prince Goes to the mouth of the Cave Enter King Here Sir follow mee all 's quiet yet KING Hee is not come then ZIR. No. KING Where 's Ariaspes ZIR. Waiting within Hee leads him on steps behinde him gives the false word they kill the King JOL. I doe not like this waiting nor this fellowes leaving us ARI. This place does put odd thoughts into thee then thou art in thine owne nature too as jealous as either Love or Honor Come weare thy sword in readines and thinke how neere wee are a crowne ZIR. Revenge So let 's drag him to the light and search his pockets there may be papers there that will discover the rest of the Conspiratours Iolâ—…s your hand Draw him out JOL. Whom have wee here the King ZIR. Yes and Zorrannes too Illo hoe Enter Pasithas and others Unarme them D' ee stare This for my Fathers injuries and mine Points to the Kings dead body halfe Love halfe Duties Sacrifice this for the noble Prince an offering to friendship Runs at Jolas JOL. Basely and tamely Dies ARI. What hast thou done ZIR. Nothing kill'd a Traytour So away with them and leaves us Pasithas be onely you in call ARI. What do'st thou pawse hast thou remorse already murtherer ZIR. No foole 't is but a difference I put betwixt the crimes Orbella is our quarrell and I doe hold it fit that love should have a nobler way of Justice than Revenge or Treason follow mee out of the wood and thou shalt be Master of this againe and then best arme and title take it They goe out and enter agen There Gives him his sword ARI. Extremely good Nature tooke paines I sweare the villaine and the brave are mingled handsomly ZIR. 'T was Fate that tooke it when it decreed wee two should meet nor shall they mingle now wee are brought together strait to part Fight ARI. Some Devill sure has borrowed this shape Pawse my sword ne're stay'd thus long to finde an entrance ZIR. To guiltie men all that appeares is Devill come Trifler come Fight againe Ariaspes falls ARI. Whither whither thou fleeting Coward life Bubble of Time Natures shame stay a little stay till I have look'd my selfe into revenge and star'd this Traytour to a carcasse first It will not be Falls the Crowne the Crowne too now is lost for ever lost oh Ambition's but an Ignis fatuus I see misleading fond mortalitie That hurries us about and sets us downe Just where wee first begun Dies ZIR. What a great spreading mightie thing this was and what a nothing now how soone poore man vanishes into his noone-tide shadow but hopes o're fed have seldome better done Hollowes Enter Pasithas Take up this lump of vanitie and honour and carrie it the back way to my lodging there may be use of States-men when th' are dead So. for the Cittadell now for in such times as these when the unruly multitude is up in swarmes and no man knowes which way they 'll take 't is good to have retreat Exeunt Enter Thersames THER The Dog-star's got up high it should be late and sure by this time everie waking eare and watchfull eye is charm'd and yet mee thought a noyse of weapons strucke my eare just now 'T was but my Fancie sure and were it more I would not tread one step that did not lead to my Aglaura stood all his Guard betwixt with lightning in their hands Danger thou Dwarfe drest up in Giants clothes that shew'st farre off still greater than thou art goe terrifie the simple and the guiltie such as with false Opticks still doe looke upon thee But fright not Lovers wee dare looke on thee in thy worst shape and meet thee in them too Stay These trees I made my marke 't is hereabouts Love guide mee but right this night and Lovers shall restore thee back againe those eyes the Poets tooke so boldly from thee Exit Aglaura with a torch in one hand and a dagger in the other AGL How ill this does become this hand how much worse this suits with this one of the two should goe The shee within mee sayes it must be this honour sayes this and honour is Thersames friend What is that shee then it is not a thing that sets a Price not upon mee but on life in my name leading mee into doubt which when 'tas done it cannot light mee out For feare does drive to Fate or Fate if wee doe flie oretakes and holds us till or death or infamie or both doth cease us Puts out the light Ha! would
of Towne-wits And they give up their verdict then agin The other Iurie of the Court comes in And that 's of life and death for each man sees That oft condemnes what th' other Iurie frees Some three dayes hence the Ladies of the Towne Will come to have a Iudgement of their owne And after them their servants then the Citie For that is modest and is still last wittie 'T will be a weeke at least yet e're they have Resolv'd to let iâ—… live or give 't a grave Such difficultie there is to unitâ—… Opinion or bring it to be right Epilogue for the Court SIR THat th'abusing of your eaâ—…'s a crime Above th' excuse any six lines in Rhime Can make the Poet knowes I am but sent T' intreat hee may not be a President For hee does thinke that in this place there hee Many have done 't as much and more than hee But here 's hee sayes the difference of the Fates Hee begs a Pardon after 't they Estates FINIS AGLAURA LONDON Printed by Iohn Haviland for Thomas Walkley and are to be sold at his shop at the Signe of the Flying Horse betweene York-house and Britaines Burse 1638. Prologue FOre Iove a mightie Sessions and I feare Though kind last Sizes 't will be now severe For it is thought and by judicious men Aglaura 'scap't onely by dying then But 't would be vaine for mee now to indeare Or speake unto my Lords the Iudges here They hold their places by condemning still And cannot shew at once mercie and skill For wit's so cruell unto wit that they Are thought to want that find not want i' th play But Ladies you who never lik'd a plot But where the Servant had his Mistresse got And whom to see a Lover dye it grieves Although 't is in worse language that he lives Will like't w' are confident since here will bee That your Sex ever lik'd varietie Prologue to the Court T Is strange perchance you 'll thinke that shee that di'de At Christmas should at Easter be a Bride But 't is a privilege the Poets have To take the long-since dead out of the grave Nor is this all old Heroës asleepe 'Twixt marble coverlets and six foot deepe In earth they boldly wake and make them doe All they did living here sometimes more too They give fresh life reverse and alter Fate And yet more bold Almightie-like creaâ—… And out of nothing onelyto deifie Reason and Reasons friend Philosophie Fame honour valour all that 's great or good Or is at least'mongst us so understood They give heav'ns theirs no handsome woman dies But if they please is strait some star i' th' skies But oh How those poore men of Meetre doe Flatter themselves with that that is not true And ' cause they can trim up a little prose And spoile it handsomly vainly suppose Th' are Omnipotent can doe all those things That can be done onely by Gods and Kings Of this wild guilt hee faine would bee thought free That writ this Play and therefore Sir by mee Hee humbly begs you would be pleas'd to know Aglaura's but repriev'd this night and though Shee now appeares uâ—…on a Poets call Shee 's not to live unlesse you say shee shall ACTUS V. SCENA I. Enter Ziriff Pasithas and Guard hee placeâ—…m anâ—… Exit A State set out Enter Ziriff Jolas Ariaspes JOL. A Glorious night ARI. Pray Heav'n it prove so Are wee not there yet ZIR. 'T is about this hollow They enter tâ—… Cave ARI. How now what region are wee got into the inheritance of night have wee not mistaken a turning Zirisf and stept into the confines of some melancholy Devills Territorie JOL. Sure 't is a part of the first Chaos that would not suffer any change ZIR. No matter Sir 't is as proper for ouâ—… purpose as the Lobbie for the waiting womans stay you here I 'se move a little backward and so wee shall be sure to put him past retreat you know the word if it be the Prince Ziriff goes to the Doore Enter King ZIR. Here Sir follow mee all 's quiet yet KING Is hee not come then ZIR. No. KING Where 's Ariaspes ZIR. Waiting within JOL. I doe not like this waiting nor this fellowes leaving of us ARI. This place does put odd thoughts into thee then thou art in thine owne nature too as jealous as Love or Honour weare thy sword in readinesse and thinke how neere wee are a Crowne ZIR. Revenge Guard seiseth on'â—… KING Ha! what 's this ZIR. Bring them forth Brings them forth ARI. The King ZIR. Yes and the Princes friend Discovers himselfe D' you know this face KING Zorannes ZOR. The verie same the wrong'd Zorannes King D' you stare away with them where I appointed KING Traytours let mee goe villaine thou dar'st not doe this ZOR. Poore Counterfeit how faine thou now would'st act a King and art not stay you to Ariaspes Unhand him Whispers Leave us now Exeunt Mâ—…net Ariasp Zoran ARI. What does this meane sure hee does intend the Crowne to mee ZOR. Wee are alone follow mee out of the wood and thou shalt be Master of this againe and then best arme and title take it ARI. Thy offer is so noble in gratitude I cannot but propound gentler conditions wee will divide the Empire ZOR. Now by my fathers soule I doe almost repent my first intents and now could kill thee scurvily for thinking if I had a minde to rule I would not rule alone let not thy easie faith lost man foole thee into so dull an heresie Orbella is our quarrell and I have thought it fit that love should have a nobler way of Justice than Revenge or Treason If thou dar'st dye handsomly follow mee Exeunt And enter both agen ZOR. There Gives him his sword ARI. Extremely good Nature tooke paines 〈◊〉 sweare the villaine and the brave are mingled handsomely ZIR. 'T was Fate that tooke it when it decreed wee two should meet nor shall they mingle now wee are but brought together strait to part Fight ARI. Some Devill sure has borrowed this shape my sword ne're staid thus long to finde an entrance ZIR. To guiltie men all that appeare is Devill come trifler come Fight ARI. Dog thou hast it ZIR. Why then it seemes my star's as great as his I smile at thee Ariaspes pants and runs at him to catch his sword thou now would'st have me kill thee and 't is a courtesie I cannot afford thee I have bethought my selfe there will be use of thee Pasithas to the rest with him Exit Enter Pasithas and two of the Guard Exeunt Enter Thersames THER The Dog-star's got up high it should be late and sure by this time every waking eare and watchfull eye is charm'd and yet mee thought a noyse of weapons struck my eare just now 'T was but my Fancie sure and were it more I would not tread one step that did not lead to my Aglaura stood all his Guard betwixt with lightning in