ouer a yeelding foe Therefore be blithe sweete loue abandon feare I will forget thy former crueltie Perse. Ah false Erastus full of treachrie Bas. I alwaies told you that such coward knights VVere faithlesse swaines and worthie no respect But tell me sweete loue what is his offence That I with words and stripes may chastice him And bring him bound for thee to tread vpon Perse. Now must I find the meanes to rid him hence Go thou foorthwith arme thee from top to toe And come an houre hence vnto my lodging Then will I tell thee this offence at large And thou in my behalfe shalt worke reuenge Bas. I thus should men of valour be imployd This is good argument of thy true loue I go make reconing that Erastus dyes Vnlesse forewarnd the weakoning coward flies Exit Basilisco Per. Thou foolish coward flies Erastus liues The fayrest shape but fowlest minded man That ere sunne saw within our hemyspheare My tongue to tell my woes is all to weake I must vnclaspe me or my heart will breake But inward cares are most pent in with greefe Vnclasping therefore yeeldes me no releefe Ah that my moyst and cloud compacted braine Could spend my cares in showers of weeping raine But scalding sighes like blasts of boysterous windes Hinder my teares from falling on the ground And I must die by closure of my wound Ah false Erastus how had I misdoone That thou shouldst quit my loue with such a scorne Enter Erastus Here comes the Synon to my simple hart I le frame my selfe to his dissembling art Erast. Desire perswades me on feare puls me back Tush I will to her innocence is bould How fares Perseda my sweete second selfe Perse. Well now Erastus my hearts onely ioy Is come to ioyne both hearts in vnion Erast. And till I came whereas my loue did dwell My pleasure was but paine my solace woe Per. What loue meanes my Erastus pray thee tell Erast. Matchlesse Perseda she that gaue me strength To win late conquest from many victors hands Thy name was conquerour not my chiualrie Thy lookes did arme me not my coate of steele Thy beautie did defend me not my force Thy fauours bore me not my light foote Steed Therefore to thee I owe both loue and life But wherefore makes Perseda such a doubt As if Erastus could forget himselfe Which if I do all vengeance light on me Perse. Aye me how gracelesse are these wicked men I can no longer hould my patience Ah how thine eyes can forge alluring lookes And faine deepe oathes to wound poore sillie maides Are there no honest drops in all thy cheekes To check thy fraudfull countenance with a blush Calst thou me loue and louest another better If heauens were iust thy teeth would teare thy tongue For this thy periurde false disloialtie If heauens were iust men should haue open brests That we therein might read their guilefull thoughts If heauens were iust that power that forceth loue Would neuer couple Woolues and Lambes together Yes heauens are iust but thou art so corrupt That in thee all their influence dooth change As in the Spider good things turne to poyson Ah false Erastus how had I misdone That thou shouldst pawne my true affections pledge To her whose worth will neuer equall mine What is Lucinaes wealth exceeding mine Yet mine sufficient to encounter thine Is she more faire then I that 's not my fault Nor her desart what 's beauty but a blast Soone cropt with age or with infirmities Is she more wise her yeares are more then mine What ere she be my loue was more then hers And for her chastitie let others iudge But what talke I of her the fault is thine If I were so disgratious in thine eye That she must needes inioy my interest Why didst thou deck her with my ornament Could nothing serue her but the Carcanet Which as my life I gaue to thee in charge Couldst thou abuse my true simplicitie Whose greatest fault was ouer louing thee I le keepe no tokens of thy periury Heere giue her this Perseda now is free And all my former loue is turnd to hate Erast. Ah stay my sweete Perseda heare me speake Perse. What are thy words but Syrens guilefull songs That please the eare but seeke to spoile the heart Erast. Then view my teares that plead for innocence Perse. VVhat are thy teares but Circes magike seas VVhere none scape wrackt but blindfould Marriners Erast. If words teares displease then view my lookes That plead for mercy at thy rigorous hands Perse. VVhat are thy lookes but like the Cockatrice That seekes to wound poore silly passengers Erast. If words nor teares nor lookes may win remorse VVhat then remaines for my perplexed heart Hath no interpreters but words or teares or lookes Perse. And they are all as false as thou thy selfe Exit Perseda Erast. Hard doome of death before my case be knowne My iudge vniust and yet I cannot blame her Since Loue and iealousie mislead her thus My selfe in fault and yet not worthie blame Because that Fortune made the fault not Loue The ground of her vnkindnes growes because I lost The pretious Carcanet she gaue to me Lucina hath it as her words import But how she got it heauens knowes not I Yet this is some aleagement to my sorrow That if I can but get the Chaine againe I bouldly then shall let Perseda know That she hath wrongd Erastus and her frend Ah Loue and if thou beest of heauenly power Inspire me with some present stratagem It must be so Lucinas a franke Gaimster And like it is in plaie shee le hazard it For if report but blasen her aright Shee s a franke gaimster and inclinde to play Ho Piston Enter Piston Pist. Heere sir what would you with me Era. Desire Guelpio signior Iulio come speake with me And bid them bring some store of crownes with them And sirra prouide me foure Visards Foure Gownes a boxe and a Drumme For I intend to go in mummery Pist. I will sir Exit Piston Erast. Ah vertuous Lampes of euer turning heauens Incline her minde to play and mine to win Nor do I couet but what is mine owne Then shall I let Perseda vnderstand How iealousie had armd her tongue with malice Ah were she not Perseda whom my heart No more can flie then iron can Adamant Her late vnkindnes would haue chaunged my minde Enter Guelpio and Iulio and Piston Guelp. How now Erastus wherein may we pleasure thee Erast. Sirs thus it is we must in mummerie Vnto Lucina neither for loue nor hate But if we can to win the chaine she weares For though I haue some interest therein Fortune may make me maister of mine owne Rather then I le seeke iustice gainst the Dame But this assure your selues it must be mine By game or change by one deuise or other The rest I le tell you when our sport is doone Iulio VVhy then le ts make vs ready and about it Erast. VVhat
Heere Brusor this kinde Turtle shall be thine Take her and vse her at thy pleasure But this kinde Turtle is for Soliman That her captiuitie may turne to blisse Faire lookes resembling Phoebus radiant beames Smooth forhead like the table of high Ioue Small pensild eye browes like to glorious rainbowes Quicke lampelike eyes like heauens two brightest orbes Lips of pure Corall breathing Ambrosie Cheekes where the Rose and Lillie are in combate Necke whiter then the Snowie Apenines Brests like two ouerflowing Fountaines Twixt which a vale leads to the Elisian shades Where vnder couert lies the fount of pleasure Which thoughts may gesse but tongue must not prophane A sweeter creature nature neuer made Loue neuer tainted Solyman till now Now faire Virgin let me heare thee speake Perse. What can my tongue vtter but greefe and death Soli. The sound is hunnie but the sence is gall The sweeting blesse me with a cheerefull looke Perse. How can mine eyes dart foorth a pleasant looke When they are stopt with flouds of flowing teares Soli. If tongue with griefe and eyes with teares be fild Say Virgin how dooth thy heart admit The pure affection of great Soliman Perse. My thoughts are like pillers of Adamant Too hard to take an new impression Soli. Nay then I see my stooping makes her proud She is my vassaile and I will commaund Coye Virgin knowest thou what offence it is To thwart the will and pleasure of a king Why thy life is doone if I but say the word Perse. Why that 's the period that my heart desires Soli. And die thou shalt vnlesse thou change thy minde Perse. Nay then Perseda growes resolute Solimans thoughts and mine resemble Liues paralise that neuer can be ioyned Soli. Then kneele thou downe And army hands receiue the stroake of death Domde to thy selfe by thine owne wilfulnes Per. Strike strike thy words pierce deeper then thy blows Soli. Brusor hide her for her lookes withhould me Then Brusor hides her with a Lawne O Brusor thou hast not hid her lippes For there sits Venus with Cupid on her knee And all the Graces smiling round about her So crauing pardon that I cannot strike Bru. Her face is couerd ouer quite my Lord Soli. Why so O Brusor seest thou not her milke white neck That Alablaster tower T will breake the edge of my keene Semitor And peeces flying back will wound my selfe Bru. Now she is all couered my Lord Soli. Why now at last she dyes Perse. O Christ receiue my soule Soli. Harke Brusor she cals on Christ I will not send her to him Her wordes are musick The selfe same musick that in auncient dayes Brought Alexander from warre to banquetting And made him fall from skirmishing to kissing No my deare Loue would not let me kill thee Though Maiestie would turne desire to wrath There lyes my sword humbled at thy feete And I my selfe that gouerne many kings Intreate a pardon for my rash misdeede Perse. Now Soliman wrongs his imperiall state But if thou loue me and haue hope to win Graunt me one boone that I shall craue of thee Soli. What ere it be Perseda I graunt it thee Perse. Then let me liue a Christian Virgin still Vnlesse my state shall alter by my will Soli. My word is past and I recall my passions What should he do with crowne and Emperie That cannot gouerne priuate fond affections Yet giue me leaue in honest sort to court thee To ease though not to cure my maladie Come sit thee downe vpon my right hand here This seate I keepe voide for another friend Go Ianisaries call in your Gouernour So shall I ioy betweene two captiue friends And yet my selfe be captive to them both If friendships yoake were not at libertie See where he comes my other best beloued Enter Erastus Perse. My sweete and best beloued Erast. My sweete and best beloued Perse. For thee my deare Erastus haue I liued Erast. And I for thee or els I had not liued Soli. What words in affection doo I see Erast. Ah pardon me great Soliman for this is she For whom I mourned more then for all Rhodes And from whose absence I deriued my sorrow Perse. And pardon me my Lord for this is he For whom I thwarted Solimans intreats And for whose exile I lamented thus Erast. Euen from my childhood haue I tendred thee Witnesse the heauens of my vnfeined loue Soli. By this one accedent I well perceiue That heauens and heauenly powers do manage loue I loue them both I know not which the better They loue each other best what then should follow But that I conquer both by my deserts And ioyne their hands whose hearts are knit already Erastus and Perseda come you hether And both giue me your hands Erastus none but thou couldst win Perseda Perseda none but thou couldst win Erastus From great Soliman so well I loue you both And now to turne late promises to good effect Be thou Erastus Gouernour of Rhodes By this thou shalt dismisse my garison Brus. Must he reape that for which I tooke the toile Come enuie then and sit in friendships seate How can I loue him that inioyes my right Soli. Giue me a crowne to crowne the bride withall Then he crownes Perseda Perseda for my sake weare this crowne Now is she fairer then she was before This title so augments her beautie as the fire That lay with honours hand rackt vp in ashes Reuies againe to flames the force is such Remooue the cause and then the effect will die They must depart or I shall not be quiet Erastus and Perseda meruaile not That all in hast I wish you to depart There is an vrgent cause but priuie to my selfe Commaund my shipping for to waft you ouer Era. My gratious Lord whē Erastus doth forget this fauor Then let him liue abandond and forlorne Perse. Nor will Perseda slacke euen in her praiers And still solicite God for Soliman Whose minde hath proued so good and gratious Soli. Farewell Erastus Perseda farewell to Exeunt Me thinks I should not part with two such friends The one so renownd for armes and curtesie The other so adornd with grace and modestie Yet of the two Perseda mooues me most I and so mooues me that I now repent That ere I gaue away my hearts desire What was it but abuse of Fortunes gift And therefore Fortune now will be reuengde What was it but abuse of loues commaund And therefore mightie Loue will be reuengd What was it but abuse of heauens that gaue her me And therefore angrie heauens will be reuengd Heauens Loue and Fortune all three haue decreed That I shall loue her still and lack her still Like euer thirsting wretched Tantalus Foolish Soliman why did I striue To do him kindnes and vndoe my selfe Well gouernd friends do first regard themselues Bru. I now occasion serues to stumble him That thrust his sickle in my haruest corne Pleaseth your Maiestie to heare Brusor speake Soli. To one past cure
for her I would sacke the towne ere I would sound a parle The Drum soundes a parle Perseda comes vpon the walles in mans apparell Basilisco and Piston vpon the walles Per. At whose intreatie is this parle sounded Soli. At our intreaty therefore yeeld the towne Per. Why what art thou that boldly bids vs yeeld Soli. Great Soliman Lord of all the world Per. Thou art not Lord of all Rhodes is not thine Soli. It was and shall be maugre who saies no Per. I that say no will neuer see it thine Soli. Why what art thou that dares resist my force Per. A Gentleman and thy mortall enemie And one that dares thee to the single combate Soli. First tell me dooth Perseda liue or no Per. She liues to see the wrack of Soliman Soli. Then I le combate thee what ere thou art Per. And in Erastus name I le combat thee And heere I promise thee on my Christian faith Then will I yeeld Perseda to thy hands That if thy strength shall ouer match my right To vse as to thy liking shall seeme best But ere I come to enter single fight First let my tongue vtter my hearts despight And thus my tale begins thou wicked tirant Thou murtherer accursed homicide For whome hell gapes and all the vgly feends Do waite for to receiue thee in their iawes Ah periur'd and in humaine Soliman How could thy heart harbour a wicked thought Against the spotlesse life of poore Erastus VVas he not true would thou hadst been as iust VVas he not valiant would thou hadst bin as vertuous VVas he not loyall would thou hadst beene as louing Ah wicked tirant in that one mans death Thou hast betrayde the flower of Christendome Dyed he because his worth obscured thine In slaughtering him thy vertues are defamed Didst thou misdoe him in hope to win Perseda Ah foolish man therein thou art deceiued For though she liue yet will she neare liue thine VVhich to approoue I le come to combat thee Soli. Iniurious foule mouthd knight my wrathfull arme Shall chastise and rebuke these iniuries Then Perseda comes downe to Soliman and Basilisco and Piston Pist I but heere you are you so foolish to fight with him Bas. I sirra why not as long as I stand by Soli. I le not defend Erastus innocence But thee maintaining of Persedas beautie Then they fight Soliman kils Perseda Per. I now I lay Perseda at thy feete But with thy hand first wounded to the death Now shall the world report that Soliman Slew Erastus in hope to win Perseda And murtherd her for louing of hir husband Soli. What my Perseda ah what haue I doone Yet kisse me gentle loue before thou die Perse. A kisse I graunt thee though I hate thee deadly Soli. I loued thee deerelie and accept thy kisse VVhy didst thou loue Erastus more then me Or why didst not giue Soliman a kisse Ere this vnhappie time then hadst thou liued Basi. Ah let me kisse thee too before I die Then Soliman kils Basilisco Soli. Nay die thou shalt for thy presumption For kissing her whom I do hould so deare Pist. I will not kisse hir sir but giue me leaue To weepe ouer hir for while she liued Shee loved me deerely and I loued hir Soli. If thou didst loue hir villaine as thou saidst Then wait on her thorough eternall night Then Soliman kils Piston Ah Perseda how shall I mourne for thee Faire springing rose ill pluckt before thy time Ah heauens that hitherto haue smilde on me Why doe you vnkindly lowre on Soliman The losse of halfe my Realmes nay crownes decay Could not haue prickt so neere vnto my heart As doth the losse of my Persedaes life And with her life I likewise loose my loue And with her loue my hearts felicitie Euen for Erastus death the heauens haue plagued me Ah no the heauens did neuer more accurse me Then when they made me Butcher of my loue Yet iustly how can I condemne my selfe When Brusor liues that was the cause of all Come Brusor helpe to lift her bodie vp Is she not faire Bru. Euen in the houre of death Soli. Was she not constant Bru. As firme as are the poles whereon heauen lies Soli. VVas she not chast Bru. As is Pandora or Dianaes thoughts Soli. Then tell me his treasons set aside VVhat was Erastus in thy opinion Bru. Faire spoken wise curteous and liberall Kinde euen to his foes gentle and affable And all in all his deeds heroyacall Soli. Ah was he so how durst thou then vngratious Counseller First cause me murther such a worthy man And after tempt so vertuous a woman Be this therefore the last that ere thou speake Ianisaries take him straight vnto the block Off with his head and suffer him not to speake Exit Brusor. And now Perseda heere I lay me downe And on thy beautie still contemplate Vntill mine eyes shall surfet by my gasing But stay let me see what paper is this Then he takes vp a paper and reedes in it as followeth Tyrant my lips were sawst with deadly poyson To plague thy hart that is so full of poison What am I poisoned then Ianisaries Let me see Rhodes recouerd ere I die Souldiers assault the towne on euery side Spoile all kill all let none escape your furie Sound an alarum to the fight Say Captaine is Rhodes recouered againe Capt. It is my Lord and stoopes to Soliman Soli. Yet that alayes the furie of my paine Before I die for doubtlesse die I must I fates iniurious fates haue so decreed For now I feele the poyson gins to worke And I am weake euen to the very death Yet some thing more contentedly I die For that my death was wrought by her deuise Who liuing was my ioy whose death my woe Ah Ianisaries now dyes your Emperour Before his age hath seene his mellowed yeares And if you euer loued your Emperour Affright me not with sorrowes and laments And when my soule from body shall depart Trouble me not but let me passe in peace And in your silence let your loue be showne My last request for I commaund no more Is that my body with Persedas be Interd where my Erastus lyes intombd And let one Epitaph containe vs all Ah now I feele the paper tould me true The poison is disperst through euery vaine And boiles like Etna in my frying guts Forgiue me deere Erastus my vnkindnes I haue reuengd thy deaths with many deaths And sweete Perseda flie not Soliman When as my gliding ghost shall follow thee With eager moode thorow eternall night And now pale Death sits on my panting soule And with reuenging ire dooth tyrannise And saies for Solimans too much amisse This day shall be the peryod of my blisse Exeunt Then Soliman dyes and they carry him forth with silence Enter Chorus Fortune I gaue Erastus woe and miserie Amidst his greatest ioy and iollitie Loue But I that haue power in earth and heauen aboue Stung them both with neuer failing loue Death But I bereft them both of loue and life Loue Of life but not of loue for euen in death Their soules are knit though bodies be disioynd Thou didst but wound their flesh their minds are free Their bodies buried yet they honour me Death Hence foolish Fortune and thou wanton Loue Your deedes are trifles mine of consequence Fortune I giue worlds happines and woes increase Loue By ioyning persons I increase the world Death By wastning all I conquer all the world And now to end our difference at last In this last act note but the deedes of death VVhere is Erastus now but in my triumph VVhere are the murtherers but in my triumph VVhere 's iudge and witnesse but in my triumph Where 's falce Lucina but in my triumph Where 's faire Perseda but in my triumph VVhere 's Basilisco but in my triumph VVhere 's faithfull Piston but in my triumph VVhere 's valiant Brusor but in my triumph And where 's great Soliman but in my triumph Their loues and fortunes ended with their liues And they must wait vpon the Carre of death Packe Loue and Fortune play in Commedies For powerfull death best fitteth Tragedies Loue I go yet Loue shall neuer yeeld to Death Exit Loue Death But Fortune shall for when I waste the world Then times and kingdomes Fortunes shall decay For. Meane time will Fortune gouerne as she may Exit Fortune Death I now will Death in his most haughtie pride Fetch his imperiall Carre from deepest hell And ride in triumph through the wicked world Sparing none but sacred Cynthias friend Whome Death did feare before her life began For holy fates haue grauen it in their tables That Death shall die if he attempt her end VVhose life is heauens delight and Cynthias friend FINIS Imprinted at London for Edward White and are to be sold at his shop at the little North doore of S. Paules Church at the signe of the Gunne
THE TRAGEDYE OF SOLYMAN AND PERSEDA VVherein is laide open Loues constancy Fortunes inconstancy and Deaths Triumphs AT LONDON Printed by Edward Allde for Edward White and are to be solde at the little North doore of Paules Church at the signe of the Gun THE Tragedie of Soliman and Perseda Actus primus Enter Loue Fortune Death Loue WHat Death and Fortune crosse the way of Loue For. Why what is Loue but Fortunes tenis-ball Death Nay what are you both but subiects vnto Death And I commaund you to forbeare this place For heere the mouth of sad Melpomene Is wholy bent to tragedies discourse And what are Tragedies but acts of death Here meanes the wrathfull muse in seas of teares And lowd laments to tell a dismall tale A tale wherein she lately hath bestowed The huskie humour of her bloudy quill And now for tables takes her to her tung Loue Why thinkes Death Loue knowes not the historie Of braue Erastus and his Rodian dame T was I that made their harts consent to loue And therefore come I now as fittest person To serue for chorus to this Tragedie Had not I beene they had not dyed so soone Death Had I not beene they had not dyed so soone For. Nay then it seemes you both doo misse the marke Did not I change long loue to sudden hate And then rechange their hatred into loue And then from loue deliuer them to death Fortune is chorus Loue and death be gone Death I tell thee Fortune and thee wanton Loue I will not downe to euerlasting night Till I haue moralliz'd this Tragedy Whose cheefest actor was my sable dart Loue Nor will I vp into the brightsome sphere From whence I sprung till in the chorus place I make it knowne to you and to the world What interest Loue hath in Tragedies For. Nay then though Fortune haue delight in change I le stay my flight and cease to turne my wheele Till I haue showne by demonstration What intrest I haue in a Tragedie Tush Fortune can doo more then Loue or Death Loue Why stay we then le ts giue the Actors leaue And as occasion serues make our returne Exeunt Enter Erastus and Perseda Erast. Why when Perseda wilt thou not assure me But shall I like a mastlesse ship at sea Goe euery way and not the way I would My loue hath lasted from mine infancie And still increased as I grew my selfe When did Perseda pastime in the streetes But her Erastus ouer-eied her sporte When didst thou with thy sampler in the Sunne Sit sowing with thy feres but I was by Marking thy lilly hands dexteritie Comparing it to twenty gratious things When didst thou sing a note that I could heare But I haue framde a dittie to the tune Figuring Perseda twenty kinde of waies When didst thou goe to Church on hollidaies But I haue waited on thee too and fro Marking my times as Faulcons watch their flight When I haue mist thee how haue I lamented As if my thoughts had bene assured true Thus in my youth now since I grew a man I haue perseuered to let thee know The meaning of my true harts constancie Then be not nice Perseda as women woont To hasty louers whose fancy soone is fled My loue is of a long continuance And merites not a strangers recompence Per. Enough Erastus thy Perseda knowes She whom thou wouldst haue thine Erastus knowes Erast. Nay my Perseda knowes and then t is well Per. I watch you vauntages thine be it then I haue forgot the rest but that 's the effect Which to effect accept this carkanet My Grandame on her death bed gaue it me And there euen there I vow'd vnto my selfe To keepe the same vntill my wandring eye Should finde a harbour for my hart to dwell Euen in thy brest doo I elect my rest Let in my hart to keepe thine company Erast. And sweet Perseda accept this ring To equall it receiue my hart to boot It is no boot for that was thine before And far more welcome is this change to me Then sunny daies to naked Sauages Or newes of pardon to a wretch condemde That waiteth for the fearefull stroke of death As carefull will I be to keepe this chaine As doth the mother keepe her children From water pits or falling in the fire Ouer mine armour will I hang this chaine And when long combat makes my body faint The sight of this shall shew Persedas name And ad fresh courage to my fainting limmes This day the eger Turke of Tripolis The Knight of Malta honoued for his worth And he that 's titled by the golden spurre The Moore vpon his hot barbarian horse The fiery Spaniard bearing in his face The empresse of a noble warriour The sudden Frenchman and the bigbound Dane And English Arthers hardy men at armes Eclipped Lyons of the westerne worlde Eche one of these approued combatants Assembled from seuerall corners of the world Are hither come to try their force in armes In honor of the Prince of Cipris nuptials Amongst these worthies will Erastus troupe Though like a Gnat amongst a hiue of Bees Know me by this thy pretious carkanet And if I thriue in valour as the glasse That takes the Sun-beames burning with his force I le be the glasse and thou that heauenly Sun From whence I le borrow what I do atchieue And sweet Perseda vnnoted though I be Thy beauty yet shall make me knowne ere night Per. Yong slippes are neuer graft in windy daies Yong schollers neuer entered with the rod Ah my Erastus there are Europes Knights That carry honour grauen in their helmes And they must winne it deere that winne it thence Let not my beauty prick thee to thy bane Better sit still then rise and ouer-tane Erast. Counsell me not for my intent is sworne And be my fortune as my loue deserues Per. So be thy fortune as thy features serues And then Erastus liues without compare Enter a Messenger Here comes a Messenger to haste me hence I know your message hath the Princesse sent for me Messen. She hath and desires you to consort her to the triumphes Enter Piston Piston Who saw my Master O sir are you heere The Prince and all the outlandish Gentlemen Are ready to goe to the triumphs they stay for you Erast. Goe sirra bid my men bring my horse and a dosen staves Pist. You shall haue your horses and two dosen of staves Exit Piston Erast. Wish me good hap Perseda and I le winne Such glory as no time shall ere race out Or end the period of my youth in blood Per. Such fortune as the good Andromache Wisht valiant Hector wounded with the Greekes I wish Erastus in his maiden warres Orecome with valour these high minded Knights As with thy vertue thou hast conquered me Heauens heare my harty praier and it effect Exeunt Enter Philippo the Prince of Cipris Basilisco and all the Knights Phil. Braue knights of Christendome and turkish both Assembled heere
sooner Informd him that I sought him vp and downe But he was gon in twinckling of an eye But I will after my delitious loue For well I wot though she desemble thus And cloake affection with hir modestie With loue of me her thoughts are ouer gone More then was Phillis with hir Demophon Exit Enter Philippo the Prince of Cipris with other Souldiours Phil. Braue prince of Cipris and our sonne in law Now there is little time to stand and talke The Turkes haue past our Gallies and are landed You with some men at armes shall take the Tower I with the rest will downe vnto the strane If we be beaten back wee le come to you And here in spight of damned Turkes wee le gaine A glorious death or famous victorie Cyp. About it then Exeunt Enter Brusor and his Souldiers Bru. Drum sound a parle to the Citttzens The Prince of Cypres on the walles Cyp. What parle craues the Turkish at our hands Bru. We come with mightie Solimans commaund Monarch and mightie Emperor of the world From East to Weast from South to Septentrion If you resist expect what warre affordes Mischiefe murther bloud and extremitie What wilt thou yeeld and trie our clemencie Say I or no for we are peremtorie Cyp. Your Lord vsurps in all that he posesseth And that great God which we do truly worship Shall strengthen vs against your insolence Bru. Now if thou plead for mercie t is to late Come fellow Souldiers let vs to the breach That 's made already on the other side Exeunt to the batel Phylippo and Cipris are both slaine Enter Brusor with Souldiers hauing Guelpio Iulio and Basilisco with Perseda and Lucina prisoners Bru. Now Rhodes is yoakt and stoopes to Soliman There lies the Gouernour and there his sonne Now let their soules tell sorrie tidings to their ancestors What millions of men opprest with ruine and scath The Turkish armies did in Christendome What say these prisoners will they turne Turke or no Iulio First Iulio will die ten thousand deaths Guel. And Guelpio rather then denie his Christ Bru. Then stab the slaues and send their soules to hell They stab Iulio and Guelpio Bas. I turne I turne oh saue my life I turne Bru. For beare to hurt him when we land in Turkie He shall be circumcised and haue his rites Bas. Thinke you I turne Turque For feare of seruile death that 's but a sport I faith sir no T is for Perseda whom I loue so well That I would follow her though she went to hell Bru. Now for these Ladies their liues priuiledge Hangs on their beautie they shall be preserued To be presented to great Soliman The greatest honour Fortune could affoord Perse. The most dishonour that could ere befall Exeunt Enter Chorus Lou. Now Fortune what hast thou done in this later passage For. I plast Erastus in the fauour Of Solyman the Turkish Emperour Loue Nay that was Loue for I coucht my selfe In poore Erastus eyes and with a looke Orespred with teares bewitched Solyman Beside I sat on valiant Brusors tongue To guide the praises of the herodian knight Then in the Ladies passions I showed my power And lastly Loue made Basiliscos tongue To countercheck his hart by turning Turke And saue his life in spight of deaths despight Death How chance it then that Loue and Fortunes power Could neither saue Philippo nor his sonne Nor Guelpio nor signior Iulio Nor rescue Rhodes from out the hands of Death For. Why Brusors victorie was Fortunes gift Death But had I slept his conquest had beene small Loue Wherfore stay we ther 's more behind which proues That though Loue winke Loues not starke blinde Exeunt Enter Erastus and Piston Pist. Faith maister me thinks you are vnwise That you weare not the high Sugerloafe hat And the gilded gowne the Emperour gaue you Erast. Peace foole a sable weede fits discontent Away be gon Pist. I le go prouide your supper A shoulder of mutton and neuer a Sallet Exit Piston Erast. I must confesse that Solyman is kinde Past all compare and more then my desart But what helps gay garments when the minds oprest What pleaseth the eye when the sence is altered My heart is ouer whelmd with thousand woes And melancholie leades my soule in triumphe No meruaile then if I haue little minde Of rich imbroderie or costly ornaments Of honors titles or of wealth or gaine Of musick viands or of dainty dames No no my hope full long agoe was lost And Rhodes it selfe is lost or els destroyde If not destroide yet bound and captiuate If captiuate then forst from holy faith If forst from faith for euer miserable For what is misery but want of God And God is lost if faith be ouerthrowne Enter Solyman Solim. Why how now Erastus alwaies in thy dumpes Still in black habite fitting funerall Cannot my loue perswade thee from this moode Nor all my faire intreats and blandishments Wert thou my friend thy minde would iumpe with mine For what are freends but one minde in two bodies Perhaps thou doubts my friendships constancie Then doost thou wrong the measure of my loue Which hath no measure and shall neuer end Come Erastus sit thee downe by me And I le impart to thee our Brusors newes Newes to our honour and to thy content The Gouernour is slaine that sought thy death Erast. A worthy man though not Erastus friend Soli. The Prince of Cipris to is likewise slaine Erast. Faire blossome likely to haue proued good fruite Soli. Rhodes is taken and all the men are slaine Except some few that turne to Mahomet Erast. I there it is now all my freends are slaine And faire Perseda murtherd or deflowerd Ah gratious Solyman now show thy loue In not denying thy poore supplyant Suffer me not to stay here in thy presence But by my selfe lament me once for all Here if I stay I must suppresse my teares And teares supprest will but increase my sorrow Soli. Go then go spend thy mournings all at once That in thy presence Soliman may ioy Exit Erastus For hetherto haue I reaped little pleasure Well well Erastus Rhodes may blesse thy birth For his sake onely will I spare them more From spoile pillage and oppression Then Alexander spard warlike Thebes For Pindarus or then Augustus Sparde rich Alexandria for Arias sake Enter Brusor Perseda and Lucina Bru. My gratious Lord reioyce in happinesse All Rhodes is yoakt and stoopes to Solyman Soli. First thanks to heauen and next to Brusors valour Which I le not guerdon with large promises But straight reward thee with a bounteous largesse But what two Christian Virgins haue we here Bru. Part of the spoile of Rhodes which were preserued To be presented to your mightinesse Soli. This present pleaseth more then all the rest And were their garments turnd from black to white I should haue deemd them Junoes goodly Swannes Or Venus milke white Doues so milde they are And so adornd with beauties miracle
till now His heart was purposd once to do thee wrong Erast. I that was before he knew thee to be mine But now Perseda le ts forget ould greefes And let our studies wholie be imploid To worke each others blisse and hearts delight Per. Our present ioyes will be so much the greater When as we call to minde fore passed greefes So singes the Mariner vpon the shore When he hath past the dangerous time of stormes But if my Loue will haue olde greefes forgot They shall lie buried in Persedas brest Enter Brusor and Lucina Erast. Welcome Lord Brusor Perse. And Lucina to Bru. Thankes Lord gouernour Luci. And thankes to you Madame Erast. What hastie news brings you so soone to Rhodes Although to me you neuer come to soone Bru. So it is my Lord that vpon great affaires Importuning health and wealth of Soliman His highnes by me intreateth you As euer you respect his future loue Or haue regard vnto his curtesie To come your selfe in person and visit him Without inquirie what should be the cause Erast. VVere there no ships to crosse the Seas withall My armes should frame mine oares to crosse the seas And should the seas turne tide to force me backe Desire should frame me winges to flie to him I go Perseda thou must giue me leaue Perse. Though loth yet Solimans command preuailes Luci. And sweete Perseda I will stay with you From Brusor my beloued and I le want him Till he bring backe Erastus vnto you Erast. Lord Brusor come t is time that we were gon Bru. Perseda farewell be not angrie For that I carry thy beloued from thee VVe will returne with all speede possible And thou Lucina vse Perseda so That for my carrying of Erastus hence She curse me not and so farewell to both Per. Come Lucina le ts in my heart is full Exeunt Enter Soliman Lord marshall the two witnesses and Ianisaries Soli. Lord marshall see you handle it cunningly And when Erastus comes our periurd friend See he be condemnd by marshall law Heere will I stand to see and not be seene Marshall Come fellowes see when this matter comes in question You stagger not and Ianisaries See that your strangling cordes be readie Soli. Ah that Perseda were not halfe so faire Or that Soliman were not so fond Or that Perseda had some other loue Whose death might saue my poore Erastus life Enter Brusor and Erastus See where he comes whome though I deerely loue Yet must his bloud be spilt for my behoofe Such is the force of morrow burning loue Marshall Erastus Lord Gouernour of Rhodes I arrest you in the Kings name Erast. What thinks Lord Brusor of this strange arrest Hast thou intrapt me to this tretcherie Intended well I wot without the leaue Or licence of my Lord great Soliman Bru. Why then appeale to him where thou shalt know And be assured that I betray thee not Soli. Yes thou and I and all of vs betray him Mar. No no in this case no appeale shall serue Era. Why then to thee or vnto any else I heere protest by heauens vnto you all That neuer was there man more true or iust Or in his deeds more loyall and vpright Or more louing or more innocent Than I haue bene to gratious Soliman Since first I set my feet on Turkish land Soli. My selfe would be his witnesse if I durst But bright Persedaes beautie stops my tongue Mar. Why sirs why face to face expresse you not The treasons you reueald to Soliman Witnesses That very day Erastus went from hence He sent for me into his Cabinet And for that man that is of my profession Eras. I neuer saw them I vntill this day Witnesse His Cabine dore fast shut he first began To question vs of all sorts of fire-workes Wherein when we had fully resolued him VVhat might be done he spredding on the boord A huge heape of our imperiall coyne All this is yours quoth he if you consent To leaue great Soliman and serue in Rhodes Mar. Why that was treason but onwards with the rest Enter Piston Pist. What haue we heer my maister before the marshall Witn. We said not I nor durst we say him nay Bicause we were already in his gallyes But seemd content to flie with him to Rhodes With that he purst the gould and gaue it vs The rest I dare not speake it is so bad Erast. Heauens heer you this and drops not vengeance on them The other wit The rest and worst will I discourse in briefe Will you consent quoth he to fire the fleete That lies hard by vs heere in Bosphoron For be it spoke in secret heere quoth he Rhodes must no longer beare the turkish yoake We said the taske might easilie be performd But that we lackt such drugs to mixe with powder As were not in his gallyes to be got At this he lept for ioy swearing and promising That our reward should be redoubled We came aland not minding for to returne And as our duty and aleageance bound vs We made all knowne vnto great Soliman But ere we could summon him a land His ships were past a kenning from the shore Belike he thought we had bewrayd his treasons Marsh. That all is true that heere you haue declard Both lay your hands vpon the Alcaron 1. Wit Foule death betide me if I sweare not true 2. Wit And mischiefe light on me if I sweare false Soli. Mischiefe and death shall light vpon you both Mar. Erastus thou seest what witnes hath produced against thee What answerest thou vnto their accusations Erast. That these are Synons and my selfe poore Troy Mar. Now it resteth I appoint thy death Wherein thou shalt confesse I le fauour thee For that thou wert beloued of Soliman Thou shalt foorthwith be bound vnto that post And strangled as our Turkish order is Pist. Such fauour send all Turkes I pray God Erast. I see this traine was plotted ere I came What bootes complaining where 's no remedy Yet giue me leaue before my life shall end To moane Perseda and accuse my friend Soli. O vniust Soliman O wicked time Where filthie lust must murther honest loue Marsh. Dispatch for our time limited is past Erast. Alas how can he but be short whose tongue Is fast tide with galling sorrow Farewell Perseda no more but that for her Inconstant Soliman no more but that for him Vnfortunate Erastus no more but that for me Loe this is al thus I leaue to speake Then they strangle him Pist. Marie sir this is a faire warning for me to get me gon Exit Piston Soli. O saue his life if it be possible I will not loose him for my kingdomes worth Ah poore Erastus art thou dead already What bould presumer durst be so resolued For to bereaue Erastus life from him Whose life to me was dearer then mine owne VVast thou and thou Lord marshall bring them hether And at Erastus hand let them receiue The stroake of death whom they haue spoild of
my selfe I say It is not meete that one so base as thou Shouldst come about the person of a King Soli. Must I giue aime to this presumption Amur. Your Highnesse knowes I speake in dutious loue Haleb. Your Highnes knowes I spake at your command And to the purpose far from flattery Amu. Thinks thou I flatter now I flatter not Then he kils Haleb. Soli. What dismall Planets guides this fatall hower Villaine thy brothers grones do call for thee Then Soliman kils Amurath To wander with them through eternall night Amu. Oh Soliman for louing thee I die Soli. No Amurath for murthering him thou dyest Oh Haleb how shall I begin to mourne Or how shall I begin to shed salt teares For whom no wordes nor teares can well suffice Ah that my rich imperiall Diadem Could satisfie thy cruell destinie Or that a thousand of our Turkish soules Or twenty thousand millious of our foes Could ransome thee from fell deaths tirannie To win thy life would Soliman be poore And liue in seruile bondage all my dayes Accursed Amurath that for a worthlesse cause In bloud hath shortned our sweet Halebs dayes Ah what is dearer bond then brotherhood Yet Amurath thou wert my brother too If wilfull folly did not blind mine eyes I I and thou as vertuous as Haleb And I as deare to thee as vnto Haleb And thou as neere to me as Haleb was Ah Amurath why wert thou so vnkind to him For vttering but a thwarting word And Haleb why did not thy harts counsell Bridle the fond intemperance of thy tongue Nay wretched Solyman why didst not thou Withhould thy hand from heaping bloud on bloud Might I not better spare one ioy then both If loue of Haleb forst me on to wrath Curst be that wrath that is the way to death If iustice forst me on curst be that iustice That makes the brother Butcher of his brother Come Ianisaries and helpe me to lament And beare my ioyes on either side of me I late my ioyes but now my lasting sorrow Thus thus let Soliman passe on his way Bearing in either hand his hearts decay Exeunt Enter Chorus Loue Now Death and Fortune which of all vs three Hath in the Actors showne the greatest power Haue not I taught Erastus and Perseda By mutuall tokens to seale vp their loues Fortune I but those tokens the Ring and Carkanet Were Fortunes gifts Loue giues no gould or iewels Loue Why what is iewels or what is gould but earth An humor knit together by compression And by the worlds bright eye first brought to light Onely to feed mens eyes with vaine delight Loues workes are more then of a mortall temper I couple minds together by consent Who gaue Rhodes Princes to the Ciprian Prince but Loue For. Fortune that first by chance brought them together For till by Fortune persons meete each other Thou canst not teach their eyes to wound their hearts Loue I made those Knights of seuerall sect and countries Each one by armes to honor his beloued For. Nay one alone to honor his beloued The rest by turning of my tickle wheele Came short in reaching of faire honors marke I gaue Erastus onely that dayes prize A sweete renowne but mixt with bitter sorrow For in conclusion of his happines I made him loose the pretious Carcanet Whereon depended all his hope and ioy Death And more then so for he that found the chaine Euen for that Chaine shall be depriued of life Loue Besides Loue hath inforst a foole The fond Bragardo to presume to armes For. I but thou seest how he was ouerthrowne By Fortunes high displeasure Death I and by Death had beene surprisd If Fates had giuen me leaue But what I mist in him and in the rest I did accomplish on Haleb and Amurath The worthie brethren of great Soliman But wherefore stay we let the sequele prooue Who is greatest Fortune Death or Loue Exeunt Enter Ferdinando and Lucina Fer. As fits the time so now well fits the place To coole affection with our woords and lookes If in our thoughts be semblance simpathie Luci. My words my lookes my thoughts are all on thee Ferdinando is Lucinaes onely ioy Ferdi. What pledge thereof Luci. An oath a hand a kisse Ferdi. O holy oath faire hand and sugred kisse Oh neuer may Fernando lack such blisse But say my deare when shall the gates of heauen Stand all wide ope for celestiall Gods With gladsome lookes to gase at Hymens robes When shall the graces or Lucinas hand With Rosie chaplets deck thy golden tresses And Cupid bring me to thy nuptiall bed Where thou in ioy and pleasure must attend A blissfull war with me thy chiefest friend Lucina Full fraught with loue and burning with desire I long haue longd for light of Hymens lights Ferdi. Then that same day whose warme pleasant sight Brings in the spring with many gladsome flowers Be our first day of ioy and perfect peace Till when receiue this pretious Carcanet In signe that as these linkes are interlaced So both our hearts are still combind in one Which neuer can be parted but by death Enter Basilisco and Perseda Luci. And if I liue this shall not be forgot But see Ferdinando where Perseda comes Whom women loue for vertue men for bewty All the world loues none hates but enuie Bas. All haile braue Cauelere God morrow Madam The fairest shine that shall this day be seene Except Persedas beautious excelence Shame to loues Queene and Empresse of my thoughts Ferdi. Marry thrise happy is Persedas chance To haue so braue a champion to hir Squire Bas. Hir Squire her Knight and who so else denies Shall feele the rigour of my Sword and Launce Ferdi. O Sir not I Luci. Here 's none but friends yet let me chalenge you For gracing me with a malignant stile That I was fairest and yet Perseda fayrer We Ladies stand vpon our beauties much Perse. Herein Lucina let me buckler him Bas. Not Mars himselfe had eare so faire a Buckler Perse. Loue makes him blinde And blind can iudge no coulours Luci. Why then the mends is made and we still friends Perse. Still friends still foes she weares my Carcanet Ah false Erastus how am I betraid Luci. What ailes you madam that your coulor changes Perse. A suddaine qualme I therefore take my leaue Luci. Wee le bring you home Perse. No I shall soone get home Luci. Why then farewell Fernando le ts away Exeunt Ferdinando and Lucina Bas. Say worlds bright starre Whence springs this suddaine change Is it vnkindnes at the little praise I gaue Lucina with my glosing stile Perse. No no her beautie far surpasseth mine And from my neck her neck hath woone the praise Bas. What is it then if loue of this my person By fauour and by iustice of the heauens At last haue percst through thy tralucent brest And thou misdoubts perhaps that I le proue coye Oh be assur'd t is far from noble thoughts To tyrannise
me more braue Souldiers Then all that I le will beare Brusor. Their fleete is weake Their horsse I deeme them fiftie thousand strong Their footemen more well exercised in war And as it seemes they want no needfull vittaile Soli. How euer Rhodes be fencd by sea or land It eyther shall be mine or burie me Enter Erastus What 's he that thus bouldly enters in His habite argues him a Christian Erast. I worthie Lord a forlorne Christian Soli. Tell me man what madnes brought thee hether Erast. Thy vertuous fame and mine owne miserie Soli. What miserie speake for though you Christians Account our Turkish race but barbarous Yet haue we eares to heare a iust complaint And iustice to defend the innocent And pitie to such as are in pouertie And liberall hands to such as merit bountie Bru. My gratious Soueraigne as this Knight Seemes by greefe tyed to silence So his deserts binds me to speake for him This is Erastus the Rhodian worthie The flower of chiualrie and curtesie Soli. Is this the man that thou hast so describde Stand vp faire knight that what my heart desires Mine eyes may view with pleasure and delight This face of thine should harbour no deceit Erastus I le not yet vrge to know the cause That brought thee hether Least with the discourse thou shouldst afflict thy selfe And crosse the fulnes of my ioyfull passion But that we are assurde Heauens brought thee hether for our benefit Know thou that Rhodes nor all that Rhodes containes Shall win thee from the side of Soliman If we but finde thee well inclind to vs Erast. If any ignoble or dishonourable thoughts Should dare attempt or but creepe neere my heart Honour should force disdaine to roote it out As ayre bred Eagles if they once perceiue That any of their broode but close their sight When they should gase against the glorious Sunne They straight way sease vpon him with their talents That on the earth it may vntimely die For looking but ascue at heauens bright eye Soli. Erastus to make thee well assurde How well thy speach and presents liketh vs Aske what thou wilt it shall be graunted thee Erast. Then this my gratious Lord is all I craue That being banisht from my natiue soile I may haue libertie to liue a Christian Soly. I that or any thing thou shalt desire Thou shalt be Captaine of our Ianisaries And in our counsell shalt thou sit with vs And be great Solimans adopted freend Erast. The least of these surpasse my best desart Vnlesse true loyaltie may seeme desart Soli. Erastus now thou hast obtaind thy boone Denie not Soliman this owne request A vertuous enuie pricks me with desire To trie thy valour say art thou content Erast. I if my Soueraigne say content I yeeld Soli. Then giue vs Swords and Targets And now Erastus thinke me thine enemie But euer after thy continuall friend And spare me not for then thou wrongst my honour Then they fight and Erastus ouer comes Solyman Nay nay Erastus throw not downe thy weapons As if thy force did faile it is enough That thou hast conquered Soliman by strength By curtesie let Soliman conquer thee And now from armes to counsell sir thee downe Before thy comming I vowd to conquer Rhodes Say wilt thou be our Leiutenant there And further vs in manage of these wars Erast. My gratious Soueraigne without presumption If poore Erastus may once more intreat Let not great Solimans commaund To whose behest I vowe obedience Inforce me sheath my slaughtering blade In the deere bowels of my countrimen And were it not that Soliman hath sworne My teares should plead for pardon to that place I speake not this to shrinke away for feare Or hide my head in time of dangerous stormes Imploy me else where in thy forraine wars Against the Persians or the barbarous Moore Erastus will be formost in the battell Soli. Why fauourst thou thy countrimen so much By whose crueltie thou art exylde Erast. T is not my countrey but Phylippos wrath It must be tould for Ferdinandos death Whom I in honours cause haue reft of life Soli. Nor suffer this or that to trouble thee Thou shalt not neede Phylippo nor his I le Nor shalt thou war against thy Countrimen I like thy vertue in refusing it But that our oath may haue his currant course Brusor goe leuie men Prepare a fleete to assault and conquer Rhodes Meane time Erastus and I will striue By mutuall kindnes to excell each other Brusor be gon and see not Soliman Till thou hast brought Rhodes in subiection Exit Brusor. And now Erastus come and follow me Where thou shalt see what pleasures and what sports My Minions and my Euenukes can deuise To driue away this melancholly moode Exit Soliman Enter Piston Pist. Oh maister see where I am Erast. Say Piston what 's the newes at Rhodes Pist. Colde and comfortlesse for you Will you haue them all at once Erastus I Pist. Why the Gouernour will hang you he catch you Ferdinando is buried your friends commend them to you Perseda hath the chaine and is like to die for sorrow Erast. I that 's the greefe that we are parted thus Come follow me and I will heare the rest For now I must attend the Emperour Exeunt Enter Perseda Lucina and Basilisco Perse. Accursed Chaine vnfortunate Perseda Luci. Accursed Chaine unfortunate Lucina My friend is gone and I am desolate Perse. My friend is gone and I am desolate Returne him backe faire starres or let me die Luci. Returne him back faire heauens or let me die For what was he but comfort of my life Perse. For what was he but comfort of my life But why was I so carefull of the Chaine Luci. But why was I so carelesse of the chaine Had I not lost it my friend had not beene slaine Perse. Had I not askt it my friend had not departed His parting is my death Luci. His deaths my liues departing And here my tongue dooth stay with swolne harts greefe Per. And here my swolne harts greef doth stay my tongue Basi. For whom weepe you Luci. Ah for Fernando 's dying Basi. For whom mourne you Perse. Ah for Erastus flying Basi. Why Lady is not Basilisco here Why Lady dooth not Basilisco liue Am not I worth both these for whom you mourne Then take one halfe of me and cease to weepe Or if you gladly would inioy me both I le serue the one by day the other by night And I will pay you both your sound delight Luci. Ah how vnpleasant is mirth to melancholy Perse. My heart is full I cannot laugh at follie Exeunt Ladies Basi. See see Lucinae hates me like a Toade Because that when Erastus spake my name Her loue Fernando died at the same So dreadfull is our name to cowerdice On the otherside Perseda takes it vnkindly That ere he went I brought not bound vnto her Erastus that faint hearted run away Alasse how could I for his man no